Berkida Podcast

Massimo Marinelli
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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.

  1. 5d ago

    How Fan Engagement and Ecosystems Became More Valuable Than Owning Sports Teams with Nic Sulsky

    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Nic Sulsky, Co-Founder and CEO of The Curling Group, an entrepreneur with deep experience across fantasy sports, sports betting, and sports media. After building successful businesses including Monkey Knife Fight and PointsBet Canada, Nic explains why he chose to invest in one of the world's most underappreciated Olympic sports and how he plans to transform curling into a year-round global entertainment property. The conversation explores how sports betting and fantasy sports have changed fan engagement, why underserved sports represent compelling investment opportunities, and how building media, data, and technology infrastructure can unlock long-term value. Nic also discusses the launch of Rock League, the importance of athlete storytelling, and why owning an entire sports ecosystem can create greater value than simply owning a team. Key Takeaways: Nic's journey from fantasy sports and sports betting to acquiring one of curling's biggest global properties.Why fan engagement, not betting, is the real currency of modern sports.How The Curling Group is building a year-round ecosystem around an Olympic sport.The importance of content, storytelling, and athlete personalities in growing sports audiences.Why The Curling Group launched its own OTT platform and global streaming service.How live sports betting, official data, and technology are increasing fan engagement.Why underserved sports can offer stronger investment opportunities than established leagues.The future of curling as a global professional sport beyond the Winter Olympics. Noteworthy Quotes: “The real currency in sports is engagement.” – Nic Sulsky“I don't think you modernise sports by changing what fans love. You modernise them by changing how fans experience what they love.” – Nic Sulsky“The best investments aren't always the best assets—they're the assets with the most room to improve.” – Nic Sulsky“Whoever owns the deeper fan relationship is ultimately going to win.” – Nic Sulsky“I'd rather build value than buy it.” – Nic Sulsky“I want the world to know the curlers.” – Nic Sulsky Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Nic Sulsky and The Curling Group 02:49 - From fantasy sports and sports betting to curling 05:38 - What betting companies understand about fan engagement 08:47 - Why Nic acquired The Curling Group 13:50 - Building Rock Channel and global curling distribution 18:40 - Launching Rock League and creating a professional ecosystem 24:22 - Building year-round engagement through athlete storytelling 31:13 - Building data infrastructure for live sports betting 33:00 - What investors misunderstand about sports investing 36:26 - The long-term vision for The Curling Group and global curling 39:31 - Where to follow curling and its athletes Connect with the Guest, Nic Sulsky: Nic Sulsky LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicsulsky/ The Curling Group Website: https://www.thecurlinggroup.com/ The Curling Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-curling-group/ 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 Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

    How Fan Engagement and Ecosystems Became More Valuable Than Owning Sports Teams with Nic Sulsky

  2. Jul 22

    Why Lower League Football Is Becoming the Smartest Investment in Sport with Raphael Gellar

    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Raphael Gellar, Co-Founder & Executive Director at Forward Sports Group, an expert in football investment, club ownership, and sports advisory. Raphael shares his unconventional journey from investigative sports journalist to advising investors, operating football clubs, and building one of the leading agencies within the USL ecosystem. The conversation explores why lower-division football has become an increasingly attractive investment opportunity, the differences between European and North American football business models, and how successful club ownership requires balancing commercial returns with stewardship of community assets. Raphael also discusses multi-club ownership, promotion and relegation, the evolution of the USL, and what investors consistently misunderstand about the football industry. Key Takeaways: Raphael's transition from sports journalism into football investment and advisory.Why football clubs should be viewed as community assets rather than purely financial investments.How the growth of the USL is creating new opportunities in North American football.The business case for investing in lower-division football clubs across Europe.Why Denmark has become one of Europe's most attractive football investment markets.Lessons from Lincoln City's rise through the English football pyramid.The opportunities and challenges surrounding multi-club ownership models.Why long-term strategy, patience, and strong leadership are critical to football investment success. Noteworthy Quotes: “Football investment isn't just about making money, you're becoming the custodian of a community asset.” – Raphael Gellar“If your only reason for investing in football is to make money, I'm probably not the right person to help you.” – Raphael Gellar“The English football pyramid is the best football pyramid in the world.” – Raphael Gellar“You have to treat people well in football. If you do, good things will happen.” – Raphael Gellar“Investors often underestimate how different football is from every other business.” – Raphael Gellar“Football is life. That's why it's the greatest sport in the world.” – Raphael Gellar Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Raphael Gellar and Forward Sports Group 04:11 - From sports journalism to football investment 06:59 - Why football clubs became investable assets 09:28 - Building Forward Sports Group and entering the USL ecosystem 12:34 - The economics of the USL versus European football 16:50 - Promotion and relegation and the future of American football 20:07 - Why investors are targeting lower-division football clubs 23:15 - Lessons from Lincoln City's transformation 28:30 - Why Denmark has become a football investment hotspot 32:15 - Multi-club ownership: opportunities and risks 36:30 - The biggest mistakes investors make in football 42:23 - The future of football investment, private equity, and commercialisation Connect with the Guest, Raphael Gellar: Raphael Gellar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-gellar-3b773648/ Forward Sports Group Website: https://www.forwardsg.com/team 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 Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

