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.
21episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Highlight: Populous - Brian Mirakian
5d ago00:02:34Tap 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/.
Transcribe →
145. Ryan McCarthy - Virginia Tech
2w ago00:28:38Tap 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
3w ago00:02:25Tap 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/.
Transcribe →
144. Populous - Brian Mirakian
4w 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/.
Transcribe →Highlight: Will we Have a New NFL Media Deal by 2027?
May 600:02:37Tap 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
Apr 2900:31:26Tap 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/.
Transcribe →
Highlight: Mike Dillon - Pittsburgh Penguins
Apr 2200:02:01Tap 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/.
Transcribe →
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/.
Transcribe →