Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov

Mike Vorkunov
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Welcome to Mike Vorkunov's show. Mike is a reporter who covers the NBA and the business of sports. This show will be a place to discuss the intersection of money and sports, and all the funny business in between. From the NBA, NFL, MLB, WNBA, NHL, and every other sport you can think of.

  1. Why College Sports Is Suddenly For Sale

    DEC 17

    Why College Sports Is Suddenly For Sale

    Why does it feel like every single part of college sports is changing, and that everything is for sale now? Maybe because it's true. It's not just NIL that has changed life at your favorite college basketball and college football schools. Those universities and athletic departments are constantly seeking money everywhere now. UNLV just sold a jersey patch for its uniform before the NCAA even approved them. The University of Utah took a $500 million investment from a private equity firm. The Big 12 Conference is going into business with private equity, too. The Big Ten almost did that this fall. Matt Brown, the co-founder of the excellent Extra Points newsletter, comes onto Business Decision, hosted by Mike Vorkunov, a reporter for The Athletic, to discuss this odd and interesting moment in time for college sports. He discusses why college athletic departments are so desperate for cash and why they are turning to private equity. The biggest threat to the future of college sports isn't NIL, it may be the transfer portal, but the biggest issue could be that college sports feels like professional sports. Also, which school sells the most booze to its fans? Read and subscribe to Extra Points here. 01:16 Did everyone in college sports suddenly go broke? 08:20 Why private equity is becoming more popular in college athletics 25:14 Is there a breaking point for fans? 31:43 Does Facebook explains the end game for college sports? 35:07 The difference between soccer's Super League and college sports 40:20 Which college has sold the most booze?

    45 min
  2. A $40 Billion Problem: Is Big Money Ruining Youth Sports?

    DEC 5

    A $40 Billion Problem: Is Big Money Ruining Youth Sports?

    Youth sports is now a $40 billion business. Is that a good thing? Mike Vorkunov talks to former New York Times columnist Harvey Araton about how youth sports has changed as it became a big business with heavy investment from private equity. There's more money to be made now, but is that good for the kids and parents involved? Harvey's novel on the pressures of youth sports — The Goal of the Game — will come out later this month. You can pre-order it here: https://www.koehlerbooks.com/book/the-goal-of-the-game/ Also, Harvey shares stories from his time covering the NBA, including how a story he wrote after talking to Karl Malone made Magic Johnson retire again. The Reading List: Youth Sports Are a $40 Billion Business. Private Equity Is Taking Notice. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/business/youth-sports-private-equity.html Inside the Booming Business of Youth Sports Apps https://www.theinformation.com/articles/moneyball-minors-inside-booming-business-youth-sports-apps Wall Street Is Paywalling Your Kids’ Sports https://www.levernews.com/wall-street-is-paywalling-your-kids-sports/

    46 min
  3. Why 6-7, TikTok and Basketball Explain This Fascinating Sports League

    NOV 18

    Why 6-7, TikTok and Basketball Explain This Fascinating Sports League

    What do you know about Overtime? It runs one of the most interesting leagues in sports in OTE and have figured out how to reach young audiences that every other league is struggling to reach. On this episode of Business Decision, Mike Vorkunov talks to Overtime CEO Dan Porter about OTE, how they've changed over the years, how they have success on social media and reaching young people. Dan discusses the keys to the company's success and what might have happened had TikTok actually been banned in the United States. Also, Mike finally learns what 6-7 means, thanks to Dan since Overtime helped propel the meme to popularity. Guest: Overtime CEO Dan Porter Reading List: What is ‘6-7′? It started with this high school basketball and social media star How Overtime Elite became a college basketball ally instead of a threat

    35 min
  4. Why A Big Investment Bank Bought A Big Sports Agency

    NOV 12

    Why A Big Investment Bank Bought A Big Sports Agency

    Something big happened in the sports business world this week and nobody is talking about it. But these sports experts are! On this week's episode of Business Decision, Mike Vorkunov talks to Sportico's Jacob Feldman about why a famed investment bank bought one of sports' most prominent player agencies. Goldman Sachs took a majority stake in Excel Sports, giving it control of the agency that represents some of the world's most famous athletes like Caitlin Clark, Nikola Jokić, Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, Cal Raleigh and others. It's a big deal. But why did they do it and what does it mean? Mike and Jacob explain it all. Also, another sports gambling scandal just hit. This time, it's two Cleveland Guardians pitchers who got indicted by the federal government. What did Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz do, and what does it mean for MLB? The Business Decision question of the week is something Nico Harrison answered incorrectly. It's why the Dallas #Mavericks fired their GM Tuesday. Reading List: Goldman Sachs to become majority stakeholder of Excel Sports Management Goldman Sachs Buys Talent Agency of Tigers Woods, Caitlin Clark

    25 min
  5. Inside the WNBA Cold War That Will Decide The League's Future

    NOV 5

    Inside the WNBA Cold War That Will Decide The League's Future

    The WNBA is in a precarious place and facing its most important offseason ever. The WNBA CBA talks between the league and the players union will determine where the WNBA goes next, and even when they can begin its 2026 season. Who has the upper hand: the league or the WNBPA? Does the union need Caitlin Clark to voice her power? That and more on this new episode of Business Decision with The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman. Watch and listen to the wonkiest WNBA show you can. We discuss all the details of the latest WNBA CBA talks and where they go from here. We even predict when a deal might get done. It's a tricky dynamic that goes beyond just Cathy Engelbert, Adam Silver, the NBA and the public PR battle. Plus: Name that 2011 NBA lockout player! Guests: Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

    50 min
  6. The Big Takeaways From A Day the NBA Won't Forget (the feds got involved)

    OCT 24

    The Big Takeaways From A Day the NBA Won't Forget (the feds got involved)

    Why was a federal courthouse the most important place to be so far this NBA season? Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and Heat guard Terry Rozier were both arrested and charged by federal law enforcement as part of an illegal sports gambling and rigged poker ring that involves the mafia. Two days into the NBA season! It's unprecedented. What does it mean for the NBA? How does the league respond? Mike Vorkunov and Yaron Weitzman talk about a crazy day and what it means. Guest: Yaron Weitzman READING LIST: Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier arrests escalate sprawling NBA betting scandal Jontay Porter pays the price, as NBA and other leagues play with fire on gambling Big parlays, fake injuries and Telegram tips: The betting scandal in college and pro sports

    21 min
  7. The 10 Most Powerful People in the NBA This Season

    OCT 21

    The 10 Most Powerful People in the NBA This Season

    The best way to understand the NBA this upcoming 2025-26 season is by knowing who holds the power around the league. It's not just about being in control, it's about having the juice. The Athletic's Fred Katz comes onto the show to discuss which people in (and outside) the NBA will have the most impact on the league this upcoming season and dictate where the league goes in the short and long term. Mike Vorkunov and Fred Katz draft their top five selections and it's not who you think. Guest: Fred Katz READING LIST: The Top 10 front offices in NBA The Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, and Aspiration Buss family sale of Lakers signals a new dawn for the franchise — and NBA ownership Does the Knicks trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo even make sense?

    1h 3m
  8. How A Knicks Fan Turned His Passion Into a Media Company

    OCT 14

    How A Knicks Fan Turned His Passion Into a Media Company

    Sports media is changing quickly, even for the fans who want to get into it. Jonathan Macri is a Knicks fan who turned his love for the team into Knicks Film School, now a thriving Knicks media ecosystem and his full-time job. Mike Vorkunov talks to Jonathan about how he did it, what it says about sports media now and how legacy media is trying to be more like him than he is trying to be like them. Subscribe to the Business Decision YouTube channel here Subscribe to Knicks Film School here and the newsletter here

    47 min
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Welcome to Mike Vorkunov's show. Mike is a reporter who covers the NBA and the business of sports. This show will be a place to discuss the intersection of money and sports, and all the funny business in between. From the NBA, NFL, MLB, WNBA, NHL, and every other sport you can think of.

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