    Why Lower League Football Is Becoming the Smartest Investment in Sport with Raphael Gellar

  3. Jul 15

    Sports Industry Shift for Leaders to Monetise Participation Over Viewership with Michael Dhulst

    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Michael Dhulst, Co-Founder & CEO at Supertri and Chief Operating Officer at Bahrain Endurance, an expert in mass participation sports, endurance events, and sports business innovation. Michael shares how Supertri is reimagining triathlon by creating shorter, city-centre events that combine elite competition with mass participation experiences. The conversation explores the rapid growth of participation sports, how changing consumer behaviour is reshaping the sports industry, and why community, technology, and wellness trends are driving demand for endurance events. Michael discusses Supertri's business model, the evolution from a media-focused sports property to a participation-led platform, and how AI, wearable technology, and digital communities will shape the future of mass participation sports. Key Takeaways: Michael's journey from triathlon enthusiast to co-founding Supertri.Why Supertri reinvented traditional triathlon with shorter, spectator-friendly race formats.How participation, not media rights, is becoming the primary revenue driver for endurance sports.The impact of health, wellness, and community trends on the growth of mass participation events.How wearable technology and AI are creating year-round engagement for athletes.Why building local communities and regional event ecosystems is central to Supertri's growth strategy.The investment opportunity in endurance sports and why consolidation across participation brands is likely.Predictions for the future of mass participation sports, digital communities, and athlete engagement. Noteworthy Quotes: “We asked ourselves, how can we reinvent triathlon and build the triathlon of the future?” – Michael Dhulst“We realised we couldn't rely solely on media rights. Participation is where the long-term opportunity is.” – Michael Dhulst“People want real-life experiences again and want to connect through activity.” – Michael Dhulst“Technology allows us to build communities that exist all year round, not just on race day.” – Michael Dhulst“The real opportunity is bringing people together through shared experiences.” – Michael Dhulst“There is still enormous potential for consolidation across mass participation sports.” – Michael Dhulst Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Michael Dhulst and the rise of Supertri 01:45 - Michael's journey into triathlon and endurance sports 03:22 - Why Supertri was created and is reinventing triathlon 07:43 - Supertri's business model and how it differs from Ironman 10:23 - Creating spectator-friendly race formats and media experiences 11:43 - Growing participation and building North America's largest city triathlons 14:46 - Scaling a global participation sports platform 19:33 - Wearables, AI, and building year-round athlete communities 24:28 - Investment trends and consolidation in mass participation sports 26:11 - Closing thoughts on the future of Supertri and participation sports Connect with the Guest, Michael Dhulst: Michael Dhulst LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mdhulst/ Supertri LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/supertri/ 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 Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

    Sports Industry Shift for Leaders to Monetise Participation Over Viewership with Michael Dhulst

  4. Jul 8

    How Scarcity and Access Turn Simple Football Shirts into High-Value Assets with Dan Jamieson

