On the Fly by Playfly Sports

The House v. NCAA settlement has forever altered the landscape of college athletics — and in this episode of Playmakers, we dive headfirst into what that means for properties, brands, and the future of NIL. Playfly CE Craig Sloan sits down with Jon Bishop and Jason Frandi to break down how schools can adapt, how brands can authentically engage, and how Playfly is uniquely positioned to lead in this new era. You'll hear about: How the shift from donor-driven to brand-centric NIL changes the game What millions in new financial pressure means for athletic departments Brand success stories Real-world strategies schools are deploying with Playfly Max, and more! Whether you're on campus, in the boardroom, or building a brand, this conversation unpacks what it takes to thrive in the professionalization of college sports.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Rob Thompson, Sports & Media executive who is the current commercial director of the Walter Camp Foundation. Rob discusses his extensive career that began as a football player at the University of New Haven, transitioned into coaching and recruiting, and led to significant roles within NFL Properties, Disney, and the Arena Football League. Rob shares insights on how he founded the East Coast Recruiting agency, contributed to the growth of flag football, and the creation of grassroots sports programming including the popular NFL “Play 60” campaign. The conversation also delves into the history and significance of Walter Camp's contributions to American football, as well as the ongoing efforts of the Walter Camp Foundation to honor young student-athlete innovators and entrepreneurs.

In this episode of Playmakers, Playfly Sports CEO Craig Sloan sits down with two of the company's top commercial minds — Nick Cartan and Paul Asencio — for a candid conversation on what it really means to connect with sports fans. They challenge the outdated notion that simply buying into sports guarantees engagement, and instead focus on what it takes to create authentic, high-impact brand experiences. Nick shares how Playfly's commercial strategy is helping brands move from passive exposure to intentional activation, while Paul reflects on his first 90 days at the company and why he believes Playfly is uniquely positioned in the marketplace. Together, they explore the role of local audiences, the evolution of partnership expectations, and how the sports industry must evolve to meet the moment.

In Episode 3 of Playmakers, titled “Certainty in the Uncertain,” Playfly Sports CEO Craig Sloan sits down with Chad Copher, SVP General Manager of Playfly Media, for a candid conversation about how brands can find clarity amid today's fragmented media landscape. Chad shares his perspective on why local sports fans represent a powerful yet underleveraged opportunity for national advertisers, how live sports continues to serve as one of the last true reach vehicles, and the evolving role of streaming in media strategy. The episode also explores how Playfly Media is driving measurable impact through integrated campaigns and what brands need to rethink in 2025 to stay relevant and effective.

In our second episode, Craig Sloan, Playfly Sports CEO, sits down with Gregg Liebman, Head of Insights at Playfly Sports, to unpack the recent release of the Playfly FanScore: College Basketball Edition. Gregg breaks down the untapped marketing potential of the college basketball regular season, how brands can more effectively invest in the space, and some of the most surprising—and telling—insights uncovered in the report. Together, they explore how data is reshaping fan engagement strategies and opening up new opportunities across the collegiate sports ecosystem.

In our first Playmakers by Playfly Sports episode, Craig Sloan, Playfly Sports CEO sits down with Christy Hedgpeth, President of Playfly Sports Properties, to break down her personal journey in sports, leadership values, and the underlying foundation and reason behind the exponential growth of Playfly Sports Properties. She also provides an inside look on the challenges - and opportunities – that face college athletics today, and the secret to successfully navigating this constantly-evolving landscape.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Paul Schlickmann, the Director of Athletics at Fairfield University. We two discuss Paul's career journey to his current role, the trajectory and growth of Fairfield University both academically and athletically, being recognized as a Front Office Sports Best College Athletic Department of 2024, and more.

Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Amy Folan, the Director of Athletics at Central Michigan University. They dive into Amy's career journey from a student-athlete at UConn to her current role at CMU. Amy shares her impactful experiences in compliance, fundraising, and the various leadership roles she assumed at institutions like Georgia and Texas. The discussion also covers the qualities she looked for in hiring CMU's new football coach, preparing for the upcoming House Settlement, the importance of innovation and community in her leadership approach, and more.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Pat Kraft, the Director of Athletics at Penn State. They discuss the success of Penn State's football program, including their recent achievements and coaching hires. Pat also gives an in-depth look at the $700 million renovations for Beaver Stadium, the dominance of Penn State in collegiate wrestling, and the remarkable story of Katie Schumacher-Cawley and the women's volleyball team. They touch on challenges in the new era of college athletics and how everyone at Penn State, from administrators to coaches and student-athletes, are aligned for continued success. Pat emphasizes the importance of academics and a strong, united culture in achieving excellence in athletics.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Michael Kelly, the Director of Athletics at the University of South Florida (USF), for an in-depth discussion about the developments and strategic initiatives happening at USF. Michael shares insights into the financial strategy behind funding the new football stadium, the importance of new revenue streams in the face of revenue-sharing models, adding lacrosse, and more.

Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Matt Roan, Director of Athletics at James Madison University, for a wide ranging discussion about his career progression to his current role, the growth and transformation of JMU, and the strategic decisions that have positioned JMU to compete at a high level. Matt also talks about the advantages of having a legal background in athletics, the impact of collegiate athletics changes, and the supportive community at JMU.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo interviews Josh Berlo, Director of Athletics at Denver University. They discuss Josh's career journey from the University of Massachusetts to his current role at Denver. Josh shares insights on building successful athletic programs, creating a culture of academic excellence, and navigating challenges unique to non-football institutions. They also highlight Denver's remarkable achievements, including multiple national championships across various sports.

In this episode of On The Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Craig Sloan, CEO of Playfly Sports, for an engaging conversation about Craig's career journey and the growth of Playfly Sports. Craig discusses his experiences from his early days after graduating from the University of Iowa to his current role and Playfly's strategic approach to maximizing sports revenue through media rights, technology, and fan engagement. He also shares insight into Playfly's expansion into international markets, his views on the evolving landscape of college athletics, and the importance of maintaining a strong work culture.

Tim Pernetti, Commissioner of the American Athletic Conference (AAC), joins host Gene DeFilippo for an in-depth discussion around the future of college athletics and the strategic directions for the conference. The conversation dives into Pernetti's experiences, the challenges of modern collegiate athletics, innovative strategies for the AAC, and the importance of alignment and coaching. Pernetti also shares insights into the upcoming bowl games, the evolving landscape of college sports, and the personal stories that have shaped his career.   *Disclaimer: This interview was recorded on December 3, 2024  

BIG EAST Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Vince Nicastro joins Host Gene DeFilippo for an insightful conversation about his 30-year career in college athletics and the rebuilding of the BIG EAST Conference in 2013. The two also touch on conference and tournament expansion, streaming partnerships, the unique culture of the BIG EAST Tournament Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden, and more.

Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Jeramiah Dickey, Director of Athletics at Boise State University, for a wide ranging discussion about his career journey, his leadership and vision for Boise State Athletics, and transitioning from the Mountain West to the Pac-12. Dickey also shares insights on navigating the changing landscape of college athletics, including the implications of the House Case, NIL, and conference realignment.

Host Gene DeFilippo sits down with Chad Weiberg, the Director of Athletics at Oklahoma State University, who begins by recounting his rise from unpaid intern to his current leadership role. The discussion goes on to cover the challenges and strategic moves amidst Big 12 conference realignment and the departure of Oklahoma and Texas. Chad reflects on the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of 10 members of the OSU basketball family, including his brother, 23 years ago, and how the OSU community continues to "Remember the Ten." He also delves into the changing landscape of college football, including the future of the Bedlam rivalry, the recent College Football 'Super League' proposals and House Settlement, and the widening gap in media rights revenues. The episode concludes with insights on the broader implications of reforms and the adaptability required to navigate ongoing changes in college athletics.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by ICF Senior Executive Coach, Author, Keynote Speaker, and CEO & Founder of ON Point Next Level Leadership, Pam Borton. Pam shares her journey from a high school basketball player in Ohio to becoming the Head Basketball Coach at the University of Vermont and the University of Minnesota, where she led teams to notable successes, including an NCAA Final Four, Elite Eight,and three straight Sweet Sixteen appearances. After retiring from coaching, Pam founded ON Point Next Level Leadership, a coaching platform for leaders and high performers. She discusses her experiences, from building winning team cultures to her transition into executive coaching. Pam also elaborates on her two books, 'On Point' and 'The Crooked Rim,' which offer insights into leadership, mindset, and resilience. The conversation also touches on the importance of celebrating wins, self-awareness, and adapting to evolving challenges in both sports and business.

Host Gene DeFilippo is joined again this week by Steve Hatchell, the President and CEO of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The conversation delves into the comprehensive statistics around football, such as the growing number of colleges and high schools sponsoring the sport, and why it's important for post-graduate opportunities. The two discuss key NFF initiatives and events like the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, the Campbell Trophy Summit, their Annual Awards Dinner, the criteria for Hall of Fame induction, and more in this continuation of our insightful discussion about the Good in the Game.

