Sportspro Podcast

Kim Stone has spent most of her career in the NBA with the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors, but when she got a call from Michele Kang offering the chance to become chief executive of the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, the opportunity was too good to pass up. In this episode of the SportsPro Podcast, Stone sits down with Head of Editorial Sam Carp to discuss the strategy underpinning the Spirit’s ongoing revenue growth, how the club thinks about profitability and where the franchise is investing for the future. Recorded at SportsPro New York, the conversation also covers Trinity Rodman’s record contract extension with the Spirit and how the organisation quantifies the commercial impact of one of women’s soccer’s most marketable talents. There was also time to discuss NWSL franchise valuations, the league's new High Impact Player rule and plenty more.  

In this special episode recorded at SportsInnovation 2026, SportsPro's George Breare returns to the hosting seat for a conversation with Steffen Merkel, chief executive of German soccer's DFL. Shortly after signing a contract extension until 2029, Merkel discusses what's driving the Bundesliga's record €6.33bn revenues and outlines the league's media rights strategy both at home and abroad.  There’s also a deep dive into how the DFL is approaching AI and emerging technologies, the impact of Harry Kane and other international stars, and why maintaining authenticity remains a key priority for the Bundesliga as the game evolves.We'd love to hear what you think.

With more than 2 billion daily users and 40 billion hours of sports content watched annually, YouTube has become a major destination for sports highlights, creator watchalongs and, increasingly, live sport.In this episode, we revisit an interview from the SportsPro Media Summit in Madrid, where SportsPro head of editorial Sam Carp sits down with Jonny Keogh, YouTube's head of UK sports, to discuss how leagues, teams and rights holders are using the platform to expand their reach and monetise audiences.Keogh outlines what a "good" YouTube strategy looks like today, how competitions like the Women's Super League have used the platform to build audiences and attract sponsors, and whether some properties should even use it as their primary distribution channel. 

Recorded live during our recent Global SportsTech Report 2026 launch event held at Meta’s London HQ, this special episode hosted by SportsPro's Steve McCaskill brings together experts from Sportradar, the DP World Tour and Meta to explore how sports technology is moving from hype to measurable impact. Where is AI genuinely creating value? How are rights holders using data to drive fan engagement? Is immersive tech finally reaching its tipping point? And what does the next phase of transformation look like? From computer vision and predictive modelling to second-screen battles, generative AI and the rise of agentic systems, this conversation explores what’s working today and what still needs to prove itself.Access the full report: https://www.sportspro.com/projects/global-sportstech-report/

10 years ago, FIFA was on its knees following a corruption scandal that rocked the sport. Enter Gianni Infantino, who was elected president of soccer's governing body with a remit of restoring faith in the organisation. To mark the anniversary of Infantino's appointment, the SportsPro editorial team unpack the highs and lows of his presidency - from record revenues and tournament expansion to growing tensions over player welfare and the Swiss administrator's increasingly close ties to Donald Trump.  With this summer's World Cup in the US fast approaching, we ask whether Infantino has achieved what he set out to do and look ahead to what the next chapter of his tenure has in store.

In one of his first interviews since joining Six Nations Rugby, chief executive Tom Harrison joins Sam Carp and Steve McCaskill on this week's episode for an in-depth conversation at a pivotal moment for rugby union. With this season's Six Nations underway, Harrison assesses the health of the competition, discusses whether the tournament going behind a paywall was ever a genuine possibility, and explains why in-game ads have been introduced for the first time. There's also time to look ahead to the inaugural edition of the new Nations Championship and explore the challenges of calendar reform, while Harrison also offers his view on what rugby needs to do to stay relevant and predicts what the sport could look like in ten years.

