Navigating Sports Business
Gain exclusive insight into the professional and personal worlds of high-level executives in sports and entertainment as we host top decision-makers in the industry to discuss emerging topics, their business, careers, and personal life stories. From collegiate conference commissioners to professional sports team executives and owners, to CMOs and leading marketers at global brands, Navigating Sports Business takes listeners inside the lives of key people making a major impact on the sports and entertainment industry.
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91. Mike Buckley - United States SailGP Team
04/24/2024
91. Mike Buckley - United States SailGP Team
Mike Buckley - Co-Owner & CEO of the United States SailGP Team - shares his excitement around the sport of sailing and the upcoming New York Sail Grand Prix. As both an executive and a champion sailor himself, Mike has a unique perspective not shared by many other owners of professional teams. His fellow investors in the U.S. team include include boxer Deontay Wilder; NFL players DeAndre Hopkins, Malik Jackson, and Roquan Smith, actress Issa Rae, and many other big names. Details: 1:30 - Mike's experience with sailing 6:30 - The growth of SailGP 8:50 - SailGP's Climate Positive status 11:00 - The U.S. team 14:25 - The NYC race 17:25 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Meredith Batcheller - Adobe
04/17/2024
Highlight: Meredith Batcheller - Adobe
Meredith Batcheller – Head of Global Sports Marketing at Adobe – explains the tech integration behind their partnership with Major League Baseball. Using Adobe's technology, MLB is able to create customized messaging for fans entering ballparks. The partnership allows Adobe's marketing team to reach MLB's evolving fanbase. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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90. Sameer Ahuja - GameChanger
04/10/2024
90. Sameer Ahuja - GameChanger
Sameer Ahuja - President of GameChanger and SVP at DICK'S Sporting Goods - leads the largest youth sports video streaming platform in the country. More hours are streamed in a single year on GameChanger than have been played in the entire history of Major League Baseball. As youth sports continues to become more sophisticated, GameChanger exists to fill a need for stats, video, and more. Sameer joins Jeff Nelson to explain the business model that has led to scalability and success. Details: 2:00 - What is Gamechanger? 6:55 - The business model 14:59 - Surviving COVID without live events 17:15 - Sameer's background 24:55 - Future of youth sports 34:15 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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Highlight: Anne Ristau - Navigate
04/03/2024
Highlight: Anne Ristau - Navigate
Navigate's EVP of Consulting, Anne Ristau, discusses the role of private equity in sports, both at the professional and collegiate level. She and Jeff Nelson emphasize the importance of innovation and increased capital as property valuations soar, while maintaining a focus on what's best for the fans. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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89. Jen Spicher - Pro Volleyball Federation
03/27/2024
89. Jen Spicher - Pro Volleyball Federation
Jen Spicher - CEO of the Pro Volleyball Federation - discusses the league's rapid ascent to national prominence, as well as the general rise of women's volleyball. She and Anne Ristau also explore the work that Navigate did with Pro Volleyball Federation to help secure their media rights deal with CBS Sports. Details: 1:35 - Jen's background as a student athlete 3:20 - Pro Volleyball Federation 8:00 - The rise of volleyball 10:10 - The future of the league 12:50 - Working with Navigate and CBS Sports 14:00 - The business model 22:25 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Matthew Holt - U.S. Integrity
03/20/2024
Highlight: Matthew Holt - U.S. Integrity
Matthew Holt – President of U.S. Integrity – shares the story of a boxing manager who is being investigated for placing a massive wager on his own client. He explains how U.S. Integrity monitors nefarious activity in sports betting. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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88. Meredith Batcheller - Adobe
03/13/2024
88. Meredith Batcheller - Adobe
Meredith Batcheller - Head of Global Sports Marketing at Adobe - explains the "why" behind some of their most exciting sports partnerships, including MLB and the NWSL. She also shares how her experience on the agency side of the business, and her time as a student athlete, have prepared her for success in her current role. Details: 6:30 - Experience on the agency, B2B, and B2C sides of our industry 13:45 - Adobe 21:00 - NWSL partnership 27:55 - The outlook for the rest of 2024 30:35 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Julie Roe Lach - Horizon League
