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.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
149. What Needs to Change in the Protect College Sports Act?
1w ago00:19:14Tap to summarizeWhere is the current version of the Protect College Sports Act lacking, and what needs to change? Amid ongoing leaks and revisions, AJ Maestas and Charles Rolston examine how the proposed legislation could shape the long-term health of college athletics and impact athletes, schools, and conferences. Can pooling media rights really double revenue? Navigate's analysis suggests otherwise. AJ breaks down where the projections fall short, the real ways the industry can professionalize, create stability and preserve what makes college sports special. Timestamps: 0:35 - The latest on the Protect College Sports Act 1:35 - The realignment provision 6:10 - Downsides to collective media rights pooling 8:45 - Should be focusing on NIL? 14:10 - Key Takeaways 15:20 - Predictions
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Highlight: Eddie Lewis - Former USMNT Team Player & Founder of TOCA Soccer
2w ago00:02:12Tap to summarizeEddie Lewis - two-time World Cup player for the U.S. and founder of TOCA Soccer - on the two eureka moments that led to the creation of TOCA Social. TOCA supports training for high-level athletes but also a fun soccer experience for the casual fan. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=8e379d9055c0772740f5bb58db0f35c8 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Transcribe →148. Navigate's SBJ BIS Workshop - A Study in Fan Friction
3w ago00:22:54Tap to summarizeFor this year's brands-only workshop at SBJ BIS - Navigate's custom insights team conducted a robust study of sports fans and where they perceive friction points in the fan experience. Ally Corbin presented the findings along with Navigate's recommendations for brands looking to build relevance and affinity through sponsorship. She joins AJ Maestas to discuss her presentation and other key learnings from the workshop. We've created an interactive dashboard based on the study's data. You can filter by question or demographics, or use the AI-feature to chat directly with the data. You can view the dashboard, here: https://navigate-fan-friction-research.manus.space/ Timestamps: 0:30 - Navigate's Workshop at the SBJ Brand Innovation Summit 2:55 - Friction points in fandom 5:55 - Strategies for brands - relevance over impressions 9:15 - Session #2 - The Rising Cost of Sponsorship 12:40 - Tracking & attributing sponsorship 17:10 - Sponsorship growth rates 19:35 - Takeaway points from Ally's presentation For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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Highlight: Radhika Duggal - MLS
4w ago00:02:47Tap to summarize"Our primary brand value, the thing that people choose us for...is about fun and entertainment." Radhika Duggal – CMO of Major League Soccer – on how MLS used consumer research, stakeholder feedback, and competitive analysis to define its brand. She explains why creating a fun, inclusive experience is at the heart of the league's identity. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=0485ea629690be3624d73b7eee3a7873 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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147. Eddie Lewis - TOCA Soccer
Jun 2400:39:18Tap to summarizeEddie Lewis - Two-time World Cup player for the U.S. and founder of TOCA Soccer - is changing the way that young soccer players train, while simultaneously building soccer's answer to Topgolf. He shares how he balances both objectives domestically and his plans for international expansion. Timestamps: 1:50 - TOCA's Elevator Pitch 5:55 - TOCA Soccer vs. TOCA Social 8:15 - Youth sports 12:55 - The infrastructure of American soccer 16:50 - MLS Partnership 18:40 - International expansion 22:00 - Lessons from playing soccer 28:55 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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Highlight: Virginia Tech - Ryan McCarthy
Jun 1700:02:51Tap to summarizeRyan McCarthy — Board of Visitors Member at Virginia Tech — explains the power of athletics to bring positive global exposure to a university. Smart investments in athletics have the potential for as much as $1B in ROI, and universities like Virginia Tech are wisely making those investments for the future. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=344ead289d120de9f56f07165421bb56 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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146. Radhika Duggal - MLS
Jun 1000:39:24Tap to summarizeRadhika Duggal - CMO of Major League Soccer - has an opportunity to ride the wave of soccer fandom in U.S. that is building around the FIFA World Cup. She explains how she works with marketers from all 30 MLS clubs to ensure they capitalize on this historic moment. For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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Highlight: Populous - Brian Mirakian
Jun 300:02:34Tap to summarize"Most clients want to push create something completely cutting edge." Brian Mirakian - Senior Principal at Populous - on how they work with visionary team owners to push boundaries to bring something new to the marketplace with their venue designs. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=1f6000cb7657f36e212b6428ef8f9d3b For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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145. Ryan McCarthy - Virginia Tech
May 2700:28:38Tap to summarizeBoard members and university administrators are spending an increasing amount of time on athletics. Ryan McCarthy — Board of Visitors Member at Virginia Tech — joined our podcast with insight on the goals of a university and the role that athletics plays in serving its broader mission. As the former U.S. Secretary of the Army, Ryan has a unique perspective on leadership and navigating a diverse group of stakeholders. Timestamps: 1:10 - Board members spending more and more time on athletics 4:25 - Navigate's engagement with Virginia Tech 8:20 - What does VT athletics look like in 2030? 12:25 - Ryan's Background as Secretary of the Army 16:50 - Advice for other universities 22:40 - Rapid Fire Questions Show Notes: Our interview with Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=ae8d2b98dc149a023be6909fd08d9af4 Book Rec: Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Transcribe →Highlight: NBA Europe
May 2000:02:25Tap to summarizeWith the NBA accepting bids for NBA Europe, they get a chance to vet new owners and create new media inventory. AJ and Charles break down some of the unseen benefits of expanding the NBA internationally. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=98f53bb4360c6b9e03e064694295d7c5 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
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