The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about Rory McIlroy’s historic win at the 2025 Masters at Augusta National. Then, they speak with Richard Jefferson about how he made the transition from NBA star forward to ESPN analyst. Jefferson tells the hosts why work ethic is important to him, the lessons he learned from being robbed by his former manager, and why he’s never been more nervous than at the 2004 slam dunk contest with Amar'e Stoudemire.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about two big records: Alex Ovechkin topping Wayne Gretzky’s legendary scoring record in the NHL, and Geno Auriemma’s 12th NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship win as coach at the University of Connecticut. Then, they speak with Jessica Berman about how she has helped revolutionize the National Women’s Soccer League for the last three years as commissioner. Berman tells the hosts why the NWSL decided to get rid of the draft, how she’s making the most of her media rights deal with Amazon, ESPN, CBS, and Scripps ION, and whether she thinks expansion teams are getting too expensive too fast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about Major League Baseball’s opening weekend and the new torpedo bat everyone is talking about. Then, they speak with Tom Garfinkel about the business empire he leads as President and CEO of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium. Garfinkel tells the hosts why his partnership with Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross, is so special, how he was able to negotiate a 10-year deal to bring Formula 1 racing to his stadium, and how his work is impacting the city of Miami. You can also watch our interview with Tom Garfinkel on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page here: https://youtu.be/1CBHTZZ-ZIgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Mike Repole about how he built two beverage empires with Vitamin Water and BodyArmor. Repole tells the hosts why it’s important for him to share equity with everyone at his company, how he worked with huge investors like Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady, and why he thinks it’s important for entrepreneurs to fail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with the New York Yankees’ Assistant General Manager, Jean Afterman. Afterman explains how she helped change the game by helping to introduce Japanese players to the MLB, what she learned from legendary Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, and the advice her mother gave her to start off every negotiation on the strongest foot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Mike McCarley about how he built TMRW Sports and the TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League). McCarley explains the pitch that got legendary golfer Tiger Woods on board, how his team navigated setbacks and delays in launching the league for its inaugural season, and where TGL is already looking to expand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Katlyn Gao about how she founded a whole new women's professional sports league: League One Volleyball. Gao tells the hosts why LOVB chose their six inaugural team markets, how she got investors like Jayson Tatum and Candace Parker on board, and why women’s volleyball is uniquely situated to take off in the United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Johnny Damon about his career highlights with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Damon tells the hosts the surprising reason why he doesn't agree with the Yankees' new facial hair policy, the reason it’s important to really know your teammates if you want to win a World Series, and what he’s learned about running a business since founding A-Game Beverages.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Laura Rutledge about how she built a career as a host for ESPN and the SEC Network. Rutledge tells the hosts about how the new name, image, and likeness rules are affecting when college football players are ready to go pro, how she organizes herself covering football and golf, and what she thought about Tom Brady's turn on the mic calling games.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with Ted Leonsis, founder of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, to discuss how he came to dominate the Washington DC sports scene. Leonsis shares what he learned from the “world’s worst deal” at AOL and how he’s helping the US capital become a “super city” by investing in its teams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.