Forsyth Barnes

Path To The Pros

Sports EN ↓ 34 episodes

What does it take to become an executive professional in sports? How do you work your way through the ranks to become a leader in one of the world's most exciting and innovative industries? We dive into the personal lives of some of the most talented and successful executives in sports and entertainment.  This is the Path to the Pros hosted by Samir Prince.

Author

Forsyth Barnes

Category

Sports

Latest episode

Nov 18, 2025

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Episodes

AN EXCLUSIVE: NFL Houston Texans President Mike Tomon on Leading without Social Media, Influence Over Visibility, Culture-Driven Leadership, and Creating Game-Changing Fan Experiences. 18.11.2025

Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros , powered by Forsyth Barnes. We’re ecstatic to announce our next guest. With a career spanning the Cleveland Cavaliers, AEG, Legends, and over a decade of shaping some of the world’s most iconic sports organizations, we’re thrilled to welcome Mike Tomon, President of the Houston Texans , for this exclusive interview. M...

Former NHL Flyers COO on Turning Setbacks into Opportunities, Leading Through Turbulence, and Where the Investment Landscape Truly Lies – Shawn Tilger 21.10.2025

Sports leaders and aspiring executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes. This week, Samir is joined by Shawn Tilger, former COO of the Philadelphia Flyers and now President of GF Sports & Entertainment, where he’s driving growth across a diverse portfolio of global sports and live entertainment properties. Shawn’s journey is a masterclass in resil...

CCO of Super Bowl Winning Team on Building Fan Loyalty, Battling Florida’s Top Competition and Driving the Exciting Projects Shaping the Buccaneers Future – Atul Khosla 22.09.2025

Sports leaders and aspiring executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros , powered by Forsyth Barnes. This week, we’re joined by Atul Khosla, Chief Commercial Officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the very team that hosted (and won!) the 2020 NFL Super Bowl. Atul’s journey into sports business was anything but traditional. Starting as an Engineer, he hustled, built the right rela...

NBA President on Leading Fan Engagement, Captivating a Community and his Iconic Moments with the Portland Trail Blazers – Dewayne Hankins 25.08.2025

Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode of Path to the Pros , powered by Forsyth Barnes. With nearly 20 years of experience in the sports & entertainment industry, including the NBA, NHL, MLS and MLB, we're thrilled to welcome Dewayne Hankins as our next guest , President of Business Operations at the Portland Trail Blazers. He shares how his career in marketing shaped...

From Playing College Football to Leading Growth in a Crowded Sports Market and Building a Fanbase from Scratch as President for Orlando City SC – Jarrod Dillon 04.08.2025

Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to episode TWO of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes. Today’s guest? A Veteran in Sports and Entertainment, experienced executive Jarrod Dillon , explaining how he’s building lifelong fandom in Orlando - the US City ranked top for sports business! With experience across the NHL and MLB , he is now backed by the Wilf family (who also own the Minneso...

NBA CEO Who Ended Cleveland’s 52-Year Trophy Drought, Building A Sports Franchise at Age 27, to Becoming a Global Sports Investment Expert - Len Komoroski 14.07.2025

Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode, Season FOUR of Path to the Pros , powered by Forsyth Barnes. Today’s guest? The legendary former NBA CEO who helped break Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought, brought Lebron James to the Cavs and Sheffield United’s newest minority owner : Len Komoroski ! Len sits down with Samir to take us behind the scenes of: What it REALLY took t...

The Fan Matrix: Understanding the Diverse Fan Engagement in Sports 20.09.2024

In this episode of Path to the Pros, we're thrilled to welcome Nancy Elder, an accomplished leader whose 25+ year career has been defined by driving innovation, transforming teams, and delivering growth across some of the world's most competitive industries.  Now serving as the Chief Communications Officer for the New York Mets, Nancy has previously held pivotal roles at JetBlue Airways,...

Guiding Greatness: The Importance of Mentorship in Sports Business 22.08.2024

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Stetson, a seasoned C-suite business leader with over 20 years of experience reimagining iconic brands and generating record revenues. Joe has held key positions at Madison Square Garden Networks, BSE Global, the Brooklyn Nets, and Van Wagner and now serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at the New York Red Bulls.  Joe shares his insights on the importance of...

Building Entertainment Empires: Endeavor Analytics’ Support for Athlete Ventures 15.08.2024

Join us as we dive into the world of entertainment with our guest, Zack Rose, the Senior Vice President at Endeavor Analytics. With a rich background and a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry, Zack brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. Having spent seven years at Warner Bros, Zack was pivotal in supporting sales collateral for domestic television distribution, provi...

Crossing the Pond: Navigating Sports Marketing Dynamics Between the UK and the US 01.08.2024

In this Path to the Pros episode, we sit down with Declan Bodger, the SVP/CMO at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.  Declan's journey from physical education teacher to working as a pit crew at Formula 3 was just the beginning. He has worn many hats in the sports industry, working in key roles with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, Portland Trail Blazers, and Maj...

Game Changers: Leveraging Business Intelligence and Technology with the San Jose Sharks 25.07.2024

Meet Neda Tabatabaie, a trailblazer in the world of data within sports. As the first in her role at the San Jose Sharks, she pioneered CRM and business analytics, transforming how the organization leverages data to customize the fan experience and ensure top-quality service.  Neda's innovative approach to integrating business intelligence has revolutionized the customer journey, making every...

