SportsPro Podcast

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Sanjay Bhandari, the chair of English soccer’s anti-discrimination charity, Kick It Out.    They reflect on the widespread social media boycott with which UK sport began the month of May, how that protest came together and its realistic goals. The discussion covers how racist, sexist and other abuse has become so prevalent for some users of those platforms – notably athletes and other public figures associated with sport – and consider the educational, legislative and technological means available to tackle those toxic environments.    Sanjay also explains how Kick It Out’s role is changing within soccer, sport, and culture, and what the wider industry can do to make a meaningful contribution in the fight against discrimination.  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 Hattie Park, sustainability manager at the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), and Matthew Campelli, founder and editor of the Sustainability Report and director of sustainability at Touchline, to discuss how sport can meet the ‘triple-bottom line’ of social, environmental and economic impact. They talk about the challenges and benefits of working sustainable practices into sports businesses and how to change attitudes throughout the industry. They also cover the ways in which new environmental and community initiatives are being woven into operations, planning and the fan experience at Wimbledon. Elsewhere, there’s time to hear a pitch at SportsPro Live from the students at Sheffield Hallam University, winners of the first SportsPro Sustainability Hackathon. 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 is joined by the hugely experienced sports and gaming executive Peter Moore: veteran of Reebok, Sega of America, Microsoft, EA Sports, and former chief executive of Liverpool FC; now working with Unity Technologies, and as an adviser to new owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny at soccer club Wrexham AFC.   In a wide-ranging conversation, Peter explores the many sides of leadership. He describes how the Hollywood takeover at lower-league Wrexham is about community impact as much as commercial opportunity, and dives into comparisons and contrasts of everything from talent to fanbases in soccer and video games.  He also explains how EA Sports rode out the digital transformation of its industry and, in an interview recorded before news of a breakaway Super League attempt in the European game, reflects on the privilege and responsibility of running Liverpool, his hometown club. 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 digital editor Tom Bassam are joined by Minal Modha, principal analyst and consumer research lead at Ampere Analysis, to review day two of SportsPro Live 2021.   The broadcast sector dominates the agenda, with Tom recapping his interview with DAZN co-CEO James Rushton, after an eventful year for the global streaming service, and the trio discussing Discovery’s strategy ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with the new Discovery+ OTT set to come to the fore – as Eurosport president Andrew Georgiou explained in his session with SportsPro’s Nick Meacham.    There’s also time to talk about the emergence of Whoop during the pandemic and, away from the virtual conference floor, BT’s reported decision to sell part of its sports broadcast business in the UK.

In the first of two live specials, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and deputy editor Sam Carp are joined by Seven League consulting partner Charlie Beall to recap day one of SportsPro Live 2021. They listen in on clips featuring England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tom Harrison, Milwaukee Bucks EVP of business operations Raven Jemison and Matchroom Sport's Eddie Hearn, and discuss themes from the future of live events to entertainment crossovers, new formats and storytelling.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly speaks to Sarah Lewis, the long-serving former secretary general of the International Ski Federation (FIS) who is now running for the presidency of the organisation.  Lewis outlines what has shaped her candidacy and her attitudes to leadership since her shock dismissal from the FIS last October, and what has influenced her thoughts on the future of snow sports and the role of federations. Breaking down her Piste Map programme, she shares her ideas on future sources of revenue, governance guidelines, and a more inclusive community, as well as the responsibilities of sports bodies in everything from commercial growth to environmental sustainability. 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 brings in managing director Nick Meacham, deputy editor Sam Carp, New York Times global sports reporter Tariq Panja and The Athletic football news reporter Matt Slater to recap the rapid rise and fall of European soccer’s Super League.  They try to piece together a dramatic but ultimately catastrophic launch and communications plan; ask whether the project was doomed by the mixed motivations of the clubs involved, and the absence of PSG and Bayern Munich; and explore the actual value of the concept in theory and in practice.  And with fan groups, governments, broadcasters and sponsors briefly united in opposition, they look at what strengths lie in the existing soccer pyramid and what can come next. 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 returns to talk to Tracey Greaves, chief commercial officer and chief executive of Kinrara at the Goodwood Group. They discuss the unique challenges of leading the commercial fortunes of a wide array of businesses within the historic organisation, balancing tradition with innovation for an iconic brand and building a premium experience that delivers on customer expectations. They also look at launching new ventures in a post-pandemic world, while Tracey explains how the Kinrara consulting arm will extend the Goodwood success story.  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.

In a session from the most recent event in the SportsPro Insider Series, Women's Tennis Association (WTA) president Micky Lawler and Danita Johnson, president of business operations at Major League Soccer's (MLS) DC United, tell CNN Sport's Amanda Davies about their experience as women leading sports organisations. They discuss the pathways that have taken them into their respective positions and the need to open up more opportunities, the importance of mentorship and allyship, managing frustrating commercial conversations, female representation in the bigger picture of inclusion, and much more. Meanwhile, SportsPro deputy editor Sam Carp takes editor at large Eoin Connolly through issue 113 of SportsPro magazine, with a deep focus on federations and sporting destinations. 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 Louise Johnson, UK and EMEA chief executive at sports and entertainment marketing agency Fuse, about Covid-era challenges in sponsorship and the future shape of the sector.  They discuss brand plans and expectations as fans begin their return to live events, the balance between physical and digital activations in the years ahead, the launch of rights holder consultancy Fuse Ignite, where agencies can still add value and how they can stay agile enough to navigate the industry transformation to come. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/