Episodi

  • Rethinking Football Club Ownership Through Data, Technology, and Scale with David Dwinger

    Rethinking Football Club Ownership Through Data, Technology, and Scale with David Dwinger
    Oct 21 2026
    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with David Dwinger, Co-Founder & CEO at ve2.ventures, Board Member at Athvance Capital & Co-Founder & President at Estrella Football Group, about building a new model for football club ownership.David explains Estrella’s horizontal multi-club ownership model, which focuses on building a portfolio of clubs that retain their individual identities while benefiting from shared technology, data, commercial opportunities, and expertise. Rather than simply chasing promotion, the group focuses on creating sustainable value and building a scalable football ecosystem.The conversation explores the investment case for lower-division football, how data and AI are transforming club acquisition and decision-making, the role of Club OS, player development and trading, and how partnerships can create new commercial opportunities across multiple clubs. David also shares his vision for scaling Estrella Football Group and proving that football club ownership can be approached as a technology-enabled business.Key Takeaways:How David moved from digital product building into football club ownership.What makes Estrella Football Group's horizontal multi-club ownership model different?Why individual clubs retain their identity while benefiting from the wider ecosystem.How lower-division football can create opportunities for active investors.Why promotion should be viewed as a potential outcome rather than the only measure of success.How data, technology, and shared resources can create value across multiple clubs.Why Club OS was built to connect football club operations through one technology platform.How player development and trading can become part of the wider group strategy.How Estrella Football Group uses data and technology to identify potential club acquisitions.Why location, history, fan engagement, and context matter alongside financial metrics.How partnerships can create commercial opportunities across a portfolio of clubs.Why David believes football club ownership can become more scalable.Noteworthy Quotes:“We’re trying to scale the unscalable.” – David Dwinger“Every club has the same value. It maintains its own identity.” – David Dwinger“We define winning not by simply holding the cup.” – David Dwinger“Buying football clubs is not a hobby for us. It’s a business.” – David Dwinger“With every club we add, we add something additional to the flywheel.” – David Dwinger“We’re not investors. We’re partners.” – David Dwinger“It’s our job to make sure that goes back to zero as soon as possible.” – David DwingerKey Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to David Dwinger and Estrella Football Group01:25 - David’s background and the Estrella ecosystem03:37 - Understanding the horizontal multi-club ownership model05:43 - How Estrella Football Group works with individual clubs07:24 - Scaling the portfolio and managing multiple clubs09:46 - The investment case for lower-division football13:51 - Redefining winning beyond promotion15:54 - Building value through scale and the portfolio flywheel18:21 - Club OS and the technology behind the model21:42 - Partnerships, ticketing, and creating new fan experiences24:12 - Player development, academies, and player trading26:20 - Why smaller clubs can offer greater opportunities for active investors28:42 - Using data to identify football club investment opportunities32:19 - The metrics that matter when evaluating clubs33:32 - The biggest misconception about investing in football clubs34:30 - David’s five-year vision for Estrella Football Group Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review.Connect with the Guest, David Dwinger:David Dwinger LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-dwinger/ Estrella Football Group: https://www.linkedin.com/company/estrella-football-group/ve2.ventures: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ve2ventures/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/Follow Halford Media Advisory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/More from Berkida Ventures:Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.comFollow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448
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    36 min
  • Can Olympic Teams Really Win Without Funding? with Aaron McGuire

