The Party in the Back Podcast on Gameops.com

Jon Cudo

If Sports Marketing was a mullet hairdo this podcast covers 'The Party in the Back'. We'll let someone else do the data, analytics, spreadsheets and budgets... We’re talking about the FUN: In-game contests, theme nights, mascots, dancers, social media, atmosphere and giveaways. Join us at the Party in the Back for our monthly discussion with industry leaders on the fun side of Sports Marketing. With host Jon Cudo and a cast of thousands.

  1. 21h ago

    November 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Eva Erickson on Awareness and Belonging

    We spend our careers creating unforgettable fan experiences, turning up the music, flashing the lights, firing off the effects, and getting thousands of fans on their feet. But in our pursuit of the ultimate game presentation, are we unintentionally leaving some fans behind? In this episode of Party in the Back, we welcome Eva Erickson, Survivor contestant, competitive hockey player, autism advocate, and KultureCity Ambassador, for an insightful conversation about sensory inclusion in sports and the journey from awareness to acceptance to genuine belonging. Eva shares her personal experiences navigating the traditionally male world of hockey, competing on Survivor, and living with autism, offering a unique perspective on the challenges some fans face in high-energy sports environments. Together, we explore how teams can move beyond one-night sensory awareness promotions to create welcoming, inclusive experiences at every game without sacrificing the excitement that makes live sports special. From sensory bags and quiet spaces to staff training, simple announcements, and advance warnings about loud effects, Eva offers practical, often low-cost ideas that can make a meaningful difference. We also discuss organizations leading the way, the growing impact of KultureCity, and the important distinction between simply accommodating fans and making them feel like they truly belong. Can we create an incredible experience for everyone without expecting everyone to experience it the same way? It's a thought-provoking conversation that challenges traditional thinking about game presentation and offers actionable ideas for making sports more accessible, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone.

    November 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Eva Erickson on Awareness and Belonging

  2. Oct 5

    October 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Matt Coy on Lights, Rehearsals and Career

    Matt Coy joins Jon Cudo on Party in the Back to explore how teams can create better game presentations through accessible technology, purposeful rehearsals and stronger communication. The conversation covers web-based light shows and interactive tools that bring fans’ phones into the action, putting new possibilities within reach of programs from high schools to the major leagues. Matt also discusses the practical work behind successful adoption, including securing reliable control room internet access and training an operator who has the time and confidence to own the system. Rehearsals take center stage as Matt shares ways to make preparation more productive and protect crew morale. His approach starts with completing technical checks before the creative rehearsal begins, establishing one clear voice to lead the session and setting specific goals for each segment. Empowering department leads to flag critical problems and updating the show flow as changes happen help turn rehearsal time into a sharper, more coordinated performance. The discussion also offers practical advice for advancing a career in sports: build relationships across departments, showcase your contributions, learn from other leaders and seek opportunities to lead—even outside your current job.

    October 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Matt Coy on Lights, Rehearsals and Career

  3. Aug 30

    September 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Mascot Mount Rushmore

    In this episode, Jon Cudo, Rob Wicall and Marc Taylor build their Mascot Mt. Rushmore and use their selections to explore what makes a mascot program truly great. The panel agrees on three foundational characters: the Famous Chicken, who helped establish the professional mascot business model and introduced a vaudeville-style approach to mascot comedy; the Phillie Phanatic, who expanded that foundation through decades of consistent character work; and the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, whose athleticism, stunts and high-flying dunks established a new performance standard that influenced a generation of mascots. The debate becomes more personal with the fourth position, as Taylor selects Rocky of the Denver Nuggets for innovation and character development, Wicall chooses Benny the Bull for longevity and successful evolution across multiple performers, and Cudo picks Timber Jim for the authenticity of a character built around the real skills of a working lumberjack. Their choices lead to a larger discussion about whether mascot greatness belongs to the character, the individual performer or the complete program. The Gorilla’s legacy, for example, is closely connected to former gymnast Bob Woolf, while Barry Anderson’s tenure represents a particularly influential era for Benny the Bull. By contrast, the Phanatic demonstrates how a clearly defined character and strong organizational foundation can sustain excellence across performers and generations. The panel also examines the importance of constant performance, innovation, team support and building a character around the distinctive talents of the person inside the suit. They discuss modern and near-miss candidates including Gritty, Clutch, Jazz Bear, Stuff, Blue and KC Wolf, highlighting achievements in social media, community service, business development and live entertainment. Ultimately, the conversation shows that there is no single route to mascot greatness, but the most successful programs consistently find a way to stand out, use their performers’ strengths, support the organization’s larger goals and build something capable of lasting beyond any one person or era.

