Alfonso Diaz, CEO of Real Mallorca, discusses the club's resurgence in La Liga after facing relegation, the role of engaged ownership including NBA legends Steve Nash and Steve Kerr, the revamping of the stadium for a unique fan experience, strategies for expanding the international fan base, and the team's run to the Coppa del Rey final while exploring sponsorship opportunities and football analysis.

This week I’m delighted to welcome Paul McVeigh to the show. We spend a lot of time looking at sports away from performance reviews. When we focus on players or athletes, we want to know, who are the people and personalities behind the faces we become so familiar with, and how do they convert what they've learnt beyond sport? Footballers as intelligent, creative, innovative individuals is not something normally considered. We have a picture painted of what a player is like and the stereotype has stuck. This has changed slightly over the years, but the fact remains, understanding their value and opportunity to influence outside of the sport is often overlooked. Paul McVeigh has played a major role in shifting this perception. With over 300 appearances for top teams like Tottenham and Norwich and a full international for Northern Ireland, he has played at the highest level possible in the game. But then we add this. An early adopter is sports psychology before it became commonplace. A passion for business away from the field. A masters in sports psychology. Keynote speaker to Microsoft, Deutsche Bank, Allianz and many more. How has he achieved this? Why did he decide to go down this path? What is it about Paul that these companies see as so valuable? This is a conversation that more than validates the title of Paul’s book and his firm belief; ‘the stupid footballer is dead’.  On today’s show, we discuss: Treading your own path: How moving from Northern Ireland to London opened Paul’s eyes to the multi-faceted football industry. Redefining his first contract from Tottenham owner Alan Sugar and the fight to retain focus on achieving your goals when money and notoriety interferes. The confidence to try new things is intimidating for many; people don’t like change. How a yoga mat created a stir in the Norwich City dressing room. The impact of reading Tony Robbins book set Paul on the path to exploring the importance of sports psychology in a time where physical performance ruled above all. Work on your mind! Psychology is the most important part of a professional sportsperson’s career. Work on it as much if not more than you do your technique or physique! Learn, unlearn, relearn: stages of your career require different skills to succeed. Winning a professional contract won’t be the same as becoming one of the best players in the Premier League. ‘Football is the most ruthless industry in the world’. What does Paul mean by this? What makes the sport so unforgiving? Be an innovator, don’t be a sheep. Change is what drives success in many top organisations, but the majority fear new habits and environments they’re not familiar with. Value away from the pitch Paul’s career as a keynote speaker to some of the world’s biggest companies has been a huge success. How did he discover this was something he could make a living from? ‘The Stupid Footballer is Dead’ is the title of Paul’s book. Footballers are stereotyped based on cultural assumptions on their interests and personalities. Why is it important to change this narrative? Performance, leadership, teamwork; the three most valuable aspects of a footballer that translate effortlessly into great business people. How socio-economic factors have reduced opportunities for footballers to build careers in ways rugby and cricket players have managed to. Do you want to know how Premier League teams build world class environments? Check out Paul's 'Teamwork Masterclass' https://teamworkmasterclass.carrd.co/ We are delighted to partner with Tyndall Investment Management for this show. To learn more about Tyndall and their incredible work in the wealth management sector, please visit https://tyndallim.co.uk/  

Jonathan Turner, Board member at Tottenham Hotspur, discusses the balance between business strategy and on-field performance in the boardroom. Topics include the impact of the new stadium, community work, Daniel Levy's business acumen, global branding, and the pressures of the Premier League's international reach.

