The Sports Business Leaders Podcast

Sports Business Leaders
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Join the biggest and most active community in the Northeast Corridor where sports innovators connect, network, share ideas, and collaborate with ecosystem champions to drive global change.

  1. 4d ago

    123 Christian Henze on Growing the Premier Lacrosse League

    Christian Henze is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), where he has helped shape the league's growth since its early days. In this episode, Christian shares how the PLL has challenged traditional sports models through its touring format, player equity program, first-party fan data strategy, and recent transition to a city-based league. He also explains why community-building, fan engagement, and in-house technology have been central to the PLL's success, and offers valuable advice for entrepreneurs building businesses in sports. Whether you're interested in emerging leagues, sports innovation, or the future of fan experience, this conversation provides an inside look at how one of the fastest-growing leagues in professional sports is thinking differently.

    25 min

  2. 6d ago

    122 Building the Next Generation of Women's Sports with LOVB SF Chairwoman Jes Wolfe

    Jes Wolfe is the CEO and Chairwoman of Rebel Girls, a global empowerment brand that has sold more than 13 million books, reached 50 million girls across 100+ countries, and expanded into podcasts, video, consumer products, and live experiences. She is also the Co-Founder and Chairwoman of League One Volleyball San Francisco, one of the newest franchises in the rapidly growing League One Volleyball (LOVB). In this episode, Jes shares her journey from banking and consulting to building multiple high-growth companies. She explains how she evaluates new business opportunities by identifying market size, white space, and commercial viability, and why those principles led her to invest in professional women's volleyball. We also discuss the future of women's sports, how the next generation of fans consumes content differently, why community and experience are becoming competitive advantages, and the importance of gathering customer data and iterating quickly when building a business from the ground up. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or sports executive, this conversation offers valuable insights into brand building, innovation, and one of the fastest-growing sectors in sports.

    19 min

  3. Jun 27

    121 Marques Colston & Nick Edwards on Building Champion Capital

    Marques Colston, Super Bowl champion and the New Orleans Saints' all-time leading receiver, and Nick Edwards, former professional MMA fighter, entrepreneur, and Managing Partner of Champion Capital, are helping redefine how investors participate in the business of sports. Together, they co-founded Champion Venture Partners and launched the Champion Fund, an innovative investment platform designed to provide broader access to one of the fastest-growing asset classes in the world. In this episode, Marques and Nick share how their backgrounds as professional athletes shaped their approach to leadership, investing, and entrepreneurship. They discuss the philosophy of "Creating Separation," why they're focused on growth-stage sports businesses instead of traditional venture investing, and how they're identifying opportunities across teams, sports technology, media, consumer brands, and the broader sports ecosystem. They also explain why sports has become a year-round business and what founders and investors need to understand to build lasting success in the industry.

    28 min

  4. Jun 26

    120 Eric Spitz on Turning Fan Data Into Revenue with FanUp ai

    Eric Spitz is the Founder and CEO of FanUp.ai, an AI-powered sports technology company helping professional sports teams, leagues, and rights holders unlock the hidden value of their fan data. After pioneering real-time player tracking technology with Trakus, Eric has spent decades building companies at the intersection of technology, media, retail, and data analytics. In this episode, Eric explains how FanUp.ai is creating the emerging category of Fan Asset Management, helping organizations transform dormant fan databases from operational cost centers into valuable revenue-generating assets. Drawing on proven retail loyalty strategies and AI-powered predictive analytics, FanUp enables teams to better understand fan behavior, increase lifetime customer value, and create more personalized experiences. Eric also shares lessons from building multiple successful companies, including how entrepreneurs can earn the trust of professional teams, identify problems worth solving, and position their products around business outcomes instead of features. We also discuss the future of AI in sports, why loyalty programs are still underutilized across professional sports, and how personalized fan experiences will reshape the industry over the next decade. Whether you're building a sports technology company, selling to teams and leagues, or interested in the future of fan engagement, this episode offers practical insights from one of the industry's most experienced entrepreneurs.

