Know What Is Next

Best Of: How the USGA Runs 15 Championships Without a Home Venue

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

From record participation among women and junior golfers to new technology platforms, major investments in player development, and a reimagined fan experience, the USGA is helping shape what the next generation of golf looks like.

In this episode, we’re talking to Chief Commercial Officer Jon Podany and Managing Director of Global Ticketing & Media Amanda Weiner about the Women's Open's rapid rise and the U.S. National Development Program to ShotLink, ticketing innovation, and the technology strategies designed to make golf more engaging and inclusive.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How the U.S. Women's Open more than doubled its purse in 3 years and received prime-time network coverage
Why the USGA is investing in a national development pipeline
How the USGA is building a 360-degree view of every fan through ticketing, media, and engagement data
Why the future of golf depends on Topgolf, TGL, and off-course participation as it does on traditional rounds
What it means to stage men's and women's championships on the same iconic courses

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jon Podany on LinkedIn.

Connect with Amanda Weiner on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How the UFL Built a Live Football Lab for ESPN, Fox, and Tech Startups with Scott Harniman

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Most sports technology companies spend years trying to get access to a live game environment. The UFL can put them in front of 600 players, coaches, officials, and broadcast operators in a matter of weeks.

As SVP of Innovation and Media, Scott Harniman oversees the technology, broadcast, and football systems that make the UFL's innovation model possible.

Scott explains how the UFL's FAST program works, why ESPN and Fox are active participants in the league's tech incubation process, and how a centralized football operation allows the league to test emerging technologies at a scale that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How the UFL's FAST program gets emerging tech companies into live football environments
Why ESPN and Fox play an active role in the league's innovation process
What Scott is watching in AI-powered officiating after Adam Silver's announcement
Why a ball-tracking partnership with Sportable became their most compelling fan-facing data experience
What happened when the UFL moved 3 franchises into smaller soccer stadiums

Resources and Links:

Connect with Scott Harniman on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

SBJ Tech Week: Sports Leaders on Big Ideas, AI Prompts, and What's Next

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

What patterns start to emerge when you put 10 sports tech leaders in front of a microphone at SBJ Tech Week and ask them what's next?

While AI was a common thread, the discussions expanded into operational scale, fan engagement, accessibility, cybersecurity, infrastructure, and the leadership challenges that come with adopting new technology.

This episode features the following guests:

Michael Zeto, Boingo Wireless
Diana Lovati, AEG Worldwide
Antyush Bollini, OneCourt
Jess Smith, Golden State Valkyries
Andrew Macaulay, TMRW Sports
Darolyn Pierce, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment
Scott Harniman, United Football League
Peter DelGiacco, National Hockey League
John Spade, Athletes Unlimited

Resources and Links:

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How Flywheel Economics Are Reshaping Sports Businesses with Steve Mitzenmacher

Tue, 26 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Steve Mitzenmacher spent 25 years inside Apple, Oracle, Google, and Salesforce. Now he's helping sports organizations stop thinking like event businesses and start operating like platforms.

Steve and Dave get into the Disney flywheel, and why it’s the most useful mental model for sports executives right now, the “buy vs. build” trap, why "greenfield development" is basically a myth, and what it means to own the critical control points between fans, sponsors, and partners.

Steve also explains why leadership styles are changing inside technology companies, why Scott Galloway's "don't follow your passion" advice is underrated, and how he thinks about the increasingly chaotic fight over AI governance.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What Steve learned from Disney, Salesforce, and the platform era about building recurring engagement
Why the next generation of sports businesses will be built around flywheel economics
Why today’s ownership groups are reshaping how teams think about monetization and infrastructure
The career advice Steve wishes he'd heard earlier, and why he's glad he ignored his own instincts for 25 years
Why Steve compares the future of AI to a choice between Star Trek and Terminator

Resources and Links:

Connect with Steve Mitzenmacher on LinkedIn and learn more about Zumaya Advisors.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Why the NFL and PGA Tour Are Betting on TMRW Sports to Build New Fandom

Tue, 19 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

The NFL didn't build the next professional flag football league. The PGA Tour didn't build TGL. They handed those assignments to a startup called TMRW Sports - a signal of how leagues are rethinking fan engagement, media, and product development.

Chief Marketing Officer Pete Jung is on the show to share what changes when leagues stop treating technology as a layer on top of the product and start building the experience around data, immersion, team identity, and modern media behavior from day one.

In this conversation, Pete draws on his 11 years at NASCAR to explain what building fandom requires when you're starting from zero, and why he sees WTGL as one of the most underrated storytelling opportunities in women's sports right now.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What Pete noticed when his 18-year-old son and his friends discovered TGL for the first time
How TMRW Sports is preparing to launch the NFL’s new professional flag football league
Why TGL sponsors are integrated directly into gameplay, broadcast technology, and the fan experience itself
What NASCAR taught Pete about changing perceptions around who a sport is “for”
Why Pete believes media rights fragmentation will reshape sports economics and distribution

Resources and Links:

Connect with Pete Jung on LinkedIn and learn more about TMRW Sports on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

500 Live Events a Month: What Jon Slusser Has Learned About AI, Mixed Reality, & Sports Tech

Tue, 12 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

When The Famous Group was getting started, arenas were buying million-dollar video boards with nothing meaningful to put on them. That gap became a business — and 25 years later, that business now powers more than 500 live sports events a month across nearly every major team in the country.

In this conversation, Jon shares how The Famous Group evolved from a creative production shop into mixed reality, virtual fan experiences, and Vixi, and how they built a scalable platform without taking on outside investment. He also offers a grounded take on where AI genuinely helps in live production workflows and where it still breaks down.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What Jon learned moving between startup culture and large media organizations like MTV and Viacom
How Vixi transformed “getting on the video board” into a scalable sponsorship and engagement product
What The Famous Group learned building virtual fan experiences for the NFL Draft and WWE
Why Jon believes AI is still a creative tool and not a replacement for production workflows
What mixed reality enables for personalized viewing experiences and dynamic sponsorship inventory

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jon Slusser on LinkedIn and learn more about The Famous Group on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

What It Takes to Turn a Women's Soccer Club Around with Ryan Dillon of Gotham FC

Tue, 05 May 2026 04:00:00 -0400

When Ryan Dillon joined Gotham FC as Chief Business Officer 2.5 years ago, he walked into what he describes as a distressed asset. A fully remote workforce, a league starved of investment, and a club with no real product discipline to speak of.

What followed was 2 championships in 3 years and triple the revenue, all built on a framework Ryan carried over from 6 years at Peloton: obsess over the product, track NPS, and make winning the foundation everything else sits on.

In this episode, Ryan breaks down how they use first-party data and tentpole moments like the Queens Classic at Citi Field to punch above their weight, and why matching players to partners by genuine interest has changed the way they build sponsorships.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Ryan’s experience scaling Peloton informs his approach to building demand in a low-awareness sports market
How Gotham FC uses Net Promoter Score as an operating metric to improve the fan experience
What it takes to operate a turnaround while rebuilding staffing models, processes, and in-market presence
What goes into executing a championship rematch at Citi Field that could set a New York City women’s attendance record

Resources and Links:

Connect with Ryan Dillon on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How CAA Sports Navigates Talent Value, Creators, and Streaming Platforms with Matt Kramer

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Sports media is becoming defined by the people who keep fans engaged between games: the insiders breaking news, athletes building their own platforms, and creators turning digital audiences into real media businesses.

Matt Kramer, Co-Head of Sports Media Group at CAA Sports, shares how an unexpected call from Adrian Wojnarowski helped launch his career as a sports media agent, why he sees representation as a relationship-driven service business, and how CAA evaluates talent across broadcasters, athletes, streamers, and creators like Dude Perfect.

He also explains why the next wave of NFL media rights could reshape opportunities across the broader sports media ecosystem.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What the day-to-day operating model of a sports media agent looks like
How athletes and creators like Dude Perfect are entering the same talent market as traditional broadcasters
Why the same on-air talent can be valued at $4M, $12M, or $18M depending on the network’s rights portfolio
Why a 3 year rights deal vs. a 7 year deal can change how talent chooses between competing offers
How Netflix and Amazon are reshaping talent demand

Resources and Links:

Connect with Matt Kramer on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How the USGA Delivers Championships and Fan Experiences with Amanda Weiner

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400

The USGA operates one of the most complex models in sports, delivering global championships, media, and fan experiences without a fixed venue.

Amanda Weiner, Managing Director of Global Media and Ticketing at the USGA, oversees a broad portfolio spanning championships, media rights, digital products, and ticketing.

She explains how these functions are coordinated to deliver consistent fan experiences across changing venues, including their new partnership with SeatGeek, while also sharing her perspective on leadership and the growth of women’s golf.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The leadership philosophy Amanda applies across a multi-function role
How the USGA builds and operates temporary “stadiums” each year
What it takes to create a consistent fan experience across 10-hour event days
How the USGA’s SeatGeek partnership is shaping ticketing innovation
Why investment in women’s golf is accelerating through equal purses, expanded coverage, and ShotCast

Resources and Links:

Connect with Amanda Weiner on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Best Of: The Business of Sports Technology

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400

This compilation episode brings together perspectives from senior leaders across leagues, teams, media, and technology, including the NBA, NASCAR, MLB, the USOPC, and emerging platforms like Cosm.

Plus, Dave’s book is out today. Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology for a practical guide to making smarter, ROI-driven technology decisions.

This episode features the following guests:

Shripal Shah, Next League
Scott Gutterman, Next League (formerly PGA TOUR)
Doug Perlman, Sports Media Advisors
Sarah Hirshland, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee
Devin Poolman, Cosm
Tim Clark, NASCAR
Chris Benyarko, NBA
Chris Marinak, Playfly Sports (formerly MLB)
John Martin, NASCAR
Jeff Price, PGA of America
Perkins Miller, PlayON! (formerly Fandom)

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The Next Chapter of the New York City Marathon with Juliette Morris

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400

The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, drawing more than 50,000 runners and millions of spectators annually.

As the race approaches its 50th anniversary, it’s evolving into a year-round platform spanning digital engagement, community programming, and global scale.

Juliette Morris, Chief Marketing and Digital Officer at New York Road Runners, talks with Dave about how the organization is aligning brand, technology, and content to support runners and spectators across the full lifecycle. She outlines the integration of digital products, the role of personalization and AI, and how media and storytelling are extending the reach of the marathon.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why the marathon’s charity engine has become a $700M fundraising platform and strategic lever
How oversubscription and capacity limits force new thinking on access, virtual participation, and growth
How brand identity and logo design reflect governance priorities around inclusion and community
What it takes to build an in-house content studio that functions as both media and mission infrastructure
How Gen Z behavior is reshaping participation models, with run clubs emerging as a new social layer

Resources and Links:

Connect with Juliette Morris on LinkedIn and learn more about New York Road Runners on their website.

Watch the 26.2 documentary on YouTube.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Inside US Soccer's 300% Growth Ahead of the 2026 World Cup with David Wright

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0400

US Soccer is heading into a defining stretch, and David Wright is helping shape what comes next. As Chief Commercial Officer, he sits at the center of it all, from partnerships and media to events, marketing, and business ventures.

In this conversation, he breaks down how US Soccer has grown its business more than 300% in a short period of time and why its nonprofit structure has become a real differentiator in the market.

David also shares how they’re preparing for the 2026 World Cup, the commercial strategy behind US Soccer’s partner roster, the evolving media landscape, and the kind of leadership and risk-taking that has defined his own career path.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why the 2026 World Cup represents a structural inflection point for fan growth and market expansion
How US Soccer built a partner portfolio of 23 major brands by thinking long term and saying no more often
Why David believes the future of sports leadership belongs to people who can embrace risk and develop intangible skills AI can’t replace
How one national training center could change the way players, coaches, and referees are developed in the US

Resources and Links:

Connect with David Wright on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How the Sports Industry Is Rethinking Its Talent Pipeline with Scott Rosner

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:00:00 -0400

Scott Rosner collected hundreds of rejection letters he got trying to break into sports. And it shaped exactly how he thinks about the candidates knocking on Columbia's door today.

Private capital has rewritten ownership, NIL and conference realignment have blown up college athletics, and AI is changing how every function operates. The curriculum can't look the same as it did ten years ago.

As Program Director of the Sports Management program, Scott believes the industry needs people who can think across disciplines, absorb disruption, and figure things out when there's no playbook. His graduates are stepping into roles across agencies, media, and betting — often inside organizations navigating that complexity in real time.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Columbia structures a 40+ adjunct faculty model to deliver practitioner-led instruction at scale
Why career outcomes are increasingly skewing toward agencies, media, and betting over ticket sales
What Columbia’s 60-second video essay reveals about candidate decision-making under pressure
What curriculum changes are required to keep up with AI adoption and disruption in college athletics
How Columbia evaluates grit, failure response, and long-term potential in admissions decisions

Resources and Links:

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Connect with Scott Rosner on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Why San Diego FC Treats Its Academy Like a Capital Investment

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0400

San Diego FC is only a few years old, but COO Bill Miles and his team are already taking an ambitious approach to building a modern soccer club.

In this episode, Bill shares why San Diego FC is betting on a long-term, academy-first model, what makes the club’s ownership structure so distinctive, and why San Diego is uniquely positioned to become one of the most important soccer markets in the United States.

You’ll also hear what it takes to build a fan base from scratch, how technology and AI can help clubs create a stronger view of the customer, and why the future of ticketing is going to look a lot more personalized.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How a Native American tribe and global private equity ownership is shaping the club's long-term vision
Why San Diego FC believes removing pay-to-play is critical to developing elite talent
How Bill is building an academy-first development pipeline instead of relying on expensive star signings
What it takes to launch an MLS club from scratch and turn it into a civic brand
How AI and experience-based ticketing are redefining fan engagement and revenue strategy

Resources and Links:

Connect with Bill Miles on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The New Operating Model for Live Sports with Jeb Terry

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0400

Live sports is evolving beyond the traditional broadcast model. New venue formats, new production workflows, and new distribution strategies are reshaping how fans experience games outside the home.

The question is no longer how to enhance the fan experience, but how do we redesign the operating model behind it?

Jeb Terry, CEO of Cosm, joins Dave to explain how Cosm is combining dome-scale LED immersion, hospitality, and a purpose-built production approach that produces hundreds of live events a year.

They also zoom out to the broader industry shifts shaping the opportunity, while also reflecting on leadership, team building, and the conviction required to build through uncertainty.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why producing 425+ live events per year gives Cosm negotiating power in a fragmented rights landscape
How a “traveling kit” production model creates new optionality for leagues
What the NFL’s org design reveals about scaling teams and driving accountability
Why Jeb thinks the speed of money will shape ticketing and new monetization mechanics in sports
How prediction markets (beyond sports betting) are pressuring league governance and oversight

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jeb Terry on LinkedIn and learn more about Cosm on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The Gap Between AI Hype and What Actually Works in Sports with Scott Gutterman

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 04:00:00 -0500

If you’re going to talk about generative AI in sports, don’t start with the tools. Start with the operating model. Are you structured to deploy it at scale?

Scott Gutterman is back, drawing on two decades of experience inside one of the most complex sports in the world. His lens is operational. How do you prioritize? How do you govern? How do you create space for innovation without introducing chaos?

From there, Scott and Dave get tactical on AI — including what sports leaders often misunderstand, why most organizations stall after early pilots, and what it actually takes to move from POC to a durable, production-grade system. Scott also shares what he believes is overhyped vs. underhyped right now, and how operators should evaluate emerging technology without chasing noise.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How automation is reshaping the cost structure and scalability of content production in sports organizations
What it takes to connect internal data systems so AI outputs are accurate, secure, and usable
Why AI governance, monitoring, and security matters as much as model selection
How headless architecture supports multi-platform fan distribution without rebuilding your stack every cycle
The gap between AI demos that impress executives and systems that actually integrate into daily workflows

Resources and Links:

Connect with Scott Gutterman on LinkedIn and connect with Shripal Shah on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Inside Barclays Center’s Push to Scale AI and Facial Authentication with Keia Cole

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0500

Digital transformation in sports only works when the fan journey is treated as a SYSTEM. And what does it actually look like inside a multi-team, multi-venue sports organization?

In this episode, Keia Cole shares how Brooklyn Sports + Entertainment operates when one leader owns cybersecurity, data and insights, web and mobile, AND venue systems across the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and Barclays Center.

We also dive into how they adopted Wicket facial recognition technology and why embedding AI into their daily workflows is reshaping roles faster than ever.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How shifts in consumer behavior, from Waymo to biometric payments, are redefining what fans expect inside arenas
What responsible AI governance looks like inside Brooklyn Sports + Entertainment
How Keia’s career across cybersecurity, data, and digital shaped her approach to transformation at scale
When digital leaders should demand measurable ROI and when experimentation is a smarter bet

Resources and Links:

Connect with Keia Cole on LinkedIn and learn more about Wicket Facial Recognition.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

What It Takes to Modernize Youth Sports at Scale with Sameer Ahuja

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0500

Youth sports operates at a scale few people realize, with millions of games, volunteer-run teams, and technology that has to work for everyone from coaches to grandparents.

GameChanger CEO Sameer Ahuja is here to walk through how the company approaches those challenges, and how that thinking shaped their most significant product update in its 15-year history.

He shares how GameChanger has leaned into a mobile-first, automation-driven approach to serve millions of teams, how AI is being applied in practical ways, the long-term vision for athlete profiles, and how privacy and trust shape every product decision.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Sameer’s background shaped his approach to building trust and making long-term product bets
Why youth sports creates a paradox of massive scale and tiny audiences, and how that reality forces different decisions
How GameChanger thinks about reducing labor when building tools for volunteer coaches and families
How the company decides when AI-driven automation is “good enough” to ship

Resources and Links:

Connect with Sameer Ahuja on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Best Of: USOPC and Team USA on the Road to LA 2028

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0500

What does it take to build Team USA in a rapidly changing global, political, and digital landscape? In this Best Of episode, USOPC leaders Sarah Hirshland and Katie Bynum Aznavorian are breaking down how Olympic success is engineered, the road to Milano Cortina and LA 2028, the role of storytelling and personalization, and how they’re evolving fan engagement.

You’ll hear from the following guests:

(0:41) Sarah Hirshland, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee
(16:17) Katie Bynum Aznavorian, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why personalization and fan data infrastructure are critical to helping fans connect with 1,200+ Team USA athletes
How the USOPC allocates resources across 60 national governing bodies
Why the organization views itself like a venture capital firm
How Making Team USA was built to simplify qualification pathways and create year-round fan engagement
How the Olympic Games can unify countries and communities during divided moments

Resources and Links:

Learn more about Team USA and the upcoming Olympic Games.

Connect with Sarah Hirshland on LinkedIn.

Connect with Katie Bynum Aznavorian on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How to Design Better Digital Products in Sports

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0500

How do sports teams achieve faster alignment, fewer reworks, and digital products that move from idea to launch more reliably?

Bora Nikolic’s views of technology in the sports industry have helped shape many of the fan experiences you see from leading sports properties today. And today, he’s challenging the idea that design is about aesthetics, arguing instead that it’s an execution discipline.

Dave and Bora look ahead at what’s changing, from accessibility, to AI accelerating how teams research, prototype, and align across functions. Bora also shares why the next phase of fan experience will be defined by connected, multimodal journeys that span platforms, environments, and moments that matter to fans.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What allows digital products in sports to actually ship on time and at scale
How teams can modernize digital experiences without losing fan trust
What friction really looks like across the fan journey, and why clarity and predictability matter more than visual polish
Why accessibility needs to be embedded into design systems from the start
How AI-enabled prototypes are changing how stakeholders evaluate and approve digital products

Resources and Links:

Connect with Bora Nikolic on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Why the 360° Fan View Is Broken and How Jordy Leiser Is Rethinking Sports Ticketing

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0500

If your organization is still talking about a “360° fan view,” chances are your technology stack is already working against you. Jordy Leiser, Co-Founder and CEO at Jump, argues most clubs are stuck with disjointed legacy systems that are blocking direct-to-fan experiences, especially in ticketing, identity, and mobile.

Jump was built to unify those layers into a single, seamless ecosystem so clubs can operate with the speed and personalization fans expect today.

Jordy explains what it looks like to move off legacy infrastructure using Jump’s Minnesota Timberwolves rollout as a real-world example: a full transition delivered in just 88 days from contract to first game at Target Center.

He challenges the assumption that transformation requires an ownership change or a multi-year roadmap, and shows how teams can time meaningful change around ticketing renewals instead. He also takes aim at the ticketing business model itself, explaining how per-ticket fees and resale economics can work against team goals, and why unified data is the prerequisite for AI-powered personalization.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why most teams still cannot deliver a true 360-degree fan view, and what the missing layer is
How “rip and replace” technology transformations can actually happen in under 90 days, using an NBA deployment as proof
Why the traditional ticketing fee and resale-driven business model is misaligned with how teams generate value
How artificial intelligence becomes practical in sports ONLY after data silos are eliminated and fan identity is unified

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jordy Leiser on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

What esports and Creators Reveal About the Future of Sports with Pete Vlastelica

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0500

Power in sports is becoming more distributed, and Pete Vlastelica has seen that shift from nearly every angle: early digital media, league operations, esports, and now venture investing.

