The CUSP Show
Home of the Columbia University Sports Management Podcast, hosted by faculty members Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson. They host thought leaders from across the sports industry to discuss a wide array of topics.
Episodes
516: Danny Funt on the Hidden Costs of Legalized Sports Gambling
Tom Richardson welcomes journalist and author Danny Funt to the show to discuss his new book, Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling, and the sweeping impact legalized sports betting has had on leagues, media companies, athletes, and fans. Drawing on years of reporting and research, Funt examines how professional sports leagues went from staunch opponents of gambling to s
515: Steve Wasik on Growing VKTRY Gear from Startup to Acquisition
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome VKTRY Gear CEO Steve Wasik to the show to discuss the entrepreneurial journey behind one of the fastest-growing performance brands in sports. Wasik shares how VKTRY evolved from a family-owned Connecticut shoe business into a company trusted by athletes across the NFL, NBA, MLB, and collegiate sports before recently being acquired by Dr. Scholl’s. The conver
514: Jerome Allen on Player Engagement and the NBA’s Global Future
Tom Richardson welcomes Jerome Allen of the NBA to the show to discuss the evolving role of player engagement, and how the next generation of athletes are navigating NIL, media, and technology. A current Columbia Sports Management student and member of the NBA’s Player Engagement Operations team, Allen shares how experiences ranging from a year abroad in South Africa to working at Roc Nation shape
513: Melissa Jacobs Breaks Down the Youth Sports Industry
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Melissa Jacobs to the show to discuss the current state of youth sports, the evolution of sports media, and why the NFL continues to dominate the sports and entertainment landscape. A longtime NFL writer and founder of The Football Girl, Jacobs discusses her transition from covering the league for outlets like Sports Illustrated, The Guardian, and the BBC to
512: Morgan Cato Talks Leading Player Operations at the NBPA
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Morgan Cato, EVP of Player Operations at the National Basketball Players Association to the show, to discuss her unique journey through each side of the basketball business: from the NBA league office to the Phoenix Suns and now the players association. Cato shares insights on rookie development, mental wellness, NIL preparedness, player engagement, and the
511: Harvey Schiller on the Life and Legacy of Ted Turner
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Dr. Harvey Schiller, Chairman at Schiller Management Group to the show, to reflect on the life, legacy, and lasting influence of Ted Turner following his passing. Having worked closely alongside Turner during the rise of Turner Broadcasting, Schiller shares firsthand stories about the visionary executive who helped reshape sports media, cable television, and
510: Sheila Sickau on How the Kansas City Chiefs Are Growing Flag Football Participation
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Sheila Sickau, Head of Football Development for the Kansas City Chiefs to the show, to break down how flag football is reshaping the future of the sport, from youth participation to global expansion and women’s access to the game. Sickau is the Pro Sports Assembly 2025 Medal of Leadership Rising Leader honoree and on the show she shares her unique journey fr
509: Patrick Crakes on the True Economics of Sports Media Rights
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Patrick Crakes, Principal of Crakes Media and longtime Fox Sports executive, to the show, to break down the rapidly evolving sports media landscape and the realities behind today’s skyrocketing rights deals. Drawing on decades of experience, Crakes explains why the industry hasn’t undergone the “overnight disruption” many predicted, and instead has seen a sl
508: Yeshiva Athletic Director Greg Fox on how the Maccabees are Revolutionizing College Hoops
Joe Favorito welcomes Greg Fox, Athletic Director at Yeshiva University, to discuss the remarkable rise of Yeshiva men’s basketball and how the program has evolved into a global brand. He shares his journey through college athletics and what makes Yeshiva’s model unique: from rigorous academic demands and religious commitments to competing at a high level on the court. Fox highlights the impact of
507: Ken Davidoff discusses his new book, 101 Lessons from the Dugout
Joe Favorito welcomes Endicott College Adjunct Professor, Ken Davidoff, to the CUSP Show, for a thoughtful conversation on storytelling, media evolution, and rediscovering a love for the game of baseball. A longtime baseball columnist at the NY Post, who spent decades covering the sport at the highest level, Davidoff reflects on the grind of beat reporting, the rapid shift toward real-time, “hot t
