'Men in Blazers' Is on The 100 Best Podcasts of All Time
A chance meeting between Roger Bennett, a freelance journalist, and Michael Davies, producer of the U.S. version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? , during the peak of its popularity, gave birth to North America's most influential soccer podcast. At the 2006 wedding where they crossed paths, the British expats bonded over their frustration that these nuptials took place during that year's World Cup final, between France and Italy; in 2010, they turned their freewheeling gabfests about the games into a show, Men in Blazers . Since then, Men in Blazers has interviewed everyone from Alex Morgan to decorated manager José Mourinho to actor Matthew McConaughey about the world's most popular sport. While Davies, now the executive producer of Jeopardy! and NFL Network's Good Morning Football , has taken a step back, Bennett's humorous bent and wide-ranging cultural references continue to define the brand. On recent episodes, he compared Erling Haaland's power to 'what Kendrick Lamar devotes to a diss track,' and told young adult novelist and Liverpool fan John Green that former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is 'so charismatic, that you don't mind admitting that you like him. It's like saying you cheer for scarlet fever every time you read The Velveteen Rabbit. ' (Bennett supports Everton F.C.; Green laughed.) Bennett is now CEO of the Men in Blazers Media Network, whose talent roster includes former U.S. Women's National Team player Sam Mewis and former men's player Herculez Gomez. In January the company received a $15 million investment to ramp up for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Real Madrid want to use Florian Wirtz in Rodrygo deal
Liverpool cool interest in Rodrygo Rodrygo, 24, is being lined up for a sale by Real Madrid during this transfer window. The two-time Champions League winner is under contract until 2029 - but is set to be offloaded by new coach Xabi Alonso. Tottenham appear to be now in the lead for the Brazil international - with Liverpool's interest said to be cooling. With Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha as left-wing options - not to mention Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike - Liverpool are well stocked in the position. While Rodrygo is a great player in his own right the deal just wouldn't make sense on a financial level for the Reds. Rodrygo's exorbitant costs For one, there's the wages. The latest reports indicate that Rodrygo would command around €400k per week - parity with Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah. And then there's the €100m transfer fee - which Liverpool may have inadvertently help set. That's according to a new report in Defensa Central, which claims Real Madrid are USING Wirtz's fee to set the price for Rodrygo. © IMAGO - Rodrygo Liverpool Madrid use Wirtz valuation to set Rodrygo price 'If they paid 140 million for him… Rodrygo can't cost less than 100,' Defensa Central quotes a Real Madrid source as saying. Liverpool have acquired a player on the up - coveted by all the biggest teams in Europe including Madrid and Manchester City. Rodrygo on the other hand would cost MORE in wages and Madrid clearly feel he is already on the wane. Wirtz is far more of a sure thing than Rodrygo at this stage of their respective careers. Try as they like, Madrid are simply not going to convince Liverpool to pay €100m for a cast-off.
Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool ready to strike deal after €60m price drop
Liverpool are in position to strike a deal after a dramatic €60m price drop. The Reds are as busy as can be. Liverpool have been busier than any team in this transfer window. They've signed several elite players already, while losing a few, too. Shop the LFC Store LFC Kits Shop Now LFC x New Era Shop Now LFC Signed Merch Shop Now LFC x Titleist Shop Now Florian Wirtz is the headline arrival, joining Liverpool for a club-record fee. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez followed him as new full-backs. Hugo Ekitike has also moved to Anfield in a big-money move that sees him boost competition up top. Of course, everyone hopes Alexander Isak joins him in that. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the biggest name to leave - he's signed for Real Madrid. Jarell Quansah and Caoimhin Kelleher have also left the club, while Luis Diaz became one of the biggest sales in Liverpool's history this week as he signed for Bayern Munich. And now Liverpool are ready to agree another sale - for a cut-price fee. Federico Chiesa on the transfer list Sport Mediaset reports that Liverpool are firmly looking to sell Federico Chiesa. This is under one year since signing him from Juventus for a fee just shy of €15m all-in. The claim here is that Chiesa is available for just €10m - an actual loss for Liverpool on his transfer fee. More dramatically, it means a player once valued at €70m has suffered a €60m decrease in what are supposed to be his prime years. The reality is that Chiesa didn't get a fair go at it with Liverpool. His lack of fitness over the first half of the season made things difficult, while the squad's other wingers kept performing at an incredible level.
USA Today
2 minutes ago
- USA Today
Inter Miami vs. Atlas in Leagues Cup: Time, how to live stream, is Messi playing?
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will return to action, and Rodrigo De Paul will make his debut as Inter Miami hosts Mexican club Atlas in their 2025 Leagues Cup tournament opener on Wednesday, July 30. Messi and Alba are expected to play in their first match following their one-game suspensions for skipping the MLS All-Star Game. Meanwhile, De Paul will make his debut after signing with the club last week, and receiving clearances on his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate on Wednesday, July 30. De Paul is one of Messi's closest friends from the Argentine national team. They won the World Cup together in 2022, and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. Inter Miami begins play in the Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring Major League Soccer teams and LIGA MX clubs from Mexico. Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup, shortly after Messi's arrival. Here's everything you need to know about Inter Miami's Leagues Cup match: Is Messi playing tonight? Messi is expected to play. His status will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup before the match. What time does Inter Miami vs. Atlas match begin? The match begins 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina). How to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlas live stream link? The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. Watch Leagues Cup games on MLS Season Pass Messi has another busy week with time off Messi should be refreshed after his All-Star Game absence on July 23, and his suspension in Inter Miami's scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati on July 26. Messi and his wife were on the Coldplay kiss cam during a Miami concert on July 27. 'Let's hope he's super motivated,' Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Messi, adding the suspension had a 'silver lining' of 'mandatory rest after many consecutive games.' 'I think, in a way, the break was good for him. And well, to start this new marathon of games we're going to have ahead of us with the Leagues Cup and then the MLS, it's good for him to be a little fresher.' Inter Miami vs. Atlas prediction Inter Miami 4, Atlas 1: Lionel Messi scores two goals and assists another in a dominant return to action after his All-Star Game suspension. — Safid Deen Inter Miami vs. Atlas betting odds Here are the betting odds, according to BetMGM. Inter Miami upcoming schedule USA TODAY Sports' 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!
