How Hollywood's Backing is Making Soccer a Big Business

The profit potential for women's sports is increasing. For venture capitalists, celebrities and sports legends, new revenue streams and shifting fan behavior may soon deliver huge returns.
On this week's Business of Sports, Jason Kelly visits Los Angeles's newest team, soccer club Angel City FC. Backed by a star-studded list of investors, including Natalie Portman, Uzo Aduba, Eva Longoria, Casey Neistat and Jennifer Garner, Angel City is looking to prove women's sports leagues can be profitable. New data from Sports Innovation Lab suggests that understanding fans of a more-established women's league like the WNBA can help unlock wealth elsewhere. But first, longstanding biases and skepticism must be overcome. And for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), there's a recent scandal around alleged abuses that have shaken its very foundation.
#BusinessOfSports #BloombergQuicktake #Sports
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[@bloombergexplained]

Which women's sports league do you think has the most business potential? Plus, check out the extras from this episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJrFZJxjl9h_qtk

[@sbtopjosh4098]

I'll support any women's league where they can actually beat the men.

[@yeasashikder3704]

Awesome😍😍😍

[@luisrobles5906]

Bodybuilding particularly physique and bikini divisions, also powerlifting, gymnastics, and volleyball.

[@TeachAManToAngle]

Make something of value and the business follows. Time will tell.

[@johnl.7754]

MMA

[@Blueweek1]

Women sports will go up when women start watching it

[@TMM-N]

70% of the income spending in today's market is from women. Why dont they spend money on women's sport?

[@blackfilmmakerguide5720]

@@TMM-N Exactly. Cause even they know its garbage. Who wants to see mediocre women try to do something high school boys can do better.

[@Napstone]

Profound!!!!!!

[@Delboy0]

True. 54% of the US population is women. If women watched women's sport it would be more lucrative. Female soccer especially in the US is a bad investment. Women's soccer is just too white and suburban and lacks the swagger than the men's game has with more Latino and Black players elevating style and skill and making it more attractive as a sport.

[@fleshreap]

Doesn't WNBA lose money, at least most years?

[@capt.Justin]

Yip they lose millions every year. Thanks to the NBA the WNBA still a League.

[@tomconnors5697]

Most sports leagues lose money as they grow. We talk to a sports economist in the episode how the same was true in the NFL. His example was that Art Rooney put a ton of money into the Steelers for decades, now his grandson owns a team valued at 3.4 Billion.

[@americanidiotinchief259]

If this still fail, they'll try ban nba for sexism

[@Blueweek1]

You mean all years

[@arishemghoul9571]

I think all the times

[@Jaiysful]

Oof, the 'entrepreneur' has OUYA in her bio, RIP.

[@NineSeptims]

When i saw her i died laughing lol

[@stertcraft]

wnba is political, it loses money, it isn't exciting. What's the upside

[@jebbo-c1l]

all sports is political, why do you think Qatar is hosting the world cup or owns PSG? Why did Saudi Arabia buy Newcastle? Why does Gazprom own Chelsea?

[@inexperiencedknife]

It's women making a women's league. I don't see how that's political except for them celebrating the fact that it's controlled by women.

[@spencermulvaney]

A little thing called equality bruh

[@demonslayer2548]

I don't know but I feel it's sponsored by ACFC😂😂

[@Napstone]

jeez! You don't say?! lol overstating the obvious!

[@bhatkrishnakishor]

The higher emphasis on business side of the sports, instead of the sports itself is appalling prospect for a sports fan 😟

[@FinancialShinanigan]

If it'll make money, investors will come.

[@tobene]

If it already makes money, who needs investors?

[@raunakshahi8485]

@@tobene That's the thing, it doesn't

[@tobene]

@@raunakshahi8485 Not yet, that kind of the whole point in companies raising capital.

[@jhyang1134]

they have sold 14k+ season tickets，get more than 20 sponsorships， I think they are making money

[@stertcraft]

no

[@harsh2560]

Isn't Julie Uhrman the same person who made the Ouya?

[@--.-.-.--...---.-.-]

That's hilarious

[@drchtct]

The problem with women's sport is that it's simply worse compared to men's sport. If I have limited time in a day I won't choose slow women's football over one of the 20 men's leagues that provide better entertainment. No matter how much you invest, the physical differences between top male athletes and top female athletes are too big.

[@ofallsadwords3207]

"better entertainment" to this guy is apparently watching drama queens like Mbappe fall over when someone breathes on them.

[@drchtct]

@@ofallsadwords3207 no better entertainment as in "better athletes, better coaches, better atmosphere, history, everything"

[@blackfilmmakerguide5720]

Agreed. You don't seek out women sports, you happen upon it by accident when the remote falls

[@lauridsjensen7757]

@@ofallsadwords3207 no, as in watching physical specimen like Mbappe and Haaland play at the peak levels of sport. Different styles make for different entertainment, but there is no denying they’re elite at what they do

[@tech_report_0868]

@@ofallsadwords3207 No , as in watching men literally show decent dribbling & tackling skills to score a goal.

