Hope Solo strikes major deal with SiriusXM to host soccer podcast

World Cup champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Hope Solo is launching a brand-new podcast on SiriusXM, sources confirmed to World Soccer Talk.

The official announcement will come in the next few days. It’s understood that it’s a major, lucrative deal for Solo. She will have an opportunity to speak to a wider audience. In doing so, it’s very likely she will share her opinionated thoughts on a range of topics to her audience on satellite radio.

Solo is understood to have recorded the first show this weekend in advance of the official launch.

Hope Solo strikes major deal with SiriusXM

Solo has been at the center of many storms. Just this week, the former US Women’s National Team (USWNT) goalkeeper blasted the equal pay settlement between select USWNT players and the federation as heartbreaking and infuriating. She directly criticized Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan for “[accepting] terms that are nowhere near what we set out to do.”

Previously, US Soccer suspended her for 30 days due to an incident that occurred during a USWNT training camp. This year, the US Soccer Hall of Fame elected Solo.

The timing of SiriusXM hiring Solo should spark a lot of interest. The satellite radio broadcaster is competing against a host of other audio platforms. At the same time, Spotify has spent more than $1 billion in growing its podcast business.

While SiriusXM will unlikely match Joe Rogan’s download numbers, Solo is notorious for being outspoken. She can be very personal at times, often sharing her unfiltered, personal experiences, and fighting for women’s rights and equal pay.

Solo’s accomplishments in soccer

Solo is one of the icons of soccer in the United States. As a representative of the USWNT from 2000 to 2016, Solo served as the starting goalie for 12 years.

This span included a plethora of success. Solo was a key member in two Olympic Gold Medal runs in 2008 and 2012. Additionally, she won the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Individually, her accolades speak for themselves. In 2011 and 2015, when the USWNT appeared in both World Cup Finals, Solo won the Gold Glove Award. This goes to the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Moreover, she earned a spot on the World Cup All-Star team for both years.

In total, Solo’s amassed 202 caps for the United States, starting in 195 of these. Amazingly, she delivered shutouts more than half the time with 102 in total. Of the 202 games Hope Solo appeared in, the United States won 153 times, only losing 11 times. She holds the honor of being the only goalie in international history to surpass 200 caps.

In club play, Hope Solo bounced around a number of clubs and leagues. However, in 2013, she signed with the Seattle Reign, where she stayed until 2016. She made 54 appearances, featuring heavily for the USWNT throughout her time in the National Women’s Soccer League.

Solo off the pitch

Besides being the greatest goalie to play for the USWNT, Solo frequently appears in discussion for things off the field. For one, she is one of the vocal leaders regarding equal pay for the USWNT. In fact, the recent settlement between the USWNT and US Soccer for equal pay met great reception, but Solo was not so quick to applaud. Solo called the settlement unequal and selfish on Twitter, adding that it is not what the players set out to do in 2015 with their lawsuit.

In 2018, Solo ran in the election for US Soccer President, platforming on a campaign surrounded by equality and inclusivity. She finished last of the five candidates in the final ballot for US Soccer President.

More recently, Solo appeared on British television as an analyst for BBC’s coverage of the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Sirius XM FC’s soccer programming

SiriusXM FC, the dedicated soccer channel on satellite radio, features a number of shows including Grumpy Pundits, Counter Attack, The Football Show, United States of Soccer, and The Coaching Academy. On satellite radio, Sirius XM FC is channel 157.

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Additional reporting by Kyle Fansler.