The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly

How NFL Star Bobby Wagner is Modeling his Career on Michael's and Magic's

Bobby Wagner is one of three NFL Linebackers to ever record 2,000 tackles. But his biggest goal is ownership, whether that’s of a team or his own contract negotiations. Following the lead of his mentors Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, Wagner has spent the last decade diversifying his business interests, including investments in tech start-ups and taking a minority stake in the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. In this episode of The Deal, Alex and Jason talk to Wagner about what he saw as an NFL rookie that motivated him to be his own agent and explains the ins and outs of how an NFL contract comes to be. Wagner also shares how Larry Johnson and a cartoon based on Magic shaped his views on athletes and ownership. He also explains why writing a check to the Seattle Storm was his easiest investment decision. You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Men in Blazers’ Roger Bennett Says America Already Loves Soccer

Can Americans really embrace the rest of the world's favorite sport? According to Roger Bennett, the founder and CEO of soccer media powerhouse Men in Blazers, we don't have to wait for this summer's World Cup -- the love affair with soccer is in full swing across the United States. In fact, Roger breaks the news to Alex that soccer has surpassed baseball as the country’s third most popular sport after (American) football and basketball. In this episode of The Deal, Alex and Jason talk to Bennett about soccer’s ascent into the hearts of American sports fans and into the portfolios of American investors. He also explains why the MLS will never be as popular as the Premier League, why soccer ownership is a great investment and why the World Cup is the pinnacle of athletic competition. Check out Roger’s new memoir We Are the World (Cup) You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power Players: How F1's Pierre Gasly Built a Brand Outside of Racing

In this special episode, Jason Kelly speaks with Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly about how drivers aren't just racers in today's Formula 1 – they're global brand ambassadors, technical consultants, and brands unto themselves. Gasly discussed how he is building his empire through partnerships with fashion brands, an investment group, and an ownership stake in FC Versailles, on top of competing in 24 races every year around the world. This interview was part of the first episode of Bloomberg Originals' documentary mini-series, Power Players. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Power Players: How CEO Stefano Domenicali is Growing F1's Legacy

In this special episode, Jason Kelly speaks with Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali about how F1 is bringing its booming business to Miami, why he's excited about the addition of Cadillac to the F1 grid, how he's pushing to bring more women into racing through F1 Academy, and why he teamed up with the folks behind the Brad Pitt movie "F1." This interview was part of the third episode of Bloomberg Originals' documentary mini-series, Power Players. Listen to previous episodes of The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly featuring Tom Garfinkel, CEO of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium, and Susie Wolff, managing director of F1 Academy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Willow Bay Invested in Angel City FC

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk to Angel City FC controlling owner Willow Bay about how she sees her investment giving back to the community. They discuss how Bay helped change sports media culture when she hosted “NBA Inside Stuff,” how her work as dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism inspired her to acquire a team in the National Women's Soccer League and why team ownership is unlike anything she ever imagined.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.