In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with entrepreneur Josh Richards to discuss his social media empire. Richards explains how he cracked the algorithm to make a name for himself on TikTok, what he’s learned from his partnerships with Dave Portnoy and Mark Wahlberg and why sports teams and star athletes should follow his lead in creating content that can meet target demographics where they are. 

In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with entrepreneur Josh Richards to discuss his social media empire. Richards explains how he cracked the algorithm to make a name for himself on TikTok, what he&rsquo;s learned from his partnerships with Dave Portnoy and Mark Wahlberg and why sports teams and star athletes should follow his lead in creating content that can meet target demographics where they are.&nbsp;

When sports, business and culture collide, there’s often a deal to be made. Join Alex Rodriguez and Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly as they get the inside track from corporate titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs on investing, strategy, reinvention and the ones that got away. The Deal is a Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals series that’s passionate, relaxed, insightful and inspirational. If you think you know these icons, prepare to be surprised.

Hosts:

Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball.

Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.

When sports, business and culture collide, there’s often a deal to be made. Join Alex Rodriguez and Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly as they get the inside track from corporate titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs on investing, strategy, reinvention and the ones that got away. The Deal is a Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals series that’s passionate, relaxed, insightful and inspirational. If you think you know these icons, prepare to be surprised.
Hosts:
Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball.
Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.

The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly

What Sports Teams Can Learn from Tiktok Star Josh Richards

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/64be19cb-3b0c-4909-949f-b27b015edb07/transcript

Investors have poured money into youth sports in recent years, with some reports saying the industry is worth as much as $40 billion. It’s no surprise, then, that renowned investors David Blitzer and Josh Harris partnered with The Chernin Group in 2024 to start Unrivaled Sports, a growing portfolio of youth sports investments across baseball, softball, flag football, and more. Unrivaled’s chairman and CEO Andy Campion says they’re only just getting started. 

In this episode of The Deal, Andy tells Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly why he left Nike to go all in on youth sports. From the sidelines of a youth baseball tournament at Cooperstown All-Star Village, he explains the business model making youth sports more accessible while also offering premier experiences. 

You can also watch this interview on the Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page.

Investors have poured money into youth sports in recent years, with some reports saying the industry is worth as much as $40 billion. It&rsquo;s no surprise, then, that renowned investors <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-deal-with-alex-rodriguez-and-jason-kelly/how-blackstone-s-david-blitzer-invested-in-every-major-sport">David Blitzer</a> and <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-deal-with-alex-rodriguez-and-jason-kelly/inside-the-commanders-dc-deal-with-owner-josh-harris">Josh Harris</a> partnered with The <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-deal-with-alex-rodriguez-and-jason-kelly/the-investment-case-for-youth-sports-with-tcgs-jes">Chernin Group</a> in 2024 to start Unrivaled Sports, a growing portfolio of youth sports investments across baseball, softball, flag football, and more. Unrivaled&rsquo;s chairman and CEO Andy Campion says they&rsquo;re only just getting started.&nbsp;
In this episode of The Deal, Andy tells Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly why he left Nike to go all in on youth sports. From the sidelines of a youth baseball tournament at Cooperstown All-Star Village, he explains the business model making youth sports more accessible while also offering premier experiences.&nbsp;
You can also watch this interview on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLe4PRejZgr0PsqvVJn02SqagGx5Bn3rZy">Bloomberg Podcasts YouTube page</a>.

Andy Campion’s Unrivaled Approach to Youth Sports

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0befc532-8967-4c4f-9667-b496010e961c/transcript

The 2026 World Cup is done and the numbers are astounding. FIFA reportedly expects to bring in $15 billion in revenue, blowing past their original projection of $12 billion. This number isn’t surprising considering that almost 7 million people attended the tournament’s 104 games and 60 million people in North America tuned into Sunday’s final. 

In this episode of The Deal, we dig into the stories beyond these record-smashing numbers. First up, Jason talks to Fox Soccer broadcaster Melissa Ortiz about how this World Cup compared to the others she has covered as a broadcaster and played in as a member of the Colombian national team. She also explains what made the officiating so frustrating and why she is already looking forward to next summer’s women’s World Cup. 

Next, Jason is joined by Bloomberg News sports reporter and Business of Sports co-host Vanessa Perdomo about what makes this World Cup such an incredible business story and why FIFA will likely be eager to host another major tournament in the U.S. She also gives her take on how the World Cup’s momentum will impact the MLS and predicts the future of hydration breaks.

The 2026 World Cup is done and the numbers are astounding. FIFA reportedly expects to bring in $15 billion in revenue, blowing past their original projection of $12 billion. This number isn&rsquo;t surprising considering that almost 7 million people attended the tournament&rsquo;s 104 games and 60 million people in North America tuned into Sunday&rsquo;s final.&nbsp;
In this episode of The Deal, we dig into the stories beyond these record-smashing numbers. First up, Jason talks to Fox Soccer broadcaster Melissa Ortiz about how this World Cup compared to the others she has covered as a broadcaster and played in as a member of the Colombian national team. She also explains what made the officiating so frustrating and why she is already looking forward to next summer&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s World Cup.&nbsp;
Next, Jason is joined by Bloomberg News sports reporter and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/podcasts/series/business-of-sports">Business of Sports </a>co-host Vanessa Perdomo about what makes this World Cup such an incredible business story and why FIFA will likely be eager to host another major tournament in the U.S. She also gives her take on how the World Cup&rsquo;s momentum will impact the MLS and predicts the future of hydration breaks.

World Cup 2026 Recap

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ee3e7ee8-8fc4-4e68-adb7-b4900036e872/transcript

8AM Golf is a holding company whose portfolio includes 15 companies that touch nearly every aspect of golf. Started in 2018 by Howard Milstein, 8AM’s umbrella includes Golf Magazine, Miura Golf and a newly constructed course in Nashville built in partnership with Justin Timberlake. So, there is no one better to talk to about what is going on in the world of golf than the company’s CEO, Hoyt McGarity.

In this episode of The Deal, Hoyt dials in from St. Andrews to give Alex and Jason the inside scoop on running a holding company, including: what companies 8AM chooses to invest in, which ones they don’t and when they know it’s time to sell. Hoyt also shares his perspective on making golf more accessible to a new generation of golfers while also respecting the traditions of the old heads and what existential threats the sport is facing. Finally, Hoyt tells us why a golf course must be a “good hang” and about his personal trajectory from caddie to CEO.

8AM Golf is a holding company whose portfolio includes 15 companies that touch nearly every aspect of golf. Started in 2018 by Howard Milstein, 8AM&rsquo;s umbrella includes Golf Magazine, Miura Golf and a newly constructed course in Nashville built in partnership with Justin Timberlake. So, there is no one better to talk to about what is going on in the world of golf than the company&rsquo;s CEO, Hoyt McGarity.
In this episode of The Deal, Hoyt dials in from St. Andrews to give Alex and Jason the inside scoop on running a holding company, including: what companies 8AM chooses to invest in, which ones they don&rsquo;t and when they know it&rsquo;s time to sell. Hoyt also shares his perspective on making golf more accessible to a new generation of golfers while also respecting the traditions of the old heads and what existential threats the sport is facing. Finally, Hoyt tells us why a golf course must be a &ldquo;good hang&rdquo; and about his personal trajectory from caddie to CEO.

Hoyt McGarity on the State of Golf

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7daa9f60-a117-4c53-8aa4-b4870111e0f8/transcript

What Sports Teams Can Learn from Tiktok Star Josh Richards

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