Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee

Episode 176 | It’s another wide-ranging episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee, as David and Tim tackle some of the biggest stories in sports before welcoming one of the most experienced executives in global football.Tom Glick, CEO of Hometown Soccer Holdings, joins the show to discuss a career spanning minor league baseball, the NBA and international soccer. From the differences between European and American sports business models to the much-debated question of promotion and relegation in MLS, Tom brings a wealth of experience and perspective to a freewheeling conversation about the business of sports.⚾ A World Series of Firsts — The World Series matchup is set, with two small-market teams facing off. One thing is certain: a first-time world champion is guaranteed.⚖️ The Brian Flores Lawsuit Takes Another Turn — The lawsuit against the NFL and several teams takes an unsettling turn after a memo from the search firm retained to vet Flores surfaces, containing what many consider racist tropes and clichés. The hosts discuss the implications for the league and its hiring practices.🏈 College Football Playoff Expansion on the Horizon? — With expansion from 12 to 24 teams appearing all but announced, David and Tim examine the potential consequences for college football, including what a larger playoff could mean for smaller bowl games and conference championship contests.🌍 FIFA and the Latest Controversy — Gianni Infantino is making headlines again, this time over promised payouts to national associations and federations. The hosts debate the optics and implications of a proposal critics could view as an attempt to buy support.😬 Coaches Behaving Badly — The opening segment wraps up with quick hits on coaches making headlines for the wrong reasons. Because in sports, the people leading the teams sometimes provide plenty of material off the field, too.🎙️ Guest: Tom Glick, CEO of Hometown Soccer Holdings — Tom joins David and Tim to trace his career from minor league baseball to the NBA and senior leadership roles in global football. He now leads Hometown Soccer Holdings, a partnership between KKR and Major League Soccer focused on centralizing and scaling the commercial operations of MLS NEXT Pro.🌎 European Football vs. American Sports Business — Drawing on his extensive international experience, Tom explores how European football clubs and U.S. sports organizations differ in their approaches to commercial operations, rights and business development.⚽ Could Promotion and Relegation Work in MLS? — Tom weighs in on one of the most debated structural questions in American soccer: whether promotion and relegation could work in Major League Soccer and what it would take to make such a system viable.💼 Building the Next Chapter of MLS NEXT Pro — The conversation explores the vision behind Hometown Soccer Holdings and how a centralized commercial strategy could unlock new opportunities for the league.From baseball’s biggest stage and college football’s evolving postseason to FIFA’s latest controversy and the future of global soccer, this episode covers plenty of ground, with an experienced sports business executive offering insight along the way.Wait, What? Smart takes. Occasional Nonsense. Always at the center of Sports & Business.

Episode 175 | Prediction markets, baseball labor battles, the future of LIV Golf, and the business of fandom. It’s another wide-ranging episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee!David and Tim break down the latest developments across the sports business landscape, including a potential Supreme Court decision on prediction markets and how the MLB playoffs could shape looming labor negotiations. Then, Drew Cousin, co-founder of Cheers Cash, joins the show to explain how his platform helps brands tap into major sports and pop culture moments and shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.⚖️ Prediction Markets Head to the Supreme Court? — The NFL is asking the Supreme Court to weigh in on states’ ability to regulate prediction markets. David and Tim discuss what’s at stake and what the outcome could mean for the rapidly evolving industry.⚾ MLB Playoffs and the Labor Battle Ahead — With four teams, including three small-market clubs, remaining in the MLB postseason, the hosts consider how the outcome could influence the sport’s looming labor showdown and the potential for a work stoppage.📝 Tim Puts David to the Test — With baseball labor issues on the agenda, Tim quizzes David on what teams can and cannot do during a lockout. Spoiler alert: David knows his stuff!⛳ Is LIV Golf Running Out of Road? — LIV is back in the headlines, and DP asks McGhee whether Jon Rahm’s departure signals the beginning of the end for the controversial golf league.🎙️ Guest: Drew Cousin, Co-Founder of Cheers Cash — Drew joins the show to discuss how Cheers Cash helps brands become part of the biggest moments in sports and pop culture.🎉 Turning Fandom Into Brand Opportunities — Drew explains how Cheers Cash helps brands connect with fans and enhance the fan experience by becoming part of the moments that matter most to them.💡 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs — Drew shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey, offering insights for those looking to turn an idea into a viable business.From the courtroom to the baseball labor front to the future of professional golf, David and Tim cover plenty of ground before exploring how a new platform is finding creative ways to connect brands and fans.Wait, What? Smart takes. Occasional Nonsense. Always at the center of Sports & Business.

