In this special episode of On Stage, actor, comedian, and LAFC co-owner Will Ferrell joins Larry Freedman, the club’s co-president, for a fireside chat moderated by SBJ’s Abe Madkour.

Recorded on February 27, 2023, at the National Sports Forum in Los Angeles, this session offers a rare glimpse into how one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures became a driving force behind one of Major League Soccer’s most dynamic franchises.

Ferrell shares his origin story with LAFC—from being recruited as an owner to embracing the culture of the club—while Freedman pulls back the curtain on how the team has built one of the most passionate fan bases in American sports. Together, they discuss:

• Why Will joined the ownership group and what he’s learned about sports business.
• The rise of LAFC as both a soccer powerhouse and a cultural brand.
• The mix of humor and humility that Ferrell brings to the boardroom and the locker room.
• What other franchises can learn from LAFC’s community-driven growth model.

As Abe Madkour later noted in his SBJ column, the session blended humor with real insight—a conversation that was equal parts entertaining and illuminating.

Description:

In this episode of On Stage, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred joins SBJ Senior Writer Joe Lemire for a candid conversation on the business, challenges, and opportunities shaping professional baseball.

Recorded on April 22, 2025, at the CAA World Congress of Sports presented by Sports Business Journal, this keynote captures Manfred’s perspective just months before major headlines about MLB’s labor landscape and new national media rights negotiations.

While the news cycle has since moved quickly—with fresh updates on his talks with players over the next labor agreement and signs of progress on a new media deal—this conversation offers an evergreen look at the commissioner’s leadership priorities and long-term vision for the league.

Topics include:

• Labor Relations: How MLB approaches dialogue with the players’ union and lessons from past negotiations.
• Media and Distribution Strategy: MLB’s vision for its next rights deal and the role of direct-to-consumer streaming.
• The Business of the Game: Expanding MLB’s global reach and deepening engagement with younger fans.
• Competition and On-Field Innovation: Balancing tradition with changes that improve pace of play and overall fan experience.
• Leadership at the Helm: What it takes to guide a century-old league in a rapidly evolving sports landscape.

It’s a valuable snapshot of the commissioner’s thinking—one that’s as relevant today as when he stepped on stage.

Episode Description:

In this episode of On Stage, Rich Paul—CEO of KLUTCH Sports Group and Head of Sports at United Talent Agency—joins Zach Leonsis, President of Media & New Enterprises at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, for a compelling one-on-one conversation that spans business, brand, representation, and long-term influence.

Recorded on October 29, 2024, at SBJ’s Dealmakers conference in Washington, D.C., this session came just as Paul and Leonsis announced a new partnership between KLUTCH and Monumental—aimed at unlocking new revenue streams and strategic collaborations as Monumental prepares to reimagine Capital One Arena.

In this conversation, Paul shares hard-earned wisdom from a career spent building one of the most influential firms in sports—and shaping how athletes think about ownership, leverage, and impact.

Highlights include:

• The Rise of KLUTCH: How Paul built a platform grounded in trust, truth, and cultural relevance.
• Navigating Power & Partnership: What it takes to stay independent while scaling with purpose.
• Modern Representation: Why being an agent today means managing media, brand, and opportunity all at once.
• Long-Game Thinking: Paul’s take on influence, equity, and the difference between relevance and legacy.
• Real Talk: How the business works behind closed doors—and why he’s playing chess, not checkers.

Candid, sharp, and evergreen—this is required listening for anyone shaping the future of sports, media, and entertainment.

Please find link to attached Rich Paul introduction video here: https://youtu.be/QrP5v1rY26A