The Playbook: Sports & Entertainment

Matt Kalish, Co-Founder & President of DraftKings, sits down to discuss building a company that is able to adapt to changing regulations, as well as how the company is innovating with its new NFT Marketplace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Alec Ingold, Pro Bowl Fullback on the Las Vegas Raiders, shares his thoughts on: [1:19] - His mindset as one of the few fullbacks in the NFL [4:00] - The biggest lessons he’s learned while recovering from his ACL injury [7:02] - Why he believes that having financial well-being is more important than just being financially literate  [16:28] - How choosing the right...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Daymond John, the Founder, President, and CEO of FUBU, and investor on Shark Tank, sits down to discuss: [1:42] - When he realized that he could change the world by being an entrepreneur  [5:15] - The single biggest takeaway he’s had from his time on Shark Tank and why it changed his approach to business.  [8:15] - Why an entrepreneur’s personal brand is critical t...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Ricky Williams, Legendary Running Back, Founder and President of Highsman, sits down to discuss: [2:35] - His belief that we are all born with the potential for excellence  [8:24] - Why entrepreneurs must open their mind in order to receive “subtle information” from the Universe  [12:07] - How his faith plays a crucial role in the way he sees the world [14:08] - Wh...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Brandon Copeland, NFL Linebacker, Ivy League Professor, Advisor, and Consultant, shares his insights on: [4:07] - What inspires him to promote financial literacy for younger generations  [7:55] - How teaching a class at Penn has become a rallying cry for him to bring awareness to real-life problems that people are facing [10:55] - The one moment on the football fie...

Susan Francia, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and five-time world champion rower talk about how she discovered rowing later in life, after struggling to excel in other sports. Susan shares insights on the unseen sacrifice of both Olympic athletes and entrepreneurs, maintaining your passion “through the grind”, and using the doubt of others as motivation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Paige Spiranac, social media personality and golf influencer, shares her best tips for building an impactful brand on social media and discusses how to handle any negativity that comes your way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

George Kliavkoff, Commissioner for the Pac-12 Conference, shares his thoughts on: [1:11] - What he’s prioritized amid the “chaos” and massive changes in college athletics that have occurred this year [5:13] - The two traits that are essential for success as the commissioner of a league [10:52] - How the PAC-12 has established dominance outside of football and basketball [13:06] - His thoughts on t...

James Shields, MLB All-Star pitcher and entrepreneur, talks about his family’s influence on his career, as well as how the things he’s learned about recovery on his MLB journey has led him to focus on his newest passion project, Cryo Shield Therapy. James and host of The Playbook, David Meltzer, discuss some of the other options available to aid recovery for athletes (and non-athletes), as well as...

Forrest Griffin, Hall of Fame MMA fighter and VP of Athlete Development for the UFC Performance Institute, talks about how mixed martial arts has evolved over the past 25 years. Forrest provides insights on the unique opportunities that an open sport like MMA provides for athletes of all different body types and skill sets and how the UFC works to make fighters’ lives easier and maximize their per...

