🎙️ “Chicago LIVE Show” — Uno’s casino strategy. Amazon’s AI eavesdropper. Tour de France’s $150M surprise.

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Chicago LIVE Show" — Uno’s Casino Strategy, Amazon’s AI Eavesdropper, and Tour de France’s $150M Surprise

Released on July 24, 2025 by Nick & Jack Studios

Hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer and Nick Martell, The Best One Yet delivers an engaging live episode from Chicago, delving into three compelling business stories: Uno’s innovative foray into casinos and entertainment, Amazon’s acquisition of an AI-powered eavesdropping device, and the unique business model behind the Tour de France.

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1. Uno’s Casino Strategy

Expansion into Casinos and Entertainment

Uno, the beloved card game, is undergoing a significant transformation under Mattel’s leadership. Originally a family-friendly game, Mattel is expanding Uno into new realms, including movies, theme parks, and notably, casinos.

Key Developments:

• Casinos: Uno has debuted at the Las Vegas Palms Casino, where Mattel is creating immersive social clubs centered around the game. These clubs feature luxury experiences, including drinks and music, positioning Uno as a centerpiece for social interaction within casinos.
• Nationwide Tour: Starting August 13th, Uno is launching a nationwide tour, introducing Uno social clubs to various locations across the country.
• Digital Integration: Partnering with BMW, Mattel is enabling digital Uno gameplay in the backseats of cars, making the game accessible to a broader audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Jack at [09:01]: “Uno is now expanding into casinos and movies because Mattel is turning our favorite card game into a multi-faceted entertainment brand.”
• Nick at [10:38]: “UNO is the only card game whose market is everybody.”

Impact: Mattel’s aggressive expansion strategy has led to a 12% growth in the Uno category last quarter, making it the fastest-growing division within the company. This move not only revitalizes a classic game but also leverages its universal appeal to capture diverse markets.

Takeaway: Mattel’s approach demonstrates the power of leveraging a beloved brand across multiple entertainment sectors, enhancing consumer engagement and sustaining long-term growth in a competitive market.

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2. Amazon’s AI Eavesdropper

Acquisition of Bee: A Proactive AI Assistant

Amazon has acquired Bee, a startup that manufactures a Fitbit-like wearable device equipped with an AI assistant capable of continuously listening to and recording user conversations. This device aims to transform personal assistants from reactive to proactive entities.

Key Features:

• Continuous Listening: Bee records and transcribes all conversations, providing end-of-day summaries and a searchable archive.
• Proactive Suggestions: By analyzing the data, the AI can offer timely and relevant suggestions, such as reminders and personalized recommendations.
• Integration Potential: When integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem, Bee could enhance the capabilities of existing assistants like Alexa, making them more intuitive and helpful.

Notable Quotes:

• Nick at [13:28]: “Amazon just acquired Bee, a Fitbit-like wearable AI that never stops listening.”
• Jack at [16:41]: “With this device, tech could go from reactive to proactive.”

Challenges:

• Privacy Concerns: Continuous listening raises significant privacy issues, as the device records all conversations without discrimination.
• Accuracy Issues: Early reviews highlight the device’s tendency to confuse real-life conversations with media content, leading to inaccurate summaries.

Future Outlook: Nick anticipates that by 2030, devices like Bee will render current smartphones “dumb phones,” as proactive AI becomes the standard for personal assistants. This shift signifies a major evolution in how technology interacts with and supports daily life.

Takeaway: Amazon’s acquisition of Bee marks a pivotal advancement in AI technology, emphasizing the shift towards proactive assistance through continuous data collection and analysis. However, it also underscores the need to address privacy and accuracy challenges to fully harness its potential.

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3. Tour de France’s $150M Business Model

Unique Revenue Streams and Business Dynamics

The Tour de France remains one of the world’s most prestigious and financially significant sporting events, generating approximately $150 million annually without charging spectators for tickets.

Key Insights:

• Revenue Sources:

  • Television Deals (50%): Broadcasting rights worldwide account for the largest portion of revenue, making the Tour the third-biggest sporting event globally after the Olympics and the World Cup.
  • Sponsorships (30%): High-value sponsorships, such as $250,000 watch deals for top riders, contribute significantly to the income.
  • Stage Hosting Fees (20%): French villages pay to host stages, providing local economic boosts and allowing the Tour to adjust its route based on the highest bidders.

• Business Model:

  • No Ticket Sales: The event does not charge for attendance, relying instead on massive TV viewership and sponsorships.
  • Rider Compensation: Riders receive minimal direct payments from the Tour; instead, their income is primarily secured through personal and team sponsorships.

