Rafael Nadal reflects on his Netflix documentary, early training in Mallorca, rivalry with Roger Federer, retirement, injuries and what comes next after one of tennis’s greatest careers. He also shares why Novak Djokovic’s numbers define the GOAT debate and what Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner would need to achieve to enter that conversation. Then, Alex speaks with CNBC’s Michael Ozanian about his upcoming Empires Valuations list.

Episode Notes

Rafael Nadal joins Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging conversation about his life, career, retirement and the new documentary chronicling his final chapter in professional tennis. The 22-time Grand Slam champion and 14-time French Open winner opens up about why he finally agreed to let cameras into his life, how his family and team adjusted to the documentary process, and why watching a film about himself is such a difficult experience. The conversation explores Nadal’s earliest days in Manacor, Mallorca, where his uncle Toni Nadal began coaching him as a child. Nadal explains how natural ability, hard work, family support and the right environment all shaped his path, while emphasizing that he always loved tennis, even through the most physically challenging periods of his career.

Nadal also reflects on the contrast between his on-court intensity and his off-court personality, his famous routines and rituals, and the mental focus required to compete at the highest level. He discusses his legendary rivalry with Roger Federer, why their opposing styles made the matchup so special, and why he believes Novak Djokovic’s record makes him the greatest tennis player of all time by the numbers.

The episode also covers Nadal’s retirement, the hip injury that ultimately ended his playing career, and why he feels confident there was nothing left in the tank. Looking ahead, Nadal shares his focus on expanding the Rafa Nadal Academy, growing his foundation, spending time on business projects, and why full-time coaching is not currently part of his life plan.

Topics discussed:

• Rafael Nadal’s Netflix documentary and why he finally agreed to participate
• Growing up in Manacor, Mallorca and training with Toni Nadal
• Winning regional junior tennis titles at a young age
• Why Nadal always loved tennis despite injuries and pressure
• The difference between Nadal’s competitive mindset and personal life
• Nadal’s rivalry with Roger Federer and their contrasting styles
• The purpose behind Nadal’s on-court routines and rituals
• Retirement, injuries and the end of Nadal’s professional career
• Life after tennis, including the Rafa Nadal Academy and foundation
• Novak Djokovic, the GOAT debate and tennis records
• Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and the future of men’s tennis
• Nadal’s most meaningful tournament wins, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon 2008, Australian Open 2022 and the US Open

Timestamps:

01:39 Watching a documentary about his own life and career

02:18 Nadal’s early childhood in Mallorca and first tennis memories

04:04 Why he never hated tennis, even during difficult periods

05:32 Life after fame and returning to his real life after retirement

06:57 Roger Federer, elegance and what made their rivalry unique

08:14 Nadal’s rituals, routines and focus during competition

09:42 Retirement, injuries and why his career ended the way it did

11:33 Why a comeback is not part of Nadal’s next chapter

12:03 Rafa Nadal Academy, foundation work and business projects

12:55 Whether Nadal would ever coach a player full time

13:38 Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and the GOAT debate

14:46 Nadal’s most meaningful career victories

Mentioned in this episode:

• Netflix documentary about Rafael Nadal
• Rafa Nadal Academy
• Rafa Nadal Foundation
• Roland Garros
• Wimbledon 2008
• Australian Open 2022
• US Open 2010 and 2013
• Roger Federer
• Novak Djokovic
• Carlos Alcaraz
• Jannik Sinner
• Toni Nadal
• David Ellison

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Episode Summary

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum joins Alex Sherman to discuss the league’s surging ratings, new media partnerships, international expansion plans, ticket accessibility, draft lottery changes, and how AI could shape officiating. The conversation offers a high-level look at where the NBA is headed across Europe, Africa, Seattle, Las Vegas, and beyond.

Episode Notes

NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum joins Alex Sherman for a wide-ranging conversation on the business, growth, and future of professional basketball. Tatum discusses why NBA ratings are climbing, how new media partners like NBC and Amazon are helping tell player stories, and why the league sees major long-term opportunities in Europe, Africa, and domestic expansion markets. The episode also covers the economics of NBA Finals ticket prices, the league’s approach to fan accessibility, the evolving draft lottery system, and how technology and AI may assist referees with calls in the future. Plus, sports professor Rick Horrow joins the podcast to talk this week in sports.

