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The Inches: A Podcast About Sports Sponsorship

The Inches: A Podcast About Sports Sponsorship

Nick Lawson & Rich Franklin 286 Episodes Sep 10, 2026

The Inches is a podcast about how digital is changing sports sponsorship and marketing. Each week, hosts Nick Lawson and Rich Franklin discuss the challenges and issues faced in sports and event sponsorship. Nick is co-founder of SQWAD, a digital sponsorship activation company, while Rich has over 30 years of sponsorship sales experience and works with Oak View Group, Acrisure Arena, and the AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds. Together they explore the toughest aspects of the sponsorship business and how teams can drive ROI and engagement.

Episodes

Rookie & The Vet: The Value of Impressions VS. Results in Sponsorships
Rookie & The Vet: The Value of Impressions VS. Results in Sponsorships Sep 10, 2026 3020 Let's face it, historically the sponsorship world has been primarily built on impressions. The opportunity to BE a part of game day, usually with a logo or on field/court/ice activation.BUT the rest of the advertising world has shifted to a performance model. Results are everything in building your budget.So where do we go from here in the sponsorship world. How do we adapt?On this episode, w
Rookie & The Vet: Chatting Challenger Sponsorship Sales with Phil Andrews of US Fencing
Rookie & The Vet: Chatting Challenger Sponsorship Sales with Phil Andrews of US Fencing Sep 7, 2026 2635 Sponsorship sales is hard enough. In a challenger sport, the deck is stacked against you, usually smaller audiences, less brand recognition, tighter budgets.So how do the best in the game still win?Today, Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, hands us the blueprint. We break down how to build a rock-solid foundation in challenger-sport sponsorships, the strategies that actually move deals forward, and
Rookie & The Vet: A Sponsorship World Cup Postmortem
Rookie & The Vet: A Sponsorship World Cup Postmortem Aug 27, 2026 2615 The World Cup hit the US (and world). It is said to be the most successful financial World Cup of all time.But who won the sponsorships battle? And how did teams and sponsors keep up with the momentum after the confetti fell?On this Episode, we dive into our thoughts on the sponsorships side and momentum of the World Cup for brands and sports teams.-----The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks a
Rookie & The Vet: How Timing Affects Every Part of your Sponsorships
Rookie & The Vet: How Timing Affects Every Part of your Sponsorships Jul 2, 2026 2206 Timing is everything in sales. Making sure that you are there when the customer needs you the most. Finding the right timing for recaps. All the way to giving your promotion enough time to work.On this episode of The Inches, we dive into specifically how you can infuse timing into your sponsorship strategy and playbook for success.-----The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & eve
Rookie & The Vet: Less is More in Sponsorships
Rookie & The Vet: Less is More in Sponsorships Jun 4, 2026 2398 More inventory. More reach. More sponsors....more revenue?Not always.In this episode, we dive into why less can be more in sponsorships, and how you can drive the same revenue with less...but make it more meaningful for sponsors.-----The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event sponsorship and how digital is affecting the industry and landscape. Hosted by Rich Franklin, VP of P
Rookie & The Vet: Selling Sponsorship when you don't own your Stadium
Rookie & The Vet: Selling Sponsorship when you don't own your Stadium May 20, 2026 2213 Many times, we don't own the building we play games in. For sponsorship, that means it can limit how we activate and sell.So how can we get past that to maximize our value and sales for sponsors.On this episode, we dive into ways you can creatively still create value in venue, even when you don't own the building.-----The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sports & event spons
Rookie & The Vet: What NASCAR can teach us about Sponsorships
Rookie & The Vet: What NASCAR can teach us about Sponsorships May 13, 2026 2711 We've talked about it a ton on this podcast. Sometimes the best inspiration comes from seeing sponsorships outside of your own sport. Sometimes, it involves jumping out of your whole sporting event structure.On this episode, we dive into NASCAR and what we can learn for how the sport and organization activates brand sponsors on race day.-----The Inches Podcast is a podcast that looks at sport
Rookie & The Vet: The Pricing Gap in Sponsorships
Rookie & The Vet: The Pricing Gap in Sponsorships Apr 28, 2026 2962 The price of sports sponsorships have gone up dramatically over the last 10 years. Which makes sense. Sports have never been more popular and viewed.But what does this mean for the whole ecosystem? And how might smaller teams take advantage of this?In this episode of The Inches, we dive into conversation around how high prices means a fragmented market, and how your brand or team can navigate it.-
Rookie & The Vet: Notes from Coachella Activations for Sponsorships
Rookie & The Vet: Notes from Coachella Activations for Sponsorships Apr 13, 2026 2944 Coachella & Stagecoach, 2 concerts that consume the city of Indio in the Coachella Valley. The city almost doubles in size across 2 weekends.Brands notice...and they put their creative hats on to stand out and activate.So what can we learn in sponsorships from these activations?Luckily we have boots on the ground with Rich Franklin, and on this episode of the Inches we dive into what he's
Rookie & The Vet: The Slow Death of Passive Sponsorships
Rookie & The Vet: The Slow Death of Passive Sponsorships Apr 6, 2026 2595 The sponsorship model is shifting. Brands want engagement, data, and proof - not logo placements. Not passive inventory.So why do most of what we sell in sponsorships consist of logo placement?In this episode, we dig into why passive sponsorship assets are dying, what's replacing them, and how your team can get ahead of the curve before your next renewal conversation.--The Inches Podcast is a
Rookie & The Vet: Talking Digital with Alex Kopilow
Rookie & The Vet: Talking Digital with Alex Kopilow Mar 10, 2026 3306 We all know digital inventory is a must have in any sponsorship department today.But how can you build it? How do you price it? How do you manage it successfully?On this episode we have Digital Sponsorship vet and expert Alex Kopilow from SponCon to answer all those questions and more.Check out Alex's sponsorship newsletter, SponCon. A must subscribe in the industry.https://sponconsports.beeh
Rookie & The Vet: Turning Global Sport Events into Local Sponsorship Revenue
Rookie & The Vet: Turning Global Sport Events into Local Sponsorship Revenue Mar 2, 2026 2177 It's a big year in sports. Winter Olympics, Summer World Cup, and global events that ignite entire countries.These events build emotion; brands want to be a part of them.But how can your local sports team funnel that excitement into authentic sponsorship opportunities?On this episode of The Inches, we dive into how your team can transform national excitement into big wins for your local spons

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