The Sports Business Leaders Podcast

Ryan Hawk is an author, keynote speaker, and the host of The Learning Leader Show, one of the world’s leading podcasts focused on leadership, performance, and personal growth. A former Division I quarterback at Ohio University and professional football player, Ryan has built a career helping leaders, teams, and organizations pursue excellence through discipline, consistency, and intentional growth.On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Ryan shares lessons learned from interviewing more than 700 elite performers, including insights from Jim Collins, Simon Sinek, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Alex Hormozi. The conversation dives into resilience, leadership, purpose, and the “100 shots a day” mindset required to sustain long-term success in sports, business, and life.We also discuss Ryan’s upcoming book, The Price of Becoming, and explore the daily habits, sacrifices, and standards that separate good from great.

Mitch Askenas joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to cover the future of streaming, fan engagement, and sports media infrastructure. As Executive Director and Head of Commercial for the Americas at Comcast Technology Solutions, Mitch works at the intersection of sports, technology, and media, helping leagues, teams, and broadcasters rethink how they engage and monetize fans in a rapidly changing landscape.The conversation dives into Comcast Technology Solutions’ work powering over 10,000 live sporting events annually, delivering 50 billion streams globally, and supporting some of the largest media and sports properties in the world, including the Super Bowl, Olympics, Formula 1, and World Cup. Mitch also shares how Comcast’s ownership of the Philadelphia Flyers creates a unique advantage when building technology products for sports organizations, including a discussion around the Flyers’ next-generation fan app and the importance of turning “ghost fans” into known fans through data and engagement.The episode also explores major trends shaping the future of sports business, including streaming disruption, direct-to-consumer engagement, generational loyalty, and why teams are increasingly focused on building deeper relationships with fans outside of traditional media rights models.

Mark Goddard joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to discuss how he built FIFA’s Transfer Matching System, one of the most impactful infrastructure platforms in global sports. The system transformed international soccer transfers from a process driven by fax machines and courier services into a real-time global platform capable of completing deals in as little as seven minutes.Mark shares lessons from operating at the intersection of sports, technology, governance, and billion-dollar markets, including how to drive adoption across powerful stakeholders, the difference between products and infrastructure, and why solving time-saving problems creates massive value.The conversation also explores the evolving NIL and college sports landscape, building sustainable sports systems, leadership, scaling teams, and the importance of aligning technology with real operational needs.

In this special 100th episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, co-founders Justin Titchenell and Jake Voorhees break down the evolution of Sports Business Leaders from a small Philadelphia meetup into a growing national connections platform for the sports industry.The conversation covers the early days of SBL, lessons learned from building a community, and how the business has evolved through events, podcasting, partnerships, and relationship-building across sports.Justin and Jake also explain SBL’s growing focus on becoming “sports business brokers” by helping connect vetted service providers with teams, leagues, and sports properties. They share stories from the journey, including the first meetup with only three attendees, partnerships formed through the network, and why they believe sports remains one of the most defensible and relationship-driven industries in the world.The episode also explores the future of sports business, the rise of sports as an asset class, youth sports growth, live experiences, and why community and in-person connection still matter more than ever.

Adrian Tracy joins the Sports Business Leaders podcast to share his journey from winning a Super Bowl with the New York Giants to building a purpose-driven life after football. Adrian reflects on his NFL and CFL career, the challenges of identity and transition after sports, and how faith, discipline, and community helped shape his next chapter.The conversation dives into servant leadership, mentorship through MDD Elite, investing in sports technology, and what it takes to create meaningful impact beyond the game. Adrian also shares lessons from elite locker rooms, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and why “small wins lead to big victories” in both sports and business.

Jack Liechtung is the Co-Founder and CEO of Canopy. On this episode we discuss how the company is building the infrastructure layer for the future of collegiate athletics. Canopy partners directly with universities to help drive athlete visibility, scalable storytelling, and meaningful NIL opportunities across Olympic and non-revenue sports.Jack also shares insights from his background across sports, media, entertainment, and law, discussing the evolving NIL landscape, the growing commercialization of college athletics, and why schools need stronger operational support to navigate the next era of college sports.

Matt Wolff is the founder of Ticket Time Machine. On this episode we discuss how he’s bringing physical keepsakes back to sports and live events in a digital-first world. Matt shares the story behind the company’s creation after attending a Marlins no-hitter in 2017 and realizing fans still craved memorable ticket collectibles tied to emotional moments.The conversation dives into fan psychology, building relationships with teams like the Florida Panthers, lessons learned from launching a company during COVID-19, and the importance of flexibility, persistence, and simply getting started as an entrepreneur. Matt also shares advice for companies looking to work with sports teams and explains why creating memorable fan experiences is ultimately about making people feel something.