Notable Quotes:

• Nick at [20:08]: “The business of the Tour de France is actually bigger, stranger, and more contradictory than any of us ever realized.”
• Jack at [24:25]: “Success comes from showing up, consistently, performing your best, and outlasting everyone else. It doesn't necessarily come from finishing first.”

Historical Context: The Tour de France began as a marketing stunt in 1903 to sell newspapers, with the leader’s yellow jersey representing the sponsor’s yellow newsprint. Over a century later, it has evolved into a complex business model that balances tradition with modern revenue strategies.

Impact: The Tour’s ability to generate substantial revenue without ticket sales demonstrates the power of diversified income streams and the enduring appeal of the event. Additionally, its reliance on sponsorships and media deals highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in sustaining large-scale sporting events.

Takeaway: The Tour de France’s business model underscores the effectiveness of leveraging multiple revenue sources and maintaining strong sponsorship ties. It also illustrates that consistent performance and strategic partnerships can drive long-term success, even without direct consumer sales.

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Conclusion

Nick and Jack concluded the live Chicago episode by summarizing the key takeaways from each story, reinforcing the insights shared throughout the show. Their engaging discussion provided valuable lessons on brand expansion, advancements in AI technology, and innovative business models in large-scale events.

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This detailed summary encapsulates the essential discussions and insights from the episode, complete with notable quotes and timestamps, offering a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the live Chicago show.

Transcript

[Nick]

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us for tonight's very special taping of.

[Jack]

The best one yet live in Chicago.

[Nick]

Please join me in welcoming your hosts, Nick and Jack. Fifteen years before this song, two boys from the Northeast met in the dawn. They had an idea to cause a cultural storm. It's the best one yet, but the best is the norm. Jack, Nick, that's it. I don't even think they need to practice. 50%, that's a fat tip. T boy city on your at Liz. If you know, you know. Cause we read to go. We can't wait no more so just start the show. Start the show. Start the show. This is Nick, this is Jack. It's Thursday, the new Friday, July 24, and today's live show from Chicago is the best one yet.

[Jack]

The top three pop business news stories you need to know today.

[Nick]

Jack, Stocks are up. We got a trade deal with Japan. But we've got three fantastic stories for today's show. What do we got on the pod, Jack?

[Jack]

For our first story, Uno is taking over. Not Pizzeria Uno. Uno, the card game.

[Nick]

How is Mattel turning Uno into a movie and a theme park and a casino?

[Jack]

We'll explain. For our second story, Amazon just acquired an AI device that listens to your conversations so it can become your personal assistant.

[Nick]

AI listening is going to turn your iPhone into your dumb phone.

[Jack]

And our third and final story, the Tour de France ends this weekend. But this 150 million dollar event is the most unique in all of sports.

[Nick]

Because we discovered the winner of the Tour de France can actually be a loser.

[Jack]

But yetis, before we hit that wonderful.

[Nick]

Mix of stars, I mean, I love the mix, Jack. A fantastic mix.

[Jack]

Have you ever wanted to live like. Like a goat?

[Nick]

Like on a farm?

[Jack]

No, like the goat.

[Nick]

Because the biggest deal in Chicago real estate history just happened. Michael Jordan's house sold.

[Jack]

Now look, look.

[Nick]

Is that a good applause or a bad applause? I can't say.

[Jack]

Not sure.

[Nick]

Look.

[Jack]

Michael Jordan's mansion was on the market for 13 years and finally sold this past December.

[Nick]

But the bigger news Jack and I discovered MJ's mansion is available to book on Airbnb.

[Jack]

That's Air Jordan, B and B. Michael Jordan's mansion is now a rentable party.

[Nick]

Estate up in lovely Highland park just outside Chicago.

[Jack]

According to the page, it sleeps 12 guests or six basketball players.

[Nick]

Or 18 Mugsy Bogues by my calculations.

[Jack]

Now, we tried to stay there, but it was booked. So we're crashing at Scottie Pippen's condo instead.

[Nick]

Scotty, by the Way the chocolates on the bed. Lovely touch.

[Jack]

Lovely touch. We should warn you, though, if you're lucky enough to stay at Michael Jordan's Airbnb, the checkout list, it's aggressive.

[Nick]

Yeah, you're going to have to do a few chores before you check out.

[Jack]

Number one, leave the basketball court as you found it.

[Nick]

Dennis Rodman's not there to pick up after you.

[Jack]

Number two, fill the Gatorade fridge right back up.

[Nick]

Just do it.

[Jack]

Number three, reset the thermostat to 23 degrees.

[Nick]

23 degrees? Is that Celsius?

[Jack]

Stupid question, Nick. Now, the price to stay at Champions Point, as it's called, $17,000 a night.

[Nick]

But the owner does donate that money to the Utah Jazz Fan Recovery Fund, basically to charity. Yeah.

[Jack]

Make sure if you stay there not to figure out your shoes unless they're size 13.

[Nick]

Oh, by the way, if you're showing lack of hustle and it's caught on video camera, you will get a bad guest rating.

[Jack]

Either way, send your complaints to Phil Jackson. He's listed as the property manager now.

[Nick]

Full disclosure, Yetis, Jack and I own Airbnb stock. We've been following the shares and honestly, they've been flat for the last couple years.

[Jack]

Or as Michael Jordan would call it, pathetic.

[Nick]

But here's the deal. Airbnb needs this like pizza needs deep dish.

[Jack]

Like the Pope needs a White Sox hat.

[Nick]

Like Ferris Bueller needs a sick note.

[Jack]

Chicago, you look fantastic. Let's hit our three stories.

[Nick]

Let's hit them.

[Jack]

To everyone listening at home. We're recording in the Vic Theater before the record largest T Boy audience of all time.

[Nick]

I was gonna say we were gonna ask you to scream to prove you are an AI bot.

[Jack]

Not necessary.

[Nick]

I think we're covered here, Jack.

[Jack]

So we have a wonderful show prepared for you tonight. If you're listening at home, you're gonna hear your daily T Boy pod that you love with three fantastic stories and three great takeaways.

[Nick]

And if you're listening at home on Friday, we will drop the first full special interview with a surprise guest we're doing on this today's show.

[Jack]

But those here in Chicago at the Vick Theater are gonna get some sprinkle dinkle and some razzle dazzle.

[Nick]

Because Jack and I will also share parts of our 14 year entrepreneurial journey, stories we've never shared before.

[Jack]

And we are doing our first ever T Boy corporate earnings report with a Q and A from our analysts, which is you.

[Nick]

We are doing an interview with the buzziest company in the buzziest industry sl Electric vehicles.

[Jack]

But we're also going to need your help to get across the finish line. We'll be looking for some volunteers to whip up the takeaways.

[Nick]

By the way, anybody here have the best fact yet, please raise your hands. Okay, we got a few. All right. Our teammates may come and approach you shortly.

[Jack]

And do not, do not forget Sheffield's after the show.

[Nick]

But, Jack, we did promise three fantastic stories. You think we should hit them?

[Jack]

I'm ready, man.

[Nick]

Should we warn them about the kiss cam? Oh, oh, Love the one you're with Jack. Let's hear our first story. First, a quick word from our sponsor.

[Jack]

Now a quick break, switching topics to one of our favorite sponsors, Vital Proteins.

[Nick]

All right, Yeti. So Jack has become an extreme collagen user. This guy's adding vital proteins collagen to each morning coffee. And Jack drinks a lot of morning coffee, I should point out.

[Jack]

Yeah, I have three cups a day. I have a tub of mocha and a tub of chocolate. Both make my coffee taste chocolatey.

[Nick]

So Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is a supplement that has four benefits all in one. Helping support healthy hair, skin, nails, bones and joints.

[Jack]

That is how my face got dewier than a donut.

[Nick]

Mix it into your coffee, to your smoothie, or just go straight to your face.

[Jack]

By taking collagen peptides daily, you can support your hair, skin, nail, bone, and joint health.

[Nick]

Get 20% off by going to vitalproteins.com and entering promo code T Boy at checkout.

[Jack]

That's vitalproteins.com promo code T Boy for 20% off.

[Nick]

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

[Jack]

Airbnb Yetis.

[Nick]

There is nothing more powerful in life or in business than the Double Dip.

[Jack]

Dip that chip twice and don't end.

[Nick]

It with the ultimate money. Double Dip. Hosting on Airbnb. Jack's talked so much about being a host, his friends are asking him about it. I'm getting asked about it all the time.

[Jack]

One buddy is about to get married. He has no kids yet. He wants to travel the country dink style with his new wife. How is he gonna pay for it? He's going to list his house on Airbnb.

[Nick]

So, Basties, if you're going on vacation this summer, join the millions who host on Airbnb.

[Jack]

Host your whole space. Host your extra space. Host any space.

[Nick]

The income from putting your home on Airbnb could pay for your whole vacay.

[Jack]

I've been Doing it for three different properties now.

