Episode 14 (Bonus Olympic Episode) - Host Matt Farrell breaks down the ups and downs of watching the Olympics in Paris over the first weekend. He discusses topics such as how to view the games, alternative content sources, podcasts to listen to, and what athletes are wearing. He also mentions new voices in the coverage, integrations that felt forced, and protocol issues during the opening ceremony.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Ups and Downs of the Olympic Games
00:54 How to View the Olympics
01:55 Alternative Content, Pods, Twitter, X, More
02:13 Sporticast
03:06 Sports Media - Richard Deitsch
04:20 Old Navy and Noggin Boss Apparel
05:28 Athlete Apparel, Competitive Apparel
07:11 The Many Font Uses for USA
08:09 Snoop and Flava Flav
09:23 The Downs: Forced NBC Integrations
10:21 Minions Get a Free Pass
10:54 Sorry Peyton Manning and Kelly Clarkson - It Didn't Work
11:21 IOC Protocol and Speeches - Need to Go
12:51 Conclusion: Continuing Coverage and Audience Engagement
13:16 Podcast Intro.MP4

Takeaways

- The Peacock streaming service and prime time show offer different viewing experiences for the Olympic Games.
- There are various alternative content sources, including podcasts, that provide unique perspectives on the Olympics.
- Athletes wear different apparel brands for competitive events and official team appearances.
- New voices like Snoop and Flava Flav bring a fun and engaging element to the coverage.
- Some integrations and talent choices felt forced and didn't resonate with true Olympic sports fans.
- Certain protocol aspects, such as long speeches during the opening ceremony, can be seen as outdated and unnecessary.


Intro Song: All World
Artist: JMPSCR

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Episode 13 - Host Matt Farrell talks with Ramsey Baker in another Olympic edition of the Farrell Sports Business podcast. Ramsey Baker, SVP at Aggregate Sports, discusses the role of national governing bodies (NGBs) in the sports industry and the unique assets they offer to sponsors. He highlights the importance of NGBs in connecting with passionate fans and facilitating participation in sports. Baker provides examples of creative sponsorship deals, such as Samsonite partnering with USA Gymnastics to reduce athlete travel stress and tell their stories, and the soccer tournament with Pat McAfee that integrated media rights with marketing opportunities. He also emphasizes the need for brands to start planning for the Winter Olympics.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction of Ramsey Baker
01:03 Snazzy Music Intro
01:44 Overview of Aggregate Sports
03:30 Positioning and Niche of Aggregate Sports
05:44 Differentiating National Governing Bodies (NGBs) Commercially
08:36 Assets and Audience of NGBs
11:08 ROI on NGB Sponsorships
14:50 Opportunities for NGBs with LA 2028, Salt Lake 2034
18:14 Anatomy of Creative Sponsorship Deals
20:21 Combate Global
22:31 The Soccer Tournament / Pat McAfee
25:59 Ramsey Baker's Early Career and Break into Sports
29:15 Importance of Planning for the Winter Olympics
31:34 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts
32:07 Podcast Intro.MP4

Takeaways

- National governing bodies (NGBs) offer unique assets to sponsors, including access to passionate fans and the opportunity to tap into the lifestyle and membership base of the sport.
- Creative sponsorship deals can go beyond traditional media rights and include elements such as athlete access, storytelling, and content creation.
- Planning for sponsorship opportunities in the Winter Olympics should start well in advance, as the timeline between summer and winter games is shorter and brands need to be proactive in building strategies and executing deals.
- Collaboration between NGBs, brands, and athletes can create win-win-win situations, benefiting all parties involved and helping to grow the sport and individual brands.



Intro Song: All World
Artist: JMPSCR

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Bonus Olympic Episode

Summary
Episode 12 - Host Matt Farrell talks with Mel Stewart, two-time Olympic gold medalist in swimming and the founder of SwimSwam.com. He discusses his career in swimming and the state of the sport. They talk about the origins of SwimSwam and its growth as a swimming news platform. They also discuss the challenges faced by the sport and the impact of the pandemic on the sport. Stewart shares his insights on the upcoming Olympics in Paris and highlights the storylines to watch, including Katie Ledecky's quest for greatness. They also touch on the future of media and the dominance of tech companies in the industry.

00:00 Intro of Gold Medal Mel
01:05 Mel's Beef with Matt
02:08 Meeting at the 1991 World Championships
03:19 The Origin of SwimSwam.com
05:15 USA Swimming's Attempt to Create Swimnetwork.com
06:04 Getting SwimSwam off the ground
08:04 Role of Mel and His Wife Tiffany with SwimSwam
09:20 Independent Olympic Sport Media Outlets
11:02 Looking Back at Olympic Trials Events from 1992 to Now
14:14 Adjusting to a First Time in an NFL Stadium for Olympic Trials
14:37 This is When the Picture Falls
17:09 Storylines to Watch for Swimming in Paris 2024
19:02 Rivalry with Australia
21:11 State of the Sport of Swimming in the U.S.
25:40 Closing Thoughts on Media and Tech

Takeaways

- SwimSwam is a leading swimming news platform that has grown to have 127 contributors globally reporting original news in six languages.
- The state of swimming has been impacted by the pandemic, with a decrease in club capacity and tensions between coaches and the governing body.
- The upcoming Olympics will feature exciting storylines, including Katie Ledecky's pursuit of becoming the greatest female swimmer of all time.
- The dominance of tech companies in the media industry raises concerns about the future of revenue and viewership for traditional media outlets.

Episode 11 - Host Matt Farrell talks with Jill Geer, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at USA Gymnastics. She discusses her career and the differences between working at USA Gymnastics and USA Track & Field. She highlights the challenges and successes of USA Gymnastics, including the organization's turnaround and the positive reception at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Jill emphasizes the importance of trust, communication, and the joy of the sport. She also shares her beginnings in sports at the University of Arkansas, especially from mentor Bill Smith, and the value of gaining experience and making connections in the industry.

Chapters
00:00 Intro of Jill Geer
01:25 About Jill's MarCom role at USA Gymnastics
02:14 Role at USA Track & Field
04:58 Culture Differences of Track and Gymnastics
07:11 Entering USA Gymnasatics at a Rough Period
09:20 Dealing with Harsh Criticism
13:43 Importance of a Thick Skin as an Organization
14:49 Importance of Aly Raisman Attending Olympic Trials
17:11 Enjoying the Moment of Olympic Trials
18:55 University of Arkansas and Bill Smith as a Mentor
22:33 "Watch what isn't happening" for Gymnastics at the Olympics

Takeaways

- USA Gymnastics has undergone a significant turnaround, with a focus on doing the right thing and gaining trust from athletes, the public, and partners.
- The organization has seen a positive shift in public perception, with increased support and engagement from fans and athletes.
- The Olympic trials were a milestone moment for USA Gymnastics, showcasing the organization's progress and the joy of the sport.
- Building trust, having a thick skin, and surrounding yourself with the right people are essential in navigating challenges in the sports industry.
- Gaining experience, making connections, and doing the work are crucial for success in the sports industry.




Intro Song: All World
Artist: JMPSCR

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Episode 10 - Farrell Sports Business Podcast host Matt Farrell varies from the interview format temporarily to share 10 reasons why he is excited for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. He discusses the location of Paris, the time zone advantage for North American and European audiences, the growth of women's sports, the popularity of women's basketball, the star-studded lineup of NBC's coverage, the accessibility of the games through various platforms, the presence of the Paralympics on TikTok, the strength of the big three sports (track, swimming, and gymnastics), the addition of breakdancing as a new sport, and the power of the Olympics to unite people.

Chapters
00:00 Intro: 10 Reasons to Be Excited for Paris Olympic Games
01:39 1. Paris as a Location and Time Zone
02:54 2. Growth of Women's Sports
03:28 3. Growth of Women's Basketball
04:21 4. NBC's Marketing Machine
05:28 5. NBC Wall-to-Wall Coverage
06:07 6. TikTok Trend About Olympics
07:26 7. Paralympic TikTok Account
08:57 8. Strength of Track, Swimming and Gymnastics
10:36 9. New Sport Additions Including Breakdancing
12:08 10. Power of the Olympic Movement to Unite
12:10 10. Power of the Olympics to Unite
13:11 What's Next for Farrell Sports Business Podcast
14:30 Snazzy Music Out

Takeaways

- The Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games have several exciting aspects, including the location of Paris and the time zone advantage for North American and European audiences.
- The growth of women's sports and the popularity of women's basketball provide a unique opportunity for the Olympics to showcase gender balance and female athletes.
- NBC's coverage of the games, featuring a star-studded lineup and a focus on entertainment, adds to the overall appeal and accessibility of the event.
- The inclusion of the Paralympics on TikTok and the Paralympics' ability to balance seriousness with humor contribute to increased interest and engagement.
- The strength of the big three sports (track, swimming, and gymnastics), the addition of breakdancing as a new sport, and the power of the Olympics to unite people further enhance the excitement surrounding the games.

