The Sports Governance Podcast

#14 The FIFA World Cup: A Sports Economics Perspective (w/ Simon Chadwick)

The FIFA World Cup is more than the biggest football tournament on the planet. It is a global business ecosystem shaped by economics, politics and power.vIn this episode, I am joined by Professor Simon Chadwick, one of the leading experts in the business and geopolitics of sport, and co-author of the upcoming second edition of The Business of the FIFA World Cup. Together, we explore how the World Cup evolved into the most valuable sporting properties in the world, FIFA’s business model, the role of sponsors, broadcasters and host nations, the expansion to 48 teams, and what the future holds for football’s biggest event.

#13 Psychological Safety and Athlete Protection in Times of Crisis (w/ Andrea Marcela Castaño Rodríguez)

In this episode, we explore the psychological impact of political pressure, institutional silence and athlete vulnerability in global sport. Together with sports psychologist and researcher Andrea Marcela Castaño Rodriguez, we discuss moral injury, identity conflicts, neutrality, safeguarding and the human cost athletes face when performance collides with conscience.

#12 Introduction to the Sports Economy: Understanding the System

This episode introduces the sports economy as a complex system of stakeholders shaping how global sport operates. From governing bodies and athletes to media, sponsors, and agents, it explains how value is created, distributed, and coordinated—and why sport functions through interaction rather than isolated decisions.

#11 EU at the Crossroads of Sport Governance: Regulation, Power, and Global Shifts (w/ Arnout Geeraert)

What role does the European Union play in governing global sport? This episode explores how EU law, competition policy, and recent cases like the International Skating Union and the Super League challenge are reshaping the boundaries of sport governance. It examines the limits of self-regulation, the tension between autonomy and accountability, and how the globalization of sport may redefine the EU’s influence in the years ahead.

#10 Who Protects Athletes? Governance Gaps, Responsibility, and Systemic Failure (w/ Faraz Shahlaei)

This episode examines a central question in modern sports governance: who is actually responsible for protecting athletes when sport becomes political? Moving beyond individual experiences, it explores the structural role of federations, international governing bodies, and legal frameworks in shaping athlete protection. Drawing on expert insight, the conversation unpacks the gap between formal responsibility and practical action, the limits of autonomy, and the growing role of NGOs as first responders. It also highlights how governance structures can both protect and restrict athletes, particularly around freedom of expression and political vulnerability. Ultimately, this episode argues that athlete protection is not just a welfare issue, but a governance test—one that reveals who holds power, how it is exercised, and where the system continues to fall short.