The CUSP Show

The CUSP Show
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Home of the Columbia University Sports Management Podcast ('The CUSP Show'), faculty members Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson host thought leaders from across the sports industry as they discuss a wide array of topics. thecuspshow.substack.com

  1. 503: Sports Investment: Navigating the Current Landscape

    6 HR AGO

    503: Sports Investment: Navigating the Current Landscape

    Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, moderator Chris Lencheski leads a conversation on the forces reshaping the sports investment market. Joined by Daniel Adams of Polsinelli, William Mao of Octagon, Betsy Morgan of TOGETHXR, and Stephen Schifrin of Terrapin Partners, the discussion explores how investors, advisors, and operators are evaluating today’s sports landscape across team ownership, media rights, women’s sports, and global growth opportunities. The panel breaks down how capital is flowing into sports differently than ever before, from private equity and family offices to strategic investors looking for long-term value in scarce assets. The group discusses how media rights continue to underpin valuations, why shorter and more fragmented rights cycles are changing the deal environment, and how investors are increasingly forced to balance traditional financial analysis with a deeper understanding of fandom, community, and brand relevance. A major focus of the conversation is the continued rise of women’s sports as a serious investment category, with discussion around where the strongest opportunities exist and how those properties should be measured on their own terms rather than against legacy men’s models. The panel also examines the importance of fan behavior, player visibility, and social engagement in driving the commercial potential of teams, leagues, and emerging properties. From MLB and media-rights strategy to women’s sports, global football, and the future of ownership structures, this conversation offers a smart, grounded look at what sophisticated investors are actually watching in sports right now, and why the next generation of value creation will come from understanding both the numbers and the passion behind them. Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislencheski/ Connect with Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-adams-b98bab2/ Connect with William: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williammao/ Connect with Betsy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsylmorgan/ Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-schifrin-0014333/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    46 min
  2. 502: Praxis AI’s David James Clarke IV on Digital Twins, AI, and the Future of Sports Expertise

    2 DAYS AGO

    502: Praxis AI’s David James Clarke IV on Digital Twins, AI, and the Future of Sports Expertise

    Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito welcomes David James Clarke IV, CEO of Praxis AI, for a conversation about how artificial intelligence is becoming a practical tool across sports, media, education, and healthcare. Clark explains how Praxis AI uses “digital twins” to help scale human expertise, making knowledge more accessible without losing the personality, communication style, and experience of the original expert. Clark shares how his company first found traction in higher education, where digital twins of professors are now answering thousands of student questions and saving faculty significant time each semester. From there, Praxis AI expanded into sports and entertainment, where digital twins can help athletes, coaches, broadcasters, and thought leaders extend their reach well beyond what is possible in person. He discusses recent work involving Dr. Robert Cantu, Dr. Jen Welter, Shannon Sharpe, Von Miller, and events tied to the Super Bowl, the Cricket World Cup, and future global competitions. The conversation also explores the emotional side of AI, including what it means to hear and interact with a digital version of yourself, as well as the practical business model behind Praxis AI’s platform. Clark addresses the speed at which AI is affecting jobs and workflows, the difference between job replacement and job transformation, and why he believes AI can be both commercially powerful and socially impactful. He also emphasizes the value of digital twins in cause-driven spaces such as concussion education, youth mentorship, and athlete-led social responsibility work. Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjamesclarkeiv/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    20 min
  3. 501: Playing the New Front Nine: How Golf is Evolving for a New Audience