    September 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Mascot Mount Rushmore

  4. Jul 27

    August 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Chad Howell from Roscoe Marketing

    The line between game presentation and social media has never been thinner. The best moments inside an arena no longer end when the final horn sounds, they continue to spread across the internet long after the final horn. In this episode of Party in the Back, we're joined by Chad Howell, founder of ROSCOE Marketing, to explore what makes content travel and what sports entertainment professionals can learn from the people who study social media for a living. Chad has built a reputation by looking beyond trends and viral videos to understand why certain moments connect while thousands of others are forgotten. Rather than chasing algorithms, he focuses on the emotional and creative ingredients that earn attention: surprise, joy, relatability, authenticity, and human connection. Together, we'll dig into the psychology behind shareable content, the difference between creating one viral hit versus consistently producing memorable moments. Great game presentation and great social content are built on many of the same fundamentals: surprise, emotion, clarity, authenticity, and creating moments people can't wait to tell someone else about. We'll discuss how game presentation teams can use the same creative triggers that fuel viral content to design promotions, contests, and fan interactions. It's a conversation full of practical ideas, fresh perspectives, and actionable takeaways for anyone looking to create experiences that leave a lasting impression.

    August 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Chad Howell from Roscoe Marketing

  5. Jul 1

    July 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Munn Talks Data

    Jeff Munneke has been part of the Minnesota Timberwolves organization since 1988, helping shape the fan experience for nearly four decades. From ticket sales and youth basketball to leading fan experience for both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx, Jeff has built his career around one simple philosophy: "One Moment Creates a Memory." As Vice President of Fan Experience, Jeff oversees what the Timberwolves call the "driveway-to-driveway" experience. That means every touchpoint matters, from the moment a fan leaves home until they arrive back after the game. It's a philosophy that blends hospitality, entertainment, operations, and service into one seamless experience. This month on the Party in the Back Podcast, we explore one of the fastest-growing topics in sports: understanding fans through data. Every interaction leaves a clue. When fans buy tickets, arrive early (or late), park their car, use the team app, purchase merchandise, grab concessions, or attend theme nights, they're telling teams something about who they are and what they value. The best organizations aren't collecting this information simply to sell more tickets. They're using it to build better experiences, strengthen relationships, and create lifelong fans. Jeff Munneke has had a front-row seat to that evolution. During his 38 years with the Timberwolves, he's watched sports move from an industry driven almost entirely by instinct into one powered by sophisticated CRM systems, analytics, dashboards, and fan insights. Yet throughout all that change, he's remained focused on the people behind the numbers. In our conversation, we discuss how organizations identify different fan types, what teams can actually learn from attendance patterns, concession purchases, parking habits, merchandise sales, app engagement, and post-game surveys, and how those insights influence everything from staffing to game presentation. Jeff shares how the Timberwolves use information to make smarter decisions while still leaving room for instinct, emotion, surprise, and those memorable moments that can't be measured by a spreadsheet. We also spend time discussing the importance of listening to fans after every game. Jeff explains the team's simple but powerful post-game survey process, how comments are categorized into fan experience pillars, and how that feedback helps departments across the organization improve. Even better, the system also shines a spotlight on employees who create exceptional moments, reinforcing a culture built around service rather than simply solving problems. And after all the conversations about technology, dashboards, CRM systems, and analytics, we close with one simple question: What's one thing no spreadsheet will ever tell you about a sports fan? It's a thoughtful answer from someone who has spent nearly four decades studying fan behavior while never losing sight of the human side of sports.

    July 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Munn Talks Data

  6. Jun 2

    June 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Tarps Off with Rob Wicall

    In the June 2026 episode of Party in the Back, host Jon Cudo sits down with longtime San Antonio Spurs performer, author, and experience-architect Rob Wicall to explore what he calls the "Wicall Experience". This is the idea that game presentation is not primarily about entertainment, but about creating community, connection, and transformation. Wicall explains that fans don't attend games simply to watch a score unfold. They come to feel part of something larger than themselves. Whether the home team wins or loses, the real goal is for fans to leave feeling connected, energized, and glad they were there. A major theme of the conversation is the power of contrast. They discuss how some teams unintentionally numb their audiences by delivering nonstop noise, promotions, and stimulation. Instead, Rob relates a solution using a "three-ring circus" model that focuses fan attention on one meaningful moment at a time. By strategically using silence, anticipation, and gradual build-ups, teams can create bigger emotional payoffs and more authentic crowd reactions. Cudo and Wicall point to common timeout structures that start at maximum intensity and quickly run out of runway, arguing that the strongest experiences often build slowly before reaching their emotional peak. The discussion also examines how organizations can better prepare for playoff environments. They look at how fan psychology changes dramatically when the postseason arrives. The focus shifts from fun and entertainment to passion, intensity, and belonging. Teams that wait until the playoffs to create community-focused content are often improvising when the stakes are highest. Cudo and Wicall note the importance of testing inspirational videos, emotional storytelling, and crowd-unity moments throughout the regular season so they have a proven playbook ready when playoff pressure arrives. The episode concludes with a look at some of the most powerful traditions in sports, many of which were never planned by a marketing department like the recent "Tarps Off"craze and the accidental success of the "Awkward Dad Dance Cam" Wicall argues that the best traditions emerge naturally from the community itself. The job of game presentation professionals is not to manufacture every moment, but to recognize authentic fan behavior, embrace it, and help it grow into something that strengthens the bond between fans, teams, and each other.

