THE SERMAPOD

Hosted by Rich Lenkov

Business Sports Tv FilmInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

121

Latest episode

Aug 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

August 31, 2026Episode 12229 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 122 | Live Nation Antitrust Lawsuit

Temple University law professor and antitrust expert Salil Mehra joins guest host Adam Bunge to discuss the Live Nation - Ticketmaster antitrust lawsuit. They examine the history of the merger, the allegations against Live Nation and Ticketmaster, the DOJ’s decision to settle before trial, and the potential remedies still on the table—including a possible breakup of the companies. Salil Mehra: https://law.temple.edu/contact/salil-k-mehra/ Join SERMA today: https://theserma.org/ And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services! https://magnals.com/

August 17, 2026Episode 12125 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 121 | Miami World Cup Consigliere

In Episode 121 of SERMAPod, Rich Lenkov is joined by David Seifer of Bilzin Sumberg, lead counsel to the Miami Host Committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. David takes us behind the scenes of one of the world’s largest sporting events, discussing the years of preparation required to bring the World Cup to Miami. They explore negotiations with FIFA, security and insurance challenges, coordination among government agencies and other stakeholders, and the importance of communication across legal, risk, finance, operations, and security teams. David also reflects on his experience attending all seven Miami matches and what event organizers of any size can learn from successfully managing an event of this magnitude. David Seifer: https://www.bilzin.com/people/s/seifer-david-m Join SERMA Today: https://www.theserma.org/ And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

August 3, 202622 min

The SERMAPod Crossover: What My Sports & Entertainment Background Taught Me About Risk | Installment 1

🎙️ The first installment of The SERMAPOD Crossover: What My Sports & Entertainment Background Taught Me About Risk is released! SERMA Founder & CEO Rich Lenkov sits down with Jamie Bruhn Claims Supervisor and musician to discuss how Jamie's background in music has shaped his approach to claims and risk management. Together, they explore the importance of preparation, adaptability and building strong relationships. They also dive into the unique risks performers face and why contracts are such a critical tool—offering practical lessons that translate directly to today’s risk management and claims professionals. Jamie Bruhn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-bruhn-0543a56/ Special thanks to our sponsor, A-G Specialty Insurance: https://agspecialtyinsurance.com/ Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/

July 27, 2026Episode 12042 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 120 | San Diego State Title IX Settlement

Guest host Virginia Pederson is joined by three-time Olympic champion, civil rights attorney, and Champion Women founder Nancy Hogshead to discuss San Diego State University’s landmark Title IX settlement. They examine the scholarship disparities at the center of the lawsuit, the significance of awarding monetary damages to former female athletes, and the broader cost of failing to address Title IX compliance proactively. The conversation also explores athletic opportunities, facilities, recruiting resources, outside compliance audits, and how this settlement could encourage similar lawsuits against universities nationwide. Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

July 25, 2026Episode 11917 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 119 | TaylorMade v. Calloway

In Episode 119 of the SERMAPod, Rich Lenkov speaks with forensic accounting expert Teddy Brown and digital forensics expert Mark Clews about the TaylorMade v. Callaway Golf lawsuit. They examine the false advertising and trade libel allegations involving Callaway’s “mud ball” claims, along with the challenges of preserving influencer content, authenticating digital evidence in the age of AI, and calculating damages in modern brand disputes. Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

July 14, 2026Episode 11835 min

The SERMAPOD Ep. 118 | Market Predictions

In this episode of the SERMAPod, Virginia Pederson speaks with internationally recognized gambling-law expert Professor I. Nelson Rose about the growing controversy surrounding sports prediction markets. They discuss the NFL’s efforts to restrict trading on manipulable events, concerns involving insider information and individual player actions, the role of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and whether platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket are using federal commodities law to bypass state gambling regulations. Professor Rose also shares his prediction for the future of these platforms and explains why the debate extends far beyond sports. Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ A special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

June 29, 2026Episode 11736 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 117 | Managing FIFA World Cup Risk

In Episode 117 of The SERMAPod, guest host Steve Washkalavitch sits down with Tim Wilson, CFO of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, to discuss the enormous undertaking of bringing the FIFA World Cup to Philadelphia. From safety and security planning to transportation logistics, vendor management, public funding requirements, fan engagement, and reputational risk, Tim provides a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to host a global event on this scale. Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

June 18, 2026Episode 11626 min

The SERMAPod Ep. 116 | E&O Production Coverage

In Episode 116 of SERMAPod, Rich Lenkov welcomes entertainment and intellectual property attorney Pete Salsich, III for a discussion on Entertainment Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance. They explore why E&O coverage is essential for filmmakers and content creators, how copyright and trademark claims can threaten a production, and what producers need to know about fair use, rights clearances, and insurance coverage. Pete also shares practical guidance on avoiding common legal pitfalls, obtaining permissions, working with distributors, and navigating the E&O application process. Pete Salsich, III: https://capessokol.com/people/pete-salsich/ Join SERMA today: https://www.theserma.org/ And a special thanks to our sponsor, Magna Legal Services: https://magnals.com/

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/