Episode 131 | DP & McGhee

David and Tim are back with another jam-packed episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee, starting with a lively breakdown of the latest college football controversies — from chaos in Happy Valley to NCAA policy debates that could reshape the future of college athletics.

Then, they welcome Wade Martin, COO and CEO, Baseball at Unrivaled Sports, for an in-depth conversation about the state of youth sports, sponsor engagement opportunities, and his own fascinating journey through the business of sports.

Highlights from the episode:
🏈 College Football Fireworks — The guys dissect the turmoil at Penn State, where coach James Franklin’s firing has sparked questions from the board of trustees over a new Adidas deal featuring an $500,000 product allowance for the athletic director.

🕵️‍♂️ UNC Under Scrutiny — A Tar Heels cornerbacks coach is under investigation for providing impermissible benefits to a player’s parents.

🎰 Betting & Branding on Campus — The NCAA is weighing whether to allow student-athletes to bet on pro sports and sell jersey patches to sponsors — opening new commercial frontiers (and new ethical debates).

⚾ MLB Playoffs & Paydays — David mourns his Cubs’ early exit before he and Tim dig into the upcoming CBA negotiations and the growing talk of an MLB salary cap.

🏀 NBA & WNBA Buzz — The NBA makes its return to China, while Tim goes out on a limb with a bold prediction about the new WNBA commissioner.

 Guest Spotlight: Wade Martin (Unrivaled Sports) — The Unrivaled Sports COO/CEO joins the show to talk:

• The evolution of youth sports and its booming ecosystem

• Opportunities for brand sponsors to authentically engage families and communities

• The future of youth baseball and its place in the larger sports landscape

• Wade’s career path and lessons from building successful organizations across multiple sports sectors

Another week, another mix of insight, debate, and fun on Wait, What?

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