    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Dan Jamieson, CEO & Co-Owner of Icons.com, a leading platform for authentic sports memorabilia. Dan shares insights from his journey in the collectibles industry, from childhood sticker collecting to establishing one of the most trusted global networks for signed football merchandise. The conversation explores the evolution of the sports memorabilia market, the importance of authenticity and scarcity, and how social media and direct fan engagement are shaping the industry. Dan discusses how Icons.com manages high-profile athlete partnerships, licensing agreements with FIFA and major clubs, and innovative authentication methods such as NFC “triple lock” technology. The episode also touches on the growth of live shopping events, international expansion, and the future opportunities for collectibles as a premium fan experience. Key Takeaways: How Dan transitioned from a lifelong collector to building a global sports memorabilia platform.The operational model behind Icons.com, including partnerships with athletes and clubs.Innovations in authentication and provenance, including triple lock NFC technology.The role of scarcity and “Veblen good” principles in maintaining value and demand.How social media and content storytelling amplify fan engagement and brand trust.Expansion into international markets and live shopping experiences to reach global audiences.Predictions for the collectibles market, including institutional interest and premium fan experiences. Noteworthy Quotes: “Authenticity is everything. If we can't prove it, it’s just a shirt from JD Sports with a bit of pen on it.” – Dan Jamieson“The more you pull back the veil, the more people want to see. Storytelling is the most compelling part of our work.” – Dan Jamieson“Athletes themselves are becoming bigger brands than clubs or tournaments.” – Dan Jamieson“Our products are real-world, unrepeatable, and limited in quantity, which makes them special.” – Dan Jamieson“Social media legitimises the collectibles market, but credibility and authenticity remain key.” – Dan Jamieson“Globalisation is driving the collectibles market; demand comes from China, the Middle East, the U.S., and beyond.” – Dan Jamieson Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Dan Jamieson and Icons.com 01:21 - Dan’s background as a football fan and collector 03:33 - How Icons.com operates: athlete partnerships and product creation 05:05 - Authentication methods and the “triple lock” NFC system 06:28 - Evolving buyer sophistication and authenticity challenges 11:16 - Behind-the-scenes of signed memorabilia logistics 13:53 - The role of social media and hype in the market 15:37 - Commercial potential and business model considerations 18:27 - Live signings and eBay live shopping initiatives 22:07 - Future of the collectibles industry and institutional interest 23:50 - Opportunities in fan engagement, commerce, and experiences 24:57 - Most iconic items handled: Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi shirts 25:32 - Closing thoughts on collectibles as a global passion Connect with the Guest, Dan Jamieson: Dan Jamieson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-jamieson-4309121/ Icons.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icons-dot-com/ Icons.com Website: https://www.icons.com Dan Jamieson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icons_ceo/ 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 Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

    How Scarcity and Access Turn Simple Football Shirts into High-Value Assets with Dan Jamieson

  5. Jul 1

    The Sports Industry Became a Billion Dollar Empire Through Ruthless Deals with Michael Payne

    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Michael Payne, a Chairman CEO at Payne Sports Media Strategies, an expert in sports marketing, brand management, and global sports business. Michael shares insights from his 50-year career with the International Olympic Committee, Formula One, and his own advisory ventures. The conversation explores the early days of the sports marketing industry, the transformation of sports into a global entertainment phenomenon, and the strategic management of Olympic and Formula One brands. Michael discusses how storytelling, heritage, and archives became critical assets, the role of governments and private capital in sports, and what the future holds for athlete influence, women’s sports, and modern sport formats. Key Takeaways: Michael’s transition from professional ski racer to a leading sports marketing executive.How brand management became fundamental to the Olympics’ premium positioning.The strategic acquisition and control of Olympic archives as a historical and commercial asset.Governments using major sports events to transform national image and business reputation.The evolution of Formula One as a global entertainment brand under Bernie Ecclestone.The challenges investors face in understanding sports as a business.Predictions for the future of sports, including athlete-driven content and updated Olympic events. Noteworthy Quotes: “I was a lot better at finding sponsors than I was at winning competitions.” – Michael Payne“Sport is in the entertainment business; people have more and more choices about how to spend their time.” – Michael Payne“We needed to control the history of the Olympics; it belongs to humanity.” – Michael Payne“Brand management in sport is fundamental to creating the product and reason why fans follow or companies invest.” – Michael Payne“Private equity sees tremendous potential, but sports don’t always follow normal business protocols.” – Michael Payne“Modern pentathlon had to evolve; horse riding no longer reflects the traits needed for elite athletes.” – Michael Payne Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Michael Payne and his career 02:26 - Early career as a ski racer and move into sports marketing 04:11 - Tenure at IOC: transforming Olympic business and leadership 05:59 - Visionaries Mark McCormack and Horst Dassler shaping early industry growth 11:12 - Brand management: protecting the Olympic image and exclusivity 17:14 - Storytelling and controlling Olympic archives 20:44 - Governments and corporate branding through sports events 29:44 - Formula One under Bernie Ecclestone: global entertainment evolution 34:25 - Investors and private equity in sports: challenges and opportunities 37:45 - Future of sports: athlete-driven content, women’s sports, and new formats 42:37 - Closing thoughts and reflections on the evolution of the sports industry Connect with the Guest, Michael Payne: Michael Payne LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-payne-80b14538/Michael Payne Website: https://michaelrpayne.com/ 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 Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

