The Crowdmakers

With nearly 40 years in sports education and executive leadership, Dr. Bill Sutton consults the best of the best in the industry. In this honest, revealing conversation, Dr. Sutton shares his take on the current state of sports business, including how to create a compelling, creative story for our prospects, the inventive use of video to open the sale, repurposing the Group Sales effort from pods to neighborhoods, the definition of “meaningful” diversity hiring, and what new leaders should be focused on going forward, A program worthy of taking notes!

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Matt Salata has his premium team at the Phoenix Suns adopting a “One Revenue” full-menu selling philosophy. In this candid interview, Matt reveals the details of that selling model, as well as the “WOW” elements of the Suns’ revamped stadium tour and why collaboration among the many departments within the Suns is key to pulling it off. Matt also discusses what the “right” number of salespeople might look like at the Suns post-COVID, what he learned managing an Inside Sales team of 18 at the Jew Jersey Devils, and what he looks for in a sales applicant today vs. just a few years ago.

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As the world plummeted into quarantine in March 2020, Will Wilson assumed the highest position within the US Soccer Federation, the official governing body of soccer in the United States. In this candid interview, Wilson shares the challenges of stepping into such a high-level position at the beginning of a pandemic, his vision for US soccer, including the current challenges and opportunities within the Men’s and Women’s National teams, the creation of a comprehensive DEI initiative, the enormity of hosting the 2026 World Cup, and the value of being bilingual in representing the most popular sport in the world.

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She has become a role model for many others in sports, rising to a Vice President position through grit, dedication and heart. Sports was always in her blood, but Qiava Martinez didn’t initially move into the business after college. Even though her father played pro football and several of her brothers were in the industry, she had several passionate pursuits before a job fair in Sacramento led her to an amazing career with the Raiders of 14 years and counting. In this candid, transparent interview, Qiava details the challenges of moving with the team from Oakland to Las Vegas and dealing with the trials of the pandemic. She also reveals how she went from activist to acting on purpose, from starting her own difference-making youth magazine to lighting the way by example as a woman executive of color in the sports industry.   A “can’t-miss” episode!     

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Eva Gardner is one of the busiest and most highly regarded female bass players on the music circuit, playing hundreds of shows in tours backing up such iconic performers as Cher, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Moby and Tim Burgess. In this behind-the-scenes conversation, Eva talks about the business of music during a pandemic and the skills she learned while in quarantine in Los Angeles. She also reveals how she got her own Fender Precision Signature bass named after her, her brand-new solo work, and what’s next on the horizon for music including the future of non-fungible tokens (NFT’s) of iconic performances in the music industry. Enjoy her work as you learn about her personally at www.evagardner.com.

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Robert Earl Keen is an amazing multi-award winning artist, songwriter, producer and businessman who is perhaps best-known in the sports world for the song “The Road Goes On Forever”, the sing-along song after every Texas A&M football game. He has written songs for George Strait, Montgomery Gentry, Lyle Lovett and many more, but as the owner and manager of a touring band, he saw everything vanish in the spring of 2020.  Rather than let everyone go, however, he chose to bite the bullet and keep everyone employed. In this fascinating “show biz” episode from a true music gentleman, Robert Earl shares a glimpse of what it’s been like as an independent artist and business owner in the entertainment industry, how he has kept the music alive in very creative ways, and what he sees as the future of the entertainment business going forward, including why the comeback of the vinyl record may take a little longer than anticipated.  Enjoy his work at www.robertearlkeen.com.

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Sports and entertainment leaders can employ specific techniques to achieve meaningful and lasting progress through any crisis, including the pandemic. So says “Coach Kon”, award-winning coach, speaker and thought leader on navigating change. In this thought-provoking interview, Kon reveals several of his “7 Keys” for navigating a crisis and how they can benefit leaders, the four responses to danger and fear to be aware of, how the Leadership Paradox has played out and will continue to be of primary importance going forward, and how to deal with people who resist change. A “must-listen” in the age of the pandemic-adjusted world!

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The Tampa Bay Lightning won the 2020 Stanley Cup behind closed doors in Edmonton under the most unusual conditions in the sport’s history. Learn how Jarrod Dillon and his team at the Lightning made the most of the unprecedented situation, how Jeffrey Vinik’s ownership philosophy factors into everything the organization does, the value of his career mentors including Rob Sullivan, Tom Garfinkel and Steve Griggs, and the two specific things his business development group is doubling down on going forward.

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How did the Savannah Bananas, a small minor league baseball team in southern Georgia, find a way to turn a PROFIT in 2020? Every leader in the industry could learn a thing or two from Jesse Cole, one of the most creative and innovative owners in all of sports. You’ll discover Jesse’s story, his “Five E’s” of “Fans First” Moments, his thoughts on what successful sports teams will look like in the post-pandemic future, and ideas on how any organization can innovate no matter how big or small.

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Leaders (and future leaders), take note: Michele Kajiwara is not out to change how you lead. She just has a model that flat-out works, especially in a post-COVID era. Listen in as Michele dishes on her 17 years with STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, one of the busiest event facilities in the world with over 250 individual events each year, how different it has been since the pandemic, how premium seating will come back (and how different it may be!), and the philosophy she has used to lead her premium sales and service staff to stellar success in the City of the Angels.

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