Skin in the Game

BTPM NPR
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Get ready for a front-row seat to the business of sports with Skin in the Game, the weekly sports industry podcast hosted by sports marketing expert John Cimperman and veteran sports business journalist Tim O’Shei. If you follow sports news, sports business trends, or the fast-changing world of NIL, college athletics, pro leagues, and sports media, this show is your essential listen.Each episode goes beyond the headlines to explain why these developments matter. Skin in the Game breaks down how major sports business decisions ripple through teams, athletes, fans, and communities across North America. From the NFL, NHL, PWHL, WNBA, NBA, MLB, and MLS to college rivalries, high school sports, and the expanding youth sports economy, John and Tim reveal how industry shifts affect competitiveness, revenue, fan engagement, and the future of sports.Expect in-depth analysis, insider interviews, and expert commentary on the stories driving today’s sports economy—along with new perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else.New episodes air weekly on BTPM NPR Saturdays at 4 p.m., with rebroadcasts Tuesdays at 11 a.m.Stream Skin in the Game on-demand on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

  1. Is Dance a Sport? Tony Bellissimo Says Absolutely.

    4d ago

    Is Dance a Sport? Tony Bellissimo Says Absolutely.

    What happens when a multi-sport athlete discovers that his greatest talent is on the dance floor rather than on the field or the ice? This week on Skin In The Game, John Cimperman and Tim O'Shei welcome Buffalo native Tony Bellissimo, a professional dancer, choreographer, actor and educator whose career has taken him from local sports fields and dance studios to some of the biggest stages in entertainment. Bellissimo shares how growing up playing hockey, lacrosse and soccer helped shape the discipline, competitiveness and work ethic that ultimately propelled him into the professional dance world. Along the way, he has performed alongside some of music's biggest stars, including Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and Chris Brown, while building a career that has taken him around the world. The conversation explores the athletic demands of professional dance, the realities of auditioning and competing at the highest level, and why Bellissimo believes dance deserves a place alongside traditional sports when discussing performance, training and physical excellence. Bellissimo also reflects on his recent experience working on the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, where he fulfilled a lifelong dream by performing in scenes inspired by the legendary "Thriller" music video. Most importantly, he shares lessons about perseverance, mentorship, and helping young people discover the passions that can shape the course of their lives.

    54 min
  2. A Lifetime on Ice: Bonnie Shea on Hockey, Longevity & Purpose

    May 23

    A Lifetime on Ice: Bonnie Shea on Hockey, Longevity & Purpose

    At 15 years old, Bonnie Shea was told she could no longer play hockey simply because she was a girl. More than six decades later, she’s still lacing up her skates. This week on Skin In The Game, John Cimperman sits down with Bonnie Shea — an early pioneer of women’s hockey in Minnesota — to talk about her lifelong relationship with the sport, the barriers she faced growing up in the “State of Hockey,” and how she rediscovered the game at age 40 after decades away from organized play. Bonnie reflects on what hockey has given her physically, mentally, and socially throughout her life — from the exhilaration of skating to the friendships, camaraderie, and sense of purpose that continue to keep her active into her 80s. Cimperman goes on to explore the broader connection between sport, movement, and healthy aging with physical therapy expert Eric Herman, PT, FACS, from Buffalo Rehab Group, who joins the program to discuss why lifelong activity, mobility, and recovery are essential ingredients for long-term health and quality of life. They talk about injury risk, strength training, range of motion, and balance and coordination. Whether you still play the sports you loved as a kid — or hope to someday get back to them — this episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to keep moving.

    54 min

  3. May 16

    The Business of Sports Cards: Inside the Explosive Growth of Collectibles with Tracy Hackler

    Sports cards are no longer just childhood collectibles tucked away in shoeboxes—they’ve become a global business driven by technology, culture, nostalgia, and massive fan engagement. This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Tracy Hackler, Senior Brand Manager at Panini America, to explore the evolution of the sports collectibles industry—from vintage baseball cards to modern-day “golden ticket” chase cards and blockchain collectibles. Tracy shares how the hobby transformed during the pandemic, why women’s sports collectibles are surging, and how athletes like Caitlin Clark are reshaping the marketplace. The conversation also dives into NIL deals, the rise of digital collectibles, international growth, and the emotional connection fans still have to physical cards in an increasingly digital world. Along the way, Tracy reflects on his own journey from sports journalism to one of the leading voices in the collectibles industry—and reconnects with Tim over the early days of Beckett Baseball Card Monthly. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, a casual sports fan, or someone wondering if those old cards in the basement are worth anything, this episode is a fascinating look at how sports memorabilia became both cultural currency and big business.

    54 min
  4. Beyond the Field: Soccer, Trust, and Opportunity for Newcomer Youth

    May 9

    Beyond the Field: Soccer, Trust, and Opportunity for Newcomer Youth

    Soccer is often called the world’s universal language—but what happens when it becomes the only language you share in a brand-new country? This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Jennifer Tepper, Executive Director of Soccer Without Borders, and Bruno Contreras, Program Director in Massachusetts, to explore how the organization is using sport to build trust, belonging, and opportunity for immigrant, refugee, and underserved youth. With a model that prioritizes relationships over results, Soccer Without Borders has served more than 60,000 young people from over 120 countries, helping them find community, develop life skills, and simply rediscover the joy of play. From inclusive coaching practices and culturally connected mentorship to the realities of funding nonprofit work in today’s climate, this conversation reveals what’s possible when sport is designed for connection first—and competition second.

