Navigating Sports Business

Hosted by AJ Maestas

SportsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

297

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Gain exclusive insight into the professional and personal worlds of high-level executives in sports and entertainment as we host top decision-makers in the industry to discuss emerging topics, their business, careers, and personal life stories. From collegiate conference commissioners to professional sports team executives and owners, to CMOs and leading marketers at global brands, Navigating Sports Business takes listeners inside the lives of key people making a major impact on the sports and entertainment industry.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 12, 20263 min

Highlight: Baltimore Orioles - Don Rovak

"If you care about the game of baseball growing, these are the things we need to continue to do." Don Rovak - CRO of the Baltimore Orioles - on the fan reactions to their renovations of Camden Yards. They have focused on adding new, branded social spaces as well a new video board to modernize the in-stadium fan experience. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast/ For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

August 5, 2026Episode 15034 min

150. Baltimore Orioles - Don Rovak

It's the 150th episode of Navigating Sports Business! We're joined by our client, Don Rovak, to discuss to the latest with Camden Yards and the Baltimore Orioles. Don Rovak - CRO at the Baltimore Orioles - has helped modernize and grow the Orioles' commercial operation. He and Jeff Nelson discuss the Camden Yards renovation and how the definition of a great fan experience is always changing. They also explore some of the recently announced premium partnerships, the keys to hiring great sales people, and how success on the field impacts the business side. Timestamps: 1:20 - Differences working in NFL and MLB 3:15 - Responsibilities of the C-Suite 5:55 - Is hiring salespeople more difficult than ever? 12:00 - How the team's success impacts the CRO role 15:10 - Camden Yards Renovations 24:50 - Bringing non-baseball events to Camden Yards 28:15 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

July 29, 20262 min

Highlight: Navigate's SBJ BIS Workshop - A Study in Fan Friction

AJ Maestas and Ally Corbin recap Navigate's fan friction study and Ally's presentation at the SBJ Brand Innovation Summit. Fans remember the brands that provide a practical benefit, not just a logo. Ally shares key insights and the best practices we're seeing today. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=0dcdb8b6faede311663e63eb7feb10d3 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

July 22, 2026Episode 14919 min

149. What Needs to Change in the Protect College Sports Act?

Where is the current version of the Protect College Sports Act lacking, and what needs to change? Amid ongoing leaks and revisions, AJ Maestas and Charles Rolston examine how the proposed legislation could shape the long-term health of college athletics and impact athletes, schools, and conferences. Can pooling media rights really double revenue? Navigate's analysis suggests otherwise. AJ breaks down where the projections fall short, the real ways the industry can professionalize, create stability and preserve what makes college sports special. Timestamps: 0:35 - The latest on the Protect College Sports Act 1:35 - The realignment provision 6:10 - Downsides to collective media rights pooling 8:45 - Should be focusing on NIL? 14:10 - Key Takeaways 15:20 - Predictions

July 15, 20262 min

Highlight: Eddie Lewis - Former USMNT Team Player & Founder of TOCA Soccer

Eddie Lewis - two-time World Cup player for the U.S. and founder of TOCA Soccer - on the two eureka moments that led to the creation of TOCA Social. TOCA supports training for high-level athletes but also a fun soccer experience for the casual fan. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=8e379d9055c0772740f5bb58db0f35c8 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

July 8, 2026Episode 14822 min

148. Navigate's SBJ BIS Workshop - A Study in Fan Friction

For this year's brands-only workshop at SBJ BIS - Navigate's custom insights team conducted a robust study of sports fans and where they perceive friction points in the fan experience. Ally Corbin presented the findings along with Navigate's recommendations for brands looking to build relevance and affinity through sponsorship. She joins AJ Maestas to discuss her presentation and other key learnings from the workshop. We've created an interactive dashboard based on the study's data. You can filter by question or demographics, or use the AI-feature to chat directly with the data. You can view the dashboard, here: https://navigate-fan-friction-research.manus.space/ Timestamps: 0:30 - Navigate's Workshop at the SBJ Brand Innovation Summit 2:55 - Friction points in fandom 5:55 - Strategies for brands - relevance over impressions 9:15 - Session #2 - The Rising Cost of Sponsorship 12:40 - Tracking & attributing sponsorship 17:10 - Sponsorship growth rates 19:35 - Takeaway points from Ally's presentation For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

July 1, 20262 min

Highlight: Radhika Duggal - MLS

"Our primary brand value, the thing that people choose us for...is about fun and entertainment." Radhika Duggal – CMO of Major League Soccer – on how MLS used consumer research, stakeholder feedback, and competitive analysis to define its brand. She explains why creating a fun, inclusive experience is at the heart of the league's identity. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=0485ea629690be3624d73b7eee3a7873 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

June 24, 2026Episode 14739 min

147. Eddie Lewis - TOCA Soccer

Eddie Lewis - Two-time World Cup player for the U.S. and founder of TOCA Soccer - is changing the way that young soccer players train, while simultaneously building soccer's answer to Topgolf. He shares how he balances both objectives domestically and his plans for international expansion. Timestamps: 1:50 - TOCA's Elevator Pitch 5:55 - TOCA Soccer vs. TOCA Social 8:15 - Youth sports 12:55 - The infrastructure of American soccer 16:50 - MLS Partnership 18:40 - International expansion 22:00 - Lessons from playing soccer 28:55 - Rapid Fire Questions For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

June 17, 20262 min

Highlight: Virginia Tech - Ryan McCarthy

Ryan McCarthy — Board of Visitors Member at Virginia Tech — explains the power of athletics to bring positive global exposure to a university. Smart investments in athletics have the potential for as much as $1B in ROI, and universities like Virginia Tech are wisely making those investments for the future. Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=344ead289d120de9f56f07165421bb56 For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

June 10, 2026Episode 14639 min

146. Radhika Duggal - MLS

Radhika Duggal - CMO of Major League Soccer - has an opportunity to ride the wave of soccer fandom in U.S. that is building around the FIFA World Cup. She explains how she works with marketers from all 30 MLS clubs to ensure they capitalize on this historic moment. For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing