Are You Not Entertained?

This week the Groundsmen welcome Corey Leff, aka "JohnWallStreet", to look at pastures new and discuss what is happening in American sport. Let's see what we can learn. From lacrosse to Pac12, and even celebrity boxing. Via twitter memes like Zach Wilson.  Brought to you by Sportsdigita.

The lads discuss whether sport PE is set up for a major fall? Watch out Nick Clarry! Plus the usual GOG nonsense around Vince McMahon, Blatter, Elon, Kyrgios, Leclerc.

Back by popular demand. The Groundsmen mailbox was inundated by requests to follow up our chat with sports industry veteran - Andrew Croker. So we asked him back. In this show we talk about the 10 Deals that shaped the sports industry and what can we learn as the world of sport continues to be rocked by disruption and new investment in many shapes and sizes.

In the second show in this brand new series, Andy Nicol & Giles Morgan explore the many and extraordinary familial ties that exist in sport and how those bonds can help forge and nurture ambition.  We also debate what pressures they can create. Is nature more important than nurture?   In this episode, we are joined by the former Wallaby legend Michael Lynagh and his son Louis -  who is fast follow...

Legendary sports promoter Barry Hearn is our latest guest to join the Groundsmen. In a career that has spanned six decades he has been one of the most influential, outspoken and successful businessmen in sport including Snooker, Darts, Golf, Angling, Pool, and Boxing. This show is NOT to be missed. Brought to you by Sportsdigita.

Goal Own Goal this week takes us from Royal Family table etiquette, Mike Owen's Love Island travails, the (very) politically incorrect Berlusconi and Monza, FIFA (in)justice, TT deaths, a wee bit on golf, and a special mention to Mr. Benn!!!

On this week’s Groundsmen Conversations - we are joined by Andrew Croker. One of the great characters of the sports industry over the past 40 years, this is a guest we have waited a long time to chat to. A joy to welcome him to our show. And well worth a listen. In association with Sportsdigita.

The AYNE Web3 and Sport series ends as it started, with the wonderful Robby Yung of Animoca. This is a deeper dive into their sports investments with OneFootball, Dapper Labs, and Move.ai. In the context of a turbulent 5 months for the sector.

The Groundsmen this week welcome Barney Francis. Difficult to argue that he hasn't been the most influential executive in sports for the last decade.  He talks Sky Sports and now IMG Media. Brought to you by Sportsdigita.

In the first show in this brand new series,  Andy Nicol & Giles Morgan explore the many and extraordinary familial ties that exist in sport - and how those bonds can help forge and nurture ambition and also what pressures do they create?  In our first episode, we are joined by the leading  Sports TV presenter Gabby Logan and her husband Kenny -one of the most capped Scotland rugby internationals.

Goal Own Goal this week discusses the battle for soul of football and golf. From Maoism to machetes.  The delicious absurdity of Wagatha Christie and getting sacked for flatulence.

The Groundsmen are joined by Oli Slipper, one of the architects of today's sports industry, as co-founder of Perform Opta, and serial entrepreneur in sports innovation. 

On the 5th episode of our Web3 series we talk DAOs with Mike Dudas of 6th Man Ventures and LinksDao. All aspects of how sport is being changed, from Wagmi, to NFTs as subscriptions and ticketing. Thanks to @antourage.

The Groundsmen this week welcome back a dear friend of AYNE; the "Accidental Footballer" Mr Pat Nevin. A very intimate discussion on ethics and values, sporting and not, among old friends. Brought to you by Sportsdigita.

The Captain makes his long awaited return to the table - welcoming Ryder Cup Director, Guy Kinnings, on board The Rive Gauche.  Guy reflects on his 30 years at the top of global golf industry - including managing some of the greatest names in the game - including Colin Montgomerie, Thomas Bjorn, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Luke Donald and Paul Casey as well as his own sporting passions. Brought to yo...

It's Hero/Villain week on Goal Own Goal. From Elon Musk, to Benzema, Deshaun Watson and back to Rory and Totti. Two sports fans having a laugh.

In the 4th episode of our Web3 series, we have the outrageous privilege of hearing England footballer Phil Jones talk about his vision for building his modern sports community in the Metaverse. Listen to a very articulate elite athlete thinking intelligently about what Web3 can offer.

The Groundsmen this week talk with sports investment banker Fausto Zanetton. As an active bidder for Chelsea, with Luca Vialli, and an advisor to many major sports deals, who better to talk sport and finance, valuations and exits.

On the 3rd episode of the Antourage Renaissance 3.0 Roger and Johan were joined by Charles Read (@ChatWithCharles), a founding partner at Rarestone Capital - a fund investing to create impact for ambitious web3 teams. With money flowing into crypto, NFTs, blockchain, and the metaverse, Charles provides his ear-to-the-ground commentary into what is on the web3 horizon.

The lads welcome venture capitalist Manoj Badale, to discuss his vision and outlook for sport and sporttech. Famously, he owns the Rajasthan Royals IPL team, so he talks from both sides of the table. How to invest in sport, what kinds of capital, governance? We discuss racism in English cricket, and the evolution of sports sponorship, in a rich rich show. The captain on top form. Brought to you by...

Grant and Roger continue the analysis of the Russian dominoes. From Chelsea to Newcastle to Qatar. What are sports assets worth in a world of hyper inflation? This along with some laughs about Aussie sledging in New York. Coz it's Goal Own Goal.

On the Groundsmen Conversations this week, we are joined by one of the most influential television executives & British businessmen - Jeremy Darroch. Jeremy was CEO of Sky TV from 2007 to 2018 culminating in Comcast's successful $31 billion takeover.  His influence in sport was immense. Premier League, Cricket, F1, Rugby Union and Darts were all huge beneficiaries of Sky investment.  A proud Newca...

Grant and Roger showcase the uniqueness of AYNE this week. World class geopolitical analysis from Grant, and the black swans now facing sport, on the one hand, to why Bielsa had to go, via asking whether Phil Mickleson is a swinger. Its Goal Own Goal.

On The Groundsmen Conversation this week we are joined by Simon Barnes - one of the world’s most respected sports-writers in the last 50 years.  We discuss the concept of why sports create myths, heroes and villains, why sports matter to mortal fans and how the sports industry - and sport - is changing.  To those that care for sport - and worry about where sport may be heading - this show will be...

On the 2nd episode of the Antourgage Renaissance 3 docuseries, Roger challenges two real experts on NFTs and tokens, @PetBerisha from Copa90, and @illsun from Rarible, on what is not working in Web3 and sport.