My Other Passion

Introducing Front Office Sports Today! Feb 22, 2023

We're changing up our podcast game over at Front Office Sports! Tune into listen to an episode of our brand new podcast, Front Office Sports Today.

Rashad Jennings and Lindsay McCormick Talk Business | Ep. 25 Jan 05, 2023

Rashad Jennings and Lindsay McCormick have done it all.

You might recognize Jennings from his fancy footwork on the gridiron- or the dance floor. He's an NFL Veteran, a New York Times bestselling author, and a Dancing with the Stars champion. McCormick, on the other hand, has spent her time in front of the camera covering every aspect of the NFL, from the draft to the Super Bowl. Now, they work together at Sports Illustrated hosting their own sports business podcast- The Bag. We had a long conversation about how pro athletes should go about negotiating contracts, insights into the life of a sports broadcaster, and much more. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports' original podcast My Other passion, presented by NetSuite.

How Whoop CEO Will Ahmed Built a Billion-Dollar Business | Ep. 24 Dec 22, 2022

After a decade of growth, Whoop — best known for its fitness tracker — is valued at $3.6 billion. We caught up with founder and CEO Will Ahmed to discuss his company’s rise, behind-the-scenes stories with Patrick Mahomes and LeBron James, and what he learned from playing varsity squash at Harvard. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

JJ Watt Is Bigger Than Football | Ep. 23 Dec 15, 2022

Five-time Pro Bowler. Three-time Defensive Player of the Year. Two-time sacks leader. JJ Watt’s NFL resume is stacked — but that’s just the beginning of who he is as a person. We caught up with the Arizona Cardinals defensive end to talk about the investments he’s most proud of, the NFL’s popularity overseas, family, fame, giving back, and why he could see himself owning part of a soccer team one day. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

Celsius CEO John Fieldly’s Mission to Make the No. 1 Energy Drink | Ep. 22 Dec 07, 2022

CEO John Fieldly has been at the company for over a decade and seen how every aspect of the business has evolved. We caught up to talk about his plans to take out Red Bull and Monster, why sports and fitness are so important for Celsius’ brand, and that $550 million investment from PepsiCo. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

Socios.com CEO Alex Dreyfus on Trying to Reinvent Sports Fandom | Ep. 21 Nov 30, 2022

Socios.com is a blockchain and fan engagement platform that has deals with dozens of teams across the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS — not to mention European soccer. We spoke to CEO Alex Dreyfus about the future of fan monetization, why Socios.com made a $100 million investment in FC Barcelona, challenges of the severe downturn in the crypto market, his French roots, and much more. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

Kay Adams Has a Lot to Say About Life, Media, and Football | Ep. 20 Nov 23, 2022

You probably know Kay Adams from NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” or her new FanDuel TV show “Up & Adams” — but in many ways she’s just getting started. We had a lengthy conversation about the current media landscape, from what she’s learned in all of her years in front of the camera to Amazon’s NFL coverage and Pat McAfee’s cult following. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown on Formula 1’s American Takeover | Ep. 19 Nov 16, 2022

Zak Brown always loved motorsports. From the time he was a kid in California, his dreams were filled with race cars. Decades later, he’s the boss of one of the most powerful and popular racing teams in the world — McLaren Racing. We sat down with Brown for an in-depth chat about the rise of Formula 1 in the United States, tension with other teams, and what values are most important to him as a leader. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

Why DAZN’s North American CEO Joe Markowski Thinks Streaming Is The Future | Ep. 18 Nov 09, 2022

Joe Markowski has a lot on his mind (and his to-do list). He’s leading the charge behind DAZN’s rapid evolution in recent years, and while still focused on bringing premier boxing to the platform, expanding to different sports and growing the overall brand in the United States is just as much of a priority. We spoke at length about where boxing is headed, the power of women’s sports, DAZN’s place in the sports ecosystem, and how London’s underground music scene molded him. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

Poker Legend Phil Hellmuth Lives A Wild Life | Ep. 17 Nov 02, 2022

Phil Hellmuth has been on top of the poker world for decades now. Not only has he won a record sixteen World Series of Poker bracelets and earned tens of millions in winnings, but the game has also afforded him a very charmed life. From hanging out with Elon Musk and Michael Jordan, to his close ties to Tiger Woods and Steph Curry, The Poker Brat has seen it all. We talked about his famous friends, long list of business investments, and much more. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

How Activision Blizzard GM Johanna Faries Leads the ‘Call of Duty’ Business | Ep. 16 Oct 26, 2022