Episode 174 | What an action-packed episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee!David and Tim welcome longtime industry friend Drew Sheinman, founding partner of Brand Velocity Group, for a fascinating conversation about a different kind of private equity firm, how the group convinced NFL legend Eli Manning to join its ranks, and Drew's own unlikely journey from sports business to high finance. But first, the hosts have plenty to debate, from Bears-Jets bragging rights to major changes across the sports media landscape.🏈 David Takes His Victory Lap: The Bears get the better of Tim's increasingly hapless Jets, giving David an opportunity to celebrate—and Tim nowhere to hide.📺 Big Changes in Sports Media: Barstool Sports' Dave Portnoy is out at Fox's Big Noon Kickoff, while CBS has parted ways with Tony Romo. What does it all mean for the evolving sports media talent landscape?⛳ Good Good Golf Good Again? The popular golf-content creators appear to be making a comeback, with video views approaching pre-scandal levels. Are fans ready to welcome Good Good Golf back?📡 Paramount Skydance Meets Warner Bros. Discovery: With the newly completed merger reshaping the media landscape, David and Tim examine what the deal could mean for CBS and Turner's sports operations.🚨 Owners Doing Stupid Things—NFL Edition: Following up on a recent segment, the guys discuss the NFL's punishment of 49ers president Jed York following his recent run-in with the law.🏟️ College Football Ratings Warning: Both hosts sound the alarm over an 11% decline in college football viewership and debate what could be behind the drop—and whether it represents a temporary blip or a larger problem for the sport.⚽ Trouble at Manchester City: Before the break, David and Tim discuss the unfolding scandal involving City Football Group and its crown jewel, Manchester City.💼 From Sports to Private Equity: Drew Sheinman joins the conversation to explain what makes Brand Velocity Group different from traditional private equity firms, how the company has built its unique sports-focused investment strategy, and what attracted Eli Manning to become part of the group.🏈 The Eli Manning Factor: Drew provides insight into bringing one of the NFL's most respected quarterbacks into the Brand Velocity Group family—and the value a sports icon can bring well beyond his playing career.🎓 From the Sports World to High Finance: Drew takes David and Tim through his career journey and explains how experience in the sports business ultimately led him to the world of private equity.It's a wide-ranging episode covering sports, media, ownership, college football, golf, soccer and private equity—with plenty of opinions along the way. 𝙒𝙖𝙞𝙩, 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩? indeedWait, What? Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the center of sports & business.

𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟳𝟯 | DP & McGhee cover plenty of ground before welcoming this week's guest, touching on one of the biggest developing stories in global sports, record-setting NFL television numbers, more controversy surrounding the University of Texas football program, and another Spotlight on Sponsorship. They then welcome Sophie Whitesell for a conversation about the intersection of athletes, philanthropy, and purpose—and how her own career has shaped her work helping athletes make an impact beyond the playing field.⚽ Manchester City Under the Microscope: DP & McGhee open with the brewing Manchester City situation, which some have already described as potentially the biggest scandal in sports history. With possible penalties looming and other Premier League clubs reportedly threatening legal action, the guys discuss what could be at stake and why this story is likely to play out for months to come.📺 NFL Ratings Rebound: After a softer opening week, NFL television ratings bounced back in Week 2, reaching record levels. The Cowboys-Ravens matchup was particularly noteworthy, becoming the highest-rated international game in NFL history.🏈 Football Players Behaving Badly: The University of Texas finds itself back in the conversation as DP & McGhee discuss another incident involving football players and the challenges that arise when athletes' behavior becomes a story of its own.💰 Spotlight on Sponsorship: The recurring segment returns with two interesting developments. Michelob Ultra is becoming an NHL sponsor, while Major League Soccer is considering selling a presenting sponsorship at the league level. David and Tim also explore the news of Red Bull using increased sponsorship budgets to drive its best year since the pandemic.🎙️ Meet Sophie Whitesell: Sophie joins the show to discuss her podcast, The Giving Game, which features athletes talking about their charitable and philanthropic efforts. Learn more about the platform and follow along @thegivinggamepodcast.❤️ Athletes & Giving Back: Sophie shares how her experiences as a college athlete and healthcare executive have shaped her approach to helping athletes pursue causes that are personally meaningful to them.🌎 Beyond the Playing Field: The conversation explores the growing role athletes can play in philanthropy and how the right guidance, resources, and connections can help them turn their passion for important causes into meaningful impact.From Premier League controversy and record NFL audiences to the evolving sports sponsorship marketplace and the growing influence of athletes in philanthropy, Episode 173 highlights the many ways sports, business, and purpose continue to intersect.Wait, What? Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the center of Sports & Business.

Episode 172 | This week, DP & McGhee welcome Glenn Horine, Chief Operating Officer of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), for a look at the state of the sports and fitness industry and where it may be headed. But before Glenn joins the conversation, David and Tim tackle a wide-ranging collection of timely sports-business stories, from the upcoming MLB playoffs and college sports legislation to NFL ratings and some surprising revelations about college basketball.⚾ MLB Playoffs: With the MLB postseason approaching, DP & McGhee look ahead to the playoff picture—and consider whether a Nor’easter headed for the East Coast could wreak havoc on season-ending games and the postseason schedule.🏀 Money Under the Table?: Former national player of the year and current ESPN basketball analyst Jay Williams tells Front Office Sports that he and his Duke teammates took money under the table during their college careers. The guys discuss the implications of the allegations and what they could mean in the broader conversation about compensation in college athletics.🏈 Trouble in New England: Bill Belichick has lost two members of his staff—including his son, Steve—amid investigations into their behavior and actions. DP & McGhee examine the developing story and what it could mean for the legendary coach and his program.🏛️ Protecting College Sports Act: The outlook for the Protecting College Sports Act (PCSA) has changed significantly in recent weeks. The guys revisit the proposed legislation and discuss why its path to passage now appears considerably less certain.📺 NFL Week 1 Ratings: The NFL season got off to a strong start on the field, but Week 1 television ratings were down compared with the previous two seasons. DP & McGhee look at the numbers and consider what they might—and might not—tell us about the current state of NFL viewership.🎙️ Meet Glenn Horine: Glenn Horine, COO of the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, joins the show to discuss the organization's annual Top Line Report and what its findings reveal about the health and direction of the sports and fitness industry.📈 Where Is the Growth?: Glenn shares his perspective on the sports and activities that appear positioned for significant growth, along with the challenges and opportunities facing the industry and what they could mean for continued expansion.🚀 Developing the Next Generation: Glenn wraps up the conversation by discussing an accelerator program designed to identify, mentor and support the next generation of sports and fitness industry leaders. SFIA also works with the veteran community to create career opportunities and connections that might otherwise be difficult to access.From the business of baseball and college athletics to NFL television audiences and the broader sports and fitness marketplace, this episode covers a lot of ground, and offers insight into where the sports industry may be headed next.Wait, What? Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the center of Sports & Business.