Sean Hanrahan is a former Senior Vice President of Sports Brand Solutions for Disney Advertising and a longtime ESPN executive who has spent more than two decades shaping sponsorships, storytelling, and brand partnerships across sports media.Sean shares insights on the evolution of sports media, the rise of streaming, sports betting, AI-driven fan experiences, and how brands can create meaningful connections with fans beyond traditional advertising. We also discuss the future of fan engagement, women’s sports, creator-driven content, and what founders need to understand when trying to partner with teams, leagues, and media companies.A great conversation on sports media, sponsorship innovation, and where the sports industry is heading next.

Shawn Tilger is the President of GF Sports & Entertainment and one of the most accomplished operators in the sports and live entertainment industry. With more than 30 years of experience, Shawn has helped shape organizations at the highest levels of sports, from his early days promoting the Harlem Globetrotters to serving as Executive Vice President and COO of the Philadelphia Flyers and Comcast Spectacor. During his time in Philadelphia, he led major revenue growth initiatives, helped drive consecutive home sellout streaks, played a key role in bringing professional box lacrosse back to the city with the Philadelphia Wings, and spearheaded the launch of Gritty, one of the most recognizable mascots in global sports.Now leading the private equity-backed GF Sports & Entertainment, Shawn oversees a growing portfolio that includes the Dallas Open, Atlanta Open, Ottawa Black Bears, and World Long Drive. In this conversation, Shawn shares lessons on building enterprise value in sports, evaluating scalable opportunities, managing capital with discipline, and thinking beyond single events to create long-term sports and entertainment ecosystems. He also offers practical advice for entrepreneurs, operators, and investors looking to grow sustainable businesses in the sports industry.

Dr. Kim Quigley and Dr. Brenda McBride of OnRise join the Sports Business Leaders podcast to discuss how they are reshaping athlete mental health and wellness. OnRise is a telehealth platform built specifically for high-performance athletes, now supporting 40+ organizations across 11 sports, including partnerships with Inter Miami, the Premier Women's Hockey League, Premier Lacrosse League, Athletes Unlimited, Major League Rugby, and multiple player associations.In this episode, Kim and Brenda break down the realities of mental health in sports, why privacy and trust matter for athletes, and how OnRise’s wraparound model combines peer support, therapy, psychiatry, nutrition, and wellness care into one coordinated system. They also share insights on building relationships with teams and leagues, supporting athletes beyond performance, and why accessible care is becoming one of the most important investments in modern sports.

Ken Spangenberg is the Chief Sales Officer at AWRE Sports. On today's podcast we discuss the company’s rapid rise in the baseball and softball technology space.Ken shares his journey from college baseball coach at Arcadia University to helping scale AWRE Sports from zero camera installations to more than 4,500 cameras deployed across 80 locations in just four years. The conversation covers AWRE's partnerships with Major League Baseball, USA Baseball, and more than 700 college and high school programs.We also dive into building authentic customer relationships, why AWRE chose to focus specifically on baseball and softball instead of every sport, the future of AI and video technology in player development, and what it takes to win business with teams, leagues, and major sports organizations.Ken also shares insights on scaling without paid advertising, creating products coaches actually use, and how technology can help democratize recruiting and player exposure across baseball.

Kelsey Nicole Nelson joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to share her journey from aspiring sports journalist to building a powerful personal brand and media business at the intersection of sports, storytelling, and entrepreneurship. As an award-winning broadcaster, professor, entrepreneur, and founder of the “Listen In With KNN” podcast network, Kelsey has become one of the most influential voices in sports media today.In this conversation, Kelsey discusses the importance of creating your own opportunities, building ownership in your career, and adapting to the rapidly evolving sports media landscape. She shares lessons on entrepreneurship, personal branding, journalism ethics, content creation, AI, and why authenticity remains one of the most valuable assets in today’s digital world.From her work with major platforms like Peacock, NBC Sports, SiriusXM, and FOX Sports Radio to launching her own businesses and teaching the next generation of sports media professionals at George Washington University, Kelsey offers valuable insights for anyone looking to build a meaningful career in sports, media, and business.

On this special live episode of the Sports Business Leaders podcast, we hosted a panel discussion in Philadelphia focused on pro team innovation and fan engagement featuring Dave Spadaro of the Philadelphia Eagles, Ciara Pierce from NFL Films, and Joel Steele from Rhode Island FC.For more than 30 years, Dave Spadaro has helped shape the connection between the Eagles and their fans, giving Birds faithful behind-the-scenes access that few organizations can match. Alongside Dave, Ciara Pierce shared insights from one of the most influential storytelling brands in sports media at NFL Films, while Joel Steele discussed the opportunities and challenges of building fan engagement for a growing club in Rhode Island FC and the USL.The conversation explored how teams, leagues, and media organizations are adapting to changing fan behavior, building community, creating content, and thinking differently about engagement in today’s sports landscape.Big thank you to Dave, Ciara, and Joel for joining us, and to everyone who attended our first-ever live panel at an SBL Philly event.

FlyHouse is redefining the intersection of private aviation, sports tourism, and luxury travel. In this episode, we sit down with Jack Lambert, CEO of FlyHouse, to discuss how the company has rapidly grown into one of the most innovative brands in private aviation since launching in 2021.FlyHouse operates as a technology-enabled luxury aviation platform that delivers end-to-end travel experiences for premium sports fans, combining private flights, accommodations, and exclusive event access into one seamless experience. The company’s “asset-light” model allows FlyHouse to partner with aircraft operators across the country while leveraging technology and scale to create greater efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in private aviation.Jack shares insights on scaling the business from 13 to more than 220 employees, building strategic partnerships with organizations like the New York Jets, LIV Golf, and ESPN College GameDay, and why private aviation and sports experiences are becoming increasingly connected. We also discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, customer experience, and the importance of FlyHouse’s core pillars: safety, service, and transparency.From data-driven personalization to the future of luxury sports travel, this conversation provides a fascinating look into how FlyHouse is building a modern aviation and lifestyle brand for today’s premier traveler.

Jake Hanson, COO of ⁠Guardian Sports⁠, joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to discuss how the company grew from a family-run startup into one of the fastest-growing sports safety brands in the industry. Guardian Sports now provides protective equipment to more than 500,000 athletes while partnering with organizations including the NFL, CFL, NCAA programs, and the PLL.In this episode, Jake shares his entrepreneurial background, lessons learned scaling a growth-stage company, and how Guardian Sports approached one of the toughest challenges in sports: changing the culture around player safety in football. The conversation explores the evolution of Guardian Caps, why the company positioned safety as a “longevity” benefit for athletes, and how working from the professional level down helped drive adoption across football.Justin and Jake also discuss innovation in sports, product-market fit, leadership during rapid growth, and why the best organizations view athlete health as a competitive advantage. Jake closes the episode with advice for entrepreneurs and sports business leaders on staying hungry, solving meaningful problems, and continuing to improve the athlete experience.

Vasu Kulkarni is the founding partner of Courtside Ventures, an early-stage venture firm with over $200 million in assets under management and more than 100 investments across sports, gaming, collectibles, wellness, and media. Courtside’s investor base has included legends like Michael Jordan as an LP. Vasu shares his journey from walking onto the basketball team at the University of Pennsylvania to founding Krossover, one of the earliest sports analytics platforms used by over 10,000 teams globally before its acquisition in 2017. He also discusses launching Courtside Ventures alongside Dan Gilbert, making early investments in companies like StockX and The Athletic, and what founders need to understand before raising venture capital.The conversation dives into the realities of building in sports tech, the evolving venture landscape, AI’s impact on investing, and why Vasu believes sports, health, and entertainment will remain enduring industries for decades to come

Dominyck Bullard, Founder & CEO of Athletiverse, joined the Sports Business Leaders podcast to discuss the intersection of sports, content, branding, entrepreneurship, and NIL.Originally a standout baseball player from Las Vegas, Dom shifted his focus from athletics to entrepreneurship after a medical crisis altered his playing career. While studying Business Analytics at the University of San Diego, he launched Athletiverse, which has grown from a college sports content account into a fast-growing sports marketing and media company working across NIL, athlete partnerships, digital strategy, and brand development.Dom also leads digital strategy for Momentous, a sports real estate investment platform, and has become known for his insights around sports business, creator-led media, and the evolving NIL ecosystem. Through Athletiverse, his work has helped generate over 1.5 billion social media impressions while focusing on opportunities for the “other 99%” of athletes beyond the superstar tier.The conversation explores the future of fan engagement, fundraising in sports, athlete-driven media, YouTube strategy, and why personal branding has become a major advantage for entrepreneurs and operators in the sports industry.

On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Justin sits down with Brent Peus Jr., Founder & CEO of Skybox, a media-driven growth platform focused on the sports economy. Brent shares his journey from playing quarterback at Stanford University to working in Silicon Valley and venture capital before launching Skybox in 2025.The conversation dives into the rise of private equity and institutional capital in sports, the growing importance of niche media, and why relationships remain the foundation of the sports industry. Brent also discusses building Under the Number, his sports business podcast and newsletter, along with lessons for entrepreneurs looking to break into the sports ecosystem through targeted networking, writing, and creating value-driven content.