    Can Olympic Teams Really Win Without Funding? with Aaron McGuire
    Oct 7 2026
    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Aron McGuire, Chief Executive Officer at USA Bobsled & Skeleton, about his journey from Olympic athlete to leading one of the United States’ national governing bodies.Aron shares how his background as a decathlete and bobsled athlete shaped his approach to leadership, athlete development, and building high-performance organisations. The conversation explores how Olympic sports identify and develop talent, create sustainable sponsorship strategies, and operate with limited resources while competing at the highest level.Aron also discusses the future of USA Bobsled & Skeleton, the role of AI in athlete recruitment and performance optimisation, opportunities for investment in Olympic sports, and how national governing bodies can continue growing beyond the Olympic cycle.Key Takeaways:How Aron transitioned from competing as an athlete to leading USA Bobsled & Skeleton.Why talent transfer allows athletes from other sports to succeed in Olympic disciplines.How national governing bodies operate and balance performance, revenue generation, and athlete development.Why strategic planning is essential when resources are limited.How USA Bobsled & Skeleton builds a high-performance culture through prioritisation.The importance of creating long-term sponsorship partnerships beyond financial support.How technology and AI can improve athlete scouting, performance analysis, and commercial strategy.Why Olympic sports present new opportunities for investors and sports ecosystem businesses.How national governing bodies can think like growth organisations while supporting athletes.The opportunity created by the upcoming Olympic Games in the United States.Noteworthy Quotes:“Very few people grow up saying, " I want to be the CEO of a national governing body.” – Aron McGuire“There is an element of luck and an element of art and hustle, but there is also a big element of science and process.” – Aron McGuire“Strategy is not so much what to do, as much as what not to do.” – Aron McGuire“The more revenue we generate, the more we can put back into supporting the athletes and the team.” – Aron McGuire“We want sponsors to not just be financial sponsors, but have a valuable impact on the team.” – Aron McGuire“AI can become a competitive advantage by helping us identify athletes and optimise performance.” – Aron McGuireKey Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Aron McGuire and USA Bobsled and Skeleton01:33 - Aron’s journey from athlete to Olympic sports leader05:33 - Winning Olympic medals and the impact of elite preparation07:09 - Understanding the role of a national governing body CEO09:54 - Building a high-performance culture with limited resources11:17 - Creating efficiency and deciding what not to prioritise12:09 - Training year-round for bobsled and skeleton14:01 - Managing Olympic cycles and sponsorship opportunities16:09 - Creating long-term value for sponsors and partners17:46 - Identifying and recruiting future Olympic athletes21:19 - Using AI and technology in athlete development23:28 - Applying AI to sponsorship and commercial strategy24:37 - Leadership lessons from building a sports organisation26:41 - Investment opportunities in Olympic sports28:21 - Olympic organisations as growth-focused businesses29:22 - Lessons professional sports can learn from Olympic sports30:32 - The future of USA Bobsled and Skeleton and Olympic growth opportunities Disclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. Connect with the Guest, Aron McGuire:Aron McGuire LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aron-mcguire/ USA Bobsled & Skeleton Website: https://www.usabs.com/ USA Bobsled & Skeleton LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/united-states-bobsled-and-skeleton-federation/Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/Follow Halford Media Advisory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/More from Berkida Ventures:Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.comFollow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448
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    32 min
  • How Choosing the Right Influencers for Brands to Maximise Marketing ROI with Ishveen Jolly

    How Choosing the Right Influencers for Brands to Maximise Marketing ROI with Ishveen Jolly
    Sep 23 2026
