The Football Economy

In this episode of the football economy show, host Ibrahim speaks with Luis Coll, CEO and co-founder of LAMSA, the first football academy based in a former refugee camp in West Africa. Luis shares his journey from a finance background to building an academy driven by a mission to provide opportunities for youth both on and off the field. He discusses LAMSA's unique economic model that diversif...

In this episode of the football economy show, host Ibrahim speaks with Tommy Nodam Jensen, founder of Pitch15, about the evolving landscape of women's sports and the investment opportunities it presents. Tommy shares insights from his journey as a professional athlete to becoming a key player in the sports investment sector, emphasizing the need for more focus and resources in women's sports. He d...

In this episode of the football economy show, Professor Simon Chadwick discusses the evolving relationship between football, geopolitics, and the global economy. He highlights how the political landscape, particularly the influence of the United States, has reshaped the sports industry. The conversation delves into the implications of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East on sports investments and...

In this episode of the football economy show, host Ibrahim speaks with Harry Varley, a high-performance specialist in African football. They explore Varley's journey through the game, his philosophical insights, and the cultural narratives that shape how talent is found and developed across the continent. The conversation digs into the challenges of scouting in Africa, the human element behind...

In this episode of the football economy show, host Ibrahim interviews Matt Rizzetta, founder of Underdog Global Partners. They discuss Matt's journey from starting a marketing agency to investing in sports, the influence of his Italian heritage, and the importance of family in shaping his career. Matt shares insights on marketing's role in business, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the inno...

In this episode of the Football Economy, host Ibrahim speaks with Ricardo Pinho, a seasoned football agent with over two decades of experience in player representation, management, and transfer negotiations. They discuss the evolution of player representation, the day to day life of an agent, misconceptions about agents, scouting in the Portuguese market, opportunities in African football, the eco...

In this episode of The Football Economy, host Ibrahim interviews Sanmi Balogun, founder of Escal8 Agency and co-founder of VTL8 Media. Sanmi shares insights into the changing relationship between football, media, and talent management, exploring how creators are building media businesses, managing their intellectual property, and using new platforms to grow influence and commercial value. He also...

In this episode of the football economy, host Ibrahim interviews Jo Redfern, a strategic thinker in sports, media, and youth culture. Jo shares insights from her 20-year career, discussing how fan behavior is evolving in a platform-driven world. She emphasizes the importance of engaging Gen Z and Gen Alpha audiences across platforms like YouTube and Roblox. Jo also explores the intersection of spo...

In this episode of The Football Economy Show, host Ibrahim speaks with Jeremiah White, a multifaceted entrepreneur and former professional footballer. They discuss Jeremiah's journey from being a player to a successful investor and founder of White Sports Ventures. The conversation goes into themes of family legacy, the importance of work ethic, cultural insights from his time in Saudi Arabia,...

In this episode of The Football Economy Show, host Ibrahim speaks with Cesare Marchetti, a FIFA licensed football agent and founder of Intermezzo Sports. Cesare discusses his transition from player representation to mergers and acquisitions in football, emphasizing the importance of networking and investment strategies. He shares insights on the acquisition of Kelty Hearts, the differences between...

In this episode, Neel Shah shares his journey from a young boy in Southern California to becoming a key figure in the development of football in India. He discusses his early influences, the challenges he faced while working with Major League Soccer, and his bold move to India to help grow the sport. Neil emphasizes the importance of community engagement, networking, and building meaningful relati...

In this episode of The Football Economy Podcast, host Ibrahim speaks with Niaz Shazad, a football executive with a diverse background in finance and leadership. Niaz shares insights from his career, including his time at City Football Group and Bolton Wanderers, discussing the importance of culture, leadership, and the challenges faced in the football industry. He emphasizes the significance of se...

In this episode of the Football Economy Show, host Ibrahim discusses with Matthew Barrett, founder and CEO of GoalClick, the journey of his unique storytelling platform that captures the essence of football through the eyes of fans and communities worldwide. From its humble beginnings with a disposable camera in Sierra Leone to becoming a global entity, Barrett discusses the intersection of histor...

