Excel Search & Advisory x DBPodcasts

Excellent Leadership Podcast

Sports EN ↓ 44 episodes

The Excellent Leadership Podcast interviews sports and entertainment CEOs, Presidents, General Managers, Athletics Directors, Head Coaches, Elite Athletes and Performers. We explore their career journeys, experiences, and advice as leaders in the world's most exciting and competitive industry. You will gain key insights on high performance, championship cultures, team management, leadership, and transformation. The podcast is hosted by Chad Biagini, President of Excel Search & Advisory at Excel Sports Management. New Episodes release every Tuesday.

Author

Excel Search & Advisory x DBPodcasts

Episodes

Derek Schiller (President & CEO of Atlanta Braves) on Building Braves Vision in 32 Days, Strategic Risks & Building A Championship Winning Culture 07.07.2026 1:05:54

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with (President & CEO of @Braves) to discuss: Intro (:02) The Atlanta Braves being a public company & Building a mix-use development (1:14) Sustaining success & Near term and long term goal setting (8:50) Championing Innovation & Braves Vision being created in 32 days (16:23) Preparing for situation...

Ryan Ellis (CEO of @TravisMathew) on Brand Initiative, Fabrication, Evaluating Partnerships & more 30.06.2026 1:04:45

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Ryan Ellis (CEO of @TravisMathew) to discuss: Intro (:02) Leading TravisMathew & Brand Initiative (1:06) Intake variables to make changes & Fabrication (9:28) Early days of pitching to golf shops & Early clothing line creativity (14:37) How Ry...

John Needham (President of Publishing & Esports @RiotGames) on The Mission at Riot Games & more 23.06.2026 1:04:34

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with John Needham (President of Publishing & Esports @RiotGames) to discuss: Intro (:02) First 60 days in a new organization & The mission of Riot Games (1:06) Making yourself for accessible to a large team & Opening ceremonies for finals (3:52) Ga...

Josh Brooks (Athletics Director at University of Georgia) on Key Values, NIL Era Strategies, Giving 100% All The Time 02.06.2026 1:13:15

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Chris Hoppe (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Josh Brooks (Athletics Director @UniversityOfGeorgia-official) to discuss: Intro (:02) Favorite Moments & Putting Pressure on himself to win Championships (1:24) Going from Director of Football Operations to Athletics Director & How an executive...

Gene Sykes (Chair U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee) on LA28 Success, Effective CEOs & more 26.05.2026 53:23

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are at the premiere of Season 3! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with Gene Sykes (Chair U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee) to discuss: Intro (:02) Being Chair of USOPC & Ingredients of a Healthy Board (2:01) Organizations building trust on their board & Strategic governing b...

Mark Jackson (Athletics Director at Northwestern University) on Investing In All Sports, DNA of Hiring, The Science of Optimism, Mentor Mt. Rushmore 12.05.2026 1:11:31

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are at the premiere of Season 3! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Chris Hoppe (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty seventh guest, Mark Jackson (Athletics Director, Northwestern University) on to discuss: Intro (:02) The moment Mark decided to become an Athletic Director & Hiring Yes or No People (1:37) Biggest Le...

Shelly Cayette (President of Business Operations, Charlotte Hornets) on Staring with The New Orleans Hornets, 10 Years at Cleveland Cavaliers 19.08.2025 55:32

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are at the finale for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty sixth guest, Shelly Cayette (President of Business Operations, Charlotte Hornets) on to discuss: Intro (:02) Being a student athlete at Tulane University & Working in the Casino Industry (1:30) Work...

Clark Lea (Head Football Coach of Vanderbilt University) on The Week Leading Up To Beating #1 Alabama, Insisting Character & Consistency In Players 13.08.2025 54:14

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Kari Goodwin (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty fifth guest, Clark Lea (Head Coach of Vanderbilt University Football) on to discuss: Intro (:02) Favorite Half Time Speeches & Setting the rules for a college football team (:56) Playing Football at Vanderbil...

Danita Johnson (President of Business Operations - D.C. United) on Creating A Culture of Success, Finding A Sense of Purpose, A System of Process 22.07.2025 1:07:53

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Matt Rogers (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty fourth guest, Danita Johnson (President of Business Operations of D.C. United) on to discuss: Intro (:02) How deep sports love runs with her family & Being part of a military family (:51) Why she chose a caree...

JJ Gottsch (CEO of Austin Gamblers) on Valuations of PBR Teams, Western Curious Brands, The Risk of Injury To Bull Riders & more 15.07.2025 1:06:33

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Kari Goodwin (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty third guest, JJ Gottsch (CEO of Austin Gamblers) on to discuss: Intro (:02) Being raised in problem solving environments & Foundational memories that prepared him to be a leader (1:03) The realization that hi...

Dewayne Hankins (President of Business Operations, Portland TrailBlazers) on Bringing Basketball & Business Together, Community Leading in Portland 01.07.2025 54:35

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty third guest, Dewayne Hankins (President of Business Operations, Portland TrailBlazers) on to discuss: Intro (:02) How he starts every day with a workout & Habits to keeping his mind sharp (:45) Getting into...

Burke Nihill (President & CEO of Tennessee Titans⁩ ) on Leading with a Start Up Mentality, New Stadium Creation & more 24.06.2025 1:07:44

Megaphone: Burke Nihill (President & CEO of Tennessee Titans) on Leading with a Start Up Mentality, New Stadium & moreYouTube: Burke Nihill (President & CEO of Tennessee Titans on Leading This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Kari Goodwin (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirty second guest, Burk...

