The ROAR Podcast

In this episode, Caroline Valvardi interviews Jim Renne, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of AE Com's Sports Practice. They discuss the evolution of stadiums and arenas, the impact of transportation and mixed-use development, global insights and projects, favorite projects, and the use of data analytics in sports architecture.TakeawaysSports venues as community anchorsChallenges in sports architectureEvolution of stadiums and arenasChapters00:00 Favorite Projects and Data Analytics

Chris Bevelaka, a partner at Smash Sports, discusses the $5 billion annual deficit threatening the sustainability of college sports and the role of private capital, real estate, and artificial intelligence in reshaping the college sports model. The conversation also delves into the legislative process, media rights, and the impact of AI on college sports.TakeawaysPrivate CapitalLegislative ProcessChapters00:00 The Role of Artificial Intelligence in College Sports

The podcast episode features Jordan Goldstein, Co-CEO of Gensler, discussing Gensler's impact and involvement in sports and entertainment districts. The conversation covers Gensler's background, expansion into sports and entertainment, employee ownership, evolution of sports districts, community impact, innovation, sustainability, technology integration, data analytics, future trends, and leadership priorities at Gensler.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Gensler15:15 Evolution of Sports and Entertainment Districts22:40 Integration of Technology and Immersive Experiences29:27 Future Trends in Sports and Entertainment Districts

Discover how NBA veteran Scott Sonnenberg has helped craft one of the most innovative sports venues with cutting-edge technology, unique fan experiences, and impactful partnerships — all while harnessing data and AI to elevate the game.In this episode:Scott Sonnenberg’s journey from the Chicago Bulls to Chief Commercial Officer of the LA Clippers.Key innovations at the Intuit Dome: seamless entry, tailored fan experiences, and high-tech features like Gameface ID.How the venue's design enhances gameplay, impacts opponent performance, and creates a significant home-court advantage.The strategic approach to global branding, partnerships, and community engagement within the LA market.The role of data, analytics, and AI in personalizing fan interactions and optimizing venue operations.Insight into premium experiences, premium seating design, and how LA’s competitive market shapes them.The future of sports venues: embracing AI, maintaining the essence of live sports, and creating memorable experiences.Timestamps:00:00 - Building the greatest NBA arena from scratch01:21 - Scott Sonnenberg’s NBA career timeline02:47 - Innovations at Intuit Dome: Restroom design, Halo Board, and fan experience04:03 - Building a global brand while focusing on local fan base06:41 - Leveraging international partnerships and global NBA reach08:11 - Competition with Lakers and industry leadership in venue design10:17 - Creating ROI-driven, innovative sponsorships and partnerships12:02 - Sustainability and environmental initiatives at Intuit Dome15:04 - Seamless entry, personalized fan experience, and fan engagement technology17:04 - Early partner engagement during venue construction18:36 - Use of technology partners like Clear and AT&T within the venue20:29 - Interactive fan experiences driven by Candy Crush partnership26:53 - Personalization of fan experiences using data and analytics33:07 - Impact of venue design, the "Wall," and home atmosphere35:53 - Premium seating options and creating unique experiences41:16 - The role of AI in transforming sports and fan engagement44:11 - The future of sports venues: technology enhancement without replacing live elements

Craig Sloan, CEO of PlayFly Sports, discusses the evolution of sports media, the impact of non-traditional providers, and the seismic changes in the industry. He shares insights on the journey in sports media, the evolution of local media, and the role of multimedia rights in college sports. The conversation delves into the innovation in college sports sponsorship and media rights, the challenges and opportunities in college sports, and the impact of NIL on college sports. It explores the dynamic nature of multimedia rights, the need for sustainable revenue growth, and the role of technology and data in enhancing fan engagement and game day experiences. Additionally, it discusses the complexities of working with student-athletes in the context of NIL and the influence of artificial intelligence on the sports industry.TakeawaysEvolution of MediaSeismic Changes in Sports Media Innovation in sponsorship and media rightsChallenges and opportunities in college sportsImpact of NIL on college sportsChapters00:00 Journey in Sports Media10:05 Impact of Non-Traditional Providers19:28 Multimedia Rights in College Sports26:00 Innovation in College Sports Sponsorship and Media Rights31:33 Challenges and Opportunities in College Sports40:26 Impact of NIL on College Sports

This episode marks a significant transformation for the podcast, as it evolves from "Revenue Above Replacement" to the "Roar Podcast." The hosts, Brice Clinton, Adam Grossman, and new co-host Caroline Valvardi, discuss the podcast's new direction, focusing on sports real estate, mixed-use developments, and community impact. They explore how these elements are reshaping cities and communities globally, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships and the role of AI and data analytics in sports business outcomes. Caroline brings her expertise in public affairs and community development to the table, highlighting the potential for sports to drive economic and social benefits. The episode also delves into the global perspective on sports development, the rise of sports tourism, and the creation of vibrant communities that extend beyond game days. The hosts express excitement about future episodes featuring diverse voices and perspectives, aiming to engage listeners with insightful conversations about the intersection of sports, real estate, technology, and community building.   00:00 - Introduction to the new "Roar Podcast" and its focus on sports, real estate, and community impact   02:02 - Host backgrounds and the podcast's transition to focus on innovative sports developments   05:14 - The intersection of AI, data, and sports business outcomes   08:01 - The evolution of sports districts beyond stadiums to vibrant communities   10:38 - Global perspectives on sports projects and the rise of sports tourism   14:00 - The importance of mixed-use developments as community and destination hubs   18:01 - Indianapolis as a case study of a city centered on sports and community building   21:52 - Future guest topics: public officials, athletes, and industry innovators   25:46 - The value of diverse perspectives and intersectional conversations   26:55 - Audience feedback, conversational style, and topic relevance   28:48 - The evolving career paths in sports, real estate, and technology   30:03 - Expansion of guest voices and global content opportunities   31:09 - Logistical details for ongoing weekly episodes and upcoming interviews

