How Leaders Lead with David Novak

#252: David Levy, Co-CEO of Horizon Sports + Experiences – True vision takes guts

Aug 14, 2025
David Levy, Co-CEO of Horizon Sports & Experiences and former president of Turner Networks, shares his insights on bold leadership and innovation in sports. He discusses the impactful March Madness broadcasting deal that transformed fan experiences and highlights the emergence of new ventures like The Pickleball Slam. Levy emphasizes the importance of diverse opinions, trusting instincts, and addressing challenges in media. He also reflects on lessons learned from Ted Turner, showcasing how calculated risks can unlock growth opportunities, especially in women's sports.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Why The Co-CEO Structure Worked

  • David recounts teaming with Bill Konigsberg and Chris Weil to spin out a new sports agency.
  • They split roles to leverage largely non-overlapping contact networks and complementary skills.
INSIGHT

Women's Sports Are A White Space

  • Women's sports represent an inflection with strong ROI as rights rise but remain relatively affordable.
  • New sponsors from non-sports categories expand revenue and cultural reach.
ADVICE

Invest In Talent And Culture

  • Prioritize employee happiness and clear growth paths to retain talent in a scaling agency.
  • Actively integrate co-CEOs' activities to present one unified company culture.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app