Shows
Business of SportMichael Beale, Fmr Rangers, QPR, Sunderland Manager: 'Does English Culture Suppress Maverick Talent?' (Ep81)Michael Beale is part of a top crop of young English managers. At 44, he has already managed QPR, Rangers, and Sunderland, while also forming a successful partnership as Steven Gerrard’s assistant at Rangers, Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq. As virtually every manager quickly comes to realise, there’ll be some roles that work out, and some that don’t, but the most important thing to learn from the experiences that don’t turn out how you’d hope and come back a better coach and manager…there is a difference. Michael’s roots are in youth development, and has played...
2025-08-191h 12
Business of SportAndrew Thompson, SailGP Managing Director: ‘Welcome to F1 on Water’ (Ep80)It’s a different take this week; welcome to Formula 1 on water! SailGP has become one of the fastest growing sports leagues, bringing sailing to the forefront of modern entertainment. The national teams that race identical F50 Catamarans go to some of the world’s most enticing coastal locations in a Grand Prix style format with millions in prize money on the line. The franchises are valued between $50m+ and owners include major PE and finance as well as consortiums of celebrities including Kylian Mbappe, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. As Managing Director, Andrew is in c...
2025-08-121h 04
Business of SportMark Devlin, Leyton Orient CEO: ‘Striking the Balance Between Ambition and Financial Sustainability: The Leyton Orient Story' (Ep80)Mark Devlin is the CEO of Leyton Orient, a team that’s been riding the rollercoaster of English football right on the edge in recent years. From nearly going out of business and dropping into non-league football to bouncing back into League One playoff finals, the fans have been on a ride the few would choose. However, new ownership and big plans to build both on and off the pitch make this London club a hugely exciting football proposition for the next decades. What has this journey looked like from the inside and how is success being bui...
2025-08-051h 11
Business of SportPeter McCormack, Real Bedford Owner: Can Billionaire Investment Take You From Non-League To The Premier League? (Ep79)Peter McCormack is the Owner and Chairman of Real Bedford, who play in the 8th tier of English Football. But this is unique for a number of reasons. We always look for the stories that represent a different approach to running sports assets, and building your Premier League ambition around Bitcoin is certainly one of those. Peter is the host of one of if not the biggest Bitcoin podcasts. As you’ll hear his journey to club ownership is as colourful as it is extraordinary; this is someone who has come through some challenging times to get to...
2025-07-2947 min
Business of SportRyan Bertrand, Fmr Chelsea, Southampton & England: ‘It Didn’t Feel Like the Chelsea I was Brought Up In; The Foundations of Champions League Success' (Ep78)This week, we’re delighted to welcome Ryan Bertrand to the show, the only man to make his Champions League debut in the final…and of course win it in historic style with Chelsea in 2012. The regulars of you will know a conversation like this is exciting for us both as big Chelsea fans, and the shirts we wore throughout gave the game away anyway. But Ryan isn’t just the player who won that cup, played over 260 Premier League games, and was capped 19 times by England. This is a former athlete with a story to tell that i...
2025-07-221h 15
Business of SportGuenther Steiner: ‘A Life in F1: Moving On From Haas, Christian Horner’s Sacking, & The Genius of Verstappen' (Ep77)This week, we’re delighted to welcome the legendary Guenther Steiner to the show. One of the most iconic Team Principal’s to grace the paddock, the personality and energy he brings to the room is not just a show put on for the Drive to Survive cameras. What you have seen on TV is a true account of the man, taking the mickey out of us from the off while delivering such a compelling view on life as a Team Principal and the wider world of F1. Having left Haas at the end of 2023, he seemed relax...
2025-07-151h 07
Business of SportThomas Hal Robson-Kanu: ‘How to Run a Business & Play in the Premier League' (Ep76)This week, we’re delighted to welcome Thomas Robson-Kanu to the show, known to many of you I’m sure as Hal. The different names he has gone by is the perfect demonstration as to why this is such a unique story. A footballer with over nearly 500 competitive games under his belt and a businessman with revenues in the tens of millions, Thomas is the epitome of creating additional opportunity alongside elite sporting performance. Many of us think straight to that momentous moment in Euro 2016 when he scored the goal of goals against Belgium to put Wales in t...
2025-07-081h 13
Business of SportJeff Shi, Wolves Chairman: ‘How to Succeed in the Premier League & Be Financially Sustainable’This week, we’re delighted to welcome Wolves Chairman Jeff Shi to the show. Having been at the club since 2016, he has been a key part of the club’s rise from Championship survival to top half Premier League finishes and European quarter finals. Currently enjoying their longest run of Premier League football, there is a lot to be proud of. Jeff hasn’t done a huge amount of interviews. With the club surviving a tricky period last year when their top flight status was at risk for half the season, now is the time to talk to the...
2025-07-011h 27
Business of SportMark Fairbrother, Millwall Managing Director: ‘Is This The Most Misunderstood Club in Football?’ (Ep75)This week, we’re delighted to welcome Millwall’s Managing Director Mark Fairbrother to the show. This is a football club that many people both in and out of football have a preconceived idea about, built around historical associations with hooliganism and social unrest. These perceptions are rooted in media portrayal, cultural symbolism and sociopolitical factors rather than the club’s present day values. So, what does the Millwall of today represent and stand for? Off the back of a hugely successful Championship campaign which saw the club fighting for a play-off spot on the last day of the...
2025-06-241h 12
Business of SportCarl Frampton, Fmr Boxing World Champion: ‘How to Win in the Brutal Business of Boxing' (Ep74)This week we’re delighted to welcome Carl Frampton to the show. Second dive into boxing is long overdue and so much has happened since we last visited the sport. A boxing legend and Ring Magazine ‘Fighter of the Year’ in 2016, he was the first Northern Irishman to hold world titles in two weight classes, Carl is recognised as one of the best fighters of his generation. As you may expect, there is far more to him than the success he achieved in the ring. This was also the time for us to understand what the life of a t...
2025-06-171h 04
Business of SportRufus Hack, Sony Sports CEO: ‘From The Makers of VAR; Is Tech Making Sport Better? (Ep73)This week we’re delighted to welcome Sony Sports CEO Rufus Hack to the show. Strap in, this is a reveal on how technology is changing sport, from the man that brings us Goal Line Technology, VAR, TMO, DRS and much more. Sony have been elevating their proposition, developing on the established Music, Entertainment and Playstation divisions to influence sport and deliver crossover value as sport converges with the modern entertainment industry. Through their ownership of Hawkeye, Rufus oversees the company that is implementing some of the most important changes in sport; the decision review systems aimed at...
2025-06-101h 16
Business of SportRyan Sparks, Bradford City CEO: ‘We’re a Big Club But We Haven’t had Enough Big Success’ (Ep72)Today we’re delighted to welcome Bradford City CEO Ryan Sparks to the show. Promotions don’t come much more dramatic than Bradford City’s 96th minute winner on the final day of the season to seal promotion to league one. We know how important it is to move through the leagues for both the business and performance side of clubs. Bradford is a team with immense support, Premier League history, a 25,000 seater stadium…but it’s been a chaotic 25 years since leaving the premier league. Administration, relegations, England's 4th tier, cup finals; moments of real lows with a spri...
