This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.andrewmarchand.com

In the 49-minute sports media podcast, MLS commissioner Don Garber debates and defends the Apple TV deal, explains why direct-to-consumer will be a part of other leagues sooner than later, measures the World Cup impact, opens the door a crack for promotion & relegation, tells why Messi’s arrival is better than he anticipated and what it is like to go to dinner with the Beckhams. Plus much more.

The interview was taped in front of live studio audience as part of the “Off The Record with Andrew Marchand presented by WSC Sports” series.

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* How MLS, led by Bob Kraft & Lamar Hunt, recruited Garber from the NFL

* The 1994 World Cup and how it led to MLS with a $5M loan

* John Skipper and the fuel of the sport

* What the ESPN deal did for MLS …

* How has the media environment changed over Garber’s career

* How new stadiums, Messi, Beckham lead to globalization and more viewership

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* What is like to sit across from David & Victoria Beckham

* What was Garber & MLS’ plan going into the rights negotiations that saw them leave ESPN & Fox as its main partners for Apple TV in 2022

* The issue with MLS’ old start times …

* “We made a very bold move” with Apple

* What were Garber’s expectations of the Apple deal

* Garber says that MLS was early on going direct to consumer

* Garber believes another major property will do a similar deal in next five years

* How the MLS is “upside down,” which is not a bad thing

* His admiration of the NHL’s setup

* How Garber looks at the disruptive phase of technology

* The data from Apple is so specific it is impacting MLS’ rosters

* How you take the Red Bulls’ young players success and turn into good business

* Will we get relegation in MLS

* A member of the studio audience is a big MLS relegation fan … and Garber is a great about it

* Garber explains MLS’ financial reasons against it

* “They would have no place to play.”

* Garber opens the door open a crack for promotion and relegation

* Garber didn’t realize how big Messi would be

* Does Messi happen without Apple ….

* Beckham designing the Miami logo

* Could the fan in the audience replace Jon Meterparel

* The World Cup will be “100 Super Bowls”

* What will the World Cup do for MLS

* How does he look at “pay to play” youth issue

* Frank Isola and Garber’s soccer neighbor

* Off The Record with Netflix VP of Sports Gabe Spitzer on May 12th

* Subscribe at AndrewMarchand.com

* On Deck: Marchand & Meterparel on Tuesday