Sports Management Podcast

Welcome to episode 235 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Theo Dedes, a UEFA Pro License coach who recently led TSG Hoffenheim's women's team in Germany. From growing up in Athens to coaching at the highest level in European football, Theo shares what modern leadership really looks like, why empathy beats authority in today's game, and what it takes to survive - and thrive - in one of the most pressure-filled industries in the world. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:40 The UEFA Pro License Explained 02:01 Eligible for Champions League 02:36 The Coach as Manager 04:33 The Loneliness of Leadership 05:49 Controlling the Uncontrollable 07:29 Managing Friction Inside the Squad 08:51 Handling Weekly Pressure 10:22 Being a Young Head Coach 12:31 Coaching as Brand & Identity 15:13 Greece vs Germany Leadership Styles 17:25 The Coaching Odyssey 19:50 Why Germany Felt Fair 21:17 Learning from Termination 31:15 Advice for Future Pro Coaches 33:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 234 of Sports Management Podcast. College sports has changed forever. NIL is here, brands are everywhere, and student athletes are now entrepreneurs whether they like it or not. But are they actually prepared? Today I'm joined by Stephen Bienko, co-founder of 42U, former dual-sport athlete and life coach. We dive into: NIL Athlete identity Branding Why passion alone won't prepare athletes for life after sport. And much more!  SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. 00:00 Intro 00:28 What 42U Is Building in the NIL Era 02:03 Transferable Skills Beyond "Hardworking Athlete" 05:16 Athlete Identity & Overthinking Performance 08:45 NIL Should Have Existed Years Ago 10:35 Soft Skills vs Hard Skills in the AI Era 12:18 Why Identity Impacts Performance 14:21 Why Athletes Are Underprepared for NIL 17:37 Why Most NIL Partnerships Fail 20:33 Brand First, Deals Second 23:41 The Power of Athlete IP & Social Media 29:31 The Future of NIL and High School Athletes 32:59 Putting "Butts in Seats" Through Athlete Brands 39:44 The Decathlete Mindset in Business 49:18 Why Now Is the Best Time to Enter Sports 55:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com  

Welcome to episode 233 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Gloria Mariwa - a footballer, professional freestyler, digital creator known as 14thgunner and founder of Wecheza. At just 19, she's building the future of African women's football at the intersection of sports, tech, and community. We spoke about: Why women's sports shouldn't copy the men's model How sports tech must evolve Why investing in African women's sports might be the smartest move you can make right now And much more!  SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Building 14thgunner 04:30 Growing Women's Football in Kenya 07:37 Why Women's Sports Must Build Their Own Model 08:30 The Future of Sports Tech & AI 09:41 Creators vs Traditional Media 12:03 Why YouTube Could Win Sports Streaming 14:31 Copying the West? Or Building Africa's Own Model 16:57 The Kenyan Sports Landscape 18:36 The Meaning Behind Wichesa 19:34 Grassroots Impact in Women's Football 24:46 University or Startup Life? 26:48 Monetizing as a Young Creator 27:53 Advice for Young Sports Professionals 30:29 Redefining Sports Tech 32:23 Invest in African Women's Sports Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 232 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is JP Lutz - a former Philadelphia Eagles executive turned professor, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor. We spoke about: Breaking into the sports industry Why 'luck' is actually positioning The power of always saying yes How building relationships can define your entire career. And much more! This one is packed with practical advice for anyone who wants to work in sports and a powerful life lesson you won't forget. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 From Working Elevators to the NFL 04:25 Why You Must Say Yes Early in Your Career 06:24 Creating Your Own Luck in Sports 08:10 How to Network the Right Way 12:53 Do You Need a Degree to Work in Sports? 17:11 The Magic of Game Day 19:52 $5 an Hour and Moving Back Home 22:34 Transitioning from Pro Sports to Higher Ed 23:56 Starting a Sports Business from a Basement 25:27 Soft Skills That Actually Matter 29:19 A Cancer Diagnosis at 46 32:39 The Power of Being Proactive About Health 34:30 AI, Analytics & The Future of Sports Jobs 36:55 Why You Should Consider Entrepreneurship 41:45 Career Advice: Follow Your Heart and Say Yes Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 231 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is one of the most ambitious football investors in the world. Brett Johnson is the founder of Benevolent Capital, owner of multiple football clubs including Phoenix Rising, Rhode Island FC, and part of the Ipswich Town ownership group. In