SBJ On Stage

In this episode of On Stage, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, joins Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, family legacy, the future of the Colts, and the evolving business of the NFL.Recorded at SBJ’s AXS DRIVE Conference in Indianapolis on September 24, the discussion explores how Irsay-Gordon is approaching a new era for one of the NFL’s most established family-owned franchises. She reflects on lessons learned from her father, Jim Irsay, her philosophy on listening and leadership, the importance of diverse perspectives in NFL decision-making, and how the Colts are adapting to changing fan behaviors and an increasingly digital sports landscape.Key themes include:Leading the Colts Into a New Era: How Irsay-Gordon views herself as a bridge between generations of NFL ownership and why listening, asking better questions, and speaking up when you can add value are central to her leadership style.The Future of NFL Fandom: How digital media, changing consumer habits, player-driven fandom, streaming, and increased competition for attention are reshaping the way teams connect with fans.Reimagining the Colts’ Stadium Experience: Why Lucas Oil Stadium remains a strong foundation, but needs to evolve with more premium experiences, upgraded technology, improved food and beverage, and new ways for fans to socialize.Investing in Downtown Indianapolis: How potential stadium improvements, a new practice facility, mixed-use development, and public-private partnerships could help the Colts become a catalyst for the next chapter of downtown Indianapolis.Carrying Forward the Irsay Legacy: How years of succession planning and hands-on experience prepared the family for leadership after Jim Irsay’s passing, and why Irsay-Gordon wants to make the Colts not only successful, but timeless and iconic.It’s a candid look inside the future of the Indianapolis Colts, as Irsay-Gordon balances football, business, family legacy, and a long-term vision for the franchise’s role in Indianapolis and the NFL. If you'd like to take a deeper dive into the vision for the Colts and how it is being shaped, please give SBJ's profile Carlie Irsay-Gordon: The Long Game a read -- it is well worth your time.  Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of On Stage, Herb Simon, Owner of Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the longest-tenured owner in NBA and WNBA history, joins Abe Madkour, Publisher and Executive Editor of Sports Business Journal, for a wide-ranging conversation reflecting on more than four decades of ownership, leadership, and basketball.Recorded at SBJ’s AXS Drive conference in Indianapolis on September 23, 2026, the discussion traces Herb Simon’s journey from reluctant Indiana transplant to Basketball Hall of Famer and influential figure in professional sports. He shares the unlikely story of buying the Indiana Pacers in 1983, his approach to building a lasting organization, the evolution of the NBA and WNBA, and why winning, community, and treating people well remain at the heart of his philosophy.Key themes include:An Unexpected Journey into Sports:How a call from the mayor led Herb Simon and his brother to purchase the Pacers and help keep the franchise in Indianapolis.Leading with Care: Why continuity, trust, treating people well, and empowering talented leaders have defined Simon’s approach to ownership.The Evolution of the NBA and WNBA:Simon reflects on the growth of both leagues, the impact of commissioners David Stern and Adam Silver, and the remarkable rise of the Indiana Fever.Players Who Defined an Era: The lasting impact of Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and Tamika Catchings on Simon, the organization, and basketball in Indiana.Building for Indianapolis: How sports, development, and investment in downtown Indianapolis have become intertwined with Simon’s commitment to giving back to the community.It’s a candid and often humorous conversation with one of basketball’s longest-serving owners about luck, loyalty, family, competition, and the simple principles that have guided a lifetime in business and sports. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of SBJ On Stage, recorded at SBJ's Game Changers conference in 2024, trailblazing sports agent Nicole Lynn joins veteran broadcaster Bonnie Bernstein for a candid conversation about purpose, authenticity, leadership, mentorship, personal branding and the power of betting on yourself. Nicole shares how she left Wall Street to pursue a career in sports, why she refuses to "cover" parts of her identity to fit in, and how empathy, excellence and mentorship have shaped her approach to representing athletes.Following the conversation, SBJ's Managing Director, Dan Kaufman, is joined by Tiffany Griffiths-Williams, Senior Business Counsel at NFL Players Inc., to unpack Nicole's insights on sponsorship, authenticity, empathy and creating more opportunities for the next generation of leaders in sports. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this edition of SBJ On Stage, we take you to SBJ's Media Innovators conference in the fall of 2024 for a conversation with UFC CEO Dana White, and SBJ Publisher and Executive Editor, Abe Madkour.  Fresh off a record-setting run at Madison Square Garden, White discusses the UFC's upcoming media rights negotiations, the rise of streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon and YouTube, and why he believes the sport has yet to reach its ceiling. He also shares his views on global expansion into markets like Spain, Mexico and Africa, the evolution of athlete development through UFC's Performance Institutes, and how TKO Group is creating new opportunities across combat sports. White dives into the rapid growth of Power Slap, the future of boxing under the TKO umbrella, the challenges of piracy, Las Vegas' emergence as America's sports capital, and the leadership principles that have guided UFC's rise from a niche property to a global powerhouse. Plus, he offers thoughts on social media, younger audiences, talent development, workplace culture, longevity, health and performance, and the vision that continues to drive him after more than two decades at the helm of UFC.  Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this edition of SBJ On Stage, we revisit a conversation between Bob Iger and Jimmy Pitaro from SBJ’s 2025 CAA World Congress of Sports.  The conversation takes on added relevance considering Iger and Josh Kushner’s pending acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers in a record-breaking transaction. Plus, as the industry reflects on the one-year anniversary of ESPN's direct-to-consumer service, listeners can evaluate many of the predictions, priorities, and strategic themes discussed between Iger and Pitaro.  SBJ’s managing director, Dan Kaufman, and Jump’s CEO & co-founder, Jordy Leiser, add additional context and commentary.   Whether you're hearing this conversation for the first time or revisiting it with fresh perspective, it offers a fascinating snapshot of two influential executives discussing the future of sports, media and technology.  Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.