Know What Is Next
Want to learn more about the most talked about topics and trends in the sports business industry from the sports business executives who run it?Join Next League’s CEO David Nugent, a sports technology industry veteran and thought leader with over 20 years experience in the ever-changing technology services business. Tune in every week for insightful and engaging discussions on everything from artificial intelligence and fan engagement to the changing media landscape and the growth of women’s sports with the sports industry’s leading executives. For more on Next League, visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.
Building 40+ AI Tools IN-HOUSE: How the Portland Trail Blazers Are Solving Real Problems
What happens when you invite 30 employees from every corner of a sports organization to talk about what frustrates them most at work - and then actually build AI solutions around it?
At the Portland Trail Blazers, it sparked an AI transformation that’s saving hours, surfacing sales leads, and bringing fans closer to the brand.
In this episode, Christa Stout and David Long share how they’ve embedded innovation into the DNA of the Blazers not just through flashy tech, but by empowering their people. From internal tools like “David Detract...
Best Of: Data, AI, Tech & Disruption in Sports
We’ve officially hit the midpoint of the year, having released 20 episodes so far - so we thought we’d do something a little different.
In this Best Of episode, we’re revisiting some of the most compelling conversations on innovative and emerging technologies in sports. From AI-driven scouting, how leagues are navigating decentralized media consumption, to immersive fan experiences and cutting-edge data platforms, this episode showcases the forward-thinking ideas that are shaping the future of sports business.
You’ll hear from the following guests:
(0:50) Shripal...Scaling PWHL and Selling 19,000 Seats in 45 Minutes with Jayne Bussman-Wise
What do you get when you launch a brand new women’s hockey league, sell out 19,000 seats mid-flight, and redefine how sports content is created and consumed, all in year 1?
Jayne Bussman-Wise, VP of Growth Strategy and New Ventures at the PWHL, is here to discuss what’s driving the PWHL’s explosive growth in its first two seasons.
Jayne unpacks the league’s unconventional startup structure and how that nimbleness allows them to test bold ideas, like a 9 city Takeover Tour and live podcast programming. She also discusse...
PGA TOUR Studios & Next-Gen Golf Broadcasting with Luis Goicouria
When you’re producing more live golf coverage than anyone in the world, the technology behind the scenes better be world-class. Enter Luis Goicouria, SVP of Media at the PGA TOUR, who reveals how the league has transformed into a media powerhouse.
Think drone-mapped golf courses, patented ball-tracking AI, and a brand-new 165,000-square-foot production hub that rivals any in pro sports.
Seven live feeds are produced weekly, including ESPN+’s PGA TOUR LIVE and newly launched global “world feeds” tailored for international audiences. Luis explains how the TOUR now handles both “ab...
Inside NASCAR’s $60M Media Bet with Brian Herbst, EVP
What do you do when Amazon wants your media rights, but not your production headaches? If you’re NASCAR, you build a $60 MILLION dollar, 58,000-square-foot facility from scratch to solve the problem.
This week, Brian Herbst, EVP and Chief Media & Revenue Officer at NASCAR is here to share the bold moves behind NASCAR’s $7.7 billion media rights strategy. He shares the inside story of how NASCAR landed Amazon, TNT/Max, and The CW as new media partners, even while simultaneously producing every second of the NASCAR XFINITY Series in-house.
You’ll hear how the...
Why Big Brands Are Losing Fans with Perkins Miller, CEO of Fandom
Perkins Miller, CEO of Fandom, is sharing his playbook on digital transformation inside some of the world’s most iconic media and sports organizations: NBC, the NFL, WWE, and now Fandom.
Perkins opens up about the balance between speed, scale, and accuracy when delivering enterprise-grade digital experiences. From broadcasting 10,000 hours of Olympic video to building the WWE Network from scratch, he shares why strategic planning and risk tolerance shape organizational success in tech.
AND, he doesn’t shy away from addressing how large media brands are losing touch with today’s consumer behaviors - especia...
Leading Women’s Golf Into the Future with Liz Moore of the LPGA
It’s a pivotal time in women’s sports, and today we’re having a wide-ranging conversation about the future of women’s golf, and what it means to lead one of the longest-standing professional women’s sports organizations in the world.
