Sports Pundit Podcast

On today’s episode, Rich and Andy are joined by Tim Foster MBE, an Olympic champion who has successfully transitioned into leadership and education coaching within the business of sports.

Now Head of Performance for the League Managers Association (LMA), Foster provides mentoring, advice, learning, development programmes, workshops, webinars, and all areas of support relevant to football managers, their wellbeing, career, professional and personal development.

The discussion explores Foster’s journey of high performance, from his early days as an elite athlete to his gold medal win at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Tim delves into the mental and physical challenges of competing at the highest level, the importance of teamwork, and how those experiences have shaped his approach to coaching and leadership in the business of sports.

Timestamps

• 03:00 – Tim’s Early Rowing Career and Olympic Journey

• 7:00 - Talent Identification and Evolution in Rowing

• 17:00 Setting Goals and Maintaining Drive

• 23:00 Reflecting on Transitioning from Athlete to Coach

• 32:00 Working with Elite Football Managers

• 36:00 - Cross Sport Learning and Leadership

Additional Links

On today’s episode, we kick off the inaugural edition of the Sports Pundit Media Podcast with YouTuber and content creator Manny Brown.

Over the past 13 years, Manny has built one of the most recognisable voices in digital football media, growing from gaming roots into a multi-platform creator with millions of followers. His work spans YouTube stardom, brand collaborations, and founding his own Sunday League football team, Under the Radar FC - a project that blends storytelling, authenticity, and community in a way traditional broadcasters are still trying to replicate.

In this conversation, Manny reflects on his journey from gamer to football creator, the evolution of sports content in the digital era, and the role of gaming and virtual clubs in building fandom. He opens up on the highs and challenges of life as a creator, why community is central to everything he does, and how sports media can better connect with audiences who crave relatable, engaging content.

Timestamps
03:00 – The Birth of Under the Radar FC
07:00 – Engaging the Audience: Lessons for Broadcasters
10:00 – Building and Managing a Community
15:00 – Balancing Personal Brand and Family
22:00 – Innovative Formats in Sports Media
30:00 – Collaborations and Future Aspirations

About The Hosts

Jo Redfern is a digital and youth media specialist who has spent the last five years at the forefront of platforms such as YouTube, Roblox, and TikTok. With a background in traditional broadcast and kids media, Jo is known for turning generational media behaviours into commercial opportunities. Through her consultancy firm, Futrhood, she helps IP owners and rights holders scale engagement and monetisation by leveraging content, platforms, community, and emerging tech. Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Cohen has spent the last decade building at the intersection of sport, media, and the creator economy. As former CEO of Whistle, he scaled the company into a $100M multi-platform media business, driving organic growth and strategic M&A before leading its exit to Eleven Sports and later DAZN. Today, through his new venture Disruptive Play, Michael partners with companies and creators to shape the next wave of sports and media IP, challenging the status quo and architecting business models for the next era of sport. Connect on LinkedIn

About Sports Pundit

Sports Pundit is a community-driven platform for executives working in sport, built around content, events, and conversation. Through its weekly newsletter, social channels, WhatsApp groups, and podcast network, it connects industry leaders across the globe.

At the heart of the platform is the Sports Pundit Podcast Network, a multi-show lineup created for sports executives, by sports executives. The network features six domain-specific podcasts spanning innovation, marketing, finance, performance, and media, alongside a conversational companion show, The Pitch. Together, they deliver insider perspectives that live up to Sports Pundit’s mission to be “The Voice of the Sports Industry.”

Produced by OH SIX

The Sports Pundit Podcast is proudly produced by OH SIX, a content marketing agency specialising in producing digital and social-first content that connects. Trusted by Premier League clubs, F1 teams, and top brands, OH SIX deliver premium content end-to-end, from ideation, working with talent during production and platform specific content to reach audiences on screen.

In the inaugural episode of The Pitch Podcast, Andy and Drew discuss the concept of creating this new show which is centered around ideas and innovations across the sports industry, as well as introducing the Sports Pundit Podcast Network.

The conversation explores the idea of extending programming around sports events to create additional value, such as hosting conferences or tourism experiences.

The discussion also delves into various opportunities for enhancing sports tourism and maximising the physical experience of attending sports events.

Timestamps

03:00 - The Evolution of the Sports Pundit Network

06:00  - First Pitch: Formula One Business Summit and Expanding Sports Events with Additional Inventory

15:00 - Sports as Tourism: Capturing Economic Value

29:00 - Conclusion and Invitation for Listener Participation

About

Visit our website (sportspundit.co) to find previous episodes, dive into our newsletters, and connect with other execs both online via the WhatsApp Group and IRL via our social events.

This episode was produced by OH SIX, specialists in sports and branded video content. They bring experience working with F1 teams, Premier League clubs, and some of the world’s top creators. 

On today’s episode, we visit one of my favourite conversations with Matthew Jafarian, Executive Vice President of Business Strategy at the Miami HEAT.