Scott Heyes is the founder and CEO of First Contact Advisory and CFO of Sports Where I Am. This episode covers sports entrepreneurship, cross-border expansion, and the growing opportunities in the global sports industry. Drawing from more than 30 years of experience across institutional banking, venture capital, and international finance, Scott shares practical advice for founders looking to enter the U.S. market and scale successfully. The conversation explores why early-stage entrepreneurs should focus on solving real customer problems before raising capital, the importance of testing products with coaches, teams, and universities, and how intentional networking can unlock opportunities in sports tech, AI, travel, and performance. Scott also breaks down the rapid growth of sports travel and fan experiences through his work with Sports Where I Am, highlighting how global leagues like the NFL are creating massive international demand for live sports experiences. Scott closes the episode with valuable insights for international founders building relationships in the American sports business ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of clear messaging, confidence, and understanding cultural differences when doing business in the U.S.

Mark Dvoroznak, CEO and co-founder of BASE Sports Group, joined the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to discuss building a data-driven sponsorship company focused on the massive youth sports ecosystem.BASE Sports Group has quickly become a leader in youth sports sponsorships, helping brands like Papa John’s, PRIME Hydration, DUDE Wipes, the U.S. Army, and Floyd’s Barbershop connect with families across more than 300 events, 26 sports, and 40+ states. Through its tech-enabled platform and nationwide network, BASE reaches over 25 million consumers in the youth and amateur sports market.In this episode, Mark shares the story behind BASE’s rapid growth, the evolution of sponsorship sales in youth sports, and how brands are using data, onsite activations, and community engagement to drive measurable ROI. The conversation also covers fundraising, scaling a sports business, profitability, private equity entering youth sports, and where the industry is headed next.

Roger Loughney, Chairman of IK Start USA, joined the Sports Business Leaders podcast to discuss the group’s vision for revitalizing one of Norway’s historic football clubs. Roger shared his entrepreneurial journey, his connection to the club through former coach Mick Priest, and how his lifelong passion for soccer helped shape his approach to leadership and investment in sports.The conversation explored IK Start’s recent promotion, the investment strategy behind the club’s momentum, and the importance of curiosity, relationships, and long-term thinking in sports ownership. Roger also discussed plans surrounding stadium development, youth academy innovation, player development, and how IK Start USA is working to grow the club’s presence and fanbase in the United States while honoring the club’s legacy in Kristiansand, Norway.

Malcolm Lemmons is the founder of Vetted Sports, a premium platform and private membership network connecting sports investors and dealmakers.In this episode, Malcolm shares his journey from professional basketball player to building one of the most trusted voices in the sports business space. We dive into how he built credibility through consistent, high-value content, and how that foundation led to the creation of Vetted Sports.We also break down the evolution of sports as an asset class — including the rise of women’s sports, emerging leagues, and the growing role of athletes as creators and investors. Malcolm shares how Vetted Sports is expanding into a private network with curated events, co-investment opportunities, and direct access to deal flow.

Dave Spadaro is a prominent Philadelphia Eagles insider and media personality who has covered the team for nearly 30 years since 1997. As the team's official insider, he writes columns, hosts shows, and provides insights for PhiladelphiaEagles.com, acting as a key media ambassador. In this episode, Dave shares lessons from nearly 30 years with the organization, including adapting through the evolution of sports media, building trust with fans, staying relevant in a changing industry, and what separates championship organizations from the rest. He also reflects on the Eagles’ Super Bowl runs, leadership, versatility, and advice for anyone pursuing a career in sports.

Pat Colleluori, co-founder and Chief Development Officer of the Headstrong Foundation, shares the powerful story behind one of sports’ most mission-driven nonprofits. From his brother Nick’s battle with cancer to supporting 40,000+ families nationwide, this episode dives into purpose, community, and how athletics can drive real impact.

Michael Vardzell is the President of AithELITE  and a former Division I football player at University of Pittsburgh who is now building technology at the center of one of the biggest transformations in college sports.After playing at Pitt and coaching at Wofford College, Michael saw firsthand how difficult roster management, recruiting, compliance, NIL, and financial decision-making had become for athletic departments navigating the modern college sports landscape. That experience led him to launch AithELITE, an AI-powered data intelligence platform helping schools unify recruiting, roster, academic, financial, and performance data into one centralized system.In this episode, we break down how NIL, the transfer portal, and revenue sharing are forcing college programs to operate more like professional sports organizations, why athletic directors now need tools that resemble an NFL front office, and how technology can help coaches and administrators make smarter, faster decisions.Michael also shares lessons from building a sports tech startup in the college athletics ecosystem, why relationships and credibility matter in sports business, and how Aithelite has already scaled across 23 Division I football programs.

