The Soccernomics Podcast

Simon Kuper, Stefan Szymanski, Ashish Malhotra

Get ready for the World Cup through the lens of Soccernomics. It's a New York Times Bestseller, but it's also a way of looking at the game that uncovers its hidden truths. Featuring Simon Kuper, Stefan Szymanski and Ashish Malhotra.

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35 episodes
a few times a week
Avg 32 min
English

Episodes 35

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Friday · 39 min
Has VAR made refereeing decisions more accurate?
VAR always produces a spirited debate, and today's episode is no different. Though Stefan has data that proves that VAR is highly effective, Ashish pushes back arguing that it's still used too subjectively, and that perceptions around its accuracy are a problem. What do you think?
Tuesday · 33 min
What Are The Best Leagues in the World?
The English Premier League is widely considered to be the best soccer league in the world, but how can we rank the rest of them? Opta, the British sports analytics company have come up with their latest power rankings. We discuss them, and metholodigies that can be used to rate the world's best leagues.
September 17 · 34 min
How Much Do Managers Really Matter? [Rerun]
Following on from our latest episode on why managers get fired so often, today we're republishing our episode on how much they really matter in the first place. This episode was first published on June 25. None of the dates or references have been changed since that time.
September 15 · 35 min
"You're Getting Sacked in the Morning": Why Managers Get Fired So Much
Football managers are constantly on the hot seat. Just a few weeks into the season, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Fiorentina and Valencia have already sacked their managers. What's behind the constant merry-go-round? And does it make sense from an economic point of view?
September 11 · 47 min
Why Don’t American Sports Have Promotion and Relegation?
At long last, we delve into the promotion/relegation in the context of Major League Soccer, but also American sports in general. Stefan explains the closed league system, and what it would take for it to change. We also discuss how US sports leagues avoid charges of collusion under antitrust litigation.
September 8 · 39 min
Can MLS Actually Become a Major League?
As an extension from our Thursday episode, we discuss the MLS experiment and where it is today. How did it survive after its lowest ebbs in the late 90s and early 2000s? What's behind high present day MLS club valuations? And why hasn't it taken off and actually become a major league?
September 3 · 36 min
Before MLS: The Wild History of American Soccer
From the Boston Beaneaters of the ALFP, to the New York Cosmos of the NASL, we dig into the long history of professional soccer in the US, dating back to the 1890s. It sets us up for Stefan's critiques of Major League Soccer, and why he believes the league should bring in promotion and relegation.
September 1 · 45 min
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It: Stefan on Football’s Financial Rules
After a walking vacation in Ireland, Stefan has had a lot of time to think about football's financial regulations - and he's got a lot to say. Well let's be honest: both of those things are always the case, vacation or not. But with the English Premier and Football Leagues new Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) regulations in place for this season, we thought it was a good opportunity to talk about what they are, and why Stefan fundamentally has a problem with financial regulation in football.
August 27 · 32 min
Why Does Messi Keep Missing Penalties? [Rerun]
As Stefan recently pointed out, Lionel Messi has missed three penalties in a row. That, along with Ashish's never ending debate with his friend Rishi over David De Gea, made today feel as good a time as any to republish our penalties episode. In it, we go beyond the pub talk, where Stefan and Simon explain the game theory that underlines the economics and psychology behind penalty kicks. This episode was first published on May 28.
August 25 · 29 min
The Soccernomics Podcast x NO SUCH THING
After Stefan recently fired back at people who didn't like his analysis about the origins of the word 'soccer', we thought we'd play you the entire conversation that led to the backlash in the first place - thanks to our friends at NO SUCH THING. Manny Fidel, Devan Joseph and Noah Friedman had us on their award-winning show last month to talk about the transfer system, US soccer, promotion/relegation, authoritarian regimes that host World Cups...and yes, the football v soccer debate. This conversation first aired as part of NO SUCH THING's July 1 episode. Check out their feed here.
August 20 · 33 min
Why Are Sports Teams Suddenly Worth So Much Money?
