Berkida Podcast

Navigate the high-stakes intersection of sports, media, and entertainment on the Berkida Podcast, hosted by Massimo Marinelli. Drawing on his experience as a former Managing Director at UBS and Board Member of Leeds United, Massimo provides an elite institutional perspective on driving value in the world’s most dynamic industries. Each episode delivers high-level strategic insights for investors and executives, breaking down the financial shifts and global trends shaping the future of the sector. From boardroom decision-making to the evolving media landscape, the Berkida Podcast is your inside track to understanding the machinery behind the game.

Berkida Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Berkida Podcast, a business show with 0 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Berkida Podcast

  How to Build a Sports League for Leaders to Succeed in a Billion-Dollar Industry with Steve Gera

  Aug 5, 202642 min

  In this episode of the Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli sits down with Steve Gera , President at Grand Slam Track , Co-Founder & Chief Executive at Gains Group , Board Member & Senior Advisor (Co-Founder) at BreakAway Data , and US Ambassador at FC Barcelona . Steve shares his unconventional journey from serving as a U.S. Marine to becoming one of the leading voices in sports innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology. The conversation explores how sports organisations can create long-term value beyond media rights, why storytelling remains the industry's greatest competitive advantage, and how innovation, AI, athlete data, and emerging sports properties are transforming the global sports ecosystem. Steve also discusses his work with FC Barcelona's innovation strategy, BreakAway Data, Grand Slam Track, and the future of collectables as sports organisations evolve into platform businesses. Key Takeaways: How Steve's journey from the U.S. Marines to professional sports shaped his approach to solving complex business challenges. Why sports organisations should focus on building businesses instead of relying solely on licensing and media rights. How FC Barcelona created an innovation ecosystem by turning internal expertise into investable companies. The growing role of athlete-owned data, AI, and specialized technology in improving player development and performance. Why has storytelling become one of the biggest competitive advantages in modern sports? Lessons from building Grand Slam Track and why creating new sports leagues requires patience, capital, and long-term vision. How collectables and memorabilia are becoming valuable fan engagement and commercial opportunities for sports organisations. Noteworthy Quotes: "Easy things are for lazy people. I love working on hard problems." – Steve Gera "Sports is the most important of the least important things in the world." – Steve Gera "FC Barcelona isn't just a football club. It's a storytelling platform." – Steve Gera "The best innovations in sports are often the ones nobody ever hears about." – Steve Gera "AI will be incredibly valuable on the output side, but sports-specific data still requires sports-specific inputs." – Steve Gera "Storytelling is what creates fan joy, and fan joy creates better businesses." – Steve Gera Key Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction to Steve Gera and his sports innovation career [01:51] - From the U.S. Marines to the NFL and sports business [08:28] - Why sports has become one of the world's biggest business opportunities [10:44] - Licensing versus value creation in modern sports organisations [13:32] - Inside FC Barcelona's innovation strategy and startup ecosystem [22:15] - BreakAway Data, athlete data ownership, and AI in sports [29:53] - Building Grand Slam Track and lessons from launching new sports leagues [36:53] - The future of sports memorabilia, collectables, and fan engagement [40:56] - Closing thoughts on innovation and the future of sports business Connect with the Guest, Steve Gera: Steve Gera LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-jamieson-4309121/ Grand Slam Track LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icons-dot-com/ Gains Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gains-group/ BreakAway Data LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breakaway-data/ FC Barcelona LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fc-barcelona/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/ Follow Halford Media Advisory: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/ Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/ More from Berkida Ventures: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/ Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/ Email: info@berkida-ventures.com Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Berkida Podcast

  How Fan Engagement and Ecosystems Became More Valuable Than Owning Sports Teams with Nic Sulsky

  Jul 29, 202641 min

  In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Nic Sulsky , Co-Founder and CEO of The Curling Group , an entrepreneur with deep experience across fantasy sports, sports betting, and sports media. After building successful businesses including Monkey Knife Fight and PointsBet Canada, Nic explains why he chose to invest in one of the world's most underappreciated Olympic sports and how he plans to transform curling into a year-round global entertainment property. The conversation explores how sports betting and fantasy sports have changed fan engagement, why underserved sports represent compelling investment opportunities, and how building media, data, and technology infrastructure can unlock long-term value. Nic also discusses the launch of Rock League, the importance of athlete storytelling, and why owning an entire sports ecosystem can create greater value than simply owning a team. Key Takeaways: Nic's journey from fantasy sports and sports betting to acquiring one of curling's biggest global properties. Why fan engagement, not betting, is the real currency of modern sports. How The Curling Group is building a year-round ecosystem around an Olympic sport. The importance of content, storytelling, and athlete personalities in growing sports audiences. Why The Curling Group launched its own OTT platform and global streaming service. How live sports betting, official data, and technology are increasing fan engagement. Why underserved sports can offer stronger investment opportunities than established leagues. The future of curling as a global professional sport beyond the Winter Olympics. Noteworthy Quotes: “The real currency in sports is engagement.” – Nic Sulsky “I don't think you modernise sports by changing what fans love. You modernise them by changing how fans experience what they love.” – Nic Sulsky “The best investments aren't always the best assets—they're the assets with the most room to improve.” – Nic Sulsky “Whoever owns the deeper fan relationship is ultimately going to win.” – Nic Sulsky “I'd rather build value than buy it.” – Nic Sulsky “I want the world to know the curlers.” – Nic Sulsky Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Nic Sulsky and The Curling Group 02:49 - From fantasy sports and sports betting to curling 05:38 - What betting companies understand about fan engagement 08:47 - Why Nic acquired The Curling Group 13:50 - Building Rock Channel and global curling distribution 18:40 - Launching Rock League and creating a professional ecosystem 24:22 - Building year-round engagement through athlete storytelling 31:13 - Building data infrastructure for live sports betting 33:00 - What investors misunderstand about sports investing 36:26 - The long-term vision for The Curling Group and global curling 39:31 - Where to follow curling and its athletes Connect with the Guest, Nic Sulsky: Nic Sulsky LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicsulsky/ The Curling Group Website: https://www.thecurlinggroup.com/ The Curling Group LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-curling-group/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/ Follow Halford Media Advisory: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/ Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/ More from Berkida Ventures: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/ Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/ Email: info@berkida-ventures.com Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Berkida Podcast

