Sports Management Podcast

Why are so many esports organizations struggling financially despite the industry's enormous popularity?

Esports has millions of passionate fans, global competitions, and increasing mainstream recognition. Yet building a profitable esports organization remains a major challenge.

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson speaks with Jonas Gundersen, Founder & CEO of Fusion Esports Group and CEO of Astralis, about what needs to change in the business of competitive gaming.

Jonas shares why he believes esports grew too quickly, why traditional sports business models don't always translate to gaming, and how Fusion is building a different approach to owning and monetizing esports brands.

We also explore Jonas's remarkable personal journey — from leaving school at 16 to becoming a professional Counter-Strike player, entrepreneur, and leader in the global esports industry.

In this episode, we discuss:

Why esports organizations struggle to make money

Venture capital, investment, and sustainable growth

The acquisition of Astralis and the strategy behind Fusion Esports Group

What traditional sports can learn from gaming culture

How Kylie Jenner's business model applies to esports

Why the next generation will reshape sports, education, and work

Jonas's journey from school dropout to esports CEO

AI, entrepreneurship, and breaking into the sports industry

Episode timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Jonas Gundersen and Fusion Esports Group

02:35 Why esports organizations struggle financially

04:53 The problem with venture capital and rapid growth

06:03 Why esports shouldn't copy traditional sports

08:40 Multi-team ownership and the Fusion strategy

10:32 What traditional sports can learn from esports

13:20 The future of esports

14:40 What sports businesses can learn from Kylie Jenner

20:03 Leaving school at 16 and finding a career in gaming

24:20 Building Ninjas in Pyjamas into a global business

25:52 Founding Fusion Esports Group

29:01 Why Fusion acquired Astralis

32:51 Career advice for the next generation

36:05 AI, talent, and the future of work

39:36 How to stand out when applying for jobs

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What is the real cost of Olympic success?

Sweden consistently produces world-class athletes and Olympic medalists. But behind the medals, many athletes face significant financial challenges.

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson speaks with Hans von Uthmann, President of the Swedish Olympic Committee, about the business, politics and future of the Olympic movement.

Hans reveals why Swedish elite sports receive less funding than several comparable European countries, explains the financial struggles facing Olympic athletes and shares his perspective on Sweden's unsuccessful bids to host the Winter Olympics.

We also discuss one of the most controversial questions in international sport: Should Russian and Belarusian athletes be allowed to compete in the Olympic Games?

In this episode, we discuss:

Why Swedish athletes struggle financially despite Olympic success

How Sweden's elite sports funding compares with other European countries

The value of Olympic medals for national identity and Sweden's international reputation

Why Sweden lost its bids to host the Winter Olympics

The influence of politics on Olympic host selection

Russian and Belarusian participation in international sport

Preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics

The importance of female coaches and women in sports leadership

Hans's journey from international business leadership to the Swedish Olympic Committee

CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet Hans von Uthmann 00:15 Leading the Swedish Olympic Committee 01:49 Why Sweden produces elite athletes 03:41 Balancing participation and elite development 04:44 Why Swedish elite sports are underfunded 05:34 The value of Olympic medals 07:19 How Olympic success inspires young athletes 08:26 Convincing businesses and government to invest 09:29 Why Sweden hasn't hosted the Winter Olympics 13:44 Politics and Olympic bidding 16:16 Should Russian athletes compete in the Olympics? 19:10 Where should sport draw the line? 20:55 Preparing for LA 2028 22:05 The financial struggles of Swedish Olympians 25:03 Hans's journey from business to sport 28:12 Women in sports leadership 30:57 The future of the Swedish Olympic Committee

About the guest

Hans von Uthmann has served as President of the Swedish Olympic Committee since 2023. Previously, he held senior leadership positions in international business and served as President of the Swedish Basketball Federation.

This conversation offers a rare perspective on what happens behind the scenes of the Olympic movement and the challenges of sustaining elite sporting success.

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Is American rugby about to experience its biggest growth opportunity ever?

With the LA 2028 Olympics, the Men's Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the Women's Rugby World Cup in 2033, the United States is preparing for an unprecedented period of international rugby exposure.

But will the sport be ready to capitalize on it?

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson speaks with Nate Dalena, CEO of Rugby NorCal, about the future of rugby in America and what it takes to build a sustainable grassroots sports organization.

Nate explains why major sporting events are only the beginning, how rugby can attract more young athletes, and why the sport needs more coaches, referees and well-run clubs to support long-term growth.

In this episode, we discuss:

The future of rugby in the United States

Preparing for the 2031 and 2033 Rugby World Cups

Why women's rugby represents a major growth opportunity

The dangers of early specialization in youth sports

How to build sustainable grassroots sports organizations

Why rugby needs more media exposure and accessible broadcasts

Nate's journey from player and coach to CEO of Rugby NorCal

How volunteering can open doors to a career in sports

Whether you work in sports management, coach young athletes or simply want to understand how sports grow, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of American rugby.

CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Nathan Dalena and Rugby NorCal 00:37 Rugby's position in the United States 01:38 Growth opportunities in women's rugby 03:40 Flag rugby and school-based development 04:29 Why rugby needs more education and media 07:03 Competition for young athletes 08:10 Early specialization and youth sports burnout 12:27 Why parents should encourage multiple sports 15:42 Preparing for the Rugby World Cups 20:26 Building sustainable rugby clubs 22:50 Nathan's career journey 26:16 Why Rugby NorCal started a podcast 29:43 Advice for aspiring sports professionals 32:52 Where to follow Rugby NorCal

About the guest: Nate Dalena is CEO of Rugby NorCal, an organization responsible for youth and high school rugby in Northern California.

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Is modern football pushing players to their physical limits? And who is responsible for protecting them?

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, host Marcus Filipsson sits down with Dr. Mark Gillett, Chief Medical Officer of the Premier League, to explore the realities of player welfare, injury prevention and medical leadership at the highest level of professional football.

After seven years overseeing medical governance in the Premier League, Mark is approaching the end of his tenure. He shares insights from a career that has included Chelsea, West Bromwich Albion, Olympic sport and elite sports medicine.

We discuss the challenges of balancing player safety with competitive advantage, the impact of an increasingly demanding football calendar, and how artificial intelligence could change injury assessment.

Mark also reflects on the pressure of working in professional football, communicating difficult medical decisions, his experience during COVID-19 and the lessons he has learned throughout his career.

In this episode, we discuss:

Who is responsible for protecting Premier League players?

Player welfare, fixture congestion and competitive pressure

Why hamstring injuries remain a major challenge

How AI could transform sports medicine

The reality of working behind the scenes in elite football

Career advice for aspiring sports medicine professionals

Life after the Premier League

Episode timestamps

00:00 The role of the Premier League's Chief Medical Officer

02:40 Working with Premier League clubs and Olympic teams

03:38 Fixture congestion and player welfare

04:19 Player safety versus competitive advantage

05:07 Football injuries and hamstring problems

05:43 Knee health and life after football

07:26 What's next after the Premier League?

08:19 Mark's journey into sports medicine

09:37 Cycling the Tour de France for charity

11:29 Overcoming career challenges

12:42 Breaking into professional sport

14:14 Lessons from working at Chelsea

16:08 Communicating difficult medical decisions

18:00 Artificial intelligence in sports medicine

19:57 The next chapter of Mark's career

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Do sports teams actually know who their fans are?

Teams and rights holders collect enormous amounts of data through ticketing, merchandise, food & beverage, CRM systems and digital platforms. But according to Cole Rubin, having the data and actually understanding the fan are two very different things.

Cole is the Co-Founder of FanFeed and has spent more than 20 years building businesses across live events and ticketing. His entrepreneurial journey started in college, when he launched a business taking Baltimore Ravens fans to away games, eventually leading him into the rapidly growing secondary ticket market.

In this episode, Cole shares what that journey taught him about the business of live sports and why he believes AI, fan data and hyper-personalization will reshape the fan experience.

We discuss the "invisible fan," one-to-one personalization, the future of ticketing, data privacy, sponsorship, entrepreneurship and why relationships and soft skills may become even more valuable in the age of AI.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction 01:50 Starting a business to pay for college 03:53 Discovering the ticketing business 05:41 Building Dynasty Sports & Entertainment 07:47 Why relationships matter in sports 10:04 Starting again with FanFeed 14:16 What FanFeed actually does 17:40 The future of one-to-one personalization 20:06 Are sports teams using their data effectively? 22:40 Fan data and sponsorship 25:30 Privacy and the value exchange 30:11 AI and the future of ticketing 33:48 What makes a great live event experience? 34:47 Advice for building a career in sports 36:28 Why soft skills will matter more in the AI era

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What happens when the sport that has defined your life suddenly ends?

Anna Laurell Nash is a two-time world champion boxer, three-time European champion, two-time Olympian and PhD who today serves as Executive Director at the Center for Sports and Business at the Stockholm School of Economics.

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Anna shares her remarkable journey from starting boxing at 17 to becoming one of the world's leading female boxers.

We discuss her Olympic journey, losing to a young Claressa Shields at London 2012, battling Graves' disease during her career, and the identity crisis she experienced when she stepped away from elite sport.

Anna also explains why athletes need to prepare for life beyond competition, how skills developed through elite sport translate into business, and why women's sport still represents a major untapped business opportunity.

In this episode:

🥊 Starting boxing at 17 🏆 Becoming a two-time world champion 🇬🇧 Losing to Claressa Shields at London 2012 🧠 Athlete identity and retirement 🎓 Combining elite sport with a PhD 📈 The business opportunity in women's sport 💼 Building a career after professional sport 🔥 Recovering from Graves' disease

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction 01:21 How Anna discovered boxing 03:02 Hiding her boxing competitions from her father 04:31 Starting boxing at 17 06:42 Becoming a world champion and Olympian 08:05 London 2012 & Claressa Shields 10:55 The athlete identity crisis 13:33 Combining boxing with a PhD 15:54 Finding purpose after boxing 17:19 The business opportunity in women's sport 20:14 Fairness and inclusion in boxing 22:34 Battling Graves' disease 26:30 Supporting the next generation 28:02 Advice for building a career in sports

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Can sport ever truly be separated from politics?

Terrence Burns has spent more than three decades working at the highest levels of Olympic marketing, sponsorship and bidding.

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Terrence takes us inside the business and politics of the Olympic movement — from commercialization and sponsorship to the extraordinary process of bidding to host the Games.

We also tackle some of the most difficult questions facing global sport.