Raef Jackson is an investment professional and sports industry specialist currently serving as an Associate at Accelerate Ventures in London. His work focuses on deal origination and analysis within the sports and technology sectors

On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders podcast, we're bringing you a front-row seat to our April Philadelphia fireside chat featuring Sydney Couval, Principal at NewBound Venture Capital.NewBound is a consumer-centric, early-stage VC firm investing in the companies reshaping sports, media, and lifestyle — with a portfolio that includes TMRW Sports, StellarAlgo, and Greyson Clothiers. Sydney sits at the center of that work, leading sourcing and evaluation, partnering with founders on growth strategy and capital planning, and serving on the boards of Alice Mushrooms and Gratsi.Before NewBound, Sydney built a unique cross-disciplinary background spanning venture investing, deep tech, and advanced materials research — and she holds a degree in Physics from Northeastern University. In our conversation, we dig into how shifting consumer behavior is driving a systemic evolution in the modern economy, what NewBound looks for in early-stage founders, and what it really takes to build an authentic brand in sports and lifestyle today.

Sports Business Leaders returned to Boston for another exclusive, invite-only gathering of sports investors, executives, and growth-stage founders at the iconic Legacy Club.In this episode, we bring you highlights and insights from a powerhouse panel featuring:Jon Von Deylen, sharing his perspective on sports venture capital and where the smart money is movingAlexander Van Alen, on building a disruptive sports brand from the ground upHany K. Syed, on how technology is reshaping the way fans experience and consume sportsBen Stein, on the legal and deal-making landscape for sports investors and foundersWith more than 50 attendees in a curated private setting, the event brought together people actively investing capital, building companies, and shaping the future of the sports industry.Whether you're an investor looking for your next opportunity, a founder building in sports, or an executive navigating a rapidly evolving industry, this episode is packed with valuable insights and real conversations from inside the room.A special thank you to Paul Hastings for sponsoring the event and helping make the night possible.🎙️ Tune in, take notes, and if you weren’t in the room this time, hopefully we’ll see you at the next Sports Business Leaders event.

After 20+ years as a college soccer coach and Sports Management professor, Christian DeVries shifted his focus from winning to something bigger. That mindset shift became two ventures: VOLTA Sports, a leadership coaching platform for coaches, and AOS (Athlete of Significance), a framework that helps athletes understand their value extends far beyond the X's and O's.In this episode, Christian breaks down why the shift from "success and goal-oriented" to "significance focused" is the real competitive advantage — for athletes trying to earn a college roster spot, coaches trying to build lasting programs, and entrepreneurs trying to scale something that matters. His six-word philosophy captures it perfectly: satisfaction stifles, curiosity creates, consistency compounds.

Brian Monihan spent nearly 40 years at the intersection of sports, media, and sponsorship, including 14 years as President and General Manager of NBC Sports Philadelphia. In that role, he oversaw media rights, team partnerships, and the network's evolution from a cable channel into a full multiplatform brand serving the Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, 76ers, and Wings.In this conversation, Brian shares what he learned navigating the business behind Philadelphia's biggest sports franchises, from rights negotiations and sponsorship strategy to leading a major regional network through one of the most disruptive periods in media history.

Robert Cohen is a strategic operator and investor with a career that spans global M&A, venture investing, and cutting-edge technology.Robert was part of the team that led the full buyout and transformation of AVG Technologies, helping scale the business internationally and ultimately take it public on the New York Stock Exchange. Since then, he’s invested in over 30 early-stage companies across the U.S., Israel, and Europe, while working closely with founders on everything from product and fundraising to partnerships and growth strategy.Today, he operates at the intersection of sports, media, and frontier technology. As Chief Business Officer at AR-51 and Managing Partner at Benson Oak Ventures, Robert is focused on bringing real-time 3D capture and immersive AR experiences into live events—reshaping how content is created, distributed, and monetized.In this conversation, we dive into Robert’s journey from scaling a public company to backing the next generation of founders, how to think about leverage in business, and why storytelling, structure, and strategic partnerships are the unlocks for growth. We also explore the future of sports and media through emerging technologies like AI, computer vision, and augmented reality—and what it takes to build in markets that are still being defined.

Mike Metcalf is a former NASCAR pit crew champion and has spent over 18 years mastering the art of speed, teamwork, and culture. As co-founder of DECK Leadership and co-author of 12 Second Culture, he helps organizations transform chaos into cohesion—turning toxic environments into spaces where people and performance thrive. His approach isn’t about moving faster for the sake of speed; it’s about moving together with trust, clarity, and purpose.Through powerful conversations, real-world insights, and practical strategies, this podcast challenges leaders to rethink how they build and sustain high-performing teams. Whether it’s through keynote stages, pit crew team-building experiences, workshops, or thought leadership, Mike shares what it truly takes to create a culture rooted in Diversity, Efficiency, Culture, and Kindness.

What does it take to build a $6 billion real estate empire from scratch — and then bet on a soccer team nobody believed in? Rob Buccini, co-founder and co-president of The Buccini/Pollin Group, joins Justin to tell the story of starting a company during an economic collapse, assembling a world-class team, and transforming underutilized urban land into assets that anchor entire communities. From his early days at the NYC Economic Development Corporation — where he worked on the Times Square-Disney redevelopment — to co-owning the Philadelphia Union and developing Subaru Park, Rob offers a rare look at how the worlds of real estate and professional sports have converged into one of the most exciting asset classes of our generation. He also gets practical: what founders should know before seeking capital, why adversity is the best business education, and why — after 30 years — the challenges never stop.

