Navigating Sports Business

"There is always a cost to progress"

Bob Kendrick – President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum – on three vital lessons we can all learn from the story of the Negro Leagues. He also points out how progress comes at a price. With integration into Major League Baseball, many Black-owned businesses suffered.

Bob explains why it's important to remember the team managers, owners, and other employees who made the Negro Leagues possible, not just the players who were heroes on the field. Their stories are an essential part of sports business history, and we urge everyone to listen to Bob's full episode for many more stories from the rich history of Negro Leagues baseball.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=094dbf0f9b0124c594740b88d443a64a

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

Bob Kendrick – President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum – on the profound story of baseball and American history that was intentionally ignored by historians, and the museums's mission to make that story known.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=094dbf0f9b0124c594740b88d443a64a

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

Bob Kendrick - President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum - has spent decades educating people about one of the most important chapters in American history.

He and Jeff Nelson discuss the fascinating history of the Negro Leagues and the star players that have been far-too-often overlooked by sports fans across the country.

They also discuss the museum's 55-million-dollar fundraising campaign and the expansion to a new renovated district which will include a 30,000 square foot museum building. Bob has been with the museum since it was still a collection of stories and memorabilia in one room in Kansas City.

The NLBM was recently featured in an episode of Ted Lesso and that attention has meant great things for the museum's publicity. Bob tells of how he was offered a cameo role and why he turned it down. He is, however, prominently featured in the MLB The Show video game.

Timestamps:

• 2:15 - Touring Henry Aaron
• 8:35 - Expanding from one room
• 13:55 - Coexisting with Cooperstown
• 18:20 - Negro Leagues stats added to MLB record books
• 22:00 - Ted Lasso visits the NLBM and the business impact
• 26:15 - Three key lessons from the Negro Leagues
• 31:25 - The museum's role in representation in baseball

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

Should the NFL put a team in Europe?

AJ and Charles discuss paths to international expansion in Europe or Africa as the NFL looks to expand its global presence beyond the United States.

The NBA already gets around 10% of its media dollars from international rights, and that could be the goal for the NFL in its next wave of negotiations.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=3d71db41f8d7a394d6b587a7f171f363

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

51% of Americans are NFL fans. Where does the league go from here?

AJ & Charles discuss the prospects of NFL international expansion, an 18th game, the next media deal, flag football, and other ways that American football can continue to grow.

Are you an employee or equity holder for a U.S.-based pro sports team? Take the PRO Public Policy Poll by September 4th: https://survey.sightx.io/9866314006e0c906ca306f3eac718882b45e18ecff0f34bc2bd3ada1cb809aae

Timestamps:

1. 0:45 - How big is the NFL?
2. 3:00 - The next NFL media deal
3. 10:10 Adding an 18th game
4. 13:40 - International growth for the NFL
5. 17:55 - Flag football
6. 19:00 - Predictions

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

The cost of supporting your favorite teams has doubled in the past 10 years.

Our most recent episode of Navigating Sports Business explores the rising cost of sports fandom and if that trend is sustainable for fans, teams, and leagues.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=fe4d6cb197e064772ba8c97f8090c9f0

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

The average sports fan spends $3,600 per year watching and supporting their favorite teams. Twice what they spend putting gas in their car.

Ticket prices, subscription costs, and other expenses continue to rise. AJ and Charles look into the inflation-adjusted numbers to determine what's driving the increases and if we're on a sustainable trajectory.

They also discuss ways that properties and brand sponsors can mitigate the expenses for fans.

Timestamps:

• 0:35- The cost of being a fan
• 3:45 - Does expense change fan behavior?
• 14:55 - How sponsors and brands can reduce fan friction
• 18:35 - What's driving cost increases?
• 23:55 - Predictions

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

"If you care about the game of baseball growing, these are the things we need to continue to do."

Don Rovak - CRO of the Baltimore Orioles - on the fan reactions to their renovations of Camden Yards.

They have focused on adding new, branded social spaces as well a new video board to modernize the in-stadium fan experience.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast/

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

It's the 150th episode of Navigating Sports Business! We're joined by our client, Don Rovak, to discuss to the latest with Camden Yards and the Baltimore Orioles.

Don Rovak - CRO at the Baltimore Orioles - has helped modernize and grow the Orioles' commercial operation. He and Jeff Nelson discuss the Camden Yards renovation and how the definition of a great fan experience is always changing.

They also explore some of the recently announced premium partnerships, the keys to hiring great sales people, and how success on the field impacts the business side.

Timestamps:

• 1:20 - Differences working in NFL and MLB
• 3:15 - Responsibilities of the C-Suite
• 5:55 - Is hiring salespeople more difficult than ever?
• 12:00 - How the team's success impacts the CRO role
• 15:10 - Camden Yards Renovations
• 24:50 - Bringing non-baseball events to Camden Yards
• 28:15 - Rapid Fire Questions

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

AJ Maestas and Ally Corbin recap Navigate's fan friction study and Ally's presentation at the SBJ Brand Innovation Summit.

Fans remember the brands that provide a practical benefit, not just a logo. Ally shares key insights and the best practices we're seeing today.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=0dcdb8b6faede311663e63eb7feb10d3

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