Moneyball - The Business of Sport

Episodet

• 
  What Was Pep Guardiola Really Worth to Manchester City? 20.08.2026 41min

  Manchester City spent years building a club capable of attracting Pep Guardiola. Now that he's gone, we're about to find out whether they built something capable of succeeding without him.After 10 years, six Premier League titles and a Champions League triumph, Guardiola leaves Manchester City as much more than its most successful manager.Sky Sports reporter Ben Ransom had a front-row seat for the Guardiola era. He has covered City for more than a decade, interviewed Pep one-on-one countless times and followed the club through its transformation into one of the dominant forces in world football.Ben joins Scott Keenan to go inside the Manchester City project: from Sheikh Mansour's 2008 takeover and the years spent building towards Guardiola's arrival, to Pep's impact on City's status, recruitment, revenues and global reputation.They explore whether Pep made Manchester City bigger or City's money and ambition made Pep bigger; why Guardiola became the public face of the club; what his presence meant when attracting elite players; and how City built its business off the pitch alongside its extraordinary success on it.They also discuss the unresolved Premier League financial case and its impact on Guardiola's legacy, before looking ahead to Enzo Maresca and the biggest test yet of the Manchester City project:Can the machine keep winning without Pep?Moneyball – The Business of Sport goes behind the deals, decisions and dynamics shaping sport.
• 
  What PNG Really Buys With Tax-Free Dollars 12.08.2026 16min

  Brian To’o is going to the PNG Chiefs — and his signing is bringing the real value of PNG’s tax-free recruitment concessions into sharp focus.The Chiefs will enter the NRL in 2028 under the same salary-cap system as every other club. But eligible players and staff will be able to earn their employment income tax-free under arrangements involving the Australian and Papua New Guinean governments.So what does that actually mean in practice?Fox League estimates Brian To’o’s Chiefs contract at around $600,000 a season tax-free. Under current Australian tax rates, an Australian club would need to pay a player roughly $1.07 million before tax to generate similar take-home income.Zoom out across an entire roster and the difference in purchasing power becomes even more significant.Using the NRL’s last published Top 30 salary cap of $12.1 million, Scott runs a simplified thought experiment showing that an Australian club could need almost $21 million in gross salaries to generate similar total take-home income if PNG’s cap were divided evenly across 30 tax-free players.PNG does not literally have a $21 million salary cap. But the comparison helps explain why saying “the salary cap is the same” doesn’t tell the whole story.And there could be an even bigger consequence for the NRL player market: PNG doesn’t have to sign your player to affect what your club pays him.Scott explores how tax-free Chiefs offers could give players greater negotiating leverage, potentially forcing rival clubs to spend more of their own salary caps simply to retain their stars.With Jarome Luai, Zac Lomax, Brian To’o, Connor Watson, Matty Lees and Alex Johnston already signed, we’re beginning to see what PNG’s tax concessions can buy in the real world.Moneyball explores the intersection of sport, money, media and culture, hosted by Scott Keenan.YouTube & Instagram: @askmoneyball_show Contact: askmoneyball.show@gmail.com
• 
  How The Bye Round Landed A Show On Disney+ 06.08.2026 38min

  How does an independent sports podcast become a media company?Charlie White and former NRL player James Graham started The Bye Round as an independent rugby league podcast.Today, it has grown into an independent sports media business producing ESPN League Central for Disney+.In this episode of Moneyball: The Business of Sport, Charlie joins Scott Keenan to explain how the opportunity came about, what ESPN was really looking for, how the business has grown from a passion project into a company with employees, sponsors and multiple revenue streams, and why the relationship between broadcasters and creators is changing so quickly.It's a conversation about entrepreneurship, sport, media and what happens when a side project grows into a serious business.Topics coveredThe story behind ESPN League CentralProducing a weekly television show for Disney+How Charlie White and James Graham built The Bye RoundGrowing a podcast into an independent sports media businessHiring staff and scaling a creator businessSponsorship and creator-led mediaWhy broadcasters are partnering with creatorsThe future of sports mediaMoneyball is hosted by Scott Keenan and explores the intersection of sport, money, media and culture through conversations with the people making the biggest decisions in sport.📩 Business enquiries: askmoneyball.show@gmail.com
• 
  Why It's Cool To Support The New Zealand Warriors 30.07.2026 25min

