Part 3 - Built By Women: The Story of Soccer in the U.S. with Jessica Berman
Summary
In this episode of Good Game, host Sarah Spain interviews NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman as part of the "Built by Women" series. They discuss the league’s present and future, covering expansion, the controversial HIP rule, and rebuilding player trust. Berman addresses challenges like media coverage and global talent competition while highlighting upcoming events like the 2027 World Cup and LA 28 Olympics. The conversation also touches on fan demographics and the league's independence from national federations.
Topics discussed
Intro: Built by Women series and NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman
Sponsors: GEICO, Capital One, Kiskali, and Vital Proteins
Guest Intro: Jessica Berman's background and NWSL context
NWSL Expansion: Boston and Denver joining the league
Challenges: Competing for attention and media coverage
HIP Rule: Implementation, salary cap, and player grievances
Player Relations: Market visits and building trust
Fan Demographics: Core fans vs. casual growth
Sponsors: GEICO, Capital One, Cosentix, and Vital Proteins
Summer of Soccer: Leveraging the World Cup for growth
Schedule: FIFA breaks and national team windows
Independence: NWSL's separation from US Soccer
Columbus Crew: Haslam Sports Group and expansion values
Future Growth: Expansion plans and league size
Speed Round: Women leaders in soccer
Outro and Sponsors: GEICO, Capital One, Cosentix, Vital Proteins
Play of the Day: Sophie Grant's ultrarunning record
Credits and Final Sponsors: Boost Mobile and ChatGPT
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