Building a National Sports League From Scratch, with Paul Beirne, Executive | Sports Business Strategist | Community Builder

What does it take to build a national sports league from the ground up? We dive into the world of sports innovation with a true pioneer, Paul Beirne. From launching the Toronto Raptors in the NBA to founding the Canadian Premier League, Paul’s journey is a masterclass in building sporting institutions.

In this episode of Don't Forget Your Tickets, host Clare Kenny sits down with Paul to uncover the story behind creating a professional football league in a country as vast as Canada. Recorded with Paul calling in from Toronto, this conversation offers unparalleled insight into league creation, transatlantic sports culture, and why the next big opportunities might lie outside the top tier.

Paul isn’t just an executive; he's a builder who has operated on both sides of the Atlantic, with key roles at Toronto FC and Brighton & Hove Albion. He offers a unique perspective on the contrasts between the product-driven North American sports model and the deeply ingrained cultural traditions of European football.

We explore the immense challenges of finding owners, venues, and media partners for a new league, the importance of grassroots community engagement, and how to develop a national football identity.

In this episode, we cover:

• League Creation: Paul shares the story of founding the Canadian Premier League, from the initial idea to navigating Canada's unique geography and infrastructure challenges to build a sustainable football ecosystem.
• Transatlantic Cultures and the Brighton Experience: A deep dive into the differences between North American sports as entertainment and European football as culture, brought to life through Paul’s tenure at Brighton & Hove Albion.
• Player Development: How the CPL was designed to solve Canada's player development gap and create a pathway for homegrown talent to turn professional.
• The Business of Sport: Insights into building a commercial strategy for a new sports property, securing media partners, and the realities of running a club in a lower-tier league.
• The Future of Sports Business: Paul discusses his new career acceleration platform, The Call Up, and shares his thoughts on the role of AI in making sports operations more efficient.
• Career Advice: Paul offers invaluable advice for anyone looking to build a career in the commercial side of sports, emphasising the importance of being relentlessly useful, curious, and a master of relationships.

Whether you're an aspiring sports executive, a football fan interested in the mechanics of league building, or a professional curious about the global sports landscape, this episode provides a blueprint for turning an ambitious vision into reality.

Tune in to hear from one of the most innovative minds in modern sports management!