Sports Media Report
With the NWSL among the first leagues returning into action and the “MLS is Back” tournament beginning play earlier this week, soccer fans across the country are excited to see their favorite teams and players back on the pitch. Investment in the sport, which has been largely quiet since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. hard beginning in early March, is picking up, and today’s news from one of soccer’s prominent groups, For Soccer Ventures, bodes well for its future.
Today FSV launched three new content initiatives, focusing on great storytelling which transcends soccer in many cases but will keep die-hards glued to their earbuds. Original shows “Orange Slices,” hosted by Emerging US Men’s National Team Player Mark McKenzie, and “Best Soccer Show,” fronted by Sirius XM’s Jason Davis and American soccer devotee Jared DuBois, forms the basis for diverse, engaged storytelling around all aspects of soccer culture in America.
“There are many diverse voices in American soccer who deserve a new platform to discuss their experiences throughout the vast soccer community. Podcasting has emerged as a megaphone for storytelling, and we’ve recognized that there is no better way to invest in elevating the American soccer story than to give its future leaders the mic,” stated Philadelphia Union Investor and FSV Principal Richie Graham.
Pearce, for one, is bullish on the sport’s prospects, an enthusiasm FSV’s Chief Creative Officer plans to put on full display in “Orange Slices.”
“The next decade of soccer in the U.S. will be transformative,” said Pearce. “Both fans and players alike will be protagonists in leading the growth of the sport throughout this period, and we believe Orange Slices and The Best Soccer Show provide each their space. Our network will add new, like-minded partners, such as Girls Soccer Network and additional shows launched in the coming months, as we look to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of those who’ve gotten us here, while shining a light on our path forward as a soccer nation.”
In addition to the podcast network, FSV announced a “Preferred Partnership” with Girls Soccer Network in which the two will collaborate on content, production and commercial opportunities.
“We’re thrilled to partner with For Soccer Ventures,” said Jen Gruskoff, founder and edit0r-in-chief at GSN. “The leadership team recognizes the enormous opportunity to help support all the thriving women’s soccer communities across the country and to grow the game for future generations. We’ve only scratched the surface from a content and commercial development perspective, and this partnership will help us supercharge our efforts to connect with brands and develop game-changing content platforms.”