[@devanpig287]

What about the lack of viewers?

[@midnightman5139]

You don’t do research before asking such a question.

[@lpmmxvii7422]

​@midnightman5139 and yet ur still not educated enough to educate the person that's asking a question they are not sure about lol maybe answer or leave 😂😂😂

[@arupdeb45]

From the fan/viewer's point of view the limiting resource is time. We all have limited amount of time in 24 hrs to devote to entertainment. That includes movies, music and sports. Women's sports is just not entertaining enough to drive the audience from men's sports. This is the hurdle. Fix it first. Fans, investors, revenue and profits will all follow

[@Ace-cc1em]

Not to point out the obvious, but what exactly isn't entertaining about women's sports?

[@sdtok527]

@@Ace-cc1em It can be, the point he is making is that many other things are more entertaining. And yes men football too, its just on another level

[@didier_777]

This is the same thing that was said about the MLS in it's infancy and look now. How the revenue has increased and the value of the teams continue to go up. Time will tell.

[@VegasDiz]

Wasn't this the woman that tanked the OUYA? Yeah I'm sure this time she'll get it right. If not, blame menz

[@doomsday9973]

Lol yup that’s her!

[@youaremyjoy2]

The idea that women soccer players should be paid the same as Messi, Ronaldo, and Mbappé is absurd. Men perform better in all sports than women. It is impossible for the best women's soccer player to play on a professional men's soccer team.

[@TMM-N]

These feminist are delusional. They forget spending power nowadays are women, yet women are not watching women's sport

[@inexperiencedknife]

The actual argument they're making is the US women's soccer players said they should be paid as much as the US men's soccer players. That's completely Fair because the US women's soccer team is the best in their league and the men's US soccer team is hot garbage in their league. I understand the WNBA not getting paid much but this is a completely different situation.

[@jokerswild5485]

@@inexperiencedknife it's not about how well you did in your league, its about how much money you bring in. Women football/soccer bring in very little to no money everywhere around the world. 2018 mens world cup generated 6$ billion in revenue. 2019 women's world cup generated 130$ million in revenue. Yet they are complaining that FIFA should pay same prize money to both men and women. Where is the money gonna come from? Female athletes don't deserve to get paid same as male athletes.

[@phoenix5054]

It’s better to invest in men’s soccer. It’s an international game, and the existence of big games on global scale will make more Americans interested in it as times goes by.

[@cule189911]

wait... invest in men's soccer???? why hasn't anyone thought of that before??

[@izzyshootsiphone]

Out of all the female TEAM BASED sports I would say soccer has the most potential to really actually grow. I can see America being a powerhouse for a female soccer league and attracting big name international players. I’m intrigued to see how it all plays out and the approach they are taking (treating it as a startup)

[@ancientadrian514]

Obviously the success of USWNT in the WC, that’s definitely a huge possibility. But unfortunately with huge scandal in the NWSL, that may hurt them.

[@Crowned-Qwesi]

NOPE. Europe have just realised they have to take women's soccer seriously. Europe is gradually taking control. Have you realised the number of USWNT players that have left for Europe?

[@joshreader2722]

Until Europe take over

[@abhishekdev258]

They want equal payments? Then first get equal viewership.

[@Fred-zt5ky]

Did they seriously just use the Ouya woman and thought that would be a great example? Lmao

[@jasonyau326]

Women's sports leagues regardless of sport, need to build brand awareness and an emotional connection which takes timee and a big broadcasting deal to make them financailly viable. Sponsorship helps but its not enough to offset the low attendance numbers long term. They also need ownership with the resources and patience of an Art Ronney to see this through and those are hard to come by nowadays

[@xerotoninz]

i dont mind the tennis, but even that can get boring

[@subtletherapy]

Julie Urhman is not someone I’d trust to know what sells, OUYA was such a failure on so many different levels, it just makes you wonder what kind of person would ever green light that product

[@dmihovilovic]

Trying to use social awareness and social/political causes to increase viewership is a losing proposition. As an example, many Americans wanted to US women soccer team to fail in the recent Olympics because of their extreme political/social stances. To increase viewerships you need very talented, charismatic, and positive attitude players (for example, the recent youngsters in the final of the US tennis open)

[@jhyang1134]

as a reminder， they have sold 14k+ season tickets and got more than 20 sponsorships

[@jariemonah]

Why would you post a picture of Megan Rapinoe on the thumbnail? I get that she's the only face some casuals know but Angel City isn't her team. She plays for OL Reign in Seattle.

