Leaders Worth Knowing Podcast

Leaders’ Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan review the big sports industry stories of the week, joined in the studio by Giulia Zecchini, Co-Founder of Sneaker Sisterhood.There’s reflections on the big motorsport announcement which has seen F1 owner Liberty Media acquire MotoGP in a deal valued at £3.6 billion.Elsewhere, Giulia Zecchini joins the show for a deep dive on sneaker culture: what it is, the challenger brands in the market, and how fashion collaborations are put together.Plus a look back to the on-stage programme at 4se New York in 2023, our sports, media, brands and popular culture show, examining the spaces where sport, lifestyle, culture and entertainment are intersecting.There’s still time to join us in New York on Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd May for the 2024 edition – visit 4-se.com for more details.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan return for an extended ramble around the stories of the sports industry week.There’s reflections on the Cheltenham Festival as an event, a social occasion and a sports industry hospitality hotspot; the competing visions for the future of global professional tennis; and the NFL’s latest expansion of its team international marketing programme.Plus a look ahead to the on-stage programme at 4se New York, our sports, media, brands and popular culture show, examining the spaces where sport, lifestyle, culture and entertainment are intersecting.There’s still time to join us in New York on Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd May - visit4-se.com for more details.

Leaders' Content Director David Cushnan has the stories of the sports industry week, and he's joined by Winners Alliance CEO Ahmad Nassar. Nassar discusses Netflix's decision to halt production on tennis documentary Break Point and the latest on the NBA's next media rights deal. He also explains the rationale behind Winners Alliance, the for-profit affiliate of the Professional Tennis Players Association and the Federation of International Cricketers' Association, and its latest project: the launch of a new track and field professional series in partnership with Michael Johnson. Also on the show, Leaders' Javan Odegah stops by to share the latest on the Leaders Diversity Series, and preview his YouTube conversation with the LTA and Amazon Prime Video.

Leaders’ Editorial Director James Emmett sifts through the sports industry stories of the week in the company of World Horse Racing CEO and sports broadcast expert Russell Scott. Leaders MD Laura McQueen is also in the hot seat and outlines what you need to do to win a Leaders Sports Award this year.On the conversational agenda: Reviewing the National Rugby League’s first foray to the US with two action-packed games being played out in front of a 40,000 Las Vegas crowd; the content pillars that are helping World Horse Racing tell new stories; and China’s return as a global sporting superpower.Listen to the podcast below, and subscribe today on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or your chosen podcast platform.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan sum up the sports industry week, joined in the studio by British Cycling CEO Jon Dutton.They reflect on the first edition of the Greater Bay Area International Sports Business Summit, held last weekend in Macau, and a new positivity around China’s relationship with sport. There’s also time to examine the abandonment of the DFL’s plan to find a private equity partner for the Bundesliga, challenger sports trying to make it in the USA and Apple’s new scores app.Then Dutton discusses preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games; how British Cycling is restructuring at a time when the national governing body model is “distressed”; the different rhythm of leadership required at an NGB versus his previous role as CEO of the Rugby League World Cup; and commercialising the men’s and women’s Tours of Britain.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan take a purposeful stroll through the stories of the sports industry week, joined by Dee Kundra, Managing Director, Americas, for Bayern Munich.There are reflections on the NBA’s annual tech summit - and the concept of in-house rights-holder conferences - and the league’s NB-AI showcase, plus a look at China’s re-emergence on the global sports stage.Then Kundra explains exactly how a regional office for a major football club works and outlines the business, logistics and importance of pre-season club tours, as well as looking ahead to the first edition of the expanded and revamped Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States in the summer of 2025.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan sift through the stories of the sports industry week.They ponder China's decision to cancel two Argentina friendlies, as the row over Lionel Messi escalates; putting boots on the ground in new markets, as the NFL selects Madrid as its next host venue; Emirates' new deal with the NBA; the trio of media companies going into business together with a new sports streaming service; and the ATP's viral promo video.And, with half an eye on our 4se New York sport-meets-entertainment event experience (Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd May), there's no better duo to examine the deepening relationship between fashion and sport. For more details on 4se New York, visit: https://4-se.com.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan break down the stories of the sports industry week, in the company of big-time boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland. There's Lewis Hamilton's big move to Ferrari, the latest Saudi sports plays and a major deal in executive search, as Elevate acquires SRI. Then Sauerland, Global Head of Boxing at Wasserman and one of the driving forces behind crossover boxing series Misfits, takes us inside the boxing industry: Saudi Arabia's growing influence, working with KSI on Misfits and why he sold his business, Team Sauerland, to Wasserman in 2021.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan assess the stories of the sports industry week, with the help of Amanda Calder-McLaren, the new CMO of outdoor wear brand Montirex. They discuss stadium and Formula One team branding, as Levi’s renew a big deal with the San Francisco 49ers and Visa teams up with Red Bull in F1. Then Calder-McLaren explains her switch to Montirex after six years looking after The North Face’s brand and marketing activities. She outlines the challenges of building credible, meaningful partnerships with endurance/adventure events and fans; shares her perspective on the role purposes plays in modern marketing; and explains why she’s helped found Opening Up The Outdoors, a coalition of brands seeking to make outdoors spaces a more inclusive environment.

Leaders' Editorial Director James Emmett and Content Director David Cushnan pick over the stories of the sports industry week, in the company of Ladies European Tour Commercial Director, Fiona Harold.They react to Netflix’s big, bold move into live sports-entertainment with WWE and examine the latest news from Saudi Arabia, as World Snooker prepares to host its first event there and Formula E, Extreme E and E1 Series sign a sizeable partnership with the Public Investment Fund.Sticking with Saudi, Harold shares her perspective on the latest state of play in golf, the LET’s busy 2024 international schedule, and how the tour is working with and seeking to attract brand partners.