The SERMAPod

Hosted by Rich Lenkov

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Episodes

114

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Join personalities from SERMA (Sports & Entertainment Risk Management Alliance) for insightful discussions on a variety of trending and important topics in claims facing the industry.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 10, 2026Episode 11517 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 115 | Alberta's Transgender Sports Law

Alberta's Fairness and Safety in Sport Act has sparked significant debate across the Canadian sports landscape.In this episode, Rich Lenkov is joined by sports lawyer Will Russell of Sport Law to discuss the legislation's requirements for female-only sport divisions, the governance challenges it creates for sport organizations, and the potential legal, operational, and reputational risks facing event organizers and governing bodies.The discussion explores the balance between competitive fairness and athlete inclusion, the role of provincial governments in regulating sport, and what Alberta's approach may mean for the future of sport governance in Canada and beyond.Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

May 26, 2026Episode 11419 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 114 | Building a Sports & Entertainment Risk Program in Nigeria

In this episode of the SERMAPod, Rich Lenkov and Rebecca Adelman speak with Father Theodore Ihenetu and Stanley Ukaga about launching a sports and entertainment risk management initiative in Nigeria. The conversation covers athlete safety, injury management, stakeholder collaboration, law enforcement involvement, and the steps needed to create long-term risk management standards and training programs across Nigeria’s growing sports and entertainment industries.Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Lgal Services: https://magnals.com/

May 12, 2026Episode 11314 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 113 | Welcome New Advisory Board Members

We’re excited to welcome five outstanding leaders to the SERMA Advisory Board!• Emily Buckley - Insurance Risk Manager at Specialized Bicycle Components• Tahia Carr - Risk Project Manager at Invited Clubs• Jessica Lauren - Vice President, Business Development at Entrusted Administrators & Subrogation• Virginia Pederson - Partner at Mayer• Steve Washkalavitch - Senior Vice President at MarshThese leaders represent the innovation, expertise and collaboration that define the sports and entertainment risk industry. Their insight and experience will play an important role in guiding SERMA’s strategic vision and advancing our mission.Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/And a big thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

May 7, 2026Episode 11228 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 112 | Country Roads, Closed Shows: Weather Chaos and Concert Insurance

What really happens behind the scenes when a concert or festival gets canceled due to weather? In this episode of the SERMAPod, Shalom Suniula is joined by Roger Sandau, JR Justice, and Caleb Heckley to discuss the risk management, insurance, and safety considerations that drive difficult decisions at major live events. Using recent examples like Stagecoach and Zach Bryan’s canceled Tulsa show, the group explores weather preparedness, event cancellation coverage, liability concerns, and how operators balance fan expectations with public safety. Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

April 28, 2026Episode 11112 min

The SERMAPod Ep, 111 | Managing Chairlift Risk

Rich Lenkov interviews Michael Nellis, Vermont’s Passenger Tramway Supervisor, about ski lift safety and risk management. The conversation covers recent incidents, inspection standards, operational challenges, and how technology and training are shaping safer ski resort operations. Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

April 23, 2026Episode 11020 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 110 | HIRMA-SERMA Strategic Partnership

SERMA founder and CEO Rich Lenkov sits down with leaders from the Hispanic Insurance and Risk Management Association, Carlos Luis Rodriguez, Rose De Leon, and Noemi Oliver, to discuss HIRMA’s mission, the value of diverse perspectives in risk management, and why the industry offers more opportunity than most people realize. The conversation also touches on communication breakdowns in claims, mentorship, and preparing the next generation.Plus, insights on emerging risks, including climate challenges and business continuity, and a look at the growing SERMA–HIRMA partnership.Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/HIRMA: https://hirma.org/And a special thanks to our podcast sponsor, Magna Legal Services:https://magnals.com/

April 9, 2026Episode 10918 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 109 | For Cause or For Cash? Jerome Tang v Kansas State

Kansas State’s decision to fire head basketball coach Jerome Tang “for cause” has sparked a legal dispute with major financial implications. In this episode, Matt Liller is joined by sports law professor Sam Ehrlich to unpack the controversy, including the role of Tang’s postgame comments, the meaning of “objectionable behavior” in coaching contracts, and how schools use for-cause designations as negotiation leverage.The conversation also examines what each side would need to prove if the case is litigated, how similar disputes have played out, and how the modern college sports landscape, shaped by NIL and the transfer portal, may influence future cases. Professor Ehrlich: https://www.boisestate.edu/cobe-management/faculty-staff/sam-c-ehrlich-jd-ph-d/Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

April 3, 2026Episode 10811 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 108 | Will You Accept This Lawsuit: The Bachelorette Cancellation

Episode 108 of the SERMA Pod examines the sudden cancellation of The Bachelorette after off-screen controversy surrounding its lead. Host Rich Lenkov is joined by entertainment attorney Larry Zerner to unpack the legal and business implications of pulling a fully produced season.The discussion focuses on why contestants likely cannot pursue claims against the network, how reality TV contracts are structured to eliminate liability, and what role (if any) ABC’s vetting process plays in potential exposure. They also explore how networks may respond moving forward and what this situation signals about risk allocation in entertainment production.A timely look at how legal strategy and business judgment intersect when millions of dollars, and reputations, are on the line. Larry Zerner: https://www.zernerlaw.com/Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

March 19, 2026Episode 10731 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 107 | Perplexity AI Lawsuit

In this episode of the SERMAPod, attorney Brian Rosenblatt is joined by Cornell Law professor James Grimmelmann to break down the New York Times lawsuit against Perplexity AI.They explore how generative AI tools use content, the legal differences between scraping and indexing, and what this case could mean for copyright law moving forward. The conversation also dives into AI “hallucinations,” fair use, and whether current legal frameworks can keep up with rapidly evolving technology.If you’re interested in AI, intellectual property, or the future of digital content, this is a must-listen discussion.Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/Professor Grimmelmann: https://james.grimmelmann.net/ And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services!: https://magnals.com/

March 5, 2026Episode 10620 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 106 | The Mountaineer Homicide Case

In this episode of the SERMAPod, Rich Lenkov speaks with outdoor recreation attorney Jim Moss about a tragic climbing incident on Austria’s Grossglockner that led to criminal charges against a climber whose partner died of exposure. They discuss the legal implications of high-risk outdoor activities, the differences between U.S. and European negligence standards, and how duty, assumption of risk, and rescue obligations may apply when things go wrong in extreme environments.Jim Moss: https://recreation-law.com/james-h-jim-moss-jd-bio/Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/Special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/