Sports Management Podcast

Marcus Filipsson
  • 4.3 (6)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Where top sports managers share experiences from and passion for the sports management industry.

  1. #233 Why the Future of Football & Sports Tech Is in Africa | Gloria Mariwa

    22H AGO

    #233 Why the Future of Football & Sports Tech Is in Africa | Gloria Mariwa

    Welcome to episode 233 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Gloria Mariwa - a footballer, professional freestyler, digital creator known as 14thgunner and founder of Wecheza. At just 19, she's building the future of African women's football at the intersection of sports, tech, and community. We spoke about: Why women's sports shouldn't copy the men's model How sports tech must evolve Why investing in African women's sports might be the smartest move you can make right now And much more!  SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Building 14thgunner 04:30 Growing Women's Football in Kenya 07:37 Why Women's Sports Must Build Their Own Model 08:30 The Future of Sports Tech & AI 09:41 Creators vs Traditional Media 12:03 Why YouTube Could Win Sports Streaming 14:31 Copying the West? Or Building Africa's Own Model 16:57 The Kenyan Sports Landscape 18:36 The Meaning Behind Wichesa 19:34 Grassroots Impact in Women's Football 24:46 University or Startup Life? 26:48 Monetizing as a Young Creator 27:53 Advice for Young Sports Professionals 30:29 Redefining Sports Tech 32:23 Invest in African Women's Sports Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    36 min
  2. #232 Break Into Sports: Networking, Saying Yes & Building Your Own Sports Business | JP Lutz

    3D AGO

    #232 Break Into Sports: Networking, Saying Yes & Building Your Own Sports Business | JP Lutz

    Welcome to episode 232 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is JP Lutz - a former Philadelphia Eagles executive turned professor, entrepreneur, and cancer survivor. We spoke about: Breaking into the sports industry Why 'luck' is actually positioning The power of always saying yes How building relationships can define your entire career. And much more! This one is packed with practical advice for anyone who wants to work in sports and a powerful life lesson you won't forget. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 From Working Elevators to the NFL 04:25 Why You Must Say Yes Early in Your Career 06:24 Creating Your Own Luck in Sports 08:10 How to Network the Right Way 12:53 Do You Need a Degree to Work in Sports? 17:11 The Magic of Game Day 19:52 $5 an Hour and Moving Back Home 22:34 Transitioning from Pro Sports to Higher Ed 23:56 Starting a Sports Business from a Basement 25:27 Soft Skills That Actually Matter 29:19 A Cancer Diagnosis at 46 32:39 The Power of Being Proactive About Health 34:30 AI, Analytics & The Future of Sports Jobs 36:55 Why You Should Consider Entrepreneurship 41:45 Career Advice: Follow Your Heart and Say Yes Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    45 min
  3. #231 Why Promotion & Relegation Will Transform US Soccer, Brett Johnson

    FEB 12

    #231 Why Promotion & Relegation Will Transform US Soccer, Brett Johnson

    Welcome to episode 231 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is one of the most ambitious football investors in the world. Brett Johnson is the founder of Benevolent Capital, owner of multiple football clubs including Phoenix Rising, Rhode Island FC, and part of the Ipswich Town ownership group. In this episode: Promotion and relegation in US soccer Why stadiums are the real asset How youth sports is the next big opportunity What it actually takes to build a sports empire from scratch. And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 From Analyst to Football Owner 00:20 Why Phoenix Needed a Team 01:17 The 1994 World Cup Thesis 02:06 Why the US Must Perform 03:39 Ipswich's Back-to-Back Promotions 04:43 How to Run a Club Properly 05:26 Why Multi-Club Ownership Wins 06:44 Promotion/Relegation in the U.S. 09:02 Building a $140M Stadium 11:20 Creating a Fan Base from Scratch 14:01 Inside Benevolent Capital 15:32 Why Youth Sports Is the Next Goldmine 22:39 Advice for Sports Entrepreneurs 26:25 The Dark Days in Phoenix 28:13 Almost Losing Rhode Island Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    31 min
  4. #230 Why Most Soccer Clubs Lose Money | Matt Driver

