16. Taylor Gilmore: Behind the Superbowl Logistics and 49ers Back Office

26:41And he was just so respectful and all the things. So that was kind of the time where I was like, okay, you know, like this, this is serious and I'm very interested. and I feel good about it. And yeah, then we were long distance for almost two years until last summer when we moved up to the Bay together, which is just awesome. So that's the story. That's the story. It is a story for sure. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. The sideline is so crazy. Do you have your engagement pictures yet? Yes. Did you do them at a field? No, I was never going to be able to get him to do that. Really? No. You couldn't get the man who hit on you three inches away from your face.

27:24Right? Right? Did he have love at first sight? I think it was more so just like he saw me kind of like just like attraction, right? Like interest. I think it was just immediate interest. And he saw me before I saw him. Because he says like you were taking a lap. Like I was lapping the field. And so I think he noticed me, which is so funny, you guys. I was in the ugliest blue polo shirt. which like leggings. Yeah. I was in a polo. Can anyone who is in charge of anything listening to this right now, stop making women wear polos. We don't like them. They're ugly and we feel ugly in them every, it doesn't matter how hot your hair and makeup is.

28:03A polo is going to ruin it. Yeah. Absolutely. Stop with the polos. At least I wasn't in khakis because I had to wear khaki shorts when I worked at the bears and that was real bad. No. Why had khakis and polos not been, not been ruled out. Like, who do we need to talk to? Because I really can't. It was a bright orange t-shirt and khaki shorts. Like just heinous. Yeah. But let's talk about how you pulled your fiance wearing a polo. That's iconic. It's a win. It was a win, you guys. It was an unexpected victory. God. Right? No, no. Trust me. I can show you pictures from that day. No. So he just caught, I don't know, just saw me and was like, I want to talk to her.

28:49And that was kind of it. But no, he was intentional from the start. So maybe not love at first sight, but certainly was like, oh, I'm interested. And I want her to know that. So I greatly appreciate that. There was never questioning, right, in relationships. So that's my little relationship tidbit advice here, ladies. Like, you should know where you stand. Like, he should be very intentional with you from the start. so like the whole questioning does he like me or does he not then i'm like no he should he should know he should know and he should show you and he should show you okay i'm sensing like a football hallmark maybe no literally from this story yeah you guys want to make it you guys want to be my producers yes we'll let you know when we have the resources for that we'll give you a call okay we'll have our people talk to your people perfect you have like don't sell your story don't sell your story copy that the story will be kept only to tiktok in this podcast for future notice perfect and if there are any producers call us we'll absolutely put you in contact we're willing i love it okay so now that you are engaged you're technically a front office wag for the 49ers.

30:10So we'd love to hear about what is the culture of the team on the coaches side at the 49ers? The 49ers do an excellent job in terms of like their, they call it their family program, right? So any significant other and family of players, you know, front office staff, coaches, et cetera. So they do, they do a great job of just gathering us. And obviously we're led by Mandy Shanahan and Linda Lynch, who are both excellent, have such great dynamics together. And so they always present, you know, as a united front, which I think helps, you know, that messaging trickles down. So we always start the season with like, you know, the ladies luncheons that have blown up on social media.

30:56I don't know if you guys are ever on that side, but every team is like, you know, my haul from the luncheon, including myself. I did that. But it's just fun to see how that event has evolved. But truly the purpose of it, right, is every season to welcome the new people, right? But also just be in front of each other because it's very rare, right? Like during the season, we're not all on top of each other by any means. Everyone kind of lives their separate lives, separate tracks. So the Niners do a good job of making sure they know, hey, like this is a family, right? This is if you ever need anything, these are your people.

31:31And it's cool because at the luncheons too, they like share all the resources from like safety and security, right? Because all the stuff that was happening with players' homes when they were at away games, right? And a lot of the player wives like travel for every away game. So they were like, just make sure, you know, basically make sure you're posting something to like keep you safe, right? And to keep your home safe because if they know your whole family is out of your house, right? Like that causes issues and we've seen it like last season. So they just share a lot of safety security resources.

32:02They have mental health resources for the significant others as well. I don't have any children yet, but the daycare at game days is a big draw. The team just does a fantastic job of making sure people feel supported and a community. And we do a lot of like, you know, community volunteering opportunities once again, that are together across the few groups. So shout out to the Niners. They do an excellent job because I've seen some stuff, you know, people post about other teams that don't necessarily have the same experience. So, yeah, I'm just, I'm certainly grateful to be a part of it here. I feel like the 49ers is kind of interesting because like y 'all have Kristen Ushchuk and y 'all have Claire Kittle.

32:43So in terms of like a WAG and why in addition to the Shanahan's and the Lynch's, like the 49ers specifically, y 'all are kind of at the forefront. And I feel like the kind of broken barriers when it comes to the families and the significant others of coaches, personnel, players, all that kind of stuff. For sure. No, we have, it's a cool group. And obviously what Kristen's been able to do in the last couple of years is awesome, right? Like I'm going to be the first one to be like, I'm like, girl, you do you, right? Like that is her thing. And she has taken over the world with what she's doing. And it's like, it's so cool.

