Highlight: Vince Kozar - Phoenix Mercury
Navigating Sports Business
Vince Kozar – President of the Phoenix Mercury – talks about how they have no trouble retaining fans who watch a game live or on TV. Whether those fans initially come to see Caitlin Clark, a rival team, or are just skipping channels, once they see what the Mercury have to offer, they stick around. He also talks about the broader mission of the organization and the work they are doing to increase sports participation among girls. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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121. Ahmed Darwish - NESN
Navigating Sports Business
Navigating Sports Media: Ahmed Darwish - CMO at NESN - leads marketing for one of the most well-known and successful RSNs in the country. As business models shift across media, they are finding ways to reach more fans, including their DTC platform, NESN 360. He also shares trends and predictions for NESN, for baseball, and for sports media in general. Timestamps: 4:00 - DTC and Distribution 14:00 - Having multiple teams on the platform 16:15 - Marketing tactics 22:05 - Baseball predictions 26:15 - Ahmed’s career path 37:30 - Rapid Fire Questions Book Recommendation: by...
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Highlight: Nic Barlage - Cleveland Cavaliers & Rock Entertainment Group
Navigating Sports Business
Nic Barlage – CEO of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group – explains his strategy of pivoting more towards single-game tickets, despite most teams focusing on season ticket packages. Capping season tickets has helped the Cavs jump into the top third of the NBA in gate revenue. He also discusses the Cavs Reward program and what makes it more effective than other loyalty programs in sports. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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120. Scott Woodward - LSU
Navigating Sports Business
Scott Woodward - Athletics Director at LSU - always seems to make the right coaching hire. He breaks down how finds the best candidates and shares other tips for succeeding as a high-level athletic department. A man of many interests, he also discusses food, wine, literature, and advice for young people. Timestamps: 2:15 - A lifelong LSU fan becoming AD 9:05 - Hiring the best coaches 19:20 - Livvy Dunne and building athlete brands 22:25 - Athletic departments creating commercial arms 26:15 - Crystal ball predictions 27:50 - Scott’s interests outside of athletics 35:20 - Rapid...
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Highlight: Jahm Najafi - MSP Sports Capital, McLaren Racing, X Games
Navigating Sports Business
Jahm Najafi – Chairman and Partner at MSP Sports Capital and Head of the Najafi Companies – shares his excitement for the new X Games League that will be to action sports what Formula 1 is to motorsports. Najafi is an investor in X Games as well as McLaren Racing and other sports properties. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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119. Vince Kozar - Phoenix Mercury
Navigating Sports Business
Vince Kozar - President of the Phoenix Mercury - joins us to discuss the evolving landscape of the WNBA, his career journey with the franchise, and what’s next for the team following Diana Taurasi’s retirement. From front office shifts to player acquisitions, Vince shares insights into how the Mercury are navigating a transformative era. Timestamps: 1:55 – Inside the Mercury’s active offseason moves 5:00 – Reflecting on Diana Taurasi’s retirement 15:00 – Vince Kozar’s path to team president 20:00 – Impact of new Suns/Mercury ownership...
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Highlight: Jim Cochrane & Jon Heidtke – Texas Rangers
Navigating Sports Business
Jim Cochrane – Chief Business Officer at the Texas Rangers – and Jon Heidtke – Founder and Principal at Heidtke Sports Entertainment were featured on the very first episode of our Navigating Sports Media Series. In this highlight, Jon breaks down the unique distribution model that they created which combines regional distribution, OTA broadcast, and a direct-to-consumer option in order to reach as many Rangers fans as possible. He shares how they were able to manage relationships with different partners throughout the process, and the hard work that went into creating Rangers...
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118. Nic Barlage - Cleveland Cavaliers & Rock Entertainment Group
Navigating Sports Business
Nic Barlage - CEO of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group - on how their organization is maximizing a dominant season from the Cavs, all while managing a growing portfolio of other properties across sports and media. He also breaks down their Cavs Rewards program, and what differentiates it from what other teams have tried before. Details: 1:50 - What is Rock Entertainment Group? 10:05 - Dan Gilbert’s ISMs 16:35 - Other organizations to emulate 19:00 - Investing in new innovations 23:55 - The Cavs’ success 28:10 - Cavs Rewards 30:40 - Measuring business...
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Highlight: Vincent Pierson & Curtis Walker - Black Sports Business Academy
Navigating Sports Business
Vincent Pierson and Curtis Walker – Co-Founders of The Black Sports Business Academy – discuss the business imperative behind building a diverse and equitable organization. In a time when DE&I practices are at risk, it's more crucial now than ever to understand the benefits. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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117. Jahm Najafi - MSP Sports Capital, McLaren Racing, X Games
Navigating Sports Business
Jahm Najafi - Chairman and Partner at MSP Sports Capital and Head of the Najafi Companies - is an investor in McLaren Racing, the X Games, and other major sports properties. He discusses some of his most significant investments and the philosophies that guide his decision-making. Jahm's Book Recommendation: Details: 1:45 - Being an owner vs. a shareholder 3:25 - Investing in McLaren Racing 21:30 - The X Games investment 26:15 - What’s next? 30:20 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Greg Sankey, Commissioner of the SEC, joins AJ Maestas on today's episode of Navigating Sports Business podcast. They discuss operating during COVID-19, the path to becoming commissioner, the future of collegiate athletics, and some great book recommendations.
Details:
00:00 - Commissioner Sankey's background
3:50 - Handling COVID in the SEC
17:20 - Book Recommendations
25:00 - Was playing football in 2020 the right decision?
31:10 - New SEC television deal with ABC
42:20 - The future of collegiate athletics
57:20 - Leadership and social justice
1:01:00 - Personal habits for success
Book Recommendations:
Leadership Strategy and Tactics, by Jocko Willink
The Life You Always Wanted, by John Ortberg
Be Quick But Don’t Hurry, by Andrew Hill
Book of Ecclesiastes, Old Testament
Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets, by Andy Stanley
Thinking in Bets, by Annie Duke
How Churchill Waged War, by Allen George Packwood
Philanthropic Organizations: