UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma joins Alex Sherman to discuss the state of the WNBA, his demanding coaching philosophy, the UConn dynasty, NIL and recruiting, and legendary rivalries with Pat Summitt and Dawn Staley. Auriemma also reflects on sustained success, leadership, accountability and what could eventually make him retire.

Episode Notes

Geno Auriemma, the longtime UConn women’s basketball coach and 12-time national champion, sits down with Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging conversation about winning, leadership and the evolution of women’s basketball.

Auriemma reflects on the coaches who shaped his philosophy, including Hubie Brown, Dean Smith, Pat Summitt, Kay Yow, Leon Barmore and Cathy Rush. He also explains how his early coaching experiences in Philadelphia and at the University of Virginia helped prepare him to build UConn into a national powerhouse.

The conversation explores the current attention surrounding the WNBA and Auriemma’s belief that discussion of women’s basketball should remain centered on the game, its players and the quality of competition. He also shares his perspective on leadership, accountability and the challenge of communicating strong standards in different environments.

Auriemma addresses the demanding coaching style featured in Apple’s documentary about the UConn dynasty, explaining why he continually pushes players toward what he believes is their full potential. He discusses how that philosophy translates beyond basketball, why high expectations matter, and why he has never been comfortable becoming satisfied after winning.

The episode also covers his rivalry and relationship with legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, the rise of Dawn Staley and South Carolina, UConn’s championship drought before its 2025 title, and the role that health and timing can play in winning an NCAA championship.

Auriemma also weighs in on NIL and college basketball recruiting. He explains why UConn continues to prioritize players who want the challenge of the program rather than recruits whose college choice is driven primarily by money. Finally, he discusses retirement and says he has not yet reached the point of deciding when his coaching career will end.

Topics discussed:

• The current state and visibility of the WNBA
• Keeping the focus on basketball amid wider cultural debates
• Geno Auriemma’s coaching philosophy and leadership style
• Building accountability and maximizing player potential
• How coaching the U.S. Olympic team changed his approach
• UConn’s recruiting philosophy in the NIL era
• Transfer portal challenges and player development
• The UConn women’s basketball dynasty
• Pat Summitt and the UConn–Tennessee rivalry
• Dawn Staley, South Carolina and modern women’s college basketball
• What UConn needed to return to championship form
• Geno Auriemma’s thoughts on retirement

Timestamps:
01:16 The state of women’s basketball and attention surrounding the WNBA
03:35 What a WNBA commissioner can and cannot control
05:04 Auriemma discusses the transgender-athlete debate in women’s basketball
06:50 How Auriemma began coaching women’s basketball
08:38 Lessons from his years at the University of Virginia
10:03 The demanding coaching style featured in the UConn documentary
13:45 NIL, the transfer portal and maintaining high standards
14:21 What Auriemma looks for in recruits
15:31 Pat Summitt, rivalry and being a man coaching women’s basketball
17:37 What Pat Summitt meant to Auriemma and UConn
19:03 How the rivalry changed after Summitt stopped coaching
20:19 Why UConn went years without another national championship
22:04 Dawn Staley, South Carolina and a new championship rivalry
24:56 Applying Auriemma’s coaching philosophy to leadership and the workplace
27:24 Winning, recruiting and how Auriemma thinks about retirement
28:13 UConn’s recruiting philosophy in the NIL era
30:14 Whether Auriemma is seriously considering retirement

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Pro Padel League CEO Michael Dorfman explains why padel is rapidly gaining traction in the U.S. and how the league is turning the fast-growing racket sport into a professional sports business. He discusses franchise valuations, athlete compensation, media strategy, live events, demographics, investment interest, and the sport’s potential alongside tennis and pickleball.

Episode Notes

Padel is one of the fastest-growing racket sports in the world, and the Pro Padel League is betting that its combination of accessibility, competition, social connection, and spectator appeal can make it a major professional sport in the United States.

In this episode, Alex Sherman speaks with Pro Padel League CEO Michael Dorfman about how padel works, why participation is accelerating, and how the league is building a professional sports ecosystem around the game. Dorfman describes padel as a hybrid of tennis and squash that is played exclusively in doubles, with glass and metal walls keeping the ball in play. He says the sport has more than 35 million players globally and that U.S. participation has grown dramatically since the league launched in 2023.