33:18And she's so sweet. It was like last summer, obviously I was new and my fiance somehow left his backpack at home. So I'm like trying to get to training camp with all of his stuff. And I'm like checking in, this is my first time there. And she comes up and in the nicest way, she basically was like, are you new here? And I was like, yes. You're like, actually I am. Please help because I'm lost and I don't want everyone to know. I am. She was back to my high school days. Why don't you? Right. No, literally. I'm like PTSD. She was your one extroverted friend though, because every introvert just needs one extroverted friend and then you're set for life.

33:58Just to say hello. Right. Like that, that, you know, acknowledge each other. Right. And so, no, she was, she's very sweet and she's awesome. And I've enjoyed, you know, watching her, the off season brand just blow up. I know like the Taylor Swift thing, all of that, that was just happening right in front of her eyes. So that was awesome. And she's very sweet, But yeah, we definitely have some like cool people, right. That are part of the Niner side, both on the players and, and, you know, I'm going to pump up our front office and coaches, right. We're not, we're not exactly in the media in the same way that Kristen is, but Hey, we're here.

34:32We're here. Sometimes that's a good thing. No, sometimes that is a good thing. So what kind of conversations, obviously he, your, what's your fiance's name? Josh, Josh. Okay. So Josh is on the recruiting side, what kind of like conversations are you guys having? When is his big kind of season for recruiting? What does that look like at home? Because obviously we know what it looks like for a player, but what does it look like for the front office staff? Because they're year round. And I know recruiting has like some really important times that might not match up with just like NFL season. A hundred percent.

35:09I always give them a hard time because I'm like, I feel like I've been bamboozled because you just don't have an off season. So I'm like, yeah, no, I did. I certainly did. And when you're not like, cause now we're living together. So I see it, but when we were long distance, like there's parts of it, right. That I just like, I don't see. So now I'm like, Oh, so his schedule, obviously like, you know, the big thing is the draft, right. For the front office, like that is go time, but that starts, I mean, they're evaluating right 24 seven, but the big time period. So like after Superbowl, that's when you turn to like all your pro days at across the country.

35:48That's when obviously the combine that's a, that's a big week for them. And then again, continuing additional pro days to evaluate, to interview, they come in, I can't remember what they call it, but when some of the athletes like actually come and visit certain teams, they have like a certain amount of numbers. official visits. Yeah. But like that's the college term, but there's a term that like, for NFL. Yes. So basically an official visit of people like you're really interested in. Right. So that's all the way through. And then you have the draft. Right. But then it's like, okay, now you have like rookie minicamp and then you have like the vets come back for a little bit.

36:25And so it's just like, we, he's not really off until like mid June. So it's like mid June to mid-July is our time, right? Like if you want to go to Europe, it's then. And we did, we did this year. We went to Europe that literally the day after he was done, we got on a flight to Madrid and were there for like 12 days or so. Yeah. So it's, it's really the only that timeframe. And so once they get back, then it's training camp, right? And then now you're trying to create the 53 man roster. So it's, it's busy for the front office. I mean, it's busy for everyone, right? But like the front office is constantly like, okay, who's going to make our team, right?

37:05And then it turns into trades. And then it turns into like, unfortunately on our end, right? Like we've been hit with a ton of injuries. So like every game it's figuring out, okay, what next? Who's up, right? So I kind of feel like this year in particular has been like really heavy on the front office. Not that it's not always and not that it's not on other people, but just the amount of transactions and the amount of moves that they've had to do is pretty heavy. So yeah, football season, it's obviously busy. God willing, right? A playoff run, you know, once that's over, it just turns to draft again.

37:40So like, that's the life cycle. And it's insane. It's insane. But yeah, you know, certain time periods, like the draft, right? Like that is front office's time. Right. Right. It seems also like such a blessing that you guys started out as long distance. So if he's traveling for work now or longer days, like you guys have a foundation of understanding how to be with each other and support each other and love each other, even if you're not like sitting on the couch next to each other. So like a big, it seems to be to me a blessing in disguise that you had that as your foundation. So now you're kind of unshakable, even if season's crazy or he just works a lot or you work a lot, you know?

38:23Yeah. Yeah. No. And I've gotten better. I'm not going to say I was always good at that because last season was a little tough. Like again, when you move somewhere new and you don't know a single person and then your partner is always gone, like it's just very isolating and I didn't have a routine. Right. And so I've definitely learned, like, I have to be able to fill my time. Right. And of course I do work. So that helps majority of the time, but it's really the evenings, right? Where you're like, okay, now I want to like talk to a human or I want to like go do something. And so I've had to like push myself to get into a routine, which this season I've been much better.