506: Cam Smith on How Substack Hands Creators Control of Their Work and Audience
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Cam Smith, Substack’s Head of Sports Partnerships and Columbia Sports Management alum, to the CUSP Show to explore how the platform is reshaping sports media. What started as a newsletter product has evolved into a multi-format ecosystem spanning audio, video, and community-driven discovery, giving creators more control than ever over their work and their au
505: Inside ESPN’s Innovation Engine with Kevin Lopes
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Kevin Lopes, Vice President of Business Development and Innovation at ESPN, to the CUSP Show to discuss his 18-year journey at the company and how ESPN continues to evolve at the forefront of sports media. From starting as a programming coordinator to leading innovation initiatives, Lopes shares how timing, relationships, and a willingness to embrace new tec
504: Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson Discuss March Madness, Golf Innovation, and the Future of Sports Media
In this special CUSP Show conversation, Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson take a step back after 500 episodes to reflect on how much the sports business has evolved, and where it may be headed next. The two hosts dive into a discussion on the current state of the industry, from March Madness and the Big East Tournament to golf’s evolving business model, media rights strategy, and shifting fan behavi
503: Sports Investment: Navigating the Current Landscape
Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, moderator Chris Lencheski leads a conversation on the forces reshaping the sports investment market. Joined by Daniel Adams of Polsinelli, William Mao of Octagon, Betsy Morgan of TOGETHXR, and Stephen Schifrin of Terrapin Partners, the discussion explores how investors, advisors, and operators are evaluating today’s sports land
502: Praxis AI’s David James Clarke IV on Digital Twins, AI, and the Future of Sports Expertise
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito welcomes David James Clarke IV, CEO of Praxis AI, for a conversation about how artificial intelligence is becoming a practical tool across sports, media, education, and healthcare. Clark explains how Praxis AI uses “digital twins” to help scale human expertise, making knowledge more accessible without losing the personality, communication style, and exp
501: Playing the New Front Nine: How Golf is Evolving for a New Audience
Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, Talk Show Host Ann Liguori hosts a panel conversation on how golf is evolving through media, technology, and new competitive formats. Joining the discussion are Jake Hoselton, Co-Founder of Grass League; Andrew Macaulay, Chief Technology Officer at TMRW Sports; Joe Purzycki, Co-Founder and CEO of Pro Shop; and Neil Schuster, Co
500: Uly and Ernesto on Bringing New Fans to Football Through Humor and Social Media
For the 500th episode of the CUSP Show, Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome content creator Uly Morazan, known online as Uly and Ernesto, for a conversation about how pop culture, humor, and social media are helping bring new audiences into football. Morazan shares how his journey into the NFL began unexpectedly through the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce storyline,
499: The Philly Sports Guy, Jamie Pagliei, on Turning Philadelphia Fandom into a Full-Time Brand
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Jamie Pagliei, better known to fans as “The Philly Sports Guy.” While you may not immediately recognize the name, you certainly know the green mohawk, face paint, and relentless energy that have made him a staple at Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and Sixers games. Pagliei shares his journey from growing up in West Philadelphia and De
498: Phoenicia Sport & Entertainment CEO Chris Lencheski Talks NASCAR, F1, and the Future of Global Motorsports Investment
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner sit down with fellow Columbia faculty member Chris Lencheski to unpack how motorsports, and global sports investing more broadly, are evolving in real time. Lencheski shares how Phoenicia Sport & Entertainment operates with a “people first” approach and why being “quiet” can be a strategic advantage when building long-term relationships
497: Next League Co-Founder Dave Nugent Talks Building Tech Stacks That Drive Fan Growth
Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Dave Nugent, Co-Founder & CEO of Next League, to unpack how sports organizations should evaluate, build, and operate technology that grows audiences and drives revenue. Nugent shares his path from co-founding OMNIGON in 2008, spotting an early gap in “deep tech” within sports, to selling the company to Infront Sports & Media, lea
