Sports Management Podcast

Welcome to episode 239 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Kyle Israel, co-founder of , a $100M fund investing at the intersection of sports and real estate. Kyle shares why his firm is focusing on middle-market teams instead of billion-dollar franchises, how mixed-use developments are reshaping club economics, and why women's sports and secondary markets represent the next wave of growth. In this episode, we spoke about: Timestamps: 00:00 From Quarterback to Sports Investor 02:22 The $100M Sports Fund Explained 04:47 Why Avoid the Big Leagues 06:05 What Is an SPV 07:26 The Explosion of Women's Sports Valuations 08:38 The Hardest Decision in Sports Real Estate 11:36 The 50+1 Rule and Europe Challenges 14:11 Why Secondary Markets Win 17:08 Lessons from Sporting JAX 19:54 The 3–5 Year Vision for Momentous 22:07 Athlete Identity and the Transition Struggle 29:59 The Neurochemistry of Retirement 33:12 Leadership Lessons from Sports 40:07 How to Stand Out in Sports Business 47:04 Why Networking Changes Everything SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 238 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Dr. Alicia Naser, mental performance coach and founder of the Naser Institute for Behavioral Sport Psychology. She works with professional athletes in the NHL, ATP Tour and PGA, helping them optimize performance through behavioral science and mental training. In this episode, we spoke about: Timestamps 0:00 Mental Performance in Elite Sport 1:18 Dr. Alicia Naser Introduction 3:11 The Most Important Behavior for Athletes 5:21 Team vs Individual Sports Psychology 8:52 Control and Performance Mindset 10:11 Roger Federer & Performance Perspective 11:20 Djokovic on Emotional Recovery 12:56 Superstitions in Professional Sport 14:50 Henrik Lundqvist's Routine 16:15 Assessing Underperformance 17:51 Biggest Mental Roadblocks 20:05 Social Media Pressure on Athletes 23:30 Building a Personal Brand Online 28:34 How She Started Working in Hockey 34:04 From Autism Research to Elite Sport SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 237of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Dawn Scott, one of the most influential high performance leaders in women's football. She has worked with England, led performance for the U.S. Women's National Team during two World Cup wins and an Olympic gold, and now supports global development through FIFA. In this episode, we spoke about: Time stamps: 00:00 High Performance Defined 01:13 Motivation vs Consistency 03:10 Entering Women's Football in 2001 07:22 Then vs Now in Sports Science 09:28 Misinformation in Female Nutrition 13:00 The 6% Research Gap 14:33 Boots, ACL & Female Anatomy 16:43 Return to Play Postpartum 20:29 Building Performance Departments 23:21 England Highlights & Growth 26:09 Moving to the U.S. National Team 30:12 Olympic Gold & World Cup Wins 33:50 Investment & Staffing in Women's Sport 37:28 The Future of Women's Football 39:05 Advice for Young Professionals 40:00 Outro SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 235 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Theo Dedes, a UEFA Pro License coach who recently led TSG Hoffenheim's women's team in Germany. From growing up in Athens to coaching at the highest level in European football, Theo shares what modern leadership really looks like, why empathy beats authority in today's game, and what it takes to survive - and thrive - in one of the most pressure-filled industries in the world. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:40 The UEFA Pro License Explained 02:01 Eligible for Champions League 02:36 The Coach as Manager 04:33 The Loneliness of Leadership 05:49 Controlling the Uncontrollable 07:29 Managing Friction Inside the Squad 08:51 Handling Weekly Pressure 10:22 Being a Young Head Coach 12:31 Coaching as Brand & Identity 15:13 Greece vs Germany Leadership Styles 17:25 The Coaching Odyssey 19:50 Why Germany Felt Fair 21:17 Learning from Termination 31:15 Advice for Future Pro Coaches 33:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 234 of Sports Management Podcast. College sports has changed forever. NIL is here, brands are everywhere, and student athletes are now entrepreneurs whether they like it or not. But are they actually prepared? Today I'm joined by Stephen Bienko, co-founder of 42U, former dual-sport athlete and life coach. We dive into: And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. 