2025-06-031h 08
Business of SportPatrice Evra & Tommy Fish: ‘From Elite Player to Businessman; The Value of the Athlete Investor’ (Ep71)I love this game! To anyone who has an interest in sport and finds themselves regularly on social media, this catchphrase is likely to mean something to you, as is the person who coined it. Patrice Evra is one of the most decorated and stand out footballers of the last 20 years. Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues, his success on the pitch most famously with Manchester United is no secret. But as his media profile has shown, there is more to the man than football. There’s a drive, focus, and application that runs deep, now being leveraged to bu...
2025-05-271h 24
Business of SportGuy Kinnings, DP World Tour & Ryder Cup Europe CEO, ‘Why This is Golf’s Moment’ (Ep70)Today we’re delighted to welcome Guy Kinnings to the show. Guy is the CEO of European (DP World) Tour and Ryder Cup Europe. Our first venture into golf and it couldn’t be better timed. An Incredible Rory McIlroy Masters win to kick off the season followed by a summer of elite culminating in the Ryder Cup in New York in September. The business or politics of golf have been hotly debated since the inception of Saudi backed LIV Golf a few years ago. Big cheques attracting some of the world’s top players put huge pressur...
2025-05-201h 22
Business of SportSpencer Owen, Hashtag United Owner: ‘From YouTube To Building The Most Unique Club In Football’ (Ep69)Today we’re delighted to welcome Spencer Owen, Founder & Owner of the iconic Hashtag United, to the show. This is one of the most unique organisations in football. Why? Well it was founded on the internet before becoming a successful men’s and women’s team competing in English football. Spencer, or Spencer FC as many of his fans know him, built one of the strongest online brands in football, with over 2m YouTube subscribers regularly engaging with his channel. When he decided to take Hashtag from online concept to physical sports asset, unsurprisingly it was met with co...
2025-05-131h 18
Business of SportBen Calveley, The British & Irish Lions CEO: “We Need Some Wins; This Is A High Performance Team!” (Ep68)Today we’re delighted to welcome the British and Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley to the show. The Lions are one of the most iconic institutions in sport. Made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, this team which tours once every four years is the pinnacle of many a rugby player's career. In just a few weeks, the team will begin its tour of Australia, trying to win a series for only the third time in the last 30 years. This highlights how difficult it actually is for the Lions to be successful. There are fe...
2025-05-061h 12
Business of SportCharlotte O’Neill, Manchester City Women Managing Director, ‘Why Is Women’s Football Expected To Be Profitable When Men’s Football Isn’t!?’Today we’re delighted to welcome Manchester City Women’s Director Charlotte O’Neill to the show. This is a part of the game we talk about a lot. The growth of women’s football has been in turbo over the last decade, both in the UK and beyond. Man City have been one of the clubs leading that charge, compiling a squad of world class talent with the facilities and infrastructure to deliver on a long term ambition, to be the best women’s team in the world. But behind this is a broad range of both succe...
2025-04-2958 min
Business of SportSteven Elworthy, Surrey County Cricket CEO: ‘Is County Cricket Sustainable?' (Ep66)Today we’re delighted to welcome Surrey County Cricket CEO Steve Elworthy to the show, our first venture into one of the toughest businesses in sport. Surrey is a historic institution in a historic sport, part of a club set up integral to the development of all cricket, including the much loved short form franchise tournaments that dominate today. But well documented, the clubs are struggling big time. Surrey, as you’ll hear, is not one of them. By far the best team chasing a 4th consecutive championship, a key piece of infrastructure generating tens of millions a yea...
2025-04-221h 03
Business of SportJoe Gorman, Exeter City CEO: ‘The Club with 4700 Owners!’ (Ep65)Today we welcome Exeter City CEO Joe Gorman. This show is long in the making. One of the most requested guests we have had. Why? Well Exeter are one of football’s biggest rarities; a fan owned club. This means they cannot rely on the wealth and exuberance enjoyed by many to succeed on and off the pitch. They actually have to try and make the business make sense. Punching above their weight for many years, the club sits in League One alongside mega rich teams like Birmingham and Wrexham, and are more than competitive. So how do...
2025-04-151h 05
Business of SportNicolas Julia, Sorare Founder: ‘Building a $4bn Fantasy Sports Empire’ (Ep64)Today we welcome Nicolas Julia, founder of Sorare, the record breaking platform that blends fantasy sport with digital collectibles. This is a step beyond the fantasy football/F1/rugby you may already be a part of. It’s an open market, providing the chance to show your skills and talent identification to buy, select and trade tangible assets in the form of player cards. They are reimagining sport for the digital age, combining NFT’s, global partnerships, and strategic gameplay to create a fan-owned, athlete connected future of sports entertainment. From signing partnerships with the Premier League, NBA...
2025-04-081h 00
Business of SportJimmie Johnson, 7x NASCAR Champion: 'Has the Rise of F1 Been Good For NASCAR?' (Ep63)Today we welcome 7-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, a racing legend. Motorsport has never been bigger. The Liberty Media world of F1 has exploded, MotoGP has sold for over $4bn, but what about NASCAR? The US's second most watched sport is an entertainment and commercial giant, yet outside of America, it’s fair to say exposure is limited. Jimmie Johnson is one of the most successful drivers to grace any track; think Lewis Hamilton or Michael Schumacher. He is the joint record holder for most Championships won, dominating the sport in the noughties winning 5 titles in a ro...
2025-04-011h 15
Business of SportAndrew Parkinson, Plymouth Argyle CEO: ‘Hiring Rooney, Beating Liverpool, and Fighting for Championship Survival’ (Ep62)This week, we take a look inside one of the most talked about clubs this season. From hiring Wayne Rooney as manager to knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup, it’s been a crazy season for Plymouth and CEO Andrew Parkinson. Even more so when the club finds itself bottom of the championship fighting for survival. But this is a club that continually outperforms its budget, competing against teams with 6x bigger budgets, and that’s what we want to get into today. How do you build success in a football club when you can’t rely on money...
2025-03-251h 02
Business of SportBill Sweeney, RFU CEO: Behind the Curtain of Rugby's Most Scrutinised Organisation (Ep61)This week, we’re delighted to welcome the CEO of the RFU, Bill Sweeney, to the show. There’s no hiding from the fact it’s been a hard few months for the organisation and Bill personally. Significant losses reported last year alongside the now infamous LTIP scheme generated an unrelenting flow of negative press and questions of the leadership. This show is about understanding the financial health of the RFU and wider sport. And it’s certainly not as bad as many would have you believe. Fueling the almost holistic negativity around Rugby, which we have talked ab...
2025-03-181h 07
Business of SportSimon Leslie: Eastbourne Borough Owner, ‘Non-League Clubs Deserve Better’ (Ep60)Welcome to the business of Non-League football. Beneath the top four tiers of the revered English football pyramid sits a whole other football world; hundreds of teams, players, coaches, owners playing week in week out to climb the ladder. Jamie Vardy, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen, Tyrone Mings have all played non-league football. ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ recently storied the quality that exists and the difficulty in getting out of it. I’ve wanted to do a show focused on this from day one, so I’m delighted to welcome Eastbourne Borough owner Simon Leslie to the show. This is the f...
2025-03-111h 01
Business of SportLiam Dooley: Shrewsbury Town CEO, ‘How to Work With the Smallest Budget in League One’ (Ep59)Another first class Football League CEO in the studio this week. Liam Dooley has been in charge of Shrewsbury town, League one’s longest serving club, since 2023. Operating on the smallest budget in the division, balancing good business with competitive performance is not easy. Shrewsbury have had 10 consecutive years at this level, but are currently bottom of the league having lost their last four games. But, with their latest accounts showing they have halved their annual losses, the business side has impressed. With a top manager like Gareth Ainsworth in charge on the pitch, the fight is on...
