Matt Powell, VP and Senior Industry Advisor of the NPD Sports Group

In this episode, the co-hosts, Mike Gugat, Neil Schwartz, and John Peters, a.k.a. “The Knuckleheads,” say farewell to the Sport Lifestyle Podcast in its current form.  We hope you will go to the Sport Lifestyle Network website (sportlifestylenetwork.com) to discover new content, including the SLN Podcast.  While there, be sure to sign up for the SLN Newsletter.

In this episode of the Sport Lifestyle Podcast, we speak with Jon Niemuth, Vice-President for AECOM Sports, Americas. Aecom, via its acquisitions of Tishman and Hunt Construction, is one of the leading construction companies when it comes to sports facilities of all shapes, sizes, and uses. They have constructed some of the most iconic stadiums and arenas in the world including Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. More recently they were one of the main contractors for the new combined Chargers/Rams stadium in Inglewood, CA. Our conversation focused on keeping fans safe and healthy in a Covid-19 environment with social distancing and other requirements. Jon has been speaking to all of their stadium owners and teams and trying to understand their needs and what it will take to accomplish the goal of keeping fans safe while still making the in-stadium fan experience fun and enjoyable. His main piece of advice was to not make any hasty or snap decisions.

Brendan Walsh joined the Sport Lifestyle Podcast to explore some of the financial and economic impacts that the Covid-19 crisis has created. We discussed some of the more far-reaching consequences created by this situation on things like youth sports, professional and college sports along with exercise and general wellbeing. Brendan was a senior analyst for Discovery Capital Management. He is currently a partner at Data Market Services, A DC-based firm that is helping associations understand their needs for data and how they can monetize this potential revenue for their members. Brendan is also one of the co-hosts of the HPS Macrocast Podcast that looks at the news of the week at the intersection of markets, policy, and economics, providing smart and entertaining analysis in a concise 30-minute conversational format.

In this episode, John Peters and Matt Tingler, Managing Director of Robert W. Baird, the leading middle market investment bank for the active lifestyle industry, broke down the deal of Lululemon acquiring Mirror. They gave their thoughts on what’s next in the fitness space and discuss some winners and losers from the deal.

In this episode of the Sport Lifestyle Podcast, we speak with Luke Rowe, Senior Vice President at CEP Compression. Luke cut his teeth working in run and tennis specialty retail, later jumping out of airplanes with the 82nd Airborne. Following the Army, Luke joined Brooks Sports, working his way up to VP of Sales. Luke would make one more stop at Fleet Feet to lead business development before joining CEP. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sport-lifestyle-podcast/donations

Our guest is former NFL All-Pro and current CEO of Windpact, Shawn Springs. Windpact is a technology and applied science company focused on the analysis, design and implementation of impact protection solutions for our everyday lives. Windpact is currently helping to solve for impact protection in the sporting goods, military and automotive industries. As a father, Shawn gave his thoughts on social injustice in America, Colin Kaepernick, the NFL, his new leadership position, and his recent success being just one of nine companies out of 500 to get accepted into Morgan Stanley’s Multicultural Innovation Program. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sport-lifestyle-podcast/donations

In this episode of the Sport Lifestyle Podcast, we speak with Steve Bonomo from Arete Partners, a global executive search firm. Prior to Arete Partners, Steve was head of talent acquisition at Twitter, adidas, and TaylorMade. We discuss his time working for leaders like Mark King, Herbert Hainer, and Jack Dorsey, along with the venture back companies he’s now recruiting for. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sport-lifestyle-podcast/donations

On this episode, we speak to Matt Powell, the Vice President and Senior Industry Advisor for the NPD Sports Group. With over 40 years of experience in the retail and research industry. Matt has counselled many of the world’s largest brands including Nike, adidas, Under Armour, Foot Locker, Walmart, and everything in between. The NPD group is one of the world’s largest research firms and a leader in sports data. Matt shared stats on industry bright spots despite COVID-19 including brands doing well like HOKA ONE ONE® and On Running. He also shared his thoughts on the future of retail and how brands are stepping up and responding to social injustices in America today. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sport-lifestyle-podcast/donations

On this episode, we speak to Bob Rief, the Executive Director of San Diego Sport Innovators, one of the top accelerator programs in the country. The program has graduated 86 companies, created nearly 550 jobs, and raised nearly $80 million in capital. Having run brands like Nike Golf, Merrell Footwear, Callaway, and Reef Sandals and many more, Bob and his network have quite a few experiences to pass on to younger generations. In this podcast, Bob speaks about a new short film San Diego Rising launched by the San Diego Sport Innovators community and JIVA VR that sends a positive message of enjoying the outdoors with social responsibility. NBA legend Bill Walton, surf legend Rob Machado, and golf pro Tiffany Joh are featured in the film. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sport-lifestyle-podcast/donations

On this episode, we speak with Michael Schaeffer, the Co-Founder of NOBULL, one of the fastest growing brands you may not know about yet. NOBULL is a footwear, apparel, and accessories brand for people who train hard and don’t believe in excuses. Like many Founders, Michael and his Co-Founder Marcus Wilson built NOBULL by doing every job from customer service calls to cleaning the floors to product design. When you listen to Michael’s story, you can understand why they have no problems creating some of the best organic content in the athletic industry today. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sport-lifestyle-podcast/donations