Jamie Litoff is the Executive Director of Partnership Marketing for the Chicago Bulls, where she leads the team responsible for bringing the organization's corporate partnerships to life. In her nearly five years with the Bulls, Jamie has grown from Senior Manager to Executive Director — building out a restructured activation team and helping shape the franchise's approach to global partnerships, sustainability initiatives, and authentic brand collaboration at one of the most recognized sports organizations in the world. Jamie's path to the Bulls spans nearly two decades of sports marketing experience across media, agency, and brand roles. She began her career at CBS Interactive and CBS Sports, where she managed digital sponsorship sales and some of the network's largest cross-platform programs. From there, she moved into the agency world at Intersport and later 160over90 — part of Endeavor — where she led sponsorship activation and content strategy for global brands including Audi, KPMG, Invesco, and National Car Rental across properties ranging from the PGA Tour to Major League Soccer. A stint on the brand side at Guaranteed Rate, managing the White Sox naming rights partnership, rounded out a career arc that gave her fluency in every seat at the table before she ever joined a team. Beyond her day-to-day role with the Bulls, Jamie spent five years leading the Chicago chapter of WISE — Women in Sports and Events — first as President and then as Chairwoman. Under her leadership, the chapter hosted sold-out events including a panel at NBA All-Star 2020 and continued to grow as a resource for women building careers in the sports and events industries. Jamie holds a degree from the University of Michigan and a Master's in Sports Administration from Northwestern University. She lives in the Chicago area with her family.

Hannah Berregaard is the Director of League Operations at Chicago Fire FC, where she oversees the operations and growth of the Chicagoland Indoor Soccer League — a youth indoor league acquired by the Fire in 2025 that serves approximately 14,000 players across roughly 1,000 club teams in the greater Chicago area. In this role, Hannah is responsible for the day-to-day logistics of the league, expanding its footprint into new markets and facilities, and connecting the league to the broader Fire organization as the club builds toward its new purpose-built stadium opening in 2028. Hannah's path into professional sports is anything but conventional. After earning her undergraduate degree in General Studies and Spanish from the University of Northern Iowa, she spent several years in residential real estate in Iowa — consistently exceeding sales goals and developing the client relationship and business management skills that would later prove central to her work in sports operations. When COVID prompted a career pivot in 2020, Hannah enrolled in Northwestern University's Master of Sports Administration program, graduating in June 2022, while simultaneously returning to the game she grew up playing through a coaching role at a local youth soccer club. That coaching role opened the door to Chicago FC United, one of the largest youth soccer clubs on Chicago's North Shore, where Hannah joined as Assistant Girls Director. In under two years, she advanced to Director of Club Operations — overseeing all programs across the club's boys, girls, and academy levels — by developing operational, marketing, and organizational capabilities that distinguished her in a field dominated by coaching backgrounds. Her deep knowledge of the youth soccer ecosystem in Chicagoland became the foundation for her transition to the professional side of the sport. A passionate advocate for growing women's presence in soccer — both on and off the field — Hannah has made it a priority to increase the visibility of women coaches, directors, and players at every level of the game. She holds a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Northwestern University and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

Joey Graziano is the Chief Business Officer of the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever, where he leads the organization's commercial strategy, mixed-use real estate development, data and analytics initiatives, and fan experience innovation. Under his leadership, the Pacers organization is developing one of the most ambitious sports entertainment districts in the country — a 60-acre mixed-use development surrounding Gainbridge Fieldhouse anchored by a Ritz-Carlton and a Live Nation music venue — with a vision to become a model for public-private sports development that can be replicated across American cities.   Before joining the Pacers, Joey spent six years at the NBA as Senior Vice President and Head of Global Event Strategy & Development, where he oversaw strategic planning, new asset creation, and business development for the league's marquee global events, including the NBA All-Star Game, NBA Finals, NBA Draft, and international games. He was one of the key architects of the 2020 NBA Bubble, spearheading the strategy and execution that allowed the league to safely resume its season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World — a landmark operational achievement that provided a model for the broader sports industry.   Prior to the NBA, Joey served as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of The Headfirst Companies, where he helped grow a 15-person startup into an industry-leading immersive live event company with more than 1,500 employees operating across 20 states and four countries. At scale, Headfirst produced events for a third of Major League Baseball franchises, the English Premier League, and more than 150 colleges and universities.   Earlier in his career, Joey was an associate at international law firm Jones Day, where he focused on complex civil and criminal litigation. A Mitchell Scholar, he earned an LLM in Public Law from the National University of Ireland, Galway, and conducted bribery and corruption investigations through the World Bank's Office of Evaluation and Suspension. He received his B.A. and J.D. from Georgetown University summa cum laude, where he was a Rhodes Scholar finalist, played collegiate baseball, and was shaped by the university's storied fellowship programs. Joey is also the founder of a nonprofit in the Dominican Republic that uses baseball to promote literacy for children in the barrio of Consuelo, and he founded the Academy for Veterans to ensure governments honor their commitments to those who served.   A Queens native and son of a New York City firefighter, Joey brings a run-toward-the-fire mentality to everything he does — from reimagining how sports organizations create value in their communities, to building the next generation of sports business leaders.

Jason Sinnarajah joined the Royals in August 2023 as the Sr. Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Jason oversees the business analytics, ticket operations, technology and stadium operations departments as well as the team’s relationship with its food and beverage and retail partners at Kauffman Stadium. In 2024, Jason led the revitalization of our concession experience on the Plaza level, the implementation of new local food offerings and an improved GoEntry fan experience to reduce wait times for entering Kauffman Stadium.    Prior to joining the Royals, Jason was Senior Vice President of Business Administration for the Buffalo Bills from 2020-23 where he oversaw ticket and premium sales, marketing, community relations, stadium operations and strategy and analytics. In that time, he led stadium operations during a period of COVID-19 fan protocols with New York State, managed the concessionaire partnership at Highmark Stadium, created a strategy and analytics teams to support the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, grew the team’s marketing app audience to Top 5 in the NFL across engagement and registered users and increased overall revenue by 40%. Jason also helped lead efforts to secure a new stadium for the Bills through the building of economic business cases to ownership and local/state government officials for a new stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Jason had prior sports experience with the Cleveland Guardians Strategy and Analytics team from 2012-15.    During his tenure, he negotiated a new partnership for their food and beverage business, acquired capital to renovate Progressive Field, set and managed revenue and sales compensation goals across premium seating, ticket sales and corporate partnerships and led efforts to bring an All-Star Game to Cleveland. Outside of sports, Jason spent five years in media and corporate development at Ziff Davis and the Weather Company. At the Weather Company he led business development partnerships with large global media platforms such as Apple, Meta, X and Google, and negotiated media deals with international media companies. At Ziff Davis, Jason led data and e-commerce focused business units and was involved in several M&A transactions to expand the company’s presence in e-commerce and media.    Jason also spent five years at Google where he was responsible for an internal consulting team across the Asia-Pacific region and lived in Tokyo and Sydney. He also held a role leading Google’s partnership across global media and sports and helped build out Google’s early entrance into sports-related content through partnerships with ESPN, and sports leagues such as MLB, NFL, NBA and the NHL. A native of Toronto, Canada, Jason earned his MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from Boston College.