00:00 Intro 00:28 What 42U Is Building in the NIL Era 02:03 Transferable Skills Beyond "Hardworking Athlete" 05:16 Athlete Identity & Overthinking Performance 08:45 NIL Should Have Existed Years Ago 10:35 Soft Skills vs Hard Skills in the AI Era 12:18 Why Identity Impacts Performance 14:21 Why Athletes Are Underprepared for NIL 17:37 Why Most NIL Partnerships Fail 20:33 Brand First, Deals Second 23:41 The Power of Athlete IP & Social Media 29:31 The Future of NIL and High School Athletes 32:59 Putting "Butts in Seats" Through Athlete Brands 39:44 The Decathlete Mindset in Business 49:18 Why Now Is the Best Time to Enter Sports 55:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 233 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Gloria Mariwa - a footballer, professional freestyler, digital creator known as 14th Gunner and founder of Wichesa. At just 19, she's building the future of African women's football at the intersection of sports, tech, and community. We spoke about: And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Building 14th Gunner 04:30 Growing Women's Football in Kenya 07:37 Why Women's Sports Must Build Their Own Model 08:30 The Future of Sports Tech & AI 09:41 Creators vs Traditional Media 12:03 Why YouTube Could Win Sports Streaming 14:31 Copying the West? Or Building Africa's Own Model 16:57 The Kenyan Sports Landscape 18:36 The Meaning Behind Wichesa 19:34 Grassroots Impact in Women's Football 24:46 University or Startup Life? 26:48 Monetizing as a Young Creator 27:53 Advice for Young Sports Professionals 30:29 Redefining Sports Tech 32:23 Invest in African Women's Sports Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 232 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is JP Lutz - a former Philadelphia Eagles executive turned professor, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor. We spoke about: And much more! This one is packed with practical advice for anyone who wants to work in sports and a powerful life lesson you won't forget. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 From Working Elevators to the NFL 04:25 Why You Must Say Yes Early in Your Career 06:24 Creating Your Own Luck in Sports 08:10 How to Network the Right Way 12:53 Do You Need a Degree to Work in Sports? 17:11 The Magic of Game Day 19:52 $5 an Hour and Moving Back Home 22:34 Transitioning from Pro Sports to Higher Ed 23:56 Starting a Sports Business from a Basement 25:27 Soft Skills That Actually Matter 29:19 A Cancer Diagnosis at 46 32:39 The Power of Being Proactive About Health 34:30 AI, Analytics & The Future of Sports Jobs 36:55 Why You Should Consider Entrepreneurship 41:45 Career Advice: Follow Your Heart and Say Yes Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 231 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is one of the most ambitious football investors in the world. Brett Johnson is the founder of Benevolent Capital, owner of multiple football clubs including Phoenix Rising, Rhode Island FC, and part of the Ipswich Town ownership group. In this episode: And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 From Analyst to Football Owner 00:20 Why Phoenix Needed a Team 01:17 The 1994 World Cup Thesis 02:06 Why the US Must Perform 03:39 Ipswich's Back-to-Back Promotions 04:43 How to Run a Club Properly 05:26 Why Multi-Club Ownership Wins 06:44 Promotion/Relegation in the U.S. 09:02 Building a $140M Stadium 11:20 Creating a Fan Base from Scratch 14:01 Inside Benevolent Capital 15:32 Why Youth Sports Is the Next Goldmine 22:39 Advice for Sports Entrepreneurs 26:25 The Dark Days in Phoenix 28:13 Almost Losing Rhode Island Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 230 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest has lived football from every angle - player, coach, owner, executive, and advisor. Matt Driver is the founder of Soccer Universities and Football Club Advisory Group, and he's worked across Europe and the U.S. helping clubs move from survival mode to scalable success. In this episode, we talk about: And much more! This is a masterclass in the business of football. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:38 Why College Soccer Doesn't Create Pros 03:18 The Wake-Up Call Playing La Liga Clubs 05:30 Creating Real Player Pathways 08:10 Why Most Clubs Are Structurally Broken 11:13 A Bulgarian Club Case Study 15:09 Why Vertical Silos Kill Clubs 16:41 What American Sports Get Right 18:30 Why Fans Jump Between Sports 20:08 Why "We've Always Done It This Way" Fails 26:21 Turning Fan Phones Into Revenue 30:23 Monetizing Club Assets 35:47 Why Fans Must Be Entertained 55:26 Career Advice for Sports Professionals 01:05:54 Why the USL Could Explode Next 01:10:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 229 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest has been at the center of that work for over a decade. Christian Klaue is Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the International Olympic Committee. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of how the Olympic Games are planned, positioned, communicated, and ultimately delivered - from Milano Cortina to LA28 and beyond. If you've ever wondered how the biggest sporting event on earth actually comes together, this conversation is for you. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:31 Life Inside the IOC Right Before the Games 02:45 What Olympic Communications Really Do 04:47 Why Positioning Matters More Than Reacting 05:06 Working on Multiple Olympic Games at Once 06:55 Why Milano Cortina 2026 Is Different 07:52 Legacy Beats New Construction 09:13 Avoiding Olympic "White Elephants" 10:12 Designing the Athlete Experience 11:22 Why the Olympic Torch Changes Everything 13:32 How the Torch Relay Really Works 15:21 The Power of Opening Ceremonies 20:09 Christian Klaue's Career Journey 27:42 Leading Through Olympic Crises 41:51 Advice for a Career in Sports Communication 43:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 228 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is John P Reynal, the President & CEO of The Women's Cup - one of the most ambitious global platforms in women's football. John has spent his career building sports properties across continents and in this conversation, he makes a bold case: women's football isn't charity - it's one of the most undervalued growth opportunities in sports. We spoke about: And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 02:21 Why women's football is a massive investment opportunity 04:18 "Women's football is a business" 04:50 What over-investing really looks like 06:53 Building a premium brand through experience 08:21 Fixing the production problem in women's football 10:07 How media rights unlock real growth 11:09 Why the US women's football model is different 13:30 The danger of women's teams as afterthoughts 15:45 Rethinking how women's football is marketed 21:58 Why investors are flooding into women's football 23:00 From $1M to $150M franchise valuations 26:01 Latin America's untapped audience power 31:01 The audience shift every club must prepare for 32:43 Why Brazil 2027 will change everything 45:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 227 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Alan Arlt, founder of Ultimate Hoops and co-founder of ARLT Consulting. Alan built a recreational basketball league into a highly-engaged sports product with stats, highlights, and experiences that made everyday players feel like pros and he sold it with an 18x return in under two years. In this episode, we spoke about: What makes a sports product truly 'sticky' How to scale without losing quality How AI is changing the future of participation sports. And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:58 Building "sticky" sports products with ARLT Consulting 02:16 From sports nerd to sports entrepreneur 02:59 The Ultimate Hoops idea (treat everyone like Kobe) 03:42 From 6 teams to 40 teams in under a year 03:42 Acquired by Lifetime Fitness (18 months in) 04:26 The Carmelo Anthony moment ("I think I'm done") 05:11 The 18x return (and why he didn't plan an exit) 05:58 The "sticky product" flywheel (daily engagement) 06:54 Passion vs practicality (unit economics matter) 08:22 The 2-step decision process (gut → diligence) 09:46 Why athlete partnerships are everything (B2A mindset) 11:51 AI changed everything (stats + highlights at scale) 13:28 How ARLT uses AI with clients today 14:18 Why this model works for every sport 15:06 The golden rule (people want to feel special) 15:45 The post-game interview that proved the concept 17:24 Why AI will create "1,000 Ultimate Hoops" 19:53 The mindset shift (leaving Discovery to take the leap) 21:36 Why side hustles are the new advantage 22:50 The biggest founder mistakes (too fast vs too slow) 24:10 Best advice for founders (just get started) 25:47 How to use AI without losing the human edge 27:07 Leadership style (do every job, stay in the weeds) 30:28 Hiring without a vacuum (team fit matters) 32:11 Scaling too fast (when it stopped feeling like Ultimate Hoops) 33:02 COVID shutdown (the hardest stretch) 35:25 Letting 85% of the team go (and rebuilding) 37:02 Guest recommendations (SportsVisio + AIM Sports Group) 39:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 226 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Neil Schwartz, President of SBRnet, one of the leading sports business data providers focused on fan behavior, monetization, and engagement. In this episode, we break down the difference between passive fans and active fans, why storytelling is the real skill behind data, and how teams can turn insights into revenue across tickets, merch, sports betting and more. Let's get into it. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:59 What sports teams can learn from Disney 01:50 What SBRnet does: business-side sports data 02:46 Doing data before data was cool 04:25 Data is now traded like oil + early pushback from execs 07:28 Black box data vs transparent methodology 08:44 "If you only use your own data, you repeat the same mistakes" 09:29 Data is like making soup 11:16 SWOT analysis as a decision framework 12:57 The hardest question: "Why?" 16:41 Cross-fandom + cross-category sponsorship strategy 19:31 Active vs passive engagement explained 21:07 Neil's Dolphins example: passionate but passive fan behavior 22:49 Turning passive fans into active fans 25:08 Good data use is good storytelling 27:52 When teams reject data because of anecdotal bias 30:45 Privacy + anonymized data + integrity standards 35:14 Pandemic: removing live attendance questions to protect trend accuracy 37:15 AI fears + why people must stay in the decision-making equation 42:20 Career advice: internships + networking + better outreach emails 48:43 Sports gambling needs guardrails 52:31 Gambling growth plateau 53:19 Underage gambling problem 54:45 Guest recommendations 57:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 225 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Vance