Sports Management Podcast

#254 The Business of Volleyball: 800 Million Fans and Massive Growth Potential Jun 8, 2026 32:21 Welcome to episode 254 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Ugo Valensi, CEO of Volleyball World. Ugo has held leadership roles across sports, media, and commercial strategy, including senior positions in tennis, football, and global sports marketing. In this episode, he shares how Volleyball World is transforming one of the world's largest participation sports into a global commercial p

#253 Leading Football Through Controversy: FIFA, Equality & The Future of the Game | Lise Klaveness Jun 1, 2026 40:02 Welcome to episode 253 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation. In 2022, she became the first woman to lead the federation in its 120-year history and has since become one of the most influential voices in global football governance, equality and leadership. In this episode, we spoke about: Leading Norwegian football through m

#252 Why Padel Clubs Succeed (And Why Others Fail) | CEO Patricio Misitrano May 25, 2026 32:21 Welcome to episode 252 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Patricio Misitrano, CEO of Racket Social Club and a key figure behind Racket360, one of the most ambitious ecosystems in the rapidly growing racket sports industry. From club operations and events to e-commerce and league management, Patricio has spent decades helping grow racket sports across the United States. In this episode,

#251 The "Expedia for Racket Sports": How Courts App Is Transforming Tennis, Padel & Pickleball | Daren Hornig May 18, 2026 37:53 Welcome to episode 251 of Sports Management Podcast. In today's episode, we are joined by Daren Hornig, CEO of Courts App — a marketplace often described as the "Expedia for racket sports," helping players find and book courts anytime, anywhere. In this episode, we spoke about: Building a two-sided marketplace for racket sports How AI is transforming sports facility access The explosive growth o

#250 What Kobe Bryant Taught About Discipline, Consistency & Elite Performance | Alan Stein Jr. May 11, 2026 41:48 Welcome to episode 250 of Sports Management Podcast. In today's episode, we are joined by Alan Stein Jr., who has spent over 15 years working with elite NBA athletes and is now a world-renowned keynote speaker and author. In this conversation, we dive deep into what truly separates elite performers from the rest and how those lessons apply far beyond sports. In this episode, we spoke about: The h

#249 Why Gen Z Is Struggling & How to Win in Sports Business | Scott Doyne May 4, 2026 34:51 Welcome to episode 249 of Sports Management Podcast. In today's episode, we are joined by Scott Doyne, former Turner Sports executive, career coach, and author of Navigating the Quarter-Life Career Crisis. With decades of experience in sports media, tech, and leadership, Scott shares powerful insights on how young professionals can navigate today's complex job market and build meaningful careers.

#248 Inside the Life of an NBA Agent | Kevin Bradbury on Contracts, NIL & Player Management Apr 27, 2026 40:22 Welcome to episode 248 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Kevin Bradbury, veteran NBA agent and Head of Basketball at Lyft Sports Management, with over two decades of experience and more than a billion dollars in contracts negotiated. In this episode, we spoke about: What it really means to be an NBA agent beyond contract negotiations How NIL has changed the landscape of athlete repre

#247 The Secret to Building Successful Grassroots Sports Clubs | Geoff Wilson Apr 20, 2026 41:21 Welcome to episode 247 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Geoff Wilson, sports consultant, former Irish FA executive, and author of the new book Leading a Grassroots Sports Club. In this episode, we spoke about: Why grassroots sport is the foundation of the entire sports ecosystem The biggest mistakes clubs make when building their structure How to create a strong culture and environm

#246 The Business of Padel: Building an Ecosystem from Scratch | Emiliano Abramzon Apr 13, 2026 28:10 Welcome to episode 246 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Emiliano Abramzon, founder and CEO of Racket360, a company building a full ecosystem around racket sports in the US - including clubs, leagues, events, and e-commerce platforms. In this episode, we spoke about: Building a sports ecosystem from scratch in a new market Why padel is growing rapidly in the US The challenges of inf

#245 Building Women's Sport from Scratch: How Netball Is Creating the Future of Fandom | Claire Nelson Apr 6, 2026 46:11 Welcome to episode 245 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Claire Nelson, Managing Director of the Netball Super League. Claire is leading one of the most ambitious transformations in women's sport - building a fully professional league, growing fandom, and redefining what a modern sports product looks like. In this episode, we spoke about: Building a women's sport league without a me