2025-03-041h 09
Business of SportPeter Kenyon: Fmr Manchester United & Chelsea CEO, ‘Mourinho was the Best Money Chelsea Spent' (Ep58)Today we welcome one of football’s most iconic CEOs. When Peter Kenyon moved from Manchester United to Chelsea in 2003 after Roman Abramovich bought the club, it was the first time a move in the boardroom was treated like a player transfer. Sir Alex Ferguson was said to be ‘intensely disappointed’, not least because he recognised the role Peter played in the success of United at the time. Having built Man Utd into both a performance and commercial powerhouse, Peter took on the task of executing Abramovich’s vision; to build the best club in Europe. From working...
2025-02-251h 23
Business of SportLee Johnson: Fmr Sunderland & Bristol City Manager, 'Decision Making Needs to be Driven by Sport' (Ep57)This week, we’re delighted to welcome Lee Johnson to the show. Lee has had a stellar career as both a player and manager, playing over 400 games before becoming the youngest manager in the Football League at 31 when he took over at Oldham in 2013. Since that first job he has managed some historic clubs including Sunderland, Bristol City, and Hibernian. After a tough year, leaving Hibs followed by a very brief spell at Fleetwood, Lee took the time out to reflect on the next stage of his career and gain some different experiences, from working with Manchester Ci...
2025-02-181h 13
Business of SportJames Barclay: Jaguar Racing Team Principal, 'Formula E and Electric are the Future' (Ep56)This week, we are delighted to welcome James Barclay to the show. James is Team Principal at Jaguar Racing, the current Formula E constructors World Champion. We have done some amazing shows on Formula 1, but this is a new area to venture into. Formula E is the fastest growing motorsport in the world. It has been a rapid rise for electric racing since the first season in 2014. In an age where the environment and sustainability dominates, this format has become a pioneer of ‘green’ sport, influencing the technological development of electric cars and influencing broader automotive consumption habit...
2025-02-111h 10
Business of SportBenjamin Kayser: Fmr France International, 'Has England Neglected Club Rugby?' (Ep55)With the Six Nations underway, it’s time to talk rugby. Benjamin Kayser won 47 caps for France, playing club rugby in both The Premiership and Top 14 for the likes of Leicester Tigers and Clermont. Since hanging up his boots, he has become a regular on our screens as a commentator and pundit with ITV. Not afraid to say it how it is, and with an undying passion for the game, there was no one better to sit down with on the eve of the tournament to look at the overall health of the sport. We have had a...
2025-02-041h 08
Business of SportAlistair Brownlee: Double Olympic Gold Triathlete, ‘It's About Medals Not Money’ (Ep54)Today, we welcome a British sporting legend. That term can get thrown around a lot, but as a multiple Olympic, World and European Champion, Alistair Brownlee is one of the greatest triathletes of all time. As you hopefully now know with this show, the sporting success is only one side of our guests. It’s what they are doing alongside their elite performance that drives our intrigue, and Alistair is far more than the sum of his medals. The money in athletics and triathlon is nothing like the money available in other major sports, and therefore it ca...
2025-01-281h 02
Business of SportMoritz Fürste: HYROX Co-Founder, ‘How we Built a Global Sporting Phenomenon' (Ep53)Today, we bring you the man who founded the global phenomenon HYROX. Mo is a double Olympic Gold Medallist in hockey, having won with Germany in Beijing and London. Described to me by someone who knows far more about the sport as ‘The Cristiano Ronaldo’ of field hockey, we were pretty excited to get both a sporting icon and high flying entrepreneur in the studio; always what we strive for on the Business of Sport! Since it was founded in 2017, HYROX has become a major player in sporting participation. Consisting of both running and 8 separate ‘fitness’ activities to form...
2025-01-211h 09
Business of SportRick Parry: EFL Chair, ‘We Need Sporting Jeopardy Without Financial Catastrophe’ (Ep52)This week we’re delighted to welcome EFL Chair Rick Parry to the show. Rick has seen it all in football; The first CEO of the Premier League, CEO of Liverpool (1998-2009), and now Chair of English Football League. It can easily be argued that overseeing the interests of 72 clubs ranging from Leeds to Morecambe, is the hardest job in football. But Rick would never look at it like that. When we asked why take this job now having been offered it in the past, he simply responded ‘because I believe I can make a difference’. Football in the...
2025-01-141h 04
Business of SportLaurie Dalrymple: Harlequins CEO, ‘Building the Premiership’s Most Valuable Rugby Club’ (Ep51)We’re back with a bang as we welcome Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple to the show. This is one of English sport’s most historic organisations. Laurie has been in charge of the Premiership Rugby team for over 5 years, establishing them as one of the leading commercial entities in the game while delivering huge success including league titles and European Cup semi-finals on the pitch. We’ve had some incredible rugby chats on the show in the past. This is no different. From the viability of teams as sustainable businesses to the development of more players as ‘sporting...
2025-01-071h 14
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: How To Do a 10x Seed Fund in 2025 | Three Frameworks to Evaluate Startups an Founders | Lessons from Losing Billions Missing Airbnb and Pinterest & Investing Lessons from Charlie Munger with Mike Maples @ FloodgateMike Maples is one of the OG seed investors of the last two decades. As a co-founding Partner at Floodgate, Mike has been on the Forbes Midas List eight times in the last decade. Some of Mike’s investments include Twitter, Twitch.tv, Clover Health, Okta, Outreach, Chegg, Demandforce, and Applied Intuition. In Today’s Episode with Mike Maples We Discuss: 04:02 Does Seed Even Make Sense as an Asset Class? 05:16 Fund Size and Strategy: How to Do a 10x Fund? 08:12 Follow-On Investments: Are they BS? 16:41 Finding Inefficiencies in the Marke...
2025-01-061h 10
Business of SportÉdouard Mendy: Chelsea, Al-Ahli & Senegal Keeper, ‘Why I left Chelsea and my Saudi move' (Ep50)Today is the milestone 50th episode and we have a guest to match it. Édourard Mendy is a Champions League and AFCON winner. He won FIFA's ‘The Best’ and UEFA Goalkeeper of the year award in 2021. He holds the record for the joint most clean sheets in a single Champions League season. He went from nearly giving up the football dream in a French job centre with a baby on the way to winning the CL with Chelsea in 7 years. And now he's playing alongside Mahrez, Firmino and Toney at Al-Ahli. Away from the pitch, he is buildi...
2024-12-1757 min
Business of SportMatt Hancock, Port Vale CEO: ‘Success is about more than 3pts on a Saturday’ (Ep49)After amazing shows with a number of CEO’s across the football industry, we’re today venturing into the lowest of the English Football League’s with current League Two promotion chasers Port Vale. Matt Hancock has been CEO of this historic club since January. Having been relegated from League One in his first few months in charge, it’s fair to say the learning curve has been steep. But these are the shows we love to do. It’s proper business, not propped up by the billions of international ownership. Understanding how to run a sustainable company th...
