Men in Blazers Media Network, a voice in U.S. soccer media, announced the closing of a $15 million Series A fundraising round. The round is led by Avenue Sports Fund, headed by Marc Lasry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avenue Capital Group (includes athletes like Stephen Curry, Lauren Holiday, Harry Kane, Candace Parker, Michael Strahan, and Lindsey Vonn). Additional investors include Bolt Ventures, led by David Blitzer; RR McReynolds (a firm co-founded by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney); The Chernin Group (founded by Peter Chernin); Ryan Sports Ventures (the sports investment arm of the Chicago-based Ryan family) and Wheelhouse (entertainment business founded by Brent Montgomery).
With the 2026 Men’s World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico set to become the biggest sporting event in history, Men in Blazers Media Network looks to provide unparalleled coverage that caters to the rabid and rapidly growing U.S. soccer fanbase.
This funding round will enable the network to expand, create ever more ambitious short-form and long-form programming, and scale its coverage to meet the insatiable appetite for soccer content in America across all demographics.
This funding will be strategically invested to grow Men in Blazers’ existing live events platforms and expand bigger and bolder programming in the run-up to the World Cup, bringing the soccer community together in its greatest moments. The network’s women’s soccer vertical The Women’s Game, led by Editor-in-Chief Sam Mewis, Becky Sauerbrunn and Lynn Williams – which recently partnered with the NWSL – will continue to grow and become an ever more dominant voice in covering the rise of women’s soccer. And Men in Blazers will expand the talent and programming by launching a new Hispanic content platform Vamos, spearheaded by former USMNT player Herculez Gomez, to broaden its reach and inclusivity across the diverse American soccer landscape.
Launched in 2010, Men in Blazers has evolved from a single podcast-turned-television show, into a media network that covers the game from every corner of the world, both on the men’s, women’s, domestic leagues and International tournaments. Known for its fan connection and deep love of the game, the Men in Blazers Media Network produces original content across podcasting, digital, television, and live events, bringing the beautiful game to fans across the U.S. And its talent roster includes top soccer voices like USWNT legends Sam Mewis, Becky Sauerbrunn, Lynn Williams, Fabrizio Romano; USMNT Captain Tyler Adams; Brendan and Hunt, who plays Coach Beard on the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso; and former soccer player and commentator Herculez Gomez, offering unique and insightful perspectives on the sport. Through brand, team, league and federation partnerships, including the likes of Anheuser-Busch InBev, Danone, NWSL and AFC Wrexham, Men in Blazers has solidified itself as a central hub for soccer storytelling and fan engagement.
Inner Circle Sports, a boutique investment bank focused on the global sports and media industry, served as financial advisor to Men in Blazers.
KEY QUOTES:
“With the Men’s World Cup coming to our shores, the time is now to super-serve the most passionate and fastest growing soccer community in the world. Our mission is to ensure that we create as much premium content around the game as possible, continuing to tell the best stories about men’s and women’s football, globally and domestically, reaching the expansive and diverse American soccer fanbase wherever they are.”
- Men in Blazers Media Network Founder and CEO Roger Bennett
“Men in Blazers has built an incredible passionate community and deep relationships with brand partners over the last 14 years, becoming the most trusted messengers in soccer in the United States. Avenue Sports is excited to support the growth of the unique, community-driven voice that Men in Blazers represents as their team keeps building and innovating to meet the demand of millions of rabid soccer fans across the country.”
- Marc Lasry, Co-Founder and CEO of Avenue Capital Group