In this conversation, Pete reflects on how operating through multiple cycles of disruption shapes judgment, partnerships, and long-term strategy in sports and technology. You’ll hear about the operating lessons he carried from building Yardbarker in the early days of user-generated sports content, scaling digital platforms at Fox Sports, and helping professionalize esports at Activision Blizzard.

Pete and Dave also explore what those experiences signal for the industry today, including how creator-led distribution and NIL are changing where influence and leverage live, and what leagues, teams, and technology partners need to rethink as power continues to decentralize.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Pete reshaped his thinking on risk, identity, and leadership after losing his home in the Pacific Palisades fire
Why NIL and creator platforms are changing who controls distribution and monetization in sports
How Yardbarker’s SEO-driven blog network anticipated the creator economy years before social platforms scaled
How esports introduced city-based franchises, global leagues, and fully remote broadcasts without centralized venues

Resources and Links:

Connect with Pete Vlastelica on LinkedIn and learn more about Elysian Park Ventures on their website.

Check out Pete’s book recommendations: Four Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank and The Lean Startup by Eric Ries.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How AI Is Changing the Way Sports Organizations Actually Work

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0500

AI is hitting consumers faster in sports than almost anywhere else, and PGA of America GM Rob Smith argues that’s exactly why the industry has become a real-world testing ground for emerging technology. In this episode, Rob digs into how AI is already reshaping day-to-day work, what “anticipatory” AI could look like when it earns a seat at the event-ops table, and why the real shift is carving out time to train these tools.

Rob also walks through how the PGA of America brought digital media rights in-house and built a modern digital org from scratch: websites, apps, social, YouTube, and championship coverage—into a lean team operating across major moments like the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup, and how their next wave of innovation centers on the attending fan journey.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

What AI is changing in day-to-day roles inside of sports organizations
The ripple effects of bringing media rights in-house for the PGA of America’s digital team
How the Ryder Cup pulls off a single digital experience across two continents, multiple broadcasters, and competing teams
Why fan experiences are shifting toward a “concierge model,” powered by AI-driven planning and recommendations
What younger audiences expect from modern sports content, and how automation and short-form distribution are reshaping golf

Resources and Links:

Connect with Rob Smith on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Best Of: What’s Next for Leagues, Teams, & Sports Tech

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0500

In this Best Of compilation, leaders from AWS, MLB, the PGA TOUR, TGL, the Portland Trail Blazers, and Cosm share what’s actually driving meaningful change across teams, leagues, and live experiences.

From applying generative AI, to scaling immersive venues globally, to building cultures that reward experimentation and learning, these conversations focus on fan-first innovation shaping the future of sports.

You’ll hear from the following guests:

(0:39) Julie Souza, Global Head of Sports at AWS
(6:33) Devin Poolman, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Cosm
(8:22) Andrew Macauley, CTO of TMRW Sports and TGL
(13:14) Christa Stout and David Long, the Portland Trail Blazers
(17:36) Chris Marinak, former Chief Operations and Strategy Officer at MLB
(24:16) Luis Goicouria, SVP of Media at the PGA TOUR

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How MLB are using generative AI to translate content, personalize experiences, and reach global audiences at scale
What it takes to design immersive venues that can be replicated across dozens of markets without losing local relevance
How TGL used Season 1 data to redesign its playing surface, virtual holes, and broadcast experience for season 2
Why the Portland Trail Blazers believe innovation only works when teams are empowered to try, fail, pivot, and move on

Resources and Links:

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Best Of: Streaming Wars, Rights Battles, & Sports Media

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0500

The rules of media rights are shifting fast. In this Best Of episode, you’ll learn how leagues are navigating fragmented distribution, how Amazon and other digital players have altered valuation models, how private equity evaluates upside beyond rights fees, and why Nielsen’s new measurement approach is critical for the next decade.

You’ll hear from the following guests:

(0:44) Doug Perlman, Sports Media Advisors
(5:50) Greg Bedrosian, Drake Star
(10:28) Brian Herbst, NASCAR
(16:36) Jessica Forrest, Nielsen Sports
(22:03) Mike Conley, Rock Entertainment Group and the Cleveland Cavaliers

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The explosion of bidders, from Amazon to Apple to Netflix — and how it has made media-rights valuation more complex for leagues
How institutional capital is fueling sports investment and why PE firms see untapped value beyond media rights
A look at NASCAR’s $7.7B rights deal while adding Amazon, TNT, Max, and the CW
How Nielsen captures streaming viewership, and what early data reveals about audience shifts across platforms
How the Cleveland Cavaliers built their own network to prepare for the collapsing local media rights model (and why teams must now operate like media companies)

Resources and Links:

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

NIL, Emerging Leagues, and the Business of Sports with Brian Michael Cooper

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0500

Brian Michael Cooper has operated across nearly every corner of the sports industry: big law, player representation, G League president, XFL team president, senior college athletics administrator, head of an emerging league, and now sports M&A attorney and professor.

He shares what those experiences taught him about how teams, leagues, and media partners really operate, including a sharp look at the rapid professionalization of college athletics. Brian breaks down the ripple effects of NIL, the Alston decision, and the House settlement, why more schools must now think like pro properties, and what this shift means for non-revenue and Olympic sports. He also flags the risk he sees in the growing world of unregulated NIL “managers” and agent standards.

Zooming out, Brian explores emerging leagues (especially in women’s sports), the influx of institutional capital, guidance on choosing markets, and building indispensable fan relationships. We wrap up with the tech trends he’s watching, the uncertain future of predictive markets, and their overlap with sports betting.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How NIL, Alston, and the House settlement are forcing college athletic departments to rethink their entire revenue mix
The upside and danger in today’s NIL marketplace, including Brian’s concern about college athletes signing long-term deals at 10–20%
Why Brian thinks the growth ceiling of women’s and emerging sports leagues is still far from being reached
New tech trends, like touchless concessions and biometric entry that remove friction from the live experience

Resources and Links:

Connect with Brian Michael Cooper on LinkedIn.

Learn more about GreenbergTraurig.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The Human Side of Modern Sports Leadership with Andrew Siegel

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0500

In an industry being reshaped by NIL, the transfer portal, and private capital, one question is becoming unavoidable: how do leaders make principled decisions when everything feels up for grabs?

Investor Andrew Siegel breaks down what leaders in sports and tech often underestimate, like the emotional complexity of teams, the tension between performance and values, and how managing people becomes exponentially harder when competition, money, and public scrutiny intensify.

Drawing on his experience spanning venture investing, media, hospitality, and board leadership, alongside his academic background in philosophy and religion, Andrew shares why leadership ultimately comes down to “people peopling,” how he evaluates alignment versus raw talent, and what traits he believes matter most for navigating disruption in modern sports organizations.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Andrew’s background in theology and philosophy helps executives make better “people decisions” during times of disruption
The Trust–Loyalty–Integrity lens Andrew uses to decide which founders, boards, and companies to back
What NIL and the transfer portal reveal about the end of amateur hour in college sports, and why Andrew thinks private capital and commercial incentives are reshaping the system
The repeatable investing behavior Andrew believes operators and executives need to focus on

Resources and Links:

Connect with Andrew Siegel on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

What Makes a Sports Tech Business “Exitable” with Igor Ulis

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0500

What REALLY makes a business worth buying, and what should founders actually optimize for?

In this candid conversation, Dave sits down with longtime friend and former business partner Igor Ulis, partner at Hudson Technology Systems. Igor traces his path from “dumb kid in college” who thought writing code was enough to get rich in the dot-com boom, to building and scaling a global sports technology services company that ultimately sold to Infront.

Dave and Igor get into the mechanics of valuation in the real world — multiples on revenue vs. profit, the importance of cash generation, and why buyers care so much about whether the business can run without the founder in the room.

Igor also explains how services businesses live or die on utilization, pricing discipline, hiring, and the “art and science” of estimating complex projects. They dig into the tradeoffs of taking loss-leader work,why “follow your passion,” “fail fast,” and “work on the business, not in the business” are incomplete clichés, and how to avoid underpricing your value just to win logos.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why most founders misunderstand what makes a services business scalable, and the ONE metric Igor would force every operator to master
Why “loss-leader work” is almost always a trap, and the moments at Omnigon when underpricing nearly cost them big
The project-estimation approach Igor used to protect margins on massive sports builds
What really changes after an acquisition: new accountability, pressure of managing up, and an unexpected “MBA-level” crash course
The culture challenges that emerge once a service team crosses 100+ people

Resources and Links:

Connect with Igor Ulis on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The Future of Horse Racing: AI, Wearables & the Breeders’ Cup with Justin McDonald

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Billion-dollar track upgrades and next-generation wagering are re-shaping the horse racing industry. But what does it look like when a legacy sport leans hard into tech, data, and global expansion all at once? Justin McDonald, EVP and CMO at the Breeders’ Cup, is here to break down where the money is flowing and why the sport is growing.

He shares how digital ticketing with SeatGeek is creating unified fan data, why AI is becoming central to decision-making, and how new equine and jockey performance tracking initiatives are reshaping their training and storytelling. The Breeders’ Cup was able to move from initial conversation to a full WHOOP partnership in less than 3 weeks! And this rapid turnaround resulted in real-time biometric data from jockeys, owners, and trainers being integrated into NBC’s coverage.

You’ll also hear how the Breeders’ Cup navigates rotating venues, massive event logistics, weather contingencies, and an increasingly competitive wagering landscape. Justin’s perspective offers a sharp, inside look at a historic sport that’s reinventing itself through innovation, investment, and global fandom.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How nearly $1 billion in racetrack reinvestment is changing what fans can expect at major racing venues
Why shared wallets inside sports betting apps (and FanDuel’s role) are a gateway for introducing new audiences to horse racing
How equine-rich datasets from Equibase and Daily Racing Form are starting to fuel “light” AI tools
What it really takes to rotate a major championship to a different venue each year, and why they are already planning host sites through 2030
How the growing popularity of women’s sports and emerging pro leagues is shaping how leaders like Justin think about the next decade of sports fandom

Resources and Links:

Connect with Justin McDonald on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

What’s Changing in Global Sport: Media Fragmentation, New Owners & Leadership Trends

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0500

The sports industry is entering one of its most volatile eras. Media models are breaking, new global buyers are emerging, and traditional league structures are under pressure.

Few people have a clearer read on these shifts than Leaders in Sport editorial director James Emmett and content director David Cushnan, who spend their days in conversation with the executives shaping what happens next.

