Leaders Worth Knowing Podcast

Dan Rossomondo has spent over 20 years in the sports industry delivering international business strategies to accelerate growth across sponsorship, media, licensing and retail. He cut his teeth at the NBA where he helped to supercharge the organisation as a sports, entertainment and lifestyle property for over a decade. He's now bringing that experience and track record to MotoGP, where he was appointed as CCO in 2023, and is responsible for leading the media rights, global commercial partnerships and digital business teams.One year into the role, he joined Leaders Editorial Director James Emmett to reflect on the journey so far, the incredibly exciting time for the sport, and how he's planning to fuel the continued internal growth of MotoGP's profile, audience and revenue. This episode is part of the Leaders in Focus series, produced in partnership with IMG.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett popped his wellies on and headed down to Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire this week to join an exclusive gathering of sports, media and entertainment leaders at the IMG x RedBird Summit. 'Raising the Game' was the theme of the event, and much of the conference content was future-focused, aimed at identifying, in RedBird CEO Gerry Cardinale's words, how to 'skate to where the puck is going'. In amongst the on-stage sessions, the off-stage masterclasses, and the catch-ups across the farm, James sat down with a handful of the guests for a series of low time-high impact conversations. On the show, you'll hear from: - RedBird's Gerry Cardinale - on his investment thesis and the opportunity to rejuvenate world class IP at AC Milan, Paramount, and the Telegraph; - IMG's President of Media Adam Kelly - on his vision for the event, and the current state of play in the sports media rights market; - PCP Capital Partners CEO Amanda Staveley - on her exit from Newcastle United and the buyer/seller dynamics in elite football ownership; - Gymshark Chief Brand Officer Noel Mack - on building a British brand with unicorn status; - IMG EVP Hillary Mandel - on a year of major deal making with the USTA and ESPN, Roland Garros and Warner Brothers Discovery, and the NWSL.

Sam Sadi, CEO of LiveScore, shares insights on transforming sports media and betting strategies. He discusses how convergence enhances customer experience, driving loyalty in a competitive market. Sam shares his journey in online gambling, including marketing strategies and user engagement. The conversation dives into LiveScore's evolution from a score app to a full betting platform, including expansion plans in the U.S. and the use of AI to navigate challenges in the sports betting landscape.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan hit the studio again for a wander through the sports industry stories of the week.On the eve of the Uefa Champions League draw, they’re joined by Uefa Marketing Director Guy-Laurent Epstein to help explain the revamped competition format and the reasons behind the changes.Epstein also discusses partner reaction to the new-look tournament; 30 years of Champions League brand finessing; the rise of the Women’s Champions League; North America’s growing interest in football and what that means for organisations like Uefa; what he’s looking for in an agency partner, as a new sales cycle looms; and the approach to innovation in a football market that prizes tradition.

Marina Storti has spent over 20 years in the sports industry delivering strategies to accelerate commercial growth, engage diverse fans and impact positive change.And she’s been bringing all of that experience and expertise to her new role as CEO of WTA Ventures – the commercial arm of the WTA – having previously earned her sporting stripes at Sky and NOW TV.One year into the role, she joined David Cushnan and James Emmett to reflect on an incredibly exciting time for women’s professional tennis; the partnerships that she’s overseen during her tenure so far - most notably with Saudi Arabia - and how she’s planning to guide WTA Ventures in an innovative new era of the WTA.This episode is part of the Leaders in Focus series, produced in partnership with IMG.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan gather their thoughts and reflect on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.They discuss the broadcast coverage and tone, for the BBC, Discovery and NBC in particular; sponsor creep in the wake of LVMH and Samsung’s activity in Paris; the visual spectacle and the power of the still image; the challenges ahead for organisers of LA28; and Thomas Bach firing the gun on an IOC Presidential election next year.

Claire Nelson is in the midst of overseeing the relaunch of Netball Super League. As Managing Director, she’s plotting a 10-year path to professionalisation for the newly-restructured eight-team league and intent on growing the sport around the UK.On this edition of Leaders in Focus, she shares those plans; her approach to breaking the bad news to the existing teams that won’t be getting a place in the new league format; why working with Premier League club Nottingham Forest – which acquired one of the franchises - could open up a world of opportunity; and the commercial models that underpin the Super League’s growth strategy.She also discusses life as a CEO; the progress being made in EDI across sport; and how to make room for brands looking to be creative – and even edgy - when activating in and around women’s sport.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan are reunited for a chinwag about the global business of sport.They reflect on the summer of sport and hospitality so far - from Wimbledon to the British Grand Prix - and consider the latest state of play at the NBA, as its new media deal nears completion, and the health of tennis and golf.Then, on the eve of the Olympic Games, they ponder the major storylines and pointers of Paris 2024, including the baffling logistical and security operation for the opening ceremony along the River Seine; the role and integration of LVMH into various aspects of the Games experience; the political clouds hanging over the event; and the ambitious hospitality programme being delivered for the IOC by On Location.

Leaders’ Content Director David Cushnan rattles through the big stories of the sports industry week - media rights updates from the NBA and Ligue 1, and the IOC-Saudi deal for the Olympic Esports Games - before two more conversations recorded at last month’s Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. He was joined by two athletes transitioning into executive roles, operating in growing, challenger sports in the US.Brazil’s Helio Castroneves is a four-time Indy 500 winner, who is gradually winding down his racing career and moved into team ownership in Indycar.Paul Rabil, one of the great lacrosse players, co-founded PLL in 2019 and has put it on a growth path, helped by a major ESPN media deal and a switch this year to a city-based model for its eight competing teams.- - -For the fifth year in a row, Leaders in Sport is partnering with The Women’s Sport Collective and Women in Football to offer funded places at October’s Leaders Week London for women and nonbinary people working in sport. For more information and to apply visit leadersinsport.com

Leaders' Content Director David Cushnan is back with the stories of the sports industry week, while Editorial Director James Emmett chips in with two more conversations from last month’s Cannes International Festival of Creativity.England and Arsenal footballer Alessia Russo was first to drop in to the Sport Beach, hosted by Stagwell, for a chat about working with brands, and learning from the creative and marketing worlds.Then climber Alex Honnold, perhaps best known for his Free Solo film, stopped by to discuss how to tell the best sports stories and balancing performance with commercial work. - - -For the fifth year in a row, Leaders in Sport is partnering with The Women’s Sport Collective and Women in Football to offer funded places at October’s Leaders Week London for women and nonbinary people working in sport. For more information and to apply visit leadersinsport.com