Navigating Sports Business

Chatri Sityodtong – Founder & CEO of ONE – on the significance of ONE Championship's partnership with Amazon, and how it meshes with their broader global strategy. Their first U.S. event is less than 4 months away, and Chatri hopes to build up to 12 live events a year.   He also compares ONE to UFC, and explains ONE's impressive growth rate which has made them the world's largest martial arts organization in just 10 years.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=00fc4b4c5f1a52e93d212ebc4391651b   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

What are the traits of a successful athletic director?   Heather Lyke - Director of Athletics at the University of Pittsburgh - breaks it down and explains the importance of being in sync with university leadership, especially when it comes to taking risks and making big decisions.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=0df7438bdce26bada5cc4046451018da   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Amy Azzi – Senior Director of Sports Marketing and Sponsorships at T-Mobile – on how to prepare your brand portfolio for an economic downturn.   She explains why telecom services are necessities and are therefore well-positioned to weather the storm. Still, she and her team make sure they are smart with their sponsorship spend, and maintain a focus on measuring ROI.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=c2641669c5f08ef945885ff03fea24f1   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

David Cipullo - Principal at Tigertail - spent 14 years working around the world before returning to the U.S. to start his own firm. He draws from that experience to share with our listeners advice for international strategy in both sponsorship and media.   Details: 4:20 - David’s 14 years overseas 10:30 - Infront Sports & Media 15:45 - Selling international sponsorships 22:20 - David founds Tigertail 26:00 - International strategy 33:10 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Ben Abbott - Ph.D scientist and Assistant Professor of Ecosystem Ecology at Brigham Young University - explains the ways that the sports industry can help make a positive impact on the ecosystem.   He also highlights a notable study on the effects of air pollution on human performance that showed a decrease in batting average among baseball players in areas with poor air quality.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=a306ba42e4dfc90341e70cbaa5e6d13c   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Sam Kennedy - President & CEO of the Boston Red Sox and Chief Executive of Fenway Sports Management - on operating a team with a storied history and the challenges of meeting fan demand for a perennial World Series contender.   He and AJ discuss his career evolution from starting in a baseball front office to managing Fenway Sports Group's portfolio of properties including Liverpool FC, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also addresses rumors about a potential acquisition into the NFL or NBA.   Sam grew up a Red Sox fan, down the street from Fenway Park, and he was high school classmates with Theo Epstein. He shares with AJ how that friendship, along with mentorship from Larry Lucchino, led to them both having successful careers in baseball.   Details: 2:10 - Growing up near Fenway Park 8:50 - The Fenway Sports Group portfolio 14:55 - What’s next for FSG?  23:55 - MLB’s future (RSNs, rule changes, future of the game) 41:50 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, Patti Phillips, outlines how hiring practices have traditionally focused on the "Four Fs": facilities, fundraising, football, and finance, but in recent years the focus has narrowed in on football and fundraising, plus the addition of NIL experience as a main priority. Phillips shares what Women Leaders in College Sports is doing to help prepare women to lead in those areas, and develop a new class of qualified AD prospects.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=fb3d97a78db245732ad28c3c6d784366   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Chatri Sityodtong - Founder & CEO of ONE - explains the strategy and excitement around ONE Championship launching in the U.S. and what that means for U.S. fans of combat sports, and sports fans in general. Their first event in the States will be May 5, 2023 at 1STBANK Center near Denver.   ONE Championship generated 13.8B organic video views on social media in 2021, and has one of the largest global audiences of any sports property.   Chatri also shares his personal story, and how he went from living on $4 per day to his current role in one of the fastest growing organizations in sports, as well as the lessons he's learned throughout his 30 years of martial arts experience.   Details: 2:00 - ONE’s booming growth 11:20 - U.S. live events  26:00 - ONE Esports 29:05 - The Apprentice 32:35 - rags to riches 38:35 - Rapid Fire Questions   Tang Kai's homecoming with the ONE belt Navigate Esports & Gaming Content   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Tom Stultz - Former President at JMI Sports, now Special Advisor to the CEO - on JMI's role in the shifting multimedia rights marketplace.   He explains how due to long-term contracts and the infrequency of MMR rights becoming available, we might not see as much of a shakeup in the space as many (including some of us at Navigate) are expecting.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=8bd53045acb99644c1019822d2b55e21   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Heather Lyke - Director of Athletics at the University of Pittsburgh - breaks down the current landscape in collegiate athletics. She explains why the ACC's combination of strong academics, as well as athletics, positions them to compete nationally despite the larger budgets found in the SEC and Big Ten.   Details: 4:10 - Heather’s experience as a student-athlete at the University of Michigan 8:30 - NCAA rule changes 19:00 - Heather’s time at Ohio State 27:40 - Rapid Fire Questions   References: What Got You Here Will Get You There Navigating Sports Business - Gene Smith   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.