In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, Wayne Partello sits down with Sunjay Mathews, a former corporate lawyer who broke into sports and went on to help build FanDuel during its early days.

Sunjay shares what it was like operating inside a startup, navigating the sports betting landscape, and later stepping into leadership roles at DAZN and FTX.

This episode dives into betting on yourself, taking career risks, and building a path in sports business.

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello sits down with Steve Shanks, co-founder of Drive Influence, to break down an unconventional entrepreneurial journey shaped by sports, repetition, and resilience.From launching one of the earliest fantasy sports businesses to leaving corporate America, building and selling a multi-million-dollar media agency, and now helping brands, creators, and talent win through Drive Influence, Steve shares real lessons on entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, and scaling businesses.This episode is packed with insights for founders, marketers, and anyone navigating career pivots, growth, and leadership in today’s evolving business and media landscape.

In this episode of The Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello talks with Ayo Taylor-Dixon of San Diego State University Athletics about building a career in college sports and sports marketing. From his start as a student-athlete and graduate assistant to leadership roles across multiple Division I programs, Ayo shares lessons on adaptability and navigating the evolving world of college athletics.Wayne and Ayo also discuss what it truly means to “be a student of the game,” the importance of learning every side of the business, from ticket sales and event operations to digital content and NIL storytelling, and why mastering the details separates good professionals from great ones in sports leadership.This episode is packed with lessons for anyone pursuing a career in college athletics, sports marketing, athletic administration, or brand strategy, including insights on career growth, mentorship, innovation, and building programs that scale in today’s rapidly evolving sports industry.

In this episode of the Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello sits down with Mark Fine, Chief Marketing Officer of the Baltimore Orioles. From interning with the Orioles as a college student to returning decades later as the CMO of his childhood team, Mark’s story is a powerful example of how passion, persistence, and relationships can shape a career in sports marketing.

Mark shares his path through Major League Baseball, the NBA, Minor League Baseball, the Harlem Globetrotters, the National Lacrosse League, Professional Bull Riders, and major sports and entertainment organizations like Comcast Spectacor, the New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets, and UFC. Along the way, he breaks down the lessons he learned about leadership, brand building, ticket sales, fan engagement, and navigating career growth across leagues and levels.

This conversation dives into what it really takes to build a long-term career in sports, how early internships can open unexpected doors, and why relationships and reputation matter just as much as results.

In this episode of the Lessons from Sports Podcast, host Wayne Partello sits down with Bill Hudock for an inspiring conversation about career growth, leadership, and the power of building a path through sports and business. From his early days working in public relations in the NFL to playing a role in some of the biggest moments and organizations in professional sports, Bill shares behind-the-scenes insights and the lessons he learned along the way.

Wayne and Bill dive into how to navigate unexpected career turns, develop resilience, and apply the mindset of elite athletes and executives to everyday business challenges. This episode explores themes of mentorship, personal branding, strategic communication, and how experiences in the sports industry can shape success in any field.

Whether you’re a sports professional, marketer, business leader, or aspiring executive, this conversation offers practical takeaways on finding your path and turning opportunities into long-term career momentum.

In this episode of Lessons From Sports, host Wayne Partello reconnects with Peter Szabo, a full-circle conversation that began years ago when Wayne was Peter’s intern at Kiss 108.Peter shares how a lifelong love of music shaped his path from radio into the world of music and media technology. His career includes influential roles at Pandora, Shazam, and Spotify, where he helped shape how audiences discover and engage with music at scale.Now the CEO and Founder of Idea Factory, Peter reflects on the lessons learned at each stage of his career, what it takes to build and lead a company, and how experience across media, technology, and leadership compounds over time. Along the way, Wayne and Peter reminisce on their early days in radio and discuss the importance of mentorship, relationships, and staying curious as industries evolve.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, media and music technology, entrepreneurship, and building a lasting career rooted in passion and adaptability.

Don’t miss this week’s episode ofLessons From Sports, where Wayne sits down with Tyson Ross, former MLB pitcher. Tyson opens up about his deep commitment to community involvement and how he’s consistently made time to participate in local events throughout his career. He reflects on the importance of giving back and the role sports have played in helping him connect with others. As the conversation unfolds, Tyson also shares details about his current work, discussing the meaningful ways he’s continuing to positively impact his community. From his early days in baseball to his ongoing efforts to uplift those around him, Tyson’s journey is a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make. Tune in to hear his inspiring story!

Don’t miss this week’s episode of Lessons From Sports, as Wayne sits down with Joshua Elias, co-founder and CEO of Frontwave Arena, Southern California's new multi-use sports and entertainment venue in Oceanside. Josh talks about how he identified gaps in the sports and media market, built a global solution with SponsorUnited, and is now leading the development of the 170,000-square-foot arena, which opened in 2024. Home to the 16-time indoor soccer champion San Diego Sockers, Frontwave Arena also features live music, cultural events, and more. Listen to the full episode now!