Sports Management Podcast

Marcus Filipsson
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

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

  1. #254 The Business of Volleyball: 800 Million Fans and Massive Growth Potential

    3d ago

    #254 The Business of Volleyball: 800 Million Fans and Massive Growth Potential

    Welcome to episode 254 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Ugo Valensi, CEO of Volleyball World. Ugo has held leadership roles across sports, media, and commercial strategy, including senior positions in tennis, football, and global sports marketing. In this episode, he shares how Volleyball World is transforming one of the world's largest participation sports into a global commercial powerhouse. In this episode, we spoke about: • How Volleyball World is commercializing a sport with 800 million fans • The role of CVC Capital Partners in accelerating growth • Building athlete brands and fan engagement in volleyball • Future trends in sports media, OTT platforms, and content consumption TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Volleyball World 00:15 What Volleyball World Actually Does 01:24 Commercializing an 800 Million Fan Sport 03:26 Lessons from Tennis & Football 05:05 Athlete Storytelling & Docuseries 06:12 Indoor vs Beach Volleyball 08:09 Reinventing Beach Volleyball 08:23 Road to Los Angeles 2028 09:42 Volleyball's Biggest Growth Markets 11:38 Planning Events Years Ahead 13:05 Vision for the Next Five Years 14:33 The Future of Sports Consumption 16:25 Creating One Global Fan Narrative 17:20 Ugo's Career Journey 24:10 Networking & Career Advice 28:28 The Role of Private Equity in Sports   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    32 min
  2. #253 Leading Football Through Controversy: FIFA, Equality & The Future of the Game | Lise Klaveness

    Jun 1

    #253 Leading Football Through Controversy: FIFA, Equality & The Future of the Game | Lise Klaveness

    Welcome to episode 253 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation. In 2022, she became the first woman to lead the federation in its 120-year history and has since become one of the most influential voices in global football governance, equality and leadership. In this episode, we spoke about: Leading Norwegian football through major global controversies FIFA governance, World Cup hosting and human rights Building equality in football on and off the pitch Leadership, networking and career advice for future sports professionals Timestamps 00:00 First Female President 00:14 Why She Said No 02:17 The FIFA Speech 05:11 Principles vs Politics 07:47 World Cup Governance 10:59 Football & Human Rights 15:39 Should Sport Be Political? 16:48 World Cup Life Behind The Scenes 19:35 From Player To President 24:24 Becoming Technical Director 25:40 Breaking Glass Ceilings 29:18 Equality In Football 34:16 Advice For Future Leaders 35:37 The Value Of Hard Work 38:01 Khalida Popal's Incredible Story   Lise Klaveness shares her remarkable journey from professional footballer and lawyer to becoming the first female President of the Norwegian Football Federation. The conversation explores FIFA governance, World Cup hosting, human rights, equality in football, leadership under pressure, and the responsibilities of sports organizations in modern society. Whether you work in sports business, football administration, coaching, governance or leadership, this episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of global football.

    40 min
  3. #252 Why Padel Clubs Succeed (And Why Others Fail) | CEO Patricio Misitrano

    May 25

    #252 Why Padel Clubs Succeed (And Why Others Fail) | CEO Patricio Misitrano

    Welcome to episode 252 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Patricio Misitrano, CEO of Racket Social Club and a key figure behind Racket360, one of the most ambitious ecosystems in the rapidly growing racket sports industry. From club operations and events to e-commerce and league management, Patricio has spent decades helping grow racket sports across the United States. In this episode, we spoke about: The growth and future of padel in the United States Why community is the secret to successful clubs Building careers in the racket sports industry Networking, hiring and leadership lessons from sport Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:20 Inside the Racket360 Ecosystem 02:34 The State of Padel in America 04:10 Tracking Padel's Rapid Growth 06:15 Why Courts Alone Don't Work 07:00 Key Trends Shaping Padel 07:58 The Rise of Indoor Facilities 09:26 Community Is Everything 11:16 Building a Successful Club 15:48 Can the USA Become a Padel Powerhouse? 20:06 Growing Up with Padel in Argentina 22:00 From Coach to CEO 23:41 What Great Employers Look For 24:44 Careers Beyond Coaching 28:34 Networking That Opens Doors 30:46 The Ultimate Networking Expert Patricio Misitrano shares practical lessons on leadership, club operations, community building, hiring, networking and the future of padel in the United States. Whether you're a sports executive, coach, entrepreneur, student or racket sports enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing sectors in the sports industry.

    32 min

  4. May 18

    #251 The "Expedia for Racket Sports": How Courts App Is Transforming Tennis, Padel & Pickleball | Daren Hornig

    Welcome to episode 251 of Sports Management Podcast. In today's episode, we are joined by Daren Hornig, CEO of Courts App — a marketplace often described as the "Expedia for racket sports," helping players find and book courts anytime, anywhere. In this episode, we spoke about: Building a two-sided marketplace for racket sports How AI is transforming sports facility access The explosive growth of pickleball and padel Why most sports careers aren't what people expect Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Courts App 00:19 What Is the "Expedia for Racket Sports"? 01:12 The Problem: Unused Courts 02:17 Why Technology Was Missing in Racket Sports 03:36 AI Integration & ChatGPT Booking 04:24 AI Concierge "Hey Courtney" 05:19 Tech Background & Startup Lessons 06:56 Why He Entered Racket Sports 07:48 Marketplace Model Explained 08:31 Growth of Padel & Pickleball 09:17 Transition from Real Estate to Tech 10:53 Building the Right Startup Team 11:45 Challenges in a Fragmented Industry 14:58 AI, Free Time & Sports Growth 16:29 Dynamic Pricing & Increasing Participation 27:58 Why Working in Sports Isn't What You Think 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. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    38 min
  5. #250 What Kobe Bryant Taught About Discipline, Consistency & Elite Performance | Alan Stein Jr.