  The Warriors are becoming one of the most commercially interesting clubs in world sport. And it's becoming cool to follow them as well. At NRL Magic Round, Warriors fans transformed Brisbane into a home away from home, while the club's pop-up store generated more than half a million dollars in sales. But the bigger story isn't merchandise—it's culture, identity and the way the Warriors are building one of rugby league's most powerful brands.Scott Keenan is joined by sports marketing academic Dr Sarah Wymer to explore why the Warriors have become such a cultural phenomenon, what makes their commercial strategy different, and what every sporting organisation can learn from their approach to fan engagement.In this episodeWhy the Warriors are becoming one of the hottest clubs in sportThe commercial strategy behind Magic RoundThe power of Kiwi identity and diaspora communitiesSponsorship, Dreamworld and fan engagementSocial media, belonging and the "Wahs Effect"Rugby league's cultural momentum in New ZealandWhether a second New Zealand NRL team is the next stepAbout Dr Sarah WymerDr Sarah Wymer is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Leadership & Management at Auckland University of Technology, specialising in sports marketing, fan engagement, digital strategy and commercial partnerships.About MoneyballMoneyball is an Australian sports business podcast hosted by sports business commentator Scott Keenan, exploring the intersection of sport, money, media and culture.Through interviews, analysis and original commentary, Moneyball goes behind the biggest stories in sport to explain the business shaping what fans see on the field.Follow MoneyballYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@moneyball_showInstagram: @moneyball_showContact the show📧 askmoneyball.show@gmail.comQuestions, guest ideas, sponsorship enquiries and media opportunities are always welcome.If you want to know what's really going on in sport... you've gotta follow the money.
• 
  Why Football Can't Replace David Beckham 24.07.2026 13min

  David Beckham retired more than a decade ago—so why was he still one of the biggest commercial stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?That question reveals something much bigger than one footballer's career.In this episode of Moneyball, we explore why Beckham remains one of the most valuable commercial brands in world sport, how he reinvented himself after retirement, and why football is still searching for a player who can match his global appeal.From the infamous 1998 World Cup red card and his reinvention as a global celebrity, to co-founding Inter Miami and becoming one of football's most influential ambassadors, Beckham's career offers a masterclass in athlete branding.We also examine whether today's biggest stars—including Lamine Yamal, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland—have what it takes to become football's next truly global commercial icon.This episode explores the business of football, sports marketing, sponsorship, athlete branding, personal brands and the commercial forces shaping the world's biggest sport.About MoneyballMoneyball is an Australian sports business show exploring the intersection of sport, money, media and culture.Each week, host Scott Keenan speaks with the people shaping the business behind sport—from league executives and club CEOs to marketers, broadcasters, academics and athletes—to explain the deals, decisions and incentives that shape the games we love.Whether you're a sports industry professional or simply a fan who wants to understand how sport really works, Moneyball pulls back the curtain on the stories behind the biggest moments in sport.Because if you want to know what's really going on in sport... You've got to follow the money.Get in touch📧 moneyball.show@gmail.com📸 Instagram: @moneyball_show▶️ YouTube: @moneyball_show
• 
  Can DAZN Make The NRL Deal Pay Off? 21.07.2026 28min

  The NRL got its record media rights deal. But signing the contract was the easy part.Now DAZN has to make the economics work.Former DAZN executive Murray Barnett joins Moneyball – The Business of Sport to explain what happens after one of the biggest sports broadcasting agreements in Australian history is signed.How do you justify paying billions of dollars for one competition? Will Kayo Sports and Foxtel subscribers eventually pay more? Can DAZN grow the NRL internationally? And what does this deal mean for every other Australian sport competing for broadcast money, sponsors and audience attention?Scott Keenan and Murray unpack how DAZN approached its first major Australian rights negotiation after acquiring Foxtel, why retaining the NRL was strategically critical, and how global streaming companies recover the cost of billion-dollar sports rights.The conversation also explores what DAZN learned from France and other international markets, whether rugby league can become a genuine global property, what Formula One's growth can teach the NRL, and why the AFL, NBL, Super Netball, rugby union, Supercars and the A-Leagues will all be watching closely.About the guestMurray Barnett is the founder of 26West Sport, advising rights holders, broadcasters, brands and events on media rights strategy, sponsorship and commercialisation.He previously held senior leadership positions at DAZN, ESPN, Formula One, World Rugby and the Irish Football Association, and hosts The Bundle podcast on the Unofficial Partner network.About MoneyballMoneyball – The Business of Sport explores the intersection of sport, money, media and culture.Hosted by Australian sports business commentator Scott Keenan, the show takes fans behind the headlines to explain the commercial decisions shaping modern sport.New episodes feature interviews and analysis covering media rights, sponsorship, ownership, finance, strategy and the business behind the biggest stories in sport.📩 Questions, guest suggestions or commercial enquiries:askmoneyball.show@gmail.com
• 
  Who Owns Greatness in Football? 17.07.2026 14min

  A trademark fight between FIFA and the owners of the Ballon d'Or has opened up a much bigger question: who gets to define greatness in world football?FIFA is seeking trademark protection for FIFA GOLDEN BALL around the world, including in Australia, but the move has been challenged by the owners of the Ballon d'Or — football's most prestigious individual award. The complication? Ballon d'Or literally translates as Golden Ball.In this episode of Moneyball, Scott Keenan speaks with Alex Sutcliffe, Chartered Trade Mark Attorney at Reddie & Grose, about the dispute and what it reveals about power, prestige and money in modern football.Why does FIFA want stronger protection for the Golden Ball name now? What's the difference between the Ballon d'Or, FIFA Golden Ball and The Best FIFA Men's Player award? Could FIFA turn its Golden Ball into a major commercial property through streaming, broadcast rights and replica trophies? And could it ever rival the prestige of the Ballon d'Or?Alex also explains the potential legal threat to the Ballon d'Or, the wider rivalry between FIFA and European football, how the dispute could potentially drag on for years, and why the real prize may not be the trophy itself — but the authority to decide who gets remembered as one of football's greatest players.About Alex SutcliffeAlex Sutcliffe is a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney at Reddie & Grose, specialising in intellectual property and trademark law. In this episode, he brings his legal expertise and perspective as a football fan to the FIFA Golden Ball trademark dispute and the broader commercial battle surrounding football's biggest individual awards.About MoneyballMoneyball is an Australian sports business podcast hosted by sports business commentator and brand strategist Scott Keenan.The show goes behind the deals, decisions and dynamics shaping modern sport, exploring the intersection of sport, money, media and culture.From the NRL, AFL, cricket, NBL and Super Netball to football, Formula 1 and the biggest stories in global sport, Moneyball explores media rights, player contracts and salaries, sponsorship deals, sports ownership, athlete brands, the creator economy and the future of the fan experience.You'll hear from the executives, athletes, journalists, broadcasters, marketers and industry insiders who understand how sport really works — and where it's heading next.Follow MoneyballYouTube: @moneyball_show Instagram: @moneyball_showContact the showQuestions, feedback or guest ideas? Email Scott directly at askmoneyball.show@gmail.com.Moneyball is made for sports insiders and fans who want to know what's really going on in the game. If you want to know what's really going on in sport, you've got to follow the money.
• 
  Player Power in Rugby League's Billion-Dollar Era 14.07.2026 34min

