Podcast · 113 episodes
Leaders Worth Knowing Podcast
by Leaders · English
The biggest names in the global business of sport sit down with Leaders Editorial Director, James Emmett, and Content Director, David Cushnan.
Latest episodes
Who’s watching women’s sport? With Chelsea Women CEO Aki MandharWomen’s sport fandom growth and how Chelsea Women (WSL) is building mainstream, less-tribal audiences—using player access, tailored matchday products, and purpose-led partnerships—especially ahead of…28 Sep 2026 · 42 min
On and on and on: what Mbappé's shoe swap means for the sportwear sectorThe episode covers (1) Kylian Mbappé’s shock move from Nike to Swiss sportswear brand On and what it signals for the sportswear sector, plus (2) a quick recap of a prior Leaders Worth Knowing episode…24 Sep 2026 · 44 min
Scroll Stoppers: what's real anymore? The AI revolution in sports contentHow AI is changing sports content creation, distribution, and scaling—moving from prototypes to operational systems, and balancing authenticity, IP risk, and fan value.23 Sep 2026 · 58 min
All episodes
Who’s watching women’s sport? With Chelsea Women CEO Aki MandharWomen’s sport fandom growth and how Chelsea Women (WSL) is building mainstream, less-tribal audiences—using player access, tailored matchday products, and purpose-led partnerships—especially ahead of…28 Sep 2026 · 42 min · 17 chapters
On and on and on: what Mbappé's shoe swap means for the sportwear sectorThe episode covers (1) Kylian Mbappé’s shock move from Nike to Swiss sportswear brand On and what it signals for the sportswear sector, plus (2) a quick recap of a prior Leaders Worth Knowing episode…24 Sep 2026 · 44 min · 22 chapters
Scroll Stoppers: what's real anymore? The AI revolution in sports contentHow AI is changing sports content creation, distribution, and scaling—moving from prototypes to operational systems, and balancing authenticity, IP risk, and fan value.23 Sep 2026 · 58 min · 28 chapters
Crunch time looms as NBA Europe inches closerLeaders Worth Knowing episode covers: (1) the sports building boom driven by hospitality expansion, (2) Adam Silver’s latest comments on NBA Europe, and (3) major sports events and business updates.17 Sep 2026 · 40 min · 17 chapters
Pull up a Chair: Richard Thompson on delivering memorable moments for prospects and clientsBig-picture sports hospitality trends and how Levy UK/Ireland and Liveira (Levy umbrella brand) deliver memorable prospect/client moments through premiumization, personalization, access, and…16 Sep 2026 · 35 min · 13 chapters
Why Charlie XCX's Brat Summer is the perfect sports marketing templateFan marketing at Two Circles’ EMEA client summit, using Charlie XCX’s “Brat Summer” as a sports-marketing template; plus practical fandom strategies from major sports and entertainment organizations.11 Sep 2026 · 1 h 20 min · 36 chapters
Power and influencers: Ranking the Grand SlamsThe episode discusses the US Open as a “quintessentially New York” event and ranks the four Grand Slams by business, crowd, and experience.9 Sep 2026 · 34 min · 15 chapters
Madrid's big F1 moment looms; What should we call DAZN these daysA round-up of sports-industry business themes: Premier League club commercial structures (via Everton), what DAZN is now after acquisitions, and Formula 1’s upcoming Madrid race as a potential…3 Sep 2026 · 41 min · 15 chapters
Everton’s Aaron Duckmanton: Life as a Premier League club Chief Revenue OfficerEverton’s Chief Revenue Officer Aaron Duckmanton explains how Everton monetizes matchdays and non-matchday activity after the move from Goodison Park to Hill Dickinson Stadium, and how the club…2 Sep 2026 · 41 min · 18 chapters
British Cycling Ventures' Darren Henry: Proving a new model for how governing bodies can be structuredDarren Henry (British Cycling) explains how British Cycling Ventures was created to restructure the governing body into three pillars—commercial (Ventures), federation (participation/elite/business…27 Aug 2026 · 38 min · 19 chapters