Interim Commissioner Liz Moore brings over a decade of experience in legal, tech, and international operations to her role, and offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at steering the LPGA through its 75th anniversary and beyond.
From the Tour’s expansion across 14 countries to its mission to empower the next generation of women and girls, Li...
The USOPC on LA28, Storytelling, and Next-Gen Olympics
The Olympic and Paralympic Games are evolving, and so are the strategies behind them.
Katie Bynum Aznavorian, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee shares how the USOPC is evolving from a four-year event cycle to a year-round engagement model, fueled by digital personalization, athlete storytelling, and initiatives like Making Team USA.
She breaks down the intentional strategies behind the success of the Paris Games, the unique challenges of Milan Cortina's distributed setup, and how LA28 presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unite all 50 states in a nationwide celebration of s...
How the USGA is Elevating Women, Youth, and Adaptive Athletes
What does the future of golf look like, and who’s making it happen?
In this episode, Jon Podany, Chief Commercial Officer of the USGA, joins Dave to explore the bold investments and innovations reshaping the sport. You’ll hear how they’ve built a pipeline of young talent with the U.S. National Development Program, AND how they’ve transformed the fan experience.
The USGA is elevating women's golf through landmark prize purses and broadcast deals, creating global momentum with the Adaptive Open, and driving engagement with off-course formats like TGL.
Together...
NASCAR’s CTO on the Bold Digital Bet That Transformed the Sport
How did NASCAR reclaim its digital media rights and bring its tech capabilities in-house? CTO John Martin says it wasn’t just a business move - it was a cultural shift requiring executive buy-in, a long-term strategic plan, and the courage to say no to licensing checks in favor of direct fan relationships.
John walks us through the early hurdles of going independent, the learning curves of live sports tech, and the unexpected wins that followed. He also shares insights on the changing dynamics of fan engagement, the rise of international drivers, and the ro...
Kenyon Rasheed on Athlete Intelligence and Winning the Recruiting Game with Edge3
What if athlete intelligence became the real competitive edge in college sports?
Former NFL player, entrepreneur, and Next League leader Kenyon Rasheed is here to share his journey from the football field to the forefront of sports innovation. Drawing from his experience at Oklahoma and beyond, Kenyon reveals how he built Edge3, a groundbreaking platform helping athletes and organizations use intelligence, data, and human insight to drive better outcomes.
As the landscape of college sports is shifting with the rise of the transfer portal, NIL deals, and roster volatility, Kenyon...
Why Investing in Women's Sports Changes Everything, with Danette Leighton
What does it REALLY take to fuel the explosive growth of women’s sports and ensure it lasts?
From grassroots grants to elite athlete support, Danette Leighton, CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, shares how her organization is tackling inequality and building a healthier, more inclusive future for sports.
Danette and Dave explore how legislation like Title IX set the foundation for today’s momentum, and why it’s still just the beginning. With stats to back it up, she explains the direct links between sports participation and leadership, mental health, academic performance, and econo...
How Cosm Is Transforming Live Sports with LED Domes, 8K Video, and Unreal Engine with Devin Poolman
What if you could watch a live UFC fight or a Premier League match in a dome-shaped venue designed for immersive, shared experiences? Devin Poolman, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Cosm, joins the show to share how his team is reinventing live entertainment.
Devin dives into the origin story of Cosm and how they use planetarium technology, 8K live capture, and Unreal Engine-powered rendering. These cinematic viewing environments blur the lines between tech, storytelling, and hospitality.
Whether you're in the sports industry, media production, or tech innovation, you'll gain...
Optical Tracking, RSN Disruption, and NBA Tech with Chris Benyarko
In a streaming-first world, how does the NBA keep fans engaged while reimagining the local broadcast model?
Chris Benyarko, EVP of Direct-to-Consumer Products at the NBA, is here for a compelling conversation around the NBA’s approach to innovation (not just through flashy tech!) through a deep understanding of their global fans and evolving content consumption habits.
You’ll hear about the NBA's personalized fan experiences, the complexities and opportunities of going global, and how technologies like optical tracking are changing everything from officiating to mixed-reality broadcasts.
Chris also shares candi...
Inside the Sports Rights Shakeup with Doug Perlman
One of the most trusted voices in the sports industry is joining the show today to unpack the seismic shifts reshaping how games are distributed, monetized, and consumed.