2024-12-101h 04
Business of SportMark Bowen, Fmr Premier League Player & Manager: ‘Man City accidentally bid £35m for Messi’ (Ep48)Today we speak to a man who has been in and around football for over 40 years. Mark Bowen played over 400 games at the top of English football for the likes of Tottenham, Norwich and West Ham, before transitioning into management as both a head coach and assistant. For much of his management career he has partnered with Mark Hughes, acting as his assistant manager at Man City, Stoke, Southampton, Fulham and QPR. Most recently Mark has spent a number of years with Reading, and is currently going through a delicate process around his exit from the club; a...
2024-12-0358 min
Business of SportZak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO: ‘We Race for Trophies, not Money’ (Ep47)Today we speak to a man who needs little introduction. Zak Brown is the CEO of McLaren Racing, one of Formula One’s most iconic brands and a team currently undergoing a resurgence as it challenges at the top of both the Drivers and Constructors Championships after years of struggling to match the success of Mercedes and Red Bull. Turning an organisation round and re-establishing a culture of success is no easy task, and Zak has been under no illusion that to reach the top of one of the most competitive and scrutinised sports in the world, yo...
2024-11-2628 min
Business of SportFelix Starck, Baller League CEO: ‘Football is NOT too Big to Fail’ (Ep46)The week we're delighted to welcome Felix Starck to the show. Felix is CEO of Baller League, an alternative to historic sporting competition. New propositions, new formats, new leagues. A lot of conversation we have on the show focuses on how leagues are in need of development and refreshment and subsequently what alternatives could be out there to entice the coveted youth audience rightsholders crave. Baller League is this new product. 6 a-side, entertainment driven, quick football, short matches, free to air. It addresses many of the barriers identified in the footballing landscape. It’s revenues are approaching €20m, KS...
2024-11-191h 06
Business of SportGary Rowett: Fmr Derby, Stoke, Birmingham & Millwall Manager, 'Criticism is Part of the Contract; You Have to Accept it' (Ep45)This week we are delighted to welcome Gary Rowett to the show. Gary has managed over 500 games working at some of the most historic clubs in English football, and played at the highest level with 381 appearances in the Premier League and EFL. Much of his career has been spent managing across the Football League with the likes of Birmingham, Derby, Stoke, Millwall, Burton Albion. One of the most popular and respected men in the game, he gives a detailed overview of the pressures of management, how to bring the best out of players, why he turned down t...
2024-11-121h 05
Business of SportAlex Tunbridge: Cambridge United CEO, ‘From Transforming Cambridge to the Best Football Pyramid in the World'This week we are joined by Cambridge United CEO Alex Tunbridge. Last week, Cambridge was in the news for activities off the pitch, as they unveiled a full rebrand of the club, most notably revealing a new crest to create a more modern and digital feel to the branding of Cambridge, while importantly maintaining the heritage and culture so valuable to its historic identity. Some of you may start to think we’ve got a bit of thing for League One clubs, and you may not be wrong. But when it comes to the business of football, th...
2024-11-051h 12
Business of SportBrady Stewart, Bay FC CEO: ‘Building the World’s Best Women’s Football League’ (Ep43)This week, we are joined by Brady Stewart, CEO of the NWSL’s newest franchise Bay FC. The NWSL is going from strength to strength both on and off the field. San Francisco needed a franchise, and the birth of Bay as the women’s football team in the city steeped in sporting history is just the next step on the league’s mission to be the best women’s football league in the world. When global investment firm Sixth Street backed the franchise with $120m, the biggest single institutional investment in women’s sport, Brady was approached...
2024-10-2953 min
Business of SportMichael Yormark, Roc Nation International President: ‘From Vini Jr to De Bruyne: How to Create Global Superstars’ (Ep42)This week, we are joined by one of the most influential figures in the world of sport and entertainment: Michael Yormark, President of Roc Nation Sports International. With a career that spans over two decades at the intersection of business, marketing, and global talent representation, Michael has redefined what it means to manage athletes and entertainers in today’s fast-paced, multimedia-driven world. For the agency established by Jay-Z, Michael has been the driving force behind Roc Nation’s global expansion in sport, instrumental in representing some of the industry’s biggest names, including Vinicius Jr, Kevin De Bruyne...
2024-10-221h 08
Business of SportLiam Scully, Lincoln City CEO: ‘The Premier League are Living in a Different Universe’ (Ep41)Liam is the CEO of Lincoln City, who are currently competing in League One of English football, and who at Liam’s own admission, have been overperforming both their budget and performance expectations for years. The running of clubs further down the football pyramid is not easy. They have to operate as far more and sensible businesses rather than billionaire playpens. Liam not only brings some incredible insight into managing a team in the lower leagues, but as he sits on the board of the English Football League, a much broader perspective on the business of football....
2024-10-151h 00
Business of SportMiguel Sequerra, Sports Agent & 22 Ventures Founder: ‘Mbappe, Neymar and Representing the World's Best Talent' (Ep40)Miguel is one of the sports industry’s leading commercial agents. Mbappe, Neymar, Beckham, Mourinho, Ricciardo; Miguel has been involved with all of them. This is the side of the sports industry we don’t hear about. Yet this is the side that drives more business than any other. Having worked directly for Kylian Mbappe’s family office, and then for some of the worlds biggest agencies like CAA and Kin, Miguel’s experience of capitalising on the global profiling of sport’s biggest stars brings to life the art of the commercial deal. How do you sourc...
2024-10-081h 08
Business of SportOllie Pope, England Cricket Vice Captain: 'Can Test and Franchise Cricket Co-Exist?' (Ep39)Ollie is the vice captain of the England cricket team. Last month, with Ben Stokes out injured, he was made captain for the first time for the series against Sri Lanka. He has been a key part of the side that over the last few years has transformed how test cricket is both viewed and played. An insight into what is going on behind the scenes with England throughout this period is something we’ve wanted to dig into from the start of the show. It’s fair to say that the future of test match cricket hinges significantly on t...
2024-10-0154 min
Business of SportVikram Banerjee, Managing Director of The Hundred: ‘Why we’re Selling The Hundred Franchises’ (Ep38)Vikram is the Director of Business Operations at the England & Wales Cricket Board and is the man in charge of selling stakes in The Hundred franchises. Vikram was a professional cricketer before taking up his position at the ECB, playing short and long form cricket around the world. Domestic cricket has been under pressure in the UK. The international game is strong, franchise tournaments like the IPL and Big Bash have thrived, but county cricket, the foundations of the game, has struggled to sustain the attention. The Hundred was created not just to form a new short-form...
2024-09-2454 min
Business of SportClaire Williams, Fmr Deputy Team Principal Williams F1: 'We Never Wanted to Sell the Team' (Ep37)This week we are delighted to welcome Claire Williams to the show. For nearly a decade, Claire served as the Deputy Team Principal of Williams Racing, one of the most iconic teams in F1 history. As the daughter of the legendary Sir Frank Williams, you could say she had the weight of her family’s legacy on her shoulders, but she forged her own path with courage, tenacity, and a relentless drive to succeed. Claire's journey wasn’t just about steering a team through the competitive and challenging landscape of Formula 1. It was about breaking barriers in a mal...
2024-09-171h 08
Business of SportPaul Tisdale, Fmr Exeter City Manager: 'It's Survival of the Adaptable, NOT the Fittest' (Ep36)This week we are delighted to welcome Paul Tisdale to the show. A former Premier League player, Paul went on to manage over 600 games in the football league for the likes of Exeter City, Bristol Rovers, MK Dons, and Stevenage. His time at Exeter delivered a complete transformation of the club, taking them from the National League to League One via back to back promotions. He cultivated an elite pool of talent that included Ollie Watkins and Ethan Ampadu. He was labelled the most fashionable man in football. The approach to management is simple but so different...
