The Sports Advisors Podcast

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In the latest episode, four JohnWallStreet Advisory advisors explain how the decline in local media rights values to nearly zero for many MLB, NBA and NHL teams —and shrinking spending on entertainment programming— seemingly offers a preview of what a highly consolidated, lower-margin video distribution business is most likely to yield for national sports rights in the years ahead.

We then discuss a multitude of ways for challenger properties to replace the lost revenues.

The core 4: Nick Kelly, Shripal Shah, Pat Crakes, John Brody & host Corey Leff touch on these key themes:

• Create New Content Assets to Sell
• AltCast Model Offers Path to Monetization and General Market
• Rethink the Broadcast
• Investing in Fan Identity Infrastructure Can Drive Revenue Growth

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Thank you to our partners at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ASL Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

In the latest episode, four JohnWallStreet Advisory advisors explain how the decline in local media rights values to nearly zero for many MLB, NBA and NHL teams —and shrinking spending on entertainment programming— seemingly offers a preview of what a highly consolidated, lower-margin video distribution business is most likely to yield for national sports rights in the years ahead.

We then discuss a multitude of ways for challenger properties to replace the lost revenues.

The core 4: Nick Kelly, Shripal Shah, Pat Crakes, John Brody & host Corey Leff touch on these key themes:

• Create New Content Assets to Sell
• AltCast Model Offers Path to Monetization and General Market
• Rethink the Broadcast
• Investing in Fan Identity Infrastructure Can Drive Revenue Growth

-------------

Thank you to our partners at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ASL Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

In the latest episode, four JohnWallStreet Advisory Advisors discuss how commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s tenure should be evaluated, what the WNBA should prioritize in its next commissioner, the priorities for the league’s next era, the risks that could derail its growth and more.

The core 4: Nick Kelly, Shripal Shah, Pat Crakes, John Brody & host Corey Leff touch on these key themes:

• New CBA is Engelbert’s Defining Achievement
• Demand Media Partners Treat Clark Like Jordan
• Cultural Engagement is a Path to General-Market Growth
• Treat Clark Games as Customer-Acquisition Events, Not Cash Grabs

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Thank you to our partners at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ASL Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠⁠⁠

In the latest episode, four JohnWallStreet Advisory Advisors discuss how commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s tenure should be evaluated, what the WNBA should prioritize in its next commissioner, the priorities for the league’s next era, the risks that could derail its growth and more.

The core 4: Nick Kelly, Shripal Shah, Pat Crakes, John Brody & host Corey Leff touch on these key themes:

• New CBA is Engelbert’s Defining Achievement
• Demand Media Partners Treat Clark Like Jordan
• Cultural Engagement is a Path to General-Market Growth
• Treat Clark Games as Customer-Acquisition Events, Not Cash Grabs

-------------

Thank you to our partners at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ASL Productions⁠⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠⁠⁠

In the latest episode, four JohnWallStreet Advisory Advisors discuss LSU taking on the SEC in court and how college football’s growing legal uncertainty changes the risk calculus for schools, brands and media partners.

The core 4: Nick Kelly, Shripal Shah, Pat Crakes, John Brody & host Corey Leff touch on these key themes:

• The Enforcement Paradox
• Governance Chaos Shouldn’t Tank Media Rights Values
• Centralized Leadership Would Help
• Buy the Controversy

-------------

Thank you to our partners at ⁠⁠⁠ASL Productions⁠⁠⁠!

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠⁠

In the latest episode, four JohnWallStreet Advisory Advisors discuss LSU taking on the SEC in court and how college football’s growing legal uncertainty changes the risk calculus for schools, brands and media partners.

The core 4: Nick Kelly, Shripal Shah, Pat Crakes, John Brody & host Corey Leff touch on these key themes:

• The Enforcement Paradox
• Governance Chaos Shouldn’t Tank Media Rights Values
• Centralized Leadership Would Help
• Buy the Controversy

-------------

Thank you to our partners at ⁠⁠ASL Productions⁠⁠!

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors discuss The USTA & U.S. Open and offer up some free, unsolicited advice to new USTA CEO Craig Tiley.

The core 4: Nick Kelly, Shripal Shah, Pat Crakes, John Brody & host Corey Leff touch on these key themes:

• Screens Represent the USTA’s Most Scalable Growth Opportunity
• Player Access is the Next Premium Frontier

• Rights Owners Should Choose Partners That Elevate their Events
• Creators Provide Path to the General Market

-------------

Thank you to our partners at ⁠ASL Productions⁠!

Sign up for the newsletter at https://www.johnwallstreet.com/

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors discuss The USTA & U.S. Open and offer up some free, unsolicited advice to new USTA CEO Craig Tiley.