496: SMAC Entertainment’s Jose Diaz on Managing Talent and Creating Media That Scales
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Jose Diaz, Executive Vice President at SMAC Entertainment, to break down how the agency operates at the intersection of talent management, content production, brand incubation, and strategic partnerships. Diaz shares SMAC’s origin story, from early days working out of Constance Schwartz’s kitchen table to building a multifaceted business representing high-pr
495: Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation President & CDO Dedan Brozino on CFP & LA28
Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner sit down with Dedan Brozino, Chief Development Officer and President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, to talk legacy, modernization, and what’s next for one of sports’ most iconic venues. Brozino breaks down the Rose Bowl’s unique governance structure, City of Pasadena ownership, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation’s fundraising role, and
494: Dystany Spurlock on Becoming the First African-American Woman to Race the NASCAR ARCA Series
Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, on National Girls & Women in Sports Day, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Dystany Spurlock to the show. Spurlock shares her unconventional path to stock car racing, starting on motorcycles as a kid, setting a record on a BMW S1000RR, and grinding for years while working as a tractor-trailer driver and sending sponsorship emails between loads. Now backed by Foxxt
493: Daniel Shi and Shivaas Gulati on Using AI to Modernize the Sports Business
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Daniel Shi and Shivaas Gulati, co-founders of Arkero AI, for a conversation on how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform the business side of sports. Fresh off a $6.2M seed raise backed by investors including Alexis Ohanian and Roger Ehrenberg, the founders explain why sports remains one of the most under-software-ed
492: Olympic Gold Medalist and 2-Time Division UFC Champion Henry Cejudo Talks Life After the Octagon
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Olympic Gold Medalist and two-division UFC Champion Henry “Triple C” Cejudo for a powerful conversation on resilience, reinvention, and what it truly means to compete at the highest level. Cejudo reflects on his journey from growing up in poverty as the son of undocumented immigrant parents to becoming the youngest American Olym
491: Chris Stone on Why Sports Coverage and Media Isn’t Dying, It’s Fragmenting
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner sit down with Chris Stone, whose career spans across sports media at Sports Illustrated and the LA Times and Co-Founder of emerging platform, Off Ball, to unpack how sports storytelling is changing in real time. Stone explains Off Ball’s founding premise: making it easier to sort the “chaos” of the internet and surface the most interest
490: The Expanding Business of Sports, Fashion, and Pop Culture
Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, Kati Fernandez (Chief Content Officer at Together) welcomes: Emilie Arel (President, Mitchell & Ness), April Guidone (COO, SMAC Entertainment), and Natalie White (Founder & CEO, Moolah Kicks) to talk how brands, leagues, athletes, and entrepreneurs are shaping modern fan identity through product, partnerships, and culture. Arel
489: From Germany to the NFL, Markus Kuhn on Growing Football Worldwide
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Marcus Kuhn, NFL alum (Giants and Patriots) and Columbia Sports Management program alum, for a conversation on the rapid international expansion of American football. Kuhn, who was the first German-born player to ever score a touchdown in the NFL, reflects on the evolution of the NFL in Germany, from early grassroots efforts to
488: Unified WBA and WBO Champion Xander Zayas on having a Championship Mindset
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito welcomes Xander Zayas, the newly crowned unified world champion in the light middleweight division, for a conversation on championship mindset, the business of boxing, and representing Puerto Rico on a global stage. Zayas reflects on visualizing success long before stepping into the ring, detailing the discipline, sacrifice, and preparation that led him
487: Jesse Linder and Callie Brownson on Building the Women’s Flag Football Pathway to LA 2028
Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Jesse Linder, Vice President of Community Relations for the New York Jets, and Callie Brownson, Senior Director of High Performance and National Teams at USA Football, live from Super Bowl Media Row, for a focused conversation on the rapid growth of girls and women’s flag football. Linder shares how the Jets helped launch girls flag football in New York City i
486: Lawrence Hamm Jr. on What it Takes to Host the 2027 NFL Draft in Washington D.C.
