There was no home for pro volleyball in the U.S.—so Katlyn Gao built one from the ground up: LOVB (A.K.A. League One Volleyball). She joins Laura to share how a personal mission became a national movement, why conviction matters more than consensus (or even fundraising), and what it takes to build something that lasts—and reshapes the future—in the world of women’s sports.

 

00:35 Meet Katlyn Gao: Visionary Behind League One Volleyball

01:25 Building a Pro League: Challenges and Strategies

02:58 The Youth Pipeline: Foundation of the League

05:54 Commercialization and Brand Building

13:54 Creating Cultural Relevance and Fan Engagement

23:02 Personal Stories and Motivations

27:00 Season One Highlights and Future Plans

There was no home for pro volleyball in the U.S.&mdash;so Katlyn Gao built one from the ground up: LOVB (A.K.A. League One Volleyball). She joins Laura to share how a personal mission became a national movement, why conviction matters more than consensus (or even fundraising), and what it takes to build something that lasts&mdash;and reshapes the future&mdash;in the world of women&rsquo;s sports.
&nbsp;
00:35&nbsp;Meet Katlyn Gao: Visionary Behind League One Volleyball
01:25&nbsp;Building a Pro League: Challenges and Strategies
02:58&nbsp;The Youth Pipeline: Foundation of the League
05:54&nbsp;Commercialization and Brand Building
13:54&nbsp;Creating Cultural Relevance and Fan Engagement
23:02&nbsp;Personal Stories and Motivations
27:00 Season One Highlights and Future Plans

Women’s sports aren’t just growing—they’re booming. And Courtside is where you’ll get the inside track on the deals, disruptors, and dollars driving the industry forward. Hosted by Laura Correnti, award-winning media executive and founder of Deep Blue Sports & Entertainment, this podcast goes beyond the scores to spotlight the power players, trends, and investments shaping the future of this billion-dollar business. From groundbreaking sponsorships to media rights battles and the investors betting big, Courtside delivers the play-by-play on how women’s sports are changing the game. Whether you’re an industry insider, investor, athlete, or a fan ready to see women’s sports thrive, this is your front-row seat to the action: Courtside.

Women&rsquo;s sports aren&rsquo;t just growing&mdash;they&rsquo;re booming. And Courtside is where you&rsquo;ll get the inside track on the deals, disruptors, and dollars driving the industry forward.&nbsp;Hosted by Laura Correnti, award-winning media executive and founder of Deep Blue Sports &amp; Entertainment, this podcast goes beyond the scores to spotlight the power players, trends, and investments shaping the future of this billion-dollar business.&nbsp;From groundbreaking sponsorships to media rights battles and the investors betting big, Courtside delivers the play-by-play on how women&rsquo;s sports are changing the game. Whether you&rsquo;re an industry insider, investor, athlete, or a fan ready to see women&rsquo;s sports thrive, this is your front-row seat to the action: Courtside.

Courtside with Laura Correnti

"It's Pronounced LOVE”: Katlyn Gao on Building LOVB and Legacy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7f73ca7d-9657-46e0-8024-b2dd00275e6f/transcript

Laura joins the Possible NOW Podcast with Christian Muche to discuss why women’s sports isn’t charity—it’s business. Drawing on her career identifying white space and turning it into opportunity, Laura unpacks the myths keeping advertisers on the sidelines, how athletes are redefining ownership through their own media platforms, and why the next billion-dollar growth story in sports will be led by women.

 

02:08 Laura's Early Love for Sports
04:17 The Transferable Skills from Sports to Leadership
08:34 The Business Case for Women's Sports
17:08 The Impact of Media and Athlete Platforms
25:11 Innovative Sponsorship Models
31:35 Future Visions and Partnerships
37:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Laura joins the Possible NOW Podcast with Christian Muche to discuss why women&rsquo;s sports isn&rsquo;t charity&mdash;it&rsquo;s business. Drawing on her career identifying white space and turning it into opportunity, Laura unpacks the myths keeping advertisers on the sidelines, how athletes are redefining ownership through their own media platforms, and why the next billion-dollar growth story in sports will be led by women.
&nbsp;
02:08 Laura's Early Love for Sports 04:17 The Transferable Skills from Sports to Leadership 08:34 The Business Case for Women's Sports 17:08 The Impact of Media and Athlete Platforms 25:11 Innovative Sponsorship Models 31:35 Future Visions and Partnerships 37:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on Possible Now with Christian Muche