Intro Song: All World
Artist: JMPSCR

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Episode 9 - Host Matt Farrell talks with Jeff Eisenband, sports broadcaster for golf, esports and general sports. We discuss his career as a broadcaster, with a focus on golf and esports. He talks about how he got started in the industry and the opportunities he found in esports, sports betting, and golf. Eisenband emphasizes the conscious decision to be a generalist in the broadcasting world and being able to cover multiple sports. He also discusses the influence of esports on traditional sports coverage and the value of storytelling in his podcast, EIS on Golf.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction of Jeff Eisenband
01:34 Alternative Golf Programming
04:01 New Chapter
04:06 Career in Broadcasting
07:27 Early Golf esports Initiatives
11:09 How to Differentiate His Broadcasting Style
13:39 Lessons from the Esports World
16:10 EIS on Golf Podcast and Storytelling
22:25 Adapting to New Mediums and Opportunities
25:09 Future Plans and Closing Remarks
29:31 Podcast Intro.MP4

Takeaways

- Being a generalist in broadcasting allows for more opportunities and flexibility in covering multiple sports.
- esports has had a significant impact on traditional sports coverage and provides a way for younger audiences to connect with teams, leagues, and players.
- Storytelling is a powerful tool in engaging audiences and uncovering unique perspectives in the sports industry.
- Adapting to new mediums, such as TikTok and Instagram, is essential for broadcasters to stay relevant and reach younger audiences.

Intro Song: All World
Artist: JMPSCR

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Episode 8 - Host Matt Farrell talks with Rachel Axon, the Olympics reporter for Sports Business Journal to discuss her role in covering the business of Olympic sports. She talks about the challenges of covering the Olympics, including the broad stakeholder base and the need to explain the unique aspects of the Olympic world to readers. Axon also discusses the trends in Olympic coverage, such as the downsizing of media organizations and the focus on non-competition issues. She shares her career journey and key mentors, as well as the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming Paris Olympics.

00:00 Role at SBJ
03:17 Covering the Business of Olympic Sports
05:41 Trends in Olympic Coverage
09:19 LA28 as a Game Changer
12:40 Controversies and Issues in Olympic Games
15:19 About Rachel's Career
18:28 Key Career Mentors and Pivot Points
20:18 Is There Anything I Didn't Ask That I Should?
21:28 Anticipation for the Paris Olympics
21:52 Podcast Intro.MP4

Takeaways

- Covering the Olympics requires an understanding of the broad stakeholder base and the unique aspects of the Olympic world.
- Media organizations have downsized their Olympic coverage, leading to fewer dedicated Olympic reporters.
- There is a focus on non-competition issues in Olympic coverage, such as governance, finances, and host city controversies.
- Axon's career in sports journalism was fueled by her passion for sports and her early experiences covering high school football.
- The upcoming Paris Olympics are seen as a pivot point for the Olympic movement, with anticipation for a more positive and exciting event.

Intro Song: All World
Artist: JMPSCR

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Episode 7 - Host Matt Farrell talks with Michael Manglardi, Vice President of Operations at Diadem Sports and they discuss the growth of pickleball. Diadem Sports is a performance sports equipment company specializing in tennis and pickleball. Manglardi explains how Diadem got into the pickleball business and how innovation differentiates them in a crowded market. He also discusses the challenges of managing the rapid growth of the sport, particularly in terms of inventory, cash flow and team expansion. Manglardi highlights the accessibility and inclusivity of pickleball, attracting a wide range of players, including younger lifestyle players. He also discusses the global growth of pickleball, particularly in Canada, Europe and Japan. Manglardi shares advice for those interested in working in the pickleball industry and encourages everyone to give pickleball a try.

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Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:52 About Diadem Sports
04:31 How Diadem Differentiates
08:36 Handing Unpredictability
09:27 Challenges of Managing Rapid Growth
11:46 Global Expansion of Pickleball
14:50 Welcoming Culture of Pickleball
15:55 Challenges and Unintended Consequences of Growth
19:30 Global Growth of Pickleball
21:21 Japan as a Global Influencer
22:35 Michael Manglardi Career Path
24:52 Advice for Getting in Pickleball Industry
27:18 The Accessibility and Inclusivity of Pickleball
28:32 Go Play and Try the Sport!
29:42 Snazzy out

Takeaways
- Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States, attracting a diverse range of players.
- Diadem Sports differentiates itself in the crowded pickleball market through innovation and unique product offerings.
- Managing the rapid growth of pickleball presents challenges in terms of inventory, cash flow, and team expansion.
- Pickleball is experiencing significant growth internationally, particularly in Canada, Europe, and Japan.
- Opportunities in the pickleball industry include facility development, marketing, and sales.
- Pickleball is an accessible and inclusive sport that brings people together and promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Intro Song: All World
Artist: JMPSCR

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