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito welcomes Lawrence Hamm Jr., Vice President of Events DC, for a conversation on how cities compete to host the biggest events in sports. Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Hamm discusses how Washington, D.C. landed the NFL Draft, why the timing aligns with the return of football to the District, and how the National Mall will serve as an iconic backdrop for
485: The Boston Globe’s Tara Sullivan on Covering the Patriots and the State of Sports Journalism
Live from Super Bowl Media Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Tara Sullivan, Sports Columnist for The Boston Globe, for a conversation on the business of sports journalism and what it takes to cover an NFL franchise. Sullivan walks through her career path from the Bergen Record to the Boston Globe, explaining the shift from traditional beat reporting to column writing and how the Globe’s d
484: UPenn Wharton’s Ken Shropshire Examines NFL Hiring, Governance, and Power
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Scott Rosner welcomes Ken Shropshire, longtime sports law professor and leading voice on race, leadership, and governance in sports, for a wide-ranging conversation on the NFL’s hiring landscape and the broader business of the league. Shropshire reflects on the origins of the Rooney Rule, the research that helped shape it, and why recent coaching cycles, marked by m
483: Greg Cosell Talks Film Study, QB Development, and Super Bowl Matchups
Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Scott Rosner and LJ Homegrown welcome Greg Cosell, NFL Films analyst and longtime football educator, for a wide-ranging conversation on how the game is truly evaluated through film. Cosell walks through his weekly in-season routine, explaining why tape study, not stats or television coverage, drives his analysis, and how defensive trends like two-high safety structu
482: Brian Billick on Football Technology, Player Safety, and the Evolution of the Game
Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Brian Billick, Former Super Bowl Winning NFL Head Coach and Entrepreneur at XTECH Protective Equipment, for a behind-the-scenes look at football innovation and athlete safety. Billick shares how his career evolved after coaching into the technology side of the sport and why he became involved in developing equipment focused on keeping players healthy. The conv
481: Wim Sweldens on Kiswe’s Playbook for Interactive Sports and Music Streaming
Tom Richardson welcomes Kiswe co-founder Wim Sweldens, a longtime digital video and streaming pioneer, for a look at how live sports and entertainment are being rebuilt for a direct-to-consumer future. Sweldens shares Kiswe’s origin story, and how he went from Nokia, to Columbia University, to launching the company in 2013. Sweldens explains the philosophy behind “democratizing access” to live exp
480: Kicking Off Super Bowl Week with Ben Fischer from SBJ
Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Sports Business Journal NFL reporter and Staff Writer, Ben Fischer, for a live conversation from Media Row at Super Bowl week in San Francisco. Fischer, widely regarded as a leading journalist covering the business of the NFL, shares how the Super Bowl has grown into a self-sustaining global business ecosystem, and why it’s now impossible for leagues, sponsors
479: Steve Kuhn Talks Building a Non-Gambling Prediction Platform for Sports Fans
Tom Richardson welcomes Steve Kuhn, former hedge fund executive (Goldman Sachs, Citadel, Pine River Capital), founder of Major League Pickleball, and the co-founder of SportsPredict.com, for a look into the fast-moving world of prediction markets and prediction-based gaming in early 2026. The conversation breaks down why prediction markets surged in late 2025, what it meant when the NHL announced
478: Jay Marine on Amazon Prime Video and How Rebundling Is Affecting Sports Media
Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, Tom Richardson welcomes Jay Marine, Head of Global Sports and Advertising for Prime Video in the U.S., for a conversation on how Amazon is reshaping the sports media landscape amid the industry’s shift from fragmentation into package rebundling. Marine explains how Prime Video has evolved into a platform for discovery, allowing
477: Austin Emile on Becoming the Youngest FIFA-Licensed Agent in the U.S.
