Best Troy Kirby Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 890 - Deandra Duggans (VP Brand Marketing, Las Vegas Aces) 43:48

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1+ y ago43:48

43:48

Deandra Duggans is working to merge the gap between brand and fans, by invoking a new sense of what that relationship means in the digital and traditional media world. Duggans shares about her time in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, trying to play music that the players like, but also that the fanbase will accept. Duggans then talks about her mo…

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Ep. 889 - Justin Rogers (Assistant Athletic Director / Resource Development, Boise State) 41:39

1+ y ago41:39

41:39

As NAATSO time in Las Vegas hits, it's a visit with Justin Rogers, who oversees the revenue generation aspects of Boise State Athletics as "Resource Development." While that title is a bit new on the landscape, the role features many old school interests such as ticket sales, marketing and gift development. Rogers shares his viewpoint of capturing …

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Ep. 888 - Andrew Rubinstein (Annual Fund and Athletic Development Director, Lake Superior State University) 37:17

1+ y ago37:17

37:17

Andrew Rubinstein left the world of professional sports and group ticket sales to join the ranks of the annual fund at a remote university with Division I hockey in the state of Michigan. Rubinstein shares his choices, how he interacts with potential and current donors using technology such as Zoom, and embraces the idea that there's a longer play …

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Ep. 887 - Garrett Nolan (Independent Ticket Consultant) 55:22

1+ y ago55:22

55:22

It's been more than a minute since Garrett Nolan came on the podcast, way back in 2015 on Ep. 449. Nolan was a working stiff for one arena back then, but is now on his own, helping various platforms and partners achieve their revenue goals through his expertise. Nolan talks about his journey from being employed by one venue to his own independent c…

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Ep. 886 - Craig Cugno (Vice President & General Manager, Ticket Sales - University of Connecticut at TAYMAR Sales U.) 33:43

1+ y ago33:43

33:43

Craig Cugno has had his work cut out for him, because as much as he wants to have two winning college basketball teams, it means that he has to work that much harder to get their off-site arenas filled up each, eight times a year. Good problems to have. Cugno discusses his start in minor league baseball, selling minor league hockey, then going to t…

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Ep. 885 - Paul Fruitman (Chief Consultant, iSports Insights) 33:10

1+ y ago33:10

33:10

It's been over 11 years since Paul Fruitman came on the podcast. The Canadian sports executive has ventured from ticket sales to corporate to now looking at brand insights for the sports space. Fruitman talks about what changed and what hasn't since that time, and how everything matters now to a brand, less on what is in the stadium, but what eyeba…

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Ep. 884 - Kyle Pottinger (Sr. Vice President, Ticket Sales & Service, Phoenix Suns) 32:39

1+ y ago32:39

32:39

Kyle has had three stints with the Phoenix Suns, first as an intern, then as a group sales rep, then finally, back to take the lead of the organization's overall ticket sales strategy, now as Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales & Service. Kyle shares his vision of how the Suns have managed to do the impossible, create a 133-game sell-out streak o…

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Ep. 883 - Joe Bertoletti (Assistant General Manager, Insignia Events) 34:14

1+ y ago34:14

34:14

The last time that Troy talked to Joe, they were at the 2016 NACDA Conference. Troy was at UC Davis and Joe was at Holy Cross. Now, both are no longer in college athletics, which has changed drastically in that time. Joe made his way out to the southwest, working at both Surprise Stadium, the Cactus League home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas R…

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Ep. 882 - Rob Yowell (President, Gemini Sports Group) 1:04:12

1+ y ago1:04:12

1:04:12

Rob Yowell has the entry of naming rights explode during his time in the industry, and has adopted the ability to sell new brands on the world of sports. Yowell has spent his time over the last few years helping groups such as bitcoin gain entry into the sports world space. Yowell covers some of the ins and outs of that industry segment, along with…

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Ep. 881 - Mike Dellosa (Vice President of Ticket Sales, Arizona Diamondbacks) 44:10

