The Spread: Where Sports and Creativity Meet Bottom Line

“There’s nothing more disrespectful than saying everyone is great.” — Haley Rosen, CEO of Just Women’s Sports

Women’s sports are growing faster than the NFL did in its early years, but the ecosystem around them is still playing catch-up. In this first episode of The Spread's Future of Sports Series, I talk with Haley Rosen, CEO of Just Women’s Sports, about what it takes to build a fanbase, and an industry, with staying power.

We get into:

What makes athletes so captivating? Tony Hollingsworth, Sr. Director of Strategy at Laundry Service, has a clear idea why: because they’re the last great superheroes.

In this episode, Tony explains how athletes embody the traits of the characters we’ve idolized since childhood—larger-than-life figures with stories that inspire, connect, and evolve. He shares how this perspective shapes his work on campaigns with icons like Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers for Gatorade.

We also dive into the power of storytelling in sports, drawing parallels to our shared love of the 90’s Chicago Bulls and the neve...

Blockchain is transforming sports, and it's not just about the fans.

Lucy Mills, founder of Ready Sport Global, joins The Spread to talk about how Web3 and blockchain are creating new pathways for inclusion and social impact in sports.

We discuss how blockchain is being used to fund social impact initiatives, particularly for underrepresented groups, and how sports organizations are leveraging these technologies to better engage global audiences.

One of the most inspiring aspects of our conversation was the focus on blockchain’s potential to democratize funding, ensuring that projects with broad community su...

Michael Mazzara, the CEO of Rogue Expeditions, is pioneering a fresh category in travel: the running vacation. Unlike a traditional founder story, Michael shares his unique perspective on acquiring established companies rather than building them from scratch. He dives into how he assessed Rogue Expeditions’ foundation and identified where he could innovate, expanding beyond adventure travel to offer a variety of running-centered experiences.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the future of running travel, the journey of transforming an existing brand, and how Rogue Expeditions is creating unforgettable experiences for runners worldwide.

The Spread is...

Olivia Witherite, Marketing Director for the Webby Awards, shares her experience transitioning from the always-on sports industry, at companies including The Game Day and The Athletic, to her current role, where she’s creating a team culture centered around work-life balance.

Olivia candidly discusses the issue of burnout and the crucial mindset shift she embraced after stepping back from the world of sports marketing. She reflects on how the ambitious athlete mentality influences the business of sports and how it’s sparking conversations around mental health in the industry.

Join your host, Cari Sekendur, and hear...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Alana Casner, the SVP of Business Development & Athlete Relations at Parity, a sports marketing and sponsorship platform dedicated to closing the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports.

With a rich background at The Players’ Tribune, the NBA, and Adorama, Alana discusses unforgettable moments working with NBA legends, the power of athlete-brand collaborations, and the potential for sponsorships in women’s sports. She also explores the importance of leadership, vulnerability, and mental health, highlighting successful Olympic campaigns that captured athletes' emotions and motivations.

Tune in to hear from...

Join us as we explore the intersection of endurance athleticism, entrepreneurship, and authenticity with Bill Armstrong, CEO of endurance sports nutrition brand NEVERSECOND. Are endurance athletes inherently creative or more practical? How does authenticity in athlete marketing play out for his brand? We delve into these topics on this episode of the Spread.

Discover Bill's unique approach to marketing, which focuses on authentic storytelling from athletes who genuinely love NEVERSECOND's products. Learn about the challenges and rewards of building a brand in the endurance sports nutrition industry, and gain valuable insights into the decision-making process behind investing...

In this inspiring episode of The Spread, we sit down with Suzanne McKenzie, the Founder and CEO of Able Made, a label that brings soccer to the runway. Suzanne's journey is one of resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination.

Our conversation delves into Suzanne's personal journey of channeling grief into action after the sudden loss of her husband in 2009. She shares how she honored his memory by founding a soccer non-profit, The Ucal McKenzie Breakaway Foundation to carry on his legacy, and later the fashion label, Able Made to help fund the non-profit.

Discover how Able...

Your host, Cari Sekendur, sits down with Tim Bartels, the CEO and Co-Founder of Velous, a sports-recovery footwear startup. Tim brings a wealth of industry experience, having previously led sales for renowned brands such as Columbia, Keen, and DC Shoes.

Our conversation dives into Tim's personal and professional journey since launching Velous. Join us as we explore the valuable lessons he's learned while navigating the crowded landscape of the sports footwear market.

Discover the pivotal moments that led Tim to make the leap from the corporate world to the challenging yet rewarding realm of startups...

In this episode of The Spread, your host Cari Sekendur sits down with Karen Dobres, the driving force behind Lewes FC's Equality Campaign. Her work not only symbolizes her commitment to gender equality but also showcases how a football club can become a catalyst for societal change.

What sets Karen apart is her "outsider lens" approach to football, which has led to a more inclusive and appealing experience for women in the football community. From providing essential amenities like tampons in the stadium bathrooms to establishing breastfeeding stations and even offering prosecco on tap, Karen's innovative mindset...

Dive into the intersection of art and sport with Jasmine Maietta, Founder and CEO of Round21. Jasmine's journey from professional athlete to executive at brands like Reebok and Peloton has uniquely positioned her to bring a fresh take to the sports equipment market with her company, Round21.

Join us for a discussion on how Round21 is breaking new ground by infusing creativity into basketballs, ping pong paddles, apparel, and more. And, learn about their innovative approach to designing equipment that doubles as a canvas for artistic expression.

Learn about Round21's collaborations with iconic brands...

Liseli Sitali is a visionary leader in both sports marketing and social impact - advocating for women, especially Black women in sport. She has held a series of impressive leadership roles at top sports companies from DAZN to Sky Sports, and now as Director of Football and Music Partnerships at Expedia Group.

Join us as we delve into Liseli's remarkable story, where every chapter is underlined by her commitment to helping underrepresented voices succeed within sports. In this insightful conversation, Liseli reveals the intricacies of fostering partnerships that bridge the realms of sports and music and enlightens...

We delve into how the beloved brand, Honey Stinger, has made its mark in sports nutrition with two remarkable guests.

Cari Sekendur, your host, sits down with Wendy Mayo, VP of Marketing, and Luke Cherry, Sr. Director of Sports Marketing, for an enlightening conversation that unveils the creative forces propelling Honey Stinger's success.

We get to know Wendy Mayo, a visionary marketer with a deep background in sports nutrition, as she shares how Honey Stinger harnesses creativity to build a die-hard following and expand into new markets. Join us to gain insights into how the...

We dive into the world of sports media entrepreneurship with Chris Chavez, founder of CITIUS MAG. Join us as we explore how creativity fuels the success of CITIUS MAG, making following Track and Field more accessible for all fans of the sport.

We'll explore the transformative power of creativity in shaping the landscape of sports media and how CITIUS MAG has been at the forefront of this evolution.

In addition, we'll delve into the exciting re-brand and new website that Butter Studio recently created for CITIUS MAG. Gain insights into the collaborative journey between Chris...

Welcome to the first episode of The Spread! We delve into the extraordinary world of Goal Click, where creativity, business acumen, and the magic of disposable cameras intersect. Join host Cari Sekendur as she invites founder Matthew Barrett to take center stage, sharing the inspiration behind Goal Click's vision and the remarkable impact it has had on the global football community. Discover how this creative platform goes beyond traditional storytelling, starting with the unassuming medium of disposable cameras to uncover the soul of soccer in every corner of the globe.

Matthew's entrepreneurial journey unfolds, shedding light on...

Welcome to The Spread, a podcast where we delve into the creative side of sports by Butter Studio.