The CUSP Show

The CUSP Show

Home of the Columbia University Sports Management Podcast ('The CUSP Show'), faculty members Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson host thought leaders from across the sports industry as they discuss a wide array of topics. thecuspshow.substack.com

  1. 512: Morgan Cato Talks Leading Player Operations at the NBPA

    9H AGO

    512: Morgan Cato Talks Leading Player Operations at the NBPA

    Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Morgan Cato, EVP of Player Operations at the National Basketball Players Association to the show, to discuss her unique journey through each side of the basketball business: from the NBA league office to the Phoenix Suns and now the players association. Cato shares insights on rookie development, mental wellness, NIL preparedness, player engagement, and the evolving support systems surrounding today’s athletes. The conversation explores how the NBPA helps players navigate everything from financial literacy and branding opportunities to mental health resources and career transitions. Cato reflects on the globalization of basketball, the realities young athletes face entering the league, and the importance of leadership, adaptability, and relationship-building in sports business. Cato also discusses her work with Pro Sports Assembly, the future of athlete development, and how leagues and organizations are evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing sports landscape. Connect with Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-cato-60026b8/ Subscribe to the CUSP Show: Substack The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz and Sydney Cristall. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    51 min
  2. 511: Harvey Schiller on the Life and Legacy of Ted Turner

    5D AGO

    511: Harvey Schiller on the Life and Legacy of Ted Turner

    Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Dr. Harvey Schiller, Chairman at Schiller Management Group to the show, to reflect on the life, legacy, and lasting influence of Ted Turner following his passing. Having worked closely alongside Turner during the rise of Turner Broadcasting, Schiller shares firsthand stories about the visionary executive who helped reshape sports media, cable television, and global broadcasting. The conversation explores Turner’s role in building the Superstation model, launching CNN, expanding Turner Sports, and pioneering ideas around vertical integration long before they became industry standards. Schiller also discusses Turner’s impact on the Braves, WCW, the Goodwill Games, NASCAR, international sports, and the early evolution of streaming and out-of-market sports distribution. Joe and Tom also dive into leadership lessons from Turner, his relentless creativity, his global mindset, and the entrepreneurial culture he built throughout Turner Broadcasting. Along the way, Schiller shares memorable behind-the-scenes stories involving David Stern, Vince McMahon, George Steinbrenner, the NFL, HBO, Sports Illustrated, and the early days of digital sports media. Connect with Harvey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harvey-schiller-2332386/ More on Ted Turner: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/06/us/ted-turner-death Subscribe to the CUSP Show: Substack The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz and Sydney Cristall. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    50 min
  3. 510: Sheila Sickau on How the Kansas City Chiefs Are Growing Flag Football Participation

    MAY 5

    510: Sheila Sickau on How the Kansas City Chiefs Are Growing Flag Football Participation

    Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Sheila Sickau, Head of Football Development for the Kansas City Chiefs to the show, to break down how flag football is reshaping the future of the sport, from youth participation to global expansion and women’s access to the game. Sickau is the Pro Sports Assembly 2025 Medal of Leadership Rising Leader honoree and on the show she shares her unique journey from special education teacher to NFL executive, detailing how a $12/hour seasonal role turned into a leadership position at the forefront of one of the league’s biggest growth initiatives. The conversation explores why the NFL is investing heavily in flag football as a more accessible entry point than tackle, how early participation is creating a more skilled pipeline of players, and how increased female engagement is already impacting fandom. Sickau also offers insight into the business strategy behind football development, from grassroots programming and international growth to content creation and next-gen fan engagement. Nominations for the Pro Sports Assembly Class of 2026 Medal of Leadership Honorees are open through May 15, 2026. Connect with Sheila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilasickau/ Submit a Medal of Leadership nomination: https://www.prosportsassembly.org/ Read more about the Medal of Leadership: Nominations Now Open for the 2026 Medal of Leadership Celebration Subscribe to the CUSP Show: Substack The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    48 min
  4. 509: Patrick Crakes on the True Economics of Sports Media Rights

    APR 28

    509: Patrick Crakes on the True Economics of Sports Media Rights

    Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Patrick Crakes, Principal of Crakes Media and longtime Fox Sports executive, to the show, to break down the rapidly evolving sports media landscape and the realities behind today’s skyrocketing rights deals. Drawing on decades of experience, Crakes explains why the industry hasn’t undergone the “overnight disruption” many predicted, and instead has seen a slower, more complex transition where traditional pay TV still underpins the majority of sports economics. He dives into the role of Big Tech, highlighting how companies like Amazon and YouTube are approaching sports rights strategically, not disruptively, and why profitability remains a challenge across streaming. The conversation also explores key industry dynamics, including the importance of broadcast distribution, the decline of regional sports networks, and the challenges leagues face in balancing local and national media strategies. Crakes offers insight into why the NFL continues to dominate the marketplace, how portfolio thinking shapes rights valuations, and what metrics actually matter when assessing media value. He also unpacks recent changes in Nielsen measurement and how out-of-home viewing is reshaping perceptions of sports viewership growth. Connect with Patrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-crakes/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    54 min
  5. 508: Yeshiva Athletic Director Greg Fox on how the Maccabees are Revolutionizing College Hoops