    3 DAYS AGO

    501: Playing the New Front Nine: How Golf is Evolving for a New Audience

    Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, Talk Show Host Ann Liguori hosts a panel conversation on how golf is evolving through media, technology, and new competitive formats. Joining the discussion are Jake Hoselton, Co-Founder of Grass League; Andrew Macaulay, Chief Technology Officer at TMRW Sports; Joe Purzycki, Co-Founder and CEO of Pro Shop; and Neil Schuster, Co-Founder of No Laying Up. The group explores how a new generation of companies is reshaping the sport from multiple angles. Hoselton explains how Grass League is positioning par-three golf as a standalone competitive category, creating a fast-paced team format designed for digital audiences and prime-time viewing. Macaulay discusses the technological foundation behind TGL, the tech-driven team golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and how innovations like indoor venues, simulator-driven play, and a shot clock are creating a faster, stadium-style golf experience for modern fans. Purzycki details how Pro Shop operates at the intersection of golf, media, and culture, producing projects such as Netflix’s Full Swing, contributing to Happy Gilmore 2, and reviving The Skins Game as a made-for-TV competition. Schuster reflects on the growth of No Laying Up from a hobby blog into one of golf’s most influential media brands, emphasizing authenticity, storytelling, and building community through podcasts, video series, and live coverage. Throughout the discussion, the panel touches on the role of storytelling in modern sports media, the growing cultural relevance of golf, the opportunities around LPGA coverage and women’s sports, and the importance of innovation in making the game more accessible, social, and engaging for new audiences. Connect with Ann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-liguori-b6b7307/ Connect with Jake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakehoselton/ Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/admac/ Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpurzycki/ Connect with Neil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngschu/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    1h 8m
  4. 500: Uly and Ernesto on Bringing New Fans to Football Through Humor and Social Media

    4 DAYS AGO

    500: Uly and Ernesto on Bringing New Fans to Football Through Humor and Social Media

    For the 500th episode of the CUSP Show, Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome content creator Uly Morazan, known online as Uly and Ernesto, for a conversation about how pop culture, humor, and social media are helping bring new audiences into football. Morazan shares how his journey into the NFL began unexpectedly through the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce storyline, which sparked his curiosity about the sport and led him to start learning the game publicly on social media. By documenting his football discovery process in a fun, lighthearted way, he quickly connected with a large audience, particularly women, who were exploring the sport for the first time. The discussion also explores his partnership with Barefoot Wine, an official NFL partner under the E. & J. Gallo brand, and how the collaboration works because both Morazan and the brand approach football and wine the same way: with personality, humor, and accessibility rather than pretension. He explains how creators build authentic brand relationships, why long-term partnerships matter, and how fantasy football unexpectedly deepened his understanding of the game. Morazan also reflects on the growing role of creators in sports marketing, the importance of making fandom approachable for new audiences, and why the most successful content, like the best sports experiences, ultimately comes down to one simple principle: fun. Follow Uly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ulyandernesto/?hl=en Follow Uly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ulyandernesto?lang=en Uly’s Website: https://ulyandernesto.com/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    15 min
  5. 499: The Philly Sports Guy, Jamie Pagliei, on Turning Philadelphia Fandom into a Full-Time Brand

    4 MAR

    499: The Philly Sports Guy, Jamie Pagliei, on Turning Philadelphia Fandom into a Full-Time Brand

    Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Jamie Pagliei, better known to fans as “The Philly Sports Guy.” While you may not immediately recognize the name, you certainly know the green mohawk, face paint, and relentless energy that have made him a staple at Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and Sixers games. Pagliei shares his journey from growing up in West Philadelphia and Delaware County, with family ties to the Spectrum and Veterans Stadium, to serving in the Navy, working in hospitality, masonry, and event promotion before ultimately building a full-time business out of pure fandom. What began as painting his face for one away Eagles game evolved into a powerful personal brand rooted in authenticity, positivity, and connection. The conversation explores how he navigated early social media struggles, the impact of COVID on momentum, and the defining moment that nearly made him quit, until a deeply personal message from a fan changed his perspective on purpose and impact. Pagliei also discusses monetizing fandom the right way, setting brand rules for himself, landing sponsors like TickPick and Philly Sports Trips, and why changing the narrative around Philadelphia sports fans matters to him. More than just a superfan story, this episode is about resilience, reinvention, and how energy, when authentic, becomes a business. Follow Jamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephillysportsguy/?hl=en Connect with Jamie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-pagliei-910916190/ Jamie’s Website: https://thephillysportsguy.net/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    22 min
  6. 498: Phoenicia Sport & Entertainment CEO Chris Lencheski Talks NASCAR, F1, and the Future of Global Motorsports Investment