  Exclusive: Rugby League Players Association CEO Clint Newton joins Moneyball to discuss player power, the NRL’s new $5 billion TV rights deal and who gets to shape rugby league’s billion-dollar future.This episode was recorded recently, but before the NRL announced the full details of its new TV deal with Nine Entertainment, DAZN and Sky Sport New Zealand.Clint Newton joins Scott Keenan for a wide-ranging conversation about what the NRL’s next era means for players, clubs and the future shape of the competition.They unpack how the NRL’s Total Player Payments Pool works, why the players’ share of distributable revenue is about much more than salaries, and where the game should invest as revenues rise — including player wellbeing, insurance, education, career transition and support after football.With the Perth Bears and PNG Chiefs joining the competition, Clint also discusses the challenges of NRL expansion, why Perth should receive additional support without compromising the salary cap, and what a future 20-team NRL competition could look like.The conversation also explores player IP, sponsorship restrictions and the commercial opportunities available to modern athletes. Clint argues that rugby league could grow significantly if clubs and the NRL gave players more freedom to build their profiles, brands and businesses.He also reflects on player influence, his relationship with ARLC chairman Peter V’landys, the importance of trust and respect in negotiations, and why the RLPA wants players to be treated as well when they leave the game as they are when they enter it.This is a conversation about NRL players, player power, the RLPA, the salary cap, the NRL media rights deal, Perth Bears recruitment, PNG expansion, player welfare, commercial freedom and who gets to shape rugby league’s future.Moneyball – The Business of Sport goes behind the deals, decisions and dynamics shaping the games we love, for sports insiders and fans who want to understand what is really going on.🎙️ Guest: Clint Newton, CEO of the Rugby League Players Association 🎙️ Host: Scott Keenan 📩 Contact: askmoneyball.show@gmail.com 📸 Instagram: @moneyball_show
• 
  How the NRL Landed a $5 Billion TV Deal 10.07.2026 24min

  Inside Story: How did the NRL land a record $5 billion TV rights deal with Nine and DAZN—and how serious was Amazon's rival bid?In this episode of Moneyball: The Business of Sport, host Scott Keenan sits down with Sam Buckingham-Jones, media and marketing reporter at the Australian Financial Review, to go behind the story of one of the biggest sports media negotiations Australia has ever seen.For months, Sam was one of the journalists leading coverage of the NRL media rights negotiations, following every twist and turn as Nine, DAZN, Amazon and other broadcasters considered the future of rugby league on television and streaming.The result was a record $5 billion NRL broadcast deal that surpassed the AFL's landmark $4.5 billion media rights agreement—yet ultimately kept the game's existing major broadcast partners in place.So how did we get here?Scott and Sam explore why the NRL, Nine and DAZN all had so much at stake; how serious Amazon's bid really was; whether the NRL could have accepted more money by splitting its rights; and how a negotiation in which broadcasters reportedly wanted everything ultimately ended with a familiar broadcast structure.They also discuss why beating the AFL's media rights benchmark mattered to Peter V'landys, whether Kayo and Foxtel subscription prices could rise, the prospect of NRL content creators getting access to game footage and highlights, and some of the biggest questions still unanswered about the new deal.At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: the NRL, Nine and DAZN all had something significant to lose—and that mutual dependence helped shape one of the biggest deals in Australian sport.Moneyball: The Business of Sport is the show for sports insiders and fans who want to understand not just what's happening in sport, but why it's happening. Because if you want to know what's really going on in sport, you've got to follow the money.Connect with MoneyballInstagram: @moneyball_show YouTube: @moneyball_show Email: moneyball.show@gmail.comYou can read more of Sam's excellent coverage of stories like this at www.AFR.com.
• 
  Is the NRLW Draw Broken? | Glen Hawke 02.07.2026 14min

  Is the NRLW schedule broken?More than 50,000 women and girls are now playing rugby league across Australia, TV audiences are growing and Women's State of Origin has become one of the biggest events on the sporting calendar. So why does the NRLW still face challenges getting more people through the gates and watching the game?On this episode of Moneyball, Scott Keenan is joined by SEN sports broadcaster and NRL and Australian Cricket ground announcer Glen Hawke to discuss whether the way the NRLW is scheduled is helping the competition reach its full potential.They discuss:Why one Newcastle Knights NRLW game attracted 12,500 fans while another drew fewer than 4,000Whether standalone matches are helping or hurting the competitionThe case for NRL and NRLW double-headersHow television scheduling influences attendance and audience growthWhy the next NRL media rights deal could be a pivotal moment for women's rugby leagueThe challenge of balancing broadcast demands, live crowds and long-term growthThe NRL has done an extraordinary job building the women's game. The next challenge may be turning that participation boom into even bigger audiences and creating the conditions for the NRLW to thrive.Moneyball is the business of sport podcast for sports insiders and fans who want to know what's really going on in the game.📧 Contact the show: askmoneyball.show@gmail.com
• 
  $5bn NRL Mega TV Deal Done? 26.06.2026 16min

