Welcome to the ninth episode of Full-Court Finance, the podcast from Zacks Investment Research focused on the intersection of sports, business, and the stock market. On this week’s episode, we dive into the business of Major League Soccer ahead of Saturday’s championship matchup between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC.The MLS has grown in both size and stature in recent years. Just last week, the MLS announced four cities—Cincinnati, Detroit, Nashville, and Sacramento—as finalists for two new expansion franchises, with a whopping $150 million price tag attached.On top of that, the league’s TV ratings and attendance numbers have climbed in 2017. Team valuations also continue to rise, as notable owners from the NFL and NBA, such as Robert Kraft and Paul Allen, help inspire other billionaires to get in on the growth of MLS.The league’s TV partners—Fox FOXA, ESPN DIS, Univision, and others—broadcasted more games than ever before, many in new primetime spots on flagship channels.Adidas ADDYY is firmly committed to MLS and growing the sport of soccer in the U.S. The German sportswear giant keeps on pouring money into the league through jersey deals and youth development.MLS is also a corporate sponsors dream, given the ability to advertise directly on team jerseys. This is something Herbalife Ltd. HLF, Alaska Air Group, Inc. ALK, Target TGT, Microsoft MSFT, and many others have embraced. Home Depot HD, AT&T T, and Wells Fargo WFC are also all current MLS partners and sponsors.Still, despite all of these positive signs and real growth, many people around the U.S. question the current and long-term viability of the relatively young MLS.If you have any questions about this episode of Full-Court Finance please feel free to shoot us an email over at podcast@zacks.com. Please also make sure to check out all of our other podcasts at zacks.com/podcast and remember to subscribe and leave a rating in iTunes.Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.It's not the one you think. See This Ticker Free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Alaska Air Group, Inc. (ALK): Free Stock Analysis Report Wells Fargo & Company (WFC): Free Stock Analysis Report Walt Disney Company (The) (DIS): Free Stock Analysis Report AT&T Inc. (T): Free Stock Analysis Report Home Depot, Inc. (The) (HD): Free Stock Analysis Report Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (FOXA): Free Stock Analysis Report Target Corporation (TGT): Free Stock Analysis Report Herbalife LTD. (HLF): Free Stock Analysis Report Adidas AG (ADDYY): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research