SportsPro Podcast

Regular SportsPro Podcast hosts George Breare and Tom Bassam are joined by technology editor Steve McCaskill to talk all things SW19 as the British tennis Grand Slam takes hold for its two weeks in the sun (and rain).

In this special episode of the SportsPro Podcast we hear from Sergei Palkin, the chief executive of Ukrainian soccer powerhouse Shahktar Donetsk, about the challenge of leading change in the face of conflict as his club struggles for survival amid the Russian invasion of his homeland. Recorded at SportsPro Live 2023, Palkin is in conversation with Empower Sports' Pedro Pinto. Talking points: How the war changed everything for Shakhtar and the Ukrainian people (6:30) Why was important to return to football (9:23) Fifa, Annexe Seven and the cost of losing players (11:28) Representation in the ECA and UEC (16:35) Pivoting from being a recruitment strategy to a development strategy (18:18) What others can do to support Ukrainian clubs (20:58) The reality of operating a club in a warzone (24:51) Quick-fire questions (30:25)

SportsPro Podcast hosts George Breare and Tom Bassam chop up the latest sports industry news and look at the impact of Netflix's latest sports docuseries, before Josh Sim joins the pod to give his thoughts on MLB's return to London. Talking points: Will 'Tour de France: Unchained' do for cycling what 'Drive to Survive' did for F1? (2:44) Unpacking Lionel Messi's move to Inter Miami (12:20) Todd Boehly becomes the latest to move into the multi-club ownership game (18:24) Talking MLB in London (24:05)

Tom Bassam and George Breare return for a quick roundup of the week in sports industry news. Talking points: Why has Michael Jordan sold the Charlotte Hornets? (2:10) The Women's World Cup rights picture becomes clearer (8:14) The demise and legacy of the W Series (17:50) Chelsea and Stake.com, how did we get here? (24:29)

Tom Bassam and SportsPro technology editor Steve McCaskill have an in-depth conversation about the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund's move to control the elite tours in men's golf and how the kingdom's enhanced financial backing of its domestic soccer league could reshape the sport's ecosystem. There's also time for a few thoughts on another logistical Uefa mismanagement issue at a major event, with the recent Champions League final and the passing of a man who helped shape the competition in its modern form, Silvio Berlusconi. Talking points: The PGA Tour, the PIF and golf... what just happened? (1:01) Why has this merger happened now? (7:25) What we know is happening and what we don't (16:04) Will the PIF's investment in the Saudi Pro League change soccer or be another CSL? (25:53) What would a Saudi takeover of soccer look like? (34:26) Another Uefa nightmare in Istanbul (40:33) The legacy of Silvio Berlusconi (45:28)

Most people know what an electronic player tracking system (ETPS) is, but there is more to the technology than meets the eye. Barin Sports' director of business development, Daniel Shopov, speaks to SportsPro technology editor, Steve McCaskill, about the different types of systems on the market, their various use cases and the business aspect of procurement.

George Breare and Tom Bassam are back together for this week's podcast, discussing all things Champions League, plus we hear from SportsPro reporter Josh Sim who was lucky enough to attend the Women's Champions League final in Eindhoven. Talking points: Wasn't Istanbul supposed to host the final in 2021? (2:45) How the tournament can bring in major sponsors (4:30) Why it's important for Uefa to get this event right (8:23) Pepsi and creating an event around the final (10:17) Looking back at the Women's Champions League final (14:16) Josh dials in from Eindhoven (21:30) Rachel Yankey on the growth of the Women's Champions League (23:27) PepsiCo CMO Mark Kirkham on how the brand is tapping into the women's game (27:08) How Gatorade is activating at the final (31:44) Josh's pre-match thoughts from the Philips Stadion (33:33) Post-match reaction and big picture thoughts on the tournament (36:47) (Note: At around 6min Tom mistakenly mentions Istanbul Airport processes 200 million flights per year, this figure actually refers to passengers)

As the curtain falls on the 2023 IPL and Premier League seasons, George Breare is joined by features editor, Sam Carp, to explore record-breaking campaigns and the twists and turns that took place on the pitch and in the boardroom, including: -          The huge broadcast numbers on Star Sports and Jio Cinema -          The IPL’s commercial pull for major global brands -          Why the WPL launched at the perfect time -          Is the Premier League really capable of self-governance? -          Why football’s relationship with geopolitics shows no signs of slowing

In February 2021, Hollywood superstars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney surprised the world by completing a takeover of small National League football club Wrexham AFC. Alongside Strategic Advisor, Shaun Harvey, and Executive Director, Humphrey Ker, we lift the lid on the story behind the takeover and how the club has come to embody an innovative and bold approach, including: The impact of the Disney+ Welcome to Wrexham docuseries and the explosion of Wrexham fans in North America and globally How Wrexham have transformed the streaming landscape of the National League What does the future hold for Wrexham and their Hollywood superstar owners?

Part one sees Tom Bassam joined by BlackBook Motorsport writer Cian Brittle to discuss crown jewel of US motorsport, the Indy 500 to look at why the Indy 500 stands alone in terms of fan experience and commercial outlook. Part two sees George Breare chat to Amir Mirzaee and Clayton Larcombe from Bayes Esports about what the next phase of the esports industry looks like, including: ·       Why the impact of Covid-19 on the esports industry is exaggerated ·       Why PAC Capital decided to lead Bayes’ recent Series A funding round ·       How esports needs to adapt its commercial model to thrive ·       How regional esports markets differ