What's the real ROI of firing your coach and paying an expensive buyout? AJ Maestas and Charles Rolston break down the numbers behind the high-profile coaching buyouts we're seeing in college football, and the potential economic justifications for taking big risks. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=b8c86e42a9f3d7b6f2194bb9a89877e8 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
David Dunn - Founder of Athletes First - is one of the most successful NFL agents of all time. He gives an inside look at one of the sports industry's most fascinating and misunderstood professions. David has represented the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Justin Herbert, Troy Aikman, and many more. He has signed the largest deal in NFL history 8 times! He has worked with 17 Hall of Famers, seven Super Bowl MVPs, eight Heisman Trophy winners, eight Walter Payton men of the year, and seven first overall picks. Timestamps: 2:50 - Jerry Maguire 6:25 - David's origin and legal fight with the NFLPA and Leigh Steinberg 21:00 - Relationships with clients 28:15 - NIL & recruiting young athletes 35:30 - Rapid Fire Question For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Jeb Terry – President and CEO of Cosm – tells the story of his first time experiencing an early prototype of a Cosm venue. He explains the transportive nature of the "shared reality" experience. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=4830009f2315f99b926e22e26021574b For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
AJ Maestas and Charles Rolston are regularly advising conference commissioners, athletic directors, and other clients shaping the future of college athletics. They share their POV on various paths forward including revenue sharing, super leagues, athlete employment, and more. Timestamps: 0:30- Can athletic department budgets continue to rise? 4:30 - What would a college super league look like? 8:00 - How are ADs keeping track of the changes? 12:35 - 15:35 What does college athletics look like in ten years? 16:25 - Revenue sharing with athletes For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Who will win the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery? Netflix announced an $82.7B deal for all of WBD's streaming + studio assets, but now Paramount is pursuing its own $108 billion takeover that will include cable and linear networks as well. Charles Rolston and Umar Hussain break down the biggest story in media. Timestamps: 0:50 - What do we know so far? 3:10 - 6:37 The difference between the Netflix and Paramount offers 6:35 - How does this impact sports rights holders? 12:20 - Netflix's goal 17:50 - Which deal should WBD take? 21:35 - Predictions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Donn Davis – Chairman and Founder of the Professional Fighters League – explains what the UFC's most recent media deal means exciting things for the PFL in their upcoming negotiations with partners. UFC gets $25M per event, and PFL has ⅓ of the audience. Donn predicts they'll end up getting much more than the $1M/event they currently receive. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=cbd3d581cfc5eddf1236ad1d5520f1c1 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Navigating Sports Media: Dan Porter - CEO of Overtime - runs one of the biggest content platforms for the younger generation of sports fans. Overtime doesn't compete for sports rights, but they have added 35,000 followers per day for over nine years. They have also made two major bets: building out their own leagues for high school basketball and high school football. Dan explains how their decision to pay young athletes accelerated the implementation of NIL at the college level. Dan talks about the importance of giving young people a platform on social media and beyond. Prior to Overtime, he was President of Teach for America, and helped create one of the most downloaded apps of all time in Draw Something. One of the Overtime athletes launched the "six-seven" phenomenon among kids and young people. Timestamps: 1:15 - Dan's background 7:10 - Growing with the Overtime audience 10:55 - What could the NFL or NBA learn from Overtime? 13:55 - Playing for the internet, not cities 16:40 - Overtime Elite kickstarted NIL 18:55 - Content philosophy 22:40 - Building a platform for young people 25:40 - Expanding into sports beyond basketball 30:20 - Dan's leadership style 34:30 - Rapid Fire Questions Restaurant Recommendation in Brooklyn: Terre | Pasta & Natural Wine For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