    24 min

  5. Jun 25

    119 Susan Brazer on ThinAir and the Future of Direct-to-Fan Sports

    Susan Brazer is a global media, technology, and sports executive who has spent decades at the forefront of digital transformation. Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles at Apple, Nokia, Virgin Mobile USA, and Showtime Networks, where she helped launch groundbreaking technologies and media platforms that reshaped how consumers access and engage with content. Today, Susan is the Founder and CEO of LionShare Media International and the creator of ThinAir, an AI-powered, mobile-first streaming platform designed to help teams, leagues, broadcasters, and collegiate athletic departments improve fan engagement, athlete monetization, and direct-to-fan media experiences. In this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Susan shares her entrepreneurial journey, the evolution of sports media, and why she believes the future of fan engagement will be driven by AI, mobile-first experiences, and direct-to-fan platforms. She also discusses the challenges facing broadcasters and college athletics, lessons from building disruptive technology companies, and her advice for founders creating the next generation of sports innovation.

    24 min

  6. Jun 23

    118 Artin Eskandari on Building TWLV: The Performance Fuel Brand for Combat Athletes

    Artin Eskandari is the Co-Founder and CEO of TWLV, a clinically backed performance nutrition company built specifically for combat and hybrid athletes. Before launching TWLV, Artin built his career across startups, consumer brands, healthcare, and e-commerce, serving in leadership roles at companies including Pharmadrug International, MyTaag, DR. EMI ARPA SKIN, and 032c, while also investing in and advising high-growth businesses across Europe. In this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Artin shares his entrepreneurial journey from founding and scaling startups to building TWLV alongside heavyweight boxing contender Agit Kabayel. He discusses the rapid growth of combat sports, the opportunity to create products designed specifically for fighters, and why authenticity, product quality, and strategic partnerships matter when building a consumer brand. Artin also offers valuable lessons for founders looking to break through crowded markets and create businesses that can stand the test of time.

    27 min

  7. Jun 22

    117 NCAA Basketball Legend Coach Fran Dunphy on Lessons from 600+ Wins

    Fran Dunphy is one of the most respected figures in college basketball and the winningest coach in Philadelphia Big 5 history. Across more than three decades as a head coach at Penn, Temple, and La Salle, he built a legacy defined not only by wins and NCAA Tournament appearances, but by leadership, humility, and service to others. In this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Coach Dunphy shares lessons from his remarkable career, including overcoming insecurities as a first-time head coach, empowering assistant coaches and players through trust, and navigating the challenge of succeeding legendary coaches. He discusses the value of networking, mentorship, and giving back, while reflecting on the relationships that shaped his journey. Coach Dunphy also shares a powerful story involving Charles Barkley and a young leukemia patient, illustrating how small acts of generosity can leave a lasting impact. The conversation concludes with advice on work-life balance, mental health, and the importance of being fully present wherever your feet are planted.

    25 min

  8. Jun 21

    116 John Davidson on How Sports Brands Can Win in Gaming and Esports

    John Davidson is the founder of Davidson Learning Company (DLC), a sports, gaming, and esports strategist who has helped brands, leagues, teams, and organizations better understand and engage with one of the world's fastest-growing audiences. With a background that spans professional skateboarding, esports, media, and partnership development, John has advised major brands including GameStop and PRG on how to build authentic connections within gaming communities. In this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, John shares his journey into esports and explains why so many brands struggle to connect with gamers. He discusses how sports organizations, brands, and cities can create meaningful engagement through gaming, the growing opportunities in youth and scholastic esports, and why authenticity is critical when entering the space. John also offers practical advice for executives looking to leverage gaming as a fan engagement and revenue growth strategy while highlighting the long-term potential of one of the largest entertainment markets in the world.

    56 min
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5
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4 Ratings

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Join the biggest and most active community in the Northeast Corridor where sports innovators connect, network, share ideas, and collaborate with ecosystem champions to drive global change.

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