1+ y ago44:10

44:10

Mike Dellosa grew up in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization, rising to the role of Vice Presiden to Ticket Sales. So when it came to the pandemic, he did something drastic, throwing out the playbook entirely on how to sell tickets to fans. Dellosa felt that desperate times called for desperate measures, and he did whatever it took, by forcing in …

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Ep. 880 - Matt Slatus (President, General Manager, Camelback Ranch) 34:56

1+ y ago34:56

34:56

Matt Slatus returns to the podcast, now as President & General Manager of Camelback Ranch, the Cactus League home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox. Slatus talks about the decade separation between his podcast guesting adventures, how he took a General Manager job at the Ballpark at The Palm Beaches (Houston Astros & Washington Natio…

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Ep. 879 - Kathy Burrows (Sold Out Seating, Sales Trainer) 32:19

1+ y ago32:19

32:19

Kathy Burrows has been a guest and friend of the podcast for over a decade. So its fitting that she be the first guest since 2019, when the podcast was last updated. Things have changed in the industry, for the better, as the phone crusher model seems to be dead or dying. Kathy talks about what she has learned, especially by asking those buyers wha…

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The Hidden Fan Ep. 1 30:49

6y ago30:49

30:49

Stagefront's Mike Guiffre co-hosts this podcast with Troy, discussing various components of searching for the hidden fan. In this episode, data is discussed, along with what that data actually means, in a constructive conversation toward driving revenue in different ways. Including the Don Cherry firing.…

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Ep. 878 - Sarah Uhran (Owner, APC Agency) 30:50

7y ago30:50

30:50

Sarah Uhran has taken the concept of personal branding for athletes and turned it on its head. Uhran represents a new type of dynamic that showcases not only the athlete brand from what the public sees, but also the consistent advisor role of ensuring athlete success in their personal or professional interactions with others. Uhran discusses how sh…

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Ep. 877 - Chris Spano (VP, American Hockey League) 27:07

7y ago27:07

27:07

Chris Spano ties various components of the primary and secondary ticket markets together, working for MLB, NFL and NHL teams, along with working at StubHub. Now, at the American Hockey League, Spano discusses some of the ways that the secondary ticket market can even help minor league hockey survive and thrive in a constant push for new inventory s…

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Ep. 876 - Graham Oliphant (CEO, Rugby Festival Events) 28:25

7+ y ago28:25

28:25

Graham Oliphant has helped the growth of rugby in the United States and the United Kingdom, creating a strategic planning effort that other sport organizations have begun to follow. Oliphant talks about the impact of Major League Rugby in America, which has launched successfully with the Seattle Seawolves beginning a sellout streak and developing a…

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Ep. 875 - Jim Sweeney (FIMBA USA) 25:09

7+ y ago25:09

25:09

Jim Sweeney is just getting started in a period when most people are looking at retirement. Sweeny serves as an international board member and the head of FIMBA USA (Federation of International Masters Basketball Association). The International Olympic Committee calls FIMBA the best senior sports federation in the world. Sweeney talks about how FIM…

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Ep. 874 - Jeff Lapsansky (Tickets/Marketing, BMW Championship) 22:05

7+ y ago22:05

22:05

The BMW Championship represents a unique challenge for Jeff Lapsansky, since he has to sell tickets to a PGA Tour event that moves every other year to a different city. Lapsansky discusses some of the ways that he drives ticket sales and marketing for the event, as well as ensures that pricing maximizes the possibility of a return for the non-profi…

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Ep. 873 - John Markiewicz (Director of Sales, Chicago White Sox) 25:22

7+ y ago25:22

25:22

The weather doesn't stop a great ticket sales staff from selling. John Markiewicz shares his knowledge about selling in cold weather for baseball and hot weather for hockey. Markiewicz talks about his strategy in driving group ticket sales for Chicago White Sox games in April where the temperature is a high of 8 degrees, and selling hockey in Flori…

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Ep. 872 - Troy King (Director of Ticket Sales, Churchill Downs) 24:35

7+ y ago24:35

24:35

As if it couldn't get confusing enough, Troy King comes on the podcast to share a funny episode at the 2018 National Sports Forum regarding Troy Kirby, Troy Tutt and Troy Kirby and one confused gentleman who said "Hi Troy" when all three turned around at once. King talks about his time at Churchill Downs, selling over 70 events beyond the Oaks & De…

