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Business of Sport

Business of Sport

Hosted by Charlie and Harry Stebbings

BusinessSports
WebsiteRSS feed

Episodes

167

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN

About the show

The show that takes you behind the scenes with the industry's biggest owners, operators and athletes. It's the game you don't see!

Listen to episodes

60 recent
August 14, 20261 hr 10 min

THE BREAKDOWN: Does Bezos’s Money Matter to Liverpool, LIV Golf’s $300m Miracle, & The €4.2bn World of MotoGP (E32)

In the week where UEFA, CONCACAF & AFC clubbed together to inform FIFA and Infantino of their collective stance post privatisation scandal, we have to keep across what it means for football and its governance structures moving forward. Add to this a look at whether Jeff Bezos type wealth really matters in modern football ownership, how LIV has reportedly managed to convince anyone to invest up to $300m in the crippled tour, and a long overdue deep dive into MotoGP after the British Grand Prix, and we have ourselves a Breakdown. If you want to hear part one of our Premier League season preview, looking at how each club is positioned heading into the new season, from our business angle of course, come and join us on Substack.Disclaimer:The content of this podcast is intended as commentary and opinion on matters of public interest in the sports industry. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, figures, statistics, and financial data referenced may be based on publicly available estimates and could be subject to error or change. Nothing in this podcast should be taken as a statement of fact. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠charlie@20vc.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we will endeavour to correct the record promptly.We're delighted to also partner with the Global Institute Of Sport:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gis.sport/BoS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@businessofsport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com⁠⁠

August 11, 20261 hr 3 min

Marc White: Meet the Owner who is also Manager | The Dorking Wanderers Story (Ep132)

Have you ever heard of the owner who’s the manager who’s been the CEO as well as the kitman? Well if you haven’t, you’re about to, and this is a serious conversation despite at times seeming comical when you read that out.Marc White founded Dorking Wanderers in 1999 with a group of friends in the lowest division of English football, 17 tiers below the Premier League. In the last few years, they have got as high as the 5th, just one promotion from the EFL. Marc is still the owner, and the manager. His views on football as a business, how you can prove yourself without a background in the game, and building a club that does not run the risk of going out of business is one that anyone who tunes into this show regularly will love. As you will see, he is also a massive character. Time to meet him. I’m delighted to welcome Marc to the Business of Sport.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: AirwallexThe intelligent financial platform for global businesses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airwallex.com/uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GeminiWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://geminisports.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com⁠

August 7, 20261 hr 9 min

THE BREAKDOWN: Infantino isn’t the REAL Problem at FIFA, Staveley's West Ham Move Unpacked, & The Jockey Club Quit the RCA (E31)

After one of the most chaotic weeks in football, FIFA’s withdrawal of their privatisation plan would have been welcome news for virtually everyone, but what does that mean moving forward? Can Infantino cling to power? Does it actually matter when the real problem is the voting system? It’s time to look ahead as the dust settles just a little. Add to that a detailed look at West Ham’s ownership struggle as Amanda Staveley eyes an investment, and an update on horse racing after the huge news that the Jockey Club is leaving the Racecourse Association, and we have ourselves a breakdown.Disclaimer:The content of this podcast is intended as commentary and opinion on matters of public interest in the sports industry. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, figures, statistics, and financial data referenced may be based on publicly available estimates and could be subject to error or change. Nothing in this podcast should be taken as a statement of fact. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠charlie@20vc.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we will endeavour to correct the record promptly.We're delighted to also partner with the Global Institute Of Sport:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gis.sport/BoS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@businessofsport⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com⁠⁠

August 4, 202657 min

Brett Gosper: How the NFL Plans to Conquer the World (Ep131)

Finally we’ve taken the jump into the world of NFL as we welcome Brett Gosper to the show. The former CEO of World Rugby, Brett now heads the NFL in Europe and Asia Pacific, making this the perfect time to speak with him as there will be a record 9 matches hosted outside the US. It is also the perfect way for two Brits to get our feet under the table and get to grips with the business of the most successful sports league in the world. What can other sports take from the way the NFL has achieved that? What is unique to it? A very fresh conversation to bring you as we welcome Brett Gosper to the Business of Sport.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: AirwallexThe intelligent financial platform for global businesses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airwallex.com/uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GeminiWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://geminisports.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com

July 31, 20261 hr 7 min

THE BREAKDOWN: FIFA Have Gone Too Far This Time, Is the Commonwealth Games Still Relevant, & Gaelic Football Madness (E30)

This week we had a really nice show schedule planned out, but after the incredible news of FIFA looking to sell off some of the World Cup ownership, it was inevitable that the main topic of this show would then shift to that.So it has been a last-minute change, but we will be doing our best with the information that we have to get stuck into probably what is the biggest football story since the European Super League from a business perspective, at least.  Add to that a look at the Commonwealth Games, which kicked off last week in Glasgow after Australia pulled out of hosting the event in 2023, and a look at the GAA in Ireland, one of sport's most fascinating stories, and whether the Premier League and the EFL can strike a deal before the football regulator hands in their first report.  Plenty to cover today on The BreakdownDisclaimer:The content of this podcast is intended as commentary and opinion on matters of public interest in the sports industry. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, figures, statistics, and financial data referenced may be based on publicly available estimates and could be subject to error or change. Nothing in this podcast should be taken as a statement of fact. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us at ⁠⁠⁠charlie@20vc.com⁠⁠⁠ and we will endeavour to correct the record promptly.We're delighted to also partner with the Global Institute Of Sport:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gis.sport/BoS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@businessofsport⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com⁠⁠

