Sportspro Podcast

The latest SportsPro Podcast sees regulars George Breare and Tom Bassam joined by features editor Sam Carp for a soccer-centric episode. Basking in the glory of the Lionesses winning Women's Euro 2022, discussion covers what happens next for the players, the Women's Super League (WSL) and the game at club level across Europe. Then, with the Premier League returning this weekend, the conversation moves to the big storylines heading into the new season, the growing gap with the lower divisions, as well as what Chelsea and Newcastle can expect in their first full campaigns under new ownership. To finish up, the trio look at some of the sports industry's under the radar stories and take some listener questions. If you have a question you want answered on the pod, get in touch via podcast@sportspromedia.com.

Making his debut as SportsPro Podcast host, content manager George Breare is joined by news editor Tom Bassam and Nathan Homer, chief commercial officer at the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), to talk about what the 2012 Olympic Games have left behind. Homer, who joined the LLDC in 2020, outlines the successes and shortcomings of the Olympic Park in the wake of London 2012, and shares some of the plans for what will happen in the next ten years of the venue's development. The pod then dives into some of the under-the-radar stories from the last week of sports industry news, before taking some listener questions to close out the episode.

To mark Women’s Sports Week across SportsPro’s platforms, Eoin Connolly speaks to Annie Panter, MD of Ventures at Two Circles, about how women’s sport can maintain its commercial momentum.  She explores the most effective strategies for women's sports bodies and their partners, and explains why rights holders need to focus on events and products that work to keep driving a virtuous cycle. She also reflects on how women’s sport has changed since she won Olympic hockey bronze at London 2012, how the progress of powerful sports like soccer will affect the sector, and what can be learned from recent success stories.

SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam and features editor Sam Carp join Eoin Connolly for another sports industry update, including a look ahead to the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon.  They ask what impact the track and field showpiece will have and whether the sport can evolve to find a new place in the modern media ecosystem. They also consider Nike’s influence on a hometown event, and World Athletics’ plans to rebuild an American presence ahead of LA 2028.  There is also time to preview golf’s 150th Open and reflect on a busy week for world soccer in the courts.

Jenny Mitton, the women’s sport lead at M&C Saatchi Sports and Entertainment, joins Eoin Connolly and SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam to preview Uefa Women’s Euro 2022.  They look at the expectations being set for the tournament over the next three weeks, the impact it can make in host nation England, and the commercial development of women’s soccer. Mitton also explains what is being learned about the competition’s fanbase - which combines hardcore followers and big eventers - and how brands are approaching the opportunity.  Then, they ask what will come next for the women’s game in Europe and beyond.

Quentin Thom and James Newman, co-heads of PerfORM Due Diligence, join Eoin Connolly to explain what sport needs to understand about the crypto marketplace.  They discuss the risks that sports teams and organisations should recognise before entering into crypto partnerships, especially given the complexity of companies in the sector and the speed of change. In that context, they then detail the ambitions their practice has for creating specialist operational due diligence services that facilitate smarter, more secure business in the space.  They also discuss the path towards greater regulation and why sport’s relationship with crypto differs from other industries.

Eoin Connolly and SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam are joined by Alex Duff, author of Le Fric: Family, Power and Money – The Business of the Tour de France.  They discuss how the model of cycling’s biggest event has been shaped by the decades-long ownership of the Amaury family, consider its role as an elite global challenge and national showpiece, and ask how the outsized prominence of the Tour continues to affect the wider business of the sport.  They also look to the future of the Tour, including the Zwift-backed women’s event, data partnerships and a new Netflix series.

SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam and media and tech editor Steve McCaskill join Eoin Connolly to reflect on another week of industry news. First, they look ahead to The Championships at Wimbledon, asking whether the removal of rankings points will really hamper the appeal of tennis’ grass-court Grand Slam and reviewing the latest tech innovations introduced at SW19 by IBM and other AELTC partners.  Then they look back on a busy week for soccer in North America, piecing together the implications of a landmark deal between Apple and MLS and confirmation of host venues for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. 

In another session from SportsPro Live at London’s Kia Oval, Eoin Connolly speaks to Matthew Primack, senior vice president of international development at ecommerce and merchandising giant Fanatics.  Matthew explains how Fanatics has built partnerships with the likes of the NFL, the NBA and Formula One, where it aims to innovate and how its operations are being affected by supply chain and sustainability concerns.  They also discuss the implications of the company’s rapid growth in recent years, with widespread inward investment, the acquisition of collectibles brand Topps, and new projects in web3 and sports betting creating a digital fan platform. 

Eoin Connolly is joined by SportsPro news editor Tom Bassam and features editor Sam Carp to unpack one of 2022’s biggest deals so far.  They discuss a bumper set of media rights sales for cricket’s Indian Premier League, with Disney’s Star retaining traditional TV coverage as Reliance and Paramount’s Viacom18 venture swoops in for digital rights. With over $6 billion on the board, they examine a changed picture for cricket and Indian sport.  They also reflect on the first weekend of LIV Golf and ask whether the ATP’s latest reforms will help head off a rebel threat in tennis. 