AJ Maestas and Charles Rolston break down the ROI metrics behind the (seemingly) crazy trend of expensive coaching buyouts in college football. They explore the economic and political factors at play that lead to these decisions for athletic directors and university presidents. The right coaching hire can yield an incremental $20M - $35M per year for a football program, so there's a lot to lose by keeping a losing coach on staff. However, would it make more sense to take the money you'd otherwise use for a buyout and invest it in NIL? Drawing on Navigate's work advising ADs and presidents while these factors are being weighed, AJ and Charles dissect the economics and decision-making pressures driving this high-stakes trend. Timestamps: 0:45 - The ROI of firing your coach 5:00 - Spend on NIL or spend on a coach? 8:05 - Aligning AD incentives 16:40 - Legislation for everything ("good luck") For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Jeb Terry - President and CEO of Cosm - explains "Shared Reality" and what their venues add to the sports fan experience. Jeb describes Cosm as "the next best thing" to being at a live event, and gives a thorough breakdown of the business model that is in many ways similar to a traditional venue with tickets, concessions, and partnerships. He also explains the strategy behind expansion and how they are selecting new markets both domestically and internationally. Timestamps: 1:10 - Shared Reality 6:15 - Jeb's background as an NFL player 10:40 - Cosm partnerships 16:10 - Expansion strategy 22:45 - Key learnings 25:00 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Navigating Sports Media: Eric Ratchman – CRO of FanDuel Sports Network – on the challenges of emerging from bankruptcy with a sustainable plan for the future, and how they were ultimately able to find success. He highlights the three-step process that his team employed, and the many stakeholders and creditors that had to be aligned in order to make it all work. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=63cc119c45b777bfe7a2c3d8eff870e5 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Donn Davis - Chairman and Founder of the Professional Fighters League - has a long history of successful investments both inside and outside of the sports industry. He talks about the opportunity he saw in the MMA space, and why PFL has become such a valuable property as it looks to gain marketshare from UFC. He also shares lessons from some of the most (and least) successful deals of his career. Timestamps: 1:00 - The idea for PFL 5:20 - Donn's endgame with the PFL 6:45 - Bellator deal - what went right and what went wrong? 11:35 - Why Donn avoids esports investments 15:20 - Predictions for the future of media 21:05 - Is AI overvalued? 25:05 - UFC Media Deal 28:45 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Drew Weatherford – Founding Partner of Weatherford Capital – has a novel idea for how private equity can get involved in college sports. Beyond varsity sports, athletic departments can also drive value by investing in club sports as an extension of the lucrative youth sports model that already exists across the country. Would parents be willing to pay thousands of dollars for their students to utilize high-level coaching and facilities? Drew thinks the answers is yes. He also advocates for a change in the rule that bars universities from hosting multiple teams in the same sport across division I, II, and III. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=db8a3e0ab8b4fca316c1c8b46a8888ff For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Navigating Sports Media: Eric Ratchman - CRO of FanDuel Sports Network - discussed the new era of the RSN model and how they're finding sustainable success after bankruptcy. He argues that no other media company offers the same combination of local penetration and national scale, appealing to advertisers wishing for year-round content in a given market or those looking to make a deal across markets in one or more sports. Timestamps: 1:40 - Eric's day-to-day 6:50 - Getting out of bankruptcy and the next 5-10 years 10:40 - DTC 13:00 - Sports betting and their relationship with FanDuel 15:10 - Integrating data with team partners 19:25 - Local reach and nationwide scale 25:45 - Media consolidation 33:45 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Less than 2 weeks ago, AJ Maestas and Charles Rolston broke down the news of a looming $2B deal for the Big Ten to take a massive infusion of cash from private capital. A lot has happened since then, with the news that the conference will be closing a deal with an investment fund of the University of California pension system and establishing Big Ten Enterprises with the goal of optimizing conference-wide revenue. What does this mean for schools, athletes, and fans? What are the low-hanging fruit assets that this new venture will look to monetize? Hear AJ's thoughts, or go back and listen to the full episode: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=53bbf14fbeabdd0f3890e0eb8b8c083f For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Drew Weatherford - Founding Partner of Weatherford Capital - discusses the role of private equity in college sports, including a less-discussed opportunity to invest in club sports. The episode was recorded prior to the news of the Big Ten exploring a $2B private equity deal. You can hear AJ Maestas and Charles Rolston break that down in a bonus episode, here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=53bbf14fbeabdd0f3890e0eb8b8c083f Timestamps: 2:00 - Drew's FSU Background 19:25 - Pro sports people running athletic departments 25:00 - Private equity in college sports 31:05 - IMG Academy/Investing in Club Sports 37:00 - What is an athletic department worth? For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
