Founding Futbol
Chapter Forty-Eight: The Hollywoodization of Soccer (with Saskia Webber)
Published: 17 March 2025 at 08:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
With the success of Ted Lasso, as well as the growing popularity of soccer documentaries and broader program on streaming services, Hollywood began to seen an opportunity to connect with soccer. In 2020, two different initiatives marked the Hollywoodization of soccer in different ways. Angel CIty FC, a Los Angeles expansion team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was announced with a star-studded, celebrity-laden ownership group. And two world famous actors -- Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds -- bought Wrexham AFC with the intent to create a documentary about the club geared towards an American audience.
The two evens happened within just a few months of each others. And while they were very different in effect, they shared a deep connection to LA and Hollywood based on actor and actress based ownership. Both Angel City and Wrexham generated significant publicity as a result. Which allowed both teams to draw new and different fans into the game.
Angel City also added a slew of former USWNT players to its ownership group -- in addition to entrepreneurs and actress..Saskia Webber was one of the players in that group and she returned to the show to talk about owning an NWSL team in LA. She shares how the opportunity came about. What it was like helping get it off the ground. How the former player contribute to the club's success, and more.
Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America.
Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com. Email us at kent@foundingfutbol.com.
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Host: Kent Malmros
Guest: Saskia Webber (Former USWNT Player, Angel City FC Owner)
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