In this episode of The Insider’s Lounge, we sit down with Chris Gunn, Co-Founder and Managing Director of LoveGunn, the creative agency behind some of football’s most memorable branding and marketing projects.

Chris shares his early journey coaching at Chelsea FC, his transition into the creative industry, and the founding story behind LoveGunn. He talks about the leap of faith it took to start his own agency, the ups and downs of working with a co-founder, and the realities of building a new company during the challenges of the COVID-19 era.

We explore LoveGunn’s work with Oxford United, including key moments that stood out during the rebrand process, and discuss how Chris’s time at Chelsea eventually came full circle with the club becoming one of LoveGunn’s clients. He also shares insights into understanding fans across different cultures and how that influences creative strategy in football.

The conversation continues with a behind-the-scenes look at LoveGunn’s collaboration with MG and Arsenal FC, including the challenges of marketing high-value products to football audiences and coordinating creative shoots with players like Bukayo Saka and Ben White. Chris closes with memorable stories from his career, including a surprise Sir Alex Ferguson photobomb and the surreal experience of playing at Stamford Bridge.

Chris Gunn on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-gunn-47995546/
LoveGunn's Website: https://www.lovegunn.co/

🎙️ More Insider's Lounge Content: https://linktr.ee/theinsiderslounge

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
05:13 Transition into Coaching
08:25 What is LoveGunn?
11:39 The Founding Story
14:44 Taking the Leap of Faith
16:17 Best and Hardest Parts of Having a Co-Founder
18:34 Surviving the Covid Era
24:53 Oxford United Rebrand
29:59 Bringing Fans into the Creative Process
35:42 Key Moments from the Oxford United Rebrand
38:21 From Coaching at Chelsea to Landing Them as a Client
44:17 Understanding Global Soccer Fans
49:03 MG x Arsenal FC: Project Breakdown
55:01 How to Sell High-Value Goods to Soccer Fans
1:00:11 Shooting Content with Pro Soccer Players
1:03:21 The Sir Alex Ferguson Photobomb Story
1:06:01 Playing at Stamford Bridge
1:07:51 Outro

Man City’s dominance on the field is no secret — but their rise off the pitch is one of the most underrated stories in world football.

In this episode, Rob Gevertz walks us through his journey from sports media into one of the most commercially advanced clubs in the world. He shares how he broke into the industry, his childhood obsession with soccer brands, and what he learned during his time at Sky Sports and talkSPORT.

We then shift to the early 2010s — a time when digital was still considered an afterthought. Rob breaks down what Man City’s commercial operations looked like when he joined, how he ended up landing the job after a forgotten interview, and the key revenue streams that powered the club’s global rise.

From there, we explore how those revenue models evolved over the last decade, why brand and content alignment became so crucial, and a standout Champions League partnership that pushed creative boundaries. That leads into a broader discussion around media rights — and whether the Premier League might one day bypass broadcasters entirely.

Rob then unpacks the structure behind City Football Group and how commercial strategy works across its global portfolio. We zoom out even further to look at innovators in the space, from LIV Golf to the Kelce brothers, and how athlete-led media is starting to reshape the narrative in Europe.

To close, Rob introduces his current venture, First Five Yards, and walks us through a commercial case study on Birmingham City — a club with real potential under American ownership and the Tom Brady effect. We wrap with quickfire questions on personal branding, Ronaldo’s new movie studio, and where the business of sport is heading next.

🎙️ More Insider's Lounge Content: https://linktr.ee/theinsiderslounge

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:08 Breaking Into The Sports Industry
05:58 Childhood Obsession With Soccer Brands
07:31 Overview Of Time At Sky Sports and TalkSport
09:51 Digital Was an Afterthought — What’s the Modern-Day Equivalent?
12:00 Inside Man City’s Commercial Operations
17:23 The Job Interview That Almost Didn’t Happen — and Changed Everything
18:30 Breaking Down Man City’s Commercial Revenue Model
23:14 How Commercial Revenue Streams Have Shifted In The Last Decade
27:04 Why Club Content and Brand Fit Matters More Than Ever
28:28 A Champions League Partnership That Broke the Mold
31:59 Will the Premier League Become Its Own Broadcaster?
36:25 Understanding the Commercial Side of City Football Group
38:38 Who’s Innovating In This Space Now? LIV Golf, Baller League, Kelce Brothers, Pat McAfee
42:57 Changing the European Perspective On Athlete Media and Personal Brands
46:27 Inside Man City’s Influence on the Soccer Doc Boom
51:25 What is First Five Yards?
53:17 Case Study: Birmingham City’s Media & Commercial Potential
54:59 Understanding the Name - First Five Yards
55:52 Ronaldo’s Movie Studio & How Tom Brady Can Maximize His Image for Birmingham City Success
59:19 Quick Fire Questions
1:02:40 Outro

On this episode of The Insider’s Lounge, Chad McArthur sits down with Daniel Hall, Chairman of Dagenham & Redbridge and CEO of Club Underdog, to unpack the business, emotion, and strategy behind modern club ownership.

