The CUSP Show

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Morgan Cato, EVP of Player Operations at the National Basketball Players Association to the show, to discuss her unique journey through each side of the basketball business: from the NBA league office to the Phoenix Suns and now the players association. Cato shares insights on rookie development, mental wellness, NIL preparedness, player engagement, and the evolving support systems surrounding today’s athletes. The conversation explores how the NBPA helps players navigate everything from financial literacy and branding opportunities to mental health resources and career transitions. Cato reflects on the globalization of basketball, the realities young athletes face entering the league, and the importance of leadership, adaptability, and relationship-building in sports business. Cato also discusses her work with Pro Sports Assembly, the future of athlete development, and how leagues and organizations are evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing sports landscape.Connect with Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-cato-60026b8/Subscribe to the CUSP Show: SubstackThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz and Sydney Cristall. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Dr. Harvey Schiller, Chairman at Schiller Management Group to the show, to reflect on the life, legacy, and lasting influence of Ted Turner following his passing. Having worked closely alongside Turner during the rise of Turner Broadcasting, Schiller shares firsthand stories about the visionary executive who helped reshape sports media, cable television, and global broadcasting. The conversation explores Turner’s role in building the Superstation model, launching CNN, expanding Turner Sports, and pioneering ideas around vertical integration long before they became industry standards. Schiller also discusses Turner’s impact on the Braves, WCW, the Goodwill Games, NASCAR, international sports, and the early evolution of streaming and out-of-market sports distribution. Joe and Tom also dive into leadership lessons from Turner, his relentless creativity, his global mindset, and the entrepreneurial culture he built throughout Turner Broadcasting. Along the way, Schiller shares memorable behind-the-scenes stories involving David Stern, Vince McMahon, George Steinbrenner, the NFL, HBO, Sports Illustrated, and the early days of digital sports media.Connect with Harvey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harvey-schiller-2332386/More on Ted Turner: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/06/us/ted-turner-deathSubscribe to the CUSP Show: SubstackThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz and Sydney Cristall. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Sheila Sickau, Head of Football Development for the Kansas City Chiefs to the show, to break down how flag football is reshaping the future of the sport, from youth participation to global expansion and women’s access to the game. Sickau is the Pro Sports Assembly 2025 Medal of Leadership Rising Leader honoree and on the show she shares her unique journey from special education teacher to NFL executive, detailing how a $12/hour seasonal role turned into a leadership position at the forefront of one of the league’s biggest growth initiatives. The conversation explores why the NFL is investing heavily in flag football as a more accessible entry point than tackle, how early participation is creating a more skilled pipeline of players, and how increased female engagement is already impacting fandom. Sickau also offers insight into the business strategy behind football development, from grassroots programming and international growth to content creation and next-gen fan engagement. Nominations for the Pro Sports Assembly Class of 2026 Medal of Leadership Honorees are open through May 15, 2026.Connect with Sheila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilasickau/ Submit a Medal of Leadership nomination: https://www.prosportsassembly.org/Read more about the Medal of Leadership: Nominations Now Open for the 2026 Medal of Leadership CelebrationSubscribe to the CUSP Show: SubstackThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Patrick Crakes, Principal of Crakes Media and longtime Fox Sports executive, to the show, to break down the rapidly evolving sports media landscape and the realities behind today’s skyrocketing rights deals. Drawing on decades of experience, Crakes explains why the industry hasn’t undergone the “overnight disruption” many predicted, and instead has seen a slower, more complex transition where traditional pay TV still underpins the majority of sports economics. He dives into the role of Big Tech, highlighting how companies like Amazon and YouTube are approaching sports rights strategically, not disruptively, and why profitability remains a challenge across streaming. The conversation also explores key industry dynamics, including the importance of broadcast distribution, the decline of regional sports networks, and the challenges leagues face in balancing local and national media strategies. Crakes offers insight into why the NFL continues to dominate the marketplace, how portfolio thinking shapes rights valuations, and what metrics actually matter when assessing media value. He also unpacks recent changes in Nielsen measurement and how out-of-home viewing is reshaping perceptions of sports viewership growth.Connect with Patrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-crakes/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito welcomes Greg Fox, Athletic Director at Yeshiva University, to discuss the remarkable rise of Yeshiva men’s basketball and how the program has evolved into a global brand. He shares his journey through college athletics and what makes Yeshiva’s model unique: from rigorous academic demands and religious commitments to competing at a high level on the court. Fox highlights the impact of standout players like Zevi Samet, the program’s international following, and how streaming and storytelling have expanded its reach far beyond New York. The conversation also explores the operational realities behind the program, including Sabbath accommodations, travel logistics, and security considerations in today’s environment. Fox discusses growth opportunities across athletics, including women’s sports and potential NIL pathways at the Division III level, as well as the broader cultural significance of Yeshiva’s success. From community impact to a pipeline reaching even professional baseball, this episode offers a unique look at how identity, discipline, and storytelling can shape a Division III university.Connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-fox-955b406/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito welcomes Endicott College Adjunct Professor, Ken Davidoff, to the CUSP Show, for a thoughtful conversation on storytelling, media evolution, and rediscovering a love for the game of baseball. A longtime baseball columnist at the NY Post, who spent decades covering the sport at the highest level, Davidoff reflects on the grind of beat reporting, the rapid shift toward real-time, “hot take” media, and why he ultimately stepped away from daily journalism. The discussion centers around his new book, 101 Lessons from the Dugout, which reframes baseball and softball as vehicles for life lessons, resilience, adaptability, and perspective. Davidoff shares how collaborating with a co-author from a completely different background helped him reconnect with the fundamentals and joy of the game, moving away from the pressure of breaking news toward more meaningful storytelling. The conversation also dives into the changing media landscape, how speed has replaced depth, how relationships between reporters and players have evolved, and why versatility is now essential for young professionals entering the field.Connect with Ken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-davidoff-220b7a4/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Cam Smith, Substack’s Head of Sports Partnerships and Columbia Sports Management alum, to the CUSP Show to explore how the platform is reshaping sports media. What started as a newsletter product has evolved into a multi-format ecosystem spanning audio, video, and community-driven discovery, giving creators more control than ever over their work and their audience. Cam breaks down why journalists, athletes, and media personalities are increasingly choosing to build direct-to-consumer businesses rather than depend on traditional outlets, and how Substack’s model prioritizes ownership and sustainability over scale. The conversation gets into the economics behind the shift, including why a smaller, highly engaged subscriber base can outperform a massive but passive social following, and what that means for legacy media, fragmented distribution, and the way fans discover sports content today.Connect with Cam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-smith-68b1865/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz and Sydney Cristall. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Kevin Lopes, Vice President of Business Development and Innovation at ESPN, to the CUSP Show to discuss his 18-year journey at the company and how ESPN continues to evolve at the forefront of sports media. From starting as a programming coordinator to leading innovation initiatives, Lopes shares how timing, relationships, and a willingness to embrace new technology shaped his career. The conversation explores ESPN’s early push into streaming with ESPN360 and WatchESPN, including how the company helped build the foundation for today’s digital sports ecosystem. Lopes explains how early rights deals were driven by trust and long-term relationships, and how ESPN worked with schools and conferences to professionalize streaming long before it became mainstream. Lopes also breaks down the creation of ESPN’s Edge Innovation Center and how partnerships with companies like Microsoft, Accenture, and Meta help the company stay ahead of emerging trends. Whether it’s VR, AI, or new distribution platforms, the focus remains on ensuring ESPN is prepared for whatever the future of sports consumption looks like.Connect with Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-lopes-4160aa2/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz and Sydney Cristall. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

In this special CUSP Show conversation, Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson take a step back after 500 episodes to reflect on how much the sports business has evolved, and where it may be headed next. The two hosts dive into a discussion on the current state of the industry, from March Madness and the Big East Tournament to golf’s evolving business model, media rights strategy, and shifting fan behavior. The conversation highlights the Big East’s continued success in a changing college sports landscape, including its strong fan engagement and willingness to embrace creator-driven media. Joe and Tom also explore broader questions around the future of college athletics, including the growing financial divide and the possibility of new structural models. They also examine golf’s momentum under PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and the increasing need for leagues to think of themselves as entertainment products competing for attention. From there, the discussion turns to one of the biggest challenges in sports today: fan access. With content spread across multiple platforms, they break down how fragmentation is reshaping viewing habits and why simplicity will be critical moving forward. The episode also touches on emerging trends like AI and prediction markets, and reflects on the many “next big things” that have come and gone over the past decade.Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joefavorito/Connect with Tom: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomrichardson01/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, moderator Chris Lencheski leads a conversation on the forces reshaping the sports investment market. Joined by Daniel Adams of Polsinelli, William Mao of Octagon, Betsy Morgan of TOGETHXR, and Stephen Schifrin of Terrapin Partners, the discussion explores how investors, advisors, and operators are evaluating today’s sports landscape across team ownership, media rights, women’s sports, and global growth opportunities. The panel breaks down how capital is flowing into sports differently than ever before, from private equity and family offices to strategic investors looking for long-term value in scarce assets. The group discusses how media rights continue to underpin valuations, why shorter and more fragmented rights cycles are changing the deal environment, and how investors are increasingly forced to balance traditional financial analysis with a deeper understanding of fandom, community, and brand relevance. A major focus of the conversation is the continued rise of women’s sports as a serious investment category, with discussion around where the strongest opportunities exist and how those properties should be measured on their own terms rather than against legacy men’s models. The panel also examines the importance of fan behavior, player visibility, and social engagement in driving the commercial potential of teams, leagues, and emerging properties. From MLB and media-rights strategy to women’s sports, global football, and the future of ownership structures, this conversation offers a smart, grounded look at what sophisticated investors are actually watching in sports right now, and why the next generation of value creation will come from understanding both the numbers and the passion behind them.Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislencheski/Connect with Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-adams-b98bab2/Connect with William: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williammao/Connect with Betsy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsylmorgan/Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-schifrin-0014333/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito welcomes David James Clarke IV, CEO of Praxis AI, for a conversation about how artificial intelligence is becoming a practical tool across sports, media, education, and healthcare. Clark explains how Praxis AI uses “digital twins” to help scale human expertise, making knowledge more accessible without losing the personality, communication style, and experience of the original expert. Clark shares how his company first found traction in higher education, where digital twins of professors are now answering thousands of student questions and saving faculty significant time each semester. From there, Praxis AI expanded into sports and entertainment, where digital twins can help athletes, coaches, broadcasters, and thought leaders extend their reach well beyond what is possible in person. He discusses recent work involving Dr. Robert Cantu, Dr. Jen Welter, Shannon Sharpe, Von Miller, and events tied to the Super Bowl, the Cricket World Cup, and future global competitions. The conversation also explores the emotional side of AI, including what it means to hear and interact with a digital version of yourself, as well as the practical business model behind Praxis AI’s platform. Clark addresses the speed at which AI is affecting jobs and workflows, the difference between job replacement and job transformation, and why he believes AI can be both commercially powerful and socially impactful. He also emphasizes the value of digital twins in cause-driven spaces such as concussion education, youth mentorship, and athlete-led social responsibility work.Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjamesclarkeiv/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, Talk Show Host Ann Liguori hosts a panel conversation on how golf is evolving through media, technology, and new competitive formats. Joining the discussion are Jake Hoselton, Co-Founder of Grass League; Andrew Macaulay, Chief Technology Officer at TMRW Sports; Joe Purzycki, Co-Founder and CEO of Pro Shop; and Neil Schuster, Co-Founder of No Laying Up. The group explores how a new generation of companies is reshaping the sport from multiple angles. Hoselton explains how Grass League is positioning par-three golf as a standalone competitive category, creating a fast-paced team format designed for digital audiences and prime-time viewing. Macaulay discusses the technological foundation behind TGL, the tech-driven team golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and how innovations like indoor venues, simulator-driven play, and a shot clock are creating a faster, stadium-style golf experience for modern fans. Purzycki details how Pro Shop operates at the intersection of golf, media, and culture, producing projects such as Netflix’s Full Swing, contributing to Happy Gilmore 2, and reviving The Skins Game as a made-for-TV competition. Schuster reflects on the growth of No Laying Up from a hobby blog into one of golf’s most influential media brands, emphasizing authenticity, storytelling, and building community through podcasts, video series, and live coverage. Throughout the discussion, the panel touches on the role of storytelling in modern sports media, the growing cultural relevance of golf, the opportunities around LPGA coverage and women’s sports, and the importance of innovation in making the game more accessible, social, and engaging for new audiences.Connect with Ann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-liguori-b6b7307/Connect with Jake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakehoselton/Connect with Andrew: https://www.linkedin.com/in/admac/Connect with Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephpurzycki/Connect with Neil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngschu/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

For the 500th episode of the CUSP Show, Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome content creator Uly Morazan, known online as Uly and Ernesto, for a conversation about how pop culture, humor, and social media are helping bring new audiences into football. Morazan shares how his journey into the NFL began unexpectedly through the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce storyline, which sparked his curiosity about the sport and led him to start learning the game publicly on social media. By documenting his football discovery process in a fun, lighthearted way, he quickly connected with a large audience, particularly women, who were exploring the sport for the first time. The discussion also explores his partnership with Barefoot Wine, an official NFL partner under the E. & J. Gallo brand, and how the collaboration works because both Morazan and the brand approach football and wine the same way: with personality, humor, and accessibility rather than pretension. He explains how creators build authentic brand relationships, why long-term partnerships matter, and how fantasy football unexpectedly deepened his understanding of the game. Morazan also reflects on the growing role of creators in sports marketing, the importance of making fandom approachable for new audiences, and why the most successful content, like the best sports experiences, ultimately comes down to one simple principle: fun.Follow Uly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ulyandernesto/?hl=enFollow Uly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ulyandernesto?lang=enUly’s Website: https://ulyandernesto.com/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Jamie Pagliei, better known to fans as “The Philly Sports Guy.” While you may not immediately recognize the name, you certainly know the green mohawk, face paint, and relentless energy that have made him a staple at Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and Sixers games. Pagliei shares his journey from growing up in West Philadelphia and Delaware County, with family ties to the Spectrum and Veterans Stadium, to serving in the Navy, working in hospitality, masonry, and event promotion before ultimately building a full-time business out of pure fandom. What began as painting his face for one away Eagles game evolved into a powerful personal brand rooted in authenticity, positivity, and connection. The conversation explores how he navigated early social media struggles, the impact of COVID on momentum, and the defining moment that nearly made him quit, until a deeply personal message from a fan changed his perspective on purpose and impact. Pagliei also discusses monetizing fandom the right way, setting brand rules for himself, landing sponsors like TickPick and Philly Sports Trips, and why changing the narrative around Philadelphia sports fans matters to him. More than just a superfan story, this episode is about resilience, reinvention, and how energy, when authentic, becomes a business.Follow Jamie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thephillysportsguy/?hl=enConnect with Jamie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-pagliei-910916190/Jamie’s Website: https://thephillysportsguy.net/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner sit down with fellow Columbia faculty member Chris Lencheski to unpack how motorsports, and global sports investing more broadly, are evolving in real time. Lencheski shares how Phoenicia Sport & Entertainment operates with a “people first” approach and why being “quiet” can be a strategic advantage when building long-term relationships internationally. The conversation moves through NASCAR’s charter value surge and what that signals about the sport’s business fundamentals, Formula 1’s valuation realities and the challenges certain teams may face, and Liberty Media’s acquisition of MotoGP as the next major growth lever in racing. Lencheski also weighs in on IndyCar’s momentum with new marquee street-race concepts (including Washington, D.C.), the expanding role of foreign capital in U.S. sports, and why some emerging sports, and even MLB at the grassroots level, may face tougher structural headwinds than people realize.Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrislencheski/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Dave Nugent, Co-Founder & CEO of Next League, to unpack how sports organizations should evaluate, build, and operate technology that grows audiences and drives revenue. Nugent shares his path from co-founding OMNIGON in 2008, spotting an early gap in “deep tech” within sports, to selling the company to Infront Sports & Media, learning inside a larger global organization, and ultimately launching Next League to fill a need that still hadn’t been solved. Nugent explains Next League’s role as an “owner’s rep” for sports properties: helping teams and leagues decide what to invest in, how to prioritize outcomes over shiny objects, and how to get “90% of the functionality for 50% of the price.” The group discusses why trust and long-term relationships matter in complex services work, how leadership and culture shape tech decision-making, and why it’s increasingly hard for even experienced executives to keep up with the pace of change. Nugent also highlights work Next League is doing across the sports landscape, including Team USA’s challenge of maintaining fan engagement between Olympic cycles, NASCAR’s evolving fan experience, and opportunities with properties like TGL, the LPGA, and others. He closes by previewing his upcoming book, The Business of Sports Technology (releasing April 14), and his podcast, Know What Is Next, focused on what’s changing across sports and technology.Connect with Dave: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nugentdavid/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Jose Diaz, Executive Vice President at SMAC Entertainment, to break down how the agency operates at the intersection of talent management, content production, brand incubation, and strategic partnerships. Diaz shares SMAC’s origin story, from early days working out of Constance Schwartz’s kitchen table to building a multifaceted business representing high-profile clients such as Michael Strahan, Deion Sanders, Tony Gonzalez, Aaron Andrews, Deanna Flores, and others. Diaz explains SMAC’s “client-first” approach: starting with a talent’s long-term goals, aligning every opportunity to that mission, and making selective decisions that prioritize longevity over quick paydays. He details how athlete storytelling has shifted across podcasts, streaming, and digital-first