In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with iconic football coach Bill Belichick and Bridgewater's legendary founder Ray Dalio about their guiding principles for success. Belichick tells the hosts how he was inspired by Dalio’s book “Principles” to write “The Art of Winning: Lessons from My Life in Football,” and why he’s excited for a new challenge coaching at the University of North Carolina. Dalio meanwhile recounts how his principles have become tools that can be ap...
Jun 26, 2025•45 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with David Blitzer, Blackstone’s chairman and the co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, about how his teams use data and analytics to improve fan experience. In this conversation, which was taped in front of an audience at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, Blitzer tells the hosts how a “failed athlete” came to be the first person to own teams in all five major American sports leagues, what he’s doing to ...
Jun 19, 2025•45 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Magic Johnson, the iconic point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. In their conversation, taped in front of a live audience at the Milken Global Conference, Johnson reveals what he’s learned from his “greatest deal,” becoming part of the Washington Commanders ownership group. He also explains why pitching himself as a partner to the Starbucks board was the hardest thing he’s ever done, and how much it meant to win an Olympic go...
Jun 12, 2025•25 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Susie Wolff, the managing director of F1 Academy, about how she’s helping more female racers try to advance into the ranks of Formula One. In this conversation, Wolff tells the hosts how she got all ten F1 teams to support cars in F1 Academy, why she wanted to sign makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury and what she hopes viewers will learn from watching Netflix’s new docuseries, “F1: The Academy.” See omnystudio.com/listener for priv...
Jun 05, 2025•49 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Washington Commanders Owner Josh Harris about how he was able to bring the team back to the RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. In this conversation, Harris tells the hosts how he was also able to negotiate a deal with Comcast for the Philadelphia 76ers’ new arena, why his team was able to perform so much better on the NFL Players Association report card this year, and what he’s learned from owning teams in different markets. See ...
May 29, 2025•48 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, about her firm’s newly launched fund, “Project Level,” devoted to investing in women’s sports. In this conversation, which was taped in front of an audience at Bloomberg’s Invest conference, Hobson tells the hosts why she decided to personally invest in the Chicago White Sox and the Denver Broncos, how F1 racer Lewis Hamilton taught her to speak more positively to hers...
May 22, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit down with Georgia Tech Athletics Director J Batt to discuss the current upheaval in college athletics. In their conversation, taped in front of a live audience during March Madness, Batt explains how his athletics department is helping students navigate new rules around “name, image and likeness,” the transfer portal and potential revenue-sharing opportunities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
May 15, 2025•25 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about McLaren Racing’s success at the Miami Grand Prix, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris finishing first and second on the podium. Then, they speak with Zak Brown about how McLaren Racing came back from the brink of bankruptcy to be a winning team. Brown tells the hosts how he and his drivers deal with media scrutiny, why Netflix and Brad Pitt are crucial to Formula One’s growth, and he turns the tables for a lightning round of ...
May 08, 2025•42 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about the new Washington Commanders stadium deal and the upcoming Miami Grand Prix. Then, they speak with Jennifer Epstein about what it’s like to build a team from scratch with the NWSL’s latest expansion team: Boston Legacy FC. Epstein tells the hosts what she learned from her family’s ownership of the Boston Celtics, how she’s inspired by the passion of Boston sports fans, and why it’s too early to take a victory lap celebrating...
May 01, 2025•35 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about the potential #1 pick in the NFL draft and Alex's report from sitting court-side in LA at a star-studded Timberwolves/Lakers Game 1 of the NBA playoffs. Then, they speak with Christine Dorfler about how she’s rising to the economy’s challenges as the NFL’s chief financial officer. Dorfler tells the hosts how a recession could affect the NFL’s media deal, why she sees so much potential in introducing private equity into team i...
Apr 24, 2025•34 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about Rory McIlroy’s historic win at the 2025 Masters at Augusta National. Then, they speak with Richard Jefferson about how he made the transition from NBA star forward to ESPN analyst. Jefferson tells the hosts why work ethic is important to him, the lessons he learned from being robbed by his former manager, and why he’s never been more nervous than at the 2004 slam dunk contest with Amar'e Stoudemire. You can also watch this in...
Apr 17, 2025•45 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about two big records: Alex Ovechkin topping Wayne Gretzky’s legendary scoring record in the NHL, and Geno Auriemma’s 12th NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship win as coach at the University of Connecticut. Then, they speak with Jessica Berman about how she has helped revolutionize the National Women’s Soccer League for the last three years as commissioner. Berman tells the hosts why the NWSL decided to get rid of the draft, how sh...
Apr 10, 2025•41 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about Major League Baseball’s opening weekend and the new torpedo bat everyone is talking about. Then, they speak with Tom Garfinkel about the business empire he leads as President and CEO of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium. Garfinkel tells the hosts why his partnership with Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross, is so special, how he was able to negotiate a 10-year deal to bring Formula 1 racing to his stadium, and how his work is...
