"Every Red Sox or every Bruins game is a theatrical hit."

Ahmed Darwish - Chief Marketing Officer at NESN - explains the importance of making games accessible to fans, and how NESN's continuity helps fans have a reliable options for watching their favorites teams.

Despite streaming reshaping the industry and new players emerging, sports continue to hold strong media value.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=26384a6a11beff0e3a5a84278a24a4f1

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jared Orton – President of the Savannah Bananas – on the origins of the Bananaland at Sea fan cruise, which the team is bringing back for another voyage in 2026.

The Savannah Bananas are known for providing the very best in fan engagement, and the creativity and detailed planning that went into the fan cruise are the perfect example.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=fc87122340fbf55d3eccd66e0094711a

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

"I believe in my alma mater LSU more than anybody will ever know"

Scott Woodward – Athletics Director at LSU – on his approach to coach hiring, and swinging for the fences to secure the very best available. No matter how well an AD operates on the business side, they are still judged by noteworthy hires they make. That's why alignment with your institution and stakeholders is key.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=73ba4b4bc47497339d91f6283bee4e37

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Robert Davari - CEO and Founder of Tixr - on how they are disrupting an industry by focusing on optimization, design, and building a better ticketing and ecommerce product.

Tixr recently announced its partnership with the San Jose Earthquakes, the first "big 5" team on their roster.

Timestamps:

• 1:40 - Tixr’s origins
• 8:50 - Ticketing technology
• 12:05 - San Jose Earthquakes Partnership
• 15:35 - Patience when building a company
• 20:05 - Competing with legacy players
• 24:10 - Secondary Ticketing
• 28:30 - Tixr Brands
• 31:00 - Rapid Fire Questions

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Vince Kozar – President of the Phoenix Mercury – talks about how they have no trouble retaining fans who watch a game live or on TV. Whether those fans initially come to see Caitlin Clark, a rival team, or are just skipping channels, once they see what the Mercury have to offer, they stick around.

He also talks about the broader mission of the organization and the work they are doing to increase sports participation among girls.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=779772e3b0843d82ff3d8ec6893b292f

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Navigating Sports Media: Ahmed Darwish - CMO at NESN - leads marketing for one of the most well-known and successful RSNs in the country. As business models shift across media, they are finding ways to reach more fans, including their DTC platform, NESN 360.

He also shares trends and predictions for NESN, for baseball, and for sports media in general.

Timestamps:

4:00 - DTC and Distribution

14:00 - Having multiple teams on the platform

16:15 - Marketing tactics

22:05 - Baseball predictions

26:15 - Ahmed’s career path

37:30 - Rapid Fire Questions

Book Recommendation:

• The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Nic Barlage – CEO of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group – explains his strategy of pivoting more towards single-game tickets, despite most teams focusing on season ticket packages. Capping season tickets has helped the Cavs jump into the top third of the NBA in gate revenue.

He also discusses the Cavs Reward program and what makes it more effective than other loyalty programs in sports.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=72489191733141b7fb29046bc253b7f3

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Scott Woodward - Athletics Director at LSU - always seems to make the right coaching hire. He breaks down how finds the best candidates and shares other tips for succeeding as a high-level athletic department.

A man of many interests, he also discusses food, wine, literature, and advice for young people.

Timestamps:

2:15 - A lifelong LSU fan becoming AD

9:05 - Hiring the best coaches

19:20 - Livvy Dunne and building athlete brands

22:25 - Athletic departments creating commercial arms

26:15 - Crystal ball predictions

27:50 - Scott’s interests outside of athletics

35:20 - Rapid Fire Questions

Shownotes:

• The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
• War of Shadows
• Gino’s Restaurant

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jahm Najafi – Chairman and Partner at MSP Sports Capital and Head of the Najafi Companies – shares his excitement for the new X Games League that will be to action sports what Formula 1 is to motorsports.

Najafi is an investor in X Games as well as McLaren Racing and other sports properties.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=28d3e011473bfd6caad5a7be5a48e682

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Vince Kozar - President of the Phoenix Mercury - joins us to discuss the evolving landscape of the WNBA, his career journey with the franchise, and what’s next for the team following Diana Taurasi’s retirement. From front office shifts to player acquisitions, Vince shares insights into how the Mercury are navigating a transformative era.

Timestamps:

• 1:55 – Inside the Mercury’s active offseason moves
• 5:00 – Reflecting on Diana Taurasi’s retirement
• 15:00 – Vince Kozar’s path to team president
• 20:00 – Impact of new Suns/Mercury ownership
• 26:50 – Hosting the 2026 Women’s Final Four
• 29:20 - Differentiators for the Mercury
• 33:50 – Rapid Fire Questions

🎧 Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the WNBA’s most iconic franchises.

🔗 For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn or visit nvgt.com.