The Business of Basketball Podcast

Want to turn basketball training into a real career? In this episode, I sit down with Justin Bright, founder of Humble Development, who recently opened a 15,000 sq ft training facility in Brooklyn in partnership with Made Hoops. He breaks down what it actually takes to build a career in basketball beyond playing — from becoming a skills trainer, to leading a team, to scaling a business in the indu...

Cultural archivist, artist, and coach Jeannine Kayembe Oro is building something the basketball world has never had: a museum dedicated to Black women’s basketball history — from the Tribune Girls and early Philly basketball to the WNBA era and beyond. In this episode, Jeannine explains why preserving this history matters, how coaching young Black girls exposed a deeper problem of representation b...

Learn how Jen Leary turned one idea into a thriving women’s sports community.

⏱️ Timestamps 00:02 Meet Jen Leary: Building a Women's Sports Movement in Philly 00:53 The Birth of Watch Party PHL: From COVID Isolation to Community Hub 03:30 Overcoming Doubt: Jen's Journey from Past Startup to Women's Sports Advocate 04:54 The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Creating a Welcoming Space for All Sports Fans 06:29 Building Community: Creating a Safe and Inclusive Space for Women's Sports...

⏱️ Timestamps 2:25 Choosing to Work in Basketball 3:42 How The Rucker brand led to a job with Converse 6:32 Joining AND1 during their reintroduction phase 7:31 AND1’s partnership with Walmart 10:55 How AND1 is Backing HBCUs 12:58 AND1 expansion into women's hoops 14:37 How to Build Your Brand in 2025 17:07 And 1's plan for growth 18:51 The meaning behind AND1’s logo 22:00 What they look for in new...

The hardest part about making your own basketball? Knowing where to start. This episode with Tari Wright, founder of Not Wright Brand, gets into the process, the challenges, and the mindset it took to launch a new product. From funding to manufacturing, he breaks down how he brought his vision to life and built the first Black-owned basketball business. We talk about the move that gave Not Wright...

In this episode of The Business of Basketball, host Misha Horsey sits down with Rashad Campbell, a financial educator, NIL strategist, and COO of Advance NIL. With over a decade of experience guiding 50,000+ athletes, Rashad shares crucial insights on how athletes can navigate NIL opportunities, avoid financial pitfalls, and make smart investment decisions. We break down:✅ The biggest financial m...

Athletic directors balance it all: budgets, athletes, and the future of their institution. In this episode, Donna Woodruff offers insight into her role as Assistant Vice President and Athletic Director at Loyola University. She highlights the challenges and rewards of running an athletic department, from hiring coaches to recruitment and scholarships. We discuss college coaching contracts, how the...

The next era of basketball starts now with the Unrivaled League. In this episode, my new co-host Max Donches and I discuss how this women’s league is changing the game and creating new opportunities both on and off the court. We break down the Unrivaled League’s three-on-three structure, its groundbreaking one-on-one tournament, and star-studded roster. Join us to learn how it’s helping athletes e...

How do you go from basketball fan to key figure in NBA player development? In this episode, discover how Ricki Dean became the Senior Director of Player Engagement for the National Basketball Players Association. We go behind the scenes of her career, from early days in college sports to now traveling the world and working with NBA legends. Ricki highlights the skills that helped her rise to the e...

Turning pro is just the beginning — what does it take to stay in the game? From physical preparation to mental resilience, today’s conversation with Shante Evans unpacks the realities of becoming a professional basketball player and building a long-term career. Shante shares her insights and tips on choosing a college, finding the right agent, making smart financial decisions, and more. We discuss...

Youth sports shape young talent, but at what cost? This episode explores the connection between mental health and athletic performance in youth sports, highlighting the intense pressure young athletes face from coaches, parents, and even social media — and what we can do to address this growing concern. Enter the NUI app, founded by Julie Korioth to support the mental health and performance of you...

When you think of careers in sports, two paths probably come to mind: coaching or corporate. But there’s a whole world of opportunities in basketball, and Mike Morak is proof that you can carve out a niche in the industry that leverages your skills and passion for the game. From organizing community-driven events like the Danny Rumph Classic to launching products with PUMA, he’s built his own bran...

When you think of careers in sports, two paths probably come to mind: coaching or corporate. But there’s a whole world of opportunities in basketball, and Mike Morak is proof that you can carve out a niche in the industry that leverages your skills and passion for the game. From organizing community-driven events like the Danny Rumph Classic to launching products with PUMA, he’s built his own bran...

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It started with a love for basketball and a desire to uplift young people in the community: Philly Youth Basketball was founded to empower youth and bring opportunity to underserved communities in Philadelphia. Co-founder Kenny Holdsman joins me to share PYB’s origin story and discuss how their programs and local partnership are making an impact in the community. In this episode, you'll learn...

It started with a love for basketball and a desire to uplift young people in the community: Philly Youth Basketball was founded to empower youth and bring opportunity to underserved communities in Philadelphia. Co-founder Kenny Holdsman joins me to share PYB’s origin story and discuss how their programs and local partnership are making an impact in the community. In this episode, you'll learn how...