The CUSP Show

This week we have a different type of episode. Usually we have executives and key decision makers talk about the future of sports but what does the future generation actually think? This week, Joe is joined by four high-schoolers attending the Columbia University Sports Management Summer Program to talk about their sports consumption. Alexa and Patrick from Connecticut, Marvin from San Francisco and Cristiano from China.

The kids talk about a wide array of topics including: their social media use, their outlook on sports philanthropy and the way they consume sports news and content all around the world. If you want to learn more about the future generation of sports fans, this is a must listen!

 

The Facts

 

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

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

Guy Fortt joins Joe this week for a conversation on his company JAKO Sports & Entertainment. Guy is a seasoned theater presence who studied at Columbia University, has been featured on Broadway in Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple. Film credits include David Frankel's The Devil Wears Prada starring Meryl Streep; director Sydney Pollack’s The Interpreter starring Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn; director Spike Lee's 25th Hour and She Hate Me; and Don’t Nobody Love the Game More Than Me, directed by Martha Pinson and winner of the Toronto Online Film Award. A former firefighter, Guy started Jako Sports & Entertainment where he helps athletes realize their TV and Entertainment dreams.

Guy talks about his incredible life story, from being a firefighter to graduating Columbia and having three sons that are professional athletes. Guy shares his vision for his company JAKO Sports & Entertainment that helps athletes realize their non-sporting dreams after retirement. Words cannot do Guy’s story justice so just listen! Be sure to follow Guy on Twitter @GuyAFortt and check out his company JAKO Sports & Entertainment here!

The Facts

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

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 Thirwall and Mark Horine join Tom this week for a conversation on the future of sports content. Tom is the CEO of Copa 90. He joined Bigballs Media in 2010 as CEO and has led the transformation from commercial film production company to new model sports media business. Along the way the company has won back-to-back Cannes Lions for Adidas and Nike, been nominated for 3 BAFTA’s and established itself as one of the most innovative media businesses in the world. Now a fully fledged multi-platform media brand, Copa90 is now the largest digital first soccer media business reaching over 75m fans every week in 200+ countries with premium video content.

Marc is the GM / President of the Americas for Copa 90 Marc is responsible for driving the growth and expansion of Copa90 across the North and South America. He leads all commercial activity, partnerships, audience growth, brand strategy, product development and distribution for Copa90 in the Americas. 

Tom and Marc go through Copa 90’s innovative content strategy, from the way they look at content to the way they distribute it. They also talk to us about the strategic partnership that the company is working including companies like Facebook and Bleacher Report. Be sure to Copa 90 Twitter @Copa90 and check out one of their most recent documentaries here!

The Facts

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

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

Jon Greenberg joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on regional sports news. Jon Greenberg is the lead columnist for The Athletic (Chicago). Previously, Greenberg covered Chicago sports for ESPN Chicago and wrote nationally for ESPN.com. A native of Steubenville, Ohio, he has made Chicagoland his home for the last 13 years. Greenberg is a graduate of Ohio University (B.S.) and The University of Chicago (M.A.).

Jon tells us how The Athletic is trying to disrupt the way people consume regional sports news. Jon goes in depth about how The Athletic is using digital strategies to gain market share. Jon also share some advice for young people trying to break into the sports news biz . Be sure to follow Jon on Twitter @jon_greenberg and The Athletic @TheAthleticChi

 

The Facts

 

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

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

Jesse Lichtenberg joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on athlete representation. Jesse joined BDA Sports Management, a full-service athlete representation and management agency, in February 2015 where she oversees the Marketing Division. Jesse is responsible for sports and entertainment marketing, the development and execution of athlete marketing and branding strategies, contract negotiation, acquisition and development of sponsorships, endorsements, marketing partnership platforms and engagement opportunities for NBA players, as well as the representation and management of Olympic athletes. Jesse is a graduate from Columbia University’s Sports Management Masters.