What does "sportswashing" actually mean? Should countries with controversial governments host major sporting events? Should Russian athletes be allowed to compete? Do Olympic boycotts achieve anything? And where should sport draw the line between universal values and geopolitical reality?

Terrence also shares stories from Olympic bids involving Beijing, Sochi, PyeongChang and LA28, and explains why winning a bid is ultimately about much more than stadiums, infrastructure and hotel rooms.

Finally, we explore Terrence's remarkable career journey — from working as a janitor at Delta Air Lines to becoming one of the most experienced Olympic marketing and bidding experts in the industry.

In this episode:

00:00 Introduction 00:46 Has the Olympics become too commercial? 02:03 Why Olympic sponsors get marketing wrong 06:00 LA28 and Olympic venue naming rights 07:13 How commercialization changed the Olympics 08:56 Athletes, social media and personal brands 15:44 What actually wins an Olympic bid? 19:52 Beijing, Sochi and PyeongChang 26:09 What does "sportswashing" really mean? 29:14 Human rights and hosting major sporting events 31:54 Should Russian athletes compete? 35:46 Do Olympic boycotts actually work? 37:31 What to expect from LA28 39:52 Terrence's unusual career journey 45:38 Learning from losing Olympic bids 50:27 Who should come on the podcast next?

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Could padel become the new golf for business, networking and hospitality?

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson sits down with Chris King, Founder of Crafted and former co-founder of Sports Recruitment International.

Chris is building Crafted around a different vision of modern hospitality—combining sport, wellness, nature, community, coworking and social experiences in one place.

We discuss why padel has become central to that model, why Chris believes it works particularly well as a business and networking sport, and whether padel can translate its extraordinary participation growth into a successful spectator product.

Chris also shares his thoughts on the modern wellness industry, why people may be over-optimizing their health, the loneliness created by remote work, what today's employees are really looking for from employers, and why hospitality increasingly needs to create a sense of belonging rather than simply provide accommodation.

We also explore Chris's unconventional career journey—from studying sports science and being rejected by Nike and IMG to building an international sports recruitment business and eventually launching Crafted.

In this episode:

• Is padel becoming the new golf? • Why padel works so well for business networking • Can padel succeed as a spectator sport? • The future of sports hospitality • Why community and belonging matter more than ever • Has wellness culture become too obsessive? • Sport, nature and the hospitality experience • Why people increasingly choose culture over salary • How to break into the sports industry • Why curiosity and hustle still matter • Chris King's unconventional career journey • The future of Crafted

00:00 Introduction 00:11 What Is Crafted? 01:41 Disconnecting From the Digital World 02:19 Building a Sustainable Hospitality Concept 04:10 Why Padel Became Part of Crafted 05:22 Wellness, Wild Swimming & Cold Therapy 06:33 Has Wellness Culture Gone Too Far? 07:48 Why Balance Matters More Than Optimization 08:28 Designing a Different Hotel Experience 09:40 Why Chris Chose Padel 11:00 Can Padel Become a Spectator Sport? 12:26 How Guests Use Crafted 13:04 Remote Work and the Loneliness Problem 14:13 Combining Work, Travel & Hospitality 15:14 How Global Brands Use Crafted 16:31 Experiences Beyond Alcohol 17:12 Sustainability & Biodiversity 19:16 Is Padel Becoming the New Golf? 21:14 Why Padel Is More Inclusive 21:51 The Future of Crafted 23:55 Could Crafted Expand Into Scandinavia? 25:29 Chris King's Career Journey 27:26 Being Rejected by Nike and IMG 28:03 Leaving Corporate Life at 26 28:33 Building Sports Recruitment International 30:42 Building the Right Company Culture 33:15 How to Break Into the Sports Industry 35:25 Why Your LinkedIn Profile Matters 36:31 Choosing the Right Career Path

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Welcome to episode 267 of Sports Management Podcast.

Can you build an entirely new sport from scratch?

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson speaks with Greg Roe, former Team Canada trampoline athlete and Co-Founder of the Freestyle Trampoline Association.

Freestyle trampoline started as an athlete-led movement fueled by backyard videos, social media and a generation that wanted to experience trampoline differently from the traditional Olympic system.

Today, the association operates events around the world—but getting there meant creating everything from judging systems and equipment standards to insurance, sponsorship models, international events and an entirely new sporting culture.

Greg shares what it really takes to build a sport from zero, why freestyle trampoline has been described as a sport "born on Instagram," whether Olympic recognition actually matters, and why brands are becoming less interested in follower counts and more interested in direct access to customers.

We also discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, protecting a sport from investors too early, the future of action sports and Greg's remarkable journey from a Russian orphanage to Team Canada and eventually building a global sports organization.

In this episode:

• How a new sport gets created from scratch • Why freestyle trampoline was born through social media • Athlete-led sports vs traditional federations • Can an Instagram-born sport reach the Olympics? • What sponsors actually want in 2026 • Why follower counts are losing commercial value • Building events, rules and infrastructure from zero • Protecting the culture of a young sport • The reality of 12 years of entrepreneurship • Greg's journey from Russia to Team Canada • The future of freestyle and action sports

00:00 Introduction 00:14 What Is Freestyle Trampoline? 01:29 Building an Athlete-Led Sport 03:20 How Do You Create a Sport From Scratch? 05:18 Why Athletes Wanted Something Different 07:19 Breaking Away From Traditional Trampoline 09:07 The Viral Video That Changed Everything 10:18 Finding the Right Co-Founder 10:49 Building the Sport Without Advertising 12:43 Can a Sport Born on Instagram Reach the Olympics? 14:20 The Rise of the "Flipping" Sports Industry 15:35 Competition Between New Action Sports 18:06 Building a World Championship 21:15 The Business Behind a New Sports League 24:38 Why Some Sports Never Grow 26:26 Why Taking Investors Too Early Can Be Dangerous 27:13 Working With the X Games 28:41 Why Follower Counts Matter Less to Sponsors 30:50 What Brands Actually Want 33:55 Does Freestyle Trampoline Need the Olympics? 35:29 Building a Business Beyond Competition 39:16 The Reality of Being a Sports Entrepreneur 42:46 Fighting an Established Industry 44:23 Greg's Journey From a Russian Orphanage 45:23 Becoming an Elite Trampoline Athlete 47:46 Team Canada, World Records & America's Got Talent 51:24 From Athlete to Entrepreneur 51:37 Where to Find Freestyle Trampoline

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What can sport accomplish beyond competition?

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson speaks with Rita Finkel, Co-President of the Armory Foundation and Director of Armory College Prep in New York City.

The Armory may be known as one of the fastest and busiest indoor tracks in the world, but its impact stretches far beyond athletics.

Rita explains how the organization uses sport as a gateway to education, opportunity and community—helping underserved young people prepare for college, placing students into meaningful paid internships, creating programs for seniors and bringing together one of New York City's most diverse communities.

We also discuss whether college degrees still matter in the age of AI, why internships are so important, what sports can teach us about life, Rita's career in fencing and track & field, and the leadership lessons she's learned over more than two decades at the Armory.

In this episode:

• How the Armory combines sport and education • 11 years of 100% college admission for Armory College Prep seniors • Why college still matters in the age of AI • The importance of internships and career exposure • How sport can support underserved communities • Tackling isolation and inactivity among older adults • Leadership lessons from Dr. Norbert Sander • Rita's advice for building a meaningful career • The history and future of the Millrose Games

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction 00:19 Inside the Armory Foundation 01:47 Using Sports to Support Education 02:36 100% College Admission for 11 Years 03:04 How Armory College Prep Works 04:56 Finding Scholarships and Financial Aid 06:05 Do College Degrees Still Matter in the Age of AI? 08:31 Why College Fit Matters 09:22 The Power of Paid Internships 11:31 Why Critical Thinking Still Matters 12:27 From Fencing to Track & Field 14:43 Why Track & Field Is Different in the United States 16:59 The 2026 World Cup in New York 17:40 Rita's Journey Into Sports 18:45 Helping Seniors Through Sport 21:07 Why Community Matters 23:25 Rita's Career Advice 25:31 The Leadership Lesson That Changed Her Thinking 26:48 Why Great Leaders Change Their Minds 26:54 Career Setbacks and Resilience 30:09 The Armory's Community Impact 31:33 Inside the Millrose Games

If you enjoy the episode, follow Sports Management Podcast and share it with someone who believes sport can create change beyond the playing field.

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Welcome to episode 265 of Sports Management Podcast.

Women's sports are growing rapidly, but should they be built using the same playbook as men's sports?

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson speaks with Sascha Malas, Head of OT Select and Director of Content Operations at Overtime, about the future of women's sports, Gen Z fandom, NIL, sponsorship and athlete branding.

Sascha explains why Overtime deliberately chose not to copy its men's basketball model when creating OT Select, how listening to young athletes shaped the product, and why she believes women's basketball is still only at the beginning of its commercial growth.

We also discuss how Overtime became one of the most influential sports brands for Gen Z, why brands like Adidas, Google, Gatorade, Target and State Farm are investing in young female athletes, how NIL is turning teenagers into businesspeople, and why women's sports need more specialized investment rather than being treated as one single category.

In this episode:

If you enjoy the episode, subscribe to Sports Management Podcast and share it with someone working in the business of sport.

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction 00:21 Sascha's Role at Overtime 01:26 How Overtime Built a Gen Z Sports Brand 03:39 Why Overtime Beat Legacy Media on TikTok 05:04 Building OT Select 05:35 Why Women's Sports Need a Different Model 06:48 What Elite Female Athletes Actually Wanted 07:55 Why "Women's Sports" Is Too Broad a Category 08:50 The Caitlin Clark Effect and Athlete Fandom 09:36 Is Women's Basketball Still Just Getting Started? 11:37 How NIL Is Changing Young Athletes 13:15 Are Female Athletes Better at Personal Branding? 14:15 Why Major Brands Are Investing in Women's Basketball 16:34 The Purchasing Power of Young Female Fans 17:28 The Future of Overtime Women's Sports 18:14 Overtime's UConn Partnership 19:29 Sascha's Career Journey 21:56 How She Became "The Women's Sports Person" at Overtime 23:32 Creating Your Own Luck in Sports 26:04 Career Challenges and Building OT Select 29:05 Advice for Women Entering Sports 31:20 Why Communication Skills Matter More Than Ever 32:13 Final Thoughts

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Welcome to episode 264 of Sports Management Podcast.

The world's biggest sport is still powered by volunteers - but why are they still relying on spreadsheets, WhatsApp groups and endless emails?