platforms, highlighting projects like Coach Prime, Evolution of the Black Quarterback, the upcoming Madden film, and branded content initiatives tied to the growth of flag football ahead of LA28. The conversation also dives into media training, NIL-era realities, building trust through transparency, and why smaller companies can offer early-career professionals outsized responsibility and accelerated learning.Connect with Jose: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdiaz021/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner sit down with Dedan Brozino, Chief Development Officer and President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, to talk legacy, modernization, and what’s next for one of sports’ most iconic venues. Brozino breaks down the Rose Bowl’s unique governance structure, City of Pasadena ownership, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation’s fundraising role, and the Tournament of Roses’ leadership around the Rose Bowl Game and the evolving College Football Playoff landscape. The conversation covers UCLA’s ongoing relationship with the stadium, why the Rose Bowl aims to stay central as college football changes, and how major investments are preparing the venue for the future. Brozino shares details on current and upcoming upgrades, including a new South End Zone field-level club, plans for a massive video board, and a post-Olympics seating reconfiguration designed to improve comfort and safety while preserving the stadium’s historic architecture. Looking ahead to LA28, he previews the Rose Bowl’s role as host of the men’s and women’s soccer semifinals and finals, adding to a long list of defining moments that have made the venue a generational bucket-list destination.Connect with Dedan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dedanbrozino/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from SuperBowl Radio Row, on National Girls & Women in Sports Day, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Dystany Spurlock to the show. Spurlock shares her unconventional path to stock car racing, starting on motorcycles as a kid, setting a record on a BMW S1000RR, and grinding for years while working as a tractor-trailer driver and sending sponsorship emails between loads. Now backed by Foxxtecca, she’s preparing to debut in the NASCAR ARCA Menards Series, with a clear ladder in mind: a full ARCA season, the O’Reilly Series, and ultimately the Cup Series. Spurlock breaks down what transfers from motorcycles to cars (fear management, fitness, and focus), how she trains and studies the sport “to failure,” and why understanding the engineering helps her communicate better feedback to her team. She also talks about crashes, flow state, and how she builds a following by engaging fans beyond racing, while staying authentically herself through fashion, personal branding, and her Avatar-inspired design choices.Connect with Dystany: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dystanyspurlock/Follow Dystany on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dystanyspurlock/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Daniel Shi and Shivaas Gulati, co-founders of Arkero AI, for a conversation on how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform the business side of sports. Fresh off a $6.2M seed raise backed by investors including Alexis Ohanian and Roger Ehrenberg, the founders explain why sports remains one of the most under-software-ed industries, and how AI can finally move teams beyond email-and-Excel operations. The discussion explores Arkero’s philosophy of working backwards from real business problems, embedding with teams to improve productivity, decision-making, and revenue generation rather than selling AI for its own sake. Gulati shares insights from owning Southend United in England and how the club has become a live testing ground for AI-powered planning and operational efficiency. Shi reflects on scaling a fintech company from startup to IPO, why private equity sees massive upside in sports modernization, and how AI could allow smaller clubs to operate with the sophistication of top-tier organizations. The episode closes with a forward-looking look at how AI may reshape sports operations, fan experience, and club management over the next five years.Connect with Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielshi/Connect with Shivaas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shivaas/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Olympic Gold Medalist and two-division UFC Champion Henry “Triple C” Cejudo for a powerful conversation on resilience, reinvention, and what it truly means to compete at the highest level. Cejudo reflects on his journey from growing up in poverty as the son of undocumented immigrant parents to becoming the youngest American Olympic wrestling gold medalist in 2008, and later capturing UFC titles in two weight classes. He shares what it felt like standing atop the Olympic podium, why wrestling remains the purest test of competition, and how he rebounded from setbacks early in his MMA career to become a champion again. Beyond the cage, Cejudo discusses life after fighting, mentoring other athletes in business, launching One Water, and the importance of self-awareness, discipline, and surrounding yourself with the right “engineers” to maximize both heart and ability. The episode explores legacy, leadership, and how elite performers transition from sport into entrepreneurship while continuing to inspire the next generation.Connect with Henry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-cejudo/Follow Henry on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henry_cejudo/?hl=enFollow Henry on X: https://x.com/HenryCejudoHenry’s Profile on ESPN: https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3023388/henry-cejudoHenry’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@Pound4PoundwithKamaruHenryThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner sit down with Chris Stone, whose career spans across sports media at Sports Illustrated and the LA Times and Co-Founder of emerging platform, Off Ball, to unpack how sports storytelling is changing in real time. Stone explains Off Ball’s founding premise: making it easier to sort the “chaos” of the internet and surface the most interesting sports-and-culture stories across formats, from longform writing to YouTube shorts and social threads. He details Off Ball’s approach to human-driven curation (not aggregation), including how a small team selects dozens of pieces each day from a much larger universe and sends audiences directly to creators. The conversation also turns to the week’s major media news, Washington Post sports cuts, and what it signals about the difficulty of reinventing legacy organizations, the growing fragmentation of sports coverage, and why demand for high-quality local and cultural sports storytelling hasn’t disappeared. Stone shares what he’s learned in Off Ball’s first phase, establishing credibility and relationships with creators, and previews the platform’s next chapter: building original storytelling experiences and new formats, while helping connect the creator class with media outlets, brands, and leagues.Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-stone-1401b31/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, Kati Fernandez (Chief Content Officer at Together) welcomes: Emilie Arel (President, Mitchell & Ness), April Guidone (COO, SMAC Entertainment), and Natalie White (Founder & CEO, Moolah Kicks) to talk how brands, leagues, athletes, and entrepreneurs are shaping modern fan identity through product, partnerships, and culture. Arel breaks down what makes an authentic collaboration, and how heritage brands balance trend moments with long-term DNA. Guidone explains how SMAC uses capsule collaborations to test culture and consumer demand, why women’s fan apparel has moved beyond “shrink it and pink it,” and how the tunnel walk has become the new runway. White details how Moolah Kicks designs performance footwear specifically for female basketball players by listening directly to athletes, building trust at scale, and pushing women’s basketball sneaker culture forward. The conversation also touches on trend cycles versus commercial viability, the rise of women’s sports as a commerce growth engine, and what’s next, from wearables in apparel to dream collaborations tied to major moments like the WNBA’s 30th anniversary and LA28.Connect with Kati: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiuska-fernandez/Connect with Emilie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-arel-bb4b161/Connect with April: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilguidone/Connect with Natalie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-white-792298127/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Marcus Kuhn, NFL alum (Giants and Patriots) and Columbia Sports Management program alum, for a conversation on the rapid international expansion of American football. Kuhn, who was the first German-born player to ever score a touchdown in the NFL, reflects on the evolution of the NFL in Germany, from early grassroots efforts to sold-out games in Munich and Berlin, and explains why the Munich matchup remains one of the most impactful international NFL events to date. Kuhn discusses his role as a broadcaster for Germany’s primary television rights holder, where millions of viewers now tune in late at night to watch live NFL games, as well as his ongoing work with the NFL, the NFLPA, and international player development initiatives. Kuhn also breaks down the explosive growth of flag football across Europe, highlighting its inclusivity, Olympic pathway, and importance as both a participation sport and a gateway to NFL fandom. Kuhn also shares what Super Bowl Sunday looks like for German audiences and reflects on his transition from NFL player to international ambassador and media voice for the sport.Connect with Markus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-kuhn-82730312b/Follow Markus on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarkuskuhn/?hl=enThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito welcomes Xander Zayas, the newly crowned unified world champion in the light middleweight division, for a conversation on championship mindset, the business of boxing, and representing Puerto Rico on a global stage. Zayas reflects on visualizing success long before stepping into the ring, detailing the discipline, sacrifice, and preparation that led him to become the youngest unified world champion in the sport. He shares his journey from growing up in Puerto Rico and starting boxing at age five to signing with Top Rank as a teenager and navigating the complex business realities behind major fights. The discussion also explores brand partnerships, the growing influence of Latino athletes and fans across sports, and Zayas’ perspective on inspiration, mentorship, and using his platform to motivate the next generation. The episode highlights how boxing, culture, and global sports storytelling intersect at the highest level.Follow Xander on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xander.zayas/?hl=enThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Jesse Linder, Vice President of Community Relations for the New York Jets, and Callie Brownson, Senior Director of High Performance and National Teams at USA Football, live from Super Bowl Media Row, for a focused conversation on the rapid growth of girls and women’s flag football. Linder shares how the Jets helped launch girls flag football in New York City in 2011, growing from 19 teams to 60, with more girls flag teams than boys tackle teams, and why creating a clear pathway beyond high school became the organization’s next priority. Brownson explains how the Jets’ $1 million investment through the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation is accelerating the launch of the ECAC women’s flag football conference, opening new collegiate and scholarship opportunities while strengthening the pipeline toward national teams and the Olympics. The discussion also explores flag football’s explosive international growth, the Jets’ expansion into London and Dublin, and why global competition is tightening as LA 2028 approaches, making this moment a turning point for the sport’s future.Jesse’s Profile: https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/front-office-roster/jesse-linderConnect with Callie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/calliebrownson/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito welcomes Lawrence Hamm Jr., Vice President of Events DC, for a conversation on how cities compete to host the biggest events in sports. Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Hamm discusses how Washington, D.C. landed the NFL Draft, why the timing aligns with the return of football to the District, and how the National Mall will serve as an iconic backdrop for one of the league’s largest traveling events. He breaks down the multi-year planning process behind hosting an event of this scale, the logistical and permitting challenges unique to D.C., and how Events DC works alongside regional partners in Maryland and Virginia to maximize impact across the DMV. Hamm also shares his path from Division I and professional basketball to Under Armour and destination marketing, and explains how a future domed stadium could unlock opportunities for Final Fours, Super Bowls, major concerts, and global events. The episode highlights the NFL’s evolution into a year-round events powerhouse and Washington’s strategy to position itself as a premier destination for sports, culture, and international engagement.Connect with Lawrence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hammjr/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Media Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Tara Sullivan, Sports Columnist for The Boston Globe, for a conversation on the business of sports journalism and what it takes to cover an NFL franchise. Sullivan walks through her career path from the Bergen Record to the Boston Globe, explaining the shift from traditional beat reporting to column writing and how the Globe’s deep connection to its local readership continues to shape its coverage. She discusses the Globe’s investment in multimedia storytelling, including video, audio, newsletters, and subscriber-focused journalism, and why chasing paid subscribers, not clicks, has been central to the outlet’s strategy. The conversation also dives into the current Patriots moment, from the post–Bill Belichick transition to the emergence of Drake Maye and a re-energized fan base, as well as how major sporting events create lasting storylines beyond the final score. Sullivan shares her perspective on the Washington Post’s recent turmoil, the importance of ownership and reinvestment in journalism, and why women’s sports represent one of the most important growth opportunities for media coverage.Connect with Tara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-sullivan-500bb23/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Scott Rosner welcomes Ken Shropshire, longtime sports law professor and leading voice on race, leadership, and governance in sports, for a wide-ranging conversation on the NFL’s hiring landscape and the broader business of the league. Shropshire reflects on the origins of the Rooney Rule, the research that helped shape it, and why recent coaching cycles, marked by minimal progress in Black head coach hiring, raise fundamental questions about whether process-based solutions are enough. He discusses the NFL’s decision not to hold its Accelerator Program this year, the political and cultural pressures shaping DEI initiatives, and why outcomes, not interviews, ultimately matter. The conversation expands to the evolving economics of the NFL, including ownership sophistication, valuation growth, media rights, and international expansion, as well as broader themes across sports such as women’s sports valuations, the shift from linear television to streaming, and the long-term importance of youth participation as a pipeline for fandom. Shropshire also shares his perspective on existential risks facing the sports industry, the league’s resilience through disruption, and what he’ll be watching for in the Super Bowl, from the quarterbacks on the