In this episode of On Stage, Sports Business Journal’s Executive Publisher Abe Madkour sits down with iconic sports agent David Falk for a conversation about the legacy of athlete empowerment and the business of storytelling. 

Recorded on May 20, 2025, at SBJ’s 4se event in New York City, the conversation traces Falk’s role in redefining what it means to represent an athlete—not just on the court, but across culture, commerce, and entertainment. 

Falk, who famously represented Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Patrick Ewing, and many more, shares: 

• The Air Jordan Origin Story: How a revolutionary approach to marketing turned a rookie deal into a global brand. 
• Agent as Architect: Why the most successful agents don’t just negotiate—they help build enduring platforms and partnerships. 
• Cultural Relevance: The fusion of sports, fashion, and music, and what it takes for an athlete to shape culture beyond the game. 
• Leadership Lessons: What he’s learned from four decades working at the intersection of sports, media, and influence. 

It’s a one-of-a-kind conversation with a one-of-a-kind operator—part oral history, part masterclass in what it takes to build icons. 

Episode Description: 

In this episode of On Stage, Sports Business Journal’s Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour sits down with SMAC Entertainment’s dynamic co-founders—Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini—for a masterclass in athlete-driven media and brand building. 

Recorded on May 20, 2025, at SBJ’s 4se event in New York City, this wide-ranging conversation covers the origin story behind SMAC, how the former NFL star and the veteran media executive built a business that blends storytelling with strategy, and the secret to unlocking multi-platform success.

Topics include:

• The SMAC Playbook: How the duo built a platform that champions authenticity, from Coach Prime to the upcoming Madden film. 
• Strahan’s Evolution: From Super Bowl champion to Emmy-winning host, entrepreneur, and prospective NFL team investor. 
• Media Disruption: How SMAC is reshaping the rules of traditional sports and entertainment storytelling. 
• Brand Building: What it really means to be a multi-hyphenate—and how to scale that vision with purpose. 
• Creative Partnership: Reflections on years of working together and how their complementary strengths built a company that’s redefining modern influence. 

From Sunday football to weekday primetime, SMAC is proving there's more than one way to win—as long as the story is real.

Episode Description:

In this episode of On Stage, Sports Business Journal’s Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour sits down with the three siblings leading the most valuable sports franchise in the world—the Dallas Cowboys. 

Recorded on September 17, 2024, at SBJ’s AXS DRIVE event in Frisco, Texas, this rare joint appearance features Charlotte Jones (Chief Brand Officer), Jerry Jones Jr. (Chief Sales & Marketing Officer), and Stephen Jones (Chief Operating Officer) in an open, insightful—and often humorous—conversation about brand leadership, family legacy, and building a business that goes far beyond game day. 

Together, they discuss: 

• The Cowboys Brand Philosophy: How consistency, culture, and big picture planning keeps “America’s Team” commercially successful. 
• Family Governance in Sports: Lessons from decades of collaboration and how they divide roles across football and business operations. 
• Leadership Through Change: How the Cowboys have adapted to evolving fan behavior, media, and sponsorship trends. 
• Stadium and Venue Strategy: AT&T Stadium’s global status—and what’s next for the Cowboys’ physical and digital presence. 
• Legacy and Longevity: What it means to uphold a multi-generational vision while continually evolving. 

Getting all three Jones siblings on stage together is rare—and the energy, humor, and candor they bring to this conversation is both entertaining and insightful.

Episode Description:

In this episode of On Stage, Olympic gold medalist and action sports icon Shaun White joins Sports Business Journal staff writer Chris Smith for a strategic conversation that took place on May 21, 2025, at SBJ’s 4se event in New York City.

White shares his vision behind The Snow League, a new venture designed to bring structure, visibility, and commercial potential to competitive snowboarding—while capturing a broader, global audience. Blending his experience as a world-class athlete with lessons from brand-building and entrepreneurship, White covers:

• The Genesis of The Snow League: Why he created it and how it fills a gap in the winter sports ecosystem.
• Athlete Empowerment & Event Design: Reimagining competition formats, travel, and athlete schedules to prioritize sustainability, fan engagement, and fairness.
• Brand Building & Cultural Influence: How White views storytelling, content, and creator partnerships as central to growing snowboarding’s mainstream appeal.
• Long-Term Vision and Investments: How he’s positioning The Snow League as a platform for the next generation and additional investments he’s been making in sports.

It’s a future-focused, candid conversation with one of the most recognizable names in sports—now shaping his next legacy as a league builder and business visionary.

In this episode of On Stage, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman joins Sports Business Journal senior writer Joe Lemire for a forward-looking conversation that took place on March 5, 2025, at SBJ’s Tech Week. 

Bettman—recently nominated for SBJ’s Executive of the Year award—shares how the NHL is modernizing its business and leaning into technology to shape the league’s next era. In a conversation spanning strategy, innovation, and tradition, Bettman discusses: 

Revenue Growth & Fan Engagement: How the league is tracking toward $7 billion in projected revenue and what’s driving hockey’s expanding global reach. 