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson sits down with Rohan Anand, Co-Founder and CEO of Center Circle, a technology platform transforming how grassroots football is organized.

After experiencing the challenges firsthand as a player, coach, referee and volunteer, Rohan set out to solve one of football's biggest hidden problems: giving volunteers the tools they need to spend less time on administration and more time developing the next generation of players.

We discuss why grassroots football is still built on outdated systems, how technology can reduce barriers to participation, why Center Circle has chosen a completely different business model than most sports technology companies, and the personal sacrifices required to build a startup from the ground up.

In this episode, we discuss:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone passionate about the business of sport.

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction

00:16 What Center Circle Does

01:14 Why Grassroots Football Still Runs on Multiple Platforms

02:11 From Referee to Tech Entrepreneur

03:12 Building Center Circle From Scratch

04:42 Convincing a Non-Football Co-Founder

06:53 Can AI Improve Grassroots Football?

08:17 Building Partnerships With Football Associations

09:47 Why Center Circle Is Completely Free

11:15 Why Grassroots Football Should Never Be Monetized

12:18 What Grassroots Football Needs Next

14:50 Growing 5x Without Marketing

16:14 Building the Team

17:21 Why They Never Spent Money on Advertising

20:42 The Sacrifices of Entrepreneurship

22:29 The Vision for the Future

24:44 Rohan's Journey Into Football

26:39 Studying Business Instead of Sport

28:05 Advice for Future Sports Entrepreneurs

29:28 Where to Find Center Circle

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Welcome to episode 263 of SPorts Management Podcast.

Why do so many talented athletes make the wrong career decisions?

In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, veteran NFL agent and sports attorney Craig Domann shares what he's learned from negotiating more than $1 billion in professional sports contracts and advising athletes for over 35 years.

We discuss why chasing the biggest NIL offer isn't always the smartest move, what separates great negotiators from average ones, the hidden clauses that can make or break a contract, and why the best career decisions aren't always the most lucrative ones.

Whether you're an athlete, agent, coach, parent, or sports business professional, this conversation offers practical lessons on negotiation, leadership, decision-making, and building a long-term career in sport.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why money can lead athletes to make poor career decisions

• The long-term impact of NIL on player development

• The hidden details that matter more than contract value

• What makes a great sports agent and negotiator

• Common misconceptions about athlete representation

• Advice for athletes, parents, and aspiring sports professionals

If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone passionate about the business of sport.

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction 00:26 How Craig Domann Became an NFL Agent 01:51 How NIL Works for Most College Athletes 02:49 Why Chasing the Biggest NIL Deal Can Hurt Your Career 04:05 The Non-Financial Factors Athletes Ignore 05:04 Has NIL Changed College Sports Forever? 06:37 The Problem With Money-Driven Advisors 07:52 Choosing the Right School vs. the Biggest Paycheck 08:58 Why Every Athlete Needs the Right Mentor 10:03 Being a Father, Coach & Agent at the Same Time 11:52 Negotiating Over $1 Billion in Sports Contracts 12:14 What Makes a Great Sports Negotiator? 15:22 The Hidden Clauses Inside Million-Dollar Contracts 17:23 The Biggest Misconceptions About Sports Agents 20:20 Why Relationships Matter More Than Aggressive Negotiation 21:55 The Pro Mindset That Separates Great Athletes 23:37 Daily Habits of Elite Performers 29:50 How Craig Developed the Pro Mindset Framework 31:40 Career Lessons From 35 Years in Sports 32:52 Craig's Advice to Anyone Wanting a Career in Sports

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Welcome to episode 262 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Mike Carney, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of On Deck Partners. Before building one of the most innovative ownership groups in Minor League Baseball, Mike worked as an engineer at NASA before leading business strategy for the Washington Nationals. In this episode, he shares why great sports organizations start with solving problems for fans.

In this episode, we spoke about:

00:00 From NASA to Sports

00:17 Why Engineers Fit Sports

02:22 Joining the Washington Nationals

03:28 Business Strategy Explained

04:37 Solving Fan Problems

06:13 The Future of Fan Engagement

08:31 Building On Deck Partners

10:45 Creating Community Value

14:58 Private Equity in Sports

16:18 The Modern Fan Experience

18:33 Lessons from Sports Leadership

22:05 Why Transparency Matters

23:32 Advice for Future Sports Professionals

25:45 Inside On Deck Partners

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Welcome to episode 261 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Brando Babini, founder of Youth4Youth FC, a player-led development program that is challenging traditional youth soccer in the United States. Starting the company at just 16 years old, Brando has built a thriving community, partnered with Nike, and is proving that mentorship, social media, and player-first development can transform the game.

In this episode, we spoke about:

00:00 Meet Brando Babini

00:13 Why Youth4Youth Exists

01:15 A Gen Z-Led Football Revolution

02:25 Fixing Pay-to-Play

05:12 Building a Sustainable Model

07:49 Player-First Development

10:01 What Success Really Means

12:20 Growing Through Social Media

14:48 Partnering with Nike

16:49 Building a Startup Team

18:10 Parents & Player Motivation

19:51 Starting a Company at 16

22:41 Learning to Let Go

25:56 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

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Welcome to episode 260 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Evan Dabby, CEO of New Jersey Youth Soccer, one of the largest youth soccer organizations in the United States. With over 120,000 players, Evan shares how youth soccer is evolving, why player development should come before winning, and how the FIFA World Cup is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game across America.

In this episode, we spoke about:

00:00 Welcome Evan Dabby

00:29 The World Cup Impact in New Jersey

03:20 Growing 120,000 Youth Players

05:50 Technology & Participation

08:20 Player-Centered Development

10:09 Advice from Tab Ramos

11:08 Parents on the Sidelines

15:12 Girls' Soccer Growth

18:52 Should Kids Specialize?

20:41 Coaching Better Players

21:35 Evan's Career Journey

23:23 The Power of Networking

26:45 Advice for Students

30:19 The Future of Youth Soccer

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Welcome to episode 259of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Santiago Halty, Founder and CEO of Senda Athletics, one of the world's leading Fair Trade-certified football brands. From launching ethically manufactured footballs to seeing Senda products on football's biggest stage, Santiago shares the remarkable journey of building a purpose-driven sports brand while competing against industry giants.

In this episode, we spoke about:

00:00 Welcome Santiago Halty

00:19 The Vision Behind Senda

01:45 Why Fair Trade Matters

02:27 Competing Against Nike & adidas

03:42 Winning Through Futsal

04:45 Building a FIFA-Quality Ball

06:14 World Cup Success Story

08:02 Becoming the Official Match Ball

09:39 The Innovation Behind Senda Boots

12:21 The Story of Vózinha

18:14 Raising Investment for Growth

19:42 The Future of Senda

21:07 Becoming a Top 10 Football Brand

22:11 Messi's Last World Cup?

23:26 What's Next for Senda?

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Welcome to episode 258of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Sam Houlding, Managing Director of B2B at Spotlight Sports Group. Sam has spent more than 16 years helping transform one of the world's leading sports media businesses while working at the intersection of sports media, technology, data, fan engagement and betting. In this episode, he explains why horse racing doesn't have an audience problem - it has an accessibility problem and how the sport can unlock millions of new fans.

In this episode, we spoke about:

00:00 Welcome Sam Houlding

00:15 Spotlight Sports Group Explained

01:55 The 200 Million Fan Opportunity

05:00 Why Racing Struggles to Grow

07:01 Accessibility Beats Awareness

10:24 Formula One's Winning Playbook

12:04 Betting vs Growing the Sport

14:03 Turning Data Into Fan Experiences

17:08 The Five Growth Priorities

19:07 Why Digital Comes First

21:21 The Future of Horse Racing

22:39 Sam's Career Journey

24:15 Lessons From Career Setbacks

26:06 Advice for Young Sports Professionals

27:36 Networking That Actually Works

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Welcome to episode 257 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Arturo Hoyos, coach at Surf Soccer Club and founder of Elite IQ Football, where he specializes in developing elite youth football players through long-term athlete development and coach education.

In this episode we discuss why development should always come before winning, how parents influence player success, what separates elite players from everyone else, and why mentality often matters more than talent.

In this episode, we spoke about:

• Why player development should always come before winning

• The role parents play in youth football success

• How elite football environments develop future professionals

• Why mentality beats talent over the long term

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome Arturo Hoyos

00:22 Inside Surf Soccer Club

01:14 Building Character Through Football

02:42 Managing Ambitious Parents

05:15 Development Before Winning

07:02 When Winning Starts to Matter

08:49 College & National Team Pathways

10:22 Following Players for Years

11:20 Private Coaching for Young Players

13:00 Can You Spot Future Stars?

16:18 The Growth of Football in America

20:25 Becoming a Licensed Coach

26:04 From Corporate Life to Football Coach

29:37 The Future of Coaching

31:11 Advice for Future Coaches

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Welcome to episode 256 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Ioannis Drymonakos, former Olympic swimmer, European record holder, World Championship finalist, and founder of Swimming Cruise.

Ioannis represented Greece at three Olympic Games, competed against legends like Michael Phelps, and became one of Greece's most successful swimmers before transitioning into entrepreneurship through sports tourism and wellness experiences in Greece.

In this episode, we spoke about:

• Competing at three Olympic Games and against Michael Phelps

• The sacrifices and realities of elite swimming

• Life after professional sport and becoming an entrepreneur

• Building Swimming Cruise and the future of sports tourism

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:24 Discovering Swimming

02:17 The Road to the Olympics

04:19 Learning from Legends

06:12 The Hardest Part of Elite Sport

08:29 First Olympic Memories

10:32 Breaking a European Record

14:06 Career Highlight: World Championship Final

15:33 Dealing with Setbacks

17:07 Building Swimming Cruise

19:33 Why Poros Is Perfect

24:19 Lessons from Survivor

27:18 Open Water vs Pool Swimming

30:56 Coaching Amateur Swimmers

32:10 Growing a Sports Tourism Business

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Welcome to episode 255 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Sherry Levin, leadership expert, speaker, author of Pregame: A Winning Mindset, former basketball coach, ESPN analyst, and resilience advocate.

Over decades in sports, coaching, broadcasting, and leadership development, Sherry has helped athletes and professionals unlock the power of mindset, confidence, resilience, and personal growth.