James and David unpack why the market’s top properties continue to surge while everyone else fights for attention in a fragmented, algorithm-driven landscape. They explore how fan behavior, discovery challenges, and shifting consumption habits are now forcing rights holders to think far beyond “distribution” and start thinking like long-term customer-acquisition businesses. They also dive into why European structures resist change, and how ownership models are colliding culturally as U.S. investors take deeper stakes in global sport.

From Saudi Arabia’s acceleration strategy to relocation battles, media disruptions, and the race to build talent pipelines, James and David offer a clear, unfiltered view of the forces that will define the next decade.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why the middle tier of global sports is at a crossroads, and what James and David think will separate the properties that break through
The unexpected ripple effects of Saudi Arabia’s investment strategy and why its influence will reshape multiple sports far faster
How the rise of American owners in European football is changing club culture, commercial strategy, and even fan expectations
What the U.S. sports world is getting shockingly right about building spectacle and fan engagement
The leadership traits and skill sets James and David see in the most future-ready sports executives

Resources and Links:

Connect with James Emmett on LinkedIn and connect with David Cushnan on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Leaders In Sport on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How AWS Helped the NFL, PGA TOUR & NHL Use Data to Drive Results

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0500

Sports organizations are under pressure to deliver MORE. Deeper insights, smarter production, and personalized fan experiences. In this episode, AWS Global Head of Sports Julie Souza takes David through 3 high-impact case studies across the NFL, PGA TOUR, and NHL, revealing how each league is tackling its most pressing technology challenges.

You’ll hear about the NFL’s use of data modeling and optical tracking, which has contributed to the lowest concussion rate on record and a 79% spike in kickoff returns. Julie shares how the PGA TOUR captures every single tournament shot using AI, and on the production front, how the NHL executed its first fully cloud-delivered broadcast.

Julie and David also get into the realities of rights fragmentation, the demand for personalized primary-screen experiences, the future role of AI in officiating, and the pressure to scale production without ballooning costs.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How the NFL used data from 500M+ optical tracking points per week to model rule changes that reduced injuries
Why the PGA TOUR built “Every Shot Live,” turning only ~15% of televised shots into 100% cloud-captured coverage that localizes broadcasts for global audiences
How cloud production enabled the NHL to avoid ~2.05 metric tons of CO₂ on a single game and spin up data-driven alternate feeds
A pragmatic vision for streaming where fantasy, betting, merch, food delivery, polls, and custom stat overlays live inside the primary feed
How AWS and the NFL navigate one quadrillion schedule permutations across 26,000+ constraints to produce a balanced slate every season

Resources and Links:

Connect with Julie Souza on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How TMRW Sports Engineered TGL: The Tech and Testing Behind Golf’s Most Advanced Arena with Andrew Macauley

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0500

What does it take to engineer an entirely new sport that fuses live gameplay and virtual environments into a single seamless experience? That’s the challenge Andrew Macauley and the team at TMRW Sports tackled with TGL, the groundbreaking indoor golf league.

In this episode, Andrew takes us behind the scenes of building one of the most technologically complex venues in the world: a 5-story, 64’x-53’ impact screen stitched together by 9 projectors, and a 500,000-pound rotating green that transforms in real time. He shares how they solved everything from absorbing 200+ mph drives without ricochet, to making a virtual course feel physically real for the athletes hitting the shots.

From his early work at Topgolf, Andrew breaks down the process, testing, and iteration that brought this sport to life. He also previews what’s next for Season Two: larger greens, higher resolution visuals, expanded hitting areas, and a tech stack built to push the limits of “sports entertainment”.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The behind-the-scenes experimentation and late nights that turned the bold idea of “what if golf was reimagined for TV?”
How Andrew’s background at Topgolf shaped the systems thinking and precision engineering that underpin TGL’s entire tech stack
Why the league’s design team intentionally built failure into early prototypes
What surprised players most when they first hit into the 5-story screen, and how athlete feedback continues to drive innovation between seasons
How TMRW Sports is pushing the boundaries of fan experience and redefining what “live” means when digital and physical worlds converge

Resources and Links:

Connect with Andrew Macauley on LinkedIn and learn more about TMRW Sports on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

[REPLAY] Turning the NYC Marathon App into a 365-Day Platform (and Why It Matters) with Rob Simmelkjaer

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0400

What does it take to turn the world’s most famous marathon into a year-round digital platform?

Rob Simmelkjaer, CEO of New York Road Runners, is leading the charge, launching an app with 210K+ downloads in its first few months, building an in-house content studio, and forging global partnerships that could redefine what it means to be a “major.”

Drawing on a career that’s spanned ESPN’s control rooms to NBC’s direct-to-consumer pivots, Rob shares how those lessons are shaping NYRR’s tech roadmap and growth strategy. He also pulls back the curtain on serving 200,000+ youth, managing 40 races a year, and navigating unprecedented demand for NYC Marathon spots, all while keeping community impact at the core.

Plus, you’ll hear how storytelling through projects like Final Finishers is helping NYRR capture the emotional heart of the sport.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Rob’s front-row view of ESPN’s evolution, and what today’s rights holders should copy (and avoid) as direct-to-consumer finally goes all-in.
How NYRR turned a race-day utility into a year-round product with 210,000+ downloads since March
NYRR’s approach to redesigning registration, adding Strava-powered virtuals, and expanding member value
Why NYRR invested in an in-house studio (East 89th Street Productions) to own its narrative, create sponsor-friendly assets, and showcase runners’ most emotional moments
Sydney’s addition, Cape Town and Shanghai on track, and why a nine-star medal might be coming (plus what that means for runners and host cities)

Resources and Links:

Connect with Rob Simmeljkaer on LinkedIn.

Learn more about the New York Road Runners on their website and tune in to their podcast, Set the Pace, co-hosted by Rob.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Next League is partnering with Sports Business Journal for the Rising Woman of the Year Award. Nominations are now open! Learn more here.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How Nielsen Measures Fans, Media Value & ROI with Jessica Forrest

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Fan attention is fragmented across platforms, and the race to measure it accurately has never been tougher. Nielsen Sports VP Jessica Forrest joins David to share how the industry’s most trusted data company is redefining what (and who) gets counted in the next generation of sports measurement.

Jessica breaks down Nielsen’s hybrid approach to ratings and why person-level panel data still matters in a streaming world. She also explains how Nielsen’s AI technology tracks EVERY on-screen logo to determine true sponsorship value, helping brands and properties compare performance across sports, events, and placements.

The conversation widens to live exclusive streams that require streamer-enabled measurement, the trade-off between short-term discoverability and long-term audience rejuvenation, and how fan profiling across 50 global markets informs expansion strategies.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Nielsen blends panel data with big data from tens of millions of devices to paint a true picture of who’s actually watching sports
All about AI-powered logo detection, and how quality indexes reveal the real media value behind sponsorships
How Nielsen captures streaming audiences for live-exclusive events like Thursday Night Football when traditional ratings can’t
Why nearly 40% of viewers who watched NASCAR’s Netflix docuseries Full Speed later tuned into a live race.
Global fan profiling across 50 markets, for helping rights holders and leagues tailor content and sponsorship strategies for growth

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jessica Forrest on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Inside OKC’s 50-Acre Stadium District, Fan Enrollment, and the Road to 2026

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Something big is happening in Oklahoma City. Court Jeske, President of Echo Soccer, is redefining what expansion looks like in modern sports, applying lessons from launching Nashville SC to design a new franchise model built on data-driven fan growth.

Echo Soccer is developing a 50-acre stadium district with a 10–11K seat Populous-designed venue, backed by an ownership group that includes Russell Westbrook. The goal? Create the busiest outdoor stadium in the U.S., host 80–90 events a year and anchor downtown OKC’s next wave of growth.

And because Echo will field women’s and men’s teams from day one, Court shares how language, community, and data play into building fan trust. Zooming out, we talk 2026: why the World Cup’s success will hinge on engaging non-host markets, how international club tours help, and why U.S. soccer is only 20% into its overall potential.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The 5 non-negotiables of a successful franchise and why Oklahoma City is positioned to nail every one
Why Russell Westbrook’s investment matters far beyond the check, signaling a new era of OKC growth and alignment
From ~100K followers / ~20K leads to Nashville’s 6,200 first-year ST holders, and the ONE avoidable tech mistake Court refuses to repeat
How Echo Soccer is building women’s and men’s teams from day one, and training staff to use language that reflects equal footing

Resources and Links:

Connect with Court Jeske on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Where Is the Money Going in Sports? Private Equity, Youth, and Emerging Leagues

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0400

How is technology reshaping where the money flows in sports? Private equity and institutional investors are rewriting the playbook, and Greg Bedrosian, Managing Partner and CEO at Drake Star, joins Dave to break down what that shift means for operations, innovation, and long-term value creation.

Today’s most sophisticated investors are building value beyond media rights by strengthening data strategy, rethinking fan monetization, and turning venues into year-round revenue engines. As the market evolves, new opportunities are emerging across categories like youth sports, where technology, payments, and facility innovation are driving a surge of interest.

The conversation also explores the rise of sovereign capital with long-term horizons to the evolving expectations around tech diligence and organizational maturity. Greg’s perspective offers a rare, dealmaker’s view into where the smart money is going and what’s next for the business of sports.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How PE owners are modernizing data systems, improving fan payment experiences, and turning venues into year-round revenue engines
Why fragmented markets + parent spend + tech platforms (ops + fintech) = hundreds of millions in investment momentum
The different risk/reward profiles of net-new sports (pickleball, snowboard) vs. new formats leveraging existing star power
How sovereign wealth funds’ evergreen horizons change the math on stadiums, timelines, and emerging leagues.
Why tech and organizational maturity (not just financials) now make or break sports deals, and how buyers are testing it

Resources and Links:

Connect with Greg Bedrosian on LinkedIn and learn more about Drake Star on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How to Build an Addressable Fanbase in Serie A with Sean Foley & Italo Zanzi

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Demonstrable, addressable fanbases are now the foundation of media value, sponsorships, and sustainable revenue.

Sean Foley and Italo Zanzi are here from Hellas Verona FC to outline their competitive DNA in player development and culture designed to be “the club everyone wants to play for.” They highlight a fervent regional base and the importance of aligning the club with civic leaders and a city renowned for its arena, opera season, and visibility tied to the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies.

