Adam Leventhal
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adamleventhal.bsky.social
Adam Leventhal
@adamleventhal.bsky.social
Senior Writer & Broadcaster • Documentary maker @theathleticfc.bsky.social
FWA / SJA / AIPS audio & written awards winner
Pinned
Done. Have downloaded my data and finally taken the liberating step of actually pressing the red button and deactivated my X account.

To celebrate here's a random picture of me (via said download of data) on top of Table Mountain back in the day reporting for Sky Sports News.
New special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast out on Sunday - with your transfer window questions answered by a host of experts working in the market as we speak.

Including this guy who used to play in the Premier League but is now an agent. Who is it?
January 30, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Excellent analysis of potential WC boycott by @henrybushnell.bsky.social @theathleticfc.bsky.social. With so much money tied up, politics & football impossibly tangled up in worm tongue relations, behind the scenes bargaining ruling the world and dissenters isolated it's always going to be unlikely.
There's lots of noise, understandably, about a 2026 World Cup boycott.

Let's cut through the noise, dissect what a boycott would actually entail and why, at this stage, it's extremely unlikely.

@theathleticfc.bsky.social:
Why a World Cup boycott is unlikely, and what it would take to organize one
Calls for a boycott of the U.S.-cohosted event are growing, but there's ample reason why anything materializing is a long shot
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Pressing the flesh around the world was key to Infantino's rise & it's now integral to his presence alongside global big gun leaders. (Also helps keep his voters sweet for next FIFA election). Interesting from @dansheldon.bsky.social for @theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Gianni Infantino’s world tour: From Kigali to Vegas, the FIFA president who enjoys the big stage
The FIFA president clearly feels at home on the world stage - as his dizzying travel schedule reflects
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Loved this article from @rustindodd.bsky.social, my colleague at @theathletic.com. We have a table at home and play quite a lot as my son is very good. Recommend the read and taking it up (public table/club/space permitting) if you can. 🏓
Steve Nash. Clayton Kershaw. Patrick Mahomes.

Pro athletes love ping pong and science suggests there’s a reason why.

@rustindodd.bsky.social on the surprising case for table tennis as a brain-training tool 🏓

www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
January 29, 2026 at 9:05 AM
World Cup boycott? With people ‘dying on the street’, a German soccer exec wants a discussion.

From my colleague at @theathleticfc.bsky.social @sebsb.bsky.social in Germany.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
World Cup boycott? With people ‘dying on the street’, a German soccer exec wants a discussion
“It is clearly time to at least discuss a boycott,” Goettlich, who is also president of Bundesliga club St. Pauli, tells The Athletic.
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Reposted by Adam Leventhal
Auschwitz was at the end of a process. We must remember that it did not start from gas chambers.

This hatred gradually developed: from ideas, words, stereotypes & prejudice through legal exclusion, dehumanization & escalating violence... to systematic and industrial murder.

Auschwitz took time.
January 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
This time next week you’ll be able to listen to a new special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast where I put your Qs to those working in the transfer market as we speak. Been fun putting it together, inc Qs via email & this article. Out Feb 1 aka TDDay eve.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
What question would you like answered about how transfers work?
Tell us what you have always wanted to know about the transfer business and we will put your query to key figures in the game
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:39 AM
Done. Have downloaded my data and finally taken the liberating step of actually pressing the red button and deactivated my X account.

To celebrate here's a random picture of me (via said download of data) on top of Table Mountain back in the day reporting for Sky Sports News.
January 23, 2026 at 2:08 PM
A World Cup Divided: Trump & 2026

Speaking to people from various nations that Trump has targeted - Mexico, Canada (both co-hosts of WC26) & Panama - including crossing the border into Mexico for an episode released last year at time when ICE raids were ramping up. podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
The Athletic FC Podcast: A World Cup Divided: Trump and 2026
In Los Angeles, California, four nations collided in a football tournament with an inescapable geopolitical backdrop.Canada, Mexico and Panama have all found themselves in the crosshairs of Preside...
podfollow.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Getting some of the VO down for the next special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod, all about the transfer market.

Month of transition for players, few changes in the home studio too.
January 16, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Currently in process of putting together the next special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast which focuses on the transfer window and sees me put your Qs to people working in the transfer business as we speak. Will be out before DDay. You'll have to wait and see if your Q gets asked.
January 16, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Listened to some great audio storytelling recently which I recommend if people are into episodical pods... Stalked (c/o @carolecadwalla.bsky.social et al), Wisecrack, the Serial back catalogue. Great to see the genre doing so well at the moment.
Send any recommendations through.
January 14, 2026 at 3:48 PM
Thanks for all the Qs on this. Going to be fun putting them to people in the game.
Love transfers? Want to feature in the next special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod?

Here is your chance.

What's the one thing you want to know about how the transfer business works?