This week, we are delighted to welcome Matt Higgins to the show. Concisely explaining Matt’s career is a challenge. In the world of sport, he has been a managing executive at the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins in the NFL, founder of sports events and media company Relevent Sports, an early investor in the Drone Racing League.  In the business world, the story is equally impressive. The youngest press secretary in New York City history, founder of investment first RSE Ventures, one of the sharks on US TV’s ‘Shark Tank’, Wall Street Journal Bestselling author for his recent book ‘Burn the Boats’.  You know on this show that we like to explore what fuels the sports industry through the perspectives of those that live it behind the scenes every day. Matt brings all of that and some, often accompanied by timely anecdotes, alongside the perspective of someone who has lived a life outside of sport.  In today’s show we discuss: Career in the NFL: Matt held the position of Executive Vice President at the New York Jets and Vice Chairman of the Miami Dolphins. What did these jobs involve? Key revenue streams in NFL franchises - from tickets, to suites, to sponsorships, how do the behind the scenes team maximise the commercial performance of major sports organisations? The importance of adopting new technology and innovative strategy as a sport and an independent franchise. Building and funding the MetLife stadium in New York; from financing to naming rights deals and everything in between.  Big money and sport Investment in sport from private equity, nation states, high net worth individuals has been on the rise in recent years. Why? Is private equity good for sport? The importance of retaining control and governance as investment is received. More money is good; less control is not. The importance of having people who have been operators before running the business of a sports entity. You can’t learn it from a spreadsheet. Why every franchise or team should have their own fund/financing vehicle. Owning a sports asset provides next level access to deals and the opportunity to become early adopters. A career alongside sports management Setting up investment fund RSE Ventures and investing in/founding organisations like Relevent Sports and Drone Racing League  Owning a stake in a pickleball team alongside LeBron James and the opportunity presented by new sports to disrupt the existing ecosystem  Matt’s attempt to purchase Formula One was eventually unsuccessful when Liberty Media purchased the company. What did he see in the opportunity? Bringing the biggest teams in Europe to the US through the creation of the International Champions Cup. Matt's book 'Burn the Boats' is an amazing read. We highly recommend checking it out here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Burn-Boats-Overboard-Unleash-Potential/dp/006308886X We are delighted to partner with Tyndall Investment Management for this show. To learn more about Tyndall and their incredible work in the wealth management sector, please visit https://tyndallim.co.uk/  

It’s the start of Euro 2024 this week. To celebrate, we are bringing you one of the stories of the tournament, before it’s even started. Georgia made history early in the year when they qualified for their first ever major tournament, an occasion which saw much of the population on the streets celebrating this longed for achievement. The team put together behind the scenes played a key role in achieving this.  David Webb, an Englishman without international coaching experience but with over 20 years working in football, was brought in by manager Willy Sagnol to be his assistant. A truly unique approach to football and sports psychology, his qualities offered an increasingly valuable opportunity to maximise performance on and off the pitch. This isn’t a show focused on franchise values and wage budgets. It’s a different ‘business’ of sport. From the individual perspective, it’s how you can go from scout to sporting director to manager to international football. From a broader perspective, it’s the impact of sport on a nation, what it means to wear the national badge, and how you prepare for a major tournament. In today’s show: Georgia & Euro 2024: How did David come to be the assistant manager of Georgia, helping them qualify for their first ever major international tournament? What does this achievement means to the population and country as a whole? The importance of manager Willy Sagnol and what the management team have implemented to get the best out of the playing squad. A recap of that incredible night in Tbilisi when qualification was confirmed; occasions that only sport can create. What is success to Georgia and the coaching staff in this tournament? You don’t want to wait so long to get there only to underperform when the time arrives! Strong mentality and importance of psychology: To David, the best performers have more than great talent on the field. What is the role of a strong and collective mindset in creating winning teams? Georgia’s values that every player must buy into; learnings from the All Blacks. Why sports psychology is so important in today’s teams, and how it can be harnessed and applied to push further than a group may think possible. Uncovering young talent in the national set-up is different to club football. The players at your disposal offers the chance to curate the best team and mix of individuals without going to a board and requesting transfer funds. A mix of experience and youth will give you the perfect dynamics to build from, but be careful not to go too far one way. David’s unique career: From scouting days at Crystal Palace and uncovering Wilfried Zaha, to taking the job with Georgia.  Time spent at Bayer Leverkusen and demonstrating his uncommon (British) approach to talent identification. What are the most important things to look for in young players? Working with managers like Eddie Howe and Mauricio Pochettino. What makes the top managers special and how do their styles differ to get the best out of their squads? The importance of enjoying the moment and taking it one step at a time. Being described as Neurodiverse and coming to terms with the possibility that the culture with which you operate in may not be the one that appreciates your qualities as they should.  We are delighted to partner with Tyndall Investment Management for this show. To learn more about Tyndall and their incredible work in the wealth management sector, please visit https://tyndallim.co.uk/