  Emergency Episode: Reports suggest the NRL has agreed in principle to a new media rights deal worth around $5 billion over seven years from 2028, potentially making it the biggest media rights agreement in Australian sporting history.If confirmed, Nine would retain State of Origin, the Grand Final and three games per week, while DAZN-owned Foxtel and Kayo would continue as the home of every match and every final outside the decider.After months of speculation involving Amazon Prime Video, Stan Sport, and Seven, the reported outcome also raises an interesting question: if the broadcast structure stays largely the same, what gets better for fans?In this emergency episode of Moneyball: The Business of Sport, Scott Keenan breaks down what has been reported, why competition in negotiations matters, and what questions remain unanswered as rugby league prepares for its next era.
• 
  NRL Media Rights Explained 20.06.2026 34min

  The NRL media rights battle is entering its final stages, and for the first time in decades, State of Origin could potentially leave the Nine Network. With Peter V'landys chasing a $4 billion broadcast deal, the biggest sports media rights negotiation in Australian history has become far more than a simple contest between Nine and Foxtel. Seven Network has emerged as a genuine contender, Amazon Prime Video has entered the race, DAZN-backed Foxtel and Kayo want a major role in the future of rugby league, and questions remain over whether Paramount+, Network 10 or even Netflix could play a part. In this episode of Moneyball, the business of sport, Scott Keenan breaks down: • Who is bidding for the NRL media rights • Why State of Origin is suddenly up for grabs • Nine Entertainment's position and the future of Stan Sport • Foxtel, Kayo and DAZN's aggressive bid for rugby league • Seven Network's interest in State of Origin and weekly NRL matches • Amazon Prime Video's plans for Australian sport • The role of Paramount+ and Network 10 • Why Netflix is probably not a serious contender • How the NRL could reach a $4 billion media rights deal • The impact of Perth Bears and PNG expansion • Why broadcasters may want more teams, more games and more content • How media rights could change the way fans watch rugby league • Whether State of Origin should remain on Channel 9 The NRL isn't just selling football anymore. It's selling State of Origin, streaming rights, free-to-air rights, subscription television, digital content, expansion inventory, creator opportunities and the future shape of rugby league media. If you're interested in NRL, sports business, sports media, sports broadcasting, streaming, media rights, sports marketing, television, digital media, State of Origin, rugby league or the business of sport, this episode is for you. Who do you think should win the NRL media rights? Should State of Origin stay on Nine? Would you watch rugby league on Amazon Prime Video? Should Foxtel and Kayo remain the home of rugby league? Could Seven Network improve the coverage? ABOUT MONEYBALL Moneyball is the podcast about the business of sport. Hosted by communications strategist and sports business commentator Scott Keenan, Moneyball explores the commercial forces shaping sport, from media rights and sponsorships to fan culture, governance, strategy and the economics behind the games we love. FOLLOW MONEYBALL Instagram: @moneyball_show YouTube: @moneyball_show Email: askmoneyball@gmail.com For media enquiries, partnerships, sponsorship opportunities or guest suggestions: askmoneyball.show@gmail.com If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a review and share the episode with another sports fan. Remember, if you want to know what's really going on in sport, you've got to follow the money!
• 
  Inside Origin with Mathew Thompson 16.06.2026 33min