Over the past eight years, Matthew has led one of the most ambitious digital transformations in American sports, overseeing the HEAT’s approach to data, technology, and strategy. But what really sets him apart is the fact that he hasn’t just transformed his own organisation, he’s also helping to reshape the entire industry.

Matthew is also the co-founder of 601 Analytics, a data and analytics platform born inside the HEAT that’s now used by over 20% of the NBA, the league office, and teams across the NFL, NHL, NWSL, MLB, and (soon) MLS. From fan insights to ticketing to food and beverage optimisation, it’s become the operating system behind some of the smartest front offices in sport.

In this conversation, we dig into how the role of data is evolving in sport, why teams need to start acting like the billion-dollar businesses they are, and what it means to build a company within a world-famous organisation.

Timestamps

01:00 - Matthew's Journey to Joining the HEAT

03:00 - Digital Transformation and the Start of 601 Analytics

08:00 - Expanding to the Milwaukee Bucks

14:00 - Balancing Roles and Responsibilities

19:00 - Solving Industry Challenges

24:00 Leveraging Consumer Profiles and Loyalty

29:00 Expanding into Europe

32:00 - Court Culture and Empowering Entrepreneurial Ventures

35:00 - Approach to Investing and Sports Technology

40:00 - Customer-Centric Growth Strategy

42:00 - Closing Remarks and Future Opportunities

Additional Links

⁠Miami Heat: the basketball team turned tech startup⁠⁠Miami Heat Tech Team Expands Data Services To NBA And Beyond⁠⁠Miami HEAT boosts season ticket sales by 30% and saves approximately $1 million on operations⁠⁠⁠

Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn - ⁠Here⁠

Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠Here⁠

This is the fifth episode in a series of 5 focused on #Performance and hosted by Rich Buchanan, a former Performance Director at Swansea City FC in the Premier League and Human Performance Consultant for DC United in the MLS.

On today’s episode, Rich is joined by Alex Igual, Sport Technology and Partnership Manager at FIBA.

FIBA is the world governing body for basketball that amongst many other things, is responsible for organising international competitions, establishing the rules and regulations of basketball and developing the game globally. Alex is right at the cutting edge where technological innovation impacts on court outcomes and FIBA’s business objectives.

Connect with Rich on LinkedIn - Here

Connect with Rich on LinkedIn - ⁠⁠Here⁠⁠

#Ad

This series is kindly supported by  award-winning sports technology and innovation company, Genius Sports.  

Discover the new operating system for sport brought to you by the world leader in AI and sports data by visiting ⁠⁠⁠geniussports.com/perform/⁠⁠⁠

Today, we revisit a conversation with Em Heath, Global Brand Director at Rexona, a key player globally in Unilever’s personal care brand portfolio.

Formerly a sponsor of Williams F1, the brand has taken a serious liking to women’s football - partnering with Man City and Chelsea, doing deals with players like Lauren James and Lucy Bronze, as well as playing a key role in activating around marquee properties like the Women’s World Cup and Women’s Euros, as part of Unilever’s broader partnerships with FIFA and UEFA.

We explore this interest in women’s football and the nuances of activating across almost every area of the women’s game, the role that brands can play within women’s sport, and the intricacies of managing a global brand.

Timestamps

2:00 - Em's Journey

4.30: - How Rexona Fits within Unilever Personal Care Portfolio

8:00 - Activating Partnerships with UEFA and FIFA

15:00 - Balancing Sports Partnerships with Other Areas of Marketing

18:00 - Leveraging Ambassadors at Club Partners - like Lucy Bronze and Lauren James

20:30 - What Attracted Rexona to Partner with Chelsea and Man City

26:00 - Chicken and Egg Problem Surrounding Women's Sport

29:00 - What is Rexona's Breaking Limits Program?

34:00 - Meeting KPIs and Measuring ROI

40:00 - Evaluating New Partners - and why Rexona Stopped Sponsoring in Formula 1

45:00 - Looking Forward

Additional Links

⁠Rexona Partners with England Football Star Lucy Bronze to Inspire Girls to Move More⁠

⁠ICC and Unilever announce groundbreaking partnership on International Women’s Day to strengthen the future of women’s cricket⁠

Connect with Emily on LinkedIn - ⁠Here⁠

Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠Here

This is the fourth episode in a series of 5 focused on #Performance and hosted by Rich Buchanan, a former Performance Director at Swansea City FC in the Premier League and Human Performance Consultant for DC United in the MLS.

On today’s episode of the Sports Pundit Performance Podcast, Andy was joined by Spencer Jones of the Denver Nuggets.

On a two-way contract with the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League, Spencer has continually beat the odds. From being a last minute admission to Stanford to captaining the team for three seasons, and initially going undrafted, only to now find himself in the NBA. 

What is most interesting about Spencer is how he continually applies himself both on and off the court. This includes actively engaging with and investing in startups, particularly in the human performance space, as well as being one of very few NBA players active on LinkedIn.

Filling in on this episode for Rich, Andy does his best to address the conversation from a performance lens, however, I also took an interest in how he thinks about investing and leveraging his position as a professional athlete.

