Shows
SportsPro PodcastWho’s #1? Breaking down SportsPro’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes rankingThe SportsPro Podcast returns with a special guest in the studio, as Ed Dixon, Sam Carp, and Josh Sim are joined by SportsPro’s Director of Key Projects, Mike Long, to unpack the 2025 edition of SportsPro’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes. And there’s plenty to get into. From surprise inclusions to big risers and the stories behind the rankings. They’re also joined by the experts from Northstar Solutions Group, who reveal the data-driven insights shaping this year’s list. The team discuss the biggest cultural trends, the evolving role of social media, and why authenticit...
2025-10-241h 07SportsPro PodcastIs this the END of sports docuseries?The SportsPro Podcast is back, and this time Ed Dixon, Steve McCaskill and Sam Carp dive into the boom – and possible bust – of sports documentaries. From the pandemic-era surge that delivered global hits like The Last Dance and Drive to Survive, to the wave of imitators that followed, the team debate whether the magic of sports docs is starting to fade. So, is it the end? Not quite but the golden boom has definitely passed. Sports docs are settling into a new phase, moving past the copycat era into smarter, more niche storytelling that still knows...
2025-09-1833 minSportsPro PodcastWhy these investors are spending big on sportThe SportsPro Podcast returns, and this time the team takes a deep dive into SportsPro’s inaugural Investment Summit, held in Central London last month. Ed Dixon, Steve McCaskill, Sam Carp and Josh Sim reflect on a landmark event that brought together more than 200 industry leaders, investors and key stakeholders to explore where new capital is flowing into sport.Alongside their highlights from the day – including the £500 million sales of The Hundred teams, the growing influence of private equity, and the global executives entering the market – the team also revisit...
2025-08-2148 min
SportsPro PodcastFor better or worse, SportsPro's annual Christmas quiz is backChaos is the order of the day as SportsPro's annual Christmas quiz returns. There's a cameo from quizmaster George Breare as he oversees three rounds of sports-based questions to decide who comes out on top in the battle of the SportsPro editorial department, with Tom Bassam and Sam Carp teaming up to take on Steve McCaskill and Ed Dixon. Who wins? Tune in to find out.
2024-12-1937 min
SportsPro PodcastTV isn’t dead, public service broadcasters still matter and other SportsPro Madrid thoughtsWith the dust having settled on a lively week of industry conversation at SportsPro Madrid, here are Tom Bassam and Steve McCaskill’s thoughts on the state of the sports media business from the event.
Sandwiched between takeaways from the onstage discussion is Steve’s interview with Anna Thompson, head of women’s sport at the BBC.
2024-11-2849 min
SportsPro PodcastEp 4: Rebuilding British Cycling with CEO Jon Dutton | How to WinBritish Cycling is one of the jewels in the crown of UK Sport but has endured its struggles in recent years, both in terms of governance and commercially.
Jon Dutton joined the NGB as CEO, having previously served in the same role at the delayed Rugby League World Cup 2021, and has set about re-establishing a high-performance culture at British Cycling. Given that experience, Dutton was the ideal guest to join SportsPro CEO and NorthStar Solutions Group CEO Chris Collins to discuss the delivery of the strategies required to achieve those goals in the business of sport.
2024-11-2747 min
SportsPro PodcastEp 3: Once the deal is done... growing a $650m business through mergers and acquisitions | How to WinYou've acquired another company, now what?
Two Circles has been on a buying spree this year, recently snapping up KORE and Spring Media in a pair of moves that significantly grew the sports marketing agency's global footprint.
For the latest episode of How to Win, Two Circles CEO Gareth Balch joins SportsPro CEO Nick Meacham and Chris Collins, president and CEO of NorthStar Solutions Group, to forensically examine how to make a success of an acquisition.
Over six instalments of this special series from SportsPro and strategy realisation specialist NorthStar, we'll be hearing...
2024-11-2051 min
SportsPro PodcastEp 2: An insider's guide to executing a tech-enabled strategy to gain a competitive advantage | How to WinThe second episode of our new series on how to win in the business of sport sees the conversation turn to tech.
Rachel Jacobson, Infinite Reality's CRO, and president of business ventures and partnerships, has done it. As president she built up the Drone Racing League to secure a $250m sale and know how to take a challenger through the glass ceiling with clever use of tech.
In the second episode of How to Win, Jacobson discusses the secrets of her strategy with SportsPro CEO Nick Meacham and Chris Collins, president and CEO of NorthStar...
2024-11-1333 min
SportsPro PodcastIntroducing... How to WinWant to learn from some of the best in the business? Here's something new from SportsPro... How to Win.
This new six-part podcast series, in collaboration with our friends at Northstar Solutions Group, features some of the top industry leaders and hones in on how to successfully implement the strategies required to win in the business of sports.
Launching on 6th November, episode one sees Bruin Capital CEO and founder George Pyne join SportsPro CEO Nick Meacham and Northstar CEO Chris Collins to discuss delivering ROI as an investor. The rest of the series will...
2024-11-0400 min
StreamTime SportsMLS on Apple, DAZN on piracy, Everyone on advertising - Highlights from SportsPro New YorkSeth Bacon, MLS executive vice president of media, discusses the league’s ongoing relationship with Apple, while Joe Markowski, DAZN’s former North American chief executive, provides his perspective on the challenge of piracy. Hosts Nick Meacham and Tom Bassam also share their biggest takeaway from SportsPro New York and offer insight into where the sports media market is heading.
Talking points:
Is the American sports market moving from subscription to advertising-based models? - (4:04)
What does piracy tell us about fans and how can broadcasters mitigate associated losses? - (8:25)
Will others look to replicate MLS and Appl...
2024-04-1047 min
SportsPro PodcastDoes Fubo CEO David Gandler have a point about the 'streaming cartel'? Answers from on the floor at SportsPro NYCAmid a very publicly announced antitrust lawsuit, FuboTV CEO David Gandler has described the new streaming service from ESPN, Fox and Warner Bros Discovery as a 'streaming cartel'. With Gandler one of the speakers at SportsPro New York, we took the opportunity to take the temperature of the industry from on the ground at the Marriot Marquis.
2024-03-2120 min
SportsPro PodcastSportsPro's big quiz of the #SportsBiz year 2023Two teams, three rounds of trivia based on the year in the sports industry... what could possibly go wrong? George Breare hosts SportsPro's annual end-of-year quiz as Tom Bassam and Chris Stone team up to take on Steve McCaskilll and Ed Dixon.
2023-12-2130 min
StreamTime SportsSportsPro's big quiz of the #SportsBiz year 2023Two teams, three rounds of trivia based on the year in the sports industry... what could possibly go wrong? George Breare hosts SportsPro's annual end-of-year quiz as Tom Bassam and Chris Stone team up to take on Steve McCaskilll and Ed Dixon.
2023-12-2150 min
SportsPro PodcastThe Great Debate 2023: StreamTime v SportsProA European Super Bowl, the deal of the century, and whether or not it’s fair for fans to illegally stream live Premier League... worlds collide StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone face off with the stars of the SportsPro Podcast, Tom Bassam and George Breare, in a sports business debate that seeks settle the argument once and for all.
- Is piracy of the Premier League fair and inevitable?
- Was the IPL's latest rights deal the most significant of the century?
