Keeping Score

With Tom Brady and Michael Strahan as partners, Gotham Chopra’s Religion of Sports studio aims to tell powerful stories that skip the stats and focus instead on the connection between people and the games they play and watch. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Marketing executive Alissa Pemberton is a self-described sports outsider, but that hasn’t stopped her from helping orchestrate an innovative IndyCar sponsorship deal to bring her firm into the world of sports and digital marketing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s easy to get your fans to show up when LeBron James is on the court – less so when he’s not. Cleveland Cavaliers CEO Len Komoroski sat down with Rick Horrow this week to discuss his more than 30 years of experience leading pro franchise through the ups and downs, explaining why fan experience is more important than ever. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this bonus episode of Keeping Score, reporter Hilary Russ uncovers the looming feud in the business of sports gambling and the major players getting in on this burgeoning industry. Plus, a look at why some casinos may be reluctant to get in on the action. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Larry Lucchino led the San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles and, finally, the Boston Red Sox as president and CEO. But while he can boast four World Series Championship titles to his name as an executive, the baseball legend tells sports business expert Rick Horrow that building franchises “worthy” of their fans and creating a “community asset” out of stadiums and teams were equally important goals throughout his career. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For Joe Maddon, managing the Chicago Cubs means acting like a CEO. The long-time baseball veteran talks about his leadership style and why advocating for his players is a top priority. Plus, sports business expert Rick Horrow offers his take on MLB playoff ratings and the future of baseball. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this bonus episode of Keeping Score, the executives who drove the Atlanta Braves’ blockbuster $672 million public-private stadium deal talk about the ‘mini city’ they built next to the ballpark and how it’s become a business model for pro sports organizations around the world. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Former middleweight champion Andre Ward discusses the difficulty boxers have transitioning from the fight game to the world of business and entertainment. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A pro for 18 years, golfer Angela Stanford understands the pressure of the game better than most. She’s golfed her way to six LPGA tour wins, including her first major title this week, and honed her business acumen for a life beyond the links. Plus, sport business expert Rick Horrow explains how changes to the PGA tour could impact pros and fans alike. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Beyond controversy and CTE, National Football League team executives must navigate a treacherous set of new market conditions. Indianapolis Colts’ COO Pete Ward talked about some of the challenges and what the league must do to stay on top. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Alabama coach talks about growing up in West Virginia and how playing football prepared him for life. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Arizona senator had strong feeling on sports, and in a 2016 conversation expounded on the NFL’s ill-fated ‘pay for patriotism’ black eye and why he wouldn’t want ‘a single dime of taxpayer dollars’ spent on subsidizing sports venues. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Milwaukee Bucks boss Peter Feigin talks about what opening a new arena means in an industry where a franchises increasingly depend on both their physical and virtual assets. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ryan Vaughn, the President of the Indiana Sports Corp., explains how the city plotted a commitment to sports in the 1970s and why it’s still paying off today. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rising volleyball star Sara Hughes still has her grandmother doing her taxes but that hasn’t stopped brands such as Nike from wanting a piece of her – both on the beach and on Instagram, ahead of the 2020 Olympics.   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With 40 million fans a year, Minor League Baseball offers a big upside for sponsors. Maury Gallagher, founder and CEO of Allegiant Airlines, talks with sports business expert Rick Horrow about why he’s inked a marquee sponsorship with the minors. Plus, a look at the runaway ad money behind the MLB All-Star Game. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Facing renewed controversy over player protests, the NFL is working to maintain its position as one of America’s most popular pastimes. This week sports business expert Rick Horrow sits down with Roman Oben, the NFL’s VP in charge of youth and high school football development, to discuss how the league is bringing in a new generation of players. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kent Heyman, CEO of digital content solutions company ISM Connect explains how minor league baseball is harnessing the power of technology to create a sprawling business with a nationwide footprint. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The CEO of the famous baseball family’s foundation explains why finding kindred spirits and strong local partners are at the core of its efforts to help America’s kids. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Legal sports betting could soon come to a state near you after last month’s Supreme Court ruling opened the doors to states that want to regulate and tax the activity. But there are a lot of unanswered questions about where and how legal sports wagering will roll out, and how much money the states – and bookmakers like William Hill – stand to receive from it. Digital editor Amy Tennery talks with reporter Hilary Russ, who was in New Jersey’s Monmouth Park Racetrack to cover the excitement over the state’s first legal sports bets. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.