Sports Management Podcast

Welcome to episode 264 of Sports Management Podcast.
The world's biggest sport is still powered by volunteers - but why are they still relying on spreadsheets, WhatsApp groups and endless emails?
In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, Marcus Filipsson sits down with Rohan Anand, Co-Founder and CEO of Center Circle, a technology platform transforming how grassroots football is organized.
After experiencing the challenges firsthand as a player, coach, referee and volunteer, Rohan set out to solve one of football's biggest hidden problems: giving volunteers the tools they need to spend less time on administration and more time developing the next generation of players.
We discuss why grassroots football is still built on outdated systems, how technology can reduce barriers to participation, why Center Circle has chosen a completely different business model than most sports technology companies, and the personal sacrifices required to build a startup from the ground up.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why grassroots football still relies on WhatsApp and spreadsheets
The hidden challenges volunteers face every weekend
How technology can simplify grassroots sports
Building a sports tech startup with zero marketing budget
Why Center Circle refuses to charge grassroots football
Lessons from seven years of entrepreneurship
Advice for anyone wanting to build a business in sport
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone passionate about the business of sport.
 
Time stamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:16 What Center Circle Does
01:14 Why Grassroots Football Still Runs on Multiple Platforms
02:11 From Referee to Tech Entrepreneur
03:12 Building Center Circle From Scratch
04:42 Convincing a Non-Football Co-Founder
06:53 Can AI Improve Grassroots Football?
08:17 Building Partnerships With Football Associations
09:47 Why Center Circle Is Completely Free
11:15 Why Grassroots Football Should Never Be Monetized
12:18 What Grassroots Football Needs Next
14:50 Growing 5x Without Marketing
16:14 Building the Team
17:21 Why They Never Spent Money on Advertising
20:42 The Sacrifices of Entrepreneurship
22:29 The Vision for the Future
24:44 Rohan's Journey Into Football
26:39 Studying Business Instead of Sport
28:05 Advice for Future Sports Entrepreneurs
29:28 Where to Find Center Circle
Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media

Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 263 of SPorts Management Podcast.
Why do so many talented athletes make the wrong career decisions?
In this episode of Sports Management Podcast, veteran NFL agent and sports attorney Craig Domann shares what he's learned from negotiating more than $1 billion in professional sports contracts and advising athletes for over 35 years.
We discuss why chasing the biggest NIL offer isn't always the smartest move, what separates great negotiators from average ones, the hidden clauses that can make or break a contract, and why the best career decisions aren't always the most lucrative ones.
Whether you're an athlete, agent, coach, parent, or sports business professional, this conversation offers practical lessons on negotiation, leadership, decision-making, and building a long-term career in sport.
In this episode, we discuss:
• Why money can lead athletes to make poor career decisions
• The long-term impact of NIL on player development
• The hidden details that matter more than contract value
• What makes a great sports agent and negotiator
• Common misconceptions about athlete representation
• Advice for athletes, parents, and aspiring sports professionals
If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone passionate about the business of sport.
Time stamps: 
00:00 Introduction
00:26 How Craig Domann Became an NFL Agent
01:51 How NIL Works for Most College Athletes
02:49 Why Chasing the Biggest NIL Deal Can Hurt Your Career
04:05 The Non-Financial Factors Athletes Ignore
05:04 Has NIL Changed College Sports Forever?
06:37 The Problem With Money-Driven Advisors
07:52 Choosing the Right School vs. the Biggest Paycheck
08:58 Why Every Athlete Needs the Right Mentor
10:03 Being a Father, Coach & Agent at the Same Time
11:52 Negotiating Over $1 Billion in Sports Contracts
12:14 What Makes a Great Sports Negotiator?
15:22 The Hidden Clauses Inside Million-Dollar Contracts
17:23 The Biggest Misconceptions About Sports Agents
20:20 Why Relationships Matter More Than Aggressive Negotiation
21:55 The Pro Mindset That Separates Great Athletes
23:37 Daily Habits of Elite Performers
29:50 How Craig Developed the Pro Mindset Framework
31:40 Career Lessons From 35 Years in Sports
32:52 Craig's Advice to Anyone Wanting a Career in Sports
 
Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media

Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 262 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Mike Carney, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of On Deck Partners. Before building one of the most innovative ownership groups in Minor League Baseball, Mike worked as an engineer at NASA before leading business strategy for the Washington Nationals. In this episode, he shares why great sports organizations start with solving problems for fans.
In this episode, we spoke about:
Transitioning from NASA to professional sports
Building community-first sports organizations
Why fan experience drives long-term value
The future of private equity in sports
Episode Time Stamps
00:00 From NASA to Sports
00:17 Why Engineers Fit Sports
02:22 Joining the Washington Nationals
03:28 Business Strategy Explained
04:37 Solving Fan Problems
06:13 The Future of Fan Engagement
08:31 Building On Deck Partners
10:45 Creating Community Value
14:58 Private Equity in Sports
16:18 The Modern Fan Experience
18:33 Lessons from Sports Leadership
22:05 Why Transparency Matters
23:32 Advice for Future Sports Professionals
25:45 Inside On Deck Partners
 
Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media

Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 261 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Brando Babini, founder of Youth4Youth FC, a player-led development program that is challenging traditional youth soccer in the United States. Starting the company at just 16 years old, Brando has built a thriving community, partnered with Nike, and is proving that mentorship, social media, and player-first development can transform the game.
In this episode, we spoke about:
Why the pay-to-play model needs to evolve
Building a football company at just 16 years old
Using social media to grow a sports business
Why mentorship matters as much as coaching
Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Meet Brando Babini
00:13 Why Youth4Youth Exists
01:15 A Gen Z-Led Football Revolution
02:25 Fixing Pay-to-Play
05:12 Building a Sustainable Model
07:49 Player-First Development
10:01 What Success Really Means
12:20 Growing Through Social Media
14:48 Partnering with Nike
16:49 Building a Startup Team
18:10 Parents & Player Motivation
19:51 Starting a Company at 16
22:41 Learning to Let Go
25:56 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
 
Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media

Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 260 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Evan Dabby, CEO of New Jersey Youth Soccer, one of the largest youth soccer organizations in the United States. With over 120,000 players, Evan shares how youth soccer is evolving, why player development should come before winning, and how the FIFA World Cup is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow the game across America.
In this episode, we spoke about:
How the FIFA World Cup is inspiring the next generation
Why player development should come before winning
The challenges of youth sports, parents and coaching
Growing participation while making soccer more accessible
Episode Time Stamps
00:00 Welcome Evan Dabby
00:29 The World Cup Impact in New Jersey
03:20 Growing 120,000 Youth Players
05:50 Technology & Participation
08:20 Player-Centered Development
10:09 Advice from Tab Ramos
11:08 Parents on the Sidelines
15:12 Girls' Soccer Growth
18:52 Should Kids Specialize?
20:41 Coaching Better Players
21:35 Evan's Career Journey
23:23 The Power of Networking
26:45 Advice for Students
30:19 The Future of Youth Soccer
 
Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media

Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com