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Ep. 871 - Zach Dayton (Sr. Assoc. AD, Fairfield U) 30:12

7+ y ago30:12

30:12

Zach Dayton returns to the podcast after nearly four years since his original one (Ep. 328). Dayton talks about his transition from Pace University, a D2 school, to Fairfield University, which is Division 1. Dayton shares his insight into bringing not only fresh ideas, but also ways to help implement those ideas beyond the presentation stage with t…

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Ep. 870 - Holly Marie Jones (Fmr. COO, Corvallis Knights) 24:58

7+ y ago24:58

24:58

Fresh off her departure of a second stint with the Corvallis Knights, former COO Holly Marie Jones shares her insight into the West Coast League baseball franchise's brand, and how she was able to enhance it through merchandise, ticket sales and concessions. Jones discusses how the presence of the mascot, along with a sidekick, helped boost the Kni…

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Ep. 869 - Dominic Laico (CEO, AutoProcessor) 28:17

7+ y ago28:17

28:17

Back in 2010, if Dominic Laico had been able to get his work done for a secondary market reseller on time, the entire resale market would have never been revolutionized. Laico would launch AutoProcessor in 2011, with the set goal of mass uploading e-tickets to all secondary distribution channels at once. Laico compares notes on what the market was …

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Ep. 868 - Glenn Wong (Sports Law Professor, ASU) 39:36

7+ y ago39:36

39:36

Glenn Wong has had a continual front-row seat to the evolving world of sports law education, citing his enrollment in one of the first sports-focused legal classes in the country. After a long tenure at U-Mass, Wong is helping broaden the sports legal education on the west coast at Arizona State University. Wong discusses various components of spor…

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Ep. 867 - Brad Taylor (GM, El Paso Chihuahuas) 32:42

7+ y ago32:42

32:42

The biggest dog in the fight is sometimes a little yapper. That's what El Paso Chihuahuas' general manager Brad Taylor discusses as he joins the podcast, covering exactly how the MiLB team has created one of the hottest merchandise brands across the country. Taylor talks about perception versus reality with the El Paso, Texas/Juarez, Mexico marketp…

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Ep. 866 - Alicia Jessop (Assist. Professor, Pepperdine) 37:40

7+ y ago37:40

37:40

Since 2012, Alicia Jessop has had one of the premiere sports legal blogs called Ruling Sports. Jessop has parlayed that platform into a full-fledged website, as well as a career change from a practicing assistant city attorney to an assistant professor at the University of Miami and Pepperdine University. Jessop discusses her path, as well as provi…

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Ep. 865 - David Crawford (Principle, FloorballGuru) 29:53

7+ y ago29:53

29:53

David Crawford is one of the top industry advocates for the game of Floorball, which is fast becoming one of newest off-season training options and intramural sports in the world. Crawford shares his story of how he first engaged with the sport of Floorball, and quickly because one of its staunchest promoters. Crawford talks about launching his own…

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Ep. 864 - Mackie Feierstein (Assist. AD, Miami) 25:39

7+ y ago25:39

25:39

Mackie Feierstein doesn't have the ability to focus on a single successful sport, because the University of Miami athletic department has several winning programs to sell. Feierstein talks about serving several masters, including men's basketball and football, as well as picking up prospects between both. Feierstein discusses the issue of playing i…

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Ep. 863 - Harris Peskin (Associate Attorney, ESG Law) 37:13

7+ y ago37:13

37:13

Harris Peskin works for the leading esports law firm in the world, ESG Law. Peskin talks about representing various ownership groups and teams in leagues throughout esports, and how that shakes out as the landscape begins to solidify from a wild west atmosphere into a structured tier system. Peskin describes governance and esports economics, as wel…

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Ep. 862 - John Roberson (CEO, Advent) 31:29

7+ y ago31:29

31:29

The core principles of design and branding are discussed beyond the idea of logo, focusing on environment for both the staff member and the fan. John Roberson covers some of the dynamics of what his company, Advent, has done in the marketplace in order to create an atmosphere that people want to touch and feel connected by, that includes the Stanfo…

