Business Decision with Mike Vorkunov

The NBA seems set to expand. It's definitely exploring it. But is it good for the league? On this episode of Business Decision, Mike Vorkunov talks to The Ringer's Howard Beck to see if the NBA should expand and why it could hurt the league. Not financially. The NBA will make plenty of money. But if it will make the basketball worse. The part no one is talking about for the basketball league. Howard and Mike discuss the case against expansion and why it would dilute the quality of basketball.They also talk about whether the NBA will expand at all and what the factors at play are for the NBA. Where? How much? Why?All that and much more.THE READING LIST“There’s No Basketball Case”: Why the NBA Is Expanding AnywayAre We Sure NBA Expansion Is a Good Idea?

The Athletic's national NBA reporter, Mike Vorkunov, looks at how a new shoe company goes from new to an NBA court. On this episode of Business Decision, Mike talked to Stria Sports founder Eric Porter and Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond about how they are trying to build the company into something big and sustainable. Porter founded the company a few years ago and Drummond, a two-time All-Star, just came on as an investor and creative director. Soon, he'll have his own signature shoe. That will be the first time a Stria sneaker hits the #NBA hardwood. So why did Drummond leave Nike for a little-known emerging company? He describes his decision and what he hopes to do at Stria. Porter talks about his idea behind starting the company and what the ambitions are. Also, what's the best business decision both of them made? And why Andre Drummond doesn't just take the easy money anymore.

Mike Vorkunov talks to The Athletic's lead WNBA reporter, Sabreena Merchant, about the big news in the WNBA and women's basketball: the new CBA. Mike and Sabreena get into the details of the new CBA, what it means for the league, and what there is to like and worry about for the players. We discuss how the WNBA will operate with the new collective bargaining agreement in place and if either side made a bad deal. Then, Mike and Sabreena move on to the rapidly approaching WNBA offseason. It's about to start very soon. There's two expansion drafts, a WNBA draft, and free agency. It's time for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo to start building their teams and then start playing. We talk about which teams might have big offseasons and why. We also discuss the crunch that teams like the Las Vegas Aces could find themselves in with the new CBA. Also, is there a new way to build a winner in the WNBA and does it give teams like the Indiana Fever and Dallas Wings an advantage because of Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers? That and much more in this new episode of Business Decision. THE READING LIST WNBA, WNBPA release additional financial details of new CBAWNBA, players reach verbal agreement on new CBA after marathon negotiations

While everyone is talking about NBA expansion, Portland Trail Blazers fans and local politicians are fighting to keep the NBA team in the city. It's more serious than you know. The Athletic's Mike Vorkunov talks to Oregonian sports columnist Bill Oram about the battle to keep the Trail Blazers from leaving Portland. It's an interesting story that mixes the delicate power dynamics involved when a new team owner comes in, the unwillingness of a local government to give him what he wants, and the high costs of owning a pro sports team. Oram knows more about this issue than anyone else. On this episode of Business Decision, Mike and Bill talk about his fears that the #Blazers could go, what will keep them in Portland, how this is all happening as the #WNBA comes to the city with the Portland Fire, and his prediction for how this all ends. The Reading List I Hope I'm Wrong But This Is Why I Fear the Trail Blazers Could Be As Good As GoneTrail Blazers’ future in Portland less clear than ever as arena efforts meet resistance

It's time for the NFL's head coaching carousel! Where NFL head coach openings get filled. But by who? And how does it all work? On this episode of Business Decision, Mike Vorkunov talks to Sports Illustrated NFL writer Conor about how head coaches really get hired in the NFL, who makes the decision and why. They explain where John Harbaugh could go and why the Baltimore Ravens now have the best job available on the market. Can you guess the worst jobs open right now? Mike and Conor also talk about why some head coaching candidates don't get the look they deserve and explain why the Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan coaching tree actually is a good way to hire. Picking those Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers coaches seems to work! 06:59 “It’s the cheapest way to fix all of your problems at once without actually fixing your problems.”08:41 Why the #Ravens job is the top head coach opening 11:40 How John Harbaugh’s agent has influenced the head coaching search13:18 Who will the Baltimore Ravens consider for their head coaching job?22:47 How often do NFL teams hire a coach to win the press conference?31:47 Hiring Sean McVay’s assistant is the best hiring policy49:14 Why teams want to hire GMs and head coaches who are friends***This episode was recorded before Mike Tomlin left the Pittsburgh Steelers and that job became available*** READING LIST The Top NFL Head Coaching Candidates Teams Will Consider for 2026Ranking the NFL Head Coach Openings With the Steelers’ Job Now Available Why Vance Joseph Is Ready to Break a Trend in the Coaching IndustryCould Skip a Step in the Head Coach Hiring Cycle

