Navigating Sports Business

Tod Leiweke - CEO of the Seattle Kraken - is an accomplished sports executive with an impressive résumé and a compelling personal story. He has held leadership positions at the Seahawks, Sounders, Trail Blazers, Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment, and the NFL. He is also a minority owner of the Seattle Sounders. This week's episode features a great conversation about Tod's path from being a child in St. Louis to becoming a sports industry leader. He and AJ also discuss the excitement and challenges of launching a new NHL team, and the vision that Tod has for the Kraken.   Details 1:20 - Tod’s background 7:15 - Overcoming adversity  12:30 - Tod’s experience with the NFL 16:55 - Renovating Climate Pledge Arena 21:20 - The return of the Supersonics 24:00 - Launching the Kraken 35:45 - Rapid Fire Questions   Tod's Book Recommendation  Idea Man by Paul Allen 

College athletics has experienced a turbulent period over the last 12 months. In that time, Steve Berkowitz - Sports Project Reporter for USA Today - has covered coaches' compensation, COVID-19, NIL, and more. He brings his unique perspective on the sports industry to this week's episode of Navigating Sports Business. In this episode, Steve gives his outlook on the next few years of college sports, and how NIL fits into that equation. He and AJ also discuss journalism in the 21st century and the relationship between the speed and accuracy of reporting.   Details 2:15 - Steve’s Background 3:05 - Coaches’ Compensation 8:05 - The impact of social media on journalism  10:55 - The future of the NCAA 30:30 - NIL 43:40 - Rapid Fire Questions

Luke Bould, Director at Alacria, has been recognized as one of the top CMOs in Australia. He has had enormous success in bringing new generations of sports fans to cricket and soccer. He also played a role in Australia's successful bid to host the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023. He and AJ discuss strategies for marketing to a younger audience, the impact that sports gambling will have on the American sports business, and how the U.S. may be on the path to becoming an even more crowded marketplace for sports content.   Details 1:25 - Luke’s Background 8:05 - Cricket Australia and the Big Bash 12:25- The Australian sports marketplace 20:33 - The next generation of sports fans 43:40 - Monetizing sports gambling 49:40 - About Alacria  51:45 - Rapid Fire Questions 

Major League Baseball's Chris Marinak joins us this week. As Chief Operations & Strategy Officer, Chris shares with AJ how his team overcame the challenges of COVID-19, and how the solutions they found might impact the future of professional baseball. Chris presents his thoughts on how cutting-edge technology can help MLB appeal to all fans, including a new generation of baseball enthusiasts.   Details: 2:30 - Innovating due to COVID 12:25 - The future of baseball  25:10 - Monetizing digital assets  33:35 - The next generation of baseball fans 38:45 - Chris’s background 

Mike Haynes is an NFL Hall of Fame cornerback who played 14 years in the league with the Patriots and Raiders. He is a businessman, a cancer survivor, and an advocate for increased research on concussion safety. AJ and Mike discuss the early days of his football career, diversity in sports, the transition from player to executive, and why Mike is set on living to 125-years-old.   Details: 2:05 - Mike’s Football Background 4:32 - Choosing ASU 7:10 - Race & Diversity in Sports 19:39 - Concussions and CTE  25:12 - The business side of sports 27:17 - Prostate cancer awareness 31:45 - Tips to live to 125 years old

Steve Loy is the longtime agent and business partner to golfer Phil Mickelson, one of the highest earning professional athletes of all time. Known by "Coach" to many, Loy began his relationship with Mickelson while recruiting him to play for his golf team at Arizona State. His conversation with AJ includes a history of how he transitioned from coach to agent, his strategy for succeeding in business, and his opinions on the current state of professional golf.   Details 0:00 - Coach’s résumé 4:45 - Negotiating endorsement deals 12:55 - Recruiting Phil Mickelson  17:30 - Turning pro 23:30 - “Never invest in the business you’re in”  30:00 - Coach’s background 37:10 - How would you change the PGA?

The second part of AJ's conversation with the legendary sports agent to Michael Jordan and Stan Smith focuses on advice learned over the course of a successful career. Donald Dell also gives his takes on current events including COVID-19, and NIL in college athletics. If you missed it, check out Part 1 for stories about Donald's work with Michael Jordan, Arthur Ashe, and Stan Smith.   Details: 0:00 - Life during COVID-19 3:40 - Advice from Donald 6:35 - Mark Murphy story 12:05 - Sports career advice 16:45 - NIL 21:40 - Donald’s legacy

Roger Valdiserri, Notre Dame legend, is one of the most influential people in the history of college athletics. He worked 21 men's basketball Final Fours, 2 Olympic games, and even a World Cup. He played a role in so many monumental moments in sports history from serving on the original Knight Commission to working behind the scenes of the film "Rudy." He even convinced Joe Theismann to pronounce his last name "like Heisman." We are honored to have him on today's episode with AJ Maestas. Details: 0:00 - Introductions 2:20 - The Story of Joe Theismann, “like Heisman” 4:00 - Notre Dame Legends 9:30 - Roger’s path to Notre Dame 16:45 - Kansas City Chiefs 23:00 - The Dream Team 29:40 - Name, Image, and Likeness 34:00 - Rudy 38:00 - Building a national brand 39:55 - More Notre Dame Legends 51:50 - Roger’s legacy

Donald Dell is one of the most impactful agents in the history of sport. As the founder of ProServ, his list of notable clients includes Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Patrick Ewing, and of course, Michael Jordan. Donald and AJ discuss some of the largest and most important apparel deals ever, including Michael Jordan's first deal with Nike, and Stan Smith's contract in perpetuity with Adidas. Details: 00:00 - Donald’s Background 6:40 - Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, and the creation of ProServ 11:20 - Michael Jordan 30:50 - Negotiating Apparel Deals    

Greg Sankey, Commissioner of the SEC, joins AJ Maestas on today's episode of Navigating Sports Business podcast. They discuss operating during COVID-19, the path to becoming commissioner, the future of collegiate athletics, and some great book recommendations.   Details: 00:00 - Commissioner Sankey's background 3:50 - Handling COVID in the SEC 17:20 - Book Recommendations 25:00 - Was playing football in 2020 the right decision? 31:10 - New SEC television deal with ABC 42:20 - The future of collegiate athletics  57:20 - Leadership and social justice 1:01:00 - Personal habits for success   Book Recommendations: Leadership Strategy and Tactics, by Jocko Willink The Life You Always Wanted, by John Ortberg Be Quick But Don’t Hurry, by Andrew Hill Book of Ecclesiastes, Old Testament Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets, by Andy Stanley Thinking in Bets, by Annie Duke How Churchill Waged War, by Allen George Packwood   Philanthropic Organizations: neverthirst  Compassion International