The Business of Sports: From SMU’s Death Penalty to Pickleball’s Boom | George Killebrew

What does the business side of sports really look like when you’re in the room where it happens? In this episode of Your Dark Companion, Mike Rhyner and the crew sit down with longtime sports executive George Killebrew, a key figure behind the scenes of some of the biggest moments in Dallas sports. Killebrew’s career spans decades — from working at SMU during the infamous “death penalty” era, to helping build the Dallas Mavericks into a top-tier NBA business alongside Mark Cuban, to serving as commissioner of Major League Rugby, and now helping lead the explosive growth of professional pickleball. Along the way, he shares stories you don’t usually hear: What it was like selling tickets when SMU football was at rock bottom How the American Airlines Center came together and changed Dallas sports forever The reality of working with high-level owners like Mark Cuban, Ross Perot Jr., and Tom Dundon Why attention to detail (even a spilled drink in section 115) can define a franchise And how pickleball became one of the fastest-growing sports in America This episode pulls back the curtain on the decisions, risks, and personalities that shape the sports world — and shows why the business side might be just as fascinating as the games themselves. If you love sports, business, Dallas history, or behind-the-scenes stories, this is one of those conversations you don’t want to miss. Chapters 0:00 — SMU in the ’80s and What Was Actually “Cool” 1:19 — From Hawaii to the Sports Business World 7:56 — Selling SMU Football During the Death Penalty Era 11:33 — Why Dallas Became a Sports Business Hub 14:30 — The Game That Changed Everything (Moody Coliseum) 16:24 — Breaking Into the Mavericks Organization 20:30 — Lessons from Billionaire Owners 23:53 — Building the American Airlines Center 31:33 — The Future of the Mavericks and Arena Debate 33:49 — Sponsor Break: CBD House of Healing 35:44 — Eric Nadel Benefit and Mental Health Awareness 37:54 — Becoming Commissioner of Major League Rugby 43:08 — Tom Dundon and the Business of Pickleball 46:14 — Why Pickleball Is Exploding 48:17 — Behind the Scenes of Sports Ownership 51:29 — The Future of Pickleball and Sports Innovation 57:20 — Breaking News, Trade Rumors, and the Reality of Sports Business 1:02:17 — The Risk Behind Every Big Decision in Sports 1:07:10 — Growing a Show and Building an Audience Follow Your Dark Companion on Patreon for every episode: patreon.com/YourDarkCompanion IG: https://www.instagram.com/yourdarkcompanion/ X: https://x.com/YDC_Dfw TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourdarkcompanion FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559876685445 The Old Grey Wolf: X: https://x.com/TheOldGreyWolf IG: https://www.instagram.com/theoldgreywolf16/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mikerhyner579 To reach out email us at: [email protected] Thanks to our monthly supporters W hammons B Smith Robert Stoolfire Thaddeus D. Matula Rachel W Scott Lewis cody SIMS John Gilbert Robert Saunders Sidney Long Pattie Rhyner Davidson David Ashlea Bullington James Corona Gordy John C Caffey Joe Lindsey Cam Jillian Wright David Moore Mike Rhyner Your Dark Companion ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★