The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly
Bloomberg
When sports, business and culture collide, there’s often a deal to be made. Join Alex Rodriguez and Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly as they get the inside track from corporate titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs on investing, strategy, reinvention and the ones that got away. The Deal is a Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals series that’s passionate, relaxed, insightful and inspirational. If you think you know these icons, prepare to be surprised.
Hosts:
Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball.
Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.
Hosts:
Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball.
Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 6, 2025 • 26min
Why Willow Bay Invested in Angel City FC
Willow Bay, the Dean of USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and controlling owner of Angel City FC, shares her journey into sports ownership. She highlights how her role has shaped conversations on community impact and equity in women's sports. Reflecting on her time with "NBA Inside Stuff," she discusses the cultural shift in sports media. Bay dives into her commitment to social responsibility with Angel City, including investing in players and community programs while advocating for diverse representation in ownership roles.
Nov 4, 2025 • 21min
Reaction: Best World Series Ever? Plus, the "Alex vs. A-Rod" Premiere
In this special bonus episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly hop on the mic to talk about the thrilling seven-game World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. They discuss why it was the best World Series Rodriguez has ever seen, how Dodgers owner Mark Walter's vision and checkbook have fueled the team, and why they see potential for a Dodgers three-peat next year. The hosts also talk about the premiere of the new HBO documentary series, "Alex vs. A-Rod," and the lessons Rodriguez hopes younger athletes learn from his mistakes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 30, 2025 • 49min
Why Emmanuel Acho Left the NFL to Create a New Kind of Platform
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk to the former football player and award-winning producer Emmanuel Acho about why he rejected the NFL and rebranded as a media influencer. In this conversation, they discuss the business of the NFL, why Acho’s “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man” video series became a viral success and how he’s revitalizing sports media with his new show “Speakeasy.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 23, 2025 • 50min
How Jerry Jones Turned the Cowboys Into a Global Brand
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk to Dallas Cowboys owner, President & General Manager Jerry Jones about how he turned “America’s Team” into a global brand. In this conversation, they discuss the risks Jones took to redefine the role of National Football League teams, how he faces criticism and the high-stakes deals that have shaped his legacy, including the controversial trade of Micah Parson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
15 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 48min
How Barstool's Ex-CEO Built a Brand Amid Controversy
Erika Ayers Badan, former CEO of Barstool Sports and current CEO of Food52, discusses her journey through controversial media landscapes. She shares insights on leading Barstool through rapid growth while embracing its challenges. Erika reflects on talent management, reframing departures as graduations, and her approach to fostering a high-output culture. She also dives into her transition to Food52, focusing on its unique market opportunities and vision for empowering women in business. Embracing failure and taking risks is her mantra for success.
10 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 25min
How NFL Legend Justin Tuck Tackled Goldman Sachs
Join two-time Super Bowl champion Justin Tuck as he shares his journey from the NFL to Goldman Sachs. Tuck discusses the unique pressures of being a pro athlete in NYC, his proactive networking approach, and how leadership skills translate from sports to finance. He dives into the impact of private equity on team ownership and the evolving landscape of college sports through NIL and transfers. Tuck encourages fans to remain hopeful about the Giants while reflecting on the growth of sports valuations and investment opportunities.
Oct 2, 2025 • 48min
How Peloton’s Robin Arzón Built a Successful Brand
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with entrepreneur and Peloton head instructor Robin Arzón about how she built her own brand while also growing Peloton’s. In this conversation, Arzón tells the hosts why she decided to leave her law career to dive into the world of fitness, how she decides which deals to pursue as one of the top fitness influencers and why she thinks it’s important to treat every day like she’s re-auditioning for her job. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 25, 2025 • 36min
The Ultimate NIL Primer with College Sports Company’s Adam Breneman
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly speak with Adam Breneman, founder of The College Sports Company, about the huge amount of money flowing into the business of college football. Breneman tells the hosts all about the new rules around revenue sharing and name, image, and likeness deals in college sports, how student athletes are stepping up to earn their big paydays, and why the future of this lucrative business requires the players to be at the negotiating table. You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 18, 2025 • 38min
The Business of Baseball with Orioles President Catie Griggs
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez tells Jason Kelly about his experience watching his Minnesota Lynx during the first round of the WNBA playoffs. Then, they speak with Catie Griggs about how she thinks about the business of baseball as President of Business Operations of the Baltimore Orioles. Griggs – who, like Alex, did a stint with the Seattle Mariners – tells the hosts what she thinks her team and Commissioner Rob Manfred need to do to continue to grow the MLB as a league, why she sees the city’s urban center and the team’s legendary history as strategic assets, and what she’s learned by working with Orioles owners David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti. You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 11, 2025 • 30min
How Jozy Altidore Moved from MLS Star to NFL Owner
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly speak with Jozy Altidore about his transition from legendary soccer player to entrepreneur and investor. Altidore tells the hosts why he loved FIFA’s Club World Cup this year and what he’s looking forward to at the FIFA World Cup next year, how he leveraged his own World Cup experience to develop his brand, and why he’s excited about his recent investments in the Buffalo Bills and TMRW Golf League. You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