#244 How Elite Athletes Train Their Minds | Bryn Drescher Mar 30, 2026 57:51 Welcome to episode 244 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Bryn Drescher, a mental performance coach, speaker, and host of the Mental Advantage Podcast. Bryn works with elite athletes across multiple sports, helping them master the mental side of performance, handle pressure on game day, and build identities that extend beyond sport. In this episode, we spoke about: How athletes can pe

#243 The Future of Sports Investing: How Fans Can Own a Piece of the Game | Parker Graham Mar 26, 2026 40:07 Welcome to episode 243 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Parker Graham, founder and CEO of Vestible, a platform aiming to open up sports investing to everyone - not just private equity and billionaires. From investing in athletes to unlocking opportunities in clubs and college sports, Parker is building what could become the "stock market of sports." In this episode, we spoke about:

#242 How Padel Exploded in Pakistan: Building a 500-Court Sports Empire in 2 Years | Talal Shah Mar 23, 2026 26:00 Welcome to episode 242 of Sports Management Podcast. Today we dive into one of the fastest-growing sports stories in the world — how padel went from unknown to obsession in Pakistan in just a few years. Talal Shah, Co-Founder & CEO of Total Sports and Legends Arena, shares how he scaled from one facility to a nationwide movement transforming sports participation. In this episode, we spoke about:

#241 The $2.3 Trillion Question: Can Purpose Save the Future of Sport? | Andrew Wisniewski Mar 19, 2026 35:12 Welcome to episode 241 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Andrew Wisniewski, Partner and Head of Activation at 17 Sport, the world's purpose-first sports marketing agency. We explore how purpose is moving beyond CSR and becoming a commercial necessity in sport. In this episode, we spoke about: Why purpose is now a commercial risk factor in sport The untapped $5B Paralympic market How

#240 World Cup 2026 & The Future of US Soccer | Erik Stover on Promotion, Identity & Building the New York Cosmos Mar 16, 2026 43:25 Welcome to episode 240 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Erik Stover, CEO of the New York Cosmos and a leader with over 25 years of experience in U.S. soccer, including roles with the New York Red Bulls and Red Bull Arena. With World Cup 2026 approaching and promotion and relegation entering American professional soccer, the sport is at a historic turning point. In this episode, we sp

#239 The $100M Sports Investment Thesis | Kyle Israel, Momentous Sports Mar 12, 2026 50:47 Welcome to episode 239 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Kyle Israel, co-founder of , a $100M fund investing at the intersection of sports and real estate. Kyle shares why his firm is focusing on middle-market teams instead of billion-dollar franchises, how mixed-use developments are reshaping club economics, and why women's sports and secondary markets represent the next wave of grow

#238 Inside the Mind of Elite Athletes | Dr. Alicia Naser, Ph.D., BCBA-D Mar 9, 2026 49:45 Welcome to episode 238 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Dr. Alicia Naser, mental performance coach and founder of the Naser Institute for Behavioral Sport Psychology. She works with professional athletes, helping them optimize performance through behavioral science and mental training. In this episode, we spoke about: How behavioral science helps athletes perform at their best The b

#237 High Performance, Female Health & the Future of Women's Football | Dawn Scott Mar 5, 2026 43:05 Welcome to episode 237of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Dawn Scott, one of the most influential high performance leaders in women's football. She has worked with England, led performance for the U.S. Women's National Team during two World Cup wins and an Olympic gold, and now supports global development through FIFA. In this episode, we spoke about: What truly defines high performanc

#236 What 30 Years of Coaching Taught Me About Leadership | Mark Gottfried Mar 2, 2026 41:15 Welcome to episode 236 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Mark Gottfried, former college basketball head coach, NBA scout, and keynote speaker. With more than three decades of experience leading teams in high-pressure environments, Mark shares powerful lessons on leadership, grit, and what it really takes to succeed in sports and in life. In this episode, we spoke about: Building grit

#235 Theo Dedes: Modern Football Leadership, Resilience & The Manager Mindset Feb 26, 2026 35:20 Welcome to episode 235 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Theo Dedes, a UEFA Pro License coach who recently led TSG Hoffenheim's women's team in Germany. From growing up in Athens to coaching at the highest level in European football, Theo shares what modern leadership really looks like, why empathy beats authority in today's game, and what it takes to survive - and thrive - in one of