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/24ebf755-93ee-4236-8a54-b38c0015724e/transcript

For nearly 20 years, Karina LeBlanc was known for defending Canada’s net. Now she’s defending the future of women’s sports as EVP of Strategic Growth at RAJ Sports, where she’s helping lead both the Portland Thorns and the new WNBA expansion team, the Portland Fire—which also happens to be Portlands original WNBA team. She joins Laura to talk about playing the long game—creating generational impact, measuring success beyond wins, and why Portland might just be the global epicenter of women’s sports.

 

03:15 The Impact of Sports on Personal Growth
05:53 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Failure
12:09 Transitioning to Executive Roles
25:50 The Unique Appeal of Women's Sports
27:42 The Power of Representation and Role Models
31:10 Innovative Partnerships and Community Impact
34:52 The Epicenter of Women's Sports: Portland's Vision
42:09 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

For nearly 20 years, Karina LeBlanc was known for defending Canada&rsquo;s net. Now she&rsquo;s defending the future of women&rsquo;s sports as EVP of Strategic Growth at RAJ Sports, where she&rsquo;s helping lead both the Portland Thorns and the new WNBA expansion team, the Portland Fire&mdash;which also happens to be Portlands&nbsp;original WNBA team. She joins Laura to talk about playing the long game&mdash;creating generational impact, measuring success beyond wins, and why Portland might just be the global epicenter of women&rsquo;s sports.
&nbsp;
03:15 The Impact of Sports on Personal Growth 05:53 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Failure 12:09 Transitioning to Executive Roles 25:50 The Unique Appeal of Women's Sports 27:42 The Power of Representation and Role Models 31:10 Innovative Partnerships and Community Impact 34:52 The Epicenter of Women's Sports: Portland's Vision 42:09 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

Karina LeBlanc on Making Portland the Epicenter of Women’s Sports

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1e2c89c5-8658-4f82-9c12-b38c00155cbc/transcript

Joining Editor in Chief of Marie Claire Nikki Ogunnaike, Laura traces her journey from college athlete to successful partner at Giant Spoon, and how she founded Deep Blue to drive commercial investment in women’s sports. They explore the critical role sports play in achieving career leadership, the impactful intersection of advertising with women's sports, and the innovative strides being made to elevate women's sports through creative investments and new business models.

01:55 Laura's Journey: From Soccer to Advertising
03:03 The Impact of Sports on Corporate Careers
05:15 Early Career in Digital Media
06:54 Building Giant Spoon and Entrepreneurial Insights
15:01 Deep Blue's Mission and Market Challenges
17:12 Partnering with Sue Bird and Strategic Vision
19:21 The Economic and Social Impact of Women's Sports
23:22 Future Vision for Deep Blue and Women's Sports
35:25 Lightning Round: Money, Style, and Power

Joining Editor in Chief of Marie Claire Nikki Ogunnaike, Laura traces her journey from college athlete to successful partner at Giant Spoon, and how she founded Deep Blue to drive commercial investment in women&rsquo;s sports. They explore the critical role sports play in achieving career leadership, the impactful intersection of advertising with women's sports, and the innovative strides being made to elevate women's sports through creative investments and new business models.
01:55 Laura's Journey: From Soccer to Advertising 03:03 The Impact of Sports on Corporate Careers 05:15 Early Career in Digital Media 06:54 Building Giant Spoon and Entrepreneurial Insights 15:01 Deep Blue's Mission and Market Challenges 17:12 Partnering with Sue Bird and Strategic Vision 19:21 The Economic and Social Impact of Women's Sports 23:22 Future Vision for Deep Blue and Women's Sports 35:25 Lightning Round: Money, Style, and Power

Courtside Away Game: Laura Correnti on Nice Talk with Marie Claire's Nikki Ogunnaike

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/41ba92b6-1392-4577-970e-b38c001063c4/transcript

"It's Pronounced LOVE”: Katlyn Gao on Building LOVB and Legacy

In 1 playlist(s)

Courtside with Laura Correnti

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips