Matt Higgins: From NFL to Football, What Makes Sport Special

This week, we are delighted to welcome Matt Higgins to the show. Concisely explaining Matt’s career is a challenge. In the world of sport, he has been a managing executive at the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins in the NFL, founder of sports events and media company Relevent Sports, an early investor in the Drone Racing League. In the business world, the story is equally impressive. The youngest press secretary in New York City history, founder of investment first RSE Ventures, one of the sharks on US TV’s ‘Shark Tank’, Wall Street Journal Bestselling author for his recent book ‘Burn the Boats’. You know on this show that we like to explore what fuels the sports industry through the perspectives of those that live it behind the scenes every day. Matt brings all of that and some, often accompanied by timely anecdotes, alongside the perspective of someone who has lived a life outside of sport. In Today’s Show We Discuss:

1. Career in the NFL:

-Matt held the position of Executive Vice President at the New York Jets and Vice Chairman of the Miami Dolphins. What did these jobs involve?

-Key revenue streams in NFL franchises - from tickets, to suites, to sponsorships, how do the behind the scenes team maximise the commercial performance of major sports organisations?

-The importance of adopting new technology and innovative strategy as a sport and an independent franchise.

-Building and funding the MetLife stadium in New York; from financing to naming rights deals and everything in between.

2. Big Money & Sport:

-Investment in sport from private equity, nation states, high net worth individuals has been on the rise in recent years. Why?

-Is private equity good for sport?

-The importance of retaining control and governance as investment is received. More money is good; less control is not.

-The importance of having people who have been operators before running the business of a sports entity. You can’t learn it from a spreadsheet.

-Why every franchise or team should have their own fund/financing vehicle. Owning a sports asset provides next level access to deals and the opportunity to become early adopters.

3. A Career Alongside Sports Management:

-Setting up investment fund RSE Ventures and investing in/founding organisations like Relevent Sports and Drone Racing League.

-Owning a stake in a pickleball team alongside LeBron James and the opportunity presented by new sports to disrupt the existing ecosystem.

-Matt’s attempt to purchase Formula One was eventually unsuccessful when Liberty Media purchased the company. What did he see in the opportunity?

-Bringing the biggest teams in Europe to the US through the creation of the International Champions Cup.