abc sports

William Ryzcek, author of Crash of the Titans, reminisces about the financially challenging, but comical early days of the Harry Wismer-owned, Sammy Baugh-coached New York Titans. The interview follows colorful stories of better-than-given-credit players and outrageous in-game results, while looking at the foundation built for Joe Namath and the Jets to take the AFL to the heights by winning Super Bowl III.

Joel Lulla is a professor at The University of Texas at Austin where he lectures on topics around the business of sports and entertainment. Joel graduated law school with honors from UNC, worked with ABC Sports during their peak as the head of their Dept. of Legal & Business Affairs, worked with IMG as lead counsel selling sports media rights, and then ran his own consultancy with clients within the intercollegiate sports media space (among many) such as the Big 12 conference. He also served as the former Chairman of the Committee on Professional Sports of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association, has made appearances on several sports broadcast panels, and has been quoted as a sports media industry expert by numerous publications ranging from ESPN, The New York Times, CBS Sports, the Sports Business Journal, and many more.
 

OUTLINE:

0:00 Intro

1:45 Different roles Joel has worked in within the sports world

3:07 ABC Sports as the dominant sports broadcast network before ESPN took over

4:41 is ESPN still the sports industry leader in today’s changing marketplace?

• They still make by far the most money
• From cable to DTC bundles

5:58 Shift towards digital, how ESPN may monetize DTC space with ESPN+

8:05 What it’s really like for a sports lawyer to negotiate big deals

• NF is so powerful that there’s not much negotiation, it’s almost like they’re too important and demand their (somewhat) reasonable number

10:52 Things you can do to sway negotiations in your favor and win deals

• Look at similar deals elsewhere
• Look at the revenue you want to generate
• There are really no secrets ie how much your selling commercials for and making money w those rights
• You’re just trying to come to reasonable understanding with other sides without pulling any fast ones

13:40 How bringing integrity and objective facts to deals and operating in good faith leads to landing better deals for the long-term

• preparation and dedication to your position/ interests + fairness, honesty and facts = you land good deals

15:14 How to not only break into the sports space but stay and lead a successful career

18:16 Characteristics a lawyer in sports space must have to succeed

20:06 Will the NBA be bigger than the NFL in 20 years?

• NFL = better TV

23:08 Joel’s favorite experience working in sports — the LA Olympics

24:34 outro

Podcast info:

- Podcast website: https://smartalecshow.com

- RSS feed: feed:https://feeds.simplecast.com/ngBH2BfM

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/634MOIW...

- Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

- Amazon Music & Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/969...
 

Connect with Alec on Social:

- Linktree to all platforms: https://linktr.ee/smartalec

Recorded in February 2021

Athletes Say The Darndest Things!

Sound clips provided via the internet through:
ABC TV
Me Gustan Los Deportes Podcast
Talkin Yanks on Twitter
Showtime
ESPN
The Dan Patrick Show
GQ Sports
WGN Morning News
CBS Sports

“Let’s Huddle with Ed Cunningham” is an interview and storytelling podcast at the intersection of sports, media, Hollywood and pop culture featuring people who tell and participate in the biggest, craziest and most meaningful stories on the playing field and off. Intimate with a celebratory and comedic tone, the series’ core is deep dive interviews, along with commentary and scripted episodes, that all share personal growth and connections through our best sport meets life moments.

Host and Executive Producer Ed Cunningham is an award-winning filmmaker, broadcaster and former NFL player who produced “The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters” and the Oscar-winning “Undefeated.” On the field, Ed played at the University of Washington, and for the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks, while off the field, he began producing and working in radio and television during his playing days and started his network career at CBS before moving to ESPN and ABC.

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In this episode, Jack talks to  20 year old Californian,  Dean Thompson who in just 2 years racing super late models, has already racked up a Rookie of the year title along with Irwindale Speedway’s 2020 Track Title. His dream, like so many others who refine their skills on America’s Short Tracks is to one day, make it to the very top of the NASCAR Pyramid, the NASCAR Cup Series.

Jack catches up on things with Michael Waltrip. Together they review Michael’s career in NASCAR as well as his Fox TV role and his return to driving as part Tony Stewart’s & Ray Evernham’s horsepower Circus the Superstar Racing Experience.

Paul Page and IndyCars are forever linked and Jack visits with his old friend to get Page’s take on the past, present and future of the sport. They also reminisce about some of their ABC assignments and fellow announcers as well as Paul’s new book: “Hello, I’m Paul Page. I’s Raceday In Indianapolis”.

And in Jack’s “Story Time” segment, he shares a cautionary tale about how what you may think is a harmless gesture can if you are not careful,  earn you the title of “Ugly American”.