The Post Game Podcast #81: Matt Hochberg - Building Hochberg Sports Marketing: From Sponsorship to Soccer Agent
Matt Hochberg is the founder of Hochberg Sports Marketing, a sports marketing agency specializing in women's soccer.
Since launcing in 2019, he has built HSM into a boutique agency representing 20+ NWSL players both on and off the field.
As a FIFA-certified agent registered with the NWSL Players Association, Matt handles everything from contract negotiations to brand partnerships for some of the top names in women's soccer.
What You'll Hear About:
- Identifying gap in the market with women’s sports
- How he got started without official plan
- Deciding to focus just on women’s soccer
- Behind the scenes of NWSL contract
- Time as professional athletes just a short time of their lives
- Off the field storytelling by Ali Riley
- NIL outlook in women’s soccer
- Future opportunities in the business
Timestamps:
(0:00) - Intro to Matt Hochberg
(2:05) - My First Million podcast connection
(3:10) - The founding story of Hochberg Sports Media
(4:30) - Launching without an official business plan
(6:30) - Pitching his vision and sharing the story
(7:50) - Running a primarily one-man operation
(9:20) - The strategic shift from all women's sports to soccer focus
(12:10) - "Doing the work" and positioning for opportunities
(13:30) - The reality of NWSL player contracts and salaries
(16:00) - NWSL expansion and valuation growth
(18:50) - How athletes are focusing on personal brand building
(21:30) - Ali Riley partnership
(25:50) - Structuring brand deal durations and terms
(28:15) - The positive impact of NIL on women's soccer
(31:00) - Biggest day-to-day business challenges
(32:45) - Growing through referrals and playing the long game
(34:30) - Thoughts on the WNBA boom and FOMO
(35:10) - Where to find Matt and HSM
Links:
HSM | Women's Sports Representation & Advocacy (@hochbergsm) / X
Hochberg Sports Marketing - Sports Marketing, Athletes
HSM | Women’s Sports Representation & Advocacy (@hochbergsm) • Instagram photos and videos
The Post Game Podcast:
https://postgamepodcast.beehiiv.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thepostgame_podcast/
Email me: joe.poduslenko@gmail.com