SBJ On Stage

By Sports Business JournalSports Business Entrepreneurship News Sports News

SBJ On Stage episodes

November 03Carlie Irsay-Gordon: Stewarding a Legacy Shaping the Future
In this episode of On Stage, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, joins Ben Fischer of Sports Business Journal for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, family legacy, the future of the Colts, and the evolving business of the NFL.
Recorded at SBJ’s AXS DRIVE Conference in Indianapolis on September 24, the discussion explores how Irsay-Gordon is approaching a new era for one of the NFL’s most established family-owned franchises. She reflects on lessons learned from her father, Jim Irsay, her philosophy on listening and leadership, the importance of diverse perspectives in NFL decision-making, and how the Colts are adapting to changing fan behaviors and an increasingly digital sports landscape.
Key themes include:
Leading the Colts Into a New Era: How Irsay-Gordon views herself as a bridge between generations of NFL ownership and why listening, asking better questions, and speaking up when you can add value are central to her leadership style.
The Future of NFL Fandom: How digital media, changing consumer habits, player-driven fandom, streaming, and increased competition for attention are reshaping the way teams connect with fans.
Reimagining the Colts’ Stadium Experience: Why Lucas Oil Stadium remains a strong foundation, but needs to evolve with more premium experiences, upgraded technology, improved food and beverage, and new ways for fans to socialize.
Investing in Downtown Indianapolis: How potential stadium improvements, a new practice facility, mixed-use development, and public-private partnerships could help the Colts become a catalyst for the next chapter of downtown Indianapolis.
Carrying Forward the Irsay Legacy: How years of succession planning and hands-on experience prepared the family for leadership after Jim Irsay’s passing, and why Irsay-Gordon wants to make the Colts not only successful, but timeless and iconic.
It’s a candid look inside the future of the Indianapolis Colts, as Irsay-Gordon balances football, business, family legacy, and a long-term vision for the franchise’s role in Indianapolis and the NFL. If you'd like to take a deeper dive into the vision for the Colts and how it is being shaped, please give SBJ's profile Carlie Irsay-Gordon: The Long Game a read -- it is well worth your time.
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33 min
October 20Herb Simon: Reflections on a Lifetime of Leadership
In this episode of On Stage, Herb Simon, Owner of Pacers Sports & Entertainment and the longest-tenured owner in NBA and WNBA history, joins Abe Madkour, Publisher and Executive Editor of Sports Business Journal, for a wide-ranging conversation reflecting on more than four decades of ownership, leadership, and basketball.
Recorded at SBJ’s AXS Drive conference in Indianapolis on September 23, 2026, the discussion traces Herb Simon’s journey from reluctant Indiana transplant to Basketball Hall of Famer and influential figure in professional sports. He shares the unlikely story of buying the Indiana Pacers in 1983, his approach to building a lasting organization, the evolution of the NBA and WNBA, and why winning, community, and treating people well remain at the heart of his philosophy.
Key themes include:
An Unexpected Journey into Sports:How a call from the mayor led Herb Simon and his brother to purchase the Pacers and help keep the franchise in Indianapolis.
Leading with Care: Why continuity, trust, treating people well, and empowering talented leaders have defined Simon’s approach to ownership.
The Evolution of the NBA and WNBA:Simon reflects on the growth of both leagues, the impact of commissioners David Stern and Adam Silver, and the remarkable rise of the Indiana Fever.
Players Who Defined an Era: The lasting impact of Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and Tamika Catchings on Simon, the organization, and basketball in Indiana.
Building for Indianapolis: How sports, development, and investment in downtown Indianapolis have become intertwined with Simon’s commitment to giving back to the community.
It’s a candid and often humorous conversation with one of basketball’s longest-serving owners about luck, loyalty, family, competition, and the simple principles that have guided a lifetime in business and sports.
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26 min
October 06 Nicole Lynn: A Woman Changing the Game and Disrupting the Status Quo
In this episode of SBJ On Stage, recorded at SBJ's Game Changers conference in 2024, trailblazing sports agent Nicole Lynn joins veteran broadcaster Bonnie Bernstein for a candid conversation about purpose, authenticity, leadership, mentorship, personal branding and the power of betting on yourself. Nicole shares how she left Wall Street to pursue a career in sports, why she refuses to "cover" parts of her identity to fit in, and how empathy, excellence and mentorship have shaped her approach to representing athletes.
Following the conversation, SBJ's Managing Director, Dan Kaufman, is joined by Tiffany Griffiths-Williams, Senior Business Counsel at NFL Players Inc., to unpack Nicole's insights on sponsorship, authenticity, empathy and creating more opportunities for the next generation of leaders in sports.
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49 min
September 22 Dana White: UFC Media and Business Landscape
In this edition of SBJ On Stage, we take you to SBJ's Media Innovators conference in the fall of 2024 for a conversation with UFC CEO Dana White, and SBJ Publisher and Executive Editor, Abe Madkour.
Fresh off a record-setting run at Madison Square Garden, White discusses the UFC's upcoming media rights negotiations, the rise of streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon and YouTube, and why he believes the sport has yet to reach its ceiling. He also shares his views on global expansion into markets like Spain, Mexico and Africa, the evolution of athlete development through UFC's Performance Institutes, and how TKO Group is creating new opportunities across combat sports.
White dives into the rapid growth of Power Slap, the future of boxing under the TKO umbrella, the challenges of piracy, Las Vegas' emergence as America's sports capital, and the leadership principles that have guided UFC's rise from a niche property to a global powerhouse.
Plus, he offers thoughts on social media, younger audiences, talent development, workplace culture, longevity, health and performance, and the vision that continues to drive him after more than two decades at the helm of UFC.
Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