  State of Origin is Australia's biggest television event. And there is huge pressure for the broadcast team, especially the play-by-play commentator.More than four million Australians tune in. Hundreds of people work behind the scenes. And for Channel Nine's lead NRL commentator Mathew Thompson, every game brings the pressure of calling moments that become part of rugby league history.In this episode of Moneyball, Scott Keenan sits down with Mat for an honest conversation about State of Origin.From his preparation on game day and the challenge of calling live sport, to accusations of bias, iconic Origin moments and the enormous production that powers Australia's biggest sporting broadcast, Mat takes us inside one of the most demanding jobs in Australian media.We also explore why Origin remains one of the country's most valuable television properties, the people viewers never see behind the cameras, and what it takes to turn great sporting moments into lasting memories.If you've ever wondered what it's like to sit in the commentary box on Origin night, witnessing rugby league history, this episode is for you.Moneyball is the sports business and culture podcast hosted by Scott Keenan. Because if you want to really know what's going on in sport, you've gotta follow the money.You can get full episodes on YouTube, or follow along for clips and hot takes on Instagram @moneyball_show and listen wherever you get your podcasts. And email any time with questions about the business of sport askmoneyball.show@gmail.com
• 
  Scotland: Football's Cultural Power at the World Cup 11.06.2026 27min

  After nearly three decades away from football's biggest stage, Scotland is heading back to the FIFA World Cup.Former Scottish footballer and Australian football coach and commentator Charles Samushonga joins Moneyball to discuss Scotland's resurgence under Steve Clarke, the players driving this generation's success, and why supporters are more optimistic than they have been in decades.We explore Scott McTominay's rise from Manchester United midfielder to one of Scotland's most influential players, the leadership of Andy Robertson and John McGinn, and the cultural and commercial momentum building around the national team. From the popularity of Scotland's new away jersey and long-term Adidas partnership to the global reputation of the Tartan Army, we examine how football has become a powerful expression of Scottish identity.We also discuss the unique football connection between Scotland and Australia, including Ange Postecoglou, Cam Devlin, Martin Boyle and the Souttar brothers.Most importantly, we ask a bigger question: what does success actually look like for Scotland at a World Cup?Because for many supporters, simply being back on football's biggest stage may already feel like a victory.Listen to Chaz and Gaz on the Champagne Football Podcast on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Moneyball on YouTube and Instagram for more breakdowns of the business of sport and email the show anytime with your questions for Scott askmoneyball.show @gmail.com.
• 
  Is Sport Built For Men — And Limiting Women? 04.06.2026 41min

  Australia prides itself on being a sporting nation. But in a market of just 26 million people, a small number of dominant men’s competitions continue to consume most of the attention, airtime and commercial investment.In this episode of Moneyball: The Business of Sport, host Scott Keenan sits down with Dr Bridie O’Donnell — broadcaster, former elite cyclist and advocate for women’s sport and gender equality — to unpack one of the biggest structural questions in Australian sport.From AFL and NRL dominance, to broadcast rights, sponsorship economics and media gatekeeping, this conversation explores how Australia’s sports ecosystem has been built around men’s competitions — and why women’s sport is still fighting for visibility inside a crowded and commercially constrained market.Dr O’Donnell argues this isn’t simply about popularity — it’s about systems.Systems that have historically been built around men’s sport, reinforced by legacy media, and sustained through a feedback loop of coverage, revenue and visibility that continues to shape which sports grow, and which struggle to scale.Together, they explore:Why AFL and NRL dominate the national sports conversationThe economics of women’s sport in a 26 million-person marketWhether Australia’s sports ecosystem is becoming oversaturatedWhy participation rates don’t translate into media attentionAFLW, NRLW, football, netball and women’s cyclingThe role of broadcasters and legacy mediaThe rise of podcasts and digital sports creatorsWhy visibility shapes opportunity and pathways for young womenThe long-term commercial challenge of building sustainable women’s leaguesWhy women’s sport is still often treated as an “add-on”The impact of the Matildas and the FIFA Women’s World CupWhether independent media is genuinely changing sports coverage — or replicating existing patternsThe conversation also turns inward — questioning whether newer media voices, including independent creators and sports podcasters, are truly shifting the system or unintentionally reinforcing it.This is a wide-ranging discussion about sport, media, power, culture, investment and the future of Australian sport.About Moneyball: The Business of SportMoneyball explores the business, economics, politics and strategy behind modern sport — from elite performance and broadcast deals to fan culture and the commercial forces shaping the games we watch.Hosted by Scott Keenan, the show is for sports fans and industry insiders who want to understand how the game really works beneath the scoreboard.Contact📧 askmoneyball.show@gmail.comSubscribe for more episodes breaking down the business of sport. Because if you want to know what's really going on in sport, you've gotta follow the money.
• 
  Amazon Wants NRL TV Rights 27.05.2026 17min

