In this episode of On Stage, Karen Brodkin, President of WME Basketball, joins Rachel Axon, Staff Writer at Sports Business Journal, for a dynamic conversation on leadership, representation, and influence across the sports ecosystem.  Recorded on September 25, 2025, at SBJ’s Game Changers event in New York City, this discussion traces Brodkin’s remarkable career—from senior leadership roles at Fox Sports and the NFL, to serving as Executive Vice President at Endeavor, to her current position overseeing WME Basketball. 

Throughout the conversation, Brodkin reflects on: 

It’s a compelling look at how one executive has influenced sports from multiple vantage points—league, media, agency, and governance. 

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In this episode of On Stage, Matt Hong, President of USA Sports at Versant, joins Abe Madkour, Publisher & Executive Editor of Sports Business Journal, for an insightful conversation on how the sports media landscape is being rebuilt in real time. Recorded on November 18, 2025, at SBJ’s Media Innovators in New York City, the discussion captures Hong at the center of a fast-evolving ecosystem. Versant operates at the intersection of content, technology, and distribution—helping shape how sports are produced, packaged, and consumed across platforms.

Key themes include:

• Media Disruption: How changing consumer behavior, platforms, and technology are redefining sports media models.
• Versant’s Role: What Versant does, how it partners across the industry, and where Hong sees the greatest opportunity ahead.
• Leadership & Strategy: Hong’s approach to navigating uncertainty, building teams, and making long-term bets in a volatile market.
• Innovation at Scale: How data, distribution, and product thinking are reshaping how fans engage with sports content.
• What’s Next: A look at where sports media is headed—and what leaders should be paying attention to now.

It’s a forward-looking, practical discussion for anyone navigating disruption across sports, media, and technology.

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00:00 - Intro

01:16 - Assessment of job 3 years in

04:17 - Post-House reality for NCAA

04:59 - NCAA would have been bankrupt

05:20 - Prop bets

07:58 - Commercial appeal of NCAA

10:29 - Growth sports around the country

11:06 - SCORE Act update

12:30 - Private equity caution

14:38 - Issues that keep Charlie Baker up at night

17:00 - Reaction to fans complaining about CFP

19:27 - Is college sports too professionalized?

22:40 - USOPC and NCAA relationship

23:57 - Sports Broadcasting Act changes

24:59 - Hope for changes 1 year from now

27:01 - Does Charlie Baker like the job?

28:48 Closing remarks

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In this episode of On Stage, Tom Ricketts, Chairman of the Chicago Cubs, joins Joe Leccese, Chairman Emeritus of Proskauer, for a wide-ranging conversation about stewardship, leadership, and the evolving business of baseball. Recorded on November 19, 2025, at SBJ Dealmakers Conference, the discussion explores how Ricketts balances the weight of tradition that comes with owning one of the most iconic franchises in sports while positioning the Cubs for long-term success in a rapidly changing industry. 
Key themes include: 

• Owning a Legacy Franchise: What it means to lead a century-old team with a deeply rooted fan base and global profile. 
• Long-Term Vision: How the Cubs think about competitive windows, financial discipline, and sustainable success. 
• Business of Baseball: Ricketts’ perspective on league economics, media evolution, and the forces reshaping MLB. 
• Leadership & Governance: Lessons from navigating change, aligning stakeholders, and making decisions with generational impact. 
• Wrigley Field & the Fan Experience: How the Cubs continue to evolve their ballpark and surrounding ecosystem while honoring tradition. 

It’s an insightful conversation with one of sports’ most dynamic owners — offering perspective on how legacy organizations adapt, endure, and evolve. 

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In this episode of On Stage, we take you inside a panel conversation unpacking the launch of one of the most ambitious new properties in sports: TGL. Recorded on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the SBJ World Congress of Sports in Nashville, this discussion brings together leaders from across sports, media, technology, and investment to break down the vision, execution, and early lessons from TGL’s inaugural season.

Moderated by Sports Business Journal staff writer Chris Smith, the panel features:

• Mike McCarley, Founder & CEO of TMRW Sports and TGL
• Rosalyn Durant, Executive Vice President, Programming & Acquisitions at ESPN
• Don Cornwell, Co-Founder & CEO of Dynasty Equity and TMRW Sports investor
• Alexis Ohanian, Founder of Seven Seven Six and founding control owner of Los Angeles Golf Club

Together, they explore:

• The TGL Vision: Why this new format was created — and how it aims to modernize golf for today’s fan.
• Media & Distribution Strategy: How ESPN approached programming, storytelling, and audience development for a new league.
• Capital & Ownership: The role of strategic investors in building credibility, momentum, and long-term value.
• Season One Learnings: What worked, what surprised the group, and what they’d approach differently going forward.
• What’s Next: How TGL fits into the broader evolution of sports entertainment and next-generation fan engagement.

It’s a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how a new league comes to life — from idea to execution — told by the people who built it.

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In this episode of On Stage, Minnesota Vikings Owner and President Mark Wilf joins Sophie Goldschmidt, President and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, for a wide-ranging conversation that took place on October 1, 2025, at Leaders Week London.  Wilf reflects on his journey as an NFL owner and the leadership principles that have shaped the Vikings’ long-term vision—both on and off the field. As the NFL accelerates its international strategy, the conversation offers a timely look at how ownership, culture, and global ambition intersect at the highest levels of sport. 

