Jeff Luhnow took an unusual path to leadership in baseball. He was an engineer, entrepreneur, marketing VP, and consultant at one of the Big Three firms before getting hired by the owner of the St. Louis Cardinals. Right from the start he was a disruptor, tasked with modernizing scouting and player development for a traditional regime that didn’t want to hire the outsider. But his success was undeniable as their drafts were the most productive in the game. When he became the Astros GM, he transformed the organization through player development innovations. However, there were multiple controversies, from illegal computer hacking to brash sign-stealing schemes, ultimately leading to his firing and suspension by Major League Baseball. At a career crossroads, he set his sights on international football, where he’s applying his proven approach, and so far, the returns have been great.

Today, we’ll discuss these topics, the importance of team leadership connecting with the fans, and more with the current CEO of Blue Crow Sports Group, Jeff Luhnow.