In this episode of the Revenue Above Replacement podcast, Brice and Adam dig into one of the most timely topics in sports business right now: prediction markets, and what Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recent equity stake in Kalshi might signal about where this space is headed. They start by breaking down what prediction markets actually are and how they differ from traditional sports betting. Instead of wagering against a sportsbook like FanDuel or DraftKings, prediction markets operate through event contracts that trade on binary outcomes — essentially “yes or no” questions. The price of a contract reflects the market’s implied probability of an outcome occurring, which makes the experience feel closer to a financial market than a typical betting product. From there, they discuss why that structural difference matters, especially as these platforms evolve and expand into sports-focused contracts that look and feel a lot like wagering. The conversation then shifts to regulation and why prediction markets have become controversial. Because they’re structured as event contracts, platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket fall under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rather than the state-by-state regulatory systems that govern sports betting. Brice and Adam talk through the growing debate about whether that’s appropriate, what it means for the future of the category, and why the answer could shape how leagues, teams, and athletes choose to engage with these markets. They also take a step back to the origins of prediction markets, including their history in academic and political forecasting, and the “wisdom of crowds” idea: when lots of people make independent decisions with real stakes, markets can aggregate information in a way that produces surprisingly accurate predictions. But they’re clear that sports isn’t just about “better forecasts,” and the episode explores the tradeoffs that come with financial incentives in sports contexts. They dig into concerns around manipulation risk, low-liquidity markets, insider information, and where leagues should draw the line on participation by athletes, coaches, and team personnel in any market connected to on-field outcomes. From there, they zoom back in on the Giannis-Kalshi relationship and what Adam’s research suggests so far. Adam explains the framework behind his article, using data to evaluate brand sentiment, audience behavior, and partnership fit. While Giannis’ fanbase does over-index on interest in sports betting compared to the general public, it appears less aligned than broader NBA fandom, and early online sentiment around the partnership is mixed. That leads to a broader conversation about what “success” looks like for these partnerships: short-term sentiment versus long-term awareness, whether “all press is good press,” and how athlete investments in emerging categories can create value even if the immediate reaction is complicated. They close by widening the lens again to the bigger trajectory of sports wagering and prediction markets. They discuss how leagues are experimenting with relationships in this space, why new categories often trigger a fresh wave of sponsorship and marketing dollars, and how prediction markets might ultimately evolve beyond entertainment into legitimate hedging tools for sports organizations. The episode ends with an open question that sits at the heart of the conversation: are we moving toward a world where you can trade a market on anything in life, and if so, should we? Overall, Brice and Adam frame prediction markets as a fast-moving, still-early industry that’s blurring the line between finance and sports gambling. And as regulation, league strategy, and consumer adoption continue to develop, they make the case that understanding how these markets work — and what risks and opportunities they create — is quickly becoming essential for anyone in the sports business ecosystem.

Adam Zimmerman is Senior Vice President of Marketing and Content of the Atlanta Braves and reports directly to the team’s President/CEO.   Over his tenure with the Braves, he has managed the team’s Business Intelligence, Marketing, Communications, Diversity Marketing, Digital, Community Relations, Creative, Alumni Affairs, Fan Experience and Growing the Game departments. He is responsible for strategizing and driving the team’s growing efforts to develop and monetize various content opportunities, including broadcast, video, audio, podcasts, NFT’s, and the emerging Web 3.0./ Metaverse business environment.     Prior to the Braves, Zimmerman was President of Atlanta based agency CSE (now part of Cooper Holdings) where he led award winning work for several Fortune 500 company agency clients and also oversaw the athlete/coach/broadcaster practice. While at CSE, Zimmerman crafted a partnership with MIT and created CSE Evolve, an in-house lab designed to embrace the latest technologies.   He plays active roles on MLB’s Strategy and Web 3.0/Metaverse working groups/committees and is published and referenced in high impact trade journals and media as an expert in identifying emerging trends in sports marketing/business models. He is a frequent speaker, presenter and facilitator and sports marketing conferences, seminars, summits and corporate events and has been an instructor for undergraduate/graduate sports marketing classes at University of South Florida, University of Florida, Georgia Tech and University of Georgia. Zimmerman completed the inaugural session of the Business of Sports and Entertainment Executive Education program at Harvard University.   Zimmerman resides in Atlanta, Georgia and sits on the board of the Highlands/Cashiers Land Trust, an organization dedicated to limiting commercial development and preserving open space, natural areas, waterways, and/or productive farms and forests.   He is a graduate of the University of Florida and was inducted into the College of Health and Human Performance Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.

Matt Powell is the CEO of Moroch, a Dallas-based full-service marketing and communications agency known for helping multi-location brands grow by blending data, insights, technology, and creativity at scale. Matt is an evangelist for new platforms and emerging technologies and someone who got his start in media and built his career by weaving paid, owned, and earned media into integrated strategies that drive real business outcomes. Across more than two decades with Moroch, he has led the agency through seismic shifts in the industry  from traditional broadcast media buying to data-driven, programmatic advertising and AI-informed creative strategies. Under his leadership, the company has embraced relentless curiosity and collaboration as core values, constantly evolving to meet the needs of today’s brands while fostering a culture where innovation thrives.   Matt’s deep understanding of client challenges paired with his ability to spot opportunities on the horizon makes him a sought-after voice on the future of marketing, media, and the convergence of technology and cultural trends. And if he’s not thinking about strategy, you might find him quoting 80s sitcoms with as much confidence as he talks about media platforms.

