The Fluid Fan Podcast

This week's Fluid Fan Podcast Episode focuses on creating a more sustainable sports industry for the future. Angela Ruggiero is joined by Chris Chandler the Executive Director, Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational & Sports Solutions at Dow to discuss our latest piece of research, "Getting Into the Game: Sports Responsibility to Our Planet." Chris will break down the key findings in the report, and explain why the industry needs to take action now. Dow has been championing sustainability for over 30 years, and Chris highlights the company's mission to be completely carbon neutral by 2050 and will showcase some key partnerships like the LPGA and the Jaguar TCS Racing team of Formula E. Hear about all that and more on this jampacked episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast.

On this edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Phil Cook, CMO of the WNBA to discuss all things marketing and innovation. Phil will discuss the success of the league's 25th season, the recent capital raise of $75 million, the league's recent innovative partnerships, and the power of the players' voices and platforms. Hear how the league is working to create a more accessible and better experience for its fans, and how the league is leaning into purpose-driven conversations. Phil touches on what the future of the league could hold and gives a preview into WNBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago.

On this special edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Sports Innovation Lab's CMO Gina Waldhorn and Director of Product Molly Tissenbaum to discuss the groundbreaking piece of research The Growth of the Women's Sports Community: Powered by The Fan Project. The second iteration of our Fan Project research is all about the business case and the brands that are set to succeed in the women's sports industry. Released on the 50th Anniversary of Title IX in the U.S., the report is emblematic of the sports industry's continued investment and growth of women's sports. Learn about our new Community Growth Score metric and how the largest-ever observational research study on the spending habits of fans of women’s sports to date can improve your business.

This week's Fluid Fan Podcast episode features a fantastic conversation between ESPN's Sarah Spain and our CEO Angela Ruggiero. You'll learn about Sarah's rise through the sports media world, and some great lessons she's learned along the way. Hear how she uses her platform to foster change throughout the industry. When she is not captivating audiences on the ESPN platforms, she's an influential advocate for equality, a philanthropist, and working as co-owner of the NWLS' Chicago Red Stars.

The Fluid Fan Podcast is BACK! Sports Innovation Lab's Head of Innovation, Abe Stein, joins the show to give a deep dive into our latest piece of research The Top 25 Most Innovative Teams in the World 2022 Report. Learn about the methodology and the data collection behind the ranking, who scored the highest, and why. Find out how the market will need to continue to innovate through Revenue Diversification, Technology Enablement, and Organizational Agility.

On this episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Laura Gentile the EVP Marketing at ESPN and Commercial Marketing for Disney Media Networks joined Angela Ruggiero to talk all things marketing and sports. Laura has over two decades of experience working in sports, was an All-American field hockey player in college, founded the espnW platform, and now oversees all of the social media and marketing strategy for Disney Networks and ESPN. Hear how Laura is navigating the digital media age, and creating innovative marketing strategies across numerous channels and platforms.

We are excited to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) and are featuring three extremely influential and powerful women on this special episode. Our CEO and Olympian Angela Ruggiero will be joined by actor, designer, and activist, Alyssa Milano, and the first female NFL Coach, Dr. Jen Welter. These three phenomenal women will discuss what NGWSD means to them, a few women who have inspired them and changed the sports industry, as well as some initiatives that we can all support to take action for equality in sport.

This edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast features Olympic track and field legend, Lord Seb Coe. Seb is not only a 4x Olympic Medalist but also the current President of World Athletics. He joined the show to discuss stories from his Olympic competitions, the creation of the first International Olympic Committee Athlete's Commission, his time in the British Parliament, his views on the current state of global sport, and a look ahead to the Beijing 2022 Winter Games. Catch all that and more on this Olympic edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast.

On this edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast Angela Ruggiero is joined by Kathy Carter, CEO of LA28, to take a look ahead at Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. Kathy and her team are looking to leave a lasting legacy and positive impact on the city of Los Angeles through multiple new initiatives. You'll hear how her team is leveraging technologies and the incredible resources of LA to make the LA28 Games the most innovative games in Olympic history. Do not miss your chance to learn from one of the most influential minds in global sport, and a behind-the-scenes look into how the biggest event in the world of sports takes place.

This episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast features Renie Anderson, CRO and EVP NFL Partnerships at the National Football League. Renie has spent over 15 years in the NFL's league office and was recently named the league's first Chief Revenue Officer. Hear how Renie and her team are working to create diverse revenue streams, maximize offerings from innovative partnerships, create the most memorable fan experience, and empower women in the sports industry. We'll chat all that and more throughout this deep dive into all things NFL.

This episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast features a conversation around data, strategy, fan intelligence, and more with Moon Javaid Chief Strategy Officer of the San Francisco 49ers. Moon has built one of the largest data and business analytics teams in the National Football League and is leveraging that team to create a memorable and seamless experience for the fans. You'll hear about all the different solutions that the 49ers have in place to collect and analyze feedback from fans, and the initiatives that landed the club on Sports Innovation Lab's Top 25 Most Innovative Teams in the World rankings. Don't miss your chance to learn from one of the most innovative minds in the industry.

On this episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Wes Durow CMO of Extreme Networks. The two talk about how a reliable and secure network and infrastructure are pivotal in facilitating fan behaviors throughout the gameday experience at a venue. Wes will discuss some of Extreme's recent partnerships with the NFL, MLB, and NASCAR as well as the company's plans for the future. Hear how the company is using its network capabilities to improve the fan experience, venue operations, and athlete performance.

On this edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Jeb Terry the President and CEO of Cosm. Jeb spent 5 seasons in the National Football League before becoming an entrepreneur in sports tech. Cosm is working to change the way the world experiences sports media and focusing on creating shared experiences. Jeb and his team are innovating both the smart venue and immersive media space and delivering fans with a new and engaging way to watch sports. The two talk about their LED Dome activation in Salt Lake City which hosted Olympians and their families during the Tokyo Games this past summer. Jeb’s been a trusted advisor to Sports Innovation Lab and a member of our Leadership Board program for years. A can't miss interview!

On this episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Sports Innovation Lab's VP Executive Engagement & Women's Initiatives Megan Perry. Megan is a former D1 college basketball player, media analyst, and WNBA front office executive. The two discuss the state of women's sports, the findings and impact of the Fan Project Report, the company's work at the espnW Women + Sport Summit, and a special announcement around the launch of a new Leadership Board.

This week's Fluid Fan Podcast features special guest Lynne Biggar, EVP Global Chief Marketing Officer at Visa! Lynne joined Angela Ruggiero to talk about Visa’s recent rebranding effort, the company's partnerships with the IOC, FIFA, NFL, and more, as well as the top trends that are shaping the marketing landscape. Learn from one of the most influential marketing executives in the business.

On this episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Zack Weiner President and Co-Founder of Overtime. Overtime is one of the fastest-growing media and sports brands in the market. Zack will talk about Overtime's media strategy, the power of shoulder content and athlete-driven media, as well as the emergence of Overtime Elite- their new high school basketball league. Zack and Overtime have been able to amass over 50M followers across their 7 social media channels. He’ll also tell you his plans for the company after their recent raise of $80M.

On this episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman. Val is here to talk about the recent Name, Image, and Likeness legislation changing the landscape of collegiate athletics. She has held almost every major leadership position in the world of basketball and will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September. Val is a true role model for men and women in sports and shares her insight on how to grow and work within the sports industry.

This episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast is all about the incredible work of Roberta Bowman, Chief Brand and Communications Officer at the LPGA. Roberta joins Angela to discuss the new LPGA Hoodie campaign, the tour's storytelling and branding strategy, as well as the impact of the Fan Project. Roberta and the LPGA were amazing partners throughout the Fan Project, and know the value the data and the findings can be to the industry. Learn about the LPGA's emphasis on the tour athletes and their lives beyond the course and more.

On this special Olympic edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Rick Echevarria the VP, Sales & Marketing Group and GM Olympics & Paralympics Program at Intel joins all the way from the Summer Games in Tokyo. Rick and Angela discuss how Intel is using technology to create a better experience for the fans, the athletes, and the host city and residents of Tokyo. Learn about the 5G and edge computing powering the games, 3D Athlete Tracking technology, True View, and more. As a TOP sponsor with the IOC, Rick will tell you how Intel is all about creating a more memorable, immersive, and sustainable games.

This week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast features Lisa Baird, Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In her short tenure as NWSL Commissioner, Lisa has already brought the league to new heights and has big plans for the league moving forward. Hear how she is creating a global audience through digital platforms, generating new sponsorships for the league, driving expansion into new markets, and more. It’s not often a Commissioner has to shut down their league two days into their role and do it with flying colors… you’ll get to hear how Lisa navigated this dilemma and quickly came up with an innovative solution.

On this episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by John Coombs the CEO and Co-Founder of Judo. John is a mobile application and fan experience expert and shares his insight on how the second screen experience can help keep fans engaged with their favorite teams and leagues before, during, and after the game. Learn how John and his team at Judo are innovating the fan journey and helping teams understand the fan behaviors that are core to their business.