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Columbia Sports Management student Austin Emile, a FIFA-licensed soccer agent, for a behind-the-scenes look at the business of player representation and how transfers really get done. Emile shares his path from growing up in a Tottenham Spurs household to playing Division III soccer at Haverford, then breaking into the industry through internships with MLS c
476: Jeff Aubry Gives an Inside Look at the G-League’s Next Gen Players Union
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Columbia Sports Management alum Jeff Aubry, Executive Director of the Next Gen Players Union, for an inside look at labor, leadership, and player advocacy in the NBA G League. Aubry traces his journey from Cornell basketball to a professional playing career overseas and in the early days of the NBA Development League, before transitioning into sports busines
475: John Giannini Talks College Basketball in the NIL Era
Joe Favorito kicks off the first episode of 2026 by welcoming longtime coach, administrator, and now college basketball analyst, John Giannini, for a wide-ranging look at where college athletics, and especially men’s basketball, stands in the NIL and transfer-portal era. Giannini traces his journey from a Division III national championship at Rowan to Division I success at the University of Maine
474: Chris Pearlman Discusses How the Premier League Rights Model Inspired Aggregate Sports
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson mark a milestone, 10 years of The CUSP Show, by welcoming Aggregate Sports CEO Chris Pearlman for a conversation on career-building, Olympic marketing, and the realities of the global soccer business. Pearlman retraces his path from early internships and sales roles at ESPN and ABC to working at Van Wagner, and a pivotal leap overseas as the Chief Operating Officer
473: Ward Selman on Chasing the Olympics and Breaking Barriers in Lebanon
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Columbia Sports Management student and Lebanese taekwondo standout, Ward Selman, for a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, and building a career in sports beyond the mat. Selman, who began taekwondo at age four and joined Lebanon’s national team at twelve, discusses her TEDx talk on “Resilient Dreamers,” shares what it meant to pursue a “non-tr
472: Manik Bambha Talks Building the Streaming Engine Behind Modern Sports
Joe Favorito welcomes ViewLift President & Co-Founder Manik Bambha for a behind-the-scenes look at the streaming infrastructure powering modern sports consumption. Bambha traces his path from an early role at MySpace to building one of the first OTT movie platforms and launching some of the earliest apps on iPad, Roku, and connected TVs, before turning that technology into ViewLift’s white-label s
471: Laura Dixon on Building the Trade Association Pro Sports Never Had
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Pro Sports Assembly CEO & co-founder, Laura Dixon, for a deep dive into why the sports industry went so long without its own professional trade association, and how she’s fixing that. Dixon, the former head of External Relations for the San Antonio Spurs, explains what “external affairs” really means inside a team front office, why informed and inclusive lea
470: How Mark Neifeld Made the Sport Fishing Championship ESPN-Worthy
Joe Favorito sits down with Mark Neifeld, the Founder, and current Commissioner & CEO of the Sport Fishing Championship (SFC), for a conversation about how an emerging league can scale into a global sports property. Neifeld explains how he went from working in the NHL, NFL, MLB, and collegiate athletics to identifying a massive opportunity hiding in plain sight: more Americans fish than play golf
469: Coach Dave Clawson Talks NIL, Donor Power, and the Future of College Football
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome longtime college football coach and current ESPN/ACC Network analyst as well as Executive Affiliate at the Wake Forest School of Business, Dave Clawson for a wide-ranging conversation on how big-time college football is being transformed by NIL, the transfer portal, and donor influence. Clawson traces his journey from Fordham, Richmond, and Bowling Green to
468: Aliyah Funschelle on Building her Brand and the Creator Economy in Women’s Sports
Joe Favorito welcomes Columbia Sports Management Program alumna, and content creator, Aliyah Funschelle for an in-depth conversation on the intersection of women’s sports, digital storytelling, and the growing creator economy on social media. As a sports reporter, and the founder of Sports With Aliyah, she discusses her journey from Wichita State to Columbia, and how she turned her passion for wo
467: Kati Fernandez Discusses her Journey from ESPN to TOGETHXR