38:59Like I could tell like every season, right? I'm going to naturally improve, but like one day, right? When kids come into a picture and stuff, then you get like, your routine gets whacked and then you have to refigure it out. Right. But start all over. Yeah. You start over. So we're working on it. We're not perfect. I give them a hard time. sometimes, but no, they work, they work so hard. Like I wouldn't, I don't know if I could function at their schedule or like at their pace, you know? So I'm like, power to you, my love. You're working hard. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But you have a super interesting job.

39:33So you're like, I don't know if I can function at that capacity, but you're functioning at a logistic operational capacity of superwoman herself. So let's dive into kind of your personal story. Obviously the men are great, But we want to talk about you. So you are working in operations and logistics for the 2026 Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup, which is insane. You started in sports. So maybe give us a little career trajectory to how you even got into the Super Bowl. So sports was always the path. I knew that from a young age and mainly because my dad, right? Because I just loved football. And I think if you would have asked me at that time, I would have said, I want to lead ops for a team, college or NFL, doesn't matter.

40:26But I want to be on the team side. I want to be in operations and logistics because I think that's where my strong suit is. But I still want to be able to connect with people. So my first technical job in sports, I was working in the recruiting office for Wisconsin football, which is pre-NIL. So like I appreciated how there was a little bit more, you know, authentic trying to create connection, market your school, get someone to choose you. And so I really liked that side of it. Right. But you were still on the team side because you are actively recruiting. Right. For the team. But then I could do a little events.

41:00Right. Like official visits and unofficial visits. We would throw all of that. Right. And you wanted to make it a good experience and you would plan different activities around it for the families and stuff. So I really appreciated it. And then like the science of it too, like we would keep track of who the decision makers seem to be in the family, right? Is it mom or is it dad? Or it may be aunt or maybe grandma, whatever it may be. Like we would keep track of all of that stuff. So you specifically knew who to talk to about certain things. And so I just thought that was fascinating. Right. And then, you know, in my summers, I worked for the bears for a couple summers with like training camp and then into some of their games just on like the events and entertainment team.

41:40So truthfully, I was like setting or like hanging scrim and with like the zip ties and blowing up the kid zone and all the things that I'm like, I think that's a rite of passage for sure. But I was like, don't want to do that for the rest of my life. But the people were great. Like it was such a fun experience. It was still in the Bears in Bourbonnet. I don't know if you guys are familiar with like how they used to do training camp, but it was in this small like Catholic school in Bourbonnet. And so everyone like stayed on campus and you went to the food hall and it was just fun. I really enjoyed that experience.

42:12And then my next big internship was with the Pro Football Hall of Fame. So that was like my next level of events, right? Because I was starting to think like, hey, what can I do in the meantime, right? I can't like move teams. I'm already working for the team, you know, that I'm connected with. So I went to Canton, Ohio for a summer and worked as part of their Hall of Fame experiences team, which truthfully was like events as part of their marketing team. But when fans come to Canton for enshrinement, there's just like 101 different events that they can buy into, whether that's tailgates or a gold jacket dinner or an autograph session, whatever it may be.

42:50And it was fun because that was the year that we inducted two classes because of COVID. So there was obviously even more associated with that week and people were like finally gathering again. And there was just a lot of excitement around that. So again, I was like, okay, I like this events, right? Like I can still be connected to sports, but I really like putting on events. So then there was an internship I had been eyeing for a long time with the college football playoff, but you needed your degree. So I was like, okay, so once I graduate, like I'm applying for this because with my job, they don't know yet, but that is my job.

43:23No, that's my job. And growing up in college football, Like we were fortunate to go to some of the bigger bowl games, like to the New Year's Six games quite often. And so I was like, Ooh, like I love working for the bowl games. I love that space, the like events and hospitality associated with these bowl games. I'm like, love that. Right. Like I think I could do something in that. So why not go work for the national championship game? Because that's, that's the top. So that's what I did. I got the public events and sponsorship position, which again, a next level of like size and magnitude of an event.

43:57So we did all the events that were leading up to the game. So we had like a three night concert series. We had like a fan fest style event, a 5k, a VIP tasting event, just different things like that, which again, I appreciated how I was exposed to so many different things. Cause like a concert series, like we were sourcing talent, right. And we were talking about stage and production and things that I like certainly never would have probably been exposed to. That year we had Jonas Brothers and Pitbull, which were wins. Incredible. Okay. They were wins. And Saweetie, she came out. She was great.

44:31We just had excellent lineups that year. So that was super fun to like see it come to fruition. Unfortunately, that was the TCU, TCU Georgia and TCU did not have a good time that day. I did go to that game. Did you? Yeah, it was awful. Like the stadium was empty, but we stayed the whole time. But like, it was not, it was not fun at all. No. Like on either side, like obviously Georgia won, so they were excited. But like, it's kind of like the cheering where you're like, oh, like this is bad. This is just bad. There's no other way to put it. Yeah, no, it was painful. It was boring. It was sad. But, and the weather sucked that day.

