Stick to Sports Biz

Brad Smith (STN Digital) joins S2SB to discuss his work with sports teams and media in Atlanta, his passion for soccer, and how he met his wife through Instagram. Brad and Brandon talk about Outkast, Chicago, the MCU, and much more!

1:30 - Brad’s early days with the Atlanta Hawks
3:40 - His beginnings in social media at GAFollowers
4:55 - Brad’s early career goals
6:10 - His days as an intern at Turner
8:50 - On storytelling in sports
9:50 - His full-circle moment working in professional soccer with Atlanta United FC
11:00 - Growing up in a family of athletes
13:20 - One of Brad’s career mentors
14:50 - Working on the brand side of social with Buffalo Wild Wings
19:15 - Agency life at STN Digital
23:40 - All things Atlanta
28:10 - How Brad met his wife
31:20 - Brad’s Top 5 Marvel Movies
47:00 - The Recommender - Brad’s TV Show, Book, Other Book, Podcast, Other Podcast, and Music Artist
54:50 - Old Tweets

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman
Guest: Brad Smith

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

Follow Brandon on Twitter and LinkedIn
Follow Brad on Twitter, Instagram, and Gondola

This week, Brandon considers the value of pursuing a dream job. He recounts Andrew Luck's shocking retirement from the NFL at just 29 years old and what it might tell us about career pursuits and life after achieving your dreams.

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

Follow Brandon on Twitter

Michael Ehrlich (Founder and CEO at Playbook Marketing) joins Stick to Sports Biz to discuss how being a sneakerhead brought him to work with adidas, the journey that his love for athlete branding has taken him on, and his history as a podcaster. Michael and Brandon talk about having passions outside of work, how fatherhood helped them find perspective,  and some of their favorite shows from the first half of 2022.

2:25 - Michael’s time with adidas
11:30 - Why he started Playbook Marketing
19:20 - On being known as "the adidas PR guy" and redefining himself
25:00 - Michael’s time as a podcaster
32:10 - Fatherhood and what it means to him
39:50 - The many ways Michael spends his time outside of work and how he balances it all
45:15 - Our Top 5 Favorite Shows of 2022 So Far
1:04:30 - Old Instagrams
1:16:30 - A must-listen Twitter story

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman
Guest: Michael Ehrlich

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

Follow Brandon on Twitter and LinkedIn
Follow Michael on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn

This week, Brandon offers a unique perspective on the Kevin Durant situation after the star player requested a trade from the New York Nets. Brandon draws parallels between KD, difficult co-workers, and The Malice at the Palace.

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

Follow Brandon on Twitter

Aaron Siegal-Eisman (Founder and CEO at Eisman Digital, Author, "The Evolution of Sports Social Media") joins Stick to Sports Biz to discuss founding his own company, the labor of love that is writing a book, and taking an entrepreneurial approach to sports business. Aaron and Brandon recount some Shaqtin’ memories, unforgettable events that played out on social media, and look to the future of sports.  

1:40 - Working at Bleacher Report
3:00 - Aaron’s early opportunity in MiLB
5:00 - Where Aaron’s love for sports began
8:50 - What motivated him to be entrepreneurial
10:20 - What consulting is like
13:30 - On writing a book
17:05 - A flashback to iconic Shaq moments
22:10 - On the doors that opened after writing his book
24:40 - The wild, wild West of NIL
26:55 - Aaron’s take on LIV Golf
29:29 - Aaron’s favorite travel destinations
33:30 - Top 5 Moments That Changed Sports Social Media
48:10 - The Recommender - Aaron’s TV Show, Music, Podcast, Book
51:50 - Old Tweets

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman
Guest: Aaron Siegal-Eisman

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

Follow Brandon on Twitter
Follow Aaron on Twitter and Instagram
Follow Eisman Digital on Twitter

The Kickoff segment is now its own bi-weekly episode! We'll return with a guest next week and every other week after that.

This week, Brandon talks about women working in sports business and the need for allyship by recounting one of his experiences.

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

Follow Brandon on Twitter

Meredith Minkow (Bleacher Report, Minnesota Lynx and Timberwolves) joins Stick to Sports Biz to discuss her passion for photography, why she loves pics of basketball hoops, and why the WNBA is great. Meredith and Brandon share their love for a particular college dropout, discuss The Dropout and other must-see TV, and revisit Meredith’s food take that had Twitter up in arms.

