On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders podcast, Justin and Jake feature Rob Thompson, a 30-year sports industry innovator, entrepreneur, and educator. His career spans coaching, media, private equity, and grassroots sports development.
Rob shares his journey from college football coaching to launching one of the first recruiting agencies. He went on to help build NFL Flag Football and Hoop It Up 3x3 Basketball into global movements. Rob also led the University of New Haven’s transition from Division II to Division I athletics.
The conversation explores the power of storytelling, the preservation of sports history, and the mindset required to build lasting ventures. Rob discusses his current work with the Walter Camp Football Foundation, where he’s helping reimagine football’s origins through a new preseason bowl game in New Haven. The event honors the man who saved the sport in 1905.
Together, Rob and Justin highlight key lessons for entrepreneurs:
Understanding your industry’s roots strengthens your vision for the future.
Storytelling drives business, community, and legacy.
Persistence, coachability, and cash management matter more than hype.
This episode is a masterclass in honoring tradition while innovating for the next generation of sports leaders.
Today's Sports Business Leaders podcast features David Ricca, CEO of Vamos Venture Group. Hear from David about how purpose, community, and capital are reshaping the global sports landscape.
David shares his journey from professional soccer to venture capital. He offers insights on youth soccer development, sports investment strategies, and the growing importance of mentorship and collaboration in the sports ecosystem.
The discussion explores the rise of community-focused clubs like those in the USL. It also highlights the role of venture capital in advancing social impact initiatives and how strategic partnerships can drive long-term growth across sports, tech, and education.
This episode provides valuable lessons for founders, investors, and leaders looking to align business success with purpose and positive impact in sports.
Episode 39 of the SBL podcast featured Zubin Teherani, the co-founder of LeagueSide, to unpack his decade-long journey building one of the most impactful companies in youth sports technology.
Zubin and his team built LeagueSide into the leading youth sports sponsorship marketplace, linking brands like Verizon, Uber, Visa, Chipotle, and Hilton with thousands of local leagues. Under his leadership, the company:
• Enabled 12 million+ kids to play youth sports
• Scaled to eight figures of ARR, nearly doubling four years in a row while remaining profitable
• Raised $4 million from funds, founders, and pro athletes
• Was ultimately acquired by TeamSnap, a PE-backed SaaS and fintech platform
Following the acquisition, Zubin led product marketing, go-to-market strategy, and sales enablement for TeamSnap’s brands business before transitioning into advising and investing.
In this conversation, he shares what it takes to scale a marketplace, build strong client relationships, and navigate the emotional and strategic challenges of selling a company. From his “land and expand” growth approach to his lessons on leadership and culture, Zubin offers a transparent look at startup growth and life after acquisition.
Tune in to hear how Zubin turned vision into execution — and what founders can learn from his journey across sports, technology, and entrepreneurship.
On episode 38 of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Justin Titchenell interviewed Vince Quinn, Co-Founder and Creative Director of SBX Productions, to unpack how business owners can turn podcasts into powerful marketing tools that build authority and drive growth.
Before launching SBX, Vince spent nearly a decade at 94WIP and CBS Sports Radio, where he worked alongside Angelo Cataldi on The Morning Team and hosted The Vince Quinn Show, syndicated across more than 300 stations in the U.S. and Canada. From producing comedy segments to leading national broadcasts, Vince built a career at the heart of sports talk radio before making the leap into podcasting.
Vince explains why he left traditional radio for a more stable, fulfilling path — and how the lessons he learned behind the mic now help founders and executives build podcasts that sell, not just entertain. He breaks down the biggest mistakes business owners make when starting a show, the importance of aligning content with business goals, and how to build real relationships through consistent, purposeful storytelling.
From hilarious behind-the-scenes stories about Wing Bowl and getting egged live on TV during the Eagles’ 2017 playoff run to tactical advice on production tools like Riverside, this conversation provides actionable insight.
Today, through SBX Productions, Vince helps brands develop podcast strategies that drive leads, simplify engagement, and turn content into measurable growth.
If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast to elevate your business, this episode is the perfect place to start.
Description:
On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Justin sits down with Bryan Fetzer — former NCAA coach, entrepreneur, broadcaster, and co-founder of PsyOptimal Sports — to explore what it truly takes to build great teams and enduring cultures in both sports and business.