45:14like out of nowhere, we had the like sideways rain coming into SoFi. People were stepping everywhere. Yeah. Yeah. But anyways, one of my favorite experiences ever. Um, and then I kind of, I was in Dallas cause their offices are in Irving. So I was living in Dallas and I was like, I don't want to move again. I was like, I've been here for eight months. Like I don't feel the need to move right now. And so I took a job with a sports marketing agency. So kind of in my head, it was a 180, right? Because I never thought I would go the agency route, but I kept being told like, you're going to learn so much and be exposed to so much.

45:52And I'm like, great. Like, let's just go on that side. So I managed the like pro and college sport partnerships for American Airlines and Comerica Bank. So, you know, anytime you go to a game and it's like, this game is presented by American Airlines, right? And all the assets associated with that. And we did a lot of sweepstakes programs and different things like that. So I was certainly like shown a whole other side of the industry, which I really appreciated, but I was still like, I need more of the events, right? Like that's what I'm missing. Or like, I need more onsite operations, logistics experience.

46:26And so in January of 2024, I was actually working the CFP again in Houston. I came across my now boss. Her name is Karina Harold. Shout out to her. She came up, she saw me like we hadn't really kept in contact, but she was working for the LA sports commission when I was at CFP. So we worked on the LA game together. Like we were like a part of the events team together. So she came up to me and she's like, I just got this job like three days ago. And if I have something in six months, like, would you be interested? And I was like, I mean, yeah. And it was in the Bay and like, she knows nothing about Josh.

47:03She knows really nothing about Josh or kind of where Josh was at career wise because we were kind of an in-between trying to figure out where he was going to go. And, you know, she just came and offered me that opportunity without even knowing this is before Josh was like, yeah, we're moving up to the Bay kind of thing. So it was one of those like blessings that like everything, it was just meant to be right. And I say, I did not follow a man to the Bay because I had a job first. People like give me so much crap for that. Cause that's not true. I would have come up here, but I was like, I'm not moving unless I have a job I'm excited about.

47:35Right. Like that was just important. So I love that so much. Yeah. Six months later, like he had plans obviously to move up to the Bay. I officially got offered this job. So my official title is manager of event operations and client services for the Bay Area host committee. The host for those not familiar with host committee side, because I wasn't, it is like the organizing group that kind of works on behalf of the region or the city, whatever it may be, to bring these games, bring these events to the area, right? And what's interesting about the Bay Area, like we are a sports hub. Like we pretty much have every professional team, right?

48:14And so all of the presidents of those professional sports teams came together and were like, we need a sports commission. Like we need someone to handle this, first of all, because all of us are overworked in our current jobs. And then if you add putting on these events. Like that's just crazy. So then we need another group to kind of just work in tandem with. So we're truly the like connectors between our local teams, our venues, our government to bring these events. And so it just happens that we had NBA all-star in February and then Superbowl 60 in February or next February, right in 2026. And then six matches of the FIFA World Cup in June slash July.

48:52And then for whatever reason I decided to get married. So then I'm throwing a wedding after FIFA. So that experience is like once in a lifetime. Like that's never happened before that one region has all of that in like an 18 month, 18 month time span. So I'm like the experience I'm going to get from this alone, like done. Like I didn't need to be convinced. Right. Yeah. And so that's kind of like the role of the host committee. And what I think people don't understand is that we also are like financially obligated for these events. So like we operate as a nonprofit and are raising every single dollar to go towards the operations of these things, which as you can imagine in California is a large number.

49:32Okay. So half of our team really is working on selling and the other half is executing. And so like I'm on the executing side. Right. And that starts at the top with the NFL or like with your league, right. because we put together a bid like years ago, not we, but the host committee put together a bid years ago. We were awarded the Superbowl. It's basically a list of things we have to execute on or we have to provide. So I was like the venue girl here in the Bay. So I was trying to find venues for all the NFL's like main events. So like the commissioner's party that he throws every year and the 49ers like owner's dinner, which, you know, each host city, whatever host club it is puts together an owner's dinner, their hospitality concept, right?

50:18You know, the houses are in right now. So like the NFL house concept. So that was like my first, you know, as soon as I started, that's what we were working on is getting venues locked down for the NFL, which just the other day, our venues went live and the NFL put them out in a press conference. So that was exciting. But I have just been, I've seen like every venue in San Francisco. So if you guys ever need a venue in San Francisco, let me know. Great. Which was so fun too, right? Because like I got to connect with people, right? I got to see all these spaces. I got to learn the city. And I think one thing too, that we're getting a lot of, you know, people are commenting on, right?

