Business of Sport

I feel like we have a month’s worth of news that has happened since we last recorded. Mo Salah’s departure announcement, yet more Chelsea punishment, Brendon McCullum’s continuation as England Head Coach, Spurs going deeper into the relegation pit; where do we even start. Don’t worry, we’ll be taking a look at all of this in some capacity, but the Mo Salah news and what it tells us about Liverpool’s current situation, alongside the ECB’s decision to stick with the leadership that oversaw such a depressing winter for English cricket will lead from the front in this week’s episode of ‘The Breakdown’.

Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only. All financial analysis, commentary, and forecasts are based on publicly available information and/or permitted confidential sources. These represent our personal opinions, not professional financial, legal, or investment advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Nothing said should be taken as a statement of fact about any individual, club, or organisation's financial position or future prospects. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on our commentary.

One of the Business of Sport greats returns. It was too painful to do this just after the Ashes, but with time the ever effective healer, and with the IPL kicking off this week, what better moment to get Pat Cummins back in the seat.
When Pat first came on before the 2023 Ashes, the conversation ranged from how they’d deal with the new style of cricket England were bringing to the test scene, while also looking at the impact of an increasingly packed calendar, and how the players manage their priorities. This time round, the less we talk about England the better, but with the IPL fronting the calendar for the next few weeks, we take a proper look at what that tournament has done for the global game. This is another quality insight into the world of cricket at the highest level from one of the game’s great players. We’re delighted to welcome Pat to the Business of Sport.

The Ashes & Leadership
What it’s really like captaining Australia during an Ashes series

How Australia handled England’s “Bazball” approach

The role of individuality vs system in elite team performance

The IPL & The Business of Cricket
Inside the IPL: pressure, money and global attention

How IPL exposure unlocks sponsorships and business opportunities

Why cricket is facing a growing tension between leagues and international duty

The Evolution of Cricket
Why T20 cricket is becoming more aggressive than ever

The rise of 250+ scores and how teams are built to dominate

How rule changes like the “impact player” are reshaping the game

Life Beyond Cricket
Why Cummins doesn’t define himself purely as a cricketer

His approach to investing, AI and business interests

Balancing elite performance with family, curiosity and long-term thinking

A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: 

Gemini Sports
We empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth https://geminisports.ai/

Slate
The complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/

After Charlie’s epic run through of the horse racing industry, the pressure is on to deliver this week. With F1 race cancellations and continued speculation on Iran’s World Cup participation, it feels like the right time to look at the impact of the war on the sporting calendar. We’re also at the crazy time of the season where manager hiring and firings dominate the headlines, so a look at the importance of managers on their teams and whether experience is overlooked for ‘fashionable’ alternatives delivers a bit of spice to the show. Add to that a dive into the US college sports competition that makes more money in a month than some football leagues in Europe make in a season, and we have ourselves a breakdown!

Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only. All financial analysis, commentary, and forecasts are based on publicly available information and/or permitted confidential sources. These represent our personal opinions, not professional financial, legal, or investment advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Nothing said should be taken as a statement of fact about any individual, club, or organisation's financial position or future prospects. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on our commentary.

MotoGP has hundreds of millions of die hard fans, has an excellent commercial model, some of the most talented sportspeople in the business, and now Liberty Media, the owners of F1, have arrived to try and bring a true global business to this already powerful sporting property. This is an awesome conversation looking into one of the great sports that you may not know much about.
Carlos Ezpeleta is the man at the helm looking to front this change while ensuring the sport doesn’t lose its identity and the core fans which have driven its growth. In a world of sporting plenty, I think this is one of the most exciting areas in the industry. I’m excited for you to hear it. We’re delighted to welcome Carlos to the Business of Sport. 

The Growth of MotoGP
How MotoGP is expanding globally while maintaining its core fanbase

The challenge of competing with F1’s explosion in popularity

Why Liberty Media’s involvement could transform the sport

Media, Content & Audience
The role of Drive to Survive and why MotoGP is approaching content differently

How digital platforms and storytelling can unlock new audiences

Balancing tradition with entertainment in modern sport

The Business of MotoGP
Where the money comes from: broadcasting, sponsorship and race hosting

The importance of manufacturers and why they shape the sport

Cost control, competitiveness and keeping the grid balanced

The Future of Motorsport
Expanding into new markets like the US and Asia

The next generation of fans and how to attract them

Why MotoGP must evolve without losing what makes it unique

A huge thank you to our amazing partners on the show: 

Gemini Sports
We empower the most confident sports organisations on Earth
https://geminisports.ai/

Slate
The complete content creation platform for social teams https://slateteams.com/

This is a big week. Charlie is about to deliver a masterclass. Horse racing; it’s not my expertise, and may not be yours. But stick with us. His evaluation of the UK’s second biggest sport and one that has a huge global footprint is truly fascinating, just in time for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. You won’t be disappointed.

It’s the turn for Scottish football to have its moment in the sun, looking at a competitive league including teams outside of Celtic and Rangers for the first time in 40 years. Caveat to say we recorded this very soon after the nasty scenes at the end of the Old Firm derby last weekend, and so that isn’t included.

Add to that a potential return of the Christian Horner and Toto Wolff rivalry and we have ourselves a breakdown! 

Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are for informational and entertainment purposes only. All financial analysis, commentary, and forecasts are based on publicly available information and/or permitted confidential sources. These represent our personal opinions, not professional financial, legal, or investment advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information discussed. Nothing said should be taken as a statement of fact about any individual, club, or organisation's financial position or future prospects. We are not responsible for any actions taken based on our commentary.