Jonathan Bravo brings a fresh, creative voice to Minor League Baseball as the Director of Marketing & Communications for the Fresno Grizzlies. A Fresno State graduate with a business administration degree focused on sports marketing, Bravo joined the organization in 2020 and quickly grew into a leadership role shaping the club’s brand and fan-experience strategy. Today he leads the development of the Grizzlies’ promotional calendar, oversees digital content and media storytelling, and helps align in-game entertainment with community and sponsor initiatives across Chukchansi Park. Known for blending smart marketing with authentic fan connection, Bravo represents the next generation of game-presentation leaders, making him a perfect guest for Party in the Back Podcast.

Listeners can expect a wide-ranging, behind-the-scenes look at how Minor League Baseball marketing really works as Jonathan Bravo pulls back the curtain on his role with the Fresno Grizzlies. The conversation explores the unique leadership challenges of MiLB — from juggling multiple departments like communications, digital, and game presentation to embracing the creative freedom that comes with smaller staffs and bigger responsibilities. Jonathan shares how the Grizzlies begin promo planning as early as July, involving the entire front office in brainstorming sessions to build a calendar of 30+ unique theme nights designed to resonate locally while still grabbing national attention.

The episode dives deep into the art and strategy of promotional storytelling, highlighting how Fresno leverages its 80-game home schedule to experiment with fan-driven ideas and community-focused events. From the breakout success of Emo Night to inventive concepts like Adult Homecoming, Dino Nugget Night, and friendship-bracelet activations, Jonathan explains how passion, fan feedback, and cultural trends fuel the team’s creativity. He also discusses the importance of eliminating “dead innings,” making fans the stars of the show, and ensuring every theme night is immersive enough that fans clearly feel and remember the story of the night.

Beyond ideation, the pod explores the evolving tactics behind promoting promotions — including the power of visual storytelling, social media recaps, and even AI tools to amplify buzz before and after events. Jonathan and Jon also riff on meme culture (yes, the 6-7 phenomenon makes an appearance), personal branding, and the role of community history in shaping meaningful promotions. The result is a fun, idea-packed conversation filled with practical insights, creative inspiration, and plenty of Minor League charm — perfect for anyone looking to elevate their own promo calendar or simply appreciate the craft behind unforgettable fan experiences.

This episode dives into one of the hottest evolving trends in sports entertainment, fan-driven traditions sparked by Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs’ new post-game drum celebration that keeps fans in their seats long after the final buzzer. Jon and Rob break down how these organic, European-style supporter traditions are gaining traction in North American sports and why mascots play a critical role in amplifying the energy without stealing the spotlight.

The conversation also jumps into creative promotion strategies that help teams build deeper community connections. From the Toledo Walleye’s perfectly on-brand fishing jersey concepts to the Edmonton Oilers’ wildly successful World of Warcraft crossover night, the guys explore how teams can tap into local identity, fan passions, and pop culture partnerships to create unforgettable experiences.

Plus, they dig into idea-sharing inside the mascot and game presentation world and why “borrowing brilliance” isn’t copying… it’s building better fan moments. If you’re looking for inspiration on how traditions start, promotions succeed, and mascots elevate both, this episode delivers a playbook full of practical and creative takeaways.

This episode traces the full arc of Robin “Rolo” Lopez’s legendary relationship with mascots, from its childhood roots to its impact on modern game presentation. Rolo recounts how he and his brother Brook first began needling mascots as kids, a dynamic that hardened into a true “villain origin story” after a 1997–98 encounter with Warriors’ mascot Thunder, who mocked his speech impediment — a moment that stuck with him and later spilled into the public eye when he inherited a feud with Detroit’s Hooper during his NBA career. As the bit evolved, especially during his time in Portland, the mascot feud became part of Rolo’s on-court identity and a team-wide ritual that broke up the monotony of the season, with teammates fully buying in and players like Giannis Antetokounmpo embracing the chaos. The conversation also dives into Rolo’s creative collaborations with game operations teams, including semi-scripted skits in Atlanta, a “buddy movie” arc with Orlando’s Stuff, and a now-infamous Phoenix Suns Gorilla setup that secretly involved "Benny the Bull" — a twist Rolo didn’t know was coming, producing a genuine, unforgettable reaction. Throughout the episode, Rolo underscores that sports are ultimately an entertainment business, arguing that while teams can’t control the outcome of games, they can control these theatrical moments, creating spontaneous-feeling, joyful experiences that cut through a rigid, cookie-cutter presentation and give fans something memorable beyond the final score.