#234 The NIL Revolution: Why Athlete Branding & Identity Will Define the Future of College Sports | Stephen Bienko Feb 23, 2026 45:41 Welcome to episode 234 of Sports Management Podcast. College sports has changed forever. NIL is here, brands are everywhere, and student athletes are now entrepreneurs whether they like it or not. But are they actually prepared? Today I'm joined by Stephen Bienko, co-founder of 42U, former dual-sport athlete and life coach. We dive into: NIL Athlete identity Branding Why passion alone won't prepa

#233 Why the Future of Football & Sports Tech Is in Africa | Gloria Mariwa Feb 19, 2026 35:59 Welcome to episode 233 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Gloria Mariwa - a footballer, professional freestyler, digital creator known as 14thgunner and founder of Wecheza. At just 19, she's building the future of African women's football at the intersection of sports, tech, and community. We spoke about: Why women's sports shouldn't copy the men's model How sports tech must evolve Wh

#232 Break Into Sports: Networking, Saying Yes & Building Your Own Sports Business | JP Lutz Feb 16, 2026 44:47 Welcome to episode 232 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is JP Lutz - a former Philadelphia Eagles executive turned professor, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor. We spoke about: Breaking into the sports industry Why 'luck' is actually positioning The power of always saying yes How building relationships can define your entire career. And much more! This one is packed with practical adv

#231 Why Promotion & Relegation Will Transform US Soccer, Brett Johnson Feb 12, 2026 31:13 Welcome to episode 231 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is one of the most ambitious football investors in the world. Brett Johnson is the founder of Benevolent Capital, owner of multiple football clubs including Phoenix Rising, Rhode Island FC, and part of the Ipswich Town ownership group. In this episode: Promotion and relegation in US soccer Why stadiums are the real asset How yout

#230 Why Most Soccer Clubs Lose Money | Matt Driver Feb 9, 2026 01:15:12 Welcome to episode 230 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest has lived football from every angle - player, coach, owner, executive, and advisor. Matt Driver is the founder of Soccer Universities and Football Club Advisory Group, and he's worked across Europe and the U.S. helping clubs move from survival mode to scalable success. In this episode, we talk about: Why most soccer clubs struggl

#229 Inside the IOC: How the Olympic Games Are Built Years Before the Torch Is Lit | Christian Klaue Feb 5, 2026 47:33 Welcome to episode 229 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest has been at the center of that work for over a decade. Christian Klaue is Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the International Olympic Committee. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of how the Olympic Games are planned, positioned, communicated, and ultimately delivered - from Milano Cortina to LA28 and

#228 Why Women's Football Is the Best Sports Investment of the Next Decade | John P. Reynal, CEO The Women's Cup Feb 2, 2026 46:44 Welcome to episode 228 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is John P Reynal, the President & CEO of The Women's Cup - one of the most ambitious global platforms in women's football. John has spent his career building sports properties across continents and in this conversation, he makes a bold case: women's football isn't charity - it's one of the most undervalued growth opportunities in s

#227 Ultimate Hoops: Turning Rec Basketball Into a Pro Experience, Alan Arlt Jan 26, 2026 39:00 Welcome to episode 227 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Alan Arlt, founder of Ultimate Hoops and co-founder of ARLT Consulting. Alan built a recreational basketball league into a highly-engaged sports product with stats, highlights, and experiences that made everyday players feel like pros and he sold it with an 18x return in under two years. In this episode, we spoke about: What ma

#226 How Sports Teams Should Use Data | Neil Schwartz, SBRnet Jan 19, 2026 58:11 Welcome to episode 226 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Neil Schwartz, President of SBRnet, one of the leading sports business data providers focused on fan behavior, monetization, and engagement. In this episode, we break down the difference between passive fans and active fans, why storytelling is the real skill behind data, and how teams can turn insights into revenue across ticke

#225 What Sports Teams Can Learn from Disney: Vance Morris on Fan Experience, Service & Pricing Power Jan 12, 2026 42:36 Welcome to episode 225 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Vance Morris, and in this episode we will uncover what sports teams can learn from Disney when it comes to service and fan experience. We spoke about: How Vance went from a security guard at a birth control factory to working for Disney Why he was a lousy employee Why his business charges 40% more than its competitors Taking th

