We have had quite a run of super smart guests on the podcast recently, so wanted to share three more solid, 45 minute and less listens on everything from how the NFL got to be the NFL to AI and fan engagement to a unique look at business strategy in areas like college sports and the growing business tied to women’s sports and leadership.
How Did the NFL get to be this “thing” it is today? As you may know my co-host Tom Richardson spent a good part of his career at the NFL during the era when it really began transitioning from a league to a property. Much of that started as a newer era of owners came in the door, led largely by The Patriots Robert Kraft and the Cowboys Jerry Jones. That’s where Ken Belson of the New York Times chose to focus his new book Every Day Is Sunday. Belson shares how the 1993 labor peace set the foundation for the league’s financial explosion, the role of visionaries like Jones and Kraft in transforming the business, and how media innovation, from Fox’s early deals to today’s streaming era, reshaped fan engagement. He also offers insights into the league’s next chapter, from succession among ownership families to how new leadership and technology will define the future of the NFL. It was a great and insightful conversation for a book that will be in demand the rest of the fall. Listen here.
Leveraging The New Audience: Tom spent time talking to Charece Williams – a powerhouse in sports marketing and strategic partnerships. As the founder of Inside the Huddle and host of How the Business Is Played, Charece has built a career brokering high-impact brand deals across women’s sports and collegiate athletics. She shares her journey from student-athlete to executive roles at PepsiCo, Under Armour, and Coca-Cola, offering an insider’s view on how the business of sports is evolving. They delve into the rise of women’s sports, the evolving landscape of college athletics, and the expanding opportunities for athletes and brands alike. A great listen around where we are going as a business.
The Changing Role of Engagement: Lastly, another visit with Shripal Shah, Chief Digital Officer at Next League, to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping the sports industry. From AI-driven fan engagement to scalable innovation strategies, Shripal shares how top organizations are leveraging digital transformation to boost revenue and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you’re in sports, tech, or just curious about where the industry is heading, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. He also has his third book out now, Unlocking Fan Loyalty: From Frequent Flyers to Fanatics in the Age of AI (I wrote the forward) so this can serve as a great primer to the book. Listen here.
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