2024-09-101h 00
Business of SportCharlie Methven, Charlton Athletic CEO & Co-Owner: 'The Real Cost of Football Club Ownership' (Ep35)This week, we are delighted to welcome Charlie Methven to the show. Charlie is the co-owner and CEO of Charlton Athletic. He was part of the consortium that bought the London club in 2023, and was appointed CEO earlier this year. But as many of you will have seen in the infamous ‘Sunderland til I Die’ Netflix documentary, this isn’t his first dabble in football club ownership. He was part of the group that took over Sunderland as they attempted to recover from back to back relegations. What followed was the most transparent insight into what happens when it...
2024-08-271h 16
Business of SportMarcos Galperin, Miami Sharks Owner: 'Rugby's American Dream' (Ep34)This week, we’re delighted to welcome Marcos Galperin to the show. Marcos is the founder of Latin American e-commerce giant Mercado Libre. Last year, he bought the Miami Sharks, a Major League Rugby expansion franchise, combining a lifelong passion for the game with asset ownership in a high potential league and market. There are some crazy numbers in the world of sports valuations, and the opportunity to identify value where it is not yet maximised is becoming increasingly hard. Can rugby make it in the US? Hosting the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup is a huge oppo...
2024-08-2048 min
Business of SportAlexis Ohanian, Angel City, LAGC & Athlos Owner: 'Building the Most Valuable Women's Sport Franchise' (Ep33)This week, we are delighted to welcome Alexis Ohanian. Alexis has become a prolific sports asset owner and investor, with controlling stakes in the NWSL’s Angel City, TGL franchise Los Angeles Golf Club, and new athletics venture Athlos. Alongside his involvement in sport, Alexis is the Founder and General Partner of 776, an early stage venture capital firm with $970m AUM. He is also one of the co-founders of Reddit. You add all that together and apply it to sport, the outcome is pretty special. Married to tennis legend Serene Williams, they have been huge advocates for th...
2024-08-131h 06
Business of SportBrett Johnson, Ipswich Town, Rhode Island FC, & Phoenix Rising Co-Owner: ‘The US Needs to be More than a Retirement League’ (Ep32)This week we’re delighted to welcome Brett Johnson to the show. Brett is the co-owner of Ipswich in the Premier League and Phoenix Rising and Rhode Island in the US. The rise of Ipswich since his group takeover is nothing short of ownership dreamland, seeing the club achieve back to back promotions from League One to the Premier League. But this is only the most recent success for Brett in football. The joy of speaking to owners on the show is getting access to the people behind the numbers and strategies. Who really are our owners? He...
2024-08-0658 min
Business of SportCarolyn Tisch Blodgett, Gotham FC Co-Owner & Governor, 'Building a Billion Dollar Sports Franchise' (Ep31)Carolyn is the co-owner and Governor of current NWSL champions Gotham FC. The NWSL is the flourishing women’s football, or soccer, league in the US. Much like the MLS, franchise slots for the league have become a coveted asset to own, with former Disney CEO Bob Iger reportedly paying $250m for Angel City last month. Carolyn and her family’s ownership stake in Gotham was announced in 2023. They also own the NFL’s New York Giants. Carolyn also ran Peloton’s marketing department as the company rose from promising start-up to multi-billion fitness empire. The succes...
2024-07-3049 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.30: Sean Fitzpatrick, Fmr New Zealand Rugby Captain & Chair @ Laureus, ‘Do whatever it takes to be a winner’This week we’re delighted to welcome Sean Fitzpatrick to the show. Sean was capped 92 times by New Zealand, 51 of those as captain. A World Cup winner and key member of one of the best rugby union teams, he is recognised as one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. Sean is more than the sum of his rugby achievements. He has been an integral part of bringing the now famous All Black culture to wider sport and business. Key ideals such as ‘sweeping the sheds’ and ‘play where your feet are’ have been brought to life in Jam...
2024-07-2357 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.29: Alfonso Diaz, CEO @ Real Mallorca, ‘How we rebuilt one of Spain's most historic clubs'Today, we are delighted to welcome Alfonso Diaz, CEO of La Liga’s Real Mallorca. We’ve wanted to do a show featuring a Spanish club for a long time, and Mallorca is a truly unique club to do this with. From an ownership structure featuring legendary NBA All Stars Steve Nash and Steve Kerr, to mobilising not just a hugely passionate local island fanbase, but a booming tourist industry, Real Mallorca is re-establishing itself as one of the country’s most prominent clubs. They have been down to the third division and back over the last ten ye...
2024-07-1652 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport 28: Paul McVeigh, Fmr Premier League Player & Leading Keynote Speaker, ‘Football is the most competitive and ruthless industry’This week I’m delighted to welcome Paul McVeigh to the show. We spend a lot of time looking at sports away from performance reviews. When we focus on players or athletes, we want to know, who are the people and personalities behind the faces we become so familiar with, and how do they convert what they've learnt beyond sport? Footballers as intelligent, creative, innovative individuals is not something normally considered. We have a picture painted of what a player is like and the stereotype has stuck. This has changed slightly over the years, but the fact re...
2024-07-091h 06
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.27: Jonathan Turner, Board Member @ Tottenham Hotspur, What goes on in the boardroom of a Premier League ClubJonathan is a board member at Tottenham. We’ve covered ownership, management, players, but what happens in the boardroom of football's biggest clubs? Brought in by Daniel Levy, and a lifelong fan with a background in investment and technology, Jonathan brings the breadth of experience and perspective that’s increasingly valuable in football. How much of a meeting is focused on business strategy and how much is performance? How do you measure success? These are the questions we don't get an insight into and fans want to understand, and Jonathan’s role at one of the biggest clubs...
2024-07-0255 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport 26: Matt Higgins, Fmr Vice Chairman @ Miami Dolphins, SVP Business Operations @ New York Jets, Co-Founder @ Relevent Sports, ‘Great sport is about great storytelling'This week, we are delighted to welcome Matt Higgins to the show. Concisely explaining Matt’s career is a challenge. In the world of sport, he has been a managing executive at the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins in the NFL, founder of sports events and media company Relevent Sports, an early investor in the Drone Racing League. In the business world, the story is equally impressive. The youngest press secretary in New York City history, founder of investment first RSE Ventures, one of the sharks on US TV’s ‘Shark Tank’, Wall Street Journal Bestselling author fo...
2024-06-181h 06
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.25: EUROS SPECIAL | David Webb, Assistant Manager @ Georgia National Football Team, ‘We’re not here to be tourists, we’re here to win’It’s the start of Euro 2024 this week. To celebrate, we are bringing you one of the stories of the tournament, before it’s even started. Georgia made history early in the year when they qualified for their first ever major tournament, an occasion which saw much of the population on the streets celebrating this longed for achievement. The team put together behind the scenes played a key role in achieving this. David Webb, an Englishman without international coaching experience but with over 20 years working in football, was brought in by manager Willy Sagnol to be his assis...
