Podcast
Navigating Sports Business
Hosted by AJ Maestas · EN
Gain exclusive insight into the professional and personal worlds of high-level executives in sports and entertainment as we host top decision-makers in the industry to discuss emerging topics, their business, careers, and personal life stories.
From collegiate conference commissioners to professional sports team executives and owners, to CMOs and leading marketers at global brands, Navigating Sports Business takes listeners inside the lives of key people making a major impact on the sports and entertainment industry.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
144. Populous - Brian Mirakian
3d ago00:33:53Tap to summarizeBrian Mirakian - Senior Principal at Populous - discusses how architects and sports teams are designing multi-use stadiums with the future in mind. Trends and interests evolve much faster than stadiums can be built, so flexibility is key. Timestamps: 1:45 - Brian's role at Populous 6:00 - What owners are looking for in venue design 10:05 - Trends in development 13:55 - The Battery and Truist Park in Atlanta 18:25 - The rate of change in new venues 25:00 - AI in future planning 30:35 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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Highlight: Will we Have a New NFL Media Deal by 2027?
1w ago00:02:37Tap to summarizeFrom our annual predictions episode, AJ and Charles explore whether or not the NFL will have a new media rights deal by this time next year. The league already demands $12B annually and they are looking for a 50%-100% increase in their next deal. Will new and existing partners be able to write a big enough check? Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=f99b94e2b02b0387bb15267b517a2134 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Transcribe →143. NBA Europe
2w ago00:31:26Tap to summarizeThe NBA is officially taking bids and vetting investors for NBA Europe. AJ and Charles discuss the value proposition for investors, the upside and risk for the NBA, and what this means for the global basketball ecosystem. They also explore which other leagues should be considering international expansion, and what that looks like in practice. Timestamps: 1:15 - NBA Europe & the global basketball ecosystem 4:15 - The impact on EuroLeague & existing leagues 13:40 - Investor concerns 15:50 - Basketball Africa League 21:05 - Promotion & relegation in an open league model 23:20 - Winners & losers 26:20 - Which league is next? For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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Highlight: Mike Dillon - Pittsburgh Penguins
3w ago00:02:01Tap to summarizeMike Dillon – CFO of the Pittsburgh Penguins – on the "triangle offense" of ticketing, marketing, & strategy that allows them to react to data models and test new initiatives throughout the season. He cites the example of optimizing games with lower projected attendance by adding indoor fireworks shows - safely. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=af0e1988a4018fc3975cc40c75e865a2 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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Highlight: USOPC - Katie Bynum Aznavorian
Apr 1500:02:47Tap to summarizeKatie Bynum Aznavorian — Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee — breaks down how Team USA built on the momentum of past Olympic Games at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. That approach led to even greater growth in performance, fan sentiment, and engagement compared to the 2022 games. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=590521345cd7c04fc0d9ed1067b53532 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Transcribe →Highlight: Why Sponsorship Works
Apr 800:03:05Tap to summarizeSponsorship budgets often compete with digital and social advertising that offer clear, measurable conversion rates. Rather than treating sponsorships like a pure media buy, experienced marketers understand the downstream impact on sales, employee morale, brand perception, and reach across markets. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=762f59b100fb41de395e620e77eea263 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Transcribe →142. Special Predictions Episode
Apr 101:00:10Tap to summarizeSpecial predictions episode: AJ and Charles give their thoughts on the next 12-months in sports business. What will be the price tag for Seattle Seahawks? Will the NBA expand? Will the NFL add an 18th game? How many private capital deals reach college athletics? We'll revisit these predictions next year to see what we got right and what surprised us. Timestamps: 0:45 - The next NFL media deal & an 18th game 4:40 - Netflix's sports portfolio 7:40 - Will a tech company buy a team? 11:40 - World Cup 16:35 - Collegiate Athletics 21:30 - Private Capital 27:15 - NCAA Tournament Expansion 31:45 - Franchise sales 44:20 - MLB lockout 51:05 - NBA expansion For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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141. Mike Dillon - Pittsburgh Penguins
Mar 2500:42:25Tap to summarizeMike Dillon - CFO of the Pittsburgh Penguins - leads a duel role overseeing both finance and strategy for one of the most iconic franchises in the NHL. He and his team work closely with Navigate on advanced fan segmentation and custom research. He discusses the things NHL teams do well from a revenue standpoint and where there is room for increased sophistication and growth. He also talks about maintaining positive momentum from major moments like the winter Olympics and the success of Heated Rivalry. Timestamps: 1:15 - Mike's Background 6:30 - Achieving positive outcomes regardless of team success 12:30 - The Penguins outperforming expectations 15:35 - Hockey taking over the conversations 20:30 - Mike's dual role as CFO and head of strategy 23:20 - What hockey gets right 25:30 - Advanced fan segmentation 31:05 - NHL growth in the next decade 36:20 - Rapid Fire Questions Mike's Pittsburgh Restaurant Recommendations: DiAnoia's Eatery Alla Famiglia For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Transcribe →Highlight: How Teams and Leagues Approach Prediction Market Partnerships
Mar 1800:02:43Tap to summarizeHow are teams and leagues approaching partnerships with prediction markets? Jeff and Charles are having frequent conversations with property clients around how to handle this emerging category. For most, the priorities are to monetize the category while respecting existing sports better partners. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=88ebc0133d153220edab58c5877f6f83 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Transcribe →Highlight: Preparing for Private Capital in College Sports
Mar 1100:03:06Tap to summarizeWhat is the most common mistake athletic departments are going to make as private capital enters college sports? AJ and Charles give their thoughts: 1) How are you spending the money? 2) Are you maintaining optionality for the future? 3) Are incentives properly aligned? Private equity is looking for a return on investment, so schools are going to need to optimize their revenues, and not use the funds to cover up short-term gaps. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=0274a79bbace9aa1eff963137011a31e For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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