Timestamps

4:00 - Spencer's Journey to the NBA

7:00 - Leveraging Access and Opportunity

14:00 - Angel Investing in Sports and Health Tech

18:00 - Applying Off-Court Investments into On-Court Performance

23:00 - Maximising Sleep and Recovery

27:00 - Future Ambitions

Additional Links

Connect with Spencer on LinkedIn - Here

Connect with Rich on LinkedIn - Here

#AdThis series is kindly supported by  award-winning sports technology and innovation company, Genius Sports.  Discover the new operating system for sport brought to you by the world leader in AI and sports data by visiting ⁠⁠⁠geniussports.com/perform/⁠⁠⁠

Today, we revisit a conversation with the CEO of Overtime, Dan Porter. 

Formerly head of Digital at WME, CEO of OMGPOP, and the creator of the mobile game ‘Draw Something,’ Dan founded Overtime in 2016. 

Now a digital sports media company geared towards Gen-Z sports fans and operating a series of professional sports leagues - it began focusing on posting short-form content of high school athletes captured shared to social media.

This social-first identity carries through across all of the companies endeavours to this day, so I’m delighted to have Dan on to discuss the companies evolution from media platform to league operator, their recently announced partnerships with the ATP Tour and NWSL, and how they are navigating the evolving landscape around areas like NIL and social media.

Timestamps:  

2:00 - Dan’s Journey - From Draw Something to Overtime

5:00 - What is Overtime? A brand, a platform, a league?

8:00 - Becoming Sports League Operators 

10:00 - Young athletes aren’t future stars, they’re stars NOW

13:00 - Owning IP and Being Part of Creator Economy 

15:00 - Impact of Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) on Overtime

17:00 - Eli Ellis: A potential future Overtime CEO 

20:00 - Overtime’s Revenue Split 

25:00 – NFL, Olympics & new partnerships: Why other leagues are working with Overtime

30:00 – Future plans and Overtime’s potential bold play in chess

Additional Links:

⁠Different Game: Overtime’s IP Empire Is What Every Sports Brand Wishes It Had 🔥⁠

⁠Overtime and NWSL Team Up For Gen-Z-Focused Content Partnership⁠

⁠ATP Tour & Overtime announce groundbreaking content partnership to bring tennis to new audiences⁠

Connect with Dan on LinkedIn - ⁠Here⁠

Connect with Andy on LinkedIn - ⁠Here

This is the fourth episode in a series of 5 focused on #Innovation and hosted by Leanne Bats, a former All Blacks and FC Barcelona executive now leading innovation for a regional sports trust in New Zealand. 

On this week's episode Leanne was joined by Rowena Samarasinhe, one of the sharpest systems thinkers in global sport to go deep into women's sport (coincidentally, right off the back of the Lionesses' history-breaking Euros success).

From CMS Law, SPORTFIVE, and commercial rights giant, Dentsu, to working intimately with UEFA, World Athletics, and also athletes like Usain Bolt, Rowena has founded GENSport.

In this conversation, Leanne and Rowena imagine what's possible for the future of the women's sports industry at a time when traditional models in the men's game are increasingly coming under pressure. As they discuss, the path for women's sports should not be a copy paste of the men's game, but instead demand new thinking.

Timestamps

02:00 - Celebrating the Lionesses' Victory

05:00 - Rowena's Journey in Sports

09:00 The Changing Landscape of Sports

11:00 - Innovative Approaches in Women's Sports

15:00 - Challenges and Opportunities in Modern Sports

20:00 - Future of Women's Football

26:00 -  US vs. UK Women's Sports Models

31:00 - Challenges in Women's Sports Investment

35:00 - Innovative Broadcast Strategies

41:00 - Athlete-Centric Fandom

43:00 - Commercial Opportunities in Women's Sports

48:00 - Under the Radar Women's Sports Markets

Additional Links

Connect with Rowena on LinkedIn - Here

Connect with Leanne on LinkedIn - Here

Visit sportspundit.co  to find previous editions of the podcast, access the newsletter, sign up to our WhatsApp community and join us at an upcoming social event in cities all around the world.

This is the third episode in a series of 5 focused on #Performance and hosted by Rich Buchanan, a former Performance Director at Swansea City FC in the Premier League and Human Performance Consultant for DC United in the MLS.

On today’s episode, Rich is joined by Nick Davies, the Head of Academy Performance at Crystal Palace.

Nick brings a wealth of experience and insight into how a structured process and a multidisciplinary approach serves both the sporting objectives and business goals of an elite football organisation.

In this conversation, they explore the people, the philosophies, and the practices that shape player developments in elite academies, diving deep into how high performance systems impact not just player development, but also the long-term sustainability and success of a Premier League football club.

Connect with Rich on LinkedIn - ⁠Here⁠

#Ad

This series is kindly supported by  award-winning sports technology and innovation company, Genius Sports.  

Discover the new operating system for sport brought to you by the world leader in AI and sports data by visiting ⁠⁠geniussports.com/perform/⁠⁠