Episode 150 | March Madness is around the corner, and DP & McGhee tee up the conversation with a wide-ranging look at some of the biggest stories across the sports industry before welcoming one of the key architects behind college basketball’s marquee event.

From labor negotiations and international baseball surprises to league scandals and golf’s evolving leadership, the hosts cover plenty of ground before sitting down for an insider’s perspective on the NCAA Tournament.

In this episode:

🏀 A featured conversation with Dan Gavitt, discussing:
• Preparations for the upcoming NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
• What it would take to expand the tournament beyond 68 teams.
• His career path from college coaching to sports marketing, athletic administration, and ultimately a leadership role at the NCAA.

🏀 WNBA labor negotiations — the latest developments and what they could mean for the league’s economic trajectory.

⚾ A surprising upset in the World Baseball Classic, as Team USA suffers a shocking loss to Italy.

⚽ A major scandal hits Major League Soccer, where a gambling investigation results in two players receiving lifetime bans.

⛳ Structural changes on the horizon at the PGA Tour, as new CEO Brian Rollap explores significant reforms for the sport.

From the boardrooms of professional leagues to the bracket-building of March Madness, this episode examines the pressures, politics, and planning that shape the modern sports business landscape.

Wait, What?

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.

Episode 149 | This week, David and Tim move from racetracks to boardrooms to the hardwood, blending racing history, global football politics, media consolidation, and basketball storytelling into one compelling episode. After breaking down several major sports business headlines, the hosts welcome an award-winning filmmaker whose latest project spotlights one of the most influential disruptors in professional sports history.

In this episode:

🏁 Tyler Reddick and 23XI Racing open the NASCAR season with three consecutive wins — and what that early dominance signals about competitive balance at the Cup level.

🥇 USA Hockey’s gold medalists from the men’s and women’s teams share a celebratory moment on 𝘚𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦, a crossover that underscores hockey’s growing cultural momentum.

⚽ FIFA faces fresh headwinds, including local resistance in Foxborough, Mass. as city officials weigh spending ahead of upcoming World Cup matches, a reminder that global events still hinge on local politics.

📺 The proposed merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery and what consolidation at that scale could mean for sports rights, distribution strategy, and programming leverage.

🎬 A featured conversation with Kenan Kamwana Holley, two-time Emmy Award–winning director and executive producer, discussing:
• His formative experience at NFL Films under Steve Sabol.
• Career stops at ESPN and lessons in premium sports storytelling.
• His latest project, Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association, and what made the ABA such a cultural and commercial disruptor.
• What he hopes viewers take away about innovation, personality-driven marketing, and the league’s lasting imprint on today’s NBA.

From racetracks to boardrooms to the hardwood, this episode explores how visionaries — on the field and behind the camera — shape the evolution of sports culture.

Wait, What?

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.

Episode 148 | David and Tim pack this episode with global perspective and motorsports insight, moving seamlessly from Olympic analysis to an inside look at one of NASCAR’s most closely watched teams. With sharp commentary and candid conversation, the hosts explore how leadership, performance, and business pressures are shaping the modern sports landscape.

In this episode:

🏔️ A comprehensive breakdown of the Milano-Cortina Winter Games, including:
 • The continued politicization of the Olympics and its ripple effects across the movement.
 • Strong U.S. TV ratings and what they reveal about audience engagement.
 • The standout success of the U.S. men’s and women’s hockey teams.
 • Evaluating Kirsty Coventry’s leadership at the IOC.
 • Discussion of Casey Wasserman’s challenging tenure as chairman of the LA28 Games.

🏁 A featured return appearance by Steve "Jake" Lauletta, President of 23XI Racing (“Jake”), covering:
 • The team’s early season success and competitive trajectory.
 • Michael Jordan’s deep commitment to NASCAR and its cultural impact on the organization.
 • The industry landscape following the settlement involving 23XI Racing, Front Row Motorsports, and NASCAR.
 • Broader insights into team strategy, economics, and the sport’s future.

From Olympic power dynamics to NASCAR performance metrics, this episode examines how sports organizations navigate visibility, volatility, and victory.

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.

Wait, What?

Episode 147 | This week on Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP and McGhee, David and Tim sprint through a packed slate of ratings stories, league dynamics, and leadership shakeups before sitting down with one of the most fascinating executives in modern sports.