This week we welcome Spurs defender Ben Davies to the show. One of the Premier League’s most experienced current players with nearly 300 top flight appearances for Tottenham and Swansea, he has also won 86 caps for Wales. But there is much more to Ben than just the footballer. We couldn’t go through this chat without getting the inside track on his 10 years at Spurs and winning trophies with his boyhood club Swansea. However, alongside this, it’s a wider conversation on the current footballing landscape.  The finances of a footballer and how they’re reported, his perspective on VAR, working with Pochettino, Mourinho, Conte, Rodgers, and the impact to a team of losing big players like Harry Kane, it’s a current players open and honest perspective of the business of football.  Footballers often get a bad rep. If you want to see the other side of what players are like, listen to this. On today's show we discuss: Managers and leadership: Pochettino, Conte, Mourinho - what are the traits that make the best managers special and what resonated most with Ben? How do dressing rooms respond to managerial change? Can you afford to get attached to circumstance and personnel when things can change overnight? The importance of experience in a dressing room to demonstrate the consistency and best practice required to succeed at the top level. The value of having something to focus on outside of football makes you a better player and teammate. The perspective of the player: What's it like to be transferred? How the process unfolds and how involved are players in the decision making? VAR - what do players think of it? A valuable correction tool or passion killer on and off the pitch?  Management structures in clubs and the roles of directors of football, chief executives, and heads of recruitment. The importance of a trustworthy and capable inner circle.  Increasing exposure: Media pressure and the expectations on moderns footballers to meet preconceived expectations. Does this social media world help or hinder players? The creation of new opportunity can also lead to a refocusing of time away from the pitch? Amazon All or Nothing: what did the Spurs dressing room think of having the cameras on them 24/7? How the demands of a professional still leave you with time to focus on other interests leading to Ben’s opportunity for academic success. We are delighted to partner with Tyndall Investment Management for this show. To learn more about Tyndall and their incredible work in the wealth management sector, please visit https://tyndallim.co.uk/  

Robbie Douek is CEO of Blast, one of the leading tournament providers in the ever present esports industry. I’m really excited to bring you this show. We have had more requests for an esports episode than any other over the past few months, and this industry is the epitome of modern entertainment meets traditional fandom.  Blast hosts events in some of the most popular games, like Counter-Strike and Dota, bringing incredible live production to fans all over the world.  The gaming industry is now worth over $200bn, and that number will only get bigger. This conversation focuses on what is driving this development, how it learns from traditional sport, but also importantly, what makes it different, and how the traditional industries of sport, music, entertainment can benefit from the reach and success of gaming today. This week, we discuss: Esports vs Gaming Gaming is the entire ecosystem; esports is the competitive end of the industry. What is the difference? Categorising esports: does it matter whether we think of esports as a sport or alternative entertainment? What do games publishers use the esports industry to achieve? How do companies like Blast drive value for them to promote their games and generate fandom? The esports industry is a long way off being the 'Super Bowl', but this is what it should aspire to be and seek to acheive.  Crossover industries Gaming and esports have driven huge engagement with some of the most valuable demographics to traditional brands, sports rightsholders, movie studios etc The traditional entertainment industry can recognise real value from working with the gaming industry. What is being done to realise this? How esports tournaments are the most incredible showcases of proper fandom similar to what you’d expect in a sports stadium. Blast x Alpine F1 - an example of how you drive value for businesses looking to reach new audiences. Development of the industry  Esports as a bubble was a popular phrase for those not confident in the longevity of the industry. Is this fair? Covid was great for eyeballs but bad for brand development in the industry. The successes are built on experiential opportunity. The changing investment landscape: how we are no longer likely to see huge sums spent on franchise slots, but does that mean an end to esports investment?

