Digital Social Hour Podcast Summary

Title: The $10M Secret to Winning in Sports & Spirits | Gavin Maloof DSH #928
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Gavin Maloof
Release Date: November 27, 2024

In episode #928 of the "Digital Social Hour," host Sean Kelly welcomes Gavin Maloof, a notable entrepreneur and sports franchise owner, to discuss his dual ventures in the spirits industry and professional sports. The conversation offers a deep dive into Maloof's strategies for success, his family's legacy in the liquor business, and his experiences managing sports teams, providing listeners with valuable insights into both industries.

Investment in Commissario Tequila

Launching a Premium Tequila Brand

The episode kicks off with Maloof discussing his investment in Commissario Tequila, a brand he proudly states has garnered significant accolades. At [01:38], he shares:

"We've won close to 50 awards. Gold, silver, Double gold. Platinum. Our reposado actually just won a platinum award. It's never been awarded before. That means our reposado is like the number one in the world."

Quality and Purity

Maloof emphasizes the superior quality of Commissario Tequila, highlighting the use of more agave plant hearts per bottle compared to competitors:

"We actually have more heart of the agave plants per bottle. And some of the competition, like Casamigos and Patron use like two or three hearts of the agave plant. So it's pure. There's no additives, no preservatives, just pure tequila." ([02:56])

He also discusses the aging process of their tequilas:

"This is the anejo—two years in oak casks. And then we have the extra anejo, which is aged seven years. That's really incredible." ([02:28])

Family Legacy in the Liquor Business

Historical Roots and Experience

Maloof shares his family's long-standing involvement in the liquor industry, dating back to 1937 with the distribution of Coors in New Mexico:

"My family started with Coors, and we were original distributors for Coors in several states. We sold Jack Daniels, Bacardi, Robert Mondavi, Gallo. I have an extensive background in the liquor and beer business." ([04:56])

Growth and Market Expansion

Expanding Commissario's Footprint

Despite being a relatively new brand launched six years ago, Commissario Tequila has rapidly expanded its presence, especially in Las Vegas:

"Here in Las Vegas, we have a huge footprint with Bellagio, Aria Summit, Aria Fountain Blue... We're in just about every account in these iconic venues." ([03:58])

Maloof outlines their ambitious expansion plans:

"We're in 42 states and going into eight countries, including Japan and Egypt. It's really blown up." ([09:15])

Signature Products and Awards

Highlighting the distinct varieties of Commissario Tequila, Maloof states:

"Our extra anejo is styled after the great cognacs and brandies. It doesn't even taste harsh like some tequilas. It's incredibly smooth." ([07:04])

Responsible Drinking and Market Trends

Promoting Responsible Consumption

Addressing the growing trend towards sobriety, Maloof stresses the importance of responsible drinking:

"We don't want people to overindulge. Drink responsibly. This is a sipping tequila, so it's great on the rocks or in cocktails." ([05:54])

Sports Franchise Ownership

Early Success with the Houston Rockets

Maloof recounts his experience owning the Houston Rockets at the young age of 24, leading them to the NBA finals despite a losing record:

"We had a 40-42 record and still made it to the finals. It was unprecedented." ([10:19])

A memorable anecdote involves confronting Magic Johnson during the finals:

"I run down the court to congratulate my players, but security escorted me out because I didn't have a pass." ([11:31])

Championship with the Vegas Golden Knights

Transitioning to his recent success, Maloof celebrates winning a championship with the Vegas Golden Knights:

"We finally got our championship a couple years ago with the Vegas Golden Knights." ([13:30])

Strategic Insights in Sports Management

Talent Acquisition and Team Building

Maloof emphasizes the critical role of the general manager in selecting talent:

"You really have to rely on the general manager, the person that's picking the talent. That's how your franchise is going to win or lose." ([21:03])

He reflects on missed opportunities, such as passing on Steph Curry due to selecting Tyreek Evans instead:

"We could have had Steph Curry, but we went with Tyreek Evans. He was Rookie of the Year that year." ([18:27])

Balancing Star Players and Role Players

Discussing team composition, Maloof highlights the need for star players to elevate the entire team:

"You need an all-star. You need like maybe one or two all-stars on the team and then maybe a great role player. Great players make the people around them great." ([21:48])

Venturing into Emerging Sports: Paddleball

Las Vegas Smash and Paddleball Growth

Maloof introduces paddleball as an emerging sport, sharing his involvement with the Las Vegas Smash:

"We're part owners of the Las Vegas Smash, which is paddleball. It's like tennis on steroids and incredibly exciting." ([22:51])

He underscores paddleball's growing international popularity and its potential in the U.S.:

"It's very popular in Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, and Europe. It's just now getting big in the States." ([22:55])

Comparative Analysis of Sports

Injury Rates and Athlete Longevity

Maloof provides a comparative analysis of injuries in different sports:

• Basketball: Predominantly lower body injuries such as ankles and knees.

  "Probably at one, at one point or another, they have some kind of injury. A lot of ankles, knees, foot injuries." ([31:48])

• Hockey: More upper body injuries due to the physical nature of the sport.

  "Shoulders, hip flexors, and some ankle injuries." ([32:19])

Athlete Longevity and Performance

Discussing athlete longevity, Maloof acknowledges the demanding nature of racket sports but cites examples of long-lasting careers:

"Djokovic is pushing 40 now and still playing at a high level." ([33:39])

Future Prospects and Personal Interests

Expanding Sports Interests

Maloof expresses enthusiasm for trying new sports, such as paddleball, and encourages host Sean Kelly to explore them:

"It's a great workout and a lot of fun. You should check it out sometime." ([23:58])

Commitment to Business and Sports

Despite his extensive involvement in both industries, Maloof remains dedicated to expanding his tequila brand while enjoying his role in sports management.

Notable Quotes

• Gavin Maloof [01:38]:

  "We've won close to 50 awards. Gold, silver, Double gold. Platinum. Our reposado actually just won a platinum award. It's never been awarded before. That means our reposado is like the number one in the world."

• Gavin Maloof [02:56]:

  "Because it's just pure tequila. We actually have more heart of the agave plants per bottle. And some of the competition, like Casamigos and Patron use like two or three hearts of the agave plant."

• Gavin Maloof [07:04]:

  "He styled this after a lot of the great cognacs and brandies. That's why you see the color of it, that the anejo and then the extra anejo and then our reposado as well."

• Gavin Maloof [21:03]:

  "It's like you say analytics, but you really have to rely on the general manager, the person that's picking the talent. That's how your franchise is going to win or lose."

Conclusion

In this episode of "Digital Social Hour," Gavin Maloof offers a compelling narrative that intertwines his passion for crafting exceptional tequila and his strategic prowess in sports franchise management. Listeners gain valuable insights into building a premium spirits brand, the intricacies of sports team ownership, and the importance of quality talent acquisition. Maloof's journey underscores the significance of dedication, quality, and strategic planning in achieving long-term success across diverse industries. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a sports enthusiast, or someone interested in both, Maloof's expertise provides actionable takeaways and inspiration to thrive in today's competitive landscape.

Where to Find Commissario Tequila:

• Website: commissario.com
• Retailers: Lee's Liquor, Ralph's (Los Angeles)
• Online: Available on commissario.com
• Availability: In 42 states and expanding into eight countries, including Japan and Egypt.