439: Dee Kundra on FC Bayern Munich’s US Strategy & Club World Cup 2025
Joe and Tom are joined by Dee Kundra, Managing Director of the Americas for FC Bayern Munich, one of the most storied and successful clubs in global football. Dee shares her career journey from studying fashion in London to breaking into sports with the New York Cosmos, Liverpool FC, and helping Bayern Munich establish its North American presence. She talks about how the club grew its fan base in the U.S. from just 8 official supporter groups to over 100, the strategic thinking behind Bayern’s U.S. office, and the challenges and opportunities tied to the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. Dee also discusses how the club builds relationships on the ground, activates its global brand locally, and navigates the evolving social media landscape.The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer (@bykarthikiyer), Freddie Walker (@freddiewalks), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Pragna Prasanna, Breah Banks, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com
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438: Maher Labban on the business of sports awards
Joe Favorito is joined by Maher Labban, the director of Clio Sports. A New York-native, Maher has spent over 20 years in the sports industry. He takes us through his journey from teams to leagues, major and minor. Maher also details the inner-workings of the sports awards industry and the value it provides to all stakeholders. Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-maher-labban/ Read more: https://clios.com/sports/ The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer (@bykarthikiyer), Freddie Walker (@freddiewalks), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Pragna Prasanna, Breah Banks, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com
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437: Alex Kopilow on Content Strategy and the Mets’ Digital Evolution
In this episode, hosts Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson sit down at Mets House in Union Square with Alex Kopilow, Director of Media Partnerships for the New York Mets. Alex shares his journey from sports anchor to brand strategist, and now, team-side innovator. They discuss how the Mets are rethinking sponsored content, creating meaningful fan connections, and leveraging digital platforms like YouTube for long-form storytelling. Plus, hear how “The Pursuit” documentary on Juan Soto’s acquisition came to life, and why integration, not interruption, is the future of sports media partnerships.The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer (@bykarthikiyer), Freddie Walker (@freddiewalks), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Pragna Prasanna, Breah Banks, and Lissa Ruiz.Subscribe to Alex’s Newsletter here - https://sponconsports.beehiiv.com/subscribe This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com
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436: Gene McCarthy Discusses Leadership Lessons from the Top of the Sports Industry
Joe and Tom sit down with Gene McCarthy, former President & CEO of ASICS and current Founder & CEO of Top League Advisory. With a storied career at Nike, Under Armour, Reebok, and ASICS, Gene shares his candid insights on what it truly takes to lead, the art of listening, and how to navigate the world of sports and lifestyle brands at the executive level. He also discusses his book, Chasing Four: A Personal History of Work and Play – a reflection on his professional journey and philosophy.The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer (@bykarthikiyer), Freddie Walker (@freddiewalks), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Pragna Prasanna, Breah Banks, and Lissa Ruiz.Links:https://www.amazon.com/CHASING-FOUR-Personal-History-Work/dp/B0CZ9Q588Xhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gmccarthy56/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com
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435: Mets House goes LIVE in NYC!
Joe and Tom are joined at Mets House in Union Square by Carolyn Suna (They/Them), Research and Insights, Underdog Venture Team, and Adam J Honig, President, Grail Ventures. They discuss the process behind launching Mets House, an experiential pop-up venture in New York City. As the 2025 MLB season gets underway, Mets House delivers the excitement and fervor of New York baseball.Profiles:https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynsuna/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjhonig/ https://www.mlb.com/mets/fans/mets-house-nycThe CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Karthik Iyer (@bykarthikiyer), Freddie Walker (@freddiewalks), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Pragna Prasanna, Breah Banks, and Lissa Ruiz. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecuspshow.substack.com
Home of the Columbia University Sports Management Podcast ('The CUSP Show'), faculty members Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson host thought leaders from across the sports industry as they discuss a wide array of topics. thecuspshow.substack.com
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