Path To The Pros

Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode, Season FOUR of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes. Today’s guest? The legendary former NBA CEO who helped break Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought, brought Lebron James to the Cavs and Sheffield United’s newest minority owner: Len Komoroski! Len sits down with Samir to take us behind the scenes of: What it REALLY took to turn one of the NBA’s worst team into champions Building a franchise from the ground upThe fa...

In this episode of Path to the Pros, we're thrilled to welcome Nancy Elder, an accomplished leader whose 25+ year career has been defined by driving innovation, transforming teams, and delivering growth across some of the world's most competitive industries. Now serving as the Chief Communications Officer for the New York Mets, Nancy has previously held pivotal roles at JetBlue Airways, Mattel Inc., DAZN, Mastercard, and GE, where she's navigated high-stakes challenges. Join us ...

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Stetson, a seasoned C-suite business leader with over 20 years of experience reimagining iconic brands and generating record revenues. Joe has held key positions at Madison Square Garden Networks, BSE Global, the Brooklyn Nets, and Van Wagner and now serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at the New York Red Bulls. Joe shares his insights on the importance of mentorship and how it has shaped his career and leadership style. He discusses the challen...

Join us as we dive into the world of entertainment with our guest, Zack Rose, the Senior Vice President at Endeavor Analytics. With a rich background and a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry, Zack brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Having spent seven years at Warner Bros, Zack was pivotal in supporting sales collateral for domestic television distribution, providing insights for popular properties like The Ellen DeGeneres Show and TMZ, to name a few. Now a...

In this Path to the Pros episode, we sit down with Declan Bodger, the SVP/CMO at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. Declan's journey from physical education teacher to working as a pit crew at Formula 3 was just the beginning. He has worn many hats in the sports industry, working in key roles with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, Portland Trail Blazers, and Major League Soccer. Originally from the UK, Declan moved to the USA at a young age and has since si...

Meet Neda Tabatabaie, a trailblazer in the world of data within sports. As the first in her role at the San Jose Sharks, she pioneered CRM and business analytics, transforming how the organization leverages data to customize the fan experience and ensure top-quality service. Neda's innovative approach to integrating business intelligence has revolutionized the customer journey, making every fan interaction more personalized and engaging. With the Sharks being early adopters of these te...

Welcome to another episode of the Path to the Pros podcast. This week, Samir Prince sat down with Ian Smith, Managing Director of International Business Development at Relevent Sports Group. In this conversation, we explore Ian's journey from a small town in England to his career as a solicitor, becoming a key player at FIFA, and now to sitting as a Managing Director at one of the world's most influential sports and media rights organizations. We also delve into rightsholders' ongoing challe...

This week, we dive deep into the story of David Burke, Executive Vice President of Sales and Business Development for the Pittsburgh Pirates. We explore AI's transformative impact on the industry, emphasizing that it isn't something to fear but rather a powerful tool for creating efficiencies and streamlining processes. We learn how the Pittsburgh Pirates use AI to create a personalized experience for every type of fan, enhancing their connection to the team, stadium, and ...

In today's episode, we're exploring the remarkable career of Joe Cote, the Portland Timbers' Chief Revenue Officer. With over 16 years of experience with the Portland Timbers and previously working for the Columbus Blue Jackets, this senior executive has a proven track record of exceeding objectives, building high-functioning teams, and driving substantial revenue growth. Under his leadership, the team has been revamped to enhance brand awareness and revenue generation across multiple platf...

A global marketing leader with over a decade of experience in the sports, media, and entertainment industries, Karim's journey is a testament to his diverse expertise and ability to drive high-performing teams to deliver standout results globally. Starting as a Social Media Manager at Zamalek Sporting Club in his hometown of Cairo, Egypt, working at SPORTFIVE in Paris, to now sitting as Vice President of Marketing for Hublot, Karim knows what it takes to succeed in the fast-paced world of sp...

We're kicking off Season 3 by diving into the remarkable career journey of Jason Oberlander, the Chief Commercial Officer at ASM Global. A seasoned professional in sales, marketing, and strategic roles across various media and sports organizations, Jason's path wasn't always clear-cut. Jason's professional trajectory is nothing short of impressive. From his initial days at CBS Radio and MTV Networks to securing a role at the NBA, his career has been a testament to versatility and resil...

Mark Fine is a true titan in sports entertainment, working with some of the most iconic sports brands. He went from the Harlem Globetrotters to the New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets, and Las Vegas Desert Dogs before ultimately finding his calling at Professional Bull Riders (PBR). As the Chief Marketing Officer, Mark stands at the forefront of the sport's evolution, trailblazing and pushing boundaries to take the sport to unprecedented heights. In this conversation, Mark reflects on the div...

For our first chat of 2024, we're joined by Jade Burroughs, the Chief of Staff at the NFL. Jade's journey in the sports business is a testament to her unwavering drive. Starting her career as a marketing intern at the Philadelphia Eagles, to recently being recognized as one of Diversity Woman's Magazine's ELITE 100, Jade's career is remarkable. She hasn't had your typical journey to get there, but what sets her apart is her fearlessness in embracing change and new career challen...

Join Samir Prince as he chats with John Beaven, Chief Revenue Officer at the Golden State Warriors. John takes us through his unique career journey, starting as a Junior Sales Executive to becoming the Chief Revenue Officer for one of the world's biggest, most recognized teams. With 20 years at the Golden State Warriors, John discusses how he got to the C-suite and continues to excel and level up within his industry. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning...

Meet Humza Teherany, Chief Technology and Digital Officer at renowned spots company Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership. In this session, Humza discusses how technology is revolutionizing the world of sports, focusing on MLSE's leading role in this transformation. MLSE has become a global benchmark for technological innovation in the sports industry; with its cutting-edge technology, the fan experience has shifted from just focusing on stadium attendees to reaching viewers at h...