SportsPro Podcast

As 16 teams head into an expanded play-off stretch, Major League Baseball chief operations and strategy officer Chris Marinak talks to SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly about the future of America's pastime. They discuss the unique challenges of 2020, new experiments in digital engagement, and how MLB is planning to build the baseball experience of tomorrow around each individual fan.

Endurance sport takes centre stage on this week's podcast as SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly welcomes the Professional Triathletes Organisation's (PTO) chief executive Sam Renouf and vice chairman Chris Kermode (04:03). After launching in January 2020, having secured significant capital from Crankstart Investments, the PTO is looking to improve commercial prospects for triathletes. Here, Eoin, Sam and Chris discuss triathlon's commercial and broadcast potential, its financial backing, adapting to Covid-19 and differentiating PTO events from other sports.  Chris also reflects on his time as executive chairman and president of the  Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and what drew him to his new role at the PTO (36:40).  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 back with editorial director Michael Long, wrapping up some of the key talking points from day two of SportsPro Live. They’re joined by Swipe Right PR founder Kirsty Endfield, who brings everyone up to date on the esports conversations from around the event, and Seven League consulting partner Charlie Beall returns from the conference round tables to give his thoughts on taking physical experiences into digital spaces.   Then there’s time for some more excerpts from the virtual stage: former Manchester United and England footballer Gary Neville talks communication (34.05), we hear why 23 is not the only number synonymous with Michael Jordan (38.40), and Yath Gangakumaran lays out Formula One’s sustainable vision for the future (42.05).

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and deputy editor Sam Carp are joined by Jeff Nathenson, managing director, international at Whistle Sports, to review the first day of the first fully virtual SportsPro Live.  They discuss Jeff’s chat with the CMOs of the Carolina Panthers and LA Chargers, Sam’s panel on the international strategies for the NFL, NHL and MLB, some more of their day one highlights and their picks for day two.   Then there’s time to make a run through some brief cuts from a few sessions, with Wimbledon CEO Sally Bolton (26.47), the Paris 2024 tech philosophy (30.19), how AWS is helping the Bundesliga tell stories (34.50), and the social media formats (40.31) to look out for during the ‘new normal’.  

As the new National Football League (NFL) season kicks off, editor at large Eoin Connolly previews a very different campaign with Peter Schwartz, Sportico’s senior sports valuations and legal reporter. In a detailed discussion, the pair assess the mood in the US ahead of the league’s start, Covid-19 safety measures, potential broadcast rights plans and social justice issues, as well as unpicking Sportico’s NFL franchise values.  Plus (42:36), Eoin speaks to Lu Bolden, chief revenue officer at Verimatrix, to find out how the digital security company is working to support rights holders, brands and broadcasters in protecting their content and data across a range of platforms without obstructing fan interactions. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

John Levy, the founder and chief executive of TheScore, tells SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly how the second most popular sports mobile app in North America is now the basis for a major new player in the emerging US sports betting marketplace. Levy outlines how the company's history has led it to this point, explains its plans to build on its experience in individualisation and user experience, and argues that its strength is that it will always be a media company first.  Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

SportsPro managing director Nick Meacham heads up another entry from the SportsPro Insider Series, speaking to Rufus Hack, chief operating officer of golf's European Tour and Ryder Cup, and Charlotte Offord, UK senior marketing director at the NFL (4.04). They lay out approaches to developing an international media strategy, discuss the balance between OTT and linear options, explain the importance of original digital content and best practice in pricing, and run through other topics from the NFL Game Pass to Golf TV and plenty in between.

In a session from the SportsPro Insider Series, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Octagon senior vice president Daniel Cohen and One Football commercial lead for OTT streaming Yannick Ramcke about the future of the sports rights market (4.50). They discuss what sports media rights are going to be worth in the years ahead, the impact of Covid-19, digital disruption, competition for share of wallet, bundling and unbundling, and the prospects for rights holders and broadcasters alike.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Guy Voisin, director of cycling, Eurosport, and head of GCN Racing at Play Sports Network, and Mike Rich, Eurosport’s global head of sports marketing solutions.  In this Tour de France podcast special, the three examine what the event will be like for the pan-European broadcaster amid the current climate and what changes to this year’s schedule have triggered throughout the business of cycling. Then (33:35), Eoin welcomes Darach McQuaid, chairman of GreenEdge Cycling, to hear about his experiences of a disrupted summer, his commercial hopes for the sport and expectations for the Mitchelton-Scott team at this year’s tour.  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 Paul Linden, founder and chief executive of specialist sports finance practice Endorser. Linden explains how the company has built its business on providing debt-free financing to live events operators in return for commercial-related income and discusses the longer-term implications of recent events, including how finance departments can develop a stronger strategic influence within sports organisations.  Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/