  Why Lower League Football Is Becoming the Smartest Investment in Sport with Raphael Gellar

  Jul 22, 202644 min

  In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Raphael Gellar , Co-Founder & Executive Director at Forward Sports Group , an expert in football investment, club ownership, and sports advisory. Raphael shares his unconventional journey from investigative sports journalist to advising investors, operating football clubs, and building one of the leading agencies within the USL ecosystem. The conversation explores why lower-division football has become an increasingly attractive investment opportunity, the differences between European and North American football business models, and how successful club ownership requires balancing commercial returns with stewardship of community assets. Raphael also discusses multi-club ownership, promotion and relegation, the evolution of the USL, and what investors consistently misunderstand about the football industry. Key Takeaways: Raphael's transition from sports journalism into football investment and advisory. Why football clubs should be viewed as community assets rather than purely financial investments. How the growth of the USL is creating new opportunities in North American football. The business case for investing in lower-division football clubs across Europe. Why Denmark has become one of Europe's most attractive football investment markets. Lessons from Lincoln City's rise through the English football pyramid. The opportunities and challenges surrounding multi-club ownership models. Why long-term strategy, patience, and strong leadership are critical to football investment success. Noteworthy Quotes: “Football investment isn't just about making money, you're becoming the custodian of a community asset.” – Raphael Gellar “If your only reason for investing in football is to make money, I'm probably not the right person to help you.” – Raphael Gellar “The English football pyramid is the best football pyramid in the world.” – Raphael Gellar “You have to treat people well in football. If you do, good things will happen.” – Raphael Gellar “Investors often underestimate how different football is from every other business.” – Raphael Gellar “Football is life. That's why it's the greatest sport in the world.” – Raphael Gellar Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Raphael Gellar and Forward Sports Group 04:11 - From sports journalism to football investment 06:59 - Why football clubs became investable assets 09:28 - Building Forward Sports Group and entering the USL ecosystem 12:34 - The economics of the USL versus European football 16:50 - Promotion and relegation and the future of American football 20:07 - Why investors are targeting lower-division football clubs 23:15 - Lessons from Lincoln City's transformation 28:30 - Why Denmark has become a football investment hotspot 32:15 - Multi-club ownership: opportunities and risks 36:30 - The biggest mistakes investors make in football 42:23 - The future of football investment, private equity, and commercialisation Connect with the Guest, Raphael Gellar: Raphael Gellar LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-gellar-3b773648/ Forward Sports Group Website: https://www.forwardsg.com/team Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/ Follow Halford Media Advisory: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/ Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/ More from Berkida Ventures: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/ Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/ Email: info@berkida-ventures.com Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Berkida Podcast

  How Scarcity and Access Turn Simple Football Shirts into High-Value Assets with Dan Jamieson

