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

In this episode of On Stage, NCAA President Charlie Baker sits down with SBJ Executive Editor and Publisher Abe Madkour for a candid conversation about the state of college athletics—and the future of the NCAA itself.

This conversation took place December 11, 2024, at the SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum in Las Vegas, during a pivotal moment in Baker’s presidency. At the time, the industry was bracing for major shifts in governance, athlete compensation, and long-term sustainability.

Since then, the updates have continued at a rapid pace: the NCAA’s proposed House settlement, revenue-sharing discussions, and deeper questions around the power dynamics between conferences and national leadership have all been in the headlines. And yet, this conversation remains deeply relevant and provides important perspective from Baker.

Topics include:

• Reimagining the NCAA: How Baker sees the organization evolving amid pressure for reform.
• Conference Realignment & Governance: Balancing institutional autonomy with national cohesion.
• Student-Athlete Opportunity & Oversight: What’s working, what’s broken, and what’s at stake.
• Federal Legislation & Legal Strategy: Why Baker continues to call for Congressional involvement.
• Leadership in Transition: What it takes to guide an institution under pressure from every side.

In light of everything that’s happened since this conversation took place, Baker’s comments offer both a snapshot and a lens—a valuable perspective on how we got here, and where the NCAA might go next.

Episode Description:

In this special episode of On Stage, two extraordinary leaders—General Mark Milley, the recently retired Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Ted Leonsis, Founder and CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment—sit down for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, culture, and service.

Recorded on October 30, 2024, at SBJ’s Dealmakers conference in Washington, D.C., this fireside chat explores what it means to lead during times of transformation—whether you're guiding a nation’s military or a multibillion-dollar sports and media empire.

Topics include:

• The Mindset of Service: What business can learn from military leadership and accountability.
• Culture and Cohesion: Building organizations that are values-driven and mission-focused.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: Lessons from global conflict and billion-dollar business moments.
• Patriotism and Purpose: Why service—military or civic—still matters in today’s fractured world.
• Shared Responsibility: How sports, media, and government all play a role in shaping the future.

It’s a rare and candid discussion between two leaders who’ve spent decades making consequential decisions—at the highest levels of two very different arenas.

In this episode of On Stage, Sports Business Journal’s Executive Publisher Abe Madkour sits down with iconic sports agent David Falk for a conversation about the legacy of athlete empowerment and the business of storytelling.

Recorded on May 20, 2025, at SBJ’s 4se event in New York City, the conversation traces Falk’s role in redefining what it means to represent an athlete—not just on the court, but across culture, commerce, and entertainment.

Falk, who famously represented Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, Patrick Ewing, and many more, shares:

• The Air Jordan Origin Story: How a revolutionary approach to marketing turned a rookie deal into a global brand.
• Agent as Architect: Why the most successful agents don’t just negotiate—they help build enduring platforms and partnerships.
• Cultural Relevance: The fusion of sports, fashion, and music, and what it takes for an athlete to shape culture beyond the game.
• Leadership Lessons: What he’s learned from four decades working at the intersection of sports, media, and influence.

It’s a one-of-a-kind conversation with a one-of-a-kind operator—part oral history, part masterclass in what it takes to build icons.

Episode Description:

In this episode of On Stage, Sports Business Journal’s Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour sits down with SMAC Entertainment’s dynamic co-founders—Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini—for a masterclass in athlete-driven media and brand building.

Recorded on May 20, 2025, at SBJ’s 4se event in New York City, this wide-ranging conversation covers the origin story behind SMAC, how the former NFL star and the veteran media executive built a business that blends storytelling with strategy, and the secret to unlocking multi-platform success.

Topics include:

• The SMAC Playbook: How the duo built a platform that champions authenticity, from Coach Prime to the upcoming Madden film.
• Strahan’s Evolution: From Super Bowl champion to Emmy-winning host, entrepreneur, and prospective NFL team investor.
• Media Disruption: How SMAC is reshaping the rules of traditional sports and entertainment storytelling.
• Brand Building: What it really means to be a multi-hyphenate—and how to scale that vision with purpose.
• Creative Partnership: Reflections on years of working together and how their complementary strengths built a company that’s redefining modern influence.

From Sunday football to weekday primetime, SMAC is proving there's more than one way to win—as long as the story is real.

Episode Description:

In this episode of On Stage, Sports Business Journal’s Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour sits down with the three siblings leading the most valuable sports franchise in the world—the Dallas Cowboys.

Recorded on September 17, 2024, at SBJ’s AXS DRIVE event in Frisco, Texas, this rare joint appearance features Charlotte Jones (Chief Brand Officer), Jerry Jones Jr. (Chief Sales & Marketing Officer), and Stephen Jones (Chief Operating Officer) in an open, insightful—and often humorous—conversation about brand leadership, family legacy, and building a business that goes far beyond game day.

Together, they discuss:

• The Cowboys Brand Philosophy: How consistency, culture, and big picture planning keeps “America’s Team” commercially successful.
• Family Governance in Sports: Lessons from decades of collaboration and how they divide roles across football and business operations.
• Leadership Through Change: How the Cowboys have adapted to evolving fan behavior, media, and sponsorship trends.
• Stadium and Venue Strategy: AT&T Stadium’s global status—and what’s next for the Cowboys’ physical and digital presence.
• Legacy and Longevity: What it means to uphold a multi-generational vision while continually evolving.

Getting all three Jones siblings on stage together is rare—and the energy, humor, and candor they bring to this conversation is both entertaining and insightful.