The Big Ten is exploring $2B in private funding. In this episode, AJ Maestas, Founder of Navigate, sits down with Charles Rolston, Navigate's collegiate consulting expert, to break down what this means for the conference, the schools, and the entire college sports space. Will the deal actually close? How do Ohio State and Michigan factor in? Do 20-year plans make sense in collegiate athletics? What does ROI look like for this kind of deal? AJ and Charles draw on their experience advising clients through private equity negotiations, realignment, and other transformational moments across college and pro sports. For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Haley Rosen – Founder & CEO of Just Women's Sports – explains the relationship between athletes and the media. She is able to draw on her experience as an athlete and the friction she felt before ultimately launching a media platform of her own. She sees the role of Just Women's Sports as building the fan base and ecosystem that will let women's sports continue to grow and thrive. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=008cfa2935a6703a02583dc6d3437d13 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Haley Rosen - Founder & CEO of Just Women's Sports - is no stranger to discussing trends in sports business, which is why she's such a great fit for our show. She offers an interesting perspective on the WNBA labor situation, the coverage of women's sports on traditional media platforms, and why she believes that women's sports will one day surpass men's sports in total popularity. Timestamps: 2:00 - Origins of Just Women's Sports 8:00 - Making content appeal to multiple generations 10:15 - Haley's background as an athlete 25:00 - What's next for women's sports? 32:00 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Pat Dimon – Head of Front Office Sports Studios and Owner of A Frame Productions – shares the secret to a good sports docuseries. Many of our clients on the property side have raised questions about how to optimize non-live content in a crowded ecosystem where everyone is trying to make the next Drive to Survive. Pat is the creator of Full Swing, and shares his tips to getting it right. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=1d7a16f12c31e434724e556fabd0b59c For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Tim Zulawski – President of AMB Sports & Entertainment – on the fan-friendly concessions strategy at Mercedez-Benz stadium and how it leads to higher fan satisfaction, increased merchandise sales, and creates "super advocates" for the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United, and the stadium itself. As they prepare to host major events like the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, and Final Four, their concession prices will not change. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=8414c1e30131e9e15dd33a38c05e3c4d For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Amber Cox – COO & GM of the Indiana Fever – on new WNBA fans buying season tickets or becoming passionate about the league after giving it a chance for the first time. Often, their first exposure comes from attending a game or tuning in to watch stars like Caitlin Clark. She calls Caitlin Clark the "ultimate multiplier effect" for the WNBA, in amplifying the momentum that has been building for the a long time. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=390463d02dd14920ffbf164c4fb756f5 Amber's quote is very similar to Vince Kozar's POV on the WNBA easily retaining around once they give the league a chance, which he shared earlier this year on our show. For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Navigating Sports Media: Pat Dimon - Head of Front Office Sports Studios and Owner of A Frame Productions - is one of the biggest names in the sports docuseries space. He joins Umar Hussain to discuss the the new joint venture with Front Office Sports, and why some sports docs cut through the clutter while others miss the mark. He also gives his thoughts on where rightsholders should be investing in non-live content to help grow their brands. Timestamps: 2:10 - Pat's background 5:35 - Why certain sports doc series work and others don't 8:45 - Full Swing 21:30 - Role Playing Exercise: Where should you invest resources in non-live content? 31:00 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