On this episode, we sit down with Michael Hutner, founder of SPiN (Sports Profile Network), a platform built to solve one of the biggest problems in youth and amateur sports: fragmentation.After spending over two decades in fintech and scaling Eze Software into a global business with 1,200 employees and over $300M in revenue, Michael made the leap into sports tech. The idea came from firsthand experience as a sports parent, constantly juggling multiple apps just to manage his kids’ schedules, teams, and communication.SPiN is his answer.Think of it as the LinkedIn for sports — a single platform where athletes, coaches, teams, and families can connect, manage their experience, and build a lifelong sports profile that follows them across every team, season, and level.Instead of replacing existing tools, SPiN integrates them, creating a unified ecosystem that simplifies operations for clubs while improving the experience for athletes and families.In this conversation, we get into Michael’s journey from leading a billion-dollar exit to starting from scratch again, what it actually takes to build in a crowded sports tech market, and why solving real problems — not just building features — is what separates companies that scale.We also dive into lessons from raising capital, building teams, and why grit, timing, and differentiation matter more than ever for founders.If you’re building in sports, thinking about product-market fit, or trying to understand where youth sports is headed, this is a must-listen.

David Gutstadt, CEO of Ballers Social Sports and founder of Fitler Club, joins the podcast to break down how he’s building a new category at the intersection of sports, hospitality, and community.With over 20 years of experience across hospitality, real estate, and finance, David started his career at Goldman Sachsand went on to lead hospitality advisory at Morgan Stanley before helping launch Equinox Hotels as a founding executive. That background shows up in how he approaches building and scaling premium, experience-driven businesses.We get into the origin of Fitler Club and Ballers, what gaps he saw in the market, and how he’s thinking about creating spaces that bring people together around sports and shared experiences.David also shares how Ballers raised over $30M from a mix of VCs, family offices, and athlete investors, what made the concept stand out, and how they balance unit economics with delivering a high-end brand.The conversation closes with practical insight on fundraising, including how to access family offices, navigate private equity, and the level of persistence it actually takes to get a deal done.If you’re building in sports, hospitality, or any experience-driven business, this is a great look at how to turn a concept into a scalable brand.

James Robinson from RRE Ventures joins the podcast to break down what investors are actually looking for in sports tech right now.We get into his path from the Boston Bruins and Octagon into venture, and how that operator perspective shapes how he evaluates companies today.RRE has been around for over 30 years and is one of the more established early-stage firms in the market, with over $2.5B in assets under management, 400+ portfolio companies, and 125+ exits. James shares why most founders get it wrong when pitching, the difference between solving a real pain point vs. building something “nice to have,” and how to stand out when reaching out to investors.We also talk about where sports is heading in 2026, from identity and payments to venue intelligence, and why the biggest opportunities aren’t in fan-facing products, but in the infrastructure powering the entire ecosystem.If you’re building in sports or thinking about raising capital, this is a practical conversation on what actually matters.

Mark Ventriglia, is a marketing leader who has helped shape go-to-market strategy at companies like Hudl and Catapult Sports.Mark has been behind products used by coaches and athletes at every level of the game, from high school programs to the pros. We get into what actually drives adoption in sports tech, and why most products miss the mark.We talk about how to build solutions that fit into a team’s workflow, why saving time is more valuable than adding features, and how Hudl was able to scale to nearly every high school football program in the country. Mark also shares the difference between selling to high school vs. professional teams, and what founders need to understand if they want to break through in a crowded market.This is a practical conversation for anyone building in sports, thinking about product-market fit, or trying to figure out how to create something teams will actually use.

Jesse Biddle is a General Partner at October Ventures. October Ventures is a professional athlete investment syndicate and fund, leveraging the power of athlete networks to accelerate the next generation of great businesses.Biddle is also a former professional baseball pitcher, World Series Champion (Atlanta Braves, 2021), and Nippon Professional Baseball Champion (Orix Buffaloes of Japan, 2022). Biddle was selected in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft by the Philadelphia Phillies out of high school. Biddle played Major League Baseball for the Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, and Cincinnati Reds over his 14 year career.