From being early guinea pigs for social platforms at AS Roma to today’s experiments with sponsors and fintech integration, facility upgrades, and a pragmatic view of media economics, Sean and Italo also share how streamers like Netflix, ESPN, and Paramount+ are shaping rights strategies for leagues.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why Verona sees provable, permission-based fan data as the key to unlocking media rights value and attracting serious sponsorships
How the club’s identity is shaping player development and off-field culture
Verona’s deep integration with Croatian fintech Aircash to co-create stadium and ticketing solutions
The unique ways Verona is turning their city’s assets into global growth opportunities
Why Netflix’s approach matters for rights holders, and how Verona positions itself amid shifting economics

Resources and Links:

Connect with Sean Foley on LinkedIn

Connect with Italo Zanzi on LinkedIn

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

[REPLAY] The Business of Golf: Tech, Partnerships & The Ryder Cup with Jeff Price

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0400

What does it take to grow golf from 26 million to 45 million players in just a few years while adapting to shifting fan expectations?

Jeff Price, Chief Commercial Officer at the PGA of America, chats with David to explore the evolving role of technology, media, and partnerships in shaping the future of this 2 billion dollar industry.

Jeff shares insights into the PGA’s massive Frisco, Texas campus and how it’s transforming player development, industry collaboration, and fan engagement. He also dives into the explosive growth of women’s golf, the significance of the hybrid golfer, and how AI and technology are enhancing coaching and course management.

Plus, hear his take on the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage and what makes it one of the most electric events in all of sports.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How the PGA of America is fueling industry growth while supporting 31,000+ golf professionals.
Why women’s golf is growing faster than ever since the pandemic — and what it means for the industry.
How technology, AI, and data are reshaping golf coaching and fan experiences, from ball tracing to swing analytics.
Hybrid golfers and how off-course play is exploding in popularity, especially in the last 10 years.
What makes the 2025 Ryder Cup different, how it’s set to break records, and why the first tee shot on Friday morning is one of the most nerve-wracking moments in sports.

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jeff Price on LinkedIn and check out the PGA of America website.

Learn more about the Ryder Cup, TGL, and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Inside the Bid to Bring NASCAR’s Championship Back to Miami with Guillermo Santa Cruz

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Few sports venues get a second shot at hosting a championship, but Homestead-Miami Speedway just did. President Guillermo Santa Cruz sits down with Dave to discuss what it takes to win back NASCAR’s biggest weekend, and how Miami’s global market, fan base, and drivers themselves shaped the decision.

Drawing on his experience across media and motorsports, Guillermo unpacks why Homestead’s racing quality and driver sentiment carry as much weight as market dynamics. He also shares how Miami’s role as a minority-majority, international hub is influencing NASCAR’s approach to engaging Hispanic and global audiences.

Guillermo also shares his thoughts around using AI in daily workflows, streaming fragmentation, and evolving media rights. He closes with the industry storylines he’s watching most closely as NASCAR and South Florida gear up for a packed 2026 sports calendar.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How artificial intelligence, streaming fragmentation, and shifting media rights are shaping the way sports organizations capture and serve fans
Why Guillermo sees Miami as a proving ground for NASCAR’s global expansion
How Homestead-Miami Speedway won back NASCAR’s Championship Weekend by leaning on driver feedback and track quality
How a STEM partnership with Miami-Dade schools is cultivating future fans and building a talent pipeline for motorsports
What Guillermo carried from his Emmy-winning years in TV production into leading a world-class motorsports venue

Resources and Links:

Connect with Guillermo Santa Cruz on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

LA28, Legends, and the Playbook for Modern Partnerships with Nicole Jeter West

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Big brands aren’t buying “spots & dots” anymore. In this conversation, Nicole Jeter West traces a path from the Knicks and US Open to Legends and LA28 to show how partnerships actually create value now, beyond stacking impressions. She explains why a primetime NWSL championship mattered, what it takes to design “assets beyond the rings,” and how to frame outcomes so both the property and the partner win.

Nicole is also diving into her operator’s playbook: packaging the road to LA28, sequencing categories, and aligning a complex web of stakeholders, including IOC, IFs, NGBs, and the USOPC — so activation feels seamless to fans.

Finally, she breaks down why she launched Vanguard Maven Group, her board work in women’s sports, and how a multi-generational team helps her build for where attention is going next.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why real partnership beats “spots & dots,” and how aligning brand–property objectives leads to better fan and athlete experiences
How LA28 built “assets beyond the rings” and packaged the road to 2028 so partners commit earlier
Why the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic model’s reliance on private dollars changes category strategy, rights management, and governance across IOC/USOPC/NGBs
How legacy properties turn cost centers into P&L growth, with lessons from standing up digital partnerships and modernizing go-to-market
Vanguard Maven Group’s three-pillar model of Strategy, Storytelling, and IP Creation and how they reach Gen Z without losing core fans

Resources and Links:

Connect with Nicole Jeter West on LinkedIn and learn more about Vanguard Maven Group on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

30% Faster, $30M Richer: Shripal Shah on AI’s Great Divide in Sports

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Shripal Shah is back on the show to map the maturity spectrum of AI in sports and how data governance must come first to avoid ugly surprises. Most importantly, Shripal explains why AI won’t be the great equalizer – it will be the great divider.

You’ll hear a plain-English take on MCP (Model Context Protocol) as the “air traffic control” for AI across vendors, plus how AI agents can bridge legacy systems, stretch capex cycles, and free teams from grunt work so staff can focus on strategy.

Finally, Shripal previews his new book Unlocking Fan Loyalty, making the case that emotionally loyal fans are worth 300% more, and a modern, card-linked, 365-day program could conservatively add ~$30M/year for an NFL team.

He also lays out the KPI shift from signups to incremental revenue per member and a phased path to move from points-for-merch to true lifetime value.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why real differentiation comes when teams apply AI to high-value areas like sponsor recaps, churn prediction, and personalized offers.
How organizations risk exposing sensitive files when staff gain AI-powered search across company systems.
The emerging Model Context Protocol that can help IT teams manage data permissions across multiple AI models without chaos.
How AI agents can turn 45–60 minutes of manual work into background automation.
How card-linked earning, “money-can’t-buy” experiences, and incremental revenue per member become the KPIs sponsors will pay for.

Resources and Links:

Connect with Shripal Shah on LinkedIn and check out his new book, Unlocking Fan Loyalty: From Frequent Flyers to Fanatics in the Age of AI.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Best Of: Women in Sports (Record Purses, Sold-Out Arenas, & What’s Next)

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Women’s sports are surging. Participation is climbing, purses are growing, arenas are selling out, and today, we’re spotlighting the people and ideas powering that momentum: from the LPGA and USGA, fast-rising leagues like the PWHL, tech-forward formats like TGL, and iconic brands like the Harlem Globetrotters.

You’ll hear from the following guests:

(0:40) Danette Leighton, Women’s Sports Foundation
(5:52) Liz Moore, LPGA
(13:19) Mollie Marcoux Samaan, former LPGA Commissioner
(20:06) Jon Podany, USGA
(24:05) Amy Scheer, PWHL
(27:18) Jon Kropp, TGL
(30:44) Jayne Bussman-Wise, PWHL
(35:06) Keith Dawkins, Harlem Globetrotters

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why the current boom in women’s sports is decades in the making: “five generations” of Title IX turning access into audience and investment
How the U.S. Women’s Open doubled its purse to $12M in just three years and landed prime-time coverage at Pebble Beach
PWHL’s breakout with sold-out arenas (including a rapid 19,000 seat sellout), single-entity agility, and expansion to eight teams
How TGL’s tech format lets men and women compete side by side, and why expansion to new venues is next
The Globetrotters’ co-ed future, from Lynette Woodard’s trailblazing role to today’s strategy that treats inclusion as smart audience growth

Resources and Links:

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The Cavaliers’ Media Rights Pivot and Building a 24/7 Team-Run Network

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0400

The Cleveland Cavaliers EVP & CIO Mike Conley turned the Cavs’ digital channels from a cost center into a multimillion-dollar revenue engine. And that shift laid the groundwork for their boldest move yet: standing up a 24/7 sports network inside the organization.

With RSN economics wobbling, Mike explains how the Cavs built optionality and formed a joint venture with Gray Media to launch Rock Entertainment Sports Network after a six-week sprint—so the club could produce live events, original programming, and distribute across both linear and streaming footprints. That mix already reaches ~2.4M Ohio households!

You’ll also hear Mike’s tactical thoughts around why every team needs media DNA, what a club-side broadcast stack looks like now, where in-house production makes sense (and where it doesn’t!) and how governance and culture drive execution.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How the Cavs and Gray Media stood up Rock Entertainment Sports Network before the ’24-’25 season to protect against RSN volatility
The omnichannel footprint behind 2.4M households: OTA (22.1 NE Ohio), Spectrum/Charter, NCTC, plus new signals in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton
Why broadcast now sits with IT/BI under the CIO, moving to IP video and Dante audio, and what that unlocks
The early Cavs mandate to shift web from PR to revenue, from $900K to $6.7M in two years
Mike’s honest view on going in-house, and lessons from peers like the Pelicans, Suns, Jazz, Rangers, and Stars

Resources and Links:

Connect with Mike Conley on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Turning the NYC Marathon App into a 365-Day Platform (and Why It Matters) with Rob Simmelkjaer

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Rob’s front-row view of ESPN’s evolution, and what today’s rights holders should copy (and avoid) as direct-to-consumer finally goes all-in.
How NYRR turned a race-day utility into a year-round product with 210,000+ downloads since March
NYRR’s approach to redesigning registration, adding Strava-powered virtuals, and expanding member value
Why NYRR invested in an in-house studio (East 89th Street Productions) to own its narrative, create sponsor-friendly assets, and showcase runners’ most emotional moments
Sydney’s addition, Cape Town and Shanghai on track, and why a nine-star medal might be coming (plus what that means for runners and host cities)

Resources and Links:

Connect with Rob Simmeljkaer on LinkedIn.

Learn more about the New York Road Runners on their website and tune in to their podcast, Set the Pace, co-hosted by Rob.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

What’s Next for Women’s Sports and College Athletics with Mollie Marcoux Samaan

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Mollie Marcoux Samaan has led some of the most complex and high-stakes organizations in sports, and she’s done it with vision, grit, and results, all while challenging the status quo.

As the former LPGA Commissioner, Princeton Athletic Director, and EVP at Chelsea Piers, Mollie shares how she helped grow average player earnings at the LPGA by over 100%, navigated the global logistics of women’s golf, and pushed for a more athlete-centered approach that balances performance, mental health, and long-term sustainability. She also breaks down why women’s sports are finally reaching a tipping point and what still needs to happen to keep momentum going.

This conversation also explores the complexity of modern college athletics, where NIL, the transfer portal, and billion-dollar football programs are reshaping the landscape in real time.