"If all progress in AI stopped tomorrow, it would still take five to 10 years for what we've got now to diffuse through the market." Bruce Bassett - internationally renowned computer science expert & embedded AI strategist at Navigate - on the importance of building an AI-native culture within your organizations. It's not enough to chase the newest tools, or to build a custom AI agent. If the pace of improvement continues to be exponential, then you'll have to integrate AI into everything that you do. The core question: how long do we expect AI improvement to maintain its current exponential trajectory? Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=c460dd05805825a94c1cba9a4201a65e For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Amber Cox - COO & GM of the Indiana Fever - stepped into her role at the dawn of the Caitlin Clark era - a moment that's fueled unprecedented growth for both the Fever and the WNBA. But as Amber shares, that surge didn't start with Caitlin; her arrival simply created a powerful "multiplier effect" on momentum that was already building. Timestamps: 2:10 - Amber's career in the WNBA 9:10 - Joining the Fever as Caitlin Clark is drafted 15:45 - Caitlin Clark's multiplier effect 23:20 - Asking players to participate in marketing content 26:00 - Managing 2 roles (COO & GM) 28:20 - The attention on Caitlin Clark 33:05 - The facilities arms race in the WNBA 37:10 - Collaborating with the Pacers 46:50 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
"This is a business where you can lose having a superior product" Robert Davari – CEO and Founder of Tixr – on the challenges of raising money in the crowded ticketing space. Investors are looking for emerging technologies, particularly in AI, and don't often have the patience to support a challenger brand like Tixr. As an entrepreneur, Robert has always preferred bootstrapping his businesses and building slowly with a focus on creating the best possible product. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=d128b48b527134dadc3b2f4bafce4225 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Bruce Bassett is the Founder of Grai Labs, embedded AI strategist with Navigate, and is one the world's leading experts on Artificial Intelligence. With decades of experience in academia and practical AI applications, he applies his knowledge and beliefs to the sports industry, and gives tips for staying afloat in a tidal wave of AI innovation. Details: 2:00 - AI in the Sports Industry 6:15 - What should you be doing right now with AI? 22:30 - Revolutionary tech beyond AI 25:40 - Rapid Fire Questions Notes: Bruce's favorite depiction of AI in fiction: Robot & Frank For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
"Every Red Sox or every Bruins game is a theatrical hit." Ahmed Darwish - Chief Marketing Officer at NESN - explains the importance of making games accessible to fans, and how NESN's continuity helps fans have a reliable options for watching their favorites teams. Despite streaming reshaping the industry and new players emerging, sports continue to hold strong media value. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=26384a6a11beff0e3a5a84278a24a4f1 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Jared Orton – President of the Savannah Bananas – on the origins of the Bananaland at Sea fan cruise, which the team is bringing back for another voyage in 2026. The Savannah Bananas are known for providing the very best in fan engagement, and the creativity and detailed planning that went into the fan cruise are the perfect example. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=fc87122340fbf55d3eccd66e0094711a For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
"I believe in my alma mater LSU more than anybody will ever know" Scott Woodward – Athletics Director at LSU – on his approach to coach hiring, and swinging for the fences to secure the very best available. No matter how well an AD operates on the business side, they are still judged by noteworthy hires they make. That's why alignment with your institution and stakeholders is key. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=73ba4b4bc47497339d91f6283bee4e37 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
Robert Davari - CEO and Founder of Tixr - on how they are disrupting an industry by focusing on optimization, design, and building a better ticketing and ecommerce product. Tixr recently announced its partnership with the San Jose Earthquakes, the first "big 5" team on their roster. Timestamps: 1:40 - Tixr's origins 8:50 - Ticketing technology 12:05 - San Jose Earthquakes Partnership 15:35 - Patience when building a company 20:05 - Competing with legacy players 24:10 - Secondary Ticketing 28:30 - Tixr Brands 31:00 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.