Daniel begins by sharing his personal journey — from a career in law to discovering Dagenham & Redbridge and navigating the complex acquisition process. He explains what you actually get when you buy a professional soccer club and how that compares to traditional business purchases.

They explore the club’s identity, Daniel’s early goals for Dagenham, and the key changes he made in the first phase of ownership. From there, they dive into the ongoing challenge of balancing the commercial side vs. the sporting side, and what makes Dagenham and Club Underdog unique in today’s football landscape.

The conversation expands into the rise of multi-club ownership (MCO), the strategy behind building a player pathway, and the next steps for Club Underdog — including future opportunities and potential expansion into women’s football.

Daniel also opens up about the emotional highs and lows of ownership — including his “What did we get ourselves into?” moment, what makes it all worth it, and why the FA Cup holds such massive importance for clubs like Dagenham.

They wrap up with a behind-the-scenes look at what fans don’t usually see, what Daniel focuses on day-to-day as CEO, and a few rapid-fire questions to close things out.

🎙️ More Insider's Lounge Content: https://linktr.ee/theinsiderslounge

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:39 From Law to Football: Daniel's Path to Club Ownership
05:27 Finding Dagenham & Redbridge: The Road to Acquisition
09:20 Buying a Soccer Team vs. a Business: What You’re Really Getting
12:49 Inside Dagenham & Redbridge: First Moves and Big Goals
16:43 Balancing the Commercial vs. Sporting Side
18:35 What Makes Club Underdog Truly Unique
20:54 The Rise of Multi-Club Ownership Explained
23:46 Building a Player Pathway Through Club Underdog
27:27 What’s Next for Club Underdog?
28:58 “What Did We Get Ourselves Into?”
30:09 What Makes Club Ownership Worth It?
32:22 Why the FA Cup Matters (Especially in the National League)
36:25 What Fans Don’t See About Club Ownership
37:26 Daniel’s Day-to-Day as CEO of Club Underdog
40:09 Quick Fire Questions
43:56 Outro

In this episode, Devin Amoo-Mensah shares his remarkable and unconventional journey to becoming a professional soccer player — without an agent, a network, or a clear roadmap.

We kick off with how Devin negotiated his first pro contract entirely on his own, before rewinding to his early years and Division 2 college career. From there, we follow his grind into the professional ranks, including an unfiltered look at life in Sweden’s 4th tier — breaking down contract terms, salaries, and the often-overlooked realities of living abroad as a lower-league footballer.

Returning to the U.S., Devin details his transition to Michigan Stars in NISA, the mental battle of being a free agent, and the uncertainty that came with it. He offers a brutally honest breakdown of life in NISA — from travel and wages to locker room culture — and how he navigated finances along the way.

As the journey builds, Devin shares the moment he signed with Detroit City FC, the impact of securing a multi-year deal, and what that stability has meant for his career. We close with powerful reflections — on the promotion-relegation debate, his passions outside of soccer, the most expensive decision he’s made, and the daily routines and life lessons that continue to shape him today.

It’s a grounded, eye-opening conversation on what it really takes to carve out a career in the game.

🎙️ More Insider's Lounge Content: https://linktr.ee/theinsiderslounge

Chapters:
00:00 Negotiating a First Pro Contract Alone
03:58 Devon’s Childhood and Path to Pro Soccer
07:46 Breaking Into the Pro Game After College
11:46 The Realities of 4th Division Soccer in Sweden
19:20 Breaking Down a 4th Division Swedish Contract
22:12 Transitioning to Michigan Stars in NISA
26:01 Dealing With Doubt as a Free Agent
27:54 Devon’s Life in NISA: Travel, Wages, and Daily Realities
36:37 How Devon Manages His Finances as a Pro Player
38:05 Teammates or Distractions?
40:20 What to Watch for in Your First Pro Contract
42:27 Preparing College Athletes for Pro Life
44:44 Signing With Detroit City FC
50:17 The Impact of a Multi-Year Contract
52:48 Career Goals Moving Forward
55:24 A Pro’s Take on Promotion-Relegation in the U.S.
58:19 Devon’s Off-the-Field Interests and Passions
1:00:45 His Most Expensive Life Decision
1:01:49 Where He Finds Inspiration and Education
1:02:55 Devon’s Daily Routine and Unique Habits
1:04:15 Life Lessons and Dream Dinner Guests
1:06:06 Outro

In this episode of The Football Talent Show, hosts Adam Lenges and Jacek Kulig are joined by Irish football expert Bill to dive deep into the past, present, and future of football in Ireland.