Mollie offers a candid perspective on why Ivy League schools are staying true to their values, and why now, more than ever—we need sports to develop not just elite athletes, but resilient, confident leaders.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Mollie doubled average player earnings to over $1 million at the LPGA by negotiating marquee tournament purses and improving performance infrastructure
Why Ivy League schools are opting out of “pay for play” and why they view athletics as a co-curricular, not commercial, enterprise
The tech gap holding back women’s sports, including the missing scaffolding that’s essential to building fandom, improving storytelling, and growing revenue
What new leagues like PWHL, Athletes Unlimited, and League One Volleyball can learn from legacy organizations like the LPGA
Why 94% of women in the C-suite were athletes, and how sports build confidence, resilience, and leadership

Resources and Links:

Connect with Mollie Marcoux Samaan on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Women Leaders In Sports on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Building Broadcast-First Arenas for 3v3 and Padel with Jean Manuel Jimenez

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Jean Manuel Jimenez has helped grow soccer in one of the toughest U.S. markets without a stadium, a team legacy, or a roster of stars. As SVP of Commercial Partnerships at Mediapro, he shares how he’s brought bold ideas to life at the intersection of tech, culture, and sports, from launching Inter Miami CF to redefining how fans engage with emerging leagues.

Mediapro is transforming soundstages into next-gen sports venues, including for Unrivaled, a 3v3 women’s basketball league, and the rapidly growing sport of padel. These aren’t massive stadiums, but they’re engineered for intimacy, intensity, and innovation.

You’ll also hear why reaching the US Hispanic market isn’t about language - it’s about cultural fluency. Jean breaks down how food, music, values, and storytelling play a much bigger role in driving connection than translation alone.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Mediapro is powering padel and women’s 3v3 basketball with immersive studio venues that rival traditional arenas
Jean’s journey launching Inter Miami CF from the ground up as Employee #4, without a stadium, AND still winning a Telly Award
Jean’s perspective on why reaching US Hispanics in sports is more about culture than language
Behind the scenes of building the Wayfair Arena and the Pro Padel tour logistics
How to time partnerships with up-and-coming leagues and why the future of sports broadcasting might not be inside traditional stadiums

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jean Jimenez on LinkedIn and learn more about Mediapro on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The Globetrotters' Strategic Overhaul: Keith Dawkins on Multi-Platform IP, Distribution, and Digital Reach

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0400

The Harlem Globetrotters are approaching their 100th anniversary, and President Keith Dawkins is here to unpack the high-stakes strategy behind reintroducing the Globetrotters to a new generation, and the urgency driving it.

Keith brings his deep background in media, from Viacom to Nickelodeon, to explain why the Globetrotters can’t rely on a tour-only model in today’s content-saturated world. With a looming centennial in 2026, Keith is leading a massive repositioning effort, expanding into TV, licensing, and digital media to meet audiences where they are. He candidly shares how they’re addressing generational disconnects, signing elite athletes like Alexis Morris, and leveraging nostalgia without getting stuck in the past.

You’ll also hear how the Globetrotters are doubling down on social impact, inclusion, and family entertainment. This episode is packed with lessons on staying relevant and leading with purpose.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why Keith believes the Globetrotters were at risk of fading from public consciousness - and how they’re turning it around
How the Globetrotters returned to TV after 40 years and reached 1.5M weekly viewers
What it REALLY takes to be a Globetrotter - even NCAA champions and WNBA draft picks often struggle to make the cut
Why co-ed teams and signing elite women athletes is core to the brand’s future
Keith shares his evolution from “maker to suit” and why curiosity is the ultimate superpower for leadership

Resources and Links:

Connect with Keith Dawkins on LinkedIn and learn more about the Harlem Globetrotters on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Engineering the Fastest Format in Pro Golf with Jon Kropp, TGL

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0400

What happens when you combine PGA Tour superstars, a massive custom-built golf simulator, and real-time team competition, all under one roof?

You get TGL, a next-generation indoor golf league that’s redefining the sport. In this episode, Dave sits down with Jon Kropp, VP of Digital Media at TGL, who shares how this new format came to life and why it’s captivating fans, athletes, and tech partners.

Jon was one of the earliest employees at TGL and shares how he helped develop new content pipelines for the league while working with partners like ESPN, SiriusXM, and FanDuel.

Jon also discusses what it means to operate like a startup while managing a high-stakes product watched by millions. He opens up about radar tracking and their shape-shifting green that allows real-world finishing shots on a virtual course.

TGL might just be the model for the future of fan engagement.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How TGL built a real-life putting surface with over 500 actuators that change shape mid-match
Jon’s team of 30+ content creators and the struggle to keep up with the pace of play
Jon’s thoughts on what’s next for TGL: more teams, more venues, and the potential inclusion of women’s competitions powered by tech-enabled parity
How the TGL team approached testing, simulation, and infrastructure buildout for a brand-new format

Resources and Links:

Learn more about TGL on their website and follow @tglgolf on Instagram.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Building 40+ AI Tools IN-HOUSE: How the Portland Trail Blazers Are Solving Real Problems

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0400

What happens when you invite 30 employees from every corner of a sports organization to talk about what frustrates them most at work - and then actually build AI solutions around it?

At the Portland Trail Blazers, it sparked an AI transformation that’s saving hours, surfacing sales leads, and bringing fans closer to the brand.

In this episode, Christa Stout and David Long share how they’ve embedded innovation into the DNA of the Blazers not just through flashy tech, but by empowering their people. From internal tools like “David Detractor” and “Kelly Kindness” to reimagined hiring processes and game-day feedback loops, they’re here to break down how they’re turning day-to-day inefficiencies into scalable wins.

You’ll also hear how their collaborative approach with the NBA and other teams is accelerating progress across the league, why AI success hinges more on behavior change than code, and how personal stories remind them what the work is really about.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How the Blazers formed a 30+ person cross-functional AI committee to co-create AI tools that addressed their pain points
Why tools like David Detractor and Kelly Kindness are transforming post-game surveys into sales opportunities and deeper fan connection
The framework the Blazers use to evaluate EVERY AI use case: drive revenue, cut costs, improve productivity, or elevate the customer experience
How a fully automated hiring packet generator is shaving weeks off job posting workflows
How a 12-year-old fan’s Pride Night experience became a defining moment for the Blazers

Resources and Links:

Connect with Christa Stout and David Long on LinkedIn.

Christa and David referenced these tools: ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Qualtrics, and Zapier.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Best Of: Data, AI, Tech & Disruption in Sports

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0400

We’ve officially hit the midpoint of the year, having released 20 episodes so far - so we thought we’d do something a little different.

In this Best Of episode, we’re revisiting some of the most compelling conversations on innovative and emerging technologies in sports. From AI-driven scouting, how leagues are navigating decentralized media consumption, to immersive fan experiences and cutting-edge data platforms, this episode showcases the forward-thinking ideas that are shaping the future of sports business.

You’ll hear from the following guests:

(0:50) Shripal Shah, Next League
(11:00) Scott Gutterman, PGA TOUR
(19:38) Jeff Price, PGA of America
(25:26) Tim Clark, NASCAR
(30:09) Chris Marinak, MLB
(33:14) Chris Benyarko, NBA
(36:21) Devin Poolman, CoSM

In this episode:

How AI is reducing 3,000-hour workflows to 100 hours - and generating millions in revenue
Why NASCAR's biggest challenge is having too much data, and how they’re solving for it
The PGA TOUR’s strategy for delivering real-time data across 18 fields of play with zero latency
How CoSM is reimagining the sports venue from the ground up, beyond just screens
What optical tracking is and why the NBA leadership team sees it as a foundational technology for officiating and mixed-reality experiences

Resources and Links:

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Scaling PWHL and Selling 19,000 Seats in 45 Minutes with Jayne Bussman-Wise

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0400

What do you get when you launch a brand new women’s hockey league, sell out 19,000 seats mid-flight, and redefine how sports content is created and consumed, all in year 1?

Jayne Bussman-Wise, VP of Growth Strategy and New Ventures at the PWHL, is here to discuss what’s driving the PWHL’s explosive growth in its first two seasons.

Jayne unpacks the league’s unconventional startup structure and how that nimbleness allows them to test bold ideas, like a 9 city Takeover Tour and live podcast programming. She also discusses the PWHL Media House, the league’s in-house content engine designed to spotlight the sport's biggest stars and reach younger, diverse audiences.

Jayne and Dave also share insights on building fan bases from scratch, aligning players and operations, and seizing global moments like the upcoming 2026 Olympics.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The PWHL sold out 19,000 seats at the Scotiabank Arena in just 45 minutes - what does this reveal about fan demand for women’s hockey?
How single-entity ownership is helping the PWHL innovate faster than traditional leagues, with initiatives like the Takeover Tour
How to create generational fandom in non-home markets, from open practices, one-off games, to youth clinics and community events
Why the league acquired the Jocks in Jills podcast, brought on Olympians Tessa Bonhomme and Julia Tocheri, and are investing in multilingual content
Jayne’s experience at Amazon and across the NHL, MLS, and NBA - and how her career prepared her to operate in “gray space” roles

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jayne Bussman-Wise on LinkedIn and learn more about the PWHL on their website. You can also tune in to the Jocks in Jills podcast here.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

PGA TOUR Studios & Next-Gen Golf Broadcasting with Luis Goicouria

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0400

When you’re producing more live golf coverage than anyone in the world, the technology behind the scenes better be world-class. Enter Luis Goicouria, SVP of Media at the PGA TOUR, who reveals how the league has transformed into a media powerhouse.

Think drone-mapped golf courses, patented ball-tracking AI, and a brand-new 165,000-square-foot production hub that rivals any in pro sports.

Seven live feeds are produced weekly, including ESPN+’s PGA TOUR LIVE and newly launched global “world feeds” tailored for international audiences. Luis explains how the TOUR now handles both “above the line” and “below the line” production across key events, and why investing in infrastructure has opened the door to deeper fan personalization.

You’ll also hear how Netflix’s Full Swing, the rise of international players, and the high-tech TGL league are all shifting how and who the sport reaches.

Resources and Links:

Connect with Luis Goicouria on LinkedIn and learn more about the PGA TOUR on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Inside NASCAR’s $60M Media Bet with Brian Herbst, EVP

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0400

What do you do when Amazon wants your media rights, but not your production headaches? If you’re NASCAR, you build a $60 MILLION dollar, 58,000-square-foot facility from scratch to solve the problem.

This week, Brian Herbst, EVP and Chief Media & Revenue Officer at NASCAR is here to share the bold moves behind NASCAR’s $7.7 billion media rights strategy. He shares the inside story of how NASCAR landed Amazon, TNT/Max, and The CW as new media partners, even while simultaneously producing every second of the NASCAR XFINITY Series in-house.

You’ll hear how the team anticipated streaming’s rise as early as 2018, why they created in-car camera feeds for all 40 Cup Series cars, and what went into launching the Max-exclusive “driver cams” experience with synced team audio.

