Two people, a man and a woman, sitting at a table with microphones in front of them, smiling and talking during a podcast or radio show. The background features a colorful wall with illustrations of various objects and the text "Off the Pitch".

BRANDING IDENTITY & ILLUSTRATION

Off the Pitch

Challenge

To humanize Sporting KC’s roster, we developed Off the Pitch—a lifestyle-focused podcast brand. Our goal was to create a relatable entry point for everyday fans by connecting player personalities with Kansas City’s local culture and events, moving the brand beyond the sidelines.

Approach

We adopted an approachable, illustrative aesthetic to create a "living room" atmosphere; a space where players metaphorically hang up their boots. By blending homey interior cues with iconic Kansas City and Sporting KC cultural callbacks, the design transforms the podcast into a relatable, humanized environment that invites fans into the players' lives off the pitch.

Promotional banner for the movie "Off the Pitch" featuring various soccer memorabilia and related items in blue, black, and white colors.
A woman sitting at a wooden table in a room with sports-themed black and white wall graphics, microphones, and camera equipment recording or broadcasting a show.
Smartphone displaying a podcast episode with three smiling hosts and text that reads 'Off the Pitch, Episode 3, Manu Garcia, Bagpipes, Burnt Ends & eMLS'.

Off the Pitch Podcast | Youtube Video

Decorated sports-themed wall with framed soccer jersey labeled '96' from SKC, soccer memorabilia including flags, a trophy, and soccer balls, along with team-related items like books and pictures.
Decorated blue wall with sports-themed items, including a shelf with trophies, a soccer ball, a glove, a sunflower vase, a pitchfork, a framed seating chart, a scarf with 'Off the Pitch' text, a saxophone, and various posters and books.

Guest’s Side

Hosts’ Side

Two people, a man and a woman, sitting at a wooden table with microphones in front of them, recording a podcast or interview in a room decorated with sports and soccer-themed illustrations and memorabilia on the walls.

The Team Behind the Creative

Creative Director: Nate Saathoff

Designer: Sayler Rivas

Photo: Alex Lorenzo