Goalhanger takes Chernin investment to drive US growth

The Chernin Group has taken a minority stake in the podcast firm Goalhanger, the producer of popular podcasts such as The Rest Is Football as it plans to build new TV, film and digital video formats and live experiences across the U.S. market. The deal gives The Chernin Group – a US media and sports-focused investor founded by Peter Chernin – a seat on Goalhanger’s board and Goalhanger said the transaction is designed to accelerate its next phase of growth after more than a decade of operating without outside capital. Goalhanger co-founders Tony Pastor, Jack Davenport and Gary Lineker said: “From launching our first podcast to building a global network of chart-topping shows, the passion of our audiences for smart, gripping conversations has been at the heart of everything we do."Since we first met Peter and the TCG team more than a year ago, it has become increasingly clear that they share our vision for what Goalhanger can become, and are the perfect partner to help us realise that ambition. “This allows us to accelerate our US expansion, develop new IP from our hit shows, and take our ideas into new formats, platforms and markets. With a record number of paying members, we’re building a next-generation media company rooted in trust, creativity and curiosity and this partnership marks an exciting new chapter in that journey.” Goalhanger said its objective is to scale established franchises into “global, multi-platform IP”, with ambitions spanning television, film, digital video, written formats and live experiences. The company cited The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Football as examples of shows it wants to expand into new formats with support from The Chernin Group.The company said it had already built momentum in video and partnerships, pointing to a Netflix agreement to bring The Rest Is Football to the streaming platform for the 2026 World Cup. Goalhanger also referenced recent recognition including an Apple Podcasts global award for The Rest Is History and an ARIAS Brand of the Year win, as well as being ranked the UK’s leading news podcast producer by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. Goalhanger now employs more than 80 people and runs a network of chart-topping titles across sport, politics, history and entertainment, alongside a membership business that it said has grown to more than 250,000 paying members.Expansion plans are underpinned by rising US listenership, growing YouTube audiences and increasing demand for North America-based live shows. Goalhanger also highlighted recent US-facing editorial work, including a multi-episode series on the history of Walt Disney featuring Disney chief executive Bob Iger, and a Beatles Anthology collaboration that it said included guest Conan O’Brien. The Chernin Group partner Greg Bettinelli said: “We are thrilled to be able to work with Tony, Jack and Gary as well as their amazingly talented team. Goalhanger is truly one of the world’s most compelling emerging media businesses and we can’t wait for the rest of their historical journey.” Goalhanger said Simpson Thacher & Bartlett advised it on the transaction, with Galloways Accounting providing accounting support. A separate transaction update from Simpson Thacher described The Chernin Group as Goalhanger’s first external investor and confirmed the minority investment structure. The investment lands as Goalhanger’s World Cup plans intersect with the BBC’s coverage strategy and the growing influence of creator-led football analysis outside linear broadcast.The BBC has indicated it will not use licence fee money to cover costs linked to its pundits’ work on external projects during the 2026 tournament, even where those pundits also feature on Goalhanger productions. The BBC is expected to base much of its presentation output in Salford for cost and environmental reasons, while some of its on-air talent are set to appear on The Rest Is Football during the competition. Reports said any additional travel or production costs connected to the podcast would need to be met outside the BBC.