SBJ Unpacks

The Road Ahead: CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams

CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss HBCU life and leadership amid the pandemic, as well as the conference’s virtual tournament-week experience, taking place currently.

The Road Ahead: Suburban Sports Business -- Elk Grove Village

Elk Grove Village, Ill., Mayor Craig Johnson and 4FRONT co-Founder & Partner Dan Migala join SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down what motivated the municipality to dive into its unconventional sports sponsorships, to assess ROI, and to look ahead.

The Road Ahead: UBS' Adewale Ogunleye

UBS Global Wealth Management Head of Sports & Entertainment Adewale Ogunleye joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to share his story, namely, how his family and football career have motivated him to pursue his current work.

The Road Ahead: theScore's Aubrey Levy

With forces building toward the possibility of legalized sports betting in Canada, theScore VP/Marketing & Content Aubrey Levy joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss what the opportunity would mean for the Toronto-based company, as well as its strategy in the U.S.

The Road Ahead: ESPN's Karl & Sam Ravech

ESPN’s Karl & Sam Ravech join SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss how their father-son relationship has benefitted one another professionally, and to break down the dynamics of remote game broadcasts.

The Road Ahead: TB12's John Burns

Wrapping up our Super Bowl LV-week coverage on the pod with TB12 CEO John Burns, who joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down how co-Founder Tom Brady's presence in Sunday's game impacts the company, how it has maintained brand relevance during the pandemic and growth opportunities moving forward. *Interview recorded 2/4/21

The Road Ahead: Adam Harter

PepsiCo Senior VP/Media, Sports & Entertainment Marketing Adam Harter joins SBJ's Terry Lefton to discuss plans for, and the impact of, the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show, which will feature The Weeknd and mark the company's 10th year as Halftime Show sponsor. *Interview recorded 2/3/21

The Road Ahead: Leigh Steinberg

Steinberg Sports & Entertainment Chair & CEO Leigh Steinberg joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to discuss his pivot to a virtual Super Bowl party this year, to tell stories across decades on the Super Bowl’s scene, and to delve into his agency’s marquee representation of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. *Interview recorded 2/2/21

The Road Ahead: Fritz Pollard Alliance's Rod Graves

Fritz Pollard Alliance Executive Director Rod Graves joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to assess minority-hiring trends across the NFL, including the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule, and potential solutions moving forward. *Interview recorded 2/1/21

The Road Ahead: ESPN's Mina Kimes

Kicking off our Super Bowl LV week coverage with ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes, who joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss her plans to be on-site with the “NFL Live” crew later this week, and to break down the matchup utilizing her new-age analytical approach. *Interview recorded 1/29/21

The Road Ahead: Pepsi's Chauncey Hamlett

The Road Ahead: ESPN's Tim Reed

ESPN VP/X Games Tim Reed joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down what it has taken to make this weekend's X Games Aspen event happen, including health-and-safety protocol for athletes and staffers, engaging virtually with fans, working with sponsors, plus more. *Interview recorded 1/25/21

The Road Ahead: Turner Broadcaster Brian Anderson

Turner's Brian Anderson takes SBJ’s Andrew Levin on a virtual tour of his in-home studio, where he does play-by-play for the “NBA on TNT.” Anderson also breaks down challenges involved with calling games from a monitor, and how broadcasting has evolved as a result of the pandemic.

The Road Ahead: IMG's Stuart Duguid

Bret McCormick was joined by Stuart Duguid, Naomi Osaka’s agent, to discuss Osaka’s recent competitive and business hot streak, what Osaka looks for in a sponsor, how Duguid, from IMG Tennis, part of WME Sports, markets Osaka’s quirky personality and multiculturalism, and more about Duguid’s personal journey to becoming one of tennis’ top player representatives, in this episode of SBJ Unpacks.

The Road Ahead: MLS Team Rebrands

Double-Pod: First, a conversation with Dynamo FC President of Business Operations John Walker about the club’s November rebrand. Then, one with CF Montreal President & CEO Kevin Gilmore about his club’s brand change, formally unveiled last week. *Interviews recorded 1/20/21

The Road Ahead: Ole Miss' Dr. Jennifer Saxon

Ole Miss Senior Associate AD/Social Responsibility & Engagement Dr. Jennifer Saxon joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss the athletic program’s recently-launched department, and how it will enrich the experience of student-athletes, coaches and staff on-campus.

