Navigating Sports Business

Matthew Holt - Chief Executive Officer at IC360 - explains why the thousands of available prop bets during the Super Bowl are even more difficult to monitor and regulate than those we see during regular games.   The main difference is whether the prop is decided on the field of play, or whether it's something that can be known ahead of time, like the color of the winning team's gatorade or the duration of the national anthem.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=26b5af50fdc633e2edb4e7236f2139ad   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 - shares his unique perspective on streaming, media fragmentation, the new NBA rights deal, and the viability of different models for viewing live sports.   He also discusses the changes he foresees for the next generation of sports fans and media consumers. In the past, it has been the “middle men” who have profited by purchasing live rights and selling advertising. Now, those arbitrage opportunities are becoming increasingly more complicated, and it’s the IP holders who have the most to gain from the changes.    Details: 4:10 - The new NBA media deal 6:00 - The modern media landscape 17:50 - UFC/Expanding property audiences 20:30 - Hulu, Venu, and Fubo 26:55 - Media fragmentation 35:45 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jared Orton – President of the Savannah Bananas – on the goal of offering affordable tickets to fans despite challenges with the secondary ticket market.   Fake tickets and price gouging are commonplace, and the Bananas are doing what they can to protect their fans and allow easier access to their games.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=fc87122340fbf55d3eccd66e0094711a   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Kimberly Bolt - CMO at the Washington Nationals - breaks down the art and science of marketing a Major League Baseball team.   She discusses D.C.'s unique identity as a transient city and how to market to those new fans as they move to town. She also shares what her team is doing to reach younger audiences including innovative influencer marketing strategies and a summer concert at the Nationals Park.   Details: 2:30 - Positive momentum for baseball 6:45 - Social/digital marketing 12:10 - Marketing to different types of fans 16:25 - Data and science vs. art in decision making 20:25 - Kim’s background 25:55 - The Nationals Brand 27:15 - Attracting fans that are new to D.C. 30:35 - Celebrating the team’s 20th anniversary 33:50 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jeremy Bloom – CEO of the X Games, Former NFL & Olympic Athlete, and the Founder of Integrate - tells the story of his legal battle with the NCAA.   By accepting endorsements to fund his gold-medal skiing career, he forfeited his eligibility to play football at the University of Colorado. His story provides a vivid contrast to the current rules surrounding NIL in college sports.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=8d889a2d7528fe6866c5b6f43a0aad77   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Quentin Paquelier - CMO of Club América - leads marketing for the biggest soccer brand in North America. Their games average more viewers in the U.S. than any other soccer club in the world.   Quentin considers the U.S. to be a "second primary market" and explains the challenge of engaging with so many fans in different parts of Mexico, the U.S., and beyond, especially with the global spotlight of the World Cup coming up in 2026.   He also shares how their women's club on its own has more fans than most men's soccer teams.   Details: 2:25 - Quentin’s background 4:45 - The global stature of Club América 9:50 - Differences between sports business in Mexico and the U.S. 15:40 - Club América Femenil 22:35 - The 2026 World Cup 32:05 - Projecting the next 10 years of soccer 35:15 - Rapid Fire Questions   Quentin's Restaurant Recommendations: Plantasia Quintonil   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Eddie Hearn – Chairman of Matchroom Sport – on Katie Taylor's trailblazing rise to superstardom, and how she lifted the sport of women's boxing up with her.   Despite his early skepticism of the commercial viability of women's boxing, Hearn took a meeting with Taylor out of respect for what she'd already done for the sport at the amateur and Olympic levels. He was blown away by her passion and personality and signed her to headline a fight despite doubt from many critics. Of course, Taylor then went on to become one of the most famous (and highly-paid) fighters in the world.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=240464c943fbf730fa11d4a5f752b403   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jared Orton - President of the Savannah Bananas - shares the team's evolution from college summer baseball team to international entertainment sensation!   The mission has always been to make baseball fun. That has led to a tidal wave of ticket sales, merchandise, and new revenue streams like televised games and even a fan cruise. As they continue to scale, they are launching an entire league of Banana Ball teams that will compete in cities across the U.S. and beyond.   Details: 1:30 - The Origins of the Savannah Bananas 6:45 - Distinction from the Harlem Globetrotters 7:30 - The Globetrotters model at scale vs. having just one team 14:40 - The secondary ticket market 18:20 - Banana Ball on TV 21:00 - Recruiting talent 23:00 - Business operations 27:25 - The Fan Cruise 30:25 - Building out a league of Banana Ball teams 32:05 - Rapid Fire Questions     For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Tim Zulawski – President of AMB Sports & Entertainment – explains how AMBSE collaborates with brand partners to solve their business problems. AMBSE's perspective: Ultimately it starts with sourcing partners that you know you can positively impact with the tools available to you.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=8414c1e30131e9e15dd33a38c05e3c4d   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jeremy Bloom - Former NFL & Olympic Athlete, and the Founder of Integrate - discusses his public battle with the NCAA, his sister's underground poker game that spawned a Hollywood movie, and the lessons he learned in football and skiing that turned him into a successful founder.   Jeremy also teases a major career announcement that will be coming the day after this episode's release!   Details: 2:45 - Reaching elite levels in two sports 7:40 - Jeremy’s dispute with the NCAA 15:45 - The NFL experience 18:25 - Molly’s Game 21:00 - Lessons from the transition from sports to business 27:05 - What’s next for Jeremy? 31:30 - Rapid Fire Questions     For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.