Sports Management Podcast

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  #260 Why Kids Are Quitting Sports (And How We Fix It) | Evan Dabby 20.07.2026 32dk

  Welcome to episode 260 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Evan Dabby, CEO of New Jersey Youth Soccer, one of the largest youth soccer organizations in the United States. With over 120,000 players, Evan shares how youth soccer is evolving, why player development should come before winning, and how the FIFA World Cup is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game across America. In this episode, we spoke about: How the FIFA World Cup is inspiring the next generation Why player development should come before winning The challenges of youth sports, parents and coaching Growing participation while making soccer more accessible Episode Time Stamps 00:00 Welcome Evan Dabby 00:29 The World Cup Impact in New Jersey 03:20 Growing 120,000 Youth Players 05:50 Technology & Participation 08:20 Player-Centered Development 10:09 Advice from Tab Ramos 11:08 Parents on the Sidelines 15:12 Girls' Soccer Growth 18:52 Should Kids Specialize? 20:41 Coaching Better Players 21:35 Evan's Career Journey 23:23 The Power of Networking 26:45 Advice for Students 30:19 The Future of Youth Soccer   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #259 How Senda Helped Vózinha Become a World Cup Sensation 13.07.2026 24dk

  Welcome to episode 259of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Santiago Halty, Founder and CEO of Senda Athletics, one of the world's leading Fair Trade-certified football brands. From launching ethically manufactured footballs to seeing Senda products on football's biggest stage, Santiago shares the remarkable journey of building a purpose-driven sports brand while competing against industry giants. In this episode, we spoke about: Building a Fair Trade football brand from scratch Competing against Nike and adidas through niche innovation How Senda reached the FIFA World Cup Why purpose and performance can coexist in sports business The Vózinha story Time Stamps 00:00 Welcome Santiago Halty 00:19 The Vision Behind Senda 01:45 Why Fair Trade Matters 02:27 Competing Against Nike & adidas 03:42 Winning Through Futsal 04:45 Building a FIFA-Quality Ball 06:14 World Cup Success Story 08:02 Becoming the Official Match Ball 09:39 The Innovation Behind Senda Boots 12:21 The Story of Vózinha 18:14 Raising Investment for Growth 19:42 The Future of Senda 21:07 Becoming a Top 10 Football Brand 22:11 Messi's Last World Cup? 23:26 What's Next for Senda?   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #258 How Horse Racing Can Win 200 Million New Fans | Sam Houlding 06.07.2026 30dk

  Welcome to episode 258of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Sam Houlding, Managing Director of B2B at Spotlight Sports Group. Sam has spent more than 16 years helping transform one of the world's leading sports media businesses while working at the intersection of sports media, technology, data, fan engagement and betting. In this episode, he explains why horse racing doesn't have an audience problem - it has an accessibility problem and how the sport can unlock millions of new fans. In this episode, we spoke about: Why horse racing has a potential audience of 200 million new fans How Formula One's growth offers lessons for every sport Why sports should prioritize fans before betting The importance of storytelling, data and digital experiences Time Stamps 00:00 Welcome Sam Houlding 00:15 Spotlight Sports Group Explained 01:55 The 200 Million Fan Opportunity 05:00 Why Racing Struggles to Grow 07:01 Accessibility Beats Awareness 10:24 Formula One's Winning Playbook 12:04 Betting vs Growing the Sport 14:03 Turning Data Into Fan Experiences 17:08 The Five Growth Priorities 19:07 Why Digital Comes First 21:21 The Future of Horse Racing 22:39 Sam's Career Journey 24:15 Lessons From Career Setbacks 26:06 Advice for Young Sports Professionals 27:36 Networking That Actually Works SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #257 How Great Footballers Are Really Developed | Arturo Hoyos 29.06.2026 33dk