Is this year the Victor Wembanyama takes over? Are the LA Clippers going to get hammered? Is NBA expansion finally coming? What's the latest reason why the Oklahoma City Thunder could dominate the league? Welcome to 2026, now here are the 5 biggest questions the NBA is facing in this new year. On this episode of Business Decision, Mike Vorkunov, a NBA reporter for The Athletic, and James Herbert, a national NBA writer for CBS Sports, ponder the questions that will determine the future of the #nba and try to answer them. They also discuss whether the NBA broke the MVP award race this season. And, finally, who is the leading contender to get out of the Eastern Conference this season? It might be the New York Knicks, the Boston Celtics, the Detroit Pistons OR this mystery team. 02:24 The 5 biggest questions the NBA faces for 2026 45:11 Did the NBA kill its MVP award this season? 53:48 Who is the Eastern Conference favorite: Knicks, Celtics, Cavaliers, Pistons or this mystery team?

It's Week 18 in the NFL and the big question now is which team will Taylor Swift fans root for to win the Super Bowl since the Chiefs are done? On this episode of Business Decision, New York Times NFL reporter Ken Belson gives his Super Bowl picks and discusses how power really works in the league. It flows through Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Their voices in the #nfl highlights today how the league got to be so big and rich. This episode isn't just about NFL scores but also the secrets of the league's most important owners. Mike and Ken discuss the NFL's secret shame machine, Robert Kraft's homegrown eggs, the TV deal that set it on course to be what it is today, and the FOX NFL music. Ken's book's is available now. Every Day Is Sunday: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Turned the NFL into a Cultural & Economic Juggernaut #cowboys #patriots #madden

Former NFL executive Karim Kassam (Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars) and ex-Washington Wizards assistant GM Brett Greenberg discuss how teams use data, AI and analytics in sports on this episode of Business. On this episode, Mike Vorkunov, a NBA and basketball business reporter, explains why the jocks vs. nerds narrative is wrong and talks to two former pro sports execs about how data and analytics are actually used for important games and sports decisions. It's not just 2-point conversions and taking more 3s. Kassam and Greenberg, who both now work at Teamworks, share their secrets from their time in pro sports. Kassam talks about the importance of data analytics in football information and how NFL teams really use data, including the lessons he learned early during his time working for an NFL team. Greenberg discusses the importance of sports analytics and why it is not as simple as it seems on Twitter.

Why does it feel like every single part of college sports is changing, and that everything is for sale now? Maybe because it's true. It's not just NIL that has changed life at your favorite college basketball and college football schools. Those universities and athletic departments are constantly seeking money everywhere now. UNLV just sold a jersey patch for its uniform before the NCAA even approved them. The University of Utah took a $500 million investment from a private equity firm. The Big 12 Conference is going into business with private equity, too. The Big Ten almost did that this fall. Matt Brown, the co-founder of the excellent Extra Points newsletter, comes onto Business Decision, hosted by Mike Vorkunov, a reporter for The Athletic, to discuss this odd and interesting moment in time for college sports. He discusses why college athletic departments are so desperate for cash and why they are turning to private equity. The biggest threat to the future of college sports isn't NIL, it may be the transfer portal, but the biggest issue could be that college sports feels like professional sports. Also, which school sells the most booze to its fans? Read and subscribe to Extra Points here.01:16 Did everyone in college sports suddenly go broke? 08:20 Why private equity is becoming more popular in college athletics 25:14 Is there a breaking point for fans? 31:43 Does Facebook explains the end game for college sports? 35:07 The difference between soccer's Super League and college sports 40:20 Which college has sold the most booze?

