SportsPro Podcast

In this special edition of the SportsPro Podcast, editor-at-large Eoin Connolly speaks to outgoing Pac-12 commissioner, Larry Scott. As the former WTA chief executive prepares to bow out at the end of June after leading the conference for 12 years, Scott reflects on his time at the helm of the organisation, the impact of the recent federal NIL ruling and the commercial state of US college sports post-Covid. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  

SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan talks to Daniel Geey and Andrew Nixon, partners at leading technology, media and sport-based law firm Sheridans.  They discuss what goes on under the bonnet at a sports service company, from the demands of a typical working day to the balance between working in the business – bringing in fees – and working on it by leading and managing. They also reflect on what the post-Covid era might mean for the law sector, how to attract the right new talent, relationship-building with clients and much more. The SportsPro Playbook is the place to go for agenda-free, pragmatic advice to understand how to navigate your organisation through change. Head to sportspromedia.com/playbook to catch up on our library of articles and podcasts, and learn more about how our new Playbook Labs programme can help you lead your organisation to success in 2021 and beyond.

As the first round of Uefa Euro 2020 draws to a close, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Kirsten Sibbit-Johnston, associate director at The Sports Consultancy, about how the tournament will have been viewed by the host cities. They discuss the measurements that will have been most meaningful for understanding the tournament’s local impact, what Uefa will have learned about the political challenges of taking games to Munich and Budapest, whether the multi-nation model will appeal to other rights holders, and the compromises ahead for the events industry in a post-bubble, pre-normal phase of the pandemic. Then (37.06), SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam gets a host venue’s perspective from Paul Bush OBE, director of events at EventScotland, who talks about the value of Glasgow’s Euro 2020 games, the impact of Covid on planning, and what’s next for the country’s strategy and the wider sector. 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 Scott O’Neil, chief executive of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, the group that owns the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL’s New Jersey Devils.   In a conversation recorded before a disappointing end to the Sixers’ playoff run, Scott talks about how HBSE has managed the priorities of two organisations at different stages of their development, how it has tried to keep employees energised and supported through the pandemic and two unusual NBA and NHL seasons, and what a post-Covid future looks like for the leagues.    He also discusses his bestselling new book, Be Where Your Feet Are, about the importance of staying grounded and acknowledging difficult experiences, and how he has applied some of those lessons in trying to foster an honest, open dialogue over the tumultuous past 18 months. 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 again by Matt Slater, football news reporter at The Athletic, to look back on the opening days of the men’s Uefa European Championship.  They discuss the handling of Christian Eriksen’s shocking collapse during Denmark’s game against Finland, reflecting on crucial advances in medical protection for players but asking whether Uefa and the media will review their protocols after the tournament. They also consider the UK government’s stance on the booing of England players’ anti-racist gesture of taking a knee, and share some wider reflections on the competition so far. Then (36.22), TJ Iaciofano, head of growth and strategy consulting at Infront X, lays out some of the key trends for rights holders to look out for in developing digital products for fans. He explains how the delivery of fan experiences is changing – both for live content and, as supporters return to venues, for live events – and how to assess your own priorities and match that to design. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  

SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan talks to Tim Green, global head of delivery at the GAP Partnership, about the art and science of negotiation.    Drawing on Tim’s experience with Coca-Cola, in sports marketing and now with a leading global negotiation consultancy, they discuss the finer details of a discipline which, while fundamental to success in business, is acquired by many mostly through on-the-job experience.    Tim sets out some clear frameworks for how to negotiate effectively in practical scenarios from rights tenders to agency pitches to pay rises, explains how sales and negotiation skills differ, dispels some pervasive myths, and examines the role of leadership and culture.  The SportsPro Playbook is the place to go for agenda-free, pragmatic advice to understand how to navigate your organisation through change. Head to sportspromedia.com/playbook to catch up on our library of articles and podcasts, and learn more about how our new Playbook Labs programme can help you lead your organisation to success in 2021 and beyond.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and deputy editor Sam Carp are joined by Octagon managing director of football Phil Carling to preview one of the biggest events in some time: Uefa Euro 2020. They ask where the tournament now fits in the wider soccer industry; what the 24-team, multi-nation format means for fans, partners and hosts; what to expect from incoming sponsors like Just Eat and TikTok; and how Covid restrictions will affect plans over the next month. Then (39.32), Liquiditeam co-founder and co-chief executive Thomas Euler goes beyond the headlines about NFTs and cryptocurrency to explain how blockchain technology and digital tokens can build engagement, add value for fans, and even help them build a stake in their teams. 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 Noah Garden, chief revenue officer of Major League Baseball.    They discuss the financial and commercial impact of Covid-19, as a full schedule plays out across 2021, and how the pandemic has changed the interactions between the league, its teams and its partners.    Noah also lays out the implications of MLB’s ‘One Baseball’ initiative to coordinate more of the sport’s activities and talks about balancing the regional sports network economy with the need to digitise its media strategy, the changing approach to filling stadiums, innovations in technology and international ambitions. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

Ahead of a busy summer of sport, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long reflect on some recent stories that draw together some key industry themes.  First, they discuss the withdrawal of tennis star Naomi Osaka from the French Open – where the world number two had wanted to avoid mandatory press conferences to protect her mental health – and consider what it says about the need to modernise communications between athletes and the media.  They also look back on the Uefa Champions League final in Porto, picking up on an intriguing New York Times report about a future ‘final four’ week for European club soccer’s showpiece, and comparing the ownership strategies of the Super League class with Premier League-bound Brentford. Then (39.36) to coincide with the release of the whitepaper ‘Making the Personal Possible: Powering Interactivity and New Experiences in Sports OTT’, Limelight Networks’ Charlie Kraus explains some of the technology that enables interactive, customisable experiences in live digital broadcasts.   Making the Personal Possible: Powering Interactivity and New Experiences in Sports OTT is a whitepaper produced by SportsPro in collaboration with Limelight Networks. Find out more and download your copy here. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan talks to Jane Purdon, the chief executive of Women in Football, and former head of governance and leadership at UK Sport and director of governance at the Premier League.  They discuss some of the best ways to think about governance as a means of responsibly exercising power, listening to a more diverse range of voices, and working effectively to meet fundamental challenges. The conversation covers some of the best governance structures for different types of sports organisation, lessons in governance from the pandemic and soccer’s collapsed Super League, and how everything comes down to people. The SportsPro Playbook is the place to go for agenda-free, pragmatic advice to understand how to navigate your organisation through change. Head to sportspromedia.com/playbook to catch up on our library of articles and podcasts, and learn more about how our new Playbook Labs programme can help you lead your organisation to success in 2021 and beyond.