A.J. Edds is the Big Ten Conference's Vice President, football operations, moving into that position in July 2022, after previously serving as the conference’s assistant director (and later associate director), sports administration since arriving at the conference in October 2017. In his present capacity, Edds oversees the day-to-day operations associated with Big Ten football, as well as coordinating relationships with the conference's numerous bowl partners. During his initial tenure at the Big Ten in the sports administration department, Edds served as a sport liaison, oversees the Olympic sport officiating program and was also a liaison to the Big Ten Sports Management Committee. Prior to joining the Big Ten, Edds worked as a regional manager at Rocksolid, LLC, in Chicago. A former Big Ten student-athlete, Edds was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Iowa Hawkeyes and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors on three occasions. As a senior in 2009, Edds was named second-team All-Big Ten and served as a team captain on a Hawkeyes team that finished the year No. 7 overall in the Associated Press poll and earned a trip to the Orange Bowl. Following his collegiate playing career, Edds was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He went on to play in the NFL from 2010-15, spending time with the Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars. Edds graduated from the University of Iowa in 2010 with a degree in management and organizations. In 2019, he earned a master’s degree in sports administration from Northwestern University. Edds is the son of Anne and David.

In this episode, Adam Grossman sits down with Max Mitchell, a Northwestern MSA graduate student and teaching assistant, to unpack the findings from Max’s thesis research (and accompanying article) on NIL, the transfer portal, and player movement in college football. Using a novel, data-driven approach, Max challenges the popular narrative that NIL and transfers are chaotic and unsystematic. Instead, the data suggests something far more familiar: athletes are making rational, incentive-based decisions that closely resemble traditional labor market behavior. Max walks through how his research journey began with a simple observation during a Clemson–Florida State game—and evolved into a multi-year project involving tens of thousands of recruits, thousands of transfers, and hundreds of hours of data cleaning, matching, and modeling. Along the way, he explains how structural barriers before college shape player outcomes, why transfer behavior changed so dramatically after 2018 and 2021, and how NIL fundamentally altered the incentives facing college athletes. The conversation dives deep into what motivates players to transfer, why “upward” and “downward” transfers optimize for different outcomes, and how athletes balance short-term playing time with long-term professional upside. Perhaps most notably, Max shares a striking finding: NIL valuations are now a stronger predictor of NFL participation than high school star ratings—suggesting that dynamic, market-based signals may outperform static recruiting metrics when it comes to forecasting success. The episode also explores what this means for programs, conferences, and the future of college football. From NIL spend correlating with wins, to roster mobility increasing as financial incentives grow, the discussion reframes NIL not as chaos—but as a market finding its structure in real time. Whether you’re a student of sports analytics, a college athletics administrator, or just trying to understand how NIL is reshaping the game, this episode offers a rare, data-backed look at what’s really happening beneath the headlines.

Brandon Crone's career in sports spans nearly every level of the game, shaped by deep Indiana basketball roots and a people-first approach to leadership. A Butler University graduate, Brandon was a four-year scholarship basketball player for the Bulldogs before continuing his playing career professionally overseas. During three seasons in Europe, he competed in countries including France, Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Hungary—experiences that not only sharpened his understanding of the game, but also broadened his perspective on culture, independence, and leadership. After returning to the U.S., Brandon transitioned into college coaching, spending more than a decade on Division I basketball staffs in a variety of roles, including operations and assistant coaching. His time in college athletics gave him a front-row seat to the business of sports—recruiting, budgets, television deals, and, more recently, the evolution of NIL. He later served as Executive Director of All Good Dawgs, Butler’s nonprofit NIL collective, where he helped connect student-athletes with community service initiatives across Indianapolis while navigating the rapidly changing NIL landscape. Today, Brandon serves as the Athletic Director of the Carmel Dads’ Club, one of the largest and most respected youth sports organizations in the country. Under his leadership, the organization supports more than 15,000 participants annually across 13 sports, powered by thousands of volunteers and a strong community-first mission. In this role, Brandon oversees everything from facilities and scheduling to program development and parent engagement, applying lessons learned from high-level basketball to grassroots sports. A former player, coach, administrator, and now parent-coach, Brandon brings a unique perspective on how sports shape people at every stage—from youth leagues to professional arenas. His work today focuses on creating accessible, well-run, and values-driven sports experiences that emphasize development, discipline, and community over shortcuts and hype.

Ben Jaeger returned to Northwestern University in October 2025 as Director of Olympic Sports Performance, bringing with him a broad, high-level background in building and leading performance systems across collegiate athletics. Jaeger rejoined the Wildcats after previously serving on Northwestern’s sports performance staff from 2021 to 2023. Prior to his initial time in Evanston, he spent three years at Texas A&M University as an Assistant Sports Performance Coach, where he led annual training plans for swimming and diving and men’s tennis, while also providing temporary oversight for women’s soccer, women’s tennis, and men’s golf. Before his tenure at Texas A&M, Jaeger spent four years at Boise State University as Associate Director of Olympic Sports Performance, playing a key role in the development and execution of comprehensive training programs for a wide range of Olympic sports. His career also includes stops at Southern Illinois University, Oral Roberts University, and Oregon State University, with experience supporting football, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, golf, swimming and diving, gymnastics, volleyball, soccer, and track and field. Jaeger holds a Master of Science in Education with a concentration in Kinesiology from Southern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and is also certified by USA Weightlifting.

Brice Clinton is the Director of Solutions Engineering for CSG, a global interactive media company. He is responsible for international business development, technical evangelism, and translating technical capabilities into tangible business outcomes. In addition, Brice serves as the primary media liaison through writing and speaking. Since joining CSG International he has been responsible for client engagements across media, sports, and retail in North American, Europe, Asia, India, and Australia.  Along with his work at CSG Brice is the Faculty Director of the Masters in Sports Administration program at Northwestern university where he teaches graduate level courses in The Technology of Sports and the programs practicum. Along with Adam Grossman he is the host of the Revenue Above Replacement podcast.  Brice received a bachelor of the arts in Organizational Communication from Purdue University, and a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Northwestern University.

