Gain exclusive insight into the professional and personal worlds of high-level executives in sports and entertainment as we host top decision-makers in the industry to discuss emerging topics, their business, careers, and personal life stories. From collegiate conference commissioners to professional sports team executives and owners, to CMOs and leading marketers at global brands, Navigating Sports Business takes listeners inside the lives of key people making a major impact on the sports a ...
…
continue reading
Jeehae Lee – Founder & CEO of Sportsbox AI – on how leveraging the world's largest database of golf swing data unlocks new techniques for training and improving anyone's golf game. Her team can even predict how Bryson DeChambeau is going to play on a given day, using the data from hundreds of his warm up swings. Listen to the full episode here: htt…
…
continue reading
For our 100th episode, we invited back one of our very first guests for an update on the conversation that he and AJ had in 2020. Greg Sankey - Commissioner of the SEC - discusses what it's been like to lead his conference through arguably the most unpredictable era of college athletics. He shares his vision for the future, and how he's setting out…
…
continue reading
Andrea Hopelain – GM & SVP of Publishing at EA SPORTS – on the groundbreaking NIL deal that led to the return of EA's College Football title after more than a decade. She explains their motivations behind bringing the game back, and how they were able to work with student-athletes to create the ultimate college football experience for fans. Listen …
…
continue reading
Rob Mullens - Athletic Director at Oregon - discusses the move to the Big Ten, and the creative risks that have turned Oregon athletics into a national brand over the past 20+ years. He also discusses the importance that Phil Knight has had to not just the program, but the university as a whole. If you missed our Phil Knight interview, you can list…
…
continue reading
"It's a matter of when, not if." Ryan Engle – Founder and CEO of GOLF+ – explains why he's still bullish on VR, once headsets are able to make the critical shift from toy to tool. Improvements in battery life and comfortability will play a role, along with additional use-cases and applications like GOLF+. Listen to the full episode here: https://nv…
…
continue reading
Jeehae Lee - Founder & CEO of Sportsbox AI - talks about her background as an LGPA professional, and how Sportsbox is using the largest database of golf swing data ever collected, to revolutionize how players like Bryson Dechambeau are able to train. Details: 4:30 - Jeehae’s career as a collegiate and LPGA golfer 10:15 - The evolution of golf train…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Highlight: Jeff Longo & Patrick Stack - Sports Biz Careers
1:35
1:35
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:35
Jeff Longo & Patrick Stack – Co-Founders of Sports Biz Careers – on the impact that SBC has had on 2,500+ high school and college students in the first five years of operation. They talk about growing the nonprofit organically, and how they were able to pivot as they went. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd…
…
continue reading
Andrea Hopelain - GM & SVP of Publishing at EA SPORTS - joins the show two days before the official release of EA College Football 25. She talks about the excitement surrounding the game, and everything her team is doing to maximize this moment. She also talks about EA's ability to manage complicated rights conversations, whether that's the $600 ba…
…
continue reading
Bob Thurman – Global VP, WIlson R&D & GM, Global Golf at Wilson – on what it means to work in the Wilson Innovation Center, creating exciting products for the world's top athletes. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=8e485144916bab88aa8154639c00f3d8 For more insights, visit o…
…
continue reading
Ryan Engle - Founder and CEO of GOLF+ - on how his app is lowering the barriers to entry for golfers around the world. The VR golf game has grown from a putting simulator to a full 18 hole experience, and has partnerships with the PGA TOUR and Topgolf. 54% of users are non-golfers, and the average user is a decade younger than the average golfer. R…
…
continue reading
J.J. Gottsch – CEO of the Austin Gamblers – explains how the Gamblers were able to cultivate a team mentality in a sport that has traditionally been an individual competition. They debated bringing in a legendary coach like Mike Krzyzewski or Mike Tomlin, before ultimately deciding to bring in leaders from the Navy SEALs to train their riders to wo…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
95. Jeff Longo & Patrick Stack - Sports Biz Careers
34:41
34:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:41
Jeff Longo & Patrick Stack - Co-Founders of Sports Biz Careers - share the story of how they launched their non-profit five years ago, with the mission of changing the lives of underrepresented high school and college students through the sports business. So far, they have directly supported over 2,500 students, with the support of more than 1,000 …
…
continue reading
