Pod On Point

The POP crew debuts a new segment this week as they briefly surface some wins and losses from across the sports & business landscape (and of course, 1 story surfaces as a draw).

In their top stories segment, the team talks through the wide ranging financial issues that are notably impacting the global sports scene. On the professional front, wage deferrals, media rights, and empty stadiums are hot topics. As they look at the NCAA, Power 5 and basketball schools, far flung conferences, non-revenue sports, and more are covered. 

Wrapping the show with their weekly C’mon man segment, Mike is perplexed why a $1.2MM legal bill at KU is framed as business as usual…

In this week’s openers, the crew sorts out an update on Leo Messi and his contract status, comments on a newly formed college basketball parents association, and then briefly talks about the recent Clemson/FSU non-game.

In top stories, Anand covers the churn that’s building due to the heavy club soccer schedule, Mike discusses the financial realities of finishing the college basketball season and then Vlad wraps up top stories with a discussion about NBA roster formation. 

Closing the episode with this week’s C’mon man segment, Vlad wonders what’s up with Barca leadership and their post game media strategies...

The Pod On Point crew warms up to start this week’s episode with a couple of quick takes including Wichita State’s shocking settlement, NBA free agency, and the prospects for the 2021 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Next up, Philip Walter joins the show in a fantastic chat about the gaming industry, his company Gamers Academy, making gamers smarter as they tackle games like EA Sports FIFA21, and his perspectives on the future for the hyper-growth gaming space. 

Closing the episode with the weekly C’mon man section, Vlad has found yet another lucrative breeding space…

In this week’s openers, Mike begins with the scoop on Top Golf’s sale to Callaway. Anand weighs in with a look at a first time Fall Master’s and the tour’s new phenom, Bryson DeChambeau. 

In top stories, Vlad talks about the now omni-present availability of sports gambling across the US and compares notes with Anand on how the landscape may change over the coming years. Anand then details the rapidly changing sports viewership landscape that has both US and global impacts.

Closing with their standard C’mon man jab, Mike highlights the Warriors potential opponents if the NBA had relegation…

Brian Kopp, Partner and Group CEO of Phoenix Sports Partners, joins this week’s show to talk about the inner workings of the sports analytics industry. Brian details which leagues are leading the pack, how teams employ people and data to gain an edge, and provides numerous insider angles to this burgeoning space. 

Kicking off the opening segment of the show, Vlad takes us through Russell Wilson’s broad performance team that helps keep him in year-round tip-top shape. Mike highlights several components to the recent Utah Jazz billion dollar transaction. Closing out the opening segment, guest host Anand sorts through how Liverpool FC has returned to prominence with analytics playing a driving role in their roster formation. 

Closing the show with their weekly C’mon man section, Mike thinks Lane Kiffin’s math skills might be better kept under wraps...

Sport Attorney Gregg Clifton joins the show to discuss the legal issues, political landscape, and the impacts to all stakeholders in the rapidly evolving Name, Image, and Likeness space for NCAA athletes. 

In this week’s Speed Round, MIke opens with the NCAA’s push to retain their murky definition of amateurism by appealing to the Supreme Court to hear their case. Next up, Vlad surfaces a study by 4 Big 10 professors that analyze the rapidly rising sports-related revenues at big time universities while also highlighting where those revenues are then distributed across a university. 

In this week’s C’mon Man, Mike wonders if U-Dub’s multi-sport alum and NBA-vet Nate Robinson is the Most Interesting Athlete in the World...

Georgetown University Men’s Soccer Head Coach Brian Wiese join’s Mike and Vlad this week to discuss the state of his program, defending their national title in their now spring title-defense season, and Brian’s take on the state of US Soccer. 

In this week’s Speed Round, Mike opens with details on the cutting-edge naming rights deal signed by Kroenke Sports for the newly named Ball Arena in Denver. Next up, Vlad highlights a number of marketing initiatives by LaLiga with their innovative watch parties in the US and gameday events back in Spain. Closing the Speed Round, Mike covers the rise in scoring in the English Premier League and asks the question if technology is hurting the beautiful game.

Closing this week with their C’mon Man, Vlad is curious if Leo Messi needs to spread his wings outside of the family with some new representation...

Richard Brand is one of THE pre-eminent players in the sports venues naming rights field as expert counsel leading deals for the last several decades. As the Managing Partner for Arent Fox’s San Francisco office (and head of their Sports group), Rich has led naming rights and sports related deals spanning all major US sports for both professional and collegiate venues. Vlad and Mike have a great chat with Rich and much more on this week’s episode of the Pod On Point Podcast.

In this week’s speed round, Mike and Vlad briefly update details on CU Boulder’s deal with gambling shop Pointsbet. Next up, the sports memorabilia marketplace has reawakened this summer as Mike spotlights the funding raise by Rally. Vlad closes the speed round with a callout on the concluding basketball playoffs for both the WNBA and the NBA.

Closing out this week’s episode with their C’mon Man section, Vlad wonders aloud if the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler has found his post-basketball career calling…

In Episode 6’s Speed Round, Mike and Vlad talk about the NCAA’s upcoming vote on school’s eligibility for the 2020 Bowl season and the notable move of many US Women’s soccer stars to the English Premier League. 

In this week’s Top Stories, Mike and Vlad take another look at the ongoing developments with Name, Image, and Likeness including how Congress has officially waded into the waters. Next, Vlad discusses the youth movement in global cycling and wonders what it will take for the US audience to re-engage. Last, Mike surfaces a looming problem on the horizon for the sports industry as Gen Z tracks sports in non-traditional ways.

Closing this week’s episode with their C’Mon man section, Vlad wonders why Rafa Nadal needs to know what time it is…

In Episode 5’s Speed Round, Mike and Vlad briefly cover out-of-date regulations in sports leagues, the ascension of the Denver Nuggets, and LeBron’s 2nd place MVP finish. 

In Top Stories, Mike tackles sports gambling’s accelerating prominence across the US sports landscape and wonders the impact on young athletes and fans. Next, Mike takes a look at the newly dubbed connected fitness industry with Vlad spotlighting Apple’s Fitness+ offering. In their last top story, Vlad and Mike dig into how men’s college basketball teams are looking to launch their seasons after Thanksgiving.

As the episode closes with this week’s C’mon Man, Mike wonders if Luis Suarez has any bite left after being denied in Italy...