Bryan reflects on his 23-year journey coaching college track and field before transitioning into entrepreneurship. He shares how his experiences working with elite athletes and leading programs to nine NCAA Top-10 finishes shaped his approach to leadership and mental performance. Now through PsyOptimal Sports, Bryan helps athletes, coaches, and executives strengthen resilience and understand the intangibles that drive success.
The conversation dives deep into:
The transition from college coaching to entrepreneurship and how Bryan found purpose beyond the field.
The power of assessments in recruiting and team-building — understanding “who” someone is before focusing on “what” they do.
Leadership lessons on culture, communication, and connecting with the next generation of athletes.
Four principles for success that have guided Bryan’s life and career: get better every day, be grateful, treat others well, and focus on who truly matters.
From high-performance coaching to data-driven culture building, Bryan offers timeless lessons for anyone leading teams, managing people, or striving to make a lasting impact in sports and business.
This episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast features Joel Steele — entrepreneur, financial advisor, author of Life Switch, and part of the ownership groups for the Grand Rapids Gold (NBA G League) and Rhode Island FC (2024 USL Eastern Conference Champions).
Joel opens up about his journey from early setbacks to building a successful financial firm and investing in professional sports. He shares what he has learned from championship cultures, the role of passion and purpose in lasting success, and why resilience matters in both business and life.
It’s a conversation filled with lessons for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone chasing big goals in sports and beyond.
In this episode, we sit down with Frank Panko, founder of A View From My Seat, the fan-powered platform helping millions of people see real photos of their seats before buying tickets.
Frank shares how a simple dilemma while buying Phillies season tickets in 2010 sparked an idea: instead of relying on static seating charts, what if fans shared photos of their actual views? That idea grew into A View From My Seat, a global community with 35 million users and photos from more than 5,000 venues.
We talk through Frank’s entrepreneurial journey—from building websites in the dot-com era to creating one of the earliest mobile apps—and how persistence, adaptability, and listening to the community turned a side project into a trusted tool for fans worldwide. He explains the “give and take” at the heart of the platform: fans use it to make smarter ticket decisions, then give back by uploading their own views for others.
Frank also pulls back the curtain on the business side: partnerships with StubHub and Viagogo, plans for international expansion, and what makes authentic fan photos more valuable than 3D renderings. Along the way, he shares lessons for entrepreneurs on solving real problems, leveraging community, and building in Philadelphia.
This conversation is packed with lessons on building something people truly need, scaling with community at the core, and staying persistent through every phase of the entrepreneurial journey.
In this episode of the Sports Business Leaders podcast, Justin sits down with Stephen Bienko, founder of 42U, to explore how universities and student-athletes can better navigate personal branding, NIL, and life after sports.
Stephen shares his journey from competing at the Air Force Academy and Villanova to leading 42U, a company dedicated to preparing student-athletes for long-term success beyond the playing field. Drawing from his experiences, he emphasizes the importance of leadership, mentorship, and viewing each stage of life as purposeful, even when the path isn’t clear.
The conversation dives into:
Student-Athlete Branding: Why most athletes lack true brand awareness and how building authentic, transferable personal brands can impact both performance and future careers.
The NIL Landscape: How universities must support all athletes—not just high-revenue stars—by focusing on financial literacy, branding education, and holistic development.
Recruiting & College Athletics Evolution: The shift from scholarship-driven recruiting to financially conscious, brand-focused evaluations, and how mental resilience plays a key role in long-term athletic success.
Youth Sports & Education: The growing challenge of transactional thinking among young athletes and the role adults must play in teaching communication, life skills, and financial literacy.
Opportunities for Innovation: Why entrepreneurs and business-minded leaders are increasingly needed in college athletic administration and student-athlete support programs.
Stephen also highlights successful models like Rutgers’ Scarlet Knights for Life program and shares insights on guiding athletes to understand their true identity, manage egos, and prepare for opportunities far beyond sports.
This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and anyone invested in the future of college athletics.
On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, we explore the future of sports audio with Chris Shreeve, co-founder of Vokol.
Chris shares how the company evolved from early experiments in AI voice technology to building a platform designed specifically for sports teams, leagues, and creators. We discuss how Vokol is helping organizations deliver authentic, on-brand audio that resonates with younger fans.
From pricing models and a strategic shift from D2C to enterprise B2B, to their ambitious vision of producing millions of personalized podcasts each day, this episode highlights how AI can transform fan engagement while keeping the human touch intact.
