Ep. 58: Ebere Eze, New Balance and Authentic Athlete Partnerships
New Balance are once again showing how to create real change. Their recent Furon V8 event showcased their support for Ebere Eze both on and off the pitch.
Whilst they continue to make great product, they are also showing elite athlete partnerships should go far beyond exchange of goods. With new gen ballers having more to say and showcase than ever before, storytelling is more important than ever.
The VERSUS team assess why New Balance’s talent strategy and athlete activations are proving to be best in class. Elsewhere, the team break down the significance of Travis Scott’s link up with Spotify and Barcelona. Vincent Kompany also gets his flowers for a game-changing title win.
‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.
Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)
Corey Pellatt (@CoreyPellatt)
--------
23:59
Ep. 57: It’s Time For the Hypervenom Comeback
Nike are officially bringing back the OG Hypervenom. After running back the Total 90 earlier this year, the Swoosh are once again tapping into its heritage by reissuing the T90 silhouette successor.
The 2013 release might feel too recent to reload to some, but the move represents how the sportswear giant are ensuring no nostalgia stone is left unturned following the successful relaunch of the adidas Predator.
The VERSUS team assess why it’s the right time for the Hypervenom comeback, and who should front its release. Elsewhere, the team share their thoughts on Baller League, and why the upcoming Unity Cup means so much more than just football.
‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.
Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)
Corey Pellatt (@CoreyPellatt)
Amie Cripps (@amiloucri)
Ahmed Shooble (@@AhmedShooble)
--------
37:06
Ep. 56: Why We Rate Arsenal’s Dating Show
Arsenal sent the timeline into a spin last week with the news that they’re going to launch a dating show for fans of the North London club.
While many couldn’t understand why a football club would want to create entertainment content, the reality is it’s just the latest sign of major clubs recognising their role as global content and culture brands.
The VERSUS team talks about why Arsenal are one of the very few clubs who can execute such an ambitious concept. We also look back at this year’s edition of the Blue Creator Fund in partnership with Chelsea Foundation, and give Chloe Kelly some much needed flowers.
‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.
Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)
Corey Pellatt (@CoreyPellatt)
Amie Cripps (@amiloucri)
--------
27:48
Ep. 55: What Can Football Learn from Sidemen?
Football is growing in new ways. With Sidemen having sold out Wembley and Baller League finally launching in the UK, there are more ways than ever to consume football – all under the guise of entertainment.
The VERSUS team reflects on whether these alternative football provisions are ushering in a new era for a beautiful game and whether the established order needs to learn from it. We evaluate the WPLL’s proposals to eliminate relegation from the WSL, and give Paul Pogba his overdue flowers.
‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.
Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)
Corey Pellatt (@CoreyPellatt)
Amie Cripps (@Amiloucri)
--------
38:07
Ep. 54: The Future Of Football 2025
VERSUS has just released its fifth annual insights report titled ‘The Future of Football’, exploring the thoughts of our community about the most important issues and trends facing football, culture and society right now.
In this episode, the VERSUS team reflects on these insights including the identity crisis within the women’s game, the evolution of football's relationship with fashion, and how football is being impacted by 'the culture wars'.
‘The Future of Football’ is a podcast from VERSUS bringing you closer to the people, the stories and the ideas shaping the future of the game we love.
Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)
Corey Pellatt (@CoreyPellatt)
Johnny Kay (@ojhnyn)
Amie Cripps (@amiloucri)
Milun Kumar (@milunkumar)
The Future of Football is a new podcast from VERSUS that brings you closer to the people, the stories, and the ideas that are shaping the future of the game we love. Every episode, we’ll be breaking down some of the biggest talking points from the cultural, social and business sides of the sport, giving you unrivalled insight into the off-pitch issues taking football to a new era.
France