SportsPro Podcast

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

This week regular hosts George Breare and Tom Bassam are joined on the podcast by SportsPro reporter Josh Sim to discuss the major off-field narratives ahead of the 2023 WNBA campaign.  Talking points: The expansion question (1:06) Scripps and the media rights picture for the WNBA (10:25) Are women's sports properties valued properly by media companies? (13:37) Does the WNBA need a new CBA? (19:31) The flaws with the ICC's new revenue distribution model (26:05) The Ottawa Senators sale and what it says about the current state of the NHL (37:44)

Back in January, Jane Fernandez was named as one of SportsPro's 'Ten Influencers' for 2023. Now, with the countdown on to the 2023 Women's World Cup, the chief operating officer for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand explains how the organisers are planning to deliver what could be a landmark soccer moment.

SportsPro Podcast hosts George Breare and Tom Bassam dive into the fine print of the EFL deal which will see Sky Sports broadcast the Championship, League One, League Two and the Carabao Cup in the UK until the end of the 2028/29 season. Talking points: The detail of the deal (1:33) The Saturday blackout remains and the headline changes (4:19) The end of iFollow (8:28) What it means for clubs in each division (16:40) The impact on matchday attendance (21:06) Will EFL club income get any closer to the Premier League? (22:48) Under the radar: Newcastle's new shirt sponsor (26:12) Under the radar: Matchroom's investment talks with CVC collapse (29:32)

Tom Bassam is joined by Sam Carp for a whiparound the week in sports industry news.  Talking points: Record attendances in the Women's Six Nations and Women's Champions League (1:24) Setting an example for others to follow (10:12) Where we're at after the third round of bidders for Manchester United (14:00) The fan influence on the takeover process (20:00) The Hundred changing course? (24:16) Gianni Infantino stands up for the value of the Women's World Cup (32:41)