Going For It!

In a special episode of Going For It, host Ben Crook is joined by PSP CEO Jason Kohll and COO Tamara Lupo as they take a trip down memory lane as the agency celebrates its 10 year anniversary. Jason and Tamara explain the agency's vision and explore the growth experienced over the past decade, and we hear from several "early adopters" of PSP as they share their experiences with the agency and reminisce on some stories from our first 10 years.

Gretchen Sheirr joins PSP's Ben Crook and Jason Kohll for a conversation about her role at the Rockets, being one of a handful of female execs in the NBA, and her growth through the organization after 20 years with the team. Sheirr also discusses how the Rockets have kept their fanbase engaged and active during a rebuilding period, and what flexibility that allows that maybe isn't available when the team on the court is a championship contender.

Amanda Mann was on the forefront of the Covid-19 pandemic as the GM of the Moda Center, home of the Portland Trailblazers. She chats with PSP's Ben Crook and Tamara Lupo about how they had to react to the pandemic and how it's changed venue operations as fans have returned. Mann also shares her experience in founding the Portland chapter of WISE (Women in Sports & Entertainment), and how she's made connections with fellow female GMs in a field traditionally dominated by men. Finally, we look ahead to what's coming in the sports and entertainment industry and the one thing that she recommends building for with a new venue or renovations.

While still not fully decriminalized across the United States, the cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country and is primed to make waves in the sports sponsorship world as perceptions, league rules, and state and federal laws evolve. Dustin Smalley is the CEO of Bird Rock Group, a cannabis consulting firm, which has recently partnered with Professional Sports Partners to help cannabis companies explore opportunities within the sports landscape to highlight the health and wellness benefits of their products. Dustin speaks with host Ben Crook and PSP CEO Jason Kohll about the partnership, the changing landscape of the young cannabis industry, and the category's future in sports.

As we prepare for the start of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo (in the summer of 2021), host Ben Crook speaks with the CEO of USA Triathlon, Rocky Harris. Harris shares how USA Triathlon and their Olympic athletes are approaching this summer after last year's postponement, plus how USA Triathlon's mission extends beyond the Games to its members at the amateur levels. Harris also dives into how participatory sports such as triathlon are driving partnerships, and how he views USA Triathlon's role in caring for athletes' well-being and growing diversity within the sport.

This episode, we're excited to welcome our friend J.W. Cannon, Senior Director of Sports Alliances at the American Cancer Society. ACS has strategic partnerships across the sports landscape, from the NFL to college basketball and more, and J.W. provides insight into how his team and PSP work together to maximize those partnerships to tell ACS's story and support the organization's broader mission to fight cancer and support those affected by it. Plus, J.W. shares his journey through 20+ years in the sports marketing industry and the trends he's watching closely going forward.

In this episode, Eventellect co-founder Patrick Ryan joins Ben Crook and Jason Kohll of Professional Sports Partners for a wide-ranging conversation on live event ticketing trends during and coming out of the pandemic, what he sees successful teams doing to engage their fans even without in-venue touchpoints, how the pandemic may affect our expectations for live event experiences, and the one thing he would be doing right now to his venue if he was a sports team owner.

Former NWSL Vice President of Business Development – and current Washington Spirit President of Business Operations – Lindsay Barenz joins host Ben Crook to discuss the growth of the NWSL over the past year, even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Barenz shares how she worked with partners to quickly develop new assets to go along with the changing experience of live sports, her optimism for the rise of women's sports in general, and tells her story of how she muscled her way into soccer after years in law and politics.

Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes joins host Ben Crook to discuss his new book, "The Winning Game Plan" and his two-plus decades of experience in the sports industry. Rootes has been a prolific "starter", helping launch the Columbus Crew and Major League Soccer in the '90s, coming to the Texans at the start in the early 2000s, as well as bringing in a bowl game and high-profile international soccer matches through Lone Star Sports and Entertainment. He discusses why he's taken on these challenges, and how the mindset changes for him as projects go from start-ups to institutions – all while building consistent business success. You can find more about Rootes and his book at JameyRootes.com.

Mike Davis, self-titled "Head Brand Guy" for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and founder/executive producer of Dirty Mo Media, joins this episode to discuss how he approaches partnerships for one of the most popular drivers in racing history, and how that approach has shifted as Dale Jr.'s personal brand has evolved from a young rockstar to a retired father. Davis also chats with host Carson Tinker about how he got his start in the industry by sending hundreds of unsolicited resumes, and how NASCAR has fared in the coronavirus pandemic.

With more than 20 years of professional and collegiate sports experience, Tom Fletcher has just about seen it all. From helping build 24 Hour Fitness's sports sponsorship portfolio to now as SVP of Marketing Partnerships with the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, Tom shares thoughts and stories from his perspective seeing the sports marketing business grow over the past few decades. Tom also dives into the current partnership climate, from pursuing new business and taking care of current clients during the coronavirus pandemic to working with athletes and brands on social issues.

Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell joins Professional Sports Partner's Carson Tinker to discuss his approach to quarantine workouts, pleading his case for better Madden ratings, and why working in the community has become an integral piece to his brand. The 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year also shares how the award's prestige and significance has evolved in the league, and how he found out he won.

The hustle on the field is only part of the game for professional athletes and teams – off-field branding is key to capitalizing on those successes. Former NFL veteran Carson Tinker chats with fellow athletes and professionals in the sports industries to hear the stories of how they've approached building impactful brands.