Sports Management Podcast

Welcome to episode 252 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Patricio Misitrano, CEO of Racket Social Club and a key figure behind Racket360, one of the most ambitious ecosystems in the rapidly growing racket sports industry. From club operations and events to e-commerce and league management, Patricio has spent decades helping grow racket sports across the United States.
In this episode, we spoke about:
The growth and future of padel in the United States
Why community is the secret to successful clubs
Building careers in the racket sports industry
Networking, hiring and leadership lessons from sport
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to the Show
00:20 Inside the Racket360 Ecosystem
02:34 The State of Padel in America
04:10 Tracking Padel's Rapid Growth
06:15 Why Courts Alone Don't Work
07:00 Key Trends Shaping Padel
07:58 The Rise of Indoor Facilities
09:26 Community Is Everything
11:16 Building a Successful Club
15:48 Can the USA Become a Padel Powerhouse?
20:06 Growing Up with Padel in Argentina
22:00 From Coach to CEO
23:41 What Great Employers Look For
24:44 Careers Beyond Coaching
28:34 Networking That Opens Doors
30:46 The Ultimate Networking Expert
Patricio Misitrano shares practical lessons on leadership, club operations, community building, hiring, networking and the future of padel in the United States. Whether you're a sports executive, coach, entrepreneur, student or racket sports enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing sectors in the sports industry.

Welcome to episode 251 of Sports Management Podcast.
In today's episode, we are joined by Daren Hornig, CEO of Courts App — a marketplace often described as the "Expedia for racket sports," helping players find and book courts anytime, anywhere.
In this episode, we spoke about:
Building a two-sided marketplace for racket sports
How AI is transforming sports facility access
The explosive growth of pickleball and padel
Why most sports careers aren't what people expect
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Courts App 00:19 What Is the "Expedia for Racket Sports"? 01:12 The Problem: Unused Courts 02:17 Why Technology Was Missing in Racket Sports 03:36 AI Integration & ChatGPT Booking 04:24 AI Concierge "Hey Courtney" 05:19 Tech Background & Startup Lessons 06:56 Why He Entered Racket Sports 07:48 Marketplace Model Explained 08:31 Growth of Padel & Pickleball 09:17 Transition from Real Estate to Tech 10:53 Building the Right Startup Team 11:45 Challenges in a Fragmented Industry 14:58 AI, Free Time & Sports Growth 16:29 Dynamic Pricing & Increasing Participation 27:58 Why Working in Sports Isn't What You Think
SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.
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Welcome to episode 250 of Sports Management Podcast.
In today's episode, we are joined by Alan Stein Jr., who has spent over 15 years working with elite NBA athletes and is now a world-renowned keynote speaker and author. In this conversation, we dive deep into what truly separates elite performers from the rest and how those lessons apply far beyond sports.
In this episode, we spoke about:
The habits and mindset of elite performers
Why discipline beats motivation every time
How to perform under pressure
How to apply sports lessons to business and leadership
Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & Episode 250 Milestone 00:39 What Elite Athletes Teach About Performance 01:20 Mastering the Basics 02:03 Confidence vs Humility 03:18 Process Over Outcome 03:46 What Separates the Top 1% 04:34 Consistency as a Superpower 05:20 Discipline vs Feelings 06:09 Why Motivation Is Overrated 08:26 Performing Under Pressure 09:05 Pressure Is Self-Imposed 10:58 Visualization & Self-Talk 13:41 Being Okay With Losing 16:27 Sports Lessons Applied to Business 27:34 The "Next Play" Mindset
SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.
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Welcome to episode 249 of Sports Management Podcast.
In today's episode, we are joined by Scott Doyne, former Turner Sports executive, career coach, and author of Navigating the Quarter-Life Career Crisis. With decades of experience in sports media, tech, and leadership, Scott shares powerful insights on how young professionals can navigate today's complex job market and build meaningful careers.
In this episode, we spoke about:
The real challenges Gen Z faces entering the workforce
How networking should actually be done
The importance of mentorship and mental wellbeing
How AI is shaping the future of careers
Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome & Introduction 00:38 Why Scott Wrote the Book 01:47 Are Gen Z Misunderstood? 02:57 Why It's So Hard to Get a Job Today 03:45 Social Media & Career Pressure 04:54 Global Stress & Uncertainty 05:26 What Young Professionals Need Most 06:08 Why Networking Feels So Hard 07:29 How to Actually Start Networking 09:06 The Power of Mentorship 12:44 Why Sports Is Harder Than Other Industries 14:13 Managing Stress & Career Anxiety 17:22 Writing a Book: Behind the Scenes 21:22 Breaking Into Sports Media 23:49 Learning From Failure 30:46 AI & The Future of Careers
SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.
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Welcome to episode 248 of Sports Management Podcast.
Today's guest is Kevin Bradbury, veteran NBA agent and Head of Basketball at Lyft Sports Management, with over two decades of experience and more than a billion dollars in contracts negotiated.
In this episode, we spoke about:
What it really means to be an NBA agent beyond contract negotiations
How NIL has changed the landscape of athlete representation
The importance of trust and relationships in building successful careers
How agents support players both on and off the court
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome & Role Overview 00:17 Life as an NBA Agent 01:25 NIL & Industry Evolution 02:38 What Agents Actually Do 04:08 Importance of Trust 05:45 Contract Negotiation Insights 08:27 Relationships in the NBA 08:57 Misconceptions About Agents 10:03 How Player Value Is Determined 12:11 Supporting Players Off the Court 13:48 Working with International Players 15:15 Global Talent & Recruitment 16:49 NIL & Player Branding 19:20 Power Shift in College Sports 33:00 Advice for Aspiring Agents
SPONSOR: Listeners of the Sports Management Podcast get an exclusive 20% off on SportsPro+ with the code SMPOD20. All you need to do is head to sportspro.com/membership and start exploring today.
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www.sportsmanagementpodcast.com