President and CEO of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, Steve Hatchell, joins host Gene DeFilippo for an in-depth discussion about his incredible career and early days at the University of Colorado, NFF's impact on both the amateur and college football landscape, the importance of promoting and protecting the good in the game, and their initiatives aimed at advancing the sport's future. Stay tuned for the second installment of our discussion, coming out soon.

Tommy McClelland, Vice President & Director of Athletics at Rice, joins host Gene DeFilippo for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, mentorship, and the evolving landscape of college athletics. The two discuss his career ascension from being a walk-on student athlete at Northwestern State to his current position, the significance of NIL, Rice's competitive positioning within the American Athletic Conference, and more.

Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Bernadette McGlade, the Atlantic 10 Conference Commissioner, who shares her journey from a college basketball player at UNC to a coaching position at Georgia Tech and her eventual rise to commissioner. The conversation delves into challenges facing mid-major leagues like securing competitive basketball matchups, the evolution of college athletics amid the name, image, and likeness (NIL) rulings, thoughts on expanding the NCAA tournament structure, the impact of Title IX on women's sports, and more in this insightful discussion.

Michael Strickland, the ACC Senior Associate Commissioner for Football, joins host Gene DeFilippo for a comprehensive discussion on the complexities of scheduling to accommodate for the expansion of the ACC.  The conversation offers an in-depth look at the strategic considerations behind creating a balanced and equitable football schedule that mitigates travel concerns for teams, ensures competitive equity, and caters to the needs of teams, student-athletes, fans, and broadcast partners.

Host Gene DeFilippo and Jeff Bourne, the Director of Athletics at James Madison University, engage in a wide-ranging conversation about JMU's transition to the Sun Belt Conference, the societal pressures on today's student-athletes in light of NIL policies, insights on the future of intercollegiate athletics, and more.

In this episode of On the Fly, Thorr Bjorn, the Director of Athletics at the University of Rhode Island, joins Gene to reflect on his 16+ year tenure at the URI and the key to his longevity. The two discuss the evolving landscape of NIL, the history and traditions of basketball in the Atlantic 10 conference, the significant investment in facilities improvements at URI, and more.

Stan Wilcox, the Executive Vice President for Regulatory Affairs at the NCAA, joins Gene DeFilippo for a comprehensive discussion around the NCAA's structure, legal challenges, the intersection of name, image, and likeness with transfer rules and recruiting regulations, and more.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Chief of Staff & Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director at the University of Texas, Chris Plonsky, for a wide-ranging conversation about the growth of women's sports, the impact of moving to the SEC, NIL in college sports, and more.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips for a wide-ranging conversation about the conference's decision to expand, realignment and so much more.

In the latest episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by North Carolina director of athletics, Bubba Cunningham, for a wide-ranging conversation on college athletics, UNC football and more.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo sits down with Pat Manak, the CEO of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, for a conversation about the upcoming NACDA convention and all the things the association does to help athletics directors across the country.

Dave Clawson has spent the last nine years building Wake Forest into a respectable program in the ACC, including seven straight trips to bowl games. As he enters his 10th season at the helm of the Demon Deacons, he sits down with host Gene DeFilippo for a wide-ranging conversation on all the hot-button issues in college football today: from the transfer portal and NIL to scheduling and more.

What goes into changing conferences? In this episode of On the Fly, hear all the details and work that goes into making it happen. Host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Lisa Campos, director of athletics at the University of Texas at San Antonio, for a wide-ranging conversation, covering everything from multimedia rights to on-field football success.

Women's college sports are having a moment. Buoyed by incredible viewership numbers from the NCAA Tournament, and with the Women's College World Series on the horizon, there's more attention than ever. Patti Phillips is the CEO of Women Leaders in College Sports, and joins host Gene DeFilippo for a wide-ranging conversation about the impact of increased viewership, why athletic departments need to hire more women in leadership roles, and so much more.

In the latest edition of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Boston College Director of Athletics Blake James for a wide-ranging conversation, covering everything from building new facilities to contract extensions. What makes James a great fit at BC? And how did the apparel deal with New Balance come about? All that and more in this week's episode.

What goes into switching conferences? Chris Pezman knows that as well as anyone. The Houston Director of Athletics is going through the transition process now, moving from the AAC to the Big 12. In this episode, Pezman joins host Gene DeFilippo for a wide-ranging conversation about that process and more.

In the latest episode of On the Fly, FAU athletics director Brian White joins host Gene DeFilippo for a fun and insightful conversation about balancing life as an AD and a dad, why FAU is an up and coming hotspot, and what it was like growing up in a sports family.

