FOOTBALL BUSINESS Podcast by FBIN

We talk with Nicolás García Hemme, Managing Director of LALIGA North America, about how the league builds its business in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Nicolás discusses the joint venture with Relevent, the partnership with ESPN, local activations for brands such as Walmart and McDonald’s, and how this work generates revenue for clubs in Spain. He also explains why entering the U.S. market takes more than opening an office.

We talk with Borussia Dortmund and Gamefam about how football clubs can use Roblox to reach younger fans. Ricardo Briceno and Alexander Mühl discuss FIFA Super Soccer, Dortmund’s activation reaching almost seven million players, the role of gaming in kit launches, and why clubs should approach Roblox as a fan engagement platform rather than a direct sales channel.

We talk with Zeycan R. Yıldırım, CMO of Samsunspor, about the Purple Jersey Project and the role of social responsibility in football. From using a special jersey to raise awareness about violence against women to building long-term programs around education, self-defense, psychological support, and inclusion, we explore how clubs turn purpose into action. We also discuss Samsunspor’s local identity, the power of sport beyond the pitch, and what other clubs should learn from community-focused initiatives.

We talk with Thomas Rypens, Innovation and Insights Director at Club Brugge, and Dirk Schluenz, Managing Director of 1. FC Nürnberg Marketing, about practical innovation in modern football clubs. From building the right culture and leadership mindset to turning ideas into real revenue streams and better fan experiences, we explore how historic clubs can stay competitive — even with limited budgets — through smarter structures, tech adoption, and bold decision-making.

We talk with Michael Rice from AccessibALL about how football improves accessibility for disabled fans, staff and media. From small operational fixes to large-scale tournament standards, we discuss the progress made, the gaps that remain and the practical steps clubs and federations can take to build inclusive matchday experiences for everyone.

We talk with Ben Harburg about the changing geography of football investment. From Cádiz CF’s international strategy to the first foreign ownership in Saudi Arabian football with Al-Kholood, we discuss what drives new markets, how community-first models can work globally, and what these moves reveal about football’s next era of growth.

We talk with the Latvian Virsliga about revolutionizing fan engagement through their new mobile app. Chairman Maksims Krivuņecs and CEO of Blocksport Vladimir Liulka discuss the app's development, its impact on Latvian football, and future plans for enhancing fan interaction and league growth.

We speak with Lincoln City FC about competing with bigger clubs through innovation, strong community ties, and clear strategic focus. CEO Liam Scully and Chief Growth & Innovation Officer Jason Futers share insights on governance, fan engagement, and building for long-term success.

In this episode, Robin Austermann, Head of Europe & LATAM - Sales & Audiovisual Rights, shares insights into the Bundesliga’s media rights strategy. From tackling piracy to engaging a new generation of viewers, the league is redefining media rights through innovation to stay ahead in football broadcasting.

We dived into several exciting questions:

1) The Current State of Media Rights in European Football and the German Bundesliga

2) How does Bundesliga tackle piracy and illegal streaming, especially in emerging markets? 

3) How does the Bundesliga adapt to the changing viewing habits of younger fans?

4) What makes the Bundesliga’s media rights strategy different from other top leagues?

5) How will the media rights landscape change in the next five years?