Kyle Israel is the Co-Founder of Momentous Sports and Managing Partner of Sports & Entertainment at Magnolia Hill Partners.Kyle is building at the intersection of team ownership and real estate, and it’s one of the most interesting opportunities in sports right now.We spent a lot of time breaking down the idea behind Momentous. Instead of just investing in teams, they’re pairing team ownership with the stadium and the surrounding district. When you control both, it creates a flywheel that drives value across everything.We got into why owning the venue and surrounding real estate changes the economics of a team, how these mixed-use developments are making both teams and properties more valuable, and why there’s a huge opportunity in the “middle market” of sports outside the major leagues. We also talked about why live sports and in-person experiences are only becoming more important, even as everything moves more digital.Kyle’s story is also great. He went from playing quarterback at UCF to building in the world of institutional sports investing, and a lot of that came down to saying yes to opportunities and figuring things out along the way.One of the biggest takeaways for me was around relationships. Being intentional about building and maintaining your network over time is a real skill, and one that compounds.If you’re interested in where sports ownership is heading, or how real estate is becoming a bigger part of the equation, this is a great one.

Today’s guest is Brett Johnson, CEO of Benevolent Capital and one of the leading voices behind sports as an institutional asset class.Benevolent Capital, founded in 2005, operates as a family office investing across private equity, venture capital, real estate, and global sports—backing companies like Oura, Athletic Brewing, and multiple football clubs. Brett’s portfolio spans teams including Ipswich Town, Phoenix Rising, and Rhode Island FC.We dive into how Rhode Island FC launched its inaugural USL Championship season in 2024, anchored by a new 10,500-seat stadium and a broader mixed-use development in Pawtucket designed to drive long-term community and economic impact.This conversation breaks down why sports is evolving into a real estate, data, and infrastructure play—and what it actually takes to build in this space for the long term.

On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders podcast, we sat down with Michael Schreiber, founder and executive chairman of Playfly Sports, to discuss how he built one of the fastest-growing companies in the sports business ecosystem. Founded in 2020, Playfly Sports has quickly scaled into a major force across sports media, sponsorship, and fan engagement. Today, the company has 1,300+ employees, works with 2,000+ global brands, represents 200+ sports rights holders, and helps partners reach 85% of U.S. sports fans across high school, college, and professional sports.Mike shares his career journey from NBC, Hulu, Comcast, and Altice to launching Playfly, and how the company scaled rapidly through acquisitions and innovation during the pandemic. We also discuss the evolution of the sports sponsorship marketplace, why live sports deliver the most valuable audiences for brands, and where the industry is heading next.If you’re interested in sports media, sponsorship, entrepreneurship, and the future of fan-driven revenue, this is a great episode to check out.

On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders podcast, we sat down with Dan Soviero, founder of Signature Athletics, to discuss his mission to get 10 million more kids playing youth sports by 2030.Dan shares how Signature Athletics is building a vertically integrated youth sports ecosystem across uniforms, media, and program operations to solve major industry challenges like rising costs, fragmentation, apparel supply issues, and burnout among program directors.We also discuss Dan’s entrepreneurial journey, Signature’s growth strategy, and the company’s recent fundraising as they work to build long-term infrastructure for the youth sports industry.

Greg Sampson, founder and CEO of Courtside Video Entertainment, joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to discuss how his company is transforming courtside real estate into a new revenue engine for sports teams.A computer engineer out of Howard University and former Intel supercomputer engineer, Greg has spent his career building products at the intersection of technology and sports. Courtside is his third sports tech startup and aims to unlock entirely new sponsorship inventory by embedding ultra-high-definition video technology directly into the courtside perimeter.In this episode, Greg shares the origin story behind the idea, the challenges of building technology that meets player safety and arena operations standards, and how teams could generate significant new sponsorship revenue without disrupting gameplay.We also discuss lessons for sports tech founders, how to work with leagues and arena operators, and why innovation around sponsorship and fan experience will continue to shape the economics of sports.

Evan Anders Magnusson, founder of Valor Vision, joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to break down how AI and 3D motion capture are transforming the way athletes train, recover, and stay on the field.As a former UVA rower and computer engineering student, Evan built Valor at the intersection of human performance and cutting-edge technology. Today, the platform turns a simple iPhone video into a full 3D biomechanical analysis, giving strength coaches, physical therapists, and performance staff instant insights into how athletes run, jump, and move.We dive into how Valor is replacing manual video analysis with automated, AI-driven assessments, why movement data is becoming core infrastructure for elite teams, and how organizations like LSU Football, Gonzaga Basketball, Austin FC, and Fulham FC are using the platform to reduce injury risk and optimize performance.This is a conversation about building technology for the highest levels of sport, turning complex biomechanics research into tools coaches actually use every day, and what the future of computer vision and athlete performance looks like.

Asna Khan, Head of Product at Fitmatch AI, joins the podcast to break down how a 3-second mobile scan is turning into one of the most powerful data engines in sports, health, and retail.We get into her move from corporate to startup, what it takes to build trust in computer vision and machine learning in the real world, and how Fitmatch is democratizing access to body data that was previously locked inside labs and expensive hardware.This is a conversation about product focus, building technology that actually changes decisions, and why the best products become infrastructure by integrating into existing workflows. We also dive into real use cases with MLS, MLB organizations, youth development, and the future of digital twins for athlete development and scouting.If you’re building in sports tech, AI, or any multi-vertical platform, this is a masterclass in what to build, when to build it, and how to make it stick.

