Path To The Pros

Forsyth Barnes
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What does it take to become an executive professional in sports? How do you work your way through the ranks to become a leader in one of the world's most exciting and innovative industries? We dive into the personal lives of some of the most talented and successful executives in sports and entertainment. This is the Path to the Pros hosted by Samir Prince.

  1. 11/18/2025

    AN EXCLUSIVE: NFL Houston Texans President Mike Tomon on Leading without Social Media, Influence Over Visibility, Culture-Driven Leadership, and Creating Game-Changing Fan Experiences.

    Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes. We’re ecstatic to announce our next guest. With a career spanning the Cleveland Cavaliers, AEG, Legends, and over a decade of shaping some of the world’s most iconic sports organizations, we’re thrilled to welcome Mike Tomon, President of the Houston Texans, for this exclusive interview. Mike has mastered the art of leading with influence over visibility. No social media, no public profile. Just his stellar reputation and track record that speaks for itself, culminating in one of the NFL’s most powerful executive roles. Samir and Mike sit down to discuss: Influence without visibility: How a personal brand and reputation can outweigh social media presence, even in today’s digital world.The eye-opening moments that shaped his career: Lessons learned from pivotal experiences, having worked across multiple top-tier sports organizations.Culture as the driver of success: Why building a strong organizational foundation is as important as performance on the field.Authentic fan engagement: What it takes to make every Texans home game feel unmistakably like Houston.Leading with vision: From evaluating opportunities to fearlessly evolving, why “status quo is boring” guides the Texans’ strategy.  If you’re curious about leadership in professional sports, building world-class fan experiences, or charting a career path defined by impact over visibility, you won’t want to miss this exclusive episode. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

    50 min

  2. 10/21/2025

    Former NHL Flyers COO on Turning Setbacks into Opportunities, Leading Through Turbulence, and Where the Investment Landscape Truly Lies – Shawn Tilger

    Sports leaders and aspiring executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes. This week, Samir is joined by Shawn Tilger, former COO of the Philadelphia Flyers and now President of GF Sports & Entertainment, where he’s driving growth across a diverse portfolio of global sports and live entertainment properties. Shawn’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and adaptability. After a career-ending injury redirected him from athlete to executive, he spent over two decades shaping the Flyers’ brand, culture and fan experience before transitioning into private equity, bringing his operational mindset to investing in tennis, golf and emerging sports. Samir and Shawn discuss: Career growth in sports: Turning setbacks into opportunities and why adaptability is your biggest asset.Leadership that lasts: Lessons from two decades in the NHL and why great teams are built on trust, humility, and communication.Investing in the future: What makes a sport scalable, sustainable and what are the opportunities worth betting on.If you’re passionate about sports business, leadership, and the future of live entertainment, this episode delivers invaluable insight from an inspiring, forward-thinking executive in the industry. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

    43 min

  3. 09/22/2025

    CCO of Super Bowl Winning Team on Building Fan Loyalty, Battling Florida’s Top Competition and Driving the Exciting Projects Shaping the Buccaneers Future – Atul Khosla

    Sports leaders and aspiring executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes. This week, we’re joined by Atul Khosla, Chief Commercial Officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the very team that hosted (and won!) the 2020 NFL Super Bowl. Atul’s journey into sports business was anything but traditional. Starting as an Engineer, he hustled, built the right relationships, and proved himself in one of the most competitive industries in the world. Now, he’s at the heart of a franchise that isn’t just a football team; it’s a community flagship. Nearly 85% of Tampa Bay residents see the Buccaneers as the city’s torchbearers, and Atul is leading the charge in shaping that legacy for generations to come. Samir and Atul discuss: From Engineering to the NFL: Why unconventional beginnings can become a strengthRelationships and resilience: How never burning bridges opened doors, including his return to the Buccaneers in a role created just for him.Fan-first strategy: Competing with “free” entertainment like Florida’s beaches by delivering unmatched value, earning #1 in customer service 9 out of the last 11 years.The next generation of fans: Passing the torch to the next generations, ahead of the Buccaneers celebrating 50 years!  If you’re curious about breaking into sports, what it takes to win fan loyalty in today’s market, and the leadership lessons from one of the NFL’s most innovative executives, this episode is for you. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

    48 min

  4. 08/25/2025

    NBA President on Leading Fan Engagement, Captivating a Community and his Iconic Moments with the Portland Trail Blazers – Dewayne Hankins

    Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes. With nearly 20 years of experience in the sports & entertainment industry, including the NBA, NHL, MLS and MLB, we're thrilled to welcome Dewayne Hankins as our next guest, President of Business Operations at the Portland Trail Blazers. He shares how his career in marketing shaped his agile mindset, helping him get where he is today: at the forefront of one of the NBA’s most loyal and engaged fan bases, a team that helps bring in over $600M in economic activity annually for the City of Portland.  Samir and Dewayne discuss: Building a high-performance sports business: How community, transparency, and trust can transform fan engagement and drive long-term success.Lessons from an unconventional path: Why a marketing background gave him a unique edge in executive leadership across the NBA and beyond.Leading in a competitive industry: Insider perspectives on navigating sports management, experiencing a plethora of ‘pinch me’ moments and energizing a city through sport.If you’re curious about leadership in pro sports, what it really takes to build trust with fans and the lessons learned from someone with two decades inside the industry, you won’t want to miss this episode. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

    33 min

  5. 08/04/2025

    From Playing College Football to Leading Growth in a Crowded Sports Market and Building a Fanbase from Scratch as President for Orlando City SC – Jarrod Dillon

    Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to episode TWO of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes. Today’s guest? A Veteran in Sports and Entertainment, experienced executive Jarrod Dillon, explaining how he’s building lifelong fandom in Orlando - the US City ranked top for sports business! With experience across the NHL and MLB, he is now backed by the Wilf family (who also own the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL) and leads the charge transforming fan experiences for Orlando City, listening to staff to fuel growth and focusing on authentic community connection. Keen to champion mentorship that opens doors for the next generation, Jarrod sits down with Samir to reveal: How a sporting team goes about building a passionate, lasting fan communityWhere there is power in listening to fans, partners and staff to fuel growthWorking hard to break into the industry, balancing career ambitions with personal values and family lifeIf you want real, actionable insights on building sports culture, driving fan engagement and advancing your own career in pro sports, this episode will deliver! Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

    51 min
  6. NBA CEO Who Ended Cleveland’s 52-Year Trophy Drought, Building A Sports Franchise at Age 27, to Becoming a Global Sports Investment Expert - Len Komoroski

    07/14/2025

    NBA CEO Who Ended Cleveland’s 52-Year Trophy Drought, Building A Sports Franchise at Age 27, to Becoming a Global Sports Investment Expert - Len Komoroski

    Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode, Season FOUR of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes. Today’s guest? The legendary former NBA CEO who helped break Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought, brought Lebron James to the Cavs and Sheffield United’s newest minority owner: Len Komoroski! Len sits down with Samir to take us behind the scenes of: What it REALLY took to turn one of the NBA’s worst team into champions Building a franchise from the ground upThe fast-evolving world of sports ownership in 2025If you're curious about building winning teams, what it takes to break into a career in pro sport and the investment landscape in 2025…these are the behind the scene insights you won’t want to miss. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

    1h 41m
  7. The Fan Matrix: Understanding the Diverse Fan Engagement in Sports

    09/20/2024

    The Fan Matrix: Understanding the Diverse Fan Engagement in Sports

    In this episode of Path to the Pros, we're thrilled to welcome Nancy Elder, an accomplished leader whose 25+ year career has been defined by driving innovation, transforming teams, and delivering growth across some of the world's most competitive industries.  Now serving as the Chief Communications Officer for the New York Mets, Nancy has previously held pivotal roles at JetBlue Airways, Mattel Inc., DAZN, Mastercard, and GE, where she's navigated high-stakes challenges.  Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of sports fandom with a deep dive into different fan behaviors, preferences, and motivations transforming how teams, leagues, and brands connect with them.  Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

    47 min
  8. Guiding Greatness: The Importance of Mentorship in Sports Business

    08/22/2024

    Guiding Greatness: The Importance of Mentorship in Sports Business

    In this episode, we sit down with Joe Stetson, a seasoned C-suite business leader with over 20 years of experience reimagining iconic brands and generating record revenues. Joe has held key positions at Madison Square Garden Networks, BSE Global, the Brooklyn Nets, and Van Wagner and now serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at the New York Red Bulls.  Joe shares his insights on the importance of mentorship and how it has shaped his career and leadership style. He discusses the challenges and rewards of working in the sports and entertainment industries and offers valuable advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps. Join us as we explore Joe's journey, leadership approach, and vision for the industry's future. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyth Barnes, you’ll tap into a global talent network built specifically for the fast-paced world of sports and entertainment. Visit www.forsythbarnes.com/sports for more information, or email samir.prince@forsythbarnes.com if you’re a hiring manager ready to build your winning team.

    46 min
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About

What does it take to become an executive professional in sports? How do you work your way through the ranks to become a leader in one of the world's most exciting and innovative industries? We dive into the personal lives of some of the most talented and successful executives in sports and entertainment. This is the Path to the Pros hosted by Samir Prince.

Information

  • Creator
    Forsyth Barnes
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Path To The Pros
  • Show Website
    Path To The Pros