Episode 140 | In this episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee, David and Tim open with a wide-ranging look at the evolving power structure of college football — from conference brinkmanship and private equity to leadership dynamics at the highest levels of the sport.
The conversation then shifts to purpose and impact with Flo Bryan, Chief Corporate Alliance Officer at Make-A-Wish, exploring how sports marketing principles can drive meaningful outcomes well beyond the field.
In this episode:
🏈 A deep dive into college football power dynamics, leadership, and institutional credibility
🔥 Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark vs. Notre Dame, calling Pete Bevacqua’s comments “egregious” and escalating conference rhetoric
💼 The Big 12’s credit deal with RedBird Capital and Weatherford Capital — and what it signals for the future of conferences
💰 Utah’s reported $500M private equity deal with Otro Capital and its broader implications for college athletics
🚨 The latest University of Michigan football scandal, with head coach Sherrone Moore fired for cause
🎤 Vanderbilt QB and Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia’s outburst at the Heisman voting academy — and the apology that followed
🏁 The NASCAR settlement with two teams and why it could reshape the sport’s competitive and business landscape
🌟 Featured conversation with Flo Bryan (Make-A-Wish):
• Her career spanning sports and nonprofit leadership
• The intersection of sports marketing and cause marketing
• Applying lessons from elite sports organizations to drive impact in the nonprofit world
From boardrooms to locker rooms to wish-granting, this episode examines what it truly means to lead from ahead in modern sports — and beyond.
Wait, What?
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 139 |
David and Tim roll out their first-ever special episode to break down the high-stakes antitrust case recently settled between Front Row Motorsports, 23XI Racing, and NASCAR.
They’re joined by Sports Business Journal motorsports insider Adam Stern, who had a front-row seat to every twist and turn after spending nearly two weeks inside the courtroom.
Adam delivers fresh insight into how the settlement came together before pulling listeners inside the trial itself — unpacking pivotal testimony, unexpected revelations, and the strategic maneuvers that shaped both sides’ cases.
He closes with a forward-looking assessment of what this outcome means for NASCAR, its teams, and the broader future of the sport.
𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀. 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 & 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀.
𝙒𝙖𝙞𝙩, 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩?
Episode 138 |
DP & McGhee are fired up to welcome Michael Payne, the former head of marketing for the International Olympic Committee and author of the new book Fast Tracks and Dark Deals, for a deep dive into his 50-year journey through the global sports industry. Payne shares stories from the Olympic movement, his high-stakes work with Bernie Ecclestone at Formula 1, and encounters with sports business giants including past guests Rob Prazmark and Terence Burns.
Before his segment, the guys run through a lively mix of soccer, college football, and sponsorship headlines.
🎭 A FIFA Draw That Drew…Criticism
A breakdown of the widely panned made-for-TV FIFA Draw — plus more than one laugh at the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.
⚽ MLS Cup Delivers the Beautiful Game
A look at the Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps clash and why it reaffirmed soccer’s timeless appeal.
🏈 College Football Playoff Frustration
David and Tim discuss the upcoming CFP and Notre Dame’s reasonable disappointment at being left out of the top 12, but question their decision to opt out of a bowl game appearance.
💼 Spotlight on Sponsorships
Quick hits on:
PayPal’s new NFL partnership
Toyota Gazoo Racing becoming new title partner of Haas F1, replacing DP's former employer, MoneyGram
The first-ever college jersey patch sponsor
🏅 Michael Payne Joins the Show
Five decades of lessons from the man who helped build the modern Olympic commercial model — and later navigated the high-stakes world of Formula 1.
—
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
𝙒𝙖𝙞𝙩, 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩?
𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟯𝟳 | In this episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee, David and Tim welcome sports business leader Sarah Cummins, CEO of World Sevens Football. Sarah shares her dynamic career journey—from an early internship with the New York Mets to influential roles at WWE, the USTA, and New York Road Runners—before taking the helm of an ambitious new women’s soccer property.
