SportsPro Podcast

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/

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/