From the Super Bowl to the Olympics to Daytona, this episode is a deep dive into how performance, presentation, and leadership intersect across the sports landscape.

In this episode:

📊 A ratings tour across the sports calendar — from the Super Bowl to NBA All-Star Weekend — and what the numbers actually signal.

🥇 Olympics viewership surges compared to four years ago, plus: • A Ukrainian slider forced to withdraw after refusing to change helmets. • The growing role of drone technology across the Games.

🏀 NBA All-Star Weekend — ratings and competitiveness both spike; Tim argues Saturday night needs a serious redesign.

🏁 The Daytona 500 — unpacking Michael Jordan capturing a major title outside basketball and what it means for his NASCAR presence.

🏈 Super Bowl reality check — DP & McGhee miss their projections, but the NFL celebrates 124.9M viewers.

⚾ Leadership turbulence at the MLBPA, and why internal stability matters at a critical moment for the game.

🎙️ A featured conversation with Doug Logan, reflecting on a career spanning six decades, including: • Bronze Star recipient and an improbable start as a New York City cab driver • The first commissioner of Major League Soccer • CEO of USA Track & Field • Leadership lessons from a lifetime at the highest levels of sport.

A wide-ranging episode connecting ratings, reputation, and resilience, all through the lens of service and leadership.

Wait, What?

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.

Episode 146 | In this episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee, David and Tim break down the intersection of spectacle, culture, and leadership across the biggest stages in sports.

From Super Bowl creative misses to Olympic geopolitics to Netflix’s transformational impact on Formula 1, this one lives squarely at the crossroads of storytelling and strategy.

In this episode:

🏈 A candid review of this year's Super Bowl commercials — and why DP & McGhee felt most of them missed the mark.

🎤 Reaction to Bad Bunny’s performance and what it signals culturally and commercially.

📺 The rise of the “alternative halftime show” — and what audience fragmentation means for brands.

🏔️ Politics entering Milano-Cortina, as U.S. athletes find themselves in complicated spotlight moments.

⚖️ Michael Bay vs. Cadillac F1 — unpacking the lawsuit and the broader implications for filmmakers, brands, and creative control.

🎬 A wide-ranging conversation with Piers Sanderson, producer/director of Netflix’s Drive to Survive, covering:• His unconventional path through music, nightlife, and film• Why Drive to Survive became a global breakout and reshaped F1’s footprint• Practical advice for aspiring filmmakers navigating a competitive industry

From Super Bowl spectacle to Netflix storytelling, this episode explores how narrative, leadership, and cultural timing shape modern sports business — on and off the screen.

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.

Wait, What?

Episode 145 | DP & McGhee are back with an episode that spans sports culture, public policy, fandom, and forecasting, before welcoming one of the pioneers of the modern collectibles business, Brandon Steiner. From Olympic buzz and hockey’s cultural moment to football controversies and bold presidential ambitions, the hosts set the table for a conversation about longevity, authenticity, and staying connected to the fans who ultimately power the industry.

🎭 USA Luge Goes Mainstream — The team gets the Saturday Night Live treatment as it ramps up for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games.

🏒 Hockey Finds New Fans — Heated Rivalry breaks into the cultural conversation, drawing fresh audiences to the sport.

🏈 Hall of Fame Outrage — Even Tim, a lifelong Jets fan, calls the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s snubbing of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft a travesty.

🚫 No Prediction Markets on the Big Stage — The NFL bans prediction-market advertising during the Super Bowl, despite the category’s rapid growth.

🏎️ Racing Through the Capital? — David reacts to the President’s attempt to will an IndyCar race through the streets of Washington, DC—proof that some decrees are easier than others.

✍️ Guest: Brandon Steiner — The legendary memorabilia entrepreneur reflects on more than 40 years in autographed collectibles, shares his keys to success, and explains why remaining a true fan of the athletes he’s worked with has been central to his career.

🔮 Super Bowl Predictions — DP & McGhee close the episode by continuing their annual tradition, forecasting both the final score and total viewership for the Super Bowl.

A wide-ranging conversation that captures the business—and the heart—of sports.

Wait, What?

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.

