Navigating Sports Business

For the 75th episode of Navigating Sports Business, Shawn Quill - National Sports Industry Leader at KPMG - discusses KPMG's unique role in sports as both a brand sponsor, and as an agency, working with properties on tax consulting as well as other more niche business challenges.   Shawn also shares his thoughts on which sports and leagues make the most compelling targets for sponsors and private equity investors, including the NWSL and soccer in general. KPMG has a significant history of investing in women's sports, especially when it comes to women's golf and the LPGA.   Details 1:50 - KPMG’s role in sports 9:20 - Sponsorship decisions 16:30 - Shawn’s background 23:05 - KPMG’s investments in women’s sports 27:55 - Other investments in sports 32:00 - Private equity in sports 38:30 - Mistakes to avoid when pitching a partner 40:15- Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jim Kahler – Director of the Sport & Entertainment Management Program – Monte Ahuja College of Business – Cleveland State University – gives advice about where to invest sponsorship dollars. Hear his thoughts on pickleball, soccer, rule changes in baseball, women's sports in general, and the collegiate landscape.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=30c7f8218e94d03796551ddbed2a1555   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Rick George - Athletic Director at the University of Colorado - talks realignment, the current state of college sports, and how the move to the Big 12 will help Colorado student athletes and the program in general.   He and AJ Maestas also discuss the hiring of Deion Sanders as Head Football Coach, and what it was like the have two monumental decisions impact the past 9 months of CU athletics.   Details: 2:30 - Coach Prime’s Impact on CU Athletics 7:10 - Rick’s high school basketball career 11:45 - Big 12 Move 20:15 - Future realignment 21:20 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Latasha Causey – President of Phoenix Raceway – Explains the emphasis that she and her team have placed on listening to fans and providing top-notch experiences. That strategy continues to pay off this year as they look ahead to the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race in November, an event they hope to continue hosting in future years.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=e569f20c381035e46cea8c736e96c5c3   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Stu Halberg, CEO of Logitix, talks about the impact of new technologies in ticketing like Blockchain & AI. They discuss Logitix's value proposition, dynamic pricing, and factors influencing ticket pricing. They also touch on the challenges in the ticketing industry and maximizing ticket revenue.

Chris Davis – Chief Marketing Officer & Senior Vice President of Merchandising at New Balance – on what it means to be the "ultimate challenger brand" and the creative risks that his team is taking in order to achieve that lofty goal.   They embedded themselves in two major truths as a brand: If you’re standing still, you’re moving backwards. Stagnation is the death of all great brands. Your marketing has to be a reflection of your values as a brand.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=2aaad5c4a61042308303084d6820fcf8   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Kara Nortman - Founder of Angel City FC and Managing Partner of Monarch Collective - on how she, Natalie Portman, Julie Uhrman, and others founded Angel City FC and why she's optimistic about the future of the NWSL and women's sports in general.   Angel City accounted for 38.75% of all NWSL revenue in 2022 according to SBJ. Kara and Jeff Nelson discuss that figure and what it means for the long-term health of the NWSL. Kara details some of the ways that her team is collaborating with other clubs to increasing league-wide revenue.   Details 2:25 - Monarch Collective 7:10 - The rise of women’s sports 11:10 - The origins of Angel City FC 20:00 - ACFC’s success 36:30 - Rapid Fire Question   Listen to our 2021 interview with Angel City Co-Founder and President Julie Uhrman, here: https://nvgt.com/podcast/?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=a1a05a498047a2b1d4416ec005e29813 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.  

After overseeing back-to-back national championships in football, Josh Brooks – the Director of Athletics at University of Georgia – gives us an inside look at the day-to-day life of someone at the helm of a successful DI athletic department. In a job where you're always "on" it's important to keep the mentality that you're doing what you love.   He discusses the ways he finds balance with his family life, and how he keeps an open door policy with all employees and student athletes, despite his busy schedule.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=9e8231e2cdb3cc80d53850246fc1548c   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jim Kahler - Director of the Sport & Entertainment Management Program - Monte Ahuja College of Business - Cleveland State University - has decades of sports business experience as CMO of the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as in academia with 3 separate universities.   He offers a unique perspective on the state of the industry, and shares what he teaches his students to prepare them for a successful career in a continuously evolving industry.   Details 1:30 - Jim’s time as one of AJ’s mentors 4:15 - Ohio University 8:30 - Now at Cleveland State 12:15 - Returning to Cleveland after being CMO of the Cavaliers 16:50 - Advice for students breaking into sports 22:10 - Predictions for the sponsorship market 28:10 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Chris Pezman – Vice President for Athletics at the University of Houston – gives the collegiate athletics industry a 3 out of 10 when it comes to monetizing stadiums and other facilities. He and AJ Maestas discuss how we can improve in that regard.   Chris explains what can be done to maximize revenue with concerts and other events, and why in some cases, schools in smaller markets actually have an advantage.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=cf5646333e8806ec09f2b13fc92a198a   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.