    The Sports Industry Became a Billion Dollar Empire Through Ruthless Deals with Michael Payne

  6. Jun 24

    The European Sports Market for Investors Using Ecosystem Strategy to Unlock Growth with Danny Menken

    In this episode of Berkida Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli sits down with Danny Menken, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Athvance Capital, Co-Owner of Levels Fight League, Co-Founder of Exceed Boxing, Co-Founder of ve2.ventures, Co-Owner of Cascais SAD, Co-Founder of MediaMorph, and Co-Founder of Padelplay to explore how sports investment is evolving beyond traditional ownership models. Danny shares insights from more than two decades in sports media, entertainment, and investment, discussing Europe’s growing opportunity for value creation in sport. The conversation explores Athvance Capital’s ecosystem-driven approach to building interconnected sports businesses, alongside fan engagement, AI, sports technology, emerging sports, and the future of health and performance innovation. Today, he focuses on building sports ecosystems that combine intellectual property, technology, and services to unlock long-term value across multiple sports verticals. Key Takeaways: Why Europe represents one of the biggest opportunities for sports investment and value creationHow ecosystem investing combines sports IP, technology, and services to drive growthWhy traditional private equity models often fail to maximise value in sportHow Athvance Capital is building scalable ecosystems across football, padel, combat sports, and emerging sportsThe role of AI and data in improving athlete performance and fan engagementWhy fan monetisation in Europe still lags behind the US and what could changeHow media consumption and sports distribution are evolving in the digital eraThe investment potential of sleep, recovery, and performance technologyWhy ecosystem-based ownership models may define the future of sports investmentDanny's predictions for the next phase of growth in the global sports industry Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Why Danny launched Athvance Capital and the opportunity in European sports 05:08 - Building sports ecosystems through IP, technology, and services 07:35 - Inside Athvance Capital and its sports IP strategy 13:05 - The football ecosystem and multi-club ownership model 18:07 - The rapid growth of padel and opportunities in the sport 21:21 - How AI-powered technology is improving player performance and fan engagement 22:46 - Why combat sports represent a major investment opportunity 24:41 - Emerging sports and the success of King of the Court 26:46 - Changes in media consumption and sports distribution 29:18 - Sleep technology, recovery, and the future of athletic performance 33:06 - Danny’s bold prediction for the future of sport 33:39 - Why ecosystem-based investing will shape the next generation of sports businesses Connect with the Guest, Danny Menken: Danny Menken’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannymenken/Athvance Capital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athvance-capital/Athvance Capital Website: https://www.athvance.capital/Levels Fight League LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/levels-fight-league/Levels Fight League Website: https://lflmma.com/ExceedBoxing LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/exceedboxing/Exceed Boxing Website: https://exceedboxing.com/Sportworx LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportworx/Sportworx Website: https://sportworx.nl/en/ve2.ventures LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ve2ventures/Ve2.ventures Website: https://www.ve2.ventures/Cascais SAD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/csc-sad/Cascais SAD Website: https://wearecascais.com/MediaMorph LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mediamorph.ai/MediaMorph Website: https://www.mediamorph.ai/Padelplay LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/padelplay-ai/Padelplay Website: https://www.padelplay.ai/?_abr=1&pb=0 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 Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

    The European Sports Market for Investors Using Ecosystem Strategy to Unlock Growth with Danny Menken

  7. Jun 10

    The Content Saturation, Attention War, and AI Threat Changing Media with Patrick Dimon

