SportsPro Podcast

In a special extended edition of the SportsPro Podcast, SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly meets in Lausanne with Travis Tygart, the chief executive of the US Anti-Doping Agency. The discussion begins with the latest chapter in the Russian state doping saga, and the path forward now that Rusada's compliance has been confirmed - under review - for the time being. In part two, Tygart reflects on the wider challenges facing WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, with a presidential race due when the tenure of Sir Craig Reedie ends later this year. Finally, the conversation turns to the US, the challenges of wrangling combat sports into stricter practices, differing standards among the major leagues and the lessons of the Lance Armstrong case. He also explains why, fundamentally, he remains optimistic about the anti-doping cause.

SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly and print editor Michael Long shake off their Super Bowl-induced slumber to wrap up events from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, reflecting on audience figures and a pesky four-score of unsold luxury passes. They also look back on soccer's Asian Cup, won by 2022 Fifa World Cup hosts Qatar, whose attentions will now turn to the challenge of staging the biggest sporting event of them all.  There's also time to discuss the US launch of Golf Pass from NBC Sport and the PGA Tour, while BT Sport chief operating officer Jamie Hindhaugh lays out the UK pay-TV platforms innovation strategy as it launches new apps for Samsung, Xbox, Apple TV.

SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly and print editor Michael Long reflect on another eventful week in the sports industry: from the world of anti-doping, where Norway's Linda Helleland has announced a WADA presidential after the latest instalment of the Russia saga; to investment, where City Football Group has become a founder of investment fund Sapphire Sports; to soccer, where the Asian Cup has been overshadowed by the plight of Hakeem al-Araibi. There's also time to look ahead to two big oval-ball events: Super Bowl LIII and the return of rugby union's Six Nations. And Ben Spoont, co-founder and chief executive of Miami Heat-backed esports team Misfits Gaming, explains how he aims to create more physical touchpoints for a mostly digital fanbase.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly comes back from a trip to Berlin for the inaugural League of Legends European Championships to talk to magazine editor Michael Long about noises from the NBA about a game in Paris, the UFC's big boost to ESPN+, the NHL's rethink of its World Cup of Hockey plans, and more from a busy sports industry week. Elsewhere on the podcast, Ted Leonsis - founder of Washington Wizards, Capitals and Mystics ownership group Monumental Sports & Entertainment - shares his thoughts on changes in the sports media landscape, the impact of data, experiments in the live experience, and what the sports business actually is.

SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly and magazine editor Michael Long return to discuss Discovery's plans for a global cycling network after its takeover of Play Sports Group, presaging a new digital strategy around fan communities. They also reflect on a busy week in OTT, with developments in Disney's offloading of Fox's regional sports networks and the ongoing saga of the pirates of Qatari BeIN Sports. Elsewhere in the pod, there is a discussion of the 2026 Winter Olympic race as Stockholm and Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo enter the candidate phase, and to consider the void left behind by the retiring Andy Murray as athlete power and nostalgia create a potent mix.

SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly and print editor Michael Long return for a breezy run through the goings-on in the sports industry over the Christmas break, from Susanna Dinnage's shock U-turn over the Premier League's top job to CVC's bold plans for Premiership Rugby and the NFL's new casino deal. Then Bruin Sports Capital founder George Pyne lays out the philosophies that drive the private equity firm - which owns the likes of Deltatre, Courtside Ventures, Engine Shop and On Location Experiences - shares some of the lessons he has learned in a career taking in Nascar and IMG, and reveals some of his business role models.

In an easily digestible broadcast tech edition, SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly presents two interviews from November's SportsPro OTT Summit in Madrid. First, Fox Sports senior vice president of product operation Dustin Myers discusses the US broadcaster's work with AI specialist IBM Aspere to create the Fifa World Cup Highlights Machine, and shares his thoughts on the role automation will play in the development of OTT production. Then Neil Hall, the head of product for sport at the BBC, reveals how the publicly funded broadcaster is attacking latency issues to cut the gap between streams and linear TV output, the importance of new OTT rights partnerships, and how viewer engagement is changing.

As the 2018/19 NBA campaign turns the corner, SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly talks to Peter Feigin, president of Eastern Conference pacesetters Milwaukee Bucks, about a season of promise and transition. Feign discusses the opportunities that have come from setting up home at the world class new Fiserv Forum, the future of the venue experience for sports and entertainment fans, and the challenges of dealing with local government to get the facility into action and into service for the people of Wisconsin. He also talks about the Bucks' exploits on the court, including the prospect of a real tilt at the championship and working with emerging superstar and MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo.

With the festive season in sight, SportsPro editor-at-large  Eoin Connolly and print editor Michael Long are joined by Seven League consultant Charlie Beall and Sport Industry Group head of content Catherine Inkster to reflect on the year in the business of sport, including the Fifa World Cup in Russia, the prevailing currents in the Olympic movement, media disruption, understanding Fortnite, Wilder v Fury and plenty more in between. In a bumper edition, there's also time to look ahead to the trends that could shape 2019, and suggest some better habits for the industry next year - from opening up to new ideas to being more Kaepernick.

With the final print edition of 2018 put to bed, SportsPro magazine editor Michael Long rejoins editor-at-large Eoin Connolly to discuss a busy fortnight in the sports industry. On the agenda: whether the Copa Libertadores heralds a globe-trotting future for club soccer; a new man with a big job at the IAAF; Seattle's NHL return and the XFL's comeback; and what the experiences of Raheem Sterling, American gymnasts and Jess Varnish tell us about the growing power of the athlete voice. Then the well-travelled World Surf League chief executive Sophie Goldschmidt, the cover star of issue 103, shares her thoughts on a fast-emerging sport, its environmental responsibility, and the potential of wave pool technology.