The conversation explores the business model behind the Pro Padel League, including its 10 city-based franchises, men’s and women’s teams, tournament structure, prize money, player compensation, and developmental ambitions. Dorfman also discusses the league’s capital raises and the sharp rise in franchise valuations, with early teams selling for $200,000 and more recent valuation marks reaching into the double-digit millions.

Media and audience growth are another major focus. Dorfman explains why the league partnered with CNBC and Versant for live national broadcasts and why exposure, rather than near-term media-rights revenue, is currently the priority. He also discusses padel’s affluent, largely millennial audience and the sport’s growing popularity in markets including Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Austin, Chicago, and Atlanta.

Topics discussed:

• 01:53 How padel is played and how it combines elements of tennis and squash
• 03:06 Why padel is attracting new recreational players
• 03:52 Global participation and rapid U.S. growth
• 05:29 How the Pro Padel League’s franchise and tournament structure works
• 06:08 Player compensation, prize money, and professional salaries
• 09:08 Why Pro Padel League franchise valuations have risen
• 10:08 The league’s CNBC and Versant media partnership
• 12:01 Why audience growth currently matters more than media-rights revenue
• 13:17 Miami’s role as a major U.S. padel market
• 13:53 The demographics of padel players
• 14:49 How padel fits alongside pickleball, tennis, squash, and other racket sports
• 15:41 PPL Two and the development of North American talent
• 16:17 Michael Dorfman’s path from insurance and technology to professional sports
• 18:44 Why investors are increasingly interested in live sports
• 19:54 The emerging padel equipment, footwear, and apparel market
• 21:01 The Pro Padel League’s Los Angeles event and CNBC broadcast

Dorfman also explains his broader investment thesis around live sports: as more of everyday life becomes automated, he believes demand will increase for distinctly human, in-person experiences. For the Pro Padel League, that means building participation, community, live events, broadcast exposure, and professional opportunities before maximizing media monetization.

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This episode explores two ambitious plans to reshape professional sports. First, Shaquille O’Neal joins CNBC’s Alex Sherman to discuss Dunkman, a competitive league created to showcase elite independent dunkers from around the world. Shaq explains why basketball’s most spectacular play deserves its own professional platform—and why today’s best dunkers are not necessarily NBA stars.

Dunkman brings international competitors together in a structured league with professional judging and an initial $500,000 prize. Shaq says that figure could rise to $1 million as the competition grows. He also explains how online video and social media have helped independent athletes build audiences, develop increasingly difficult dunks and create opportunities outside traditional professional basketball.

The league evaluates performances across seven categories: difficulty, execution, originality, power, vertical leap, completion and crowd reaction. Shaq also shares memories of watching Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins, explains why he never entered the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and offers a blunt assessment of why the event has declined. For Shaq, elite athletes have a responsibility to reward fans by competing and putting on a memorable show.

In the second conversation, Alex speaks with Larry Berg following the announcement that Berg will become the next commissioner of Major League Soccer. Berg discusses his lifelong connection to soccer, his experience as a minority owner of LAFC and his desire to help grow the sport across the United States and Canada.

Berg describes MLS as being at a “fork in the road” following the World Cup. He argues that the league already has world-class infrastructure but must now improve the quality of play, strengthen youth development, refine its roster and spending rules, and capitalize on increased interest in North American soccer.

He introduces the idea of an “MLS 3.0” grand bargain in which owners consider multiple interconnected reforms rather than debating one issue at a time. Berg also explains why European-style promotion and relegation could discourage investment in American stadiums, training facilities and player rosters. Instead, he suggests that MLS can create competitive jeopardy through knockout matches, playoff changes and performance-based spending opportunities.

