Navigating Sports Business

Sarah Hirshland - CEO of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee -  joins AJ Maestas to discuss the three main priorities of the USOPC.  Supporting their elite athletes holistically.Improving and growing inclusive sports culture.Growing the Olympics with a new generation of fans.  Sarah also serves on the IOC Olympic Programme Commission helping decide which sports and events are held in the Olympic Games. Details: 2:00 - The role of the USOPC 13:20 - Doping in the Olympics 17:40 - Sports doc series 20:50 - LA28 27:30 - The top 3 priorities for the USOPC 28:50 - Gender equity in sports 32:35 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Abe Madkour - Publisher & Executive Editor at Sports Business Journal - shares 3 trends he's following in the sports industry. 1) The growth and excitement behind women's sports 2) The prominence of VC and private equity investment throughout the industry 3) Emerging sports such as Pickleball, Lacrosse, Volleyball, Softball, and others Paul Rabil & the PLLAthlete's Unlimited   Listen to the full episode here:   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Christy Hedgpeth - President of Playfly Sports Properties - and Michael Schreiber - Founder & CEO of Playfly - are the guests for our first ever double interview.   They discuss Playfly's role in the marketplace, and its position among the competition. Michael explains how their goal is to provide a national sales network, as well as best-in-class technology and innovation, to teams and clubs at the local level.    Christy provides further detail on how Playfly Sports Properties is advancing the MMR space for collegiate and high school clients.    For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at   Details 1:35 - Breaking down Playfly Sports 18:00 - Christy’s background as a national champion 23:25 - Mike’s background at Hulu and beyond 30:00 - Differentiating Playfly from the competition 35:45 - What’s next 46:15 - Rapid Fire Questions

Our dear friend Roger Valdiserri passed away last week at the age of 95. Roger was a legend in our industry, serving as the Sports Information Director at Notre Dame for 3 decades. Throughout his career, he worked 22 men's basketball Final Fours, 2 Olympic Games, and even a World Cup. He was a part of 2 national championships in football under head coach Ara Parseghian.  We published a podcast with Roger back in January of 2021, and selected some of our favorite moments to include here in honor of such a renowned figure in the world of sports.  Our condolences are with the entire Valdiserri family at this time.    Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Lorien Parry Luehrs - President & COO of HomeTown Ticketing - on the impact that digital ticketing can have on K-12 sports and events, beyond just the bottom line.    She talks about how Athletic Directors have so many objectives to tend to, and profit is rarely one of them. Therefore, making the transition to digital isn't about increasing revenue, but is about ease of access, improved data capabilities, security, and marketing.    Listen to the full episode here:   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Abe Madkour - Publisher & Executive Editor at Sports Business Journal - joins the Navigating Sports Business podcast to discuss the state of the sports industry and his transition from journalist to editor.    He and AJ also highlight their favorite SBJ events throughout the year, and sports business trends they are keeping an eye on.    Details: 3:20 - Abe’s background 9:55 - The transition from journalist to publisher 12:05 - Competition in the sports business news world 16:35 - Balancing objectivity 22:30 - Sports Business Trends 35:30 -  Abe picks some of the best organizations in sports 40:45 Rapid Fire Questions   The Charlotte FC crowd singing the National Anthem:  AJ's 2019 article on downward attendance in college athletics:   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Earl Santee - Senior Principal & Global Chair at Populous - on the evolution of sports venues from a seated experience to more of a personalized entertainment experience, and a community meeting place.    He and AJ also cover the importance of easy transit as a common friction point among fans, and as a key way that live sports needs to improve in order to compete with the ease of at-home entertainment.    Listen to the full episode here:   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Lorien Parry Luehrs - President & COO of HomeTown Ticketing - joins the show to discuss how digital ticketing is changing the game for high school sports and other community events. With 865M tickets sold each year, K-12 events (including sports and other events) account for 60% of ticket sales in the U.S. - pro sports sell about 200M for comparison.   HomeTown Ticketing is the market leader in digital ticketing for K-12 schools and colleges, and offers benefits beyond ticketing such as improved security, push notification marketing, and access to important game day data.    Together they dive into the digital ticketing space, and highlight the growth and impact HomeTown Ticketing is making in the space.      Details:  11:00 - COVID as an accelerant  12:55 - Lorien’s background 28:00 - HomeTown Ticketing 42:15 - The impact of technology on high school events 45:20 - Rapid Fire Questions   Books and TED Talks Mentioned: The Hard Things About Hard Things The Obstacle is the Way Brené Brown - The Power of Vulnerability   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

With the WNBA tipping off this week, we're showcasing a highlight from our interview with current client Keia Clarke, CEO of the New York Liberty. She breaks down how her team is working to share the unique story of each of their players, not just the stars.    She also talks about the team's talent and how they'll be able to capitalize on basketball success when it comes to the business side.   Listen to the full episode here:   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Earl Santee - Senior Principal & Global Chairman at Populous - is one of the most most well-known and respected stadium designers in the world. As a founder of Populous, he and his team pioneered practices that we take for granted today, like the "skybox" that led directly to the prevalence of luxury suites in modern stadiums.  He and AJ explore some of his favorite projects he's worked on, and discuss what rapidly-evolving technology means for the future of entertainment gathering spaces likes arenas and ballparks.  Details: 9:40 - Looking back 13:15 - The future of stadiums 24:55 - Food & beverage 31:20 - Collegiate Athletics 36:10 - Rapid Fire Questions   Books mentioned in the show: Future Shock, by Alvin Toffler The Algorithmic Leader by Mike Walsh Age Power by Ken Dychtwald   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page and learn more about Navigate at

