Sophie Goldschmidt didn’t grow up in snow sports—but now she’s leading them into a new era. As CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, she’s shaking up a traditionally insular space with entrepreneurial thinking, global strategy, and a clear mission: to turn Olympic-level athletes into household names. She talks to Laura about breaking through the four-year awareness cycle, creating premium brand partnerships, and how a chairlift ride might just be the best meeting in marketing.

02:28 Sophie's Journey in Sports

04:14 Leading US Ski and Snowboard

14:47 Expanding into Travel and Hospitality

23:48 Creative Content and Athlete Inspiration

26:43 Strategic Partnerships and Brand Collaborations

31:48 Challenges and Resilience of Athletes

34:38 Global Audience and Fan Engagement

37:55 Sponsorship and Financial Support

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Former WNBA President and Upshot League founder Donna Orender joins Laura to talk about why she’s launching a new pro league—and why the moment demands it. She shares lessons from her time leading the W, the structural gaps she’s aiming to fill, and what it takes to create community-rooted franchises that are more than just teams—they’re assets.

00:29 Meet Donna Orender

02:05 Donna's Early Love for Basketball

06:51 Building Belief and Overcoming Obstacles

10:40 The Hardest Job: Transforming the WNBA

17:00 Reflecting on Success and Future Endeavors

21:29 Introducing the Upshot League

24:18 Opportunities for Athletes and Coaches

27:45 Fundraising and Selling the Vision

34:45 Naming the Upshot League

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As Co-CEO of Horizon Sports & Experiences, David Levy is helping usher in the next era of sports media—just like he did at Turner. He joins Laura to talk about why sports still command top dollar in a fragmented media landscape, Unrivaled's innovative approach to sponsorship, and where he sees opportunity in the rapidly growing women's sports business.

00:39 Meet David Levy: Co-Founder of Horizon Sports and Experiences

02:18 The Evolution of Sports Media

06:39 The Business Case for Women's Sports

10:10 Challenges and Opportunities in Sports Broadcasting

20:01 The Rise of Unrivaled: A New Era in Women's Sports

20:37 Innovative Sponsorship Strategies

26:30 Expanding the League: Future Plans

33:57 The Business of Women's Sports: Insights and Predictions

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