2024-06-1150 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.24: Ben Davies, Professional Footballer @ Tottenham Hotspur, ‘Spending the most money doesn’t guarantee results’This week we welcome Spurs defender Ben Davies to the show. One of the Premier League’s most experienced current players with nearly 300 top flight appearances for Tottenham and Swansea, he has also won 86 caps for Wales. But there is much more to Ben than just the footballer. We couldn’t go through this chat without getting the inside track on his 10 years at Spurs and winning trophies with his boyhood club Swansea. However, alongside this, it’s a wider conversation on the current footballing landscape. The finances of a footballer and how they’re reported...
2024-06-041h 14
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.23: Robbie Douek, CEO @ BLAST, ‘Esports should be the Super Bowl’Robbie Douek is CEO of Blast, one of the leading tournament providers in the ever present esports industry. I’m really excited to bring you this show. We have had more requests for an esports episode than any other over the past few months, and this industry is the epitome of modern entertainment meets traditional fandom. Blast hosts events in some of the most popular games, like Counter-Strike and Dota, bringing incredible live production to fans all over the world. The gaming industry is now worth over $200bn, and that number will only get bigger. This...
2024-05-2848 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.22: Sam Warburton, Fmr Wales & British & Irish Lions Captain, ‘Leadership is about showing the way’Today, we are delighted to welcome rugby union legend Sam Warburton to the show. At 22, Sam was made captain of Wales, becoming the 3rd youngest captain in their history. He oversaw one of the most successful periods in Welsh rugby, winning the 6 Nations twice including a historic Grand Slam in 2012, while also guiding them to a World Cup semi-final in 2011. He also became the youngest captain of the British and Irish Lions for their 2013 tour of Australia, delivering a first series win since 1997. When named captain for the tour of New Zealand four years later, he became o...
2024-05-141h 35
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.21: Lina Nielsen, Team GB 400m Hurdler, ‘MS won’t stop me achieving my dreams’This week's show is a very special one, as we welcome Lina Nielsen to the Business of Sport. Lina is a 400m hurdler for Great Britain. She was recently a member of the bronze winning relay team in the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, alongside her sister, and is about to compete in a series of qualifiers to reach this summer's Olympic Games in Paris. But there is a unique addition to Lina’s story that shone a light on her career in 2022. At the World Championships in Oregon, she announced he has been living wit...
2024-04-3051 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.20: Nico Rosberg, F1 World Champion & Founder @ Rosberg Ventures, How marginal gains created a championThis week, we are delighted to welcome Nico Rosberg to the show. Nico is a Formula One legend. He competed in 206 Grand Prix’s, with 23 wins, 30 pole’s, 57 podiums, and over 1500 championship points. Nico’s World Championship win when driving alongside childhood friend Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes is one of the most iconic in the history of the sport, and saw him follow in the footsteps of his father Keke, who won the championship in 1982. It was in the days after this win that Nico announced his shock retirement, putting new meaning into finishing on the highest of highs. But th...
2024-04-231h 15
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.19: Eniola Aluko, Fmr Lioness, Pundit & Investor, ‘Athletes have to use their platform to affect change’This week, we are delighted to welcome Eni Aluko to the show. Categorizing Eni’s career is a hard one. Former professional footballer, media personality, investor, sporting executive. Eni has been a prominent figure in the sport for nearly 20 years. As a player, she most notably represented Chelsea and Juventus, while winning over 100 caps for England, playing a huge role in establishing the women’s professional game we enjoy so much today. She is a leading pundit for ITV and TNT, while also being the first female to appear on Match of the Day. She has held Sporting Director posi...
2024-04-161h 36
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.18: Nevin Truesdale, CEO @ The Jockey Club, 'Racing has never been safer, and the data proves it'This week, ahead of the Grand National on Saturday, we are delighted to welcome Nevin Truesdale to the show. Nevin is the CEO of The Jockey Club, the largest commercial horse racing organisation in the UK. It owns 15 of the country’s most famous racecourses, including Cheltenham and Aintree, as well as thoroughbred horse breeding farm ‘The National Stud’ and land management company ‘Jockey Club Estates’. Horse racing is the UK’s second most attended sport, with nearly 6 million people visiting racecourses each year. It is a sport steeped in history and tradition, but has come under fire in rece...
2024-04-091h 07
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.17: Aron D’Souza, President @ Enhanced Games, ‘This is about enhancing humanity’Today, we bring you a guest who's sending ripples through the sporting and political landscape. Aron D’Souza is the President of the Enhanced Games, the first pro-choice and pro-science alternative to the Olympics. A lawyer by trade, Aron led Peter Thiel’s infamous litigation against Gawker Media involving wrestler Hulk Hogan, a relationship that has led to the PayPal founder becoming one of the Enhanced Games major backers. Supported by some of the world’s top venture capitalists, the Enhanced Games describe themselves as the Olympics of the future. The major difference? Athletes are allowed to take p...
2024-03-2549 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.16: Matthew Porter, CEO @ PDC, ‘Darts is flying high; we have to capitalise on this opportunity'Today, we are delighted to welcome Matthew Porter. Matthew is the CEO of the Professional Darts Corporation, more commonly known as the PDC, overseeing the sport of darts and it’s iconic tournaments, including the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. Since his appointment in 2008, Matthew has played an integral role in building out the darts calendar, introducing events such as the European Championship and Players Championship Finals, the PDC World Cup of Darts and the European Tour, as well as the implementation of the PDC’s development structure with Qualifying School, the Challenge Tour, and Youth Tour. ...
2024-02-2746 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.15: David Buttress, Owner @ Dragons RFC & Just Eat Co-Founder, ‘Rugby is one of the greatest sports, but it must adapt to maintain its relevance’Today, we are delighted to welcome David Buttress. David was the co-founder and CEO of Just Eat, launching the UK business in 2006 and taking it from startup to Europe’s largest technology stock market floatation in a decade in 2014. In the world of sport, David is the owner the of Welsh United Rugby Championship club, Dragons, as well as acting as Non Executive Director of the Welsh Rugby Union’s Professional Rugby Board. It’s a crucial time for club rugby. The international game, underpinned by tournaments like the Rugby World Cup and 6 Nations, is hugely successful. The clu...
2024-02-061h 13
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.14: Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Olympic Gold Medallist & Founder @ Jennis, 'I realised you can have a family & still compete at the highest level'Today, we are delighted to welcome British Olympic legend Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill. An Olympic gold and silver medallist, European champion and 3x world champion, Jess competed at the highest level in the heptathlon for over a decade. Under the pressure and expectation that came with being the face of London 2012, Jess’s gold medal at the Games will forever be one of the most iconic moments in British sporting history. For all the achievements on the track and in the public eye, there is so much more to her story. From starting a family while still competing, to...
2024-01-221h 06
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.13: Tom Beahon, Co-Founder @ Castore, 'How we built a billion dollar British sportswear brand'Today, we are delighted to welcome Tom Beahon. Tom is the co-founder and co-CEO of Castore, the premium British sportswear brand which he runs with his brother Phil. Having started his career as an aspiring professional footballer at Tranmere Rovers, Tom's love of sport and passion for business led him to setting up Castore with his brother. They currently produce the kits for the England Cricket Team, Aston Villa, Red Bull Racing, and Rangers Football Club to name a few. From convincing Andy Murray to both invest in and promote the brand, to recently completing a...
