Best Unofficial Partner Podcasts (2025)

1
UP472 The Business of Swimming 48:10

16h ago48:10

48:10

Today we're talking about swimming and so we went to the London Aquatics Center in Stratford, located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Obviously the venue for the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic games, but also the Aquatics GB Swimming Championships, which were on while we were there. It was an opportunity to talk about the sport in detail …

1
NBA Europe?!? w/ Unofficial Partner Host Richard Gillis 34:20

26d ago34:20

34:20

Scott and Eben speak with Richard Gillis, host of the Unofficial Partner podcast, about the NBA considering its own league in Europe. They break down the what, the why and the how, and discuss some potential hurdles to the project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
50 Highest Paid Athletes Ever / NFL Draft Preview 31:21

3d ago31:21

31:21

Scott and Eben discuss Sportico’s high-paid athletes of all time, a top 50 that covers eight sports and 16 countries. They also debate the Savannah Bananas and the upcoming NFL Draft in Green Bay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
Has London City taken its first step to becoming the best team in England? 58:56

5d ago58:56

58:56

London City Lionesses are in pole position for promotion to the Women's Super League in Michelle Kang’s first full season in charge. What does their journey to becoming "the best team in England" (which is Michelle's objective) tell us about what it takes to bring a team from the Championship into the WSL - and stay there over the long-term? They a…

1
The ‘Matriarch of Utah’ Returns, Plus Trump vs. Harvard Athletics 29:41

5d ago29:41

29:41

Scott and Eben speak about Gail Miller’s return to big-time sports ownership in Utah with her purchase of the Utah Royals and Real Salt Lake. They also talk about a new sports PE fund, and Trump vs. Harvard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
UP471 UP Live at EBU: What the FIFA Club World Cup reveals about Free-to-Air in the YouTube era 48:01

4d ago48:01

48:01

Guests: Mark Oliver, Oliver and Ohlbaum Amy Lee, TV2 Denmark, EBU Member Tomos Grace - YouTube Context: A live podcast recorded at the European Broadcast Union's Annual Assembly in Bratislava. DAZN has paid $1billion for the rights to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. FIFA has sold the rights to DAZN for $1billion. DAZN is sub-licensing the rights, wit…

1
What the Hell is Going on In College Sports? 37:01

10d ago37:01

37:01

Eben chats with Sportico’s Daniel Libit about the rapid changes underway in college sports, including a series of high-profile lawsuits and looming revenue sharing. They also talk about what it all means for fans, the status of athlete activism, and why 2030-2032 may actually be the critical window of reform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit…

1
Can the NSL challenge the NWSL's dominance in North America? 47:10

12d ago47:10

47:10

No professional women's soccer league has ever existed in Canada - until today that is, with the Northern Super League (NSL) kicking off with six teams across the country. And a listener has contacted Maggie and Matt asking them whether they think it can success in a battle of attention against the long-established and still fast-growing NWSL south…

1
PGA vs. LIV Undertones Abound as Rory Wins Masters 34:24

12d ago34:24

34:24

Scott and Eben talk about Rory McIlroy’s win at The Masters, and the many business stories that spun off it. They also talk about Nico Iamaleava, Paige Bueckers and Western Michigan hockey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
UP470 Other People's Money: How patient is patient capital when it comes to women's rugby? 1:06:24

11d ago1:06:24

1:06:24

Other People's Money is our regular series on sports investment, with Matt Rogan, co-founder of Two Circles. The Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks off in August, hosted in here in England. The tournament is a critical moment in the game's development. But what is the financial state of women’s professional club rugby in this country. We talk to Genevie…

1
Tariff Whiplash, Plus the World’s Highest Paid Golfers 29:06

17d ago29:06

29:06

Scott and Eben discuss a crazy few days in the global economy, with markets crashing and dire words from Republican donors like Ken Griffin, followed by a Trump announcement that sent stock surging. They also talk about the world’s highest-paid golfers on the eve of the Masters, and two senators asking the DOJ to probe a new partnership between Fan…