Drop your Q in article comments & we'll pose it to key decision makers.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
What question would you like answered about how transfers work?
Tell us what you have always wanted to know about the transfer business and we will put your question to key figures in the game
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:33 AM
Love transfers? Want to feature in the next special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod?

Here is your chance.

What's the one thing you want to know about how the transfer business works?

Drop your Q in article comments & we'll pose it to key decision makers.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
What question would you like answered about how transfers work?
Tell us what you have always wanted to know about the transfer business and we will put your question to key figures in the game
www.nytimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:25 AM
"You don’t have to win them over in the first meeting. Keep it short, introduce yourself then go & take training & then they’ll know what you’re about" - Liam Rosenior.

Spoke to new #CFC boss in Dec '23 for @theathleticfc.bsky.social on first impressions & more.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/512...
The Championship’s 30-something managers: ‘Ten years ago you’d be told, “No way – you’re a kid”‘
The Championship currently has 11 managers under 40 - The Athletic spoke to five of them about experience, youth and coaching
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Maresca high on Man City's list in eventuality that Pep departs this summer.

@david-ornstein.bsky.social broke story earlier then joined me, @oliverkay.bsky.social, @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social & @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social to pull on various threads on @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod
pod.fo/e/36948b
The Athletic FC Podcast: Ornstein exclusive: City target Maresca to replace Guardiola
David Ornstein reports that Chelsea's Enzo Maresca is high on the list to replace Pep Guardiola with the anticipation of this being his last season at Manchester City.It comes less than a week afte...
pod.fo
December 18, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Reposted by Adam Leventhal
Join Adam Leventhal, Felipe Cardenas, Matt Slater, Carl Anka and Jack Lang for their analysis of the draw LIVE.

Presented by ‪BetMGM

www.youtube.com/live/frxHpvb...
December 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Good fun hosting the World Cup draw live reaction show for @theathleticfc.bsky.social with guests @mjslater.bsky.social @felipecardenas.bsky.social Jack Lang and Carl Anka getting their heads around it all.

youtu.be/R_pabIMGoyw?...
World Cup Draw: Live Reaction
YouTube video by The Athletic FC Podcast
youtu.be
December 5, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Ahead of the World Cup draw thought I'd flag two of the special episodes of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast that we've made focused on the two men that will be flexing their main character muscles later ...

Donald
podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
The Athletic FC Podcast: A World Cup Divided: Trump and 2026
In Los Angeles, California, four nations collided in a football tournament with an inescapable geopolitical backdrop.Canada, Mexico and Panama have all found themselves in the crosshairs of Preside...
podfollow.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Year on from Guinea stadium disaster & so many still search for justice, just as they did when I visited. This outlines how tragedy unfolded on Dec 1, 2024 at Stade du 3 Avril in Nzerekore for @theathleticfc.bsky.social & also includes link to audio documentary ep.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/596...
Guinea stadium disaster special report: ‘This door here, it’s the door to hell’
Two weeks on from a tragedy that killed at least 56 people and perhaps many more, those affected speak to The Athletic
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Reposted by Adam Leventhal
🎙️The Athletic’s resident futurologists @adamleventhal.bsky.social @adamcrafton.bsky.social & I discuss digital piracy, “Premflix”, the 3pm blackout, American chocolate, hyper-personalisation, smart glasses & professional rodeo.

Yes, it’s an international break.

pod.fo/e/3546cb
The Athletic FC Podcast: The future of watching football
A week ago we released a documentary about illegal streaming. It’s fair to say, you’ve had a lot to say about it.So, today we’re going to answer your questions, and look to the future of watc...
pod.fo
November 17, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Illegal streaming survey: results are in & almost half of 5k+ respondents to anonymous poll said they consume football via piracy.

Read full results - inc view on Sat 3pm blackout, how to perhaps solve issue and much more - here.

@theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
The Athletic’s streaming survey: Almost half of respondents admit to using illegal streams
More than 5,000 people responded to our survey, with almost half saying they use illegal streams to watch football
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Great to talk about The Underground World of Illegal Streaming pod & a year of audio documentaries for @theathleticfc.bsky.social at @websummit.bsky.social with @laura-williamson.bsky.social Alex Protsenko and Bilal Hadj-Sadok
November 14, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Is ‘Premflix’ the future of PL streaming?

(Or will the risk attached to entering a fluctuating subscription environment rather than sticking with guaranteed traditional broadcast revenue mean the can is kicked down the road?)
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...
Is ‘Premflix’ the future of Premier League streaming?
Piracy is a threat to the way football operates. So what is likely to change and is a direct-to-consumer model, like Netflix, viable?
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:15 AM
During course of 6 month look into illegal streaming went on a bit of a journey with firesticks. Effectively they were too open to piracy, but things - Amazon say - have changed. This article gives you a snapshot. Full audio doc linked in 🧵
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Amazon steps up attempts to block illegal sports streaming via Fire TV Sticks
The U.S. company will block apps loaded onto all of its Fire Stick devices that are identified as providing pirated content
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:34 AM