2024-01-091h 19
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.12: Manoj Badale, Owner @ Rajasthan Royals, 'Why I bought the Rajasthan Royals'Today we are delighted to welcome Manoj Badale. Manoj is the Co-owner of one of the Indian Premier League's most notable franchises, Rajasthan Royals. One of the founding members of the tournament in 2008, the Royals went on to win the first iteration, cementing a special place in franchise cricket history. Since then, the IPL has become one of the most followed and valued sports leagues in the world. From preparing meticulously for the iconic auction, to tribalising an infamous national fanbase, this behind-the-scenes account of how the IPL and its franchises are built is not to be m...
2023-12-1957 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.11: Maheta Molango, CEO @ PFA, 'Why fixture congestion is the biggest issue in football'Today, we are delighted to welcome Maheta Molango to the show. As Chief Executive of the PFA, Maheta has one of the biggest jobs in football, leading the union that represents 55,000 current and former professional players in the UK. A former professional footballer for the likes of Atletico Madrid and Brighton, Maheta has been involved in all aspects of the game. Before taking up his current role, Maheta trained as a lawyer while finishing his professional career, working both in and out of the industry while also spending a number of years as CEO of the Spanish c...
2023-11-281h 06
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.10: Tom Cleverley, Former Manchester United, Everton & Watford Midfielder, 'It's a new world where players hold all the power'Today, we are delighted to welcome Tom Cleverley. Tom is a former England, Manchester United, Everton and Watford midfielder. Tom played over 300 league games, winning the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season with Manchester United in 2013. Having retired in the summer, Tom has taken his first steps into management, taking charge of Watford’s U18 team. In today’s show, we discuss: Life as a young footballer: Growing up in the Manchester United academy and managing the pressures that come with elite performance and expectation at a young age. Tom’s experienc...
2023-10-1059 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.9: Ryan Smith, Owner @ Utah Jazz & Real Salt Lake, 'We're going to bring the NBA Championship to Utah'This week, we are delighted to welcome Ryan Smith. Ryan is the owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, and co-owner of Real Salt Lake in the MLS. He is also founder and executive chairman of Qualtrics, an experience management software company he built from the ground up, and the co-founder and chairman of Smith Entertainment Group. Ryan and his wife Ashley purchased the Utah Jazz in late 2020 as part of the launch of Smith Entertainment Group (SEG), which also includes the Delta Center, SEG Media, Real Salt Lake (MLS), the Utah Royals (NWSL - coming in 2024), Am...
2023-09-2659 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.8: Frank Smith, CEO @ Matchroom Boxing, 'We feel the pressure to deliver the biggest fights'This week, we are delighted to welcome Frank Smith. Frank first worked within Matchroom as a 14-year-old on work experience, and started full time in September 2008 after he left school. Having worked across many of the sports that Matchroom promote, Frank joined the Boxing department full-time in 2011 and worked his way through the ranks to assume the post of CEO in April 2018. Frank was appointed to the main board of the group’s parent company, Matchroom Sport, in December 2018. In today’s episode, we discuss: From internship to CEO: How chasing down Eddi...
2023-09-121h 02
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.7: Chris Smalling, Footballer @ AS Roma & Co-Founder @ The Players Fund, 'Living with no regrets in football and business'A plant-based athlete and investor, Chris Smalling is dedicated to creating a more sustainable future for the planet. Chris currently plays for Serie A giants AS Roma, moving to Italy in 2020 from Manchester United, having played over 200 games for the club, and winning 31 caps for England in the process. Chris set up ForGood in 2020 to play a key role in accelerating the ecosystem that actively invests and champions the next generation of responsible businesses, with the ambition to drive a movement of doing things for good. Chris is also a Patron of Football Beyond Borders, a UK-based...
2023-08-2955 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.6: Ivan Gazidis, Former Arsenal & AC Milan CEO, 'Money talks: How to manage billion dollar brands'Today, we are delighted to welcome Ivan Gazidis to the show. One of the most respected executives in sport, Ivan began his career in football as one of the founding members of MLS in America, laying the foundations for the now hugely successful league. He became Chief Executive of Arsenal in 2009, spending 10 years at the helm of the Premier League club before taking the same position at AC Milan, delivering a much coveted Serie A title in 2022. In today’s episode, we discuss: Football in America: Founding the MLS - creating the foundations for suc...
2023-08-151h 19
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.5: Steve Pagliuca, Co-Owner @ Boston Celtics & Atalanta BC, 'How to finance a sports franchise'Today, we are delighted to welcome Steve Pagliuca. Steve is a co-owner and Managing General Partner of the World Champion Boston Celtics and serves on the NBA Board of Governors. In 2022, he became co-owner and co-chairman of the Serie A football club, Atalanta. Away from sport, Steve has helped to build Bain Capital into one of the world’s leading investment companies. In today’s episode, we discuss: Football club ownership: Why was Steve interested in buying Atalanta in Italy and how has he found life as a football club owner? The importance of qual...
2023-07-2548 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.4: Steve Bruce, former Manchester United Player & Football Manager, 'How the Premier League changed football'This week we welcome Steve Bruce to Business of Sport. Steve played over 700 games for some of England’s biggest teams, most notably captaining Manchester United in the 90’s, winning multiple league titles and FA cups. After retirement, Steve made the move into management, taking charge of over 1000 games with the likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa, Birmingham and Wigan. In todays episode, we discuss: Life as a player: How Steve found his way from early beginnings at Gillingham to the heights of Manchester United. How did contracts differ from what we see...
2023-07-111h 00
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.3: Michael Doughty, Former Professional Footballer & Co-Founder @ Hylo Athletics, 'Why I gave up football to follow a different passion'This week we welcome Michael Doughty to the show. Michael was a professional footballer for over a decade, playing in the Premier League for QPR followed by a successful Football League career, most notably at Swindon, until his retirement in 2020. He has since set up sustainability focused sporting goods company Hylo Athletics, with the mission to ‘protect the future of running and sport’. In today’s episode with Michael, we discuss: Coming through the academy system: What is it like to begin a ‘career’ at the age of eight and deal with the constant pressures...
2023-06-2851 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport #3: Michael Doughty, Former Professional Footballer & Co-Founder @ Hylo AthleticsThis week we welcome Michael Doughty to the show. Michael was a professional footballer for over a decade, playing in the Premier League for QPR followed by a successful Football League career, most notably at Swindon, until his retirement in 2020. He has since set up sustainability-focused sporting goods company Hylo Athletics, with the mission to ‘protect the future of running and sport’. In today’s episode with Michael, we discuss: Coming through the academy system: What is it like to begin a ‘career’ at the age of eight and deal with the constant pressures associated...
2023-06-2754 min
Business of SportBusiness of Sport Ep.2: Pat Cummins, Australia Test & ODI Captain, 'The Ashes is still the pinnacle of test cricket'This week we welcome Pat Cummins, captain of the Australia Test and One-Day team. Pat is about to lead newly crowned World Test Champions Australia into a hotly anticipated Ashes series against England, his first as captain. In today’s episode with Pat, we discuss: The responsibilities of a captain: How Pat became Australia captain and the key principles he sought to imprint on the team. The importance of building a culture that is inclusive and fair while ensuring the highest standards are maintained. Pat’s philosophy on leadership and ho...