#224 How Women's Football Really Grows: Ersel Aybasti on Agents, Structures & Sustainable Investment Jan 5, 2026 37:07 Welcome to episode 224 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Ersel Aybasti – a licensed FIFA-agent, founder of Analysis SportAgents and the author of The Women's Game: More Than Just a Game. Voices, Structures & Perspectives in Global Women's Football We spoke about: Why he decided to write about the women's game Why women's football needs more systemic investment How he combines work as

#223 Win Monday: How Paul Epstein Built a Global Leadership Movement Around One Weekly Habit Dec 29, 2025 52:25 Welcome to episode 223 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Paul Epstein, a leadership coach, former sports executive and the creator of the Win Monday movement. Paul has worked with elite athletes, executives, and teams around the world, helping them build momentum through habits, identity, and purpose. In this episode, we unpack: Why Mondays matter more than any other day of the week

#222 From Last-Round Pick to Pro Bowler: Blaine Bishop on Grit, Identity & Life After the NFL Dec 22, 2025 38:56 Welcome to episode 222 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Blaine Bishop – a former NFL player, 4-time pro bowler and a broadcasting host. We spoke about: Being drafted as an underdog Playing 10 seasons in the NFL Transitioning from the NFL to broadcasting Life lessons he learned from his mother And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% of

#221 How Glasgow City FC Is Building the Future of Women's Football | Stef McLoughlin Dec 15, 2025 34:00 Welcome to episode 221 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Stef McLoughlin, Head of Commercial at Glasgow City FC, the most successful women's football club in Scotland and one of the few elite clubs in Europe that is women-owned, women-led and fully independent. Get ready to learn about: Purpose-driven partnerships Building women's sport differently Why copying the men's game may be

#220 Olympic Power, Politics & the Future of Global Sport - Michael Payne Dec 8, 2025 01:00:40 Welcome to episode 220 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest helped build the Olympic business model as we know it. Michael Payne is the former marketing director of the IOC, creator of the TOP sponsorship program, and widely regarded as the architect of modern sports marketing. In this episode, we explore 50 years of global sport power, politics, money, and what the next 50 years could look

#219 Joe Foster: How Reebok Was Really Built Dec 1, 2025 01:08:25 Welcome to episode 219 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Joe Foster - the founder of Reebok. At 90 years old, he's sharing the real origin story for the first time. From hand-made spiked shoes to billion-dollar global dominance, this is one of the greatest sports business journeys ever told. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ wit

#218 The Business Behind America's Fastest-Growing Padel League - Luis Fernando Ramirez, CEO of NPL Nov 24, 2025 41:00 Welcome to episode 218 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Luis Fernando Ramirez – the CEO of National Padel League (NPL) We spoke about: Juggling being CEO of NFL with commercial responsibilities for Bull Padel Padel's potential in the US Challenges and opportunities for Padel The importance of digital broadcast and streaming And much more! Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:42 Why Luis r

#217 50 Years of Sports Broadcasting: From NBC Sports to the Olympics | Joe Michaels Nov 17, 2025 54:21 Welcome to episode 217 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Joe Michaels – the former Director of NBC's Today Show and a veteran television production leader. In this episode we get to look behind the scenes of sports media productions together with an 8x Emmy winner. We spoke about: Why sports media is a young man's business Giving back through teaching and mentorship The future of th

#216 How Data is Changing College Football | Danny Davis, CEO of Recon Sports Nov 10, 2025 44:14 Welcome to episode 216 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Danny Davis, founder & CEO of Recon Sports - a platform helping college football teams use data and AI to build smarter rosters and develop elite athletes. We spoke about: The use of athlete data in sports The risks of operating in college sports How military experience shaped his entrepreneurial mindset The mindset shift from

#215 The $1.7 Trillion Sports Experience Economy | Jordy Leiser Nov 3, 2025 41:09 Welcome to episode 215 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Jordy Leiser - the CEO of Jump, a platform which is redefining the fan experience, from AI-driven personalization to direct-to-consumer fan engagement. We spoke about: Why teams need to own their fan relationships How AI personalizes the sports experience The story behind Jump's $25M raise Working with Alexis Ohanian, Alex Rodr

