Play the Game with Amar Shah

Brian Davidson – From Nike Retail to Giannis, NBA Titles, and Building a New Sports Venture

From making $11 an hour on the retail floor at Nike to signing Giannis Antetokounmpo and flying on the Nike jet, Brian Davidson’s story is all about betting on yourself and building something bigger. As the architect behind the most successful signature launch in Nike Basketball history and a championship-winning executive with the Milwaukee Bucks, Brian has seen the sports business from every angle. Now, as founder of Sports Business Ventures, he’s helping athletes, teams, and brands rethink how they connect, mentor, and grow. 🎯 We talk about: Getting into Nike through retail hustle and mentorship Launching Giannis’s $100M signature line and shaping his brand What it’s like working inside an NBA front office Winning a title with the Bucks and knowing when to move on Why he started Sports Business Ventures Advice he’d give to students and young professionals chasing their dream Whether you're trying to break into the industry or level up your impact, Brian’s story is a reminder that every big leap starts with a small opportunity. Show Notes 00:06 – Cold Open: From $11/hour to flying private with Giannis  00:21 – Intro to Brian Davidson and his journey  01:24 – Getting into Nike through retail and persistence  02:21 – Signing Giannis and launching the most successful Nike signature shoe  03:00 – Joining the Milwaukee Bucks and winning an NBA title  03:07 – Launching Sports Business Ventures with his wife  03:38 – Key lessons: relationships, problem-solving, and pressure  04:26 – Rewind the Clock: Advice to his college self  04:59 – Closing thoughts: From retail to rings If today’s episode inspired you, do us a solid: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Leave a review—it helps more creators find the show Share this with someone chasing big ideas 📚 Want more Play the Game? Check out the middle-grade book series by Amar Shah—Play The Game: The Hoop Con and Play The Game: Take the Shot are out now from Scholastic. Order here: [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CLMBVF8L?ccs_id=4a4bac97-9be7-4bf8-8d64-fa209b51dd85] 🔗 Connect with Amar: • Website: amarshahwrites.com [https://www.amarshahwrites.com] • Twitter/X: @amarshahism • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amarshahism [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarshahism/] • Instagram: @amarshahism [https://www.instagram.com/amarshahism/] 🎙️ Play the Game with Amar Shah — because you can’t win if you don’t play.

Andrew Petcash & Scott Garber – Sports Startups, Founder Lessons, and the Rise of Profluence

What started as a newsletter has become a powerhouse in sports media and venture. In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Petcash and Scott Garber, the co-founders of Profluence—a sports business hub that’s part media platform, part community, and part venture lab. Andrew, a former Division I basketball player, and Scott, a startup veteran and former D1 football player, break down how they built a brand from scratch by focusing on connection, value, and consistency. 🎯 We talk about: * Growing up in sports and the grind of building early media brands * The problem they saw in the sports business world—and how they solved it * Building community at scale through content, relationships, and trust * Early entrepreneurial lessons (from YouTube channels to walk-on football) * Why giving away value is the best long game * What it really takes to build something sustainable in sports media today Whether you’re a founder, athlete, investor, or creator—this episode is full of real talk and tactical insight. Show Notes 00:06 – Cold Open: Bringing together founders, executives, and investors  00:15 – Intro to Andrew and Scott: Their backgrounds and the origin of Profluence  01:15 – From athlete to builder: Early media projects and sports roots  01:48 – Scott’s journey from football to startups and why sports is a binding agent  03:02 – From newsletter to ecosystem: How Profluence scaled up  04:04 – Building something they wish they had: filling a market gap  04:40 – Why they’re building a movement, not just a platform  05:28 – Entrepreneurial DNA: Lessons from childhood and early risks  06:46 – Rewind the Clock: Advice to their younger selves  07:59 – Final thoughts: Build what's missing—and bring others with you If today’s episode inspired you, do us a solid: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Leave a review—it helps more creators find the show Share this with someone chasing big ideas 📚 Want more Play the Game? Check out the middle-grade book series by Amar Shah—Play The Game: The Hoop Con and Play The Game: Take the Shot are out now from Scholastic. Order here: [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CLMBVF8L?ccs_id=4a4bac97-9be7-4bf8-8d64-fa209b51dd85] 🔗 Connect with Amar: • Website: amarshahwrites.com [https://www.amarshahwrites.com] • Twitter/X: @amarshahism • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amarshahism [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarshahism/] • Instagram: @amarshahism [https://www.instagram.com/amarshahism/] 🎙️ Play the Game with Amar Shah — because you can’t win if you don’t play.

Stacey Garcia – Bold Moves, Athlete Branding, and Building a Talent Empire

From a sorority girl at UCLA with no plans to work in sports to one of the most trusted names in athlete partnerships and talent booking, Stacey Garcia’s story is all about bold moves and betting on yourself. As a four-time Emmy-winning producer and the founder of Stacey’s Talent Shop, Stacey has helped shape the careers of some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment—including Magic Johnson, LeBron James, and many more. 🎯 We talk about: * Turning a random Staples Center encounter into a dream job with Magic Johnson * Breaking into sports without traditional experience * Building trust and authenticity with athletes and brands * Helping athletes control their own narratives (before it was trendy) * Lessons from working with LeBron, ESPN, NFL Network, and Uninterrupted * Why it's never too late to start building something for yourself Whether you’re just starting out or thinking about making a leap, Stacey’s journey is packed with lessons on ownership, perseverance, and staying real in a fast-moving media world. Show Notes 00:06 – Cold Open: “A closed mouth never gets fed” – the bold moment that changed Stacey’s life  00:34 – Intro to the episode and Stacey’s background  01:11 – Falling into sports: From UCLA basketball games to a career pivot  01:53 – The hallway encounter with Magic Johnson that sparked her career  03:58 – Building a career behind the scenes: ESPN, Turner, CBS, NFL Network, Uninterrupted  04:53 – Why Stacey finally launched her own business  05:30 – The key to longevity: Being real, authentic, and mindful  05:59 – Athletes owning their stories: LeBron’s Uninterrupted, KD’s Boardroom, and more  06:54 – Final advice for entrepreneurs: Always get everything in writing If today’s episode inspired you, do us a solid: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Leave a review—it helps more creators find the show Share this with someone chasing big ideas 📚 Want more Play the Game? Check out the middle-grade book series by Amar Shah—Play The Game: The Hoop Con and Play The Game: Take the Shot are out now from Scholastic. Order here: [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CLMBVF8L?ccs_id=4a4bac97-9be7-4bf8-8d64-fa209b51dd85] 🔗 Connect with Amar: • Website: amarshahwrites.com [https://www.amarshahwrites.com] • Twitter/X: @amarshahism • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amarshahism [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarshahism/] • Instagram: @amarshahism [https://www.instagram.com/amarshahism/] 🎙️ Play the Game with Amar Shah — because you can’t win if you don’t play.

David Brickley - Hustle, Kobe, and Building STN Digital from Scratch

From sneaking into a Fox Sports Radio studio to launching viral campaigns for Caitlin Clark and the NFL, David Brickley has built one of the top social-first agencies in sports and entertainment. As the founder and CEO of STN Digital, David has helped shape the digital presence of some of the biggest names in sports. But his path to success? It started with rejection, side hustles, and a bold pitch to his childhood hero—Kobe Bryant. 🎯 We talk about: * Breaking into the industry after being told he wasn’t ready * Sneaking into studios to launch a YouTube show * Pitching and landing Kobe Bryant as his first big client * Growing STN from a two-man hustle to a full-scale agency * Creating the viral Caitlin Clark campaign with the Indiana Fever * Why most brands are still leaving money on the table with digital content * The mindset needed to survive the first year (and beyond) Whether you’re building a brand, chasing a dream, or figuring out how to turn your passion into a business, this episode is full of hard-won lessons and practical inspiration. 00:06 – Cold Open: Sleep deprivation, hustle, and 8 cups of coffee a day  00:37 – Intro to the episode: From Fox Sports Radio to founding STN Digital  01:32 – Starting out: Rejected from hosting, so he launched a YouTube show in 2011  02:28 – The Kobe breakthrough: How free work and hustle landed his dream client  03:06 – Scaling up: Wearing every hat until STN could afford to hire and grow  03:55 – Year one struggles: The grind behind the polished brand  05:13 – What makes great content: Entertain, educate, provide value  06:05 – Caitlin Clark & the Fever: A viral content strategy that made history  07:01 – Growth through relationships, not cold calls  07:50 – Matt Barnes, favors, and how reps led to Kobe  09:40 – The monetization mindset: Creating sustainable content businesses  10:16 – Final advice: Patience, passion, and the power of consistency  11:32 – Closing thoughts: Build your own platform, brick by brick If today’s episode inspired you, do us a solid: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Leave a review—it helps more creators find the show Share this with someone chasing big ideas 📚 Want more Play the Game? Check out the middle-grade book series by Amar Shah—Play The Game: The Hoop Con and Play The Game: Take the Shot are out now from Scholastic. Order here: [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CLMBVF8L?ccs_id=4a4bac97-9be7-4bf8-8d64-fa209b51dd85] 🔗 Connect with Amar: • Website: amarshahwrites.com [https://www.amarshahwrites.com] • Twitter/X: @amarshahism • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amarshahism [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarshahism/] • Instagram: @amarshahism [https://www.instagram.com/amarshahism/] 🎙️ Play the Game with Amar Shah — because you can’t win if you don’t play.

Nate Loucks — From MLS to WWE: Building Digital Empires at Boardroom

From launching Kick TV with Major League Soccer to leading global digital strategy at WWE and now at Front Office Sports, Nate Loucks has been at the forefront of digital innovation in sports media. In this episode, Nate shares insights on creating engaging content, adapting strategies for diverse global markets, and the importance of authenticity and audience connection. 🎯 We talk about: * Breaking into sports media through curiosity and adaptability * Pivoting Kick TV from a failed SportsCenter model to influencer partnerships * Leading WWE’s global digital content strategy * Making sports betting accessible and fun at The Game Day * Key lessons on adaptability, self-belief, and risk-taking Whether you’re interested in sports media, entrepreneurship, or digital content creation, this episode is full of practical insights and inspiration. Show Notes: (0:06) Intro and career decision-making  (1:33) Early career: MLS and launching Kick TV  (3:04) Pivoting content strategy through influencer collaborations  (4:08) Tailoring WWE’s global digital content for diverse audiences  (6:02) Leading The Game Day and sports betting entertainment  (7:15) Advice for aspiring sports media professionals If today’s episode inspired you, do us a solid: Follow or subscribe wherever you listen Leave a review—it helps more creators find the show Share this with someone chasing big ideas 📚 Want more Play the Game? Check out the middle-grade book series by Amar Shah—Play The Game: The Hoop Con and Play The Game: Take the Shot are out now from Scholastic. Order here: [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CLMBVF8L?ccs_id=4a4bac97-9be7-4bf8-8d64-fa209b51dd85] 🔗 Connect with Amar: • Website: amarshahwrites.com [https://www.amarshahwrites.com] • Twitter/X: @amarshahism • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amarshahism [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amarshahism/] • Instagram: @amarshahism [https://www.instagram.com/amarshahism/] 🎙️ Play the Game with Amar Shah — because you can’t win if you don’t play.