The CUSP Show

Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Melissa Jacobs to the show to discuss the current state of youth sports, the evolution of sports media, and why the NFL continues to dominate the sports and entertainment landscape. A longtime NFL writer and founder of The Football Girl, Jacobs discusses her transition from covering the league for outlets like Sports Illustrated, The Guardian, and the BBC to launching The Good Game, a Substack focused on the realities and pressures facing youth sports families today. The conversation explores the growing influence of private equity and travel sports, the rising costs associated with youth athletics, and the increasing pressure on young athletes and parents in the NIL era. Jacobs also shares insights into the challenges facing girls’ sports participation, the growth of flag football, and why so many kids leave organized sports by their early teens. Along the way, the group examines the role of coaching, the disconnect between youth soccer participation and fandom in the U.S., and how modern media platforms like Substack are reshaping sports journalism and community building. In addition, Joe and Tom discuss the NFL Draft’s continued media dominance, Amazon’s evolving sports viewing experience, the retirement of Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman, and the changing economics surrounding youth and collegiate athletics.
Connect with Melissa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-jacobs-3333b32/
Subscribe to the CUSP Show: Substack
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 and Sydney Cristall.


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 Tom Richardson welcome Morgan Cato, EVP of Player Operations at the National Basketball Players Association to the show, to discuss her unique journey through each side of the basketball business: from the NBA league office to the Phoenix Suns and now the players association. Cato shares insights on rookie development, mental wellness, NIL preparedness, player engagement, and the evolving support systems surrounding today’s athletes. The conversation explores how the NBPA helps players navigate everything from financial literacy and branding opportunities to mental health resources and career transitions. Cato reflects on the globalization of basketball, the realities young athletes face entering the league, and the importance of leadership, adaptability, and relationship-building in sports business. Cato also discusses her work with Pro Sports Assembly, the future of athlete development, and how leagues and organizations are evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing sports landscape.
Connect with Morgan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-cato-60026b8/
Subscribe to the CUSP Show: Substack
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 and Sydney Cristall.


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 Tom Richardson welcome Dr. Harvey Schiller, Chairman at Schiller Management Group to the show, to reflect on the life, legacy, and lasting influence of Ted Turner following his passing. Having worked closely alongside Turner during the rise of Turner Broadcasting, Schiller shares firsthand stories about the visionary executive who helped reshape sports media, cable television, and global broadcasting. The conversation explores Turner’s role in building the Superstation model, launching CNN, expanding Turner Sports, and pioneering ideas around vertical integration long before they became industry standards. Schiller also discusses Turner’s impact on the Braves, WCW, the Goodwill Games, NASCAR, international sports, and the early evolution of streaming and out-of-market sports distribution. Joe and Tom also dive into leadership lessons from Turner, his relentless creativity, his global mindset, and the entrepreneurial culture he built throughout Turner Broadcasting. Along the way, Schiller shares memorable behind-the-scenes stories involving David Stern, Vince McMahon, George Steinbrenner, the NFL, HBO, Sports Illustrated, and the early days of digital sports media.
Connect with Harvey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harvey-schiller-2332386/
More on Ted Turner: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/06/us/ted-turner-death
Subscribe to the CUSP Show: Substack
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 and Sydney Cristall.


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 Tom Richardson welcome Sheila Sickau, Head of Football Development for the Kansas City Chiefs to the show, to break down how flag football is reshaping the future of the sport, from youth participation to global expansion and women’s access to the game. Sickau is the Pro Sports Assembly 2025 Medal of Leadership Rising Leader honoree and on the show she shares her unique journey from special education teacher to NFL executive, detailing how a $12/hour seasonal role turned into a leadership position at the forefront of one of the league’s biggest growth initiatives. The conversation explores why the NFL is investing heavily in flag football as a more accessible entry point than tackle, how early participation is creating a more skilled pipeline of players, and how increased female engagement is already impacting fandom. Sickau also offers insight into the business strategy behind football development, from grassroots programming and international growth to content creation and next-gen fan engagement. Nominations for the Pro Sports Assembly Class of 2026 Medal of Leadership Honorees are open through May 15, 2026.
Connect with Sheila: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheilasickau/
Submit a Medal of Leadership nomination: https://www.prosportsassembly.org/
Read more about the Medal of Leadership: Nominations Now Open for the 2026 Medal of Leadership Celebration
Subscribe to the CUSP Show: Substack
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 Tom Richardson welcome Patrick Crakes, Principal of Crakes Media and longtime Fox Sports executive, to the show, to break down the rapidly evolving sports media landscape and the realities behind today’s skyrocketing rights deals. Drawing on decades of experience, Crakes explains why the industry hasn’t undergone the “overnight disruption” many predicted, and instead has seen a slower, more complex transition where traditional pay TV still underpins the majority of sports economics. He dives into the role of Big Tech, highlighting how companies like Amazon and YouTube are approaching sports rights strategically, not disruptively, and why profitability remains a challenge across streaming. The conversation also explores key industry dynamics, including the importance of broadcast distribution, the decline of regional sports networks, and the challenges leagues face in balancing local and national media strategies. Crakes offers insight into why the NFL continues to dominate the marketplace, how portfolio thinking shapes rights valuations, and what metrics actually matter when assessing media value. He also unpacks recent changes in Nielsen measurement and how out-of-home viewing is reshaping perceptions of sports viewership growth.
Connect with Patrick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-crakes/
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