#214 Chelmsford City FC: Premier League by 2038 | Spencer Gore Oct 27, 2025 39:45 Welcome to episode 214 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Spencer Gore – founder and CEO of Gorely Group and the owner & chairman of Chelmsford City Football Club. He is also the founder and CEO of EMJ (European Medical Journal) & AMJ (American Medical Journal) and EMJ Learnings. We spoke about: The power of daily visualization Why process = freedom How Chelmsford City plans to reach

#213 How Sporty Group Is Transforming Sports Media | Elias Gallego, VP Oct 20, 2025 44:25 Welcome to episode 213 of Sports Management Podcast. Todays guest is Elias Gallego – the VP of Business Development, Marketing and Media at Sporty Group and Football.com We spoke about: The sports media landscape Expanding to Latin America, Africa and more Balancing brand consistency across media, betting, entertainment and tech Elias' journey through sports And much more! Time stamps: 00:54 Spo

#212 Future of Sports Hospitality & Global Fan Experiences | Ed Horne - COO, On Location Oct 13, 2025 23:21 Welcome to episode 212 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Ed Horne – the Chief Operating Officer at On Location – a sports hospitality company set to deliver premium experiences. Ed has a long background in sports industry and he has worked for organizations like the NHL, NFL, 160over90 before joining On Location. Ed has been instrumental in getting NHL players to play in the Olympics

#211 How Playtomic Became the World's #1 Padel App | Pablo Carro on Scaling Sports Tech Oct 6, 2025 33:05 Welcome to episode 211 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Pablo Carro. The co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Playtomic - the world's leading app for racket sport players and clubs. We spoke about: Why he started Playtomic How to avoid the Swedish example The benefits of competition Becoming the leading company in the field Their US expansion plans And much more! Time stamps:

#210 Szymon Szemberg: NBA Europe, NHL Expansion & the Future of Global Leagues Sep 29, 2025 40:15 Welcome to episode 210 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Szymon Szemberg, a reoccurring guest who first appeared on episode 5, almost 5 years ago – and a lot have happened since. Szymon recently wrote an article about the NBA closing in on a league in Europe and if this could lead to an NHL-driven ice hockey league in Europe as well. This topic became even more relevant when NBA commi

#209 Building Authentic Sports Brands | Maike Wellmann on Swimming, Entrepreneurship & Athlete Identity Sep 22, 2025 41:40 Welcome to episode 209 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Maike Wellmann - a brand specialist, entrepreneur, and founder of Swim & Move Academy. Maike went from regional swimmer to building a thriving swim school and helping athletes and federations shape authentic brands. ' We spoke about: Why authenticity beats copy-paste branding How Swim & Move grew from 5 → 50+ classes in 2 years

#208 How to Build High-Performance Cultures | James Kerr, Author of Legacy Sep 15, 2025 55:24 Welcome to epsiode 108 of Sports Management Podcast. James Kerr is bestselling author of Legacy, the book that revealed the leadership principles behind the legendary All Blacks. We spoke about: What truly defines high performance Why humility and accountability matter How culture can be designed and delivered in any team Transferable skills from sports to business And much more! Time stamps: 0

#207 The Power of Visualization in Sports | Olympic Swimmer David Karasek Sep 8, 2025 53:31 Welcome to episode 207 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is former Swiss Olympic Swimmer David Karasek. David is the owner of Swimpros, a swim camp focusing a lot on the mental aspect of swimming, since that was something David struggled with himself. Get ready to learn: Why David used to choke under pressure Why tennis players are the mentally strongest athletes The power of visualizat

#206 "Why Soccer in the US Is Already Huge" - John Parker, CEO of Kickback Soccer Media Aug 25, 2025 36:59 Welcome to episode 206 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is John Parker – the CEO of Kickback Soccer Media. John is clear: Soccer in the US is not an up and coming sport anymore. In this episode you can expect to learn: Why the media narrative around soccer is often wrong The building up to the Men's World Cup The Beckham rule The legacy after World Cup 2026 And much more! Time stamps:

#205 Tan Kesler - CEO, Pogoń Szczecin | "Poland is an emerging football market" Aug 18, 2025 37:16 Welcome to episode 205 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Tan Kesler, the CEO and minority shareholder of the Ekstraklasa club Pogoń Szczecin. How can you take a club who is 48 hours away from collapse, to a financially stable club with a 10 year plan and a league contender? That's what we will learn today! We also spoke about: Leaving a secure job in England for a struggling Pogon Fo

SMP Insights: How To Get A Job In Sport, with Andrew Brandt Aug 15, 2025 05:07 Welcome to this week's episode of SMP Insights. Andrew Brandt grew up in Washington, DC and played tennis at Stanford University before going on to law school at Georgetown. He started his career as an unpaid intern at a firm that represented tennis players, but eventually transitioned into football and grew a team of clients from three to 15 over the course of six years. He then made the switch t

SMP Insights: How Colo Colo Won a Championship by Trusting the Data Aug 13, 2025 02:27 Colo Colo were on the verge of a squad overhaul after losing the title. Then, KPI Football told them something surprising: "You're already the best team. Keep your core, tweak a few details." They followed the advice. Next season: 🏆 Champions + 💰 Big budget savings. Jose Gandarellas joins me on Sports Management Podcast to share: The KPI that shows a player's value without goals or assists Ho

#204 How Data Analytics Create Champions - José Gandarillas, Founder of KPI Football Aug 11, 2025 27:47 Welcome to episode 204 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is José Gandarillas – the founder of KPI Football. In this episode you will hear the story of how José took a football team from struggling to champions using data analytics. You will also learn: José's journey from industrial engineer to sports entrepreneur The time he was managing one of Chile's most iconic football clubs How co

#203 Chris Marshall - Co-founder, Young Champs Aug 4, 2025 31:41 Welcome to episode 203 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Chris Marshall – the Co-founder of Young Champs – an initiative to bring more young people into tennis. We spoke about: How to get more people into sports What's keeping kids from being active Over-coming the financial barrier to sport If there is a Marcus Rashford of tennis And much more! Follow Sports Management Podcast on s

#202 Leticia Martignon - Founder, AquaNova Jul 28, 2025 52:26 Welcome to episode 202 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Leticia Martignon, founder of AquaNova - a bold initiative dedicated to transforming youth development in Switzerland through the sport of swimming. We spoke about: Building AquaNova Transforming lives through swimming Sport as a second education Why infrastructure should have a pulse And much more! Follow Sports Management

#201 Geoff Thomas MBE - England Footballer, Cancer Survivor & Tour de France Finisher Jul 21, 2025 34:13 Welcome to episode 201 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Geoff Thomas MBE – A former professional footballer, cancer survivor and a Patron of charity for Cure Leukaemia. When this episode is live, he just completed all the 21 stages of the Tour the France, raising vital funds for Cure Leukaemia, a cause close to his heart having overcome chronic myeloid leukaemia himself. We spoke abo

#200 Therese Sjögran - Director of Football, Manchester City Women Jul 14, 2025 27:12 Welcome to episode 200 of Sports Management Podcast. Before I introduce today's guest I would like to take a moment to thank you all for listening to this podcast week after week. It means the world to me! If you would like to support this podcast, the best way is to hit the follow or subscribe button on your podcast player. That helps the podcast grow, and the bigger the show the bigger the guest

#199 Jason Ferguson - Chairman & CEO, World Professional Billiards & Snooker Association Jun 30, 2025 57:04 Welcome to episode 199 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Jason Ferguson – the Chairman & CEO of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) & Director at the World Snooker Tour. We spoke about: Transitioning from player to CEO Growing the sport in Asia Women and men competing against each other The difference between Snooker, Pool and Billiards Olympic Inclusion

#198 Jesse Burke - Client Marketing Lead, PSI Sports Management Jun 23, 2025 32:04 Welcome to episode 198 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Jesse Burke – the Client Marketing Lead at PSI Sports Management. Jesse is a former NCAA Division II baseball Player from Cal State who transitioned into a career in sports management where he now works with marketing and scouting. We spoke about: His role at PSI Sports Scouting evaluating talent Learnings from his baseball car

#197 Fabiola Wilcox - VP of Marketing and Comms, Footballco Jun 16, 2025 36:42 Welcome to episode 197 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Fabiola Wilcox – The VP of Marketing and Communications at Footballco. We spoke about: Fabi's journey through sports Making a difference Getting more women in leadership roles And much more! Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