[Nick]

And it's easy to set booking availability. And then when the booking comes in, Jack, you always say it just shows up in your Google calendar.

[Jack]

And if you're not sure what to price your place at, check Airbnb and look at similar listings. It's very easy.

[Nick]

You can double dip that chip.

[Jack]

Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how [e-mail] host.

[Nick]

For our first story. Fifty years after launching, Uno is more popular than ever. Uno, the card game is now expanding into casinos and movies because Mattel's only.

[Jack]

Card game is borrowing the Barbie strategy.

[Nick]

All right, Jack, as I'm thinking about this, like the entire trade war basically could have been handled with uno. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Jack]

Trump's like draw two, reverse skip, draw two, Uno.

[Nick]

Japan's out. Japan's out. Now, last year, Jack and I told you about the transformation of Las Vegas from Sin City to family friendly.

[Jack]

And the biggest sign yet of that transformation happened last weekend. We when the Las Vegas Palms Casino added a table game that your 10 year old can play.

[Nick]

A 50 year old card game. Uno. Uno, invented by a family in Ohio that was selling Uno cards out of their local barber shop.

[Jack]

In 1992, Uno was acquired by what is now the $6 billion toy giant known as Mattel.

[Nick]

Mattel.

[Jack]

And for years, for years, it was just a card game for kids. But now they're playing Uno next to the blackjack table.

[Nick]

Well, not exactly. We'll sprinkle on some context. Mattel is building social clubs within hotels and casinos with Uno games at the center, or as their corporate press people.

[Jack]

Call it, luxury, immersive experiences, drinks, music and draw. Four cards.

[Nick]

You see, UNO actually debuted at the Palms Casino last weekend and they're starting a nationwide tour starting next month.

[Jack]

Watch out, Chicago, there's a new Uno in town.

[Nick]

True.

[Jack]

Uno social club arrives August 13th.

[Nick]

Now, the way Jack and I see it, Uno probably should become a bonafide casino game right next to the poker and the craps, because UNO is the only card game whose market is everybody.

[Jack]

Everybody knows how to play this game.

[Nick]

Yeah, they do.

[Jack]

Although we don't know which card is nine, which card is six. We're all just pretending we know.

[Nick]

Yeah, that's true. It's true. You see, Mattel is applying the Barbie strategy to Uno. Even though these are just cards, that is some intergenerational IP right there.

[Jack]

Last year, UNO launched a new version of the game known as no Mercy, which became the number two best selling card game in all of the United States.

[Nick]

Jack, what's the number one best selling card game?

[Jack]

The original version of Uno.

[Nick]

Right. And the Uno app, It's been downloaded 180 million times.

[Jack]

Uno is the opposite of its definition because Uno is everywhere. BMW partnered with Mattel to let kids in the backseat play Uno digitally on their screens.

[Nick]

And I'm sorry we had to triple fact check this, but Jack, Uno is launching a movie.

[Jack]

Here's the tagline with the game Uno at the center of it all. It's an action heist comedy set in the underground hip hop world of Atlanta.

[Nick]

It sounds. That does deserve laughter. It sounds like a screenplay that was hallucinated by ChatGPT.

[Jack]

But we're not done. Uno is getting a theme park ride. They are Mattel's adventure park. Theme parks in Arizona and Kansas both have what's known as Uno's wild climb.

[Nick]

No reversal here. Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at Mattel's Uno?

[Jack]

In the attention economy, physical products need push notifications.

[Nick]

Now. Yetis, you may remember Jack and I interviewed the CEO of Duolingo in the spring and he said he uses the same tricks for his translation app as TikTok.

[Jack]

Why? Because we're all competing in the attention economy. And guess what? TikTok and Instagram are winning.

[Nick]

I'm sorry, Jack. Uno Is competing with TikTok?

[Jack]

Yes. UNO competes for free time against TikTok.

[Nick]

And that is why Mattel is pushing this card game into every single corner of pop culture.

[Jack]

And it's working. Mattel does not break out sales for Uno, but the category that includes Uno grew 12% last quarter, which was by far the fastest growing division of the company.

[Nick]

You see besties, TikTok sucks up our time spent with the endless scroll and insanely relevant videos.

[Jack]

To compete in the attention economy, every product needs its version of a push notification.

[Nick]

Even Uno.

[Jack]

Great, Great.

[Nick]

For our second story, breaking news before this show, Amazon just acquired Bee, a Fitbit like bracelet that never stops listening.

[Jack]

With AI that has all the context on your life, tech goes from reactive to proactive.

[Nick]

Now Yetis, there's a roster of startups acquired by Amazon that is impressive. It is an all star cast of brands.

[Jack]

Zappos, Whole foods, Ring, Security Camera One Medical Wondery, MGM Studios, James Bond 007.

[Nick]

But add one to the list who you've never heard of. It's called be a small startup that's raised only $7 million.

[Jack]

Bee produces a Fitbit like wrist device that costs $50 and has a built in AI assistant or as be calls.

[Nick]

It the wearable AI that understands you.

[Jack]

But you could also call it the wearable AI that eavesdrops all the time on everyone around you.

[Nick]

Yeah, because the key feature is end of day summaries and a searchable archive of every conversation you had that day, from the barista to your boss.

[Jack]

It listens and records everything and transcribes it. But here's a funny detail.

[Nick]

You gotta share this.

[Jack]

Early reviews of the BE AI device. It confuses real life conversations you're actually having with TV shows you're watching or Instagram reels you're watching.

[Nick]

So like the device will ping you and say, I'm so sorry she broke up with you.

[Jack]

And it's like, no, I'm just watching Love Island.

[Nick]

Yeah, yeah, that wasn't my girlfriend, it was Huda. I'm sorry.

[Jack]

But now this startup B is part of Amazon and Amazon is pursuing the same strategy as OpenAI.

[Nick]

This is what we find fascinating. We told you this spring that Sam Altman and the iPhone designer Jony I've are working on a mysterious physical product.

[Jack]

We've learned some details. It's not going to replace the iPhone, or at least it's not intended to. It's a device that will simply listen to everything.

[Nick]

Now this new device B, it is wearable, which Amazon may rebrand to Echo. And it listens and it summarizes your whole day.

[Jack]

And if you give it permission, it'll also access your email, your calendar, your contacts, your text messages.

[Nick]

So Jack, why is this a huge deal?

[Jack]

If it has all that context, it'll.

[Nick]

Be a better assistant, an effective one. Like remember Gary from Veep the Bag Man? Yeah.

[Jack]

The reason Gary is such a great assistant to Selina Meyer is that he knows everything about her life. So this device could be the same after you give it access to everything.

[Nick]

Basically, the more your AI agent knows about you, the more effective a real assistant it will be.

[Jack]

That's why both OpenAI and now Amazon are developing passive listening devices. This is the booming new industry.

[Nick]

Honestly, the way Jack and I see it, in 2030 when we all have these listening devices in our pockets, we. Your iPhone is gonna look like a dumb phone.

[Jack]

Siri will sound like, sorry.

[Nick]

So Jack and Alexa, what's the takeaway for our buddies over at Amazon?

[Jack]

With this device, tech could go from reactive to proactive.

[Nick]

Yetis until today we're used to tech just executing like you tell it what to do and it does it. That is reacting.

[Jack]

But if consumer tech becomes all knowing, then it can become Proactive. And that would be a powerful pivot.

[Nick]

Like, it'll think, oh, you got invited to a party last week. Are you going? It's sounding exciting, but like, you gotta cancel that meeting with Carol from accounting first. There's a conflict.

[Jack]

It knows all of that because it was listening. Or it might say, I noticed you have the aisle seat for an upcoming flight. Yeah, I know you prefer the window seat. One just became available, so I snagged it.

[Nick]

Yetis, those are examples of proactive suggestions. Only possible if AI has context on your life.

[Jack]

Now, look, inviting AI to know everything about you and listen to everything that you do. Yeah, kind of scary. Borderline really scary. But if we get past those privacy concerns, it would also be powerful.

[Nick]

That's why Jack and I think the next phase of tech is going to be pivoting from reactive to proactive. Now, a quick word from our sponsor.

[Jack]

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[Nick]

Ah, speed and quality. Not typically a combo you get together.

[Jack]

I mean, Nick, you can get a fast food hamburger, but we hope you like it well done.

[Nick]

Or Jack, you can get a 10 second haircut, but we hope you like bangs.

[Jack]

Well, there is an exception to this unwritten rule. If you're hiring, you can find candidates fast who are also extremely qualified for your job.

[Nick]

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[Jack]

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[Nick]

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[Jack]

And if you go to ziprecruiter.com T boy right now you can try it out for free.

[Nick]

Again, that ziprecruiter.com tboy ziprecruiter the smartest way to hire. Yes, it is. Audible T boy trivia. Here we go. Yetis, what is the biggest thing you can pack for vacation but not have to check your luggage?

[Jack]

I think it's a leading question based on my Audible I just said a second ago.

[Nick]

Yeah, yeah. The answer is the Audible app. It's the Audible app.