In this episode, Jon Cudo welcomes three industry standouts—Amanda Greco, Rob Wicall, and Cameron Hughes—to help reimagine recognition in the first-ever Cudos to You Awards. Amanda Greco breaks down the art of “Excellence in Execution,” showing how research, rehearsal, and calibration turn ambitious ideas into unforgettable fan experiences. She highlights standout examples like the Denver Broncos’ South Stands card stunt and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ show-stopping “Cavalanche,” revealing the intentional craft behind moments that feel both effortless and electric to fans.

Rob Wicall brings his “Impact Award” to the table, sharing a heartfelt look at how mascots can shape culture, community, and emotion—spotlighting the massive influence of Blue and Gritty as models of modern character performance. Cameron Hughes closes the conversation with a powerful reminder of the human side of game entertainment, celebrating teams that use the “Power of Cheer” to lift spirits, unite communities, and create memories that matter more than any scoreboard. Together, these three voices offer a joyful, insightful tour through the creativity and connection that make great game presentation truly remarkable.

In this episode, Jon Cudo is joined by two beloved voices in the world of Minor League Baseball entertainment: Erik “The Peanut Guy” Mertens and MiLB storyteller Benjamin Hill. Erik kicks things off with his “Let’s Get Nutz” Award, celebrating the game ops moments that unite fans through spontaneity, humor, and pure joy. From Rick Rizzs’ magical Ichiro Night sing-along in Seattle to Lake County’s delightfully absurd toilet-themed contest and Tacoma’s rooftop “Sax Gorilla,” Erik highlights the wonderfully unexpected moments that make ballparks feel alive—and ultimately names Seattle and Stillwater as his top nods.

Ben Hill follows with his trademark blend of insight and curiosity, exploring his favorite promotions from across MiLB in 2025. From the Syracuse Mets’ “Search for Jim Morrison” and Buffalo’s Goo Goo Dolls Giveaway to full-scale identity switches like the Erie Moon Mammoths and Cleveland Pierogies, Ben showcases the creativity and weirdness that define the minors. He reminds us that comparing promotions is an apples-to-oranges endeavor, and that the true winners are always the fans who benefit from teams’ willingness to innovate, experiment, and embrace the wonderfully strange. Together, Erik and Ben offer a joyful tour through the heart of MiLB entertainment—where community, creativity, and a touch of chaos reign supreme.

The Party in the Back Podcast holds a Roundtable Discussion regarding the Best of 2019 Awards on Gameops.com. Host Jon Cudo is joined by three industry giants who take the party to the next level. The Guest List includes:

• Game Operations Maven and former Director for the LA Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers and veteran of the Olympics and NCAA Tournament Amanda Greco.
• MILB's best writer and the Boss at Ben's Biz, Benjamin Hill.
• The President of 3 Point Productions Pat Walker

This crew talks about the winners and best of the rest from 2019 in seven categories.

Hear what they had to say about The Crazy Hot Dog Vendor, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Flyers, Lake Elsinore Storm, Hartford Yard Goats, Cameron Hughes, The Firecrackers, Florida Men, the Tampa Bay Lightning and more.

In this episode of The Party in the Back Podcast, host Jon Cudo announces an exciting new chapter for the long-running GameOps.com Best of Awards. After years of recognizing excellence through a competitive ranking system, the awards are evolving into a more celebratory and inclusive format — the “Cudos To You” Awards. This refreshed approach shifts the focus from competition to appreciation, shining a fun and positive spotlight on the people, promotions, and ideas that make the sports entertainment industry so creative and memorable.