Gretchen Sheirr - President of Business Operations for the Houston Rockets - explains the evolution of digital ticketing best practices since she joined the organization two decades ago, and how her team was on the cutting edge.  Listen to the full episode here: For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Keia Clarke - CEO of the New York Liberty - joins the show to discuss the bright future of the Liberty and the WNBA as a whole.   She shares with AJ Maestas her career path and how she made the transition from marketing to operations, and now to the role of CEO. They also touch on the Liberty's investment in custom market research and the work they're doing with Navigate.   Details: 2:15 - The $75M investment in the WNBA 4:50 - The Tsai Family 9:05 - Following in Keia’s footsteps 14:15 - DEI in Sports 17:45 - YES deal and the Liberty’s star power 28:10 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page and learn more about Navigate at

Bob Cialdini, the best-selling author of Influence shares the importance of using his Seven Principles of Persuasion ethically and authentically.    He also gives tips for negotiations, and explores the authority principle as it applies to pricing, and why you should never round your prices.    Listen to the full interview here:     Find Bob's books here:   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Former Oregon AD - Pat Kilkenny- is a close friend and advisor to many leaders in college sports, including Phil Knight, Bob Bowlsby, and Larry Scott. He shares the lessons he learned as an entrepreneur and how he applied them at Oregon.    He and AJ Maestas discuss his transition to the world of college sports, and why he ultimately left Oregon. They also discuss Pat's relationship to Phil Knight, and the role that Nike and other large brands might play as NIL continues to evolve.      Details:    2:10 - Pat’s path the Oregon AD job 9:30 - NIL 15:40 - The Pac-12 22:40 - Nike and Apple’s role in college athletics 24:25 - Pat’s business background 27:15 - the Lucky Duck Foundation 33:10 - Pat’s childhood on a farm in Oregon 34:50 - Rapid Fire Questions   Learn more about the Lucky Duck Foundation at   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page and learn more about Navigate at

Gretchen Sheirr - President of Business Operations for the Houston Rockets - spent 20 seasons with the team before ascending to her current role in 2021.    Over that stretch, she pioneered new ticketing practices, and became one of our industry's leading experts on digital ticketing. She join AJ Maestas to discuss the lessons she's learned over the course of her career, some best practices for ticketing and venue management, and how we as an industry can improve when it comes to DE&I practices.    Details 1:30 - Gretchen’s career path/staying with the same organization 7:27 - Ticketing 11:40 - Rockets Owner, Tilman Fertitta 14:00 - Lessons from the COVID-19 experience 20:05 - DE&I in sports 24:05 - Rapid Fire Questions   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page and learn more about Navigate at

Dr. Robert Cialdini is is the author of the best-selling book, Influence, and is an expert on psychology and human behavior. His research spans sports fandom, business, and beyond. He and AJ Maestas discuss the 7 principles of persuasion: ReciprocityScarcityAuthorityConsistencyLikingSocial ProofUnity   Bob shares how to use these principles to ethically inform and influence people in a business setting, including best practices for negotiation, price setting, and messaging.    Details 2:55 - What the sports industry can learn from experts like Bob 10:50 - The 7 Principles of Persuasion 21:05 - Using Bob’s work in Sports 28:05 - Bob’s research on sports fandom   Find Bob's books and his new course (coming Autumn 2022) here: Link to the research Bob mentioned: Link to Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari: For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page and learn more about Navigate at

George Kliavkoff - Commissioner of the Pac-12 - on the 3 main factors he's focusing on for the conference's upcoming media rights negotiations, with the current deal expiring in 2024.   RevenueBroad DistributionCompetitive Advantage   The current media rights deal expires in 2024, so these negotiations will be taking place soon.   Listen to the full interview from 2-2-22 here:   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Georgia Tech Director of Athletics - Todd Stansbury - joins AJ Maestas to discuss trending topics in college athletics, the challenges of running a modern athletic department, the future of the NCAA, and more.   Details: 2:05 - Todd’s career path 17:10 - Changes to collegiate athletics 23:35 - The NCAA’s evolving role 32:20 - Fundraising at Georgia Tech 35:15 - Georgia Tech’s MMR deal with Legends 38:55 - Rapid Fire Questions More info on Radiochain - the startup founded by 3 Georgia Tech swimmers.Link to GTAA Ventures - the VC Fund for Georgia Tech AthleticsJenny Moore - the former Georgia Tech athlete who became a fighter pilot.Shane Kimbrough -astronaut and honorary Georgia Tech letterwinner For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page and learn more about Navigate at

Chris Overholt - President and CEO of OverActive Media - shares what traditional sports properties can learn from the rise of esports, and how they should be preparing their investments in the broader gaming world.   Conversely, he also gives his thoughts on what esports organizations can take from traditional properties as the industry continues to grow.   Listen to the full interview from 1-29-22 here:   For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at

Mid-American Conference Commissioner, Jon Steinbrecher, gives us the G5 perspective on all of the hot topics we're seeing in college sports.    Jon has been a conference Commissioner since 1994, making him the second longest-tenured Commissioner at the FBS level. He has been in the room when major decisions have been made regarding NIL, the-time transfer exception, CFP expansion, and more. He and AJ Maestas discuss all of the above, as well as talking about what makes the MAC such a fun and unique conference.    Details 1:30 - The state of college athletics 9:15 - #MACtion & Fly the Flag 17:40 - NIL & the future of the NCAA 30:20 - Sports betting in college sports 36:15 - CFP Expansion 42:45 - Rapid Fire Questions   Check out MAC's Fly The Flag campaign.    For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page and learn more about Navigate at