SportsPro Podcast

SportsPro senior reporter Steve Impey returns from a stint in Japan to update editor at large Eoin Connolly and senior writer Sam Carp on the goings-on at the Rugby World Cup (15.44). There's also time to discuss the implications of Eliud Kipchoge's two-hour marathon breakthrough and the NBA's communications breakdown in China.  Then IBB Polonia chief executive Bartek Łuszcz and consultant Alex Inglot - moonlighting from his role as an ATP Tour board member - reveal how England's first entrants in Europe's Volleyball Champions League are rewriting the rulebook for smaller sports clubs (31.53). From signing superstar players to streaming matches in Poland and maximising the potential of their events, they are using every available asset to break out of their environment and take their sport with them in the UK. 

AP global sports correspondent Rob Harris on the World Athletics Championships, and ECB director of women's cricket Clare Connor on a new women's sport initiative.

Havas Sport and Entertainment and Vivendi veteran Lucien Boyer on Global Sports Week and the future of the French sports industry, and World Rugby CMO Marissa Pace on digital plans for the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

As the Rugby World Cup arrives in Japan, editor at large Eoin Connolly welcomes back Richard Gillis, the former SportsPro columnist, sometime agency operator, occasional Irish Times writer, and host of the Unofficial Partner podcast. On the agenda: how does sponsorship creative comes together around global competitions? What does Japan mean to the future of the tournament? How do rugby's touring culture and big eventers combine to deliver crowds? And will CVC and venture capital change union forever?  There's then time to revisit an interview from earlier in 2019 with World Rugby COO and head of Rugby World Cup Alan Gilpin, who discusses the logistical challenges and the commercial and sporting opportunities of taking the event to Asia for the first time.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly revisits another session from the Fan Conference, where he is joined by Tottenham Hotspur head of partnerships Fran Jones, Huddersfield Town commercial director Sean Jarvis, and Sponsor.Online managing partner Maximillian von Portatius to talk about disruption in soccer sponsorship. On the agenda: Spurs' search for a naming rights partner at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, getting Beavertown beer in that new ground, Huddersfield's mischievous activation of their shirt sponsorship deal with bookmaker Paddy Power, what brings brands and teams together, and plenty more besides.

The inaugural SportsPro Fan Conference ends with The Big Debate at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by Whistle's international managing director Jeff Nathenson, Copa90 chief business officer James Kirkham and sports consultant Drew Barrand to talk about toxicity in social media, the points where brands and hardcore supporters meet, bringing fans on the journey to new stadiums, and why anyone who's good at their job in sports media needs to know about KSI v Logan Paul II.  With the bars open in north London you can expect some strong opinions, and some strong language.

With November's P1 AquaX World Championship in the Bahamas on the horizon, SportsPro senior writer Sam Carp is joined on a special edition of the SportsPro Podcast by Powerboat P1 chief executive Azam Rangoonwala. An engineering graduate and former racer himself, Rangoonwala dials in from the global marine motorsport promoter's international racing headquarters in Orlando to discuss the development of P1's flagship series and its plans to expand in the future. 

As the Ashes summer nears its end, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly heads to the Kia Oval to talk to cricket legend Shane Warne.  The former Australia leg-spinner talks about his role with the Indian Premier League's Rajasthan Royals, and how franchise cricket has changed the job of a professional player on and off the field. He also discusses The Hundred and its tactical secrets, as he prepares to join the Lord's franchise as head coach, and shares his thoughts on preserving the historic Test format.  There's then time to revisit the Black Book Motorsport Forum, and hear the thoughts of senior figures from three leading teams about their challenges in 2019. M-Sport WRC team principal Rich Millener, Nissan global motorsport director Michael Carcamo and Yan Lefort, commercial director at Sauber Group for the Alfa Romeo Racing F1 Team, join the conversation.

In a briefer edition of the SportsPro Podcast, editor at large Eoin Connolly speaks to Riot Games' Alban Dechelotte and the Kellogg Company's Dominik Schafhaupt to find out what Pringles' sponsorship of the League of Legends European Championship tells us about what brands are doing in esports.  How does a non-endemic sponsor prepare to engage with the esports community? How can partners spread their activities across groups of gamers and viewers? What can companies do to connect with a more marketing-savvy audience? And why is it that relevance and not breakthrough is what counts in this space? 

SportsPro has released its tenth annual list of the world's 50 most marketable athletes, with tennis star Naomi Osaka heading the class of 2019. Editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to editorial director Michael Long about what the feature is intended to accomplish, its unique criteria, how it has changed to reflect the media marketplace and the interests of brands, and the role of social data partner Hookit in compiling it.  Then it's over to SportsPro HQ where digital editor Tom Bassam and senior writer Sam Carp are on hand to talk through some of the themes that emerge from this year's edition.  What puts Osaka on top? How are brands becoming more comfortable with outspoken ambassadors like Megan Rapinoe? What magnetises people to young talents like Zion Williamson, Jofra Archer and Chloe Kim, or keeps them interested in established megastars like Stephen Curry? How are the stories of marketable athletes changing in their detail and range, and what do brands need to be aware of before they sign?