Professor Shirin Mollah sits down with Stephen Cheung, CEO of the LA County Economic Development Corporation, at the Intuit Dome during the LA Sports Council's innovation conference. Cheung breaks down the jaw-dropping numbers behind LA's sports economy—$12.1 billion in economic impact and 93,000 jobs supported by the sector in 2024 alone.

The conversation dives into how international superstars like Shohei Ohtani are transforming LA into a global sports destination, with Japanese tourism spiking 91% and 85% of those visitors attending multiple Dodger games. Cheung explains how LA's incredible diversity, with the largest Filipino, Armenian, and Korean populations outside their home countries, creates unique opportunities when international athletes arrive.

From facial recognition payment systems at the Intuit Dome to the SoFi Stadium drawing 73,000+ fans per Rams game, technology is reshaping the fan experience. Cheung emphasizes the critical need for education institutions to prepare the next generation for careers spanning sports tech, data analytics, and digital marketin00:00 - Introduction at Intuit Dome

Dr. Shirin Mollah sits down with Neil Schwartz, president of SBRNet and host of "My First Job in Sports," for a deep dive into the data driving modern sports business. Schwartz shares his journey from cable TV to becoming a self-proclaimed "data nerd" who helps colleges, universities, and sports organizations understand fan behavior through comprehensive consumer research.

The conversation covers the evolution of fan engagement post-pandemic, revealing surprising trends like the Kansas City Chiefs' 23% increase in female fans thanks to the Taylor Swift effect, Formula One's explosive U.S. growth through Netflix's "Drive to Survive," and the WNBA's impressive 60% year-over-year fan increase. Schwartz explains why sports has a "Gen Z problem," how women's sports fandom is nearly equal to men's, and why price elasticity varies dramatically between leagues like the NFL and WNBA.

From sports gambling concerns to the globalization of soccer and F1, Schwartz emphasizes one core principle: sports are fun, and data tells the story. He challenges traditional marketing approaches, advocates for fact-based decision making over gut instincts, and reveals how organizations can use demographic insights to change conversations with sponsors and maximize revenue while enhancing fan experience.

Professor Shirin Mollah sits down with Dr. Kevin Curran, a seasoned play-by-play producer and college professor with over 30 years of experience working with teams like the Oakland Athletics, LA Lakers, and University of Arizona. They explore the often-overlooked economic impact of play-by-play announcers on team revenue, fan engagement, and marketing strategies. Curran reveals how these voices aren't just calling games – they're sophisticated sales tools, building parasocial relationships with fans while promoting everything from bobblehead nights to season tickets. The conversation covers the business relationships between teams and broadcasters, the challenges of measuring ROI on play-by-play investment, and how emerging technologies like AI might reshape this traditional role. With insights from someone who's worked alongside Hall of Fame broadcasters like Chick Hearn, this episode uncovers the fascinating economics behind the voices we trust to guide us through our favorite games.