This episode of Smart Energy Voices features a live conversation exploring the unique sustainability challenges and opportunities within sports and entertainment venues with Bill Squires, Board Member of Green Sports Alliance and Chief Venues and Operation Officer for FIFA Men’s World Cup 2024/New York & New Jersey Host Committee, and Danielle Doza, Senior Director of Sustainability for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The discussion, which was presented at SED Forum Spring 2025, highlights how organizations like GOAL and the Green Sports Alliance are helping sports teams lead with environmental responsibility and use their platform to influence sustainability at scale. Doza shares how the Cavaliers are embedding sustainability into their operations through data-driven energy management, internal culture change, and fan engagement efforts. She emphasizes the importance of shifting mindsets among long-tenured building operators and leveraging the competitive spirit of sports to drive sustainable innovation. Squires reflects on his experience managing large venues like MetLife Stadium, underlining the critical role of ownership buy-in and the financial case for sustainability initiatives.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

Importance of data collection and analysis in the sports industry (05:27)
Doza’s journey to sports sustainability (13:41)
The moral responsibility of sustainability (15:00)
Why ownership buy-in matters for sustainability (16:12)
Cleveland Cavaliers’ sustainability efforts (18:25)
How sports teams engage fans in sustainability efforts (20:22)

For full episode show notes, click here. Connect with Danielle Doza

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