CNBC Sport

CNBC Sport brings you the convergence of sports, business, and investing. Each week, we sit down with the biggest names in sports - from league commissioners and top athletes to team owners and influential executives - uncovering the strategies, deals, and inside stories shaping the industry's future.

CNBC Sport is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 115 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts CNBC Sport, a business show with 115 episodes published.

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  CNBC Sport

  Roger Goodell on the NFL’s Global Growth From Melbourne, Australia 9/11/26

  Sep 11, 202617 min

  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell joins Alex Sherman to discuss the league’s international expansion strategy, the possibility of a future overseas franchise, rising team valuations and the next era of NFL media rights. Goodell also addresses an 18-game season, streaming partners, sports betting and prediction markets, succession planning and the league’s next collective bargaining agreement. Episode Notes NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sits down with Alex Sherman in Melbourne, Australia, ahead of the Rams-49ers matchup to discuss the NFL’s long-term growth strategy and the forces reshaping the league’s business. Fresh off a four-year contract extension that could keep him as commissioner through March 2031, Goodell explains why international growth remains a major priority. He discusses plans to increase the number of NFL games played outside the United States, the growing global ambitions of players and the possibility that the league could eventually establish one or more international franchises. The conversation also examines whether the NFL could move toward an 18-game regular season. Goodell says the league continues to evaluate converting preseason games into regular-season contests, while acknowledging that player health, safety and negotiations with the NFL Players Association would be central to any change. Sherman and Goodell turn to the economics of the league, including surging NFL franchise valuations and whether those prices could lead the NFL to increase its current private equity ownership limits. Goodell says the league is not close to reaching its existing private equity caps and continues to see strong demand from investors. Media rights are another major focus. Goodell discusses how the NFL is preparing for a rapidly changing television and streaming market, including relationships with Netflix, YouTube and Amazon. He says the league is evaluating how its current rights packages could be restructured while continuing to prioritize broad availability for fans across broadcast television and emerging digital platforms. The interview also covers the NFL’s partnerships with DraftKings, FanDuel and Fanatics and why the league has taken a more cautious approach toward prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket. Goodell says stronger regulation, consumer protection and preservation of game integrity are important considerations before the NFL moves forward with those platforms. Goodell closes by discussing succession planning, the expiration of the current collective bargaining agreement in 2031 and why the NFL is already thinking five, 10 and 15 years ahead on labor, media, international growth and stadium strategy. Timestamps: 04:09 Roger Goodell on his new contract and the NFL’s priorities 05:17 Expanding the NFL’s international schedule 06:16 The possibility of an international NFL franchise 07:18 League expansion and a potential 18-game season 08:23 NFL franchise valuations and private equity ownership 10:09 Preparing for the next NFL media rights negotiations 10:47 Netflix, YouTube, Amazon and the shift to streaming 11:33 Could international games become a separate media package? 12:12 Repackaging NFL broadcast and streaming rights 14:47 Sports betting partnerships and prediction markets 16:22 NFL personal conduct policy 16:41 Goodell’s contract and succession planning 18:01 Looking ahead to the 2031 collective bargaining agreement 19:00 International games, an 18-game season and NFLPA negotiations Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  CNBC Sport

  Josh Harris on LeBron James, Team Valuations and Stadiums; WTA Chair Valerie Camillo on Growth of Women’s Tennis 9/3/26

