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

Founder/President of Excel Sports Management on Tennis To Basketball Representation, Seeing A NBA Opportunity Globally ft. Jeff Schwartz 11.03.2025 48:26

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Co-Host Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our nineteenth guest, Jeff Schwartz (Founder/President of Excel Sports Management) to discuss: Intro (:02) Single sport athlete youth & Having Self Awareness (1:23) Blind Spots & Building from a small compa...

Mel Raines (CEO Pacers Sports & Entertainment) on Working 6 Political Conventions & The Super Bowl, Indiana Pacers & Fever, Arena Renovation 05.03.2025 1:12:20

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Co-Host Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our sixteenth guest, Mel Raines (CEO Pacers Sports & Entertainment) to discuss: Intro (0:00) Her start in politics & political journey before sports (1:00) Working on 6 political conventions & the expertise...

Peter Feigin (President of Milwaukee Bucks & Fiserv Forum) on How The Bucks Were Sold, Getting The President Position, Selling NetJets for $800m 05.03.2025 56:37

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Co-Host Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our seventeenth guest, Peter Feign (President of Milwuakee Bucks & Fiserv Forum) to discuss: Intro (:02) Working with Arthur Ashe at 23 & starting his career at Six Flags (1:05) Leveraging a partnership wit...

Detroit Pistons President of Business Operations on Conquering Imposter Syndrome, Joining Nike & Leading Jordan Brand, New Dream Job ft. Melanie Harris 05.03.2025 58:14

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Co-Host Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our seventeenth guest, Melanie Harris (Detroit Pistons President of Business Operations) to discuss: Intro (:02) Being a record holder at Yale & Being an athlete growing up (1:10) Competition of going to a...

Steve Phelps (President of NASCAR) Embracing Innovation, New Media Partnerships, Daytona 500, Team Content Initiatives, New Celebrity Ownership 11.02.2025 1:32:27

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! We are back for Season 2! Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Co-Host Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our fifteenth guest, Steve Phelps (President of NASCAR) to discuss: Intro How to become a professional driver & the expense to make it happen Young talent & iRacing Embracing innovation & next gen cars The...

Jim Frevola (President of Business, A.F.C. Bournemouth) on How An Executive Gets To Premier League, Being Approachable In The Community - EPISODE 14 07.10.2024 51:06

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our fourteenth guest, Jim Frevola (President of Business Operations, A.F.C. Bournemouth) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:04) - How An American Executive Makes It To The Premier League & Moving To London (10:19) - Getting The Life Changing Call & Being Offered The Job (15:01) -...

Damien Comolli (President, Toulouse FC) on How Relegation Helped The Culture,Toxicity In An Organization & The Need For High Performance - EPISODE 13 30.09.2024 1:05:50

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chat Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our thirteenth guest, Damien Comolli (President, Toulouse FC) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:35) - How His Passion For Football Began at A Young Age & Playing In Academy (3:31) - How A Scout Spends A Day & Priorities In Scouting Youth Players (7:35) - Coaching In Japan & Train...

Pablo Longoria (President, Olympique de Marseille) on Becoming CEO at 35, A Roster That Didn’t Work & Building Culture In A Global Sport - EPISODE 12 23.09.2024 1:08:25

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our twelfth guest, Pablo Longoria (President, Olympique de Marseille) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:35) - Becoming CEO at 35 & Getting His First Job (4:02) - Balance of Finding Talent in Soccer & Working with Newcastle As A Scout (7:35) - How A Scout Spends A Day In His Life...

Greg Grissom (President of Houston Texans) on The Business Side of An NFL Team, Defining The Values of The Texans Throughout The City - EPISODE 11 16.09.2024 1:05:48

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our tenth guest, Greg Grissom (President of Houston Texans) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:55) - Where Greg Spends His Time & Focusing On The Business Side of Football (3:33) - The Most Motivating Days At Work & Allowing For Your Teammates To Become Successful (6:44) - Getti...

Ryan Poles (General Manager of Chicago Bears) on Getting A Job with The Kansas City Chiefs, Winning A Super Bowl, Becoming The Bears GM - EPISODE 10 09.09.2024 1:23:58

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our tenth guest, Ryan Poles (General Manager of Chicago Bears) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:10) - Deciding To Play Football & Becoming A College Football Player (4:31) - Life After Football & Working At Boston College (7:33) - Interviewing For NFL Positions & Getting A Job w...

Will Kuntz (General Manager of Los Angeles Galaxy) on From The Yankees To MLS, Department Philosophies, Planning For Championship Success - EPISODE 9 02.09.2024 54:01

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our ninth guest, Will Kuntz (General Manager of Los Angeles Galaxy) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:10) - Being A College Basketball Champion Player at Williams College & Working For The Yankees For A Decade (2:59) - Writing A Letter To George Steinbrenner & Interning Under Bri...

Belinda Moore (Chief Executive Officer, Premiership Women’s Rugby) on Hiring For A Startup League, Executive Competition of Senior Roles of Men vs. Women - EPISODE 8 26.08.2024 1:15:45

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President,Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our eighth guest, Belinda Moore (Chief Executive Officer, Premiership Women’s Rugby) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:22) - Being Rubbish at Sports & Her First Job In Sports (4:07) - Biggest Learnings From Working In Television & The Olympic Games in Great Britain (11:10) - Work...

Larry Freedman (Co-President of Los Angeles Football Club) on Creating A MLS Expansion Team, LAFC Selling Every Ticket, A Championship Win - EPISODE 7 19.08.2024 1:23:55

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our seventh guest, Larry Freedman (Co-President of Los Angeles Football Club) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:01) - How Larry Got To Where He Is Today & Deciding To Become a Lawyer at Age 8 (5:25) - Working in The Technology Space & Starting An Incubator in 1999 (9:44) - Moving...

Jack Buckner (CEO, UK Athletics) on His Journey From Athlete To Executive, Curiosity As A Leader, Preparation For Paris Olympics 2024 - EPISODE 6 12.08.2024 49:41

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our sixth guest, Jack Buckner (CEO, UK Athletics) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:14) - Jack’s Journey As An Athlete & Becoming The 2nd Best at 5000m In The World (2:20) - Transitioning From Athlete To Business World & The Importance of Running (7:15) - Leadership Coaching App...

Martin Jarmond (Athletic Director - University of California, Los Angeles) on BIG TEN Move, Athlete Recruitment, Jordan Brand Sponsorship - EPISODE 5 05.08.2024 1:10:23

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! A brand new podcast where we interview CEOs, General Managers, Head Coaches, Elite Athletes, Athletic Directors & Presidents of Premier Sports & Entertainment Organizations globally. Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our fifth guest, Martin Jarmond (Athletic Director - University of California, Los Angeles) to discuss...

Max Siegel (CEO USA Track & Field) on Logistics of Paris Olympics Games, Rebuilding The Business of USTAF, Striking A $500M Deal with Nike - EPISODE 4 29.07.2024 1:02:16

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) & Co-Host Darius Walker (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our fourth guest, Max Siegel (CEO USA Track & Field) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:30) - Growing up in a Music Industry Family & How He Got To Where He Is Today (3:23) Notre Dame Law School & Building A Practice (5:20...

Ivan Gazidis (Former CEO of AC Milan and Arsenal FC) on Being Employee 2 at MLS, Joining The Premier League, Developing Cultural Dexterity - EPISODE 3 22.07.2024 1:25:20

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! A brand new podcast where we interview CEOs, General Managers, Head Coaches, Elite Athletes, Athletic Directors & Presidents of Premier Sports & Entertainment Organizations globally. Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our third guest, Ivan Gazidis (Former CEO of AC Milan and Arsenal FC) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Packa...

Catie Griggs (President of Business Operations, Seattle Mariners) on The Power of Observation, Engaging with Fans, & more - EPISODE 2 15.07.2024 1:14:10

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Co-Host Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) is here with our second guest, Catie Griggs (President of Business Operations, Seattle Mariners) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:15) - How Catie Ended Up with The Seattle Mariners & The Steps That Got Her There (4:00) - Being Hom...

Mark Donovan (President, Kansas City Chiefs) on A Goal To Become “The World’s Team”, Defining Culture On The Business Side of A Team - EPISODE 1 15.07.2024 54:03

This is the Excellent Leadership Podcast! Our Host Chad Biagini (President, Excel Search & Advisory) with Co-Host Mark Mayleben (Partner, Excel Search & Advisory) are here with our first guest, Mark Donovan (President, Kansas City Chiefs) to discuss: (0:00) - Intro Package (1:18) - From A Kid In Pennsylvania To Where He Is Today (5:46) - Working At An Agency & Being Drawn To Working For A Leagu...