    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Ishveen Jolly, Founder & CEO at OpenSponsorship, Non-Executive Director at British Wrestling and Board Member at Influence Mobile, a technology-enabled sponsorship platform transforming how brands connect with athletes, creators, and influencers.Ishveen shares how OpenSponsorship was created to modernise the sponsorship industry by replacing traditional relationship-based dealmaking with data, transparency, and strategic decision-making. The conversation explores the evolution from athlete sponsorship into the broader creator economy, why brands need to think beyond follower counts, and how successful campaigns combine authenticity, creativity, and measurable outcomes.Ishveen also discusses the role of AI in sponsorship, the rise of women’s sports, investment opportunities in sports infrastructure, and why athletes and creators will continue to become more valuable assets for brands.Key Takeaways:How Ishveen identified inefficiencies in the traditional sponsorship industry and built OpenSponsorship.Why sponsorship needed more transparency, data, and strategic decision-making.How the creator economy expanded OpenSponsorship beyond traditional athletes.Why brands should focus on authenticity, audience fit, and engagement rather than follower counts alone.How successful sponsorship campaigns integrate creators across marketing channels.Why creative execution and ROI measurement are critical in modern sponsorship.How AI can improve sponsorship discovery while highlighting the importance of human expertise.Why women’s sports and female athletes represent a growing opportunity for brands.What investors should understand about sports infrastructure and sponsorship businesses.Why athlete influence will become increasingly important in the future of sports marketing.Noteworthy Quotes:“Sponsorship was very archaic, kind of like who do you know and trying to get in front of them. There wasn't much strategy or data.” – Ishveen Jolly“The world is open. It’s like LinkedIn. I’m going to hire whoever’s available in the market, not just who’s in my network.” – Ishveen Jolly“Even if your deal is 5K, you should think about the creative, the post, the story, and the caption. All of it needs rigour.” – Ishveen Jolly“The perfect campaigns are a mix of personalities.” – Ishveen Jolly“AI can solve little bits, but it can also create more headaches in the whole process.” – Ishveen Jolly“The athlete and creator will become even more important.” – Ishveen JollyKey Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Ishveen Jolly and OpenSponsorship01:40 - Building OpenSponsorship and modernising the sponsorship industry03:41 - Recognising the rise of influencer marketing and creator economy05:48 - Lessons learned from joining the 500 Startups accelerator08:47 - The problems OpenSponsorship solves in sponsorship markets09:31 - Creating transparency in sponsorship selection and pricing11:33 - Improving creative strategy and measuring sponsorship ROI12:30 - How OpenSponsorship supports athletes and creators13:56 - Expanding from athlete sponsorship into the creator economy16:49 - Selecting creators based on authenticity, engagement, and audience fit19:02 - How successful brands integrate creators into marketing strategies21:56 - Measuring ROI through content performance, sales, and engagement25:07 - Using AI to improve sponsorship discovery and execution27:08 - The rise of women’s sports and female athlete opportunities29:20 - Investment opportunities in sports sponsorship and infrastructure31:07 - The future of sports ecosystem investments34:17 - Predictions for the future of sponsorship, creators, and athletes36:05 - Closing thoughts on OpenSponsorship’s journey and the creator economyDisclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. Connect with the Guest, Ishveen Jolly:Ishveen Jolly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ishveenjolly/ OpenSponsorship Website: https://opensponsorship.com/OpenSponsorship LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/open-sponsorship/ British Wrestling LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/british-wrestling-association/ Influence Mobile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/influencemobile/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/Follow Halford Media Advisory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/More from Berkida Ventures:Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.comFollow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://...