field to the cultural impact of the halftime show.Connect with Ken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-shropshire-wharton/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Scott Rosner and LJ Homegrown welcome Greg Cosell, NFL Films analyst and longtime football educator, for a wide-ranging conversation on how the game is truly evaluated through film. Cosell walks through his weekly in-season routine, explaining why tape study, not stats or television coverage, drives his analysis, and how defensive trends like two-high safety structures and post-snap disguise are reshaping quarterback decision-making. He discusses quarterback processing, coaching influence, and player development, including what he’s seen from Sam Darnold, Drake Maye, and college prospects as he prepares for the NFL Draft. The episode also explores Cosell’s offseason film projects, his approach to scouting quarterbacks, and his breakdown of the upcoming Super Bowl matchup from a tactical, film-first perspective.Connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-cosell-41005230/Follow Greg on X: https://x.com/gregcosell?lang=enThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Brian Billick, Former Super Bowl Winning NFL Head Coach and Entrepreneur at XTECH Protective Equipment, for a behind-the-scenes look at football innovation and athlete safety. Billick shares how his career evolved after coaching into the technology side of the sport and why he became involved in developing equipment focused on keeping players healthy. The conversation explores why XTECH shoulder pads are now widely used across the NFL and college football programs, what differentiates the design from traditional pads, and how performance and injury prevention drive adoption. Billick also discusses the company’s expansion into youth football, the challenges NIL and the transfer portal present for college programs, and his thoughts on the upcoming Super Bowl matchup.Follow Brian on X: https://x.com/CoachBillickThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Tom Richardson welcomes Kiswe co-founder Wim Sweldens, a longtime digital video and streaming pioneer, for a look at how live sports and entertainment are being rebuilt for a direct-to-consumer future. Sweldens shares Kiswe’s origin story, and how he went from Nokia, to Columbia University, to launching the company in 2013. Sweldens explains the philosophy behind “democratizing access” to live experiences through personalized, interactive, mobile-first viewing. The conversation dives into Kiswe’s two core products, why teams and leagues want to own the fan relationship and data, and how cloud production is changing the economics of broadcasting, highlighted by Kiswe’s work enabling intimate “athlete moment” interactions during the Olympics. Sweldens also breaks down what makes K-pop streaming explode (multi-view, live engagement, real-time AI subtitling), why Western music has been slower to adopt pay-per-view live streams, and how one breakout event can shift industry behavior.Connect with Wim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wimsweldens/?skipRedirect=trueThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Sports Business Journal NFL reporter and Staff Writer, Ben Fischer, for a live conversation from Media Row at Super Bowl week in San Francisco. Fischer, widely regarded as a leading journalist covering the business of the NFL, shares how the Super Bowl has grown into a self-sustaining global business ecosystem, and why it’s now impossible for leagues, sponsors, and media companies not to be present.The discussion explores the NFL’s evolution into an eleven-month-a-year business, the changing profile of team ownership as private equity and institutional capital enter the league, and what upcoming franchise sales, like the Seattle Seahawks, signal about future valuations. Fischer also breaks down the league’s international strategy, the role of flag football as a low-risk growth vehicle, and why cultural moments like Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl involvement matter far more than social-media backlash. The episode closes with a look at Super Bowl viewership trends, why the NFL continues to defy expectations, and what’s next for the most powerful league in sports.Connect with Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benfischerny/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Tom Richardson welcomes Steve Kuhn, former hedge fund executive (Goldman Sachs, Citadel, Pine River Capital), founder of Major League Pickleball, and the co-founder of SportsPredict.com, for a look into the fast-moving world of prediction markets and prediction-based gaming in early 2026. The conversation breaks down why prediction markets surged in late 2025, what it meant when the NHL announced deals with Polymarket and Kalshi, and why Kuhn believes the next wave of fan engagement will be built around skill, status, and community rather than cash gambling. Kuhn traces how a childhood obsession with games and a Harvard background in game theory shaped his career in finance, and ultimately led him to launch SportsPredict as a free-to-play sports prediction platform designed for everyone, including fans who don’t want to bet. Kuhn unpacks how the product works in real time (including live, in-venue formats), how ratings aim to improve on the model of chess, and why forecasting is an under-taught life skill with real career value. Kuhn also shares lessons from building Major League Pickleball and DUPR, outlines his ambitious plan to find an “elephant sponsor” for a large-scale prediction game show, and explains why he’s open to partnering with leagues as a white-label platform to create safer, more social second-screen experiences.Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-kuhn-212b4a149/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, Tom Richardson welcomes Jay Marine, Head of Global Sports and Advertising for Prime Video in the U.S., for a conversation on how Amazon is reshaping the sports media landscape amid the industry’s shift from fragmentation into package rebundling. Marine explains how Prime Video has evolved into a platform for discovery, allowing fans to access live sports and major streaming partners, including NFL, NBA, golf majors, and leading direct-to-consumer services, within a single, frictionless experience. The discussion explores why subscription bundling remains the dominant model despite experiments with single-game purchases, how Amazon’s scale lowers customer acquisition costs for partners, and why reducing friction consistently drives fan engagement. Marine also offers a behind-the-scenes look at Prime Video’s approach to innovation, including Prime Vision, real-time AI-powered analytics, interactive features like odds integrations and “Shop the Show,” and how data scientists, storytellers, and former players collaborate to enhance broadcasts without distracting from the action. The episode closes with a look at Amazon’s NBA debut, Black Friday’s all-day sports slate, and the company’s philosophy for building fan-first products in an increasingly complex media ecosystem.Connect with Jay: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-marine-2a5231/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Columbia Sports Management student Austin Emile, a FIFA-licensed soccer agent, for a behind-the-scenes look at the business of player representation and how transfers really get done. Emile shares his path from growing up in a Tottenham Spurs household to playing Division III soccer at Haverford, then breaking into the industry through internships with MLS clubs including the New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, and D.C. United. After a major injury forced him to rethink his future on the field, Emile studied for six weeks, flew to Chicago, and passed the FIFA agent exam, becoming one of the youngest licensed agents in the U.S. The conversation unpacks what agents actually do day-to-day: building trust with clubs, scouting and recruiting players, managing families, navigating negotiations, and handling rejection in a business defined by hustle and relationships. Emile also explains why he