The CUSP Show

Jene Elzie, Chief Growth Officer at Athletes First Partners, joins Tom and Joe to talk about her career in sports marketing. As a former economics major and gymnast at Stanford University, Jene's interest in sports and organizational behavior helped her cultivate a decades-long career in understanding what helps (and hurts) to build strong cultures, particularly in a remote setting. As a "curious learner," Jene helped to grow brands overseas while working for the NBA, Tennis Channel, NBC, and more. Since joining Athletes First, Jene has confronted the challenges of 365 fan engagement, digital transformation, and athletes as brands. The group discusses how changes in the industry are creating opportunities to pair opportunity with preparation for those who are curious and specific in their focus. || The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo '21 (@TDeBernardo33), and Ben Walsh '21, with Cameron Morris '21 (@CameronM0rr1s) managing social media efforts.

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Joe and Tom are joined by the Senior Vice President of the WNBA Washington Mystics & NBA G-League Capital City Go-Go, Alycen McAuley, to discuss purpose-driven sports and delivering value to the community.  Alycen leads the business operations efforts for these two Monumental Sports franchises.  For both franchises, but in particular the WNBA Washington Mystics, her team is focused on not only playing championship-level basketball, but also using their platform to champion change in the communities in which they live and serve.  In 2021, they launched The District of Change (a play on The District of Columbia) and announced four pillars where they would focus change efforts: gender equality, racial equality, LGBTQ+ equality, and Community Socio-Economic equality (focused on education, healthcare, and economic equity issues).  The Mystics and Go-Go's efforts align with not only organizational values and the values of their athletes, but also with their fans – Purpose-Driven Fans – who look to sports teams and athletes to reflect their priorities.  Enjoy this intriguing discussion about how this notion of a Purpose-Driven Fan and a Purpose-Driven Team come to life.  || @alycenm || The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo '21 (@TDeBernardo33), and Ben Walsh '21, with Cameron Morris '21 (@CameronM0rr1s) managing social media efforts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe and Tom are joined by David Chadwick, founder of RealResponse, to discuss how his risk management platform trusted by over 1,500 athletic organizations across the country is giving athletes a safe space to use their voice. As a DI basketball player, Chadwick realized that many athletes lacked the support necessary to ensure that their health and safety was secure in an environment in which such concerns often when unattended. The group disusses how RealResponse enables athletes to report issues -- such as COVID violations, social injustice, and misconduct -- anonymously and in real-time, giving athletes and organizations a powerful tool to detect and respond to urgent issues. || www.RealResponse.com || @RealResponseHQ || The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo '21 (@TDeBernardo33), and Ben Walsh '21, with Cameron Morris '21 (@CameronM0rr1s) managing social media efforts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe and Tom sit down with Buzzer Founder & CEO Bo Han to discuss how he became an entrepreneur after being the Director of Live Content at Twitter.  A Columbia Business School Alum, Bo is leading Buzzer to deliver the sports moments that matter to fans the most.  Buzzer simplifies the discovery and access to live short-form “lightning-in-a-bottle” moments in sports tailored to your preferences with real-time notifications and microtransactions.  Enjoy this Mamba Mentality, entrepreneurial episode this week on The CUSP Show.  || @bohan || The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo '21 (@TDeBernardo33), and Ben Walsh '21, with Cameron Morris '21 (@CameronM0rr1s) managing social media efforts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe is joined by former NFL kicker and Amazing Yoga's Sean Conley. As a DIII kicker who overworked his body to get to Pitt and eventually the NFL, Sean's career was cut short by injury. His discovery of yoga and drive to share his experience with others led Sean to co-found Amazing Yoga with his wife and to write the Amazon Best Seller, Amazing Yoga. Sean shares stories and lessons of his time playing football in the NFL and Europe, and discusses how his newfound craft is helping others prevent the same injuries and mental struggles he suffered as a player. You can find more from Sean in his most recent book,The Point After: How One Resilient Kicker Learned there was More to Life than the NFL. || @Sean_Conley_ || @AmazingYoga || The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo '21 (@TDeBernardo33), and Ben Walsh '21, with Cameron Morris '21 (@CameronM0rr1s) managing social media efforts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe and Tom are joined by Mary Wittenberg, President of Commercial EF Education First Pro Cycling, to discuss working under Richard Branson, the current pro cycling scene, marathons, and more. Mary helps position the team for future success and promotes EF’s mission of opening the world through education by encouraging people to step outside of their comfort zones and explore the world. Her experience in the running and endurance space spans 20 years as she recently served as the founding CEO of Virgin Sport and prior to that was the long-time CEO of New York Road Runners and race director for the TCS New York City Marathon. Become familiar with this prominent woman leader in sports on your next bike ride on this edition of The CUSP Show. || @marywitt || The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo '21 (@TDeBernardo33), and Ben Walsh '21, with Cameron Morris '21 (@CameronM0rr1s) managing social media efforts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Roman Tirone joins the show to talk about how Virtual Human Studio's ZED.Run is pioneering the future of breathing NFT's in the form of horses that can be bought, sold, bred, and raced on the Ethereum blockchain. As Head of Partnerships for VHS, an NFT project studio exploring the boundaries of entertainment by experimenting in emerging tech in gaming, art, sport, and digital collectables, Roman spearheads the outreach and activation of sponsors looking to be early adopters in the crypto space. Ever thought about owning a horse? Now you can! Listen in to learn more and be sure to visit https://zed.run/ if you're up for the challenge. || @RomanTirone || The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo '21 (@TDeBernardo33), and Ben Walsh '21, with Cameron Morris '21 (@CameronM0rr1s) managing social media efforts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