50:55Is that majority of the things are taking place in San Francisco. I don't know if you guys have been to the Bay, but it's very spread out. So Levi's where the Niners play and their facility is in Santa Clara. But majority of the like larger hotels are going to be in San Francisco. and then you have San Jose, right? Which also has a good amount of hotels, but they're just all spread out. And so of course, you know, Super Bowl, you want to bounce to the next thing. Like you go to one party and then you go to the other party and then you go to this, right? So it's been interesting kind of figuring out the best way to like make that flow here in the Bay.

51:30But like the teams are going to be in the South Bay, but everything else is going to be in San Francisco. So it's just navigating that. I know Arizona was similar, right? Where all the fun parties took place in Scottsdale but the game is in Glendale. And so it's getting to the game and every region has their own setup. So we're working through that, but it's been an awesome side of that experience in terms of the venues and just getting to know where I live, honestly. But another big piece of it is like, we're meant to represent the community, right? Our goal is to bring these events to the community for the economic impact, right?

52:04Because people are like, why are we spending so much money for this? Why do we want the Super Bowl, right? Or why do we want people World Cup to come here? And it's like the camaraderie alone, right? It's exciting. There's like a level of pride, right? Like you want to be chosen. You want your region to be chosen to host these events and you want to be asked to do it again, right? Like LA, get it again. I'm a betting person that Vegas is going to get it again because, you know, we were fortunate. I was fortunate to attend the Vegas one and it was great. So, you know, there's different cities that we want to be like in terms of getting into the rotation to get them every five to eight years, right?

52:40So what can we do to make the community want to do that, right? Is we have to invest in them. So like I leave point on some of our local business strategy, right? And trying to make sure the money that the NFL and FIFA are spending is going directly to local businesses and local suppliers, right? Like that's a big piece because we have so much talent here. There's no reason to bring in a national large company to do something that someone could do here. Just as good, if not bad. Right. So that's another piece of it. And then I would say the rest of it is the fun stuff in terms of transportation, security, public safety, which the planning, you guys, that goes into that is absolutely insane.

53:24Like I've always been - I can only imagine. Yeah, I've always been the person that's like aware, right? Like the world we live in, you have to be aware. So like anything you go to, right? You're seeing like barricades and what is police presence and just different things like that. But to sit in a room and have a conversation about basically all of the worst case scenarios that could happen around these different things, right? Like that's an exercise we do and we have to prepare for it. And so that's like the anxious girly in me is like, okay, that's terrifying. But also I appreciate that we're at least thinking about it, you know, like.

53:58Yeah, people are sitting down and talking about it. A hundred percent. Yeah. And I mean, we were in New Orleans for Super Bowl because we do like, you know, they host the next host cities. And that was right after, you know, the awful incident in New Orleans. And so seeing how that city responded to it and obviously how the NFL responded to it, like it was Fort Knox. And to me, I'm like, great, like secure spaces, love. That's my place to be. But it was, it was insane. I mean, the National Guard was present. Like it was, it was a whole thing as it should be, right? Because these are incidents that just should not happen or should not be able to happen in spaces like that.

54:35So it's our responsibility to obviously contribute financially to making sure that all of our areas are safe, but also just working in tandem with the different leagues, right? To make sure that that everything that needs to be in place is. So that's the side of it where I'm like, ooh, like that's not like fun and rainbows, but it's so important. And then the other last piece of it is team operations, right? So where are the teams staying? Where are the teams practicing? What do the teams need? right? Privacy, security related to that. There's been some incidents in the past, right? Where you have to make sure that no one can see the practice fields.

55:07No one can record the practice fields. Like it is private. They can only be on a bus for a certain amount of time to get to their practice sites, right? Like there's just a million little things that you have to make sure that you are making happen, right? And because they're going to call you if they have a problem, they are going to call you. So we're just trying to avoid that, right? Yeah. But yeah, those are like, I've been rambling. Those are like the big buckets when it comes to like Superbowl specifically and, you know, working in sports, like when people ask like, well, what does your day-to-day look like?

55:38And you're like, hmm, well, this day I'm in this city. This day I'm on Zoom meetings all day. This day I'm over here, right? Like no day is ever the same, but it is a lot of meetings right now. And then just being on site, like mapping flows and making sure your venues are in place. And And it's just details, right? And we're three months away, you guys, which is insane. Yeah. Like, I think tomorrow is three months. Yeah. Which we're three months away from the Super Bowl. So that is where I'm currently at, which is so exciting. But it's an interesting parallel, right? Because obviously with the Niners and, you know, everyone wants the home team to make it to the Super Bowl, right?

56:20Or to at least get a playoff run. And so you're also starting to like hear that conversation start. So I have a foot on both sides of that conversation in terms of like, oh gosh, you know, that would be awesome. Right. But just trying to plan for it as if, you know, who knows who's going to be in the Super Bowl this year. Right. This year, especially. I feel like there's not a clear answer to that question. No, there's not. Well, I mean, I feel like you could like argue some teams right now, but I'm not. Yeah, I was like, Giovanna, who do you want to argue for? I'm not going to put any team name out there yet because you never know.