- Will the NFL host a Super Bowl in...
2023-12-1451 min
StreamTime SportsThe Great Debate 2023: StreamTime v SportsPro
A European Super Bowl, the deal of the century, and whether or not it’s fair for fans to illegally stream live Premier League... worlds collide StreamTime Sports co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone face off with the stars of the SportsPro Podcast, Tom Bassam and George Breare, in a sports business debate that seeks settle the argument once and for all.
- Is piracy of the Premier League fair and inevitable?
- Was the IPL's latest rights deal the most significant of the century?
- Will the NFL host a Super Bowl in Europe by the end of the decade?
2023-12-1351 minStreamTime SportsThe Premier League’s new TV deal and key learnings from SportsPro MadridNews of Premier League’s new broadcast deal with Sky Sports and TNT broke as co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone recorded this week’s episode of StreamTime Sports. They discuss that and look at some of the biggest talking points from SportsPro Madrid.
- What are the biggest changes in sports media over the last 12 months?
- What did LaLiga and Ligue 1 have to say on their broadcast negotiations?
- Will DAZN reach their goal of 1 billion users in within 10 years?
- Are the Kings and Queens League a blueprint for disrupting traditional sports?
- What’s the biggest takeaw...
2023-12-0653 min
SportsPro PodcastA new direction for Ligue 1? Reading the room on LFP Media's new vision for French football at SportsPro MadridBen Morel, the new CEO of LFP Media, is overseeing a CVC-backed commercial overhaul of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. He spoke to Tom Bassam at SportsPro Madrid and then we took the temperature of the delegates to get their thoughts on the new vision for French football.
2023-11-3034 min
SportsPro PodcastWho is the most marketable athlete in the world?SportsPro's annual 50 Most Marketable Athlete list is out now to provide a definitive guide to the power players of global sports. In this episode, host Tom Bassam chats to SportsPro's Michael Long and Sam Carp about how we put the list together alongside our 50MM partner, Northstar Solutions Group.
Talking points:
How the 2023 50MM list came together (1:23)
Why is Lionel Messi number one? (7:19)
Why authenticity matters (11:38)
NIL and the rise of athlete influencers (16:36)
QUIZ: How well do we know 50MM? (21:53)
This podcast is part of SportsPro's 2023 Athlete Week, which will also see the launch of o...
2023-10-1940 min
SportsPro PodcastBONUS EPISODE: SportsPro Madrid 2023 Agenda LaunchTake a listen as George Breare takes you through this years SportsPro Madrid agenda. To view the full agenda and book your pass with a special podcast discount of 30%, head to www.sportspromadrid.com and use code POD30. Discount ends Friday 6th October.
2023-09-2804 min
SportsPro Podcast2033: The next ten years in sportRecorded at SportsPro Live 2023 to celebrate ten years of our flagship event, we put together a panel to predict what we have in store over the next decade in the sports industry. For this job we asked SportsPro chief executive Nick Meacham, SportsPro editorial director Michael Long and Laura Williamson, deputy editor at The Athletic, to get out their crystal balls. The voice you'll hear first is then SportsPro commercial director Paul Guest.
2023-08-3132 min
SportsPro PodcastOn the floor at SportsPro APAC 2023George Breare and Ed Dixon bring you the insights and sounds from SportsPro APAC 2023 from on the floor at Singapore's Marina Bay Sands.
Talking points:
Setting the scene (0:52)
The importance of mobile (4:32)
ONE Championship and the metrics that matter (7:43)
FanCode and cracking the Indian market (15:34)
How Hong Kong Sevens has positioned itself as an entertainment event (23:07)
Liverpool's approach to APAC with CEO Billy Hogan (27:07)
The health of esports in 2023 (34:09)
Inside SportsPro APAC networking drinks (40:57)
2023-08-0349 min
StreamTime SportsWelcome to Wrexham and key learnings from SportsPro LiveOn this episode of the StreamTime Podcast, co-hosts Nick Meacham and Chris Stone share learnings from this year’s SportsPro Live, including exclusive conversations with executives from newly promoted Wrexham AFC, Manchester United, the NFL, Premier League, and many more.
Talking points:
• How sports has changed over the last ten years - (3:31)
• NEW ERA and growth of women in sports – (13:20)
• Insights from Wrexham AFC – (21:21)
• Which will be worth more in TEN years? NFL v Premier League - (31:15)
• The role of technology in sports today - (47 :11)
• Ten year predictions – (1:00:57)
2023-05-031h 15
SportsPro PodcastOn the floor at SportsPro Live 2023This week SportsPro took over the Kia Ova to stage SportsPro Live 2023. George Breare, Tom Bassam, Steve McCaskill - as well as a few special guests - capture the sights and sounds of the two-day event in London.
2023-04-2751 min
SportsPro PodcastInside the creation of SportsPro Live 2023The roles are reversed for this week's SportsPro Podcast as regular host George Breare is put in the interview chair by Tom Bassam for a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into putting together our flagship SportsPro Live event.
Drilling into Breare's day job as senior content manager, the conversation explores the themes that shape this year's event at the Oval in London and how SportsPro thinks about drawing up its agendas (1:10).
Then discussion turns to a couple of big industry news stories from the past week, the IPL's staggering audience figures for its opening weekend (32:00) and...
2023-04-1343 min
SportsPro PodcastWhat is the best live event in sports?SportsPro senior staff writer Ed Dixon joins regular hosts George Breare and Tom Bassam for a special Live Event Week pod where they seek to identify the best live experience in sports. Considering both fan experience and commercial opportunity, the trio set out their criteria before trying to convince each other why their personally chosen event should come out on top:
Talking points:
The key metrics (1:16)
We are up for an award! Here is how you can vote for us (15:56)
The Super Bowl (17:00)
The Masters (24:00)
Formula One (30:53)
Wimbledon (41:12)
Influencer boxing (47:48)
The Hundred (52:44)
The SportsPro Podcast is delighted to have...
2023-03-301h 00
SportsPro PodcastThe women of SportsPro
To celebrate International Women's Day this week's episode has been handed over to the women of SportsPro, with operations manager Milly Miller-Adams taking over as host.
Talking points:
SportsPro's head of marketing, Katie Devaney, and marketing executive, Alice Evans, on why pursuing equity is important for women in the industry and their personal experiences (1:10)
Editorial assistant Elena Kouyoufa discusses being part of a male-dominated team (7:01)
Event manager Jatila Blake and project coordinator Katie Preston explain some of the challenges they've faced in the industry and the importance of allies (13:49)
Yin Khoo, production director, on being a female leader and...
2023-03-0931 min
SportsPro PodcastThe big fat SportsPro Podcast quiz of the yearFor the last SportsPro Podcast of the year, George Breare and Tom Bassam are joined by features editor Sam Carp, technology editor Steve McCaskill and community lead Chris Stone for a festive, sports business-themed quiz.
Round one - A year in news (2:50)
Round two - SportsPro long reads (22:15)
Round three - Who said what? (42:49)
2022-12-2255 min
StreamTime SportsAndrew Georgiou on what’s next for Warner Bros DiscoveryOn this week’s episode of the StreamTime Podcast, SportsPro’s chief executive Nick Meacham is joined in an interview with Warner Bros Discovery’s president and managing director for sports, Andrew Georgiou.
