Front Office Sports

Had a wonderful, wide-ranging, free-wheeling chat with ESPN's Jeremy Schaap at an Operative summit back in November that I meant to share at the time. Given everything going on in media—layoffs, constant pivots, anxiety over AI, anxiety over declining traffic from search—maybe this convo will be interesting to people. Just a few things we discussed: - The definitions of TV have changed—but the big dog networks are still the big dogs - How athletes became central to culture, beyond sports - How "sports business" is no longer a niche topic, the average sports fan is far more interested in the business side than ever before (great for us at Front Office Sports !) - The chaos of college sports, from NIL to the portal to coach buyouts - The creep of sports betting and sports betting ads into everything in sports - The tension in ESPN (and others) having a gambling ad running at bottom of screen while doing a segment about the NBA gambling arrests - Rotisserie fantasy leagues! https://lnkd.in/eZWvMruu

“The fact that people are out there defending robots is beyond me” Huge ongoing story in sports and social media that will only get louder: backlash to teams (pro and college) using AI for their social media graphics. Caitlin Clark even made a dig at her own team for using AI -- and they did it again. Timberwolves and Saints are among the teams that have explicitly and proudly said they aren't using any AI for their graphics. important Yanyan L. Front Office Sports story here that is just the beginning. “There are a lot of athletic departments that I don’t think really value designers and creatives, because a lot of them have a bad mindset of ‘it’s an honor for you to work for us’” ... I think they’ll learn through trial and error that they’ve probably created more problems for themselves.” https://lnkd.in/eFzPkcPV

Mark Cuban tells me he *would* consider buying a different NBA team. “If it was a warm weather team. I wouldn’t want a cold-weather team... If it was a warm-weather team I would seriously consider it.” It's another moment from our wide-ranging Front Office Sports interview with Cuban, and came right after he said he did want to buy back control of the Mavs, and discussed it with a group, but the Adelsons aren't selling. That clip was widely picked up everywhere. The full interview comes out next week.

Front Office Sports is now on TV! Very excited to announce that on 9/14 we will launch “Front Office Sports Tonight”, the first nationally syndicated sports show covering the Business and Culture of sports - where we go beyond the field of play to break down the most important cultural, entertainment and business stories in the world of sports! Great partnership opportunities including media, integrations, sponsorships and more. Reach out if interested in discussing. https://lnkd.in/eKeuHGNX

Front Office Sports is coming to TV! 📺 This fall we are launching “Front Office Sports Tonight,” a 30-minute, nationally syndicated television show that goes beyond the field of play to break down the most important cultural, entertainment, and business stories in the world of sports. There has never been more interest in the business and culture of sports, with storylines driving just as much attention as the play on the field. This smart, personality-led show is the after-hours take on the conversations FOS has been leading all day. Big ups to Morgan Hertzan , Patrick Dimon , Dan DiStefano , Samantha Schofield , Jonny Sonkin , Nate Loucks , Barry Wallach, and countless others. There will be great opportunities for brands, talent, and more so if you are interested, drop us a line - we would love to chat! Full Variety story: https://lnkd.in/eTmnxHHU

"What do you mean you make shows?" "I can't watch them on TV?" "What do you actually do for work?" "What even do you do?" Well, now I can point my family to something you'll be able to find 😂 Front Office Sports coming to a TV screen near you. https://lnkd.in/gJwKmX5w Morgan Hertzan Patrick Dimon Dan DiStefano Samantha Schofield Adam White Jonny Sonkin

Jeff Zucker: "As media changes every day, one thing is clear: Sports has never been more important. And no one covers the business of sports like Front Office Sports " https://lnkd.in/eRHCiiR8

A massive step in the growth of Front Office Sports was taken today as we announce our multi-year content agreement with the PGA TOUR . We'll be there to tell unique business, culture and experience-focused stories around the biggest golf events throughout the year which gives our brand partners the opportunity to align and integrate in differentiated ways. Let me know if you'd like to know more or how you can be a part of this incredibly storytelling. Shoutout to Sean Halbmaier & Evan Cohen ! Release here: https://lnkd.in/enH7rPVf

FORE!! Front Office Sports is now official content partners of the PGA TOUR !! 🏌♂️ ⛳ The hits keep coming. Excited to work with brands in/around this great league!