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Kati Fernandez, Chief Content Officer at TOGETHXR, for a conversation on leadership, innovation, and the fast-changing world of sports media. A former ESPN executive, Fernandez talks about how women’s sports have become a booming business, as well as dives into the strategy behind TOGETHXR’s short & long form video, and podcast production. She emphasizes how
466: Mike Abdenour on the Evolution of Athletic Training
Joe and Tom sit down with Mike Abdenour, the longtime head athletic trainer for the Detroit Pistons and one of the most respected figures in the NBA. With decades of experience on the sidelines, Mike shares how the role of athletic trainers has transformed - from old-school tape jobs and gut instincts to cutting-edge technology and sports science. He offers rare insight into what it takes to keep
465: Ken Belson Discusses the Evolution of the NFL from the 90s to Today
Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome New York Times NFL reporter Ken Belson to discuss his new book Every Day Is Sunday. Belson shares how the 1993 labor peace set the foundation for the league’s financial explosion, the role of visionaries like Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft in transforming the business, and how media innovation, from Fox’s early deals to today’s streaming era, reshaped fan enga
464: How the school paper led Ben Malcolmson to the Super Bowl
Joe and Tom are joined by Ben Malcolmson, Head of Investor Relations at Trinity Capital, whose remarkable journey took him from reporting for the school paper to CFB, to the NFL, and now into finance. A Journalism major at USC, Ben earned a walk-on spot via tryouts on the Trojans roster in his senior year, which eventually led him to work closely with legendary coach Pete Carroll for many years, i
463: Ann Kletz on the Business Boom in Women's Sports
Joe and Tom sit down with Ann Kletz, a trailblazer in women’s sports and a seasoned leader with 25 years of experience building and scaling mission-driven companies. Together, they explore the surging momentum behind professional women’s sports leagues, diving into the growing investments, expanding audiences, and the broader cultural impact. It’s a conversation about strategy, opportunity, and th
462: Coach Q on Consistency, Culture, and Championship Mindsets
Joe and Tom sit down with Fred Quartlebaum, Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Kansas and a key figure behind the team's National Championship success. Coach Q is recognized not only for his leadership and culture-building expertise but also for being one of the fittest coaches in college sports. In this episode, Coach Q shares powerful insights on what it truly means to lead,
461: Charece Williams on the business of building brands in sport
This week, Tom is joined by Charece Williams - a powerhouse in sports marketing and strategic partnerships. As the founder of Inside the Huddle and host of How the Business Is Played, Charece has built a career brokering high-impact brand deals across women’s sports and collegiate athletics. She shares her journey from student-athlete to executive roles at PepsiCo, Under Armour, and Coca-Cola, off
460: How AI Is Shaping the Future of Sports Training
This week, Tom is joined by Eric Meistrich and Andre Buchanan, the duo behind Athletech - a startup revolutionizing sports training with AI. They dive into Baseball AI, their flagship product that helps athletes fine-tune their swing through advanced technical analysis.Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrekbuchanan/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-meistrich-a817ba153/ The CUSP Show is hosted
459: Shripal Shah on AI, Sports Fans, and the Future
Joe and Tom sit down with Shripal Shah, Chief Digital Officer at Next League, to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping the sports industry. From AI-driven fan engagement to scalable innovation strategies, Shripal shares how top organizations are leveraging digital transformation to boost revenue and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you're in sports, tech, or just curio
458: Chris Blivin talks Digital Collectibles and Emerging Tech
This week, Tom and Joe sit down with Chris Blivin, Vice President of Consumer Products for Gaming, Collectibles, and Emerging Technology at Major League Soccer. Chris dives into the evolving world of digital collectibles and shares his perspective on whether the market is poised for a resurgence. The conversation also explores how MLS is embracing emerging technologies to deepen fan engagement, dr
457: The Pro Tennis Playbook with Randy Walker