Prior to the chat with the interview with Georgiou, Meacham and SportsPro’s community lead, Chris Stone share their takeaways from the SportsPro OTT Summit. The two discuss what they learned from sessions that included the NBA, Sky Sports, Dyn Media, DAZN and many others.
Running order:
OTT Summit Takeaways – (3:30)
Andrew Georgiou on the future of Warner Bros Discovery – (27:45)
2022-12-0754 min
SportsPro PodcastWeekly Wrap | Talking Sportel and SportsPro’s NEW ERA
George Breare and Tom Bassam are joined by SportsPro technology editor Steve McCaskill, who dials in from the wrong side of the tracks in Monaco, to provide an update from on the ground at Sportel.
Then, in part two, GB Snowsports chief executive Vicky Gosling and Tennis Channel editor in chief Andi Chu talk us through SportsPro’s NEW ERA gender equality programme, while also sharing some of their own experiences of the challenges facing women in the sports industry.
Part one talking points:
Big picture takeaways (0:30)
The National Hockey League's (NHL) new over-the-top (OTT) deal with Sportradar (3:21)
Spo...
2022-10-2750 min
SportsPro Podcast50MM Special | Who is the most marketable athlete on the planet today?
Who is the most marketable athlete on the planet today? What makes one athlete more marketable than another? How should the term ‘marketability’ be defined? What do brands look for when aligning with an athlete?
SportsPro has been asking itself such questions every year since it first released its annual ranking of the world’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes in 2010. The process of answering them has sparked some interesting debates and a constant reevaluation of what it means to be marketable at any given time.
In this special episode of the SportsPro Podcast, released to coincide with the 13...
2022-10-171h 15
SportsPro PodcastWeekly Wrap | Women’s sport special with the ECB, RFU and Twitter, plus a Rugby World Cup preview
SportsPro content manager George Breare returns from a short break to helm the latest episode of the Weekly Wrap podcast.
In part one, Breare is joined by SportsPro senior staff writer Ed Dixon to get the lowdown on his recent interview with Sally Horrox, World Rugby’s director of the women’s game, ahead of the imminent Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Then, recording from Visa’s European headquarters following an exclusive event co-hosted by SportsPro and Two Circles, Breare sits down with the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) Anna Shaw, Twitter’s Roisin O’S...
2022-10-0646 min
SportsPro PodcastWeekly Wrap | The best of SportsPro APAC, NFL streaming issues and Patagonia's gift to humanity
In the absence of George Breare, SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam is joined by senior writer Ed Dixon for a catchup on the latest sports industry news.
First up on the agenda is run through of the highlights from the recent SportsPro APAC event in Singapore, with some analysis of sessions featuring Disney Star's Sanjog Gupta, the Commonwealth Games Federation chief executive Katie Sadleir, as well as Sarah Chambers and Amy Prosser from Optus.
There's also a look at some of the streaming issues faced by the National Football League (NFL) and the decision from the...
2022-09-2241 min
SportsPro PodcastBig Interview | A fond farewell to SportsPro magazineAs SportsPro says goodbye to its print magazine after 117 issues, Eoin Connolly is joined by three other former editors – SportsPro editorial director Michael Long and Leaders’ James Emmett and David Cushnan – for a very special podcast.
They reflect on how the magazine came to reflect and adapt to a changing sports industry across its 14-year lifespan, finding new ways to tell stories and meet the needs of its community of readers.
They also share some favourite features and moments, personal memories of how each edition was brought to life, and thoughts on the appeal of print publications.
2022-05-101h 23
SportsPro PodcastWeekly Wrap | SportsPro Live 2022 special: inclusivity, sustainability and space technologyEoin Connolly and SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam are joined by a series of guests at SportsPro Live 2022, an in-person return for the flagship conference.
Event host Kait Borsay and SportsPro CEO Nick Meacham explore inclusivity and representation in the industry and the growth of women’s sports. SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan and GB Snowsport CEO Vicky Gosling lay out the challenges facing businesses in 2022.
Sam Shave, co-managing director of sustainability consultancy thinkBeyond, reflects on green initiatives trialled at the Kia Oval, and Elena Razzano explains how the European Space Agency’s activities could help develo...
2022-04-2847 min
SportsPro PodcastPlaybook | Introducing the CEO Playbook 2022
In this special edition of the Playbook Podcast, regular host Matt Rogan chats to SportsPro editorial director Michael Long about the release of the CEO Playbook 2022, a free and interactive how-to guide for business leaders in sport.
Rogan reflects on why he teamed up with SportsPro to launch the Playbook in March 2020, a time when the sports industry was reeling from the impact of the Covid pandemic amid a prevailing sense of shock and uncertainty. Additionally, he picks out his personal highlights and takeaways from more than 24 hours of conversations recorded since the Playbook Podcast debuted a little...
2022-04-0538 min
StreamTime SportsThe EFL Blackout, DAZN, Buzzer and FX Digital
SportsPro chief executive Nick Meacham is joined by a returning (and somewhat broken hearted) Chris Stone for a StreamTime Podcast which dives into a topic that infuriates fans, broadcasters and rights holders in equal measure - the UK's Saturday afternoon live soccer blackout.
As Stone tries to move past the defeat of his beloved Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl, the StreamTime regulars are joined by SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam for a initial review of Meacham's interview with Socios chief executive Alexandra Dreyfus on the previous week's episode.
The discussion then moves on to the...
2022-02-2358 min
SportsPro PodcastSports tech ideas to invest in nowSportsPro media and technology editor Steve McCaskill talks to Eoin Connolly about the latest developments in the sports tech startup and investment space.
They reflect on SportsPro’s 2022 list of the 20 sports tech ideas to invest in now, teasing out key trends from personalisation to digital betting and networks in grassroots sport and college endorsements. They also consider the perspectives shared on an investor round-table, asking where value is being sought and whether excitement about the metaverse and NFTs is premature.
Steve then talks to the co-founder of one of the companies on the list, RespoVision’s Pawel Oste...
2022-01-2753 min
StreamTime SportsWhy Sergio Osle and Movistar+ are taking things slowly
SportsPro managing director Nick Meacham is joined by Movistar+ president Sergio Osle to discover the benefits of taking your time in a fast-moving market.
In the first part, SportsPro senior content manager Chris Stone speaks with Nick about this week's news - from Nickelodeon's slime-themed augmented reality in the NFL to Netflix's new deal with the PGA, ATP and WTA and DAZN's rumored acquisition of BT Sport.
Following on in part two Nick chats to Sergio Osle to get the Spanish take on the current state of the sports rights market. The pair discuss Movistar+'s...
2022-01-1957 min
SportsPro PodcastThe sports stories that defined 2021 and the evolution of SportsProIn the final podcast of 2021, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly has a reflective chat with editorial director Michael Long.
Mike picks out some of the stories he thinks have defined the year gone by, from the Olympic movement’s challenges to private investment, the integration of technology and the rise and rise of women’s sport.
He also lays out some of the ways in which the editorial project has adapted not just to the Covid crisis but a longer-term evolution in the sports industry and how media companies’ relationships with their audiences have changed as well.
2021-12-2145 min
SportsPro PodcastThe SportsPro Podcast Christmas Quiz Special 2021
SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly turns quizmaster for a festive reflection on some of 2021’s defining trends.
