SportsPro Podcast

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly and Matt Slater, football news reporter at The Athletic, discuss the push to stage the Fifa World Cup every two years instead of four. They look at what is driving soccer’s global governing body to pursue such radical change, who is behind the move politically and financially, and what it says about the battle for control of time and talent. They also ask what happens next and consider where it might be possible to find common ground in the debate over soccer’s international calendar.  Then, Videoflow co-founder and chief executive Jan Umansky explains how the platform is giving greater control and new monetisation opportunities to content creators, and explores some of the implications of decentralised, direct-to-fan networks online. 

SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan talks to Dan Roan, the sports editor at BBC News. They discuss Dan’s path to one of the most visible roles in British sports media and the unpredictable nature of following developing stories. Dan also reflects on how the growth of the industry has brought sports news closer to hard news in the past two decades, how the emergence of digital media and podcasts has created a wealth of storytelling opportunities, and the implications of these changes for senior leaders in sport. 

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Ali Krieger, soccer player for the NWSL’s Orlando Pride who has been capped 108 times by the US women’s national team.  They discuss how Ali – who was seventh on SportsPro’s list of the world’s most marketable athletes in 2021 – has gone about nurturing her public and commercial profile, both individually and with wife and teammate Ashlyn Harris, and about the freedom and authentic fan connections that can come with living your true self. They also cover how life in the women’s game has changed and continues to change, and how actions like the US women’s national team’s campaign for equal pay will leave a better environment behind for those players who follow. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

SportsPro's editor at large, Eoin Connolly, and Frank Gregory, social intelligence practice lead at 50 Most Marketable analysis partner NorthStar Solutions Group take you through some of the most prominent themes in this year's list.

In this special episode of the Playbook Podcast, Two Circles co-founders Gareth Balch and Matt Rogan reflect on the first ten years of the business.  The duo share some of the lessons from building a differentiated offer right from the start, to developing a performance culture in the team, while prioritising client retention and pushing on with international growth. The episode tracks the ideas which have taken them from Rogan's kitchen table through two acquisitions into becoming one of the pre-eminent international sports marketing agencies of the digital era. 

As the Paralympic Games continue in Tokyo, SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Craig Spence, chief brand and communications officer at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and Jarrod Clyne, human rights advisor for the Human Rights Council at the International Disability Alliance. They discuss the opportunity the Paralympics creates to celebrate and support people with disabilities, and how the IPC’s positioning and that of its brand partners are changing to meet the needs of the wider movement. Craig and Jarrod also talk about how athletes are building advocacy and introduce WeThe15, a multi-organisation campaign for the 1.2 billion people with disabilities worldwide.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly talks to Jon Varney, chief executive of newly promoted Premier League soccer club Brentford FC. They reflect on Brentford’s unlikely journey to the top level of the English game – making their return after a 74-year absence – and the careful building that has gone into that process on and off the pitch. Jon also discusses the move from their much-loved old home, Griffin Park, to the new Brentford Community Stadium, adapting to different demands and financial horizons, commercial development and sustaining the team’s community.

SportsPro editor at large Eoin Connolly is joined by senior contributor Matt Rogan to discuss the first season of the Hundred, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) much-heralded new short-form competition.  They talk about what worked and what needs work across the format, presentation and delivery, what the centralised model made possible and where existing teams and structures still bring irreplaceable value. They also consider what other rights holders and organisations in sport can learn, and how new fans can be brought in with or without new tournaments. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ 

SportsPro senior contributor Matt Rogan speaks with John Dowson, chair at the English Institute of Sport to discuss the role of the board. They talk about how the bi-monthly board meeting is just the start and how the very best not only support the organisations they are a part of but challenge them in their entirety. John outlines the importance of role clarity at the highest level and how cognitive diversity is fundamental to good decision making.  The SportsPro Playbook is the place to go for agenda-free, pragmatic advice to understand how to navigate your organisation through change. Head to sportspromedia.com/playbook to catch up on our library of articles and podcasts, and learn more about how our new Playbook Labs programme can help you lead your organisation to success in 2021 and beyond.

For this special edition podcast, SportsPro digital editor, Tom Bassam, is joined by Greenfly chief executive, Daniel Kirschner, to break down the 50 Most Marketable Athletes list. Then, Zoomph's director of business strategy, Scott Lewis, is on to explain the methodology behind the rankings. Music: Surf Inspector by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4447-surf-inspector License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/