With one week to go until the Winter Olympics, the SportsPro Podcast dives into what Milan-Cortina 2026 means for the future of the Games and discusses whether the event will benefit from the glow of a successful Paris 2024.Hear from Ed Dixon, Sam Carp, Steve McCaskill and Josh Sim as they break down the business of the Winter Olympics and explore some of the biggest storylines approaching the Games, including Italy's hosting journey, the return of the NHL and the political backdrop to the event.There's also time to consider some of the more existential questions about the future of the Winter Olympics – and of course the quiz that no one asked for.#SportsPro #Podcast #WinterOlympics

The SportsPro team reveal their ten most influential figures for the year ahead spanning global sport, media, politics and athlete power before locking in a set of bold predictions on media rights, private equity, women’s sport and golf’s fractured future. Hear from Ed Dixon, Sam Carp, Steve McCaskill and Josh Sim as they focus on the people, power and decisions that will shape the industry over the next 12 months.

The SportsPro Podcast signs off for the year with its traditional dose of festive chaos, as Ed Dixon hosts the 2025 SportsPro Christmas Quiz with Josh Sim, Steve McCaskill and Sam Carp. From staggeringly slow quick-fire questions and an ill-conceived bidding round to confusing quotes and a nail-biting finale, the team test how much they actually remember from the past 12 months across the global sports industry. Will they cope under the pressure, which of them suffers the ignominy of the wooden spoon and who walks away with the title? Tune in to find out.

The SportsPro Podcast returns with Ed Dixon, Steve McCaskill and Sam Carp as they break down darts’ rapid ascent with PDC Chief Executive Matt Porter. From the World Darts Championship selling out in an hour to the first £1 million winner’s prize, the team explores how the sport has entered a new golden era.They also dig into the PDC’s expanded Sky Sports deal, the global demand reshaping the calendar, and what comes next for Ally Pally as the organisation weighs its future. Plus, a look at Luke Littler’s impact, the push to reach younger audiences, and why Saudi Arabia is the latest stop on darts’ international journey.

The SportsPro Podcast returns with Josh Sim, Steve McCaskill, Ed Dixon and Sam Carp, alongside a drop-in from BlackBook Motorsport’s Cian Brittle.Fresh from Monaco, Josh shares his insights from the Sportel business conference, including LaLiga president Javier Tebas’ comments on pan-European rights and SURJ Sports Investment chief executive Danny Townsend’s perspective on the firm’s strategy.The team then unpacks Steve’s sit down with Sports Interactive studio director Miles Jacobson, exploring Football Manager’s delayed release, its transition to a new engine, and the task of integrating women’s soccer into the game.The panel also reacts to Formula One’s new US media rights deal with Apple and debates whether the agreement makes sense for both parties.

SportsPro’s Steve McCaskill sits down with Miles Jacobson, the studio director at Sports Interactive, the UK-based video game developer known for Football Manager to discuss the most significant evolution in the series history. Jacobson explains the studio’s move to the Unity engine, why the team delayed the game’s release, and how they overhauled the user interface and match engine for the 2026 edition. The conversation explores the addition of women’s football, new licensing deals including the Premier League, data-driven game design, partnerships with platforms like Netflix and Apple Arcade, and the emergence of Football Manager as an esports title.

The SportsPro Podcast returns with a special guest in the studio, as Ed Dixon, Sam Carp, and Josh Sim are joined by SportsPro’s Director of Key Projects, Mike Long, to unpack the 2025 edition of SportsPro’s 50 Most Marketable Athletes. And there’s plenty to get into. From surprise inclusions to big risers and the stories behind the rankings. They’re also joined by the experts from Northstar Solutions Group, who reveal the data-driven insights shaping this year’s list. The team discuss the biggest cultural trends, the evolving role of social media, and why authenticity has become the ultimate currency in athlete marketability. Tune in to find out who claimed the top spot. And yes, the quiz no one asked for makes another appearance!  Recorded at Spotify UK Headquarters.

The SportsPro Podcast returns with Ed Dixon, Sam Carp, Steve McCaskill and Josh Sim turning their attention to the US. From the NFL’s rising franchise valuations to the NBA’s record-breaking domestic media deal, the team explores why more money than ever is flowing into the major leagues.They also get stuck into other big talking points stateside, including the sales of the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics, the broadcast state of play across the leagues and why US sports properties are looking overseas for growth.Recorded live from Spotify Studios in London.

