The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts

The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts : Conversations with People Making News in the Business of Golf. Sixteen-time Emmy Award Winner and sports broadcasting legend, Jimmy Roberts, invites you to intimate, one-on-one conversations with some the most significant, A-list executives, entertainers and athletes shaping the future of the golf business — as well as unprecedented, unparalleled access and insights around the trends, deals and investments that define the sport. Check out new episodes every other Wednesday. The show will move to weekly in January 2026. Follow The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and don’t forget to join our community at bigswingmedia.news for news and updates.

The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts is a sports podcast hosted by Jimmy Roberts, with 41 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.

Jimmy Roberts hosts The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, a sports show with 41 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.

• 

  Episode #43

  S E43: She Took On Golf’s Old Boys’ Club—and Won

  Aug 18, 202648 min

  Kelley Brooke has gone head-to-head with some of golf’s largest management companies—and won—by taking on the financial risk herself and obsessing over every detail of the customer experience. At Montauk Downs, Jimmy Roberts sits down with the LPGA professional and golf-course operator behind facilities including Bethpage, Montauk Downs, Harbor Links and Pine Ridge. Brooke explains how she wins competitive bids, invests millions into public golf facilities and transforms underperforming properties through branding, technology and a distinctly modern approach to hospitality. She also opens up about navigating golf’s old boys’ network, the business mistake that taught her to stay in her lane, the aftermath of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage and why managing her own rapid growth may now be her biggest challenge. What you’ll hear in this episode: How Brooke outworked major golf operators to win her first contract The financial risk behind her municipal golf business model How range technology helped triple gross sales Why robots, branding and hospitality are attracting younger golfers Her candid perspective on the Ryder Cup fallout at Bethpage The example she hopes to set for the next generation of women in golf Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | ️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #42

  S E42: Where Golf’s Smart Money Is Going Next

  Aug 11, 202648 min

  Golf’s estimated economic impact reaches roughly a quarter-trillion dollars—but where is the smart money going next? Matt Erley, co-founder of Old Tom Capital, joins Jimmy Roberts to explain why investors increasingly see golf as one of the most resilient growth categories in sports and recreation. He reveals which parts of the industry have his attention, from shorter “golf light” experiences and public-access facilities to travel, hospitality, agronomy technology and the rapidly changing private-club business. Matt also explores how golf can serve the next generation of players without abandoning its traditional roots—and why the industry’s biggest constraints may create its most compelling investment opportunities. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why more investment capital is moving into golf How par-3 courses, driving ranges and short-form experiences could fuel the next decade of growth Why $250,000 initiation fees and scarce tee times are changing golf travel The technology helping courses reduce water use and operating costs How equipment companies could turn the golf-ball rollback into an opportunity Plus, country music star Jake Owen shares the leap of faith that changed his life, and Jimmy makes the case for the New York metropolitan area as the greatest golf destination in the world. Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | ️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #41

  S E41: John Smoltz on Building a NEW Pro Golf Tour

  Aug 4, 202649 min

  John Smoltz thought the idea was great—but that it would never work. Now, the Baseball Hall of Famer is helping build THE PRO, an invitation-only professional golf tour created exclusively for former athletes. With approximately 80 players, a $500,000 purse at every tournament and stars from across baseball, football, basketball, hockey and beyond, Smoltz is turning the competitive void athletes experience after retirement into an ambitious new golf business. Smoltz joins Jimmy Roberts to explain the work behind launching the tour, from making nearly 1,000 phone calls and securing investment to recruiting players, building a media strategy and working toward profitability. He also shares unforgettable golf stories involving Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Annika Sorenstam—and reveals why he once turned down millions and an offer involving Pine Valley to remain with Bobby Cox and the Atlanta Braves. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why Smoltz believed THE PRO was a great idea that might never work The economics behind a $500,000 purse at every tournament How the tour recreates competition and community for retired athletes Smoltz’s plans to recruit names like Tom Brady, Michael Strahan and Michael Phelps Legendary rounds with Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Annika Sorenstam The leadership lessons Smoltz learned from Bobby Cox Plus, Powering the Women’s Game, presented by Chevron, examines Versant’s $530 million acquisition of Full Swing and what it could mean for the launch of the new Women’s Team Golf League. Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | ️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #40

  S E40: How Delta Became a Power Player at the Masters and PGA TOUR

  Jul 28, 202648 min

  Why is one of the world’s largest airlines making such a significant investment in golf? Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian joins Jimmy Roberts to explain why the company’s relationships with the Masters, the PGA TOUR and some of the game’s biggest players are about much more than television exposure. For Bastian, golf sits at the intersection of relationships, travel and the growing experience economy—and gives Delta an opportunity to position its brand alongside some of the most respected institutions in sports. Bastian also shares the strategy behind Delta’s transformation from bankruptcy to an industry leader, the people-first decision that helped the airline navigate COVID and why he personally invested in the new McLaren Golf venture alongside names including Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and Michelle Wie West. What you'll hear in this episode: Why Delta views golf as a strategic brand investment The value—and challenge—of measuring sponsorship ROI How Delta dramatically expands service into Augusta during Masters week The surprising role Delta played in Tony Finau’s journey to professional golf Why Bastian invested his own money in McLaren Golf How Delta’s people-first culture shaped its biggest business decisions Plus, Grant Hill shares the early goal that helped shape his basketball career, and Jimmy reflects on the lasting influence of Caddyshack nearly five decades after its release. Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | ️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #39

  S E39: Steph Curry Is Building His Next Chapter in Golf

  Jul 21, 202645 min

  Steph Curry is already planning his next chapter—and golf is becoming a central part of the legacy he wants to build beyond basketball. In this special episode of The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts, Curry shares how a childhood passion for golf evolved into a much larger mission. Through Underrated Golf, he is investing millions annually to remove the financial and structural barriers that can leave talented young golfers behind. Curry also discusses his new partnership with Li-Ning, his ambition to build Curry Brand into a lasting global business, and why golf will be its “true north star” moving forward. Then, American Century Investments’ Jonathan Thomas reveals how a struggling celebrity tournament became one of golf’s most valuable sponsorship platforms—and why the company now directs nearly all of its discretionary marketing budget toward the American Century Championship. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why Steph Curry began planning his post-basketball future at age 30 How Underrated Golf invests $4–6 million annually in young golfers Curry’s plan to build a legacy brand with golf at its center Why American Century bet up to 90% of its discretionary marketing budget on one golf event How celebrity, live sports and golf transformed the American Century Championship Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday ▶️ Watch on YouTube | ️ Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Airing on Golf Channel every Tuesday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Big Swing with Jimmy Roberts. 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.