  The NRL’s broadcast rights negotiations are heating up — and Amazon Prime is now reportedly preparing a bid for rugby league rights in Australia.In this episode of Moneyball, Scott Keenan is joined by Australian Financial Review media reporter Sam Buckingham-Jones to break down the biggest developments in the NRL media rights race, including Andrew Abdo leaving the NRL for Tennis Australia, Peter V’Landys chasing a $4 billion TV deal, and why Channel Nine, Stan Sport, Foxtel and Kayo could all be impacted by the arrival of Amazon Prime Video.Sam explains why Amazon’s growing investment in global sport — including NFL Thursday Night Football, UEFA Champions League football and NHL hockey rights — could make the NRL its next major target in Australia.The episode also explores:Why the NRL believes it can land a broadcast deal bigger than the AFLHow Nine Entertainment and Stan Sport may be planning to reshape rugby league broadcastingWhether Foxtel and Kayo can hold onto the rights after 30 yearsThe pressure now sitting on Peter V’Landys after publicly targeting a $4 billion dealThe decline of the Australian free-to-air television advertising marketHow streaming services are changing sports media economicsAnd the fascinating reporting that some NRL rule changes may have increased tries, stoppages and advertising inventory during broadcast negotiationsThis is a deep dive into the future of NRL broadcasting, sports streaming, rugby league media rights, Amazon Prime Video, Channel Nine, Stan, Foxtel, Kayo and the business of Australian sport.Subscribe to Moneyball for more conversations about the business of sport, sports media, broadcasting, streaming, sponsorship and the future of Australian sport.
• 
  How Hearts Changed Scottish Football & Why Belief Matters in Sport 21.05.2026 24min

  For the first time in 40 years, Scottish football has had something different: hope.In this episode of Moneyball: The Business of Sport, Scott Keenan breaks down the incredible Scottish Premiership title race between Hearts of Midlothian, Celtic and Rangers — and why Hearts’ shock challenge may have changed Scottish football forever.From Ted Lasso’s iconic “Believe” message to the commercial realities of modern sports broadcasting, this episode explores why unpredictability, jeopardy and competitive balance are some of the most valuable assets in global sport.Scott is joined by BBC Scotland senior sports journalist Paul Barnes to unpack:Hearts’ remarkable 2025-26 Scottish Premiership campaignCeltic’s dramatic comeback to win the titleWhy the Scottish football title race suddenly captured global attentionThe business of sport and why broadcasters want uncertaintyTony Bloom, Moneyball analytics and Hearts’ recruitment strategyThe parallels between Hearts, Brighton & Hove Albion and Union Saint-GilloiseThe commercial future of the SPFL, Sky Sports and BBC ScotlandScottish football culture, rivalry and tribalismThe controversial Celtic pitch invasion and its impact on the league’s imageWhy leagues become more valuable when fans believe more than two clubs can winThis episode also explores: Ted Lasso, Believe, Scottish Premiership, Hearts FC, Celtic FC, Rangers FC, SPFL, BBC Scotland, Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen FC, Tony Bloom, football business, sports media rights, sports broadcasting, football finance, football analytics, Moneyball strategy, Australian football connections, Ange Postecoglou, Cameron Devlin, Scottish sport, European football, football culture, sports documentaries, football podcasts and the future of Scottish football.If you’re interested in:the business of footballsports media rightssports documentariesfootball financeMoneyball analyticssports broadcastingScottish footballCeltic and RangersTed Lasso themes in sporthow underdog teams change leagues…this episode is for you.Subscribe to Moneyball – The Business of Sport on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. And ask any questions about the business of sport by email askmoneyball.show@gmail.com.
• 
  The Most Expensive World Cup Ever? 14.05.2026 12min