03/06/2024
Highlight: Julie Roe Lach - Horizon League
Julie Roe Lach – Commissioner of the Horizon League – on how the House v. NCAA lawsuit is impacting her conference and the mid-major level of college athletics. The Horizon League is not a named defendant in the case, limiting the information that she and her team receive. However, they still manage to keep their presidents and chancellors up-to-date on this lawsuit and others that have the potential to dramatically alter the state of college athletics. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Whit Babcock - Virginia Tech
02/28/2024
Highlight: Whit Babcock - Virginia Tech
Whit Babcock – Director of Athletics at Virginia Tech – on the possibility of NFL-style contracts finding their way into college football, and why he thinks that future is not dissimilar from the present. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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87. Anne Ristau - Navigate
02/21/2024
87. Anne Ristau - Navigate
In our first ever internal podcast, Navigate's new EVP of Consulting, Anne Ristau, joins the show to discuss her time as Head of Sponsorships for Dell and how she is using that experience now in her new role. Anne will also be joining Navigating Sports Business as a recurring host, so keep an eye out for future episodes featuring Anne on the other side of the desk as the one asking questions. For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Rick Schlesinger - Milwaukee Brewers
02/14/2024
Highlight: Rick Schlesinger - Milwaukee Brewers
Rick Schlesinger – President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers – explains why MLB expansion is more viable now than in years past due to the lessening importance of the size of a media market which opens up more cities as potential suitors for a new franchise. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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86. Matthew Holt - U.S. Integrity
02/07/2024
86. Matthew Holt - U.S. Integrity
Matthew Holt - President of U.S. Integrity - on how he and his team monitor the sports betting landscape for suspicious activity. As rule-breakers continue to develop new methods of gaming the system, U.S. Integrity is continuously developing and employing new technologies in order to keep up. Every transaction, whether or mobile or in a physical casino, can be tracked by the sports book operator or by an independent integrity monitor like USI. For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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TEDx Teaser: How Sports Fandom Can Solve a Growing Crisis
01/31/2024
TEDx Teaser: How Sports Fandom Can Solve a Growing Crisis
Hear an excerpt from AJ Maestas' recent TED Talk on the benefit of sports fandom. You can find the full talk here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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85. Julie Roe Lach - Horizon League
01/24/2024
85. Julie Roe Lach - Horizon League
Julie Roe Lach - Commissioner of the Horizon League - joins the show to discuss how the biggest stories in college sports (realignment, NIL, the House v. NCAA lawsuit, and others) impact the mid-major level and schools without football. She and Jeff Nelson also discuss her role as the Chair of the Indiana Sports Commission Board of Directors and why that city is so all-in on hosting major sporting events. Details: 3:00 - Realignment at the mid-major level 10:55 - House v. NCAA 14:15 - How would you change college athletics? 30:45 - The Horizon League’s brand refresh 32:35 - Indianapolis Sports Commission 37:00 - Rapid Fire Questions Links: , by Scott Ellsworth , by Ken Blachard and S. Truett Cathy Previous Episode: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Blake Lawrence - Opendorse
01/17/2024
Highlight: Blake Lawrence - Opendorse
Blake Lawrence – Co-Founder/CEO of Opendorse – gives us a crystal ball look into the next six years of NIL, collectives, and revenue sharing in college athletics. He predicts that athletes will receive a payout directly from the school or conference, but will not be classified as employees. He suggests what the landscape will look like for his youngest brother, football prospect Brock Heath, and how his future school's administration, coach, and collective will all sit down to discuss terms prior to him committing. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Phil Knight - Nike
01/10/2024
Highlight: Phil Knight - Nike
Phil Knight – Co-Founder & Chairman Emeritus at Nike – gives his solution to fix college sports. A bold idea for a three-tiered approach that separate football, basketball, and olympic sports. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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84. Phil Knight - Nike