Topics discussed:

• Why Shaq created a global professional dunking league
• Dunkman’s $500,000 prize and potential future payouts
• How professional dunkers are evaluated across seven categories
• Why top NBA players often avoid the Slam Dunk Contest
• Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins’ influence on Shaq
• Social media’s impact on athletes and sports entertainment
• Larry Berg’s path from Apollo and LAFC to MLS commissioner
• How MLS can convert World Cup interest into long-term growth
• Berg’s proposed MLS 3.0 strategy
• Why promotion and relegation may not fit the MLS business model
• Salary rules, transfers and roster-building flexibility
• MLS academies, pay-to-play concerns and youth development
• The importance of supporter culture and live match experiences
• Leagues Cup as a bridge between MLS, Liga MX and World Cup-style competition

Approximate timestamps:

01:30 Why Shaq believes dunking deserves a professional league
03:00 Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins and Shaq’s early inspiration
04:30 Social media, YouTube and modern athlete visibility
06:00 Dunkman’s international competitors and prize money
07:45 The seven Dunkman judging categories
10:15 Shaq’s long-term vision for competitive dunking
11:45 Why the NBA Slam Dunk Contest has declined
13:35 Larry Berg’s path to becoming MLS commissioner
16:35 How MLS can benefit from World Cup momentum
19:20 Why promotion and relegation may not work in MLS
21:25 Berg’s MLS 3.0 plan and proposed grand bargain
24:15 Turning new soccer viewers into MLS supporters
26:55 Youth soccer, academies and pay-to-play concerns
30:10 MLS relationships with FIFA and national soccer organizations

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Legendary broadcaster Andrés Cantor joins Alex Sherman to assess the legacy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and its potential to accelerate soccer’s growth in the United States. Cantor also discusses the U.S. men’s national team, Lionel Messi, Argentina’s dramatic run, future World Cup media rights, and his plans to continue calling major matches.

Episode Notes

Telemundo lead FIFA World Cup play-by-play broadcaster Andrés Cantor joins Alex Sherman to reflect on the 2026 tournament and what it could mean for the future of soccer in the United States.

Cantor explains why the expanded 48-team World Cup exceeded his expectations, highlighting the competitiveness of first-time participants and the relative lack of one-sided matches. He also compares the logistical challenges of traveling across the United States, Mexico, and Canada with the compact experience of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The conversation explores whether the tournament represents a true turning point for American soccer. Cantor considers how new and casual fans may begin following MLS, the Premier League, La Liga, the UEFA Champions League, and international stars such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, and Alexis Mac Allister.

Cantor also shares his perspective on the U.S. men’s national team’s performance, including the emotional effect of FIFA’s decision to overturn a red card before the team’s match against Belgium. He discusses his enduring enthusiasm for broadcasting, the emotional connection he feels when calling Argentina and the United States, and why retirement is not currently part of his plans.

The episode also examines the next cycle of FIFA World Cup media rights. Cantor addresses the possibility of calling future tournaments in either Spanish or English, whether at Telemundo, NBC Sports, or another broadcaster.

Later, Cantor revisits Argentina’s dramatic victory over England, Lionel Messi’s possible final World Cup, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s open letter responding to criticism of the tournament. The interview concludes with Cantor delivering his signature goal call for Sherman.

Topics discussed:

• The legacy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
• Soccer’s growth and popularity in the United States
• The impact of the expanded 48-team format
• MLS, Premier League, La Liga, and Champions League viewership
• The U.S. men’s national team and the Belgium match
• FIFA officiating decisions and tournament controversies
• Andrés Cantor’s broadcasting career and future plans
• FIFA World Cup media rights for 2030 and 2034
• Argentina’s rivalry with England
• Lionel Messi’s international future
• Gianni Infantino’s response to World Cup criticism

Timestamps:

01:34 The expanded 48-team World Cup format
02:29 Comparing the 2026 World Cup with previous tournaments
03:43 Why the World Cup could transform American soccer
05:21 Do Americans love soccer or only the World Cup?
07:03 Which soccer leagues could benefit most?
08:05 FIFA’s overturned red-card decision
09:34 Cantor’s passion for calling major matches
10:45 Retirement plans and English-language broadcasting
11:24 FIFA World Cup media rights for 2030 and 2034
12:48 Argentina’s dramatic match against England
14:31 Lionel Messi’s possible final World Cup
15:42 Gianni Infantino’s open letter
19:21 Andrés Cantor delivers his signature goal call

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ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro explains how the network plans to grow amid cord-cutting, rising sports-rights costs and the shift to direct-to-consumer streaming. He also discusses ESPN’s interest in future World Cup rights, local NBA broadcasts, its expanding NFL relationship and the role of ESPN within Disney’s broader streaming strategy.

ESPN is navigating one of the most consequential transitions in sports media: maintaining the value of traditional pay television while building a direct-to-consumer streaming business that reaches fans wherever they choose to watch.

