US Loses in World Cup Match Marred by Controversy; KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer

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1:22Radio. News. This is the Business of Sports. Our aim is always to leverage the global appeal of football. Having representation in college sports is even more important than pro. 10 % of Americans now claim soccer to be their favorite sport. We estimate the youth sports audience has$3 trillion in spending power. The nature of baseball is it is worldwide and it is global. I'm very happy for the WNBA and how the NBA has embraced them. Sportsbooks are not going anywhere, and sports betting is only growing. We have a super team running this league, and this league is here, and it's here to stay. Bloomberg Business of Sports, from Bloomberg Radio.

2:03This is the Bloomberg Business of Sports, where we explore the big money issues in the world of sports. I'm Michael Barr. I'm Vanessa Perdomo-Maglione. And I'm Miranda Williams. Coming up today, we're going to be talking about, guys, come on, you know what we're going to be talking about now. We're talking about the World Cup. Michael, the World Cup's almost over, and I really can't handle it. We're chatting with the CEO of the Kansas City Host Committee and how they became the hub of soccer in the U.S. You can literally hear the depression and finesses of what's settling in. Then later, we are going to be talking about a different World Cup, the Esports World Cup, that is taking place in Paris over the next few weeks.

2:38All that is coming up. But first, let's run through the biggest headlines in the world of sports right now. The U.S. is out of the World Cup. and I am one flaring my nostrils for many reasons I know you're like you already had a big nose Mike it's like what's happening but I mean you know some are saying hey they had a good run some are people saying that? well some yeah I know there's a lot of anger actually yeah but that's my point is like you know everything from the red card controversy I'm not sure how to take it okay Randall what do you think because I genuinely think they would have won the game if the red card wasn't overturned.

3:20That is quite the theory. Belgium came out so angry. So angry. Like, they were mad. I think that it was the highest point in energy that I've experienced in the U.S. around soccer, but it just fell off a cliff. Like, the performance is really why I think people are angry. If they were going to lose 3-2, 1-0, 2-1, fine. so long as it was competitive because Belgium is a legitimate team. But to go out 4-1, to make the errors that they made, and then to watch the energy, as you said, around Belgium's team, they were like, all right, President Trump's going to get involved and ask FIFA to review something that was unreviewable.

4:02Okay, we're going to handle it on the field. And they did. Did you see the footage of the Belgian team in the locker room after the game and they're doing the Trump dance? Yeah, I did. Yeah. It doesn't surprise me. I think I mean, I I'm actually in some ways it's justified. I can't get upset at that because of the fact that I don't think that President Trump should have meddled in this. Just let if the rules are the rules, if the rule is bad, fine, handle it after the tournament. And it does need to be handled, but not in the midst of it. That's a problem. Right. And that's something that we wouldn't have seen in a lot of other leagues.

4:37I mean, we've seen this happen in the NFL countless times. Right. In the playoffs, something happens where everyone is up in arms about it and they review it after the season and they make a rule change. Exactly. I said this on TV the other day. President Trump has said, I do not like the kickoff. At no point in time has Roger Goodell or any NFL executive jumped in front of a microphone and be like, you know what? We are changing the kickoff because the president doesn't like it. And that's that's a flaw. And I think that FIFA is lucky that the U.S. did not win. Of course, it would have been incredible to see a run to a point that the U.S.

5:13men's national team has never made it to, but not like that. I don't think that would have been good. I agree. I was immediately when I saw the news, I immediately felt like it was going to be a bad omen. I was like, this is not a good thing. I don't think he should have started Flo Baligan. I don't think he should have started. I think they should have maybe, you know, had him come off the bench at least, especially given, you know, Pepe, the person who was in all week in training, just give him a little bit of, you know, grace in that moment, I think. And I just, and then also let's talk about Christian Pulisic and let's talk about the fact that he came off with a twisted ankle.

5:51I mean, what is that? Everyone's furious with Christian Pulisic. And I think that I heard his name eight years ago around the 2018 World Cup and they said he was a phenom. And I have yet to see that. Like, and I think that when we talk about the World Cup, when we talk about national sports such as the Olympics and things like that, you wait for these legendary performances. And I haven't seen that. He doesn't do a lot of interviews. The energy isn't there. And outside of him playing for AC Milan, I'm like, oh, he plays in an international league. He must be pretty good. But every single time he's on the national stage, I'm waiting for that magic.

