EPISODE · Apr 15, 2026 · 24 MIN
Hospitality, Data & the Future of Fan Experience w/ Sandeep Satish: The Learning Lever | Ep 8
from The Learning Lever · host Ryan Richardson, Sandeep Satish, Rise Sports Collective
Episode highlights / what you'll learn: How Levy built E15 and turned food & beverage analytics into a competitive advantage. The embedded partner model: why the best hospitality is invisible to the fan. Multi-generational fan strategy: serving seven generations in one building. Balancing tradition vs. innovation in premium and concession experiences. The future of hospitality: AI-driven personalization at scale without losing the human touch. About the Guest: Sandeep Satish Sandeep is the Chief Commercial Officer at Levy, the leading hospitality company in sports and entertainment. Over an 11-year career at Levy — starting as an intern with the company's in-house analytics group E15 — he has risen to oversee the company's commercial strategy across every major professional sports league. A Northwestern University and Kellogg School of Management graduate, Sandeep began his career in investment banking before pivoting to sports through internships with Major League Baseball and the Chicago Bears. His approach blends financial rigor and data analytics with a deep passion for hospitality, driving fan experiences across hundreds of venues nationwide. He is an operating expert for Rise Sports Collective. Timestamps & Chapters: 0:00 – Intro: Sandeep's background, from investment banking to Levy CCO 3:41 – Levy's hospitality culture: hiring nice and passionate people 6:21 – The invisible partner: operating as a B2B2C in sports venues 8:52 – Handling mistakes: turning service failures into memorable recoveries 10:58 – Data evolution: how E15 brought Moneyball to food & beverage 13:47 – Biggest opportunity: scaling data across venues and business lines 14:43 – Career advice: why the partner/vendor ecosystem is a great entry point 17:19 – Multi-generational fan engagement: seven generations in one building 20:09 – Balancing tradition and innovation in premium experiences 21:49 – The future: AI personalization vs. the human touch in hospitality 25:13 – Final thoughts: take a step back and keep it fun About RISE:Rise Sports Collective is an innovative EdTech startup dedicated to revolutionizing the Business of Sports. We empower professionals with our cutting edge curriculum, built by operating experts, designed to impart the essential skills, knowledge, and context needed to excel in the dynamic world of the Business of Sports. Resources & Helpful Links:Check Out Our Curriculum: https://www.risesportscollective.com/professionals
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
Sandeep from Levy joins Ryan Richardson on the podcast to break down what world-class hospitality actually looks like behind the scenes in sports and entertainment — and how data transformed it from a gut-feel business into a revenue driver. They explore how Levy built E15, its in-house analytics firm, to bring a Moneyball mentality to food and beverage, and how that data now connects across ticketing, sponsorship, and fan experience strategy. Sandeep also unpacks the unique challenge of operating as an embedded B2B2C partner — serving every major league while staying invisible to the fan — and why the biggest risk in hospitality's future isn't falling behind on AI, but losing the human touch that makes live events unforgettable. Plus, career advice for anyone looking to break into sports through the partner/vendor ecosystem. This episode is for hospitality operators, aspiring sports professionals, and anyone curious about how data and human connection collide at scale: you'll walk away with a sharper understanding of how hospitality drives revenue, why multi-generational fan strategy matters, and practical thinking on balancing innovation with tradition.
Ready to play
Hospitality, Data & the Future of Fan Experience w/ Sandeep Satish: The Learning Lever | Ep 8
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.