Morris, and in this episode we will uncover what sports teams can learn from Disney when it comes to service and fan experience. We spoke about: And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro: 02:21 From factory security guard to Disney 03:32 Experience design in boring moments 05:50 Engaging fans on non-game days 07:25 Linertainment explained 08:44 What teams can do between purchase & game day 11:18 Reaching younger fans with physical mail 13:01 On-stage vs off-stage mindset 15:26 Attention to detail & perceived value 17:30 Tellable moments & word of mouth 19:44 Systems create freedom 22:34 Cost of keeping vs acquiring fans 24:27 Why he charges 40% more 28:57 "The bar is set so low" 31:23 Service standards disconnect 33:29 Hiring for service mindset 38:19 Major career setback & resilience 40:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 224 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Ersel Aybasti – a licensed FIFA-agent, founder of Analysis SportAgents and the author of The Women's Game: More Than Just a Game. Voices, Structures & Perspectives in Global Women's Football We spoke about: And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:47 Why football alone wasn't enough 03:38 Trust between player and agent 07:26 Holistic support beyond contracts 09:55 Becoming a licensed FIFA agent 12:58 Entering women's football 15:45 Why the book was written 17:35 28 voices shaping the women's game 21:41 Managing pressure, feedback & growth 27:31 Why women's football needs structure 30:37 How agents can close the gender gap 31:49 Advice for young professionals 34:12 Long-term values over short-term wins 36:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 223 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Paul Epstein, a leadership coach, former sports executive and the creator of the Win Monday movement. Paul has worked with elite athletes, executives, and teams around the world, helping them build momentum through habits, identity, and purpose. In this episode, we unpack: And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 The 98% Monday momentum statistic 02:17 What it actually means to "win Monday" 06:07 Gym analogy: commitment over motivation 07:47 "Commitment begins when motivation ends" 11:43 The hero dedication concept 17:55 The Monday that changed Paul's life 24:52 Standards vs goals (win the long game) 33:44 Confidence formula: values × action 48:56 Vision of a global Win Monday movement 50:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 222 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Blaine Bishop – a former NFL player, 4-time pro bowler and a broadcasting host. We spoke about: And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 01:54 Drafted last & the chip on his shoulder 03:59 Why being doubted fueled his work ethic 05:51 Film study as a competitive advantage 09:15 "What do you have to lose?" mindset 14:24 First NFL start on Christmas Day 18:54 Super Bowl run & "team of destiny" 22:12 Making the Pro Bowl (unexpectedly) 25:00 Transition from NFL to broadcasting 28:16 Identity beyond being an athlete 36:04 Advice for young people entering sports Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 221 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Stef McLoughlin, Head of Commercial at Glasgow City FC, the most successful women's football club in Scotland and one of the few elite clubs in Europe that is women-owned, women-led and fully independent. Get ready to learn about: And much more! Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:22 What makes Glasgow City FC different 01:27 Using football as a vehicle for social change 03:28 Why women's clubs shouldn't be absorbed by men's teams 06:38 Purpose-driven partnerships explained 07:32 Dog-friendly stadiums & inclusive fan experiences 09:57 How Glasgow City avoids sportswashing 12:58 The "messy middle" of women's football 14:48 Why comparing revenues to men's football is a mistake 18:05 Building women-led commercial ecosystems 25:07 Entering football as an "angry feminist" 31:49 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 220 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest helped build the Olympic business model as we know it. Michael Payne is the former marketing director of the IOC, creator of the TOP sponsorship program, and widely regarded as the architect of modern sports marketing. In this episode, we explore 50 years of global sport power, politics, money, and what the next 50 years could look like. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:34 Why he wrote the book & invented sports marketing 03:16 FIFA had four employees 07:43 Cold War & saving the Olympics 10:17 Bernie Ecclestone vs Samaranch 13:16 Politics weaponizing sport 15:22 Sportswashing debate (China & Saudi) 23:33 Trump, the World Cup & LA28 29:38 His wild predictions for sport 31:46 Avatar stadiums 34:12 Tech vs the soul of sport 38:26 Sustainability & white elephants 48:35 Advice for young professionals 50:18 Business lesson: problems vs solutions 53:54 How great negotiators really work 59:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com