July 28, 20261 hr 11 min

Frank Smith: The Power of Matchroom & The Finances of Boxing (Ep130)

It’s another returning great this week as we welcome Matchroom Boxing & Talent Agency CEO Frank Smith back to the chair. Frank was show number 8 on Business of Sport, and a lot has happened since. On top of deciding the sweeping curtains should be replaced by a buzz cut, he has been front and centre of a first class Netflix series looking behind the curtain at Matchroom, organised some of the biggest fights in the industry, and has set up Matchroom Talent Agency, signing some of the most notable but undervalued talent in sport, including Tom Aspinall & Henry Pollock.There was an air of confidence, surety, calmness, whatever you want to call it, about Frank this time round. To operate successfully in an industry where I think it is fair to say emotion can drive and get in the way of decision making and clarity of thought, Frank’s approach is pretty unique. Whether it is putting on Anthony Joshua’s mega fights, dealing with the Conor Benn fallout, adapting to the changing face of boxing as the influencer category flexes harder than ever, the approach doesn’t seem to change. I loved doing this again. We’re delighted to welcome Frank to the Business of Sport.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: AirwallexThe intelligent financial platform for global businesses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airwallex.com/uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GeminiWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://geminisports.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com

July 24, 20261 hr 9 min

THE BREAKDOWN: Has Football Finally Cracked America, The Story Behind Golf’s Hidden Superpower, & NRL’s $5.3bn Deal (E29)

The World Cup marathon has finally come to a close with Spain triumphing over Argentina while seeming to do the impossible, uniting the whole non-Argentine world behind one cause for the good of football, and that’s got nothing to do with me being a bitter Englishman. What about what has been happening off the pitch? What are the biggest business takeaways from the tournament. We’re not short of content. Add to that a look at golf after an enticing Open Championship, and how the mysterious R&A oversee the non-US side of the sport, and the incredible record NRL deal as Rugby League once again shows its pulling power in Australia, and we have ourselves a breakdown.Disclaimer:The content of this podcast is intended as commentary and opinion on matters of public interest in the sports industry. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, figures, statistics, and financial data referenced may be based on publicly available estimates and could be subject to error or change. Nothing in this podcast should be taken as a statement of fact. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us at ⁠⁠charlie@20vc.com⁠⁠ and we will endeavour to correct the record promptly.We're delighted to also partner with the Global Institute Of Sport:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gis.sport/BoS⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content:⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@businessofsport⁠⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com⁠⁠

July 21, 20261 hr 7 min

Seb Coe | New Formats, Athlete Pay, & The Post-Bolt Era: Rebuilding the Reputation of Athletics (Ep129)

In the week where Josh Kerr smashed the 27 year old mile record, we welcome into the studio the man who broke it 3 times, won multiple Olympic Gold Medals, brought the Olympics to London in 2012, and for the last decade has been President of World Athletics.Seb Coe is one of the most influential and respected executives in sport. He has certainly had one of the most diverse careers, and that gives him the opportunity to talk through both the biggest challenges that athletics and the Olympics more broadly faces, but also highlight what makes them storied, successful, and desirable for both fans and brands. In Seb’s eyes, there are only two truly global sports. Harry and I have had the privilege of knowing him our whole lives. It was therefore great to finally be able to do this. Let’s hear what it really takes to balance politics, performance, identity, finance, all under that banner of sport.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: AirwallexThe intelligent financial platform for global businesses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airwallex.com/uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GeminiWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://geminisports.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com

July 17, 20261 hr 7 min

THE BREAKDOWN: The FA Need to Stand Up to FIFA, McCullum Gone & The Rise of Jannik Sinner (E28)

After a stacked weekend of World Cup and Wimbledon, The options this week were endless. But having touched on the misdemeanours of FIFA last week, we were inundated with messages on the role the FA have to play in Infantino’s Presidency, so it is time to take a proper look at the relationship between England & FIFA. Add to that an update on McCullum’s inevitable departure from the England test set up, the incredible rise of Jannik Sinner alongside the Grand Slam nations struggles to produce their own champions, and a venture into the world of showjumping, and we have ourselves a breakdown.Disclaimer:The content of this podcast is intended as commentary and opinion on matters of public interest in the sports industry. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, figures, statistics, and financial data referenced may be based on publicly available estimates and could be subject to error or change. Nothing in this podcast should be taken as a statement of fact. If you believe any information is inaccurate, please contact us at ⁠charlie@20vc.com⁠ and we will endeavour to correct the record promptly.We're delighted to also partner with the Global Institute Of Sport:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://gis.sport/BoS⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our Substack for bonus content:⁠⁠https://substack.com/@businessofsport⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com⁠⁠

July 14, 20261 hr 22 min

Mirwan Suwarso: From Bankruptcy to Champions League in 9 Years | The Como Story (Ep128)

Como have gone from bankruptcy to the Champions League in 9 years. There aren’t many better headlines than that. Of course the next question is how have they done it? From Cesc Fabregas’s managerial excellence to building a club that is about more than football in one of the world’s most sought after locations, President Mirwan Suwarso gives us an insight unlike any we have had from a football executive. There are a few eye opening takes on transfer strategies and UEFA dealings that will keep you guessing. Como is a proper business years ahead of the competition.A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: AirwallexThe intelligent financial platform for global businesses⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.airwallex.com/uk/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GeminiWe empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://geminisports.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you’re interested in partnering with the show, please reach out to us at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠bos@20vc.com

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