They explore the rise of Irish football, the true level of the League of Ireland, and how COVID and Brexit have shaped the development landscape. The conversation covers infrastructure challenges, the country’s top talent producers, and whether a new golden generation might be emerging.

Later in the episode, they break down some of the most exciting prospects currently coming through, including Kaylem Harnett, Romeo Akachukwu, Ike Orazi, Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Jaden Umeh, and Finn Sherlock—with insights on each player's style, potential, and next steps.

If you're curious about Irish football's transformation and who to watch in the years ahead, this one's for you.

IFB Media on X: https://x.com/IFBMedia

If you enjoyed the episode, feel free to like, comment, and subscribe to stay tuned for future episodes!

🎙 More FTS Content: https://linktr.ee/thefootballtalentshow

The Football Talent Show is brought to you by The Insider's Lounge, a virtual studio that brings you exclusive insights and conversations from the world of sports. Follow our journey as we expand with new shows and content: https://linktr.ee/theinsiderslounge

Intro & Outro Credit: Chop Chops - Alex Productions

Graphics
X: https://x.com/Agbanebbie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unclenebo/

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:24 First Football Memory
04:08 The Rise of Irish Football
08:16 COVID’s Impact on Irish Football
11:45 The Level of the League of Ireland
17:42 Recruitment in Ireland
22:15 Competitiveness of the League
26:19 Infrastructure Challenges
30:41 Ireland’s Main Talent Producers
35:31 Transitioning from Youth to Senior Football
37:36 Irish Players Going Abroad Too Early?
41:38 The Brexit Impact
44:26 The Future of Irish Football
46:46 Is This a Golden Generation?
51:09 Dream Dual-National English-Irish Prospect
54:55 Kaylem Harnett
01:00:36 Romeo Akachukwu
01:05:43 Ike Orazi
01:11:53 Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh
01:17:40 Jaden Umeh
01:25:41 Finn Sherlock
01:30:08 Outro

In this episode of The Insider’s Lounge, host Chad McArthur sits down with Iker Nacenta to explore the current and future state of Mexican football through the lens of one of its most shocking recent events — the Club León disqualification from the FIFA Club World Cup.

They start by breaking down how multi-club ownership played a role in León’s ban and what it reveals about the structural challenges within Liga MX. Iker unpacks fan reactions, Club León’s response, and the broader consequences for governance in the league.

From there, the conversation shifts to the resignation of Juan Carlos Rodriguez, the fractured media rights landscape, and the larger financial and political dynamics that define the Mexican Football Federation today.

The two dive into the growing relationship between Liga MX and MLS, the rising trend of American players choosing Liga MX over Europe, and the deeper question: Which country—Mexico or the U.S.—will win the soccer race first in terms of culture, investment, and development?

They also look ahead to the 2026 World Cup, assessing whether Mexico is truly positioned to make the most of the opportunity. Iker brings a global lens with insights from sports finance, club ownership, and fan culture, offering a sharp look at what needs to change—and what’s already in motion.

This isn’t just about one club missing a tournament—it's about the future direction of an entire footballing nation.

Iker's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ikernacenta/
Sports Capital Hub: https://linktr.ee/sportscapitalhub

🎙️ More Insider's Lounge Content: https://linktr.ee/theinsiderslounge

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:13 Overview of Mexican Soccer
09:03 Club León Disqualified from the FIFA Club World Cup – What Happened?
16:15 Multi-Club Ownership in Mexico: Fan Reactions & Controversy
19:32 Club León’s Response & What Comes Next
26:04 Juan Carlos Rodriguez Resigns & the Fragmented Media Landscape
29:00 Is There Hope for Mexican Soccer’s Future?
37:08 Could a North American Super League Actually Happen?
43:25 Why Are American Players Choosing Liga MX Over Europe?
47:22 Soccer Culture vs. Investment: Will the U.S. or Mexico Win First?
49:33 Is Mexico Ready to Capitalize on the 2026 World Cup?
52:55 Why You Should Support Mexico in 2026
57:40 Quick Fire Questions
1:11:07 Outro

In this episode of The Insider’s Lounge, we sit down with Taito Kojima, who shares his remarkable journey to becoming Japan’s youngest licensed FIFA agent and the CEO of Mundo Rico.