#196 Nicola Innocentin - Strategic Football Executive, Global Football Service Jun 9, 2025 42:44 Welcome to episode 196 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Nicola Innocentin – a strategic football executive who's transforming clubs into global icons through vision, innovation & leadership. Nicola began his career in professional football in Italy and also went on to play in Germany, Scotland and the United States. During his time as a player in the MLS Nicola was able to attend a c

#195 Andy Marston - Founder & MD, Sports Pundit Jun 2, 2025 40:22 Welcome to episode 195 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Andy Martson – the Founder and MD of Sports Pundit. Andy started Sports Pundit as a newsletter in 2020 and has developed it into a multifaceted platform encompassing podcasts, events and a community. We spoke about: Why he started sports pundit Growing an audience from scratch Expanding into podcast, events and community The im

#194 Samuel Hymes - Harvard Fellow and Consultant in the Sports Industry May 26, 2025 24:11 Welcome to episode 194 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Samuel Hymes – a Harvard fellow and consultant, who has previous experiences from the NHL, Washington commanders and more. We spoke about: Graduating at the beginning of Covid His time at the Washington Commanders The objectives of his current research Sports Diplomacy AI in sports And much more! Follow Sports Management P

#193 The Next Chapter for Mercury 13: Hannah Haynes & Lindsey Eckhouse May 19, 2025 37:23 Welcome to episode 193 of Sports Management Podcast. Today I'm honored to have two great guests on the podcast. Lindsey Eckhouse, the Chief Revenue Officer and Hannah Haynes, Chief Strategy Officer for Mercury 13. Mercury 13 is a multi-club ownership group focused on acquiring controlling stakes in European professional women's football teams. We spoke about: How their past experiences has prepa

#192 Dr. Erkut Sogut - The Importance of Adding Value May 12, 2025 50:35 Welcome to episode 192 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest Dr. Erkut Sogut - the Founding partner of Football Agent Institute. He is a sports lawyer, author, lecturer, Keynote speaker and a sports agent with clients like Kieran Gibbs and Mesut Özil. This is the second time I'm honored to have Erkut on the show and this time we discussed what he has been up to since last we spoke in 2022. G

#191 Jan Wendt – Co-founder & CEO, PLAIER AI Apr 7, 2025 36:10 Welcome to episode 191 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest Jan Wendt – Co-founder & CEO of PLAIER AI. We spoke about: How Plaier AI got a database of over 300,000 players How their AI system work How it is beneficial to teams, players, scouts, coaches etc. Expanding outside of football The future of Plaier AI And much more! Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instag

#190 Joe Barth - The Hit Doctor Mar 31, 2025 40:50 Welcome to episode 190 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest Joe Barth also known as "The Hit Doctor". He is an Hall of Fame Baseball Coach & Hitting Expert with over 50 years of experience, and we spoke about: The Commercialization of youth sports Coaching kids Dealing with parents Common traits for elite athletes The Mental Game of Baseball Coaching over 300 MLB players At what a

#189 Ben McFadyean - Football journalist, translator & writer with a specialization in German football Mar 24, 2025 49:33 Welcome to episode 189 of Sports Management Podcast. Ben McFadyean is a football journalist, fan activist, translator and writer with a specialization in German football, particularly the Bundesliga, which he has been following since the 1990s. We spoke about: The evolution of German football His love for Borussia Dortmund Promoting German football in the UK The 50+ 1 rule His contributi

#188 Dennis Fryer - Founder, Hustle Inc Mar 17, 2025 38:51 Welcome to episode 188 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest Dennis Fryer the founder of Hustle Inc. Dennis is a sports business professional with experiences from Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Baltimore Ravens and more before starting his own company Hustle Inc. We spoke about: How to build a winning team His nickname Denny Hustle Empowering teams His obsessive personali

#187 Mike Buckley - Co-Owner, CEO & Strategist - United States SailGP Team Mar 10, 2025 37:07 Welcome to episode 187 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest Mike Buckley - Co-Owner and CEO of the United States SailGP Team We spoke about: Being owner, CEO & athlete simultaneously If being a strategist is beneficial in business Growing up poor, but choosing sailing Why he considers himself an outsider How to build a winning team And much more! Follow Sports Management Podca