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28 min
August 25 SBJ On Stage Revisited: Bob Iger & Jimmy Pitaro with New Context and Commentary
In this edition of SBJ On Stage, we revisit a conversation between Bob Iger and Jimmy Pitaro from SBJ’s 2025 CAA World Congress of Sports.
The conversation takes on added relevance considering Iger and Josh Kushner’s pending acquisition of the Los Angeles Lakers in a record-breaking transaction. Plus, as the industry reflects on the one-year anniversary of ESPN's direct-to-consumer service, listeners can evaluate many of the predictions, priorities, and strategic themes discussed between Iger and Pitaro.
SBJ’s managing director, Dan Kaufman, and Jump’s CEO & co-founder, Jordy Leiser, add additional context and commentary.
Whether you're hearing this conversation for the first time or revisiting it with fresh perspective, it offers a fascinating snapshot of two influential executives discussing the future of sports, media and technology.
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45 min
August 11MJ Jabbour: Transforming with Intention AI Leadership in a Changing World
In this episode of On Stage, Microsoft’s Chief AI Officer, MJ Jabbour, explores concepts such as “abundance of cognition,” the risks of de-skilling, and how organizations can prepare for increasingly capable AI systems. The episode features a new addition to the SBJ On Stage format as TKO Group’s EVP of Innovation, Alon Cohen, becomes the show's first guest commentator, joining host Dan Kaufman to react to Jabbour’s ideas, challenge key assumptions, and discuss what AI means for sports, entertainment and human creativity. Together, this episode examines where AI creates value, where human judgment remains essential, and why curiosity, imagination and wonder may become even more important in an AI-powered future.
Here are some highlights from this episode:
AI is headed toward an "abundance of cognition” economy.
MJ argues that today's frontier AI models will eventually become as inexpensive and ubiquitous as electricity. The real challenge won't be access to intelligence, but how organizations and individuals manage a world where cognitive labor is abundant and nearly free.

The biggest risk isn't job loss. It's loss of agency.
MJ's concern isn't that AI replaces people, but that people stop thinking for themselves. His advice to his children, "Teach me, don't tell me" and "Think before you ask," becomes a framework for how leaders should use AI without surrendering judgment, curiosity, and independent thought.

The future belongs to creativity and imagination, not task completion.
Both MJ and Alon Cohen stress that routine, trainable work is increasingly automatable. The differentiator for employees, executives, and organizations will be creativity, emotional intelligence, judgment, and the ability to imagine something new rather than simply execute known processes.

The next frontier isn't better chatbots. It's machines creating new knowledge.
MJ predicts the biggest breakthroughs will come from "AI scientists" and systems that can discover new drugs, new technologies, and new insights rather than simply summarize existing information. Alon pushes back on whether AI can truly generate novel ideas, creating one of the episode's most compelling debates: Can AI genuinely imagine?
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49 min
July 28Andrew Yaffe: Lessons from a new CEO on scaling Dude Perfect
In this episode of On Stage, Andrew Yaffe, CEO of Dude Perfect, joins Bret McCormick, Staff Reporter at Sports Business Journal, for a conversation about how one of the world's most recognizable creator brands is redefining sports fandom for a new generation. Recorded in June 2026 at SBJ's Brand Innovation Summit in Chicago, the discussion explores Dude Perfect's remarkable evolution—from five friends making trick-shot videos at Texas A&M to a global entertainment business with nearly 100 million followers, live tours, merchandise, premium brand partnerships, and a long-term vision that stretches far beyond social media.
Yaffe shares how the company is thinking about its next chapter, including:
Building a Lasting Brand: Why Dude Perfect hired its first CEO and how the company is evolving from a creator collective into a multi-platform sports and entertainment business.

