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Takehiko Nakamura of Blue United on Soccer as a Universal Language
And David Beckham's unforgettable free kick in 2001
Takehiko is the founder of Blue United Corp., leading initiatives for the Pacific Rim Cup, BLU eFC (powered by Manchester City) and BLU FC in New York. With experience at Major League Soccer (MLS) and FC Barcelona, he continues to drive the globalization of Japanese sports business, working with clients such as MIXI, Kashima Antlers, Deloitte Tohmatsu and Japan’s Ministry of Sport.
We spent two minutes with Takehiko to learn more about his background, his creative inspirations and recent work he’s admired.
Takehiko, tell us …
Where you grew up, and where you live now.
I was born in Tokyo and spent my formative years between that city, New York and Los Angeles. I currently reside in Western Massachusetts, traveling to NYC monthly and Tokyo on a quarterly basis.
Your earliest sports memory.
Attending the 1984 L.A. Olympics soccer match between Brazil and Morocco at the Rose Bowl with my father. Around the same time, I also followed the L.A. Lakers and Magic Johnson, along with their legendary rivalry against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics, which added to my love for sports. That was also when I started playing club soccer, which became a crucial way for me to make friends when we moved to Tokyo, especially since Japanese wasn’t my first language. To this day, I believe soccer is a universal language—it has provided me with unforgettable experiences and friendships around the globe. It’s fitting that my career now revolves around soccer.
Your favorite sports team(s).
FC Barcelona and all MLS clubs immediately come to mind, as they were central to my early career and hold a special place in my professional journey. I also have a strong connection to the University of Massachusetts soccer team, as I volunteer as a coach for my alma mater.
Your favorite athlete(s).
Lionel Messi is simply incredible—a master of the game. I also admire Pep Guardiola for his exceptional vision and achievements as a coach. I’d also mention David Beckham, whose unforgettable free kick against Greece in 2001 remains an iconic moment. He has also been remarkably successful off the pitch, elevating the sport’s global profile.
Your favorite sports show or podcast.
Amazon Prime’s All or Nothing. The behind-the-scenes access it provides, capturing pivotal moments and the raw emotions within teams, is truly fascinating. That said, I prefer the authenticity of those moments without the cameras, as they can influence the dynamics.
Your favorite sports movie and/or video game.
Movie: Moneyball—for its insightful focus on the business of sports and its message about balancing objective data with subjective intuition. This concept resonates with me, as I am interested in incorporating similar analytical and strategic approaches into the world of soccer. Miracle is a close second, showcasing an inspiring underdog story fueled by strong will and determination. I also enjoy Cool Runnings for its lighthearted yet motivating tale of perseverance.
Video game: the EA FC series. As the owner of a professional esports team competing under this label, I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the skill and dedication required to win.
A recent project you’re proud of.
The Pacific Rim Cup in Hawaii, an annual professional tournament created by my company, Blue United. The event connects North America and Japan, bringing people together through soccer and fostering international relationships. Seeing its impact on players, fans and the broader community is incredibly rewarding. Especially as North America and Asia show great potential to emerge as the next major markets.
Someone else’s project that you admired recently.
P&G’s “Thank You, Mom” Olympic campaign. It beautifully highlights mothers’ sacrifices and unwavering support in nurturing athletic dreams. The emotional storytelling, especially the moments where mothers cheer their children on through challenges, resonated deeply.
What sports can do that nothing else can.
Sports have a unique ability for sharing, empathy and unity. As I’ve mentioned, it’s a universal language that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, creating moments of connection and understanding that are hard to replicate elsewhere. Its unique power has shaped my experiences, relationships and career in ways I could never have imagined.
What you’d be doing if you weren’t in the sports world.
I sometimes fantasize about spending my days skiing or snowboarding. And, of course, this, too, is sports—a testament to how deeply physical activity and competition can enrich our lives in so many different ways.
2 Minutes With is our regular interview series where we chat with creatives about their backgrounds, creative inspirations, work they admire and more. For more about 2 Minutes With, or to be considered for the series, please get in touch.