Eoin Connolly is joined by SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam and media and tech editor Steve McCaskill to run through another week of industry developments.  As LIV Golf tees off for its first event in St Albans, they ask what the contentious Saudi-backed series aims to bring to the sport and who it can bring along other than its opening field.  Then, as Forbes reports LeBron James to be the first active NBA player worth US$1 billion, they ask what athlete power will look like in the generation ahead, and Steve explains sport’s place in Apple’s latest software rollout. 

In a session from SportsPro Live in London, Eoin Connolly talks to senior leaders from this year's Rugby League World Cup: chief executive John Dutton, social impact director Tracy Power and tournament director Dean Hardman. They lay out a distinctive vision for the event, which will unite the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments in England in October and November. They discuss its aims to support key community initiatives, the challenges of managing such a complex commercial and logistical delivery in Covid conditions that triggered a one-year delay, and the chance for the sport to excite new and existing fans alike.

Eoin Connolly and SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam are joined by Paris-based independent comms consultant Dan Tunna to reflect on a dramatic sporting weekend. Dan shares an on-the-ground account of a chaotic Uefa Champions League final at the Stade de France, which was delayed by 36 minutes as fans faced dangerously packed queues, disorganisation and heavy-handed policing outside. The trio also discuss the need to reconsider how major soccer events are run as another major final comes under intense scrutiny. There is also a quick look at a bumper Indian Premier League rights tender and the latest movements in US motorsport.   

Eoin Connolly and SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam are joined by James English, managing partner for sport at Fuse, for a commercial preview of the Uefa Champions League final.  They discuss the work going on in Paris to deliver for the competition’s sponsors, and ask whether different formats for the concluding week could add value for partners, hosts and fans.  Then they explore how the Uefa Europa League and Europa Conference League have added depth to the continental season, and consider how the Uefa Women’s Champions League final could deliver progress for the sport.   

Eoin Connolly is joined by Andrew Parsons, the president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).  They discuss a year of relentless challenges for the IPC, with back-to-back Covid-era Games in Tokyo and Beijing within just a few months, and a ban for Russian and Belarusian para-athletes after the invasion of Ukraine.  They also talk about how the IPC sees its future leadership role shaping up within the wider movement, with the creation of the Para Sport platform and a new commercial strategy being developed, while Andrew shares his biggest ambitions for the second four-year term he secured in December.

Eoin Connolly and SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam are joined by Angela Ruggiero, Olympic ice hockey champion turned Sports Innovation Lab co-founder and World Rugby exco member.  They reflect on the DFL’s Sports Innovation event in Düsseldorf, which offered a creative on-field showcase of new technologies. They also consider the possibilities of Discovery’s BT Sport joint venture and the NBA’s latest virtual reality play with Meta, and ask where Fifa’s gaming strategy goes after its EA Sports split.  There’s then time to look ahead to a decade of Rugby World Cups that will take in debut tournaments in the USA.

In what really is the final instalment of the Playbook Podcast, Matt Rogan is joined by Will Gaffney, the 17-year-old founder of the Bat for a Chance cricket charity. Will discusses how and why he decided to start the charity and reflects on his experiences of pitching the idea to senior chief executives while balancing the running of the organisation with the daily rigours of school life. The pair also consider how the next generation is bringing fresh perspectives to the sports industry, why younger people are more likely take risks and what the leaders of tomorrow look like.  

Sportico’s Eben Novy-Williams returns to give Eoin Connolly an American perspective on the latest sports business developments.  They discuss what Todd Boehly’s US track record – especially his ownership of MLB’s LA Dodgers – suggests about his future as owner of Premier League club Chelsea. Elsewhere in soccer, they look at Uefa’s Champions League reforms and EA Sports’ split from Fifa after three hugely successful decades.  Across the Atlantic, there’s a review of Formula One’s glitzy Miami Grand Prix debut, the WNBA’s prospects are sized up as its season starts, and there’s an update on the sale of the NFL’s Denver Broncos.

As SportsPro says goodbye to its print magazine after 117 issues, Eoin Connolly is joined by three other former editors – SportsPro editorial director Michael Long and Leaders’ James Emmett and David Cushnan – for a very special podcast. They reflect on how the magazine came to reflect and adapt to a changing sports industry across its 14-year lifespan, finding new ways to tell stories and meet the needs of its community of readers. They also share some favourite features and moments, personal memories of how each edition was brought to life, and thoughts on the appeal of print publications.

Eoin Connolly reviews another week of industry news with SportsPro digital editor Tom Bassam and senior staff writer Ed Dixon.  Tom unpacks more developments in the Chelsea ownership saga, with Todd Boehly’s consortium in place as the preferred bidder despite late interest from Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Then Ed reflects on a historic night in New York, where Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano became the first female boxers to sell out Madison Square Garden.  Finally, GreenPark Sports chief strategy officer Tony Grillo lays out a vision for a mobile fan metaverse for leagues like the NBA and La Liga.