With the tennis world focused on New York, Joe and Tom get an inside look at the sport with writer, publisher, podcaster, and tournament director Randy Walker. They dive into the biggest trends and debates in tennis today, exploring the innovations driving the game forward and the potential issues that could hold it back. Follow on X: TennisPublisher Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randolph-
456: Fiona Green on the Game-Changing Power of Data in Sports
Joe and Tom are joined by Fiona Green, Founder and CEO of ProDataStack - an AI-powered platform that empowers professional athletes to access and control their personal performance data. Fiona explores the key principles behind data collection and usage in sport, revealing how athletes can leverage data both on and off the field.Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionagreendata/Visit: https://pr
455: Justin Papadakis on the USL's growth engine
Joe and Tom are joined by Justin Papadakis, who serves as United Soccer League’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Real Estate Officer. Justin leads the USL’s strategic direction, oversees expansion efforts into new markets, and drives stadium development efforts.Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-papadakis-9b466522/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richard
454: Peter Robert Casey talks digital innovation and hoops
Joe and Tom are joined by Peter Robert Casey, the chairman of SLAM and founding partner at JDS Sports, a purpose-driven private equity firm. Together, they explore how basketball storytelling has evolved alongside the changing landscape of digital sports media. Peter also offers a deep dive into the world of 'purpose-driven' investing, explaining the goal of creating a positive impact through spor
453: Pet Berisha on the crypto industry's journey to mainstream
Tom Richardson is joined by Pet Berisha, the creator of Sporting Crypto. They discuss the passing of the GENIUS Act, the United States' first comprehensive legislation on stablecoins. The cryptocurrency industry’s journey to mainstream is now nearing completion. Pet and Tom also discuss the prevalence of digital currency in the sporting world, and what that future looks like. Subscribe - https://n
452: Director Jimmy Jenkins on the making of Nothing But A Winner: The Alabama Football Story
Roll Tide! Joe is joined by filmmaker Jimmy Jenkins, whose Alabama football documentary, Nothing But A Winner, is about to hit theaters. Discover the immense time and dedication behind bringing the story of college football's greatest program, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide, to the big screen. Listen in for an exclusive preview.https://nothingbutawinner.com/Jimmy Jenkins - https://www.imdb
451: Carl Thomas on the core values of leadership
Joe and Tom are joined this week by Carl Thomas, the host of The Best Boss Ever podcast. In a storied career, Carl has a track record of scaling businesses across sports, entertainment, and technology. They discuss what success means in today’s world and explore the qualities that make a good leader. Connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-a-thomas/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joef
450: Carla Varriale-Barker talks Sports Law and Education in the age of AI
Tom is joined this week by Carla Varriale-Barker, the Chairperson of the Sports, Recreation and Entertainment Practice Group at Segal McCambridge and a Professor with Columbia University’s Sports Management program. They analyze the House v. NCAA settlement and discuss what the future of college sports may look like. Carla and Tom also examine the impact that AI currently has on both the law and e
449: Joseph Caporoso on the content creator economy
Tom and Joe are joined this week by Joseph Caporoso, President at Team Whistle, a DAZN Group Company. He provides an overview of the sports digital media space, and dives deep into the various streams of content (both live and non-live) that are available to sports fans today. Caporoso speaks about his engagement with AI and also lists best practices and strategies for creating engaging digital co
448: Mandy Gutmann on building a sports league from scratch
Mandy Gutmann is the VP of Communications and External Affairs at the Professional Women's Hockey League. She sits down with Joe Favorito to discuss the opportunities and challenges in building a ‘start-up’ women’s sports league. Mandy talks about driving growth through teams and players, via branding and storytelling. Connect with Mandy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mandygutmann/PWHL - https://ww
447: Micky Lawler on the unrivaled growth of women's basketball
Joe and Tom are joined this week by Micky Lawler, the Commissioner at Unrivaled Basketball. She talks about the success of the inaugural season in early 2025, and details the planning and work that went into the launch and on-court action. Before joining Unrivaled, Micky was President of the WTA. She talks about the similarities (and differences) in growing women’s basketball as compared to the su