Topics discussed:

• Why NBA regular season and playoff ratings have surged
• The impact of star players, competitive balance, and Finals viewership
• How NBC, Amazon, ABC, and ESPN support NBA storytelling and distribution
• President Donald Trump attending Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals Game 3
• Jim Dolan, the New York Knicks, and the team’s Finals run
• High NBA Finals ticket prices and secondary market dynamics
• NBA Europe expansion plans and the target launch timeline
• What the NBA is looking for in European ownership groups
• Potential NBA Europe cities, investors, media partners, and competition model
• Basketball Africa League growth, investor interest, and economic opportunity
• Domestic NBA expansion discussions around Las Vegas and Seattle
• Other possible future markets, including Mexico City and Vancouver
• Draft lottery reform, anti-tanking incentives, and the proposed 3-2-1 system
• Player availability, regular season length, and the role of the Emirates NBA Cup
• AI and technology in officiating, including goaltending reviews

Timestamps:

01:43 New NBA media rights partners, NBC, Amazon, ABC, and ESPN
02:35 President Trump attending Knicks-Spurs Finals Game 3
03:46 Jim Dolan, the Knicks, and the team’s turnaround
04:49 NBA Finals ticket prices and fan accessibility
07:01 NBA Europe expansion plans and possible launch timing
08:46 What makes a desirable NBA Europe owner
09:36 How NBA Europe could interact with NBA teams
11:50 NBA Africa investment opportunity and Basketball Africa League growth
14:07 Media partner interest for NBA Europe
15:10 Domestic expansion focus on Las Vegas and Seattle
17:09 Draft lottery reform, anti-tanking, and competitive balance
19:21 The ongoing Aspiration lawsuit process
20:32 Regular season length, player availability, and the Emirates NBA Cup
22:39 Potential NBA rule changes and competition committee priorities
23:23 AI and technology in NBA officiating

Mentioned in this episode:

• NBA
• NBA Finals
• New York Knicks
• San Antonio Spurs
• NBC
• Amazon
• ABC
• ESPN
• Basketball Africa League
• NBA Europe
• FIBA
• Emirates NBA Cup
• Madison Square Garden
• Garden of Dreams Foundation
• Las Vegas
• Seattle
• Mexico City
• Vancouver
• Summer League
• AI officiating technology

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MLS commissioner Don Garber breaks down why the 2026 World Cup is “rocket fuel” for Major League Soccer—and what metrics (attendance, media coverage, social growth, and player movement) will prove it. He also explains MLS 3.0, the league’s post-World Cup calendar shift, and what he’d change about the Apple TV model as MLS plans its next media rights chapter. Alex also speaks with Mark Trübenbacher, CEO of Stadium Growth Lighting. They are the company in charge of preserving the grass on every World Cup pitch.

Key topics and takeaways

• How MLS plans to measure the World Cup effect: attendance lift, media coverage, social followers, fan engagement, and talent inflow after 2026
• “This game on us”: why 22 MLS teams plan free tickets for the first match after the World Cup to convert new fans
• What MLS 3.0 means: post-World Cup strategy, new calendar format, roster rule updates, and increased marketing/content distribution
• Calendar realignment: moving toward the international calendar to better match transfer windows and global competition
• Building a global league: brand ambitions, club valuations, and why MLS wants more than one globally recognized team
• Life after Messi in Miami: why Garber believes Inter Miami can sustain global momentum beyond a single superstar
• Apple TV partnership lessons: why MLS took the risk, what worked, and why the paid-subscription “experiment” didn’t fully land (yet)
• Next media deal strategy: Garber’s case for multiple partners and why “streaming reach” can be misunderstood vs. linear reach
• CBA priorities (expiring after the 2027 season): player access, biometrics/data, and how AI is becoming embedded across the business
• Integrity and betting: prediction markets, risk controls, FIFA monitoring, and Garber’s mention of a deal with Polymarket
• Succession planning: what Garber says about his contract through 2027 and the league’s ongoing search process
• World Cup logistics and ticket pricing: why he expects concerns to fade once the tournament begins, and how FIFA executes at scale

Timestamps

• 24:08 World Cup 2026 as “rocket fuel” + how MLS will measure the impact
• 25:57 Why World Cups tend to create a pro-league “bump” (and what matters more long-term)
• 27:22 “This game on us” free-ticket push after the World Cup
• 27:53 What MLS 3.0 is and what changes after 2026
• 31:00 Calendar shift + transfer-window alignment
• 32:01 Valuations, global brand building, and competing with top European clubs
• 34:44 Agree/Disagree: fan growth and league competition
• 37:30 Apple TV deal, innovation, and the limits of the paywall model
• 39:27 Why the next MLS media deal may need multiple partners
• 41:03 CBA issues: player access, biometrics, and AI
• 43:20 Betting integrity, monitoring systems, and Polymarket
• 44:47 Garber on succession and his 2027 timeline
• 49:30 World Cup concerns: politics, logistics, and ticket pricing
• 51:36 FIFA operations at scale and why the in-stadium experience wins

Links & resources

• Major League Soccer: https://www.mlssoccer.com/
• MLS Season Pass (Apple TV): https://tv.apple.com/
• U.S. Soccer: https://www.ussoccer.com/
• FIFA: https://www.fifa.com/
• Polymarket: https://polymarket.com/

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