What's it really like to cover the World Cup and Olympics? Kevin Baxter from the LA Times has been to seven World Cups, five Summer Olympics, and one Winter Olympics, and he joins Professor Shirin Mollah to pull back the curtain on international sports journalism. From witnessing Messi's triumphant World Cup win in Qatar to marveling at how Paris transformed historic landmarks into Olympic venues, Kevin shares stories from the frontlines of sports' biggest events.
With the 2026 World Cup heading to North America, Kevin discusses the political tensions that could overshadow the tournament, why every US venue will likely sell out regardless of which teams are playing, and how American soccer culture has evolved since 1994. He also reveals the exhausting reality behind those brief game reports, the changing relationship between athletes and journalists in the social media era, and what LA 2028 needs to do to match Paris's spectacular Olympic showcase. Whether you're a soccer fanatic or just curious about life as a globe-trotting sports journalist, this conversation delivers fascinating insights into covering the world's biggest sporting spectacles.
- (00:00) - - Introduction to the episode
- (00:52) - - Kevin's background and career path
- (01:38) - - Most memorable World Cups and Olympics
- (03:13) - - Unique aspects of World Cup coverage
- (04:08) - - 2026 World Cup political backdrop
- (05:47) - - Demand across US host cities
- (08:08) - - Ticket pricing and sellout expectations
- (10:07) - - American soccer fandom evolution
- (13:35) - - MLS growth and international players
- (17:22) - - Global soccer talent landscape
- (20:28) - - US men's team World Cup chances
- (24:09) - - Why Americans struggle with soccer
- (27:13) - - Soccer's growing US popularity
- (31:01) - - Women's vs men's team audiences
- (32:25) - - Telling international athlete stories
- (34:16) - - Social media's impact on coverage
- (36:02) - - What people misunderstand about coverage
- (37:29) - - Closing thoughts and wrap-up