56:59I was like, you can argue for whoever you want. It's a safe space. Let's hear it. I mean, always, you know, I would love to see the Cowboys. This is not going to happen. My proclamation is that conspiracy theories for Super Bowl. Do you hear about this? With the colors? Yeah. Do you like, yes. Yeah. I mean, it's crazy when it's right, right? Like in hindsight, you're like, huh. Isn't the conspiracy, though, that it's the Ravens? this year what are what are what are the colors logo is like every color in the rainbow like we have pink blue green yellow like they really just threw a rainbow on us which is like so fun from the color perspective but i also wonder too if that has anything to do with it in terms of like what drop that you know like drop that yeah but i mean in the past right because last year was right right like with the eagles last year was right yeah because it was like yes yeah and then Vegas, the year we went, I feel like it was red and purple, wasn't it, or something?

57:58So, like, I don't know. I can't remember. But, no, I hear that, and that's very interesting. And as soon as the logo was announced on February, what was that? Whatever, like, the day after the Super Bowl this year, people start, right? They're like, oh, well, then this team is gonna make it, or this team gonna make it. And we're like, it's the rainbow. Like, how are you guys in your choices? But, yeah. No, that's fascinating. I think that they came out that it was purple. Okay, teams that would apply to this, baby blue, Lions, Chargers, purple is Ravens, Vikings, green and yellow, Packers, Eagles, Scarlet, Commanders, or Chiefs.

58:36So those are in the running. But I think it's because they have pink and blue on here, which make purple. Oh, wow. Now we're mixing colors. Yeah, now we're mixing colors. So, interesting. It's getting too complicated. Giovanna, wait a sort of the question. Yeah, that's an acceptance word. Yeah. She's like, I don't want to look at it.

59:03Okay. How do you stay organized in your job? Because I am not a logistics girl. I can do them when I need to, but I don't seek them out. Professionally, especially, how do you stay organized and literally stay sane because you just listed at least 50 items that you guys are responsible for so i know you have a team and like you guys are all working together but even on just the like venue side or just what you own how do you stay organized and like how do you keep it together yeah yeah well i would say like this is literally my my to-do list that's how I try. I try to keep it together. I'm sitting at my desk.

59:47I'm like, I had to start writing, come with the receipts. I had to start writing things down because especially with the two events, like sometimes we even catch ourselves like talking about them interchangeably, like, okay, Superbowl, FIFA, right? Like, and sometimes we'll just like switch and then people aren't necessarily following. So you have to be like super organized in that sense, right? Of being able to separate like, Hey, okay, so this is Superbowl. This is FIFA. But when we're talking public safety, right? Like that's a bridge. Like we have to do public safety for both. So we're going to talk about both, right?

1:00:18So it's like trying to organize the way we talk about it. I would say our team is about like 20 people. So it seems like somewhat bigger than it was. Like we started really small, but at the same time, like when you're talking about the magnitude of what we're trying to do, like tiny, right? Like we are just trying to figure it out. I mean, it's a lot of like for any of the events that we're putting on, I didn't even talk about that, But the host committee will also be putting on their own events like that are hopefully, you know, centered towards either gathering the community or like one of our cool ones we announced for Super Bowl is an innovation summit.

1:00:52So that's where like all of these VPs and CEOs of these tech companies, because the Bay, right, that's what we do in innovation. So like creating an opportunity, the NBA has done one around All Star and it's like always the biggest event of the week. So we're going to do the first one as part of Super Bowl. So like Roger Goodell helped us announce it back in September. And so there's just a lot of buy-in to those kinds of things. So we're also managing our own events. Yeah. And it's a lot of agency support, right? Like we have to have production agencies that are running point on it, like on the day-to-day details, right?

1:01:26Like we're in the weeds right now, but come game week, like we're not going to be able to be a hundred places at the same time. So I think like keeping organized, we've tried so many different ways because we operate as a startup too. So like different project management tools, right? Like what works for people? The ops team, we are so old school. We literally all have like scratch notebooks. We try to organize our email inboxes, right? Like I try to make sure like I'm pinning emails that I need to respond to at the top because my mind moves a mile a minute. All of our minds do. And like attention spans, right?

1:02:01Like I have to be better when an email pops up that I'm looking at that email, but I'm not finishing what I'm currently doing. So we are learning, but it is like some days is more Super Bowl, some days is more FIFA. And then you're like, okay, if I could just focus on Super Bowl, but then you're like, well, then we have two months till FIFA. So like we have to be working on FIFA like just as actively right now. And I think like the leagues too are kind of like, how are you guys doing this? Because you're like, we're not sure. No, we're not. We are not sure. And we are definitely crazy. We have admitted to that.