  Sep 3, 202649 min

  Josh Harris explains how the Philadelphia 76ers landed LeBron James and why superstar athletes, live sports and new stadium developments are reshaping the economics of professional teams. Then, WTA Chair Valerie Camillo discusses women’s tennis growth, player schedules, equal prize money and her vision for the WTA Finals. Episode Notes Josh Harris joins Michael Ozanian for an in-depth conversation about the rapidly changing business of professional sports, beginning with how LeBron James became a Philadelphia 76er. Harris walks through the recruitment process after James opted out of his Lakers contract. What initially seemed like an unlikely possibility became a serious pursuit after Philadelphia strengthened its roster. Harris describes how the organization’s leadership and connections with James’ team helped the Sixers enter the conversation, while ultimately crediting James with choosing Philadelphia based on where he believed he could win and spend the final chapter of his career. The impact was immediate. Harris says James energized Philadelphia, drove enormous ticket demand and created new sponsorship opportunities while changing the energy inside the organization. The conversation expands into Harris’ broader sports and real-estate portfolio. He discusses multibillion-dollar arena and stadium developments involving the Sixers and Washington Commanders, along with surrounding restaurants, hotels, housing and entertainment. Harris argues that sports venues increasingly function as anchors for communities, economic development and live experiences. He also discusses the Washington Commanders’ brand evolution, soaring franchise valuations, private equity, youth sports, NIL and why he does not believe sports team values are in a bubble. Later, WTA Chair Valerie Camillo joins Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of women’s tennis and the business strategy behind the WTA. Drawing on her experience with the Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Nationals and NBA, Camillo explains why one of her biggest priorities is bringing a stronger fan-first mindset to professional tennis. She discusses the WTA’s global audience, its push for sustainable commercial growth and the continued pursuit of equal prize money. Player scheduling is another major focus. Camillo says players have consistently raised concerns about the length and sustainability of the tennis calendar, including the number of tournaments they are required to play. She previews changes planned for the 2027 season and says more substantial calendar changes could follow in 2028. Camillo also discusses Coco Gauff and the next generation of WTA stars, athlete advocacy, gender eligibility policies, pickleball, sports betting and prediction markets, maternity benefits, Serena Williams, AI and technology. She outlines an ambitious vision to make the WTA Finals the “Super Bowl of women’s sports.” Topics discussed How the Sixers landed LeBron James LeBron’s impact on Philadelphia fans, ticket demand and sponsorships Stadium districts and mixed-use sports developments Rebuilding the Washington Commanders brand Rising sports franchise valuations and private equity Youth sports, NIL and future team acquisitions WTA growth strategy and fan engagement Equal prize money in women’s tennis Player workload and the 2027 WTA schedule Coco Gauff and emerging WTA stars Sports betting, prediction markets and integrity WTA maternity benefits Serena Williams, AI and athlete longevity The future of the WTA Finals Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  CNBC Sport