Felicity Shankar: why every major event wants a hospitality houseThe evolution and purpose of “hospitality houses” at major sports events, why they’ve spread from the Olympic movement into events like the FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl, and how to design them as a…20 Aug 2026 · 49 min · 18 chapters
Applying US know-how; empty seats; and who’s up for a Fifa election campaign?MotoGP’s transition into the American era under Liberty Media; how MotoGP is internationalizing its commercial/media strategy (including Tech3’s $50m investment); plus sports-business news and an…13 Aug 2026 · 37 min · 13 chapters
Carlos Ezpeleta and Guenther Steiner: How MotoGP is handling its new American investorsMotoGP’s post-Liberty Media era and how new American investors are reshaping the sport’s commercial strategy, governance, and team investment model through 2031, ahead of the British Grand Prix.10 Aug 2026 · 31 min · 12 chapters
What can and can’t be sold? And other questions Gianni Infantino might be asking himselfLeaders Worth Knowing discusses two big themes: the business of sports commercialization and the evolution of major leagues.6 Aug 2026 · 41 min · 17 chapters
Belinda Moore: The Growth Director at the Hundred on a new dawn for short form cricketBelinda Moore, newly appointed Growth Director at The Hundred (ECB), discusses the tournament’s “reset season” in 2026 after the ECB sold stakes in all eight teams, and how growth will be driven…5 Aug 2026 · 47 min · 21 chapters
Andy Burnham and the big UK sports jobs; what next for the Commonwealth Games?The episode discusses major leadership and commercial jobs in sport, then pivots to what comes next for the Commonwealth Games.23 Jul 2026 · 40 min · 17 chapters
Charlie Buck: the Lyvera CEO on the value of 'roaming' and other sports hospitality trendsSports hospitality trends and how Levy’s new umbrella brand Liveira is reshaping premium experiences—especially “roaming” (freedom to move between spaces), tiering (GA to ultra high-end), and…22 Jul 2026 · 48 min · 21 chapters
New York, Birkdale and everywhere in between: where sports industry bigwigs are spending the weekendThe episode is about sports hospitality and commercial dealmaking during peak summer events, especially the World Cup’s run-up and final in New York/New Jersey, plus broader industry news.15 Jul 2026 · 41 min · 10 chapters
Bruin Capital's George Pyne - how to raise money, then spend it, build businesses up, then exit with graceGeorge Pyne, CEO/founder of Bruin Capital, explains how to invest in sports “second-level enablers” (pipes/picks-and-shovels) rather than teams/leagues: raising capital, deploying it, adding…14 Jul 2026 · 50 min · 25 chapters
The Cannes Debate: how did PSG crack the cultural crossover code?Cannes Lions’ role in sports marketing, and how PSG cracked “cultural crossover” through creator strategies, authentic brand storytelling, and non-core partner activations.10 Jul 2026 · 42 min · 18 chapters
Rights and wrongs: How Sky and ITV might shake-up sports media; Fifa's World Cup shenanigansThe episode covers two main themes: how UK sports media rights could change if Sky’s £1.6bn purchase of ITV proceeds, and FIFA’s World Cup suspension controversy.9 Jul 2026 · 36 min · 14 chapters
Tony Godsick: Tennis turbulence, finding a place for the Laver Cup and the business of Roger FedererTony Godsick discusses tennis’s business health and the evolution of the Laver Cup, plus Roger Federer’s post-retirement commercial value and the changing role of tennis agents.6 Jul 2026 · 44 min · 19 chapters
NBA Europe - the reality behind the franchise sales; plus under-the-radar moves from FIFA and the EFCSports industry roundup focused on NBA Europe franchise bids, FIFA’s under-the-radar deal with the European Football Clubs (EFC) tied to Club World Cup expansion, plus brief updates in football,…3 Jul 2026 · 39 min · 19 chapters
Overlooked and underinvested - Matta's Marina Logacheva on the missed opportunity in disability sportDisability sport is “overlooked and underinvested” in the UK because sports participation spaces don’t adequately cater to disabled people; inclusion should be integrated into everyday marketing,…1 Jul 2026 · 45 min · 17 chapters