[Jack]

Audible has the deepest selection of audiobooks, podcasts, and Audible originals all in one app.

[Nick]

You gotta stick all your clothes in a suitcase, but you get thousands of audio titles in your pocket.

[Jack]

Right now I'm on a World War II kick I'm listening to Doris Kearns Goodwin on FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt.

[Nick]

How we created the arsenal of democracy. It is Jack's Roman Empire right now.

[Jack]

Now, when we're packing for our summer vacation, we don't forget our toothbrush and we don't forget our Audible.

[Nick]

There's more to imagine when you listen.

[Jack]

Sign up for a free 30 day Audible trial and your first audiobook is free.

[Nick]

Visit audible.comtboy that's audible.comtboy com. For our third and final story, the Tour de France, the world's most grueling physical competition, ends this Sunday.

[Jack]

But the business of the Tour de France is actually bigger, stranger, and more contradictory than any of us ever realized.

[Nick]

Now, Yeti. Is anyone here?

[Jack]

Bike to work.

[Nick]

Raise your hand if that's the case. Okay, shout it out. How many calories do you think you burn on that bike to work? A lot. Numbers. Any numbers? 120. Okay. 50. 300. Okay, well, so funny.

[Jack]

We just heard 120 because a cyclist on the Tour de France burns 120,000. 120,000 calories.

[Nick]

Or to sprinkle on more context, that's 400 croissants burned over the course of the Tour de France.

[Jack]

Thursday, the riders do their biggest climbing day of the whole tour. 17,000ft in one day. Nick, that is Vermont's tallest mountain. Four times.

[Nick]

It is a mountain of an exercise and a mountain of a business because the Tour de France is estimated to reach 1 billion viewers on TV and 10 million humans in person.

[Jack]

Based on that viewership, the Tour de France is the third. Third biggest sporting event on earth. Bigger than the Super Bowl. It only trails the World cup and the Olympics.

[Nick]

We're talking a 2000 mile race. We are talking 21 days. That is 76 marathons.

[Jack]

But few know that the Tour de France actually began as a marketing stunt in France to sell newspapers.

[Nick]

Yeah, this journalist had an idea that if you held a race and got attention, then people could only get updates if they bought your newspaper.

[Jack]

Now, the biker who's leading the Tour de France wears a yellow penny, which helps the fans and the viewers identify who's leading and why. A yellow penny because the newspaper that sponsored the race printed on yellow newsprint. So it was like a subtle ad.

[Nick]

Well, a century later, this Tour de France competition is still run by a.

[Jack]

Private family, and it's the opposite of any any other sports business we've ever covered.

[Nick]

It is a playing field of paradox. Let's talk numbers here, Jack. $150 million in revenue for the Tour. And yet the Tour de France doesn't charge for tickets. It's free to attend.

[Jack]

And despite generating $150 million, riders don't get paid by the Tour de France.

[Nick]

Another paradox. Only the winner gets paid by the race organizer. And it's just 500,000 bucks. They have to split it with their team.

[Jack]

So the racers and their teams depend on sponsorships to get paid.

[Nick]

Now, speaking of sponsorships, last year's winner, Is that what you're thinking?

[Jack]

Last year's winner this year is riding with a $250,000 watch sponsorship.

[Nick]

Now, Jack, happy back to that $150 million in cycling revenue. Well, if they don't have ticket sales, how are they making that money?

[Jack]

They're making that money because the Tour de France is a 21 day rolling billboard. Half the revenues is TV deals to broadcast on TV across the world because the whole world bikes.

[Nick]

30% of the revenue are sponsorships like that. Very fancy. Watch.

[Jack]

The last 20% is wild. French villages pay the Tour de France to host one of the stages.

[Nick]

Yeah, cute little towns throughout France will pay the Tour to go through them so that they get a little boost in economic revenue.

[Jack]

So the Tour de France adjusts their route each year depending on what village was the highest bidder.

[Nick]

And if you're not paying enough, then it is not possible.

[Jack]

The only constant each year is that the race finishes in Paris on the Champs Elysees.

[Nick]

That was pretty good. Yeah, it was pretty good. It's a profit, puppy. So, Jack, what's the takeaway for our buddies cycling the Tour de France?

[Jack]

You can end up winning even if.

[C]

If you lose.

[Nick]

Yetis the final winner of this race. It's whoever has the lowest overall time.

[Jack]

Which means you can win overall without being first in any single of the 21 stages.

[Nick]

And Jack and I were talking about it, and we're like, you know what? That's a nice metaphor for life, business and your career.