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Ep. 861 - Charles Welde (GM, Bloomington Edge) 26:09

7+ y ago26:09

26:09

Indoor football has had hundreds of defunct teams or franchises switching leagues. The practice is considered almost common place. Yet when the Bloomington Edge decided to depart the Champions Indoor Football League for another, they were sued. Edge general manager Charles Welde talks as much as he can about the lawsuit and where the team sits toda…

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Ep. 860 - Eric Platte (Sr. Director of Ticket Sales, Atlanta Hawks) 34:25

7+ y ago34:25

34:25

Growing an account representative into a skilled sports sales professional is Eric Platte's goal at the Atlanta Hawks. Platte discusses his mindset in how to foster growth from each new hire to develop a pipeline of success for the Hawks organization. Platte talks about allowing the curtain to be pulled back on what selling in sports is, as well as…

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Ep. 859 - Lenny Goh (Business Development, Tradable Bits) 24:24

8y ago24:24

24:24

The bridge between the accumulation of consumer data and actionable data in sports revenue generation is narrowing in focus daily. Lenny Goh discusses how the advent of social media data collection is now starting to yield out measurable returns for sports teams and concert ticket buyers, as clients are starting to figure out exactly what makes an …

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Ep. 858 - David MacKay (Partner, SPP) 26:26

8y ago26:26

26:26

As the esports revolution continues, so does the separation from the original game tournament structure to an actual revenue generation model focused on corporate sponsor activation and player rights. Strategic Project Partners' David MacKay shares his knowledge of the esports space from Australia's arena, discussing how the growth of the vertical …

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Ep. 857 - Mike Forman (Sr. Director of Branding, Carolina Hurricanes) 31:52

8y ago31:52

31:52

Mike Forman has entered into the unique experience of helping on-board his new ownership group at the Carolina Hurricanes, which has helped re-invigorate the local fan base as well as create dynamic, outside the box thinking. Forman describes the process of meetings, which has solidified direction toward a fan-focused model of customer service and …

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Ep. 856 - Debra Fine (Author, The Fine Art of Small Talk) 35:28

8y ago35:28

35:28

Debra Fine's latest book, The Fine Art of Small Talk, is about revolutionizing how we engage with each other in ways that lead toward relationship building, as well as business development. Fine discusses ways to not only break the ice, but avoid a "Stage Five Clinger" who isn't going to buy but merely absorb your time. Fine talks about how to enga…

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Ep. 855 - Tim Katt (Global Sports Venture Studio) 32:06

8y ago32:06

32:06

The Los Angeles Dodgers have found a key way to innovate off of the field, combining forces with R/GA studios to create the Global Sports Venture Studio, a technology accelerator. GSVS Managing Director Tim Katt discusses what all of that means, and why a professional sports franchise is smart to infuse itself into the tech-development space of sta…

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Ep. 584 - Erin Dutcher (Operations Specialist, San Diego Seals) 21:31

8y ago21:31

21:31

Erin Dutcher may have a famous name around San Diego sports, but she refused to trade on it, earning her own way by gaining a position with the San Diego Seals, the new lacrosse team. Dutcher talks about how important it was for her to be hired for her own skills, rather than the coaching lineage of her father or grandfather, and how the Seals beca…

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Ep. 853 - Andrew Brandt (Sports Law Professor) 33:54

8y ago33:54

33:54

Andrew Brandt has sat on both sides of the table in a NFL player contract negotiation; both as a player agent and as legal counsel of the NFL's Green Bay Packers. Brandt also has an interesting distinction of being the agent of Ricky Williams, dropped in favor of rapper Master P, who guided Williams to one of the worst contracts in NFL history. Bra…

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Ep. 852 - Tom McMillen (President/CEO, LEAD1) 29:08

8y ago29:08

29:08

Tom McMillen oversees 129 Football Bowl Subdivision athletic directors, working on mentoring and advocacy, as president/CEO of LEAD1 Association. The organization has been around since 1986 and has fostered a conduit of growth of athletic directors, as well as giving voice their challenges to legal matters happening in the nation's capitol. McMille…

