115 | DP & McGhee

What's behind the headlines in sports this week? DP & McGhee serve up another fast-paced rundown of the latest in the business of sport:

 PGA TOUR Enterprises makes a power move, naming Brian Rolapp (former NFL media chief) as CEO. What does this mean for the future of the TOUR and any potential reunification with players on the LIV Tour?

 Scott O’Neil and Chris Heck are back together—this time at LIV Golf.

 JJ Spaun stuns the field and captures the U.S. Open—we look at what his win means.

 FIFA Club World Cup struggles to sell tickets in the U.S.—Was this a complete miss by FIFA?

 WNBA is in talks with ION for renewing media rights. Should the players be at the table?

 NASCAR was in Mexico City—What was the reception? You'll hear a few different narratives.

🎧 Fast takes. Smart analysis. Always at the intersection of sports and business. Don’t miss this episode of Wait, What?

Episode 114 | DP & McGhee
From Emirates to Abu Dhabi, Roger Duthie has had a front-row seat to the Middle East’s emergence as a global force in sports. This week, he joins DP & McGhee to share stories from his time leading sponsorships at Emirates Airline — and to break down how the Gulf region became a sports power center seemingly overnight.

We cover:
• The Emirates playbook on global sponsorships
• How the Middle East changed the game in soccer, tennis, F1 & more
• What Western leagues and brands should expect next

Plus, DP & McGhee hit the headlines:
🏫 NCAA House Settlement — what it means for athlete compensation
🎾 French Open wrap-up
📉 Ratings watch: NBA & NHL Finals struggle to hold attention
⭐️ The real value of star power in today’s media market

🎧 Fast takes. Smart analysis. Always at the intersection of sports and business.
Don’t miss this episode of Wait, What?

No guest this week? No problem.

DP & McGhee are talking business—this week, specifically the business of sports media. From why NBA and Stanley Cup Finals ratings could be historically low, to MLB’s attendance and viewership boom, this week’s episode is a tour through the shifting sports TV landscape.

🎯 Topics covered:

• 📉 Why NBA & NHL Finals ratings may dip (and who’s to blame)

• 📈 MLB’s strong rebound: ratings, rules, and real fan interest

• 🏀 Knicks coaching drama & what it means for MSG

• 🚐 The Oscar Mayer Weiner Mobile’s return to glory

• ⚽ MLS’s latest news and its long-term media outlook

Plus, some unexpected detours through Tim Robbins’ filmography and WKRP in Cincinnati. Because of course.

Subscribe to Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee for weekly insights into the business behind the box scores.

Episode 112 | DP & McGhee
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, DP & McGhee sit down with Dr. Mara Smith, a mental performance consultant to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and a former college gymnast, to explore how athletes are approaching mental fitness at the highest levels. Her insights on Simone Biles and the pressures elite athletes face are essential listening.

Also in this week’s episode:
• DP’s bold (and slightly delusional?) pick for 2025’s biggest sports story: Cornell lacrosse
• The passing of Colts owner Jim Irsay — what it means for the NFL
• Caitlin Clark’s injury and its ripple effect on the WNBA’s business momentum
• A look at Memorial Day weekend’s triple-header of racing action

🎧 Fast takes. Smart analysis. Always at the intersection of sports and business.
Don’t miss this episode of Wait, What?

Episode 111 | DP & McGhee
With the launch of his new docuseries Earnhardt on Amazon Prime Video, award-winning filmmaker Josh Altman joins the show to talk about capturing the legacy of Dale Earnhardt, earning the trust of the family, and what it takes to tell a story that resonates in and beyond the world of sports. The DP & McGhee endorsement of this project is strong.

Also in this episode:
• MLB’s stunning move: Rob Manfred lifts the lifetime bans on Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson — what it means for Cooperstown
• WNBA season tip-off and early business signals
• NBA Playoffs viewership — winners, losers, and what it means for ad spend
• MLS club valuations — DP & McGhee go full Wall Street

🎧 Fast takes. Smart analysis. Always at the intersection of sports and business.
Don’t miss this episode of Wait, What?