Plus, why did the Netflix series Full Speed reach the global top 5, despite 90% of its viewers never watching a NASCAR race?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why NASCAR built a $60M in-house production facility – and how it helped secure The CW and Amazon as new rights partners
Why more NASCAR fans subscribe to Prime over cable, and how that shaped a strategic streaming bet
90% of Full Speed viewers didn’t watch a single playoff race! What does that mean for fan growth?
NASCAR’s in-car experience on Max, and why it offers something fans have never seen before
How NASCAR is localizing content for 190+ countries while maintaining production control in North Carolina

Resources and Links:

Connect with Brian Herbst on LinkedIn and check out the NASCAR Full Speed series on Netflix and the Dale Earnhardt documentary on Amazon Prime.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Why Big Brands Are Losing Fans with Perkins Miller, CEO of Fandom

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Perkins Miller, CEO of Fandom, is sharing his playbook on digital transformation inside some of the world’s most iconic media and sports organizations: NBC, the NFL, WWE, and now Fandom.

Perkins opens up about the balance between speed, scale, and accuracy when delivering enterprise-grade digital experiences. From broadcasting 10,000 hours of Olympic video to building the WWE Network from scratch, he shares why strategic planning and risk tolerance shape organizational success in tech.

AND, he doesn’t shy away from addressing how large media brands are losing touch with today’s consumer behaviors - especially in the age of TikTok and YouTube.

Plus, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how Fandom leverages machine learning, builds predictive fan graphs, and empowers 300 million monthly users with smarter content discovery.

This is a conversation packed with real-world tension between legacy business models and next-gen fan expectations.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why large media brands are losing ground to TikTok and YouTube, and how they can catch up
The root cause of a major Olympic tech failure and how a simple UX fix reversed the trend
How Perkins transformed Fandom into a data-driven powerhouse with 45M+ pages and 300M users
Inside the contrasting tech cultures of WWE, NBC, and the NFL and what they reveal about risk
How Fandom is using AI and predictive analytics to reshape content discovery and fan targeting

Resources and Links:

Connect with Perkins Miller on LinkedIn and learn more about Fanatical on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Leading Women’s Golf Into the Future with Liz Moore of the LPGA

Tue, 27 May 2025 04:00:00 -0400

It’s a pivotal time in women’s sports, and today we’re having a wide-ranging conversation about the future of women’s golf, and what it means to lead one of the longest-standing professional women’s sports organizations in the world.

Interim Commissioner Liz Moore brings over a decade of experience in legal, tech, and international operations to her role, and offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at steering the LPGA through its 75th anniversary and beyond.

From the Tour’s expansion across 14 countries to its mission to empower the next generation of women and girls, Liz shares what makes the LPGA a uniquely global and values-driven organization.

Liz also talks openly about their strategic tech investments and why mixed-format competitions like the TGL could be a breakthrough moment for the women's game.

This episode is packed with insights on growth, innovation, and legacy building.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why the LPGA's organizational structure is unlike ANY other league and how Liz manages touring pros to amateurs under one umbrella
What it really takes to run global events for the LPGA and build a loyal, international fan base
What technology means for modern golf and how the LPGA elevates gameplay moments that casual viewers might miss
How the LPGA is fueling the fastest-growing segments in golf, including a 40% rise in junior girl participation

Resources and Links:

Connect with Liz Moore on LinkedIn and learn more about LPGA on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The USOPC on LA28, Storytelling, and Next-Gen Olympics

Tue, 20 May 2025 04:00:00 -0400

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are evolving, and so are the strategies behind them.

Katie Bynum Aznavorian, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee shares how the USOPC is evolving from a four-year event cycle to a year-round engagement model, fueled by digital personalization, athlete storytelling, and initiatives like Making Team USA.

She breaks down the intentional strategies behind the success of the Paris Games, the unique challenges of Milan Cortina's distributed setup, and how LA28 presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unite all 50 states in a nationwide celebration of sport.

Beyond the logistics, Katie offers a behind-the-scenes look at the geopolitical nuances of global sport, the growing influence of women in leadership, and how investment trends in collegiate and professional sports will shape the pipeline for Olympic and Paralympic athletes in the next decade.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why LA28 is being positioned as “America’s Games” with a focus on community engagement across all 50 states
How the USOPC’s female-led executive team is driving innovation and why representation at all levels matters more than ever
Why changes in the college sports landscape and private investment could have massive implications for Team USA’s athlete pipeline
How the “Follow the Team” platform tracks athlete qualifications and curates personalized fan journeys

Resources and Links:

Connect with Katie Bynum Aznavorian on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How the USGA is Elevating Women, Youth, and Adaptive Athletes

Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 -0400

What does the future of golf look like, and who’s making it happen?

In this episode, Jon Podany, Chief Commercial Officer of the USGA, joins Dave to explore the bold investments and innovations reshaping the sport. You’ll hear how they’ve built a pipeline of young talent with the U.S. National Development Program, AND how they’ve transformed the fan experience.

The USGA is elevating women's golf through landmark prize purses and broadcast deals, creating global momentum with the Adaptive Open, and driving engagement with off-course formats like TGL.

Together, these initiatives reflect the USGA’s broader mission: not just to host championships, but to build an inclusive, tech-forward ecosystem where the game thrives for the next generation of players, fans, and communities.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why the USGA’s new National Development Program could become golf’s version of AAU basketball
How adaptive golf is setting the stage to become a Paralympic sport
The role technology plays in expanding golf’s reach, from real-time fan apps to gamification on the course
How the USGA doubled the U.S. Women’s Open purse and landed a historic NBC primetime slot
What Jon thinks about TGL, off-course golf, and the sports media shakeup affecting leagues everywhere

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jon Podany on LinkedIn and learn more about USGA on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

NASCAR’s CTO on the Bold Digital Bet That Transformed the Sport

Tue, 06 May 2025 04:00:00 -0400

How did NASCAR reclaim its digital media rights and bring its tech capabilities in-house? CTO John Martin says it wasn’t just a business move - it was a cultural shift requiring executive buy-in, a long-term strategic plan, and the courage to say no to licensing checks in favor of direct fan relationships.

John walks us through the early hurdles of going independent, the learning curves of live sports tech, and the unexpected wins that followed. He also shares insights on the changing dynamics of fan engagement, the rise of international drivers, and the role of simulators in shaping the next generation of talent.

If you're in the sports industry wondering when (or how) to invest in owning your tech stack, this conversation is essential listening.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why NASCAR made the bold decision to stop accepting multi-million-dollar licensing checks
The real reason NASCAR chose to build an in-house digital team, and how frustration over slow content updates became the tipping point
The surprising story of William Byron, a top NASCAR driver who learned the sport on a simulator
How NASCAR’s massive, mismatched venues created unexpected chaos
What John sees as the next big shift: repurposing roles in response to AI and data automation

Resources and Links:

Connect with John Martin on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Kenyon Rasheed on Athlete Intelligence and Winning the Recruiting Game with Edge3

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

What if athlete intelligence became the real competitive edge in college sports?

Former NFL player, entrepreneur, and Next League leader Kenyon Rasheed is here to share his journey from the football field to the forefront of sports innovation. Drawing from his experience at Oklahoma and beyond, Kenyon reveals how he built Edge3, a groundbreaking platform helping athletes and organizations use intelligence, data, and human insight to drive better outcomes.

As the landscape of college sports is shifting with the rise of the transfer portal, NIL deals, and roster volatility, Kenyon breaks down why traditional recruiting methods are no longer enough.

You’ll hear his real-world lessons from advising top draft picks to partnering with college programs on player development. Plus, the traits that have fueled his own success.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How Kenyon's "athlete intelligence" concept bridges gaps between player experience, tech innovation, and business strategy
Roster retention is the next battleground in college sports and how Edge3’s data-driven approach tackles it
Behind the scenes of recruiting today and how business partnerships are shaping athlete choices
Kenyon’s early bets on technology, NIL, and how real-time data transformed his post-NFL career
Why curiosity, self-awareness, and the "why not me?" mindset are critical traits for success both on and off the field

Resources and Links:

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Connect with Kenyon Rasheed on LinkedIn and learn more about Edge3 on their website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Why Investing in Women's Sports Changes Everything, with Danette Leighton

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

What does it REALLY take to fuel the explosive growth of women’s sports and ensure it lasts?

From grassroots grants to elite athlete support, Danette Leighton, CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, shares how her organization is tackling inequality and building a healthier, more inclusive future for sports.

Danette and Dave explore how legislation like Title IX set the foundation for today’s momentum, and why it’s still just the beginning. With stats to back it up, she explains the direct links between sports participation and leadership, mental health, academic performance, and economic advancement, especially for young women.

Whether you're a brand, executive, or athlete, this episode offers a powerful reminder: investing in women’s sports isn’t charity: it’s smart business.

Tune in to learn why the ecosystem matters, what needs fixing in college athletics, and how every level of the pyramid contributes to long-term success.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why 71% of women attribute their leadership skills to youth sports participation
The biggest opportunities (and threats) facing women’s sports, including elite leagues and college athletics
What every policymaker needs to understand about the real value of sports for girls
How the Sports for Life and Travel & Training grant programs are filling critical funding gaps
Why brands are finally recognizing women’s sports as a smart business move, and how that’s impacting media deals, salaries, and fan growth

Resources and Links:

Connect with Danette Leighton on LinkedIn and learn more about the Women’s Sports Foundation.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How Cosm Is Transforming Live Sports with LED Domes, 8K Video, and Unreal Engine with Devin Poolman

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

What if you could watch a live UFC fight or a Premier League match in a dome-shaped venue designed for immersive, shared experiences? Devin Poolman, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Cosm, joins the show to share how his team is reinventing live entertainment.

Devin dives into the origin story of Cosm and how they use planetarium technology, 8K live capture, and Unreal Engine-powered rendering. These cinematic viewing environments blur the lines between tech, storytelling, and hospitality.

Whether you're in the sports industry, media production, or tech innovation, you'll gain an inside look at how Cosm is scaling its venue model globally, offering fans a high-end, social, and hyper-localized alternative to passive viewing. From the layout of the building to the quality of the food, every detail is engineered for connection.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How a cell phone video of an LED dome sparked Cosm’s immersive venue concept
Why Cosm acquired a planetarium company first, and how that decision shaped the foundation for everything that followed
What Devin learned from early Olympic watch parties that pushed the team to raise the bar from 4K to 8K live capture in just six months
How Cosm’s proprietary cameras, 8K+ workflows, and Unreal Engine-powered CX Engine are reimagining sports broadcasting
Why high-end hospitality, venue architecture, and local flavor are just as important as the tech when creating fan-first environments

Resources and Links:

Connect with Devin Poolman on LinkedIn and learn more about upcoming events on Cosm’s website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Optical Tracking, RSN Disruption, and NBA Tech with Chris Benyarko

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

In a streaming-first world, how does the NBA keep fans engaged while reimagining the local broadcast model?