In a quarter century of design work, Bruce has earned the trust and respect of countless clients, colleagues and industry peers. Along the way, he’s amassed a portfolio of high-impact sports projects across the United States including the likes of Twin City icons Target Field and Allianz Field. He’s a sought-after source on stadium design, having guest lectured at New York University and been interviewed by national and industry media alike. Recruited to Populous upon his graduation from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in architecture, Bruce’s dedication to the firm has spanned the entirety of his career to date. Early in that journey, Sports Business Journal named him among the best young talent in sports business. His ability to manage complex projects showed in endeavors like Target Field, a beloved ballpark sitting on one of the smallest and most complex urban sites in baseball. More recently, he led the design of Minnesota United FC’s Allianz Field, a stunning soccer-specific stadium that raised the bar of the Major League Soccer match day experience. Throughout his work as an architect, Bruce has shown a keen ability to motivate staff to excellence, both as a mentor to others and as a member of Populous’ regional and global leadership teams. He’s an active member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Sports and Entertainment Real Estate Global Holdings (Seregh – pronounced “surge”) has acquired data and analytics firm Revenue Over And Above Replacement (ROAR), and in this episode we break down what that means for the future of sports-anchored mixed-use development. Our guest, Adam Grossman, and cohost of this podcast — President of ROAR, A Seregh Company and newly appointed Chief Analytics Officer at Seregh — joins us to discuss the launch of Smart Districts as a Service (SmartDaaS), a new platform that uses AI, machine learning, and a customer data platform to help teams, developers, capital partners, and cities better plan, finance, and commercialize Sports and Entertainment-Anchored Districts (SEADs). Adam, a leading voice in sports strategy, commercialization, and analytics, draws on his experience as founder of Block Six Analytics, his work with Excel Sports Management, and his role as a lecturer in Northwestern’s Master’s in Sports Administration program to explain how SmartDaaS can shape decisions around partnerships, leasing, fan engagement, and foot traffic. If you’re interested in how data is transforming the way sports districts are conceived and monetized, this conversation is a roadmap to what comes next.

Noah Henderson is the Director of the Sport Management Program and a Clinical Instructor at Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business. A widely recognized voice in sport management, his work explores the intersection of law, economics, and the social consequences of college athletics –– with a focus on name, image, and likeness (NIL), athlete labor rights, and sports gambling. Through his teaching, Henderson prepares students to lead in a dynamic era where college sports are rapidly professionalizing. Henderson was at the forefront of NIL implementation. He helped amend Illinois’ NIL legislation and played a direct role in establishing early frameworks that facilitated the legal payment of college athletes. He continues to advise athletic departments, brands, and sports agents nationwide on NIL policy, legal compliance, and best practices. He has also provided written analysis that has been entered into the public record, contributing to national discourse on antitrust, roster structures, and athlete access in college athletics. He contributed extensively to Sports Illustrated’s NIL Daily, where his reporting and commentary helped shape public understanding of the evolving business of college athletics. His insights have been featured by ESPN, NPR, CNN, PBS, Sportico, the Chicago Tribune, and others. He regularly speaks at accredited seminars and national symposiums, offering expertise on athlete rights and the future of college athletics. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law and a degree in Economics from Saint Joseph’s University, where he was a four-year letter winner on the golf team.

In a quarter century of design work, Bruce has earned the trust and respect of countless clients, colleagues and industry peers. Along the way, he’s amassed a portfolio of high-impact sports projects across the United States including the likes of Twin City icons Target Field and Allianz Field. He’s a sought-after source on stadium design, having guest lectured at New York University and been interviewed by national and industry media alike. Recruited to Populous upon his graduation from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in architecture, Bruce’s dedication to the firm has spanned the entirety of his career to date. Early in that journey, Sports Business Journal named him among the best young talent in sports business. His ability to manage complex projects showed in endeavors like Target Field, a beloved ballpark sitting on one of the smallest and most complex urban sites in baseball. More recently, he led the design of Minnesota United FC’s Allianz Field, a stunning soccer-specific stadium that raised the bar of the Major League Soccer match day experience. Throughout his work as an architect, Bruce has shown a keen ability to motivate staff to excellence, both as a mentor to others and as a member of Populous’ regional and global leadership teams. He’s an active member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

Jon Fascitelli is the Founder and Chairman of Seregh and the former Chief Executive Officer of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Real Estate. He led the Philadelphia 76ers' new $1.5 bn arena development as well as significant projects for the New Jersey Devils. This included rejuvenating the Loew’s Theatre in Jersey City and fostering growth in the vicinity of Newark's Prudential Center. Jonathan is deeply committed to enhancing neighborhoods, aiming for positive social change through economic growth and job creation. At HBSE, he built and managed his team and related consultants to over 100 people. In addition to his role at HBSE, Fascitelli worked closely with HRS Management and BOLT Ventures, the family offices of Josh Harris and David Blitzer. On behalf of HRS Management he was an active board member at Mosaic Development Partners, a black-owned developer with a strong community focus. He played a lead role in the acquisition of the Washington Commanders. In New York, he oversaw the operations of Central Park's Wollman Rink, partnering with Related and Equinox. He also advised on behalf of Bolt Ventures, Vessel Technologies, a firm that is looking at innovative approaches to affordable housing and works closely with the Cleveland Guardians. Early in his career he held positions at Colony Capital and UBS. On the academic side, Jonathan is a graduate of Brown University and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Jason Sinnarajah joined the Royals in August 2023 as the Sr. Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Jason oversees the business analytics, ticket operations, technology and stadium operations departments as well as the team’s relationship with its food and beverage and retail partners at Kauffman Stadium. In 2024, Jason led the revitalization of our concession experience on the Plaza level, the implementation of new local food offerings and an improved GoEntry fan experience to reduce wait times for entering Kauffman Stadium. Prior to joining the Royals, Jason was Senior Vice President of Business Administration for the Buffalo Bills from 2020-23 where he oversaw ticket and premium sales, marketing, community relations, stadium operations and strategy and analytics. In that time, he led stadium operations during a period of COVID-19 fan protocols with New York State, managed the concessionaire partnership at Highmark Stadium, created a strategy and analytics teams to support the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, grew the team’s marketing app audience to Top 5 in the NFL across engagement and registered users and increased overall revenue by 40%. Jason also helped lead efforts to secure a new stadium for the Bills through the building of economic business cases to ownership and local/state government officials for a new stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Jason had prior sports experience with the Cleveland Guardians Strategy and Analytics team from 2012-15. During his tenure, he negotiated a new partnership for their food and beverage business, acquired capital to renovate Progressive Field, set and managed revenue and sales compensation goals across premium seating, ticket sales and corporate partnerships and led efforts to bring an All-Star Game to Cleveland. Outside of sports, Jason spent five years in media and corporate development at Ziff Davis and the Weather Company. At the Weather Company he led business development partnerships with large global media platforms such as Apple, Meta, X and Google, and negotiated media deals with international media companies. At Ziff Davis, Jason led data and e-commerce focused business units and was involved in several M&A transactions to expand the company’s presence in e-commerce and media. Jason also spent five years at Google where he was responsible for an internal consulting team across the Asia-Pacific region and lived in Tokyo and Sydney. He also held a role leading Google’s partnership across global media and sports and helped build out Google’s early entrance into sports-related content through partnerships with ESPN, and sports leagues such as MLB, NFL, NBA and the NHL. A native of Toronto, Canada, Jason earned his MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from Boston College.

