111. Randy Freer - Media Expert & Former Hulu CEO
Release Date: 01/29/2025
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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Highlight: Lynn Holzman - NCAA
Navigating Sports Business
Lynn Holzman – VP of Women’s Basketball at the NCAA – on the NCAA's new media rights deal with ESPN and the opportunities it creates for fans of women's sports. Embedded in the deal are storytelling opportunities that aim to promote women's basketball utilizing ESPN's platform. While the NCAA men's basketball tournament is sold to network partners as a standalone package, women's basketball remains part of this larger agreement. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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116. Navigating Sports Media: Jim Cochrane & Jon Heidtke - Texas Rangers
Navigating Sports Business
In the first episode of our new "Navigating Sports Media" series, Navigate's Head of Media, Umar Hussain, hosts two guests who are leading the way in the regional broadcast space. Staring down a new local media rights reality and with just 9 months of prep time, the Texas Rangers launched Rangers Sports Network and DTC offering in partnership with Victory+. With the ongoing disruption in cable and streaming, teams will need to get creative and ensure that their content (especially games) are accessible and attractive in-market for both existing and new fans. Jim Cochrane - Chief...
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Highlight: Matt Dennington - McLaren Racing
Navigating Sports Business
Matt Dennington – Co-Chief Commercial Officer at McLaren Racing – on how the team's 2024 Constructors' Cup Championship ultimately hinged on 0.7 seconds during one critical pit stop. He explains how that difference is reflective of the team's Forever Forward mentality which pushes for high performance at every level of the organization. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
info_outlineRandy Freer - Media Expert, Former Hulu CEO, & CEO of the Freer Company - shares his unique perspective on streaming, media fragmentation, the new NBA rights deal, and the viability of different models for viewing live sports.
He also discusses the changes he foresees for the next generation of sports fans and media consumers. In the past, it has been the “middle men” who have profited by purchasing live rights and selling advertising. Now, those arbitrage opportunities are becoming increasingly more complicated, and it’s the IP holders who have the most to gain from the changes.
Details:
- 4:10 - The new NBA media deal
- 6:00 - The modern media landscape
- 17:50 - UFC/Expanding property audiences
- 20:30 - Hulu, Venu, and Fubo
- 26:55 - Media fragmentation
- 35:45 - Rapid Fire Questions
For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.