Navigating Sports Business

This week AJ interviews Nick Kelly - President of Charlotte FC and former VP of Partnerships, Beer Culture & Community at AB InBev. They discuss what it has been like launching an MLS team during the COVID shutdown, the biggest lessons Nick learned in his transition from brand to property, and how soccer teams in the U.S. can engage with fans of international clubs. Details: 1:55 - Transitioning from AB InBev to Charlotte FC 4:30 - Launching a new club during COVID-19 10:45 - Looking back to years on the brand side 17:50 - How to get a deal with AB InBev 22:00 - Nick's perception of MLS 35:55 - The future of MLS 39:00 - Sports gambling 42:15 - Rapid Fire Questions

Burke Magnus - President of Programming and Original Content for ESPN - discusses why building a community of sports fans might actually be more important than the quality of sports content, and how a mobile-based co-viewing platform could be the next big innovation in broadcasting. AJ Maestas details how international NBA fans who may never get the chance to attend a game in person could use augmented reality to enjoy courtside seats with their friends and family. Listen to the full episode: Here

Matt Davis - Head of U.S. Sports Marketing at Anheuser-Busch - joins the show with guest host Jeff Nelson. Matt shares what it was like to transition into a new role during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also discuss what makes A-B one of the largest and most successful brands in the sports industry, including their commitment to data and analytics, the importance of flexibility, and their process for staying ahead of new trends. Details: 2:05 - Jeff and Matt enjoy an A-B beverage 2:50 - Matt's new role as Head of U.S. Sports Marketing 8:10 - Surprises from the pandemic 13:00 - Matt's Background 23:25 - Research and data in building strategy 30:45 - Changing trends in sports marketing 36:45 - Innovations from the pandemic that are here to stay 40:20 - Rapid Fire Questions

Phil Mickelson is changing the history of golf - at the age of 50 he won his sixth Major by claiming the 2021 PGA Championship title! Phil's longtime agent and former college coach Steve Loy shares how he recruited Phil to play for him at Arizona State, and how their relationship has evolved over the past three decades. Phil is one of the highest earning athletes of all time, with career endorsements totaling around $750M. You can listen to the full interview on Navigating Sports Business, and check out our YouTube channel for more highlights. Listen to the full episode: Here

Burke Magnus is often the person who decides what sports content we get to see on TV in his role as EVP, Programming and Original Content for ESPN. He and AJ discuss how he got to where he is today, what makes a good partner for ESPN, and why co-viewing might be the next big innovation in sports media. Details: 1:45 - Burke's background 8:40 - The future of the CFP 13:25 - COVID-19's impact on ESPN 16:20 - The future of sports media 27:00 - UFC, NBA, and how properties succeed in 2021 30:35 - FAANG companies and sports 33:40 - Co-viewing in the future 39:55 - Sports betting 44:05 - Rapid Fire Questions

Justin Toman - Head of Sports Marketing for PepsiCo - discusses the factors he considers when planning a sponsorship campaign and selecting a partner. You can listen to the full interview on Navigating Sports Business, and check out our YouTube channel for more highlights. Listen to the full episode: Here

Ray Anderson - VP for University Athletics and Athletic Director at Arizona State University - has a résumé unlike most other athletic directors. After finding success in the NFL as an agent and executive, he transitioned to the collegiate side in 2014. He and AJ discuss the differences between pro and collegiate sports, NIL, the Novus Innovation Corridor, and the $1 Million dollar donation that Ray and his wife gave to resurrect the men's tennis program at ASU. Details: 1:35 - Navigating COVID 6:25 - Ray's Background 9:40 - Transitioning to Collegiate Athletics 14:00 - Nontraditional Hiring at ASU 17:00 - Diversity in College Athletics 20:45 - Facilities 30:00 - NIL 35:30 - Ray's $1M donation to ASU Tennis 38:33 - Pac-12 Commissioner Search 44:50 - Rapid Fire Questions

PepsiCo is one of the most active brands in the world for investing in sponsorships. This week, Justin Toman - Head of Sports Marketing - discusses the strategies behind some of Pepsi's most iconic activations, the importance of aligning sponsorships with business objectives, and what Justin looks for in a potential partner. He is also a former world-class gymnast who competed in the Olympic trials with a torn ACL. Details: 1:50 - Justin's Gymnastics Background 13:45 - Beating Tom Brady 16:15 - PepsiCo's Collegiate Sponsorships 17:40 - A cameo from Justin's daughter/The silver linings of COVID 19:30 - NIL 23:45 - PepsiCo's Sponsorship Strategy 26:30 - LeBron James & Mtn Dew Rise 28:45 - Water brands driving revenue 31:05 - Aligning sponsorships with business objectives 36:00 - How to partner with PepsiCo 39:15 - Data and Insights 45:55 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page and learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/

When Kim Pegula - CEO and Owner of Pegula Sports & Entertainment - took on the role of President for both the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, she became the first female president in NFL and NHL history. Kim and AJ talk about what it's like having a seat at the table for some of the most important conversations in professional sports. They also discuss the Bills' recent success, a possible new stadium in Buffalo, and her daughter Jessica's professional tennis career. Details: 1:55 - The Bills' Success in 2020-21 5:00 - A new stadium in Buffalo? 7:30 - Canadian Bills fans 12:40 - Hockey or Football? 15:05 - Other franchises 22:30 - How Kim met her husband Terry 26:30 - Kim's childhood 34:00 - Jessica Pegula's pro tennis career/ Kim's family 38:05 - First female NFL & NHL president 45:40 - Rapid Fire Questions Books Mentioned: Talking to Strangers, by Malcom Gladwell Think Again, by Adam Grant

No one knows more about the Pac-12 than Jon Wilner - journalist for Bay Area News Group whose Pac-12 Hotline column is syndicated throughout the West. He and AJ discuss what happens behind-the-scenes when a conference is choosing a new commissioner, how NIL will change college sports as we know them, and the relative importance of exposure versus money when negotiating a media deal. Jon is also a voter for AP Top 25 for football and basketball as well as the Heisman Trophy. He breaks down how his thought process differs from other voters. Details: 2:20 - The state of the Pac-12 6:15 - AP Top 25 voting 11:10 - Pac-12 Commissioner search 22:30 - Future of the conference & NIL 35:40 - Rapid Fire questions