The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly

In this episode of The Deal, Jason Kelly discusses his recent interview with the owners of the Kansas City Chiefs, Clark and Dan Hunt, as well as the burgeoning sports betting industry. Kelly and Alex Rodriguez then interview Carsten Koerl, founder and CEO of Sportradar, about how his sports betting technology company partners with leagues and wagering platforms around the world. Koerl tells the hosts about how Ted Leonsis set him up with all-star investors like Michael Jordan and Mark Cuban, and how integrity in sports is at the center of the work he does.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keith Dawkins, president of the Harlem Globetrotters and Herschend Entertainment Studios, shares his vision for revitalizing the legendary team. He discusses transitioning from a tour-driven model to a media-focused strategy, including a groundbreaking sports residency. Dawkins reflects on the cultural nostalgia surrounding the Globetrotters while emphasizing the importance of digital media and strategic partnerships. He also highlights the challenges of recruitment and the necessity of integrity in building a new generation of Globetrotters.

Join Alex Rodriguez, a former baseball star, and Kevin Burkhardt, a leading Fox Sports play-by-play announcer, as they dive into the vibrant atmosphere of the Paris Olympics and its cultural impact. Burkhardt shares insights on his dual broadcasting role in MLB and NFL, revealing his preparation strategies and thoughts on baseball's evolving landscape. They discuss the importance of mentorship in sports media, the excitement of live sports, and the dynamic challenges faced in engaging younger fans in today's game.

On this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez shares his excitement for attending the Olympics as a fan, reminisces about historic moments of the Games and analyzes their impact on athletes’ careers and brands. The conversation then shifts to Masai Ujiri, founder of Giants of Africa and president of the Toronto Raptors. Ujiri tells Jason Kelly about his journey from scouting talent in Africa to leading social and economic development on the continent through basketball.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cal Ripken Jr.'s impact on baseball and business is front and center as he reflects on his legacy as a role model. The conversation delves into the transformative power of youth engagement in reviving baseball. Ripken shares insights on mentoring and staying true to family values while building business ventures. Advanced metrics and data science's role in modern baseball strategies are discussed, alongside the importance of trusting instincts in business decisions. The evolution of player experiences into impactful youth programs highlights the blend of sports and entrepreneurship.

In this episode of The Deal, Monarch Collective's Jasmine Robinson tells Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly about the business case for investing in women's sports leagues. Jasmine explains how her $150 million fund decided to invest in the NWSL and how she sees future growth opportunities for women's sports. (Corrects to remove reference to the WNBA in first paragraph.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, The Chernin Group's Jesse Jacobs tells Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly about a few of his notable deals, including Barstool Sports, the Professional Lacrosse League and his recent venture in Unrivaled Sports alongside Josh Harris and David Blitzer. Jesse shares his unique approach to business, the impact of digital media on sports and his thoughts on the evolving landscape of college and youth sports markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Deal, entrepreneur Joe Pompliano tells hosts Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly about his rise in the sports media landscape, potential directions for sports valuations and future trends in sports media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Gelman, CEO of Kraft Analytics Group and co-founder of the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, dives into the transformative power of data analytics in sports. She discusses the integration of AI in player evaluation and the balance between analytics and intuition. Gelman also reflects on the legacy of Willie Mays and the Negro League, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and emotional factors in athlete performance. Additionally, she shares insights on enhancing fan engagement and ticket accessibility in college sports.

With all the money pouring into sports these days, big-time investor Marc Lore says he has an additional metric for success: happiness. On the latest episode of The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly, Lore lays out his thinking on some of his deals, including a few with Rodriguez.  Lore and Rodriguez initially tried to buy the New York Mets, a race they ultimately lost to billionaire hedge fund manager Steven Cohen. Then came the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, and the pair jumped. There’s currently a lot of happiness in Minnesota about the Timberwolves’ performance, given their initial success in the NBA playoffs. The 52-year-old Lore made his fortune as an entrepreneur through a series of startups, including Diapers.com and Jet.com, which he and his partners sold to Amazon and Walmart, respectively. Those experiences pushed him toward a near-obsession with company culture and mission. He’s created a framework he dubs VCP—which stands for “vision, capital and people.” The capital in Lore’s equation has come quickly and seemingly easily. Diapers was sold to Amazon for more than $500 million and Jet.com was acquired by Walmart for about $3.3 billion. Yet, Lore insists the drive was about more than the cash, a lesson he learned with the Diapers deal. “After the money was wired to our bank account, we sort of said, ‘We should be celebrating right now,’” Lore says. “And we’re like, depressed. And it just goes to show you, it wasn’t about the money. Like the mission that we had set out was kind of crushed with the sale to Amazon.” You can also watch The Deal on Bloomberg Originals, YouTube or Bloomberg TV.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.