140 The Business of Scaling Sports Organizations with Bouker Pool

140 The Business of Scaling Sports Organizations with Bouker Pool

Bouker Pool, Managing Director at CTH Advisors, joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to discuss what it takes to build and scale sports businesses. Throughout his career, Bouker has helped organizations at critical inflection points turn product-market fit into sustainable growth by aligning strategy, operations, partnerships, and go-to-market execution. His experience spans professional sports, endurance events, media, and emerging technology, including leadership roles with USA Cycling, the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series, USA TODAY Sports Media Group, and the Colorado Avalanche. In this episode, we discuss how founders know when they're ready to scale, why coachability is one of the biggest predictors of success, building partnership strategies that drive long-term value, the growing importance of first-party fan data, and how AI and changing consumer behavior are reshaping the future of sports. Bouker also shares practical advice for entrepreneurs looking to build businesses that stand the test of time.

139 Behind the Growth of TPH Academy with Steve Sanders

Steve Sanders, Chief Growth Officer at TPH Academy, joins the Sports Business Leaders Podcast to cover the growth of sports academies and how the youth sports landscape is changing. After serving as CEO of SPIRE Academy and working with organizations including IMG Academy, FC Barcelona's U.S. Academy, and Disney on Ice, Steve has built a career helping sports organizations grow through strategy, partnerships, and operations. In this episode, we talk about the rise of academy-style education, how NIL is changing opportunities for youth athletes, why flexible academics are becoming more important than ever, and where technology can improve the youth sports experience. Steve also shares advice for entrepreneurs and companies looking to build successful partnerships with academies, teams, and leagues.

138 Clive Mayhew (GOLF.AI CEO) on AI, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of Golf

Clive Mayhew is the Co-Founder and CEO of GOLF.AI. On this episode we cover how his company is building the world's leading AI platform for golf. With more than 150,000 golfers and thousands of golf courses on the platform, GOLF.AI is using artificial intelligence to improve everything from on-course decision-making and rules interpretation to tee time bookings, customer service, and course operations. Clive shares lessons from a career spanning more than 25 years in technology, including his early days at Netscape, building and exiting multiple startups, and why he believes AI will fundamentally reshape every sport over the next decade. The conversation also explores GOLF.AI's AI Concierge, how golf courses are saving thousands of dollars each month through automation, the importance of building partnerships, and why founders should embrace personal branding as a competitive advantage

137 Inside the NBA G League with Motor City Cruise President China Jude

Dr. China Jude has built one of the most accomplished leadership careers in sports, with executive roles spanning collegiate athletics, the NFL, USA Volleyball, and now the NBA G League. As President of Business Operations for the Motor City Cruise, the Detroit Pistons' G League affiliate, she leads the organization's business strategy, revenue growth, corporate partnerships, ticket sales, fan engagement, and community impact. Her mission is to grow the Cruise brand, deepen its connection with the Detroit community, and create a best-in-class experience for fans and partners alike. In this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, China shares lessons from more than two decades in sports leadership, discussing how organizations build strong cultures, why community engagement is a competitive advantage, and how business leaders can drive sustainable growth on and off the court. She also offers practical advice for entrepreneurs and companies looking to partner with professional sports organizations, explaining what teams value most when building long-term business relationships.

136 How The Armory Became the Home of Indoor Track & Field

The Armory is home to one of the world's fastest indoor tracks, the historic Millrose Games, and the National Track & Field Hall of Fame. But it's also a nonprofit that helps thousands of young people through education, fitness, and community programs. In this episode, Jake sits down with Rita Finkel and Jonathan Schindel, Co-Presidents of The Armory Foundation, to discuss what it takes to operate one of the busiest track & field venues in the world. They talk about venue operations, fan experience, community impact, youth development, and how The Armory has become a destination for everyone from first-time athletes to Olympians.