1:02:35So I don't know if that really answers the question, but we just try. We just try. Yeah. You just like do your best. I mean, it sounds like such an exciting time and like what an awesome experience to have having both of them. And I'm sure it's a lot, but it's so easy to buy into the excitement and buy into the hard work for it because the events are incredible. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a part of these two specific events in your hometown where you live? And it seems like you're doing, you know, like a great job of making sure that everyone's safe and has a great time and making the most of your position and enjoying it as much as you can.

1:03:19And I think it's so exciting and so cool. Are you... Oh, and they announced Pro Bowl. did you see that the week of super bowl yes no week before right it's the tuesday before super bowl so it's like all in that same stretch yes and you're are you guys also doing that we're doing well okay so like the actual operations of it pro bowl has definitely shrunk in terms of like what it is right like we've kind of all watched the evolution of the pro bowl and so now to my understanding i think it's like a flag football situation yes because they're also We're trying to like tie into LA 28 health flag football is going to be incorporated there.

1:04:00So I think they're trying to like highlight that. Oh, do you want to shake your head? But yeah, it's, it's so interesting. I mean, we don't really have to operate it, but it's just making sure, right. That like things are in place from a safety security perspective. They do a big, like kind of hosting program for pro bowl athletes and their families. So like making sure we offer different experiences that they can get involved with across the bay and stuff like that. and then workforce, making sure there's people at the airports to welcome them and escort them, et cetera. So it's not necessarily like a giant lift on our side, but it's just another thing that we're like, okay.

1:04:34It's just like one more thing living in the back of your head. A hundred percent. Let's just add that. And everyone's like, is this true? Is this happening? Because it got leaked a couple of weeks early than it was supposed to. So, you know, okay. Wild. Yeah. I think it was like SBJ or someone leaked it. Cause we've known for a while, but the NFL was, you know, they announced it, I think a couple of weeks ago, but it did leak ahead of time. So it was just like kind of keeping our mouth shut until we were told to say anything about it. Yeah, that was the extra cherry on top for the week. It'll be, yeah.

1:05:04I know we're like NFL girlies over here, but can we talk about European football for like one second? Isn't it, aren't they releasing like the matches in December, like who plays? Yeah. So how is that like preparation for y 'all? Like you talked about like events and stuff. So I'm, I'm sure like if you have a certain country playing a certain country for the matches that the Bay Area is holding, what does that look like for y 'all and how are y 'all prepping for that? Yeah. So early December is when the final draw is, and we're actually, I'm leaning point on, we're just doing a fun like watch party around it, both for the community and then for like our stakeholders.

1:05:42So that's coming up here shortly. But yeah, we honestly, we have no idea. Like we have no clue who we're going to get. I would like to think there is some planning around it, right? Like there's no way it's just a random draw, but we don't know. Like we seriously are going to show up and find out with the rest of the world. But it is interesting, right? Because obviously there are certain nations and teams that are larger or have a larger following than others have larger, more passionate, more, you know, whatever you want to call it. So we learned, we've had a couple of games, like we had a Copa America game, I think this past summer.

1:06:18And then the year before, I think it was like Brazil. We had a big soccer game. I can't remember. I wasn't, I wasn't moved here yet, but those were kind of like test runs, right. For this international crowd. Right. And there was obviously logistical things that needed to be improved out of that. But yeah, I mean, FIFA is doing like fan profiles on, you know, the different nations that are expected to be a part of the tournament and stuff like that to help us prepare. I mean, the biggest thing is like safety of the team, because that's what we're learning. Like based on other World Cups, like the fans, they it's a different level.

1:06:56Like they will find the wall. They will do this. They will get to the team. You know what I mean? So it's like, okay. And we're like all trying to plan for it. But like you said, Giovanna, like we have no idea who we're planning for. And, you know, we've received advice in terms of how to keep the teams, you know, the team fans generally like separate, right. For, for success, you know, and we have public transit, right. That we're going to try to push people on. And how do we handle like the security and flow of public transit in like a small space, a lot of people in the small states. Right.

1:07:25So it's interesting. And I guess I'm not a big soccer girl. So like, I don't, I don't know. Right. I mean, none of us really know, but I don't know because I just don't pay attention to soccer. But another thing we've heard is just like fans like to march and gather outside of the stadium. Like regardless if you have a ticket, like you're, you're just marching with your team to the stadium and like, that's not exactly going to work here. Right. So it's like how we're like, how could we create spaces for people to gather and safely watch the game and interact with each other. You know, so like that's a driving factor in the ways that we're going to activate around FIFA.

1:08:02But no, we have no clue who's coming. We'll have, we have six matches total, but five matches are part of the group stage. So we'll find out like the 10 teams, right, that are coming for that. And then we'll have a knockout round. So that round, we won't obviously know. There's a chance, I guess, if Team USA is good that they'll come to us for that first knockout round, which is fun. But again, I know nothing about soccer. So, but we got to wait and see Giovanna because plans will adjust based on who it is for sure. I'm like, I'm like bracing myself because even in Dallas, like we have a lot of matches in Dallas and I don't think we're like, actually like people like, Oh, FIFA's coming, like we're getting ready.