Today, we are delighted to welcome rugby union legend Sam Warburton to the show. At 22, Sam was made captain of Wales, becoming the 3rd youngest captain in their history. He oversaw one of the most successful periods in Welsh rugby, winning the 6 Nations twice including a historic Grand Slam in 2012, while also guiding them to a World Cup semi-final in 2011.  He also became the youngest captain of the British and Irish Lions for their 2013 tour of Australia, delivering a first series win since 1997. When named captain for the tour of New Zealand four years later, he became only the second person after Martin Johnson to lead the side on two tours. Sam retired at 29, having been blighted by injuries resulting from a relentless style of play. A career in the media, alongside a number of business ventures has followed, but the values he stood for on the pitch and the mentality adopted to succeed are the epitome of the transferable values athletes bring away from performance. We discuss: The making of leaders: Leadership comes in many forms. What is Sam’s experience of captaincy and the importance of a tailored approach? A reluctant leader? There were players with 100 caps and 10 years more experience, but Warren Gatland made a 22 years old flanker his captain. Why? How success can depend on the people you surround yourself with.  What were the tactics Sam used to get the best out of his players. It is not a one size fits all approach; you need to have different strategies for different personalities. The honour of being captain of your country and The Lions and how that influenced how Sam played his game. The value of perspective. Realising what is important and when to contextualise what happens in sport.  Wales & The Lions: Grand Slams, World Cups, two British & Irish Lions tours, Sam was a staple on rugby’s biggest stages. What were these occasions like to play in? The success Wales achieved under his leadership is well documented. How was that curated from boardroom to dressing room?  Sam’s infamous semi-final red card in the 2011 World Cup and the fear it would be his ‘Beckham moment’, but the reality was very different! The Lions was the pinnacle. What did it mean to pull on that number 7 jersey for the first time? How the physical demands of international rugby meant he had to adapt his approach to playing for Cardiff Blues. The wider rugby landscape: The success of international rugby carries the game. We need to find a way to elevate the importance of the club competitions. How? Would promotion and relegation be good for The Six Nations? What are the arguments for and against this initiative? The pressures of playing sport in the era of social media bring a different set of challenges. You need to block out the noise and focus on your game, not what people are saying about you.  Why Owen Farrell moving to France is a good thing for his game. Welsh rugby is the pride of the country, and the system needs to reflect that in the quality of its product. What would Sam do to elevate the game in Wales?  For this episode, we are delighted to partner with SeatUnique, the ultimate destination for elevating live events into unforgettable experiences.  Visit seatunique.com to discover some of the incredible packages they have to offer across some of the biggest sport, media and entertainment events.

This week's show is a very special one, as we welcome Lina Nielsen to the Business of Sport. Lina is a 400m hurdler for Great Britain. She was recently a member of the bronze winning relay team in the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, alongside her sister, and is about to compete in a series of qualifiers to reach this summer's Olympic Games in Paris.  But there is a unique addition to Lina’s story that shone a light on her career in 2022. At the World Championships in Oregon, she announced he has been living with multiple sclerosis since she was 17. Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition that affects the brain and nervous system. Symptoms include double vision, muscle weakness and loss of sensation and coordination. The condition affects everyone in different ways.  The fact she pushed through a relapse (when someone with MS experiences a flare up of symptoms) to participate in Oregon is an amazing story in itself. To be one step away from competing in the Olympics is another.  For many reasons this is a special interview, and a unique spin on ‘The Business of Sport’. MS is something that has impacted mine and Harry’s life. Our mother was diagnosed with the illness 15 years ago. It is something we are hugely passionate about supporting and spreading the word on, so it is a real pleasure to welcome Lina Nielsen to the show. We discuss: Elite competition: What does the day in the life of an elite athlete look like? What are the priorities and key focuses essential to high performance? Qualifying for an Olympics - what does the road to Paris involve and how much competition is there for places on the team? Small margins are the difference between success and failure. New qualifying times have made it harder than ever to make it. Financing a career in the sport. Funding is hard to come by; the importance of brand partnerships to ensure you can commit to a full time career. MS diagnosis and Athletics: Announcing to the world that Lina had MS was not an easy decision. Why did she decide the 2022 World Championships was the time to tell her story? How does multiple sclerosis impact the body and what challenges does it present to someone trying to make it in professional sport. The mental hurdles to overcome once the news was out in the open. Why did Lina fear critique and backlash from the community because of her achievements? When you have a story like this, your profile changes. How to deal with a new attention from the public and fellow athletes while still focusing on your performance.  Role of the Athlete There is social responsibility that extends beyond performance in today’s society. Athletes have the ability to influence and inspire. The role social media can play in reaching fans, giving them access to your story, and bringing them into your world, offers endless opportunity. How being a figurehead or leader for something can be intimidating, but at the same time it can empower you with the support of an entire community. This show is brought to you by MS-UK, the charity supporting all those affected by multiple sclerosis. Visit https://ms-uk.org/ to find out more about their amazing work within the MS community. 