The core 4: Nick Kelly, Shripal Shah, Pat Crakes, John Brody & host Corey Leff touch on these key themes:

• Screens Represent the USTA’s Most Scalable Growth Opportunity
• Player Access is the Next Premium Frontier

• Rights Owners Should Choose Partners That Elevate their Events
• Creators Provide Path to the General Market

-------------

Thank you to our partners at ASL Productions!

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors offer up some free, unsolicited advice for new MLS Commissioner Larry Berg.

The core 4 touch on these key themes:

• Domestic Soccer Fans Back Players, Performance

• Berg Must Bridge MLS’s Ownership Divide, Eliminate GAM/TAM
• Transfer Fee Revenue Should Be Converted Into Domestic Building Blocks
• Think Hemispheric, Distribute via Tri-Cast

-------------

Thank you to our partners at ASL Productions!

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠https://www.johnwallstreet.com/.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors offer up some free, unsolicited advice for new MLS Commissioner Larry Berg.

The core 4 touch on these key themes:

• Domestic Soccer Fans Back Players, Performance
• Berg Must Bridge MLS’s Ownership Divide, Eliminate GAM/TAM

• Transfer Fee Revenue Should Be Converted Into Domestic Building Blocks
• Think Hemispheric, Distribute via Tri-Cast

-------------

Thank you to our partners at ASL Productions!

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors talk local sports media.

We explore how the competing models are expected to affect team finances, reshape the buying and selling of local inventory, the role of emerging technology—and whether centralization is ultimately the inevitable end state across the three major leagues NHL, MLB & NBA

Sign up for the newsletter at https://www.johnwallstreet.com/

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors talk local sports media.

We explore how the competing models are expected to affect team finances, reshape the buying and selling of local inventory, the role of emerging technology—and whether centralization is ultimately the inevitable end state across the NHL, MLB & NBA.

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠

The Sports Advisors podcast is a biweekly roundtable discussion for decision-makers, hosted by their peers, on the stories that actually matter and their second-order effects. It is actionable intelligence from senior operators who have actually built, bought, sold, programmed, monetized, and scaled sports businesses.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors talk premium sponsorship inventory.

Monster Energy recently became the entitlement partner for the Big 12 football and men’s/women’s basketball regular seasons, a deal that includes a cobranded patch on all team uniforms, fields/courts, digital and social channels.

Within 24 hours, Kansas announced a five-year jersey patch deal with Ripple/XRP across all Kansas Athletics uniforms. We discuss whether the Big12 and KU properly priced their new sponsorship inventory, why the value of a partnership extends beyond the rights fee, what the deals signal for the broader college market, and how technology could transform premium assets into personalized, dynamic inventory.

As always, you can connect with a member of the JohnWallStreet Advisory team by sending a note to info@JohnWallStreet.com.

Sign up for the newsletter at https://www.johnwallstreet.com/

The Sports Advisors podcast is a biweekly roundtable discussion for decision-makers, hosted by their peers, on the stories that actually matter and their second-order effects. It is actionable intelligence from senior operators who have actually built, bought, sold, programmed, monetized, and scaled sports businesses.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors talk premium sponsorship inventory.

Monster Energy recently became the entitlement partner for the Big 12 football and men’s/women’s basketball regular seasons, a deal that includes a cobranded patch on all team uniforms, fields/courts, digital and social channels.

Within 24 hours, Kansas announced a five-year jersey patch deal with Ripple/XRP across all Kansas Athletics uniforms. We discuss whether the Big12 and KU properly priced their new sponsorship inventory, why the value of a partnership extends beyond the rights fee, what the deals signal for the broader college market, and how technology could transform premium assets into personalized, dynamic inventory.

As always, you can connect with a member of the JohnWallStreet Advisory team by sending a note to info@JohnWallStreet.com.

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠

The Sports Advisors podcast is a biweekly roundtable discussion for decision-makers, hosted by their peers, on the stories that actually matter and their second-order effects. It is actionable intelligence from senior operators who have actually built, bought, sold, programmed, monetized, and scaled sports businesses.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors talk challenger leagues as investments.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced its first outside investment, a reported $100 million buy-in from Larry Tanenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Ventures and Ilitch Companies in June.

The Premier Lacrosse League also recently closed on a $100 million Series E financing round led by Ares funds and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai.

We discuss the markers of long-term viability, what institutional capital wants to underwrite, where liquidity could come from, and which properties appear best positioned to scale.

Sign up for the newsletter at ⁠⁠JohnWallStreet.com⁠

The Sports Advisors podcast is a biweekly roundtable discussion for decision-makers, hosted by their peers, on the stories that actually matter and their second-order effects. It is actionable intelligence from senior operators who have actually built, bought, sold, programmed, monetized, and scaled sports businesses.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors talk challenger leagues as investments.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League announced its first outside investment, a reported $100 million buy-in from Larry Tanenbaum’s Kilmer Sports Ventures and Ilitch Companies in June.

