The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly cover art
Podcast · 54 episodes

The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly

by Bloomberg · English

When sports, business and culture collide, there’s often a deal to be made. Join Alex Rodriguez and Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly as they get the inside track from corporate titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs on investing, strategy, reinvention and the ones that got away. The Deal is a Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals series that’s passionate, relaxed, insightful and inspirational. If you think you know these icons, prepare to be surprised. Hosts: Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball. Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.

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How AI is Changing the Fan Experience, with Jump’s Jordy LeiserHow Jump’s AI and analytics are changing the fan experience in sports—moving from legacy, siloed ticketing/marketing to direct-to-fan, personalized journeys before, during, and after games.24 Sep 2026 · 35 min · 17 chapters
Kerri Walsh Jennings on Growing the Game of VolleyballKerry Walsh Jennings discusses her transition from Olympic beach volleyball champion to founding owner/co-general manager of Major League Volleyball (MLV) NorCal, and how pro volleyball can grow into…17 Sep 2026 · 30 min · 11 chapters
How Jenny Nguyen is Growing Women’s Sports from a BarJenny Nguyen, CEO/founder of The Sports Bra in Portland, Oregon, explains why she built a women’s-sports-focused bar, how she’s expanding via franchising (goal: 40 locations by 2030), and what…10 Sep 2026 · 35 min · 15 chapters
Re-Run: Serena Williams Wants to Conquer Wall StreetA rerun of The Deal (2024) featuring Serena Williams on building a business empire after tennis, using authentic brand partnerships, fashion as cultural leverage, and investing via Serena Ventures to…3 Sep 2026 · 48 min · 19 chapters
Ryan Howard on Sports Investing and MLB’s Labor FightRyan Howard, former Phillies World Series MVP, discusses his post-baseball investing—especially Batter Up (a Topgolf-style baseball venue)—and his views on MLB’s collective bargaining agreement and…27 Aug 2026 · 34 min · 17 chapters
Why Everyone's Watching VanderbiltThe episode discusses Vanderbilt University’s rise in college sports and the broader, disruptive business landscape of NCAA athletics—especially NIL, the transfer portal, and the need for a…20 Aug 2026 · 33 min · 13 chapters
Re-Run: Why Wall Street Giant David Rubenstein Bought the Baltimore OriolesDavid Rubenstein explains how he and partners bought the Baltimore Orioles, why he views sports ownership as community stewardship, and what he’s learned transitioning from private equity to baseball…13 Aug 2026 · 49 min · 26 chapters
Alex Rodriguez on MLB’s CBA NegotiationsAlex Rodriguez discusses MLB’s current season momentum and the upcoming CBA negotiations (CBA expires Dec 1), focusing on whether a salary cap is needed and what a “middle” solution could look like.6 Aug 2026 · 20 min · 8 chapters
Andy Campion’s Unrivaled Approach to Youth SportsYouth sports business and accessibility, featuring Andy Campion’s “unrivaled” approach at Unrivaled Sports (youth baseball/flag/softball and expansion plans).30 Jul 2026 · 24 min · 11 chapters
World Cup 2026 RecapA recap of the 2026 Men’s World Cup hosted in the U.S., focusing on fan experience, broadcast/business results, and implications for soccer in America (including MLS and the next Women’s World Cups).23 Jul 2026 · 50 min · 24 chapters
Hoyt McGarity on the State of GolfHoyt McGarity, president/CEO of 8AM Golf, discusses the “state of golf” and how 8AM builds a cash-flow-focused portfolio across the sport, including indoor golf and hospitality, plus the opening of a…16 Jul 2026 · 31 min · 16 chapters
The PWHL is Just Getting Started With Hilary KnightHilary Knight discusses the early growth of the PWHL (women’s pro hockey league), how it secured sustainable investment, what players demanded (health insurance, livable wages, full support…9 Jul 2026 · 31 min · 17 chapters
Portland is the Epicenter of Women’s Sports with Lisa Bhathal MerageLisa Bethel-Mirage explains why Portland is “the epicenter of women’s sports,” detailing her family’s ownership of the Portland Thorns (NWSL) and Portland Fire (WNBA), their rapid buildout, and how…2 Jul 2026 · 33 min · 12 chapters
Is There a Future for LIV Golf?Live Golf’s future after Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund reportedly pulled funding after this year; Scott O’Neill (CEO) discusses cost cuts, investor outreach, and a revised business model…23 Jun 2026 · 32 min · 11 chapters
Alex and Jason’s Kids Join Us For a Father’s Day Special!Father’s Day special of The Deal where Jason Kelly and Alex Rodriguez interview their children about sports, family memories, and their dads’ personalities (including Knicks talk and TikTok/dad…18 Jun 2026 · 42 min · 17 chapters
The Knicks Won Big. New York's Economy Won Bigger.The episode (The Deal, “Knicks Won Big. New York’s Economy Won Bigger”) discusses how the New York Knicks’ 2026 championship run ended a 53-year drought and boosted New York City’s culture and…16 Jun 2026 · 33 min · 16 chapters
The "Americanization" of the World Cup, Plus Alex on the MLB CBA“The Americanization of the World Cup” (ticket pricing, FIFA’s business model, cultural/logistical impacts in the U.S.) plus Alex Rodriguez discusses MLB’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA)…11 Jun 2026 · 36 min · 17 chapters
FIFA’s Jill Ellis Says the World Cup Will be “Magical”Jill Ellis, FIFA’s chief football officer, discusses the upcoming 2026 World Cup (48 teams) and the business/entertainment strategy behind it, plus the growth trajectory of women’s football.4 Jun 2026 · 23 min · 13 chapters
Tracy McGrady Always Wanted to Be an OwnerTracy McGrady discusses his path from Florida high school phenom to NBA Hall of Famer and later sports ownership, focusing on his minority investment in the Buffalo Bills, plus business lessons from…28 May 2026 · 25 min · 8 chapters
Jess Pegula on the Business of TennisJess Pegula discusses the business of tennis—especially prize-money equality, how players’ revenue compares to owners’, and efforts to raise standards and shorten the season.21 May 2026 · 24 min · 12 chapters
Alan Waxman is a Sports SuperinvestorAlan Waxman, co-founder/CEO of Sixth Street Partners, discusses sports investing—especially his minority stake acquisition in the New England Patriots—plus how he views institutional capital,…14 May 2026 · 25 min · 10 chapters
AJ Andrews on What's Next for Baseball and SoftballAJ Andrews discusses what’s next for MLB and softball—avoiding a post-2026 MLB work stoppage, sustaining momentum from the World Baseball Classic, and growing softball via storytelling and TV access.7 May 2026 · 25 min · 17 chapters
How NFL Legend Steve Young Built a $10 Billion FundSteve Young (NFL Hall of Famer) discusses how he built HGGC, a $10B private equity firm, arguing PE should be “abundance” rather than zero-sum transactions, and using football-style leadership,…30 Apr 2026 · 23 min · 13 chapters
The WNBA's Expansion into Cleveland is Powered by Private EquityKara Nortman of Monarch Collective explains Monarch’s thesis-driven investing and why it became an institutional owner of the Cleveland WNBA expansion team, framing women’s basketball as a “hyper…23 Apr 2026 · 32 min · 23 chapters