Two teams – SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam and senior staff writer Ed Dixon; SportsPro media and tech editor Steve McCaskill and Charlie Beall, VP of digital strategy and ventures at Seven League, the digital sports consultancy within IMG’s Media & Events division – battle to a dramatic and by no means contentious finish.
They cover soccer’s European Super League debacle and its fallout, NFTs and sport’s metaverse dreams, major events and geopolitics, media rights adjustments and the continued ris...
2021-12-1658 min
SportsPro PodcastSportsPro x StreamTime Podcast | Phil Lynch on Manchester United's media strategy and 'the Ronaldo effect'
For a special edition of the SportsPro Podcast's Big Interview series we bring you one of the highlights from our new weekly StreamTime Podcast featuring Phil Lynch, Manchester United’s media chief executive.
In a wide-ranging conversation with SportsPro managing director Nick Meacham, Lynch talks about his work overseeing content and distribution for one of the biggest soccer clubs in the world.
Lynch details his journey from the sunny beaches of California to the cloudier skies of Manchester to lead the transformation of United's media and digital businesses. This conversation covers how the Premier League giants wor...
2021-10-2653 min
StreamTime SportsWelcome to StreamTime!The world of broadcast and media rights have always been at the heart of SportsPro's coverage, but in the last five years we’ve been at the frontier of the OTT revolution across the sports industry.
In 2016, SportsPro launched the inaugural OTT Summit – a destination to connect and inspire the next generation of broadcast and streaming innovators. What started as a business conference in Madrid has expanded into the industry’s largest events and awards portfolio dedicated to the streaming sector.
In the intervening years, SportsPro managing director Nick Meacham has spent a lot of time resear...
2021-10-1913 min
SportsPro PodcastPlaybook | Zig when others zag with Nick Meacham, managing director of SportsProSportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan talks to Nick Meacham, managing director at SportsPro.
In this episode Matt learns about SportsPro’s journey over the last two years, navigating international expansion, transitioning further into the digital space and managing through the pandemic - all while creating confidence in the parent company.
SportsPro operates across many of the spaces that impact our world: OTT, private equity and talent - things that resonate with all of us. With that in mind, this is an advertorial-free, candid wander exploring what is really going on in our sector at the moment and what imp...
2021-10-0542 min
SportsPro PodcastFuboTV CEO David Gandler on the future of streaming
SportsPro managing director Nick Meacham speaks with the FuboTV co-founder and chief executive, David Gandler, on the platform's recent success as well as its plan for the future.
It has been a successful period for FuboTV after announcing a record set of results for the last financial year and a bumper Q2 in 2021 - with that in mind, and with regular host Eoin Connolly away, we dip into the vault to bring you one of the most compelling conversations from a recent SportsPro event.
FuboTV is one of the most exciting streaming platforms on the planet...
2021-08-1742 min
SportsPro PodcastChelsea, Facebook and the Paralympics on SportsPro APAC day twoSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and digital editor Tom Bassam welcome Jean-Baptiste Roy, founding partner of Asia Sports Tech, as they review the second and final day of SportsPro APAC.
On the agenda: the distinctive social media markets of India and China and what they mean for sports brands inside and outside those countries, the efforts of World Table Tennis to build an offering fit for the 2020s, and the power of the Paralympics to change perceptions of disability across Asia during Tokyo 2020.
The panel hear from Facebook India VP and managing director Ajit Mohan, Chelsea head of global fan...
2021-07-0933 min
SportsPro PodcastStar India, DAZN, Tennis Australia and more on SportsPro APAC day oneSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and staff writer Ed Dixon are joined by Janna Jauhar, APEC director at Mailman Group, to wrap up the opening day of the SportsPro APAC virtual conference.
They discuss topics ranging from fan engagement and content customisation during the pandemic, and how to address a breadth of local audiences, to the differing impact of esports and mobile and digital platforms across a diverse region.
They also hear from Star and Disney India head of sports Sanjog Gupta, Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley, and Yoichiro Basso, the DAZN Group senior...
2021-07-0731 min
SportsPro PodcastPlaybook: How to lead through change with ATP chairman Andrea GaudenziIn a session recorded for SportsPro Live in April, SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan talks to Andrea Gaudenzi, the chairman of men’s tennis’ ATP.
They discuss the challenges of taking sports organisations through internal and external change – updating the structures within the ATP and tennis, and addressing wider industry forces through the media and fan behaviour. Gaudenzi reveals how his experiences on the court, as a former world top 20 player, and in business, particularly in music when that sector was undergoing its own profound transformation, have informed his leadership style, his attitudes to managing and coordinating expectations, and his str...
2021-05-1846 min
SportsPro PodcastSustainability and sport’s triple-bottom lineSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by Hattie Park, sustainability manager at the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), and Matthew Campelli, founder and editor of the Sustainability Report and director of sustainability at Touchline, to discuss how sport can meet the ‘triple-bottom line’ of social, environmental and economic impact.
They talk about the challenges and benefits of working sustainable practices into sports businesses and how to change attitudes throughout the industry. They also cover the ways in which new environmental and community initiatives are being woven into operations, planning and the fan experience at Wimbledon.
...
2021-05-061h 09
SportsPro PodcastDAZN’s James Rushton, Discovery’s sports strategy and fast-moving startups on day two of SportsPro LiveSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and digital editor Tom Bassam are joined by Minal Modha, principal analyst and consumer research lead at Ampere Analysis, to review day two of SportsPro Live 2021.
The broadcast sector dominates the agenda, with Tom recapping his interview with DAZN co-CEO James Rushton, after an eventful year for the global streaming service, and the trio discussing Discovery’s strategy ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with the new Discovery+ OTT set to come to the fore – as Eurosport president Andrew Georgiou explained in his session with SportsPro’s Nick Meacham.
There’s also time to talk about the e...
2021-04-3033 min
SportsPro PodcastEddie Hearn, the ECB's Tom Harrison, the future of the fan relationship and more on SportsPro Live day oneIn the first of two live specials, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and deputy editor Sam Carp are joined by Seven League consulting partner Charlie Beall to recap day one of SportsPro Live 2021.
They listen in on clips featuring England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tom Harrison, Milwaukee Bucks EVP of business operations Raven Jemison and Matchroom Sport's Eddie Hearn, and discuss themes from the future of live events to entertainment crossovers, new formats and storytelling.
2021-04-2948 min
SportsPro PodcastDC United's Danita Johnson and the WTA's Micky Lawler on the future of female leadership in sportIn a session from the most recent event in the SportsPro Insider Series, Women's Tennis Association (WTA) president Micky Lawler and Danita Johnson, president of business operations at Major League Soccer's (MLS) DC United, tell CNN Sport's Amanda Davies about their experience as women leading sports organisations.
They discuss the pathways that have taken them into their respective positions and the need to open up more opportunities, the importance of mentorship and allyship, managing frustrating commercial conversations, female representation in the bigger picture of inclusion, and much more.
Meanwhile, SportsPro deputy editor Sam Carp takes editor...
2021-04-151h 06
SportsPro PodcastSportsPro OTT USA day two: Verimatrix, TikTok and the state of the union in digital broadcastingSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly returns to recap the second day of the SportsPro OTT Summit USA.
