🎙️3rd & final part of our Future of Football pod series is on the EFL, the importance of the pyramid, independent regulation, parachute payments, 3 up from NL & a fairer financial distribution. W/ @adamleventhal.bsky.social & EFL chairman Rick Parry pod.fo/e/3283ba

🎧Final part of Future of Football podcast series for @theathleticfc.bsky.social alongside @mjslater.bsky.social. We're joined by EFL Chairman Rick Parry to talk about health/challenges of English pyramid, Wrexham/Birmingham/US influence, dealing with PL, regulation & more. pod.fo/e/3283ba

🎙️Part 2 of our Future of Football 3-parter is on the EPL, which doesn’t appear to have any worries that money can’t solve. We discuss EPL v Everyone, Italian ruins, Turkish barbers etc @adamleventhal.bsky.social @jameshorncastle.bsky.social & Deloitte’s Tim Bridge & Tim Lunn pod.fo/e/327a3a

🎙️Part 1 of 3-part pod series to fill the void left by the end of the transfer season/break in FPL. It’s on FIFA v UEFA, Club World Cup, games abroad, fixture chaos etc @adamleventhal.bsky.social @adamcrafton.bsky.social @ronanevain.bsky.social & @thepfa.bsky.social’s Maheta Molango pod.fo/e/326e95

🎧The Future of Football - three part series on big global club issues from FIFA v UEFA, busy calendar & burnout, matches abroad, PL financial muscle & more P1/3 with: @adamcrafton.bsky.social @mjslater.bsky.social @fanseurope.org's @ronanevain.bsky.social & PFA's Maheta Molango pod.fo/e/326e95

From @TheAthletic: Streameast — the world’s largest illegal sports streaming platform — has been shut down after a year-long investigation, according to a leading United States-based anti-piracy organisation.

Excl: World’s largest illegal sports streaming platform Streameast shut down in sting. Network of 80 domains with 1.6b annual visits targeted by US led anti-piracy coalition working in collaboration with Egyptian authorities. Full story @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

Streameast — the world’s largest illegal sports streaming platform — has been shut down after a year long investigation, according to a leading United States-based anti-piracy organisation. Exclusive story from @adamleventhal.bsky.social ⤵️

Looking forward to chatting re new special episode of The Athletic FC podcast 'Inside the world of Premier League referees' on @siriusxmfc.bsky.social at 2pm (UK). pod.fo/e/30ec6c

Villa New: Peter Bankes (VAR) For Bre: Bankes (Ref) & Andy Madley (VAR) Bri Ful: Wade Smith (Asst) & Matt Donohue (VAR) Chel Pal: Akil Howson (Asst) 1st PL officials appts out & all above - plus Howard Webb & more - feature in new special ep. for @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod.fo/e/30ec6c

To hear the full pod from @theathleticfc.bsky.social - click here: pod.fo/e/30ec6c

Two of the Wembley officials for Palace Liverpool feature in new special episode of TheAthleticFC pod: Wade Smith & Akil Howson, 2 speedy assistants who have to keep up with stars travelling up to 37kph. Spoke to both at Spain pre-season camp. Listen free👇 pod.fo/e/30ec6c @theathleticfc.bsky.social

🎧 Inside the world of PL referees “It’s undoubtedly more scrutinised than ever” Howard Webb 📺 VAR training & announcements 🧤 New 25/26 laws 🧠 Mental health 🏃‍♂️ Spain pre-season ⚽️ Game behind the scenes New TheAthleticFC special out now & free to listen @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod.fo/e/30ec6c

Maybe BlueSky ain’t the place for ‘guess this pair of eyes’…

Next special episode of The Athletic FC podcast is out on Sunday morning… if you can guess whose eyes these are then you’ll have a good idea what it’s all about. 👀 @theathleticfc.bsky.social

Working on next special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod as we speak. Includes trip to Europe for some pre-season training. It'll be out on Aug 10 in usual pod places and hopefully set you up for the season with a different perspective on a vital but hotly debated aspect of football. ;)

Going to really miss so much about the ITV coverage of the TDF. Especially the lovely features.