From Liverpool to the Lakers: its been a big week in the world of sports team ownership. Mark Walter's sale of his controlling stake of the Lakers, just 14 months after he bought it raised eyebrows in the NBA - as did the 25% profit he pocketed. Just days later Jeff Bezos bought 30% of Liverpool FC. The sales are just the latest examples of a recent trend of sports teams going for whopping prices - particularly in the US. So what's behind it? We also preview the upcoming English Premier League season, including debating whether Leicester City's longshot title was luck, or something more.
August 18 · 51 min
Mailbag Part II: Soccer vs Football, Colonialism & Pay to Play
Stefan fights off the haters when it comes to his position on Soccer v Football. Seriously, if you haven't read his book, "It's Football, Not Soccer (And Vice Versa), co-authored with Silke-Maria Weineck. We also discuss the WAFCON, the effects of colonialism, pay to play, and compare the times FIFA has gotten into bed with dictators around the world.
August 13 · 40 min
Mailbag: Penalties, the European Super League & Match Momentum Graphs
In our first listener questions episode, we get into a variety of topics - from penalties, to the European Super League and those weird "Match Momentum" graphs FOX kept showing during World Cup matches in the US. If you've written to us and didn't get your question answered, don't worry - we will be doing another one of these episodes very soon!
August 11 · 45 min
Kieran Maguire on Infantino, FIFA and Ebbsfleet United
A momentous day for The Soccernomics Podcast: Our first guest. Kieran Maguire, one of the world's leading football finance experts, and the author of "The Price is Football" joins Stefan and Ashish for a wide-ranging chat. Topics range from Infantino, to private equity, and the turmoil at Ebbsfleet United.
August 6 · 29 min
Will Gianni Infantino Resign?
Since we last recorded, the pressure has been mounting on Gianni Infantino. Though he retreated from his botched World Cup sell-off plan, many want more - his resignation. From the internal dissent within FIFA, to the opposition to Infantino's leadership from various national football associations and continental confederations - we discuss it all, and consider the fundamental question of whether he will survive the biggest test he's ever faced.
August 4 · 23 min
Amid FIFA Sell-Off Fiasco, A Reminder That World Cups Save Lives [Rerun]
Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide. Though we promise, this is ultimately an uplifting and hopeful story. As the fallout from Gianni Infantino's botched attempt to sell a share of the World Cup continues, we'll be coming to you with a new episode about it on Thursday. In the meantime, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to republish an episode we first put out in May - as a reminder of why the World Cup is so important to people. It literally saves lives. This episode was fist published on May 26. Need help? If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call 116 123 or NHS 111 in the UK.
July 30 · 30 min
Will Infantino's World Cup Plan Tear FIFA and UEFA Apart?
In a shock move on Tuesday, FIFA announced plans to create FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), a new subsidiary which would sell all of FIFA’s commercial rights and run its major events, such as the World Cup. But the most significant part of the plan is that FIFA would then sell off up to 21% of the company to private investors. The idea has been met with sharp criticism, especially from the governing body of football in Europe - UEFA - who said: “The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade — especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”
July 28 · 33 min
Why Does Western Europe Dominate Global Football? [Rerun]
We're taking a little breather this week, catching our breath from the World Cup. But we'll be back with new episodes very soon. Until then, we thought we'd republish an episode we did before the tournament began. It's one that seems very relevant again after Spain won the World Cup - Why Western Europe dominates global soccer. This episode first aired on June 9th. None of the time references from that time have been changed.
July 23 · 32 min
Who's to Blame for England's Collapse?
We had to talk about that England collapse, and the fallout that's followed. Thomas Tuchel has received most of the blame. But is that fair? Was it more on the players, or was it a combination of various factors?
July 21 · 29 min
World Cup Recap: Spain Reigns Supreme
After a 1-0 win over Argentina, Spain added to their Women's World Cup title in 2023, and now hold the Men's title as well. What is it about Spanish football that's bringing it so much success? We also discuss how Argentina became this World Cup's villains...

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