The Rundown: The Ultimate Podcast for Sports Event Presentation
Don Costante
Since 1994, Don Costante has produced more than 3,000 live events for premier sports organizations, including MLB, NBA, WNBA, AHL, NAIA, EPL, and NCAA. With over 30 years of industry leadership, he is a nationally recognized expert and the author of Beyond the Scoreboard: The Ultimate Guide to Sports Event Presentation (SBJ Publishing). Renowned for his meticulous execution and strategic insight, Don consistently delivers best-in-class experiences that elevate every facet of the live event environment.
The Rundown Podcast is your go-to source for sports event presentation, featuring behind-the-scenes insights from top professionals across the sports and entertainment industry. Each episode explores the strategies and creative tactics that drive unforgettable live experiences.
The Rundown Podcast is your go-to source for sports event presentation, featuring behind-the-scenes insights from top professionals across the sports and entertainment industry. Each episode explores the strategies and creative tactics that drive unforgettable live experiences.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 2, 2026 • 41min
Inside NHL Game Presentation: Elevating League Events
John Bochiaro, Group VP of Game Presentation and Entertainment for the NHL with 20+ years elevating marquee hockey events. He discusses designing Winter Classic, Stadium Series, and All-Star Weekend. Short takes cover balancing league branding with club storytelling, measuring event success, tech pilots like AR and ice projection, and practical priorities for clubs on tight budgets.
6 snips
Feb 2, 2026 • 55min
The Decisions That Define Events
Frank Supovitz, a 35+ year live sports and events leader who worked Super Bowls, the NFL Draft and Stanley Cup Finals and founded Fast Traffic Events. He talks about the unseen decisions that shape events. Topics include defining a single primary objective, tradition versus habit, integrating sponsors into storytelling, coordinating with broadcasters, crisis prep and the ‘air traffic controller’ role that keeps everything on track.
Dec 8, 2025 • 53min
Behind the Gameday Experience at Auburn University
In this episode, Don sits down with Paris Buchanan, Senior Associate AD for Fan Experience and Creative Strategy at Auburn University, to take listeners behind the Tigers gameday experience. Paris shares his career journey, the philosophy guiding Auburn's approach to event presentation, and how he structures and leads teams to deliver seamless, high-impact fan experiences. He also discusses the planning process, creative strategy, and evolving technologies shaping gameday in college athletics, and offers valuable advice for the next generation of sports professionals.
10 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 48min
Building Momentum: 5 Strategies for Transitioning into a New Role
Darius Smith, Senior Director of Game Presentation and Entertainment for the Washington Commanders and former Vikings creative lead, shares five strategies for transitioning into a new role. He talks about flipping biases into motivation. He explains how to quickly evaluate infrastructure and earn trust through relationships. He outlines short, medium, and long goals and highlights creative early wins to build momentum.
12 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 43min
Behind the Scenes: 5 Lessons from Producing League Championships
Joe Lagaz, Director of Game Operations and Live Experience for Seattle Sounders FC with 27 years in sports, shares behind-the-scenes championship production lessons. He explains league control vs. club traditions. He covers heightened scrutiny and the tiny details that matter. He stresses communication across teams and broadcast, TV-driven timing, and keeping professionalism after the final whistle.
Sep 2, 2025 • 31min
Beyond the Scoreboard: The Story Behind the Book
In this special episode of The Rundown, the table is turned as host Don Costante takes the hot seat to share the story behind his new book, Beyond the Scoreboard: The Ultimate Guide to Sports Event Presentation. Hear how three decades of experience turned into Sports Business Journal Publishing's first book, and why it's a game-changer in the sports industry.
Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 23min
Set the Tone: The Impact of Team Introductions
Jason Lodato, Senior Director of Game Presentation at BSE Global with 15+ years in NBA and MLS, leads live fan experiences for the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty. He dives into the craft of team introductions, keeping intros fresh with year-round planning, collaborating across departments, and blending local culture, music, and tech to ignite the crowd and set the game’s tone.
Nov 5, 2021 • 47min
Interview with Sharon delPilar
In this episode, Don interviews Sharon delPilar who shares her path to becoming the Production Stage Manager for Magic Mike Live. Listen as Sharon illustrates the differences between stage management and production stage management and provides a behind-the-scenes look at what she does for the show. Also, she identifies the skillset required to be successful in this field, outlines her self-development strategy, offers some resources for anyone looking to become more marketable, and much more!
Aug 17, 2021 • 1h 38min
Interview with Chad Folkestad
In this episode, Don has a conversation with Chad Folkestad who shares his career path, event presentation philosophy, and talks candidly about storytelling and the creative process he utilizes to generate award-winning content. Listen as Chad illustrates his methods for creating an organic environment that relies heavily on spontaneity. They touch on a variety of topics including… keys to great storytelling, getting players to "buy in" to projects, tactics for generating content ideas, facilitating meaningful ideation sessions, getting ideas approved through leadership, and much more!
Jul 14, 2021 • 1h 11min
Interview with Andrew Johnson
In this episode, Don interviews Andrew Johnson who shares his path to becoming the mascot performer for the Houston Texans. Listen as Andrew breaks down the three areas every great mascot should focus on. Also, he provides advice to those who manage mascots, identifies the ideal skillset for performers, points out some of the biggest mistakes made by mascots today and much more! If you're a mascot, someone who oversees a mascot program, or you enjoy a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the sports industry… you're going to love this discussion!
