The Athletic Business Podcast

The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) will co-locate its conference with AB Show 2023 in Baltimore (Nov. 1-4). As an AB Show partner, AORE brings a community of professionals with knowledge on topics related to outdoor recreation programming, products and services. AB executive editor Andy Berg sat down with AORE executive director Jeannette Stawski to talk about AORE's mission and how its partnership with AB Show will create some exciting opportunities for both AORE members and AB Show attendees.

The Savannah Bananas have emerged as a TikTok sensation, garnering more than three million followers to Banana Ball — the team's unique brand of baseball. As owner and ringleader of the Bananas, Jessie Cole has managed to deliver an experience that sometimes resembles a circus for all the on-field and in-the-stands antics that take place on game day at 4,000-seat Grayson Stadium. Among the many unique nuances of Banana Ball, batters may hit from stilts, games have a two-hour time limit, and if a fan catches a ball in the stands, the batter is out. AB executive editor Andy Berg caught up with Cole, this year's AB Show keynote, to talk about how he reimagined the national pastime and in doing so attracted a broad fanbase to a sport that in its traditional form has often been deemed by many as slow, boring and stale.

Need help with recruiting? Want to better understand your athlete's strengths and weaknesses? In this episode of the Athletic Business podcast, Andy speaks with Ben Barnett, president and CEO of BodhiSport, a new tech platform that helps athletes and teams identify and understand sport and position-specific cognitive talent. So what exactly does that mean and how can it help you? Check out our discussion with Ben in the pod. 

We're fresh off AB Show 2021 in San Antonio and ready to get back to podcasting. In this episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, Andy speaks with Christina Hickey, director and staff instructor for Warriors at Ease, a non-profit that offers training in yoga and mediation for the military community. Christina explains the benefits of these alternatives, as well as why the military might be officially adopting these techniques in the future.  Learn more about Warriors at Ease here: www.warriorsatease.org Find the article about Warriors at Ease that was featured in the Nov/Dec issue of Athletic Business magazine here: https://www.athleticbusiness.com/operations/programming/article/15280564/military-harnesses-healing-power-of-yoga-meditation

Two decades into the 21st century and women are still breaking glass ceilings in sports. Midwest-born broadcaster Lisa Byington has been shattering industry glass for years. This year alone, she became the first woman in history to call play-by-play during NCAA men's basketball tournament. Months later, Byington was named the first full-time play-by-play announcer for an NBA team, the 2021 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. Byington talked about grunt work and glory jobs with AB editor Tabatha Wethal in September, roughly a week after the Bucks announcement, and by then, sports media veteran Kate Scott had been announced as the second full-time female play-by-play announcer for a major men's professional sports team as the new voice of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.  

How did the NCAA Independent Accountability Resolution Process come to be? How does it work? What can your athletic department do to ensure proper NCAA compliance? We explore those questions in this episode with our guest, Brian Kappel, an attorney and partner with the law firm Lightfoot, Franklin & White. Kappel, a former collegiate athlete, brings his unique perspective to litigating compliance cases and shares his expertise in this episode.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud.  Subscribe to AB Today, our daily email newsletter. Sign up to receive Athletic Business magazine for free.

What are some of the most common legal challenges facing gyms and fitness facilities? What should facilities take into consideration to protect themselves amid the pandemic? We ask these questions and more of Cory Sterling of the online law firm Conscious Counsel.  LINKS: Sterling's piece: "Tips for Gym Owners to Avoid Liability in the COVID Era" Email Sterling at cory@consciouscounsel.ca Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud. 

How can software solutions help to improve your sports or fitness business? On this episode of the podcast, we pose that question to Kevin MacCauley, founder and CEO of the software company UpperHand. Listeners will learn how software implementation can streamline business operations, improve customer/member experience and increase revenues.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud. 

What will the future of recreation look like in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? How will recreation centers and programs adapt to new trends, technologies and goals?  On this episode, we speak Rich Mylin, director of recreation at UC San Diego and Amber Luther, architect and market lead with Populous, about the future of recreation.  Thanks to this week's sponsor, Synexis. Click here to learn more.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud. 