Another new kit drops ... Special on fake football shirts on @theathleticfc.bsky.social As part of documentary ep. asked PL clubs if they'd support cap on genuine prices to counter ffs rise 14 no reply, 4 no comments, 2: Ipswich & Brentford engaged Listen here podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

Seeing all the new shirts drop… The underground world of fake football shirts - pod special on @theathleticfc.bsky.social Before you go, yeah I buy fakes because clubs charge too much - I know, and it’s all included in here. 🎧👇Give it a listen. pod.fo/e/2b64e5

FIFA CWC final shortly - tournament heavily reliant on WC34 host Saudi Arabia’s wealth via commercial links “Allowing (them) to make all these deals is clear indication that there’s no human rights assessment” - MEDC Special pod in US @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2f6765

Did FIFA breach its own human rights rules giving Saudi Arabia 2034 World Cup? That’s what 3 international lawyers (inc UK KC & ex-FIFA official) believe & lodged formal complaint in May. Explained in At what cost? Saudi Arabia & soccer on @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast. pod.fo/e/2f6765

Really enjoyed making this documentary with @adamleventhal.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social.. a detailed and balanced examination of Saudi Arabia's involvement in football pod.fo/e/2f6765

I listened to this episode this weekend. Very well put together and interesting perspective on role of Saudi Arabia (money) in football. @adamleventhal.bsky.social

Listen to 𝗔𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁? 𝗦𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗿 now 🎧 pod.fo/e/2f6765

From Al-Hilal's Club World Cup run and Saudi Arabia being a guest nation at the Gold Cup, to FIFA's $1billion broadcast deal with DAZN. @adamleventhal.bsky.social reports from across the U.S. on the Saudi influence — on and off the pitch — on the two big tournaments there this summer.

Gold Cup final soon. Tournament promoting PIF, Riyadh Air, Aramco, Visit Saudi & w/ invitee KSA. Concacaf & FIFA - w/ CWC/PIF deal & pushing WC34 despite human rights issues - have shown their hand. New special pod episode in US looks at complex issue. 🎧 @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2f6765

🎧 At what cost? Saudi Arabia & soccer Saudi’s FIFA/Concacaf deals put brands all over CWC/Gold Cup + money behind DAZN’s CWC deal. Kingdom’s WC34 drive continues. In US to analyse the impact, inc on those under threat. Special edition of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast. pod.fo/e/2f6765

Out tomorrow am. 🎧

Been to the States to work on the latest special episode of The Athletic FC podcast - went to both Club World Cup and Concacaf Gold Cup. Here’s a clue about the topic that’s discussed. It’s released tomorrow morning. Will drop links. @theathleticfc.bsky.social

🎙️ The king of football pods on the “king of soccer” in a battle to see who has the most air miles. @adamleventhal.bsky.social & cast of thousands* explain who FIFA boss Gianni Infantino is, how he got the job & what he wants. *Kept in line by queen of pods @abipaterson.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2e4ae8

So, who is Gianni Infantino, where did he come from, where is he taking the game, and has he fulfilled his promises? @adamleventhal.bsky.social tracks his journey from son of migrants to rubbing shoulders with the world's leaders. 🎧 pod.fo/e/2e4ae8

With his beloved Club World Cup about to kick off this weekend, @oliverkay.bsky.social, @adamcrafton.bsky.social, @mjslater.bsky.social and @adamleventhal.bsky.social have spoken to dozens of people to gain a clearer impression of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/641...