If you’re curious about where sports marketing, audio, and AI are headed, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Justin sits down with Richie Young, a former Division III baseball player turned entrepreneur and ghostwriter for health and wellness professionals.
Richie shares his journey from the baseball field to careers in sales, e-commerce, and ultimately building his own company, Vision Global. He talks about how the lessons of athletics—discipline, resilience, and teamwork—translated into his business career, and why digital storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to build trust in today’s noisy marketing environment.
The conversation explores how founders, athletes, and executives can grow their audiences online by being useful first, educating through content, and creating authentic engagement. Richie also dives into the role of email marketing, the importance of industry connections, and the value of networking opportunities at SBL events.
If you’re building a brand, looking to stand out in a crowded market, or simply want a playbook for earning trust online, this episode offers practical insights you can put into action right away.
On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, we’re joined by Matt “Deli” Delicâte, VP of North American Sales at Spiideo.
After a standout college career at VCU and a professional run with the Richmond Kickers, where he became the club’s all-time leading scorer, Deli transitioned into sports technology. That path led him to Spiideo, the global leader in automated sports video capture and analysis.
Today, Spiideo powers more than 6,000 venues across the world—including the Premier League, NBA, NHL, MLS, and nearly every Division I program in the U.S. Their platform enables automatic game capture, live tactical feedback for coaches, replay systems for officials, and multi-angle broadcasting that rivals ESPN-level production—all at the push of a button.
In this conversation, Deli shares:
How he went from professional soccer to leading Spiideo’s U.S. expansion
Spiideo’s role in transforming performance analysis, officiating, and fan engagement
Why AI-powered video is becoming essential across all levels of sport
What the future holds for sports tech and immersive fan experiences
On episode 30 of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Justin and Jake welcome Parul Khosla, co-founder and CEO of Arena, an AI-powered career platform transforming how professionals connect in sports, media, and entertainment.
Parul shares her journey from sports recruitment to building Arena, which has already grown to over 6,000 users and 45 partner companies since its launch in late 2024. She explains how the platform evolved from a job board into a networking-focused community, combining curated events, AI-driven participant matching, and career opportunities to help professionals unlock meaningful connections.
The conversation covers Arena’s rapid growth, their strategy for leveraging social media and live events, and Parul’s experience winning a pitch competition. She also highlights the importance of storytelling in pitches, perseverance in breaking into competitive industries, and building authentic networks that lead to real opportunities.
If you are interested in sports, media, or entertainment, or want to learn what it takes to launch and scale a startup in these industries, this episode offers valuable insights.
On this episode, Justin sits down with Skyler Logsdon, the co-founder and CEO of Boomerang, a red-hot startup solving lost and found with AI—and turning customer frustration into brand loyalty.
Boomerang is now trusted by over 100 venues across sports, hospitality, and travel, including the Boston Red Sox, Universal Studios, and major airports worldwide. In 2024 alone, the company did $10M+ in revenue and has raised $7M+ to date—with backing from cultural icons like Drake, Odell Beckham Jr., and Green Day’s Mike Dirnt.
Skyler shares the unlikely founding story—born from a lost phone in Vegas—and how he and his team built a B2B SaaS platform that’s becoming the OpenTable of lost and found.
He explains how Boomerang’s smart matching algorithm is delighting customers, reducing venue waste, and transforming service at places like the Wells Fargo Center, which reported a 40% increase in items returned after implementation.
We also get into:
Raising strategic capital—and why it’s not just about money
Building lifelong business relationships by “playing the forever game”
Turning high-friction moments into unforgettable experiences
Scaling a distributed team and shaping a new customer service standard
This episode is packed with insights for sports execs, SaaS founders, and anyone building a brand that people remember—for all the right reasons.
Follow Boomerang and connect with Skyler to learn more.
In this episode of the Sports Business Leaders podcast, Justin sits down with Patrick A. Afriyie, a former NFL defensive lineman turned litigation attorney at Archer. Patrick shares how his journey—from an unrecruited high school athlete to a captain at Colgate University and NFL player with the Los Angeles Chargers—shaped his mindset and prepared him for a successful legal career.
They discuss the transferable skills from football to law, including communication, discipline, quick analysis, and pressure management. Patrick breaks down his transition to the legal world, his work in corporate and commercial litigation at Archer, and how his competitive drive now helps clients navigate complex business disputes.
Patrick also reflects on the power of self-belief, the value of mental resilience, and why athletes are uniquely prepared for careers beyond sports. He closes by encouraging listeners to stay connected with Archer’s work supporting businesses across the sports industry.
