"Most clients want to push create something completely cutting edge."

Brian Mirakian - Senior Principal at Populous - on how they work with visionary team owners to push boundaries to bring something new to the marketplace with their venue designs.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=1f6000cb7657f36e212b6428ef8f9d3b

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Board members and university administrators are spending an increasing amount of time on athletics.

Ryan McCarthy — Board of Visitors Member at Virginia Tech — joined our podcast with insight on the goals of a university and the role that athletics plays in serving its broader mission.

As the former U.S. Secretary of the Army, Ryan has a unique perspective on leadership and navigating a diverse group of stakeholders.

Timestamps:

• 1:10 - Board members spending more and more time on athletics
• 4:25 - Navigate's engagement with Virginia Tech
• 8:20 - What does VT athletics look like in 2030?
• 12:25 - Ryan's Background as Secretary of the Army
• 16:50 - Advice for other universities
• 22:40 - Rapid Fire Questions

Show Notes:

• Our interview with Virginia Tech Athletic Director Whit Babcock: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=ae8d2b98dc149a023be6909fd08d9af4
• Book Rec: Team of Rivals, by Doris Kearns Goodwin

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

With the NBA accepting bids for NBA Europe, they get a chance to vet new owners and create new media inventory.

AJ and Charles break down some of the unseen benefits of expanding the NBA internationally.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=98f53bb4360c6b9e03e064694295d7c5

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Brian Mirakian - Senior Principal at Populous - discusses how architects and sports teams are designing multi-use stadiums with the future in mind.

Trends and interests evolve much faster than stadiums can be built, so flexibility is key.

Timestamps:

• 1:45 - Brian's role at Populous
• 6:00 - What owners are looking for in venue design
• 10:05 - Trends in development
• 13:55 - The Battery and Truist Park in Atlanta
• 18:25 - The rate of change in new venues
• 25:00 - AI in future planning
• 30:35 - Rapid Fire Questions

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

From our annual predictions episode, AJ and Charles explore whether or not the NFL will have a new media rights deal by this time next year.

The league already demands $12B annually and they are looking for a 50%-100% increase in their next deal. Will new and existing partners be able to write a big enough check?

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=f99b94e2b02b0387bb15267b517a2134

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

The NBA is officially taking bids and vetting investors for NBA Europe.

AJ and Charles discuss the value proposition for investors, the upside and risk for the NBA, and what this means for the global basketball ecosystem.

They also explore which other leagues should be considering international expansion, and what that looks like in practice.

Timestamps:

• 1:15 - NBA Europe & the global basketball ecosystem
• 4:15 - The impact on EuroLeague & existing leagues
• 13:40 - Investor concerns
• 15:50 - Basketball Africa League
• 21:05 - Promotion & relegation in an open league model
• 23:20 - Winners & losers
• 26:20 - Which league is next?

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Mike Dillon – CFO of the Pittsburgh Penguins – on the "triangle offense" of ticketing, marketing, & strategy that allows them to react to data models and test new initiatives throughout the season.

He cites the example of optimizing games with lower projected attendance by adding indoor fireworks shows - safely.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=af0e1988a4018fc3975cc40c75e865a2

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.

Katie Bynum Aznavorian — Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee — breaks down how Team USA built on the momentum of past Olympic Games at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics.

That approach led to even greater growth in performance, fan sentiment, and engagement compared to the 2022 games.

Listen to the full episode here: https://nvgt.com/podcast?ppplayer=1e977ebc536a4f7840f232ca6e253547&ppepisode=590521345cd7c04fc0d9ed1067b53532

For more insights, visit our LinkedIn page or learn more about Navigate at https://nvgt.com/.