this episode: Promotion and relegation in US soccer Why stadiums are the real asset How youth sports is the next big opportunity What it actually takes to build a sports empire from scratch. And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 From Analyst to Football Owner 00:20 Why Phoenix Needed a Team 01:17 The 1994 World Cup Thesis 02:06 Why the US Must Perform 03:39 Ipswich's Back-to-Back Promotions 04:43 How to Run a Club Properly 05:26 Why Multi-Club Ownership Wins 06:44 Promotion/Relegation in the U.S. 09:02 Building a $140M Stadium 11:20 Creating a Fan Base from Scratch 14:01 Inside Benevolent Capital 15:32 Why Youth Sports Is the Next Goldmine 22:39 Advice for Sports Entrepreneurs 26:25 The Dark Days in Phoenix 28:13 Almost Losing Rhode Island Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 230 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest has lived football from every angle - player, coach, owner, executive, and advisor. Matt Driver is the founder of Soccer Universities and Football Club Advisory Group, and he's worked across Europe and the U.S. helping clubs move from survival mode to scalable success. In this episode, we talk about: Why most soccer clubs struggle financially What American sports get right that football often ignores How fan engagement, data, and commercial thinking will define the future of the game And much more! This is a masterclass in the business of football. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:38 Why College Soccer Doesn't Create Pros 03:18 The Wake-Up Call Playing La Liga Clubs 05:30 Creating Real Player Pathways 08:10 Why Most Clubs Are Structurally Broken 11:13 A Bulgarian Club Case Study 15:09 Why Vertical Silos Kill Clubs 16:41 What American Sports Get Right 18:30 Why Fans Jump Between Sports 20:08 Why "We've Always Done It This Way" Fails 26:21 Turning Fan Phones Into Revenue 30:23 Monetizing Club Assets 35:47 Why Fans Must Be Entertained 55:26 Career Advice for Sports Professionals 01:05:54 Why the USL Could Explode Next 01:10:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 229 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest has been at the center of that work for over a decade. Christian Klaue is Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the International Olympic Committee. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of how the Olympic Games are planned, positioned, communicated, and ultimately delivered - from Milano Cortina to LA28 and beyond. If you've ever wondered how the biggest sporting event on earth actually comes together, this conversation is for you. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:31 Life Inside the IOC Right Before the Games 02:45 What Olympic Communications Really Do 04:47 Why Positioning Matters More Than Reacting 05:06 Working on Multiple Olympic Games at Once 06:55 Why Milano Cortina 2026 Is Different 07:52 Legacy Beats New Construction 09:13 Avoiding Olympic "White Elephants" 10:12 Designing the Athlete Experience 11:22 Why the Olympic Torch Changes Everything 13:32 How the Torch Relay Really Works 15:21 The Power of Opening Ceremonies 20:09 Christian Klaue's Career Journey 27:42 Leading Through Olympic Crises 41:51 Advice for a Career in Sports Communication 43:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 228 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is John P Reynal, the President & CEO of The Women's Cup - one of the most ambitious global platforms in women's football. John has spent his career building sports properties across continents and in this conversation, he makes a bold case: women's football isn't charity - it's one of the most undervalued growth opportunities in sports. We spoke about: Why over-investing early matters How TV rights and valuations are lagging behind reality Why the next decade of women's football could reshape the entire sports industry. His unconventional journey to and through the sports industry And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 02:21 Why women's football is a massive investment opportunity 04:18 "Women's football is a business" 04:50 What over-investing really looks like 06:53 Building a premium brand through experience 08:21 Fixing the production problem in women's football 10:07 How media rights unlock real growth 11:09 Why the US women's football model is different 13:30 The danger of women's teams as afterthoughts 15:45 Rethinking how women's football is marketed 21:58 Why investors are flooding into women's football 23:00 From $1M to $150M franchise valuations 26:01 Latin America's untapped audience power 31:01 The audience shift every club must prepare for 32:43 Why Brazil 2027 will change everything 45:00 Outro     Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 227 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Alan Arlt, founder of Ultimate Hoops and co-founder of ARLT Consulting. Alan built a recreational basketball league into a