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    37 min
  • Football Leadership for Leaders to Win Games Using Institutional Thinking with Omar Chaudhuri

    Football Leadership for Leaders to Win Games Using Institutional Thinking with Omar Chaudhuri
    Sep 9 2026
    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Omar Chaudhuri, Chief Intelligence Officer at Twenty First Group, one of football's leading intelligence and advisory firms. Omar shares how football analytics has evolved from the early Moneyball era into a broader discipline focused on strategy, organisational alignment, and long-term value creation.The conversation explores why data is no longer a competitive advantage on its own, how successful clubs build sustainable operating models, and why organisational culture matters more than individual managers. Omar also discusses the role of AI in football, the challenges facing investors entering European football, and the common misconceptions surrounding club ownership, sporting performance, and decision-making.Key Takeaways:Omar's journey from football blogger to helping build Twenty First Group.Why Moneyball was ultimately about organisational change rather than data alone.How successful football clubs align sporting, operational, and financial strategy.Why organisational discipline consistently outperforms short-term decision making.The importance of long-term planning in football ownership and investment.Why head coaches have less influence on long-term success than many believe.How AI will transform football intelligence, scouting, and club operations.The biggest misconceptions investors have when entering professional football.Noteworthy Quotes:“Moneyball wasn't really about data, it was about organisational change.” – Omar Chaudhuri“Quite often the focus isn't data. The focus is simply having a plan and the discipline to execute it.” – Omar Chaudhuri“Football has silver bullet syndrome—we believe one hire or one decision can transform a club.” – Omar Chaudhuri“Organisations matter more than managers.” – Omar Chaudhuri“The product itself is often more important than how you commercialise it.” – Omar Chaudhuri“People underestimate the role of luck, even over a 38-game season.” – Omar ChaudhuriKey Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Omar Chaudhuri and Twenty First Group01:41 - From football blogger to data strategist04:08 - Is data still a competitive advantage in football?06:42 - Building Twenty First Group and the evolution of football intelligence08:44 - What separates well-run football clubs from poorly run ones11:42 - Why organisational alignment matters more than data alone17:48 - The biggest misconceptions in football investing19:49 - Product quality versus commercialisation in modern sport21:42 - Luck, randomness, and why football remains unpredictable23:37 - How AI will change football decision-making25:03 - Building the football club of the future26:26 - Quick-fire insights: underrated organisations, smart clubs, and future predictionsDisclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. Connect with the Guest, Omar Chaudhuri:Omar Chaudhuri LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omar-chaudhuri/Twenty First Group Website: https://www.twentyfirstgroup.com/Twenty First Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/twenty-first-group/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/Follow Halford Media Advisory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/More from Berkida Ventures:Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.comFollow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448
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    29 min
  • How Jai-Alai Is Being Revived into a Global Sports League with Scott Savin

    How Jai-Alai Is Being Revived into a Global Sports League with Scott Savin
    Sep 2 2026
    In this episode of Berkida Ventures, host Massimo Marinelli sits down with Scott Savin, Chief Operating Officer of the World Jai-Alai League, Sports Challenge America & West Flagler Associates and Executive Producer at Magic City Hustle, to explore the history, evolution, and growth of one of the fastest ball sports in the world.Scott shares how his experience in sports, entertainment, and gaming led him to preserve and grow Jai-Alai in the United States. He explains how the league adapted the sport for professional play, created teams, recruited athletes, and leveraged sports wagering, media partnerships, and international talent pipelines to build an exciting, spectator-friendly league.Expect to Learn:The history and origins of Jai-Alai and its introduction to the U.S.How the sport was adapted for team play, betting, and media coverageStrategies for recruiting and developing athletes from diverse backgroundsThe structure of the league, seasonal format, and match dynamicsHow media distribution and sponsorships drive growth and fan engagementThe role of innovation, AI, and technology in promoting the sportEpisode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Introduction to Scott Savin and his journey into sports, entertainment, and Jai Alai[03:01] – History of Jai Alai, its global reach, and its growth in the United States[05:04] – Adapting Jai Alai for sports betting and building a modern league format[07:37] – Recruiting athletes and creating a new pipeline of Jai Alai players[09:55] – League structure, seasons, matches, and championship format[13:57] – What makes the World Jai Alai League different from other emerging sports leagues[18:57] – Building audience awareness, educating fans, and growing the sport internationally[24:35] – Lessons from other sports leagues, influencer strategy, and improving fan experience[27:17] – AI’s role in production, content creation, and enhancing the live experience[28:10] – Closing reflections on the future growth and expansion of the World Jai Alai LeagueDisclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. Connect with the Guest, Scott Savin:Scott Savin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-savin-a102165/Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jai-alai-league/Company Website: https://jaialaiworld.com/Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/Follow Halford Media Advisory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/More from Berkida Ventures:Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.comFollow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448