[Jack]

Success comes from showing up, consistently, performing your best, and outlasting everyone else.

[Nick]

It doesn't necessarily come from finishing first the first time.

[Jack]

So maybe you've never been the number one salesperson in your division or identified as the top performer, but you can still eventually become CEO someday, Jack.

[Nick]

It's kind of like how Roger Federer only won 54% of his points, and.

[Jack]

Yet he's the greatest tennis player of all time.

[Nick]

Great example of this. 1990, the Tour de France winner. His name is Greg LeMond. An American. He won the event without winning a single stage within the event.

[Jack]

He won the event without winning any individual stage.

[Nick]

The Tour de France proves that you can win even by losing. I'm pretty sure we're at the part of the show, Jack where we gotta whip up the takeaways on the takeaways, right?

[Jack]

Dude, I'm exhausted.

[Nick]

I know, I know. We're going to tap out. Anyone want to replace us?

[Jack]

Right here. Come on out.

[Nick]

And anyone else want to replace us? Yeah. You came from Fritty Par, right? You came from Dallas, right? Come on up.

[D]

Hi, I'm Megan. I live in Chicago. So.

[Nick]

Name and hometown. I'm Caleb from Dallas. Nice. So since it is Thursday, the new Friday, by the way, Yetis, we speak in podcast standard time. This is tomorrow's show, hence the Thursday. Since it is Thursday, the new Friday. What do you say? What were the takeaways from today's show?

[D]

Thank you, Nick, for our first story. The 50 year old card game Uno is more popular than ever. It's even entering casinos.

[Nick]

How has Mattel achieved this? In the attention economy it's created physical push.

[D]

Notif our second story was Amazon. It acquired a Fitbit like listening device to become your AI assistant.

[Nick]

With AI tech will go from reactive to proactive.

[D]

Finally, the Tour de France ends this Sunday. It's a $150 Million per year business model is unlike any in sports.

[Nick]

And this race proves that you can win in the long run without ever coming in first place.

[Jack]

That is not easy.

[Nick]

Not easy. But we also have the best fact yet. And I think we have a submission. Amanda with him. Get on up here. We have poured through best facts yet from everyone. A round of applause for Amanda's. Are you kidding me? I'm starstruck.

[D]

I am starstruck.

[Nick]

Okay, okay, okay. Amanda Whittem, who's not just from Boston, she's from just outside Boston. Literally. Amanda, we've got the fact right here. Can you please share with the Yetis?

[D]

I would be honored to Chicago.

[Nick]

Home.

[D]

Of the deep dish and home of the Bears. But there's a little bit of history that everyone should know. And it's about chewing gum. That's right. Before there was the Cubs, there was Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum. And a little known fact is that actually William Wrigley started with just pocket change, just $32. And get this, in 1915, he actually disrupted the space and opened up the. You guys remember those old yellow page phone books? He whipped that bad boy open and sent every single address to four sticks of gum. Now that's a PR package. If I ever heard one.

[Jack]

Every single person in the phone book.

[D]

Every single one.

[Jack]

The whole phone book.

[D]

The whole phone book. Listen, Chicago, it's logistics. He knew what he was doing. He knew what he was doing.

[Jack]

That is a free sample that puts Costco to shame, I'm telling you.

[D]

And the namesake himself, Wrigley Field. How about that?

[Jack]

Wow. Amanda.

[Nick]

A round of applause for Amanda. The best fact yet. You nailed it.

[Jack]

Give it up for Amanda from just outside Boston.

[Nick]

But it feels like there's some birthdays in the crowd tonight. Maybe some bar mitzvahs, maybe some anniversaries. Does anyone have a shout out for the show? We would love to get it on tomorrow's episode.

[Jack]

She just got a job offer. She got a job offer.

[Nick]

She got a job offer.

[D]

Dan and Emily are pregnant.

[Nick]

Dan, I hope you do.

[Jack]

Congrats.

[Nick]

She just accepted a new job at Salesforce.

[Jack]

Hell yeah, she did. Today is 1 6th birthday.

[Nick]

We got a 1 6th birthday here.

[D]

And a happy 39th birthday to David.

[Jack]

David, looking fantastic.

[Nick]

Jack. I got one up here.

[D]

It's his birthday today.

[Nick]

And who's he?

[D]

Sebastian.

[Jack]

Sebastian.

[Nick]

Happy birthday. Rock and Crystal from Chicago. We have been the best one yet.

[Jack]

Wow. A boy. Incredible. Congratulations, Jack.

[Nick]

I got one.

[D]

My aunt and uncle are having a baby.

