Know What Is Next

What if you could watch a live UFC fight or a Premier League match in a dome-shaped venue designed for immersive, shared experiences? Devin Poolman, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Cosm, joins the show to share how his team is reinventing live entertainment.Devin dives into the origin story of Cosm and how they use planetarium technology, 8K live capture, and Unreal Engine-powered rendering. These cinematic viewing environments blur the lines between tech, storytelling, and hospitality.Whether you're in the sports industry, media production, or tech innovation, you'll gain an inside look at how Cosm is scaling its venue model globally, offering fans a high-end, social, and hyper-localized alternative to passive viewing. From the layout of the building to the quality of the food, every detail is engineered for connection.In this episode, you’ll hear:How a cell phone video of an LED dome sparked Cosm’s immersive venue conceptWhy Cosm acquired a planetarium company first, and how that decision shaped the foundation for everything that followedWhat Devin learned from early Olympic watch parties that pushed the team to raise the bar from 4K to 8K live capture in just six monthsHow Cosm’s proprietary cameras, 8K+ workflows, and Unreal Engine-powered CX Engine are reimagining sports broadcastingWhy high-end hospitality, venue architecture, and local flavor are just as important as the tech when creating fan-first environmentsResources and Links:Connect with Devin Poolman on LinkedIn and learn more about upcoming events on Cosm’s website.Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

In a streaming-first world, how does the NBA keep fans engaged while reimagining the local broadcast model?Chris Benyarko, EVP of Direct-to-Consumer Products at the NBA, is here for a compelling conversation around the NBA’s approach to innovation (not just through flashy tech!) through a deep understanding of their global fans and evolving content consumption habits.You’ll hear about the NBA's personalized fan experiences, the complexities and opportunities of going global, and how technologies like optical tracking are changing everything from officiating to mixed-reality broadcasts. Chris also shares candid thoughts on RSN disruption, delivering localized content at scale, and the power of being both a creator and consumer of sport.In this episode, you’ll hear:The NBA’s approach to innovation and how they cultivate curiosity and embrace change across leadership, fans, and playersWhy optical tracking is the next big leap for officiating accuracy and unlocking new experiences in mixed and shared reality environmentsHow the NBA App is personalizing the fan journey with vertical highlights and immersive fantasy integrationsThe upsides and complexities of being a global league across 130 currencies and multiple languages in its DTC businessRSN disruption and how it’s positioning the NBA to deepen fan engagement through local DTC offerings within the NBA appResources and Links:Connect with Chris Benyarko on LinkedIn.Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

One of the most trusted voices in the sports industry is joining the show today to unpack the seismic shifts reshaping how games are distributed, monetized, and consumed. Doug Perlman, Founder of Sports Media Advisors and former media executive at the NHL and IMG, is bringing his decades of experience to a wide-ranging conversation on the business of sports in 2025.Doug and Dave dig into why women’s sports are finally commanding real commercial value, how college sports have become a minefield of media rights, NIL, and transfer portal chaos, and what it means now that tech giants and betting companies are major players in the rights game. They also explore the complexities AI introduces to rights deals and why younger audiences are “following” sports without actually watching full games.Whether you work on the property side, media side, or investment side, this episode is packed with hard-earned insight on the trends that matter and the decisions that will shape the next era of the industry.In this episode, you’ll hear:The current chaos in college sports: realignment, NIL, and why coaches are now recruiters and retainersRisks and rewards of AI in sports media deals, including who REALLY controls the rights to new contentWhy Gen Z's content habits are pushing properties to rethink full-game broadcasts and prioritize social-first storytellingWhy women’s sports are now commanding real commercial value (and how that shift is changing negotiations)How sports betting has increased audience engagement and transformed how properties pitch valueResources and Links:Connect with Doug Perlman on LinkedIn and check out his website, Sports Media Advisors.Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

Major League Baseball is a leader in sports technology and innovation. In this episode, Chris Marinak, Chief Operations & Strategy Officer at MLB, takes us inside the league’s evolving approach to tech.You’ll hear about their groundbreaking partnerships with Apple and Google, their use of AI, data analytics, AND streaming advancements to enhance the fan experience.Chris also shares insights on how MLB is using technology to engage younger fans, improve media distribution, and expand globally. Recent rule changes even lead to one of the most successful attendance surges in decades!In this episode, you’ll hear:How MLB is using generative AI to automate content translation for international fans and personalize the MLB app experienceThe role of partnerships with Apple, Google, and Adobe in shaping the league’s technology strategyWhy rule changes, like pitch clocks and bigger bases, are revitalizing fan interest and increasing attendanceWhy MLB invests in first-party fan data and what it means for ticketing, media rights, and the future of sports consumptionThe global growth of baseball in London, Korea, and Mexico, and why Shohei Ohtani is a worldwide phenomenonResources and Links:Connect with Chris Marinak on LinkedIn and check out the MLB website.Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League has rapidly grown into a powerhouse in women’s sports. Amy Scheer, EVP of Business Operations at the Professional Women’s Hockey League chats with Dave and shares her career journey from working with the New Jersey Nets and Madison Square Garden to leading the business side of the PWHL. She offers an insider’s look at the league's expansion plans, the business strategy behind its rapid growth, and how the team is navigating challenges as a startup.Amy also discusses the league’s impressive fan engagement, with over 500,000 fans and more than 50 corporate partners on board. She highlights the growing momentum behind women’s sports, the impact of Olympic-level talent, and how the PWHL is positioning itself as a global force.In this episode, you’ll hear:How the PWHL launched 6 teams in just eight months, breaking recordsWhy the league is strategically targeting specific cities for their expansionThe PWHL’s approach to securing 50+ top-tier partnershipsAmy’s leadership playbook for building a winning culture, including the key traits she looks for in her teamHow PWHL athletes are set to dominate the Olympic stage and boost league visibilityResources and Links:Connect with Amy Scheer on LinkedIn and check out the PHWL website.Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

NASCAR collects an astonishing amount of data, from cars racing at 200 MPH to the digital footprints of millions of fans. But how much data is TOO much to the point where you overwhelm a new fan, and how much is just enough that they get an appreciation for it?Today we’re talking to Tim Clark, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, to discuss how the brand is using data to redefine fan engagement, including his take on how AI and predictive analytics could transform race-day operations and sponsorship opportunities.Tim and Dave also discuss how NASCAR’s brand perception has evolved, including the bold decisions they took to signal a more inclusive direction for the sport. Plus, you’ll hear the surprising role that iRacing has played in developing real-world racing talent.In this episode, you’ll hear:NASCAR’s approach to first-party fan data, creating both vertical and horizontal value propositions for partnersWhy NASCAR brought its digital rights in-house and how that fostered innovation throughout the organizationHow iRacing is creating a legitimate pathway for simulator racers to become NASCAR championsThe reason NASCAR has been cautious about implementing AI technology Why NASCAR's Confederate flag ban was not just a moral stance but a strategic business decision to change brand perceptionResources and Links:Connect with Tim on LinkedIn and learn more about NASCAR on their website. We also discuss iRacing, the ultimate racing simulation.Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

What does it take to lead Team USA on the world’s biggest stage? Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is here to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of Olympic leadership — where sports, politics, and global competition collide.With her deep experience in sports business and governance, she and David discuss the high-stakes decisions behind resource allocation, how Team USA prepares for global competition, and what the future holds as the Olympics return to U.S. soil in 2028.Sarah also reveals behind-the-scenes details from the Paris Games, the challenges and opportunities of the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, and why the 2028 Olympics will be a historic moment for the country. In this episode, you’ll hear:The politics of sports, and why Sarah’s role is as much about international diplomacy as it is about athleticsHow the LA fires have impacted the planning process for the 2028 Olympics and what makes Los Angeles uniquely positioned to redefine the Olympic experienceHow Team USA decides where to allocate resources and why medal potential drives investmentWhat the success of the Paris Olympics means for the future, and how Milan-Cortina is shaping up as the next great Winter GamesHow Team USA is evolving its approach to mental health and athlete supportResources and Links:Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn and learn more about Team USA and the upcoming Olympic Games.Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