In this episode of CNBC Sport, Alex Sherman speaks with ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro about the network’s strategy for growing audiences and operating income as cord-cutting continues, advertising remains under pressure and the cost of premium sports rights rises.

Pitaro explains why ESPN is pursuing parallel distribution paths rather than abandoning the cable bundle. Traditional pay-TV subscribers can access ESPN’s direct-to-consumer features through the ESPN app, while viewers without cable can subscribe through ESPN’s standalone service or streaming bundles involving Disney+, Hulu, NFL+ Premium and Fox One.

The conversation also explores ESPN’s ambition to remain the “front door” for sports fans by reducing friction and bringing more live sports content into a single app. Pitaro discusses the integration of CW Sports and NFL Network programming, as well as ESPN’s broader partnership with the NFL following its acquisition of NFL Network, NFL RedZone linear rights and the RedZone brand.

Other topics include ESPN’s disciplined approach to sports-rights spending, its interest in bidding for the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups, and its desire to help solve the local sports-media challenges created by the decline of regional sports networks. Pitaro outlines how ESPN could use its reach and technology to distribute local NBA and other in-market games, potentially through non-exclusive agreements.

The episode also covers Major League Baseball’s labor outlook, changes improving the pace and presentation of baseball, the growth and current tensions surrounding the WNBA, and ESPN’s strategic importance within Disney under CEO Josh D’Amaro.

Topics discussed:

• ESPN’s direct-to-consumer and pay-TV strategy
• Cord-cutting, advertising pressure and operating-income growth
• Pricing and bundling for ESPN, Disney+ and Hulu
• ESPN’s partnership with the NFL and integration of NFL Network
• The value and rising cost of premium sports rights
• Potential bids for the 2030 and 2034 FIFA World Cups
• Local NBA media rights and regional sports network alternatives
• MLB streaming rights and possible labor disruptions
• WNBA growth, media coverage and Caitlin Clark
• ESPN’s role in Disney’s broader streaming strategy

Timestamps:

01:45 ESPN’s ratings growth and parallel distribution strategy
04:10 Measuring direct-to-consumer growth and total ESPN households
05:14 ESPN pricing and the Disney+, Hulu and ESPN bundle
06:09 Future media partnerships and streaming bundles
07:50 CW Sports and NFL Network integration
08:17 ESPN’s relationship with the NFL
09:43 Balancing NFL costs with the broader sports-rights portfolio
10:58 ESPN’s interest in future FIFA World Cup rights
12:37 Local NBA broadcasts and regional sports network alternatives
15:03 MLB rights, labor uncertainty and contingency planning
16:49 WNBA growth, tension and ESPN’s coverage responsibilities
18:21 ESPN’s role under Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro
19:46 ESPN’s financial performance and transparency

Brands, leagues and services mentioned include ESPN, CNBC Sport, Disney+, Hulu, NFL Network, NFL RedZone, NFL+ Premium, Fox One, CW Sports, YouTube TV, DirecTV, Comcast, Charter, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL and FIFA.

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Bill Foley joins Alex Sherman to explain why his ownership group is positioned to bring an NBA expansion team to Las Vegas, followed by an interview with Rick Horrow on the excitement and business impact of the World Cup.

Bill Foley, owner of the Vegas Golden Knights, joins Alex Sherman for a detailed conversation about his bid to own a potential Las Vegas NBA expansion franchise. Foley lays out why he believes Las Vegas is ready for an NBA team, how the Golden Knights’ success has prepared his organization, and what kind of ownership culture he would bring to professional basketball.

The episode also features an interview with Rick Horrow, who discusses the excitement around the World Cup and its impact on the global sports business landscape. Together, the conversations explore how major sports franchises, international soccer, media rights, fan engagement, and live events continue to shape the future of sports ownership and investment.