Youth sports is now a $40 billion business. Is that a good thing? Mike Vorkunov talks to former New York Times columnist Harvey Araton about how youth sports has changed as it became a big business with heavy investment from private equity. There's more money to be made now, but is that good for the kids and parents involved? Harvey's novel on the pressures of youth sports — The Goal of the Game — will come out later this month. You can pre-order it here: https://www.koehlerbooks.com/book/the-goal-of-the-game/ Also, Harvey shares stories from his time covering the NBA, including how a story he wrote after talking to Karl Malone made Magic Johnson retire again. The Reading List: Youth Sports Are a $40 Billion Business. Private Equity Is Taking Notice. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/business/youth-sports-private-equity.html Inside the Booming Business of Youth Sports Apps https://www.theinformation.com/articles/moneyball-minors-inside-booming-business-youth-sports-apps Wall Street Is Paywalling Your Kids’ Sports https://www.levernews.com/wall-street-is-paywalling-your-kids-sports/

What do you know about Overtime? It runs one of the most interesting leagues in sports in OTE and have figured out how to reach young audiences that every other league is struggling to reach. On this episode of Business Decision, Mike Vorkunov talks to Overtime CEO Dan Porter about OTE, how they've changed over the years, how they have success on social media and reaching young people. Dan discusses the keys to the company's success and what might have happened had TikTok actually been banned in the United States.Also, Mike finally learns what 6-7 means, thanks to Dan since Overtime helped propel the meme to popularity. Guest: Overtime CEO Dan Porter Reading List: What is ‘6-7′? It started with this high school basketball and social media star How Overtime Elite became a college basketball ally instead of a threat

Something big happened in the sports business world this week and nobody is talking about it. But these sports experts are! On this week's episode of Business Decision, Mike Vorkunov talks to Sportico's Jacob Feldman about why a famed investment bank bought one of sports' most prominent player agencies. Goldman Sachs took a majority stake in Excel Sports, giving it control of the agency that represents some of the world's most famous athletes like Caitlin Clark, Nikola Jokić, Tiger Woods, Derek Jeter, Cal Raleigh and others. It's a big deal. But why did they do it and what does it mean? Mike and Jacob explain it all. Also, another sports gambling scandal just hit. This time, it's two Cleveland Guardians pitchers who got indicted by the federal government. What did Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz do, and what does it mean for MLB? The Business Decision question of the week is something Nico Harrison answered incorrectly. It's why the Dallas #Mavericks fired their GM Tuesday.Reading List: Goldman Sachs to become majority stakeholder of Excel Sports ManagementGoldman Sachs Buys Talent Agency of Tigers Woods, Caitlin Clark

The WNBA is in a precarious place and facing its most important offseason ever. The WNBA CBA talks between the league and the players union will determine where the WNBA goes next, and even when they can begin its 2026 season. Who has the upper hand: the league or the WNBPA? Does the union need Caitlin Clark to voice her power? That and more on this new episode of Business Decision with The Athletic's Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman. Watch and listen to the wonkiest WNBA show you can. We discuss all the details of the latest WNBA CBA talks and where they go from here. We even predict when a deal might get done. It's a tricky dynamic that goes beyond just Cathy Engelbert, Adam Silver, the NBA and the public PR battle. Plus: Name that 2011 NBA lockout player!Guests: Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman

Why was a federal courthouse the most important place to be so far this NBA season? Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and Heat guard Terry Rozier were both arrested and charged by federal law enforcement as part of an illegal sports gambling and rigged poker ring that involves the mafia. Two days into the NBA season! It's unprecedented. What does it mean for the NBA? How does the league respond? Mike Vorkunov and Yaron Weitzman talk about a crazy day and what it means.Guest: Yaron WeitzmanREADING LIST: Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier arrests escalate sprawling NBA betting scandalJontay Porter pays the price, as NBA and other leagues play with fire on gamblingBig parlays, fake injuries and Telegram tips: The betting scandal in college and pro sports

The best way to understand the NBA this upcoming 2025-26 season is by knowing who holds the power around the league. It's not just about being in control, it's about having the juice. The Athletic's Fred Katz comes onto the show to discuss which people in (and outside) the NBA will have the most impact on the league this upcoming season and dictate where the league goes in the short and long term. Mike Vorkunov and Fred Katz draft their top five selections and it's not who you think.Guest: Fred KatzREADING LIST:The Top 10 front offices in NBAThe Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, and AspirationBuss family sale of Lakers signals a new dawn for the franchise — and NBA ownershipDoes the Knicks trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo even make sense?