  Geno Auriemma on UConn, Women’s Basketball, NIL and the Price of Winning 8/20/26

  Aug 20, 202627 min

  UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma joins Alex Sherman to discuss the state of the WNBA, his demanding coaching philosophy, the UConn dynasty, NIL and recruiting, and legendary rivalries with Pat Summitt and Dawn Staley. Auriemma also reflects on sustained success, leadership, accountability and what could eventually make him retire. Episode Notes Geno Auriemma, the longtime UConn women’s basketball coach and 12-time national champion, sits down with Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging conversation about winning, leadership and the evolution of women’s basketball. Auriemma reflects on the coaches who shaped his philosophy, including Hubie Brown, Dean Smith, Pat Summitt, Kay Yow, Leon Barmore and Cathy Rush. He also explains how his early coaching experiences in Philadelphia and at the University of Virginia helped prepare him to build UConn into a national powerhouse. The conversation explores the current attention surrounding the WNBA and Auriemma’s belief that discussion of women’s basketball should remain centered on the game, its players and the quality of competition. He also shares his perspective on leadership, accountability and the challenge of communicating strong standards in different environments. Auriemma addresses the demanding coaching style featured in Apple’s documentary about the UConn dynasty, explaining why he continually pushes players toward what he believes is their full potential. He discusses how that philosophy translates beyond basketball, why high expectations matter, and why he has never been comfortable becoming satisfied after winning. The episode also covers his rivalry and relationship with legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, the rise of Dawn Staley and South Carolina, UConn’s championship drought before its 2025 title, and the role that health and timing can play in winning an NCAA championship. Auriemma also weighs in on NIL and college basketball recruiting. He explains why UConn continues to prioritize players who want the challenge of the program rather than recruits whose college choice is driven primarily by money. Finally, he discusses retirement and says he has not yet reached the point of deciding when his coaching career will end. Topics discussed: The current state and visibility of the WNBA Keeping the focus on basketball amid wider cultural debates Geno Auriemma’s coaching philosophy and leadership style Building accountability and maximizing player potential How coaching the U.S. Olympic team changed his approach UConn’s recruiting philosophy in the NIL era Transfer portal challenges and player development The UConn women’s basketball dynasty Pat Summitt and the UConn–Tennessee rivalry Dawn Staley, South Carolina and modern women’s college basketball What UConn needed to return to championship form Geno Auriemma’s thoughts on retirement Timestamps: 01:16 The state of women’s basketball and attention surrounding the WNBA 03:35 What a WNBA commissioner can and cannot control 05:04 Auriemma discusses the transgender-athlete debate in women’s basketball 06:50 How Auriemma began coaching women’s basketball 08:38 Lessons from his years at the University of Virginia 10:03 The demanding coaching style featured in the UConn documentary 13:45 NIL, the transfer portal and maintaining high standards 14:21 What Auriemma looks for in recruits 15:31 Pat Summitt, rivalry and being a man coaching women’s basketball 17:37 What Pat Summitt meant to Auriemma and UConn 19:03 How the rivalry changed after Summitt stopped coaching 20:19 Why UConn went years without another national championship 22:04 Dawn Staley, South Carolina and a new championship rivalry 24:56 Applying Auriemma’s coaching philosophy to leadership and the workplace 27:24 Winning, recruiting and how Auriemma thinks about retirement 28:13 UConn’s recruiting philosophy in the NIL era 30:14 Whether Auriemma is seriously considering retirement Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  CNBC Sport

  The Business of Padel: CEO Michael Dorfman on franchise values, media deals and explosive growth 8/13/26

  Aug 13, 202634 min

  Pro Padel League CEO Michael Dorfman explains why padel is rapidly gaining traction in the U.S. and how the league is turning the fast-growing racket sport into a professional sports business. He discusses franchise valuations, athlete compensation, media strategy, live events, demographics, investment interest, and the sport’s potential alongside tennis and pickleball. Episode Notes Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, and the Pro Padel League is betting that its combination of accessibility, competition, social connection, and spectator appeal can make it a major professional sport in the United States. In this episode, Alex Sherman speaks with Pro Padel League CEO Michael Dorfman about how padel works, why participation is accelerating, and how the league is building a professional sports ecosystem around the game. Dorfman describes padel as a hybrid of tennis and squash that is played exclusively in doubles, with glass and metal walls keeping the ball in play. He says the sport has more than 35 million players globally and that U.S. participation has grown dramatically since the league launched in 2023. The conversation explores the business model behind the Pro Padel League, including its 10 city-based franchises, men’s and women’s teams, tournament structure, prize money, player compensation, and developmental ambitions. Dorfman also discusses the league’s capital raises and the sharp rise in franchise valuations, with early teams selling for $200,000 and more recent valuation marks reaching into the double-digit millions. Media and audience growth are another major focus. Dorfman explains why the league partnered with CNBC and Versant for live national broadcasts and why exposure, rather than near-term media-rights revenue, is currently the priority. He also discusses padel’s affluent, largely millennial audience and the sport’s growing popularity in markets including Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Chicago, and Atlanta. Topics discussed: 01:53 How padel is played and how it combines elements of tennis and squash 03:06 Why padel is attracting new recreational players 03:52 Global participation and rapid U.S. growth 05:29 How the Pro Padel League’s franchise and tournament structure works 06:08 Player compensation, prize money, and professional salaries 09:08 Why Pro Padel League franchise valuations have risen 10:08 The league’s CNBC and Versant media partnership 12:01 Why audience growth currently matters more than media-rights revenue 13:17 Miami’s role as a major U.S. padel market 13:53 The demographics of padel players 14:49 How padel fits alongside pickleball, tennis, squash, and other racket sports 15:41 PPL Two and the development of North American talent 16:17 Michael Dorfman’s path from insurance and technology to professional sports 18:44 Why investors are increasingly interested in live sports 19:54 The emerging padel equipment, footwear, and apparel market 21:01 The Pro Padel League’s Los Angeles event and CNBC broadcast Dorfman also explains his broader investment thesis around live sports: as more of everyday life becomes automated, he believes demand will increase for distinctly human, in-person experiences. For the Pro Padel League, that means building participation, community, live events, broadcast exposure, and professional opportunities before maximizing media monetization. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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  CNBC Sport