highly-engaged sports product with stats, highlights, and experiences that made everyday players feel like pros and he sold it with an 18x return in under two years. In this episode, we spoke about: What makes a sports product truly 'sticky' How to scale without losing quality How AI is changing the future of participation sports. And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:58 Building "sticky" sports products with ARLT Consulting  02:16 From sports nerd to sports entrepreneur  02:59 The Ultimate Hoops idea (treat everyone like Kobe)  03:42 From 6 teams to 40 teams in under a year  03:42 Acquired by Lifetime Fitness (18 months in)  04:26 The Carmelo Anthony moment ("I think I'm done")  05:11 The 18x return (and why he didn't plan an exit)  05:58 The "sticky product" flywheel (daily engagement)  06:54 Passion vs practicality (unit economics matter)  08:22 The 2-step decision process (gut → diligence)  09:46 Why athlete partnerships are everything (B2A mindset)  11:51 AI changed everything (stats + highlights at scale)  13:28 How ARLT uses AI with clients today  14:18 Why this model works for every sport  15:06 The golden rule (people want to feel special)  15:45 The post-game interview that proved the concept  17:24 Why AI will create "1,000 Ultimate Hoops"  19:53 The mindset shift (leaving Discovery to take the leap)  21:36 Why side hustles are the new advantage  22:50 The biggest founder mistakes (too fast vs too slow)  24:10 Best advice for founders (just get started)  25:47 How to use AI without losing the human edge  27:07 Leadership style (do every job, stay in the weeds)  30:28 Hiring without a vacuum (team fit matters)  32:11 Scaling too fast (when it stopped feeling like Ultimate Hoops)  33:02 COVID shutdown (the hardest stretch)  35:25 Letting 85% of the team go (and rebuilding)  37:02 Guest recommendations (SportsVisio + AIM Sports Group)  39:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 226 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Neil Schwartz, President of SBRnet, one of the leading sports business data providers focused on fan behavior, monetization, and engagement. In this episode, we break down the difference between passive fans and active fans, why storytelling is the real skill behind data, and how teams can turn insights into revenue across tickets, merch, sports betting and more. Let's get into it. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.   Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:59 What sports teams can learn from Disney 01:50 What SBRnet does: business-side sports data 02:46 Doing data before data was cool 04:25 Data is now traded like oil + early pushback from execs 07:28 Black box data vs transparent methodology 08:44 "If you only use your own data, you repeat the same mistakes" 09:29 Data is like making soup 11:16 SWOT analysis as a decision framework 12:57 The hardest question: "Why?" 16:41 Cross-fandom + cross-category sponsorship strategy 19:31 Active vs passive engagement explained 21:07 Neil's Dolphins example: passionate but passive fan behavior 22:49 Turning passive fans into active fans 25:08 Good data use is good storytelling 27:52 When teams reject data because of anecdotal bias 30:45 Privacy + anonymized data + integrity standards 35:14 Pandemic: removing live attendance questions to protect trend accuracy 37:15 AI fears + why people must stay in the decision-making equation 42:20 Career advice: internships + networking + better outreach emails 48:43 Sports gambling needs guardrails 52:31 Gambling growth plateau 53:19 Underage gambling problem 54:45 Guest recommendations 57:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 225 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Vance Morris, and in this episode we will uncover what sports teams can learn from Disney when it comes to service and fan experience. We spoke about: How Vance went from a security guard at a birth control factory to working for Disney Why he was a lousy employee Why his business charges 40% more than its competitors Taking the leap to starting his own business, and his wife getting sick 3 days later And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.   Time stamps: 00:00 Intro: 02:21 From factory security guard to Disney 03:32 Experience design in boring moments 05:50 Engaging fans on non-game days 07:25 Linertainment explained 08:44 What teams can do between purchase & game day 11:18 Reaching younger fans with physical mail 13:01 On-stage vs off-stage mindset 15:26 Attention to detail & perceived value 17:30 Tellable moments & word of mouth 19:44 Systems create freedom 22:34 Cost of keeping vs acquiring fans 24:27 Why he charges 40% more 28:57 "The bar is set so low" 31:23 Service standards disconnect 33:29 Hiring for service mindset 38:19 Major career setback & resilience 40:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 224 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Ersel Aybasti – a licensed FIFA-agent, founder of Analysis SportAgents and the author of The Women's Game: More Than Just a Game. Voices, Structures & Perspectives in Global Women's Football We spoke about: Why he decided to write about the women's game Why women's football needs more systemic investment How he combines work as an agent, industrial engineer and book writing How agents can contribute to positive change in football And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.   Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:47 Why football alone wasn't enough 03:38 Trust between player and agent 07:26 Holistic support beyond contracts 09:55 Becoming a licensed FIFA agent 12:58 Entering women's football 15:45 Why the book was written 17:35 28 voices shaping the women's game 21:41 Managing pressure, feedback & growth 27:31 Why women's football needs structure 30:37 How agents can close the gender gap 31:49 Advice for young professionals 34:12 Long-term values over short-term wins 36:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com    

Welcome to episode 223 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Paul Epstein, a leadership coach, former sports executive and the creator of the Win Monday movement. Paul has worked with elite athletes, executives, and teams around the world, helping them build momentum through habits, identity, and purpose. In this episode, we unpack: Why Mondays matter more than any other day of the week How one simple action can change everything Which Monday changed Paul's life And much more!    SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.   Time stamps: 00:00 The 98% Monday momentum statistic 02:17 What it actually means to "win Monday" 06:07 Gym analogy: commitment over motivation 07:47 "Commitment begins when motivation ends" 11:43 The hero dedication concept 17:55 The Monday that changed Paul's life 24:52 Standards vs goals (win the long game) 33:44 Confidence formula: values × action 48:56 Vision of a global Win Monday movement 50:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com      

Welcome to episode 222 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Blaine Bishop – a former NFL player, 4-time pro bowler and a broadcasting host. We spoke about: Being drafted as an underdog Playing 10 seasons in the NFL Transitioning from the NFL to broadcasting Life lessons he learned from his mother And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 01:54 Drafted last & the chip on his shoulder 03:59 Why being doubted fueled his work ethic 05:51 Film study as a competitive advantage 09:15 "What do you have to lose?" mindset 14:24 First NFL start on Christmas Day 18:54 Super Bowl run & "team of destiny" 22:12 Making the Pro Bowl (unexpectedly) 25:00 Transition from NFL to broadcasting 28:16 Identity beyond being an athlete 36:04 Advice for young people entering sports   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 221 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Stef McLoughlin, Head of Commercial at Glasgow City FC, the most successful women's football club in Scotland and one of the few elite clubs in Europe that is women-owned, women-led and fully independent. Get ready to learn about: Purpose-driven partnerships Building women's sport differently Why copying the men's game may be the biggest mistake women's football can make And much more!    Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:22 What makes Glasgow City FC different 01:27 Using football as a vehicle for social change 03:28 Why women's clubs shouldn't be absorbed by men's teams 06:38 Purpose-driven partnerships explained 07:32 Dog-friendly stadiums & inclusive fan experiences 09:57 How Glasgow City avoids sportswashing 12:58 The "messy middle" of women's football 14:48 Why comparing revenues to men's football is a mistake 18:05 Building women-led commercial ecosystems 25:07 Entering football as an "angry feminist" 31:49 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 220 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest helped build the Olympic business model as we know it. Michael Payne is the former marketing director of the IOC, creator of the TOP sponsorship program, and widely regarded as the architect of modern sports marketing. In this episode, we explore 50 years of global sport power, politics, money, and what the next 50 years could look like. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:34 Why he wrote the book & invented sports marketing 03:16 FIFA had four employees 07:43 Cold War & saving the Olympics 10:17 Bernie Ecclestone vs Samaranch 13:16 Politics weaponizing sport 15:22 Sportswashing debate (China & Saudi) 23:33 Trump, the World Cup & LA28 29:38 His wild predictions for sport 31:46 Avatar stadiums 34:12 Tech vs the soul of sport 38:26 Sustainability & white elephants 48:35 Advice for young professionals 50:18 Business lesson: problems vs solutions 53:54 How great negotiators really work 59:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 219 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Joe Foster - the founder of Reebok. At 90 years old, he's sharing the real origin story for the first time. From hand-made spiked shoes to billion-dollar global dominance, this is one of the greatest sports business journeys ever told. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Growing up during World War II 05:45 Winning races with spiked shoes at age 8 08:08 Grandfather invents the first spiked running shoe 17:00 Walking away from the family footwear company 18:49 Building Reebok inside a collapsed brewery 25:15 Creating direct-to-athlete distribution 29:32 Naming Reebok from a dictionary 35:15 First failed attempt entering America 41:08 Runner's World five-star ratings change everything 43:31 Birth of the Reebok aerobics shoe 46:59 Why Joe exited Reebok 57:10 Turning lawsuits into brand advantages 01:05:05 Joe's 3 rules of entrepreneurship 01:09:06 Meeting celebrities & reaching global #1 01:12:19 Why he wrote his book to correct history 01:13:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 218 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Luis Fernando Ramirez – the CEO of National Padel League  (NPL) We spoke about: Juggling being CEO of NFL with commercial responsibilities for Bull Padel Padel's potential in the US Challenges and opportunities for Padel The importance of digital broadcast and streaming And much more! Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:42  Why Luis rebuilt the NPL from scratch 02:10  The first version of the league — what was broken 04:03  How the NPL expanded to 42 cities 06:58  The business model behind the league 08:20  How Racket360 powers streaming + scoring 11:12  Creating the NPL pyramid: juniors → amateurs → pros 14:33  The partnership with USPA 16:48  Why amateurs are the key to U.S. padel's growth 18:26  Why padel is exploding in the U.S. (data + trends) 21:17  The long-term vision — becoming the MLS of padel 24:09  The future of pro padel in America 26:40  How to build sustainable leagues 29:55  Luis' advice for young sports professionals 35:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 217 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Joe Michaels – the former Director of NBC's Today Show and a veteran television production leader. In this episode we get to look behind the scenes of sports media productions together with an 8x Emmy winner.  We spoke about: Why sports media is a young man's business Giving back through teaching and mentorship The future of the media industry If AI will take jobs from the media industry But also how it was like broadcasting the 9/11 tragedy in New York This and much more, in this episode with Joe Michaels. Time stamps: 00:01 Intro 00:44  How Joe started at NBC  03:38  What a sports director actually does behind the scenes 05:16  Turning nerves into energy during live broadcasts 08:23  Inside a live sports truck  11:07  Lessons from the man who invented baseball on TV 16:10  From gaff-taped cameras to 200-camera Super Bowls 20:22  Directing "Brain Surgery Live" for National Geographic 26:34  Why sports broadcasters must understand history 38:46  The future of sports media and technology 41:29  Can AI replace directors?  46:30  What Emmy Awards really mean 52:30  Career advice 53:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com    

Welcome to episode 216 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Danny Davis, founder & CEO of Recon Sports - a platform helping college football teams use data and AI to build smarter rosters and develop elite athletes. We spoke about:  The use of athlete data in sports The risks of operating in college sports How military experience shaped his entrepreneurial mindset The mindset shift from Army officer to entrepreneur How he invested 10,000 hours to master his craft And much more!    Time stamps:  00:01 Intro 00:26  What Recon Sports does - syncing athlete data 01:22  Internal vs external data and identifying future stars 02:40  The hundreds of metrics collected across programs 04:15  The original idea: from high school analytics to college innovation 05:43  First client discovery and go-to-market process 07:02  Biggest challenge - scaling himself and training others 09:03  AI, digital twins, and the next frontier of sports analytics 11:19  Why consolidating data is the foundation of AI success 12:01  The risks of operating in college sports 14:38  Expanding into aerospace and other verticals 18:27  How military experience shaped his entrepreneurial mindset 22:02  The mindset shift from Army officer to entrepreneur 26:57  How he invested 10,000 hours to master his craft 31:14  The value of mentorship and how to find great mentors 37:17  Overcoming rejection and separating vision from strategy 40:16  Advice for breaking into the sports industry 43:40 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com