  Welcome to episode 257 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Arturo Hoyos, coach at Surf Soccer Club and founder of Elite IQ Football, where he specializes in developing elite youth football players through long-term athlete development and coach education. In this episode we discuss why development should always come before winning, how parents influence player success, what separates elite players from everyone else, and why mentality often matters more than talent. In this episode, we spoke about: • Why player development should always come before winning • The role parents play in youth football success • How elite football environments develop future professionals • Why mentality beats talent over the long term   Timestamps 00:00 Welcome Arturo Hoyos 00:22 Inside Surf Soccer Club 01:14 Building Character Through Football 02:42 Managing Ambitious Parents 05:15 Development Before Winning 07:02 When Winning Starts to Matter 08:49 College & National Team Pathways 10:22 Following Players for Years 11:20 Private Coaching for Young Players 13:00 Can You Spot Future Stars? 16:18 The Growth of Football in America 20:25 Becoming a Licensed Coach 26:04 From Corporate Life to Football Coach 29:37 The Future of Coaching 31:11 Advice for Future Coaches SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #256 From Olympic Swimmer to Entrepreneur: Building a Sports Tourism Business | Ioannis Drymonakos 22.06.2026 38dk

  Welcome to episode 256 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Ioannis Drymonakos, former Olympic swimmer, European record holder, World Championship finalist, and founder of Swimming Cruise. Ioannis represented Greece at three Olympic Games, competed against legends like Michael Phelps, and became one of Greece's most successful swimmers before transitioning into entrepreneurship through sports tourism and wellness experiences in Greece. In this episode, we spoke about: • Competing at three Olympic Games and against Michael Phelps • The sacrifices and realities of elite swimming • Life after professional sport and becoming an entrepreneur • Building Swimming Cruise and the future of sports tourism TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:24 Discovering Swimming 02:17 The Road to the Olympics 04:19 Learning from Legends 06:12 The Hardest Part of Elite Sport 08:29 First Olympic Memories 10:32 Breaking a European Record 14:06 Career Highlight: World Championship Final 15:33 Dealing with Setbacks 17:07 Building Swimming Cruise 19:33 Why Poros Is Perfect 24:19 Lessons from Survivor 27:18 Open Water vs Pool Swimming 30:56 Coaching Amateur Swimmers 32:10 Growing a Sports Tourism Business Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #255 The Winning Mindset: Leadership, Resilience & Mental Performance | Sherry Levin 15.06.2026 46dk

  Welcome to episode 255 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Sherry Levin, leadership expert, speaker, author of Pregame: A Winning Mindset, former basketball coach, ESPN analyst, and resilience advocate. Over decades in sports, coaching, broadcasting, and leadership development, Sherry has helped athletes and professionals unlock the power of mindset, confidence, resilience, and personal growth. In this episode, we spoke about: • Why mindset may account for 70-80% of performance • Building resilience through failure and adversity • Leadership lessons from decades of coaching elite athletes • Practical tools for confidence, gratitude, and mental toughness TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 01:07 Why Sports Teach Life Skills 06:05 Becoming a Coach 08:37 Why Mindset Matters 10:10 Training Your Mindset 12:18 The Power of Gratitude 13:50 Mental Resets & Self-Talk 15:54 Building Confidence Through Positivity 17:39 Leadership Evolution 20:20 Demanding Without Demeaning 22:54 Resilience Through Failure 26:29 Writing Pregame: A Winning Mindset 32:16 Social Media & Mental Strength 35:12 Overcoming Cancer 40:41 Advice for Future Sports Leaders 44:11 Guest Recommendation & Closing SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #254 The Business of Volleyball: 800 Million Fans and Massive Growth Potential 08.06.2026 32dk

  Welcome to episode 254 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Ugo Valensi, CEO of Volleyball World. Ugo has held leadership roles across sports, media, and commercial strategy, including senior positions in tennis, football, and global sports marketing. In this episode, he shares how Volleyball World is transforming one of the world's largest participation sports into a global commercial powerhouse. In this episode, we spoke about: • How Volleyball World is commercializing a sport with 800 million fans • The role of CVC Capital Partners in accelerating growth • Building athlete brands and fan engagement in volleyball • Future trends in sports media, OTT platforms, and content consumption TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Volleyball World 00:15 What Volleyball World Actually Does 01:24 Commercializing an 800 Million Fan Sport 03:26 Lessons from Tennis & Football 05:05 Athlete Storytelling & Docuseries 06:12 Indoor vs Beach Volleyball 08:09 Reinventing Beach Volleyball 08:23 Road to Los Angeles 2028 09:42 Volleyball's Biggest Growth Markets 11:38 Planning Events Years Ahead 13:05 Vision for the Next Five Years 14:33 The Future of Sports Consumption 16:25 Creating One Global Fan Narrative 17:20 Ugo's Career Journey 24:10 Networking & Career Advice 28:28 The Role of Private Equity in Sports   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #253 Leading Football Through Controversy: FIFA, Equality & The Future of the Game | Lise Klaveness 01.06.2026 40dk