On the latest edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Keia Clarke, the CEO of the New York Liberty. The two discuss the growth of women’s sports and the recent rise of the WNBA. Keia will share her insights on marketing best practices, and how athletes have the power to influence society through athlete-driven media. Hear how a new ownership group and playing in a new arena is setting the stage for an incredible season for the Liberty.

On this special edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Sports Innovation Lab's VP of Data and Insights, Caiti Donovan. The two discuss The Fan Project, key findings from the report, and why the industry needs to shift its focus to a Community-Based Monetization Model. Fans of Women's Sports are the truest form of Fluid Fans, and we have the data to back it up. Hear from the minds that know the report the best, and learn how your business will be impacted by the growth of women's sports. Investing in women's sports is no longer about being the nice thing to do, it's simply the best thing to do.

On this week's Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by sports betting expert and CEO of PlayUP US, Dr. Laila Mintas. Not only is Dr. Mintas one of the leading sports betting experts, but she is also an advisor to Sports Innovation Lab and a true entrepreneur and investor. The two discuss the sports betting landscape in North America, fan engagement, the second screen experience, SPACs, and much more. Tune in to learn how Dr. Mintas is leading PlayUp's push into the US markets and what the future holds for the rapidly growing sports betting industry.

On this episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Jerome Pickett the Senior Vice President, General Manager, Sports & Entertainment, for CLEAR. The two discuss the return to play and the safe return of fans to the venue with CLEAR's technology. Hear how the former Secret Service Agent and NBA executive is leading CLEAR's push into sports and creating a safer more technologically driven venue. From facial recognition concessions to biometric ticketing, Jerome and the team at CLEAR are driving innovation throughout the sports industry.

This week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast features a conversation with Jason Griffiths, the Vice President of Partnerships for the Los Angeles Rams. Jason joined Angela Ruggiero to talk about the dynamic partnership activations the team put on during the pandemic, their recent Draft House activation with movie star Rebel Wilson, and all things SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. Hear how Jason made the move from the tech sector into the sports industry, and where he sees the state of the industry heading as we return to a sense of normalcy.

The 50th Fluid Fan Podcast episode is all about technology and innovation at the biggest league in the world, the National Football League. Angela Ruggiero is joined by the brilliant Natara Holloway the VP Business Operations and Strategy of the Football Operations group at the NFL. Natara has worked at the league office since 2004 and is truly leading the focus at the league office on how technology and innovation can shape the on-field product, the sideline, the hiring process of coaches, the fan experience, and much more. Tune in and learn about data and strategy from one of the best minds in sports.

On this week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Lance Evans the SVP - Sports & Entertainment for MGM Resorts International. Angela and Lance will talk about the sports betting market, the impact of professional sports coming to Las Vegas, the return of fans to live sporting events, and what’s next for the sports and entertainment industry. The two will also touch on Lance’s near two decades of experience, MGM Resorts International's league partnerships, and his role on our Fluid Fan Leadership Board. Don’t miss this chance to learn about the fast-moving sports betting market from a true expert.

As Women’s History Month comes to a close our latest podcast episode features former professional soccer star and Founder and CEO of Just Women’s Sports, Haley Rosen. Angela Ruggiero and Haley will talk about how Just Women’s Sports is disrupting the sports media industry and becoming the one-stop-shop for women’s sports fans. As partners of The Fan Project, Haley and her team know the power of data and are ready to help change the way the sports industry views and invests in women’s sports.

On this week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Tim Clark the SVP & Chief Digital Officer at NASCAR. Tim and Angela touch on NASCAR’s digital strategy, the company’s award-winning iRacing Series, the innovative tech Tim’s team is working into their broadcast presentation and more. Tim is truly working to deliver an immersive experience for NASCAR fans in order to stay ahead of the very competitive attention economy. Get ready to learn from an innovation expert about all things digital media and production as well as Tim’s unique perspective on the changes and direction of digital media.

On the latest episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by David Lehanski the Executive Vice President, Business Development and Innovation at the NHL. Angela and David will discuss the partnerships that are powering the tech and innovation pushing the league forward. David has been vital in the development and implementation of the NHL’s puck and player tracking system. As a member of our Athlete Data and Athlete-Driven Media Leadership Board, David has helped our team research and foster innovation in the athlete-data market. He knows how important it is to monitor fan behaviors and how the league needs to create new content to capture the attention of these Fluid Fans. Learn about the connectivity and technology partnerships that are powering the new data and analytics era in the NHL, and the silver lining to come out of the COVID pandemic.

