With a career in sports media that has spanned four decades, including playing a key role in setting the foundations for the NBA and ESPN media empires, John Kosner is a true pioneer in sports business.

Based in New York, John is an investor and advisor in sports tech startups and president of digital media and sports consultancy, Kosner Media.

John created Micromanagement Ventures with the late legendary NBA commissioner David Stern, and continues to advise its portfolio companies including WHOOP, WSC Sports and Overtime. He’s also an adviser to 890 Fifth Avenue Partners, Apple News, the NCAA, the Big East, Sportradar and many others. 

John was head of broadcasting at the NBA in the Dream Team era, before joining ESPN to build it into the world’s leading destination for sport online over his 21 year tenure. 

In this fascinating interview, John talks about:

• Pioneering broadcasting as Michael Jordan transformed the NBA
• Building and growing ESPN’s online sports platform 
• Lessons learned from sports business icon David Stern
• The evolution of media rights, and what it means for rights holders, sports organisations and fans
• The biggest investment opportunities in sports
• Challenges facing the sports industry and a looming ‘reset’
• What it takes to build a successful career in the industry

And much more.

About The Big Deal

The Big Deal reveals the dollars, details and drama behind the business of sport, in Australia and around the world. 

Subscribe to the weekly podcast on your favourite podcast player, and join our community and get a weekly wrap of sports deals, breaking sports business news and much more at: www.thebigdeal.au

The team

Warren Tredrea is an AFL hall of famer, premiership captain, 4 x All-Australian and media commentator. Show creator Andrew Montesi is an injury prone marketer and former TV sports reporter, while producer Dion Hayman is a sun sensitive sports media veteran of 30+ years.

The Big Deal podcast is brought to you by Apiro Marketing and Apiro Media, and part of the DM Media network.

For business enquiries contact Antony: antony@dm.org.au