Topics discussed:

• Why Bill Foley believes Las Vegas is ready for an NBA expansion team
• How the Golden Knights’ “Vegas Born” identity shaped Foley’s ownership approach
• The potential NBA expansion fee and long-term franchise valuation
• T-Mobile Arena as the likely initial home for a Las Vegas NBA team
• Building a world-class practice facility for NBA and NHL operations
• How Foley’s “team first” philosophy could translate from hockey to basketball
• Sports betting concerns and professional sports in Las Vegas
• Foley’s international soccer portfolio, including AFC Bournemouth and Auckland FC
• The excitement surrounding the World Cup
• Rick Horrow’s perspective on the business of global sports events
• Sponsorship, ticketing, media rights, and synergies across sports ownership groups
• Local broadcast strategy and opportunities to bundle sports media assets
• Possible naming themes for a Las Vegas NBA franchise
• Whether Las Vegas can support more professional sports teams

Timestamps:

01:30 Bill Foley’s pitch for owning a Las Vegas NBA franchise
03:18 Why Foley has been preparing for NBA expansion for years
04:20 Lessons from owning the Vegas Golden Knights
05:11 How expansion fees factor into the NBA ownership decision
06:08 Why Foley believes his group can compete financially
07:03 Long-term NBA franchise value and sports scarcity
08:10 Sports betting concerns in Las Vegas
08:50 Foley’s international soccer investments and World Cup impact
10:09 Synergies across Foley’s sports ownership portfolio
11:17 What kind of owner Foley says he would be
12:03 NBA expansion timeline and presentation process
12:58 Local media strategy for a Las Vegas NBA team
13:43 Potential naming ideas for the franchise
14:35 Why Foley is not worried about Las Vegas sports oversaturation
15:41 Advice from current NBA owners
16:16 Closing thoughts on the possible Las Vegas NBA franchise

Mentioned in this episode:

• Bill Foley
• Alex Sherman
• Rick Horrow
• Vegas Golden Knights
• Las Vegas NBA expansion
• NBA Board of Governors
• Adam Silver
• T-Mobile Arena
• AFC Bournemouth
• Auckland FC
• Silver Knights
• Nighthawks
• CNBC
• Scripps Sports
• World Cup
• Otter.ai

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen joins Alex Sherman to discuss Super Bowl expectations, fatherhood, sleep, brand partnerships, New Balance, investing, and life after football. Allen shares how he manages pressure, thinks about his personal brand, and prepares for the next chapter of his NFL career.

Episode Notes

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen joins Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging conversation on football, business, sleep, fatherhood, and the mindset required to lead one of the NFL’s most passionate fan bases.

Allen opens up about becoming a new father to his daughter Harper and how parenthood has changed his perspective on rest, recovery, and interrupted sleep. He discusses his partnership with Natrol and explains why sleep has become an even more important part of his routine as he balances family life, training, and the demands of an NFL season.

The conversation also dives into the pressure surrounding the Buffalo Bills and the pursuit of a Super Bowl. Allen explains why he does not focus on outside expectations, how he handles internal pressure, and why bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Western New York remains the team’s ultimate goal.

Sherman and Allen also cover the business side of being a franchise quarterback, including Allen’s approach to brand partnerships, authenticity, and long-term alignment with companies he genuinely believes in. Allen discusses his move from Nike to New Balance, what impressed him about the brand’s direction, and how he thinks about future opportunities in football, broadcasting, investing, and life after the NFL.

Topics discussed:

• Josh Allen’s transition into fatherhood
• Sleep, recovery, and his partnership with Natrol
• Managing Super Bowl expectations in Buffalo
• Internal pressure versus outside pressure
• The Bills’ roster-building process and front office communication
• Buffalo’s new stadium and home-field advantage
• Personal branding and authentic sponsorships
• Moving from Nike to New Balance
• Playing style, longevity, and taking hits as a quarterback
• Investing, private equity, and post-football planning
• Broadcasting as a possible future path
• Golf, training camp, and team bonding

Timestamps:

01:37 Managing pressure from Bills fans and Super Bowl expectations
03:17 Allen’s mindset and whether he works with a sports psychologist
03:41 How involved Allen is in Bills personnel decisions
05:02 First impressions of Buffalo’s new stadium
06:04 How Josh Allen thinks about his personal brand
06:22 Why Allen partnered with Natrol
07:20 Moving from Nike to New Balance
08:13 Playing aggressively, recovery, and sleep products
09:26 Thinking about life after football
10:15 Whether broadcasting could be part of Allen’s future
10:51 Investing, private equity, and values-based opportunities
11:44 Golf, fatherhood, and offseason routines
12:09 Training camp, family, and team chemistry

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