The Road Ahead: Sports Innovation Lab's Angela Ruggiero

Sports Innovation Lab co-Founder & CEO Angela Ruggiero joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down the recently-released Top 25 Most Innovative Teams In The World list.

The Road Ahead: NHL's Brian Jennings

The NHL and its 31 clubs will hit the ice for the 2020-2021 season with plenty of new asset opportunities, and NHL Chief Brand Officer & Senior Exec VP Brian Jennings joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down them all.

The Road Ahead: Nielsen Gracenote Sports' David Faulknor

With the first-ever all-virtual Consumer Electronics Show having commenced, Nielsen Gracenote Sports Senior VP/Product Management David Faulknor joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss Gracenote’s new sports-driven widgets designed to help smart TV and auto manufacturers integrate real-time team stats, recent game results and live updates to TV and video home screens and auto infotainment systems.

The Road Ahead: Twitter's Rishi Chadha

With more than two billion tweets about videogaming in 2020, Twitter Head of Gaming Content Partnerships Rishi Chadha joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to break down the unprecedented engagement, provide data and discuss what’s ahead for gaming content on the platform in 2021.

The Road Ahead

College Football Playoff Exec Dir Bill Hancock joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to offer the latest on preparations for Monday's scheduled CFP National Championship.

The Road Ahead

College Football Playoff Exec Dir Bill Hancock joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to offer the latest on preparations for Monday's scheduled CFP National Championship.

The Road Ahead

ESPN Senior VP/Production Lee Fitting joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to offer his expectations for the net’s first NFL Wild Card MegaCast for Ravens-Titans on Sunday, including, in key part, engaging with younger audiences via Freeform’s “Watch Party.”

The Road Ahead

This week on the podcast, we’re rebroadcasting some of our best of 2020, including this conversation with The Famous Group Owner & Managing Partner Jon Slusser, who believes that the pandemic has brought about five years of tech advancement.

The Road Ahead: The Famous Group's Jon Slusser REBROADCAST

This week on the podcast, we’re rebroadcasting some of our best of 2020, including this conversation with The Famous Group Owner & Managing Partner Jon Slusser, who believes that the pandemic has brought about five years of tech advancement. Slusser in November joined SBJ’s Andrew Levin to break down the massive impacts he believes virtual- and mixed-reality will have on sports, including the future of virtual fans and sponsorship.

The Road Ahead: Michigan Baseball Coach Erik Bakich REBROADCAST

This week on the podcast, we’re rebroadcasting some of our best of 2020, including this conversation with Univ. of Michigan baseball coach Erik Bakich. Bakich joined our Michael Smith at the virtual Learfield IMG College Intercollegiate Athletics Forum earlier this month to discuss his efforts to make college baseball reflect the landscape of America, believing that the sport is doing itself a disservice by not being more diverse.

The Road Ahead: Tampa Bay Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik REBROADCAST

This week on the podcast, we’ll be rebroadcasting some of our best of 2020, including this conversation with Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik, who joined SBJ Publisher & Exec Editor Abe Madkour at the virtual Dealmakers in Sports conference earlier this month, discussing the state of the reigning Stanley Cup champions, and how the NHL has adapted and continues to adapt during the pandemic.

The Road Ahead: NBA's Sara Zuckert

With the 2020-2021 season set to commence, NBA Head of Next Gen Telecast Sara Zuckert joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down the league's new and expanded digital-tech features, how they fit into various strategies for engagement and what’s ahead during this most-different campaign.

The Road Ahead: Raptors VP Teresa Resch

Raptors VP/Basketball Operations & Player Development Teresa Resch joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to discuss the team's move to Tampa to begin the '20-21 NBA season, addressing why Tampa, the setup to make players and personnel comfortable at practice and on gamedays, and a potential shift back to Toronto as the season progresses.

The Road Ahead: Simplebet's Chris Bevilacqua

Simplebet co-Founder & CEO Chris Bevilacqua joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss his company’s work, principally, micro-market betting, how it applies across various sports and its impact for the future of sportsbook operators, leagues and media companies. *Interview recorded 12/17/20

The Road Ahead: Knight Commission's Arne Duncan

Knight Commission Co-Chair Arne Duncan sits down with Michael Smith and responds to criticism of the organization’s suggested split of FBS football into its own self-governing group.