#186 Brandon Tosti - Bright Lights & Long Nights Mar 3, 2025 50:56 Welcome to episode 186 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest Brandon Tosti – a sports business and entertainment professional for almost 3 decades, Charitable Entrepreneur, speaker, professor and a two-time author. His latest book was just released and it's called: "Bright Lights & Long Nights". We spoke about: His two books Networking the right way Starting Sports for a Cause after

#185 Diego Hurtado - Founder, Diaza Football Feb 24, 2025 39:19 Welcome to episode 185 of Sports Management Podcast. Diego Hurtado is the founder of the soccer apparel brand Diaza Football. We spoke about: Diaza Mentality Growing up in Bogota Starting Diaza Football Ronaldinho joining their event Building a winning team The future of Diaza And much more! Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementp

#184 Katie Hooper - CEO, Notorious111 Feb 17, 2025 53:07 Welcome to episode 184 of Sports Management Podcast. Katie Hooper is the CEO of the creative brand studio Notorious111. Katie has previously worked for Ralph Lauren and HZ, before becoming part-owner and CEO at Notorious111. We spoke about: The re-brand of Notorious111 How to serve existing clients while moving forward as a brand Leadership The difference in running a business vs owning o

#183 Kearnan Myall - Performance Director, GB Snowsport Jan 27, 2025 42:54 Welcome to episode 183 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Kearnan Myall, the Performance Director at GB Snowsport. Kearnan is a former professional rugby player, who transitioned into the business setting of sport, now focusing on maximizing performance at GB Snowsport. He is also a PHD researcher at Oxford University and his research concerns the application of mindfulness-based inter

#182 Ben Nichols - Founder & CEO, Padel 22 Jan 20, 2025 37:45 Welcome to episode 182 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Ben Nichols - a Media Relations Professional with experience from WADA, Formula 1, ATP & the Commonwealth Games Federation. In 2022, Ben started Padel 22, a global padel-dedicated Communications Consultancy. And 2024 he continued to start companies within the padel sector. We spoke about: Ben's background Why he started Padel 2

#181 Matt Rizzetta - Founder, North 6th Group Jan 13, 2025 47:35 Welcome to episode 181 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest us Matt Rizzetta, the founder of North 6th Group. He is also the president of Campobasso Football Club, co-owner Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club and an investor. We spoke about: Investing in underdog teams The club acquisition process The crucial role of commitment The plan to elevate soccer And much more! Follow Sports Manage

#180 James Flude - Head of Business, MatchWornShirt Jan 6, 2025 39:29 Welcome to episode 180 of Sports Management Podcast. James Flude is the Head of Business Development at MatchWornShirts. MatchWornShirt is an international sports engagement platform that enables clubs, rights holders, and charities to maximize their commercial and fundraising potential through the sale of match-worn shirts and other unique items / experiences. We spoke about: The future of the

#179 Dr. Haley Perlus - Achieve Your Highest Performance Dec 16, 2024 41:12 Welcome to episode 179 of Sports Management Podcast. Dr. Haley Perlus is a performance coach, professor, public speaker, consultant and an author. Her book is called "Personal Podium" and talks about mindset for success in sport and life. We spoke about: Unlocking Peak Performance Harnessing Stress Mental discipline Fake it 'til you make it How she nearly Got Kicked Out of a Ph.D. Program And mu

#178 Matthew Bradley - Founder & CEO, TAG Management Dec 9, 2024 36:57 Welcome to episode 178 of Sports Management Podcast. Matthew Bradley is the Founder & CEO of TAG Management - a female-focused athlete and creator management agency. We spoke about: The rise of women's sports What female athletes bring to the table that men don't Why brands should work more with female athletes Why Matthew started TAG Management His career journey And much more! Follow Sports M

#177 Christ Ishoo - Founder, Los Angeles Beat Dec 2, 2024 35:28 Welcome to episode 177 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Christ Ishoo – the founder of the professional padel team Los Angeles Beat. He is also the co-founder of EEP Capital, EE Padel and Allstars Gym in Spain. We spoke about: The potential of padel in the US Entrepreneurship in Sweden vs USA Bouncing back from business failures Why he founded an MMA gym in Spain And much more! Foll

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