Jesse gives us an insight of the inner workings of athlete representation and Olympic sports. Jesse also talks about her career so far and shares some fascinating insights for people breaking into the industry. Be sure to follow Jesse on Twitter @JesseLicht and BDA Sports @BDA_Sports

 

The Facts

 

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

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 joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on his widely successful app Overtime. Zack is the CoFounder of Overtime, a cross-platform tech startup that's redefining high school and amateur sports through video. Overtime reaches tens of millions of athletes and fans each month. Zack runs Business Development and helped launched Overtime within WME | IMG and recently secure investments from David Stern, Greycroft Ventures, 645 Ventures, and other leading VC firms. Prior to Overtime, Zack founded the The Sports Quotient and grew the team to 150+ college sportswriters within 2 years. Born and raised in NYC, Zack graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics.

Zack tells us the story of Overtime from its genesis to getting investments from people like David Stern. Zack also talks about his life story and he shares some powerful advice for people in the sports biz. Be sure to follow Overtime on Twitter @overtime

 

The Facts

 

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

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

Josh Hafkin joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on esports from the publisher side. Josh works for Bethesda Softworks where he is the Associate Brand Manager on Quake Champions. Josh found his true calling in the gaming industry and has a deep passion for esports. His relentless pursuit of gaming and esports knowledge and hands-on work for clients has propelled Josh into a field expert. He helped launch the GEICO Gaming platform, and because of his efforts, GEICO Gaming is referenced as one of the best non-endemic brands to venture into the video game world. Josh has worked on programs for GEICO Gaming, Warner Brother Games, Ubisoft, Square Enix, Jägermeister and others.

Josh talks about a wide range of topics related to esports and gaming including E3, VR and the Fighting Game Community. Josh also discusses Bethesda’s plans to relaunch the legendary Quake title and he shares some advice for people that are trying to make it into the esports world. Be sure to follow Josh on Twitter @ExtraBarbecue

 

The Facts

 

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

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

Elizabeth Mirovich joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on journalism in professional Hockey. Elizabeth assist the legendary Stan ?Fischler ?with day-to-day tasks as well as helping him write and edit stories for NHL.com, MSG, Hockey Journal, and Hockey News. She is a contributor to Stan's newsletter, The Fischler Report, also known as the "Wall Street Journal of hockey." She interviews players and coaches before and after games and conducts in-depth interviews with industry professionals, team and league executives, and NHL alumni. She is also a student of the Columbia University Sports Management Program.

Elizabeth talks about working side by side with a sports journalism legend. She also discusses her fascinating path to sports and shares some advice for people that are trying to make it into the sports world. Be sure to follow Elizabeth on Twitter @LoveLeeez

The Facts

 

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).

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 Wranovics joins Joe and Tom this week for a conversation on starting a new sports league. Michael is the founder and CEO of 3Ball a new professional 3x3 Basketball Association. Before that Michael was the VP of Content, VP of Business Development at Streetspace: network of digital kiosks that featured original short-form content and a walled garden of internet content and services. Michael also directed and produced "Up for Grabs,”  anaward-winning feature documentary on the absurd custody battle over the baseball from Barry Bonds’ 73rd home run; had nationwide theatrical release and additional distribution deals with MLBAM and Spike TV

Michael talks about the genesis of his new league and the challenges and opportunities in the field. With 3x3 Basketball recently being added to the Olympics Michael also talks about the future of the sport and he shares his advice to people entering the sports biz. Be sure to check out 3Ball’s website at http://www.3ball.tv/

The Facts

 

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).

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

Christopher Dougan joins Joe and our producer Maurice this week for a conversation on data technology in sports. Christopher is the Group Communications Director, US Operations at Genius Sports Group, a global leader in sports data technology, distribution, and commercialization services. At Genius Sports, Christopher spearheads their work in America working on the crossroads of what might be called the most rapidly changing aspect of the sports industry.

In this episode, Christopher gives us an overview on data and integrity technology in the sports industry. Christopher also shares some of his own views on some on the newer parts of the industry in the US like esports and sports-gambling.  Be sure to check out Genius’ website at http://www.geniussports.com/

The Facts

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).

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