This week, we’re delighted to welcome Marcos Galperin to the show. Marcos is the founder of Latin American e-commerce giant Mercado Libre. Last year, he bought the Miami Sharks, a Major League Rugby expansion franchise, combining a lifelong passion for the game with asset ownership in a high potential league and market. There are some crazy numbers in the world of sports valuations, and the opportunity to identify value where it is not yet maximised is becoming increasingly hard. Can rugby make it in the US? Hosting the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup is a huge opportunity to build community and engagement in the sport, but a strong domestic league needs to underpin the temporary arrival of a major tournament, and that is what Marcos is looking to help create in Miami.  Understanding the motivations of owners is crucial to helping fans establish a deep relationship with their teams. This is the story of why one of the tech industry's best entrepreneurs went all in on franchise rugby.  In today’s show we discuss: Rugby in the US: Why the 2031 Rugby World Cup taking place in the US is a huge opportunity to build a strong community required to sustain attention on the game. Major League Rugby is an emerging league with increasing potential to challenge more established sporting organisations in the country; what needs to happen to grow the league? What are the key revenue drivers behind teams in the league? Does the league negotiate and broker deals or do franchises have the opportunity to do so at a local level? Miami Sharks has a strong South American following and community. Who are their fans? What do they want to see when they go to games? Running a franchise: What is the cost of entry to buy an expansion franchise in Major League Rugby? Sports ownership can often be an ego play rather than financially driven business endeavour. What was the motivation behind Marcos purchasing the team? It is crucial to form an identity to be able to take out to market and sell to partners looking to work with you. How have Miami done this to build a roster of sponsors many MLS and NFL teams would covet? How important has it been to have the right people in place behind the scenes to execute the vision of the ownership? MLR has a salary cap to ensure overspending and subsequent financial mismanagement can’t happen. Is this good or bad? The global profile of rugby: Why the need for a global league aligned to the international calendar has never been greater. There are not many global stars in rugby, and rugby clubs need to encourage their players to build and leverage their brand to boost the sport as well as the wider ecosystem. Riding the Miami wave; how the growth of Inter Miami and the ‘Messi effect’ has created a buzz in the area to take advantage of.  The social value of rugby is huge! Why Marcos thinks his time playing the game was more valuable than his traditional education in preparing him for life in the business world.  What would Marcos do if he was in charge of World Rugby?

This week, we are delighted to welcome Alexis Ohanian. Alexis has become a prolific sports asset owner and investor, with controlling stakes in the NWSL’s Angel City, TGL franchise Los Angeles Golf Club, and new athletics venture Athlos. Alongside his involvement in sport, Alexis is the Founder and General Partner of 776, an early stage venture capital firm with $970m AUM. He is also one of the co-founders of Reddit. You add all that together and apply it to sport, the outcome is pretty special. Married to tennis legend Serene Williams, they have been huge advocates for the development of women’s sport. His belief is simple. Women’s sport hasn’t scratched the surface of its potential as an entertainment product, investment opportunity, or social needle mover. Great investors take advantage of untapped value. To do this while elevating the profile of an entire industry is pretty special.  On today’s show we discuss: 1. $31M in Revenue: The P&L of a Sports Team: What are the core revenue drivers for Angel City Football Team? How did Alexis convince Doordash to write the largest-ever brand sponsorship check to have the Doordash name on the Angel City shirt? How much money does Angel City make from ticket sales per year? What does the revenue from merchandise look like for Angel City? How has it changed with time? 2. How to Spend $31M Annually To Run a Team: What are the single biggest costs in running a sports team? Does Alexis believe that salary caps are good or bad for leagues? How much money is spent by clubs on content and software today? How should that change? Sports team optimised to be media companies; how to build the profile of your atheletes away from the pitch. 3. More Cash in Sports Than Ever: Prices for teams are at an all-time high. Are we in a bubble for sports assets? What remains under-priced and what is over-priced today? What are the pros and cons of private equity entering sports ownership in a meaningful way? Who is the worst sports team owner who despite his mismanagement, still made billions?

Brett Johnson, co-owner of Ipswich, Rhode Island FC, and Phoenix Rising, has made significant strides in U.S. football. He discusses the importance of developing soccer franchises beyond the MLS, addressing the financial pressures of attracting young talent. Brett reveals his journey with Phoenix Rising, including the successful acquisition of Didier Drogba and the creation of a new stadium. He also touches on the evolving landscape of U.S. soccer investments and the crucial role innovative strategies play in building a sustainable football culture.

Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, co-owner and Governor of Gotham FC and owner of the NFL’s New York Giants, shares her insights on building a billion-dollar sports franchise. She discusses the booming NWSL and the intricacies of owning a women’s soccer team. Carolyn offers lessons from her time at Peloton, emphasizing branding and fan engagement. She explores the challenges of transforming Gotham from acquisition to NWSL champions and highlights sponsorship dynamics that amplify team loyalty. Discover how women’s sports are reshaping the landscape in the US!

Former New Zealand rugby captain Sean Fitzpatrick discusses the All Blacks culture, mentality, and values in creating a brand. He reflects on the challenges in rugby, the transition to professional sport, and the impact of individuality in a team-focused environment. The conversation also touches on personal brand opportunities, mental toughness, and the transformative power of sports.

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/