Navigating Sports Business

Lynn Holzman – VP of Women’s Basketball at the NCAA – on the NCAA's new media rights deal with ESPN and the opportunities it creates for fans of women's sports.   Embedded in the deal are storytelling opportunities that aim to promote women's basketball utilizing ESPN's platform.   While the NCAA men's basketball tournament is sold to network partners as a standalone package, women's basketball remains part of this larger agreement.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=e1208c0097bd387a03635525a3e5728a   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

In the first episode of our new "Navigating Sports Media" series, Navigate's Head of Media, Umar Hussain, hosts two guests who are leading the way in the regional broadcast space.   Staring down a new local media rights reality and with just 9 months of prep time, the Texas Rangers launched Rangers Sports Network and DTC offering in partnership with Victory+. With the ongoing disruption in cable and streaming, teams will need to get creative and ensure that their content (especially games) are accessible and attractive in-market for both existing and new fans.   Jim Cochrane - Chief Business Officer at the Texas Rangers - and Jon Heidtke - Founder and Principal at Heidtke Sports Entertainment - discuss how this new strategy has put the organization in the best possible position in this new media marketplace.   Details: 2:25 - Rangers Sports Network 12:50 - Content beyond live games 15:25 - The next 5 to 10 years 18:15 - Baseball’s TV product 28:05 - Rapid Fire Questions  36:55 - Umar’s POV on sports media     For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Matt Dennington – Co-Chief Commercial Officer at McLaren Racing – on how the team's 2024 Constructors' Cup Championship ultimately hinged on 0.7 seconds during one critical pit stop. He explains how that difference is reflective of the team's Forever Forward mentality which pushes for high performance at every level of the organization.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=63a7a2d379877303044ce5fc20d536a7   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Vincent Pierson and Curtis Walker - Co-Founders of The Black Sports Business Academy - highlight how they're engaging with the HBCU family to provide programming and resources with the ultimate goal of improving equity in the sports industry.   If you'd like to help support their mission, or if you're a student interested in learning more, visit www.thebsba.com.   Details: 2:15 - The business case for DEI 6:30 - BSBA overview 16:00 - Networking advice 20:05 - The Yard 23:00 - The future of the BSBA   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Randy Freer - Media Expert, Former Hulu CEO, & CEO of the Freer Company - explains why we need to adopt updated metrics for measuring ratings. He shares the example of the NBA, which seems to be more popular than ever across media platforms, despite ratings concerns early in the season.   Listen to the full episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/111-randy-freer-media-expert-former-hulu-ceo/id1544529117?i=1000686685297   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Lynn Holzman - VP of Women's Basketball at the NCAA - breaks down the excitement for this year's March Madness and the record-setting growth metrics surrounding women's basketball.   Lynn also discusses her time as a conference commissioner, her background as a student athlete, and addresses the continued inequity we face as an industry despite all of our progress.   Details:  1:40 - Lynn’s background as a basketball player 5:05 - The growth of women’s basketball 12:35 - The media value of the Women’s Basketball Championship 16:15 - Challenging issue for the NCAA 18:45 - Addressing gender inequity in sports 23:45 - Emerging trends 30:00 - Rapid Fire Questions     For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Kimberly Bolt – CMO at the Washington Nationals – on marketing to fans who have recently moved to D.C. for work or school. They approach new fans with a two-pronged approach of excellent fan experience at Nationals Park, and brand storytelling that builds emotional connections between fans and players.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=95c5af8b8ff44aaf981512b046a1330e   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Navigate's own Marina Carpenter - Head of Ownership & C-Suite Strategy - talks about her previous roles leading major decisions for properties like the Arizona Coyotes and how she translates that experience when advising clients.   Marina worked with three different ownership groups while at the Coyotes, worked on major legal and facilities projects including the sale of the franchise.   Details: 1:40 - Working for three different ownership groups 4:55 - Venue challenges 8:40 - Managing league-level relationships 10:30 - What do the best properties do well? 14:25 - Marina’s new role at Navigate 18:10 - Private equity in college sports 23:15 - Large-scale facilities project 25:45 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Quentin Paquelier - CMO of Club América - on the differences between the sports industries in Mexico and the United States and why both sides have a lot to learn from each other.   He claims that the passion of his fanbase, and Mexican soccer fans in general, is unmatched in the U.S. and elsewhere. For Club América, the passion becomes part of the product they're selling. Still, the success of their marketing waxes and wanes with on-field performance.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=283d4745d47cdf2bc56bc086c768f5d9   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Matt Dennington - Co-Chief Commercial Officer at McLaren Racing - says that winning the F1 Constructors' Championship in 2024 was just the beginning of the team's positive momentum.   They are well-positioned on the grid with a fast car and two talented drivers, but they're also in an enviable position on the business side with strong partnerships and great people.   Details: 2:10 - Matt’s background 6:40 - Joining a struggling McLaren Racing in 2016 12:30 - Liberty Media acquiring F1 14:30 - Drive to Survive 16:00 - “Forever Forward” 18:40 - Licensing and brand extensions 22:40 - Women in F1 24:45 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.