We say at the beginning of our podcast that the show is about disruption, innovation and big thinking, and three recent episodes, two of which are under a half hour and a third which we could have gone on for hours with, touch on all three.
We go from what the Mets are doing to reframe and rethink about their content to a totally different look at Name Image and Likeness to an industry veteran whose life lessons literally fill a book. We hope you enjoy all three.
Rethinking Content On Every Level… We sat down at Mets House in Union Square with Alex Kopilow, Director of Media Partnerships for the New York Mets. Alex shares his journey from sports anchor to brand strategist, and now, team-side innovator. We discuss how the Mets are rethinking sponsored content, creating meaningful fan connections, and leveraging digital platforms like YouTube for long-form storytelling. Plus, hear how “The Pursuit” documentary on Juan Soto’s acquisition came to life, and why integration, not interruption, is the future of sports media partnerships. Listen here. Also, check out Alex’s side hustle, a great weekly newsletter Sponcon Sports, worth a follow.
Bringing Some Hutzpah, Literally, to NIL. The last of our conversations from Media Row at the Super Bowl is a good one. We spoke with comedian and writer Jeremy Moses, who – along with fellow comedian and world record holder for most first pitches thrown in one season, Eitan Levine – leveraged their experience hosting a short-lived sports show at Amazon into a new business venture. They spearheaded one of the more unique Name, Image, and Likeness deals, partnering successful BYU Cougars QB Jake Retzlaff with the traditional Jewish food brand Manischewitz. This partnership attracted national attention. They saw the big opportunity – creating content and curating NIL deals not through school allegiance but through ethnicity, starting with over 50 Jewish athletes, and have recently launched a company, Tribe NIL, which ties to the common familial bond of athletes rather than a transient school one. If it works for Jewish athletes, who else could it work for? A fun 15 minute listen.
Running With Leadership, Relatively and Figuratively. Lastly, we spent time with Gene McCarthy, former President & CEO of ASICS and current Founder & CEO of Top League Advisory. With a storied career at Nike, Under Armour, Reebok, and ASICS, Gene shares his candid insights on what it truly takes to lead, the art of listening, and how to navigate the world of sports and lifestyle brands at the executive level, from working closely with legends like Phil Knight and Kevin Plank, to his days as a world class miler at Fordham University, and how a simple letter launched a career. He also discusses his book, Chasing Four: A Personal History of Work and Play – a reflection on his professional journey and philosophy. Listen and learn and take lots of notes.
Enjoy and reach out for guest ideas!
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