You could easily spend a lifetime or a hundred lifetimes simply observing the flow of goods and services and people from one part of the world to another.

We've touched on this in a few recent episodes. One was about global commodity traders. That was episode 633. The other was an interview with

a Federal Reserve Bank president about how tariffs will affect the U.S. economy. That was episode

634. Global trade is endlessly fascinating, in part because it is endlessly changing.

And one of the most interesting trade sectors at this moment involves not just

economics, but politics, cultural identity, and much more. This is a business that usually revolves

around some kind of a ball. It's not just about bringing a basketball game. There are

longer-term visions and plans.

In China, there are thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, if not millions of Premier League

soccer fans. It's an opportunity to export America's pastime.

Today on Freakonomics Radio, how Gulf State petrodollars are reshaping sports in America and Europe,

why China is building soccer stadiums in Ivory Coast, and whether Dubai is ready for baseball.

We built this in the middle of the freaking desert.

Like, it was all dust and dirt.

From dust and dirt to millions and billions.

Hopefully, at least, that starts now.

This is Freakonomics Radio,

the podcast that explores the hidden side of everything,

with your host, Stephen Dubner.

Hey, Stephen, sorry we're late. Dubai traffic is insane. No parking. It was nuts. No worries. I appreciate you're making time while you're working in Dubai. When you're back home in the States, where do you live?

I live in Cincinnati, Ohio, the birthplace of baseball.

Cincinnati did have the first professional baseball team, but it's not really the birthplace of baseball.

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