It’s a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, innovation, and what it takes to build a sports brand from the ground up.
Before Sarah joins, DP & McGhee dive into the latest headlines:
🏈 Lane Kiffin Leaves Ole Miss — The guys break down Kiffin’s departure, his long history of abrupt exits and firings, and what this move means for the SEC and college football landscape.
🏎️ NASCAR vs. 23XI & Front Row Motorsports Trial — An update on the legal battle, the financial stakes, and whether a settlement might be brewing.
⚽ MLS Cup Heads to South Florida — A marquee Messi vs. Müller showdown and what it means for MLS’s visibility and momentum.
📺 MLB’s New Media Rights Deal — DP gives a crisp overview of the newly announced package and its implications for teams, fans, and broadcasters.
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 136 | In this episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee, the guys welcome Campus Multimedia Founder & CEO Karl Mawhinney for a deep dive into how brands can authentically connect with K–12 schools across the country.
Karl shares how lessons from his collegiate sports career translate to elementary, middle, and high school environments — and how his platform, SponsorPlace, supports principals, administrators, and athletic directors navigating today’s rapidly changing landscape.
Before Karl joins, DP & McGhee tackle a busy week in sports business news:
⚽ MLS Shakes Things Up — The league unveils a major shift as it prepares to align with the global football calendar in 2027.
📺 A More Accessible MLS — A tweak to the Apple TV deal expected to make match access easier for supporters.
🛰️ Disney & YouTubeTV Make Peace — David breathes a sigh of relief as ESPN and other Disney networks return to the platform.
🏀 NBA All-Star Game Tweaks — Both hosts cautiously praise the updated format, though Tim questions how international stars may be affected.
🎲 Another Betting Scandal? — The guys weigh in on a developing story tied to alleged gambling activity in Turkish football.
Wait, What?
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟯𝟱 | In this episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee, the guys cover a full slate of breaking stories — and a powerful conversation with one of NASCAR’s most respected executives. From gambling scandals to leadership legacies, they explore what it really means to “lead from ahead.”
🎰 𝗠𝗟𝗕’𝘀 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘆 — and what it means for the league’s integrity
📺 𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗡 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘀 — what went wrong and what’s next
🏈 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝘂𝗲’𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 on the NFL
🏟️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗.𝗖. 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀
🏁 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗻, 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝗼𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗯𝗯𝘀 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀:
• The winning culture Joe Gibbs has built over 30+ years
• What makes JGR stand apart in the NASCAR landscape
• His take on the current and future NASCAR championship format
Leadership, integrity, and culture — it’s all on the track in this week’s Wait, What?Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟯𝟰 | David and Tim are in full nostalgia mode this week as they count down their 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. From classics to cult favorites, there’s some overlap, plenty of surprises, and a few shocking omissions — you’ll have to tune in to hear which films made their lists.
In between cinematic debates, the guys dive into some of the biggest stories in sports business this week:
⚾ 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗿𝗮𝗽-𝗨𝗽: A championship that delivered both on the field and in the ratings — why this one was a win for MLB.🏁 𝗡𝗔𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗿𝘆: Kyle Larson clinches his second Cup Series title, capping an extraordinary season, and denying Denny Hamlin is much-coveted championship.
🏈 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗹: Another week, another firing — this time Auburn parts ways with Hugh Freeze.
⛳𝗟𝗜𝗩 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗳 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀: New developments from the still-upstart tour and what it means for golf’s future.
🏀 𝗛𝗮𝘄𝗸𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲: An Atlanta Hawks executive accused of embezzlement.
📺 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵: David shares his personal stake in the Disney vs. YouTube TV dispute, with insights on how these standoffs impact fans and networks alike.
🎬 Whether you’re a movie buff or a sportsbiz junkie, this episode is a fun mix of nostalgia, news, and no-holds-barred opinions from DP & McGhee.
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business. 𝙒𝙖𝙞𝙩, 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩?