JT Batson (CEO & Secretary General U.S. Soccer Federation) on World Cup Coming To America in 2026, Recruiting Big Name Managers, Annual Revenue Goa 18.06.2025 1:38:37

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & JT Batson (CEO & Secretary General U.S Soccer Federation) is here with our thirty first guest, JT Batson (CEO & Secretary General U.S Soccer Federation) on to discuss:Intro (:02) The role of Secretary General & The economic model of U.S. Soccer (1:00) The first paycheck he ever e...

Mike Whan (CEO of USGA) on Strategic Pillars at USGA, Global Media Rights at LPGA, Youth Development Programs, Celebrating Your Failures 10.06.2025 1:25:59

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirtieth guest, Mike Whan (CEO of USGA) on to discuss:Intro (:02) Shooting in Arnie’s Place & Going from Toothpaste to Tee Boxes by becoming GM of Wilson Golf (:49) Working at Procter & Gamble & Bringing rescue hy...

Matt Caldwell (CEO of Florida Panthers) on Stanley Cup Championship Culture in Broward County, Becoming CEO at 36, Making Big Personnel Move 03.06.2025 1:27:52

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twenty ninth guest, Matt Caldwell (CEO of Florida Panthers) on to discuss:Intro (:02) The first thing he did after winning The Stanley Cup & Planning for a Championship Parade (1:11) Having a Championship ring & Fl...

Ian Ayre (Vice Chairman of Nashville SC) on Growing Up In Liverpool, Becoming CEO at 37, Being Sued For A Billion Dollars, Starting a MLS Team 28.05.2025 1:18:08

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twenty eighth guest, (Vice Chairman of Nashville SC) on to discuss:Intro (:02) Unofficial conversation (1:33) His first game & Growing up in Liverpool (4:14) Joining the Navy & The path to running a company in Hong...

Alan Gilpin (CEO of World Rugby) on Where Rugby Will Be in 5 Years, Attracting Younger Audiences, Crossover in Fanbases 20.05.2025 1:13:39

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twenty seventh guest, Alan Gilpin (CEO of World Rugby) on to discuss:Intro (:02) The first job he was ever paid for & building a winning team vs running a successful business (1:09) Heading up an organization with 133 nations & World Rugby in the Rugby ecosystem (4...

Robert Vilahamn (Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur Women) on What Energizes Him About Being A Coach, Where Women’s Game Will Be In 5 Years 13.05.2025 55:18

Robert Vilahamn (Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur Women) on What Energizes Him About Being A Coach, Where Women’s Game Will Be In 5 Years This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twenty sixth guest, Robert Vilahamn (Head Coach of Tottenham Hotspur Women) on to discuss: Intro (:02) How he became a coach & P...

Olivier Létang (President of LOSC) on His Vision For Lille, Scouting with Smaller Budgets, Differences in Iconic Players, Academy Growth 06.05.2025 1:10:07

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Mark Mayleben (Executive, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our twenty fifth guest, Olivier Létang (President of LOSC) on to discuss:Intro (:02) Strangest part of a player negotiation & The start of his professional caeer (1:03) Growing up being passionate for learning &...

Andy Loughnane (President & CEO Austin FC) & Brad Alberts (President & CEO Dallas Stars) LIVE From SXSW Sportico House 29.04.2025 38:26

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2 and with our First Live Episode! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twenty third & twenty fourth guests, Andy Loughnane (President & CEO Austin FC) & Brad Alberts (President & CEO Dallas Stars) LIVE From SXSW Sportico House on to discuss:Intro (:02) A moment in their careers that prepared them for to...

Tom Garfinkel (Vice Chairman & CEO Miami Dolphins & Managing Partner of The F1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix) on Bringing F1 To Miami, Hard Rock Stadium 22.04.2025 1:12:24

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our twenty second guest, Tom Garfinkel (Vice Chairman & CEO Miami Dolphins & Managing Partner of The F1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix) on to discuss: Intro (:02) How he got to where he is today & Starting out working...

Peter Hirschmann (Chairman & Co-Founder LOVB) on Building From The Community Up, Creating A League, Projecting 3 Years From Now 08.04.2025 1:29:12

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Co-Host Matthew Rogers (Executive, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our twentieth guest, Peter Hirschmann (Chairman & Co-Founder LOVB) to discuss: Intro (:02) The moment where the dream of LOVB started to develop & how the idea came to full boil with 100 conversations (1...

CEO of FootballCo on Going Public at DAZN, Goal.com Growth, AI Shaping Sports Media, Raising Capital & Creating Innovative Culture ft. Juan Delgado 01.04.2025 1:05:26

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twenty second guest, Juan Delgado (CEO of FootballCo) to discuss: Intro (:02) The business smashing since The World Cup & Studying civil engineering (1:07) Curiosity for the digital sports space outside of graduate school & Working on soccer marketing in America (6...

CEO & Vice Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. on Discovering Player & Coaching Talent Formula, Managing Budgets For Success ft. Paul Barber 26.03.2025 1:00:06

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twenty first guest, Paul Barber (CEO & Vice Chairman of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.) to discuss: Intro (:02) The weirdest thing a coach or player asked for in a negotiation & The most ridiculous transfer rumor for one of their players (1:17) Starting his career in...

Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus & Italian Football Legend) on Culture In A Championship Locker Room, Being A Captain, Moving To MLS & His Executive Future 18.03.2025 38:13

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Co-Host Eymeric Moura (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our seventeenth guest, Georgio Chiellini (Juventus & Italian Football Legend) to discuss: Intro (:02) Who he would want to tackle again & Trash Talk on the Field (1:16) If he were to speak to Italy before t...