In this episode, we spoke about:

• Why mindset may account for 70-80% of performance • Building resilience through failure and adversity • Leadership lessons from decades of coaching elite athletes • Practical tools for confidence, gratitude, and mental toughness

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

01:07 Why Sports Teach Life Skills

06:05 Becoming a Coach

08:37 Why Mindset Matters

10:10 Training Your Mindset

12:18 The Power of Gratitude

13:50 Mental Resets & Self-Talk

15:54 Building Confidence Through Positivity

17:39 Leadership Evolution

20:20 Demanding Without Demeaning

22:54 Resilience Through Failure

26:29 Writing Pregame: A Winning Mindset

32:16 Social Media & Mental Strength

35:12 Overcoming Cancer

40:41 Advice for Future Sports Leaders

44:11 Guest Recommendation & Closing

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Welcome to episode 254 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Ugo Valensi, CEO of Volleyball World. Ugo has held leadership roles across sports, media, and commercial strategy, including senior positions in tennis, football, and global sports marketing. In this episode, he shares how Volleyball World is transforming one of the world's largest participation sports into a global commercial powerhouse.

In this episode, we spoke about:

• How Volleyball World is commercializing a sport with 800 million fans

• The role of CVC Capital Partners in accelerating growth

• Building athlete brands and fan engagement in volleyball

• Future trends in sports media, OTT platforms, and content consumption

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to Volleyball World

00:15 What Volleyball World Actually Does

01:24 Commercializing an 800 Million Fan Sport

03:26 Lessons from Tennis & Football

05:05 Athlete Storytelling & Docuseries

06:12 Indoor vs Beach Volleyball

08:09 Reinventing Beach Volleyball

08:23 Road to Los Angeles 2028

09:42 Volleyball's Biggest Growth Markets

11:38 Planning Events Years Ahead

13:05 Vision for the Next Five Years

14:33 The Future of Sports Consumption

16:25 Creating One Global Fan Narrative

17:20 Ugo's Career Journey

24:10 Networking & Career Advice

28:28 The Role of Private Equity in Sports

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Welcome to episode 253 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation. In 2022, she became the first woman to lead the federation in its 120-year history and has since become one of the most influential voices in global football governance, equality and leadership.

In this episode, we spoke about:

00:00 First Female President

00:14 Why She Said No

02:17 The FIFA Speech

05:11 Principles vs Politics

07:47 World Cup Governance

10:59 Football & Human Rights

15:39 Should Sport Be Political?

16:48 World Cup Life Behind The Scenes

19:35 From Player To President

24:24 Becoming Technical Director

25:40 Breaking Glass Ceilings

29:18 Equality In Football

34:16 Advice For Future Leaders

35:37 The Value Of Hard Work

38:01 Khalida Popal's Incredible Story

Lise Klaveness shares her remarkable journey from professional footballer and lawyer to becoming the first female President of the Norwegian Football Federation. The conversation explores FIFA governance, World Cup hosting, human rights, equality in football, leadership under pressure, and the responsibilities of sports organizations in modern society.

Whether you work in sports business, football administration, coaching, governance or leadership, this episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of global football.

Welcome to episode 252 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Patricio Misitrano, CEO of Racket Social Club and a key figure behind Racket360, one of the most ambitious ecosystems in the rapidly growing racket sports industry. From club operations and events to e-commerce and league management, Patricio has spent decades helping grow racket sports across the United States.

In this episode, we spoke about:

00:00 Welcome to the Show

00:20 Inside the Racket360 Ecosystem

02:34 The State of Padel in America

04:10 Tracking Padel's Rapid Growth

06:15 Why Courts Alone Don't Work

07:00 Key Trends Shaping Padel

07:58 The Rise of Indoor Facilities

09:26 Community Is Everything

11:16 Building a Successful Club

15:48 Can the USA Become a Padel Powerhouse?

20:06 Growing Up with Padel in Argentina

22:00 From Coach to CEO

23:41 What Great Employers Look For

24:44 Careers Beyond Coaching

28:34 Networking That Opens Doors

30:46 The Ultimate Networking Expert

Patricio Misitrano shares practical lessons on leadership, club operations, community building, hiring, networking and the future of padel in the United States. Whether you're a sports executive, coach, entrepreneur, student or racket sports enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing sectors in the sports industry.

Welcome to episode 251 of Sports Management Podcast.

In today's episode, we are joined by Daren Hornig, CEO of Courts App — a marketplace often described as the "Expedia for racket sports," helping players find and book courts anytime, anywhere.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Courts App 00:19 What Is the "Expedia for Racket Sports"? 01:12 The Problem: Unused Courts 02:17 Why Technology Was Missing in Racket Sports 03:36 AI Integration & ChatGPT Booking 04:24 AI Concierge "Hey Courtney" 05:19 Tech Background & Startup Lessons 06:56 Why He Entered Racket Sports 07:48 Marketplace Model Explained 08:31 Growth of Padel & Pickleball 09:17 Transition from Real Estate to Tech 10:53 Building the Right Startup Team 11:45 Challenges in a Fragmented Industry 14:58 AI, Free Time & Sports Growth 16:29 Dynamic Pricing & Increasing Participation 27:58 Why Working in Sports Isn't What You Think

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Welcome to episode 250 of Sports Management Podcast.

In today's episode, we are joined by Alan Stein Jr., who has spent over 15 years working with elite NBA athletes and is now a world-renowned keynote speaker and author. In this conversation, we dive deep into what truly separates elite performers from the rest and how those lessons apply far beyond sports.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Episode 250 Milestone 00:39 What Elite Athletes Teach About Performance 01:20 Mastering the Basics 02:03 Confidence vs Humility 03:18 Process Over Outcome 03:46 What Separates the Top 1% 04:34 Consistency as a Superpower 05:20 Discipline vs Feelings 06:09 Why Motivation Is Overrated 08:26 Performing Under Pressure 09:05 Pressure Is Self-Imposed 10:58 Visualization & Self-Talk 13:41 Being Okay With Losing 16:27 Sports Lessons Applied to Business 27:34 The "Next Play" Mindset

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Welcome to episode 249 of Sports Management Podcast.

In today's episode, we are joined by Scott Doyne, former Turner Sports executive, career coach, and author of Navigating the Quarter-Life Career Crisis. With decades of experience in sports media, tech, and leadership, Scott shares powerful insights on how young professionals can navigate today's complex job market and build meaningful careers.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Introduction 00:38 Why Scott Wrote the Book 01:47 Are Gen Z Misunderstood? 02:57 Why It's So Hard to Get a Job Today 03:45 Social Media & Career Pressure 04:54 Global Stress & Uncertainty 05:26 What Young Professionals Need Most 06:08 Why Networking Feels So Hard 07:29 How to Actually Start Networking 09:06 The Power of Mentorship 12:44 Why Sports Is Harder Than Other Industries 14:13 Managing Stress & Career Anxiety 17:22 Writing a Book: Behind the Scenes 21:22 Breaking Into Sports Media 23:49 Learning From Failure 30:46 AI & The Future of Careers

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Welcome to episode 248 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Kevin Bradbury, veteran NBA agent and Head of Basketball at Lyft Sports Management, with over two decades of experience and more than a billion dollars in contracts negotiated.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & Role Overview 00:17 Life as an NBA Agent 01:25 NIL & Industry Evolution 02:38 What Agents Actually Do 04:08 Importance of Trust 05:45 Contract Negotiation Insights 08:27 Relationships in the NBA 08:57 Misconceptions About Agents 10:03 How Player Value Is Determined 12:11 Supporting Players Off the Court 13:48 Working with International Players 15:15 Global Talent & Recruitment 16:49 NIL & Player Branding 19:20 Power Shift in College Sports 33:00 Advice for Aspiring Agents

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Welcome to episode 247 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Geoff Wilson, sports consultant, former Irish FA executive, and author of the new book Leading a Grassroots Sports Club.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome Back & Background 01:06 Journey Across 104 Countries 02:51 Learning from Global Sports Cultures 05:03 Why Some Countries Excel 06:17 Why Geoff Wrote the Book 08:12 Biggest Grassroots Mistakes 10:03 Importance of Coaching 11:14 Parent Coaches & Development 13:29 Building Club Culture 16:03 Creating Long-Term Culture 17:51 Why Grassroots Matters 21:05 Funding & Revenue Strategies 25:07 Community & Fan Engagement 30:37 Writing the Book Process 38:41 Advice for Young Professionals

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Welcome to episode 246 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Emiliano Abramzon, founder and CEO of Racket360, a company building a full ecosystem around racket sports in the US - including clubs, leagues, events, and e-commerce platforms.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps:

00:00 Building Racket360 Explained 00:20 The Four Companies Strategy 01:28 Racket X Growth Story 02:19 E-Commerce Scaling Fast 03:27 Why Everything Is Growing 04:49 Funding & Capital Strategy 05:58 Why Padel Is Growing Fast 07:23 Challenges of Building a New Sport 08:22 Why Padel Is Addictive 10:05 Competition from Other Sports 11:36 Infrastructure Challenges 13:40 Building an Ecosystem Strategy 14:46 Future of Padel in the US 16:39 Career Journey & Background 25:04 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

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Welcome to episode 245 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Claire Nelson, Managing Director of the Netball Super League. Claire is leading one of the most ambitious transformations in women's sport - building a fully professional league, growing fandom, and redefining what a modern sports product looks like.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps:

00:00 What Is the Netball Super League 00:16 Building Women's Sport Without a Men's Model 01:53 Turning Participation into Fandom 03:29 The Relaunch Strategy 06:19 Transforming the League Structure 07:44 New Clubs & Innovation 08:32 Creating a Fan Experience 10:52 Competing for Attention (Not Just Sports) 12:25 Digital Storytelling Strategy 13:22 Broadcast Strategy Explained 14:44 Commercial Partnerships Strategy 16:20 Aligning Brands with Purpose 18:42 Leadership Style & Vision 21:45 Biggest Challenges Behind the Scenes 26:54 Vision for the Next 5–10 Years

Photo: Ben Lumley.

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Welcome to episode 244 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Bryn Drescher, a mental performance coach, speaker, and host of the Mental Advantage Podcast. Bryn works with elite athletes across multiple sports, helping them master the mental side of performance, handle pressure on game day, and build identities that extend beyond sport.

In this episode, we spoke about:

And more!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro 1:12 Why Competition Is Mental 2:18 Handling Life Outside Sport 4:30 Working Across Different Sports 6:39 Learning New Sports as a Coach 10:09 Mastering the Inner Game 12:11 Flow State Explained 13:38 Game Day Preparation 15:42 Pre-Game Routines 17:05 Visualization Techniques 18:22 Individual vs Team Coaching 23:13 Trust and Mental Coaching 26:20 Burnout in Athletes 34:29 Identity Beyond Sport 48:53 Measuring Mental Performance Results

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Welcome to episode 243 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Parker Graham, founder and CEO of Vestible, a platform aiming to open up sports investing to everyone - not just private equity and billionaires.

