

Bloomberg Business of Sports
Bloomberg
Michael Barr, Vanessa Perdomo and Damian Sassower follow the money in the world of sports, taking listeners inside decisions that power the multibillion dollar industry. From media and technology to finance and real estate, leagues and teams across the globe have matured into far more than just back-page entertainment. The show explains the money behind the games.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 20, 2025 • 1h 3min
Business of Soccer Ep. 3: Mexico's Passion For The Game And Turning It Into Profits
On this special edition of the Bloomberg Business of Sports: The Business of Soccer, Vanessa Perdomo breaks down the landscape of the sport in Mexico, as the host nation of the World Cup that has the closest ties to the game but that is still looking to capitalize on their fans' passion. On this episode hear from: Sam Porter, owner and co-managing member of Club Necaxa in Liga MX, on the potential upside for the business side of soccer in Mexico, coming in as an American investor into the industry and his recent appointment as Chief Strategy Officer for Apollo Sports Capital. Bloomberg’s Gonzalo Soto on how Mexico is preparing to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, why certain cities were chosen diving into their deep roots in soccer and their club’s storied past and why Mexico’s LigaMX is so closely tied to Major League Soccer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 17, 2025 • 39min
Trump Warns Boston, LA of Relocating Major Events, TeamSnap CEO Peter Frintzilas
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. On this episode, hear from: Bloomberg's Sri Taylor on President Trump's comments that he could seek to move the 2026 FIFA World Cup games out of Boston and shift the 2028 Olympics from Los Angeles if he thought those cities weren't properly prepared or if conditions weren't safe. Bloomberg News global business of sports reporter Ira Boudway on his recent Bloomberg Businessweek piece on Dick's Sporting Goods recent success relatively to its competition driven by spending on youth sports Peter Frintzilas, the CEO of TeamSnap, a leading management platform for youth sports and coaches, on his company and private equity's push into the space See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 11, 2025 • 38min
Ronaldo Hits Billionaire Status, Former NFL Pro Bowler Greg Olsen Talks Football
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. On this episode, hear from: Bloomberg Wealth reporter Dylan Sloan on Cristiano Ronaldo officially becoming a billionaire this week Bloomberg Businessweek contributor Michael Croley on MLB slugger Mike Trout's plans to build a high-end and high-tech golf course in New Jersey Former NFL Pro Bowler and Fox Sports NFL analyst Greg Olsen on the NFL season so far and Youth Inc. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 3, 2025 • 39min
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Hockey's Growth, An Early Look at the Olympics
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. On this episode, hear from: US Olympic & Paralympic Committee CEO Sarah Hirshland on preparations for the next set of Olympic games, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner of SeventySix Capital on how technology is driving innovation in the sports betting space and investing in sports tech NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and Monumental Sports & Entertainment founder, chairman and CEO Ted Leonsis on hockey's growth See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 26, 2025 • 39min
All Things NBA with Kyle Kuzma, Buddy Hield and Adam Silver
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. On this episode, hear from: Vanessa Perdomo sits down with NBA player Kyle Kuzma on his latest business ventures NBA player Buddy Hield previews the upcoming season and some of his off-the-court ventures NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks with Jason Kelly on the state of the league and the economic power of the sport See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 20, 2025 • 40min
PGA of America CEO Derek Sprague Talks Golf & Ryder Cup
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. On this episode, hear from: Ryan McCormack, Senior Director, Factor & QQQ Equity Product Strategy, Invesco speak with Bloomberg's Christine Cook during Power Players New York about the new opportunities in college athletics Bloomberg US sports business reporter Randall Williams on some of the latest headlines in sports including a major sports convention that didn't happen in Saudi Arabia Derek Sprague, CEO, PGA of America speaks with Bloomberg Dallas bureau chief Julie Fine during Power Players New York to preview the Ryder Cup and to talk about golf's growth See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 12, 2025 • 39min
American Kings: The Outsider's Guide to the Elite World of NFL QBs
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. On this episode, hear from: Seth Wickersham, ESPN senior writer and author of the book, "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback". They discuss how the NFL QB is one of the sports world's most important people and how they've become like American royalty Alex Palou, four-time IndyCar Series champion and winner of this year's Indianapolis 500 about the state of racing and his career Karl-Anthony Towns, multi-time NBA All Star and New York Knicks star forward on his second second in New York and his business interests outside of basketball live from Bloomberg Power Players New York earlier this month See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 5, 2025 • 39min
Special Edition: Bloomberg Power Players New York
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports. On this special edition of the show, we present a few of our favorite conversations from Bloomberg Power Players New York from earlier this week. It's an annual event hosted at Bloomberg World Headquarters in New York, that brings together influential voices from the business behind sports to help you identify what's coming next.On this episode, hear from: Sylvia Fowles, Two-Time WNBA Champion; Four-Time Olympic Gold Medalist; 2025 Naismith & Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee & Terri Carmichael Jackson, Executive Director, WNBPA in a live panel discussion moderated by Bloomberg US sports business reporter Randall Williams Ross Bjork, Senior Vice President & Wolfe Foundation-Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director, The Ohio State University, Martin Jarmond, The Alice & Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics, UCLA & Nina King, Vice President, King-Compton Families Director of Athletics; Adjunct Professor of Business Administration, Duke University in a live panel moderated by Bloomberg News higher education finance reporter Janet Lorin Michael Arougheti, Co-Founder & CEO, Ares Management Corporation & Tom Garfinkel, Vice Chairman, President & CEO, Miami Dolphins & Hard Rock Stadium; Managing Partner, Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix in a live panel moderated by Bloomberg Originals chief correspondent and Power Players executive producer Jason Kelly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 29, 2025 • 39min
RotoWire Founder Peter Schoenke; Netflix To Air World Baseball Classic in Japan
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports.This week we focus on how streamer continue to look to live sports programming to boost their platforms. Recently, Netflix picked up the rights to show the 2026 World Baseball Classic to viewers in Japan in a deal announced Monday by the streaming service and Major League Baseball. Plus, ESPN said a package bundling its new online service with the RedZone highlights program and NFL Network games will debut on Sept. 3 and cost $40 a month. Bloomberg News media and entertainment reporter Hannah Miller joins to discuss these new deals and how streaming platforms are leaning into sports. Then, we take a deep dive on streamers and sports with Bloomberg Intelligence senior media analyst Geetha Ranganathan. Plus, we speak with RotoWire's founder and president Peter Schoenke on the rise of fantasy sports and some of the latest emerging trends ahead of the new NFL season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 22, 2025 • 38min
Trump Doral to Host PGA Tour; Big Daddy Celebrity Golf Classic
Join hosts Michael Barr, Damian Sassower and Vanessa Perdomo for a look at some of the latest headlines and stories in the business of sports.President Donald Trump’s Miami area golf course will host the PGA Tour in 2026, the first time in about a decade that the league will hold an event at a Trump property.The Professional Golfers’ Association 2026 Miami Championship will descend on Trump National Doral from April 30 to May 3, according to a statement Tuesday. It’s a sign the league is again embracing Trump’s golf courses after a relationship that strained after he moved into politics, and adds to a pattern of businesses that once distanced themselves but are doubling back and thawing relationships in his second term.Bloomberg News wealth reporter Annie Massa joins to discuss her reporting on the the PGA's big return to one of Trump's signature golf courses. This week's show also features:- Bloomberg News global business of sports reporter Ira Boudway on his latest reporting on how leagues are handling player betting scandals- Rich "Big Daddy" Salgado on his Big Daddy Celebrity Golf ClassicSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.