Chris Benyarko, EVP of Direct-to-Consumer Products at the NBA, is here for a compelling conversation around the NBA’s approach to innovation (not just through flashy tech!) through a deep understanding of their global fans and evolving content consumption habits.

You’ll hear about the NBA's personalized fan experiences, the complexities and opportunities of going global, and how technologies like optical tracking are changing everything from officiating to mixed-reality broadcasts.

Chris also shares candid thoughts on RSN disruption, delivering localized content at scale, and the power of being both a creator and consumer of sport.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The NBA’s approach to innovation and how they cultivate curiosity and embrace change across leadership, fans, and players
Why optical tracking is the next big leap for officiating accuracy and unlocking new experiences in mixed and shared reality environments
How the NBA App is personalizing the fan journey with vertical highlights and immersive fantasy integrations
The upsides and complexities of being a global league across 130 currencies and multiple languages in its DTC business
RSN disruption and how it’s positioning the NBA to deepen fan engagement through local DTC offerings within the NBA app

Resources and Links:

Connect with Chris Benyarko on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Inside the Sports Rights Shakeup with Doug Perlman

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0400

One of the most trusted voices in the sports industry is joining the show today to unpack the seismic shifts reshaping how games are distributed, monetized, and consumed.

Doug Perlman, Founder of Sports Media Advisors and former media executive at the NHL and IMG, is bringing his decades of experience to a wide-ranging conversation on the business of sports in 2025.

Doug and Dave dig into why women’s sports are finally commanding real commercial value, how college sports have become a minefield of media rights, NIL, and transfer portal chaos, and what it means now that tech giants and betting companies are major players in the rights game.

They also explore the complexities AI introduces to rights deals and why younger audiences are “following” sports without actually watching full games.

Whether you work on the property side, media side, or investment side, this episode is packed with hard-earned insight on the trends that matter and the decisions that will shape the next era of the industry.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The current chaos in college sports: realignment, NIL, and why coaches are now recruiters and retainers
Risks and rewards of AI in sports media deals, including who REALLY controls the rights to new content
Why Gen Z's content habits are pushing properties to rethink full-game broadcasts and prioritize social-first storytelling
Why women’s sports are now commanding real commercial value (and how that shift is changing negotiations)
How sports betting has increased audience engagement and transformed how properties pitch value

Resources and Links:

Connect with Doug Perlman on LinkedIn and check out his website, Sports Media Advisors.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How MLB is Using AI, Streaming, and Tech to Shape the Fan Experience with Chris Marinak

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

Major League Baseball is a leader in sports technology and innovation. In this episode, Chris Marinak, Chief Operations & Strategy Officer at MLB, takes us inside the league’s evolving approach to tech.

You’ll hear about their groundbreaking partnerships with Apple and Google, their use of AI, data analytics, AND streaming advancements to enhance the fan experience.

Chris also shares insights on how MLB is using technology to engage younger fans, improve media distribution, and expand globally. Recent rule changes even lead to one of the most successful attendance surges in decades!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How MLB is using generative AI to automate content translation for international fans and personalize the MLB app experience
The role of partnerships with Apple, Google, and Adobe in shaping the league’s technology strategy
Why rule changes, like pitch clocks and bigger bases, are revitalizing fan interest and increasing attendance
Why MLB invests in first-party fan data and what it means for ticketing, media rights, and the future of sports consumption
The global growth of baseball in London, Korea, and Mexico, and why Shohei Ohtani is a worldwide phenomenon

Resources and Links:

Connect with Chris Marinak on LinkedIn and check out the MLB website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The Business Strategy Behind PWHL and the Future of Women's Hockey with Amy Scheer

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

The Professional Women’s Hockey League has rapidly grown into a powerhouse in women’s sports.

Amy Scheer, EVP of Business Operations at the Professional Women’s Hockey League chats with Dave and shares her career journey from working with the New Jersey Nets and Madison Square Garden to leading the business side of the PWHL.

She offers an insider’s look at the league's expansion plans, the business strategy behind its rapid growth, and how the team is navigating challenges as a startup.

Amy also discusses the league’s impressive fan engagement, with over 500,000 fans and more than 50 corporate partners on board. She highlights the growing momentum behind women’s sports, the impact of Olympic-level talent, and how the PWHL is positioning itself as a global force.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How the PWHL launched 6 teams in just eight months, breaking records
Why the league is strategically targeting specific cities for their expansion
The PWHL’s approach to securing 50+ top-tier partnerships
Amy’s leadership playbook for building a winning culture, including the key traits she looks for in her team
How PWHL athletes are set to dominate the Olympic stage and boost league visibility

Resources and Links:

Connect with Amy Scheer on LinkedIn and check out the PHWL website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How NASCAR Is Turning 200 MPH Data into Dollars with Tim Clark

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0400

NASCAR collects an astonishing amount of data, from cars racing at 200 MPH to the digital footprints of millions of fans.

But how much data is TOO much to the point where you overwhelm a new fan, and how much is just enough that they get an appreciation for it?

Today we’re talking to Tim Clark, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, to discuss how the brand is using data to redefine fan engagement, including his take on how AI and predictive analytics could transform race-day operations and sponsorship opportunities.

Tim and Dave also discuss how NASCAR’s brand perception has evolved, including the bold decisions they took to signal a more inclusive direction for the sport.

Plus, you’ll hear the surprising role that iRacing has played in developing real-world racing talent.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

NASCAR’s approach to first-party fan data, creating both vertical and horizontal value propositions for partners
Why NASCAR brought its digital rights in-house and how that fostered innovation throughout the organization
How iRacing is creating a legitimate pathway for simulator racers to become NASCAR champions
The reason NASCAR has been cautious about implementing AI technology
Why NASCAR's Confederate flag ban was not just a moral stance but a strategic business decision to change brand perception

Resources and Links:

Connect with Tim on LinkedIn and learn more about NASCAR on their website. We also discuss iRacing, the ultimate racing simulation.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Leading Team USA, LA 2028, & The Future of the Olympics with Sarah Hirshland

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0500

What does it take to lead Team USA on the world’s biggest stage?

Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is here to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of Olympic leadership — where sports, politics, and global competition collide.

With her deep experience in sports business and governance, she and David discuss the high-stakes decisions behind resource allocation, how Team USA prepares for global competition, and what the future holds as the Olympics return to U.S. soil in 2028.

Sarah also reveals behind-the-scenes details from the Paris Games, the challenges and opportunities of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, and why the 2028 Olympics will be a historic moment for the country.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The politics of sports, and why Sarah’s role is as much about international diplomacy as it is about athletics
How the LA fires have impacted the planning process for the 2028 Olympics and what makes Los Angeles uniquely positioned to redefine the Olympic experience
How Team USA decides where to allocate resources and why medal potential drives investment
What the success of the Paris Olympics means for the future, and how Milan-Cortina is shaping up as the next great Winter Games
How Team USA is evolving its approach to mental health and athlete support

Resources and Links:

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn and learn more about Team USA and the upcoming Olympic Games.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

The Business of Golf: Tech, Partnerships & The Ryder Cup with Jeff Price

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 04:00:00 -0500

How the PGA of America is fueling industry growth while supporting 31,000+ golf professionals.
Why women’s golf is growing faster than ever since the pandemic — and what it means for the industry.
How technology, AI, and data are reshaping golf coaching and fan experiences, from ball tracing to swing analytics.
Hybrid golfers and how off-course play is exploding in popularity, especially in the last 10 years.
What makes the 2025 Ryder Cup different, how it’s set to break records, and why the first tee shot on Friday morning is one of the most nerve-wracking moments in sports.

Resources and Links:

Connect with Jeff Price on LinkedIn and check out the PGA of America website.

Learn more about the Ryder Cup, TGL, and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

Scott Gutterman on Fan Engagement and the Future of Sports Media

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0500

What does it take to revolutionize digital media in professional sports?

In this episode, Next League’s David Nugent sits down with Scott Gutterman, SVP of Digital Operations at the PGA TOUR, to discuss the evolving intersection of sports, technology, and fan engagement.

Scott shares fascinating insights from his tenure leading the PGA Tour’s digital transformation, including pivotal decisions AND complexities of managing real-time data for a global audience.

From the early challenges of migrating to a cloud-based infrastructure to the rise of generative AI, Scott explains how the PGA TOUR continuously adapts to shifting digital landscapes while maintaining a focus on innovation, revenue growth, and fan experience.

Scott and Dave go deep on decentralizing content consumption, leveraging data for sponsorships, and planning for the next wave of AI-driven personalization.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The shift from centralized to decentralized sports consumption — and what it means for content creators
Why the PGA TOUR took full control of its digital media rights — and how this shaped their future business model
Complexities of delivering real-time sports data at scale, including managing live feeds and latency
How sponsorships and direct sales played a key role in making the PGA TOUR’s digital operations financially viable
How AI and automation are redefining sports media and creating hyper-personalized fan experiences

Resources and Links:

Connect with Scott Gutterman on LinkedIn and check out the PGA Tour website.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.

How AI is Reshaping Sports and Driving MILLIONS in Ticket Sales with Shripal Shah

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 13:00:00 -0500

AI is the future, and it’s playing a transformative role in sports.

Shripal Shah is a sports and retail industry veteran, here to share all of the latest innovations in AI in 2025, including how tools like Persado are contributing to $5 million dollars in ticket sales for half a dozen baseball teams in the MLB.

Dave and Shripal discuss AI-driven content creation, how overseas teams are experimenting with AI to predict crowd noises, and specifically, how AI is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s completely reshaping fan engagement, marketing strategies, predictive analytics, and even scouting operations.

Shripal also explores ethical considerations as it relates to bias in AI language models, along with a wealth of interesting stats, including what % of Fortune 500 retailers are now using AI-driven subject lines in their emails.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Why AI-generated content is the next frontier in sports media (and what it means for teams and broadcasters)
The challenges and ethical considerations of AI in sports, from bias in AI models to media rights concerns
How AI-powered ticketing and marketing tools are driving MILLIONS in revenue for teams
The impact of AI on scouting and player recruitment
Shripal’s take on how the retail industry is shaping AI adoption in sports businesses

Resources and Links:

The AI tools Shripal mentions in this episode include Persado, WSC Sports, and IBM Watson.

Connect with Shripal Shah, Chief Digital Officer at Next League, on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Dave’s book is available now! Get your copy of The Business of Sports Technology: How To Make Smart Decisions That Drive Your Organization Forward.