Ken Belson covers the business of professional sports, focusing on the teams, personalities, and complex issues that shape America’s most popular form of entertainment — from finances and stadium development to medical issues and major lawsuits. He rejoined The New York Times Business section in 2023 after 14 years in Sports, where he primarily covered the N.F.L. His earlier reporting at the Times included coverage of New York City transportation, economics, and energy for the Metro section, as well as media and telecommunications for Business. From 2001 to 2004, he was based in Tokyo covering the Japanese economy. In 2011, Belson was part of a Times team that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting for its coverage of the Japanese tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster. Before joining The Times, he reported for Bloomberg, Reuters, and Business Week in Tokyo. A graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, Belson attended on a Japan-America Friendship Commission Fellowship and received the Pulitzer Traveling Scholarship, which he used to report from the Cook Islands on the economic aftermath of national bankruptcy.

In the fifth season premiere of Revenue Above Replacement, Adam and Brice reflect on five years of conversations at the intersection of sports, business, and innovation. From the early discussions on COVID-19’s impact to today’s debates around AI, real estate, and media disruption, the duo explores how the sports industry has transformed — and where it’s heading next. They kick off the episode with a look back at how the show has grown and evolved, highlighting the unique access it provides to experts shaping the sports landscape. The conversation then dives deep into several major themes that will define the season ahead.

In this season finale of the Revenue Above Replacement podcast, hosts Brice and Adam reflect on a dynamic year of conversations across the sports business landscape. From the rise of sports-anchored mixed-use developments and the evolving role of private capital to the explosive growth in women's sports and new monetization strategies for content creators, the episode dives into key themes that defined the season. Brice and Adam revisit highlights from interviews with top industry professionals, including insights into NIL, digital fan engagement, sports sponsorship amid economic shifts, and how content—like Benny the Bull’s TikTok dominance—is shaping brand and fan acquisition strategies. They also discuss the economic and cultural impact of rising stars like Caitlin Clark and the crossover appeal of women’s sports. As always, the conversation comes back to the importance of relationships in sports—whether it's building lasting industry connections or creating authentic bonds with fans. Join us as we wrap up a standout season and look ahead to what's next in sports business. As always, thank you to the listeners for the continued support.

CJ O’Brien is the co-owner of the Chicago Union, a professional ultimate frisbee team competing in the Ultimate Frisbee Association. A lifelong athlete with roots in football, CJ discovered ultimate frisbee while attending the University of Illinois, where he became a standout player and competed at the national level. After college, he entered the consulting world but remained closely tied to the sport, ultimately transitioning from player to part-owner of the Chicago franchise. Since 2016, CJ has been instrumental in transforming the Union from a niche club team into a growing professional sports organization. He has worn nearly every hat—player, marketer, operations manager, and community builder—investing both time and resources into the long-term vision of the sport. Under his leadership, the team has focused on grassroots fan engagement, youth programming, and creating a family-friendly, hyper-local game day experience. CJ also works full-time in consulting, leveraging his skills in project management and strategic communication to support the Union’s growth. A passionate advocate for emerging sports and community-based entertainment, CJ is committed to expanding the visibility of ultimate frisbee while building a sustainable and inclusive model for professional sports. He lives in the Chicago area with his family and continues to champion the values of accessibility, participation, and purpose-driven growth in sports.

Jason Hartlund is the Chief Commercial Officer for the Buffalo Bills, where he leads the team’s commercial strategy, including corporate partnerships, premium seating, media sales, and all revenue-generating initiatives tied to the new Highmark Stadium. With over two decades of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, Jason brings a deep understanding of how to drive fan engagement, build long-term brand value, and create innovative revenue solutions. Prior to joining the Bills, Jason spent more than a decade with the Milwaukee Brewers, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in securing one of Major League Baseball’s most high-profile naming rights deals with American Family Insurance and oversaw the successful integration of major concerts and events into the ballpark experience. He also held leadership roles in digital strategy, marketing, and ballpark operations, helping to shape a more personalized and data-driven approach to fan engagement. Jason’s career in sports began with the Green Bay Packers, where he helped grow the team's corporate sponsorship portfolio. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of Visit Milwaukee’s Board, where he continues to advocate for the role of sports and entertainment in regional economic development. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Jason now brings his Wisconsin-rooted experience to Western New York, helping shape the future of the Bills organization and the broader NFL fan experience.

Keith Friedenberg serves as Chief Analytics & Insights Officer of Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. which owns and operates Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), William Morris Endeavor (WME), IMG, 160over90, On Location, and OpenBet/IMG Arena. Keith is founder of Endeavor Analytics, LLC, a global knowledge and insights company that provides strategic consulting, media intelligence, valuation services, and consumer insights. Endeavor Analytics boasts a global team of 80 who leverage AI & machine learning and third-party data providers to inform decision-making across media & sports properties, talent & athletes, and Fortune 500 brands. Prior to joining Endeavor in 2008, Friedenberg spent eleven years with Warner Bros. Media Research & Insights, where he supervised consumer, media and brand research operations for divisions including domestic television distribution, gaming, consumer products and emerging technology. Keith is an alumnus of the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California.

On this episode of the Revenue Above Replacement Podcast, Adam and Brice take a break from the great guests and dive deep into Adam’s newest venture, ROAR (Revenue Over and Above Replacement). Built from insights gained through his past experiences at Block Six Analytics and Excel Sports Management, Adam shares his innovative approach to breaking down industry silos across technology, advisory services, and sales within sports business. The discussion explores the critical role of fan engagement, leveraging AI and data analytics to create meaningful connections and drive revenue, and reveals strategies to maximize partnership value. Brice and Adam also discuss the realities and challenges of entrepreneurship, sharing personal stories about the excitement and anxieties of building businesses from the ground up. The episode further touches on emerging industry trends, such as sports-anchored mixed-use developments, media rights monetization amidst fragmented viewership, and the impactful integration of artificial intelligence and agents in the fan experience. Listeners will gain actionable insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of sports business, partnership valuation, and innovative strategies to navigate technological disruption effectively.