    APR 21

    508: Yeshiva Athletic Director Greg Fox on how the Maccabees are Revolutionizing College Hoops

    Joe Favorito welcomes Greg Fox, Athletic Director at Yeshiva University, to discuss the remarkable rise of Yeshiva men’s basketball and how the program has evolved into a global brand. He shares his journey through college athletics and what makes Yeshiva’s model unique: from rigorous academic demands and religious commitments to competing at a high level on the court. Fox highlights the impact of standout players like Zevi Samet, the program’s international following, and how streaming and storytelling have expanded its reach far beyond New York. The conversation also explores the operational realities behind the program, including Sabbath accommodations, travel logistics, and security considerations in today’s environment. Fox discusses growth opportunities across athletics, including women’s sports and potential NIL pathways at the Division III level, as well as the broader cultural significance of Yeshiva’s success. From community impact to a pipeline reaching even professional baseball, this episode offers a unique look at how identity, discipline, and storytelling can shape a Division III university. Connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-fox-955b406/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    38 min
  6. 507: Ken Davidoff discusses his new book, 101 Lessons from the Dugout

    APR 14

    507: Ken Davidoff discusses his new book, 101 Lessons from the Dugout

    Joe Favorito welcomes Endicott College Adjunct Professor, Ken Davidoff, to the CUSP Show, for a thoughtful conversation on storytelling, media evolution, and rediscovering a love for the game of baseball. A longtime baseball columnist at the NY Post, who spent decades covering the sport at the highest level, Davidoff reflects on the grind of beat reporting, the rapid shift toward real-time, “hot take” media, and why he ultimately stepped away from daily journalism. The discussion centers around his new book, 101 Lessons from the Dugout, which reframes baseball and softball as vehicles for life lessons, resilience, adaptability, and perspective. Davidoff shares how collaborating with a co-author from a completely different background helped him reconnect with the fundamentals and joy of the game, moving away from the pressure of breaking news toward more meaningful storytelling. The conversation also dives into the changing media landscape, how speed has replaced depth, how relationships between reporters and players have evolved, and why versatility is now essential for young professionals entering the field. Connect with Ken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-davidoff-220b7a4/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    34 min
  7. 506: Cam Smith on How Substack Hands Creators Control of Their Work and Audience

    APR 7

    506: Cam Smith on How Substack Hands Creators Control of Their Work and Audience

    Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Cam Smith, Substack’s Head of Sports Partnerships and Columbia Sports Management alum, to the CUSP Show to explore how the platform is reshaping sports media. What started as a newsletter product has evolved into a multi-format ecosystem spanning audio, video, and community-driven discovery, giving creators more control than ever over their work and their audience. Cam breaks down why journalists, athletes, and media personalities are increasingly choosing to build direct-to-consumer businesses rather than depend on traditional outlets, and how Substack’s model prioritizes ownership and sustainability over scale. The conversation gets into the economics behind the shift, including why a smaller, highly engaged subscriber base can outperform a massive but passive social following, and what that means for legacy media, fragmented distribution, and the way fans discover sports content today. Connect with Cam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-smith-68b1865/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz and Sydney Cristall. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    1h 6m
  8. 505: Inside ESPN’s Innovation Engine with Kevin Lopes

    APR 2

    505: Inside ESPN’s Innovation Engine with Kevin Lopes

    Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Kevin Lopes, Vice President of Business Development and Innovation at ESPN, to the CUSP Show to discuss his 18-year journey at the company and how ESPN continues to evolve at the forefront of sports media. From starting as a programming coordinator to leading innovation initiatives, Lopes shares how timing, relationships, and a willingness to embrace new technology shaped his career. The conversation explores ESPN’s early push into streaming with ESPN360 and WatchESPN, including how the company helped build the foundation for today’s digital sports ecosystem. Lopes explains how early rights deals were driven by trust and long-term relationships, and how ESPN worked with schools and conferences to professionalize streaming long before it became mainstream. Lopes also breaks down the creation of ESPN’s Edge Innovation Center and how partnerships with companies like Microsoft, Accenture, and Meta help the company stay ahead of emerging trends. Whether it’s VR, AI, or new distribution platforms, the focus remains on ensuring ESPN is prepared for whatever the future of sports consumption looks like. Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-lopes-4160aa2/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz and Sydney Cristall. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

    55 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Home of the Columbia University Sports Management Podcast ('The CUSP Show'), faculty members Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson host thought leaders from across the sports industry as they discuss a wide array of topics. thecuspshow.substack.com

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