On Episode 102 of #ThePlaybook, Donovan McNabb, former star quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, chats about: Why he wasn’t upset after being booed by Eagles fans at the NFL Draft [6:17] How to deal with your toughest critic by being true to yourself [8:00] The importance of keeping the right attitude in the huddle [13:19] Why his personal connections to diabetes have spurred him to use his pl...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Matt Kalish, Co-Founder & President of DraftKings, shares his thoughts on: [3:13] - Why it took the DraftKings co-founders longer than they expected to get a positive response from VCs [5:48] - How they encourage their team members to “act like an owner” of the company [7:55] - The stabilizing force that has helped DraftKings to deal with new regulations and a chan...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Ja Rule, entertainment mogul and entrepreneur, shares his ideas on: [2:12] - Why he decided to prioritize getting his GED while in prison [9:27] - The three-word phrase he uses to counter any feelings of unworthiness [13:27] - Why he doesn’t believe in “risking it all” anymore [12:56 ] - How to learn from your own mistakes, as well as the mistakes of others Learn m...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Martin Jarmond, Athletic Director for UCLA, sits down to discuss: [3:41] - Why UCLA focuses on building what they call an E.L.I.T.E. mindset [6:25] - How sales skills can help an athletic director to take their program to the next level [11:35] - His approach to the “chaos” that has happened in college sports with the new NIL rules  [15:41] - Why a humanistic appro...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Jake Reynolds, President of the New Jersey Devils, shares his views on: [8:28] - The best way to prepare yourself so that you stand out from other job applicants and land a competitive position [10:17] - How ambition can be a double-edged sword for young business people [13:42] - Why he considers the experience of watching a hockey game in person to be irreplaceabl...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook Chris Overholt, CEO of OverActive Media, shares his thoughts on: [3:03] Why he defines esports as a physical expression of a cognitive ability [5:14] How the inclusive nature of video games creates countless opportunities for growth  [10:41] Why the engagement levels of some esports leagues “blow away” numbers for traditional sports leagues like the NBA  [15:03] His...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Jake Olson, former USC long snapper and motivational speaker, shares his thoughts on: [7:33] - Why excuses are the difference between successful and unsuccessful people [9:29] - The reasons that you should never forfeit your self-worth [11:48] - How his mindset was influenced by a “winner” in Coach Pete Carroll [17:21] - Why he wants to serve as an example for thos...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Len Komoroski, CEO of Cleveland Cavaliers, and Jeff Marks, CEO of Innovative Partnerships Group, sit down to discuss: [3:56] - How the two bonded over their understanding of the “Holy Grail” for the sports marketing industry [6:04] - Why some businesses can better create sustainable revenues by adjusting their approach [10:39] - How the sponsorship space has evolve...

Benjamin Nazarian, CEO of Therabody, talks about why percussive massage therapy has seen a massive rise in popularity, as well as how he learned from his father’s passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. Nazarian and host of #ThePlaybook, David Meltzer, share their thoughts on a variety of subjects including the value of credibility for the world’s top brands, how Therabody’s relationships wit...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Jason Robins, Co-Founder and CEO of DraftKings, sits down to chat about: [:30] - Why he used to think that following your passion in business was a fool’s errand [2:46] - How the proliferation of sports gambling has led to a renewed focus on maintaining integrity in sports  [7:09] - How DraftKings has evolved into a platform that takes over a million bets on a sing...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Dan Sheridan, EVP & COO at Brooks Running, sits down to discuss: [1:11] - The most valuable thing that Brooks learned about its customers during the pandemic [4:35] - How Brooks’ singular focus on running has become their most important advantage over competitors [9:42] - How to create a purpose-driven environment where every team member feels like they are making...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Danica Patrick, world-renowned retired race car driver and entrepreneur, chats about: [4:10] - How honesty and transparency at the beginning of a business relationship help both parties feel comfortable [11:35] - Why entrepreneurs need to believe in themselves in order to “ride out the storm” when things get tough [13:00] - How she’s following her dreams of conquer...

Joe Foster, Co-Founder of Reebok and author of the new book Shoemaker, shares his insights on: [5:22] - Why he and his brother made the difficult choice to leave the family business and start their own shoe company [8:50] - How winning a dictionary as a prize led to the name Reebok being chosen for the company [16:06] - How Runner’s World magazine helped Reebok to establish its brand in America [2...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, John Robinson, President and COO of 100 Thieves, shares his insight on: [2:32] – How the generational changes in gaming culture have opened up countless opportunities in esports [6:29] - Why the global appeal of esports might lead to a variety of leagues and competitions, similar to what we see in soccer [13:43] – How Fortune 500 companies are finding authentic bra...

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Erika Nardini, CEO of Barstool Sports, shares her thoughts on: [5:10] - Why she never thinks about being a “woman at work”, despite being in a male-dominated industry  [7:08] - The two biggest challenges that all businesses are facing today [9:33] - How she ensures that Barstool’s new hires have the right perspective about how to “break through” [17:55] - Why Barst...