The Road Ahead: Hawks CEO Steve Koonin

Hawks & State Farm Arena CEO Steve Koonin joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to break down the team’s plans for the 2020-2021 NBA season, including in-arena advertising, hosting fans safely and the pandemic’s financial impact. Other topics include the Hawks’ noteworthy efforts in the protection and expansion of voter rights during the 2020 election cycle.

The Road Ahead: Michael Dowse, CEO USTA

Like many organizations across the sports industry, the United States Tennis Association experienced a rough but also rewarding 2020, characterized by layoffs and a restructuring of the large organization, but also the successful hosting of the 2020 US Open. SBJ’s Bret McCormick is joined by Michael Dowse, the CEO and executive director of the USTA, on this episode of Unpacks.

The Road Ahead: Fiesta Bowl Exec Dir Mike Nealy

Fiesta Bowl Exec Dir Mike Nealy joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to provide insights on how his organization is going about delivering its bowl series amid the pandemic, including locking in a new title sponsor, Guaranteed Rate, for the Cactus Bowl game. *Interview recorded 12/9/20

The Road Ahead: USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews

USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to discuss the national governing body's navigation of the pandemic, including how it has pivoted to ensure financial stability, safe participation and its promotion of gender and racial equity.

The Road Ahead: 49ers President Al Guido

49ers President Al Guido joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to break down the team’s sudden move from Santa Clara to Glendale, and what the rest of the season will look like.

The Road Ahead: Ivy League Exec Dir Robin Harris

Ivy League Exec Dir Robin Harris joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to break down how the league has navigated the pandemic, including its decisions to thrice cancel sports seasons.

The Road Ahead: Riot Games' Kasra Jafroodi

Riot Games' VALORANT Esports Strategy Lead Kasra Jafroodi joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to provide a full break down on the game and Riot’s business strategy for it.

The Road Ahead: Micky Lawler

The Road Ahead: Greg Luckman

CEO and Co-Managing Director of Allied Sports Greg Luckman joined Terry Lefton to discuss the current state of the sports marketing agency landscape.

The Road Ahead: Brand Marketing Exec Elisa Padilla

Sports & entertainment marketer Elisa Padilla joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to discuss how the pandemic has impacted brand-marketing strategies and innovations, plus her diverse portfolio of past workings including Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment and the Marlins.

The Road Ahead: Triple Crown Sports Renee Carlson

The Road Ahead: Fox Sports' Jacob Ullman

Fox Sports Senior VP/Production & Talent Development Jacob Ullman joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss the net’s plans for its Thanksgiving NFL broadcast, as well as how things have gone so far this season, and where things are heading.

The Road Ahead: ESPN's Phil Orlins

ESPN Senior Coordinating Producer Phil Orlins joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss what the net has learned about remote production through its coverage of the Korea Baseball Organization, and how it has utilized those learnings in other productions.

The Road Ahead: WME's Sloane Cavitt Logue

WME agent Sloane Cavitt Logue joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss what’s been keeping her busy amid the pandemic. Topics include her dealings with Scottie Pippen in the wake of the success of “The Last Dance," and the future of live entertainment in Nashville. *Recorded 11/19/20

The Road Ahead: Roc Nation's Brett Yormark

The Road Ahead: NBA's Carlton Myers

The NBA’s Vice President of Live Production and Entertainment Carlton Myers joins Terry Lefton to discuss lessons learned while producing in the bubble and what to expect with the NBA draft on the horizon.

The Road Ahead: fuboTV Co-Founder David Gandler

FuboTV co-Founder & CEO David Gandler joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to discuss the sports-first television streaming company’s October IPO, how it is navigating the global pandemic and the future of content distribution.

The Road Ahead: FloSports' Phil Wendler

FloSports Senior VP/Global Rights Acquisition Phil Wendler joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss how the pandemic has impacted the subscription-based, over-the-top platform’s content and rights-acquisition strategies.

The Road Ahead: Ironman Group CEO Andrew Messick

Ironman Group CEO Andrew Messick joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to discuss how the outfit kept athletes engaged virtually during its hiatus, as well as how it has safely returned to hosting in-person races.