How can gyms and fitness facilities adapt their business models to better serve clients who are increasingly exercising outside of the four walls of a facility? How can these businesses compete on a national level through digital offerings? How can a hybrid approach to gym membership help maintain and grow a community?  On this episode, we speak with Akshay Ahooja, co-founder and CEO of Trainiac, who recently authored a piece for AthleticBusiness.com titled Gyms and Health Clubs Must Adapt to the 'New Normal', who helps us answer those questions and more.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud. 

On this episode, we're joined by Dan Schoof, chief of staff and project manager Beloit College's Powerhouse Recreation Center. We speak about the unique challenges and opportunities of the project, which converted a former power plant into a hub for recreation and campus life. Those with questions about the project can get in touch with our guest at schooffd@beloit.edu. Thanks to this week's sponsor, Synexis.

In this bonus episode, we speak with two leading Black voices in the athletics and fitness industry. First, a conversation with Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association commissioner Jacqie McWilliams on her work amid the COVID-19 crisis and the pride she feels in representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Next, we speak with Cedric Bryant, president and Chief Science Officer of the American Council on Exercise about the fitness industry's efforts to improve diversity, equity and inclusion.  Links:  CIAA American Council on Exercise 

During the pandemic, the NFHS Network, a streaming platform that broadcasts high school athletics and events,  has seen immense user growth. On this episode, we speak with Mark Koski, vice president of the NFHS Network, about the platform and the benefits it provides to students, fans and schools.  Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud.

This episode features audio from a recent webinar Athletic Business hosted with Power Systems Education Coordinator Elisabeth Fouts.  We discuss the challenges facing the global fitness equipment market, and how facilities can overcome these logistical hurdles and obtain new equipment despite the pandemic's knock-on effects.   For more information about the AB Athletic Showcase, please visit:  https://www.athleticbusiness.com/architectural-showcase.html   For more information about AB's past and upcoming virtual workshops, please visit:  https://athleticbusiness.weebly.com/workshops.html   Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud.

In this episode of the Athletic Business Podcast, Andy talks with Don Barnum, the head of DLR Group's global Sports studio. In a wide-ranging discussion on the future of stadium and arena design, Don offers insights on how the pandemic, as well as spectator preferences are changing the way architects, operators and fans think about and interact with the sports venues that host our favorite pastimes.    For more information about the AB Athletic Showcase, please visit:  https://www.athleticbusiness.com/architectural-showcase.html   For more information about AB's past and upcoming virtual workshops, please visit:  https://athleticbusiness.weebly.com/workshops.html   Be sure to rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Stitcher — or follow along on SoundCloud.

Today's episode features a conversation with Pete Simon of the Prairie Athletic Club — a local health club near AB headquarters in Madison, Wis. Simon shares how his club has been coping with the pandemic and striving to create the safest environment possible for members, all while dealing with state and local restrictions.  Thanks to this week's sponsor, Synexis.  Be sure to subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. 

Check out the audio of this virtual workshop hosted by Ruby Newell-Legner and featuring guest speakers Justin Caron, Shawn DeRosa and Megan Pleli, as we discuss returning to aquatics facilities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This episode features audio from our virtual workshop series — you can check out on-demand sessions on a variety of topics here, and stay up to date on forthcoming sessions by visiting athleticbusiness.com/webinar Thanks to our sponsor, Synexis. More on our Guest Speakers: Justin Caron | Principal, Aquatic Design Group, Carlsbad, Calif. Shawn DeRosa, JD | Owner, DeRosa Aquatic Consulting, Orlando Megan Pleli, M.S., RN | Aquatic Program Administrator, Bainbridge Island Metro Parks & Rec District

As a championship field hockey coach, Karen Weaver saw firsthand the benefits that come with collegiate sports participation. With the pandemic forcing schools to make difficult budgetary decisions, including the cutting of non-revenue sports, Weaver, a former athletics administrator and current faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania, has focused her regular contributions to Forbes on the severe challenges suddenly facing athletic departments. Weaver joined AB senior editor Paul Steinbach on The Athletic Business Podcast to discuss the financial future of college athletics.   Thanks to our sponsor, Synexis. 