David and Tim dive deep into the NBA betting scandal that’s sending shockwaves through the sports world. After warning for more than two years that something like this was bound to happen, they break down what it means for the league, the players, and the broader sports betting ecosystem.
🎰 NBA Betting Scandal
Will Adam Silver testify before Congress?
The American Gaming Association’s warning to leagues about prediction market companies
Jaylen Brown’s comments on the lack of gambling education for players
⚾ World Series Watch
Shohei Ohtani and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continue to dazzle as they lead the Dodgers and Blue Jays
🏈 College Football Shake-Up
Brian Kelly is out — another high-profile firing (and another hefty buyout)
⚽ Messi’s New Deal
Lionel Messi re-signs with Inter Miami, extending his contract through 2028
🏁 Final Lap
Honoring Jets legend Nick Mangold and previewing the NASCAR Championship race
Episode 133 of Wait, What?
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 132 |
David and Tim are back and tipping off this week’s show with one of the NBA’s most respected executives — Ted Dalton, Executive Vice President and Chief Partnership Officer of the Boston Celtics. Ted shares insights from his 21-year career with the storied franchise, talks about the upcoming season, and explains how the Celtics’ culture drives everything the organization does, on and off the court.
Before welcoming their guest, DP & McGhee cover a fast-paced mix of global sports business headlines — from billion-dollar media deals to coaching carousel chaos.
Highlights from the episode:
🏎️ Apple’s F1 Power Play — The tech giant is making another big push into live sports, agreeing to pay over $140 million per year for Formula 1 media rights starting in 2026.
⚽ FIFA Balancing Act — The world’s soccer governing body faces pressure to appease leadership while keeping the 2026 World Cup preparations on track, and also announced a plan to help rebuild soccer fields in Gaza.
⚾ October Baseball Drama — The hosts preview the World Series showdown between Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Blue Jays, highlighting the global appeal of MLB’s biggest stage.
🎓 College Coaching Carousel — It’s that time of year again, as Jay Norvell (Colorado State) and Billy Napier (Florida) join the list of fired FBS coaches. So far, nine schools have paid over $100 million in buyouts this season alone.
🍀 Guest Spotlight: Ted Dalton, Boston Celtics
Reflects on two decades with the Celtics and the evolution of NBA partnerships
Explains how “Celtic culture” drives decision-making across the organization
Previews the upcoming season and what’s ahead for Celtics Nation
Shares insights on building long-term sponsor relationships in a changing sports landscape
Another lively mix of sports business insights, headlines, and humor on Wait, What? — Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 131 | DP & McGhee
David and Tim are back with another jam-packed episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee, starting with a lively breakdown of the latest college football controversies — from chaos in Happy Valley to NCAA policy debates that could reshape the future of college athletics.
Then, they welcome Wade Martin, COO and CEO, Baseball at Unrivaled Sports, for an in-depth conversation about the state of youth sports, sponsor engagement opportunities, and his own fascinating journey through the business of sports.
Highlights from the episode:
🏈 College Football Fireworks — The guys dissect the turmoil at Penn State, where coach James Franklin’s firing has sparked questions from the board of trustees over a new Adidas deal featuring an $500,000 product allowance for the athletic director.
🕵️♂️ UNC Under Scrutiny — A Tar Heels cornerbacks coach is under investigation for providing impermissible benefits to a player’s parents.
🎰 Betting & Branding on Campus — The NCAA is weighing whether to allow student-athletes to bet on pro sports and sell jersey patches to sponsors — opening new commercial frontiers (and new ethical debates).
⚾ MLB Playoffs & Paydays — David mourns his Cubs’ early exit before he and Tim dig into the upcoming CBA negotiations and the growing talk of an MLB salary cap.
🏀 NBA & WNBA Buzz — The NBA makes its return to China, while Tim goes out on a limb with a bold prediction about the new WNBA commissioner.