  Welcome to episode 253 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation. In 2022, she became the first woman to lead the federation in its 120-year history and has since become one of the most influential voices in global football governance, equality and leadership. In this episode, we spoke about: Leading Norwegian football through major global controversies FIFA governance, World Cup hosting and human rights Building equality in football on and off the pitch Leadership, networking and career advice for future sports professionals Timestamps 00:00 First Female President 00:14 Why She Said No 02:17 The FIFA Speech 05:11 Principles vs Politics 07:47 World Cup Governance 10:59 Football & Human Rights 15:39 Should Sport Be Political? 16:48 World Cup Life Behind The Scenes 19:35 From Player To President 24:24 Becoming Technical Director 25:40 Breaking Glass Ceilings 29:18 Equality In Football 34:16 Advice For Future Leaders 35:37 The Value Of Hard Work 38:01 Khalida Popal's Incredible Story   Lise Klaveness shares her remarkable journey from professional footballer and lawyer to becoming the first female President of the Norwegian Football Federation. The conversation explores FIFA governance, World Cup hosting, human rights, equality in football, leadership under pressure, and the responsibilities of sports organizations in modern society. Whether you work in sports business, football administration, coaching, governance or leadership, this episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of global football.
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  #252 Why Padel Clubs Succeed (And Why Others Fail) | CEO Patricio Misitrano 25.05.2026 32dk

  Welcome to episode 252 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Patricio Misitrano, CEO of Racket Social Club and a key figure behind Racket360, one of the most ambitious ecosystems in the rapidly growing racket sports industry. From club operations and events to e-commerce and league management, Patricio has spent decades helping grow racket sports across the United States. In this episode, we spoke about: The growth and future of padel in the United States Why community is the secret to successful clubs Building careers in the racket sports industry Networking, hiring and leadership lessons from sport Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to the Show 00:20 Inside the Racket360 Ecosystem 02:34 The State of Padel in America 04:10 Tracking Padel's Rapid Growth 06:15 Why Courts Alone Don't Work 07:00 Key Trends Shaping Padel 07:58 The Rise of Indoor Facilities 09:26 Community Is Everything 11:16 Building a Successful Club 15:48 Can the USA Become a Padel Powerhouse? 20:06 Growing Up with Padel in Argentina 22:00 From Coach to CEO 23:41 What Great Employers Look For 24:44 Careers Beyond Coaching 28:34 Networking That Opens Doors 30:46 The Ultimate Networking Expert Patricio Misitrano shares practical lessons on leadership, club operations, community building, hiring, networking and the future of padel in the United States. Whether you're a sports executive, coach, entrepreneur, student or racket sports enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing sectors in the sports industry.
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  #251 The "Expedia for Racket Sports": How Courts App Is Transforming Tennis, Padel & Pickleball | Daren Hornig 18.05.2026 37dk

  Welcome to episode 251 of Sports Management Podcast. In today's episode, we are joined by Daren Hornig, CEO of Courts App — a marketplace often described as the "Expedia for racket sports," helping players find and book courts anytime, anywhere. In this episode, we spoke about: Building a two-sided marketplace for racket sports How AI is transforming sports facility access The explosive growth of pickleball and padel Why most sports careers aren't what people expect Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Courts App 00:19 What Is the "Expedia for Racket Sports"? 01:12 The Problem: Unused Courts 02:17 Why Technology Was Missing in Racket Sports 03:36 AI Integration & ChatGPT Booking 04:24 AI Concierge "Hey Courtney" 05:19 Tech Background & Startup Lessons 06:56 Why He Entered Racket Sports 07:48 Marketplace Model Explained 08:31 Growth of Padel & Pickleball 09:17 Transition from Real Estate to Tech 10:53 Building the Right Startup Team 11:45 Challenges in a Fragmented Industry 14:58 AI, Free Time & Sports Growth 16:29 Dynamic Pricing & Increasing Participation 27:58 Why Working in Sports Isn't What You Think SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #250 What Kobe Bryant Taught About Discipline, Consistency & Elite Performance | Alan Stein Jr. 11.05.2026 41dk