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    29 min
  • How LAFC Built a Global Football Brand from Nothing using Community with Larry Freedman

    How LAFC Built a Global Football Brand from Nothing using Community with Larry Freedman
    Aug 19 2026
    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli sits down with Larry Freedman, Co-President of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and Co-Chair of the Los Angeles FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Committee, to discuss building a modern sports organisation from the ground up. Larry shares his football journey, LAFC’s approach to creating a club rooted in community, and how the organisation has grown into a globally recognised brand.The conversation explores the importance of authenticity, ownership structures, venue control, fan engagement, and technology in professional sports. Larry explains how LAFC built a strong identity by learning from global football clubs, developing meaningful community connections, and creating experiences that extend beyond the stadium.Expect to Learn:How LAFC was built from an expansion team into a globally recognised football clubWhy creating a community is more important than simply building a sports franchiseHow ownership groups can add value beyond financial investmentWhy controlling the venue experience is critical for modern sports organisationsHow MLS has evolved through global football culture and international talentHow technology and media are changing fan engagement and the future of sportsEpisode Breakdown with Timestamps:[00:00] – Introduction to Larry Freedman and his journey into football and sports business[04:35] – Building LAFC from scratch and creating a club rooted in community[08:31] – Learning from global football clubs and developing a worldwide brand vision[13:40] – Looking beyond sports and building a world-class organisation[17:07] – Managing ownership groups and creating active investor involvement[22:35] – Why venue ownership and fan experience are critical for sports organisations[26:43] – The evolution of MLS and the impact of global football culture[32:49] – The role of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in growing football in North America[39:14] – Technology, media, and expanding sports communities beyond geography[43:16] – Closing reflections on football, leadership, and the future of sportsDisclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. Connect with the Guest, Larry Freedman:Larry Freedman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-freedman-284a8837/ Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) Website: https://www.lafc.com/Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/los-angeles-football-club/Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/Follow Halford Media Advisory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/More from Berkida Ventures:Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.comFollow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448
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    39 min
  • How to Build a Sports League for Leaders to Succeed in a Billion-Dollar Industry with Steve Gera

    How to Build a Sports League for Leaders to Succeed in a Billion-Dollar Industry with Steve Gera
    Aug 5 2026
    In this episode of the Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli sits down with Steve Gera, President at Grand Slam Track, Co-Founder & Chief Executive at Gains Group, Board Member & Senior Advisor (Co-Founder) at BreakAway Data, and US Ambassador at FC Barcelona. Steve shares his unconventional journey from serving as a U.S. Marine to becoming one of the leading voices in sports innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology.The conversation explores how sports organisations can create long-term value beyond media rights, why storytelling remains the industry's greatest competitive advantage, and how innovation, AI, athlete data, and emerging sports properties are transforming the global sports ecosystem. Steve also discusses his work with FC Barcelona's innovation strategy, BreakAway Data, Grand Slam Track, and the future of collectables as sports organisations evolve into platform businesses.Key Takeaways:How Steve's journey from the U.S. Marines to professional sports shaped his approach to solving complex business challenges.Why sports organisations should focus on building businesses instead of relying solely on licensing and media rights.How FC Barcelona created an innovation ecosystem by turning internal expertise into investable companies.The growing role of athlete-owned data, AI, and specialized technology in improving player development and performance.Why has storytelling become one of the biggest competitive advantages in modern sports?Lessons from building Grand Slam Track and why creating new sports leagues requires patience, capital, and long-term vision.How collectables and memorabilia are becoming valuable fan engagement and commercial opportunities for sports organisations.Noteworthy Quotes:"Easy things are for lazy