Navigating Sports Business

Amber Cox - COO & GM of the Indiana Fever - stepped into her role at the dawn of the Caitlin Clark era - a moment that’s fueled unprecedented growth for both the Fever and the WNBA. But as Amber shares, that surge didn’t start with Caitlin; her arrival simply created a powerful “multiplier effect” on momentum that was already building.   Timestamps: 2:10 - Amber’s career in the WNBA 9:10 - Joining the Fever as Caitlin Clark is drafted  15:45 - Caitlin Clark’s multiplier effect 23:20 - Asking players to participate in marketing content  26:00 - Managing 2 roles (COO & GM) 28:20 - The attention on Caitlin Clark 33:05 - The facilities arms race in the WNBA 37:10 - Collaborating with the Pacers 46:50 - Rapid Fire Questions     For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

"This is a business where you can lose having a superior product"   Robert Davari – CEO and Founder of Tixr – on the challenges of raising money in the crowded ticketing space. Investors are looking for emerging technologies, particularly in AI, and don't often have the patience to support a challenger brand like Tixr.   As an entrepreneur, Robert has always preferred bootstrapping his businesses and building slowly with a focus on creating the best possible product.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=d128b48b527134dadc3b2f4bafce4225   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Bruce Bassett is the Founder of Grai Labs, embedded AI strategist with Navigate, and is one the world's leading experts on Artificial Intelligence. With decades of experience in academia and practical AI applications, he applies his knowledge and beliefs to the sports industry, and gives tips for staying afloat in a tidal wave of AI innovation.   Details: 2:00 - AI in the Sports Industry 6:15 - What should you be doing right now with AI? 22:30 - Revolutionary tech beyond AI 25:40 - Rapid Fire Questions   Notes: Bruce's favorite depiction of AI in fiction: Robot & Frank   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

"Every Red Sox or every Bruins game is a theatrical hit."   Ahmed Darwish - Chief Marketing Officer at NESN - explains the importance of making games accessible to fans, and how NESN's continuity helps fans have a reliable options for watching their favorites teams.   Despite streaming reshaping the industry and new players emerging, sports continue to hold strong media value.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=26384a6a11beff0e3a5a84278a24a4f1   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jared Orton – President of the Savannah Bananas – on the origins of the Bananaland at Sea fan cruise, which the team is bringing back for another voyage in 2026.   The Savannah Bananas are known for providing the very best in fan engagement, and the creativity and detailed planning that went into the fan cruise are the perfect example.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=fc87122340fbf55d3eccd66e0094711a   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

"I believe in my alma mater LSU more than anybody will ever know"   Scott Woodward – Athletics Director at LSU – on his approach to coach hiring, and swinging for the fences to secure the very best available. No matter how well an AD operates on the business side, they are still judged by noteworthy hires they make. That's why alignment with your institution and stakeholders is key.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=73ba4b4bc47497339d91f6283bee4e37   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Robert Davari - CEO and Founder of Tixr - on how they are disrupting an industry by focusing on optimization, design, and building a better ticketing and ecommerce product.   Tixr recently announced its partnership with the San Jose Earthquakes, the first "big 5" team on their roster.   Timestamps: 1:40 - Tixr’s origins 8:50 - Ticketing technology 12:05 - San Jose Earthquakes Partnership 15:35 - Patience when building a company 20:05 - Competing with legacy players 24:10 - Secondary Ticketing 28:30 - Tixr Brands 31:00 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Vince Kozar – President of the Phoenix Mercury – talks about how they have no trouble retaining fans who watch a game live or on TV. Whether those fans initially come to see Caitlin Clark, a rival team, or are just skipping channels, once they see what the Mercury have to offer, they stick around.   He also talks about the broader mission of the organization and the work they are doing to increase sports participation among girls.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=779772e3b0843d82ff3d8ec6893b292f   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Navigating Sports Media: Ahmed Darwish - CMO at NESN - leads marketing for one of the most well-known and successful RSNs in the country. As business models shift across media, they are finding ways to reach more fans, including their DTC platform, NESN 360.   He also shares trends and predictions for NESN, for baseball, and for sports media in general.   Timestamps: 4:00 - DTC and Distribution 14:00 - Having multiple teams on the platform 16:15 - Marketing tactics 22:05 - Baseball predictions 26:15 - Ahmed’s career path 37:30 - Rapid Fire Questions   Book Recommendation: The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Nic Barlage – CEO of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group – explains his strategy of pivoting more towards single-game tickets, despite most teams focusing on season ticket packages. Capping season tickets has helped the Cavs jump into the top third of the NBA in gate revenue.   He also discusses the Cavs Reward program and what makes it more effective than other loyalty programs in sports.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=72489191733141b7fb29046bc253b7f3   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.