  Welcome to episode 250 of Sports Management Podcast. In today's episode, we are joined by Alan Stein Jr., who has spent over 15 years working with elite NBA athletes and is now a world-renowned keynote speaker and author. In this conversation, we dive deep into what truly separates elite performers from the rest and how those lessons apply far beyond sports. In this episode, we spoke about: The habits and mindset of elite performers Why discipline beats motivation every time How to perform under pressure How to apply sports lessons to business and leadership Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Episode 250 Milestone 00:39 What Elite Athletes Teach About Performance 01:20 Mastering the Basics 02:03 Confidence vs Humility 03:18 Process Over Outcome 03:46 What Separates the Top 1% 04:34 Consistency as a Superpower 05:20 Discipline vs Feelings 06:09 Why Motivation Is Overrated 08:26 Performing Under Pressure 09:05 Pressure Is Self-Imposed 10:58 Visualization & Self-Talk 13:41 Being Okay With Losing 16:27 Sports Lessons Applied to Business 27:34 The "Next Play" Mindset SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #249 Why Gen Z Is Struggling & How to Win in Sports Business | Scott Doyne 04.05.2026 34dk

  Welcome to episode 249 of Sports Management Podcast. In today's episode, we are joined by Scott Doyne, former Turner Sports executive, career coach, and author of Navigating the Quarter-Life Career Crisis. With decades of experience in sports media, tech, and leadership, Scott shares powerful insights on how young professionals can navigate today's complex job market and build meaningful careers. In this episode, we spoke about: The real challenges Gen Z faces entering the workforce How networking should actually be done The importance of mentorship and mental wellbeing How AI is shaping the future of careers Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Introduction 00:38 Why Scott Wrote the Book 01:47 Are Gen Z Misunderstood? 02:57 Why It's So Hard to Get a Job Today 03:45 Social Media & Career Pressure 04:54 Global Stress & Uncertainty 05:26 What Young Professionals Need Most 06:08 Why Networking Feels So Hard 07:29 How to Actually Start Networking 09:06 The Power of Mentorship 12:44 Why Sports Is Harder Than Other Industries 14:13 Managing Stress & Career Anxiety 17:22 Writing a Book: Behind the Scenes 21:22 Breaking Into Sports Media 23:49 Learning From Failure 30:46 AI & The Future of Careers SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com  
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  #248 Inside the Life of an NBA Agent | Kevin Bradbury on Contracts, NIL & Player Management 27.04.2026 40dk

  Welcome to episode 248 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Kevin Bradbury, veteran NBA agent and Head of Basketball at Lyft Sports Management, with over two decades of experience and more than a billion dollars in contracts negotiated. In this episode, we spoke about: What it really means to be an NBA agent beyond contract negotiations How NIL has changed the landscape of athlete representation The importance of trust and relationships in building successful careers How agents support players both on and off the court Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome & Role Overview 00:17 Life as an NBA Agent 01:25 NIL & Industry Evolution 02:38 What Agents Actually Do 04:08 Importance of Trust 05:45 Contract Negotiation Insights 08:27 Relationships in the NBA 08:57 Misconceptions About Agents 10:03 How Player Value Is Determined 12:11 Supporting Players Off the Court 13:48 Working with International Players 15:15 Global Talent & Recruitment 16:49 NIL & Player Branding 19:20 Power Shift in College Sports 33:00 Advice for Aspiring Agents SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #247 The Secret to Building Successful Grassroots Sports Clubs | Geoff Wilson 20.04.2026 41dk