Joining Jon to discuss the change is Ben Hill, the beloved chronicler of minor league baseball’s quirkiest and most heartwarming traditions. Known for his long-running “Ben’s Biz” coverage and deep love for the culture of the minors, Ben brings his trademark enthusiasm and storytelling flair to the conversation. Together, they unveil Ben’s new role in the “Cudos” program, where he’ll lead a category celebrating the Best Promos in Minor League Baseball — recognizing the imaginative fan experiences that make the minors so special.

Ben also shares stories from his travels, revisiting some of the unforgettable characters who have brought color and charm to ballparks across America — from Reading’s Crazy Hot Dog Vendor and Buffalo’s Conehead beer man to Spartanburg’s roller-skating Jay Sparkle and San Jose’s legendary Churros Man.

The conversation reminds listeners why these one-of-a-kind personalities matter: they turn games into experiences, foster community identity, and keep fans coming back for more.

In this episode, we sit down with Keb Pound, creator of The Stupid History Minute, to explore how short-form comedy storytelling can supercharge sports entertainment. Keb’s 60-second history lessons prove that brevity doesn’t mean sacrificing impact — it can sharpen it. By “flipping” common narratives, zeroing in on quirky details, and applying stand-up timing, Keb creates memorable, shareable content that resonates with listeners. His disciplined content structure and consistent branding have built a loyal audience of thousands, showing how tight formatting and clear voice can make big waves in a crowded media space. Rob Wicall, industry veteran, mascot expert and author of Furlosphy joins Cudo to connect these storytelling techniques to real-world fan engagement. From the viral Yo-Yo Cam at Arizona State to Slugger’s “Trash Trash Baby” skit in Portland, Rob and Cudo highlights how creativity and planning turn fans and mascots into the stars of the show. Whether through scoreboard features that reward fan participation or comedic skits that deliver messages without preaching, these moments transform spectators into active participants. Rounding out the conversation, we discuss MascotLink tools which streamline mascot appearances and unlock new revenue streams by taking care of the logistical heavy lifting. Together, these conversations show how precision storytelling, humor, and smart strategy can elevate both podcasts and in-venue sports entertainment, proving that 60 seconds, a camera, or a well-timed joke can be all it takes to create unforgettable fan experiences.

We are talking Ghostbusters on the April 2024 Party in the Back Podcast. President of Business Operations from the Fort Wayne Komets Scott Sproat and Jon Long Manager the Event Presentation & Creative Content for the Edmonton Oil Kings join the podcast to talk about their success with this Movie theme night.

Scott and Jon drop insights on all aspects of their promotion, including:

• Approvals and support from movie studio and rights holders
• Leading their team's creative effort
• Popular fan elements for their Ghostbusters Night
• Social Media elements
• Scoreboard additions
• Jersey Auctions, like the Komets $13,000 charity jersey auction
• Music and bumpers, including a one night change in the Oil Kings Goal song
• Sponsor integrations and more...

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Meers as he reflects on his incredible 35-year journey as KC Wolf, the beloved mascot of the Kansas City Chiefs.

From humble beginnings as Truman the Tiger at the University of Missouri and a season as Fredbird with the St. Louis Cardinals, Dan shares how he transformed KC Wolf from a game-day entertainer into a symbol of character, faith, and community impact. Now stepping back from the full-time role, Dan talks about what’s next—including staying on as a backup mascot and shifting focus to speaking engagements. Dan offers a fascinating behind-the-mask look at the evolution of mascot work—from the wild west of the 90s to today’s tech-integrated, family-friendly performances. He discusses the physical demands of the role, sharing his dedication to fitness, creativity, and continual reinvention. With appearances skyrocketing after the Chiefs’ Super Bowl success, Dan kept KC Wolf fresh with a rotating cast of costumes, heart-pumping cardio, and a commitment to fun.

More than just laughs, Dan reveals how the KC Wolf platform became a tool for lasting impact. His out-of-costume school programs grew from elementary assemblies to corporate keynotes, all built around themes like character education, health, and leadership. Whether in fur or a suit, Dan’s mission remains the same: to make a difference in people’s lives—with heart, humor, and purpose.