Technology & Data Innovation: The evolution of puck and player tracking, and how data is transforming coaching, broadcasting, and fan experience. 

Media & Streaming Strategy: Bettman’s take on digital consumption, partnerships, and balancing national exposure with local market access. 

Future of the Draft: His thoughts on the NHL Draft and how it’s going to be evolving moving forward. 

Leadership & Legacy: Reflections on his 30+ year tenure and how he continues to evolve the NHL for the modern fan. 

It’s a wide-ranging, insightful conversation with one of the most enduring and effective leaders in sports. 

In this episode of On Stage, Amy Brooks, President of New Business Ventures at the NBA, joins SBJ Managing Director Dan Kaufman for an insight-rich conversation that took place on March 5, 2025, at SBJ’s Tech Week in New York City.

A core architect of the NBA’s growth strategy, Brooks offers an inside look at how the league is evolving its global and domestic business in a rapidly shifting sports landscape. She discusses:

Fan-Centric Innovation: How the NBA is prioritizing personalized and seamless experiences, both in-arena and digitally, to meet the expectations of modern fans.

International Expansion: The NBA’s ongoing efforts to localize its brand and programming abroad, building on the global momentum of its core product.

The Role of Technology: How innovation is reshaping the league’s media strategy, data use, and direct-to-consumer efforts.

TMBO: Reflections on the legacy of Team Marketing & Business Operations (TMBO), founded by David Stern, and its role in supporting team performance across markets.

Leadership Perspective: Brooks’ insights on what it takes to lead innovation inside one of the world’s most dynamic sports brands.

This conversation is a strategic roadmap for anyone interested in how major leagues like the NBA are evolving to stay ahead—both at home and around the world.

In this episode of On Stage, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver joins ESPN and ABC analyst Bob Myers for a candid, in-depth conversation recorded live on April 22, 2025, at the CAA World Congress of Sports, presented by Sports Business Journal.

Silver, one of the most influential figures in global sports, shares his perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping the NBA’s future. Myers—who served as General Manager of the Golden State Warriors, leading them to four NBA championships and earning two NBA Executive of the Year honors—brings a unique perspective from the front office to the broadcast booth.

They cover:

Media Rights & Broadcasting: Silver discusses how local NBA games are “trapped” by outdated cable deals and the future of direct-to-consumer viewing as the league looks to unlock new digital revenue streams.

Ownership & Valuations: Insights on how shifting ownership dynamics and soaring franchise valuations are changing the league’s economic landscape.

CBA & Player Relations: Silver addresses the evolving labor landscape, collective bargaining challenges, and how the league balances players’ needs with business imperatives.

Vision for the NBA: From international growth to fan engagement, Silver shares his vision for how the NBA will stay ahead in a rapidly changing sports and entertainment ecosystem.

This engaging, thought-provoking conversation between two respected voices in the game reveals how the NBA is navigating some of its biggest strategic challenges—and what’s next for basketball’s biggest stage.

In this episode of On Stage, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey joins Sports Business Journal’s Rachel Axon for a candid interview that took place on April 22, 2025, at the CAA World Congress of Sports presented by Sports Business Journal.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in college athletics, Sankey dives into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the NCAA and beyond:

• College Football Playoff (CFP) Format: Sankey offers a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing discussions and why there’s no final model in place yet.
• NIL: He unpacks the evolution of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and why a national clearinghouse could help restore trust and transparency.
• Congressional Involvement & Liability Protection: Sankey discusses why national standards matter, his thoughts on antitrust exemptions, and what real reform could look like.
• Media Rights & Conference Expansion: His perspective on how these forces are reshaping the SEC and college sports as a whole.
• Student-Athlete Welfare: How the conference balances commercial imperatives with the well-being and development of student-athletes.
• Vision for the Future: Sankey shares his thoughts on the next chapter for college sports, what’s working, and what still needs to be addressed.

This conversation— which took place in front of a packed ballroom of sports leaders—provides great insights from the frontlines of the college sports evolution.

In the premiere episode of On Stage, we present an exclusive conversation between Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, and Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN. This discussion took place on April 22nd at the 2025 CAA World Congress of Sports presented by Sports Business Journal in Nashville, Tennessee. It offers a rare glimpse into a mentor-mentee relationship that has significantly influenced the modern media landscape over the past 15 years.

Bob and Jimmy delve into a range of topics, including:

• Bob's journey from a local weatherman to the helm of Disney.
• The synergy between live sports and storytelling in modern entertainment.
• How Bob has approached the intersection of innovation and IP
• Disney's evolving streaming strategy and its implications for the future.
• Bob's recent investment in Angel City FC, led by his wife, Willow Bay.
• A personal anecdote about why naming his son after a childhood sports idol was reconsidered upon joining Disney 

This candid and insightful conversation provides valuable perspectives for professionals in sports, business, and media. Tune in to gain firsthand insights from two industry leaders with a shared history and a forward-looking vision.