  Welcome to episode 247 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Geoff Wilson, sports consultant, former Irish FA executive, and author of the new book Leading a Grassroots Sports Club. In this episode, we spoke about: Why grassroots sport is the foundation of the entire sports ecosystem The biggest mistakes clubs make when building their structure How to create a strong culture and environment for young athletes Practical strategies for funding, growth and long-term sustainability Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Back & Background 01:06 Journey Across 104 Countries 02:51 Learning from Global Sports Cultures 05:03 Why Some Countries Excel 06:17 Why Geoff Wrote the Book 08:12 Biggest Grassroots Mistakes 10:03 Importance of Coaching 11:14 Parent Coaches & Development 13:29 Building Club Culture 16:03 Creating Long-Term Culture 17:51 Why Grassroots Matters 21:05 Funding & Revenue Strategies 25:07 Community & Fan Engagement 30:37 Writing the Book Process 38:41 Advice for Young Professionals SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #246 The Business of Padel: Building an Ecosystem from Scratch | Emiliano Abramzon 13.04.2026 28dk

  Welcome to episode 246 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Emiliano Abramzon, founder and CEO of Racket360, a company building a full ecosystem around racket sports in the US - including clubs, leagues, events, and e-commerce platforms. In this episode, we spoke about: Building a sports ecosystem from scratch in a new market Why padel is growing rapidly in the US The challenges of infrastructure, real estate and scaling sports facilities Entrepreneurship, fundraising and lessons from building multiple companies Timestamps: 00:00 Building Racket360 Explained 00:20 The Four Companies Strategy 01:28 Racket X Growth Story 02:19 E-Commerce Scaling Fast 03:27 Why Everything Is Growing 04:49 Funding & Capital Strategy 05:58 Why Padel Is Growing Fast 07:23 Challenges of Building a New Sport 08:22 Why Padel Is Addictive 10:05 Competition from Other Sports 11:36 Infrastructure Challenges 13:40 Building an Ecosystem Strategy 14:46 Future of Padel in the US 16:39 Career Journey & Background 25:04 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #245 Building Women's Sport from Scratch: How Netball Is Creating the Future of Fandom | Claire Nelson 06.04.2026 46dk

  Welcome to episode 245 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Claire Nelson, Managing Director of the Netball Super League. Claire is leading one of the most ambitious transformations in women's sport - building a fully professional league, growing fandom, and redefining what a modern sports product looks like. In this episode, we spoke about: Building a women's sport league without a men's structure Turning participation into fandom Commercial partnerships and growing revenue Leadership, resilience, and driving change in sport Timestamps: 00:00 What Is the Netball Super League 00:16 Building Women's Sport Without a Men's Model 01:53 Turning Participation into Fandom 03:29 The Relaunch Strategy 06:19 Transforming the League Structure 07:44 New Clubs & Innovation 08:32 Creating a Fan Experience 10:52 Competing for Attention (Not Just Sports) 12:25 Digital Storytelling Strategy 13:22 Broadcast Strategy Explained 14:44 Commercial Partnerships Strategy 16:20 Aligning Brands with Purpose 18:42 Leadership Style & Vision 21:45 Biggest Challenges Behind the Scenes 26:54 Vision for the Next 5–10 Years Photo: Ben Lumley. SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #244 How Elite Athletes Train Their Minds | Bryn Drescher 30.03.2026 57dk

  Welcome to episode 244 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Bryn Drescher, a mental performance coach, speaker, and host of the Mental Advantage Podcast. Bryn works with elite athletes across multiple sports, helping them master the mental side of performance, handle pressure on game day, and build identities that extend beyond sport. In this episode, we spoke about: How athletes can perform under pressure on game day Building a strong identity beyond sport The role of visualization and routines in performance Mental performance coaching for individuals vs teams And more!  Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 1:12 Why Competition Is Mental 2:18 Handling Life Outside Sport 4:30 Working Across Different Sports 6:39 Learning New Sports as a Coach  10:09 Mastering the Inner Game 12:11 Flow State Explained 13:38 Game Day Preparation 15:42 Pre-Game Routines 17:05 Visualization Techniques 18:22 Individual vs Team Coaching 23:13 Trust and Mental Coaching 26:20 Burnout in Athletes 34:29 Identity Beyond Sport 48:53 Measuring Mental Performance Results SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #243 The Future of Sports Investing: How Fans Can Own a Piece of the Game | Parker Graham 26.03.2026 40dk

