SBJ On Stage

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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In this episode of On Stage, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Properties CEO John Slusher joins Sports Business Journal Editor-at-Large Terry Lefton for an insightful conversation about the business engine powering the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Recorded on September 17, 2025, at SBJ’s AXS DRIVE conference in Los Angeles, this discussion explores how Slusher — a longtime Nike executive who helped architect some of the brand’s biggest global partnerships — is now applying that experience to redefine how the Olympics engage fans, brands, and communities.

Key themes include: 

• Commercial Innovation: How LA28 is building a dynamic, data-driven sponsorship model for a new era of global sports marketing.
• Partnership Ecosystem: The vision for connecting brands to the Olympic and Paralympic movements through creativity, purpose, and long-term value.
• From Nike to LA28: Lessons Slusher brings from decades at Nike, and how those insights shape his approach to leadership and brand storytelling.
• Fan Engagement & Cultural Relevance: Why LA28 aims to make the Games as culturally connected as they are competitive.
• Legacy & Growth: What success looks like beyond 2028 — for Los Angeles, Team USA, and the broader Olympic ecosystem. 

It’s a fascinating look inside the commercial blueprint of one of the most anticipated events in global sports — and what it takes to translate the world’s biggest stage into lasting impact. 

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In this episode of On Stage, we take you inside the L.A. Dodgers with CEO & President Stan Kasten and Executive Vice President & CMO Lon Rosen. This conversation, recorded September 17, 2025 at SBJ’s AXS DRIVE event in Los Angeles, explores how one of the most iconic franchises in sports continues to set the standard on and off the field. Kasten and Rosen—two of the most respected leaders in professional sports—share candid insights on how the Dodgers combine tradition with innovation to grow their global brand. The conversation covers: 

• Championship Business Model: How the Dodgers approach team building, fan engagement, and operations with a long-term vision. 
• Marketing & Partnerships: Rosen’s strategy for brand collaborations and keeping the Dodgers at the forefront of sports marketing. 
• Ballpark & Fan Experience: From stadium innovation to community initiatives, how Dodger Stadium continues to evolve as a world-class venue. 
• Global Reach: Expanding the Dodgers’ presence beyond Los Angeles and into international markets. 
• Leadership & Legacy: Reflections from Kasten and Rosen on what it takes to sustain success in one of the most competitive markets in sports. 

It’s an exclusive, wide-ranging look at how the Dodgers are building a championship brand for today and tomorrow. 

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In this episode of On Stage, Steve Ballmer—Chairman of the L.A. Clippers, Intuit Dome, and former CEO of Microsoft—joins Sports Business Journal’s Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour for a wide-ranging conversation that took place on September 16, 2025, at SBJ’s AXS DRIVE conference in Los Angeles.

With his trademark enthusiasm, Ballmer shares how he’s redefining what it means to be a sports owner, builder, and leader. The conversation explores:

• Intuit Dome Vision: How Ballmer is creating a state-of-the-art arena designed to transform the fan experience.
• Leadership Lessons: Insights from his years at Microsoft and how they influencerunning an NBA franchise.
• Innovation & Infrastructure: Why building new venues is about more than basketball—it’s about community, technology, and culture.
• The Power of Energy: Ballmer’s personal philosophy and how it drives his approach to business, sports, and life.

It’s a dynamic and insightful discussion with one of the most energetic and influential leaders in sports and business.

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