Rich Franklin – VP of ONE Championship – on his transition from elite MMA fighter to executive, and how his mindset as an athlete has helped him succeed. His current role involves working with sports commissions to pave the way for ONE to host events in those locations. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dc…
…
continue reading
Bob Thurman - Global VP, WIlson R&D & GM, Global Golf at Wilson - shares the process behind designing and producing high-quality sporting goods, from the classics to the ground-breaking new technologies. He gives our listeners a behind-the-scenes tour of Wilson's famous Innovation Center, including the file cabinet that contains the specs for perso…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Highlight: Mike Buckley - United States SailGP Team
2:02
2:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:02
Mike Buckley – Co-Owner & CEO of the United States SailGP Team – shares his excitement upcoming New York Sail Grand Prix, now less than a month away. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=bd72917e7532c2539a4ce4e7783f67b5 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more …
…
continue reading
J.J. Gottsch - CEO of the Austin Gamblers - explains how he transitioned to running a Professional Bull Riders team after more than two and a half decades working in baseball. The team-based model of PBR aligns more closely with other professional sports, so that new fans feel a familiar atmosphere despite many being previously unacquainted with bu…
…
continue reading
"We have the largest video and stats database in sports ever created." Sameer Ahuja – President of GameChanger and SVP at DICK’S Sporting Goods – reveals plans for new video-based AI features that will allow fans and coaches to film games and have stats and data be automatically recorded. He and Jeff Nelson also discuss the benefits of building thi…
…
continue reading
Rich Franklin - VP of ONE Championship - describes his transition from elite MMA fighter to executive at Asia's largest sports property, and his role in ONE's expansion into the U.S. A lot has changed since we published our interview ONE Founder Chatri Sityodtong, including their debut U.S. event last May. An important part of Rich's role is workin…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Highlight: Jen Spicher - Pro Volleyball Federation
1:46
1:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:46
Jen Spicher – CEO of Pro Volleyball Federation - on "converting the unconverted" and looking to attract new fans to the league. She also explains their strategy on expansion, aiming for 10 teams in 2025, and as many as 20 by 2026. She says that she has conversations every day with someone interested in putting a franchise in a new market. Listen to…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
91. Mike Buckley - United States SailGP Team
19:51
19:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:51
Mike Buckley - Co-Owner & CEO of the United States SailGP Team - shares his excitement around the sport of sailing and the upcoming New York Sail Grand Prix. As both an executive and a champion sailor himself, Mike has a unique perspective not shared by many other owners of professional teams. His fellow investors in the U.S. team include include b…
…
continue reading
Meredith Batcheller – Head of Global Sports Marketing at Adobe – explains the tech integration behind their partnership with Major League Baseball. Using Adobe's technology, MLB is able to create customized messaging for fans entering ballparks. The partnership allows Adobe's marketing team to reach MLB's evolving fanbase. Listen to the full episod…
…
continue reading
Sameer Ahuja - President of GameChanger and SVP at DICK'S Sporting Goods - leads the largest youth sports video streaming platform in the country. More hours are streamed in a single year on GameChanger than have been played in the entire history of Major League Baseball. As youth sports continues to become more sophisticated, GameChanger exists to…
…
continue reading
Navigate's EVP of Consulting, Anne Ristau, discusses the role of private equity in sports, both at the professional and collegiate level. She and Jeff Nelson emphasize the importance of innovation and increased capital as property valuations soar, while maintaining a focus on what's best for the fans. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.c…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
89. Jen Spicher - Pro Volleyball Federation
25:43
25:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:43
Jen Spicher - CEO of Pro Volleyball Federation - discusses the league's rapid ascent to national prominence, as well as the general rise of women's volleyball. She and Anne Ristau also explore the work that Navigate did with Pro Volleyball Federation to help secure their media rights deal with CBS Sports. Details: 1:35 - Jen's background as a stude…
…
continue reading
Matthew Holt – President of U.S. Integrity – shares the story of a boxing manager who is being investigated for placing a massive wager on his own client. He explains how U.S. Integrity monitors nefarious activity in sports betting. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=26b5af5…
…
continue reading