Sports media is changing quickly, even for the fans who want to get into it. Jonathan Macri is a Knicks fan who turned his love for the team into Knicks Film School, now a thriving Knicks media ecosystem and his full-time job. Mike Vorkunov talks to Jonathan about how he did it, what it says about sports media now and how legacy media is trying to be more like him than he is trying to be like them.Subscribe to the Business Decision YouTube channel hereSubscribe to Knicks Film School here and the newsletter here

Have you heard of Project B? It's got a lot of money, it's trying to sign stars, it might one day compete with the WNBA, it could be a problem for Unrivaled, and it's talking about starting a men's basketball league one day that could also be an issue for the NBA. Oh, it also used to have Maverick Carter — a longtime business partner for LeBron James. What should we make of this new project and what could it mean for the NBA, WNBA and Unrivaled? SEGMENT 2 LeBron James just made a second (bad) decision. Let's get into his cryptic and unpopular ad campaign, and the bad week for the Los Angeles Lakers star. We get into why the Second Decision was repeating the mistakes of The Decision. SEGMENT 3 Bill Belichick, the University of North Carolina, Amazon, and John Wall — who had the good decision of the week and who made the bad decision of the week GUEST: Yaron Weitzman Reading List: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6699988/2025/10/08/project-b-global-basketball-wnba-nba-threat/ https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6704076/2025/10/10/bill-belichick-unc-football-collapse-one-month/

Buying a European basketball club is the new trend for American investors. Underdog Global Partners founder Matt Rizzetta explains why he bought Napoli, how he thinks NIL could become a billion dollar industry for European basketball, and how he sees the NBA's European project. Plus, who's got the better pizza: New York or Napoli?And watch it on YouTube

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier gave the WNBA one of its craziest days ever by ripping commissioner Cathy Engelbert and the league, but what did it actually say about the league? Mike Vorkunov and Ben Pickman, The Athletic's WNBA reporter, digest the most important 4-and-a-half minutes in WNBA history and what it means for a future lockout, CBA negotiations, Engelbert's job, and Unrivaled.

Steve Ballmer isn't just the richest owner in the NBA, he's the richest owner in sports. He's one of the richest men in the world. Period. The Kawhi Leonard/Aspiration scandal has also opened up another touchy subject: is he also too rich for the NBA? The Information's Sara Germano comes on to talk about wealth inequality in sports and how pro sports is trying to figure out the sheer amount of money its now dealing with, from the NBA to MLB, from Ballmer to Steve Cohen.Reading List:Is Steve Ballmer Too Rich for the NBA?The World’s Richest Sports Team Owners 2025

Sports gambling rules the sports world. It's everywhere. Ads are all over the place. Teams and leagues are in business with the sportsbooks. But sports gambling scandals are popping up and players have been suspended and banned. Wall Street Journal reporter Jared Diamond and Mike Vorkunov discuss how sports gambling is inescapable and how it has changed sports, and all the investigations and problems that has wrought. They then discuss whether sports has to fear an even larger gambling scandal: "the big one." Guest: Wall Street Journal reporter Jared Diamond READING LIST:Big parlays, fake injuries and Telegram tips: The betting scandal in college and pro sportsThe Rejected Bet That Launched a Gambling Scandal in College SportsNBA Star Terry Rozier Under Investigation in Illegal Betting ProbeGuardians closer Emmanuel Clase on leave over gambling inquiry‘I literally can’t stop.’ The descent of a modern sports fan

The debut episode of Business Decision! Mike Vorkunov discusses the newest Tom Brady saga with guest host Yaron Weitzman and they talk about why Brady epitomizes the problems the NFL and other pro sports leagues will face going forward to manage its relationships with its biggest stars. Then, a deep dive into the Kawhi Leonard/LA Clippers case that is being investigated by the NBA for cap circumvention and a look at how this may all eventually go.Guest host: Yaron WeitzmanTopics discussed; Tom Brady's in the broadcast booth and in coaches' box; What the NBA will weigh as they investigate Steve Ballmer and Kawhi LeonardRequired Reading:The NBA's Investigation into its Wealthiest Owner and Most Secretive StarThe Tom Brady Problem

The WNBA's Connecticut Sun are up for sale and ready to go for a record price, but the WNBA isn't willing to approve a sale or to let the new buyers move the team. What's behind the Sun sales process and the drama holding up what could be the biggest transaction in the league's history? We get into it on this episode of Business Decision and explain what's going on in the WNBA right now.

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