    May 11

    #250 What Kobe Bryant Taught About Discipline, Consistency & Elite Performance | Alan Stein Jr.

    Welcome to episode 250 of Sports Management Podcast. In today's episode, we are joined by Alan Stein Jr., who has spent over 15 years working with elite NBA athletes and is now a world-renowned keynote speaker and author. In this conversation, we dive deep into what truly separates elite performers from the rest and how those lessons apply far beyond sports. In this episode, we spoke about: The habits and mindset of elite performers Why discipline beats motivation every time How to perform under pressure How to apply sports lessons to business and leadership Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Episode 250 Milestone 00:39 What Elite Athletes Teach About Performance 01:20 Mastering the Basics 02:03 Confidence vs Humility 03:18 Process Over Outcome 03:46 What Separates the Top 1% 04:34 Consistency as a Superpower 05:20 Discipline vs Feelings 06:09 Why Motivation Is Overrated 08:26 Performing Under Pressure 09:05 Pressure Is Self-Imposed 10:58 Visualization & Self-Talk 13:41 Being Okay With Losing 16:27 Sports Lessons Applied to Business 27:34 The "Next Play" Mindset 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. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    42 min
  6. #249 Why Gen Z Is Struggling & How to Win in Sports Business | Scott Doyne

    May 4

    #249 Why Gen Z Is Struggling & How to Win in Sports Business | Scott Doyne

    Welcome to episode 249 of Sports Management Podcast. In today's episode, we are joined by Scott Doyne, former Turner Sports executive, career coach, and author of Navigating the Quarter-Life Career Crisis. With decades of experience in sports media, tech, and leadership, Scott shares powerful insights on how young professionals can navigate today's complex job market and build meaningful careers. In this episode, we spoke about: The real challenges Gen Z faces entering the workforce How networking should actually be done The importance of mentorship and mental wellbeing How AI is shaping the future of careers Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Introduction 00:38 Why Scott Wrote the Book 01:47 Are Gen Z Misunderstood? 02:57 Why It's So Hard to Get a Job Today 03:45 Social Media & Career Pressure 04:54 Global Stress & Uncertainty 05:26 What Young Professionals Need Most 06:08 Why Networking Feels So Hard 07:29 How to Actually Start Networking 09:06 The Power of Mentorship 12:44 Why Sports Is Harder Than Other Industries 14:13 Managing Stress & Career Anxiety 17:22 Writing a Book: Behind the Scenes 21:22 Breaking Into Sports Media 23:49 Learning From Failure 30:46 AI & The Future of Careers 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. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    35 min
  7. #248 Inside the Life of an NBA Agent | Kevin Bradbury on Contracts, NIL & Player Management

    Apr 27

    #248 Inside the Life of an NBA Agent | Kevin Bradbury on Contracts, NIL & Player Management

    Welcome to episode 248 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Kevin Bradbury, veteran NBA agent and Head of Basketball at Lyft Sports Management, with over two decades of experience and more than a billion dollars in contracts negotiated. In this episode, we spoke about: What it really means to be an NBA agent beyond contract negotiations How NIL has changed the landscape of athlete representation The importance of trust and relationships in building successful careers How agents support players both on and off the court Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Role Overview 00:17 Life as an NBA Agent 01:25 NIL & Industry Evolution 02:38 What Agents Actually Do 04:08 Importance of Trust 05:45 Contract Negotiation Insights 08:27 Relationships in the NBA 08:57 Misconceptions About Agents 10:03 How Player Value Is Determined 12:11 Supporting Players Off the Court 13:48 Working with International Players 15:15 Global Talent & Recruitment 16:49 NIL & Player Branding 19:20 Power Shift in College Sports 33:00 Advice for Aspiring Agents 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. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    40 min
  8. #247 The Secret to Building Successful Grassroots Sports Clubs | Geoff Wilson

    Apr 20

    #247 The Secret to Building Successful Grassroots Sports Clubs | Geoff Wilson

    Welcome to episode 247 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Geoff Wilson, sports consultant, former Irish FA executive, and author of the new book Leading a Grassroots Sports Club. In this episode, we spoke about: Why grassroots sport is the foundation of the entire sports ecosystem The biggest mistakes clubs make when building their structure How to create a strong culture and environment for young athletes Practical strategies for funding, growth and long-term sustainability Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Back & Background 01:06 Journey Across 104 Countries 02:51 Learning from Global Sports Cultures 05:03 Why Some Countries Excel 06:17 Why Geoff Wrote the Book 08:12 Biggest Grassroots Mistakes 10:03 Importance of Coaching 11:14 Parent Coaches & Development 13:29 Building Club Culture 16:03 Creating Long-Term Culture 17:51 Why Grassroots Matters 21:05 Funding & Revenue Strategies 25:07 Community & Fan Engagement 30:37 Writing the Book Process 38:41 Advice for Young Professionals 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. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

    41 min
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4.4
out of 5
7 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
    258
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sportius AB 2020-2026
  • Show Website
    Sports Management Podcast

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