Sports Pundit Podcast Network

Today’s episode, I’m joined by Alex Gough, CEO of the Professional Squash Association. With a career spanning 15 years on the professional circuit, Alex climbed the ranks to reach number 5 in the world. Along the way, he also secured 10 World Tour titles and a Bronze Medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur. His contributions to squash extend far beyond the court, however. His dedication to the sport led him to join the PSA as a Board Director in 2002, while still an active player. Following his retirement, he has transitioned seamlessly into leadership roles, first as Chief Operating Officer in 2008, and then taking the helm as CEO in 2009. In our conversation today, we delve into Alex's role at the forefront of the PSA, the global governing body responsible for the administration of professional squash worldwide. He’s got a lot on his plate. With over 1,000 registered players and 600 events annually, the PSA World Tour, the PSA Challenger Tour, and the WSF & PSA Satellite Tour, the PSA aspire to showcase squash at its pinnacle. And they do so in some breathtaking locations around the globe. Time Stamps 2:00 - Alex’s Journey into his current role as CEO of the PSA 3:30 - Transitioning from Player to a Governance/ Executive Role in Sport 6:30 - Overview of the Current Squash Calendar 12:00 - Communication with Current Players and Understanding their Needs 13:30 - Discussion on Managing both Men's and Women's Tours 15:00 - Implementing Equal Prize Money 19:00 - Insights into Commercial Deals, including Sponsors like JP Morgan 21:00 - Egypt's Dominance in Producing Top-Quality Squash Players 23:00 - Exploration of Outdoor Events and their Appeal 27:00 - Utilising Social Media to Attract New Audiences 31:00 - The Popularity of Pickleball and Padel, and the Opportunities for Squash 38:00 - Implications of squash being included in the Olympics 41:00 - Future aspirations and ambitions for the PSA leading up to LA 2028 Additional Links Professional Squash Association celebrates 50th anniversary Cricket, squash among six sports added to 2028 L.A. Olympics Video: Playing Squash at the Olympics Connect with Alex on LinkedIn - Here Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - Here

Today’s episode, I’m joined by Carmen Rendell, Founder of Soulhub. She’s not your usual therapist or business owner. She’s a community space holder and a truth seeker. She says herself she loves to get under the bonnet and get to the real stuff. Talk raw truths. To stop the pretence and help you or your business say and see it how it really is. And she’s done this for some huge businesses like HSBC, eBay, and WhatsApp. My conversation today is unlike others that I’ve held, far more introspective, but I hope that, like with all the content that I put out, it provokes thought and ideation. Ultimately at the centre of every business and every sport are humans, and it’s important to take a step back and recognise that fundamental truth.  Time Stamps: 2:00 - Carmen’s Journey to Founding Soulhub 15:00 - What is Soulhub?  22:00 - Recruiting and Bringing People into your Mission 26:00 - What has Wellbeing and Spirituality got to do with Sport? 29:00 - Getting the Best out of Ourselves and our Teams 35:00 - Balancing Morals and Values with Necessity 38:00 - Sitting with Difference Additional Links Souhubbers Podcast - Episode 1 – Who is Carmen Rendell? The Growing Importance Of Employee Wellness: How Are You Responding? Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠ Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠ 

Today’s episode I’m joined by Formula E’s Jeff Dodds.  In his role as CEO, Jeff is spearheading the evolution of the pioneering electric motorsport world championship, best-known for it’s promotion of sustainability within elite sports—a mission that's more vital than ever. Before taking the helm, Jeff honed his leadership prowess within the dynamic landscape of Virgin businesses. From his most recent tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Virgin Media O2, to his multifaceted roles at Virgin Media prior to that, which included spells as COO, Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer. Having also held executive roles outside of Telecoms, at the likes of Callaway Golf and Honda UK, Jeff has a wealth of insights to bring to the table for the still-young racing series as it moves into it’s next phase of growth, something that we discuss heavily. So, without further ado, please enjoy my conversation with Jeff Dodds. Time Stamps 2:00 - Applying Lessons from Telcos 4:00 - Working for a Virgin Business 7:00 - What Differentiates the Formula E Product? 10:00 - Balancing Purpose and Product 15:00 - Retaining Competitive Balance 21:00 - Hosting an E-Prix on the Streets of Tokyo 27:00 - The Benefits to Being Young 29:00 - Can Men and Women Compete in the Same Racing Series? 36:00 - Going Behind a Paywall in the UK 45:00 - Looking to the Future Additional Links Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠here⁠ Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠ 

Today’s episode, I’m joined by Henrik Teisbæk, co-founder and CEO of Veo Technologies.  Veo was founded in Copenhagen in 2015  with a vision to democratise video broadcasting and analytics which at the time was reserved mostly for professional teams.  The company creates smart, AI-powered cameras that let anyone record their match without a camera operator. The automatic recording and video-editing then enables coaches and players to watch and share their sport.  While predominantly focused on football, I recently partnered with Veo when I launched the Sports Pundit rugby predictor game for both the men’s and women’s Six Nations. From that initial conversation about a partnership also grew a curiosity to learn more about their product, as well as how it was being utilised - particularly at the grassroots level - something rarely discussed within sports industry content. Time Stamps 2:00 - Founding Veo  4:00 - Transitioning from Software to Hardware  10:00 - The Commercial Benefits of Video 13:00 - Targeting the Grassroots 19:00 - Expanding into New Sports and Markets  24:00 - The Opportunity in Women’s Sport 27:00 - Launching the People’s Puskas Award 30:00 - Creating New Jobs 34:00 - Looking to the Future Additional Links Great goals can come from everywhere: Veo unveils People's Puskas 2023 AI camera startup Veo targets further expansion after US$80m funding round Mastering Moments: Unveiling the new Veo Cam 3 ‘We’re creating a video network for all of soccer’: Veo’s goal to take AI tech to the masses Connect with Henrik on LinkedIn - ⁠here Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here 

Today’s episode, I’m joined by Josh Helmrich - Senior Director, Media Strategy, Business Development and Next Gen Stats (NGS) at the NFL.  NFL Next Gen Stats provides clubs with data to analyse trends and player performance, while enhancing the fans’ experience in-stadium, online and during game telecasts. Having worked at the NFL for almost 15 years across various roles, Josh has seen first hand the increasing prevalence of data both within the league and across the wider sporting ecosystem.  Taking time out of his schedule at the recent SportInnovation Summit in Dusseldorf, I sat down with Josh to discuss the impact of the Next Gen Stats program so far, and what he’s aspirations are for it in the months and years ahead. Time Stamps 2:00 - Getting into the NFL  4:00 - What is NFL Next Gen Stats?  7:00 - Identifying Puka Nacua, the offensive Rookie of the Year 11:00 - Working with External Vendors  14:00 - Bringing in Technology from Outside Sports 17:00 - Considering the Competitive Balance  21:00 - Applying data to the Betting Industry  25:00 - The Evolution of Data Collection  28:00 - Customising the Viewer's Experience  31:00 - Future Ambitions  Additional Links Rams Share Behind-the-Scenes Video of Decision to Draft Puka Nacua NFL and Genius Sports provide new fan insights during games Here's How The NFL's Next Gen Stats Technology Actually Works (And How It's Changed The Game) ESPN's Toy Story Funday Football: The tech behind Falcons-Jaguars fully animated alt-cast 7 AI-powered features you’ll find on Prime Video's ‘Thursday Night Football‘ this season Connect with Josh on LinkedIn - ⁠here Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here 

Today’s episode, I’m joined by Peer Naubert, CMO and Managing Director of Bundesliga International. Growing up in Germany, Peer has gained experience working in South Korea, China, and the Netherlands. His current role involves working closely with clubs to further develop a joint international approach, providing them with global marketing and commercial opportunities and offering financial support for their global activities.  Managing a team of 44 employees across Frankfurt, Singapore, New York, and Beijing, Peer is focused on developing and executing local marketing strategies that drive fandom. To date, this has resulted in the Bundesliga becoming the fastest growing, among Europe's top football leagues, in terms of awareness, interest, and media consumption globally.  Taking time out of his schedule at the recent SportInnovation Summit in Dusseldorf, I sat down with Peer to discuss what he has done, and what he’s aspiring to do in the months and years ahead.  Time Stamps 2:30 - A Recap of SportInnovation Summit 6:00 - Peer’s Journey to the Bundesliga 9:00 - Lessons from Living in Korea 12:00 - The Arrival of England Captain, Harry Kane  16:30 - The Launch of Fortuna for All  23:00 - Appealing to the US Soccer Fan 26:00 - Remaining Affordable 33:00 - Building Up a Database of International Fans 35:00 - The NFL and Playing Internationally 38:00 - Overcoming the Language Problem  Additional Links Sports Innovation 2024: Wonderment and warnings in equal measure as AI dominates Düsseldorf event Fortuna Favours the Brave Connect with Peer on LinkedIn - ⁠here Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here 

Today’s episode, I’m joined by Mike Armstrong. Mike is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Juventus.  Moving from Toronto to Torino, Mike joined the club in September 2021, with a remit to innovate and to grow the club's global supporter base. As the only English-speaking native within the organisation, this has required some cultural readjustment. As has moving into life working within a sports rights holder environment, having previously spent his time working in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) with both Kraft Foods and AB InBev, as well as in media at CBC, Google, and esports upstart Overactive Media. The result is a unique perspective, and an approach that is unlike any other from across the top football clubs in Europe. Time Stamps 2:00 - Ronaldo’s Exit 6:00 - Working Closely with Fans (Rather than Customers) 9:00 - Addressing the Economic Headwinds Facing European Football  11:00 - Lessons from Working in Consumer Packaged Goods  14:00 - Merging of Chief Marketing and Chief Communications Roles  18:00 - Embracing Generative AI Tools  21:00 - Brining Fan-Created Content In-House 26:00 - Content as a Driver of Fandom 30:00 - Creating for Netflix vs TikTok  35:00 - Reducing Reliance on Individual Star Power  38:00 - Borrowed vs Owned and Operated Platforms 42:00 - Becoming a Distribution Channel for Other Content 48:00 - Getting More Women In Football  53:00 - Plans for the Future?  Additional Links Brain games, 'LA-style' creator labs & TikTok: Embracing innovation at Juventus TikTok Tactic: Juventus tap into the Freestyle World Championships Chiesa to Segura: How Juventus' Creator Lab is Driving a New Approach to Content Creation Connect with Mike on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here