  The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being billed as the biggest tournament in football history — but it may also become the most expensive World Cup ever for fans.In this episode of Moneyball, Scott Keenan examines the business behind the modern FIFA World Cup and the growing concern that football’s biggest event is becoming financially out of reach for ordinary supporters.With the Socceroos preparing for the tournament under coach Tony Popovic in Sarasota, Florida, Australian fans are confronting the reality of attending a World Cup spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico — with soaring airfares, hotel prices, ticket costs and internal travel expenses potentially pushing trips into the tens of thousands of dollars.The episode also explores FIFA’s controversial use of dynamic ticket pricing, comparisons between the World Cup, Formula One and the Super Bowl, and the broader commercialisation of global sport.Plus:The Socceroos’ World Cup preparationWhy North America creates unique travel challengesFIFA’s response to pricing criticismThe growing backlash from supportersFederation Square and the importance of fan cultureWhether football risks drifting away from the people who built itMoneyball: The Business of Sport is an Australian sports business podcast hosted by Scott Keenan, exploring the money, politics, media and power behind the biggest stories in sport.Watch the show on YouTube, follow for clips and breaking news on Instagram and email your questions any time askmoneyball.show@gmail.com.
• 
  Who REALLY Runs Manchester United Now? 07.05.2026 37min

  Who is really running Manchester United right now?After years of instability since the retirement of Alex Ferguson, United are back in the Champions League and preparing to make one of the biggest decisions in the club’s modern history: appointing a permanent manager.Will it be Michael Carrick after his impressive interim spell? Or will INEOS and Jim Ratcliffe go in another direction?And with the Glazer family still holding a majority stake in the club, who is actually making the big decisions at Old Trafford?This week on Moneyball: The Business of Sport, host Scott Keenan speaks with Chris Blackhurst — former editor of The Independent in the UK and author of The World’s Biggest Cash Machine, the acclaimed book about the ownership of Manchester United and the financial model behind one of the biggest clubs in world football.In this episode:The Glazer takeover and leveraged buyoutManchester United’s debt and transfer obligationsINEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s role at the clubWhy Champions League qualification matters financiallyWhether United can realistically challenge for the Premier League againThe risk and politics around appointing Michael CarrickRecruitment mistakes and football decision-makingOld Trafford redevelopment and long-term strategyWhether Manchester United is still being run like a “cash machine”Moneyball: The Business of Sport is an Australian sports business podcast hosted by Scott Keenan, exploring the money, power, politics, media, and strategy shaping global sport.If you enjoy conversations about:Manchester UnitedPremier League ownershipFootball financeSports businessSir Jim RatcliffeINEOSThe GlazersMichael CarrickUEFA Champions LeagueFootball media and strategy…make sure you subscribe and follow the show.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.📩 Got a question or guest suggestion? Email: askmoneyball.show@gmail.comAnd remember: if you want to know what’s really going on in sport… you’ve gotta follow the money.
• 
  Nike vs Adidas: Who Owns Running Culture? 01.05.2026 11min

  Who really owns running culture?After a breakthrough performance at the London Marathon—where two athletes broke the two-hour barrier in the same race—Adidas has momentum.At the same time, Nike is navigating questions about its brand positioning following backlash at the Boston Marathon.In this episode of Moneyball, we unpack the running wars between Nike and Adidas—and explore how the sport is evolving beyond elite performance.From record-breaking shoes to the rise of run clubs across Australia, this is a story about:Business strategyBrand identityAnd the shift from performance to participationBecause in 2026, running culture might not be defined at the front of the race…But at your local run club.🎧 ABOUT THE SHOWMoneyball: The Business of Sport is an Australian podcast hosted by former journalist and experienced podcaster Scott Keenan.Each episode breaks down the biggest stories in sport through a different lens—the money, the strategy, and the decisions shaping what you see on the field.From billion-dollar media rights deals to brand battles like Nike vs Adidas, this is where sport meets business. Because if you want to know what's really going on in sport, you've gotta follow the money. Email the show any time askmoneyball.show@gmail.com.