The Premier Lacrosse League also recently closed on a $100 million Series E financing round led by Ares funds and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai.

We discuss the markers of long-term viability, what institutional capital wants to underwrite, where liquidity could come from, and which properties appear best positioned to scale.

The Sports Advisors podcast is a biweekly roundtable discussion for decision-makers, hosted by their peers, on the stories that actually matter and their second-order effects. It is actionable intelligence from senior operators who have actually built, bought, sold, programmed, monetized, and scaled sports businesses.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors talk sports betting: whether the pre-legalization viewership narrative was overstated, how gaming operators’ sponsorship priorities have shifted, what rights owners should be asking for in their next round of sports betting partnership deals, and whether leagues, teams, and conferences are properly pricing the integrity and reputational risk that comes with the category.

The cast for the fourth episode in a row includes:

• Former Carolina Panthers CEO, former Verizon VP of Sponsorship, and current Encore Sports & Entertainment CEO Nick Kelly.
• Former Washington Commanders Chief Strategy Officer, former Shop Your Way Chief Digital Officer, and current Next League Chief AI & Innovation Officer Shripal Shah.
• Former Learfield CRO, former WWE Global Head of Sales & Partnerships and Head of International, and current DIRIGO Advisory, LLC Founder John Brody.
• Former Fox Sports SVP of Programming, Research and Content Strategy, and current Crakes Media President Patrick Crakes.

You can always connect with a member of the JohnWallStreet Advisory team by sending a note to info@JohnWallStreet.com.

The Sports Advisors podcast is a biweekly roundtable discussion for decision-makers, hosted by their peers, on the stories that actually matter and their second-order effects. It is actionable intelligence from senior operators who have actually built, bought, sold, programmed, monetized, and scaled sports businesses.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors talk sports betting: whether the pre-legalization viewership narrative was overstated, how gaming operators’ sponsorship priorities have shifted, what rights owners should be asking for in their next round of sports betting partnership deals, and whether leagues, teams, and conferences are properly pricing the integrity and reputational risk that comes with the category.

The cast for the fourth episode in a row includes:

• Former Carolina Panthers CEO, former Verizon VP of Sponsorship, and current Encore Sports & Entertainment CEO Nick Kelly.
• Former Washington Commanders Chief Strategy Officer, former Shop Your Way Chief Digital Officer, and current Next League Chief AI & Innovation Officer Shripal Shah.
• Former Learfield CRO, former WWE Global Head of Sales & Partnerships and Head of International, and current DIRIGO Advisory, LLC Founder John Brody.
• Former Fox Sports SVP of Programming, Research and Content Strategy, and current Crakes Media President Patrick Crakes.

You can always connect with a member of the JohnWallStreet Advisory team by sending a note to info@JohnWallStreet.com.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors turn their attention to the 2026 World Cup. The event is serving as a stress test on the modern sports business model. The core four unpack pricing power, real estate optionality, and what MLS and its clubs can do to capitalize on the once-in-a-generation moment and become more culturally relevant.

The cast for the third episode in a row includes:

•

Former Carolina Panthers CEO, former Verizon VP of Sponsorship, and current Encore Sports & Entertainment CEO Nick Kelly.

•

Former Washington Commanders Chief Strategy Officer, former Shop Your Way Chief Digital Officer, and current Next League Chief AI & Innovation OfficerShripal Shah.

•

Former Learfield CRO, former WWE Global Head of Sales & Partnerships and Head of International, and current DIRIGO Advisory, LLC Founder John Brody.

•

Former Fox Sports SVP of Programming, Research and Content Strategy, and current Crakes Media President Patrick Crakes.

You can always connect with a member of the JohnWallStreet Advisory team by sending a note to info@JohnWallStreet.com.

In the latest episode, The Sports Advisors turn their attention to the 2026 World Cup. The event is serving as a stress test on the modern sports business model. The core four unpack pricing power, real estate optionality, and what MLS and its clubs can do to capitalize on the once-in-a-generation moment and become more culturally relevant.

The cast for the third episode in a row includes:

•

Former Carolina Panthers CEO, former Verizon VP of Sponsorship, and current Encore Sports & Entertainment CEO Nick Kelly.

•

Former Washington Commanders Chief Strategy Officer, former Shop Your Way Chief Digital Officer, and current Next League Chief AI & Innovation OfficerShripal Shah.

•

Former Learfield CRO, former WWE Global Head of Sales & Partnerships and Head of International, and current DIRIGO Advisory, LLC Founder John Brody.

•

Former Fox Sports SVP of Programming, Research and Content Strategy, and current Crakes Media President Patrick Crakes.

You can always connect with a member of the ⁠JohnWallStreet Advisory⁠ team by sending a note to ⁠info@JohnWallStreet.com⁠.