Off the Pitch

In this episode, join us for an enlightening conversation with Steven Aldrich, Chair and Investor of the Oakland Roots; a club that's quickly become a beloved part of the of the U.S. sports landscape.

Steven takes us back to the inception of the club, revealing the challenges and triumphs of transforming a bold idea into a reality with a sold-out home opener. He discussed the Roots' strategic climb from NISA to the USL Championship, shedding light on what it really takes to move up in the competitive tiers of U.S. soccer beyond just financial investment. We also dive into the impact of high-profile minority investors like Jason Kidd and Marshawn Lynch, and explore how their involvement has propelled the club forward.

Moreover, Steven talks about the groundbreaking community investment round that turned thousands of fans into co-owners, raising over $3 million, and he reflects on the creation of the Oakland Roots Justice Fund and the addition of the women's team, Oakland Soul, underscoring the club's commitment inclusivity and community values.

Tune in to discover how the Oakland Roots are not just playing soccer, but fostering a powerful movement for social and sporting change in Oakland and far beyond.

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#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast   

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Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
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Follow Steven Aldrich on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/spaldrich/

Follow Matt Cunningham on social:
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Follow David Kinnear on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/

To reach out to us please email:
[email protected]

Have you ever thought about what it takes to pivot from being a Premier League player to a leading voice in sports broadcasting? Join us as we catch up with Stu Holden, who's done just that. From thrilling fans on the field for clubs like Bolton Wanderers and the U.S.National Team to now sharing his sharp insights on Fox Sports, Stu's had quite the journey.

In this epidoe, Stu shares how he made the leap from the field to the analyst desk and has even venture into club ownership with RCD Mallorca. He shares the coop on making smart investments and what keep him fired up about soccer even when he's not on the pitch.

It's a candid chat filled with stories, strategies and a behind-the-scenes look at the soccer world from someone who has seen almost ever aspect of it.

Now Live on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and everywhere else:

#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast   

 ----------------------------------------------------

Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastoffthepitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on TikTok:
http://www.tiktok.com/@podcastoffthepitch

Follow Stuart Holden on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stu-holden-3b929669/

Follow Stuart Holden on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stuholden/

Follow Matt Cunningham on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcghm/

Follow David Kinnear on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/

To reach out to us please email:
[email protected]

Imagine starting your finance career at a top firm like Ernst & Young and then 20 years later having worked all the way up to being at the financial helm of MLS' most valuable club. Well meet Stacy Johns, LAFC's CFO & COO, who has a tale of ascension that's as instructive as it is inspiring. Starting her sports journey with the Indianapolis Colts in 2004 and now playing a pivotal dual-role at LAFC, Stacy's journey is one of strategic mastery and groundbreaking deals.

In this episode, Stacy covers her approach to high-value deals, details her perspectives on leadership and financial stewardship in sports, chats to us about her new additional role as President of Swiss side Grasshopper Club Zürich, and much more.

Now Live on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and everywhere else:

#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast   

 ----------------------------------------------------

Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastoffthepitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on TikTok:
http://www.tiktok.com/@podcastoffthepitch

Follow Stacy Johns on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-johns-39bb711/

Follow Matt Cunningham on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcghm/

Follow David Kinnear on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/

To reach out to us please email:
[email protected]

When you think of which MLS club has had the most star power and one of the most financially successful histories, the LA Galaxy is likely the first club that comes to mind. And at that club, someone has to be in charge of generating said money and success. Well, meet Urel Martinez - LA Galaxy's Chief Revenue Officer.

With a career spanning across the MLB, NBA, and now MLS, Urel Martinez is one of the U.S. Sports Industry's top executives., going from being a Guest Relations Rep at the LA Dodgers to the helm of revenue generation at the MLS' most decorated club.

In this golden-nugget packed episode, Urel shares invaluable lessons on building a top-tier sales department, strategies for capitalizing on the appeal of star players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at setting the MLS single-game attendance record. Packed with insightful discussions and expert advice, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Now Live on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and everywhere else:

#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast   

 ----------------------------------------------------

Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastoffthepitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on TikTok:
http://www.tiktok.com/@podcastoffthepitch

Follow Urel Martinez on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/urel-martinez-74412b8/

Follow Matt Cunningham on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcghm/

Follow David Kinnear on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/

To reach out to us please email:
[email protected]

For the San Jose Earthquakes, a lot has changed over the years: different stadiums, a new city, and Hall of Fame players coming and going. Although there has been lots of change, Jed Mettee has been there since the beginning. 

Listen to our conversation with the Jed - the Chief Operating Officer at the San Jose Earthquakes. We talk about what it was like to work in the early days of the MLS and how different it is today. We dive deep into the history of the club and how it has impacted them…especially in regard to something they wear.

Now Live on Youtube, Spotify, Apple, and everywhere else.

#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast 

 ----------------------------------------------------

Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastoffthepitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on TikTok:
http://www.tiktok.com/@podcastoffthepitch

Follow Jed Mettee on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jed-mettee/

Follow Matt Cunningham on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcghm/

Follow David Kinnear on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/

To reach out to us please email:
[email protected]

What’s your favorite game day memory? Was it the stadium filled with crowds chanting? Was it the adrenaline rush while you were on the edge of your seat? Everything you experience on a game day is engineered by experts - from the build boards you see on your drive, to the music playing after a goal, and the food you eat in the stadium. These experts create an atmosphere that leaves you wanting more.  

One such expert is Lisa Franklin. The current Chief Marketing Officer at MLS' D.C. United. Franklin shares with us her journey through the tech world and how those experiences help her shape the stories they tell at the club. She shares with us that no detail is too minute and gets into the nitty gritty of how to successfully share the sports market in a city with all the other Major Sports Leagues. 

Now Live on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and everywhere else:

#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast

----------------------------------------------------

Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastoffthepitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on TikTok:
http://www.tiktok.com/@podcastoffthepitch

Follow Lisa Franklin on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-franklin/

Follow Matt Cunningham on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcghm/

Follow David Kinnear on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/

To reach out to us please email:
[email protected]

What an episode to kick off this podcast with. 

If being the VP of Soccer Operations at an MLS Supporters’ Shield winning club wasn’t a cool enough job already, try being employee #1 for said club. That’s the story of FC Cincinnati’s Dan McNally, who has gone from being the person tasked with purchasing the first bag of cones and balls for a non-existent squad, to the proven-leader given the honor to spearhead the construction and operations of a $250M stadium that consistently sells out its 25,000+ seats.

Starting with leaving his home country of England as a teen for college soccer across the pond, Dan’s story is one for the history books of U.S. soccer. This conversation was a privilege for us to have, and we’re confident that you’ll enjoy listening to it.

Now Live on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and everywhere else:

#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast

----------------------------------------------------

Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastoffthepitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on TikTok:
http://www.tiktok.com/@podcastoffthepitch

Follow Dan McNally on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-mcnally-3a4705103/

Follow Matt Cunningham on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcghm/

Follow David Kinnear on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/

To reach out to us please email:
[email protected]