Guest Spotlight: Wade Martin (Unrivaled Sports) — The Unrivaled Sports COO/CEO joins the show to talk:
The evolution of youth sports and its booming ecosystem
Opportunities for brand sponsors to authentically engage families and communities
The future of youth baseball and its place in the larger sports landscape
Wade’s career path and lessons from building successful organizations across multiple sports sectors
Another week, another mix of insight, debate, and fun on Wait, What?
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 130
David and Tim are back with another jam-packed episode of Wait, What? — diving into the latest headlines across the sports industry with their trademark mix of insight and humor. From the WNBA’s contrasting narratives to record TV ratings and eyebrow-raising political involvement in sports, they cover it all.
🏀 WNBA: A Tale of Two Stories — The on-court product has never been better with the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury in the Finals, but off the court, a tense labor standoff continues between players (led by Napheesa Collier) and ownership (represented by Cathy Engelbert).
🏈 Mark Sanchez Situation — The guys discuss the troubling developments surrounding the former Jets QB and current Fox Sports announcer.
⚾ MLB Wild Card Ratings Surge — ESPN celebrates a massive 64% increase in viewership for the Wild Card Series compared to 2024.
💸 Money Talks — LIV Golf reports staggering losses of almost $462 million, while NBCUniversal nearly sells out its NBA ad inventory months before tipoff.
🤝 Sponsorship Spotlights —
• David highlights Starbucks’ new partnership with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
• Tim salutes AT&T for renewing its long-running sponsorship of the NCAA and March Madness.
🏛️ Politics Meets Sports — The current administration takes center stage with a flurry of moves and statements affecting the sports world — from FIFA World Cup visa denials and ICE threats at the Super Bowl to UFC’s bold plans for an event on the White House lawn.
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Wait, What?
Episode 129
David and Tim are in class with three distinguished educators who are shaping the next generation of sports business leaders: Andy Clark (DePaul University), Keith Cutler (Montclair State University), and Mary Scott (Columbia University). This episode dives into the evolution of academic programs, the critical importance of industry connections, and how students can best prepare for a successful career in the sports world.
Topics this week include:
⛳️ Ryder Cup Recap – DP & McGhee weigh in on the competition and the poor behavior of some American fans.
🎤 Super Bowl Halftime News – The NFL names global superstar Bad Bunny as the next halftime performer.
🏫 Sports Management Education – Our guests discuss the evolution of programs, the importance of industry ties, and how students can best prepare for sportsbiz careers.
🏀 WNBA Labor Tensions – Napheesa Collier's pointed comments raise questions about the growing divide between players and owners ahead of collective bargaining.
𝘞𝘢𝘪𝘵, 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵? Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 128
DP & McGhee are joined by legendary sports marketer Tom Fox, whose remarkable career has spanned leadership roles at Nike, Gatorade, Wasserman, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and the San Jose Earthquakes. Tom shares behind-the-scenes stories from his journey and offers sharp insights into the rapidly evolving sports business landscape.
Before Tom joins, David and Tim break down the week’s biggest sports business headlines — from game-changing tech in baseball to major stadium developments across the U.S.
This episode covers:
📊 Nielsen’s new methodology – What it means for sponsorship values and media rights fees
⚾ MLB’s ABS System – How automated balls and strikes could change the game forever
🏈 Tom Brady’s potential competitive edge as an NFL owner given his role at Fox Sports
🏟️ Stadium shake-ups – Big updates in D.C., Cleveland, and Chicago with ripple effects for fans and franchises
🌟 Tom Fox’s storied career – Lessons from decades shaping the global sports industry
An episode packed with insider knowledge, bold predictions, and smart takes from one of the legends of the business.
Wait, What?
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 127 | DP & McGhee
This week’s episode features a wide-ranging conversation with Mark Wright, VP of Media & Sponsorships at AT&T. From his early career at AB InBev to leading sponsorship strategy at one of the world’s biggest brands, Mark shares insights on career growth, brand respect, and the importance of measuring partnerships.
Alongside our guest spotlight, DP & McGhee dive into the week’s biggest stories shaping the business of sports:
🏀 Clippers Controversy – Steve Ballmer invested another $10M into Aspiration, the company at the center of allegations involving a $28M Kawhi Leonard endorsement payment.