    3 MAR

    498: Phoenicia Sport & Entertainment CEO Chris Lencheski Talks NASCAR, F1, and the Future of Global Motorsports Investment

    Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner sit down with fellow Columbia faculty member Chris Lencheski to unpack how motorsports, and global sports investing more broadly, are evolving in real time. Lencheski shares how Phoenicia Sport & Entertainment operates with a “people first” approach and why being “quiet” can be a strategic advantage when building long-term relationships internationally. The conversation moves through NASCAR’s charter value surge and what that signals about the sport’s business fundamentals, Formula 1’s valuation realities and the challenges certain teams may face, and Liberty Media’s acquisition of MotoGP as the next major growth lever in racing. Lencheski also weighs in on IndyCar’s momentum with new marquee street-race concepts (including Washington, D.C.), the expanding role of foreign capital in U.S. sports, and why some emerging sports, and even MLB at the grassroots level, may face tougher structural headwinds than people realize. Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislencheski/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    33 min
  7. 497: Next League Co-Founder Dave Nugent Talks Building Tech Stacks That Drive Fan Growth

    26 FEB

    497: Next League Co-Founder Dave Nugent Talks Building Tech Stacks That Drive Fan Growth

    Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Dave Nugent, Co-Founder & CEO of Next League, to unpack how sports organizations should evaluate, build, and operate technology that grows audiences and drives revenue. Nugent shares his path from co-founding OMNIGON in 2008, spotting an early gap in “deep tech” within sports, to selling the company to Infront Sports & Media, learning inside a larger global organization, and ultimately launching Next League to fill a need that still hadn’t been solved. Nugent explains Next League’s role as an “owner’s rep” for sports properties: helping teams and leagues decide what to invest in, how to prioritize outcomes over shiny objects, and how to get “90% of the functionality for 50% of the price.” The group discusses why trust and long-term relationships matter in complex services work, how leadership and culture shape tech decision-making, and why it’s increasingly hard for even experienced executives to keep up with the pace of change. Nugent also highlights work Next League is doing across the sports landscape, including Team USA’s challenge of maintaining fan engagement between Olympic cycles, NASCAR’s evolving fan experience, and opportunities with properties like TGL, the LPGA, and others. He closes by previewing his upcoming book, The Business of Sports Technology (releasing April 14), and his podcast, Know What Is Next, focused on what’s changing across sports and technology. Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nugentdavid/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    25 min
  8. 496: SMAC Entertainment’s Jose Diaz on Managing Talent and Creating Media That Scales

    26 FEB

    496: SMAC Entertainment’s Jose Diaz on Managing Talent and Creating Media That Scales

    Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Jose Diaz, Executive Vice President at SMAC Entertainment, to break down how the agency operates at the intersection of talent management, content production, brand incubation, and strategic partnerships. Diaz shares SMAC’s origin story, from early days working out of Constance Schwartz’s kitchen table to building a multifaceted business representing high-profile clients such as Michael Strahan, Deion Sanders, Tony Gonzalez, Aaron Andrews, Deanna Flores, and others. Diaz explains SMAC’s “client-first” approach: starting with a talent’s long-term goals, aligning every opportunity to that mission, and making selective decisions that prioritize longevity over quick paydays. He details how athlete storytelling has shifted across podcasts, streaming, and digital-first platforms, highlighting projects like Coach Prime, Evolution of the Black Quarterback, the upcoming Madden film, and branded content initiatives tied to the growth of flag football ahead of LA28. The conversation also dives into media training, NIL-era realities, building trust through transparency, and why smaller companies can offer early-career professionals outsized responsibility and accelerated learning. Connect with Jose: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdiaz021/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    41 min
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About

Home of the Columbia University Sports Management Podcast ('The CUSP Show'), faculty members Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson host thought leaders from across the sports industry as they discuss a wide array of topics. thecuspshow.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    The CUSP Show
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    507
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The CUSP Show
  • Show Website
    The CUSP Show

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