Episode 110 | DP & McGhee
If you’ve ever picked up the phone to find Terry Lefton on the line, you know you’re in for a smart, fast, and entertaining conversation. The longtime sports marketing journalist returns as the first-ever repeat guest on Wait, What? — and this time, DP & McGhee are the ones asking the questions. From how the sports media game has changed to what he’s watching most closely now, Terry brings sharp insight and great stories.

Before the interview, the hosts break down the week in sportsbiz, including:
• NBA Playoff viewership trends and what's driving the numbers
• F1’s financial outlook and global growth trajectory
• ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer product — and its brilliantly simple name
• Shilo or Shadeur? The Deion effect lives on
• Media Upfronts and what’s next for broadcast deals
• MJ joining the NBA on NBC broadcast team
• And yes, another correction segment from Tim

🎧 Fast takes. Smart analysis. Always at the intersection of sports and business.
Don’t miss this episode of Wait, What?

Episode 109 | DP & McGhee
With squash officially set to debut in the 2028 Summer Olympics, Kevin Klipstein, President & CEO of U.S. Squash, joins the show to talk about what this means for the sport’s future — from visibility and participation to investment and infrastructure. He also shares what it takes to lead a sport with deep roots but a modern growth mindset.

Also this week:
• 🐎 Kentucky Derby recap — on and off the track
• 📺 NBA Playoff ratings: which matchups are driving viewership
• 🏀 Gregg Popovich’s retirement — the end of an era in San Antonio
• 🔦 Spotlight on Sponsorship: three smart partnerships worth your attention
• 🎧 And in a show first, a listener calls out a Tim mistake — and he owns it

🎧 Fast takes. Smart analysis. Always at the intersection of sports and business.
Don’t miss this episode of Wait, What?

Episode 108 | DP & McGhee
This week, DP & McGhee welcome Jeff Gooding, VP of Marketing at Ace Hardware, to talk about the company’s new partnership with Major League Baseball — and how they activate that at both the national and local level across 5,000 stores. Jeff also shares one of the most grounded, practical pieces of career advice we’ve heard for anyone looking to break into the sports industry.

Also in this episode:
• NBA and NHL Playoff updates — and what matters from a business POV
• The NFL Draft recap: Cam Ward goes first, but Shadeur Sanders steals the narrative
• Mel Kiper’s hot takes on Sanders — analysis or obsession?
• Celebrating the legendary Lee Corso as he retires from ESPN after 38 years

🎧 Fast takes. Smart analysis. Always at the intersection of sports and business.
Don’t miss this episode of Wait, What?

Episode 107 | DP & McGhee
Imagine a platform connecting over 115,000 student-athletes with brands for endorsement deals, influencer campaigns, and content partnerships. That’s Opendorse, and this week, DP & McGhee welcome TJ Ciro, SVP of Partnerships, to break down how the platform operates at scale — and what’s next in the NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) space. From compliance to creativity, this conversation is packed with insights on the fast-changing college sports marketing landscape.

Also in this episode:
• 📈 The Masters TV ratings and what the numbers say about golf viewership
• 🏀 NBA’s spring rebound — how far can it go?
• 🏈 The NFL’s continued revenue dominance
• ⚽ MLB sponsorship trends
• 🏆 WNBA headlines heading into a pivotal season

🎧 Fast takes. Smart analysis. Always at the intersection of sports and business.
Don’t miss this episode of Wait, What?

Episode 106 | DP & McGhee
It’s early April, so of course DP & McGhee are talking Final Four basketball and Masters Week — with a few twists. They dig into both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments before David confesses a take that might ruffle tradition-loving hoops fans. Then it’s on to golf, as the hosts weigh in on the fractured state of the game and where things go from here.

Later in the episode, Jason Langwell, Chief Revenue Officer of TMRW Sports, joins the show to talk about the debut season of TGL — the innovative golf league backed by Tiger, Rory, and others. Jason shares key insights on the future of the sport, building new formats for modern fans, and where TMRW Sports is headed next.

Also in this episode:
• NCAA Tournament business takeaways
• The Masters and brand affinity
• PGA vs. LIV: is resolution in sight?

🎧 Fast takes. Smart analysis. Always at the intersection of sports and business.
Don’t miss this episode of Wait, What?