640. Why Governments Are Betting Big on Sports

This episode of Freakonomics Radio explores the intersection of global trade, sports, and geopolitics, focusing on how Gulf State investments are reshaping sports in America and Europe. The episode features Kash Shaikh, CEO of Baseball United, who discusses his efforts to introduce professional baseball to the Middle East, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in a cricket-dominated region. Additionally, sports professor Simon Chadwick provides insights into the financialization of sports across three distinct eras, emphasizing the growing influence of China and the Gulf Cooperation Council, while Rory Smith discusses foreign ownership in English soccer, particularly Abu Dhabi's acquisition of Manchester City, and Derek Fisher shares his experiences with the NBA's efforts to expand into Abu Dhabi, discussing the cultural exchange and potential for future NBA outposts in the Middle East.