Next Play: The Business of Sports powered by Playfly Sports

Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Matt Roan, Director of Athletics at James Madison University, for a wide ranging discussion about his career progression to his current role, the growth and transformation of JMU, and the strategic decisions that have positioned JMU to compete at a high level. Matt also talks about the advantages of having a legal background in athletics, the impact of collegiate a...

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo interviews Josh Berlo, Director of Athletics at Denver University. They discuss Josh's career journey from the University of Massachusetts to his current role at Denver. Josh shares insights on building successful athletic programs, creating a culture of academic excellence, and navigating challenges unique to non-football institutions. They also...

In this episode of On The Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Craig Sloan, CEO of Playfly Sports, for an engaging conversation about Craig's career journey and the growth of Playfly Sports. Craig discusses his experiences from his early days after graduating from the University of Iowa to his current role and Playfly's strategic approach to maximizing sports revenue through media rights, technol...

Tim Pernetti, Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), joins host Gene DeFilippo for an in-depth discussion around the future of college athletics and the strategic directions for the conference. The conversation dives into Pernetti's experiences, the challenges of modern collegiate athletics, innovative strategies for the AAC, and the importance of alignment and coaching. Pernetti...

BIG EAST Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Vince Nicastro joins Host Gene DeFilippo for an insightful conversation about his 30-year career in college athletics and the rebuilding of the BIG EAST Conference in 2013. The two also touch on conference and tournament expansion, streaming partnerships, the unique culture of the BIG EAST Tournament Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Sq...

Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Jeramiah Dickey, Director of Athletics at Boise State University, for a wide ranging discussion about his career journey, his leadership and vision for Boise State Athletics, and transitioning from the Mountain West to the Pac-12. Dickey also shares insights on navigating the changing landscape of college athletics, including the implications of the House Case, NIL...

Host Gene DeFilippo sits down with Chad Weiberg, the Director of Athletics at Oklahoma State University, who begins by recounting his rise from unpaid intern to his current leadership role. The discussion goes on to cover the challenges and strategic moves amidst Big 12 conference realignment and the departure of Oklahoma and Texas. Chad reflects on the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of...

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by ICF Senior Executive Coach, Author, Keynote Speaker, and CEO & Founder of ON Point Next Level Leadership, Pam Borton. Pam shares her journey from a high school basketball player in Ohio to becoming the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Vermont and the University of Minnesota, where she led teams to notable successes, includin...

Host Gene DeFilippo is joined again this week by Steve Hatchell, the President and CEO of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The conversation delves into the comprehensive statistics around football, such as the growing number of colleges and high schools sponsoring the sport, and why it's important for post-graduate opportunities. The two discuss key NFF initiatives and ev...

President and CEO of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Steve Hatchell, joins host Gene DeFilippo for an in-depth discussion about his incredible career and early days at the University of Colorado, NFF's impact on both the amateur and college football landscape, the importance of promoting and protecting the good in the game, and their initiatives aimed at advancing the sp...

Tommy McClelland, Vice President & Director of Athletics at Rice, joins host Gene DeFilippo for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, mentorship, and the evolving landscape of college athletics. The two discuss his career ascension from being a walk-on student athlete at Northwestern State to his current position, the significance of NIL, Rice's competitive positioning within the American Ath...

Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Bernadette McGlade, the Atlantic 10 Conference Commissioner, who shares her journey from a college basketball player at UNC to a coaching position at Georgia Tech and her eventual rise to commissioner. The conversation delves into challenges facing mid-major leagues like securing competitive basketball matchups, the evolution of college athletics amid the name, ima...

Michael Strickland, the ACC Senior Associate Commissioner for Football, joins host Gene DeFilippo for a comprehensive discussion on the complexities of scheduling to accommodate for the expansion of the ACC.  The conversation offers an in-depth look at the strategic considerations behind creating a balanced and equitable football schedule that mitigates travel concerns for teams, ensures competiti...

Host Gene DeFilippo and Jeff Bourne, the Director of Athletics at James Madison University, engage in a wide-ranging conversation about JMU's transition to the Sun Belt Conference, the societal pressures on today's student-athletes in light of NIL policies, insights on the future of intercollegiate athletics, and more.

In this episode of On the Fly, Thorr Bjorn, the Director of Athletics at the University of Rhode Island, joins Gene to reflect on his 16+ year tenure at the URI and the key to his longevity. The two discuss the evolving landscape of NIL, the history and traditions of basketball in the Atlantic 10 conference, the significant investment in facilities improvements at URI, and more.

Stan Wilcox, the Executive Vice President for Regulatory Affairs at the NCAA, joins Gene DeFilippo for a comprehensive discussion around the NCAA's structure, legal challenges, the intersection of name, image, and likeness with transfer rules and recruiting regulations, and more.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Chief of Staff & Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director at the University of Texas, Chris Plonsky, for a wide-ranging conversation about the growth of women's sports, the impact of moving to the SEC, NIL in college sports, and more.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips for a wide-ranging conversation about the conference's decision to expand, realignment and so much more.

In the latest episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by North Carolina director of athletics, Bubba Cunningham, for a wide-ranging conversation on college athletics, UNC football and more.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo sits down with Pat Manak, the CEO of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, for a conversation about the upcoming NACDA convention and all the things the association does to help athletics directors across the country.

Dave Clawson has spent the last nine years building Wake Forest into a respectable program in the ACC, including seven straight trips to bowl games. As he enters his 10th season at the helm of the Demon Deacons, he sits down with host Gene DeFilippo for a wide-ranging conversation on all the hot-button issues in college football today: from the transfer portal and NIL to scheduling and more.

What goes into changing conferences? In this episode of On the Fly, hear all the details and work that goes into making it happen. Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Lisa Campos, director of athletics at the University of Texas at San Antonio, for a wide-ranging conversation, covering everything from multimedia rights to on-field football success.

Women's college sports are having a moment. Buoyed by incredible viewership numbers from the NCAA Tournament, and with the Women's College World Series on the horizon, there's more attention than ever. Patti Phillips is the CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, and joins host Gene DeFilippo for a wide-ranging conversation about the impact of increased viewership, why athletic departments need to...

In the latest edition of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Boston College Director of Athletics Blake James for a wide-ranging conversation, covering everything from building new facilities to contract extensions. What makes James a great fit at BC? And how did the apparel deal with New Balance come about? All that and more in this week's episode.

What goes into switching conferences? Chris Pezman knows that as well as anyone. The Houston Director of Athletics is going through the transition process now, moving from the AAC to the Big 12. In this episode, Pezman joins host Gene DeFilippo for a wide-ranging conversation about that process and more.