“Call of Duty” is a cultural phenomenon. The series has brought in over $30 billion in total revenue to date with 425 million units sold. After a 12-year run as an executive at the NFL, Johanna Faries joined Activision Blizzard to lead the business behind the game. We spoke about the upcoming “Modern Warfare 2” and “Warzone 2” releases, representation in the video game industry, and much more. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

Ohio State QB CJ Stroud Is Building His Empire | Ep. 15 Oct 19, 2022

We can all learn a lot from CJ Stroud. At just 21 years old, he’s already a star athlete — the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this season — and he’s also one of the most humble kids you’ll ever meet. We sat down with him to talk about football culture at Ohio State, how much money he’s making from NIL deals, his NFL dreams, the TV shows he’s watching when he’s not on the field, and much more. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

How Zwift CEO Eric Min Revolutionized Cycling | Ep. 14 Oct 12, 2022

Eric Min has loved cycling since he was a kid, but getting to where he is now was a long journey. The NYC native started his career at JPMorgan, but the prospect of starting his own business was too alluring. After a long stint in London, he’s recently moved to L.A. to take Zwift — the massively popular online cycling platform — to the next level. We talked about everything from the billionaires who use Zwift to the challenges of scaling the company and his love for '80s music. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

Mojo CEO Vinit Bharara on His Best Investments and Building a Sports Stock Market | Ep. 13 Oct 05, 2022

Vinit Bharara knows a thing or two about business. Over the past 20 years, he’s sold companies to powerhouses like Amazon and Topps, and he still wants to accomplish more. Right now he’s focused on Mojo — a sports stock market app that lets you make real investments in the future of your favorite players. Bharara says it’ll revolutionize sports betting, and he’s backed by entrepreneur Marc Lore and New York Yankees legend Alex Rodriguez (who recently bought the Minnesota Timberwolves together). We spoke to Bharara about all of the above and much more. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

CrossFit CEO Don Faul Details the Company’s Next Chapter | Ep. 12 Sep 28, 2022

Don Faul’s resume is stacked. Before CrossFit, he was an executive at Google, Meta, and Pinterest. Prior to that, he was a platoon commander in the Marines. Now he’s been tasked with taking one of the world’s most popular fitness regimens to the next level. We spoke to Faul about the first couple months in his tenure as CEO, where he wants CrossFit to be by 2030, the books that changed his life, and diversifying his team after the controversy that rocked the company.

For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

How Brian Mariotti Leveraged Sports and Pop Culture to Make Funko a $1 Billion Company | Ep. 11 Sep 21, 2022

Licensing is a huge part of Funko’s success. The business is famous for its collaborations with many of the top cultural properties in the world — from Star Wars to Pokemon. Quiet as kept, the company has a huge selection of sports products as well and partnerships with icons from Michael Jordan to Tom Brady. We spoke to Mariotti about how those deals came together and where the business is headed. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

Steve Pangburn Shares Secrets of the Billion-Dollar Concessions Business | Ep. 10 Sep 14, 2022

Sports fans have higher expectations than ever for live events and Pangburn’s job is to deliver on those. Food and beverage logistics are where Sodexo Live! thrives, but the Denver native is open about the complexities that come with pulling off a Super Bowl, Grand Prix, or Olympics. When he’s not at the office, volleyball keeps his head clear. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by NetSuite.

How Anthony Katz Built Hyperice | Ep. 9 Sep 07, 2022

If you’ve watched any amount of sports in recent years, you’ve almost certainly seen athletes using Hyperice products on the sidelines. The brand has partnerships with the NBA, NFL, MLB, UFC, and the PGA Tour — among scores of other teams and leagues. Superstars like Patrick Mahomes and Naomi Osaka are among its biggest supporters and legends like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were instrumental in helping the business realize its vision. We spoke to Katz about Hyperice’s journey up to this point. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by Netsuite.

Jake Paul Has a New Vision for the Business of Sports | Ep. 8 Aug 31, 2022

All of a sudden, Jake Paul is one of the most influential people in sports. He's undefeated in fights so far and has quickly become a top-earning attraction in the ring, but his reach extends far beyond that. The 25-year-old just launched a sports betting company with entrepreneur Joey Levy, he has his own investment fund, and he's getting guidance on his next moves from superstars like Mike Tyson and Drake. For our full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by Netsuite.

