Navigating Sports Business

Rich Franklin - VP of ONE Championship - describes his transition from elite MMA fighter to executive at Asia's largest sports property, and his role in ONE's expansion into the U.S.   A lot has changed since we published our interview ONE Founder Chatri Sityodtong, including their debut U.S. event last May. An important part of Rich's role is working with cities to get new events approved, including upcoming showcases in Denver and Atlanta.   Details: 3:15 - ONE Championship is not just an MMA company 5:35 - Last year’s U.S. debut in Denver 10:50 - Getting the rule set approved 12:20 - The Amazon Prime streaming deal 13:50 - Goals for the future 14:45 - Rich’s background in martial arts 21:00 - The shift from athlete to executive 27:55 - Rapid Fire Questions   Listen to our Chatri Sityodtong interview: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=00fc4b4c5f1a52e93d212ebc4391651b   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jen Spicher – CEO of Pro Volleyball Federation - on "converting the unconverted" and looking to attract new fans to the league.   She also explains their strategy on expansion, aiming for 10 teams in 2025, and as many as 20 by 2026. She says that she has conversations every day with someone interested in putting a franchise in a new market.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=3adf6a8e5fb4c4dc5d85085821b7881f   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Mike Buckley - Co-Owner & CEO of the United States SailGP Team - shares his excitement around the sport of sailing and the upcoming New York Sail Grand Prix.   As both an executive and a champion sailor himself, Mike has a unique perspective not shared by many other owners of professional teams.   His fellow investors in the U.S. team include include boxer Deontay Wilder; NFL players DeAndre Hopkins, Malik Jackson, and Roquan Smith, actress Issa Rae, and many other big names.   Details: 1:30 - Mike's experience with sailing 6:30 - The growth of SailGP 8:50 - SailGP's Climate Positive status 11:00 - The U.S. team 14:25 - The NYC race 17:25 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Meredith Batcheller – Head of Global Sports Marketing at Adobe – explains the tech integration behind their partnership with Major League Baseball.       Using Adobe's technology, MLB is able to create customized messaging for fans entering ballparks. The partnership allows Adobe's marketing team to reach MLB's evolving fanbase.       Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=124923b48ee30a1f41faf912f015cec9       For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Sameer Ahuja - President of GameChanger and SVP at DICK'S Sporting Goods - leads the largest youth sports video streaming platform in the country. More hours are streamed in a single year on GameChanger than have been played in the entire history of Major League Baseball.   As youth sports continues to become more sophisticated, GameChanger exists to fill a need for stats, video, and more. Sameer joins Jeff Nelson to explain the business model that has led to scalability and success.   Details: 2:00 - What is Gamechanger? 6:55 - The business model 14:59 - Surviving COVID without live events 17:15 - Sameer's background 24:55 - Future of youth sports 34:15 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Navigate's EVP of Consulting, Anne Ristau, discusses the role of private equity in sports, both at the professional and collegiate level.   She and Jeff Nelson emphasize the importance of innovation and increased capital as property valuations soar, while maintaining a focus on what's best for the fans.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=b728858b6e8d1d69cf8164e195eb5af2   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jen Spicher - CEO of Pro Volleyball Federation - discusses the league's rapid ascent to national prominence, as well as the general rise of women's volleyball.   She and Anne Ristau also explore the work that Navigate did with Pro Volleyball Federation to help secure their media rights deal with CBS Sports.   Details: 1:35 - Jen's background as a student athlete 3:20 - Pro Volleyball Federation 8:00 - The rise of volleyball 10:10 - The future of the league 12:50 - Working with Navigate and CBS Sports 14:00 - The business model 22:25 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Matthew Holt – President of U.S. Integrity – shares the story of a boxing manager who is being investigated for placing a massive wager on his own client.   He explains how U.S. Integrity monitors nefarious activity in sports betting.   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/.

Meredith Batcheller - Head of Global Sports Marketing at Adobe - explains the "why" behind some of their most exciting sports partnerships, including MLB and the NWSL.   She also shares how her experience on the agency side of the business, and her time as a student athlete, have prepared her for success in her current role.   Details: 6:30 - Experience on the agency, B2B, and B2C sides of our industry 13:45 - Adobe 21:00 - NWSL partnership 27:55 - The outlook for the rest of 2024 30:35 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Julie Roe Lach – Commissioner of the Horizon League – on how the House v. NCAA lawsuit is impacting her conference and the mid-major level of college athletics.   The Horizon League is not a named defendant in the case, limiting the information that she and her team receive. However, they still manage to keep their presidents and chancellors up-to-date on this lawsuit and others that have the potential to dramatically alter the state of college athletics.   Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=98f56b6dd6dca41729f186d12a4d1251&ppepisode=e9ec57108b66ff425cb53b8386dd24c2   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.