SportsPro Podcast

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long talk to Joe Favorito, the hugely experienced sports marketing and communications consultant and Columbia University professor. They discuss how the Covid-19 crisis has underlined the need for more coordinated leadership in US sport, efforts to restart sport and the long-term impact of the shutdown. Favorito, who has considerable experience advising the creators of sports-based film and entertainment, also gives his thoughts on the success and potential influence of The Last Dance, the ESPN and Netflix documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long are joined on this week’s podcast by Charlie Greenwood, founder of sports tech hub Sports Loft, to talk through the current state of play for startups and what fledgling businesses need to do to survive and thrive during the Covid-19 health crisis and post-pandemic. (01:55) Then (35:52), Michael is on the line with Tal Brown, chief executive and founder of Zone7, a data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) startup that supports athlete performance, to learn about his experiences over the last few months and hear about the future for sport tech startups.  Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

SportsPro deputy editor Sam Carp talks to Rachel Jacobson, the new president of the Drone Racing League.  They discuss the challenges of starting a job in the middle of a global pandemic, the future prospects for the league, female representation in leadership roles in sport, and the lessons of a long spell at the NBA, including as SVP of global partnerships, at a time when the league closed US$1 billion in sponsorship deals. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly welcomes Alban Dechelotte, head of partnerships and business development EMEA at Riot Games, and Julian Tan, Formula One’s head of digital business initiatives and esports, to the podcast. (00:30) The pair air their thoughts on how coronavirus has reshaped the competitive gaming industry, how their organisations have reacted to the health crisis, and what long-term change can be excepted. Plus (31:14), SportsPro journalist Ed Dixon speaks with John Clarke, chief executive of gaming operator Gfinity, who discusses the wider implications facing the industry due to Coivd-19, with the ePremier League, Virtual Grands Prix, the role of broadcasters, and athlete involvement all covered.  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 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/