chose to join Cherry Sports (a Belgium-based agency), how a global agency operates, and why social media and “personal touch” matter as much as contract language.Connect with Austin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinemile/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Columbia Sports Management alum Jeff Aubry, Executive Director of the Next Gen Players Union, for an inside look at labor, leadership, and player advocacy in the NBA G League. Aubry traces his journey from Cornell basketball to a professional playing career overseas and in the early days of the NBA Development League, before transitioning into sports business and union leadership. The conversation explores what it means to represent players in a league defined by short-term contracts, constant movement, and development-first priorities, how the G League fits into the broader basketball ecosystem alongside college and international pathways, and the challenges of building stability for the next generation of players. Aubry also shares leadership lessons from both the court and the boardroom, along with advice for athletes navigating today’s rapidly evolving basketball landscape.Connect with Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaubry42/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito kicks off the first episode of 2026 by welcoming longtime coach, administrator, and now college basketball analyst, John Giannini, for a wide-ranging look at where college athletics, and especially men’s basketball, stands in the NIL and transfer-portal era. Giannini traces his journey from a Division III national championship at Rowan to Division I success at the University of Maine and La Salle, before reflecting on his current work as an analyst, calling games across ESPN, CBS, NBC, and more. The conversation tackles the good, bad, and ugly of modern college sports: uncapped NIL deals, constant roster turnover, lost academic accountability, and why collective bargaining, and likely congressional intervention, may be the only long-term fix. Giannini also explains why the NCAA Tournament remains a “national treasure” worth protecting, how mid-major programs are fighting to stay relevant, and why today’s coaches must evaluate character as carefully as talent. On the optimistic side, he highlights why the quality of play is as strong as ever, how international talent is reshaping rosters, and which coaches and systems are pushing the game forward.Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-giannini-444580170/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson mark a milestone, 10 years of The CUSP Show, by welcoming Aggregate Sports CEO Chris Pearlman for a conversation on career-building, Olympic marketing, and the realities of the global soccer business. Pearlman retraces his path from early internships and sales roles at ESPN and ABC to working at Van Wagner, and a pivotal leap overseas as the Chief Operating Officer at Swansea City FC, where he learned firsthand how deeply clubs “belong” to supporters, and why American-style fan experiences don’t always translate in the UK. He also explains how Aggregate Sports evolved from a European football rights-aggregation idea into a fast-growing agency helping Olympic NGBs package, sell, and service sponsorships across events, broadcast inventory, and athlete-driven storytelling, while navigating the constant reach vs. revenue tradeoffs of a fragmented media landscape. Pearlman breaks down what “sports marketing” really means across property sales, consulting, naming rights, and media rights, and digs into why he created the Aggregate Academy, which has become a talent pipeline for young professionals in the sports industry. Pearlman closes with practical advice for young professionals, which is to network authentically, and reflects on the moments that have shaped his journey, from Swansea memories to Olympic-relationships that continue to shape where his business is headed.Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-pearlman-483b8b53/Aggregate Sports: https://aggregatesports.com/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Columbia Sports Management student and Lebanese taekwondo standout, Ward Selman, for a powerful conversation about resilience, identity, and building a career in sports beyond the mat. Selman, who began taekwondo at age four and joined Lebanon’s national team at twelve, discusses her TEDx talk on “Resilient Dreamers,” shares what it meant to pursue a “non-traditional” sport for women in a tight-knit society, how her parents shielded and supported her through early skepticism, and how public perception shifted as her results made her impossible to ignore. She reflects on the moment she truly believed an Olympic run was real (a bronze at the 2022 Asian Championships), the heartbreak of missing Paris 2024 by a single point, and the hard-earned lesson that a career can’t be defined by one outcome alone. The talk also explores Lebanon’s sports landscape with the challenges of limited infrastructure, why individual sports can sometimes outpace team sports in resource-constrained countries, and how Ward’s competitive drive shows up everywhere, from Ivy League tournaments to a love of extreme sports like skydiving. Now navigating her first months in the U.S. and NYC, Selman discusses her emerging interests in sports events and player-facing roles, and her long-term dream of creating a roadmap and support system for Lebanese athletes,so the next generation doesn’t have to build it from scratch.Connect with Ward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wardselman/Follow Ward: https://www.instagram.com/ward.selman/?hl=enThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Sydney Cristall, Emily Kim, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito welcomes ViewLift President & Co-Founder Manik Bambha for a behind-the-scenes look at the streaming infrastructure powering modern sports consumption. Bambha traces his path from an early role at MySpace to building one of the first OTT movie platforms and launching some of the earliest apps on iPad, Roku, and connected TVs, before turning that technology into ViewLift’s white-label streaming business. He explains how ViewLift now supports clients like Monumental Sports, NESN, LIV Golf, and NBCUniversal’s cable brands, how U.S. streaming differs from Asia, and how device quality, bandwidth, and Android fragmentation shape fan experience around the world. The conversation digs into RSNs going direct-to-consumer, quad-screen viewing, dynamic ad formats, and how legalized sports betting integrations are being woven into team and regional streams, as well as the tradeoffs of AI-powered live translation versus traditional language booths. Bambha also looks ahead at AI’s impact on media operations, makes the case that every job seeker needs a concrete answer to “how do you use AI?”, and shares how he structures a global, 24/7 team to keep live events running smoothly through holidays, late nights, and the next wave of tech disruption.Connect with Manik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bambha/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Sydney Cristall, Emily Kim, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Pro Sports Assembly CEO & co-founder, Laura Dixon, for a deep dive into why the sports industry went so long without its own professional trade association, and how she’s fixing that. Dixon, the former head of External Relations for the San Antonio Spurs, explains what “external affairs” really means inside a team front office, why informed and inclusive leadership is at the core of Pro Sports Assembly, and how member resource groups and small leadership cohorts are quietly driving best (and worst) practice sharing across leagues, teams, unions, and venues. The conversation touches on hot-button issues like sports betting regulation, infrastructure and real estate plays, private equity, NIL, and the structural challenges facing women’s sports and emerging properties. Dixon also shares her philosophy treating each job as “big time,” the importance of hearing directly from Gen Z, and the mentors and moments, from the Spurs to Game Changers, that shaped