[@user-ev7fk2us5o]

Hope they will succeed ❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🥇

[@agoogleuser2667]

They might not have wifi figured out, but least they got the founder of ouya :)

[@KamiInValhalla]

How can you name the team Angel City Football Club and say they are playing soccer?

[@MrHihihibye]

they removed dislikes

[@calebamore]

Oh no. They got the Ouya woman. Are you kidding me?

[@GURken]

when you invest in what you think is right, but viewers cares not about what's right, but what's interesting

[@paulgame4727]

What makes what they are doing"Right"?

[@stereo123]

This is a very interesting video because it makes it obvious it's all about social justice and women empowerment, and not about soccer. Soccer is just an accessory, just a host. That's why people who actually care about sports are repelled by all of that, and people who get on board do so because 'f trump, yay'.

[@robertobarasa4095]

Bloomberg makes the most amazing short form document-series I’ve ever seen on this platform, wishing for more continued success for the women’s sports sector globally, and a continued opportunity for the financial opportunities.

[@MonticelloMark]

Shannon MacMillan and Shannon Boxx are not the same person.

[@marlomoreno4232]

LA is the perfect city for a team like angel city❣️So excited to go to a soccer game soon!!!!

[@americanidiotinchief259]

If this fail, the solution is to scream sexists to every men on the street 😂😂😂😂

[@metasamsara]

newsflash women don't appreciate being in a separate cast, we're not in medieval times anymore, gender equality is a thing. check your privileges

[@americanidiotinchief259]

@@metasamsara of course you're, due to the difference in athletic abilities

[@ofallsadwords3207]

you scream how sexist you are, why would I need to?

[@americanidiotinchief259]

@@ofallsadwords3207 biology isn't sexists sweety

[@dannyn.6933]

@@metasamsara Send the WNBA into the NBA then. See how that goes LOOOOL

[@J0E..]

No way

[@tsasa192]

You have to call it football if you're that serious lol

[@masogakekana1606]

Women in sports really need women to show up and talk about them. Thats all for now. Cannot talk equality and growth when male sport supporters are meant to kick-start the momentum.

[@ofallsadwords3207]

Women in sports get shouted down by abusive misogynists when we try to talk about them. What's your solution there?

[@masogakekana1606]

@@ofallsadwords3207 my solution is in my first statement. Women just need to show up and consume womens content. Women have proven that they can shake up the world as consumers, the multi billion dollar fashion industry is the most simple example.

[@zinjanthropus322]

It's simple, they're not interested. It Doesn't matter how much they get attacked over their support of boy bands, they still show up in huge numbers, because they're interested in that.

[@goat7844]

Here’s the thing. Most women don’t support women teams sport. You can do all the marketing you want but it will still fail if men don’t support it first. N that’s the bottom line.

[@slicepie3073]

wow I was suprised to see the ouja scammer

[@bhatkrishnakishor]

Kudos to Women run team but don't exclude/chastise men, they are the most avid consumers of sports.

[@sohaibkazmi6878]

It's FOOTBALL NOT SOCCER!

[@rkzinczy]

*Football.

[@mastersasori01]

Tennis, volleyball and swimming are the only women's sports I personally follow.

[@grafvonvorneundeinskometen7893]

Mhm wonder why

[@mohitraina7520]

Its Football

[@elizabethcoughlin1584]

ouya?

[@doomsday9973]

It’s hilarious watching media try to make this into a “thing” lol

[@Fogaata]

The comment section says it all.

[@yellowmoon1084]

I'm going to be honest here. I don't know one person who watches any women's sports leagues.

[@minecraftdonebig]

lol

[@SavageCommentaryOriginal]

Oof

[@shivamtaneja2350]

Title should have been "Women's'' soccer, coz thats all it about.

[@alexanderkenway]

Blame women for not supporting their own sports lol

[@briandavis849]

🤣 no not really

[@bhatkrishnakishor]

By comparing men sports leagues with the nascent women sports league, you are stoking competitive nature among the fans. Sports fans are very tribal and will do everything to elevate their team/leagues popularity. It's a sports thing.

[@brianfong5711]

She was part of that failure of a videogame system, the Ouya.

[@peterang6912]

It's football never soccer

[@pistolen87]

To me it seems like they are trying to create an activist organisation first and a soccer team second.

[@ilovelimpfries]

I'm a fan of women sports specifically womens cycling, but this acfc seems like a terrible proposition for womens sports.

[@Aayushj03]

It’s called football…don’t just rename games as per your convenience

[@theylied1776]

Let's be honest. Soccer is a third-tier sport in the United States, to begin with. College football has higher ratings than any Pro-Soccer team.

[@NineSeptims]

Soccer has the potential if the money flows in. And there's the potential for global leagues against other teams big money is there.