ESPN’s Burke Magnus and the PGA Tour’s Rick Anderson lay out the state of the union for SportsPro managing director Nick Meacham (2.18), and Verimatrix chief revenue officer Lu Bolden (20.20) talks to Eoin about how security solutions can keep up with an ever-wider range of integrated digital experiences.
Then there is more from the virtual conference stage, with insight from Concacaf on aligning responsibility with media strategy (41.25), from Formula E on moving a valuable target audience through the funnel (46.45), from Sinclair Broadca...
2021-03-0554 min
SportsPro PodcastThe best of SportsPro OTT USA day one: UFC, FuboTV, Harmonic and moreSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly presents selected highlights from the first day of the SportsPro OTT Summit USA.
He shares part of his interview on the virtual stage with UFC chief operating officer Lawrence Epstein (2.50) about the MMA promoter’s media strategy, and talks to Jean Macher, the business development director for SaaS Solutions at platinum partner Harmonic (17.59), about supporting the accelerating demands of the OTT sector.
There’s also time to hear from keynote speaker and FuboTV co-founder and chief executive David Gandler (31.44) about what the platform’s record financial results tell us about its future, and to get note...
2021-03-0549 min
SportsPro PodcastPreviewing SportsPro OTT USA and a look at how Akamai tackles piracyWith SportsPro's OTT Summit USA taking place next week, editor at large Eoin Connolly and digital editor Tom Bassam highlight some of the sessions to look out for, as well as discussing some of the more intriguing current trends from the world of over-the-top (OTT) broadcasting.
Then (24.01), Eoin is on the line with Akamai's director of industry and product marketing for EMEA, Ian Munford, to hear how the company is working to combat piracy across sport.
The SportsPro OTT Summit USA will be held virtually from 3rd to 4th March. To find out more and sign...
2021-02-2555 min
SportsPro PodcastBreaking down SportsPro's ten influencers for 2021SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly, digital editor Tom Bassam and deputy editor Sam Carp assess the ten figures set to play a major role across sport over the next year.
The trio reflect on SportsPro's annual list, which ranges from a prime minister to a professional tennis player, identifying the merits and the broader context behind their inclusion.
Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
2021-01-1453 min
SportsPro PodcastThe NFL's big deal, women's soccer and the future of media rights: day two at the SportsPro OTT SummitSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long are joined by Yannick Ramcke, OTT commercial lead at OneFootball, to look back on the second and final day of the 2020 SportsPro OTT Summit.
They discuss why an NFL sales bonanza could reorder the rest of the sports media business, how rights holders and broadcasters are changing how they think about monetising content, and whether the path is opening up for women's soccer to go its own way.
Then, in a round-up of the sessions on day two, NBC Sports Group's Jon Miller presents his US...
2020-12-0453 min
SportsPro PodcastAmazon, DAZN, sports storytelling and Barney Francis: SportsPro OTT Summit day one in reviewSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and deputy editor Sam Carp are joined by sports consultant Drew Barrand to review day one of the SportsPro OTT Summit.
They discuss Drew’s state of the industry conversation with former Sky Sports MD Barney Francis, as well as Amazon’s sports strategy and Eoin’s panels on gamification and storytelling.
There’s then time to drop in on a few sessions from the opening day, as Marie Donohue defines sport’s place in the Amazon ecosystem (23.59), Joe Markowski explains why DAZN is looking to linear TV options (27.38), Michael Sutherland of Real Madrid...
2020-12-0340 min
SportsPro PodcastDay two at SportsPro Asia: Focus on China, a new dawn for table tennis, MLB gets animated and moreAs SportsPro Asia draws to a close, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and deputy editor Sam Carp review events on day two with Greg Turner, founder and managing director of Shenzhen High Performance Event Management.
They take a long look at China, considering the government's role in sports events there and whether political developments will result in a strategic reset, and how the social media landscape differs from the rest of the world.
After that, there is another round-up of some telling moments from the virtual stage, including ITTF chief executive Steve Dainton's take on...
2020-10-2350 min
SportsPro PodcastDay one at SportsPro Asia: ONE Championship, the NBA in India, DAZN and the J-League and moreSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long are joined by Unmish Parthasarathi, the founder of Picture Board Partners, to wrap up the first day of the SportsPro Asia virtual event.
The big talking points include Chatri Sityodtong on ONE Championship’s direct-to-consumer strategy, and India’s status as a market to watch, with NBA Asia EVP and MD Scott Levy saying the league would have more fans there than in any other country in the next five years. They also look ahead to ITTF chief executive Steve Dainton’s appearance on day two.
There’s then time to pick...
2020-10-2152 min
SportsPro PodcastGary Neville, Andrea Radrizzani, F1, esports and more on SportsPro Live day twoSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is back with editorial director Michael Long, wrapping up some of the key talking points from day two of SportsPro Live. They’re joined by Swipe Right PR founder Kirsty Endfield, who brings everyone up to date on the esports conversations from around the event, and Seven League consulting partner Charlie Beall returns from the conference round tables to give his thoughts on taking physical experiences into digital spaces.
Then there’s time for some more excerpts from the virtual stage: former Manchester United and England footballer Gary Neville talks communication (34.05), we hear why 23 is no...
2020-09-1853 min
SportsPro PodcastSportsPro Live Special: Wimbledon, Instagram, Paris 2024, the NFL, the Bundesliga and more in the day one reviewSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and deputy editor Sam Carp are joined by Jeff Nathenson, managing director, international at Whistle Sports, to review the first day of the first fully virtual SportsPro Live.
They discuss Jeff’s chat with the CMOs of the Carolina Panthers and LA Chargers, Sam’s panel on the international strategies for the NFL, NHL and MLB, some more of their day one highlights and their picks for day two.
Then there’s time to make a run through some brief cuts from a few sessions, with Wimbledon CEO Sally Bolton (26.47), the Paris 2024 tech phi...
2020-09-1745 min
SportsPro PodcastInside the European Tour and NFL digital broadcast strategiesSportsPro managing director Nick Meacham heads up another entry from the SportsPro Insider Series, speaking to Rufus Hack, chief operating officer of golf's European Tour and Ryder Cup, and Charlotte Offord, UK senior marketing director at the NFL (4.04).
They lay out approaches to developing an international media strategy, discuss the balance between OTT and linear options, explain the importance of original digital content and best practice in pricing, and run through other topics from the NFL Game Pass to Golf TV and plenty in between.
2020-09-0357 min
SportsPro PodcastInside the future of the sports rights market with Yannick Ramcke and Daniel CohenIn a session from the SportsPro Insider Series, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Octagon senior vice president Daniel Cohen and One Football commercial lead for OTT streaming Yannick Ramcke about the future of the sports rights market (4.50).
They discuss what sports media rights are going to be worth in the years ahead, the impact of Covid-19, digital disruption, competition for share of wallet, bundling and unbundling, and the prospects for rights holders and broadcasters alike.
2020-09-0154 min
SportsPro PodcastInside the NFL Virtual Draft with IT VP John Cave
In another podcast from the SportsPro Insider Series, SportsPro events content manager Chris Stone talks to John Cave, vice president of information technology, football solutions at the National Football League (NFL).
