#240

Описание: Welcome to episode 240 of Sports Management Podcast.


Today's guest is Erik Stover, CEO of the New York Cosmos and a leader with over 25 years of experience in U.S. soccer, including roles with the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Arena.


With World Cup 2026 approaching and promotion and relegation entering American professional soccer, the sport is at a historic turning point.


In this episode, we spoke about:


• The impact of World Cup 2026 on U.S. soccer

• Why club identity matters more than ever

• Promotion and relegation in American sport

• Building the New York Cosmos as a true community club


Time Stamps:


00:00 Intro 00:18 Why 2026 Is a Critical Year for US Soccer 01:25 Can Soccer Compete with NFL & NBA? 03:01 How Important Is a Strong World Cup Run? 05:21 Grassroots vs Hype After the World Cup 07:14 Soccer vs American Sports Culture 09:09 The New York Cosmos Revival 10:01 Promotion & Relegation in the US 12:25 What "Community Club" Really Means 15:22 From Stadium Manager to Red Bulls CEO 16:28 Lessons from European Football 20:25 Why US Soccer Needs Stronger Rivalries 23:09 Bringing Thierry Henry to MLS 31:37 The Future Vision for the Cosmos 34:05 Commercial Growth vs Authenticity 35:00 Outro


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