[@kaisermayhem8919]

This sounds similar to when my broker hooked me into penny stocks.

[@yumemirutenshi]

why do you call refer the sport as soccer but club name using football?

[@Ace-cc1em]

The rest of the world refers to soccer as football, but the US and Canada call it football. It's the same thing with US soccer leagues like the MLS.

[@rajhshah96]

Not like because it needed more numbers and better analysis then just stock videos !! Quite a lazy effort 😔😔

[@timphillips9338]

Is this a joke ?

[@soulscanner66]

It just snuck itself into my recommended column.

[@ilia9048]

The big money view of soccer as a business has already ruined men's soccer and made it a "big bubble" - largely because of Arab and American money. Women's soccer will not be ruined - it will be nurtured as a business from the beginning + in women's sport there is more talk about "equality" than about sport and improving the quality of the game, although women already get more money as a percentage of profits than men. I watched the women's world cup - the level of play is very low - why should women get the same salaries as men?And yes, the real fans of the team don't want to know nonsense - they are interested in the game, player transitions, not "soap operas" (which as the video says are of interest to women)

[@Sebbos]

fluid fan, what a disgusting term.

[@iamphull]

WNBA most successful women's league😂😂😂 A league that hasn't even eatned profit yet..

[@wilfredpeake9987]

why such a bad like to dislike ratio

[@Ace-cc1em]

Unfortunately, it's the internet, and right-wing trolls have mastered the art of review bombing. Doesn't help that Bloomberg is considered a 'mainstream' outlet.

[@nknkannadiga9742]

@@Ace-cc1em lol a delusional feminist

[@YimiJimi]

Alright ladies listen up if you want to make money favorite this video and do the opposite.

[@smasherlol351]

It is a terrible video....

[@inexperiencedknife]

Can't wait for them to invest in the LFL.

[@perigee17]

With the name of ouya, will it be another money scheme ?

[@TeachAManToAngle]

Portman Nortman Portman Nortman. … just for sport man…

[@lpmmxvii7422]

I'm falling asleep watching this 😂😂😂

[@pturriago1]

Terrible and typical American Approach. Make money, fans are consumers. A business opportunity. With a strong and smart marketing strategy to engage the common man in a sports who was born from the working class, the community. Thats why they are clubs not franchises.

[@weihsinchen4]

"Role model no other than WNBA"

[@Ace-cc1em]

Jeeze, a lot of the comment section is seriously sexist hot garbage.

[@ofallsadwords3207]

It's the comments section on any video about women's sports. Ironically, it's why women don't engage with this content. We deal with enough angry teeny-peeners.

[@shitmypants5275]

Stating facts aint sexist. If you're sh*t, you're sh*t

[@zachmason868]

Womens sport will never be extremely successful as long as an mens alternative exists.

[@kingeatking]

This is ridiculous!!! It's a video packed with excuses. They say the most successful league in women's sports is the WNBA!? But yet it only made 60 million in one season! That's not successful. I mean LeBron James nearly makes that in one season and let's be honest without the NBA funding the league it would have gone bankrupt years ago. Also this so called expert thinks the only thing keeping the league back is time!? Not the fact that no matter how long time passes women will never be built the same as men and therefore they will never be as strong or fast as men. The simple truth is people don't like to hear the truth. They prefer to listen to the so called experts who tell them what they want to hear and that ain't helping no one.

[@dannyn.6933]

Ah waman's sports where you can be a professional athlete, and wanna be paid as much as the best, but you can't even win a game against a team of high school boys. AND LED BY THE SAME WOMAN WHO WAS BEHIND OUYA LOL

[@guillermoherrera1492]

Women's sports are not a business but an NGO were celebrities lose their money

[@Clyde]

As a football fan..I grew up watching Thierry Henry and the Brazilian Ronaldo..those were my heroes!I only really paid attention to women's football because of the likes of Megan Rapinoe..the Olympics and the Women's world cup!otherwise I really don't see anything on tv with nearly the same marketing as the man's game..so unless there is major investment in the women's league and commensurate marketing..it's very tough to compete with the man's game

[@kirstieb8025]

well women have not been given a chance. duh

[@Clyde]

@@kirstieb8025 oh come on.. be nice!😅

[@bulelanibotman]

the problem with women soccer it's not fluid as men's soccer. there is no cohesion & it's so slow! let's not mention goalkeeper's they make a striker look like a phenomenal player

[@yeasashikder3704]

Fantastic & Great😍😍😍

[@waliddjema5442]

A team of 15 year old males beat the world' female soccer team...

[@khanyithegreat]

Not interested in seeing broads play sports.

[@Zonozi]

YES! Best opportunity in sports today is women sports

[@michaelkinahan1829]

Not surprised by the level of mysogny on here! We are pathetically predictable... men!!

[@haoxus9413]

lol