They discuss how the league pivoted amid the Covid-19 pandemic to run a fully virtual NFL Draft, devising a concept, procuring equipment and securing networks to capture the drama from the homes of team officials, coaches and graduating prospects.
2020-08-1152 min
SportsPro PodcastWhat will the post-Covid venue experience look like?Digital editor Tom Bassam is off the subs bench and steps up as host for the latest SportsPro Podcast. He’s joined by deputy editor Sam Carp, the author of an in-depth report in the latest edition of SportsPro Magazine on what to expect from their in-venue experience post-Covid-19.
The pair breakdown the feature with expert insight from Populous’ Christopher Lee, Realife Tech’s Adam Goodyer, WaitTime’s Elizabeth Grabowski, and VenueNext’s Anthony Perez. (0:23)
Then, Sam speaks to Botan Osman, chief executive of Restrata, to find out how the technology and services company is working to help get...
2020-08-061h 09
SportsPro PodcastBarry Hearn on steering Matchroom Sport through uncertain times, creativity in events, and career reflectionsIn the first of a two-part series, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Barry Hearn, founder and chairman of Matchroom Sport.
They discuss how the promoter has fared through the Covid-19 pandemic, from improvising through social distancing regulations with Darts at Home and behind-closed-doors snooker to establishing financial certainty, Matchroom's changing structure and content strategy, why owning events is better than renting them, and plenty more besides.
Barry's son, Matchroom Sport group managing director and boxing chief Eddie Hearn, will be the guest on the next edition of the SportsPro Podcast Extra.
...
2020-07-281h 09
SportsPro PodcastMatt Rogan’s key pillars to prepare your business for a post-Covid futureSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly welcomes back Matt Rogan, SportsPro’s senior contributor and co-founder of the data agency Two Circles, for the latest part of his series looking at how companies should react to Covid-19 and how to operate more effectively post-lockdown.
Having given us his five brilliant basics, Matt discusses how forward-thinking executives are positioning their businesses to best deal with the challenges set to be faced in 2022 and beyond.
Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
2020-07-2355 min
SportsPro PodcastInside the sports tech startup economy with R/GA Ventures and AlbachiaraIn another podcast from the SportsPro Insider Series of virtual events, SportsPro managing director Nick Meacham talks to Albachiara founder Roger Mitchell and Kyle Bunch, the VP managing director of Global Sports Venture Studio at R/GA Ventures, about the fundamentals of the sports tech startup space.
They discuss what startups can do to identify the right investors and why people and knowledge matter, how to assess valuations, why founders should focus on solutions more than products, why 2021 could be a huge year in the space after the challenges of 2020, which emerging sectors to watch, and much more.
2020-07-211h 04
SportsPro PodcastInside the WWE sponsorship operation with John BrodyIn the latest cut from the SportsPro Insider Series, WWE executive vice president and global head of sales and partnerships John Brody tells SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly about how the leading force in sports entertainment works with its sponsors.
They discuss the adaptations made for closed door events, including WrestleMania, how WWE superstars play their part, and how the organisation's unique audience and approach to storytelling creates distinctive opportunities.
2020-06-3047 min
SportsPro PodcastThe five brilliant basics: Matt Rogan on how to take sports businesses through the Covid crisisSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long welcome Matt Rogan, SportsPro’s senior contributor and co-founder of the data agency Two Circles, for the latest podcast. In this episode, the three look at what industry organisations can do to run better businesses during the coronavirus crisis and what action should be taken to best prepare for an uncertain future.
Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
2020-06-2539 min
SportsPro PodcastInside Real Madrid's digital strategy with Michael Sutherland and Israel GarciaIn the first of a collection of podcasts highlighting the best of the SportsPro Insider Series of virtual events, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Real Madrid chief transformation officer Michael Sutherland and director of digital strategy Israel Garcia.
They discuss how the Spanish soccer giants switched up their activities during La Liga's Covid-19 shutdown, explore Real's first forays into esports, and outline the best approaches to digital transformation for any sports organisation.
2020-06-1652 min
SportsPro PodcastCoronavirus and esports: F1’s Julian Tan, Riot Games’ Alban Dechelotte, and Gfinity’s John Clarke on competitive gaming’s new worldThis week, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly welcomes Alban Dechelotte, head of partnerships and business development EMEA at Riot Games, and Julian Tan, Formula One’s head of digital business initiatives and esports, to the podcast. (00:30) The pair air their thoughts on how coronavirus has reshaped the competitive gaming industry, how their organisations have reacted to the health crisis, and what long-term change can be excepted.
Plus (31:14), SportsPro journalist Ed Dixon speaks with John Clarke, chief executive of gaming operator Gfinity, who discusses the wider implications facing the industry due to Coivd-19, with the ePremier League, Virtual Gr...
2020-05-1353 min
SportsPro PodcastAlexandra Armas on running golf during a pandemic, the LET's future with the LPGA and the post-Covid prospects for women's sportIn the latest SportsPro Podcast Extra, SportsPro deputy editor Sam Carp talks to Alexandra Armas, the chief executive of the Ladies' European Tour (LET).
They discuss the many challenges of keeping the tour going through the coronavirus crisis, with the calendar on pause until July and players and promoters to support in the meantime. Also on the agenda are the LET's joint venture with the LPGA, the future of golf governance, and protecting women's sport through the wider shutdown.
Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector
License: http://creativecommons.org/l...
2020-05-1226 min
SportsPro PodcastCoronavirus and sports broadcasting: Yannick Ramcke on rights and the live content gap, and Yiannis Exarchos on an unusual Olympic viewing yearSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and digital editor Tom Bassam talk to OneFootball head of OTT and sports business blogger Yannick Ramcke about the impact of the live events shutdown on the broadcast sector, asking how rights relationships and value can be protected and how effective filler efforts like esports and archive or original content will be. (01:41)
Then SportsPro senior writer Steven Impey speaks with Yiannis Exarchos, chief executive of Olympic Broadcasting Services, about the implications of the Tokyo 2020 delay, the Olympic Channel's revised plans for the months ahead, and the accelerated adoption of remote production and...
2020-04-081h 12
SportsPro PodcastManchester City's ownership examined, the Super Bowl reviewed, and other tales from the sports industrySportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly, editorial director Michael Long and deputy editor Sam Carp look back on a varied week of sports industry stories - including the biggest, Super Bowl LIV. They also discuss a new global proposal in golf, Richard McLaren's return at the IWF, Atletico Madrid's Canadian investment and what Disney's Secret Cinema deal could mean for sport.
Then, with issue 108 of SportsPro back from the printers, they look at some of the big topics in the latest edition of the magazine, including how sport has shaped AI, and creative capital from City Football Group...
2020-02-0553 min
SportsPro PodcastHow Adidas is taking on Paris, and building digital viewing experiences with Kiswe MobileSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly heads across the Channel to talk to Brice Lefevre, the Paris GM for Adidas. They discuss the sportswear giant's plans to exploit a big few years for sport in the French capital leading up to the 2024 Olympics, how it aims to reflect rapid local changes, and why it is focusing key marketing efforts on a handful of major global cities.
Then SportsPro senior reporter Steven Impey speaks to Kiswe Mobile president and chief executive Mike Schabel about how the startup is creating new kinds of digital viewing experiences for clients including the...