people. I love working on hard problems." – Steve Gera"Sports is the most important of the least important things in the world." – Steve Gera"FC Barcelona isn't just a football club. It's a storytelling platform." – Steve Gera"The best innovations in sports are often the ones nobody ever hears about." – Steve Gera"AI will be incredibly valuable on the output side, but sports-specific data still requires sports-specific inputs." – Steve Gera"Storytelling is what creates fan joy, and fan joy creates better businesses." – Steve GeraKey Timestamps:[00:00] - Introduction to Steve Gera and his sports innovation career[01:51] - From the U.S. Marines to the NFL and sports business[08:28] - Why sports has become one of the world's biggest business opportunities[10:44] - Licensing versus value creation in modern sports organisations[13:32] - Inside FC Barcelona's innovation strategy and startup ecosystem[22:15] - BreakAway Data, athlete data ownership, and AI in sports[29:53] - Building Grand Slam Track and lessons from launching new sports leagues[36:53] - The future of sports memorabilia, collectables, and fan engagement[40:56] - Closing thoughts on innovation and the future of sports businessDisclosure: Portions of this episode (such as the introduction or promotional segments) use AI-generated voice narration produced under human editorial review. Connect with the Guest, Steve Gera:Steve Gera LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-jamieson-4309121/Grand Slam Track LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icons-dot-com/Gains Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gains-group/BreakAway Data LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breakaway-data/ FC Barcelona LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fc-barcelona/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/Follow Halford Media Advisory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/More from Berkida Ventures:Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.comFollow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448
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    42 min
  • How Fan Engagement and Ecosystems Became More Valuable Than Owning Sports Teams with Nic Sulsky

    How Fan Engagement and Ecosystems Became More Valuable Than Owning Sports Teams with Nic Sulsky
    Jul 29 2026
    In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Nic Sulsky, Co-Founder and CEO of The Curling Group, an entrepreneur with deep experience across fantasy sports, sports betting, and sports media. After building successful businesses including Monkey Knife Fight and PointsBet Canada, Nic explains why he chose to invest in one of the world's most underappreciated Olympic sports and how he plans to transform curling into a year-round global entertainment property.The conversation explores how sports betting and fantasy sports have changed fan engagement, why underserved sports represent compelling investment opportunities, and how building media, data, and technology infrastructure can unlock long-term value. Nic also discusses the launch of Rock League, the importance of athlete storytelling, and why owning an entire sports ecosystem can create greater value than simply owning a team.Key Takeaways:Nic's journey from fantasy sports and sports betting to acquiring one of curling's biggest global properties.Why fan engagement, not betting, is the real currency of modern sports.How The Curling Group is building a year-round ecosystem around an Olympic sport.The importance of content, storytelling, and athlete personalities in growing sports audiences.Why The Curling Group launched its own OTT platform and global streaming service.How live sports betting, official data, and technology are increasing fan engagement.Why underserved sports can offer stronger investment opportunities than established leagues.The future of curling as a global professional sport beyond the Winter Olympics.Noteworthy Quotes:“The real currency in sports is engagement.” – Nic Sulsky“I don't think you modernise sports by changing what fans love. You modernise them by changing how fans experience what they love.” – Nic Sulsky“The best investments aren't always the best assets—they're the assets with the most room to improve.” – Nic Sulsky“Whoever owns the deeper fan relationship is ultimately going to win.” – Nic Sulsky“I'd rather build value than buy it.” – Nic Sulsky“I want the world to know the curlers.” – Nic SulskyKey Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction to Nic Sulsky and The Curling Group02:49 - From fantasy sports and sports betting to curling05:38 - What betting companies understand about fan engagement08:47 - Why Nic acquired The Curling Group13:50 - Building Rock Channel and global curling distribution18:40 - Launching Rock League and creating a professional ecosystem24:22 - Building year-round engagement through athlete storytelling31:13 - Building data infrastructure for live sports betting33:00 - What investors misunderstand about sports investing36:26 - The long-term vision for The Curling Group and global curling39:31 - Where to follow curling and its athletesConnect with the Guest, Nic Sulsky:Nic Sulsky LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicsulsky/ The Curling Group Website: https://www.thecurlinggroup.com/ The Curling Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-curling-group/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/Follow Halford Media Advisory:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/More from Berkida Ventures:Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/Email: info@berkida-ventures.comFollow the Podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448
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    41 min