Today’s Episode, I’m joined my Michael Dhulst. Michael is the Co-Founder and CEO of supertri, formerly known as Super League Triathlon.  Since its bold emergence in 2017, this is a league which as carved out a well-earned reputation for disruption - built from the outset to shake up the swim-bike-run events space.  Now, under its new supertri brand they aim to further embrace their ‘challenger’ status and build on the foundations they have put in place as the short-form specialists, aspiring to be to triathlon what Twenty20 is to cricket. And in order to get there, Dhulst and his co-founders, Leonid Boguslavsky and four-time triathlon world champion Chris McCormack, are putting their own capital, passion, and expertise on the line.  Time Stamps:  2:00 - Initial Interest in Triathlon  5:00 - Identifying a Gap in the Market 8:00 - What is supertri?  11:00 - Transitioning from Mass Participation to Spectator Sport 13:00 - Unlocking New Venue Opportunities 17:00 - Creating a Team Format  25:00 - Capitalising on the Olympics 30:00 - Generating Revenues without the Big Media Cheque 34:00 - Analysing the Competition…  37:00 - Hosting the eSports World Championships for Triathlon  Additional Links Video: Introducing supertri Supertri rebrand builds on Super League Triathlon’s disruptive ethos World Triathlon and Super League Triathlon unite for new esports series Podcast: How Zwift Challenged the Tour de France with Kate Veronneau Connect with Michael on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here

Today’s episode, I’m joined by CiCi Bellis.  Cici is the Founder and General Partner of Cartan Capital as well as a former professional tennis player. Still only 24 years old, she’s never let age be a barrier, famously having won a match at the 2014 US Open as a 15 year-old against a top 20 opponent. Having failed to shake-off a recurring injury, CiCi announced her retirement in 2020 and she has set to work on reaching the top in the world of venture. This was initially set in motion thanks to WTA’s partnership with Indiana University where CiCi got her degree. She then joined leAD Sports and Health Tech Partners Investment Team before setting up as a solo GP and launching Cartan Capital in 2023, a $10 million pledge fund focused similarly on sports and health but more specifically now leveraging her network and her experience as an athlete.  Time Stamps  2:00 - Early Professional Tennis Career  5:00 - Developing an Interest in Venture Capital  12:00 - Cartan Capital's Areas of Interest 15:00 - The Opportunity in the Wearables Space  18:00 - Cartan’s Investment into Proto Holograms 23:00 - Investing into Sports Betting  27:00 - Finding a Silver Lining to First Hand Experiences in Rehab and Recovery 29:00 - The MASSIVE Opportunity to Invest into Femtech  35:00 - Attracting attention from Female Founders and Athlete Founders  Additional Links Cartan Capital's Monthly Newsletter Former tennis pro CiCi Bellis on launching her own VC to invest in sports and health tech How former WTA World No. 35 launched a $10MM Sports & Health Tech Fund Cartan Capital Invests in Proto Hologram Flo Health on how its content drove daily app usage with pregnant mothers - ABBA Voyage passes 2 million tickets sold Connect with CiCi on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here

Today’s episode, I’m joined by Chris Busey. Chris is vice president of DEI & Community Impact at the United Soccer League. A league which recently launched its signature diversity, equity and inclusion program: USL Forward. This multi-dimensional, leaguewide initiative prioritizes professional development for technical staff, league and club executives with the intention of increasing racial and gender diversity in leadership roles throughout the USL’s ecosystem. Having previously spent time in academia, including at Texas State and the University of Florida, where he was an assistant and then associate professor, Busey only more recently made the move over to the world of professional sport, an area that he describes as the ‘last frontier'. Time Stamps 4:00 - Chris’ Journey from Academia to the USL 6:00 - The DEI Backlash  10:00 - Applying an Understanding of Racial Tensions to a Professional Sporting Environment 17:00 - The 'Danny Rose' Example 21:00 - Applying the Theories Beyond Head Coaching Roles  24:00 - Addressing the Idea of a "Business Case" for DEI 28:00 - What About Diversity of Thought and Experience?  31:00 - Debunking the 'Box Ticking' Argument 36:00 - The USL Forward Program Explained 38:00 - The Importance of 'Equity' 40:00 - Magnifying Mistakes United Soccer League Launches USL Forward to Increase Access and Opportunity Across USL Ecosystem Dr. Christopher Busey on USL's Initiatives: Making Soccer Inclusive and Diverse | Morning Footy on CBS Sports Golazo Making Diversity and Inclusion in Football a lot less Merky  Getting Serious About Diversity: Enough Already with the Business CaseConnect with Chris on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here