💼 NBA Reorganization – Two former podcast guests take on expanded leadership roles in a sweeping league restructuring.
🏆 WNBA Playoffs & News – Playoff updates, looming work stoppage talk, and the proposed sale of the Connecticut Sun.
🎾 US Open Surge – Record-breaking viewership and historic attendance milestones in Flushing.
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Wait, What?
Episode 126 | DP & McGhee
No guest? No problem. David and Tim fire up the mics for a packed episode covering the biggest stories in sports business — with sharp insights and a touch of humor.
Here’s what you’ll hear this week:
🏈 NFL Week 1 Ratings — Eagles-Cowboys nearly set a record (until weather interfered), and YouTube delivers solid numbers for Chiefs-Chargers. But should they have been bigger?
💰 Super Bowl Ad Frenzy — NBC sells out Super Bowl LX at a record pace, locking in $8M per :30. With the Super Bowl, Winter Olympics, and NBA All-Star Game all in Q1 2026, NBC is sitting on a media jackpot.
🏀 NBA Salary Cap Scandal? — Kawhi Leonard allegedly received $28M for a “no-show” endorsement deal, raising questions about whether owner Steve Ballmer is skirting cap rules.
🤝 Spotlight on Sponsorships — Two major deals: American Express replaces Visa as the NFL’s credit card sponsor, and Tide cleans up with a new NWSL deal.
🌍 Around the Sports World — From presidential game-day cameos to F1 keeping Monaco on the calendar, plus final thoughts on the U.S. Open.
A full slate of sportsbiz insights, hot takes, and the occasional nonsense — exactly what you expect from Wait, What?
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 125 | DP & McGhee
David and Tim return from the long weekend ready to dive into a packed episode filled with college football, NASCAR drama, and Ryder Cup anticipation. From major wins on the field to intense battles off of it, this episode covers the latest developments across multiple sports while featuring two powerhouse guests from the world of golf.
Here’s what they cover:
🏈 College Football Kickoff
UNC gets trounced in their season opener.
Florida State makes a statement with a huge win over Alabama.
ESPN's College GameDay posts record ratings as they bid farewell to Lee Corso in his retirement send-off.
🏎️ NASCAR News & Drama
Intense legal battles heat up between NASCAR, 23XI Racing, and Front Row Motorsports — a fight that’s now public and very personal.
🏁 Motorsports Spotlight
Big storylines in F1, including success of F1 the Movie and major sponsorship news surrounding McLaren.
⛳ Ryder Cup Special Guests
DP and McGhee are joined by Jeff Price, Chief Commercial and Philanthropy Officer of the PGA of America, and Richard Bunn, Chief Revenue and Content Officer of the DP World Tour, to discuss:
What makes the Ryder Cup one of the most unique and exciting events in sports.
Their go-to-market strategy for attracting and retaining commercial partnerships.
The impressive lineup of blue-chip sponsors backing the event.
This episode brings a perfect mix of analysis, breaking news, and insider perspectives — a must-listen for sports business fans as the fall season heats up!
—
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Wait, What?
𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟮𝟰 | 𝗗𝗣 & 𝗠𝗰𝗚𝗵𝗲𝗲
In this episode, David and Tim sit down with Keith Gill, Commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference, for an open and wide-ranging conversation on the future of college sports. Gill shares his perspective on the College Football Playoff expansion, the transfer portal, and reflects on his own journey as a student-athlete at Duke University.
Before Gill joins the show, DP & McGhee break down some of the hottest topics in sports business:
⛳ PGA TOUR initiative: CEO Brian Rolapp establishes a new Future Competition Committee, with Tiger Woods as chair
⚾ MLB’s evolving media strategy: Netflix secures streaming rights to the Home Run Derby
🏀 NBA ownership moves: Finalization of the Celtics and Trail Blazers team sales
👏 WNBA milestone: Record-setting league attendance
And, a tribute to a motorsports marketing legend, Humpy Wheeler. 🏁
A jam-packed episode covering pro leagues, media, and the ever-changing college sports landscape.
𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗲𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗶𝗹𝗹, 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗻 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁, 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁?
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 123 | DP & McGhee
In this episode, David Paro and Tim McGhee kick things off with their signature Spotlight on Sponsorships before diving into big stories across the sports business landscape. They wrap things up with a conversation with Ahmad Nassar, Executive Director of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) and CEO of Winners Alliance.
✨ Spotlight on Sponsorships
🏟️ Olympic Venue Naming Rights – LA2028 makes history by selling venue naming rights, while iconic sites like Dodger Stadium and the Rose Bowl remain untouched.
🚗 NASCAR Series Title Change – O’Reilly Auto Parts replaces Xfinity as the title sponsor of NASCAR’s second series, creating a strong endemic fit.
🪖 USAA & NFL – USAA renews its long-standing partnership with the NFL, with DP highlighting Tim’s role in the original deal.
📑 Around the Leagues
🏒 NHL CBA Quietly Renewed – A major labor milestone passes with little fanfare.
🏈 Football Headlines – Updates on the Brian Flores discrimination case, more turbulence within the NFLPA, and NCAA sanctions for Michigan football.
🎾 Guest Spotlight: Ahmad Nassar
David and Tim welcome Ahmad Nassar, Executive Director of the PTPA and CEO of Winners Alliance. He shares:
The PTPA’s mission to give tennis players a stronger collective voice and improve their careers both on and off the court.
The difference and similarities between various players associations.
His experience as a leader at NFL Players, Inc.
Wait, What?
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Episode 122 | DP & McGhee
Co-hosts David Paro and Tim McGhee open with a sharp look at recent headline-making moves in sports media. They break down the NFL’s $2.5B stake in ESPN—part of a massive $25B valuation—and Fox Sports’ strategic investment in IndyCar, exploring how these deals could reshape the sports broadcast and rights landscape.
The discussion then tackles the troubling persistence of sexism and misogyny in sports. DP & McGhee address incidents like sex toys being thrown onto the court at WNBA games, and examine both the progress and pushback faced by Jen Pawol, MLB’s first female umpire, who recently made history in Atlanta.
This week’s guest is Liz DiLullo Brown, EVP and Chief Marketing & Business Relationships Officer for Little League International. Liz shares insights from the just-completed Little League Softball World Series and previews the Little League World Series, beginning August 13 in Williamsport, PA. She explains how Little League is evolving to stay culturally relevant and details the organization’s growing partnership with Major League Baseball to inspire the next generation of athletes.
𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀. 𝗢𝗰𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 & 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀.
𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁, 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁?
Episode 121 | DP & McGhee
In this Legends Series episode of Wait, What? Sportsbiz Chat with DP & McGhee, co-hosts David Paro and Tim McGhee sit down with industry pioneer Frank Vuono — a true architect of the modern sports marketing era. From supercharging the NFL’s licensing operation in the 1980s to co-founding ISI and 16W Marketing, Frank shares hard-earned insights and behind-the-scenes stories from a remarkable career spent working with some of the biggest names in sports.
But first, DP & McGhee run through another wild week in sports:
⚽ MLS Mashup: No vote yet on switching to the international soccer calendar — plus Messi and Jordi Alba face suspensions after skipping the All-Star Game.
🧠 NFL HQ Shooting & CTE: A tragic incident at the NFL’s office building leads to broader questions around mental health and its connection to CTE — a thread picked up from last week's powerful convo with Leonard Marshall.
⚾ Legends Lost: Honoring two icons — baseball great Ryne Sandberg and wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan.
💥 Bryce vs. The Boss: Bryce Harper stirs the pot again, this time calling out MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred.
Smart takes. Occasional nonsense. Always at the corner of Sports & Business.
Bold conversations. Real legends. Only on Wait, What?