[Nick]

Congratulations. Huge. Amazing. I'd like to shout out myself, Peter and Carl and Caleb, we're from Dallas. We both forgot our wallets on the flight here. And our fiance's delivered our passport and ID out of five in the morning to the airport. So. Carly, Laurel, y' all are the best. And we're so glad we're able to come because y' all. Unreal.

[Jack]

This is all gonna be on the pod tomorrow.

[D]

I'm Charity Terrio from Fort Collins, Colorado. Shout out to Eric and Cicely, our employees, so they're actually managers for us.

[Jack]

Who just got engaged today.

[D]

They're visiting us in Fort Collins and.

[Jack]

We just to come here to come see the show.

[Nick]

But congratulations nonetheless. It's our 10 year dating anniversary on Saturday. We wake up every morning and listen to T boy. And we have for the last five years. And it has been the intersection of life and business for the both of us. So we appreciate you guys for that. Absolutely love hearing that.

[Jack]

Thank you so much.

[Nick]

All right, Jack, I got one right here.

[D]

Hi, my name is Kalia.

[Nick]

I'm originally from Portage or Kalamazoo, Michigan.

[D]

I just wanted to give a shout.

[Jack]

Out to my boyfriend Gio and his best friend Stephen.

[D]

They're opening up Trino in Fulton Market in a couple weeks and I'm so excited for them.

[Nick]

And hey, you guys, this is Jay.

[Jack]

And Kate from Deerfield, Illinois, and we are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary.

[Nick]

We're the oldies of the group.

[D]

Hi, I'm Sophia and my sister Emma just started a new job at Creighton Barrel.

[Nick]

Nice. What's that discount code again? The info.

[Jack]

Oh, Nicholas, I got one more. Hi, my name's Charlie. I'm from Connecticut, but I live here in Chicago now. I'm giving a shout out to Claire out in San Francisco for her 2 9th birthday today. Someone very special to me. She's more of a bestie. I'm more of a yeti. But I think we can get past her differences.

[Nick]

Fractional birthdays always round up.

[Jack]

Nick, one more in the front. Last one.

[Nick]

Here we go. I gotcha. I'm Rashad from Chicago. I just wanted to give a shout out to my friend Grace. Full disclosure, I've never watched this podcast before today. She said, we have tickets. And I was like, all right. And now I'm a fan. There we go. Next up, you just got to choose if you're a yeti or your bestie. But Grace will explain it to you on the ride home.

[Jack]

This has been a phenomenal show. You are a terrific audience, Chicago.

[Nick]

You look fantastic.

[Jack]

Thank you all for listening to the show. Thank you to the Vic and the staff for putting this place together.

[Nick]

Thank you to our team who's been running around for weeks preparing from UTA to the T Boy team, to everyone at Wondery. It's amazing to get to work with these people. They make it happen. There are literally dozens of people behind the scenes right now.

[Jack]

Thank you to Chris for taking a risk and launching that truck and coming to tell us about it now. When the show ends, we're going to stick around until they kick us out. Free hugs. All you can hug buffet.

[Nick]

I mean, now you got them.

[Jack]

Okay, Krabs.

[Nick]

Who says retail's dead? We are so lucky that we get to do this. This is just. We were pinching ourselves downstairs about how cool this is and it's because of you guys. So thank you so much for being a part of the show.

[Jack]

Now. We love celebrating on this show. So to anybody else celebrating something today, make it a T Boy.

[Nick]

We gotta take a picture with you guys. Good night, everybody.

[Jack]

Thank you all so much. Thank you. If you like the best one yet, you can listen ad free right now by joining Wondery plus and the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.

[Nick]

Prime members can listen ad free on Amazon Music.

[Jack]

And before you go Tell us a little bit about yourself by filling out a short [e-mail] survey we want to.

[Nick]

Get to know you.

[C]

In the summer of 1925, a small Tennessee town became the battleground for the fight between science and faith in America's public schools. Hi, I'm Lindsey Graham, host of Wondery's podcast, American Historytellers. We take you to the events, times, and people that shaped America and Americans, our values, our struggles, and our dreams. In our latest series, when a young science teacher agrees to participate in a test case orchestrated by the ACLU to challenge Tennessee's ban on teaching evolution, he lands in the center of a raucous the infamous Scopes monkey trial. Legendary attorneys Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan face off in a sweltering Tennessee courtroom as the world watches fundamentalist Christianity clash with modern science, setting the stage for battles over education and religious freedom for decades to come. Follow American Historytellers on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad free and be the first to binge the newest season only on Wondery. Join Wondery in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial today.