On this week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Venuetize Founder and CEO, Jon Romm. Jon and Angela discuss how Venuetize’s mobile platform helps venues and venue operators create a connected and seamless experience for Fluid Fans. The importance of engaging fans before, during, and after the game relies on a well connected and multifunctioning application. Jon walks through how he founded the company, how they are continuing to grow and enter the global market, and develop new use cases for the mobile platform. As fan engagement becomes more about a lean in experience, Venuetize is utilizing its technology to facilitate fan behaviors like sports betting and payments through cashless technologies. Learn about how Venuetize’s mobile platform is helping fans have connected and memorable experiences from their CEO and Founder, Jon Romm.

On a special edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by two star female athletes, professional hockey player and gold medalist Hilary Knight as well as professional soccer player Ifeoma Onumonu of the NWSL’s Sky Blue FC. The three will talk about the pent up demand for women’s sports, and the steps the industry needs to take in order to expand the visibility of women’s sports. The episode will highlight our latest initiative, The Fan Project, and how there is a serious pent up demand for women’s sports. We believe that the industry is not utilizing fan data to create a more accurate representation of the fan and their behaviors. With this data, we will be able to create a report that will show equal opportunities for women in sports business. Hilary and Ify will touch on the current state of women’s sports and share their opinions on how the sports industry can improve the reach and opportunities of women’s sports and female athletes.

First Angela Ruggiero will be joined by two of the minds behind our latest report The Top 25 Most Innovative Teams in the World, co-founder and Sports Innovation Lab President Josh Walker and our Product Manager Molly Tissenbaum. Josh and Molly will walk through the methodology and the data behind the rankings and really go in-depth on the process used to create the Top 25(3:02 - 20:01). After that, Angela will be joined by Omar Berrada, the Chief Football Operations Officer for City Football Group(20:05 - 55:18). Manchester City FC is the top-ranked team on the list and Omar is here to talk about how City Football Group has put innovation, data, and the fan experience at the forefront of their truly global organization. Omar spent the last 4 years working as COO of Manchester City and brings his business experience and background to the football side of the City Football Groups Operations.

On this week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Dr. Leslie Saxon the Executive Director of the USC Center for Body Computing. Dr. Saxon is an esteemed medical professional who has an extensive background in cardiology. She has been on the frontlines throughout the COVID pandemic and is ready to share her insight on what it will take to get players, coaches, event staff, and fans safely back in the venue. Dr. Saxon has been a co-chair on two of our leadership boards and is an expert in human performance and the tactical athlete. She’ll share her knowledge of the cardiovascular health risks of COVID, as well as the safety protocols needed to get fans back in the stands. Listen to the full conversation and learn about the medical side of sports and athlete performance.

On our first show of 2021, Angela Ruggiero welcomes Dr. Travis McDonough, CEO and Founder of Kinduct Technologies, to the Fluid Fan Podcast to discuss everything human performance and data. Travis is a medical expert who has brought his extensive knowledge of human performance to the sports industry to help athletes. Kinduct is a data collection and analysis company that utilizes technology to monitor an athlete’s performance, output, and overall wellness. With partners across the globe, Travis and his team at Kinduct are innovating the sports industry and leading the way in the quantified athlete space. With a crowded market, Kinduct is working to democratize athlete data and human performance. Learn about the innovative practices and technologies that Travis and his team are utilizing to create a healthier and more informed athlete.

On this special edition of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Sports Innovation Lab co-founder Josh Walker joins Angela for a record 4th time to discuss all the work done at Sports Innovation Lab throughout the crazy year that was 2020. The two talk about our 5 groundbreaking reports, our Behavior Series research, the top trends seen in sports, and what our industry needs to focus on as we move into 2021.

On this week's show, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Andrew Cohen, Visa's Vice President - Global Sponsorship Marketing. Andrew will discuss Visa's payment solutions and the technologies that are creating a safe and seamless venue experience for Fluid Fans. The two talk about the partnership with the NFL and how Visa is allowing the NFL to have a completely cash-free Super Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Learn about the payment technologies that are leading us into a world where we are checking in rather than checking out.

This week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast features a true leader in sports innovation. Luis Vicente the Group CEO of ELEVEN SPORTS joined Angela Ruggiero to discuss the trends making waves in the sports media and OTT space. Luis has been in sports for many years and has worked for some of the top clubs in European football as well as the Chief Digital Transformation & Innovation Officer for FIFA. His background is unlike any other and now he is innovating at ELEVEN to bring Fluid Fans sports content when and where they want it. Learn about Luis’ rise through sports and how he envisions the market moving forward as we continue to push the sports industry out of the pandemic.