    FEB 9

    #230 Why Most Soccer Clubs Lose Money | Matt Driver

    Welcome to episode 230 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest has lived football from every angle - player, coach, owner, executive, and advisor. Matt Driver is the founder of Soccer Universities and Football Club Advisory Group, and he's worked across Europe and the U.S. helping clubs move from survival mode to scalable success. In this episode, we talk about: Why most soccer clubs struggle financially What American sports get right that football often ignores How fan engagement, data, and commercial thinking will define the future of the game And much more! This is a masterclass in the business of football. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:38 Why College Soccer Doesn't Create Pros 03:18 The Wake-Up Call Playing La Liga Clubs 05:30 Creating Real Player Pathways 08:10 Why Most Clubs Are Structurally Broken 11:13 A Bulgarian Club Case Study 15:09 Why Vertical Silos Kill Clubs 16:41 What American Sports Get Right 18:30 Why Fans Jump Between Sports 20:08 Why "We've Always Done It This Way" Fails 26:21 Turning Fan Phones Into Revenue 30:23 Monetizing Club Assets 35:47 Why Fans Must Be Entertained 55:26 Career Advice for Sports Professionals 01:05:54 Why the USL Could Explode Next 01:10:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    1h 15m
  5. #229 Inside the IOC: How the Olympic Games Are Built Years Before the Torch Is Lit | Christian Klaue

    FEB 5

    #229 Inside the IOC: How the Olympic Games Are Built Years Before the Torch Is Lit | Christian Klaue

    Welcome to episode 229 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest has been at the center of that work for over a decade. Christian Klaue is Director of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at the International Olympic Committee. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of how the Olympic Games are planned, positioned, communicated, and ultimately delivered - from Milano Cortina to LA28 and beyond. If you've ever wondered how the biggest sporting event on earth actually comes together, this conversation is for you. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 01:31 Life Inside the IOC Right Before the Games 02:45 What Olympic Communications Really Do 04:47 Why Positioning Matters More Than Reacting 05:06 Working on Multiple Olympic Games at Once 06:55 Why Milano Cortina 2026 Is Different 07:52 Legacy Beats New Construction 09:13 Avoiding Olympic "White Elephants" 10:12 Designing the Athlete Experience 11:22 Why the Olympic Torch Changes Everything 13:32 How the Torch Relay Really Works 15:21 The Power of Opening Ceremonies 20:09 Christian Klaue's Career Journey 27:42 Leading Through Olympic Crises 41:51 Advice for a Career in Sports Communication 43:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    48 min
  6. #228 Why Women's Football Is the Best Sports Investment of the Next Decade | John P. Reynal, CEO The Women's Cup

    FEB 2

    #228 Why Women's Football Is the Best Sports Investment of the Next Decade | John P. Reynal, CEO The Women's Cup

    Welcome to episode 228 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is John P Reynal, the President & CEO of The Women's Cup - one of the most ambitious global platforms in women's football. John has spent his career building sports properties across continents and in this conversation, he makes a bold case: women's football isn't charity - it's one of the most undervalued growth opportunities in sports. We spoke about: Why over-investing early matters How TV rights and valuations are lagging behind reality Why the next decade of women's football could reshape the entire sports industry. His unconventional journey to and through the sports industry And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 02:21 Why women's football is a massive investment opportunity 04:18 "Women's football is a business" 04:50 What over-investing really looks like 06:53 Building a premium brand through experience 08:21 Fixing the production problem in women's football 10:07 How media rights unlock real growth 11:09 Why the US women's football model is different 13:30 The danger of women's teams as afterthoughts 15:45 Rethinking how women's football is marketed 21:58 Why investors are flooding into women's football 23:00 From $1M to $150M franchise valuations 26:01 Latin America's untapped audience power 31:01 The audience shift every club must prepare for 32:43 Why Brazil 2027 will change everything 45:00 Outro     Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    47 min
  7. #227 Ultimate Hoops: Turning Rec Basketball Into a Pro Experience, Alan Arlt