Brent Darden, interim president and CEO of the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, joins us to talk about how IHRSA is helping members navigate the pandemic.  Between research, outreach and advocacy, the association has its sights set on helping clubs to reopen and serve their members.  Thanks to our sponsor, Synexis.  Links:  IHRSA  

As racial issues have come to the forefront of the national consciousness, NIRSA — Leaders in Collegiate Recreation are launching the 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge.  We're talking with NIRSA director of advocacy and strategic partnerships Erin O'Sullivan about the program, and the role collegiate rec professionals can play in advancing racial equity on campus.  Links: NIRSA 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge Eddie Moore, Jr. 

Justin Caron of the Aquatic Design Group speaks with us on the special considerations aquatics facilities must keep in mind as they prepare to reopen.   Sponsored by Colorado Time Systems.   If you liked the show, please take a moment to give it a rating or review, or share it with a colleague. You can follow along on SoundCloud, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher.    

This week, we're speaking to Rachel Gutter, president of the WELL Building Institute about the work her team is doing to help prepare sports facilities to reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's an optimistic episode! Links: https://www.wellcertified.com/health-safety AB's 2020 Architectural Showcase online: https://www.athleticbusiness.com/architectural-showcase.html If you liked the show, please take a moment to give it a rating or review, or share it with a colleague. You can follow along on SoundCloud, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher.

Adam Bastjan of architecture firm Kahler Slater breaks down considerations for reopening campus recreation centers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.  For more, read Adam's piece titled "The Importance of Collegiate Recreation in Post-COVID Education" on athleticbusiness.com. If you liked the show, please take a moment to give it a rating or review, or share it with a colleague. You can follow along on SoundCloud, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher.

While businesses throughout our industries are coping with COVID-19 in different ways, collegiate recreation centers are once again being called on to provide emergency facilities to help communities cope.  One such facility is the University of New Hampshire's Hamel Recreation Center, where Stacey Hall is running an effort to convert the facility from student recreation to overflow hospital support.  Listen in for how UNH is handling the situation, and how collegiate recreation can prepare for a public health crisis.   

In the weeks since our last episode, the coronavirus pandemic has turned the world upside-down, and the athletics, fitness and recreation industries were not left untouched. In this episode, Andy and Jason talk about how they and the AB team is dealing with the outbreak — and ask listeners and readers to share their strategies for how to do the same.  Things are weird right now, but we'll get through this — together. Email your stories to editors@athleticbusiness.com. Also, if you're inspired, record a voice memo on your phone and email those recordings to us — be sure to give your name and where you're listening from. Links: Subscribe to AB Today Architectural Showcase login March M(ab)ness

On this episode we're talking about ballpark design with Populous principal and lead architect Mike Sabatini. We discuss trends for both spectators and players, how design can influence facility operations, his firm's latest ballpark project and much more. If you liked the show, please take a moment to give it a rating or review, or share it with a colleague. You can follow along on SoundCloud, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher.

We're working on fresh episodes of The Athletic Business Podcast, but this week on the show we're re-broadcasting our conversation with Forward Madison FC.  In this episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, we talk to Kuba Krzyzostaniak and Jason Klein of Forward Madison FC — the USL League One soccer team — about their successes using social media to launch a new brand. Regardless of your industry, the conversation is illuminating for those wanted to build a brand on social media from the ground up.  Our great thanks to Kuba and Jason for joining us on this episode. Be sure to rate/review/subscribe to The Athletic Business Podcast on your platform of choice!    

Students coming late, leaving early or not showing up at all. Adults content to watch games from the comfort of their own homes. College football has an attendance problem. With fan attrition vexing even the most successful programs in the country, what can administrators do now and in the future to bring more people through the turnstiles on game day?  Navigate Research founder and CEO AJ Maestas joins AB senior editor Paul Steinbach on this episode of The Athletic Business Podcast to share some ideas. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher and never miss an episode.

