Sports Management Podcast

Welcome to episode 256 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Ioannis Drymonakos, former Olympic swimmer, European record holder, World Championship finalist, and founder of Swimming Cruise.
Ioannis represented Greece at three Olympic Games, competed against legends like Michael Phelps, and became one of Greece's most successful swimmers before transitioning into entrepreneurship through sports tourism and wellness experiences in Greece.
In this episode, we spoke about:
• Competing at three Olympic Games and against Michael Phelps
• The sacrifices and realities of elite swimming
• Life after professional sport and becoming an entrepreneur
• Building Swimming Cruise and the future of sports tourism
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Welcome to the Podcast
00:24 Discovering Swimming
02:17 The Road to the Olympics
04:19 Learning from Legends
06:12 The Hardest Part of Elite Sport
08:29 First Olympic Memories
10:32 Breaking a European Record
14:06 Career Highlight: World Championship Final
15:33 Dealing with Setbacks
17:07 Building Swimming Cruise
19:33 Why Poros Is Perfect
24:19 Lessons from Survivor
27:18 Open Water vs Pool Swimming
30:56 Coaching Amateur Swimmers
32:10 Growing a Sports Tourism Business
Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media

Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 255 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Sherry Levin, leadership expert, speaker, author of Pregame: A Winning Mindset, former basketball coach, ESPN analyst, and resilience advocate.
Over decades in sports, coaching, broadcasting, and leadership development, Sherry has helped athletes and professionals unlock the power of mindset, confidence, resilience, and personal growth.
In this episode, we spoke about:
• Why mindset may account for 70-80% of performance
• Building resilience through failure and adversity
• Leadership lessons from decades of coaching elite athletes
• Practical tools for confidence, gratitude, and mental toughness
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:07 Why Sports Teach Life Skills
06:05 Becoming a Coach
08:37 Why Mindset Matters
10:10 Training Your Mindset
12:18 The Power of Gratitude
13:50 Mental Resets & Self-Talk
15:54 Building Confidence Through Positivity
17:39 Leadership Evolution
20:20 Demanding Without Demeaning
22:54 Resilience Through Failure
26:29 Writing Pregame: A Winning Mindset
32:16 Social Media & Mental Strength
35:12 Overcoming Cancer
40:41 Advice for Future Sports Leaders
44:11 Guest Recommendation & Closing
SPONSOR:
Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20.
All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.
Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media

Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 254 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Ugo Valensi, CEO of Volleyball World. Ugo has held leadership roles across sports, media, and commercial strategy, including senior positions in tennis, football, and global sports marketing. In this episode, he shares how Volleyball World is transforming one of the world's largest participation sports into a global commercial powerhouse.
In this episode, we spoke about:
• How Volleyball World is commercializing a sport with 800 million fans
• The role of CVC Capital Partners in accelerating growth
• Building athlete brands and fan engagement in volleyball
• Future trends in sports media, OTT platforms, and content consumption
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction to Volleyball World
00:15 What Volleyball World Actually Does
01:24 Commercializing an 800 Million Fan Sport
03:26 Lessons from Tennis & Football
05:05 Athlete Storytelling & Docuseries
06:12 Indoor vs Beach Volleyball
08:09 Reinventing Beach Volleyball
08:23 Road to Los Angeles 2028
09:42 Volleyball's Biggest Growth Markets
11:38 Planning Events Years Ahead
13:05 Vision for the Next Five Years
14:33 The Future of Sports Consumption
16:25 Creating One Global Fan Narrative
17:20 Ugo's Career Journey
24:10 Networking & Career Advice
28:28 The Role of Private Equity in Sports
 
Follow Sports Management Podcast on social media

Instagram
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com

Welcome to episode 253 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Lise Klaveness, President of the Norwegian Football Federation. In 2022, she became the first woman to lead the federation in its 120-year history and has since become one of the most influential voices in global football governance, equality and leadership.
In this episode, we spoke about:
Leading Norwegian football through major global controversies
FIFA governance, World Cup hosting and human rights
Building equality in football on and off the pitch
Leadership, networking and career advice for future sports professionals
Timestamps
00:00 First Female President
00:14 Why She Said No
02:17 The FIFA Speech
05:11 Principles vs Politics
07:47 World Cup Governance
10:59 Football & Human Rights
15:39 Should Sport Be Political?
16:48 World Cup Life Behind The Scenes
19:35 From Player To President
24:24 Becoming Technical Director
25:40 Breaking Glass Ceilings
29:18 Equality In Football
34:16 Advice For Future Leaders
35:37 The Value Of Hard Work
38:01 Khalida Popal's Incredible Story
 
Lise Klaveness shares her remarkable journey from professional footballer and lawyer to becoming the first female President of the Norwegian Football Federation. The conversation explores FIFA governance, World Cup hosting, human rights, equality in football, leadership under pressure, and the responsibilities of sports organizations in modern society.
Whether you work in sports business, football administration, coaching, governance or leadership, this episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of global football.

Welcome to episode 252 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Patricio Misitrano, CEO of Racket Social Club and a key figure behind Racket360, one of the most ambitious ecosystems in the rapidly growing racket sports industry. From club operations and events to e-commerce and league management, Patricio has spent decades helping grow racket sports across the United States.
In this episode, we spoke about:
The growth and future of padel in the United States
Why community is the secret to successful clubs
Building careers in the racket sports industry
Networking, hiring and leadership lessons from sport
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:20 Inside the Racket360 Ecosystem
02:34 The State of Padel in America
04:10 Tracking Padel's Rapid Growth
06:15 Why Courts Alone Don't Work
07:00 Key Trends Shaping Padel
07:58 The Rise of Indoor Facilities
09:26 Community Is Everything
11:16 Building a Successful Club
15:48 Can the USA Become a Padel Powerhouse?
20:06 Growing Up with Padel in Argentina
22:00 From Coach to CEO
23:41 What Great Employers Look For
24:44 Careers Beyond Coaching
28:34 Networking That Opens Doors
30:46 The Ultimate Networking Expert
Patricio Misitrano shares practical lessons on leadership, club operations, community building, hiring, networking and the future of padel in the United States. Whether you're a sports executive, coach, entrepreneur, student or racket sports enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing sectors in the sports industry.