Episode description
PART 2:
- 2:09 - How he helped the Pittsburgh Steelers build their baseball PNC park.
- 5:29 - How he was able to get a new arena built for the Penn State hockey program.
- 10:12 - How Ben helped billionaire Terry Pegula buy the NHL Buffalo Sabres team.
- 13:52 - How the media tries to know what goes on in sports franchise deals.
- 15:55 - How negotiations happen between all parties to buy a sports franchise.
- 17:17 - Ben’s involvement in the group that wanted to purchase the Arizona Coyotes.
- 23:53 - When the deal for the Coyotes fell through, how Ben and his group had a good chance to land an NHL team in the Seattle market.
- 27:54 - His advice to anyone that wants to buy a sports franchise.
- 29:33 - How the sports franchise fees have escalated.
- 31:00 - Why buying a sports franchise are a difficult financial decision based on valuations for anyone who wants to purchase one.
- 33:33 - What his thought are for franchise opportunities for the XFL and if the NFL should invest in the league.
- 38:30 - How Ben is able to make connections and build relationships with influential people in sports and how former Pittsburgh Pirates Manager Jim Leyland helped him relate to people.
- 43:41 - Ben served on the board of directors of the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) and how he views the progress of that league is.
- 48:46 - How the NHL lockout affected their rights deal with ESPN and how NBC partnered with them.
- 51:00 - Where Ben sees women in sports today and his working relationship with Andrea Kremer and Hannah Storm on Amazon’s Thursday Night Football.
- 54:25 - How the days of listening to broadcasting legends are nearly over and how there are more opportunities for women to make an impact in broadcasting.
- 57:29 - Advice Ben has been given in his career.
- 58:55 - What tool Ben uses to help him identify how to succeed.