2020-01-2250 min
SportsPro PodcastHow sports viewership is really changing, and what innovation means in the OTT eraSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long present another pair of conversations from the SportsPro OTT Summit that reflect on the latest developments in digital broadcasting and shifts in viewer behaviour.
First up, Gareth Capon (5.05), chief executive of cloud video production company Grabyo, discusses the findings of the Grabyo Global Video Trends Report and what they mean for the future of OTT services, pay-TV, and free-to-air outlets across traditional and digital platforms. He also talks about generational viewing habits, the value of live sport, the power of mobile production and the evolution of Grabyo itself.
Then Ca...
2019-12-1848 min
SportsPro PodcastOvertime's Dan Porter on why Gen Z will never subscribe to your OTT sports channel and how you should reach them insteadSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Dan Porter, the forthright and quotable founder and chief executive of Overtime, about how the youth-focused digital sports network grew an audience of millions and why that audience won't be signing up for subscription channels any time soon.
Speaking in Madrid during the SportsPro OTT Summit, Porter makes the case for a more participative approach to media, explains why he thinks a wider range of options are weakening young fans' ties to traditional sport, and lays out his plans to turn the Overtime project and community into something very big.
2019-12-1136 min
SportsPro PodcastTikTok, WWE, the attention swarm and whatever else is next: SportsPro OTT Summit in reviewAs the SportsPro OTT Summit comes to an end in Madrid, editor at large Eoin Connolly and editorial director Michael Long are joined by Seven League consulting partner Charlie Beall and Maria Rua Aguete, executive director at IHS Markit.
The panel pick out their highlights and lessons from two days of absorbing discussion on digital broadcasting and sport, from the WWE’s success in creating a content universe to the threat of piracy, why Netflix and Spotify are different, the meaning of the attention swarm, TikTok, 5G, whether Gen Z will pay for OTT and everything to come in...
2019-11-2738 min
SportsPro PodcastWhy social networks need to get it together, how brands can play with hardcore fans, and what digital sports media really meansThe inaugural SportsPro Fan Conference ends with The Big Debate at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by Whistle's international managing director Jeff Nathenson, Copa90 chief business officer James Kirkham and sports consultant Drew Barrand to talk about toxicity in social media, the points where brands and hardcore supporters meet, bringing fans on the journey to new stadiums, and why anyone who's good at their job in sports media needs to know about KSI v Logan Paul II.
With the bars open in north London you can expect some strong opinions, and s...
2019-09-1328 minSportsPro PodcastSportsPro Podcast Special: Talking business with Powerboat P1 chief executive Azam RangoonwalaWith November's P1 AquaX World Championship in the Bahamas on the horizon, SportsPro senior writer Sam Carp is joined on a special edition of the SportsPro Podcast by Powerboat P1 chief executive Azam Rangoonwala.
An engineering graduate and former racer himself, Rangoonwala dials in from the global marine motorsport promoter's international racing headquarters in Orlando to discuss the development of P1's flagship series and its plans to expand in the future.
2019-09-0620 min
SportsPro Podcast50 Most Marketable Athletes 2019: Naomi Osaka, Megan Rapinoe, Jofra Archer and moreSportsPro has released its tenth annual list of the world's 50 most marketable athletes, with tennis star Naomi Osaka heading the class of 2019. Editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to editorial director Michael Long about what the feature is intended to accomplish, its unique criteria, how it has changed to reflect the media marketplace and the interests of brands, and the role of social data partner Hookit in compiling it.
Then it's over to SportsPro HQ where digital editor Tom Bassam and senior writer Sam Carp are on hand to talk through some of the themes that emerge from t...
2019-08-211h 03
SportsPro PodcastDisney's bundle of joy, Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia, and Anouk Mertens on Eleven SportsSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by editorial director Michael Long to discuss Disney's aggressively priced bundle for Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu. The US streaming race, rebundling, and the concept of added-value membership packages - which could, in sport, mean pricing in tickets or other experiences - are all on the table in the OTT era.
Then, as Anthony Joshua prepares to head to Saudi Arabia to retrieve his world heavyweight boxing titles from Andy Ruiz, there's a conversation about the pattern emerging for how events will be promoted in the controversial kingdom, and a brief...
2019-08-1550 min
SportsPro PodcastWomen's World Cup wrap-up, and agency speculation for Serie A and Mediapro, Wasserman and LagardèreSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and print editor Michael Long reconvene to review the Fifa Women's World Cup. After a tournament that represented a huge cultural moment, from Megan Rapinoe and the USWNT to a big TV breakthrough everywhere, where does women's soccer go next? How will commercial and development aims best be served?
Then, as Mediapro is linked with a new TV channel partnership with Italian soccer's Serie A and Lagardère Sports with a takeover by Wasserman Media Group, there is some time to reflect on where the agency sector is going. Meanwhile, there's also a...
2019-07-1037 min
SportsPro PodcastWill Smith and Formula One, New York's esports scene, and the future of sponsorship in the digital ageSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly presents a series of interviews recorded during SportsPro Live 2019 at The O2.
Sean Bratches, the managing director of commercial operations at Formula One, talks about the series' calendar, the OTT service F1TV, and a partnership with movie star Will Smith's Westbrook Studios. (5.18)
Neil Hopkins, global head of strategy at M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment, discusses changes in the media landscape and the future of sports sponsorship. (10.41)
Michael Prindiville, chief executive of Philadelphia 76ers-owned esports team Dignitas, gives his thoughts on the franchise's plans, the convergence o...
2019-05-1536 min
SportsPro PodcastSportsPro Live 2019 special: what Avengers Endgame can teach the sports industry and plenty more from The O2SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and digital editor Tom Bassam wrap up two days of insights and new ideas at SportsPro Live 2019, discussing lessons learned where technology meets the sports business with Digital Sport editor Chris McMullin.
SportsPro Live host and Sky Sports presenter Adam Leventhal (15:10) shares his thoughts; Sports Innovation Lab co-founders Angela Ruggiero and Josh Walker (20:00) explain how fandom has changed forever and what Avengers Endgame can teach the sports industry; and Seven League chief executive Richard Ayers (27:32) works through the nuts and bolts of digital transformation.
Finally, there's talk from the s...
2019-05-081h 02
SportsPro PodcastWimbledon's first Asian sponsorship explained, and Optus' OTT strategy after the World CupWith the SportsPro team in full event mode delivering the biggest ever edition of SportsPro Live at The O2, editor at large Eoin Connolly presents two recent interviews from opposite sides of the globe.
First up, tennis: Wimbledon commercial and media director Mick Desmond discusses the grass-court Grand Slam's first Asian sponsorship deal with smartphone brand Oppo, its plans in China and India, improvements to SW19 including a roof and hospitality suites at No1 Court, the future of its sponsorship strategy and more.
Then, speaking to the team at SportsPro OTT Asia, Optus head of te...
2019-05-0133 min
SportsPro PodcastLA 2028 commercial plans get a new feature; Netball and Rugby League World Cups team upSportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly and print editor Michael Long return to talk through the latest developments in the sports industry, including the signature partnership between NBC Universal and the organisers of the LA 2028 Olympics to sell commercial partnerships in the US around the next four Games.
