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!

Guest: Paul Beirne – Sports Executive and Founder of The Call Up
Host: Clare Kenny – Don't Forget Your Tickets

Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo, hosted by TicketCo’s CEO and founder, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg, and co-hosted by TicketCo's CCO Clare Kenny. The podcast was originally launched under the name TicketingPodcast.com. To learn more about TicketCo, please check out our web page ticketco.io or visit https://www.linkedin.com/company/ticketco/

Are We Witnessing a Golden Era for the League of Ireland?

As the 2026 League of Ireland season kicks off, we’re back at the heart of the action to explore the culture, commerce, and intense passion driving Irish football forward.

In this episode of Don't Forget Your Tickets, host Clare Kenny continues the exploration of Irish football sparked in the previous conversation with James Callan, shifting the focus to the League of Ireland's present and future with Jimmy Dignam, Chief Operating Officer of Bohemian FC. Recorded live from the Aviva Stadium just hours before Bohs kicked off their 2026 campaign against Dublin rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic, this conversation captures the electric anticipation of a league on the rise.

Jimmy isn't just an administrator; he is a lifelong fan turned key operator in one of Ireland's most culturally significant clubs. From the terraces of Dalymount Park to the boardroom, Jimmy offers an insider’s perspective on how Bohemian FC has transformed from a local football team into a globally recognised brand with a distinct social conscience.

We explore the challenges of running a fan-owned club, the delicate balance between commercial growth and community values, and what the future holds for the League of Ireland as it enters a potential golden era.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Bohs Identity: Jimmy discusses how Bohemian FC carved out a unique space in world football, leveraging political engagement, creative merchandising, and community values to build a cult following far beyond Phibsborough.
• Operational Excellence: A look behind the curtain at what it takes to run a top-tier Irish club, managing limited resources while striving for professional standards off the pitch.
• The Aviva Factor: The significance of kicking off the season at the national stadium and what big-stage games mean for the commercial and cultural growth of domestic football.
• Fan Culture & Experience: How the matchday experience is evolving in Ireland, the resurgence of local support, and the importance of modernising facilities to keep momentum going.
• 2026 Season Outlook: Jimmy shares his thoughts on the season ahead, the intensity of the Dublin derbies, and the broader landscape of Irish football as it battles for attention against other codes.

Whether you’re a lifelong Bohs fan, a League of Ireland enthusiast, or a sports business professional interested in how culture drives commerce, this episode offers a front-row seat to the changing face of Irish football.

Tune in now to get ready for kick-off!

Guest: Jimmy Dignam – Chief Operating Officer at Bohemian FC
Host: Clare Kenny – Don't Forget Your Tickets

Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo and hosted by TicketCo’s CEO, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg. The podcast was originally named TicketingPodcast.com

Are we witnessing a golden era for the League of Ireland? As the 2026 season kicks off this Friday, we’re diving deep into the culture, commerce, and passion driving Irish football forward.

In this season premiere of Don't Forget Your Tickets, host Clare Kenny sits down with James Callan, one of the brightest young voices in sports journalism. At just 23, James has established himself as a key commentator on the intricacies of the game, writing for national and international outlets and contributing to Boardroom Ball.

From his childhood memories at Oriel Park to his legal dissertation on multi-club ownership, James brings a unique blend of fan passion and business acumen to the conversation. We explore the historical struggles of the league, the current resurgence of local support, and what needs to happen off the pitch to match the ambition on it.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Irish Football Renaissance: Why we are seeing more children in Shelbourne and Galway shirts than ever before, and the shift away from the traditional Premier League dominance.
• Politics & Identity: James breaks down the unique history of the league, including the story of Derry City and how clubs like Bohemians are building a cult following through political engagement and creative merchandising.
• The Fan Experience: A candid look at the state of Irish stadiums, the "rustic" charm of matchdays, and why modernising facilities is crucial for commercial growth.
• Competition Codes: The historical battle for attention against the GAA and Rugby, and how football is finally carving out its own space and securing vital funding.
• 2026 Season Preview: James gives his predictions for the season ahead, discussing who can challenge the dominance of Shamrock Rovers and which clubs are winning off the pitch.

Whether you’re a die-hard League of Ireland supporter or a sports business professional looking for insight into an evolving market, this conversation offers a fascinating look at a league on the rise.

Tune in now to get ready for kick-off!

Guest: James Callan – Football Writer & Contributor at Boardroom Ball
Host: Clare Kenny – Don't Forget Your Tickets

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Don't Forget Your Tickets is powered by TicketCo and hosted by TicketCo’s CEO, Carl-Erik Michalsen Moberg. The podcast was originally named TicketingPodcast.com