Authenticity at Scale: How the founders have stayed true to their original mission of simply making content that's fun—even after 17 years of explosive growth.

Beyond Digital: The strategy behind expanding into live experiences, consumer products, media, and physical destinations that deepen fan engagement.

The Creator Economy: What traditional sports organizations can learn from digital-first brands about building community and reaching younger audiences.

Culture as Strategy: Why creativity, trust, and long-term thinking are the foundation of sustainable growth.
It's an insightful look at how one of sports entertainment's most innovative brands is turning internet success into an enduring business.
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32 min
July 14Jess Smith: Building a Modern Sports Franchise
In this episode of On Stage, Jess Smith, President of the Golden State Valkyries, joins Jenn Azara, Director of Tech & Women's Sports Content at Sports Business Journal, for a conversation about launching one of the most successful expansion franchises in professional sports. Recorded at SBJ's Tech Week in New York City in May 2026, the discussion explores how the Valkyries have blended technology, innovation, and fan-first thinking to build momentum from day one. Fresh off a historic inaugural season that included record attendance, a playoff appearance, and one of the highest franchise valuations in women's sports, Smith shares the philosophy behind building a modern organization from the ground up.
Key themes include:
Launching with Purpose: How the Valkyries approached expansion differently to establish a strong identity from day one.

Technology as a Competitive Advantage: Using data, AI, and digital tools to enhance business operations and the fan experience.

Designing Around the Fan: Why every decision begins with understanding what today's sports fans value most.

The Growth of Women's Sports: What the Valkyries' early success says about the future of the WNBA and the broader marketplace.

Building for the Long Term: Lessons in culture, innovation, and leadership while creating a franchise designed to thrive for decades.
It's an inspiring look at how one of sports' newest teams became one of its most talked-about success stories.
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38 min
June 30Bela Bajaria - Content Live Sports and Netflix Next Chapter
In this episode of On Stage, Bela Bajaria, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, joins Elle Duncan, Lead Host of Sports and Live Events at Netflix and studio host for USA Sports, for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of entertainment, storytelling, and live sports. Recorded in April 2026 at the CAA World Congress of Sports presented by Sports Business Journal, the discussion explores how Netflix continues to evolve from a streaming pioneer into one of the most influential players in sports and live entertainment. Throughout the conversation, Bajaria shares insights on:
The Power of Great Storytelling: Why compelling characters and authentic stories remain at the center of every successful piece of content.

Netflix & Live Sports: How the company is approaching live events and sports programming while staying true to its broader content strategy.

Building Global Franchises: What it takes to create content that resonates across cultures and audiences around the world.

Creative Partnerships: How Netflix works with leagues, athletes, creators, and producers to develop distinctive programming.

Leading at Scale: Bajaria's philosophy for managing one of the world's largest content organizations during a period of rapid industry transformation.
From documentaries and scripted series to live sporting events, it's a fascinating look at how one of the world's most influential media companies is thinking about the future of content.
Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

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31 min
June 16Eric Shanks: Leadership Live Sports and the Future of FOX Sports
In this episode of On Stage, Eric Shanks, CEO and Executive Producer of FOX Sports, joins Colin Cowherd, host of The Herd, for a candid conversation on leadership, media strategy, and the enduring power of live sports. Recorded on April 15, 2026, at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles, the discussion comes at a remarkable moment for Shanks and FOX Sports. As highlighted in a recent Sports Business Journal profile, Shanks has overseen some of the most significant moments in modern sports media—from Super Bowls and World Cups to major rights acquisitions and the continued evolution of FOX's sports portfolio.
Throughout the conversation, Shanks reflects on:
Leading Through Big Moments: Lessons learned from managing some of the largest broadcasts and events in sports.

The Value of Live Sports: Why premium live content remains one of the most powerful assets in media.

Media's Next Chapter: How audience behavior, streaming, and technology are reshaping the business.

Building Winning Teams: His leadership philosophy and approach to developing talent and culture inside FOX Sports.

The Future of Sports Storytelling: How broadcasters can continue to engage fans in an increasingly fragmented media environment.
It’s an engaging discussion with one of the most influential executives in sports media, offering perspective on leadership, innovation, and the future of the industry.
Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry.

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30 min

About SBJ On Stage

From the publisher's feed

SBJ On Stage is where the most impactful conversations in sports and business leadership get a second spotlight. Recorded live at Sports Business Journal’s industry events and presented with fresh…