In this episode of the Football Economy Podcast, host Ibrahim discusses with Tony Simpson, a partner at Oliver Wyman, about the evolving landscape of the sports economy, the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership roles, and the future of sports tourism. They explore the impact of cultural understanding on career success, the significance of emotional intelligence in leadership, and th...

In this episode of The Football Economy Podcast, host Ibrahim speaks with Elena Mirandola, founder of The Breakaway and former CEO of F.C. Como Women. They discuss Elena's journey from digital marketing to sports leadership, the challenges faced by independent women's clubs, and innovative programs aimed at supporting female athletes. Elena shares insights on the importance of understandin...

In this episode of The Football Economy, Ibrahim speaks with Kareem Rae, a former semi-professional footballer turned entrepreneur who is redefining how soccer talent is discovered and developed. Through ventures like One Soccer Nation, media platforms, and club ownership, Kareem is creating new pathways for grassroots players. They discuss talent development, the role of real estate in sports inf...

In this episode of The Football Economy, host Ibrahim speaks with Jan Wendt. Jan Wendt, CEO and co-founder of PLAIER, discusses the transformative role of AI in football, particularly in talent discovery and player evaluation. He explains how AI provides a comprehensive understanding of player contributions to team success, moving beyond traditional metrics. The conversation also touches on the fi...

In this episode of The Football Economy, host Ibrahim speaks with Carlo Castilla. Carlo shares his journey as a sports marketing visionary who helped transform how soccer engages with the Hispanic community in the United States. From his early life in Central America to his pivotal role in building the Chicago Fire’s Hispanic Marketing Division, Carlo discusses the importance of understanding cons...

In this episode of the Football Economy, host Ibrahim speaks with Paul Musa. Paul shares his journey from a driven child in East London to a prominent sports lawyer and entrepreneur. He discusses the values instilled in him during childhood, the importance of leadership, and his entrepreneurial ventures, including founding What The Footie podcast and the Athlete Investor Summit. Paul reflects on h...

In this episode of the Football Economy, host Ibrahim speaks with Dr. Chris Platts about his extensive research on player development in football, emphasising the importance of sociology in understanding the sport. He explores concepts such as survivorship bias, the role of facilitator players, and the need for emotional intelligence in coaching. Dr. Platts introduces his 6E framework for player d...

In this episode of the Football Economy, host Ibrahim speaks with Tom Byer about his remarkable journey from a traumatic childhood in New York to becoming a pivotal figure in Japanese football development. He discusses the importance of grassroots football, family involvement, and cultural factors in shaping young players. Tom also highlights his entrepreneurial spirit, the coerver method, and the...

In this episode of the Football Economy, host Ibrahim speaks with Manny Brown, a prominent football content creator, shares his journey from a FIFA gamer to a leading figure in the creator economy. He discusses the evolution of content creation, the importance of community, and the impact of the Sidemen on football entertainment. Manny reflects on the challenges of balancing family life with conte...

In this episode of the Football Economy podcast, host Ibrahim speaks with Laurie Pinto, a prominent figure in sports investment. They discuss Laurie's competitive upbringing, his unexpected journey into finance, and the skills he developed through gaming that have aided his career. Laurie shares insights on the evolving landscape of sports financing, the importance of understanding debt struct...

In this episode of The Football Economy Podcast, Diego Hurtado, founder and CEO of Diaza Football, shares his inspiring journey from Colombia to the U.S. and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives his sports apparel company. He discusses the challenges of building a brand in the competitive landscape of football, the importance of community engagement, and the company's commitment to women's footb...

In this episode of The Football Economy Podcast, Ibrahim discusses with Tammy Parlour, CEO of the Women's Sports Trust, her journey in advocating for women's sports. They explore the influence of martial arts on leadership, the impact of the 2012 Olympics on women's visibility in sports, and the mission of the Women's Sports Trust to create a sustainable ecosystem for female athlet...