446: Marc Horine on U.S. Soccer’s Growth and the Club World Cup
Joe and Tom welcome back Marc Horine, Chief Business Officer at For Soccer Ventures, for a conversation about the growth of soccer in the U.S. They discuss how rising brand investment, grassroots development, and a more diverse and youthful fan base are impacting the industry ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Marc shares new insights from For Soccer’s annual United States of Soccer report, reflects on
445: Calvin Sibert on Using NBA Math Hoops to Transform Education Through Sports
Joe and Tom welcome Calvin Sibert, Chief Mission Officer at Learn Fresh, to explore how the NBA Math Hoops program is helping students build critical math and social-emotional skills through the power of sports. Calvin shares his journey from 20 years as a schoolteacher in Detroit to leading a nonprofit that now serves over 1.5 million students worldwide. He discusses how partnerships with the NBA
444: Dan Solomon discusses baseball equipment entrepreneurship
Joe Favorito is joined by Dan Solomon, the owner of Ultimate Baseball Supply and a graduate of Columbia University’s Sports Management Program. Dan’s company features brands that are focused on offering newer, and more unique takes on baseball gear. He talks torpedo bats and gives an insight into equipment entrepreneurship with a focus on bringing innovations in baseball to a wider audience. Conne
443: Max Iger on sports consumption trends
Joe and Tom are joined by their former student, Max Iger. Max is currently with the Corporate Sports team at CAA Sports and was formerly a Basketball Operations Assistant at San Antonio Spurs. He talks about sports consumption trends among his Gen Z peers and also stresses the importance of wearing different hats in the sports industry. Connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-iger-ba96aa150/ The
442: Peter Scott talks innovation in digital sports media
Joe and Tom welcome sports industry veteran Peter Scott to The CUSP Show. Peter is an experienced broadcast and digital media expert who currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at Play Anywhere, Inc. He breaks down the current technological advances in the sports world and how these innovations bring sports closer to fans in the digital landscape. Connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter
441: Karen Lorenzo Discusses the Launch of League One Volleyball
Joe and Tom welcome Karen Lorenzo, Chief Legal Officer and Head of Business Affairs at League One Volleyball (LOVB), to discuss how the startup league executed a successful and strategic launch in its inaugural season. Karen shares how LOVB built a vertically integrated model from youth clubs to pro teams, secured $160 million in funding, and prioritized athlete experience and long-term sustainabi
440: Samuel Hymes on sports diplomacy
Joe and Tom are joined this week by Samuel Hymes. Samuel is a dual Fellow, at Harvard University and the Economic Club of New York. He takes us into the world of sports diplomacy, which brings institutions and representatives together with people and communities by using the unifying power of sport. Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelhymes/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav)
439: Dee Kundra on FC Bayern Munich’s US Strategy & Club World Cup 2025
Joe and Tom are joined by Dee Kundra, Managing Director of the Americas for FC Bayern Munich, one of the most storied and successful clubs in global football. Dee shares her career journey from studying fashion in London to breaking into sports with the New York Cosmos, Liverpool FC, and helping Bayern Munich establish its North American presence. She talks about how the club grew its fan base in
438: Maher Labban on the business of sports awards
Joe Favorito is joined by Maher Labban, the director of Clio Sports. A New York-native, Maher has spent over 20 years in the sports industry. He takes us through his journey from teams to leagues, major and minor. Maher also details the inner-workings of the sports awards industry and the value it provides to all stakeholders. Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-maher-labban/ Read more: http
437: Alex Kopilow on Content Strategy and the Mets’ Digital Evolution
In this episode, hosts Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson sit down at Mets House in Union Square with Alex Kopilow, Director of Media Partnerships for the New York Mets. Alex shares his journey from sports anchor to brand strategist, and now, team-side innovator. They discuss how the Mets are rethinking sponsored content, creating meaningful fan connections, and leveraging digital platforms like YouT
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