Berkida Podcast

Massimo Marinelli

Navigate the high-stakes intersection of sports, media, and entertainment on the Berkida Podcast, hosted by Massimo Marinelli. Drawing on his experience as a former Managing Director at UBS and Board Member of Leeds United, Massimo provides an elite institutional perspective on driving value in the world’s most dynamic industries. Each episode delivers high-level strategic insights for investors and executives, breaking down the financial shifts and global trends shaping the future of the sector. From boardroom decision-making to the evolving media landscape, the Berkida Podcast is your inside track to understanding the machinery behind the game.

Episodes

  1. Football is the Next Big Asset Class for Global Investors to Enter with Sasha Ryazantsev

    3 DAYS AGO

    Football is the Next Big Asset Class for Global Investors to Enter with Sasha Ryazantsev

    In this episode, host Massimo Marinelli sits down with Sasha Ryazantsev, former Chief Finance and Commercial Officer of Everton and current CFO advisor to Burnley Football Club, to unpack the financial realities shaping modern football. Moving beyond headlines, the conversation focuses on investor-driven themes including financial sustainability, UEFA’s evolving cost control framework, and the rapid rise of multi-club ownership structures. Sasha explains what financial sustainability truly means in practice, not simply complying with regulations, but achieving on-pitch performance without recurring capital injections. The discussion dives into the shift from traditional profitability rules to UEFA’s 70% Squad Cost Ratio, the regulatory tension between UEFA and the Premier League, and how newly qualified European clubs face structural pressure under the new system. Key Takeaways: Financial sustainability means delivering sporting performance without permanent reliance on new equity or debt injectionsUEFA’s 70% Squad Cost Ratio shifts focus from accounting losses to revenue-linked cost controlNewly qualified European clubs face structural challenges moving from domestic rules to stricter UEFA thresholdsStadium investments can boost matchday revenue but are increasingly difficult to justify on return-on-capital groundsMulti-club ownership can create player trading and financial diversification synergies, but only if structured strategically Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and Sasha’s background in football finance 05:03 - From profitability rules to squad cost ratios 10:47 - How the 70% UEFA Squad Cost Ratio works 13:59 - Infrastructure investment vs. squad spending 16:00 - Premier League vs. UEFA regulatory overlap 17:03 - The rise of multi-club ownership structures 19:30 - Where real MCO synergies exist 23:52 - European qualification risks within MCO models 26:16 - Group-level finance and diversification benefits Follow our guest, Sasha’s Ryazantsev: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-r-90707216b/Burnley Football Club LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/burnleyofficial/ Connect with the Host Massimo Marinelli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/ Follow Halford Media Advisory: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/ More from Berkida Ventures: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.com

    28 min
  2. How Shorts AI and Studio Wars Are Reshaping Media and IP Monetization with Mary Ann Halford

    11 MAR

    How Shorts AI and Studio Wars Are Reshaping Media and IP Monetization with Mary Ann Halford

    In this episode of the Berkida Podcast, join host Massimo as he welcomes Mary Ann Halford, founder of Halford Media Advisory and a veteran with over three decades of experience in media and entertainment. This conversation explores the major shifts revealed at CES, the strategic rise of short-form "micro dramas," and the high-stakes M&A battles between streaming giants. Mary Ann also provides critical insights into the transformative impact of AI and the evolving power of the sports ecosystem in the modern advertising landscape. Key Takeaways:The New Content Economy: Industry players are shifting from traditional electronic products to immersive, interactive experiences that embrace a new content economy.Strategic Micro Dramas: Leading platforms like Disney are integrating addictive, short-form content to drive daily user engagement and compete with global leaders in the space.M&A Case Studies: The ongoing negotiations between Paramount, Netflix, and Warner Bros Discovery represent a pivotal lesson in media consolidation and strategic bidding.AI as a Critical Pivot: 2026 is projected to be the defining year for AI integration, balancing cost-effective production with the protection of human creative rights.Sports as a Viewership Linchpin: Live sports remain the primary driver of American television ratings, evolving from standalone games into comprehensive content ecosystems. Episode Highlights and Timestamps:[00:00:00] - Intro: Massimo introduces Mary Ann Halford and her extensive background in US media and entertainment.[00:04:45] - CES and Disney: Insights into the Disney and Lego "Star Wars" collaboration and the debut of the Sphere in Las Vegas.[00:07:30] - Micro Drama Strategy: Exploring how short-form content is becoming a primary tool for increasing platform engagement and combating churn.[00:13:20] - The Streaming Wars: A deep dive into the M&A dynamics and legal drama between Paramount and Warner Bros Discovery.[00:16:18] - Impact of AI: Discussing why the next 24 months are pivotal for AI's role in the content supply chain.[00:19:10] - Future of Advertising: How AI engines and retail media platforms are challenging traditional television advertising revenues.[00:22:26] - Sports Investment: Why advertisers are focusing on the total sports ecosystem, including podcasts and fan communities. Connect with the Guest Mary Ann Halford: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryannhalford/X: https://x.com/MaryAnnHalford Follow Halford Media Advisory: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/ Connect with the Host Massimo Marinelli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/ More from Berkida Ventures: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.com

    25 min

  3. 16 FEB

    New Episode Coming Soon!

    In the world of sports, media, and entertainment, the real game is played in the boardroom. From leading EMEA investment banking at UBS to serving on the board of Leeds United, Massimo brings an elite institutional perspective to the industries shaping our world. This isn't just news - it’s a masterclass in driving value, navigating global markets, and understanding the strategic moves behind the headlines. For the executives, investors, and power players: The Berkida Podcast is your inside track. New episodes coming soon to your favourite platforms. Subscribe now.

    1 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

Navigate the high-stakes intersection of sports, media, and entertainment on the Berkida Podcast, hosted by Massimo Marinelli. Drawing on his experience as a former Managing Director at UBS and Board Member of Leeds United, Massimo provides an elite institutional perspective on driving value in the world’s most dynamic industries. Each episode delivers high-level strategic insights for investors and executives, breaking down the financial shifts and global trends shaping the future of the sector. From boardroom decision-making to the evolving media landscape, the Berkida Podcast is your inside track to understanding the machinery behind the game.

Information

  • Creator
    Massimo Marinelli
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Massimo Marinelli
  • Show Website
    Berkida Podcast