Business of Sport

This week we are delighted to welcome Paul Tisdale to the show. A former Premier League player, Paul went on to manage over 600 games in the football league for the likes of Exeter City, Bristol Rovers, MK Dons, and Stevenage. His time at Exeter delivered a complete transformation of the club, taking them from the National League to League One via back to back promotions. He cultivated an elite pool of talent that included Ollie Watkins and Ethan Ampadu. He was labelled the most fashionable man in football. The approach to management is simple but so different to what you’d expect. But there is much more to the man than his achievements on the touchline. He has transformed his career to work alongside multi-club ownership models on a variety of projects, as well as venturing into the world of the sporting director, something we have been keen to dive into for a long time on this show.  The skills acquired in football as both a player and a manager and transferable in many ways. This is an education in how to build a profile across multiple areas of sport and beyond, with an excellent dose of how to be a top manager! We’re delighted to welcome Paul Tisdale to Business of Sport.  On today’s show we discuss: The Business of Lower League Football: Big budgets are a thing on the elite; how do you operate when you an towards the lower end of football in the UK and strike the balance between sustainability and ambition? The challenges of running Exeter City as a cashflow business, meaning it could not lose money. Player sales are a key revenue driver for clubs. How did selling Matt Grimes and Ollie Watkins benefit the club financially and what did the structure of those deals look like? What are the budgets of a club in League One or Two? Scrapping the scouting department was one of the major decision Paul made at Exeter. Why did he decide to cut this key part of a football club? “It’s survival of the adaptable, not the fittest”. What does Paul mean by this? Creating an Identity: Building a character than can deliver every week on a touchline was one way Paul was able to deliver success. Why did he do this? The power of fashion: dubbed the most fashionable man in football, what was the purpose of looking good in the dugout. Finding your place in sport is not something that comes naturally and being able to exist in an environment that has little forgiveness can be difficult for both players and managers. The challenge of moving teams is not something talked about enough. In football you are expected to move and slot straight in. It’s not that easy! Transferable Skills: There are few educations as powerful as the one you’ll get in football, but how can it be applied away from the pitch? The power of data - this is something utilised by every club in today’s game, but are clubs doing it right?  Staying relevant in football is not easy. What do you need to do to ensure there are roles available that may be unlike ones available previously?  What next? Would Paul get back into management if he was given the opportunity?  Our Partners Leaders in Sport - https://leadersinsport.com/sport-business/leaders-events/leaders-week-london/ WSC Sports - https://wsc-sports.com/ Tyndall Investment Management - https://tyndallim.co.uk/

Charlie Methven, co-owner and CEO of Charlton Athletic and former Sunderland owner, shares his insights on the complex world of football club ownership. He discusses the stark financial contrasts between Premier League and lower league clubs, emphasizing the necessity for sustainable business practices. Methven reflects on Sunderland's tumultuous financial history and the vital decisions required to ensure a club's viability. He also tackles the unique challenges of investing in women's football and the importance of community engagement for long-term success.

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.