This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, law, and leadership.
On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Greg Roe, former Team Canada trampoline athlete and co-founder of the Freestyle Trampoline Association, shares his vision for the future of action sports. Greg helped create Freestyle Trampoline, a creative and athlete-driven branch of acrobatics that started on social media and is now gaining global attention.
He talks about the evolution of the sport, the problems with traditional gymnastics systems, and why athletes need a more supportive and inclusive environment. Greg also explains how he uses his background in kinesiology and an understanding of human behavior to shape his business strategies. He believes building strong communities is key to long-term success and shares how he helps existing communities grow by providing the right infrastructure and support.
Freestyle Trampoline is set to debut at the X Games this year and will be featured at more than 40 events worldwide, reaching over 500,000 people live and millions online. Greg also hosts The Roe Show podcast and continues to lead coaching clinics around the world.
To follow his journey, search for "Greg Roe Trampoline" or "Freestyle Trampoline" on any platform.
Jess Brodsky, Head of Commercial Strategy at PlayerData, joins host, Justin Titchenell, to share her journey from engineering to leading one of the most innovative performance tracking platforms in sports technology. With a background as both an athlete and engineer, Jess has helped shape a product built not for the top 1%—but for the 99% of athletes often overlooked.
We dive into how PlayerData supports over 60,000 athletes and 2,500 clubs, their no-assumptions culture, and why hiring non-athletes helps them build more accessible, unbiased tools. Jess also opens up about her time with the Israeli National Team, lessons from Comcast, and her vision for the future of youth sports—where simplicity, access, and redefined success take center stage.
If you're passionate about the future of sports tech, this episode is for you.
In this episode of the SBL Podcast, we’re joined by Sydney Couval, investor at NewBound VC, a firm focused on sports tech and media. Sydney shares how their team supports early-stage founders with real operational expertise—and why they’re betting big on companies like Tomorrow Sports, co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
We also dive into:
How to pitch platforms (not just products) for long-term growth
What fan engagement looks like in a post-cable, mobile-first world
When celebrity involvement helps—or hurts—your business
Listen now and connect with Sydney to keep the conversation going.
On this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Jack Adler, founder and CEO of Out2Win — the AI-powered NIL marketplace reshaping how brands connect with athlete entrepreneurs.
Jack shares the journey from running a traditional athlete marketing agency to raising a $1.3M seed round and building Out2Win’s proprietary platform, which ranks over 250,000 athletes by off-field marketability. We explore how the Out2Win Score helps brands make smarter sponsorship decisions and why holistic metrics like social media engagement are key in today's NIL era.
The conversation also dives into the House vs NCAA settlement and its implications on college athletics. With revenue sharing on the horizon and schools preparing for major structural shifts, Jack offers insight into how this uncertainty is impacting brands, universities, and the broader NIL ecosystem.
Episode 23 of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast features Justin J. Giangrande — CEO and Founder of Network Advisory — for a powerful conversation on the evolution of athlete representation, sports marketing, and NIL strategy.
With over 20 years of experience working with more than 100 professional athletes, including Mike Conley Jr., JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Alvin Kamara, Giangrande shares how his journey shaped the vision behind Network Advisory. Network Advisory is an innovative firm blending athlete management, brand building, and content creation. He also reflects on his time as EVP and Partner at VaynerSports, working alongside AJ and Gary Vaynerchuk.
Topics include:
The creation and challenges of building a fully integrated athlete ecosystem
Transitioning from VaynerSports to founding his own agency
Early NIL experiences with Bryce Young and Malachi Nelson
Macro trends, long bets, and the future of athlete brand development
The importance of team culture, self-belief, and taking initiative in a fast-changing industry
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the next wave of growth in sports business and NIL.
Tanner Maddocks joins the show to share his journey from Villanova quarterback to founder of Athlete Squared and multiple six-figure startups — all before turning 20. Named one of Philadelphia’s top young entrepreneurs, Tanner opens up about building businesses in Web3 and athletic apparel, launching a mentorship platform for athletes, and balancing life as a husband, father, and college athlete.
We dive into:
Building Athlete Squared to connect athletes through mentorship
Lessons from early business wins in NFTs and fashion
Balancing faith, football, and founder life
Why having the right team and staying mission-driven is everything
A must-listen for athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone chasing a bold vision.