Apr 03, 2025•44 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Mike Repole about how he built two beverage empires with Vitamin Water and BodyArmor. Repole tells the hosts why it’s important for him to share equity with everyone at his company, how he worked with huge investors like Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady, and why he thinks it’s important for entrepreneurs to fail. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 27, 2025•46 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with the New York Yankees’ Assistant General Manager, Jean Afterman. Afterman explains how she helped change the game by helping to introduce Japanese players to the MLB, what she learned from legendary Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, and the advice her mother gave her to start off every negotiation on the strongest foot. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 20, 2025•35 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Mike McCarley about how he built TMRW Sports and the TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League). McCarley explains the pitch that got legendary golfer Tiger Woods on board, how his team navigated setbacks and delays in launching the league for its inaugural season, and where TGL is already looking to expand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 13, 2025•45 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Katlyn Gao about how she founded a whole new women's professional sports league: League One Volleyball. Gao tells the hosts why LOVB chose their six inaugural team markets, how she got investors like Jayson Tatum and Candace Parker on board, and why women’s volleyball is uniquely situated to take off in the United States. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 06, 2025•34 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Johnny Damon about his career highlights with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Damon tells the hosts the surprising reason why he doesn't agree with the Yankees' new facial hair policy, the reason it’s important to really know your teammates if you want to win a World Series, and what he’s learned about running a business since founding A-Game Beverages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 27, 2025•40 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Laura Rutledge about how she built a career as a host for ESPN and the SEC Network. Rutledge tells the hosts about how the new name, image, and likeness rules are affecting when college football players are ready to go pro, how she organizes herself covering football and golf, and what she thought about Tom Brady's turn on the mic calling games. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 20, 2025•40 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with Ted Leonsis, founder of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, to discuss how he came to dominate the Washington DC sports scene. Leonsis shares what he learned from the “world’s worst deal” at AOL and how he’s helping the US capital become a “super city” by investing in its teams. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 13, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this special bonus episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly hop on the mic to talk about the biggest night in sports. They discuss the pressures of being a quarterback at the Super Bowl, how FOX must feel about the game's ratings, the best sports-related ads of the night, and what it all means for the business of football. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 10, 2025•22 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with entrepreneur Josh Richards to discuss his social media empire. Richards explains how he cracked the algorithm to make a name for himself on TikTok, what he’s learned from his partnerships with Dave Portnoy and Mark Wahlberg and why sports teams and star athletes should follow his lead in creating content that can meet target demographics where they are. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 06, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, CEO and founder of Next 3 and the governor of Gotham FC. Blodgett explains why she wanted to invest in women’s professional soccer, what Peloton taught her about marketing and brand development and how her family’s ownership of the New York Giants has affected her work with Gotham. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 30, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with Steve Pagliuca to discuss his ownership principles for the Boston Celtics and Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio. Pagliuca explains how he ended up with a successful career as an investor at Bain Capital, what lessons he applied to growing sports teams and why he’s proud to be called the Italian Ted Lasso. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 23, 2025•25 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with former professional lacrosse player Paul Rabil to discuss the evolving business of the sport. Rabil tells the hosts how he managed to develop a new lacrosse league, why he's investing in its digital media presence and how he plans for the league's future growth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 16, 2025•50 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this special bonus episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly hop on the mic to talk about Juan Soto's record-breaking $765 million deal to play for the Mets over the next 15 years. They discuss the details of Soto's deal, how it compares to Rodriguez's own record-breaking contract back in 2000, and what it all means for the business of baseball. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 10, 2024•25 min
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit down with former WNBA player and Seattle Storm co-owner Sue Bird to discuss her growing media empire and the explosion of women's sports. Bird tells the hosts how she has built her investment portfolio, why her company’s viral t-shirt is about more than just a meme and why timing is so important for her big decisions on and off the court. Become a Bloomberg.com subscriber using our special intro offer at bloomberg.com/podcastoffer ....
Nov 14, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with former WNBA player Candace Parker about how she’s making a name for herself off the court. Parker shares how she got into the business side of basketball by working closely with Adidas, her former sponsor, why she loves being an NBA broadcaster and what she’s looking for in her investments. Become a Bloomberg.com subscriber using our special intro offer at bloomberg.com/podcastoffer . You’ll unlock deep reporting, data and ana...
Nov 07, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Bruin Capital Founder and CEO George Pyne about how he reinvented institutions like NASCAR and IMG before pivoting to investing. Pyne explains what he looks for in a founder, why the risk-reward ratio is important in deal-making and the opportunities he sees for growth in college sports. Become a Bloomberg.com subscriber using our special intro offer at bloomberg.com/podcastoffer . You’ll unlock deep reporting, data and analys...
Oct 31, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Nasdaq CEO Adena Friedman about the value of letting fans own a part of their team by having teams enter the public market. Friedman tells the hosts about her competitive deal-making mindset, how she’s transformed Nasdaq and the current sports business landscape. Become a Bloomberg.com subscriber using our special intro offer at bloomberg.com/podcastoffer . You’ll unlock deep reporting, data and analysis from reporters around ...
Oct 24, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 4