From investing in athletes to unlocking opportunities in clubs and college sports, Parker is building what could become the "stock market of sports."

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro 00:14 What is Vestible? 01:10 Investing in Athletes Explained 02:38 The Shift to College Sports 03:10 Why Fans Want to Invest 03:49 The Gap in Sports Investing 04:41 NIL Changed Everything 05:54 The Financial Pressure on Colleges 07:13 College vs Pro Debate 09:00 Why Athletes Should Get Paid 09:23 The Vision: Stock Market for Sports 10:30 US vs Europe Strategy 11:02 Key Challenges in Each Market 12:37 First Deals & Expansion Plans 14:23 Beyond Football: Future Sports 15:13 World Cup Opportunity 16:47 Gambling vs Investing Mindset 19:40 Parker's Career Journey 21:56 How AI Is Changing Startups 24:51 Advice: Be Undeniable 28:23 Overperformance vs Entitlement 34:51 Startup Struggles & Near Failure 37:33 The Vision for Vestible 39:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 242 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today we dive into one of the fastest-growing sports stories in the world — how padel went from unknown to obsession in Pakistan in just a few years.

Talal Shah, Co-Founder & CEO of Total Sports and Legends Arena, shares how he scaled from one facility to a nationwide movement transforming sports participation.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps: 00:01 The vision behind Legends Arena 00:22 From construction to sports empire 01:34 Choosing which sports to build 02:43 Why padel changed everything 03:26 Courts booked 24 hours a day 05:21 Early operational mistakes 06:51 Pivoting from cricket to padel 08:09 Why padel beats cricket logistically 10:19 Making padel affordable for the masses 10:41 Sponsorship boom and brand demand 12:26 Hosting international tournaments 14:20 The coaching gap challenge 16:15 Scaling to 11 venues 17:34 Building a full sports ecosystem 24:35 Advice for future sports entrepreneurs

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Welcome to episode 241 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Andrew Wisniewski, Partner and Head of Activation at 17 Sport, the world's purpose-first sports marketing agency. We explore how purpose is moving beyond CSR and becoming a commercial necessity in sport.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro 00:04 What "Purpose-First" Really Means 01:40 Athlete Representation & Investment in Sport 03:00 Avoiding Greenwashing & Sportswashing 04:31 The $5B Paralympic Opportunity 07:09 LA28 & Olympic Legacy Strategy 08:21 The $2.3T Sports Economy Risk 10:11 Why Reach Metrics Are Losing Power 12:35 Brand Trust & the Patagonia Effect 14:25 Designing Systemic Change in Sport 18:54 The Rapid Rise of Women's Sport 21:20 The Future of Purpose-Led Partnerships 24:00 AI & Technology in Sport 26:23 Andrew's Career Journey 31:45 US vs Europe Sports Marketing Differences 34:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 240 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Erik Stover, CEO of the New York Cosmos and a leader with over 25 years of experience in U.S. soccer, including roles with the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Arena.

With World Cup 2026 approaching and promotion and relegation entering American professional soccer, the sport is at a historic turning point.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro 00:18 Why 2026 Is a Critical Year for US Soccer 01:25 Can Soccer Compete with NFL & NBA? 03:01 How Important Is a Strong World Cup Run? 05:21 Grassroots vs Hype After the World Cup 07:14 Soccer vs American Sports Culture 09:09 The New York Cosmos Revival 10:01 Promotion & Relegation in the US 12:25 What "Community Club" Really Means 15:22 From Stadium Manager to Red Bulls CEO 16:28 Lessons from European Football 20:25 Why US Soccer Needs Stronger Rivalries 23:09 Bringing Thierry Henry to MLS 31:37 The Future Vision for the Cosmos 34:05 Commercial Growth vs Authenticity 35:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 239 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Kyle Israel, co-founder of , a $100M fund investing at the intersection of sports and real estate.

Kyle shares why his firm is focusing on middle-market teams instead of billion-dollar franchises, how mixed-use developments are reshaping club economics, and why women's sports and secondary markets represent the next wave of growth.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps:

00:00 From Quarterback to Sports Investor 02:22 The $100M Sports Fund Explained 04:47 Why Avoid the Big Leagues 06:05 What Is an SPV 07:26 The Explosion of Women's Sports Valuations 08:38 The Hardest Decision in Sports Real Estate 11:36 The 50+1 Rule and Europe Challenges 14:11 Why Secondary Markets Win 17:08 Lessons from Sporting JAX 19:54 The 3–5 Year Vision for Momentous 22:07 Athlete Identity and the Transition Struggle 29:59 The Neurochemistry of Retirement 33:12 Leadership Lessons from Sports 40:07 How to Stand Out in Sports Business 47:04 Why Networking Changes Everything

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Welcome to episode 238 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Dr. Alicia Naser, mental performance coach and founder of the Naser Institute for Behavioral Sport Psychology. She works with professional athletes, helping them optimize performance through behavioral science and mental training.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps

0:00 Mental Performance in Elite Sport 1:18 Dr. Alicia Naser Introduction 3:11 The Most Important Behavior for Athletes 5:21 Team vs Individual Sports Psychology 8:52 Control and Performance Mindset 10:11 Roger Federer & Performance Perspective 11:20 Djokovic on Emotional Recovery 12:56 Superstitions in Professional Sport 14:50 Henrik Lundqvist's Routine 16:15 Assessing Underperformance 17:51 Biggest Mental Roadblocks 20:05 Social Media Pressure on Athletes 23:30 Building a Personal Brand Online 28:34 How She Started Working in Hockey 34:04 From Autism Research to Elite Sport

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Welcome to episode 237of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Dawn Scott, one of the most influential high performance leaders in women's football. She has worked with England, led performance for the U.S. Women's National Team during two World Cup wins and an Olympic gold, and now supports global development through FIFA.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Time stamps:

00:00 High Performance Defined 01:13 Motivation vs Consistency 03:10 Entering Women's Football in 2001 07:22 Then vs Now in Sports Science 09:28 Misinformation in Female Nutrition 13:00 The 6% Research Gap 14:33 Boots, ACL & Female Anatomy 16:43 Return to Play Postpartum 20:29 Building Performance Departments 23:21 England Highlights & Growth 26:09 Moving to the U.S. National Team 30:12 Olympic Gold & World Cup Wins 33:50 Investment & Staffing in Women's Sport 37:28 The Future of Women's Football 39:05 Advice for Young Professionals 40:00 Outro

SPONSOR:

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Welcome to episode 236 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Mark Gottfried, former college basketball head coach, NBA scout, and keynote speaker. With more than three decades of experience leading teams in high-pressure environments, Mark shares powerful lessons on leadership, grit, and what it really takes to succeed in sports and in life.

In this episode, we spoke about:

Timestamps:

00:00 The Power of Small Improvements 02:11 Lessons from 30 Years of Coaching 03:01 Playing Career to Coaching 04:01 Leadership Can Be Lonely 05:45 Learning from Losses 06:55 What Creates Grit 09:27 The 1% Improvement Mindset 11:26 Self-Honesty and Growth 13:23 Building Your A-Team 15:24 Leading with Clarity 18:53 Handling Criticism 22:52 NBA Scouting Experience 25:01 Evaluating Character 32:40 Sports Betting Risks 38:27 Life After Coaching

SPONSOR:

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Welcome to episode 235 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Theo Dedes, a UEFA Pro License coach who recently led TSG Hoffenheim's women's team in Germany.

From growing up in Athens to coaching at the highest level in European football, Theo shares what modern leadership really looks like, why empathy beats authority in today's game, and what it takes to survive - and thrive - in one of the most pressure-filled industries in the world.

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro 00:40 The UEFA Pro License Explained 02:01 Eligible for Champions League 02:36 The Coach as Manager 04:33 The Loneliness of Leadership 05:49 Controlling the Uncontrollable 07:29 Managing Friction Inside the Squad 08:51 Handling Weekly Pressure 10:22 Being a Young Head Coach 12:31 Coaching as Brand & Identity 15:13 Greece vs Germany Leadership Styles 17:25 The Coaching Odyssey 19:50 Why Germany Felt Fair 21:17 Learning from Termination 31:15 Advice for Future Pro Coaches 33:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 234 of Sports Management Podcast.

College sports has changed forever. NIL is here, brands are everywhere, and student athletes are now entrepreneurs whether they like it or not. But are they actually prepared?

Today I'm joined by Stephen Bienko, co-founder of 42U, former dual-sport athlete and life coach.

We dive into:

And much more!

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

00:00 Intro 00:28 What 42U Is Building in the NIL Era 02:03 Transferable Skills Beyond "Hardworking Athlete" 05:16 Athlete Identity & Overthinking Performance 08:45 NIL Should Have Existed Years Ago 10:35 Soft Skills vs Hard Skills in the AI Era 12:18 Why Identity Impacts Performance 14:21 Why Athletes Are Underprepared for NIL 17:37 Why Most NIL Partnerships Fail 20:33 Brand First, Deals Second 23:41 The Power of Athlete IP & Social Media 29:31 The Future of NIL and High School Athletes 32:59 Putting "Butts in Seats" Through Athlete Brands 39:44 The Decathlete Mindset in Business 49:18 Why Now Is the Best Time to Enter Sports 55:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 233 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Gloria Mariwa - a footballer, professional freestyler, digital creator known as 14thgunner and founder of Wecheza. At just 19, she's building the future of African women's football at the intersection of sports, tech, and community.

We spoke about:

And much more!

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro 01:00 Building 14thgunner 04:30 Growing Women's Football in Kenya 07:37 Why Women's Sports Must Build Their Own Model 08:30 The Future of Sports Tech & AI 09:41 Creators vs Traditional Media 12:03 Why YouTube Could Win Sports Streaming 14:31 Copying the West? Or Building Africa's Own Model 16:57 The Kenyan Sports Landscape 18:36 The Meaning Behind Wichesa 19:34 Grassroots Impact in Women's Football 24:46 University or Startup Life? 26:48 Monetizing as a Young Creator 27:53 Advice for Young Sports Professionals 30:29 Redefining Sports Tech 32:23 Invest in African Women's Sports

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Welcome to episode 232 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is JP Lutz - a former Philadelphia Eagles executive turned professor, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor.