  Welcome to episode 243 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Parker Graham, founder and CEO of Vestible, a platform aiming to open up sports investing to everyone - not just private equity and billionaires. From investing in athletes to unlocking opportunities in clubs and college sports, Parker is building what could become the "stock market of sports." In this episode, we spoke about: The rise of sports as an investment asset class How fans can invest in teams and athletes The impact of NIL on college sports economics Why the future of sports ownership is changing Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:14 What is Vestible? 01:10 Investing in Athletes Explained 02:38 The Shift to College Sports 03:10 Why Fans Want to Invest 03:49 The Gap in Sports Investing 04:41 NIL Changed Everything 05:54 The Financial Pressure on Colleges 07:13 College vs Pro Debate 09:00 Why Athletes Should Get Paid 09:23 The Vision: Stock Market for Sports 10:30 US vs Europe Strategy 11:02 Key Challenges in Each Market 12:37 First Deals & Expansion Plans 14:23 Beyond Football: Future Sports 15:13 World Cup Opportunity 16:47 Gambling vs Investing Mindset 19:40 Parker's Career Journey 21:56 How AI Is Changing Startups 24:51 Advice: Be Undeniable 28:23 Overperformance vs Entitlement 34:51 Startup Struggles & Near Failure 37:33 The Vision for Vestible 39:00 Outro SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #242 How Padel Exploded in Pakistan: Building a 500-Court Sports Empire in 2 Years | Talal Shah 23.03.2026 26dk

  Welcome to episode 242 of Sports Management Podcast. Today we dive into one of the fastest-growing sports stories in the world — how padel went from unknown to obsession in Pakistan in just a few years. Talal Shah, Co-Founder & CEO of Total Sports and Legends Arena, shares how he scaled from one facility to a nationwide movement transforming sports participation. In this episode, we spoke about: Building a sports facility empire from scratch Why padel exploded faster than cricket in Pakistan The business model behind pay-as-you-play sports Scaling from 1 to 11 venues in under 3 years Timestamps: 00:01 The vision behind Legends Arena 00:22 From construction to sports empire 01:34 Choosing which sports to build 02:43 Why padel changed everything 03:26 Courts booked 24 hours a day 05:21 Early operational mistakes 06:51 Pivoting from cricket to padel 08:09 Why padel beats cricket logistically 10:19 Making padel affordable for the masses 10:41 Sponsorship boom and brand demand 12:26 Hosting international tournaments 14:20 The coaching gap challenge 16:15 Scaling to 11 venues 17:34 Building a full sports ecosystem 24:35 Advice for future sports entrepreneurs SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today. Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com
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  #241 The $2.3 Trillion Question: Can Purpose Save the Future of Sport? | Andrew Wisniewski 19.03.2026 35dk

  Welcome to episode 241 of Sports Management Podcast. Today's guest is Andrew Wisniewski, Partner and Head of Activation at 17 Sport, the world's purpose-first sports marketing agency. We explore how purpose is moving beyond CSR and becoming a commercial necessity in sport. In this episode, we spoke about: Why purpose is now a commercial risk factor in sport The untapped $5B Paralympic market How Adidas and Nike approach impact differently The future of women's sport and LA28 legacy Time Stamps: 00:00 Intro 00:04 What "Purpose-First" Really Means 01:40 Athlete Representation & Investment in Sport 03:00 Avoiding Greenwashing & Sportswashing 04:31 The $5B Paralympic Opportunity 07:09 LA28 & Olympic Legacy Strategy 08:21 The $2.3T Sports Economy Risk 10:11 Why Reach Metrics Are Losing Power 12:35 Brand Trust & the Patagonia Effect 14:25 Designing Systemic Change in Sport 18:54 The Rapid Rise of Women's Sport 21:20 The Future of Purpose-Led Partnerships 24:00 AI & Technology in Sport 26:23 Andrew's Career Journey 31:45 US vs Europe Sports Marketing Differences 34:00 Outro SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.   Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media Instagram Twitter LinkedIn YouTube www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com