01/03/2024
84. Phil Knight - Nike
Phil Knight - Co-Founder & Chairman Emeritus at Nike - joins AJ Maestas for an exciting interview about branding, Oregon football, and their experience working together. Phil is one of the biggest university benefactors in the country. His donations to Oregon athletics are well known, as he has helped transform the program into a perennial powerhouse across sports, but his efforts have also included helping to fund a new law school building, a new library, and a half-billion-dollar donation for the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. Details: 1:55 - “Air” movie 5:05 - Phil’s role in growing Oregon athletics 10:10 - The state of college athletics 16:10 - Oregon’s brand 18:05 - NIL and college apparel deals 25:15 - Phil’s legacy 27:10 - Keys to success in sports business 31:55 - Rapid Fire Questions Links: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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83. Whit Babcock - Virginia Tech
12/27/2023
83. Whit Babcock - Virginia Tech
Whit Babcock - Director of Athletics at Virginia Tech - on why donations to NIL collectives have a more immediate impact on winning than a longer-term project like a new facility. He and Jeff Nelson also discuss the NCAA's proposal for a new subdivision and how schools would look to increase revenue to meet rising expenses. For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Jim Delany - Former Big Ten Commissioner
12/20/2023
Highlight: Jim Delany - Former Big Ten Commissioner
Jim Delany – Former Commissioner of the Big Ten – on the challenges related to the current collegiate model. He discusses NIL and how any future system needs to ensure that payouts are made in compliance with Title IX. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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82. Rick Schlesinger - Milwaukee Brewers
12/13/2023
82. Rick Schlesinger - Milwaukee Brewers
Rick Schlesinger - President of Business Operations for the Milwaukee Brewers - joins life-long Brewers fan Jeff Nelson to discuss the state of the team and their new long-term lease that runs through 2050. They also discuss the RSN situation in Major League Baseball, robot umpires, and how to overcome a "small market." Details: 1:45 - The Brewers/Cubs rivalry 4:00 - American Family Field renovations 10:40 - The sports media landscape 14:55 - Small market vs. large market 18:10 - Growing up a Brewers fan 21:45 - Sharing best practices with other teams 24:05 - Membership programs in sports 30:00 - MLB Expansion 32:30 - Robot umpires 34:55 - Rapid Fire Questions Rick’s Milwaukee restaurant recommendation - Carnevor (718 N Milwaukee St) For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Mat & Justin Ishbia - Phoenix Suns and Mercury
12/06/2023
Highlight: Mat & Justin Ishbia - Phoenix Suns and Mercury
Mat and Justin Ishbia – Governor and Alternate Governor of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury – on their ground-breaking decision to broadcast their games over-the-air for free. Additionally, they distributed 25,000 antennas to support their community and grow their fan base. While the future of sports media remains uncertain, the Suns and Mercury have now established themselves as pioneers of the free-to-air model. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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81. Blake Lawrence - Opendorse
11/29/2023
81. Blake Lawrence - Opendorse
Blake Lawrence - Co-Founder/CEO of Opendorse - shares his unique perspective on the NIL marketplace and what the data tells us after 2+ years. He also gets into the precarious relationship between athletic departments and collectives, and how forward-thinking ADs are prioritizing NIL dollars in order to ensure sustained success. For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Jon Steinbrecher - Mid-American Conference
11/22/2023
Highlight: Jon Steinbrecher - Mid-American Conference
Jon Steinbrecher - Commissioner of the Mid-American Conference - on the origins of MACtion in November and why midweek football games do so much to drive exposure for the schools in the MAC. He and AJ discuss the benefits that come with that exposure, such as recruiting advantages for coaches and increased brand awareness. They also highlight some of the challenges that midweek games create, particularly for campuses on game day. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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80. Mat & Justin Ishbia - Phoenix Suns and Mercury
11/15/2023
80. Mat & Justin Ishbia - Phoenix Suns and Mercury
