SBJ Unpacks

ESPN’s Karl & Sam Ravech join SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss how their father-son relationship has benefitted one another professionally, and to break down the dynamics of remote game broadcasts.

Wrapping up our Super Bowl LV-week coverage on the pod with TB12 CEO John Burns, who joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down how co-Founder Tom Brady's presence in Sunday's game impacts the company, how it has maintained brand relevance during the pandemic and growth opportunities moving forward. *Interview recorded 2/4/21

PepsiCo Senior VP/Media, Sports & Entertainment Marketing Adam Harter joins SBJ's Terry Lefton to discuss plans for, and the impact of, the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show, which will feature The Weeknd and mark the company's 10th year as Halftime Show sponsor. *Interview recorded 2/3/21

Steinberg Sports & Entertainment Chair & CEO Leigh Steinberg joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to discuss his pivot to a virtual Super Bowl party this year, to tell stories across decades on the Super Bowl’s scene, and to delve into his agency’s marquee representation of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. *Interview recorded 2/2/21

Fritz Pollard Alliance Executive Director Rod Graves joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to assess minority-hiring trends across the NFL, including the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule, and potential solutions moving forward. *Interview recorded 2/1/21

Kicking off our Super Bowl LV week coverage with ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes, who joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss her plans to be on-site with the “NFL Live” crew later this week, and to break down the matchup utilizing her new-age analytical approach. *Interview recorded 1/29/21

ESPN VP/X Games Tim Reed joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down what it has taken to make this weekend's X Games Aspen event happen, including health-and-safety protocol for athletes and staffers, engaging virtually with fans, working with sponsors, plus more. *Interview recorded 1/25/21

Turner's Brian Anderson takes SBJ’s Andrew Levin on a virtual tour of his in-home studio, where he does play-by-play for the “NBA on TNT.” Anderson also breaks down challenges involved with calling games from a monitor, and how broadcasting has evolved as a result of the pandemic.

Bret McCormick was joined by Stuart Duguid, Naomi Osaka’s agent, to discuss Osaka’s recent competitive and business hot streak, what Osaka looks for in a sponsor, how Duguid, from IMG Tennis, part of WME Sports, markets Osaka’s quirky personality and multiculturalism, and more about Duguid’s personal journey to becoming one of tennis’ top player representatives, in this episode of SBJ Unpacks.

Double-Pod: First, a conversation with Dynamo FC President of Business Operations John Walker about the club’s November rebrand. Then, one with CF Montreal President & CEO Kevin Gilmore about his club’s brand change, formally unveiled last week. *Interviews recorded 1/20/21

Ole Miss Senior Associate AD/Social Responsibility & Engagement Dr. Jennifer Saxon joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss the athletic program’s recently-launched department, and how it will enrich the experience of student-athletes, coaches and staff on-campus.

Sports Innovation Lab co-Founder & CEO Angela Ruggiero joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down the recently-released Top 25 Most Innovative Teams In The World list.

The NHL and its 31 clubs will hit the ice for the 2020-2021 season with plenty of new asset opportunities, and NHL Chief Brand Officer & Senior Exec VP Brian Jennings joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down them all.

With the first-ever all-virtual Consumer Electronics Show having commenced, Nielsen Gracenote Sports Senior VP/Product Management David Faulknor joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss Gracenote’s new sports-driven widgets designed to help smart TV and auto manufacturers integrate real-time team stats, recent game results and live updates to TV and video home screens and auto infotainment systems.

With more than two billion tweets about videogaming in 2020, Twitter Head of Gaming Content Partnerships Rishi Chadha joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to break down the unprecedented engagement, provide data and discuss what’s ahead for gaming content on the platform in 2021.

Misfits Gaming CEO Ben Spoont joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss guiding three franchises across League of Legends, Overwatch League and Call of Duty League through 2020, and what’s ahead for the esports organization in 2021.

College Football Playoff Exec Dir Bill Hancock joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to offer the latest on preparations for Monday's scheduled CFP National Championship.

ESPN Senior VP/Production Lee Fitting joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to offer his expectations for the net’s first NFL Wild Card MegaCast for Ravens-Titans on Sunday, including, in key part, engaging with younger audiences via Freeform’s “Watch Party.”

This week on the podcast, we’re rebroadcasting some of our best of 2020, including this conversation with The Famous Group Owner & Managing Partner Jon Slusser, who believes that the pandemic has brought about five years of tech advancement.

This week on the podcast, we’re rebroadcasting some of our best of 2020, including this conversation with Univ. of Michigan baseball coach Erik Bakich. Bakich joined our Michael Smith at the virtual Learfield IMG College Intercollegiate Athletics Forum earlier this month to discuss his efforts to make college baseball reflect the landscape of America, believing that the sport is doing itself a dis...

This week on the podcast, we’ll be rebroadcasting some of our best of 2020, including this conversation with Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik, who joined SBJ Publisher & Exec Editor Abe Madkour at the virtual Dealmakers in Sports conference earlier this month, discussing the state of the reigning Stanley Cup champions, and how the NHL has adapted and continues to adapt during the pandemic.

With the 2020-2021 season set to commence, NBA Head of Next Gen Telecast Sara Zuckert joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to break down the league's new and expanded digital-tech features, how they fit into various strategies for engagement and what’s ahead during this most-different campaign.

Raptors VP/Basketball Operations & Player Development Teresa Resch joins SBJ's Andrew Levin to discuss the team's move to Tampa to begin the '20-21 NBA season, addressing why Tampa, the setup to make players and personnel comfortable at practice and on gamedays, and a potential shift back to Toronto as the season progresses.

Simplebet co-Founder & CEO Chris Bevilacqua joins SBJ’s Andrew Levin to discuss his company’s work, principally, micro-market betting, how it applies across various sports and its impact for the future of sportsbook operators, leagues and media companies. *Interview recorded 12/17/20