We spoke about:

And much more!

This one is packed with practical advice for anyone who wants to work in sports and a powerful life lesson you won't forget.

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 From Working Elevators to the NFL 04:25 Why You Must Say Yes Early in Your Career 06:24 Creating Your Own Luck in Sports 08:10 How to Network the Right Way 12:53 Do You Need a Degree to Work in Sports? 17:11 The Magic of Game Day 19:52 $5 an Hour and Moving Back Home 22:34 Transitioning from Pro Sports to Higher Ed 23:56 Starting a Sports Business from a Basement 25:27 Soft Skills That Actually Matter 29:19 A Cancer Diagnosis at 46 32:39 The Power of Being Proactive About Health 34:30 AI, Analytics & The Future of Sports Jobs 36:55 Why You Should Consider Entrepreneurship 41:45 Career Advice: Follow Your Heart and Say Yes

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Welcome to episode 231 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is one of the most ambitious football investors in the world. Brett Johnson is the founder of Benevolent Capital, owner of multiple football clubs including Phoenix Rising, Rhode Island FC, and part of the Ipswich Town ownership group.

In this episode:

And much more!

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 From Analyst to Football Owner 00:20 Why Phoenix Needed a Team 01:17 The 1994 World Cup Thesis 02:06 Why the US Must Perform 03:39 Ipswich's Back-to-Back Promotions 04:43 How to Run a Club Properly 05:26 Why Multi-Club Ownership Wins 06:44 Promotion/Relegation in the U.S. 09:02 Building a $140M Stadium 11:20 Creating a Fan Base from Scratch 14:01 Inside Benevolent Capital 15:32 Why Youth Sports Is the Next Goldmine 22:39 Advice for Sports Entrepreneurs 26:25 The Dark Days in Phoenix 28:13 Almost Losing Rhode Island

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Welcome to episode 230 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest has lived football from every angle - player, coach, owner, executive, and advisor. Matt Driver is the founder of Soccer Universities and Football Club Advisory Group, and he's worked across Europe and the U.S. helping clubs move from survival mode to scalable success.

In this episode, we talk about:

And much more! This is a masterclass in the business of football.

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro 01:38 Why College Soccer Doesn't Create Pros 03:18 The Wake-Up Call Playing La Liga Clubs 05:30 Creating Real Player Pathways 08:10 Why Most Clubs Are Structurally Broken 11:13 A Bulgarian Club Case Study 15:09 Why Vertical Silos Kill Clubs 16:41 What American Sports Get Right 18:30 Why Fans Jump Between Sports 20:08 Why "We've Always Done It This Way" Fails 26:21 Turning Fan Phones Into Revenue 30:23 Monetizing Club Assets 35:47 Why Fans Must Be Entertained 55:26 Career Advice for Sports Professionals 01:05:54 Why the USL Could Explode Next 01:10:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 229 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest has been at the center of that work for over a decade. Christian Klaue is Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the International Olympic Committee.

In this episode, we go behind the scenes of how the Olympic Games are planned, positioned, communicated, and ultimately delivered - from Milano Cortina to LA28 and beyond.

If you've ever wondered how the biggest sporting event on earth actually comes together, this conversation is for you.

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro 01:31 Life Inside the IOC Right Before the Games 02:45 What Olympic Communications Really Do 04:47 Why Positioning Matters More Than Reacting 05:06 Working on Multiple Olympic Games at Once 06:55 Why Milano Cortina 2026 Is Different 07:52 Legacy Beats New Construction 09:13 Avoiding Olympic "White Elephants" 10:12 Designing the Athlete Experience 11:22 Why the Olympic Torch Changes Everything 13:32 How the Torch Relay Really Works 15:21 The Power of Opening Ceremonies 20:09 Christian Klaue's Career Journey 27:42 Leading Through Olympic Crises 41:51 Advice for a Career in Sports Communication 43:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 228 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is John P Reynal, the President & CEO of The Women's Cup - one of the most ambitious global platforms in women's football.

John has spent his career building sports properties across continents and in this conversation, he makes a bold case: women's football isn't charity - it's one of the most undervalued growth opportunities in sports.

We spoke about:

And much more!

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro 02:21 Why women's football is a massive investment opportunity 04:18 "Women's football is a business" 04:50 What over-investing really looks like 06:53 Building a premium brand through experience 08:21 Fixing the production problem in women's football 10:07 How media rights unlock real growth 11:09 Why the US women's football model is different 13:30 The danger of women's teams as afterthoughts 15:45 Rethinking how women's football is marketed 21:58 Why investors are flooding into women's football 23:00 From $1M to $150M franchise valuations 26:01 Latin America's untapped audience power 31:01 The audience shift every club must prepare for 32:43 Why Brazil 2027 will change everything 45:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 227 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Alan Arlt, founder of Ultimate Hoops and co-founder of ARLT Consulting. Alan built a recreational basketball league into a highly-engaged sports product with stats, highlights, and experiences that made everyday players feel like pros and he sold it with an 18x return in under two years. In this episode, we spoke about:

What makes a sports product truly 'sticky'

How to scale without losing quality

How AI is changing the future of participation sports.

And much more!

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro 00:58 Building "sticky" sports products with ARLT Consulting 02:16 From sports nerd to sports entrepreneur 02:59 The Ultimate Hoops idea (treat everyone like Kobe) 03:42 From 6 teams to 40 teams in under a year 03:42 Acquired by Lifetime Fitness (18 months in) 04:26 The Carmelo Anthony moment ("I think I'm done") 05:11 The 18x return (and why he didn't plan an exit) 05:58 The "sticky product" flywheel (daily engagement) 06:54 Passion vs practicality (unit economics matter) 08:22 The 2-step decision process (gut → diligence) 09:46 Why athlete partnerships are everything (B2A mindset) 11:51 AI changed everything (stats + highlights at scale) 13:28 How ARLT uses AI with clients today 14:18 Why this model works for every sport 15:06 The golden rule (people want to feel special) 15:45 The post-game interview that proved the concept 17:24 Why AI will create "1,000 Ultimate Hoops" 19:53 The mindset shift (leaving Discovery to take the leap) 21:36 Why side hustles are the new advantage 22:50 The biggest founder mistakes (too fast vs too slow) 24:10 Best advice for founders (just get started) 25:47 How to use AI without losing the human edge 27:07 Leadership style (do every job, stay in the weeds) 30:28 Hiring without a vacuum (team fit matters) 32:11 Scaling too fast (when it stopped feeling like Ultimate Hoops) 33:02 COVID shutdown (the hardest stretch) 35:25 Letting 85% of the team go (and rebuilding) 37:02 Guest recommendations (SportsVisio + AIM Sports Group) 39:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 226 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Neil Schwartz, President of SBRnet, one of the leading sports business data providers focused on fan behavior, monetization, and engagement.

In this episode, we break down the difference between passive fans and active fans, why storytelling is the real skill behind data, and how teams can turn insights into revenue across tickets, merch, sports betting and more.

Let's get into it.

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro

00:59 What sports teams can learn from Disney

01:50 What SBRnet does: business-side sports data

02:46 Doing data before data was cool

04:25 Data is now traded like oil + early pushback from execs

07:28 Black box data vs transparent methodology

08:44 "If you only use your own data, you repeat the same mistakes"

09:29 Data is like making soup

11:16 SWOT analysis as a decision framework

12:57 The hardest question: "Why?"

16:41 Cross-fandom + cross-category sponsorship strategy

19:31 Active vs passive engagement explained

21:07 Neil's Dolphins example: passionate but passive fan behavior

22:49 Turning passive fans into active fans

25:08 Good data use is good storytelling

27:52 When teams reject data because of anecdotal bias

30:45 Privacy + anonymized data + integrity standards

35:14 Pandemic: removing live attendance questions to protect trend accuracy

37:15 AI fears + why people must stay in the decision-making equation

42:20 Career advice: internships + networking + better outreach emails

48:43 Sports gambling needs guardrails

52:31 Gambling growth plateau

53:19 Underage gambling problem

54:45 Guest recommendations

57:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 225 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Vance Morris, and in this episode we will uncover what sports teams can learn from Disney when it comes to service and fan experience.

We spoke about:

And much more!

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro:

02:21 From factory security guard to Disney

03:32 Experience design in boring moments

05:50 Engaging fans on non-game days

07:25 Linertainment explained

08:44 What teams can do between purchase & game day

11:18 Reaching younger fans with physical mail

13:01 On-stage vs off-stage mindset

15:26 Attention to detail & perceived value

17:30 Tellable moments & word of mouth

19:44 Systems create freedom

22:34 Cost of keeping vs acquiring fans

24:27 Why he charges 40% more

28:57 "The bar is set so low"

31:23 Service standards disconnect

33:29 Hiring for service mindset

38:19 Major career setback & resilience

40:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 224 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Ersel Aybasti – a licensed FIFA-agent, founder of Analysis SportAgents and the author of The Women's Game: More Than Just a Game. Voices, Structures & Perspectives in Global Women's Football

We spoke about:

And much more!

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro

01:47 Why football alone wasn't enough

03:38 Trust between player and agent

07:26 Holistic support beyond contracts

09:55 Becoming a licensed FIFA agent

12:58 Entering women's football

15:45 Why the book was written

17:35 28 voices shaping the women's game

21:41 Managing pressure, feedback & growth

27:31 Why women's football needs structure

30:37 How agents can close the gender gap

31:49 Advice for young professionals

34:12 Long-term values over short-term wins

36:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 223 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Paul Epstein, a leadership coach, former sports executive and the creator of the Win Monday movement.

Paul has worked with elite athletes, executives, and teams around the world, helping them build momentum through habits, identity, and purpose.

In this episode, we unpack:

And much more!

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 The 98% Monday momentum statistic

02:17 What it actually means to "win Monday"

06:07 Gym analogy: commitment over motivation

07:47 "Commitment begins when motivation ends"

11:43 The hero dedication concept

17:55 The Monday that changed Paul's life

24:52 Standards vs goals (win the long game)

33:44 Confidence formula: values × action

48:56 Vision of a global Win Monday movement

50:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 222 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Blaine Bishop – a former NFL player, 4-time pro bowler and a broadcasting host.

We spoke about:

And much more!