SportsPro's Head of Editorial Sam Carp explores the evolving business of stadium naming rights with Al Guido, president of the San Francisco 49ers and chairman and CEO of Elevate.The pair unpack why venue sponsorships have historically been a harder sell in Europe than in North America and consider whether attitudes are softening amid landmark deals for the likes of Everton.  Guido offers insight on the nuances of identifying a stadium naming rights partner, how to balance fan sentiment with commercial ambition, and why the next era of venue sponsorships will be defined by authentic storytelling, cultural relevance, and year-round engagement.

The SportsPro Podcast goes on the road to London Stadium for SportsPro AI 2025, where Sam Carp, Ed Dixon, Steve McCaskill and Josh Sim take the pulse of a rapidly shifting tech landscape. From the battle for AI leadership to the challenges of stitching together multi-technology partnerships with major leagues, the team reflect on the biggest talking points from the day.  Recorded on-site, the episode also features perspectives from some of the event’s headline speakers, including the IOC’s head of AI, Microsoft’s worldwide strategy director, and the Premier League’s director of digital media and audience development. And stick around until the end to see the moment the SportsBizBlitz crowns a new winner - and the old title holder’s reaction to being dethroned in dramatic fashion. 

The SportsPro Podcast is back, and this time Ed Dixon, Steve McCaskill and Sam Carp dive into the boom – and possible bust – of sports documentaries. From the pandemic-era surge that delivered global hits like The Last Dance and Drive to Survive, to the wave of imitators that followed, the team debate whether the magic of sports docs is starting to fade. So, is it the end? Not quite but the golden boom has definitely passed. Sports docs are settling into a new phase, moving past the copycat era into smarter, more niche storytelling that still knows how to hook an audience. Tune in for a lively discussion on the fine line between entertainment and authenticity in sports docuseries. And yes, the quiz no one asked for makes another appearance!  Recorded at Spotify UK Headquarters.For more information on the SportsPro Media Summit, visit https://media.sportspro.com/.

The SportsPro Podcast returns with a motorsport special as resident expert Cian Brittle breaks down the key narratives shaping the 2025 Formula 1 season. From the sport’s rapidly evolving commercial landscape and a surge in global sponsorships to McLaren’s impressive resurgence and the budding Norris-Piastri rivalry, there’s no shortage of storylines to explore. The team also explore the shifting dynamics under Liberty Media’s leadership and assess the potential impact of Apple’s growing interest in F1’s US broadcast rights. It’s a deep dive into the forces driving the future of motorsport – and yes, the quiz no one asked for makes a return. Recorded at Spotify UK Headquarters.

The SportsPro Podcast returns, and this time the team takes a deep dive into SportsPro’s inaugural Investment Summit, held in Central London last month. Ed Dixon, Steve McCaskill, Sam Carp and Josh Sim reflect on a landmark event that brought together more than 200 industry leaders, investors and key stakeholders to explore where new capital is flowing into sport.Alongside their highlights from the day – including the £500 million sales of The Hundred teams, the growing influence of private equity, and the global executives entering the market – the team also revisit four key interviews conducted on-site with leading investors and decision-makers. Plus, the team looks ahead as the Investment Summit prepares to go stateside in 2026 as part of SportsPro New York.Recorded at Spotify UK Headquarters.

The SportsPro Podcast is back - and it's back with a fresh new look.  As a landmark summer of women’s sport continues, Ed Dixon, Steve McCaskill, Sam Carp and Josh Sim get behind the mic to reflect on Women’s Euro 2025 and preview the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup. Steve kicks off proceedings by reminiscing about his trip to Basel for the Women's Euro final before the panel discuss the potential commercial impact of England’s second consecutive title.  They also dig into the sponsorship strategy for the Women's Rugby World Cup, pick out the potential stars of the tournament and consider what it will take for rugby to have its Lionesses moment.  Plus: Some Premier League predictions, the all-new Sports Biz Blitz and a rugby-themed quiz no one asked for.Recorded at Spotify UK Headquaters