Katie Morgan is the Vice President of Business Analytics and Ticket Strategy for the Texas Rangers. Katie has held various positions beginning as an Inside Sales Representative, transitioning in the CRM & Database Manager, and now as the Vice President of Business Analytics and Ticket Strategy. Prior to her time with the Rangers, she played college basketball and spent a year coaching. Katie loves working for a baseball team and enjoys using analytics to help bring the experience of a Rangers game to fans throughout the area.

Luka Dukich is the Vice President of Content for the Chicago Bulls, where he leads the teams responsible for content strategy, creation, and distribution - including video, design, social media, international content and digital partnerships. With more than 45 million fans across social platforms, the Bulls are one of the most followed sports teams in the U.S., and Luka’s team plays a central role in storytelling and building the team’s brand with this global audience. Recent wins include: Sports Business Journal’s “Best in Sports Social Media” Nominee (2025)- Hashtag Sports “Most Creative Partnership” Award Winner (2023)- Brand Innovators Midwest 40 under 40 (2018)- Sports Business Journal’s “Best in Sports Social Media” Award Winner (2017). During his tenure with the Bulls, Luka also spent two seasons (2021-22) in a consulting role with the Chicago White Sox, helping to build out their digital content team and overall content strategy. Prior to his time at the Bulls, Luka also spent five years working in public relations and sports marketing at United Entertainment Group, a DJE Company. Luka graduated from Valparaiso University, earning a bachelor’s degree in public relations & business administration. Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Luka now resides in the Chicago suburbs with his wife and son. He loves reading, movies, and sports, with a particular passion for basketball, boxing, and soccer.

Back for a second time, Katie Krall is an adjunct lecturer at Northwestern in the Master’s of Sports Administration Program teaching “Sports Business: Finance, Accounting, and Economics,” “Sports Organizations: Leadership Theory and Application,” and “Sports Performance and Front Office Operations” and at Medill where she teaches “Sports Marketing.” Katie was previously the Senior Product Manager of Global Baseball Strategy at Hawk-Eye Innovations, a division of Sony Sports Business where she spearheaded development of new products that leveraged biomechanics, player tracking, bat, and ball flight data. Krall spent 2022 as a Development Coach with the Boston Red Sox where she oversaw pitch design, advance scouting and integrating data into player plans. She also was part of the Global Strategy team at Google focusing on Google Workspace after two seasons with the Cincinnati Reds as a Baseball Operations Analyst, a position that combined the worlds of roster construction, analytics, and scouting. After receiving her undergraduate degree at Northwestern, Katie worked for a year and a half at Major League Baseball in the Commissioner’s Office in New York City as a League Economics & Operations Coordinator. At MLB, Krall advised Clubs on 40-man roster management, MLB rules and compliance, major league administration, and salary arbitration. In addition to her academic work at Northwestern Katie received her MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

Kern Egan is the founder and CEO of Multiplier, an agency that shapes culture to build brands. Multiplier manages the cultural marketing initiatives for a roster of world-class brands, including Bridgestone, Caterpillar, Chase Sapphire, Invisalign, JP Morgan Payments, On Running, PitchBook, Winnebago, and Wyndham Hotels, among others. Multiplier Ventures is a limited partner in Sapphire Sport Ventures and Elysian Park Golf Ventures and has made direct investments in Leeds United, Overtime, and TMRW Sports, among others. Kern is an advisor for Cal-Berkeley's SkyDeck technology accelerator and is the founder and chairman of Dallas Influencers in Sports and Entertainment (DISE), the area's leading industry nonprofit, granting over $1,000,000 to 46 local youth charities. He is also the former Chairman of the Heart of Dallas Bowl at the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium and served on the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee. Kern, a graduate of Indiana University, was named a Forty Under 40 honoree by both the SportsBusiness Journal and Dallas Business Journal.

Nick Bernabe is the Assistant General Manager with the Gwinnett Stripers, the AAA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. Nick’s path through baseball has been nothing short of fascinating—from his beginnings with the Arizona Fall League, described as one of baseball’s best-kept secrets, through impactful experiences internationally in the Dominican Republic, and roles with prestigious organizations including Major League Baseball, the Minnesota Twins’ AA affiliate in Wichita, and overseeing operations with both the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins organizations. Nick has a bachelor's degree in international business from Eckerd College and a master's of sports administration from Northwestern University.

Mark Cuban sold a 72.3% ownership stake of the Dallas Mavericks to the Adelson family in December of 2023. While a substantial amount of money, the $3.5 billion that Cuban reportedly secured from the Adelsons potentially undervalued the team. When asked why Cuban sold the team when he did and for a “discounted” price, Cuban stated, “And so you see other teams in all sports…talking about doing real estate development. That’s just not me. I wasn’t going to put up $2 billion to get an education on building. If we’re able to build a Venetian-type casino in Dallas with an American Airlines Center in the middle of it, the valuation is $20 billion. But I own 27% of that.” What Cuban is outlining is the growing importance of sports-anchored districts (SADs). Sports venues that “anchor” surrounding commercial, residential, retail, infrastructure, and community developments have the potential to fundamentally change the sports industry generally and sports teams specifically. In a special episode Brice interviews Adam about his contribution to a paper he authored in conjunction with Klutch Sports Group and Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) about The Rise of Sports Venue Builds and Sports-Anchored Districts.

Mike Walsh is the Senior Director of NIL Partnerships and Strategy at ONIT Athlete, a leading company reshaping the NIL landscape through innovative partnerships and collectible trading cards. Mike brings a wealth of experience, having spent over a decade in collegiate athletics, notably at Boise State, where he was instrumental in building one of the nation's most successful NIL programs. Mike's journey into sports began with a passion for journalism, evolving into leadership roles across sports information, media relations, and strategic communications at institutions like Washington State, University of Idaho, and Boise State. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism from Washington State University and a master’s degree in education, curriculum, and instruction from Boise State University.