Key themes from the conversation include: 

• Leadership & Ownership Philosophy: The values that guide Wilf’s approach to team ownership, governance, and decision-making over the long term. 
• Building a Global NFL Brand: How the Vikings are expanding their international footprint, including upcoming games in Dublin and London, and what global growth means for the league’s future. 
• Legacy & Long-Term Vision: Balancing competitive success with organizational stability, culture, and sustained impact.
• Community & Civic Responsibility: The role teams play beyond wins and losses, from local community engagement to international connection.
• Cross-Sport Perspective: Insights from a conversation between leaders operating at the intersection of global sport, business, and culture. 

This episode offers a rare window into how one NFL ownership group thinks about scale, stewardship, and the future of the game—at home and abroad. 

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In this episode of On Stage, we bring you a joint conversation with Dee and Jimmy Haslam of Haslam Sports, one of the most influential ownership groups in American sports. Recorded on October 2, 2025, at Leaders Week London, this discussion offers an inside look at how the Haslams approach ownership, leadership, and long-term community impact across their portfolio: the Cleveland Browns, Columbus Crew, and Milwaukee Bucks. In a thoughtful and candid conversation with BBC Sport presenter Sarah Mulkerrins, the Haslams explore: 

• A Unified Sports Vision: How ownership across the NFL, MLS, and NBA fits into a broader mission driven by community, culture, and competitive success. 
• Leadership Philosophy: Their approach to hiring great people, supporting strong leaders, and maintaining organizational alignment during both highs and lows. 
• Community Responsibility: Why civic pride and long-term social investment are fundamental to their sports ventures. 
• Infrastructure & Legacy: How stadium development, fan experience, and city partnerships shape the future of their franchises.
• Owning in a New Era: What modern ownership requires, from patience to adaptability to purpose-driven strategy. 

This is an insightful and grounded look at how two leaders think about sports not simply as businesses, but as platforms for generational impact. 

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In this episode of On Stage, Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier League, joins Karthi Gnagnasegaram, Presenter and Host, for an in-depth conversation on the evolving strategy behind the world’s most-watched sports league. 

Recorded on October 2, 2025, at Leaders Week London, this discussion explores how Masters and his team are steering the league through a period of transformation—balancing commercial success with the long-term integrity of the game. 

Key discussion points include: 

• Global Growth: How the Premier League continues to strengthen its international influence and deepen fan engagement around the world. 
• Financial Sustainability & Competitive Balance: Insights into new regulatory approaches, investment models, and how the league maintains parity while attracting global talent. 
• Media Rights & Innovation: How evolving technology and viewing habits are reshaping the league’s broadcast and digital strategy. 
• Governance & Independence: Masters’ view on maintaining stability and credibility amid increasing scrutiny and proposed regulatory changes. 
• The Future of Football: His reflections on the league’s broader responsibility to the sport, from grassroots development to global representation. 

This conversation offers a rare look behind the business of football—from one of the game’s most influential executives—providing valuable lessons for anyone navigating growth, regulation, and innovation in global sport.

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In this episode of On Stage, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joins Neil Reynolds, presenter of the NFL on Sky Sports, for an in-depth conversation about the league’s global ambitions and evolving strategy. Recorded on October 2, 2025, at Leaders Week London—hosted by SBJ’s sister company Leaders in Sport at Allianz Stadium—Goodell shares his perspective on expanding the NFL’s international footprint, fostering fan engagement, and the evolving business of football. 

Key discussion points include: 

• Global Growth Strategy: How the NFL is deepening its roots in Europe through international games, partnerships, and local fandom. 
• Media & Technology: The league’s evolving broadcast and digital strategy to reach the next generation of fans worldwide. 
• Player Health & Safety: Continued efforts to innovate equipment, protocols, and education to protect players at every level. 
• Leadership & Legacy: Goodell’s reflections on leading through change and building an enduring, global brand for the future. 

It’s a candid, forward-looking conversation with one of the most influential executives in world sport—offering lessons in leadership, growth, and global vision. 

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In this episode of On Stage, BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman joins Sports Business Journal’s Publisher and Executive Editor, Abraham Madkour for an inspiring and candid conversation that took place on September 25, 2025, at SBJ’s Game Changers conference in New York City.

Ackerman — a pioneer in sports leadership and one of the most respected voices in college athletics — reflects on a career defined by innovation, advocacy, and resilience. From helping launch the WNBA as its first president to guiding the BIG EAST through a time of rapid change, Ackerman’s insights illuminate how leadership evolves in moments of transition.

Key themes include:

• College Sports in Flux: Ackerman’s perspective on the future of NCAA governance, revenue sharing, and why she believes Congress must help bring order to college athletics.
• Leadership Lessons: How she approaches decision-making, mentorship, and the challenge of staying grounded while leading through uncertainty.
• Women in Leadership: Reflections on her pioneering role at the WNBA and what progress still looks like for women across sports business and administration.
• The BIG EAST’s Future: How the conference is positioning itself in an era of consolidation, commercial pressure, and new opportunity.
• A Life in Sports: What drives her after decades of service to the game — and what legacy she hopes to leave behind.

It’s a thoughtful, forward-looking conversation that captures both the wisdom and candor of one of the most influential figures in modern sports.

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