The CUSP Show

Recorded at the 2025 Columbia Sports Management Conference in October, Kati Fernandez (Chief Content Officer at Together) welcomes: Emilie Arel (President, Mitchell & Ness), April Guidone (COO, SMAC Entertainment), and Natalie White (Founder & CEO, Moolah Kicks) to talk how brands, leagues, athletes, and entrepreneurs are shaping modern fan identity through product, partnerships, and culture. Arrell breaks down what makes an authentic collaboration, and how heritage brands balance trend moments with long-term DNA. Walker explains how SMAC uses capsule collaborations to test culture and consumer demand, why women’s fan apparel has moved beyond “shrink it and pink it,” and how the tunnel walk has become the new runway. White details how Moolah Kicks designs performance footwear specifically for female basketball players by listening directly to athletes, building trust at scale, and pushing women’s basketball sneaker culture forward. The conversation also touches on trend cycles versus commercial viability, the rise of women’s sports as a commerce growth engine, and what’s next, from wearables in apparel to dream collaborations tied to major moments like the WNBA’s 30th anniversary and LA28.
Connect with Kati: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiuska-fernandez/
Connect with Emilie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-arel-bb4b161/
Connect with April: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilguidone/
Connect with Natalie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-white-792298127/
The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by 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

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Marcus Kuhn, NFL alum (Giants and Patriots) and Columbia Sports Management program alum, for a conversation on the rapid international expansion of American football. Kuhn, who was the first German-born player to ever score a touchdown in the NFL, reflects on the evolution of the NFL in Germany, from early grassroots efforts to sold-out games in Munich and Berlin, and explains why the Munich matchup remains one of the most impactful international NFL events to date. Kuhn discusses his role as a broadcaster for Germany’s primary television rights holder, where millions of viewers now tune in late at night to watch live NFL games, as well as his ongoing work with the NFL, the NFLPA, and international player development initiatives. Kuhn also breaks down the explosive growth of flag football across Europe, highlighting its inclusivity, Olympic pathway, and importance as both a participation sport and a gateway to NFL fandom. Kuhn also shares what Super Bowl Sunday looks like for German audiences and reflects on his transition from NFL player to international ambassador and media voice for the sport.
Connect with Markus: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-kuhn-82730312b/
Follow Markus on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarkuskuhn/?hl=en
The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by 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

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito welcomes Xander Zayas, the newly crowned unified world champion in the light middleweight division, for a conversation on championship mindset, the business of boxing, and representing Puerto Rico on a global stage. Zayas reflects on visualizing success long before stepping into the ring, detailing the discipline, sacrifice, and preparation that led him to become the youngest unified world champion in the sport. He shares his journey from growing up in Puerto Rico and starting boxing at age five to signing with Top Rank as a teenager and navigating the complex business realities behind major fights. The discussion also explores brand partnerships, the growing influence of Latino athletes and fans across sports, and Zayas’ perspective on inspiration, mentorship, and using his platform to motivate the next generation. The episode highlights how boxing, culture, and global sports storytelling intersect at the highest level.
Follow Xander on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xander.zayas/?hl=en
The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by 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

Joe Favorito and Scott Rosner welcome Jesse Linder, Vice President of Community Relations for the New York Jets, and Callie Brownson, Senior Director of High Performance and National Teams at USA Football, live from Super Bowl Media Row, for a focused conversation on the rapid growth of girls and women’s flag football. Linder shares how the Jets helped launch girls flag football in New York City in 2011, growing from 19 teams to 60, with more girls flag teams than boys tackle teams, and why creating a clear pathway beyond high school became the organization’s next priority. Brownson explains how the Jets’ $1 million investment through the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation is accelerating the launch of the ECAC women’s flag football conference, opening new collegiate and scholarship opportunities while strengthening the pipeline toward national teams and the Olympics. The discussion also explores flag football’s explosive international growth, the Jets’ expansion into London and Dublin, and why global competition is tightening as LA 2028 approaches, making this moment a turning point for the sport’s future.
Jesse’s Profile: https://www.newyorkjets.com/team/front-office-roster/jesse-linder
Connect with Callie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/calliebrownson/
The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by 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

Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Joe Favorito welcomes Lawrence Hamm Jr., Vice President of Events DC, for a conversation on how cities compete to host the biggest events in sports. Live from Super Bowl Radio Row, Hamm discusses how Washington, D.C. landed the NFL Draft, why the timing aligns with the return of football to the District, and how the National Mall will serve as an iconic backdrop for one of the league’s largest traveling events. He breaks down the multi-year planning process behind hosting an event of this scale, the logistical and permitting challenges unique to D.C., and how Events DC works alongside regional partners in Maryland and Virginia to maximize impact across the DMV. Hamm also shares his path from Division I and professional basketball to Under Armour and destination marketing, and explains how a future domed stadium could unlock opportunities for Final Fours, Super Bowls, major concerts, and global events. The episode highlights the NFL’s evolution into a year-round events powerhouse and Washington’s strategy to position itself as a premier destination for sports, culture, and international engagement.
Connect with Lawrence: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hammjr/
The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by 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