Founding Futbol
Chapter Forty-Seven: Ted Lasso (with Andrés Martinez)
Published: 10 March 2025 at 04:00 Europe/London
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Episode notes
In August of 2020, when the world was quarantined inside consuming streaming content like never before, Apple TV+ launched Ted Lasso. In search of a hit to match the growing success of Netflix and make themselves a force in the subscription-based streaming wars, Apple took a chance on the creative powers of Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence and others. As well as faith that a promotional skit created to help NBC launch its coverage of the Premier League, that had twice gone viral, could evolve to become a sustainable and successful comedy.
Ted Lasso became a runaway hit, launching Sudeikis even further into Hollywood superstardom. The show also brought an entirely new fan base into the world of soccer, while building a sophisticated commentary around the idea that Americans could integrate with a traditional English soccer culture, and be accepted, maybe even succesful.
Andrés Martinez wrote an article in the LA Times detailing how the show was a match made in globalizer heaven. He joined Foundign Futbol to talk about how the show connected so many in America to the game in ways the country had never experience. Martinez also discusses how the momentum the show gave Apple TV may have carried it deeper into the soccer market. And, he outlines how Ted Lasso is a good example of the growing sportification of media.
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: Andrés Martinez (Former Journalist, professor of practice at the Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University)
