February the 23rd, 2024 – In the second Croatian Radio New York podcast ‘Croatia and Sport’, Pete Radovich (45), vice president for production and senior creative director, was the guest.
Radovich, a 41-time Emmy Award winner and producer of the Super Bowl, is one of the world’s most prolific television producers. By birth, he is an American, whereas his father is from Kapri near Šibenik, and his mother is from Pašman.
During this part of the Croatian Radio New York podcast, Radovich spoke about how busy he has been preparing for the Super Bowl. “It’s fortunate that the Super Bowl is held every three years instead of every year, as I wouldn’t have stayed at CBS otherwise,” says Radovich. In addition, he said it has been an honor to work on the Super Bowl. Radovich discussed his Croatian heritage and how he handled any situation during the early stages of his career. According to him, he was able to take advantage of the situation he grew up in.
Podcast host Sreċko Mavrek interviewed Radovich about the popularity of soccer in America and the significant contributions Croatian athletes have made towards the promotion of their country. In their opinion, soccer in America has a brighter future and will gain popularity, especially during the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. Radovich also produces CBS’s UEFA Champions League, travels to London twice a month, and regularly visits Zagreb for coffee with friends. CBS data shows soccer is currently the third most popular sport, even more popular than baseball, said Radovich. Besides Petar Musa, who recently signed with Dallas, he also mentioned Luka Modriċ’s potential to finish his career in America.
Radovich was asked what he thought was the reason Croatian athletes were so successful. “I believe it’s genetics, and Croatian people are fierce and have a heart and something indescribable. If I had that answer, I would sell it all over the world. Thank God it’s that way!” said Radovich. Patriotism is another significant motivator for Croatian athletes, according to Mavrek and Radovich. When Vida and Lovren play for the Croatian national team, Radovich said, they give much more of themselves than when they play for their clubs. A common love for Croatia and a common unity for the country binds Croatian athletes together, Radovich concluded.
It should be noted that Radovich often stays in Croatia. CBS must allow him to spend five weeks in Croatia each summer as part of his employment contract. Besides acquiring Croatian citizenship in 2023, he is currently producing “Football Must Go On”, a film following Ukrainian Shakhtar players during the Champions League season. As a result of the tragic shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ celebration parade, in which one person died and 22 were injured, Radovich has also begun considering moving to Croatia.
