Sports fans and executives! Welcome back to another episode, Season FOUR of Path to the Pros, powered by Forsyth Barnes.

Today’s guest? The legendary former NBA CEO who helped break Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought, brought Lebron James to the Cavs and Sheffield United’s newest minority owner: Len Komoroski!

Len sits down with Samir to take us behind the scenes of:

• What it REALLY took to turn one of the NBA’s worst team into champions
• Building a franchise from the ground up
• The fast-evolving world of sports ownership in 2025

If you're curious about building winning teams, what it takes to break into a career in pro sport and the investment landscape in 2025…these are the behind the scene insights you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Path to the Pros, we're thrilled to welcome Nancy Elder, an accomplished leader whose 25+ year career has been defined by driving innovation, transforming teams, and delivering growth across some of the world's most competitive industries.

Now serving as the Chief Communications Officer for the New York Mets, Nancy has previously held pivotal roles at JetBlue Airways, Mattel Inc., DAZN, Mastercard, and GE, where she's navigated high-stakes challenges.

Join us as we explore the evolving landscape of sports fandom with a deep dive into different fan behaviors, preferences, and motivations transforming how teams, leagues, and brands connect with them.

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Stetson, a seasoned C-suite business leader with over 20 years of experience reimagining iconic brands and generating record revenues. Joe has held key positions at Madison Square Garden Networks, BSE Global, the Brooklyn Nets, and Van Wagner and now serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at the New York Red Bulls.

Joe shares his insights on the importance of mentorship and how it has shaped his career and leadership style. He discusses the challenges and rewards of working in the sports and entertainment industries and offers valuable advice for those looking to follow in his footsteps.

Join us as we explore Joe's journey, leadership approach, and vision for the industry's future.

Join us as we dive into the world of entertainment with our guest, Zack Rose, the Senior Vice President at Endeavor Analytics. With a rich background and a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry, Zack brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Having spent seven years at Warner Bros, Zack was pivotal in supporting sales collateral for domestic television distribution, providing insights for popular properties like The Ellen DeGeneres Show and TMZ, to name a few. Now at Endeavor Analytics, Zack offers actionable consumer, media, brand, and marketplace intelligence based on analytics to build new sports initiatives properties.

This episode explores the intricacies of research and consumer insights, discussing how data-driven decisions shape the entertainment and sports industries. We delve into the importance of understanding consumer behaviour, the impact of research on brand building, and the future of analytics in the industry.

In this Path to the Pros episode, we sit down with Declan Bodger, the SVP/CMO at Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.

Declan's journey from physical education teacher to working as a pit crew at Formula 3 was just the beginning. He has worn many hats in the sports industry, working in key roles with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, Portland Trail Blazers, and Major League Soccer.

Originally from the UK, Declan moved to the USA at a young age and has since significantly impacted the business side of sports. This episode dives deep into his unique experiences, challenges, and insights he's gained along the way. It's one of our best episodes, offering a rare glimpse into the world of sports and entertainment.

Meet Neda Tabatabaie, a trailblazer in the world of data within sports. As the first in her role at the San Jose Sharks, she pioneered CRM and business analytics, transforming how the organization leverages data to customize the fan experience and ensure top-quality service.

Neda's innovative approach to integrating business intelligence has revolutionized the customer journey, making every fan interaction more personalized and engaging. With the Sharks being early adopters of these technologies, she continues to push the boundaries of what's possible, leading the way into the future of business intelligence in sports.

This is not one to miss.

Welcome to another episode of the Path to the Pros podcast. This week, Samir Prince sat down with Ian Smith, Managing Director of International Business Development at Relevent Sports Group.

In this conversation, we explore Ian's journey from a small town in England to his career as a solicitor, becoming a key player at FIFA, and now to sitting as a Managing Director at one of the world's most influential sports and media rights organizations. We also delve into rightsholders' ongoing challenges in securing revenue, an area where Ian brings invaluable insight.

Join us as we learn from Ian's experiences and gain valuable insights into the dynamic world of sports business development.

This week, we dive deep into the story of David Burke, Executive Vice President of
Sales and Business Development for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

We explore AI's transformative impact on the industry, emphasizing that it isn't something to fear but rather a powerful tool for creating efficiencies and streamlining processes.

We learn how the Pittsburgh Pirates use AI to create a personalized experience for every type of fan, enhancing their connection to the team, stadium, and the game they love.