SportsPro Podcast

SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan, the co-founder of Two Circles, tells editor at large Eoin Connolly about the latest instalment of his leadership series for challenging times - including those that will follow the Covid-19 crisis.   Considering the influence of everything from Parkrun to Zwift and the Drone Racing League to the music industry, the first part of a conversation about the world in 2022 focuses on delivering events and properties that can straddle  digital and physical spaces, and developing more fluid business models for sport that can help it transition into a new era. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The revelation from Barcelona's outgoing president Josep Maria Bartomeu  that the club have accepted a proposal to compete in a European super league has prompted further speculation over the new future of soccer on the continent as the sport continues to navigate through Covid-19. With much up for discussion, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by the Associated Press' (AP) global sports correspondent Rob Harris to unpick the latest developments. In this episode, the pair dive into a range of issues surrounding the game, including pay-per-view (PPV) games, the English Football League (EFL) bailout, and the proposed European Premier League. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In another entry from the SportsPro Insider Series, editor at large Eoin Connolly speaks to RC Buford, chief executive of Spurs Sports and Entertainment, about leading an organisation through uniquely challenging times. Buford discusses how the San Antonio Spurs reacted to a disrupted NBA season, preparing for life in and after the 'bubble', communicating difficult decisions during the Covid-19 pandemic, empowering people in a crisis, and plans to rebound on and off the court. He also talks about how the Spurs organisation chose to respond to 2020's wave of Black Lives Matter protests, and how it conducted internal conversations about race and social injustice.

As SportsPro Asia draws to a close, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and deputy editor Sam Carp review events on day two with Greg Turner, founder and managing director of Shenzhen High Performance Event Management. They take a long look at China, considering the government's role in sports events there and whether political developments will result in a strategic reset, and how the social media landscape differs from the rest of the world. After that, there is another round-up of some telling moments from the virtual stage, including ITTF chief executive Steve Dainton's take on the World Table Tennis media plan (30.28), why YouTube is always ready for prime time (34.17), MLB's animated efforts to embed baseball in Chinese culture (38.40), and an outline of the Australian legacy concept (43.14) for the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long are joined by Unmish Parthasarathi, the founder of Picture Board Partners, to wrap up the first day of the SportsPro Asia virtual event.    The big talking points include Chatri Sityodtong on ONE Championship’s direct-to-consumer strategy, and India’s status as a market to watch, with NBA Asia EVP and MD Scott Levy saying the league would have more fans there than in any other country in the next five years. They also look ahead to ITTF chief executive Steve Dainton’s appearance on day two.    There’s then time to pick up on some other highlights direct from the virtual stage, featuring Olympic Channel general manager Mark Parkman, also on India (32.20); Synamedia VP of intelligence and security operations Avigail Gutman on regional challenges in anti-piracy (36.40); DAZN’s Martyn Jones and the J-League’s Oya Takeyuki on the evolution of their partnership (40.33); and Kayo Sports chief executive Julian Ogrin (46.47) with four vital lessons from the buoyant Australian OTT service. 

Editor at large Eoin Connolly sees out 50MM 2020 alongside SponsorPulse's global lead Adam Mitchell as the two assess the World's 50 Most Marketable Properties.   With soccer dominating the standings, Eoin and Adam discuss the sport's success in this field, as well as exploring other notable results and SponsorPulse's formula, the Opportunity Score, which provides a universal currency for measuring thousands of properties globally.  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 his appearance at SportsPro Asia, Rajasthan Royals chief operating officer Jake Lush McCrum talks to SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly about an unusual yet thrilling Indian Premier League season.  They discuss the challenges of operating in a Covid-19 bubble, the Royals' commercial programme and their work with sponsors like Red Bull, a groundbreaking women's health campaign with sanitary products brand Niine, and much more. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Editor at large Eoin Connolly welcomes back Scott Tilton, co-founder and chief executive of Hookit, to talk through SportsPro’s inaugural list of the World’s 50 Most Marketed Brands.  Among other topics of conversation include what brands need to do to promote themselves most effectively, what their priorities are, the impact of Coivd-19, how social marketing has changed, and recognising social justice causes such as Black Lives Matter. 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 reporter Steve Impey talks to Sameer Pabari, the managing director for international media at the National Football League (NFL).   In a wide-ranging discussion of the league’s  global strategy, Pabari explores the implications of a new deal with digital giant Tencent in China and a dedicated Sky Sports channel in the UK, as well the impact of cancelled International Series games and the increased competition with rescheduled US major leagues in 2020.    He also reveals how the NFL targets different parts of its audience with different broadcast products, where it sees long-term potential for overseas growth, and how its media activities align with broader goals.  Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Now the World’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes list is out for all to see, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and deputy editor Sam Carp analyse the key findings from this year's edition with the help of Salvatore De Angelis, Nielsen Sports’ head of digital, international.  With much up for debate, the three break down the standings, the methodology used by Nielsen to reach the results and what it all means for the future of sports marketability.  Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/