Taito reflects on his early soccer memories growing up in a football-driven household, guided by the influence of his father—a former professional player. By the age of 12, he was already working in the soccer industry, laying the groundwork for what would become a fast-moving and globally connected career.

At just 19, Taito earned his FIFA agent license—overcoming language barriers, age-based skepticism, and the high-pressure exam process along the way.

He shares how he began building relationships with clubs across Europe, including a chaotic but pivotal trip to Belgium that led to two key player signings at KV Kortrijk. Taito also breaks down what European clubs look for in Japanese players, why Scandinavian leagues could be the next key destination, and the cultural and competitive challenges players face when moving abroad.

Later in the episode, he explains how Mundo Rico identifies and recruits talent, how he’s dealt with stigma as a young professional in soccer, and how he evaluates the right environment for his players to grow. He also opens up about his personal development and the vision he’s building for the future of his agency.

🎙️ More Insider's Lounge Content: https://linktr.ee/theinsiderslounge

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:00 First Soccer Memories & Playing Background
02:55 Family Influence & Taito’s Father’s Impact
04:37 Working in Professional Soccer at Age 12
13:32 Becoming the Youngest Licensed FIFA Agent at 19
18:09 Language Barrier Challenges with FIFA Agent Exam
19:18 Creating a Soccer Pathway Between Japan & Europe
22:56 How a Chaotic Trip to Belgium Led to Signing Two Players
28:59 What European Clubs Look for in Japanese Players
30:31 Why Scandinavian Leagues Are the Next Step for Japanese Talent
32:32 Challenges Japanese Players Face When Moving Abroad
35:01 How Mundo Rico Scouts and Recruits Players
38:18 Breaking Stereotypes as a Young Professional in Soccer
42:15 Navigating Club Politics and Finding the Right Fit for Players
45:25 Personal and Professional Growth as a Soccer Agent
47:55 Vision and Growth Plans for Mundo Rico
50:02 Quick Fire Questions
54:15 Outro

In this episode of The Insider’s Lounge, Jassem Osseiran breaks down Saudi Arabia’s football revolution—from its rapid transformation to the rise of the Saudi Pro League and the country’s 2034 FIFA World Cup ambitions.

We start with Jassem’s personal connection to Saudi Arabia, reflecting on how the country has evolved since his childhood. He discusses the massive shifts in culture, economy, and sports, and how global investments—like PIF’s acquisitions of Newcastle United and other European clubs—have played a key role in shaping Saudi’s growing football presence.

The conversation then shifts to Saudi Arabia’s financial power—does the country have unlimited money to invest? And is the Saudi Pro League more of a passion project, like some European club owners, or a sustainable business, similar to the MLS or American ownership models? Jassem dives into the complexities of building a profitable, long-term football ecosystem and whether money alone can solve all challenges.

A major talking point is Ronaldo’s influence—what impact has he had on the league, and what happens after he’s gone? Jassem provides insights into the league’s future plans and how Saudi Arabia is preparing for the post-Ronaldo era.

We also explore the growth of women’s football in Saudi Arabia and the country’s broader ambitions in sports, leading up to its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Jassem shares details on Saudi’s bigger vision for global football and how the nation is positioning itself as a long-term powerhouse.

To wrap up, we hit Jassem with some quick-fire questions, covering bold predictions, emerging trends, and what’s next for Saudi Arabia’s football scene.

PlaysOut: https://playsout.com/
B-Engaged: https://www.b-engaged.co.uk/

🎙️ More Insider's Lounge Content: https://linktr.ee/theinsiderslounge

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:54 Jassem’s Connection to Saudi Arabia & Its Transformation
11:53 How Saudi’s Global Investments Led to the Pro League Boom
18:46 Does Saudi Arabia Have Unlimited Money to Invest?
21:12 Saudi Pro League: Passion Project or Profitable Business?
24:44 Can Money Solve All of Saudi Football’s Challenges?
28:15 What Happens to the Saudi Pro League After Ronaldo?
31:38 The Future of the Saudi Pro League
37:14 The Rise of Women’s Football in Saudi Arabia
44:14 Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup & Other Major Projects
51:26 Quick-Fire Questions
58:55 Outro