1
Why Chelsea Women COULD legitimately be worth £200m 54:06

19d ago54:06

54:06

Much is being made of Chelsea's "sale" of Chelsea Women to BlueCo, the company owned by the same consortium that owns the club. In particular the valuation of £200m. Well, Matt's got a lot to say on the matter and where he thinks many of the analysts are taking the wrong approach to assess whether the valuation is accurate (or not). Matt and Maggie…

1
UP469 Inside Edge: Overthinking the Business of Cricket 59:21

18d ago59:21

59:21

This is the first episode in a new series in which we take the Unofficial Partner sports business conversation and point it at cricket. Richard is joined by co-host Mike Jakeman, who writes about sport for The Economist and worked within The Economist Intelligence Unit, and has written for titles such as The New York Times, Wired magazine and the T…

1
Ovechkin Breaks Goal Record / Tariffs Rock Sports 32:18

19d ago32:18

32:18

Scott and Eben talk about Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL scoring. They also talk about the sports implications of President Trump’s global trade war, the NCAA basketball tournaments, and The Masters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
UP468 States of Play: Miguel Delaney on Sportswashing 48:32

22d ago48:32

48:32

Today's guest is Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer for The Independent who talks about his book States of Play: How Sports Washing Took Over Football. It's described as a scorching account of how football's very popularity threatens to destroy it, a brave forensic and utterly gripping book' by Tom Holland (The Rest Is History host, not Spider M…

1
The Truth About Torpedo Bats / Timberwolves Sale Resolved 36:07

24d ago36:07

36:07

Scott and Eben talk about the ‘torpedo bats’ that have taken the internet—and MLB—by storm. They also chat about a major update in the Minnesota Timberwolves sale, a potential sale in MLS/NWSL, and the latest in the Ovi goal chase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
UP467 The Man Who Signed Michael Jordan: The reality behind the Air Movie, Nike and Matt Damon 36:30

26d ago36:30

36:30

Sonny Vaccaro was the pivotal figure behind Michael Jordan's groundbreaking deal with Nike, which remains one of the most storied contracts in sports business history. So good they made a movie about it, "Air", in which Vaccaro was played by Matt Damon, with Ben Affleck in the Phil Knight role. Vaccaro's book Legends & Soles: Business, Creativity a…

1
MLB Valuations Recap on Opening Day 37:54

1M ago37:54

37:54

Scott and Eben speak with Sportico valuations expert Kurt Badenhausen about his latest MLB numbers, the business of baseball, and what might be in store with the sport's looming labor battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
How to make money from hosting games in main stadia 54:31

1M ago54:31

54:31

In the WSL this season, 39% of games to date have been played in main stadia - the primary stadium of the men’s first team - compared to a third at the same stage last season. But what are the motivations, and can you actually make money hosting club women's football in these venues? Maggie has been asking clubs, and will break down the economics -…

1
NCAA Tournament Update: All March, No Madness 31:03

1M ago31:03

31:03

Scott and Eben discuss the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, which were light on upsets or drama. They also talk about a surprising Celtics sale, and the death of a sports business icon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
UP466 Who's watching women's sport? New Sky Sports data challenges the industry's story on where the opportunity lies 1:09:30

1M ago1:09:30

1:09:30

The commercial growth of women’s sport is dependent on the audience question: Who is watching? To help frame the answer, we been given an exclusive preview of major new research in to women's sport fandom by Sky Sports which is due to be published in the coming weeks. Sky’s rights portfolio of women’s only sport is unmatched in the media industry, …

1
Galatioto: “My Golden Retriever Could Run an NFL Team” 36:49

1M ago36:49

36:49

Scott and Eben speak with banker Sal Galatioto about his thirty years of sports dealmaking, including surging valuations, notable transactions, and why he thinks MLB teams are undervalued. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
Will the new World Sevens shake up the football calendar? 51:27

1M ago51:27

51:27

Formally announced tomorrow, World Sevens is a new women’s club football competition this May that will feature eight clubs from across the world and has a HUGE prize pot believed to be in the seven figures. Matt and Maggie look at why it's been set up, the incentives to compete, and whether fans will be interested or not. They also delve into the …