This week Angela Ruggiero is joined by someone who is not only a fellow tech entrepreneur creating new experiences for Fluid Fans, but also a Super Bowl Champion! Najee Goode, the Co-Founder and Chief of Fan Experience & Engagement at VEEPIO came on the show to talk about his playing career in the NFL, and the interactive content tool VEEPIO he has created. Najee and his team at VEEPIO are creating a content platform that allows fans to purchase merchandise and donate to causes that are important to the athletes and teams they follow. VEEPIO is an innovative platform that is making waves in the athlete-driven media market and is offering fans a truly immersive way to connect with the sports they love. Hear from a Super Bowl Champion about what it takes to be a premier athlete and an innovative executive changing the world of sports.

This week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast features a high-level look at the changing trends in the media industry. Angela Ruggiero is joined by Randy Freer, CEO of the Freer Company, to discuss Randy’s thirty plus year career in the media industry, hear his take on leadership, and gain his insight into how the market has evolved over the years. Randy will talk about his past work as COO and President of Fox Networks Group and around Fluid Fandom during his time as CEO of Hulu. He’ll also touch on how the gaming and esports industry is really starting to change the way media properties look at fandom and user experience. Learn all about how Randy helped create the vast array of regional sports networks at Fox, navigate the cord-cutting audience, big bets that shaped the media industry, and much more!

On this week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Alexandra Willis the Head of Communications Content & Digital at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Alex came on the show to discuss how Wimbledon is using digital content and immersive experiences to reach tennis fans during the pandemic. Without the Championship this year, Alex and her team had to get creative and use AI technology from their partners at IBM to create the first-ever digital tournament for their fans. Tune in to the conversation to learn about the technologies and strategies Alex is implementing at Wimbledon to grow the brand, engage their fans, and create new experiences for tennis fans across the globe.

This week in the Fluid Fan Podcast Angela Ruggiero is joined by Jason Howarth the Vice President of Marketing at Panini America. Angela and Jason will dive deep into the trading card and digital collectible market that is taking the sports industry by storm. The two will discuss blockchain technology, the importance of storytelling, highlighting athletes off the field, and how COVID has affected the business and the athletes they work with. Learn about the technologies and tactics Panini is implementing to offer athletes new ways to engage with Fluid Fans.

This week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast Angela Ruggiero is joined by the Co-Founder of Stathletes, Meghan Chayka, for a conversation around the use of AI, machine learning, and analytics in hockey. Stathletes is a sports analytics and data company focused on hockey that helps teams, executives, and athletes make better player personnel decisions. The sports industry has seen the “Moneyball” strategy cause waves in the baseball world, and now a similar strategy is making a push in hockey. Meghan will talk about building Stathletes from the ground up, the technology the company utilizes, women’s leadership in sports, and the opportunities to educate the fan through data.

This week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast features a conversation on Co-Watching and Immersive Media with LiveLike CEO and Co-Founder, Miheer Walavalkar. Angela Ruggiero and Miheer discuss how LiveLike is helping existing broadcasts and apps create a social and immersive experience for Fluid Fans. Hear how LiveLike’s SDK allows for a simple implementation process, and a number of immersive gamification opportunities. Learn about the various partnerships and platforms LiveLike’s technology leverages to offer Fluid Fans the ability to connect with fans across the globe.

On this week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast, Angela Ruggiero is joined by Kate Johnson, Director, Global Marketing Partnerships, Content Sports Media at Google. Not only is Kate leading the sports division of Google, she is also an Olympic Silver Medalist and World Champion Rower. Kate brings her Olympic attitude to the boardroom at Google, and on today’s podcast shares her outlook on the sports media industry, the importance of a mobile device to Fluid Fans, and the opportunities Google has to innovate and change the industry.

This week’s episode of the Fluid Fan Podcast features a great conversation with Brian Killingsworth, Chief Marketing Officer of the Vegas Golden Knights. Brian has almost two decades worth of experience in the sports industry and has led the marketing efforts of teams across three of the major sports leagues in the United States. As a member of our Fluid Fan Leadership Board, Brian will share his insights on our latest research report focusing on the new trends taking over the sponsorship market. Angela and Brian also discuss what it was like to build a brand from scratch with the inception of the Golden Knights, their trip to the 2018 Stanley Cup Final, and the NHL Bubbles up in Edmonton and Toronto.

Angela Ruggiero is joined by Jessica Luther & Kavitha Davidson authors of Loving Sports When They Don't Love You Back: Dilemmas of the Modern Fan on this week's episode. Their book focuses on the difficult issues sports fans face when supporting the teams and players they love. In an age where athletes are using their platform to advocate for the social causes they care about, Fluid Fans want to express those feelings as well. Jessica and Kavitha's book is filled with case studies and interviews that challenge the reader and the modern fan to think differently about the sports industry and really find out what matters to you.