6:26And it just hasn't appeared. I'm wondering now, and somebody asked this, in the excitement of the World Cup, because we're the only people in the U.S. that call it soccer. Everywhere else, it's football. And I'm wondering now, all this excitement that it has generated, do we in the United States have to retrain our mind to say football? No, that's way too confusing. I don't think that we'll ever, because when we're talking about the NFL, we're never going to say American football. I think that's the difference between us and, you know, other countries. And when they play the NFL and other games and other countries like that, they're calling it American football.

7:07So I just I think we're too far gone in that regard between changing the name of soccer. I'd say the sport of football globally, and I'm referring to soccer, is king. but the business of the NFL is the emperor. That's the best way that I could put it. The Premier League is tremendous. La Liga is tremendous. Bundesliga are tremendous. Their businesses are not the NFL's business. And so with that in mind, until someone knocks down the NFL's business or until someone surpasses them, the NFL is the NFL. Right. By the way, I got to ask this. Lionel Messi, is he getting special treatment? I don't think so.

7:49I think that there are flawed rules. Oh, man, I wish we had a camera to see Vanessa's face. I'm sorry, go ahead. I think that there are flawed rules that FIFA has. And I think that champions sometimes just get calls. Like, I think that's across all sports. And I think Argentina's benefited from that. But this isn't unlike when the Patriots run happened years ago or where the Chiefs run happened years ago. and there's a bunch of complaints about referee calls. And I think this is just Argentina's time not to win. But when you're on a championship run, things go your way. I think that's an interesting take.

8:27I do think it's hard to feel that they haven't been given special treatment, especially when we're seeing other instances of special treatment, not just for Argentina. We're seeing the special treatment that the U.S. got. We're seeing the special treatment that Ronaldo got before the World Cup started. So I think to negate the whole idea that FIFA is not against bending the rules, quote unquote, or at least, you know, not mind that they're perceived that way, that I think it's possible that Argentina has been given special favor. But I do, I could agree with that, that, you know, sometimes the champions just, that's how it works for them.

9:09Let me clarify. I do think that FIFA is flawed in rule bending around the entire tournament, whether that be the U.S., whether that be Ronaldo, whether that be Argentina taking advantage of some of the rule bending. But I don't think that I don't think that Argentina, that FIFA is like, oh, it's better for them to be in this. So let's change a couple of things. I don't I think that they did that for the U.S. And I think they did that for Portugal and Ronaldo. In my humble opinion, I haven't seen that. I think there's been questionable calls on the field, but ultimately there's questionable calls in every single sport.

9:43And I can live with that. We have to shift to baseball because the All-Star game is coming up soon. Let me put it that way. Do you feel any of the excitement for baseball right in the middle of the World Cup? I think that's the hard thing with the MLB All-Star game that is about to happen and take place, that it would be an exciting time. And I think they timed it well in the way that it's in Philadelphia for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. I think they did everything they could. And baseball is on a high and they have been on a high, especially after the World Baseball Classic. And I think people are paying attention a lot more.

10:26But unfortunately, I think everything else that's falling within the window of the World Cup is just taking a backseat. And I'd also say that the only thing that I can think about in terms of baseball until the World Series is the upcoming labor battle. Like all of these things, of course, are like you think about last summer and the WNBA All-Star, the WNBA Players Association and the players themselves were these pay us what you owe us shirts. And that became the moment for WNBA All-Star Weekend, and it continued to carry on for many months to come. And I don't think that we'll see something like that from the MLB.

11:00But all that's in the back of my mind is like, OK, yeah, they're riding this high. But are they going to address the elephant in the room? Is anyone going to talk about it, whether it be Rob Manfred, whether that be the players themselves? They've been exchanging proposals back and forth. And I would like to see some progress that being resolved at some point. It's not going to happen this week. It's not going to happen at MLB All-Star Weekend. But that's what's in my mind as the event approaches. You hit the nail on the head. I know we've got to wrap this up. But, man, a work stoppage in MLB.

11:39I was there when this happened in the mid-'90s. And it was a disaster trying to get the game to come back. We had to lean on Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa to have the home runs come back. Please do not. Whatever you do, MLB, work this out because a work stoppage will be a disaster. You're sending your thoughts and prayers to all parties involved. And what I'd say to that is both of them seem to be on opposite sides. And they're like, listen, this is where I'm at. This is where I'm at. And I'm not coming over to your side until you give me something. And the players are like, we're not accepting a salary cap and the owners are proposing one.

12:19And I just don't see a solve without one. I don't see one either. I don't see it. I think that their MLB is famously stubborn in these discussions and these negotiations. So I don't really see it happening. And I do think it's going to be detrimental to baseball. And it's so interesting that these, you know, CBAs continuously come up for leagues when they're riding their highest. Yeah, absolutely. So that's something, obviously, with baseball that we're going to keep, you know, looking at over the next few months. But back to the World Cup, because I won't stop shredding up about it until it's over.

12:52Coming up, we're speaking with the CEO of the Kansas City Host Committee about how they handled being the hub of soccer in the U.S. That is straight ahead on the Bloomberg Business of Sports for Vanessa Perdomo-Magleon and Randall Williams. I'm Michael Barr. You're listening to the Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio around the world.

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14:59Subscribe to Bloomberg Daybreak for a precise, thoughtful take on the stories that matter. Listen to Bloomberg Daybreak each morning on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere you listen. This is Bloomberg Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. This is the Bloomberg Business of Sports, where we explore the big money issues in the world of sports. I'm Michael Barr. I'm Vanessa Perdomo-Maglione. And I'm Miranda Williams. The World Cup is sadly coming to a close. Only in about a week left until the final at MetLife Stadium. However, before New York becomes the sports capital of the world again, Kansas City has been a hotbed during this World Cup.

15:38That's right, Michael. Kansas City was the home of not one, not two, but four base camps for teams during this World Cup, including Messi's Argentina, who also played a group stage match there as well as their quarterfinal. In order to get down to why Kansas City was so attractive to teams and tourists, we are joined now by CEO of Kansas City FIFA World Cup 2026, Pam Kramer. Pam, welcome to the Bloomberg Business of Sports. It's dang, Pam, y 'all are like hosting Kansas City like six FIFA World Cup matches. Just hog the whole thing, which I'm so happy for you guys. How did you guys manage to achieve that to get that many matches?

16:18Well, first of all, thanks for having me. And, you know, I think we've been saying for a long time that there's a pretty big surprise and delight factor about Kansas City that when people get here, they love it. And we knew that if we could get people here, they would see what we already know. So getting those six matches, especially a quarterfinal and some of those amazing pot one teams like Argentina and the Netherlands and having Colombia play here, pretty extraordinary. We are thrilled with the effort and thrilled with the outcome. Pam, talking about getting people there and then falling in love with it, we obviously have to mention the four, you know, home base camps that were set up in the area.

17:01And from people I've talked to before, you know, especially with England, particularly, like they really wanted to be there. And they were like, no, we have to be here. What was it that, you know, people came and they fell in love with, do you think? Yeah, I think there are three things. First, our location is pretty attractive, not just to those teams, but to visitors as well, because we are central to the tournament to North America. The teams can easily get to wherever they're playing their matches in a short flight. So that was definitely something working in our favor. And then our facilities, I mean, close to$700 million has been invested in soccer-specific infrastructure in Kansas City over the last 20 years.

17:43None of that was specific for the World Cup. Those facilities existed and are really best in class from Sporting Kansas City to the Kansas City Current to the University of Kansas. So that was a huge factor. And then I think really the intangible, the experience part of it. We were very focused as a team on making sure that the teams could see themselves in Kansas City, could understand how we would support their effort to win, to keep going in the tournament. And obviously, our teams have done pretty well. So I think all of those things combined really made us what we like to think of as the base camp capital of the world.

18:26Yeah, for sure. The thing that's interesting there, too, is you had mentioned it with Sporting Kansas City, you know, the current and and university. You were ready for three. Were you ready for four? You know, did you ever expect that to happen? Well, I mean, if I'm being honest, we were hopeful we would get to. And so immediately following the final draw, you know, we knew that England was interested. We knew that the Netherlands had been to visit, that Algeria had been to visit. Argentina had not been to visit Kansas City. And when they immediately following the final draw said they were coming to visit, we all sort of sat up in our chairs and said, oh, this could change things.

19:10And so as things progressed, it was quite the pleasant, and I will say, you know, surprise to have, again, four teams and three of those being pot one, you know, top ranked teams in the world. Pretty extraordinary. And so you mentioned Argentina. We cannot continue this conversation if we don't say they are the reigning world champions who have the greatest player of all time, Lionel Messi. What has the energy been like around Kansas City having the world champions and all of the Argentinians that they have brought to the city? I mean, it is amazing. And one of the things we had hoped for was to really showcase to a global audience the vitality of our economy, our culture, the welcoming character of our people.

