SportsPro Podcast

In the latest SportsPro Podcast Extra, SportsPro deputy editor Sam Carp talks to Alexandra Armas, the chief executive of the Ladies' European Tour (LET).  They discuss the many challenges of keeping the tour going through the coronavirus crisis, with the calendar on pause until July and players and promoters to support in the meantime. Also on the agenda are the LET's joint venture with the LPGA, the future of golf governance, and protecting women's sport through the wider shutdown. 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 and editorial director Michael Long are joined by Richard Gillis, the founder of Unofficial Partner, (06:59) to discuss the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the sports agency business, including its current role in the industry and what change could be afoot once the lockdown lifts. Then (35:55), Lenah Ueltzen-Gabell, Wasserman’s managing director for EMEA, tells deputy editor Sam Carp how the agency has responded to the Covid-19 health crisis, and shares some of the advice it has been offering its clients across the sports sector. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In the latest edition of the SportsPro Podcast Extra, editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by Gareth Balch, co-founder and chief executive of data-driven agency Two Circles.  They discuss research into the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, what to make of fan behaviour during sport's shutdown, the challenges of a packed 2021, and what the future holds for Two Circles itself after investment from Bruin Sports Capital. 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 and digital editor Tom Bassam welcome Rob Koehler, Global Athlete (GA) director general, and Callum Skinner, its athlete lead, for an in-depth discussion on how Tokyo 2020 hopefuls are dealing with the Games' postponement, as well as the wider ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic.    Talk also turns to what athlete-driven change GA wants to see implemented by the International Olympic Committee, (IOC) and other organisations, during a crisis that has prevented sports’ star attractions from taking centre stage.   Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In the first edition of the SportsPro Podcast Extra series, editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to one-time colleague Adam Fraser, now global chief executive of Laureus Sport for Good. They discuss how the sport for development sector can cope during the Covid-19 crisis and what sports organisations and brands need to understand if they want to help make a real difference.  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 and deputy editor Sam Carp are joined by the Press Association’s chief sports reporter Jamie Gardner to assess the challenges ahead for sports following the mass cancellations of events worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic. (03:34) Plus, the International Paralympic Committee’s president, Andrew Parsons, is on the line from Brazil to talk through the organisation’s new plans for the Paralympic Games following the postponement of Tokyo 2020 until next summer. (29:41) Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

After the Easter break, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly returns this week to speak with Kindred Group’s UK general manager Neil Banbury on how the gambling sector is adapting during the ongoing pandemic in order to keep offering new markets despite the decimated sporting calendar. (04:21)   Neil, who oversees Kindred brands such as 32Red and Unibet, also discusses the renewed importance of esports and virtual sports for betting firms, the importance of responsible gambling in the current climate, and factoring in the return of live sport to the industry's future business modeling. 

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and digital editor Tom Bassam talk to OneFootball head of OTT and sports business blogger Yannick Ramcke about the impact of the live events shutdown on the broadcast sector, asking how rights relationships and value can be protected and how effective filler efforts like esports and archive or original content will be. (01:41) Then SportsPro senior writer Steven Impey speaks with Yiannis Exarchos, chief executive of Olympic Broadcasting Services, about the implications of the Tokyo 2020 delay, the Olympic Channel's revised plans for the months ahead, and the accelerated adoption of remote production and collaboration. (38:08)

This week, editor at large Eoin Connolly and digital editor Tom Bassam welcome Lisa Parfitt, managing director of Engine Sport, back to the pod to get her insight on the impact the coronavirus pandemic is having on commercial conversations in sports marketing (02:11). Next, Joel Seymour-Hyde, managing director of Octagon UK, gives his thoughts on how sponsorship has been affected and can adapt in the wake of the global health crisis (27:33). In the final part, Lisa discusses the potential risks facing women’s sport as rights holders and brands cut back on their investments as Covid-19 takes hold (55:51).

Recorded before the postponement of Tokyo 2020 was confirmed, the New York Times’ sports news correspondent Tariq Panja joins editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long to discuss the latest impact of the coronavirus pandemic (02:44). Then, James Earl, partner at Fladgate LLP, is on to give a legal perspective regarding the challenges being faced by the mass cancellations across sports (27:21). In part three, (48:12) Eoin, Mike and Tariq look at the bigger picture within the sports industry as the Covid-19 outbreak evolves.