Navigating Sports Business

Sandra Richards - Managing Director, Head of Global Sports & Entertainment at Morgan Stanley - discusses how her team's sponsorship strategy amplifies important messaging around financial education.   She and AJ also touch on the significance of athlete ownership in professional sports, Sandra's career path, and the children's book she authored.   2:20 - Sandra’s role at Morgan Stanley 3:50 - Athlete ownership of professional teams 5:20 - The Morgan Stanley brand & financial education 16:30 - Rice and Rocks: Sandra’s children’s book 19:50 - The Women Leaders in College Sports National Convention 24:30 - Rapid Fire Questions   Notes: Letter to yourself exercise: https://accidentallyretired.com/personal-growth/a-letter-from-my-80-year-old-self/1283 Rice & Rocks (Sandra’s book) More on our panel with Sandra at last year's Women Leader in College Sports National Convention: https://nvgt.com/blog/women-leaders-national-convention/ Patti Phillips Episode: https://nvgt.com/podcast/?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=fb3d97a78db245732ad28c3c6d784366 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

With the NWSL season kicking off, we're showcasing a highlight from our interview with Julie Uhrman, Co-Founder and President of Angel City FC.   Julie talks about the club's mission to serve the community while maintaining profitability. She explains how the availability of soccer-ready stadiums in Los Angeles, as well as the NWSL salary cap, allow them to meet this goal by managing expenses. She also emphasizes her approach to marketing, centered around the idea that modern fans cheer for "players first, teams second, and leagues third." Their marketing efforts are certainly working well, as ACFC played in front of a sold-out crowd during last week's season opener!   Listen to the full episode 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/.

Richard Lapchick - Director of The Institute for Diversity & Ethics in Sport (TIDES) and President of The Institute for Sport and Social Justice (ISSJ) - shares lessons and stories from his career fighting against inequality in sports and beyond.   Richard's list of personal friends includes activists such as Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and many more.   Details: 2:00 - Richard’s background 7:15 - Richard’s lifetime of activism 11:30 - How sports can impact the world 19:30 - Diverse hiring processes 26:30 - What’s next for Richard? 29:30 - Rapid Fire Questions   Gloria Nevarez interview: https://nvgt.com/podcast/?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=d0edb5312963f715d1093ee6e69d4410 Invictus: https://www.amazon.com/Invictus-Ryan-Graudin/dp/031650307X   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

In recognition of March being Women's History Month, we are highlighting some accomplished women who have joined us on the podcast to revisit the conversation surrounding equity in our industry.   [00:05] Nina King - Vice President/Director of Athletics at Duke University - details the commitment to equity that is necessary for growing a successful athletic department, and the signs of progress she's seen at Duke and in previous roles.   [01:30] Amy Latimer - President of TD Garden - on the need to recognize more talented women in the hiring process. She explains why positive change will require the men that are currently in leadership positions to acknowledge the issues of inequality, and to understand the importance of diversity.   [02:27] Patti Phillips - Chief Executive Officer of Women Leaders in College Sports - explains the problems caused by unconscious bias in college athletics that largely stems from the dominance of football in the eyes of boosters and decision-makers. She also cites the common problem of schools wanting to hire from the very narrow candidate pool of former P5 ADs, rather than looking for qualified leaders in who have held other roles.   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Terrell Jones - Head of Sports Strategic Partnerships at Flexpower - has had a unique career in sports. He began as a strength coach for the San Francisco 49ers and has worked in athlete representation, and now on the brand side with Flexpower, a CBD and wellness brand founded in 2000.   He's worked directly with 12 NFL Hall of Famers, and brings that experience to Flexpower's sports marketing strategy.   Details: 2:35 - Terrell’s background 5:20 - CBD 101 10:25 - FlexPower’s history/overcoming racism 14:40 - Terrell’s time with the 49ers 20:10 - What does Terrell look for in a partnership?   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

With the Big East basketball tournaments tipping-off soon, and with March Madness around the corner, we are once again featuring the story of Conference Commissioner, Val Ackerman. She started in her role 10 years ago, after a wave of realignment left the conference in peril, with only 7 schools remaining from the old Big East.   With no real staff in place, she was able to rebuild the Big East into what it is today. She credits the strength of their basketball programs, including Villanova's two national titles in 2016 and 2018.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=b6f6f477c06d60388fcefdcfca76bf83   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

"Control the content, control the distribution as much as you can, so you sort of control your own destiny."   Sam Kennedy – President & CEO of the Boston Red Sox and Chief Executive of Fenway Sports Management –on the future of RSNs and broadcast rights when it comes to the Red Sox and the other properties in Fenway's portfolio. Their NESN 360 product is a cutting edge DTC option for fans that serves as a complimentary addition to the traditional broadcast.   This was recorded in late 2022, before the recent Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy that threatens to disrupt the current system in both the short and long term.   He also touches on the rule changes that will take effect in 2023 to increase viewer engagement around baseball regardless of the format.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=ed8da9fbbaa35719ee88cb960a5a04b6     For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Following the news that Disney will be consolidating ESPN and ESPN+, we take a look back at our interview with Burke Magnus - President, Programming & Original Content at ESPN.   He shares his thoughts on current state of broadcasting, and the gradual transition to streaming. He also discusses using ESPN+ and other digital platforms to reach sports fans where they are, and to cover a wider range of events.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast/?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=362ffb9756766881128613a68f08047b   Read more about Disney's plans for the consolidation of ESPN here:https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/02/09/Media/disney-espn-standalone-unit-and-layoffs.aspx   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

In celebration of Black History Month, we're featuring three separate highlights from previous episodes that touch on Black history, DEI&B in sports, and where we as an industry still need to improve.   [0:05] Kevin Warren - former Commissioner of the Big Ten - on the Big Life Series that brought 100 student-athletes on a tour of Selma and Montgomery Alabama to learn about the historic demonstrations of 1965, in an effort to expand their education beyond the classroom.   [4:35] Keia Clarke - CEO of the New York Liberty - talks about being one of the only women of color leading a major professional team in the United States, and what her experience has been like in that role.   [7:45] Azania Andrews - former VP, Connections at Anheuser-Busch - shares the ways that a powerful brand like A-B can do to increase equity both internally and with the millions of customers and stakeholders that they impact on a daily basis.   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Kim Pegula - President & CEO of Pegula Sports & Entertainment and Co-Owner/President of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres - on the development project for a new stadium in Buffalo. She also discusses the team's plans to market to Toronto and Southern Ontario, part of their Designated Marketing Area (DMA).   She explains why the new stadium will have all of the modern amenities, while maintaining the feel and energy of their old home.   See a rendering of the new stadium, here: https://www.buffalobills.com/news/they-re-here-new-bills-stadium-renderings-unveiled   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=70d52197e647c25d67ac6b29f9a1961a   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.