Sport Intelligence: The Canadian Perspective

In the final episode of Sport Intelligence: The State of Sport in Canada, Dr. Ann Pegoraro joins us to explore how shrinking attention spans are reshaping sport. The conversation includes the rise of "snackable" formats like 3v3 basketball and Rugby Sevens, to athletes building personal brands that rival their teams. Paralympian Liam Hickey and Swimming Canada CEO Suzanne Collins join the conversation to share how social media and sponsorships (like Summer McIntosh's Red Bull deal) are changing the game. The episode wraps with a look at private equity's growing role in youth sport and what it will take for Canadian sport organizations to lead this shift rather than react to it. This special edition limited-series podcast is brought to you by the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, and produced by Canada's Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC). Follow along to hear even more of the groundbreaking research and the strategies that propel our teams and athletes forward.

Money is moving through sport in new ways and not always where people expect. In Episode 2 of Sport Intelligence: The State of Sport in Canada, host Paula Baker and Lang Chair Dr. Ann Pegoraro from the University of Guelph explore how sports betting, private investment, athlete branding, and shifting consumer behaviour are reshaping the economics of sport. As new revenue streams emerge, so do new questions about athlete protection, affordability, and who ultimately benefits. You'll also hear from Basketball Canada CEO Michael Bartlett, who shares how national sport organizations are navigating rising costs, changing sponsorship landscapes, and growing pressure to do more with less. As sport evolves into a more complex business environment, are organizations equipped to manage the opportunities and risks that come with it? This special edition limited-series podcast is brought to you by the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, and produced by Canada's Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC). Follow along to hear even more of the groundbreaking research and the strategies that propel our teams and athletes forward.

What do rising costs, global instability, loneliness, and immigration have in common? According to Dr. Ann Pegoraro, Lang Chair in Sport Management at the University of Guelph, they’re all reshaping the future of sport in Canada. In this episode, SIRC's Paula Baker speaks with Pegoraro and Ontario Soccer CEO Johnny Misley about the pressures transforming participation, funding, community sport, and the role sport plays in Canadian society. From affordability and newcomer engagement to the opportunities surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this conversation explores why understanding the broader environment may be the most important challenge facing sport leaders today. This special edition limited-series podcast is brought to you by the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics, and produced by Canada's Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC). Follow along to hear even more of the groundbreaking research and the strategies that propel our teams and athletes forward.

Each year, an estimated 200,000 sport-related concussions occur in Canada, affecting athletes of all ages and levels. But recovery is about more than just physical healing. In this episode, Dr. Keith Yeates, professor of psychology, pediatrics, and clinical neurosciences at the University of Calgary, explains how psychological readiness shapes recovery. He discusses why early reporting and care can speed healing, how fear and anxiety influence outcomes, and what new research reveals about sex differences in concussion experiences. Listeners will also hear about the future of concussion care, from emerging diagnostic tools to living guidelines that continually update best practices.   Resources: > SIRC's Concussion Hub > Canadian Concussion Network > Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport> Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion > Living Guideline for Concussion & Prolonged Symptoms in Adults > Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) Online > MOOC Online Concussion Course > NCCP Making Headway   For more about Dr. Keith Yeate’s work and research: > Dr. Yeates' Biography  > Brain Injury Research in Children (BIRCh) Laboratory > Integrated Concussion Research Program   This podcast is brought to you by Canada's Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC). Follow along with SIRC's francophone podcast to hear even more of the groundbreaking research and the strategies that propel our teams and athletes forward.

Youth sport doesn’t happen without parents—but their role is far more complex than carpooling and cheering. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Nick Holt, Dean of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary, longtime coach, and parent, about how parents shape their child’s sporting experience—for better or worse. Drawing from 2 decades of research in youth sport and development, Holt explores the fine line between support and control, why sideline behaviour matters, and how clubs and coaches can work with parents to foster positive environments. Because in youth sport, parents aren’t just on the sidelines—they’re part of the team. Resources: > Parental involvement in youth sport settings> Positive Youth Development through Sport > Exploring sport parents' emotion abilities > Parents and emotions in youth sport: A scoping review This podcast is brought to you by Canada's Sport Information Resource Centre (SIRC). Follow along with SIRC's francophone podcast to hear even more of the groundbreaking research and the strategies that propel our teams and athletes forward.