The Kickoff: Leadership Styles, Workplace Culture, and Jimmy Butler
10:00 - Interview with Meredith Minkow
12:15 - Moving to SF without finding a place to live first
14:25 - The origins of her love for photography
17:05 - Her favorite subjects to shoot
18:45 - Quick tangent on sneakers
24:15 - Creatives and imposter syndrome
27:40 - The recent photo class she taught, her first
30:30 - Her approach to grief
33:55 - How the pandemic has effected how she shoots
35:10 - Balancing mental health and a career in social media
42:20 - The origins of her WNBA fandom
47:50 - The WNBA tipping point and if we’ve reached it
49:50 - Top 5 Kanye West songs (plus honorable mentions)
1:07:30 - The Recommender - Meredith’s TV Show, Book, Music Artist
1:15:50 - Old Tweets

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman
Guest: Meredith Minkow

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

Follow Brandon on Twitter
Follow Meredith on Twitter and Instagram

Mark J. Burns (Morning Consult) joins Stick to Sports Biz to discuss starting his own subscription-based sports media site, his middle initial, and his real life rom-com. Mark and Brandon hit new grads with some harsh truths about working in sports, explore some soul-searching moments in their careers, and examine how people make it on to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list once and for all.

The Kickoff: How to Beat Imposter Syndrome, Conquer Fear, and Bring Your Creative Project to Life
11:50 - Interview with Mark J. Burns
18:00 - How he developed a passion for writing
22:55 - Writing for SportTechie
27:00 - What led Mark to start Sports Business Chronicle
44:20 - What happened to Sports Business Chronicle?
56:50 - How does someone really get on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List?
1:03:10 - How Mark met his wife + their unexpected reunion
1:13:15 - Mark’s experiences in Brazil + wedding details
1:17:05 - Mark’s 5 Harsh Truths/Things You Need to Know Before Working in Sports
1:38:05 - The Recommender - Mark’s TV Show, Music Artist, and Book
1:43:05 - Old Tweets
1:49:40 - Mark’s approach to Twitter

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman
Guest: Mark J. Burns

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

Follow Brandon on Twitter
Follow Mark on Twitter
Morning Consult Newsletter

Promo: Middle Class Film Class

Paige Kuhn (Bleacher Report, Co-Host of No Punts Allowed) joins Stick to Sports Biz to discuss her prolific work as a podcast host, the 2022 college football season, and the duality of being a woman in sports. Paige and Brandon talk about why some men insist on quizzing a woman’s sports knowledge, the power of representation, and the value of changing our opinions over time.

The Kickoff: Luck and Career Advice
5:30 - Interview with Paige Kuhn
6:00 - Her full circle career moment covering the NCAA Basketball Tournament
9:00 - Looking back on seven years at Bleacher Report
17:05 - Paige’s experiences in sports at the University of Arizona
19:30 - Her family bonds
24:40 - Why she pursued a career as a sports anchor
27:40 - Her first in-person interview experience
36:30 - Paige’s “Why”
38:00 - The duality of being a woman in sports
40:40 - How women can make space for other women in sports
43:50 - Paige’s first podcast covering The Bachelor with Kristen Saban
48:10 - Her second podcast with Matt Miller
49:00 - No Punts Allowed with Adam Kramer
54:50 - Paige’s Top 5 College Football Storylines to Watch
1:12:20 - The Recommender - Paige’s TV Show, Podcast, and Book
1:26:00 - Old Tweets

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman
Guest: Paige Kuhn

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

For more, check out:
Alex Warneke on Episode 2 of Stick to Sports Biz

Follow Brandon on Twitter
Follow Paige on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok

Promo: Middle Class Film Class

Avery Owens (FanDuel, MKTG, Octagon) is a graphic designer, father, and husband. Avery joins Stick to Sports Biz to discuss the marketing crash course he got working at agencies early in his career, how theater and improv helped him be quick on his feet, and his spicy takes on Taco Bell. Avery and Brandon explore whether a New York Giants fan and Philadelphia Eagles fan can co-exist, the ups and downs of parenthood amid a pandemic, and a mutual appreciation for the way Kid Cudi changed hip-hop.

The Kickoff: Who you are is more than what you do
7:14 - Interview with Avery Owens
8:00 - What it’s like living in Connecticut
12:20 - How improv training can help your sports career
14:20 - Avery’s biggest save as a lifeguard
18:15 - What it’s like graduating during a recession
26:20 - Working at FanDuel
27:50 - What it’s like being a new dad during the pandemic
37:00 - Getting back in shape after shelter in place
40:50 - Top 5 Kid Cudi songs
52:00 - The Recommender
57:00 - Old Tweets

Host & Producer: Brandon Fleshman
Guest: Avery Owens

Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show if you enjoy this episode!

Follow Brandon on Twitter
Follow Avery on Twitter and Instagram