Footballco and OchoCinco Productions Debut ‘The Late Run with Ochocinco,’ Hosted by NFL Legend Chad Johnson

Footballco, the world’s leading soccer media and culture company, and OchoCinco Productions today announced the launch of The Late Run with Ochocinco, a new weekly podcast hosted by NFL legend and lifelong soccer fan Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson.

Debuting as North America prepares to host the biggest FIFA World Cup in history, the show will deliver a bold, culturally driven take on the global game, blending Ochocinco’s unmatched personality with Footballco’s deep connection to soccer fans and culture worldwide.

‘The Late Run with Ochocinco’ won’t analyse the previous evening's games or dissect the latest transfer gossip. Instead, Johnson sits down with other soccer-mad celebrity superfans and legends of the game to discuss their love for the sport and the culture that surrounds it.

The debut season of The Late Run with Ochocinco will feature an all-star slate of guests spanning football, music, comedy, and global culture and with DraftKings among the show's first sponsors.

The series kicks off with one of the world’s biggest comedians, Bert Kreischer, and will also include appearances from NWSL champion and USWNT star Midge Purce, iconic rapper and producer Rick Ross, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, and football icon and Kings League cofounder Gerard Piqué — reflecting the show’s unique intersection of soccer and broader cultural influence.

Johnson’s love of soccer began when he started playing at age 4, and he chose American Football in high school for the career opportunities it offered. However, soccer remained close to his heart, and he credits his quick footwork to the time he spent with a soccer ball.

Johnson said, “Soccer was my first love. During the NFL offseasons, I would go across the pond to watch guys like Ronaldo and Messi play. What we’re seeing in the U.S now is a perfect storm that will help solidify soccer fandom in America. I played in Super Bowl XLVI, but what’s coming in June and July will be like 100 Super Bowls, and it’s going to take this fandom even further.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing what fans think of the show and sharing my love for the game and that of our guests, and being able to do that with a partner like GOAL.”

Johnson will be joined by Footballco’s Raheem Taylor-Parkes, a former professional footballer turned creator and soccer culture expert who serves as co-host of GOAL’s flagship show The Rondo and fronts several of the brand’s most popular social-first formats. A leading voice across Footballco’s global platforms, Taylor-Parkes brings deep credibility, insight, and cultural fluency to the conversation, helping connect the show to the next generation of soccer fans.

‘The Late Run with Ochocinco’ sits at the heart of Footballco’s U.S content strategy, dubbed ‘WCHQ’ – a global platform hosting all of Footballco’s World Cup ‘26 content, including news, scores, features, and more being published across the company’s portfolio of global soccer brands, which reach more than 720 million fans a month.

Jason Wagenheim, CEO of Footballco, said: “What makes The Late Run different is that we’re not trying to replicate traditional soccer media. Chad brings a completely unique lens, and the conversations go far beyond tactics into music, entertainment, and global culture. In the U.S., soccer fandom is shaped as much by culture as by what happens on the pitch, and this show reflects that reality. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the game, The Late Run offers a perspective you won’t find anywhere else.”

Doug Sanders, Partner at OchoCinco Productions, said: "Chad has always had a bold vision of bringing the passion, culture, and global excitement of the beautiful game to his fans and followers. We couldn’t be more excited to partner OchoCinco Productions with Footballco’s powerful global network to turn that vision into reality. Huge thanks to Jason and the team for believing in Chad’s vision and helping us bring it to life in a big way.”

The series will live on YouTube and be distributed across podcast platforms, complemented with daily clips published across GOAL’s extensive social media channels, including Instagram and TikTok, as well as new channels dedicated to the show.

‘The Late Run with Ochocinco’ is available now across podcast platforms and YouTube.