2023-06-1344 min
Business of SportJamie Reuben, Newcastle United Co-Owner: 'From fighting relegation to competing in the Champions League' (Ep01)Jamie Reuben is the Co-Owner of Newcastle United FC and Owner of Arena Racing Company. Since their takeover at the end of 2021, Newcastle’s journey has been incredible, surviving relegation before pushing on and achieving an extraordinary Champions League qualification this season. In today’s episode with Jamie, we discuss: His plans to build a club challenging at the top level: How Jamie became part of the consortium to buy Newcastle United and the process they went through to complete the takeover. What are Jamie’s thoughts on the value of Premier League football clubs...
2023-06-0645 min
PrimeTime VCFuture of A.I., Rolling Funds, VC's on Politics, Virtual Kitchens & More || EP. 3Check us out on TechCrunchPlease Support our Partners as they support us!Thank you First Republic Bank, "Banking for Innovators" and Robert Hughes Thank you E2Generations, "We Solve Problems that Live on Excel" and Kyle EddinsThank you Thomas Dale and BREX, their corporate credit cards come without a personal guarantee, higher credit limits, and the best rewards program available. Brex also provides a free, easy-to-use cash management account to replace your bank account. PrimeTime VC and Pitch Madness startups get $5K in AWS credits, 3% back on Apple, and pr...
2020-10-1536 min
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: Andrew Wilkinson on Building The Berkshire Hathway of Tech, Sustainable vs Unsustainable Growth and The Relationship Between Money and Freedom Andrew Wilkinson is the Managing Partner @ Tiny, a vehicle that buys, builds and invests in wonderful internet companies. Within their family of companies is Dribble; home to the world's best design professionals; MetaLab and Supercast to name a few. Tiny does also make venture investments in the likes of Superhuman, SpaceX, Pitch and Buffer. Today Andrew oversees a group of companies with over 300 employees and tens of millions in revenue. In Today’s Episode You Will Learn: 1.) How Andrew made his way from founding a design agency in Canada to starting Tiny and building a fa...
2020-06-2238 min
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: Why Facebook Will Be The Company To Succeed in Crypto, Why Founders Should Be Actively Angel Investing & Commonalities of Great Leadership From Mark Zuckerberg to Mark Pincus with Darian Shirazi, Founder & CEO @ RadiusDarian Shirazi is the Founder & CEO @ Radius, the startup that provides you with not just data but truth allowing you to gain clarity to reach and convert your best B2B prospects. To date, Darian has raised over $105m in VC funding with Radius from some of the very best in the business including our friends at Founders Fund, 8VC, Salesforce Ventures and rockstars like Jared Leto and Charlie Songhurst. Prior to Radius, Darian has enjoyed roles such as first external engineering hire at Facebook and working on the "Sell Your Item" team at eBay. Darian has also made sev...
2018-04-0632 min
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: Why The Current Crop Of VC Does Not Understand Design, Why Product Market Fit Is A Liquid Not A Solid & How Graduates Can Optimise Their Career for Personal Development with Steve Vassallo, General Partner @ Foundation CapitalSteve Vassallo is a General Partner @ Foundation Capital where he sits or has sat on the boards of Pocket (acquired by Mozilla), PrivateCore (acquired by Facebook), Sunrun [RUN], Sentient Energy and many more. Prior to Foundation, Steve was Senior Vice President of Product and Engineering @ Ning, the social platform he helped launch in 2004. Before that, Steve was a project leader at IDEO, where he developed more than a dozen successful products for companies including Cisco, Nike, BMW and McDonalds. In addition, this year, Steve published The Way to Design, a guidebook for becoming a designer founder and building a design-ce...
2018-02-2629 min
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: 2nd Most Downloaded Episode of 2018: Kirsten Green, Founding Partner @ Forerunner VenturesKirsten Green is the Founding General Partner @ Forerunner Ventures, where she has raised over $250M from leading investors and has invested in more than 40 early-stage companies. Forerunner Ventures is the only VC firm to invest in both Dollar Shave Club and Jet.com, two of the biggest and highest-profile e-commerce exits in recent years, and counts Birchbox, Bonobos, Glossier, Hotel Tonight, Warby Parker and Zola among its portfolio companies. She’s been honored in Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2017, named VC of the Year at TechCrunch’s 2017 Crunchies Awards, and is part of Forbes 2017 Midas List. In Today’...
2017-12-2027 min
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: Inside The World's Leading Crypto Fund, The Future Exit Environment for Crypto Assets & The Beauty Of Benevolent Dictatorship with Olaf Carlson-Wee, Founder @ Polychain CapitalOlaf Carlson-Wee is the Founder & CEO @ Polychain Capital, one of the world's premier funds actively managing a portfolio of blockchain assets. Having founded the firm less than 2 years ago with their initial $4m fund, Polychain now has over $200m AUM with backing from the likes of Sequoia, Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz and USV just to name a few. Prior to founding Polychain, Olaf was the first employee at Coinbase serving as their Head of Risk and as product manager. In addition, Olaf has also been an active angel with a portfolio including the likes of Robinhood, Ethereum and Numerai.
2017-12-1127 min
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: a16z's Alex Rampell on The Struggle Between Innovation vs Distribution, When How To Determine Whether An Application is Optimised Through Centralised or Decentralised Networks & Why Most ICOs Today Are RidiculousAlex Rampell is a General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz where he leads the firms fintech investments and serves on the boards of Branch, PeerStreet, Point, and Quantopian. Prior to joining a16z, he was the CEO and co-founder of TrialPay, a leading transactional advertising and payments company with 100 employees and over $300M in revenue. TrialPay was acquired by Visa in 2015. Previously, Alex cofounded FraudEliminator, the first consumer anti-phishing company, which merged into SiteAdvisor and was acquired by McAfee for $75M in 2006. Prior to joining the firm, Alex had been an active angel investor with the likes of Pinterest, Bloomreach, S...
2017-11-1341 min
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: Litecoin Founder, Charlie Lee on Why ICO's Are The Biggest Threat To Crypto, Why Ethereum Will Run Into Huge Scalability Problems & How To Assess The Trade Off Between Decentralisation & ScaleCharlie Lee is the creator of Litecoin, the most popular alternative currency to Bitcoin, which Charlie created as a side project in 2011 while working at Google. Today Litecoin has a market cap of $3.29Bn. As well as creating Litecoin, Charlie is also the Director of Engineering @ Coinbase, working alongside recent 20VC guest and Coinbase founder, Brian Armstrong. Prior to this, Charlie held roles at Microsoft, Google and Guidewire. In Today’s Episode You Will Learn: 1.) How Charlie made his way from Google to Coinbase to founding Litecoin in his free time? What were Charlie's biggest takeaw...
2017-09-1522 min
The Twenty Minute VC (20VC): Venture Capital | Startup Funding | The Pitch20VC: VC of The Year: Forerunner's Kirsten Green on 2 $Bn+ Exits in 1 Year, Why We Are In The Very Early Innings For Commerce & How Brand Has Fundamentally Changed Over The Last DecadeKirsten Green is the Founding General Partner @ Forerunner Ventures, where she has raised over $250M from leading investors and has invested in more than 40 early-stage companies. Forerunner Ventures is the only VC firm to invest in both Dollar Shave Club and Jet.com, two of the biggest and highest-profile e-commerce exits in recent years, and counts Birchbox, Bonobos, Glossier, Hotel Tonight, Warby Parker and Zola among its portfolio companies. She’s been honored in Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2017, named VC of the Year at TechCrunch’s 2017 Crunchies Awards, and is part of Forbes 2017 Midas List. In...
2017-07-1728 min