Scott Woodward - Athletics Director at LSU - always seems to make the right coaching hire. He breaks down how finds the best candidates and shares other tips for succeeding as a high-level athletic department.

A man of many interests, he also discusses food, wine, literature, and advice for young people.

Timestamps:

2:15 - A lifelong LSU fan becoming AD

9:05 - Hiring the best coaches

19:20 - Livvy Dunne and building athlete brands

22:25 - Athletic departments creating commercial arms

26:15 - Crystal ball predictions

27:50 - Scott’s interests outside of athletics

35:20 - Rapid Fire Questions

Shownotes:

• The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
• War of Shadows
• Gino’s Restaurant

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jahm Najafi – Chairman and Partner at MSP Sports Capital and Head of the Najafi Companies – shares his excitement for the new X Games League that will be to action sports what Formula 1 is to motorsports.

Najafi is an investor in X Games as well as McLaren Racing and other sports properties.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=28d3e011473bfd6caad5a7be5a48e682

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Vince Kozar - President of the Phoenix Mercury - joins us to discuss the evolving landscape of the WNBA, his career journey with the franchise, and what’s next for the team following Diana Taurasi’s retirement. From front office shifts to player acquisitions, Vince shares insights into how the Mercury are navigating a transformative era.

Timestamps:

• 1:55 – Inside the Mercury’s active offseason moves
• 5:00 – Reflecting on Diana Taurasi’s retirement
• 15:00 – Vince Kozar’s path to team president
• 20:00 – Impact of new Suns/Mercury ownership
• 26:50 – Hosting the 2026 Women’s Final Four
• 29:20 - Differentiators for the Mercury
• 33:50 – Rapid Fire Questions

🎧 Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the WNBA’s most iconic franchises.

🔗 For more insights, follow us on LinkedIn or visit nvgt.com.

Jim Cochrane – Chief Business Officer at the Texas Rangers – and Jon Heidtke – Founder and Principal at Heidtke Sports Entertainment were featured on the very first episode of our Navigating Sports Media Series. In this highlight, Jon breaks down the unique distribution model that they created which combines regional distribution, OTA broadcast, and a direct-to-consumer option in order to reach as many Rangers fans as possible.

He shares how they were able to manage relationships with different partners throughout the process, and the hard work that went into creating Rangers Sports Network.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=94bf2e252950ffa46e031485ed9e76dc

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Vincent Pierson and Curtis Walker – Co-Founders of The Black Sports Business Academy – discuss the business imperative behind building a diverse and equitable organization. In a time when DE&I practices are at risk, it's more crucial now than ever to understand the benefits.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=69b9d091a38903dbc0dcab91e256677f

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Jahm Najafi - Chairman and Partner at MSP Sports Capital and Head of the Najafi Companies - is an investor in McLaren Racing, the X Games, and other major sports properties. He discusses some of his most significant investments and the philosophies that guide his decision-making.

Jahm's Book Recommendation: The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success

Details:

• 1:45 - Being an owner vs. a shareholder
• 3:25 - Investing in McLaren Racing
• 21:30 - The X Games investment
• 26:15 - What’s next?
• 30:20 - Rapid Fire Questions

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Lynn Holzman – VP of Women’s Basketball at the NCAA – on the NCAA's new media rights deal with ESPN and the opportunities it creates for fans of women's sports.

Embedded in the deal are storytelling opportunities that aim to promote women's basketball utilizing ESPN's platform.

While the NCAA men's basketball tournament is sold to network partners as a standalone package, women's basketball remains part of this larger agreement.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=e1208c0097bd387a03635525a3e5728a

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.