The CUSP Show is joined by Jessica Berman, Deputy Commissioner & Executive Vice President, Business Affairs at the National Lacrosse League to discuss trailblazing as a woman in sports, lacrosse culture, and much more. Formerly a VP with the NHL, Jessica now provides strategic direction on all growth initiatives and legal matters facing the NLL. Among her areas of responsibility, Berman oversees human resources, team services, marketing and communications, lacrosse operations, community engagement, and the governance of the League. When hired in 2019, she became and continues to be the first female Deputy Commissioner of a men’s professional sports league. Sit back, re-lax, and enjoy this episode of The CUSP Show.  

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Jessica Berman LinkedIn | @JessicaBerman1 | NLL

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The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo '21 (@TDeBernardo33), and Ben Walsh '21, with Cameron Morris '21 (@CameronM0rr1s) managing social media efforts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Bryant McBride, CEO & Co-founder of Burst, joins for an insightful Juneteenth episode. With over 20 years of experience as an executive and entrepreneur, Bryant has focused on building and nurturing technology businesses where family and sports have been strategic growth drivers. As VP of Business Development for the NHL, he led the evaluation and creation of new businesses including international broadcasting, rink development, and grassroots fanbase building initiatives. Enjoy this thoughtful podcast packed with purpose and visit https://carnegieinitiative.com/ to engage further.

LinkedIn | Burst | Carnegie | Forbes

The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo (@TDeBernardo33), Ben Walsh, and Cameron Morris (@CameronM0rr1s).

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Michael Lombardi joins Joe to talk about a lifetime working in the NFL and media alongside legends Bill Walsh, Bill Belichek, Jim Nance, and George Ravel. Reflecting upon his many successes and failures, Lombardi shares his thoughts about personal growth, dealing with loss, transition, and learning to give. As the author of Gridiron Genius: A Master Class in Winning Championships and Building Dynasties in The NFL and co-founderand contributor to The Daily Coach newsletter, Lombardi discusses how his passion for giving through writing has sparked a powerful, renewed meaning to his life. | @mlombardiNFL | @TheDaily_Coach | The CUSP Show is a production by the faculty of Sports Management at Columbia University. You can get in touch with the program on Twitter @CU_SPS_Sports. Our presenters are Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR). The show is produced by Tom Cerny (@Tom_Cerny19), Taylor DeBernardo '21 (@TDeBernardo33), and Ben Walsh '21, with Cameron Morris '21 (@CameronM0rr1s) managing social media efforts.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com