Episode 144 | DP & McGhee are back with another wide-ranging episode that blends big-picture sports business trends with personal perspective and Olympic-level insight. From blockbuster NFL storylines to landmark sponsorship moves, the hosts break down the latest headlines before welcoming an elite athlete-turned-executive who offers a rare look inside the Olympic movement and its commercial realities.

🏈 Darnold’s Redemption Tour — David puts Tim on the spot about Sam Darnold, once a pick of his beloved Jets, now leading the Seahawks on a stunning run to the Super Bowl.
📺 NFL Playoff Ratings Surge — The co-hosts unpack the eye-popping television numbers from this year’s NFL postseason and what they signal about the league’s continued dominance.
⚽ Trinity Rodman Makes History — A look at Rodman’s record-setting NWSL contract and the players association’s response to the landmark deal.
🏟️ CFP Holds at 12 Teams — Status quo reigns, at least for another season, as college football’s playoff format remains unchanged.
🤝 Sponsorship Spotlight — Lowe’s grabs the sleeve patch with Inter Miami, the NCAA opens the door for schools to sell their own jersey patches, and MLS partners with prediction market Polymarket.
🛷 Guest: Gordy Sheer — Olympic medalist and Director of Marketing at USA Luge, Gordy Sheer joins the show to reflect on his Olympic experience, preview what Team USA might expect in Milano-Cortina, and explain why long-term sponsors are vital to national governing bodies—including one partner that’s supported luge for more than 25 years.

Another episode that connects the dots between performance, policy, and partnerships across the sports business landscape.

Wait, What?

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.

𝙒𝙖𝙞𝙩...𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩? 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨𝙗𝙞𝙯 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝘿𝙋 & 𝙈𝙘𝙂𝙝𝙚𝙚 is the podcast that takes an often irreverent, sometimes cynical, and on occasion a serious look at the business of sports. Sports marketing veterans David Paro and Tim McGhee bring their special brand of sports business commentary to this weekly show, and welcome some of the top luminaries in the industry for vibrant conversations.

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the intersection of Sports & Business.

𝙒𝙖𝙞𝙩...𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩?

Episode 143 | DP & McGhee return with their third episode of the year and dive headfirst into the rapidly evolving—and increasingly complicated—world of college sports. From championship glory to courtroom drama, the hosts break down the biggest stories shaping the collegiate landscape before welcoming a true industry luminary for a wide-ranging conversation on sports marketing, leadership, and legacy.

🏆 College Football Championship Recap — Indiana completes a perfect 16–0 season with a title-game victory over Miami, powered by another standout performance from Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
⚖️ NIL Meets the Courtroom — Duke University files suit alleging quarterback Darian Mensah breached his contract, raising new questions about enforcement and accountability in the NIL era.
🎲 NCAA Basketball Betting Scandal — The latest gambling controversy puts integrity, oversight, and athlete vulnerability back in the spotlight.
🕵️ Federal Scrutiny on Agents — The FTC steps in to examine agent conduct with student-athletes, signaling potential regulatory shifts ahead.

⚾🏀 CBA Watch: MLB & WNBA Negotiations — The hosts dig into the shifting labor landscape across MLB (in light of Kyle Tucker's signing with Dodgers), and WNBA.

🎙️ Guest Spotlight: Mike Reisman — The hosts are joined by sports marketing luminary Mike Reisman, founder and former managing partner of Velocity Sports & Entertainment (later part of MKTG). Mike reflects on building culture, navigating change in the industry, and the meaningful work he continues to do to honor his wife’s legacy.

As always, DP & McGhee blend sharp analysis with real-world experience to make sense of a sports business landscape that never stops changing.

Wait, What?

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.

Episode 142 | In Episode 2 of Season 5, David and Tim roll with the changes as several major 2026 storylines continue to take shape across the sports business landscape.

🏁 NASCAR made a headline-grabbing move by announcing a return to the Chase format to determine its champion. David also points out why NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell being front and center for the announcement matters more than it might seem.

⛳ Big golf news as Brooks Koepka confirmed his intention to return to the PGA TOUR. But for Koepka — and others considering a move back from LIV Golf — the financial and contractual costs won’t be insignificant.

🏀 The guys agree that the WNBA’s decision to delay the free agency period is another encouraging sign in what continues to be a productive and thoughtful labor negotiation process.

And finally… Let’s Go Bears.

Wait, What?

Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.