The Increasing Challenges Rightsholders are Facing to Secure Revenue 18.07.2024

Welcome to another episode of the Path to the Pros podcast. This week, Samir Prince sat down with Ian Smith, Managing Director of International Business Development at Relevent Sports Group. In this conversation, we explore Ian's journey from a small town in England to his career as a solicitor, becoming a key player at FIFA, and now to sitting as a Managing Director at one of the world'...

The Digital Dugout: How AI is Changing the Game in Sports 10.07.2024

This week, we dive deep into the story of David Burke, Executive Vice President of  Sales and Business Development for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  We explore AI's transformative impact on the industry, emphasizing that it isn't something to fear but rather a powerful tool for creating efficiencies and streamlining processes.  We learn how the Pittsburgh Pirates use AI to create a personaliz...

Building a Winning Culture 27.06.2024

In today's episode, we're exploring the remarkable career of Joe Cote, the Portland Timbers' Chief Revenue Officer. With over 16 years of experience with the Portland Timbers and previously working for the Columbus Blue Jackets, this senior executive has a proven track record of exceeding objectives, building high-functioning teams, and driving substantial revenue growth. Under his...

Beyond Boundaries: A Global Journey in Sports Marketing 13.06.2024

A global marketing leader with over a decade of experience in the sports, media, and entertainment industries, Karim's journey is a testament to his diverse expertise and ability to drive high-performing teams to deliver standout results globally. Starting as a Social Media Manager at Zamalek Sporting Club in his hometown of Cairo, Egypt, working at SPORTFIVE in Paris, to now sitting as Vice...

From Media, to Sports, to Collegiate and Entertainment – Here’s How Great Salespeople Can Become Great Sales Leaders 06.06.2024

We're kicking off Season 3 by diving into the remarkable career journey of Jason Oberlander, the Chief Commercial Officer at ASM Global. A seasoned professional in sales, marketing, and strategic roles across various media and sports organizations, Jason's path wasn't always clear-cut.  Jason's professional trajectory is nothing short of impressive. From his initial days at CBS...

Bulls, Brands, and Breakthroughs: The Business Behind Professional Bull Riding's Surge 07.03.2024

Mark Fine is a true titan in sports entertainment, working with some of the most iconic sports brands. He went from the Harlem Globetrotters to the New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets, and Las Vegas Desert Dogs before ultimately finding his calling at Professional Bull Riders (PBR). As the Chief Marketing Officer, Mark stands at the forefront of the sport's evolution, trailblazing and pushing bounda...

Beyond the End Zone: Unraveling the Unpredictable Journey to Success in Sports Business 22.02.2024

For our first chat of 2024, we're joined by Jade Burroughs, the Chief of Staff at the NFL.  Jade's journey in the sports business is a testament to her unwavering drive. Starting her career as a marketing intern at the Philadelphia Eagles, to recently being recognized as one of Diversity Woman's Magazine's ELITE 100, Jade's career is remarkable.  She hasn't had your t...

Elevating Your Career: A Sales Executive's Path to the C-Suite 25.10.2023

Join Samir Prince as he chats with John Beaven, Chief Revenue Officer at the Golden State Warriors. John takes us through his unique career journey, starting as a Junior Sales Executive to becoming the Chief Revenue Officer for one of the world's biggest, most recognized teams. With 20 years at the Golden State Warriors, John discusses how he got to the C-suite and continues to excel and leve...

Game Changers: Innovations Revolutionizing Sports 18.10.2023

Meet Humza Teherany, Chief Technology and Digital Officer at renowned spots company Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Partnership. In this session, Humza discusses how technology is revolutionizing the world of sports, focusing on MLSE's leading role in this transformation. MLSE has become a global benchmark for technological innovation in the sports industry; with its cutting-edge techno...

Crafting Your Personal Brand for Business Growth 09.10.2023

In this discussion, we dive deep into the world of LinkedIn and its potential as a business growth tool in the sports industry. Our guest, Jentry Mullins , the Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service at BSE Global, shares his story within the industry and his remarkable insights about growing your personal brand. In the modern world of sports, elevating your personal brand can be a big differen...

It's Time To Own Your Professional Development 02.08.2023

From a sports radio intern in college to a Senior Vice President of Strategy & Operations at The Aspire Group, one of the biggest sports and entertainment marketing firms, meet Chad Cardinal. In this episode, we discuss owning your professional development and not relying on your employer; it's too important to outsource. Additionally, he touches on how a flourishing personal life positiv...

From The Sidelines To The Boardroom: Speaking Up And Driving Change 19.07.2023

Meet Cosmina Schulman, Senior Vice President of Broadcast and Digital Partnerships at New England Sports Network (NESN). Cosmina gravitated from retail to media sales to finally land her dream role at NESN. She discusses her journey and achievements and advises on speaking up as a female at an executive table.  This one is not one to miss. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to buil...

Do Your Job While Building Long-Term Relationships 12.07.2023

Introducing Jeff Price, Chief Commercial Officer for the PGA of America. His path was unique, driven by mentor and mentee relationships, landing positions in the biggest brands in the US. Plus, we find out how he transitioned from sales into leadership and what it takes to make that jump.  Have a listen. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner w...

From Likes To Loyalty: Engaging Fans Beyond The Game 05.07.2023

Meet Becky Kimbro, the Senior Vice President of Brand Engagement for the basketball team San Antonio Spurs. We unpack everything about the changing fan experience to social media's impact on the sports industry; plus, we get exclusive news on what's next for the Spurs.  Have a listen. Start your season right with superior hires. Ready to build a winning team? When you partner with Forsyt...

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