Honky Tonk Meets Soccer as Nashville Joins MLS Ranks

Former Liverpool FC and current Nashville SC Chief Executive Officer Ian Ayre joins Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr to discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including his team’s Major League Soccer debut this weekend. The club is one of two MLS expansion teams that begin play this season, joining Miami FC, whose ownership group includes retired superstar David Beckham. Ayre discusses the integration of the soccer team and the city, and how Nashville’s music roots will be incorporated into the game-day experience. Also discussed is where MLS and its players stack up against top leagues like the English Premier League, and why teams are worth lofty valuations. Ayre also talks about the team’s process of getting its own stadium, which will be constructed without taxpayer money.

Hosts: Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Producer: Tim Herro

To contact the reporters on this story:

Scott Soshnick in New York at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net;

Eben Novy-Williams in New York at enovywilliam@bloomberg.net;

Michael Barr in New York at mbarr18@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:

Scott Soshnick at ssoshnick@bloomberg.net

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