1
UP465 The Bundle: The Relevent pitch deck; Bach's NBC farewell; Baller, Sidemen and the next streaming war 1:02:52

1M ago1:02:52

1:02:52

Welcome to The Bundle, our regular series on the sports media and streaming marketplace with co-hosts Yannick Ramcke, General Manager of OTT at the streaming service OneFootball and Murray Barnett, founder of 26West Consulting and formerly of F1, World Rugby and ESPN International. Quiz What is UC3, and what significance does Relevent Sports taking…

1
A March Madness Business Preview 31:06

1M ago31:06

31:06

Scott and Eben break down the business of March Madness, including controversy involving UNC, the NCAA’s legal struggles, and the lack of star power on the men’s side. They also talk MLB in Japan and the Bengals’ spending spree. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
UP464 Other People's Money: How to pitch to a VC 47:55

1M ago47:55

47:55

Other People's Money is our regular series on sports investment, with co-host Matt Rogan, co-founder of Two Circles. Our guest today is Gabbie Swycher, Principal at Redrice Ventures, a venture capital firm that provides capital, advice and connections to early stage businesses including several in the sports sector, most notably they were an early …

1
Live from SXSW: Breaking Celtics Sale News 33:45

2M ago33:45

33:45

Scott and Eben are joined by Eric Jackson for a live taping at SXSW in Austin. They talk about Eminem the WNBA owner, the groups vying for the Celtics, and other musings from their time in Texas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
All your WSL closed league questions, answered 45:29

2M ago45:29

45:29

Last week Maggie and Matt talked about the WPL’s proposal for the top two leagues in English football to increase to 16 teams each, supported by removing relegation from the top two tiers for at least a period of four years. In many ways, the proposals have raised more questions than they have answered - so they are on and to fill the gaps. They al…

1
UP463 Ticketing is a terrible experience, so who's to blame? 40:44

2M ago40:44

40:44

Nobody's ever happy with the process of buying event tickets. Why's it so hard? Join us in an enlightening discussion with David Hornby of SecuTix and Stuart Cain, CEO of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, as we explore the complexities of the ticketing process. Discover the roles of different stakeholders, the evolution of ticketing technology, cha…

1
Fanatics x Ticketmaster / Ovi the Collectibles Tsar 29:46

2M ago29:46

29:46

Scott and Eben discuss Fanatics’ long-expected move into ticketing, via a partnership with Ticketmaster. They also talk about Alex Ovechkin’s memorabilia haul, the Yankees’ record 2023 ticket revenue, and WNBA labor omens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sportico

1
UP462 The Big Idea: Where we talk about the work 58:16

2M ago58:16

58:16

The Big Idea is our series where we dissect and talk about campaigns and ideas and creative in sports marketing, with regular co-host Simon Moore, the award-winning creative director. Today the person choosing the campaigns is Joe Burdon, who is a partner at The Romans, part of the Mother Group. Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the bus…

1
How the NHL Is Confronting Fraught USA-Canada Relations 31:37

2M ago31:37

31:37

Scott and Eben talk about how the NHL is navigating fraught economic and political tensions between the U.S. and Canada. They also discuss a notable legal settlement in college sports, a World Cup halftime change, and Adidas finally ridding itself of Yeezy product. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Are the financial arguments for a closed league fundamentally flawed? 49:29

2M ago49:29

49:29

Without doubt the biggest story in women’s football since last week's episode has been the next step in the WPL’s motion for the top two leagues in English football to become a closed shop. So Maggie and Matt bring y9ou the inside track and the angles no-one else has talked about yet. They also look at the new NWSL documentary being launched on Ama…

1
Is a Nationals Sale Looming? / Ovi Watch Begins 33:37

2M ago33:37

33:37

Scott and Eben discuss the media rights settlement between the Orioles and Nationals, and what it means for a potential Nats sale. They also talk about the UFC and the FBI, Alex Ovechkin’s goal chase, and Serena Williams’ latest investment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
UP461 Are You Advising or Selling? Conflict of Interest in the Sponsorship Industry 58:46

2M ago58:46

58:46

New research from The Gemba Group suggests a credibility problem for the sports sponsorship industry arising when agencies both advise brands on sponsorship opportunities and sell rights for those same properties, leading to potentially biased recommendations. The discussion highlights the increasing involvement of procurement departments, the need…

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