  Shaq’s Dunkman League and Larry Berg’s Vision for MLS 3.0  8/6/2026

  Aug 6, 202625 min

  This episode explores two ambitious plans to reshape professional sports. First, Shaquille O’Neal joins CNBC’s Alex Sherman to discuss Dunkman, a competitive league created to showcase elite independent dunkers from around the world. Shaq explains why basketball’s most spectacular play deserves its own professional platform—and why today’s best dunkers are not necessarily NBA stars. Dunkman brings international competitors together in a structured league with professional judging and an initial $500,000 prize. Shaq says that figure could rise to $1 million as the competition grows. He also explains how online video and social media have helped independent athletes build audiences, develop increasingly difficult dunks and create opportunities outside traditional professional basketball. The league evaluates performances across seven categories: difficulty, execution, originality, power, vertical leap, completion and crowd reaction. Shaq also shares memories of watching Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins, explains why he never entered the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and offers a blunt assessment of why the event has declined. For Shaq, elite athletes have a responsibility to reward fans by competing and putting on a memorable show. In the second conversation, Alex speaks with Larry Berg following the announcement that Berg will become the next commissioner of Major League Soccer. Berg discusses his lifelong connection to soccer, his experience as a minority owner of LAFC and his desire to help grow the sport across the United States and Canada. Berg describes MLS as being at a “fork in the road” following the World Cup. He argues that the league already has world-class infrastructure but must now improve the quality of play, strengthen youth development, refine its roster and spending rules, and capitalize on increased interest in North American soccer. He introduces the idea of an “MLS 3.0” grand bargain in which owners consider multiple interconnected reforms rather than debating one issue at a time. Berg also explains why European-style promotion and relegation could discourage investment in American stadiums, training facilities and player rosters. Instead, he suggests that MLS can create competitive jeopardy through knockout matches, playoff changes and performance-based spending opportunities. Topics discussed: Why Shaq created a global professional dunking league Dunkman’s $500,000 prize and potential future payouts How professional dunkers are evaluated across seven categories Why top NBA players often avoid the Slam Dunk Contest Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins’ influence on Shaq Social media’s impact on athletes and sports entertainment Larry Berg’s path from Apollo and LAFC to MLS commissioner How MLS can convert World Cup interest into long-term growth Berg’s proposed MLS 3.0 strategy Why promotion and relegation may not fit the MLS business model Salary rules, transfers and roster-building flexibility MLS academies, pay-to-play concerns and youth development The importance of supporter culture and live match experiences Leagues Cup as a bridge between MLS, Liga MX and World Cup-style competition Approximate timestamps: 01:30 Why Shaq believes dunking deserves a professional league 03:00 Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins and Shaq’s early inspiration 04:30 Social media, YouTube and modern athlete visibility 06:00 Dunkman’s international competitors and prize money 07:45 The seven Dunkman judging categories 10:15 Shaq’s long-term vision for competitive dunking 11:45 Why the NBA Slam Dunk Contest has declined 13:35 Larry Berg’s path to becoming MLS commissioner 16:35 How MLS can benefit from World Cup momentum 19:20 Why promotion and relegation may not work in MLS 21:25 Berg’s MLS 3.0 plan and proposed grand bargain 24:15 Turning new soccer viewers into MLS supporters 26:55 Youth soccer, academies and pay-to-play concerns 30:10 MLS relationships with FIFA and national soccer organizations Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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