SportsPro Podcast

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and Matt Slater, football news reporter at The Athletic, discuss the push to stage the Fifa World Cup every two years instead of four. They look at what is driving soccer’s global governing body to pursue such radical change, who is behind the move politically and financially, and what it says about the battle for control of time and talent. They also ask what happens next and consider where it might be possible to find common ground in the debate over soccer’s international calendar.  Then, Videoflow co-founder and chief executive Jan Umansky explains how the platform is giving greater control and new monetisation opportunities to content creators, and explores some of the implications of decentralised, direct-to-fan networks online. 

SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan talks to Dan Roan, the sports editor at BBC News. They discuss Dan’s path to one of the most visible roles in British sports media and the unpredictable nature of following developing stories. Dan also reflects on how the growth of the industry has brought sports news closer to hard news in the past two decades, how the emergence of digital media and podcasts has created a wealth of storytelling opportunities, and the implications of these changes for senior leaders in sport. 

As SportsPro launches its list of the world’s 50 Most Marketable Brands in 2021, editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by Scott Tilton, co-founder and chief executive of data partner Hookit, to explore some of the key themes.  Tilton explains the methodology behind the list and lays out its value for the sports industry. He also considers why Nike and Adidas have been able to make such an impact, looks at the emergence of Dream 11 and how sponsors in different sectors are performing, and identifies the longer-term trends and lessons that brands should be acting upon. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and managing director Nick Meacham dip into a couple of the week’s big media stories. They discuss Amazon’s last-minute deal in the UK with free-to-air Channel 4 for the US Open final between Emma Raducanu and Leylah Fernandez, and ask whether to expect more opportunistic agreements and non-exclusive partnerships in the future. They also explore former ESPN and DAZN boss John Skipper’s latest venture, original content business Meadowlark Media. Then (36.37) Nathan Saunders, product manager for DRM solutions at Verimatrix, looks back on the company’s projects securing live streams and workflows during Uefa Euro 2020, and explains what to expect as remote and cloud-based production becomes the norm. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Ali Krieger, soccer player for the NWSL’s Orlando Pride who has been capped 108 times by the US women’s national team.  They discuss how Ali – who was seventh on SportsPro’s list of the world’s most marketable athletes in 2021 – has gone about nurturing her public and commercial profile, both individually and with wife and teammate Ashlyn Harris, and about the freedom and authentic fan connections that can come with living your true self. They also cover how life in the women’s game has changed and continues to change, and how actions like the US women’s national team’s campaign for equal pay will leave a better environment behind for those players who follow. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by Tom Huggins, co-founder and chief operating officer at Greenroom Digital, and Sven Gloor, senior manager of global brand partnerships for HSBC, to talk about how digital content and data have changed best practice in sponsorship. They discuss how HSBC assesses the value and impact of its sponsorship portfolio, from golf to Wimbledon tennis to British Cycling and beyond, and how performance measurements are used to deliver on a range of internal and external outcomes. They also talk about how Greenroom helps brands and rights holders to identify the right data metrics that make partnerships more effective, how rights holders can rethink their assets to better appeal to sponsors, and how sport and digital marketing are helping HSBC through intense competition for younger consumers. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

SportsPro's editor at large, Eoin Connolly, and Frank Gregory, social intelligence practice lead at 50 Most Marketable analysis partner NorthStar Solutions Group take you through some of the most prominent themes in this year's list.

In this special episode of the Playbook Podcast, Two Circles co-founders Gareth Balch and Matt Rogan reflect on the first ten years of the business.  The duo share some of the lessons from building a differentiated offer right from the start, to developing a performance culture in the team, while prioritising client retention and pushing on with international growth. The episode tracks the ideas which have taken them from Rogan's kitchen table through two acquisitions into becoming one of the pre-eminent international sports marketing agencies of the digital era. 

As the Paralympic Games continue in Tokyo, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Craig Spence, chief brand and communications officer at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Jarrod Clyne, human rights advisor for the Human Rights Council at the International Disability Alliance. They discuss the opportunity the Paralympics creates to celebrate and support people with disabilities, and how the IPC’s positioning and that of its brand partners are changing to meet the needs of the wider movement. Craig and Jarrod also talk about how athletes are building advocacy and introduce WeThe15, a multi-organisation campaign for the 1.2 billion people with disabilities worldwide.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Jon Varney, chief executive of newly promoted Premier League soccer club Brentford FC. They reflect on Brentford’s unlikely journey to the top level of the English game – making their return after a 74-year absence – and the careful building that has gone into that process on and off the pitch. Jon also discusses the move from their much-loved old home, Griffin Park, to the new Brentford Community Stadium, adapting to different demands and financial horizons, commercial development and sustaining the team’s community.