SPEAKING

Rob applies his wealth of practical experience and broad knowledge to today’s dynamic issues, including the significant shift in fan engagement, the transition from linear television to digital streaming, the impact of legalized sports gambling, sports finance, innovative sponsorship activation strategies and the transformation of college sports.

With extensive experience teaching students at all levels at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Rob supports his points through curated data, case studies and insights on the latest sports business issues.

His insights are delivered to a larger audience through a regular appearance on Sirius XM’s Wharton Business Daily, as a resource for media and insights through opinion pieces for Sports Business Journal and social media platforms.

Rob is Available for:

  • Leadership Summits

  • Featured or Keynote Speaker

  • Sports Business Education Workshops

  • Guest Lectures

  • Interviewing Sports Industry Leaders

  • Moderating Panel Discussions

  • Sports Business Career Advisement

  • “Great explanations of the business of sports! Rob DiGisi is an excellent and knowledgeable speaker. Entertaining and informative. He explains the world of sports behind the scenes. Even people in that profession learn from his presentations.”

    Susan Owens, Co-Chair, Life Long Learning, Waverly Heights

  • “Having been in baseball for over 65 years, I was impressed with Rob’s knowledge of the sports industry. His delivery was superb.”

    Bill Giles, Chairman emeritus and former part-owner of the Philadelphia Phillies, Life Long Learning Participant at Waverly Heights

  • “Rob provided a knockout evening delivering an entertaining, informative and well-supported presentation to our membership of veteran Wall Street executives and accomplished entrepreneurs. His presentation elicited many follow-up questions that he answered assiduously!”

    James O’Hora, Program Chair, New Canaan Exchange Club

  • “A human encyclopedia! No better person to teach this course. He clearly was the most knowledgeable person I’ve ever met in the sports industry. I love sports, but even if you did not like sports, he is still extremely engaging and an enjoyable listen.”

    Wharton Executive MBA Student, San Francisco Campus, Summer 2023

KEYNOTES/FEATURED PRESENTATIONS

The Sports Business is Real Business

Studying the Sports Business reinforces key business principles such as the value of brand loyalty, the importance of easy and reliable distribution and the attributes of a good investment.  For decades, the sports business was driven by ticket sales in order to see “the show” in person.  With the advent of televised live games in the 1950’s and 60’s, the opportunity to reach a broader and larger audience changed the relationship with its customers.  In recent years, digital streaming has complicated matters. What are the consequences and opportunities?  We will cover the unique dynamics that drive sports fandom and loyalty, how evolution of media systems affects sports and the attributes that institutional investors examine when investing in a sports entity.

The Transformation of College Sports 

Over 170 years ago, students from one New England university challenged another in a rowing duel.  Fast forward to today and college sports drives student, alumni and community engagement, enhances brand development and, of course, generates revenue.  Clearly, college sports is no longer about the revered tradition of amateurism.  Emotionally, we may want to maintain its innocence but in practice, the changing media landscape and fan engagement has led to significant financial implications, leaving innocence far behind.  We’ll explore the potential structural changes, court decisions, new laws and shifting economic conditions that are transforming college sports into a business more reflective of free market capitalism than professional sports.

More than Tickets, TV and T-Shirts - The Effectiveness of Sports Sponsorship

Build an audience and the money will follow from increased ticket sales, broadened video distribution and the widespread availability of insignia merchandise.  We often gloss over the reality that sports teams, leagues and other organizations are also in the business of delivering marketing solutions. Sponsorship is a multi-faceted marketing strategy that often contains traditional marketing elements such as advertising, public relations, direct marketing and promotions. Beyond integration of these elements, sports sponsorships borrow the affinity and passion that consumers have for teams, leagues, athletes and events. We’ll review the fundamentals of sponsorship and examine several case studies from the world of golf, motorsports and from the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII journey.

Pictured above: Retailer Mitch Modell & Venture Capitalist Wayne Kimmel

TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS

Starting in 2003, Rob has taught 1000+ Wharton undergraduate and MBA students about the sports business. With his senior level roles at professional sports leagues, with start-ups and for multi-billion dollar global corporations, Rob has the background to provide the fundamental frameworks, strategic philosophies and review the case studies for an industry that binds together communities and cultures like no other product. He skillfully raises new questions, facilitates strategic debate and provides practical perspective to the events, deals and decisions made in pro, college and Olympic sports.

 Topics include:

  • Business Models and Governance Structures

  • Revenue Sharing, Competitive Balance and Athlete Compensation

  • Sponsorship and Licensing

  • Alternative Models and Emerging Leagues

  • Media and the Digital Revolution

  • College Sports

INDUSTRY LEADER INTERVIEWS

A vital component of the course that Rob teaches at Wharton are in the inclusion of leading industry executives as guest speakers to give students a deeper understanding of the concepts introduced in the classroom. Through this class, sports business conferences and events, Rob has vast experience interviewing industry leaders using an inquisitive and engaging style. Using your group’s specific interests, Rob can arrange a “fireside chat” with senior level executives bringing insider perspective and insights to your group.

For a complete list of guest speakers at Wharton, please see this link.

Mark Tatum, Deputy Commissioner, NBA

Amy Howe, CEO, FanDuel

Steve Phelps, President NASCAR, April 2019

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