19:54and with the most famous player in the world training here and playing here, that certainly gave us a platform to do that. I think we've also seen the passion and the joy of the, not just the Argentina fans, but I would say the global soccer fan meeting the heart of Kansas City. And it has created some moments that we couldn't have scripted or dreamed of. It's been pretty special. We're talking with Pam Kramer, CEO, Kansas City, FIFA World Cup 26. Now, this question is about the old school Kansas City fans. You know, those are the guys and women are like, don't tell me about the Chiefs. Don't tell me about the Royals.

20:36Now you have this World Cup event that's there. How do you think the younger people? Yes, they are like, yay, buddy. But how about some older fans? Have you seen any of them in the stands? I have seen so many of them in the stands and at our FIFA Fan Festival. And in fact, on the 4th of July, our fan festival is at the site of the National World War I Museum and Memorial. And they hosted their annual Stars and Stripes event. And a gentleman, a veteran, he had his hat on designating the naval carrier he had served on, came up to me and he said, look, I got to, he said, do I know you? Are you a spokesperson for something?

21:19And I said, well, I'm involved with this World Cup thing. And he said, I have to tell you before this, I was pretty skeptical. And he said, now it just seems like we've all been able to put aside our differences and cheer for the teams. And I thought that was so insightful because it is, it's what has happened, right? The country, Kansas City, the world has come together around sport. Pam, you know, Kansas City has really started become this big soccer town, especially with the investment that the Kansas City current owners, Angie and Chris Long, have put into the first women's stadium ever made and all of that.

22:00So do you think that that's what really solidified, you know, Kansas City as a soccer market? How did it change into this, do you think? Yeah, I think it goes back to Lamar Hunt, you know, who really still the Hunt family owns the Kansas City Chiefs. Lamar was a founder of Major League Soccer and was insistent on Kansas City having a team and intentionally chose the next owners of what were then the Kansas City Wizards, now Sporting Kansas City. Cliff Illig and Neil Patterson and their ownership group built a soccer specific stadium. They invested in Compass Minerals National Performance Center.

22:38They really taught Kansas City how to be soccer fans and created a soccer culture. We have the largest youth soccer league in the country. And then certainly the Longs and their investment in the Kansas City Current are the latest chapter in that. So I think it's been building for quite some time. And the World Cup is the platform for us to share that story. And so I wonder, in talking to a bunch of different host committees, they've all experienced different challenges. From your perspective, what is a problem that you all solved that maybe fans never noticed? Well, you know, I think they noticed.

23:18But, you know, I think for us, transportation was a little different than it was in other cities. We were starting from a very different place. We don't have regular game day transportation, public transportation to chiefs or royals. And we went above and beyond that. We actually stood up a regional transit system for the World Cup. And to date, we've moved more than 200 ,000 people on that system. So pretty extraordinary when you think about it was from scratch. I think that has been very surprising to a lot of people that we were able to do that and able to do it successfully. And then I think just the regional unity that we have here.

23:57We do have part of our footprint in both Kansas and Missouri. So having Kansas and Missouri on board from a public standpoint, the city of Kansas City, Missouri, private enterprise with our local host city supporters, it's a pretty unified effort. And I think people may not realize how important that was to our success. Yes. Pam, I love that you brought up the transportation angle there, because obviously we're in New York, New Jersey area right now where there was a lot of talk about that. And we have a robust system here, but there was still a lot of talk about it. But Kansas City was chosen without that.

24:34Like you were saying, how did you still instill to FIFA that you were going to be able to do this without that? And how did you really make that work, you know, for this World Cup and decide that it was worth the investment for this World Cup for you guys? Yeah. So, you know, FIFA has the requirements of getting people to the matches and getting people from the airport to downtown. We've been working for more than two years with 20 local and regional partners on a system that would have some sustained and long term impact. So really creating a blueprint for how regional transit could work. And then very, very early demonstrating to FIFA that we were making progress on that.

25:17You know, they certainly were watching from the earliest days of my involvement to make sure we were tracking. It was the first, one of the first positions we hired was a director of transportation. We've had this transportation working group that it really is every level of transit authority and stakeholder in the room making sure that we're working together. So I think we've been – and it was important for us to keep it affordable, right? We wanted people to use it here if they were from here so that after the World Cup, they might be more open to a conversation about public transit. So I think there's some really intentional things we've done to make sure that there is a legacy for that transportation effort.