What does it take to grow golf from 26 million to 45 million players in just a few years while adapting to shifting fan expectations? Jeff Price, Chief Commercial Officer at the PGA of America, chats with David to explore the evolving role of technology, media, and partnerships in shaping the future of this 2 billion dollar industry.Jeff shares insights into the PGA’s massive Frisco, Texas campus and how it’s transforming player development, industry collaboration, and fan engagement. He also dives into the explosive growth of women’s golf, the significance of the hybrid golfer, and how AI and technology are enhancing coaching and course management. Plus, hear his take on the upcoming Ryder Cup at Bethpage and what makes it one of the most electric events in all of sports.In this episode, you’ll hear:How the PGA of America is fueling industry growth while supporting 31,000+ golf professionals.Why women’s golf is growing faster than ever since the pandemic — and what it means for the industry.How technology, AI, and data are reshaping golf coaching and fan experiences, from ball tracing to swing analytics.Hybrid golfers and how off-course play is exploding in popularity, especially in the last 10 years.What makes the 2025 Ryder Cup different, how it’s set to break records, and why the first tee shot on Friday morning is one of the most nerve-wracking moments in sports.Resources and Links:Connect with Jeff Price on LinkedIn and check out the PGA of America website. Learn more about the Ryder Cup, TGL, and the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

What does it take to revolutionize digital media in professional sports? In this episode, Next League’s David Nugent sits down with Scott Gutterman, SVP of Digital Operations at the PGA TOUR, to discuss the evolving intersection of sports, technology, and fan engagement.Scott shares fascinating insights from his tenure leading the PGA Tour’s digital transformation, including pivotal decisions AND complexities of managing real-time data for a global audience.From the early challenges of migrating to a cloud-based infrastructure to the rise of generative AI, Scott explains how the PGA TOUR continuously adapts to shifting digital landscapes while maintaining a focus on innovation, revenue growth, and fan experience. Scott and Dave go deep on decentralizing content consumption, leveraging data for sponsorships, and planning for the next wave of AI-driven personalization.In this episode, you’ll hear:The shift from centralized to decentralized sports consumption — and what it means for content creatorsWhy the PGA TOUR took full control of its digital media rights — and how this shaped their future business modelComplexities of delivering real-time sports data at scale, including managing live feeds and latencyHow sponsorships and direct sales played a key role in making the PGA TOUR’s digital operations financially viableHow AI and automation are redefining sports media and creating hyper-personalized fan experiencesResources and Links:Connect with Scott Gutterman on LinkedIn and check out the PGA Tour website.Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.

AI is the future, and it’s playing a transformative role in sports. Shripal Shah is a sports and retail industry veteran, here to share all of the latest innovations in AI in 2025, including how tools like Persado are contributing to $5 million dollars in ticket sales for half a dozen baseball teams in the MLB. Dave and Shripal discuss AI-driven content creation, how overseas teams are experimenting with AI to predict crowd noises, and specifically, how AI is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s completely reshaping fan engagement, marketing strategies, predictive analytics, and even scouting operations.Shripal also explores ethical considerations as it relates to bias in AI language models, along with a wealth of interesting stats, including what % of Fortune 500 retailers are now using AI-driven subject lines in their emails.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why AI-generated content is the next frontier in sports media (and what it means for teams and broadcasters)The challenges and ethical considerations of AI in sports, from bias in AI models to media rights concernsHow AI-powered ticketing and marketing tools are driving MILLIONS in revenue for teamsThe impact of AI on scouting and player recruitmentShripal’s take on how the retail industry is shaping AI adoption in sports businessesResources and Links:The AI tools Shripal mentions in this episode include Persado, WSC Sports, and IBM Watson.Connect with Shripal Shah, Chief Digital Officer at Next League, on LinkedIn.Learn more about Next League on our website and LinkedIn. We are leading sports organizations into the digital future.