Meanwhile, senior writer Sam Carp is joined at the SportsPro offices by the organisers of two global events taking place in England. Netball World Cup event director Lindsay Impett and Jon Dutton, chief executive of the Rugby League World Cup in 2021, reveal the details of a unique collaboration between their two...
2019-04-2444 min
SportsPro PodcastBig on Japan: inside the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Rugby World Cup, and Rakuten's NBA OTT strategySportsPro print editor Michael Long returns to reveal all to editor at large Eoin Connolly about his recent trip to Japan, taking the pulse of the sports industry there ahead of the Rugby World Cup this year and the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. There's the latest on what the local organising committees for both of those events are thinking, and a sense from MMA's ONE Championship of what it takes to make a mark in the country.
Meanwhile, in an interview from SportsPro OTT Asia in Singapore, Rakuten's Laura Li talks about the Japanese ecommerce giant's partnerships with t...
2019-04-1752 min
SportsPro PodcastGetting inside Facebook's APAC plans for sport and reflecting on SportsPro OTT AsiaSportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly and digital editor Tom Bassam shake off the jet-lag and reflect on the inaugural SportsPro OTT Summit Asia, discussing everything from Manchester City's All or Nothing series on Amazon, to DDMC Fortis' strategy for soccer across the continent, Kayo Sports' unique entry into the Australian market, and how Rakuten is using sport to bring people into its ecommerce ecosystem.
Then there is time to listen in on one of the sessions from the Pan Pacific in Singapore, as Picture Board founder Unmish Parthasarathi asks Joyee Biswas, Facebook's head of sports partnerships for the A...
2019-04-0352 min
SportsPro PodcastGarber stays and Harvey goes, Intel inside the Premier League, jerseys of the future, and Callum Skinner on Global AthleteSportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly grabs a barista coffee in the team's smart new offices in London's Victoria and catches up on the week's events with SportsPro senior writer Sam Carp, back on the pod to discuss Don Garber's contract extension in MLS, Shaun Harvey's departure from the EFL, fast fashion and the jerseys of the future.
The two also look at the NBA's African venture with Fiba, the implications of Tyson Fury's TV deal with ESPN for heavyweight boxing and heavyweight media, and what exactly it is that Intel is working on with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester C...
2019-02-2058 min
SportsPro PodcastTravis Tygart on WADA, Russia, doping in US sport, Lance Armstrong, and the athlete fightbackIn a special extended edition of the SportsPro Podcast, SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly meets in Lausanne with Travis Tygart, the chief executive of the US Anti-Doping Agency.
The discussion begins with the latest chapter in the Russian state doping saga, and the path forward now that Rusada's compliance has been confirmed - under review - for the time being. In part two, Tygart reflects on the wider challenges facing WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, with a presidential race due when the tenure of Sir Craig Reedie ends later this year.
Finally, the conversation turns to...
2019-02-081h 11
SportsPro PodcastHow the BBC is cutting the gap between OTT and TV, and how AI has changed Fox Sports coverageIn an easily digestible broadcast tech edition, SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly presents two interviews from November's SportsPro OTT Summit in Madrid.
First, Fox Sports senior vice president of product operation Dustin Myers discusses the US broadcaster's work with AI specialist IBM Aspere to create the Fifa World Cup Highlights Machine, and shares his thoughts on the role automation will play in the development of OTT production.
Then Neil Hall, the head of product for sport at the BBC, reveals how the publicly funded broadcaster is attacking latency issues to cut the gap between streams and...
2019-01-0515 min
SportsPro PodcastBarney Francis on Sky Sports' digital approach, and reflections on the SportsPro OTT SummitWith over 600 delegates gathered for the second SportsPro OTT Summit at Madrid's Meliá Castilla, SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly speaks to Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis about the UK pay-TV giant's digital strategy, how it has steadily adapted its model to the demands of a changing era, his expectations about life under new owner Comcast, and much more.
Meanwhile Deltatre chief product and marketing officer Carlo de Marchis, an OTT evangelist and expert, gives his thoughts on the event and the industry's fastest-emerging sector.
2018-12-0551 min
SportsPro PodcastDiscussing Golf TV with Alex Kaplan: SportsPro Podcast SpecialSince Discovery signed its US$2 billion deal with the PGA Tour in June for the international media rights to North America’s premier golfing circuit, intrigue has surrounded the makeup of the product that will carry more than 2,000 hours of PGA Tour content each year.
In a special edition of the SportsPro Podcast, staff writer Nick Friend talks to Discovery Golf president Alex Kaplan at length about an OTT product and a partnership with the PGA Tour that could change the course of sports broadcasting.
2018-12-0321 min
SportsPro PodcastA fresh identity for men's tennis and the ATP; new frontiers for Alipay and DAZNAs the Nitto ATP Finals brings the best players in men's tennis back to The O2 in London for a tenth year, SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly sits down with the ATP SVP for marketing and business development, George Ciz. The conversation covers a new brand launch for the organisation and its elite tour, the lessons from the radical Next Gen Finals event, working with Amazon, why the series is like Rafa Nadal, getting the Tube with Federer and Djokovic, and plenty more besides.
Meanwhile, SportsPro print editor Michael Long is on hand to talk about a new...
2018-11-1455 min
SportsPro PodcastFootball Leaks, WADA creaks, Masayoshi Son speaksSportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by New York Times sports news correspondent Tariq Panja to discuss an industry week dominated again by murky soccer business, with Der Spiegel's Football Leaks reports to the fore.
Items on the agenda include the prospect of a European Super League, Gianni Infantino's role in efforts by Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City to circumvent Financial Fair Play laws, and just how shocked fans will actually be to find out how the sausages are made. There's also time to reflect on governance issues elsewhere, including a contentious presidential race in b...
2018-11-0759 min
SportsPro PodcastSportsPro 50 Most Marketable Athletes 2018: The who, where and whyIt's the list that everyone - or some people, at least - has been talking about: SportsPro's annual rankings of the world's 50 most marketable athletes. SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by editor Michael Long and senior writer Sam Carp to discuss the list, the episode also features Roger Breum, from SportsPro's data partner Hookit, who explains the spontech side of this year's 50MM
2018-09-071h 11
SportsPro PodcastEleven Sports and Sky Sports: different broadcast strategies for the digital ageWith the second SportsPro OTT Summit confirmed for Madrid on 28th and 29th November, SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly dips into the archives to find conversations with representatives of two broadcasters at very different stages of their commercial journeys.
First up is Marc Watson, group chief executive of Eleven Sports, active around the world and newly launched in the UK. It has taken a nimble, flexible approach to each market, and Watson discusses how to decide what method of digital delivery works for each market.
Then Sky Sports director of strategy Jonathan Licht talks about the e...
2018-08-1028 min
SportsPro PodcastFifa World Cup 2018: the view from the ground in Russia, and victory for United 2026As the Fifa World Cup ticks past its halfway mark, the SportsPro Podcast returns for the summer.
On the ground in Moscow for the duration of the world's biggest single-sport event, Press Association chief sports reporter Matt Slater gives SportsPro editor-at-large Eoin Connolly his take on a warm and open welcome from ordinary Russians after a build-up dominated by concerns about the host nation's leadership.
Still, there are plenty of questions to be answered elsewhere. What should we make of Russia's stunning start? Have the sponsors turned up? Is football coming home and, if so, w...
2018-07-0230 min