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

01:54 Drafted last & the chip on his shoulder

03:59 Why being doubted fueled his work ethic

05:51 Film study as a competitive advantage

09:15 "What do you have to lose?" mindset

14:24 First NFL start on Christmas Day

18:54 Super Bowl run & "team of destiny"

22:12 Making the Pro Bowl (unexpectedly)

25:00 Transition from NFL to broadcasting

28:16 Identity beyond being an athlete

36:04 Advice for young people entering sports

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Welcome to episode 221 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Stef McLoughlin, Head of Commercial at Glasgow City FC, the most successful women's football club in Scotland and one of the few elite clubs in Europe that is women-owned, women-led and fully independent. Get ready to learn about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro 00:22 What makes Glasgow City FC different 01:27 Using football as a vehicle for social change 03:28 Why women's clubs shouldn't be absorbed by men's teams 06:38 Purpose-driven partnerships explained 07:32 Dog-friendly stadiums & inclusive fan experiences 09:57 How Glasgow City avoids sportswashing 12:58 The "messy middle" of women's football 14:48 Why comparing revenues to men's football is a mistake 18:05 Building women-led commercial ecosystems 25:07 Entering football as an "angry feminist" 31:49 Outro

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Welcome to episode 220 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest helped build the Olympic business model as we know it. Michael Payne is the former marketing director of the IOC, creator of the TOP sponsorship program, and widely regarded as the architect of modern sports marketing.

In this episode, we explore 50 years of global sport power, politics, money, and what the next 50 years could look like.

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro 00:34 Why he wrote the book & invented sports marketing 03:16 FIFA had four employees 07:43 Cold War & saving the Olympics 10:17 Bernie Ecclestone vs Samaranch 13:16 Politics weaponizing sport 15:22 Sportswashing debate (China & Saudi) 23:33 Trump, the World Cup & LA28 29:38 His wild predictions for sport 31:46 Avatar stadiums 34:12 Tech vs the soul of sport 38:26 Sustainability & white elephants 48:35 Advice for young professionals 50:18 Business lesson: problems vs solutions 53:54 How great negotiators really work 59:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 219 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Joe Foster - the founder of Reebok. At 90 years old, he's sharing the real origin story for the first time. From hand-made spiked shoes to billion-dollar global dominance, this is one of the greatest sports business journeys ever told.

SPONSOR:

Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.

Time stamps:

00:00 Growing up during World War II 05:45 Winning races with spiked shoes at age 8 08:08 Grandfather invents the first spiked running shoe 17:00 Walking away from the family footwear company 18:49 Building Reebok inside a collapsed brewery 25:15 Creating direct-to-athlete distribution 29:32 Naming Reebok from a dictionary 35:15 First failed attempt entering America 41:08 Runner's World five-star ratings change everything 43:31 Birth of the Reebok aerobics shoe 46:59 Why Joe exited Reebok 57:10 Turning lawsuits into brand advantages 01:05:05 Joe's 3 rules of entrepreneurship 01:09:06 Meeting celebrities & reaching global #1 01:12:19 Why he wrote his book to correct history 01:13:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 218 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Luis Fernando Ramirez – the CEO of National Padel League (NPL)

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:00 Intro 00:42 Why Luis rebuilt the NPL from scratch 02:10 The first version of the league — what was broken 04:03 How the NPL expanded to 42 cities 06:58 The business model behind the league 08:20 How Racket360 powers streaming + scoring 11:12 Creating the NPL pyramid: juniors → amateurs → pros 14:33 The partnership with USPA 16:48 Why amateurs are the key to U.S. padel's growth 18:26 Why padel is exploding in the U.S. (data + trends) 21:17 The long-term vision — becoming the MLS of padel 24:09 The future of pro padel in America 26:40 How to build sustainable leagues 29:55 Luis' advice for young sports professionals 35:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 217 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Joe Michaels – the former Director of NBC's Today Show and a veteran television production leader.

In this episode we get to look behind the scenes of sports media productions together with an 8x Emmy winner. We spoke about:

This and much more, in this episode with Joe Michaels.

Time stamps:

00:01 Intro 00:44 How Joe started at NBC 03:38 What a sports director actually does behind the scenes 05:16 Turning nerves into energy during live broadcasts 08:23 Inside a live sports truck 11:07 Lessons from the man who invented baseball on TV 16:10 From gaff-taped cameras to 200-camera Super Bowls 20:22 Directing "Brain Surgery Live" for National Geographic 26:34 Why sports broadcasters must understand history 38:46 The future of sports media and technology 41:29 Can AI replace directors? 46:30 What Emmy Awards really mean 52:30 Career advice 53:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 216 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Danny Davis, founder & CEO of Recon Sports - a platform helping college football teams use data and AI to build smarter rosters and develop elite athletes.

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:01 Intro 00:26 What Recon Sports does - syncing athlete data 01:22 Internal vs external data and identifying future stars 02:40 The hundreds of metrics collected across programs 04:15 The original idea: from high school analytics to college innovation 05:43 First client discovery and go-to-market process 07:02 Biggest challenge - scaling himself and training others 09:03 AI, digital twins, and the next frontier of sports analytics 11:19 Why consolidating data is the foundation of AI success 12:01 The risks of operating in college sports 14:38 Expanding into aerospace and other verticals 18:27 How military experience shaped his entrepreneurial mindset 22:02 The mindset shift from Army officer to entrepreneur 26:57 How he invested 10,000 hours to master his craft 31:14 The value of mentorship and how to find great mentors 37:17 Overcoming rejection and separating vision from strategy 40:16 Advice for breaking into the sports industry 43:40 Outro

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Welcome to episode 215 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Jordy Leiser - the CEO of Jump, a platform which is redefining the fan experience, from AI-driven personalization to direct-to-consumer fan engagement.

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:01 Intro 00:30 Jump - connects the full fan experience 01:23 Partnering with North Carolina Courage and Minnesota Timberwolves 03:18 The meaning of "vertical platform" in sports tech 05:36 How Jump replaces legacy ticketing systems 07:51 Using AI to personalize fan experiences 10:58 Why direct-to-consumer fan relationships matter 15:01 Raising $25M led by Alexis Ohanian 18:23 Global expansion opportunities 20:32 Remote-first company culture & trust 23:19 Jordy's path from finance to sports entrepreneurship 33:47 Resilience through setbacks 39:15 Advice for young professionals in sports 40:35 Outro

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Welcome to episode 214 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Spencer Gore – founder and CEO of Gorely Group and the owner & chairman of Chelmsford City Football Club.

He is also the founder and CEO of EMJ (European Medical Journal) & AMJ (American Medical Journal) and EMJ Learnings.

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:01 Intro 00:33 How he manages multiple companies & leadership structure 01:58 The gap in the market that led to founding EMJ 05:38 Scaling challenges & importance of process 08:47 Launching AMJ in America — following his dream 10:18 Visualization & daily affirmations 13:01 Hiring for values over skills 15:49 Why he bought Chelmsford City FC 19:38 Reverse-engineering the 2038 Premier League goal 22:43 The 3 critical success metrics for Chelmsford City 28:36 Marginal gains and learning from Clive Woodward 35:03 Failures, mistakes & the "win or learn" philosophy 37:33 COVID resilience — "One day closer" mindset 39:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 213 of Sports Management Podcast.

Todays guest is Elias Gallego – the VP of Business Development, Marketing and Media at Sporty Group and Football.com

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:54 Sporty Group vision 01:59 Building SportyTV Nigeria in 4 months 06:13 Free-to-air model & European rights 08:12 Brazil strategy: Serie C rights + YouTube access 10:17 "Curated content is king" philosophy 12:10 Multi-country production hubs 13:39 Mobile-first, highlight-driven model 17:10 Balancing global brand with local identity 20:35 ROI and brand impact in multi-vertical business 23:20 Future of sports media & smart TV expansion 27:59 Watch parties and interactive fan experiences 37:07 Career advice: "Hard work and passion are non-negotiable

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Welcome to episode 212 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Ed Horne – the Chief Operating Officer at On Location – a sports hospitality company set to deliver premium experiences.

Ed has a long background in sports industry and he has worked for organizations like the NHL, NFL, 160over90 before joining On Location. Ed has been instrumental in getting NHL players to play in the Olympics as well as being part of organizing the first ever Super Bowl half time show.

It was great speaking with Ed and learning from his wisdom.

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:01 Intro 02:23 Global Sports Hospitality 05:22 Experience Economy Growth and Consumer Expectations 06:52 The "driveway to driveway" experience 09:29 Technology Integration and Personalization Strategy 10:51 On Location future plans 17:42 Strategic Positioning within TKO and Multi-Property Synergies 19:00 Future Outlook and Market Vision 20:10 Leadership Philosophy and Talent Development 21:20 Ed's career bumps 23:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 211 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Pablo Carro. The co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Playtomic - the world's leading app for racket sport players and clubs.

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:01 Intro 00:47 Playtomic Origin story 03:19 Social DNA of Padel & how tech mirrors it 05:13 Scaling globally – passion & persistence 10:27 Sweden's rise & fall – the social lesson 13:24 Competition makes you stronger 15:29 U.S. expansion – 200 clubs in months 19:13 PwC Global Padel Report insights 28:58 Asia is next – India & China potential 30:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 210 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Szymon Szemberg, a reoccurring guest who first appeared on episode 5, almost 5 years ago – and a lot have happened since.

Szymon recently wrote an article about the NBA closing in on a league in Europe and if this could lead to an NHL-driven ice hockey league in Europe as well.

This topic became even more relevant when NBA commissioner Adam Silver recently stated that such a league could start already in 2027 or 2028.

Szymon is the perfect person to discuss this topic. He has been a player, coach and later sports director and managing director of an elite basketball club in Sweden. He has worked as a sports reporter, covering both basketball and hockey. Between 2001-2014, he served as Communications Director for the International Ice Hockey Federation. He was the Champions Hockey League's project lead and later COO (2013-2015) and most recently he was the Managing Director of EHC, Alliance of European Hockey Clubs, from which he just stepped down after 10 years.

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:01 Intro 02:00 NBA's European League Plans 03:30 The NBA's move to control the global basketball ecosystem13:30 The NHL's current strategic advantage 15:45 Expanding NHL franchises directly into Europe 20:45 Financial and Market Considerations for European Leagues 28:50 Potential NHL European League Scenarios and Strategy 35:00 Long-Term Vision and Regional Opportunities 40:00 Outro

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Welcome to episode 209 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Maike Wellmann - a brand specialist, entrepreneur, and founder of Swim & Move Academy. Maike went from regional swimmer to building a thriving swim school and helping athletes and federations shape authentic brands. '

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:01 Intro 07:27 Swim school growth from 5 to 50 classes 09:09 Authenticity in branding 13:49 AI & branding workshops for federations 31:50 Recruitment: hard skills can be taught, soft skills can't 34:29 Consistency + self-care in entrepreneurship 37:17 Taking a step back: aligning brain and heart

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Welcome to epsiode 108 of Sports Management Podcast.