    June 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Tarps Off with Rob Wicall

  7. May 5

    May 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Erik Mertens

    The May 2026 Party in the Back podcast features a conversation between Jon and Erik Mertens, the Director of Fan Experience for the Tri-City Dust Devils and known as "Erik the Peanut Guy." Jon and Erik explore the fundamental differences between pacing and storytelling across sports, noting how the structure of each game shapes the show. In hockey, the speed limits opportunities, forcing hosts to be sharp, efficient, and intentional with every moment. Baseball, on the other hand, provides more breathing room to build narratives, layer in humor, and connect larger story arcs throughout the game. They also touch on the fine line of comedy in live entertainment, emphasizing that the goal is to engage without crossing into territory that could alienate the audience. The conversation then shifts to tone-setting and adaptability, with Erik highlighting how every game has its own personality. From high-energy Friday nights to more laid-back Sunday afternoons, the best hosts “read the room” and adjust accordingly to stay authentic and credible. Establishing a positive tone early matters, as does framing the experience in a way that elevates the moment rather than diminishing it. They reinforce the importance of genuine interaction, pointing to examples like Andrew Grover, whose heartfelt engagement with fans creates lasting impact. At its core, the discussion centers on connection and community. Erik shares practical ways to build that bond, from greeting fans at the gate to recognizing individuals during the game, while Jon underscores how meaningful those moments are, especially for fans attending their one game a year. The conversation expands into branding, creativity, and purpose, with examples like the Dust Devils’ character-driven promotions and spontaneous in-game moments that resonate. It all builds to a bigger idea: sports aren’t just games, they’re shared experiences that create belonging, and the people behind the mic have a real opportunity (and responsibility) to make those moments count.

    May 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Erik Mertens

  8. Apr 6

    April 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Rob Wicall

    The April Party in the Back podcast dives into a deceptively simple idea that sits at the core of great game presentation: not everything can be “big.” The conversation opens with a sharp critique of overproduction, summed up in the phrase “you’re doing too much.” When every timeout is loud, every segment is hyped, and every moment is treated like the main event, the result is the opposite of what teams want.: Energy flattens. Nothing feels special. The best shows, as discussed, operate more like a circus, with a clear ebb and flow that guides attention and builds anticipation toward moments that actually matter. That philosophy carries into one of the episode’s most practical takeaways: “90 minutes for 90 seconds.” It’s not about the exact ratio, but the mindset. If a skit is going to hit, every variable needs to be controlled. Wicall and Cudo share examples where preparation, or lack of it, directly determined success. A failed fire hoop stunt that led to league-wide consequences is a reminder that execution isn’t luck. It’s planning. Even more telling is the emphasis on contingency. Knowing when not to run a bit, like avoiding a referee skit after a controversial call, is just as important as the idea itself. Great performers don’t just plan the show. They read the room. Plus a look at the Atlanta Hawks’ Black History Month activation honoring Lonnie Johnson, the NASA engineer and inventor of the Super Soaker. Instead of a traditional, static in-game recognition, the team turned the moment into a story. The mascot joined Johnson in a playful, on-brand skit that brought the invention to life and pulled a 'fan' into the experience. It’s a clear shift from “moment of silence” to “moment of celebration,” and it reinforces a bigger point: if you want fans to remember something, make them feel it. The conversation is a reminder that great game presentation isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things, at the right time, with intention.

    April 2026 Party in the Back Podcast - Rob Wicall
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4.7
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

If Sports Marketing was a mullet hairdo this podcast covers 'The Party in the Back'. We'll let someone else do the data, analytics, spreadsheets and budgets... We’re talking about the FUN: In-game contests, theme nights, mascots, dancers, social media, atmosphere and giveaways. Join us at the Party in the Back for our monthly discussion with industry leaders on the fun side of Sports Marketing. With host Jon Cudo and a cast of thousands.

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