SportsPro Podcast

With the New York Yankees having enjoyed two wins over the Boston Red Sox,  SportsPro senior writer Sam Carp returns from Stratford to tell editor at large Eoin Connolly about his impressions of the first ever MLB London Series. On the agenda: what can be done differently next year, what lessons can be learned from the NFL, and just why the two games at the London Stadium were so high-scoring.  Then, as the debate over the UK media impact of the Fifa Women's World Cup and ICC Men's Cricket World Cup continues, there's time to discuss free-to-air strategies in the digital age, and to dip into the Grabyo Global Video Trends Report for some insights into viewer tastes and device use. 

SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly and print editor Michael Long discuss a big week in Olympic circles, with Milan-Cortina awarded the 2026 Winter Games, a new Olympic House inaugurated in Lausanne, a unique deal signed with Coca-Cola and Mengniu for a reported US$3 billion, and more besides.  Then, with the Championships at Wimbledon a few days away, the AELTC's James Ralley and Alexandra Willis explain how the most prestigious tournament in tennis stays relevant in the global 21st century media landscape, from new content plans to the inaugural edition of Wimbledon Rematch, an immersive theatrical experience taking fans back to 1980. 

As the banned former Uefa president Michel Platini faces police questioning in France, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and print editor Michael Long discuss the latest developments in the ongoing saga around Qatar 2022, corruption allegations, Fifa and world soccer.  There's also time to consider a crowded summer soccer calendar, with the Copa America, Concacaf Gold Cup and Africa Cup of Nations colliding with the Fifa Women's World Cup, and to look into recent IPOs for Wanda Sports and the IMG and UFC owner Endeavor. Meanwhile, with the Nations League Finals marking the start of the Chinese payment giant's eight-year sponsorship of Uefa, Alipay's Rita Liu (26.58) explains the rationale behind the partnership, and outlines what to expect from the company's international strategy in sport.   

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly welcomes back print editor Michael Long from his travels to discuss some first impressions of the Fifa Women's World Cup in France, the impact of the Toronto Raptors' NBA Finals run in Canada, and the implications of the IAAF's move to rebrand as World Athletics.  Then we hear from Sanjay Patel (24.03), managing director of the England and Wales Cricket Board's divisive new tournament, The Hundred. He explains why the ECB felt it had to respond to changes in fan behaviour and the competition for attention, how he hopes the new format can appeal to a new audience, and how The Hundred's commercial structure will create a different set of opportunities for brands.  

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly heads back to the office to chat to senior writer Sam Carp about the imminent Fifa Women's World Cup (16.45), with brands, broadcasters and fans promising to mass behind the competition as never before. Fifa head of women's football Sarai Bareman (31.47) is also on the line with her thoughts on the weeks ahead in France, and just what it is that is driving the commercial breakthrough in women's sport.  There's also time to talk through a week of massive events elsewhere in the world of sport, from the impact on DAZN and the rest of the fight game of Anthony Joshua's shock loss to Andy Ruiz in New York, to Uefa's twin club finals and its Nations League bow in Portugal, and the prospect of a Fifa Club World Cup in Qatar. 

The 2019 ICC Men's Cricket Cup is here, with ten teams heading to England and Wales for 48 games across six weeks until the middle of July. SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly presents a special edition of the podcast looking at some of the work that has gone into putting together one of the biggest events of the year.  First up is Cricket World Cup 2019 managing director Steve Elworthy (3.47), the former South Africa international running his sixth global ICC event but taking charge of the big one for the first time. He talks about the final days of preparation, the task of managing an expanded team, how the tournament can capture the public imagination and his ambitions for the future.  Then, with England heading into the tournament as favourites for a first title, ECB head of marketing Jenny Smith (41.41) talks about how the national body is trying to connect with younger fans before a pivotal 2020 season. And Surrey chief executive Richard Gould (60.11) reveals what The Oval expects from its host venue duties this summer ahead of the opener between England and South Africa. 

Former British sports minister Tracey Crouch MP joins SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly to share her thoughts on the industry.   Crouch, who has taken on a role as a senior adviser to London-based communications agency The Playbook, explains why her objection to a delay on restrictions on fixed-odds betting terminals on UK high streets led her to resign her post, and gives her wider views on the role of gambling in British sport. She also recalls her experiences of working in government, from the reality of her remit to the challenges of securing funding in an era of austerity, and the likely impact of Brexit on sport.  And as a landmark decade of major events continues in the UK, she discusses the evolution of the sports business, the role of the public sector, the need for governance reform to reflect challenges like athlete safety, and the one sports job she would take if offered.    

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly presents a series of interviews recorded during SportsPro Live 2019 at The O2. Sean Bratches, the managing director of commercial operations at Formula One, talks about the series' calendar, the OTT service F1TV, and a partnership with movie star Will Smith's Westbrook Studios. (5.18)  Neil Hopkins, global head of strategy at M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment, discusses changes in the media landscape and the future of sports sponsorship. (10.41) Michael Prindiville, chief executive of Philadelphia 76ers-owned esports team Dignitas, gives his thoughts on the franchise's plans, the convergence of traditional sports and professional gaming, and the impact of Google Stadia. (21.10) And we hear from Premier League-winning Leicester City defender Christian Fuchs, founder of Fifa esports team No Fuchs Given, about how he got into the space and whether he expects other professional athletes to follow him. (28.24)

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and digital editor Tom Bassam wrap up two days of insights and new ideas at SportsPro Live 2019, discussing lessons learned where technology meets the sports business with Digital Sport editor Chris McMullin. SportsPro Live host and Sky Sports presenter Adam Leventhal (15:10) shares his thoughts; Sports Innovation Lab co-founders Angela Ruggiero and Josh Walker (20:00) explain how fandom has changed forever and what Avengers Endgame can teach the sports industry; and Seven League chief executive Richard Ayers (27:32) works through the nuts and bolts of digital transformation.  Finally, there's talk from the stage as Simon Wear (37:18), whose Play Sports Group was recently acquired by Discovery, reveals how digital communities are built, why publishers got into OTT, and plans for a unique global cycling network.

With the SportsPro team in full event mode delivering the biggest ever edition of SportsPro Live at The O2, editor at large Eoin Connolly presents two recent interviews from opposite sides of the globe.  First up, tennis: Wimbledon commercial and media director Mick Desmond discusses the grass-court Grand Slam's first Asian sponsorship deal with smartphone brand Oppo, its plans in China and India, improvements to SW19 including a roof and hospitality suites at No1 Court, the future of its sponsorship strategy and more.  Then, speaking to the team at SportsPro OTT Asia, Optus head of television and content Corin Dimopoulos talks about the lessons the Australian telco learned from a glitchy Fifa World Cup last year, the opportunities arising from the women's tournament this summer, distribution plans for the Premier League and Uefa Champions League, and the 5G future of OTT.