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Has the Premier League swapped football for corporate activism? In this hard-hitting Heretics conversation, journalist and author Ashley Rindsberg joins Andrew Gold to argue that England’s top flight has become a branding battlefield—where politics, PR and sponsorship power shape what fans see, hear and even cheer. Rindsberg dissects how slogans, virtue-signalling campaigns and selective outrage can turn matchday into messaging, while ticket prices soar and fan voices are sidelined.

Inside the episode, Ashley unpacks:

👉 How club ownership, broadcast partners and major sponsors influence narratives on and off the pitch

👉 Why leagues embrace “woke” marketing—and how ESG/brand safety frameworks drive editorial choices

👉 The chilling effect on players, managers and pundits who step outside the approved script

👉 What counts as “awareness” vs. politicisation—and where fans draw the line

👉 The data loop: media coverage → social trends → league policy → fan compliance

Rindsberg explains the mechanics behind modern sports messaging: centralized talking points, PR playbooks, and reputational risk rules that make some causes compulsory—and others untouchable. He explores how controversies are framed, how broadcast graphics and studio debates reinforce a single storyline, and why dissenting voices get labelled “bad for the brand.” Andrew’s calm, forensic style presses for specifics: case studies, incentives, and practical reforms that might return the game to fans—greater transparency, viewpoint diversity in studios, and a clear separation between football and political campaigning.

Whether you welcome social causes in sport or want the game left alone, this interview will sharpen how you watch: Who benefits? Who sets the rules? And what happens when supporters refuse the script? If you love the Premier League but suspect the culture around it has changed, you won’t want to miss this.

Watch the full podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFrfxjb_Iw0&t=1949s

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