Nic Barlage, CEO of Cleveland Cavaliers & Rock Entertainment Group

Human capital and corporate culture play a key role in most M&A transactions. In this episode, we talk to a different sort of business leader about asset management, team building and creating a winning culture — in a very literal sense.

Nic Barlage is CEO of Rock Entertainment Group and its many holdings, including the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. He oversees more than 500 full-time team members throughout the business operations of the Cavaliers.

Nic sat down with Smart Business Chief Content Officer Dustin Klein to discuss talent acquisition and development, building a winning culture, and the importance of leadership.

What follows are excerpts from that conversation, which took place in June 2023 at the Cleveland Smart Business Dealmakers Conference.