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Ep. 851 - Eric Jackson (Founder, EMJ Capital) 37:50

8y ago37:50

37:50

Eric Jackson has managed to create one of the more remarkable weekly emails to date, focused on the financing of media and technology. Jackson covers several topics in-depth, providing reasoning for his investment strategy as well as the different issues cropping up with various companies. Jackson discusses the recent departure of ESPN's John Skipp…

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Ep. 850 - Eric McElvenny (Motivational Speaker) 25:45

8y ago25:45

25:45

Injured Marine Captain Eric McElvenny came back from Afghanistan, recovering from a below knee amputation, with a goal set to run an Ironman competition. He's now going for the world record for an amputee with zero sign of stopping. McElvenny discusses his return from injury, how he looked at staying positive, and what goals he has for the future b…

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Ep. 849 - Lee Landers (President, Appalachian League) 25:20

8y ago25:20

25:20

Since 1959, Lee Landers has worked in minor league baseball, seeing the various trends and attitudes of sports marketing. Landers discusses how he started out as well as how the game has changed off of the field in the perception of promotion. Landers talks about crazy promotions gone bad because of weather, and some of the ways that ownership grou…

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Ep. 848 - Mark Burns (Founder, Sports Business Chronicle) 29:55

8y ago29:55

29:55

Mark Burns returns to the podcast for a second go-around after Ep. 697, leaving two online publications behind to start his own digital venture, the Sports Business Chronicle. Burns reflects on some of the choices that he made in order to initiate his own reporting microsite, including taking a chance on himself and whether enough subscribers would…

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Ep. 847 - Christopher Asa (Assoc. AD, FAMU) 34:15

8y ago34:15

34:15

Christopher Asa returns to the podcast after almost five years in between episodes (Ep. 161). In that time, he's worked for MiLB at the Montgomery Biscuits, the ACC's Florida Seminoles and with the Florida A&M Rattlers. Asa's role with FAMU oversees revenue generation for ticket sales, fundraising and overall external relations. Asa talks about the…

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Ep. 846 - Jennifer Piorkowski (Sales Director, TGSM) 30:17

8y ago30:17

30:17

Jennifer Piorkowski has an ambition to kill the porta-potty in all tailgate lots national wide. Piorkowski discusses her disdain for the plastic wall commode and suggests the alternative of using a portable bathroom solution. Piorkowski talks about the growing fan experience outside of the stadium which influences attendance, especially when it com…

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Ep. 845 - Matt Jessep (CEO, EGAA) 28:06

8y ago28:06

28:06

As the world of esports gaming explodes, so does the opportunity for player representation. Matt Jessep is a sports agent in Australia's National Rugby League, who is helping redefine player rights and values within the esports industry. Jessep discusses some of the issues surrounding the game today, including how promoters treat esports players as…

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Ep. 844 - Chad McEvoy (Professor/Chair, NIU) 32:30

8y ago32:30

32:30

Dr. Chad McEvoy comes on the podcast to chat about sports management degrees and their viability in the marketplace. Are sports management programs expected to generate job opportunities or to develop critical thinking skills? Is it an either-or scenario? McEvoy discusses whether sports sales managers even want sports management programs to train s…

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Ep. 843 - Dave Rowan (COO, NLL) 29:47

8y ago29:47

29:47

Dave Rowan oversees the financial operations for the 32-year-old National Lacrosse League, which is focused on smart, efficient franchise expansion with great partners such as ownership groups like Comcast-Spectacor and Alibaba. Rowan shares his vision of how the digital growth of the NLL on Twitter and OTT has increased not only awareness of the s…

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Ep. 842 - Mark Washo (CBO, Rochester Rhinos) 34:05

8y ago34:05

34:05

The Rochester Rhinos of the USL have announced that they won't be playing for the 2018 season. Chief Business Officer Mark Washo returns to the podcast (Ep. 113) to discuss how the decision came down, as well as his return to sports after spending time in the cruiseliner industry. Washo discusses some of the issues around professional soccer, inclu…