In this episode of On the Fly, we take you inside the NCAA Tournament with senior vice president for basketball Dan Gavitt. How is the tournament field selected? How are host sites determined? All that and much more in this conversation with host Gene DeFilippo.

Have you ever wondered why the NFL Draft Combine exists, and what it's true purpose is? Or what about the Wonderlic Test? In this episode of On the Fly, NFL Hall of Famer and longtime GM for the Bills, Panthers and Colts Bill Polian joins host Gene DeFilippo to answer those questions and more.

"It's really important to have good people around you in your organization. There's no two ways about it. The people do make all the difference." For Butler director of athletics Barry Collier, his journey is all about the people. In the latest episode of On the Fly, Collier joins host Gene DeFilippo to go through his rise through the coaching ranks to administration, advice for younger administrators and more.

In this edition of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo is joined by Dave Heeke, director of athletics at Arizona, for a wide-ranging conversation about hiring coaches, building programs and how his career journey has led him to where he is now.

"We recruit student athletes that fit. And it's hard to define, but there is a fit up here in the mountains of North Carolina. It's not for everybody, but if you want to come get a world-class education and play for championships, this is a place people come and they come in with a chip on their shoulder and they play hard." That's what Doug Gillin, Director of Athletics at Appalachian State, says about fit and culture at the school in Boone, N.C. In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo takes Gillin through his career journey and how App State has found success at the highest levels of athletics—and pulled off some memorable upsets in the process.

In this episode of On the Fly, host Gene DeFilippo visits with Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Whit Babcock for a fun and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, his career journey, and more. What does Babcock look for when hiring coaches? Why do college athletics matter now more than ever? And what does he do to unwind? All that and more is on this newest episode of On the Fly.

What goes into preparing for a New Year's Six bowl game in the College Football Playoff era? Despite what so many people think, it's a year-round job. In this episode of On the Fly, Orange Bowl CEO Eric Poms joins host Gene DeFilippo to discuss that and more.

Brett Miller is the executive director of the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. After a couple of false starts due to Covid-19, the bowl is set for its inaugural game. What's gone into making it happen? Brett joins host Gene DeFilippo for a wide-ranging conversation about how the game started, how it's finally happening, and all the planning that's gone into making this game a reality.

Bill Hancock is the executive director of the College Football Playoff and has long been involved in college athletics postseason play. With the CFP expanding, Bill and host Gene DeFilippo discuss the logistical challenges of growing the playoff, the considerations being made to start an expanded playoff sooner rather than later, and so much more.

This episode of On The Fly: College Edition by Playfly Sports welcomes Val Ackerman, Commissioner of the Big East Conference. Gene DeFilippo & Val talk about her incredible impact on both professional and collegiate basketball, Val's time as the President of the WNBA, and the role she played in the development of the Dream Team. You won't want to miss this action packed episode of On the Fly!

This episode of On The Fly: College Edition by Playfly Sports welcomes Marcus Blossom, McCormick Endowed Athletic Director at Creighton University. Gene Defilippo & Marcus talk about the many successes Marcus has seen so far in his career, the importance of Jesuit universities, and the four different areas of focus Marcus has when making decisions for his University. You won't want to miss this action packed episode of On the Fly!

This episode of On The Fly: College Edition by Playfly Sports welcomes Mark Jackson, Vice President & Director of Athletics at Villanova University. Gene Defilippo & Mark talk about the many different stops of Mark's impressive story, the importance of mentors and the impact they play throughout careers, and the incredible, well rounded athletic program Mark has led at Villanova. You won't want to miss this action packed episode of On the Fly!

This episode of On The Fly: College Edition by Playfly Sports welcomes Brent Jones, Director of Athletics at Troy University. Gene Defilippo & Brent talk about the realignment of the Sun Belt Conference and all the good that has come with it, the different factors that go into Brent's coach hiring process, and Brent speaks on some unique sponsorship opportunities Troy is exploring. You won't want to miss this action packed episode of On the Fly!

This episode of On The Fly: College Edition by Playfly Sports welcomes Arthur Johnson, Director of Athletics at Temple University. Gene DeFilippo & Arthur discuss his incredible career working with a variety of major programs, the challenges that come with being a Director of Athletics, and the impressive feat Arthur accomplished with the development of the Moody Center. You won't want to miss this action packed episode of On the Fly!

This episode of On The Fly: College Edition by Playfly Sports welcomes Terry Mohajir, Director of Athletics at the University of Central Florida. Gene DeFilippo & Terry discuss the challenges and benefits with the introduction of NIL deals, what Terry looks for when hiring new coaches, and what it took for him to get to the position he is in today. You won't want to miss this action packed episode of On the Fly!