Lindsay Barnett founded Playground Productions after she spent close to a decade teaching second grade in a Chicago Public School in addition to manufacturing educational products. She gained national attention, as a semi-finalist on Live with Kelly and Ryan’s Top Teacher Search. Now, she has curated a slate of IP in the children's space and collaborates directly with authors and writers to ensure that Playground’s content will make families proud and kids love learning. Lindsay received her Bachelor of Science in Communications: Radio, Television, and Film as well as an Interactive Arts and Entertainment Module from Northwestern University. She then earned her Master of Science in Education in Elementary Teaching at Northwestern.

Jenny Haskel is a former Division One soccer player at Northwestern University whose lifelong commitment to athletics informs her professional approach and growth mindset. Currently Jenny is the Knowledge and Insights Lead at Deloitte Sports Business group. In her role she works with investors, governing bodies, national associations, clubs and other sports organizations around the globe driving valuable and actionable insights. Prior to her role at Deloitte Jenny was at Morgan Stanley where she led marketing and communication for a Wealth Management team leading their financial planning efforts. She also drove marketing for Morgan Stanley's Global Sports and Entertainment division, leveraging her deep industry relationships. Previously, Jenny gained valuable experience at the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and Chicago Fire (MLS), managing comprehensive marketing strategies, digital content, and fan engagement initiatives. Jenny did her undergraduate work at Northwestern where she has degrees in Economics and Journalism.

John Brody is a Board Member, Consultant, and Advisor to various Private Equity firms, brands, agencies, and start-ups. Prior to his current role John was the Chief Revenue Officer for Learfield who is a leading media, data, and technology services company with an unparalleled footprint in college sports and live events. In his illustrious career John has held roles with the WWE, The National Football League, Wassermann Media Group, Major League Baseball, and the Boston Celtics. In this conversation Adam and John discuss his career journey, hit on the key lessons learned at each stop, and John gives his insight on what it takes to grow a career in sports. Adam and John also hit on sales and marketing strategies in sports and delve into how technology, data, and analytics are shaping sports today.

Jordan Pink is the Strategic Development Manager at Tradable Bits - a role he recently evolved into. Tradable Bits is a fan data company that provides partners with tools to acquire, analyze and activate data. Prior to his time at Tradable Bits Jordan was an account executive at Canuck Sports and Entertainment. Jordan did his undergraduate work at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada, has a certificate from the University of Houston in the math behind moneyball, and earned a masters of sports administration from Northwestern.

Jeff McDaniel is responsible for Basketball Operations at Superior Sports and also a member of the board of directors. Superior Sports is a boutique athlete representation agency. Superior provides a holistic approach to building athletes brands while supporting on-court development. They focus on college athletes and provide NIL Marketing & Collective Negotiation, Professional Contract Negotiation, Endorsement & Sponsorship Marketing, Post-Career Management, Pre-Draft Training, and On-Court Performance Development. Jeff did his undergraduate work at Chapman University in Southern California and has a masters of sports administration from Northwestern.

Mike Morris is a seasoned technology leader whose impressive career has taken him from rigorous software engineering at EDS to consulting at PwC and transformative roles in sports technology. Mike notably served as the Chief Technology Officer at Major League Baseball, where he played a critical role in driving the analytics revolution, centralizing MLB systems, and launching MLB Advanced Media and MLB Network—two game-changing initiatives that revolutionized how sports content is consumed today. He also served as CIO at Legends Hospitality, navigating rapid growth and innovation in a fast-paced environment.

John Brody is a Board Member, Consultant, and Advisor to various Private Equity firms, brands, agencies, and start-ups. Prior to his current role John was the Chief Revenue Officer for Learfield who is a leading media, data, and technology services company with an unparalleled footprint in college sports and live events. In his illustrious career John has held roles with the WWE, The National Football League, Wassermann Media Group, Major League Baseball, and the Boston Celtics. In this conversation Adam and John discuss his career journey, hit on the key lessons learned at each stop, and John gives his insight on what it takes to grow a career in sports. Adam and John also hit on sales and marketing strategies in sports and delve into how technology, data, and analytics are shaping sports today.

Jared Banner is the Assistant General Manager of the Chicago Cubs - a role he assumed in 2023 after being promoted from his role as President of Player development. Jared originally joined the Cubs in 2021 as the Vice President of Special Projects after serving as the Executive Director of Player Development with the New York Mets for two seasons. Prior to his time with the Mets, Jared spent 11 years with the Boston Red Sox, working his way up the ladder within their front office and winning 3 World Series Rings. Jared attended Amherst College in Massachusetts where he earned a degree in Psychology and was a key member of the baseball team. We are also excited to have Jared as the newest faculty member of the Northwestern MSA program.

Adam and Brice are back for another season of the Revenue Above Replacement podcast. This week the guys discuss what they have been up to during their hiatus, hit on some of the biggest sports business topics of the past few months, and look ahead to this season and the great guests that are in store. New episodes every Wednesday and those great guests start again next week.

Sam Noffs is the Vice President of Sales and Strategy at Champro. Sam has nearly 20 years of experience in sales. He began his career as an assistant buyer at The May Department Stores shortly before it was acquired and folded into Macy’s, where he grew into a buying and merchandise planning role. After his time at Macy’s, his career took off as he joined Nike, where he spent nearly 14 years flying through multiple roles, eventually landing as the sales director for North America, a position responsible for overseeing the sales of Nike products through the Neighborhood program in North America. Sam did his undergraduate work in business at Washington University in St. Louis where he was member of the football team and he holds an MBA from Portland State University.

This week Adam and Brice take a break for the excellent guests this season and discuss the current state of sports and sports business. In the discussion Adam and Brice focus on the pending NBA Media Rights deal and the launch of the new Chicago Sports Network along with the implications of both for fans, teams, leagues, and the content providers. The guys will be back next week with more great guests.

During this holiday week we wanted to run one of our best episodes of the season with Eric Winston. Eric is a former NFL offensive tackle and current president of Winners Alliance. Eric played in college at the University of Miami and was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. During his NFL career has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, and Cincinnati Bengals. Eric was the president of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) from 2014 to 2020. As President of Winners Alliance, Eric oversees all business strategy and operations for the company. Most recently, Eric served as Chief Licensing Officer and Head of Partner Development & College for OneTeam Partners. The Wharton School alum led OneTeam’s consumer products licensing, partner development, and college division. Eric did his undergraduate work in international finance and marketing at the University of Miami and received an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. The guys will be back next week with new episodes and more great interviews.