    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Patrick Dimon, the President of Front Office Sports Studios, Owner of A Frame Productions & Former Senior Creative Producer at HBO Sports, and the growing intersection between sports, entertainment, and technology. Patrick shares insights from his extensive career across NBC Sports, HBO Sports, Netflix’s Full Swing, and now Front Office Sports, where he helps shape one of the leading sports business and culture media platforms today. The conversation explores the rise of athlete-driven storytelling, the growing influence of independent creators, and how platforms are competing for audience attention in an increasingly crowded media landscape. Patrick also discusses the explosion of sports documentaries, the impact of AI on content production, and how sports fans are consuming content differently across social, streaming, and long-form formats. The episode also touches on private equity’s growing role in sports, the evolution of fan engagement, and what the next five years could look like for sports media and entertainment. Key Takeaways: Why sports fans increasingly care about the business and culture behind sports, not just live games.The growing influence of creators and athlete-led content in shaping sports media.How platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and social media are changing sports storytelling.Why sports documentaries may be reaching a saturation point despite continued audience demand.The opportunities and risks AI presents for sports content production and creative industries.How fan engagement and direct interaction with athletes will continue evolving over the next decade. Noteworthy Quotes: “People don’t just want the box score anymore. They want to know everything happening around the game.” – Patrick Dimon“Our competition isn’t just other sports content. It’s every piece of entertainment fighting for attention.” – Patrick Dimon“Drive to Survive proved that you don’t need to understand the sport to connect with the characters.” – Patrick Dimon“I still believe great storytelling and great storytellers will always matter.” – Patrick Dimon“AI is incredible, but I worry about what happens to the creative workforce.” – Patrick Dimon “There’s no denying that creators today are competing for the same eyeballs as traditional broadcasters.” – Patrick Dimon Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Patrick Dimon and Front Office Sports 01:40 - Patrick’s journey through NBC Sports, HBO, Netflix, and sports media 03:47 - The rise of sports business and culture storytelling 06:05 - Why fans care more about the business behind sports 08:50 - Competing for audience attention in the entertainment era 11:00 - Platforms and creators reshaping sports media consumption 13:13 - Independent creators vs traditional broadcasters 15:26 - Sports documentaries and the impact of Drive to Survive 18:23 - Is sports documentary content becoming oversaturated? 20:24 - Front Office Sports Studios’ content strategy and platforms 21:31 - AI’s growing role in sports content production 24:18 - Why trusted media brands may become even more valuable 25:45 - Private equity, capital, and cultural challenges in sports 27:37 - The evolution of Front Office Sports as a media platform 29:17 - Emerging opportunities across sports media and women’s sports 33:26 - Predictions for the future of sports media and fan engagement Connect with the Guest, Patrick Dimon: Patrick Dimon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickdimon/ HBO LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hbo/ HBO Website: https://www.hbomax.com/pk/enFront Office Sports Studio Website: https://studios.frontofficesports.com/ Front Office Sports X: https://x.com/FOS 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 Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

    The Content Saturation, Attention War, and AI Threat Changing Media with Patrick Dimon

  8. May 27

    How to Build a New Sport That Gets Millions of Views Without Advertising with Paul Rigault

    In this episode of the podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Paul Rigault, the Chief Executive Officer at DØDS Diving League. Originating in Norway, the league blends traditional diving with freestyle tricks, creating a unique and high-energy sport. Paul shares how the sport grew from a grassroots movement into a global league with an athlete-first approach and a focus on engaging Gen Z audiences through social media. Paul also discusses the league's competition formats, including individual and team-based events. With partnerships like ESPN and millions of views through athlete-driven content, DØDS Diving is positioning itself for future growth. The conversation covers the league’s ambitions, including the goal of becoming an Olympic sport by 2032 and expanding through collegiate tours. Key Takeaways: DØDS Diving is redefining freestyle diving with a focus on athletes and social media, reaching millions of viewers.The league’s grassroots origins have grown into a global platform, expanding from Norway to the US and beyond.A shift from individual competitions to team-based formats has added excitement and drama.Social media and athlete-driven content are key to the league’s success, with over 20 million views per event.The league’s future goals include establishing collegiate tours and targeting Olympic inclusion by 2032. Noteworthy Quotes: "We’re doing the same to aquatic sports as snowboarding did to skiing in the '90s." – Paul Rigault "Athletes are at the heart of everything we do. This is athlete-first, athlete-driven." – Paul Rigault "The dream is to have DØDS Diving in the Olympics in 2032." – Paul Rigault "Our competition isn’t other sports; our competition is attention." – Paul Rigault Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Paul Rigault and DØDS® Diving League 02:02 - What is DØDS Diving? The sport’s origins and evolution. 07:13 - Athlete-first approach and the importance of social media in the sport’s growth. 08:57 - Introduction of team-based competitions. 10:55 - Media distribution strategies and athlete-driven content. 17:51 - Plans for collegiate tours and Olympic aspirations. 20:36 - DØDS® Diving League business model and revenue generation. 27:39 - Final Thoughts Connect with the Guest, Paul Rigault: Paul Rigault LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-rigault-49a6b6302/DØDS Diving League LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dodsdivingleague/ DØDS Diving League Website: https://dodsdivingleague.com/ DØDS Diving League Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dodsdivingleague/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mass.marinelli 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 Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

    How to Build a New Sport That Gets Millions of Views Without Advertising with Paul Rigault
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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
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Massimo Marinelli
  • Show Website
    Berkida Podcast