Mat and Justin Ishbia - Governor and Alternate Governor of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury - on their philosophy for succeeding on and off the court. Mat believes they're ready to compete for an NBA championship with players like Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker, whom he calls the best player in the NBA. In just a short time as majority stakeholders of the teams, they've already made incredible investments with a focus on winning and fan engagement. For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Rick George - University of Colorado
11/08/2023
Highlight: Rick George - University of Colorado
Rick George – Athletic Director at the University of Colorado – highlights the importance of geography in the decision to join the Big 12, and whether or not Coach Prime had a say in that decision. He highlights having access to key markets for "fundraising and fan-raising." The advantages of a broad reach impact recruiting, branding, and even enrollment for the broader student body. Therefore, having access to the state of Texas was an argument in favor of the Big 12. He also explains how, despite no longer having conference games against USC or UCLA, Colorado will still look to maintain a presence in California. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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79. Jim Delany - Former Big Ten Commissioner
11/01/2023
79. Jim Delany - Former Big Ten Commissioner
Jim Delany - Former Commissioner of the Big Ten - debates NIL, realignment, and the future of college sports. He and AJ discuss the factors that impact major decisions at the collegiate level, and set a reminder to have another conversation 5 years down the road. Details: 1:55 - Life since retirement 3:45 - What makes a successful commissioner 12:05 - How would you lead college athletics? 21:45 - Jim’s time as a UNC basketball player 25:15 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: John Koller - HP
10/25/2023
Highlight: John Koller - HP
John Koller - Global CMO at HP - on the role of AI in sports marketing, and the areas where he sees near-term opportunities. He predicts that creative campaigns will be personalized at scale using AI, especially as teams look to expand their reach beyond the U.S. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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78. John Koller - HP
10/18/2023
78. John Koller - HP
John Koller - Global CMO at HP - leads marketing and sponsorship for one of the original Silicon Valley brands. His career path has taken him through some of the most innovative sides of our industry, including stops at Twitch, Hard Rock, and PlayStation. He joins Jeff Nelson to discuss how that varied experience is helping him now at HP, and what he envisions for the future of tech in sports. Sports betting, AI, and gaming are some of the hottest topics in our industry, and John has first-hand experience with each of them. Details: 2:45 - John’s role at HP 12:45 - John’s career journey 17:10 - Lessons from success 20:00 - The power of Twitch 27:30 - Sports betting and John’s time at Hard Rock 37:15 - AI in Sports 41:25 - Rapid Fire Questions Book/Podcast Recommendations: (Podcast) , by Walter Isaacson For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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Highlight: Charlie Hussey - SEC
10/11/2023
Highlight: Charlie Hussey - SEC
Charlie Hussey – Deputy Commissioner/COO at the SEC – discusses the history of realignment in the SEC, and compares the additions of Texas and Oklahoma to the other two waves of realignment that the conference has seen since the early '90s. Adding Arkansas and South Carolina in 1990 was driven by the desire to expand to 12 teams in order to host a championship football game between the newly formed 6-team divisions. Then Texas A&M and Missouri were inbound additions in 2012, having reached out to the conference to inquire about membership, but doing so separately. Texas and Oklahomas represented yet another variation, having approached SEC leadership as a package deal. Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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77. Charlie Hussey - SEC
10/04/2023
77. Charlie Hussey - SEC
Charlie Hussey - Deputy Commissioner/COO at the SEC - on the evolution of college athletics, and how he feels about the state of the conference. He and Jeff Nelson discuss the continuous, regional footprint of the SEC despite adding Texas and Oklahoma, and why they're comfortable with the 16 schools they currently have, with national appeal. Details: 3:45 - The evolution of collegiate athletics 9:02 - Remaining a contiguous conference 10:55 - Growing up in SEC country 15:20 - Early years of Charlie’s career 18:30 - SEC Network 26:40 - The role of the NCAA 33:30 - Rapid Fire Questions Show Notes: Books: by Robert Khayat by Jim VandeHei, Roy Schwartz, Mike Allen , by James Kerr , by Bharat Anand For more insights, visit our or learn more about Navigate at .
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