Bloomberg Business of Sports: Super Bowl LX Radio Row Interviews, Day Two
Date: February 7, 2026
Hosts: Vanessa Perdomo, Randall Williams
Location: San Francisco, Super Bowl 60 Radio Row
Episode Overview
This special Super Bowl edition of Bloomberg Business of Sports brings listeners inside Radio Row during the week of Super Bowl LX. Hosts Vanessa Perdomo and Randall Williams interview prominent figures across the NFL, exploring not only their football insights but also their ventures in business, community impact, and reflections on the league’s global evolution. The episode features in-depth discussions with former NFL quarterback and Amazon Prime analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick, New Orleans Saints captain and community leader Demario Davis, 49ers legend Jerry Rice, and star running back Christian McCaffrey.
Key Interviews & Discussion Points
1. Ryan Fitzpatrick: The Analyst’s Perspective & NFL’s Global Expansion
[02:28–12:36]
Super Bowl Predictions & Quarterback Market
- Fitzpatrick predicts Matthew Stafford to win the MVP, highlighting his exceptional performance and leadership (02:52).
- Quote: "Matthew Stafford is going to win the mvp. He was incredible all year long." – Ryan Fitzpatrick [02:52]
- Discussion of the challenges and intangibles involved in the quarterback market, with praise for Sam Darnold’s journey from adversity to Super Bowl (03:37).
- Quote: "He [Sam Darnold] looked at it as a learning experience to keep going, to pick himself up off the mat and continue to get better." – Ryan Fitzpatrick [03:37]
- Preview of the big game: Fitzpatrick analytically favors Seattle as the better team but predicts New England will pull off the win, citing coaching and handling pressure as key factors. Highlights Josh McDaniels as the X-factor (04:41).
- Quote: "Seattle is the better football team. But will they be the better football team on Sunday? That's the big question. I think New England sneaks away with a win in this game." – Ryan Fitzpatrick [04:41]
Transition from Player to Analyst & Podcaster
- Fitzpatrick shares how he transitioned into TV with Amazon’s broadcast team and credits host Carissa Thompson for guiding ex-players through the chaotic world of television (06:12).
- Quote: "She did such an amazing job… letting our personality show, but also making sure that we're putting together a show. I don't think people appreciate Carissa Thompson as much as they should." – Ryan Fitzpatrick [06:12]
- On authenticity in media: He stresses the necessity of bringing his real self and NFL experience to audiences (07:27).
- Podcasting as a way to have real, long-form conversations beyond typical media soundbites (08:10).
Off-Season Life & Responsible Tourism
- Fitzpatrick discusses vacationing in Aruba with his wife, describing the blend of nature and hospitality, and emphasizing the experience of responsible tourism and the kindness of locals (09:00).
- Quote: "You go, you just feel refreshed and rejuvenated even after returning home." – Ryan Fitzpatrick [09:00]
NFL’s International Growth
- Reflects on the NFL’s successful international expansion under Roger Goodell, highlighting how players have come to embrace the global games for team bonding and new experiences (10:47).
- Quote: "Players have really embraced it. You can use it as a time for your team to get closer together, have three or four days together in a foreign place." – Ryan Fitzpatrick [10:47]
- Skeptical on the logistics of hosting a full-time team abroad, but playfully nominates Dublin, Ireland as his preferred city for a franchise (11:55, 12:23).
- Quote: "If I had to pick a place to put a team, Dublin, Ireland, baby." – Ryan Fitzpatrick [12:23]
2. Demario Davis: Community Impact & International Expansion
[14:08–24:28]
Walter Payton Man of the Year Nomination
- Davis describes being nominated again as a huge honor, emphasizing the collective nature of the award and the NFL’s role in elevating community work (14:45).
- Quote: "It's a war for New Orleans, representing a city that has really poured into my family and we've been able to just pour into it back. It's just been incredible." – Demario Davis [14:45]
- Details about how the NFL provides a unique platform for off-field societal influence, and the value of players collaborating to scale community projects (16:22).
- Quote: "When 10 guys come together, 15 guys come together, 20 guys come together with the level of influence and the level of credibility that we have, that's a tremendous signal that we can send into the community." – Demario Davis [17:27]
Collaborative Player-Led Initiatives
- Emphasizes how many league social initiatives are player-led and originate from these types of conversations (17:27).
- On being a role model: Davis explains why players want the Walter Payton award and how it inspires others to contribute to their communities (20:59).
- Quote: "It's about being more than a player… we want that ripple effect because for our country to move forward, it takes everybody." – Demario Davis [20:59]
Thoughts on NFL International Games
- Davis celebrates the Saints’ upcoming game in Paris, highlighting both the city’s status and franchise leadership in international outreach (23:15).
- Quote: "Paris is the most toured city in the world… That game is going to be like no other game that has happened internationally." – Demario Davis [23:15]
3. Jerry Rice & NetApp: Data, Legacy, and Going Global
[26:01–35:28]
Data and the Modern Athlete
- NetApp CMO Gaby Boko explains the crucial role of data infrastructure in the modern NFL, from player performance to stadium operations (26:50).