Esports represents a huge opportunity for athletics and recreation programs, but industry professionals may still be unsure about how to approach the esports phenomenon. On this episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, we speak with Lee Sterrett, associate principal with Perkins and Will, who gave a talk on esports at the recent AB Show.    In this conversation, we define esports, discuss what makes it an attractive program, break down basic facility needs, and attempt to demystify esports as a concept so you can better determine whether deploying esports may be right for your program.    If you liked the show, please take a moment to give it a rating or review, or share it with a colleague. You can follow along on SoundCloud, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher.    Links:   Perkins and Will Denver   Athletic Business feature: Software and Facilities Considerations for Campuses Starting Esports Programs   College Rec Survey   AB Today newsletter sign-up

On this episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, we talk to Thad Ide, senior vice president of research and development with Riddell.  With the focus on safety in football more intense than ever, helmet manufacturers are focused on improving their products. In this discussion, Ide shares what Ridell's been working on, from gathering data that can help craft a better helmet to developing a platform designed to generate an individual player's impact profile. We also discuss changes in technique and practice that can help reduce the number of head impacts. If you liked the show, please take a moment to give it a rating or review, or share it with a colleague. You can follow along on SoundCloud, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Stitcher. 

Welcome back! Thanks for staying subscribed to the feed as we took some time off for Thanksgiving.  On today's episode, we speak with T.J. Peele, former director of university recreation at the University of West Georgia, and current director of business development for college and university Health Fitness Corp. T.J. talks about his experience in rec, trends on campus and how his current work helps recreation departments thrive.  Links: Health Fitness website

In this episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, we talk to Kuba Krzyzostaniak and Jason Klein of Forward Madison FC — the USL League One soccer team — about their successes using social media to launch a new brand.  We talk about some of their most successful campaigns, building a brand from the grassroots and best practices for engaging on social media, regardless of your industry.  Our great thanks to Kuba and Jason for joining us on this episode. Be sure to rate/review/subscribe to The Athletic Business Podcast on your platform of choice! Links: Forward Madison FC Facebook Forward Madison FC Twitter  Forward Madison FC Instagram

In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Karissa Niehoff, executive director of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) about the state of high school athletics.  Topics include reserving Friday nights for high school football, participation numbers for high school sports, sportsmanship and officiating, the NFHS Network and more.  Links:  -National Federation of State High School Associations -The Parent Seat -Participation Statistics

With the annual AB Show right around the corner, Andy and Jason welcome Athletic Business marketing director Kate Rampone to the studio to talk about what to expect from this year's event. If you're joining us in Orlando next month, or just curious to hear more about the event, give this one a listen.  You can learn more about AB Show at www.abshow.com

In this episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, Andy and Jason discuss the fallout from California's new law to allow student-athletes to earn money from their name, image and likeness, sometimes called the Fair Pay to Play Act. We discuss similar laws being proposed around the country, unintended consequences and legal arguments taking shape on either side of the issue.  Be sure to check out athleticbusiness.com for continuing coverage of this and other NCAA issues.  You can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher and follow along on SoundCloud.  Thanks for listening!

In the third episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, Andy and Jason take a look at a group helping people deal with substance abuse and addiction through fitness and community.  This episode features an interview with Andrew Brough, a chapter manager with The Phoenix, a free sober active community to individuals who have suffered from a substance use disorder and to those who choose a sober life. It's an interesting look at how fitness can help improve people's lives in unexpected ways.  Links: The Phoenix About The Phoenix National Survey on Drug Use and Health You can subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher and follow along on SoundCloud.  Thanks for listening!

In the second episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, Jason and Andy discuss the 2019 CrossFit Games, which were held earlier this month in our home town of Madison, Wis.   This episode features a discussion with Kevin Ogar, owner of CrossFit Watchtower and co-founder of The Reveille Project. Kevin shares his story of how the CrossFit community helped him overcome a life-changing injury, and how he's bringing a new perspective to adaptive fitness training.    Links: CrossFit Games   CrossFit Adaptive Training Guide   The Reveille Project   CrossFit Watchtower

In the inaugural episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, we speak to Dr. Douglas Casa of the Korey Stringer Institute and the University of Connecticut Department of Kinesiology about the dangers of exertional heat stroke and strategies for preventing and treating it in student-athletes. This episode is sponsored by DTN.  Links: Korey Stringer Institute Heat stroke prevention tips Reducing Heat Illness in College and High School Sports  NATA position statement on exertional heat illness Be sure to subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode. 

The Athletic Business Podcast features perspectives from experts in the athletics, fitness and recreation industries on topics that matter to you. In our first episode, online managing editor Jason Scott talks with Dr. Douglas Casa about the dangers of heat-related illness in student-athletes and how to you can prevent a tragic accident by having the right protocols in place the necessary equipment on hand.