This week, we are delighted to welcome Nico Rosberg to the show. Nico is a Formula One legend. He competed in 206 Grand Prix’s, with 23 wins, 30 pole’s, 57 podiums, and over 1500 championship points. Nico’s World Championship win when driving alongside childhood friend Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes is one of the most iconic in the history of the sport, and saw him follow in the footsteps of his father Keke, who won the championship in 1982. It was in the days after this win that Nico announced his shock retirement, putting new meaning into finishing on the highest of highs. But that wasn’t the end. A serial angel investor and entrepreneur, Nico last week announced Rosberg Ventures, his new $75m Fund of Funds, a vehicle aimed at investing in leading funds to foster global startup innovation. Whether we’re talking about sport or business, this conversation is the perfect demonstration of how a career at the top end of one industry can translate into significant value in another. As you will hear, the margins that separate success and failure in this sport are impossibly small. Dedication and sacrifice are non-negotiables if you want to achieve. This is the same in business. He brings a truly unique perspective to the role of an athlete. This is sport, investment, leadership, culture, winning mentality. There is something in this for everyone. In today’s show we discuss: The world of F1: Growing up with a World Champion. How the success of his father Keke inspired a young Nico to become a Formula 1 World Champion. What does it take to make it in F1? The karting scene for young drivers is very intense, and requires a lot of time away from friends, family and school. Funding his own career in racing and the cost of participation to reach the top of the sport. What happened the first time Nico drove an F1 car? How important is the car to the success of a driver? What is it like to be driving for the team that is dominating a season and operating in an environment of invincibility?  The challenge of creating equal opportunity in a team of two world class drivers. At the end of the day there will always be one who gets preferential treatment. Why did Nico retire immediately after winning the 2016 championship? Mentality is key: How to master the 1%’s. From constructing a fitness regime to optimally manage the best physique, to the weight of paint on a hemet, what do drivers do to get an edge? Failure is really important. Missing out on pole, podiums, race wins that spurs you on to greater success and achievement. The people around you can help create the most prepared mind, and sport is now embracing the presence of individuals specifically targeted with developing the ultimate mindset to live with pressure.  What happens when you achieve your ultimate dream? Learning how to enjoy the highs and manage the lows to build the strongest mentality required.  How is the mentality of the athlete similar to the mentality of the businessperson, and what can be learnt from each other? Business success born from sport: There are so many traits that translate from professional sport into the world of business. What are the key contributions of an athlete in an outside industry? How has Nico built a career away from the race track in investment, entrepreneurship, and wider business? What are things that inspire him? The launch of Rosberg Ventures $75m fund of funds and the ambitions Nico has for building bridges between corporate Europe and leading global startups.  Learning a new language; the work required to get into a new industry is not to be taken lightly. What was Nico’s transition like from athlete to businessman?  Today’s show is brought to you by SeatUnique, the ultimate destination for elevating live events into unforgettable experiences. Visit seatunique.com to discover some of the incredible packages they have to offer across some of the biggest sport, media and entertainment events.