SportsPro Podcast

Eoin Connolly is joined by SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam and media and tech editor Steve McCaskill to review another week of industry news. Steve reviews his trip to the season-ending SailGP event in San Francisco, explaining the series’ sustainability incentives and team ownership experiment with a blockchain-enabled decentralised autonomous organisation (DAO).   Then the trio discuss a US$1.4 billion stadium deal for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, involving up to US$850 million in taxpayer funding, and compare it with European projects. There’s also time for a quick take on scripted sports content, EA Sports and Fifa, and sport climbing’s Discovery deal.

Eoin Connolly talks to Peter Hutton, director of sport at social media giant Meta, about the company’s relationship with sport and the future of live experiences in the metaverse. They discuss how Meta approaches its partnerships in sport and the role played across each of its platforms, from Facebook and Instagram to the messaging service WhatsApp, and the prospects for greater adoption of Oculus virtual reality products. Hutton also shares how his understanding of sports storytelling has evolved in his time at Meta and his media career at companies like Sky and Discovery-owned Eurosport.

The Athletic football news reporter Matt Slater returns to join Eoin Connolly and SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam and cover a busy week in the soccer business. As the Raine Group receives plenty of bids for Chelsea, discussion centres on an accelerated sales process at Stamford Bridge and what lies ahead for the English soccer giants, as well as asking what influence the prospective new owners could have on the wider game. They also reflect on a Deloitte Money League table that has Manchester City at the top for the first time and tells a story of the Premier League’s financial dominance.

For this episode of the Playbook Podcast, SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan is joined by Allistair McCaw, a leading consultant and advisor on maximising human performance, team culture and leadership. The author of multiple best-selling books and a five-time duathlon world championship competitor, McCaw has spent more than 25 years working with Olympic gold medalists, Grand Slam champions and Fortune 500 companies, as well as NCAA colleges and professional sports teams. Having spent recent weeks exploring the many areas on a chief executive’s to-do list, this episode focuses on the specific skills required to lead an organisation. The conversation sees the pair discuss ways in which you can develop and look after yourself as a leader, and they also share some actionable insights to apply to your own time.

SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam and media and technology editor Steve McCaskill join Eoin Connolly to review another week of stories and trends from around the sports industry. Steve recaps key talking points at the SportsPro OTT Summit USA, from the big streaming picture at Turner Sports and ESPN to a widespread interest in betting and the burgeoning commercial appeal of women’s sports media. Then the trio pore over Apple’s deal with Major League Baseball, asking how the tech giant’s sports strategy could play out, and look at under-the radar news including the latest on the Premier League’s NFT rights.

On the eve of a new Formula One season, Eoin Connolly talks to Oracle chief marketing officer Ariel Kelman and Christian Horner, team principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing. They discuss how Oracle’s analytics and cloud solutions helped power Max Verstappen to an unforgettable first world driver’s title in 2021, how the partnership is expanding this year, and why machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies are playing an ever bigger role in racing, development and fan engagement.   Ariel also explains how sports partnerships showcase Oracle’s positioning, and Christian talks about getting the team ready for another challenging campaign.

Eoin Connolly and SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam return to reflect on another busy week of industry developments.  Sports bodies cover more difficult ground in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the Premier League reviewing its media rights options and gymnastics up in arms over an ugly podium protest from Ivan Kuliak.  Then the conversation turns to baseball, as MLB drifts deeper into a season-delaying lockout. There is a discussion about supporting women in the sports business, and time for two stories going under the radar: a new phase for Brand Beckham, and another stab at soccer’s Super League. 

Many sports organisations are on the journey from being administrators or event businesses to media enterprises, which creates a host of knock-on impacts for acquiring and nurturing talent.  For the latest Playbook Podcast, Matt Rogan is joined by HR expert and strategic advisor Charlotte Hignett for a broad discussion on creating optimal workplace cultures. Hignett, who was people director EY Lane4 for 12 years, explains how businesses can best secure the right personnel and then ensure they develop in their roles. The conversation also covers retaining key staff, organisational design, the skills required for board-level HR leaders and managing generational tensions.

Associated Press global sports correspondent Rob Harris and Professor Simon Chadwick, global professor of sport at Emlyon Business School, join Eoin Connolly to reflect on sport’s reaction to Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine. They discuss the sanctions meted out so far, including bans for Russian teams from international and continental club soccer, and what lies ahead for federations looking to unravel close relationships with Vladimir Putin’s regime. They also talk about the complexity of withdrawing oligarch investment, as Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich considers his options, and ask whether global sports structures need to be rebuilt to hold off autocratic influence. And a favour to ask - the SportsPro Podcast has been nominated for a Sports Podcast Award. If you like what you hear, please vote for us in the Best Sports Business Podcast category here. Please note that you will have to register first.

Eoin Connolly is joined by Sky Sports director of football Gary Hughes and Tony Stevens, head of public and community relations at Tottenham Hotspur, to discuss the Game Zero project and sustainability beyond campaigns. They explain what went into putting on September’s net zero carbon fixture between Spurs and Chelsea and how it was intended to create a public forum on climate change. They also reveal what comes next for their respective organisations in broadcasting and events, and how everything from purchasing to policy to partnerships will be affected by the need to pursue a greener future. And more good news! The SportsPro Podcast has been nominated for a Sports Podcast Award. If you like what you hear, please vote for us in the Best Sports Business Podcast category here. Please note that you will have to register first.