  Jul 8, 202626 min

  In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Dan Jamieson , CEO & Co-Owner of Icons.com , a leading platform for authentic sports memorabilia. Dan shares insights from his journey in the collectibles industry, from childhood sticker collecting to establishing one of the most trusted global networks for signed football merchandise. The conversation explores the evolution of the sports memorabilia market, the importance of authenticity and scarcity, and how social media and direct fan engagement are shaping the industry. Dan discusses how Icons.com manages high-profile athlete partnerships, licensing agreements with FIFA and major clubs, and innovative authentication methods such as NFC “triple lock” technology. The episode also touches on the growth of live shopping events, international expansion, and the future opportunities for collectibles as a premium fan experience. Key Takeaways: How Dan transitioned from a lifelong collector to building a global sports memorabilia platform. The operational model behind Icons.com, including partnerships with athletes and clubs. Innovations in authentication and provenance, including triple lock NFC technology. The role of scarcity and “Veblen good” principles in maintaining value and demand. How social media and content storytelling amplify fan engagement and brand trust. Expansion into international markets and live shopping experiences to reach global audiences. Predictions for the collectibles market, including institutional interest and premium fan experiences. Noteworthy Quotes: “Authenticity is everything. If we can't prove it, it’s just a shirt from JD Sports with a bit of pen on it.” – Dan Jamieson “The more you pull back the veil, the more people want to see. Storytelling is the most compelling part of our work.” – Dan Jamieson “Athletes themselves are becoming bigger brands than clubs or tournaments.” – Dan Jamieson “Our products are real-world, unrepeatable, and limited in quantity, which makes them special.” – Dan Jamieson “Social media legitimises the collectibles market, but credibility and authenticity remain key.” – Dan Jamieson “Globalisation is driving the collectibles market; demand comes from China, the Middle East, the U.S., and beyond.” – Dan Jamieson Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Dan Jamieson and Icons.com 01:21 - Dan’s background as a football fan and collector 03:33 - How Icons.com operates: athlete partnerships and product creation 05:05 - Authentication methods and the “triple lock” NFC system 06:28 - Evolving buyer sophistication and authenticity challenges 11:16 - Behind-the-scenes of signed memorabilia logistics 13:53 - The role of social media and hype in the market 15:37 - Commercial potential and business model considerations 18:27 - Live signings and eBay live shopping initiatives 22:07 - Future of the collectibles industry and institutional interest 23:50 - Opportunities in fan engagement, commerce, and experiences 24:57 - Most iconic items handled: Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi shirts 25:32 - Closing thoughts on collectibles as a global passion Connect with the Guest, Dan Jamieson: Dan Jamieson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-jamieson-4309121/ Icons.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icons-dot-com/ Icons.com Website: https://www.icons.com Dan Jamieson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icons_ceo/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/ Follow Halford Media Advisory: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/ Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/ More from Berkida Ventures: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/ Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/ Email: info@berkida-ventures.com Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Berkida Podcast

  The Sports Industry Became a Billion Dollar Empire Through Ruthless Deals with Michael Payne

  Jul 1, 202644 min

  In this episode of Berkida Ventures Podcast, host Massimo Marinelli speaks with Michael Payne , a Chairman CEO at Payne Sports Media Strategies, an expert in sports marketing, brand management, and global sports business. Michael shares insights from his 50-year career with the International Olympic Committee, Formula One, and his own advisory ventures. The conversation explores the early days of the sports marketing industry, the transformation of sports into a global entertainment phenomenon, and the strategic management of Olympic and Formula One brands. Michael discusses how storytelling, heritage, and archives became critical assets, the role of governments and private capital in sports, and what the future holds for athlete influence, women’s sports, and modern sport formats. Key Takeaways: Michael’s transition from professional ski racer to a leading sports marketing executive. How brand management became fundamental to the Olympics’ premium positioning. The strategic acquisition and control of Olympic archives as a historical and commercial asset. Governments using major sports events to transform national image and business reputation. The evolution of Formula One as a global entertainment brand under Bernie Ecclestone. The challenges investors face in understanding sports as a business. Predictions for the future of sports, including athlete-driven content and updated Olympic events. Noteworthy Quotes: “I was a lot better at finding sponsors than I was at winning competitions.” – Michael Payne “Sport is in the entertainment business; people have more and more choices about how to spend their time.” – Michael Payne “We needed to control the history of the Olympics; it belongs to humanity.” – Michael Payne “Brand management in sport is fundamental to creating the product and reason why fans follow or companies invest.” – Michael Payne “Private equity sees tremendous potential, but sports don’t always follow normal business protocols.” – Michael Payne “Modern pentathlon had to evolve; horse riding no longer reflects the traits needed for elite athletes.” – Michael Payne Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Michael Payne and his career 02:26 - Early career as a ski racer and move into sports marketing 04:11 - Tenure at IOC: transforming Olympic business and leadership 05:59 - Visionaries Mark McCormack and Horst Dassler shaping early industry growth 11:12 - Brand management: protecting the Olympic image and exclusivity 17:14 - Storytelling and controlling Olympic archives 20:44 - Governments and corporate branding through sports events 29:44 - Formula One under Bernie Ecclestone: global entertainment evolution 34:25 - Investors and private equity in sports: challenges and opportunities 37:45 - Future of sports: athlete-driven content, women’s sports, and new formats 42:37 - Closing thoughts and reflections on the evolution of the sports industry Connect with the Guest, Michael Payne: Michael Payne LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-payne-80b14538/ Michael Payne Website: https://michaelrpayne.com/ Connect with the Host, Massimo Marinelli: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-marinelli-803274/ Follow Halford Media Advisory: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/halford-media-advisory/ Website: https://www.halfordmediaadvisory.com/ More from Berkida Ventures: Website: https://sites.google.com/view/berkida-ventures/ Substack: https://theberkidabrief.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/berkida-ventures/ Email: info@berkida-ventures.com Follow the Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/berkida-podcast/id1877643221 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3PMcmovZzweazCDgXKzmpY?si=37f1773a8fd34e38&nd=1&dlsi=4f8c3665a8ba4448

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Berkida Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.