Doug Perlman, Founder of Sports Media Advisors and former media executive at the NHL and IMG, is bringing his decades of experience to a wide-ranging conversation on the business of sports in 2025.
Doug and Dave dig into why women’s sports are finally commanding real commercial value, how college sports have become a minefield of media rights, NIL, and transfer portal chaos, and what it means now...
How MLB is Using AI, Streaming, and Tech to Shape the Fan Experience with Chris Marinak
Major League Baseball is a leader in sports technology and innovation. In this episode, Chris Marinak, Chief Operations & Strategy Officer at MLB, takes us inside the league’s evolving approach to tech.
You’ll hear about their groundbreaking partnerships with Apple and Google, their use of AI, data analytics, AND streaming advancements to enhance the fan experience.
Chris also shares insights on how MLB is using technology to engage younger fans, improve media distribution, and expand globally. Recent rule changes even lead to one of the most successful attendance surges in decades!
...
The Business Strategy Behind PWHL and the Future of Women's Hockey with Amy Scheer
The Professional Women’s Hockey League has rapidly grown into a powerhouse in women’s sports.
Amy Scheer, EVP of Business Operations at the Professional Women’s Hockey League chats with Dave and shares her career journey from working with the New Jersey Nets and Madison Square Garden to leading the business side of the PWHL.
She offers an insider’s look at the league's expansion plans, the business strategy behind its rapid growth, and how the team is navigating challenges as a startup.
Amy also discusses the league’s impressive fan engagement...
How NASCAR Is Turning 200 MPH Data into Dollars with Tim Clark
NASCAR collects an astonishing amount of data, from cars racing at 200 MPH to the digital footprints of millions of fans.
But how much data is TOO much to the point where you overwhelm a new fan, and how much is just enough that they get an appreciation for it?
Today we’re talking to Tim Clark, NASCAR’s Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, to discuss how the brand is using data to redefine fan engagement, including his take on how AI and predictive analytics could transform race-day operations and sponsorship opportunities.
T...
Leading Team USA, LA 2028, & The Future of the Olympics with Sarah Hirshland
What does it take to lead Team USA on the world’s biggest stage?
Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee is here to pull back the curtain on the high-stakes world of Olympic leadership — where sports, politics, and global competition collide.
With her deep experience in sports business and governance, she and David discuss the high-stakes decisions behind resource allocation, how Team USA prepares for global competition, and what the future holds as the Olympics return to U.S. soil in 2028.
Sarah also reveals behind-the-scenes details from the Paris...
The Business of Golf: Tech, Partnerships & The Ryder Cup with Jeff Price
What does it take to grow golf from 26 million to 45 million players in just a few years while adapting to shifting fan expectations?
Jeff Price, Chief Commercial Officer at the PGA of America, chats with David to explore the evolving role of technology, media, and partnerships in shaping the future of this 2 billion dollar industry.
Jeff shares insights into the PGA’s massive Frisco, Texas campus and how it’s transforming player development, industry collaboration, and fan engagement. He also dives into the explosive growth of women’s golf, the significance of the hybrid golfer...
Scott Gutterman on Fan Engagement and the Future of Sports Media
What does it take to revolutionize digital media in professional sports?
In this episode, Next League’s David Nugent sits down with Scott Gutterman, SVP of Digital Operations at the PGA TOUR, to discuss the evolving intersection of sports, technology, and fan engagement.
Scott shares fascinating insights from his tenure leading the PGA Tour’s digital transformation, including pivotal decisions AND complexities of managing real-time data for a global audience.
From the early challenges of migrating to a cloud-based infrastructure to the rise of generative AI, Scott explains how the PGA T...
How AI is Reshaping Sports and Driving MILLIONS in Ticket Sales with Shripal Shah
AI is the future, and it’s playing a transformative role in sports.
Shripal Shah is a sports and retail industry veteran, here to share all of the latest innovations in AI in 2025, including how tools like Persado are contributing to $5 million dollars in ticket sales for half a dozen baseball teams in the MLB.
Dave and Shripal discuss AI-driven content creation, how overseas teams are experimenting with AI to predict crowd noises, and specifically, how AI is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s completely reshaping fan engag...
