SportsPro Podcast

British Cycling is one of the jewels in the crown of UK Sport but has endured its struggles in recent years, both in terms of governance and commercially. Jon Dutton joined the NGB as CEO, having previously served in the same role at the delayed Rugby League World Cup 2021, and has set about re-establishing a high-performance culture at British Cycling. Given that experience, Dutton was the ideal guest to join SportsPro CEO and NorthStar Solutions Group CEO Chris Collins to discuss the delivery of the strategies required to achieve those goals in the business of sport. Over six instalments of this special series from SportsPro and strategy realisation specialist NorthStar, we'll be hearing from top leaders across the sports industry with the primary objective of uncovering what it really takes to win in their field. Subscribe to the SportsPro Podcast feed to make sure you don't miss an episode.

In a conversation recorded at SportsPro Madrid, Tom Bassam talks to Guy Laurent-Epstein, Uefa's marketing director, with their wide-ranging conversation covering Euro 2024, the revamped Champions League, the Conference League and the direction of the women's game.

Gareth Balch, CEO of Two Circles, a global sports marketing agency, delves into the intricacies of post-acquisition growth. He discusses the recent acquisitions of KORE and Spring Media, emphasizing the importance of strategic alignment and effective communication during integration. Balch highlights data-driven strategies for enhancing audience engagement and revenue in sports, and the transformative impact of personalized fan experiences. He also explores the delicate balance between strategy and execution, stressing the need for a strong corporate culture to achieve lasting success.

This isn't a podcast, this is a strategy meeting for an early-stage business that wants to has identified sport as a sector to spend its marketing budget in and sees social impact as the best way to build consumer affinity. This high-level meeting is led by SportsPro Podcast host Tom Bassam, with Katie Cross, the CEO of Pledgeball, and Gunnar Hagstrom, head of strategic partnerships at Laureus, also on the board.

The second episode of our new series on how to win in the business of sport sees the conversation turn to tech. Rachel Jacobson, Infinite Reality's CRO, and president of business ventures and partnerships, has done it. As president she built up the Drone Racing League to secure a $250m sale and know how to take a challenger through the glass ceiling with clever use of tech. In the second episode of How to Win, Jacobson discusses the secrets of her strategy with SportsPro CEO Nick Meacham and Chris Collins, president and CEO of NorthStar Solutions Group. Over six instalments of this special series from SportsPro and strategy realisation specialist NorthStar, we'll be hearing from top leaders across the sports industry with the primary objective of uncovering what it really takes to win in their field. Subscribe to the SportsPro Podcast feed to make sure you don't miss an episode.

Tom Bassam is joined by a couple of sports venue experts as he sits down with Jonathan Nelson, global head of digital at Populous, and OnePlan founder and CEO, Paul Foster, to talk about the future of the space. Populous is the leading firm in sports and entertainment venue architecture, while OnePlan is a five-year old business specialising in digital twin technology - essentially AI-powered virtual representations of physical spaces - like football stadiums or event venues. Together, with AI technology unlocking new possibilities, the two companies are collaborating to unlock greater understanding about the stadiums and arenas fans flock to, as well as helping those who manage them make sure those spaces are being used in the most optimal fashion.

It all starts with a strategy but how do you make sure that plan is being realised to its fullest potential? In How to Win, a new six-part podcast series from SportsPro and strategy realisation specialist NorthStar Solutions Group, we hear from top leaders across the sports industry with the primary objective of uncovering what it really takes to win in their field. Episode one sees SportsPro CEO Nick Meacham and Chris Collins, president and CEO of NorthStar, welcome Bruin Capital CEO George Pyne for a high-level conversation about how an active investor can put in place the right building blocks to maximise returns when it comes time to exit.

Want to learn from some of the best in the business? Here's something new from SportsPro... How to Win. This new six-part podcast series, in collaboration with our friends at Northstar Solutions Group, features some of the top industry leaders and hones in on how to successfully implement the strategies required to win in the business of sports. Launching on 6th November, episode one sees Bruin Capital CEO and founder George Pyne join SportsPro CEO Nick Meacham and Northstar CEO Chris Collins to discuss delivering ROI as an investor. The rest of the series will be released weekly every Wednesday, subscribe to the SportsPro Podcast feed to ensure you never miss an episode.

Sam Renouf, CEO of the Professional Triathletes Organisation, is leading the charge to mainstream triathlon. He discusses how a cohesive season narrative and consistent athlete participation can elevate the sport's prestige. Technological advancements and iconic locations are also highlighted as crucial factors for increasing audience engagement. Renouf emphasizes the community spirit in triathlons and the sport's potential for mass participation, alongside the challenges of securing sponsorship in an increasingly competitive landscape.

While the pay gap between the stars of the WSL and the Premier League remains large, the realities of life as a professional footballer are consistent - a short career at the top of your earning potential and a high risk of injury. To learn more about how the game is changing for the new generation of women’s pros, Tom Bassam is joined by a couple of specialists in the field, Arthur Fane from Miller Insurance’s specialist sports team and Sophie Barrington, who leads on sport and entertainment in Barclays’ wealth management division.