- Rice reflects on his playing days, humorously speculating that access to modern analytics could have doubled his monumental stats (29:03).
- Quote: "If I had NetApp back in the day... maybe I would have been able to double all my stats." – Jerry Rice [29:03]
Globalization of the NFL
- Rice and Boko endorse the league’s international initiatives. Rice singles out Australia as his preferred place for a game, noting the 49ers’ loyal fans worldwide (31:19).
- Quote: "I would love to go [to Australia]… we have a fan base over there like crazy with the 49ers." – Jerry Rice [31:19]
- Rice underscores the impact of seeing fans wear his jersey around the world—a tangible sign of the NFL’s international reach (33:53).
- Quote: "To actually see someone wearing your jersey… the connection there, I’m like, oh my God." – Jerry Rice [33:53]
Fun Super Bowl Predictions
- Predicts a big TV turnout, largely due to interest in Sam Darnold’s story and the Patriots-Seahawks matchup (34:18–34:48).
- Sticks with Seattle as his winner, citing defense and overall team balance (35:02).
- Quote: "I just feel like with Seattle, the offense and the defense, and you win championship with defense, we'll see what happens." – Jerry Rice [35:08]
4. Christian McCaffrey: Awards, Fans, and Athlete Entrepreneurship
[35:35–43:04]
Recognizing On-Field Achievement & Giving Back
- Fresh off winning the FedEx 2025 Air and Ground Player of the Year, McCaffrey shares the significance of fan-voted awards and associated philanthropic donations (35:52).
- Quote: "Anytime you're getting an award, being able to give back a little bit means a lot." – Christian McCaffrey [35:52]
The San Francisco Fan Base & City’s Identity
- Celebrates the uniqueness and loyalty of San Francisco’s sports fans, connecting his own personal ties to the area with the cosmopolitan character of the city (37:24, 38:03).
- Quote: "San Francisco is a city that has so much character… The people is what make it really cool." – Christian McCaffrey [38:03, 38:33]
Athlete Entrepreneurship: Wild on Earth
- McCaffrey discusses his venture as a co-founder of Wild on Earth, highlighting his role in design, product testing, and vision for athlete-founded brands (39:19–42:11).
- Quote: "When athletes put… my name on something, I want it to be something that I align with from a business standpoint, from an ethics standpoint. And Wild on Earth was the perfect fit." – Christian McCaffrey [40:00]
- On business lessons: Patience, quality focus, and leveraging his expertise as an athlete are key takeaways (39:23, 42:11).
- Expresses intentional planning for post-football career, choosing to invest and participate as a team member, not just as an endorser (41:08).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“Seattle is the better football team. But will they be the better football team on Sunday? That's the big question.”
— Ryan Fitzpatrick [04:41] -
“If you had to pick a place to put a team, Dublin, Ireland, baby.”
— Ryan Fitzpatrick [12:23] -
“When 10 guys… come together with the level of influence and credibility that we have, that's a tremendous signal that we can send into the community.”
— Demario Davis [17:27] -
“If I had NetApp back in the day... maybe I would have been able to double all my stats.”
— Jerry Rice [29:03] -
“Paris is the most toured city in the world… That game is going to be like no other game that has happened internationally.”
— Demario Davis [23:15] -
“I want it to be something that I align with… And Wild on Earth was the perfect fit.”
— Christian McCaffrey [40:00]
Timestamps of Important Segments
| Time | Guest/Topic | Key Discussion | |---------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 02:28 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | Super Bowl preview, QB market | | 06:12 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | Transition to analyst/media/podcast | | 09:00 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | Vacation, responsible tourism | | 10:47 | Ryan Fitzpatrick | NFL international expansion | | 14:08 | Demario Davis | Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination, community work | | 17:27 | Demario Davis | Player collaboration for causes | | 23:15 | Demario Davis | Saints playing in Paris, NFL’s global strategy | | 26:01 | Jerry Rice & NetApp CMO Gaby Boko | Data’s role in the NFL, legacy, international games | | 31:19 | Jerry Rice | Wants to see NFL in Australia | | 35:35 | Christian McCaffrey | MVP award, fans, giving back | | 39:19 | Christian McCaffrey | Entrepreneurial journey, Wild on Earth |
Episode Themes & Takeaways
- Players as Multifaceted Leaders: From Fitzpatrick’s media pivot to Davis’s community leadership and McCaffrey’s business ventures, today’s athletes are leveraging their platforms well beyond the field.
- Super Bowl as a Business Showcase: While football remains central, the economic ripple effects and ventures discussed (media, technology, apparel) highlight the NFL’s status as a multibillion-dollar, global industry.
- NFL’s International Ambitions: The league’s growth strategies—Paris games, speculation about future teams, and fan development—signal a sustained push to globalize American football.
- Data & Technology: Partnerships like NetApp showcase how data analytics and AI increasingly shape football, from player health to fan experiences.
- Giving Back: Awards and initiatives like the Walter Payton Man of the Year and FedEx charity tie-ins underscore the league’s encouragement of social responsibility and community impact.
This episode provides a unique look at the business of the NFL during its biggest week, giving listeners insight into how the league, its stars, and its partners are shaping both sports and society.
End of Summary