Episode 58 of the SBL podcast featured Anthony Brock, VP of Business Strategy and Analytics at Comcast Spectacor. Hear from Anthony who breaks down how the Flyers are building a data-driven organization.We get into his path from entrepreneurship to the Pacers to Philadelphia, what it means to own the full data lifecycle, and how analytics touches everything from pricing and ticket strategy to mobile, personalization, and game-day experience.This is a conversation about turning data into real business decisions, maximizing attendance and revenue without losing the fan, and why the next wave of AI, VR, and real-time insights will be built around customer use cases, not hype.If you care about fan engagement, sports business ops, or building like an intrapreneur inside a major organization, this one is for you.

Greg Sacidor is the Director of Marketing Strategy for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Founder of the Martha League, a Philadelphia youth basketball program creating safe, inclusive spaces for the next generation.In this episode, Greg shares his journey from Philly sports radio to the Sixers, the mentorship that changed his career, and how a community-first mindset shapes the way he builds campaigns for one of the NBA’s premier brands.We break down the biggest trends in sports marketing — meeting fans where they are, second-screen and in-arena engagement, and why authentic storytelling is the real competitive advantage. Greg also takes us inside the award-winning Spirit of Small Business platform and how it turned into a long-term initiative supporting local businesses across the region.He closes with lessons for sports business professionals on leadership, innovation, investing in people, and thinking big in a rapidly changing industry.

Garnet Heraman brings three decades of experience as a founder, operator, and venture investor to a conversation that cuts through the noise of the startup and VC world.A 3× exited entrepreneur who built his career from a scholarship kid in New York to co-founding Aperture VC — one of the largest fintech funds led by diverse managers — Garnet shares what actually drives venture outcomes, what most founders misunderstand about fundraising, and why timing is often more important than the idea itself.We get into his framework for backing companies, including the rare “contrarian technocrat” profile, how great teams balance vision with execution, and what separates founders who can truly sell a market opportunity from those who can’t. He also explains how venture capital is becoming a barbell business, why most funds can’t compete in the LLM race, and where smaller, faster players can win in the AI era — particularly in vertical, highly regulated industries.The conversation moves beyond theory into real pattern recognition: spotting Uber-like ideas too early, betting on founders before the data exists, and knowing when not to take venture money at all.If you’re building in sports, fintech, or any emerging tech category, this episode is a masterclass in how investors think, how cycles actually work, and how to position your company for the next 3–5 years.

Austin Kruger is building a sports media company for fans who are tired of being talked at.After years of writing about the Packers and watching the industry lean further into clickbait and recycled national narratives, he launched Sideliner to create something different. The model is simple but powerful: put real fans in the content, let them speak for their teams, and build a platform around authentic conversation instead of hot takes.Three months in, they have more than 3.5 million views, 120K+ engagements, a growing creator network, and multiple revenue streams all without spending on marketing.We talk about what it actually looks like to build an early-stage media company in real time. The grind of posting every day. Finding product-market fit through content. Why the best performing segments always include fans. And how partnerships with creators and in-person activations can turn a digital brand into a community.Austin also breaks down the long-term vision. A fan-driven version of College GameDay. Live event formats. A platform where the audience is part of the show, not just the comments section.This is a conversation about betting on an idea, building in public, and trying to evolve sports media without becoming a copy of what already exists.

Doug Holtzman is a 25+ year sports industry revenue leader who has generated more than $100M in sponsorship sales and now supports over 630 teams through his work at Sportsdigita.On the podcast, Doug takes us through his journey from sports management and early agency experience to becoming the youngest corporate sales executive in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, with stops at the Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Rockets, and IMG along the way. He shares how those experiences shaped his philosophy on winning, leadership, and building long-term partnerships that actually drive revenue.We dive into what teams and leagues are really buying today: clear ROI, data-backed storytelling, and presentations that help decision-makers move faster and more confidently. Doug explains why self-awareness is a career superpower, how understanding your client’s pressures changes your close rate, and why founders need to sell transformation not features.The conversation also explores:• The evolution of sponsorship sales and revenue strategy across the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NCAA• How analytics and fan data translate into renewals and new business• What separates average sellers from elite revenue leaders• Crafting a brand story partners want to attach themselves to• Lessons from working across teams, agencies, and sports tech• Mentorship, leadership, and opening doors for the next generation in sports businessThis episode is a masterclass for founders, revenue leaders, and anyone building in sports who wants to understand how value is actually communicated, sold, and scaled.