SBJ On Stage

In this episode of On Stage, Laura Ricketts—co-owner of the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Sky—sits down with Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor of Sports Business Journal. Recorded on October 30, 2024, at SBJ’s Dealmakers Conference in Washington, D.C., the conversation highlights Ricketts’ unique position as one of the few women to hold a majority stake in a U.S. professional sports team.  Rick...

In this special episode of On Stage , actor, comedian, and LAFC co-owner Will Ferrell joins Larry Freedman , the club’s co-president, for a fireside chat moderated by SBJ’s Abe Madkour . Recorded on February 27, 2023 , at the National Sports Forum in Los Angeles , this session offers a rare glimpse into how one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures became a driving force behind one of Major Lea...

Description: In this episode of On Stage , MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred joins SBJ Senior Writer Joe Lemire for a candid conversation on the business, challenges, and opportunities shaping professional baseball.  Recorded on April 22, 2025 , at the CAA World Congress of Sports presented by Sports Business Journal , this keynote captures Manfred’s perspective just months before major headlines about...

Episode Description: In this episode of On Stage , Rich Paul —CEO of KLUTCH Sports Group and Head of Sports at United Talent Agency—joins Zach Leonsis, President of Media & New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, for a compelling one-on-one conversation that spans business, brand, representation, and long-term influence. Recorded on October 29, 2024, at SBJ’s Dealmakers conference in...

In this episode of On Stage, NCAA President Charlie Baker sits down with SBJ Executive Editor and Publisher Abe Madkour for a candid conversation about the state of college athletics—and the future of the NCAA itself. This conversation took place December 11, 2024, at the SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum in Las Vegas, during a pivotal moment in Baker’s presidency. At the time, the industry was...

Episode Description:  In this special episode of On Stage , two extraordinary leaders—General Mark Milley, the recently retired Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Ted Leonsis, Founder and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment—sit down for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, culture, and service.  Recorded on October 30, 2024 , at SBJ’s Dealmakers conference in Washin...

In this episode of On Stage , Sports Business Journal’s Executive Publisher Abe Madkour sits down with iconic sports agent David Falk for a conversation about the legacy of athlete empowerment and the business of storytelling.  Recorded on May 20, 2025, at SBJ’s 4se event in New York City, the conversation traces Falk’s role in redefining what it means to represent an athlete—not just on the court...

Episode Description:  In this episode of On Stage, Sports Business Journal’s Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour sits down with SMAC Entertainment’s dynamic co-founders—Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini—for a masterclass in athlete-driven media and brand building.  Recorded on May 20, 2025, at SBJ’s 4se event in New York City, this wide-ranging conversation covers the origin sto...

Episode Description: In this episode of On Stage , Sports Business Journal’s Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour sits down with the three siblings leading the most valuable sports franchise in the world—the Dallas Cowboys.  Recorded on September 17, 2024 , at SBJ’s AXS DRIVE event in Frisco, Texas , this rare joint appearance features Charlotte Jones (Chief Brand Officer), Jerry Jones Jr. (...

Episode Description: In this episode of On Stage , Olympic gold medalist and action sports icon Shaun White joins Sports Business Journal staff writer Chris Smith for a strategic conversation that took place on May 21, 2025 , at SBJ’s 4se event in New York City. White shares his vision behind The Snow League , a new venture designed to bring structure, visibility, and commercial potential to compe...

In this episode of On Stage , NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman joins Sports Business Journal senior writer Joe Lemire for a forward-looking conversation that took place on March 5, 2025 , at SBJ’s Tech Week .  Bettman—recently nominated for SBJ’s Executive of the Year award—shares how the NHL is modernizing its business and leaning into technology to shape the league’s next era. In a conversation spa...

In this episode of On Stage , Amy Brooks, President of New Business Ventures at the NBA, joins SBJ Managing Director Dan Kaufman for an insight-rich conversation that took place on March 5, 2025 , at SBJ’s Tech Week in New York City . A core architect of the NBA’s growth strategy, Brooks offers an inside look at how the league is evolving its global and domestic business in a rapidly shifting spor...

In this episode of On Stage , NBA Commissioner Adam Silver joins ESPN and ABC analyst Bob Myers for a candid, in-depth conversation recorded live on April 22, 2025, at the CAA World Congress of Sports , presented by Sports Business Journal . Silver, one of the most influential figures in global sports, shares his perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping the NBA’s future. Myers—who...

In this episode of On Stage , SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey joins Sports Business Journal’s  Rachel Axon for a candid interview that took place on April 22, 2025 , at the CAA World Congress of Sports presented by Sports Business Journal. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in college athletics, Sankey dives into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the NCAA and...

In the premiere episode of On Stage , we present an exclusive conversation between Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, and Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN. This discussion took place on April 22nd at the 2025 CAA World Congress of Sports presented by Sports Business Journal in Nashville, Tennessee. It offers a rare glimpse into a mentor-mentee relationship that has significantly influenced the modern media la...

Welcome to SBJ On Stage. Each week, hear an exclusive interview from one of Sports Business Journal's industry events. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of persona...

SBJ’s Austin Karp talks with Octagon SVP William Mao about the recently announced joint venture between ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our colle...

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Legalized sports betting is in the third inning according to Scott Warfield. The PGA Tour’s VP of Gaming says that the industry is heading in the right direction and there is plenty of opportunity. Warfield joins SBJ’s Abe Madkour and John Ourand from Orlando in this edition of SBJ Spotlight. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the mo...

Donna Orender has spent her career trying to make things better and more open to all. As a former WNBA President, Orender sees potential for women’s athletics and cause marketing and she joins SBJ’s Abe Madkour and John Ourand from Orlando in this edition of SBJ Spotlight. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories...

Broadcast rights for NBA teams are in flux with Diamond Sports Group and the league trying to find a way forward. The Orlando Magic’s Alex Martins sees the potential for teams given the right leeway. The Magic COO joins SBJ’s Abe Madkour and John Ourand from Orlando in this edition of SBJ Spotlight to talk about the future of team media rights. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ...

Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2023 CAA World Congress of Sports is about making connections and learning out how to position your business for massive changes ahead, said SBJ’s Abe Madkour and CAA’s Mike Levine. In this video, the two industry executives talk about some of the issues they expect to be top of mind when this year’s conference starts today in Los Angeles, including women’s sports, the continued rise in team v...

Playfly founder and CEO Michael Schreiber joins SBJ’s Abe Madkour to talk about the growth of the agency, its focus on the fan experience, and what comes next. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for informatio...

Two decades after founding rEvolution, John Rowady reflects on the growth of the business, plans for the next two decades, and the biggest stories, stars and marketing opportunities that he’s watching today. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz com...