    54 min
  5. Athletes as Media Brands: The Future of Sports Storytelling with Lars Bengston

    May 2

    Athletes as Media Brands: The Future of Sports Storytelling with Lars Bengston

    The lines between sports, media, and entertainment have officially disappeared—and athletes are now at the center of it all. This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Lars Bengston, Head of Agency at HardScope, to explore how the next generation of athletes are becoming media brands. From his early days at Vice during its explosive growth, to co-creating Some Good News with John Krasinski, Lars shares a front-row perspective on how storytelling, authenticity, and platform-native content are reshaping the sports landscape. The conversation dives into the rise of athlete-creators, the impact of NIL, and why today’s players don’t need traditional media to tell their stories—or build their businesses.

    54 min
  6. The Future of Soccer Training is Here | Eddie Lewis on TOCA Soccer

    Apr 25

    The Future of Soccer Training is Here | Eddie Lewis on TOCA Soccer

    This week on Skin In The Game, hosts John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with former U.S. Men’s National Team standout Eddie Lewis to explore how innovation and technology are reshaping the future of soccer. After a 15-year professional career that included the World Cup and time in England, Lewis talks about the moment that changed everything. He found a way to get more meaningful reps and started to see real improvement in his game. That insight became the foundation for TOCA—now the largest operator of indoor soccer centers in North America. Lewis breaks down how technology, data, and deliberate practice are transforming player development at every level—from youth athletes chasing scholarships to professionals refining elite skills. He also dives into the evolution of TOCA Social, a bold new concept blending soccer, gaming, and hospitality into an immersive fan experience—often compared to “Topgolf for soccer.” Along the way, the conversation touches on youth sports specialization, the global state of the game, and why the U.S. still has ground to make up—especially in a sport where the eye to foot skills don’t really translate from anywhere else. This is a conversation about innovation, opportunity, and what it really takes to grow soccer—from player development to how people connect with the game in the first place.

    54 min
  7. The Yankees Dynasty Explained | Mike Vaccaro on Steinbrenner & Winning

    Apr 18

    The Yankees Dynasty Explained | Mike Vaccaro on Steinbrenner & Winning

    This week on Skin In The Game, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei welcome longtime New York lead sports columnist and author Mike Vaccaro for one of our deepest dives into one of the most chaotic and influential eras in sports history. Drawing from The Bosses of the Bronx, Vaccaro unpacks the reality behind the legend of George Steinbrenner — a figure so outsized that even the wildest stories…are true. From media manipulation to nonstop headlines and Billy Martin drama to multi-billion-dollar brand building, this conversation explores how Steinbrenner turned the New York Yankees into a 365-day story — and why every day felt like breaking news. Steinbrenner didn’t care if he was on the first page, the last page, or anywhere in between. This episode dissects why that was so important. It’s a conversation about leadership, ego, storytelling, and the business of attention — and what today’s sports world has lost as ownership shifts from personalities to corporations.

    54 min
  8. How Sports Arenas Transform Cities: Lessons from Cleveland’s Downtown Revival

    Apr 11

    How Sports Arenas Transform Cities: Lessons from Cleveland’s Downtown Revival

    What happens when a city invests in sports, entertainment, and the fan experience? This week on Skin In The Game, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei welcome Len Komoroski, longtime executive with Rock Entertainment Group and former CEO of the Cleveland Cavaliers organization. Komoroski helped lead the transformation of Cleveland’s downtown sports district—anchored by Rocket Arena and Progressive Field—into one of the most vibrant entertainment corridors in the country. What began as a struggling arena and team in the early 2000s evolved into a sports and entertainment ecosystem hosting hundreds of events annually and generating major economic activity for the city. In this conversation, Len explains how arenas can become catalysts for urban revitalization, why fan experience matters as much as the game itself, and what Rust Belt cities like Buffalo, Hamilton, Detroit, and Cleveland can learn from each other.

    56 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Get ready for a front-row seat to the business of sports with Skin in the Game, the weekly sports industry podcast hosted by sports marketing expert John Cimperman and veteran sports business journalist Tim O’Shei. If you follow sports news, sports business trends, or the fast-changing world of NIL, college athletics, pro leagues, and sports media, this show is your essential listen.Each episode goes beyond the headlines to explain why these developments matter. Skin in the Game breaks down how major sports business decisions ripple through teams, athletes, fans, and communities across North America. From the NFL, NHL, PWHL, WNBA, NBA, MLB, and MLS to college rivalries, high school sports, and the expanding youth sports economy, John and Tim reveal how industry shifts affect competitiveness, revenue, fan engagement, and the future of sports.Expect in-depth analysis, insider interviews, and expert commentary on the stories driving today’s sports economy—along with new perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else.New episodes air weekly on BTPM NPR Saturdays at 4 p.m., with rebroadcasts Tuesdays at 11 a.m.Stream Skin in the Game on-demand on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Information

  • Creator
    BTPM NPR
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Skin in the Game

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