The CUSP Show

Coming on the heels of Mental Health Awareness Month and Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the French Open, The CUSP Show is joined by Eric Kussin, the Founder of We’re All A Little “Crazy”, to discuss mental health in sports. Eric is a 15-year professional sports executive who brings together Athletes, Celebrities, and Expert Practitioners. After a successful career that started at the NBA League Office and led to senior management positions with a number of professional sports teams including the New Jersey Devils, Eric’s mental health took a sudden and rapid decline. Listen to today's thoughtful conversation to find out how Eric was able to find a way to climb out of his abyss before vowing to spend the rest of his life focused on changing the global conversation through mental health advocacy.

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Eric Kussin - LinkedIn | @SameHere_Global | https://samehereglobal.org/

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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

Tom and Joe chat with Deadspin founder Will Leitch about his career in sports journalism. As a pioneer in the sports media space, Leitch heavily influenced the outside-of-the-box style of sports commentary, which is now a staple of the sports media industry industry. Now a columnist for MLB, contributing editor for New York Magazine, and writer for Medium, Leitch recently released his fifth book, How Lucky. (on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3bTHVj5). -- 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 Justine Siegal to talk about her pioneering work as a professional baseball coach and serial disrupter. Justine discusses her journey to become a coach at the NCAA and MLB level, and how her leadership with Baseball for All is empowering girls and women to play, coach, and lead. -- 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 Omar Raja, House of Highlights Founder and ESPN Digital & Social Content Commentator, to discuss the rapid growth of sports digital media.  From founding House of Highlights while attending college at UCF to currently growing ESPN's digital fanbase, Omar's passionate journey to becoming one of the youngest pioneers in the industry is informative and inspirational.  Omar shares thoughts and stories about the UFC and the Pauls, NBA and LeBron, YouTube, Tik Tok, video gaming, and more.  Enjoy the plethora of knowledge from the viral video guru, Omar Raja, in this week's episode of The CUSP Show.

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Omar Raja - LinkedIn | @OmarESPN

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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

Caroline Shaw of E. & J. Gallo Winery joins Joe to talk about her experience as the Senior Director of Corporate Brand and Marketing Communications at the largest winery in the world. Having led communications and media relations outreach across multiple industries including the NBA, the Olympic Games and the United Nations, Caroline shares her unique perspective working at the crossroads of the beverage industry and sports.

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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

Jabari Young, Sports Business Reporter at CNBC, joins Joe and Tom to discuss sports journalism in today's new digital sports landscape.  Jabari Young is a sports journalist best known for his coverage of the San Antonio Spurs and the NBA.  He joined CNBC in October 2019 as a national sports business reporter.  In his return to The CUSP Show, he discusses lessons learned from Stephen A. Smith and Kobe Bryant, his transition from Temple University to the Spurs to where he is today, comment sections, NFTs, and more.  Enjoy this engaging episode of The CUSP Show.

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Jabari Young - @JabariJYoung | LinkedIn | Website 

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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

Tom speaks with Tony Grillo, VP of Business Development at GreenPark Sports, about the newest digital space for fans -- the virtual sports metaverse. Tony explains how GreenPark is creating a mobile proving ground for fans, allowing "Greenies" to represent for their team in a series of mini-games, game predictions, customized avatars, and more. While still in the Beta stage of development, Tony's team has already solidified paternships with the NBA, La Liga, LCS, and Sportradar. Get a glimpse of the future of sports fandom here and experience it yourself on the GreenPark app. 

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@acgrillo

@greenparksports

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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

Zack Weiner, Co-Founder & President of Overtime, joins Joe and Tom to discuss the new Overtime Elite League, a transformative new sports league that offers the world’s most talented young basketball players a better pathway to becoming professional athletes while engaging and inspiring a new community of digitally native fans.  From beginnings with Zion Williamson to amateur athlete empowerment, Zack provides all of the details that make for the ideal game experience for both rising star basketball players and their supportive fans.  Zack also touches on a breadth of areas gaining traction in the industry: digital monetization, sportsbooks, NFTs, NIL, influencers, and much more.  As both a publisher and an influencer, Overtime has built an inclusive world of sports by giving a platform to the sports community to be seen and heard.  Enjoy going into Overtime with The CUSP Show.

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Zack Weiner - LinkedIn | @OvertimeZack

Overtime - Website | @Overtime

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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

Joe and Tom are joined by Dan Cohen (SVP, Global Media Rights at Octagon) to talk about the evolution of global sports media rights. Dan breaks down how viewership valuation practices must change, as well as  how the Highlight Industrial Complex is pushing broadcast partners to innovate. The group discusses how gambling platforms are muscling their way into the media space, slowly blurring the lines between bookmaker and content producer. The group wraps up their session by covering recent league activity in the international media sphere.

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@AnotherDanCohen

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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

Lyle Adams, CUSM Alum and Founder & CEO of Spry Payments, joins Joe and Tom to discuss the future of Name, Image, and Likeness.  Lyle also discusses his background that sparked Spry including playing Division I Soccer at Wake Forest, playing in the MLS, working for Uber during its startup days, and learning invaluable lessons through Columbia University's M.S. in Sports Management Program.  Spry is the only comprehensive NIL platform that solves the unique needs of Athletic Departments and Student-Athletes.  March Madness darling Oral Roberts is one of many to partner with Spry, and now more than ever college athletes and departments are seeking to reduce their Name, Image, and Likeness compliance risk.  Enjoy the final dance of March 2021's The CUSP Show.

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Lyle Adams - LinkedIn 

Spry - Website | LinkedIn | @SpryPayments

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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