Ricky Williams Is Still Searching for Enlightenment After the NFL | Ep. 7 Aug 24, 2022

These days, most of his attention is focused on his brand Highsman and during this conversation Williams gets open and honest about the realities of running a business. He’s also deeply interested in astrology and discusses how he’s turned his passion for it into a company and consulting service. Tune in to hear the former Heisman Trophy winner sound off on NIL, the future of the NFL, and much more on the full episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by Netsuite.

Why Will Blackmon Got Into the Wine Business After the NFL | Ep. 6 Aug 17, 2022

For the former safety — who won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2012 — wine is the next frontier. He’s studied up and gotten his certifications, traveled the world exploring vineyards, and even developed his own concierge service. We spoke to the Rhode Island native about what he learned about business from Charles Woodson when they were teammates in Green Bay, the importance of a transparent financial advisor, and just how much LeBron James has done to make wine more mainstream. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by Netsuite.

How Vernon Davis Went from Winning the Super Bowl to Acting in Hollywood | Ep. 5 Aug 10, 2022

As a tight end, Davis reached the pinnacle — winning a Super Bowl in 2016 with the Denver Broncos. At the helm of that team was legendary quarterback Peyton Manning, who Davis says taught him lessons he can apply for the rest of his life. Outside of football, the 38-year-old is an avid curling fan and investor, but his primary focus right now is acting. So far, he’s broken into Hollywood with a handful of roles in shows and movies and has shared the screen with stars like Morgan Freeman and Bruce Willis. All of it's given him a unique perspective on life after sports. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by Netsuite.

Why Former NFL Quarterback Christian Ponder Thinks Athletes Should Pursue Business | Ep. 4 Aug 03, 2022

Back in 2011, the Florida State quarterback was the 12th overall pick in the NFL Draft. He entered the league with the hopes and dreams of Minnesota Vikings fans on his shoulders following the Brett Favre era. That didn’t quite pan out and he spent the next few years bouncing around different teams before retiring in 2016. Life has only picked up for Christian Ponder since then and now he’s focused on The Post — a business community for athletes — and is incredibly passionate about helping athletes navigate life after sport. For the full conversation with Ponder, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by Netsuite.

How Legendary Executive Peter Moore Reimagined Soccer and Gaming at Liverpool FC, Xbox, and EA Sports | Ep. 3 Jul 27, 2022

If you watch soccer, play video games, or love sportswear, you're probably familiar with Peter Moore's work, even if you don't know him by name. The world renowned executive has covered more ground than most business leaders, holding positions as CEO of Liverpool FC, president of EA Sports, as well as stints at Reebok and Xbox, over the course of his illustrious career. Now he's focused on revolutionizing sports broadcast and live entertainment tech at Unity and recently took on ownership of a new United Soccer League club, Santa Barbara Sky FC. He's learned a lot from these experiences and he has A LOT of insights to share. For the full conversation with Moore, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by Netsuite.

Why Boston Celtic Grant Williams Invested in Vegan Food and Video Games | Ep. 2 Jul 20, 2022

The 23-year-old Charlotte native recently became the youngest Vice President of the National Basketball Players Association. Williams also loves video games, an industry where he’s made some of his first investments, including a partnership with Oxygen Esports. We also talked about his investment in plant-based drink and smoothie business Koia and what it’s like talking trash with Draymond Green on the court. For the full conversation, check out this episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion, presented by Netsuite.

How Frankie Muniz's Child Star Success Fueled An Auto Racing Career | Ep. 1 Jul 13, 2022

What's it like being a famous multimillionaire actor as a teenager? Frankie Muniz knows from his years starring on the massively popular sitcom "Malcolm In The Middle." However, these days, all of his attention is focused on the race track, where he's aggressively pursuing a career in motorsports, with hopes of competing in NASCAR full-time by the 2023 season. How do the worlds of Hollywood and racing compare? Find out from the one guy who might know better than anyone else on the debut episode of Front Office Sports original podcast My Other Passion.

My Other Passion Episode 0: Welcome to My Other Passion Jul 09, 2022

Hi there! I'm your host Ernest Baker, editor-in-chief of Front Office Sports, where we cover everything in the business sports. Our new podcast My Other Passion will feature conversations with the most influential athletes and sports executives about their accomplishments and the things that drive their success that we may not know about. Are they really good at a sport they're not famous for, a master chef, a music or film nerd, a sneakerhead, a gamer, or something else?

Subscribe to My Other Passion and get ready to find out. Episode 1 is coming soon.

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