From Swiss born ‘piccolo’ - son of Italian immigrants - to most powerful man in world football. Speaking to family, ex-colleagues & those who don’t see eye to eye with him. The rise of FIFA president Gianni Infantino. New special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast. pod.fo/e/2e4ae8

New special episode of The Athletic FC podcast drops tomorrow am. @theathleticfc.bsky.social

🇩🇰⚪️ Chatted about Thomas Frank’s best qualities and the biggest challenges that await him at Spurs with @adamleventhal.bsky.social & @sebsb.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social Listen now 👇🏽 pod.fo/e/2e24e6

I went on @TheAthleticFC podcast to talk about Tottenham, Ange, Bilbao and what happens next. With @adamleventhal.bsky.social and @jaydmharris.bsky.social. pod.fo/e/2e24e6

Ange gone, Frank in. Getting stuck into it all with “lost and conflicted” @sebsb.bsky.social & ready for Bees reunion at #THFC @jaydmharris.bsky.social (maybe also with Mbeumo?) @theathleticfc.bsky.social Pod here 👇 pod.fo/e/2e24e6

Talking ‘This is Manchester United Football Club’ with @mjcritchley.bsky.social, Carl Anka & Conor O’Neill - inc transfers, Amorim, Brailsford, reshuffling & more. @theathleticfc.bsky.social Listen here 👇 pod.fo/e/2e0a93

Talking transfers - Wirtz, Reijnders, Cherki, Sancho, Bellingham et al - with @david-ornstein.bsky.social @philhay.bsky.social & @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social 🎧 @theathleticfc.bsky.social Listen 👇 here pod.fo/e/2df760

Talking PSG Inter fallout with @adamcrafton.bsky.social @jameshorncastle.bsky.social & @liamtharme.bsky.social including tactics, emotions, fairytale-ish v state ownership debate & the future for the French giants with the young stars. Listen here 👇 @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2de3b1

🏆 Congratulations to Adam Leventhal, who was in Rabat this week for the annual AIPS Sport Media Awards - and he came away with a first-place trophy ✍️ The Athletic FC journalist won the Writing Best Colour Piece category… we’ve been speaking to him about his success… 1/3

New pod with @oliverkay.bsky.social & Tim Spiers re #MUFC & #THFC, progress & manager vibes plus who may join one of them in the UCL via the league next season with #NUFC #CFC coming up. (Also word on Arsenal & a potential NL trophy lift elsewhere…) @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2d3062

Enjoyed this chat with @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social Carl Anka & Tim Spiers on #MUFC #THFC Europa League final collision course, plus PL Euro place chase inc #NFFC wobbles & #CFC priorities. @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod 👇 pod.fo/e/2cfd3a

West Ham United sit 17th as they prepare to face Brighton this weekend. Roshane Thomas & @liamtharme.bsky.social join @adamleventhal.bsky.social to discuss how #WHUFC have ended up in this position, and how much it's down to the approach of manager Graham Potter. 🎧 pod.fo/e/2ccd7a

Analysis of West Ham’s situation - 17th & lucky bottom 3 have been so poor. Where they heading then, how much of it is down to Graham Potter and what happens this summer to key players? @liamtharme.bsky.social with the intel alongside Roshane Thomas. @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2ccd7a

Week on from release of latest documentary episode of The Athletic FC pod - A World Cup Divided: Trump & 2026. Wanted to say thanks to all those who’ve listened and interacted during a particularly turbulent week. Not caught it yet, here it is. 👇 pod.fo/e/2c018b

Red/blue debate pre Manchester derby with Carl Anka & Sam Lee on The Preview is here @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2c2edf

U.S. Soc: “Build new relationships” Canada: “Stick up for ourselves” Mexico: “Brand building exercise” WC organisers on putting on a united front with new political backdrop. @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...

"When they step on the field in 2026, they’re going to come with baggage." Some Americans may not want the USMNT to succeed at the 2026 World Cup as a result of the political situation in the country, Alexi Lalas has said in an interview with The Athletic's @adamleventhal.bsky.social.

Alexi Lalas says political divisions may impact support for USMNT at 2026 World Cup, the argument for US hosting without Canada/Mexico plus his support for Trump’s direction. @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/624...