A record NWSL expansion, a college star turned investor, and Messi popping up in two stadiums—this week’s episode has everything.

Asli and Michael kick off with the NWSL playoffs, a weekend full of chaos and upsets that proved once again why this league delivers pure drama. Asli questions whether the short playoff format does the excitement justice, but Michael argues that if you’ve got heartbreak and high stakes, the system’s working.

The big headline? Atlanta’s new NWSL franchise. At a record $165 million expansion fee—over 50% more than Denver’s deal—the city is cementing itself as a soccer capital. Arthur Blank’s AMB Sports & Entertainment (Falcons, Atlanta United, Mercedes-Benz Stadium) is behind the bid, and Asli notes that Atlanta’s also now home to U.S. Soccer’s new headquarters and World Cup matches in 2026.

Then, a first for women’s sports: USC basketball star JuJu Watkins becomes the first college athlete to invest in a pro team, joining the Boston Legacy ownership group. Asli and Michael unpack how NIL is reshaping college sports, turning athletes into entrepreneurs with real equity and long-term strategy.

The NWSL also announced its new advisory board featuring icons like Magic Johnson, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Paul, Brandi Chastain, and Alex Morgan—proof the league’s growth is attracting serious power players.

And yes, Messi’s in the mix too—appearing at both Inter Miami’s new stadium and Barcelona’s revamped Camp Nou, just casually boosting global headlines.

Finally, Michael shares takeaways from his trip to Germany and his visit to Union Berlin—a club literally built by its fans, funded by donated blood and sweat. It’s the kind of grassroots authenticity American sports rarely touch.

From underdog clubs to superstar investors, this week’s episode shows how passion, purpose, and profit are reshaping the global game—one franchise, one boardroom, and one blood-donating fanbase at a time.

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For more, follow Asli and Michael on Instagram

Asli - @brefootcontessa

Michael - @michale.lore

And follow the show…

On Instagram - @financeoffootballpod

On Facebook - /financeoffootball

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The Finance of Football, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is…

Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé

Editing and Sound Design by Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky

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Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports, a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Heineken’s out, Budweiser’s in—and soccer’s sponsorship landscape may never look the same.

This week, Asli and Michael kick things off with the end of a 30-year partnership: AB InBev is replacing Heineken as the official beer of the UEFA Champions League starting in 2027, doubling the annual fee to more than $230 million. Asli wonders if the European prestige will fade, while Michael sees it as the next phase of soccer’s global takeover—and a warning to every legacy sponsor that no brand is too iconic to be replaced.

Then it’s over to U.S. Soccer, which just posted record revenue of $263.7 million for 2025. Asli recalls how brands like Chobani are showing up beyond the pitch—family activations, freebies, and sugar-free yogurt for kids—while Michael asks the big question: will this cash ever reach the grassroots, or just fund new facilities at the top?

The conversation shifts to the U.S. soccer pyramid, where USL has made its boldest move yet—hiring Premier League exec Tony Scholes to lead its new Division One league and bring promotion and relegation to American soccer. Asli calls it “great drama and great business.” Michael agrees: “It’s what MLS can’t sell—stakes.”

Finally, the Seattle Sounders are hunting for new investors and exploring a soccer-specific stadium in Renton. Asli raises questions about accessibility and fan culture, while Michael points to a growing trend: every successful U.S. soccer club now wants a home of its own.

From sponsorship shakeups to stadium deals, Finance of Football dives into how money, marketing, and ambition are rewriting the rules of the beautiful game—one beer, one league, and one city at a time.

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For more, follow Asli and Michael on Instagram

Asli - @brefootcontessa

Michael - @michale.lore

And follow the show…

On Instagram - @financeoffootballpod

On Facebook - /financeoffootball

---

The Finance of Football, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is…

Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé

Editing and Sound Design by Ryan Hammond

Mixing and Mastering by Julian Kwasneski

Executive Produced by Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky

---

Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports, a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ticket chaos, Messi’s Miami deal, and a corruption scandal that could only happen in Turkey—this week, Asli Pelit and Michael LoRé dive into the messy business of the world’s game.

With World Cup 2026 tickets already hitting $25,000 on resale, they ask: has football’s biggest event become too elite for real fans? Asli recalls Brazil 2014’s accessible magic, while Michael calls today’s market a test of FIFA’s soul.

Then, Messi extends with Inter Miami through 2028—just in time for Freedom Park’s debut—but can MLS handle a future without salary caps? Asli says yes. Michael says chaos.

They wrap with Turkey’s betting probe into 150 referees—proving, as Asli jokes, “we don’t do small corruption.”

Tune in as Finance of Football takes on greed, glory, and the price of passion in the modern game.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.