James Kerr is bestselling author of Legacy, the book that revealed the leadership principles behind the legendary All Blacks.

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:01 Intro 04:03 Defining High Performance 07:25 All Blacks Principles 09:10 Purpose explained through "day makers" 11:22 How to build culture 15:45 Toxic people & the "no dickheads" rule 18:25 How behaviors spread 24:47 What would a great All Black do? 27:55 Saying yes means first saying no (focus & sacrifice)

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Welcome to episode 207 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is former Swiss Olympic Swimmer David Karasek. David is the owner of Swimpros, a swim camp focusing a lot on the mental aspect of swimming, since that was something David struggled with himself.

Get ready to learn:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:01 Guest Introduction & Background 01:19 Swim Pros Business Development 10:18 Mental Training Philosophy & Techniques 19:46 Athletic Performance Insights 25:35 Youth Sports Development 30:36 Personal Journey & Career Transition

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Welcome to episode 206 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is John Parker – the CEO of Kickback Soccer Media.

John is clear: Soccer in the US is not an up and coming sport anymore.

In this episode you can expect to learn:

And much more!

Time stamps:

01:36 Soccer's Current State in America 03:05 Company Overview & Mission 05:46 World Cup 2026 Concerns & Opportunities 06:56 Youth Development Evolution 19:53 Media & Fan Engagement Strategy 21:09 Player Quality & League Evolution 24:56 Future Predictions & Infrastructure 27:42 Career Journey & Industry Challenges

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Welcome to episode 205 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Tan Kesler, the CEO and minority shareholder of the Ekstraklasa club Pogoń Szczecin.

How can you take a club who is 48 hours away from collapse, to a financially stable club with a 10 year plan and a league contender? That's what we will learn today!

We also spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:00 Podcast Introduction & Club Background 04:30 Financial Crisis Resolution 07:34 Market Opportunity Assessment 09:11 Operational Improvements & Revenue Streams 09:11 Football Assets & Academy 12:08 Strategic Goals & Timeline Balance 15:05 Polish Market Integration 18:05 Operational Philosophy 19:27 International League Development 20:54 Professional Background Journey 23:58 Agency & Executive Experience 29:37 Specific Organizational Goals 33:56 Career Advice & Industry Insights 35:24 Networking Recommendation

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Welcome to this week's episode of SMP Insights.

Andrew Brandt grew up in Washington, DC and played tennis at Stanford University before going on to law school at Georgetown. He started his career as an unpaid intern at a firm that represented tennis players, but eventually transitioned into football and grew a team of clients from three to 15 over the course of six years. He then made the switch to the management side of the industry, taking on the role of running the Barcelona Dragons in the NFL's World League. From there, he went on to work with the Minnesota Vikings and eventually became the VP of the NFL team Green Bay Packers. Today he works as an academic director, hosting a podcast, writing a weekly newsletter and is often seen on ESPN giving insight to sports law matters.

Get ready to learn: How To Get a Job in Sports

Full episode: https://sportsmanagementpodcast.com/77-andrew-brandt-former-vp-of-green-bay-packers

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Colo Colo were on the verge of a squad overhaul after losing the title. Then, KPI Football told them something surprising: "You're already the best team. Keep your core, tweak a few details."

They followed the advice.

Next season: 🏆 Champions + 💰 Big budget savings.

Jose Gandarellas joins me on Sports Management Podcast to share:

The KPI that shows a player's value without goals or assists

How AI predicts football success

Lessons from running a club & a sports analytics startup

🎧 Full episode here → https://sportsmanagementpodcast.com/204-how-data-analytics-create-champions-jos-gandarillas-founder-of-kpi-football

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Welcome to episode 204 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is José Gandarillas – the founder of KPI Football.

In this episode you will hear the story of how José took a football team from struggling to champions using data analytics.

You will also learn:

And much more!

Time Stamps:

00:30 Football KPI Overview & Founding 01:38 Data Analytics Methodology 11:34 Technology & AI Implementation 17:04 Jose's Professional Background 22:41 Future Plans & Market Expansion 24:33 Challenges & Obstacles 26:14 Networking & Industry Recommendations

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Welcome to episode 203 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Chris Marshall – the Co-founder of Young Champs – an initiative to bring more young people into tennis.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 202 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Leticia Martignon, founder of AquaNova - a bold initiative dedicated to transforming youth development in Switzerland through the sport of swimming.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 201 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Geoff Thomas MBE – A former professional footballer, cancer survivor and a Patron of charity for Cure Leukaemia.

When this episode is live, he just completed all the 21 stages of the Tour the France, raising vital funds for Cure Leukaemia, a cause close to his heart having overcome chronic myeloid leukaemia himself.

We spoke about:

And much more!

Time stamps:

00:03 Guest Background & Football Career 03:09 Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment Journey 09:51 Sports Mindset Application to Cancer Treatment 11:54 Tour de France Charity Challenge 15:00 Cure Leukaemia Charity Evolution 19:46 Physical Challenges & Recovery Strategy 21:22 Arthrosamid Knee Treatment 27:09 Mental Health & Support Advice 31:58 Future Goals & Network

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Welcome to episode 200 of Sports Management Podcast.

Before I introduce today's guest I would like to take a moment to thank you all for listening to this podcast week after week. It means the world to me! If you would like to support this podcast, the best way is to hit the follow or subscribe button on your podcast player. That helps the podcast grow, and the bigger the show the bigger the guests – thank you!

Now, today's guest is Therese Sjögran - the Director of Football at Manchester City Women. She is a former player with over 200 games for the Swedish national teams and she has played in the Euro, World Cup and Olympic games. After her playing career she transitioned into a role as sporting director at her club Rosengård and since a couple of months she is the first Swedish person ever to hold a sporting director role in top football.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 199 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Jason Ferguson – the Chairman & CEO of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) & Director at the World Snooker Tour.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 198 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Jesse Burke – the Client Marketing Lead at PSI Sports Management. Jesse is a former NCAA Division II baseball Player from Cal State who transitioned into a career in sports management where he now works with marketing and scouting.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 197 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Fabiola Wilcox – The VP of Marketing and Communications at Footballco.

We spoke about:

Fabi's journey through sports

Making a difference

Getting more women in leadership roles

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 196 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Nicola Innocentin – a strategic football executive who's transforming clubs into global icons through vision, innovation & leadership.

Nicola began his career in professional football in Italy and also went on to play in Germany, Scotland and the United States.

During his time as a player in the MLS Nicola was able to attend a course in Marketing and Management at the "University of Boston", an opportunity that allowed him to approach football from a managerial perspective.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 195 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Andy Martson – the Founder and MD of Sports Pundit. Andy started Sports Pundit as a newsletter in 2020 and has developed it into a multifaceted platform encompassing podcasts, events and a community.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 194 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Samuel Hymes – a Harvard fellow and consultant, who has previous experiences from the NHL, Washington commanders and more.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 193 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today I'm honored to have two great guests on the podcast.

Lindsey Eckhouse, the Chief Revenue Officer and Hannah Haynes, Chief Strategy Officer for Mercury 13. Mercury 13 is a multi-club ownership group focused on acquiring controlling stakes in European professional women's football teams.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 192 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest Dr. Erkut Sogut - the Founding partner of Football Agent Institute. He is a sports lawyer, author, lecturer, Keynote speaker and a sports agent with clients like Kieran Gibbs and Mesut Özil. This is the second time I'm honored to have Erkut on the show and this time we discussed what he has been up to since last we spoke in 2022.

Get ready to learn:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 191 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest Jan Wendt – Co-founder & CEO of PLAIER AI.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 190 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest Joe Barth also known as "The Hit Doctor". He is an Hall of Fame Baseball Coach & Hitting Expert with over 50 years of experience, and we spoke about:

The Commercialization of youth sports

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 189 of Sports Management Podcast.

Ben McFadyean is a football journalist, fan activist, translator and writer with a specialization in German football, particularly the Bundesliga, which he has been following since the 1990s.

We spoke about:

And much more!

Notes:

Link to Ben's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XAwg5aC4kcDGPuWH9ulrj

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Welcome to episode 188 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest Dennis Fryer the founder of Hustle Inc. Dennis is a sports business professional with experiences from Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Baltimore Ravens and more before starting his own company Hustle Inc.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 187 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest Mike Buckley - Co-Owner and CEO of the United States SailGP Team

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 186 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest Brandon Tosti – a sports business and entertainment professional for almost 3 decades, Charitable Entrepreneur, speaker, professor and a two-time author. His latest book was just released and it's called: "Bright Lights & Long Nights".

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 185 of Sports Management Podcast.

Diego Hurtado is the founder of the soccer apparel brand Diaza Football.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 184 of Sports Management Podcast.

Katie Hooper is the CEO of the creative brand studio Notorious111. Katie has previously worked for Ralph Lauren and HZ, before becoming part-owner and CEO at Notorious111.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 183 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Kearnan Myall, the Performance Director at GB Snowsport.

Kearnan is a former professional rugby player, who transitioned into the business setting of sport, now focusing on maximizing performance at GB Snowsport. He is also a PHD researcher at Oxford University and his research concerns the application of mindfulness-based interventions to improve depression in elite athletes.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 182 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest is Ben Nichols - a Media Relations Professional with experience from WADA, Formula 1, ATP & the Commonwealth Games Federation. In 2022, Ben started Padel 22, a global padel-dedicated Communications Consultancy. And 2024 he continued to start companies within the padel sector.

We spoke about:

And more!

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Welcome to episode 181 of Sports Management Podcast.

Today's guest us Matt Rizzetta, the founder of North 6th Group. He is also the president of Campobasso Football Club, co-owner Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club and an investor.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 180 of Sports Management Podcast.

James Flude is the Head of Business Development at MatchWornShirts. MatchWornShirt is an international sports engagement platform that enables clubs, rights holders, and charities to maximize their commercial and fundraising potential through the sale of match-worn shirts and other unique items / experiences.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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Welcome to episode 179 of Sports Management Podcast.

Dr. Haley Perlus is a performance coach, professor, public speaker, consultant and an author. Her book is called "Personal Podium" and talks about mindset for success in sport and life.

We spoke about:

And much more!

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