    JAN 26

    #227 Ultimate Hoops: Turning Rec Basketball Into a Pro Experience, Alan Arlt

    Welcome to episode 227 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Alan Arlt, founder of Ultimate Hoops and co-founder of ARLT Consulting. Alan built a recreational basketball league into a highly-engaged sports product with stats, highlights, and experiences that made everyday players feel like pros and he sold it with an 18x return in under two years. In this episode, we spoke about: What makes a sports product truly 'sticky' How to scale without losing quality How AI is changing the future of participation sports. And much more! SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:58 Building "sticky" sports products with ARLT Consulting  02:16 From sports nerd to sports entrepreneur  02:59 The Ultimate Hoops idea (treat everyone like Kobe)  03:42 From 6 teams to 40 teams in under a year  03:42 Acquired by Lifetime Fitness (18 months in)  04:26 The Carmelo Anthony moment ("I think I'm done")  05:11 The 18x return (and why he didn't plan an exit)  05:58 The "sticky product" flywheel (daily engagement)  06:54 Passion vs practicality (unit economics matter)  08:22 The 2-step decision process (gut → diligence)  09:46 Why athlete partnerships are everything (B2A mindset)  11:51 AI changed everything (stats + highlights at scale)  13:28 How ARLT uses AI with clients today  14:18 Why this model works for every sport  15:06 The golden rule (people want to feel special)  15:45 The post-game interview that proved the concept  17:24 Why AI will create "1,000 Ultimate Hoops"  19:53 The mindset shift (leaving Discovery to take the leap)  21:36 Why side hustles are the new advantage  22:50 The biggest founder mistakes (too fast vs too slow)  24:10 Best advice for founders (just get started)  25:47 How to use AI without losing the human edge  27:07 Leadership style (do every job, stay in the weeds)  30:28 Hiring without a vacuum (team fit matters)  32:11 Scaling too fast (when it stopped feeling like Ultimate Hoops)  33:02 COVID shutdown (the hardest stretch)  35:25 Letting 85% of the team go (and rebuilding)  37:02 Guest recommendations (SportsVisio + AIM Sports Group)  39:00 Outro Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    39 min
  8. #226 How Sports Teams Should Use Data | Neil Schwartz, SBRnet

    JAN 19

    #226 How Sports Teams Should Use Data | Neil Schwartz, SBRnet

    Welcome to episode 226 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Neil Schwartz, President of SBRnet, one of the leading sports business data providers focused on fan behavior, monetization, and engagement. In this episode, we break down the difference between passive fans and active fans, why storytelling is the real skill behind data, and how teams can turn insights into revenue across tickets, merch, sports betting and more. Let's get into it. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.   Time stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:59 What sports teams can learn from Disney 01:50 What SBRnet does: business-side sports data 02:46 Doing data before data was cool 04:25 Data is now traded like oil + early pushback from execs 07:28 Black box data vs transparent methodology 08:44 "If you only use your own data, you repeat the same mistakes" 09:29 Data is like making soup 11:16 SWOT analysis as a decision framework 12:57 The hardest question: "Why?" 16:41 Cross-fandom + cross-category sponsorship strategy 19:31 Active vs passive engagement explained 21:07 Neil's Dolphins example: passionate but passive fan behavior 22:49 Turning passive fans into active fans 25:08 Good data use is good storytelling 27:52 When teams reject data because of anecdotal bias 30:45 Privacy + anonymized data + integrity standards 35:14 Pandemic: removing live attendance questions to protect trend accuracy 37:15 AI fears + why people must stay in the decision-making equation 42:20 Career advice: internships + networking + better outreach emails 48:43 Sports gambling needs guardrails 52:31 Gambling growth plateau 53:19 Underage gambling problem 54:45 Guest recommendations 57:00 Outro   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    58 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Where top sports managers share experiences from and passion for the sports management industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Marcus Filipsson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    237
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sportius AB 2020-2026
  • Show Website
    Sports Management Podcast

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