In today's episode of The Business Behind The Game, I sat down with Jayln Evans, a Division I football player, entrepreneur, and founder who built a real revenue-generating business while balancing college athletics and a full course load. As a preferred walk-on at Fordham University with no scholarship and no guarantees, Jayln earned his way onto the field, became a team leader by his senior year, and graduated with a degree in Business Administration with minors in Sports Business and Entrepreneurship. Off the field he founded 4Q NIL, an athlete marketplace connecting college athletes with brands, which he scaled to 350,000 Instagram reach, 100 plus athletes, 35 universities, and $12,000 in revenue in just three months from his dorm room.In this episode we cover Jayln's journey from preferred walk-on to team captain and what it actually took to earn everything without a scholarship. We get into how he built 4Q NIL from scratch while still playing football, what the pitch to brands actually looks like, and why a small school athlete with the right audience can outperform a Power Four player with more followers but less engagement. We also talk about the financial mistakes athletes make with NIL money, where the NIL landscape is headed, and his advice for anyone trying to build something while the odds are stacked against them.

In today's episode of The Business Behind The Game, I sat down with Matthew Guidi, a sports agent and operator building a career across two completely different worlds at the same time. By day he's an NIL agent in the basketball division at First Round Management, helping college athletes navigate deals and protect their name. By night he's the Director of Fighter Operations at Dirty Boxing Championship, overseeing everything that happens on fight night for a growing MMA promotion in Miami. He's also just completed his Master's in Sports Management at Florida International University, all at the same time.In this episode, we cover how Matthew broke into sports business through internships and volunteer work, what it actually takes to be an NIL agent representing college basketball players, and the red flags he looks for before letting a client sign a deal. We also get into the completely different world of combat sports operations — what fight night actually looks like behind the scenes, how a smaller MMA promotion competes for talent against the UFC, and where he sees the future of combat sports heading. Plus his advice for anyone trying to break into sports business from the ground up.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Jacqueline Kelly, a performance and wellness coach, founder of Kelly Performance & Wellness, and creator of the Unfragile program. Jacqueline works at the intersection of physical preparation, mental performance, and long-term athlete development, helping athletes build durability, resilience, and sustainable high performance. She is also joining Boston Legacy FC, a women’s professional football club.We dive into how performance and wellness are becoming essential pillars of athlete development, why resilience and sustainability matter just as much as talent and physical training, and how teams and organizations are beginning to invest more intentionally in holistic athlete support.Whether you’re an aspiring sports business professional, a coach, or an athlete looking to perform at a high level over the long run, this episode offers valuable insight into the evolving world of performance, wellness, and professional sports.

In this episode of The Business Behind the Game, I sit down with Eva Krchová — a former Czech national team runner and NCAA All-American who’s now building authentic connections between athletes, creators, and brands as a Brand Relations Manager at Mindzero.We dive into her journey from elite performance sport to storytelling and brand strategy, what it was like transitioning out of competition, and how the Boulder outdoor community shaped her next chapter. Eva shares how she approaches athlete relations, builds community-driven events, and why reinvention is key to staying fulfilled beyond sport.Whether you’re an athlete thinking about life after competition or someone interested in the intersection of sport, identity, and branding — this one’s for you.🎧 Topics covered:

• Life after elite competition

• Athlete identity & career transitions

• Brand building through authentic community

• Working with creators and startups in the sport/outdoor space

🔗 Connect with Eva:LinkedIn:   / eva-krchova  Mindzero: https://mindzero.com

In today’s episode, I sit down with Pietra Sablic, Director of Girls Events at MADE Hoops, where she’s helping elevate girls’ basketball through elite events, community-building, and brand development.We dive into her journey in sports, the realities of working in youth basketball, and the massive rise in women’s basketball media coverage happening right now. Pietra offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at grassroots hoops and what the future of the women’s game could look like.🔥 Episode Highlights:• Pietra’s path into the sports industry — and what pushed her toward the business side of the game• Inside her role at MADE Hoops — how events are built, what her day looks like, and what drives her work• Building real relationships — tips on authentic networking in sports• The surge in women’s basketball media coverage — why it’s happening and what it means for athletes• Advice for breaking into sports business — and finding the right career directionHuge thanks to Pietra for joining the show and sharing her insights.Find her links below — and if you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, like, and leave a review.I’m Kushagra — see you in the next episode of The Business Behind The Game.

In this episode of The Business Behind The Game, we sit down with Antwain Peay — COO of Baseline Sports, General Manager of the Yerevan Wolves, and founder of 3PA — to unpack his incredible journey from professional basketball player to a leader in the global sports business.Antwain shares insights on athlete representation, managing international talent, and how he's helping the next generation of players navigate their careers on and off the court. 🎙️ Topics Covered:

• Transitioning from athlete to agent

• Running a sports agency (Baseline Sports)

• Managing a pro team overseas

• Advice for aspiring sports professionals

• Instagram: @agentantwain
• LinkedIn:   / antwain-peay-b9209647  

👤 Guest: Antwain Peay▪ COO, Baseline Sports▪ GM, Yerevan Wolves▪ Founder, 3PA📲 Follow Antwain: 🎧 Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes convos with the leaders shaping the business of sports.

From underground to mainstream: Sports betting exploded from a $7.5 billion industry in 2022 to a projected $150 billion by 2030. We dissect how legalization reshaped leagues, fueled giants like FanDuel and DraftKings, and turned ‘vig’ fees into billions. But with ethical debates and fierce competition, is the house always winning? Dive into the bets, bucks, and battles.