her path.Connect with Laura: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraddixon/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Sydney Cristall, Emily Kim, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito sits down with Mark Neifeld, the Founder, and current Commissioner & CEO of the Sport Fishing Championship (SFC), for a conversation about how an emerging league can scale into a global sports property. Neifeld explains how he went from working in the NHL, NFL, MLB, and collegiate athletics to identifying a massive opportunity hiding in plain sight: more Americans fish than play golf and tennis combined. Neifeld breaks down how SFC built a media-first, live-broadcast product by using modern technology to stream directly from the ocean. He discusses the league’s team-ownership model, featuring names like Scottie Scheffler, Raheem Mostert, Randy Moss, and Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley, as well as the structure of a season, from hospitality-focused events to hosting championships in Cabo San Lucas and beyond. He also reveals SFC’s global ambitions, including planned expansion into Australia and the Persian Gulf, the launch of a major new studio venture in Fort Worth, and why fishing’s massive participation base, loyal sponsors, and deep regional roots create a uniquely scalable product.Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markeneifeld/Mark’s Profile: https://www.sportfishingchampionship.com/mark-neifeldThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Sydney Cristall, Emily Kim, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome longtime college football coach and current ESPN/ACC Network analyst as well as Executive Affiliate at the Wake Forest School of Business, Dave Clawson for a wide-ranging conversation on how big-time college football is being transformed by NIL, the transfer portal, and donor influence. Clawson traces his journey from Fordham, Richmond, and Bowling Green to an 11-year run at Wake Forest, and explains why he ultimately chose to step away from the sideline. He breaks down how donors have effectively become “team owners,” why some players now treat college like true free agency, and what a future split between “professionalized” programs and everyone else might look like. Clawson also dives into the rise of sports science and analytics, from Catapult data and sleep tracking to hiring specialists to make sense of the numbers, while stressing why relationships, character, and a genuine love of the game still matter.Follow Dave: https://x.com/CoachClawsonThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Sydney Cristall, Emily Kim, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito welcomes Columbia Sports Management Program alumna, and content creator, Aliyah Funschelle for an in-depth conversation on the intersection of women’s sports, digital storytelling, and the growing creator economy on social media. As a sports reporter, and the founder of Sports With Aliyah, she discusses her journey from Wichita State to Columbia, and how she turned her passion for women’s sports into a thriving multimedia business. Funschelle shares how authenticity, community building, and showing up both online and in person have helped her collaborate with major brands like DoorDash, Dove, and Sephora, while growing an engaged fan base across the WNBA, NWSL, and others. She emphasizes the importance of posting content that you wouldn’t be able to see on a traditional broadcast, but rather the uncut and uncensored moments that fans truly enjoy.Follow: https://www.instagram.com/aliyahfunschelle/?hl=enConnect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliyahfunschelle/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry, LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Sydney Cristall, Emily Kim, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Kati Fernandez, Chief Content Officer at TOGETHXR, for a conversation on leadership, innovation, and the fast-changing world of sports media. A former ESPN executive, Fernandez talks about how women’s sports have become a booming business, as well as dives into the strategy behind TOGETHXR’s short & long form video, and podcast production. She emphasizes how it is important to show up IRL as well as URL for events like the NWSL Championship, the Women’s World Cup, Winter Olympics, and LA28. Fernandez also offers insights into audience engagement, Latino market growth, and the balance between creativity and data in modern media.Visit - https://www.togethxr.com/KatiFernandezConnect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiuska-fernandez/The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer, Sam Henry, LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Sydney Cristall, Emily Kim, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe and Tom sit down with Mike Abdenour, the longtime head athletic trainer for the Detroit Pistons and one of the most respected figures in the NBA. With decades of experience on the sidelines, Mike shares how the role of athletic trainers has transformed - from old-school tape jobs and gut instincts to cutting-edge technology and sports science. He offers rare insight into what it takes to keep elite athletes performing at their best, along with stories from a career spent behind the scenes of professional basketball. The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer, Sam Henry, LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Pragna Prasanna, Breah Banks, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome New York Times NFL reporter Ken Belson to discuss his new book Every Day Is Sunday. Belson shares how the 1993 labor peace set the foundation for the league’s financial explosion, the role of visionaries like Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft in transforming the business, and how media innovation, from Fox’s early deals to today’s streaming era, reshaped fan engagement. He also offers insights into the league’s next chapter, from succession among ownership families to how new leadership and technology will define the future of the NFL.Visit - https://www.nytimes.com/by/ken-belsonConnect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-belson-64044/Ken’s Book - https://www.amazon.com/Every-Day-Sunday-Cultural-Juggernaut/dp/1538772558The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer, Sam Henry, LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Pragna Prasanna, Breah Banks, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe and Tom are joined by Ben Malcolmson, Head of Investor Relations at Trinity Capital, whose remarkable journey took him from reporting for the school paper to CFB, to the NFL, and now into finance. A Journalism major at USC, Ben earned a walk-on spot via tryouts on the Trojans roster in his senior year, which eventually led him to work closely with legendary coach Pete Carroll for many years, including during the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl win. Ben shares the pivotal moments from his time in media, sports, and finance, along with the invaluable life and leadership lessons he’s gathered along the wayVisit - https://www.benmalcolmson.com/Connect - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benmalcolmson/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer, Sam Henry, LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Pragna Prasanna, Breah Banks, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com

Joe and Tom sit down with Ann Kletz, a trailblazer in women’s sports and a seasoned leader with 25 years of experience building and scaling mission-driven companies. Together, they explore the surging momentum behind professional women’s sports leagues, diving into the growing investments, expanding audiences, and the broader cultural impact. It’s a conversation about strategy, opportunity, and the future of the game.Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-kletz-0270b73/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer (@bykarthikiyer), Freddie Walker (@freddiewalks), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Pragna Prasanna, Breah Banks, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com