1:08:39I'm like, do we understand the amount of people that are going to be in these cities from like international? It's literally going to be crazy, but for y 'all, it's even worse because y 'all have Super Bowl on top of that too. So I'm like, I can't even imagine. No, it's, it's insane. But yeah, Dallas has the semifinals, I think. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Cause we don't know how brands, you know, Super Bowl, like everyone and their mother activates around Super Bowl these days, right? Like you have all the influencer events and you have all the brands and you have like all the media companies. Everyone does that around Super Bowl, but FIFA, it's like, if you have all of these different cities and all of these different choices.

1:09:17We don't exactly know how they're going to do it. And I think people are waiting to see what teams go where to then decide what they want to do. So that will just be interesting, kind of like the domino effect that we experience, like once we know who's coming, but it's exciting. But as soon as the final draw is done, like we are Super Bowl, like one year's on Super Bowl and we'll move to FIFA, but it's craziness in the best way for sure. Yeah. It's so, it's so interesting. We could ask you probably a billion more questions, but I think we should wrap it up. It's so cool to hear about your trajectory from being a coach's daughter, moving around to now moving to San Francisco, working on the operations side.

1:10:01To ask our last question, what are you most excited for coming up, I guess, in 2026 based on everything that you have going on, who your family is, who you're married to, like, what are you looking forward to the most? Yeah. I mean, I'm someone who thrives in a busy season. So I think part of that, like, it is just going to be so exciting to say what I've done, right? To say I was a part of Super Bowl 60, to say I was a part of FIFA World Cup, to learn what's, you know, everything that's going to come with those events, like the amount of learning that I'm going to be able to take away from the experience.

1:10:35Like, that's just the value in itself. And that's what I'm so excited for. but obviously on the personally side personal side like I get married next year which is so exciting yeah and literally like a week before training camp so it's like your natural football is affecting the schedule but this year like I couldn't do June because of FIFA World Cup right so it's like really one weekend that worked in like mid-July so I think personally and professionally right it's just gonna be one of the biggest years of my life like hands down And it's all happening in the first six months too, which I'm like, ah, like craziness.

1:11:10I feel like you have to plan something in the end of the year to like keep the hype up so you don't get like a big just... No, I'm literally going to plateau. I'll be like sleeping for a month. But no, I think, yeah, just very, very grateful, right? For like the experiences that I'm about to embark on. And I think professionally that's going to set me up to do really like whatever I want to do next. and in the process of figuring out what that looks like or what aspects do I love about this job and want to emulate or things like that. And of course, Josh, we're going to see how long the Niners can make it through.

1:11:45And that's exciting in itself too. So just lots of things, but I'm waiting for you guys. You guys need to come to the Bay. You need to come to a Niners game. We will come to the Bay. I mean, I'm from San Diego and I have so many friends in the Bay. So we will be up there before end of season, at least for a game. For sure. We should coordinate. So I'll let you know. Yeah, absolutely. Let's coordinate that. I think like we were going back and forth on a TikTok about, I was like, you should go today. And someone commented about like Claire Kittle's tailgates. You know, have you seen that? That she's doing?

1:12:15Yeah. But it's only one of the games. I think she's just doing it on like the Christmas game, which wouldn't be like the way. So we can find the time to meet up. It'll be fun. Let me know. Thank you again for having me. I've had so much fun. Oh my gosh. Thank you. It's so fun to learn about your story and all of the work that you're doing now. And I love knowing that whether I get to go to the Super Bowl or I'm watching the Super Bowl from home, just knowing that you were such a big part of the entire operation is so special and so cool. And I think you should already be so proud of the work that you've done personally and professionally.

1:12:51And then obviously, we're so excited to just watch your events unfold and watch you on TikTok and see how everything goes and meet you in person, hopefully sooner than later. But we're so grateful you came on and shared your story. Tell everyone where they can find you. Absolutely. So I'm on my TikTok content creating journey, everyone who's listening to this. So TikTok is tay.gilmore. My Instagram underscore taygilmore. Those are like the main places. LinkedIn, if you want to connect from a women in sports perspective, please do. would love to connect with you all. But yeah, no, I'm just very thankful and glad to meet Victoria.

1:13:27You passed my message along to Giovanna. I was glad to meet her as well. But yeah, no, reach out. Want to be a resource to as many people as I possibly can. Amazing. All right. See you later. All right. Talk soon. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. We want to thank our sponsor, Kuso Cuts. They are the best seasoning blends and sauces, perfect for tailgate season. You guys hear me talk about them every single week, and it's because we love them and we use them. And I haven't been cooking because I've been traveling, but I'm so happy that they're at my house when I get back because genuinely, especially after a trip, it's so hard to cook and take care of yourself.

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