New research from The Gemba Group suggests a credibility problem for the sports sponsorship industry arising when agencies both advise brands on sponsorship opportunities and sell rights for those same properties, leading to potentially biased recommendations.

The discussion highlights the increasing involvement of procurement departments, the need for greater transparency and better analytical tools, and the importance of long-term, sustainable relationships between brands and rights holders.

Our guests view these issues as crucial for sponsorship to continue growing as a vital revenue stream for sports organizations.

Guests:

Rob Mills, Global CEO, Gemba

Claire Kelly, Managing Director of Europe and Middle East, Gemba.

Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry.
To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartner

We publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday.

These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport.

Our entire back catalogue of 400 sports business conversations are available free of charge here.

Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner’ on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app.

If you’re interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.

Our guest today is Brian Moore, former England and British Lions rugby player, lawyer, newspaper columnist, television commentator and author.

If it’s informed and insightful opinions you’ve come for, you’re in luck.

In a world where the professional sphere of sports intertwines with broader societal issues, Brian Moore dives into themes of identity, retirement, and the business of sports, unraveling the complexities faced by athletes and their transitions post-career. He shares his personal journey through retirement, highlighting the often-overlooked challenges athletes face when leaving the sports arena. Despite a parallel career in law, Moore explains that rugby was more than just a pastime—it was a core part of his identity. The conversation delves into the psychological toll of losing a primary self-concept, underscoring the necessity for structured support and planning for athletes transitioning to life beyond sports.

The podcast also delves into the financial underpinnings of sports, particularly rugby's struggle to balance growing costs with limited income. Moore and host Richard Gillis discuss the unrealistic parallels drawn between football and other sports, emphasizing rugby's unique economic challenges. They explore potential solutions, from restructuring leagues to encouraging private investment, all while considering the implications for the international game.

The podcast offers a comprehensive exploration into how sports intersect with identity, economics, and societal health, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the complexities faced by athletes and the broader implications for society. Through candid discussion, Brian Moore illuminates the paths for supporting athletes in their retirement, enhancing the financial viability of sports, and fostering a culture of physical literacy.

Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry.
To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartner

We publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday.

These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport.

Our entire back catalogue of 400 sports business conversations are available free of charge here.

Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner’ on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app.

If you’re interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.

Rory Smith recently wrote a think piece in the New York Times titled What is Ronaldo at 40? The article posed some good questions about the nature of sporting celebrity in 2025 and beyond.

So we asked Rory on to the podcast to discuss, with two expert guests from the sports industry, Louise Johnson and Andy Meikle.

Rory Smith joined The Athletic from the New York Times, where he spent eight years as Chief Soccer Correspondent and then Global Sports Correspondent. He has previously worked for The Times of London, The Independent, the Daily Telegraph and ESPN. He is a regular contributor to BBC 5 Live. He is the author of two books on soccer: Mister and Expected Goals.

Louise Johnson is Global CEO of Fuse, Omnicom’s sport and entertainment agency whose clients include many of the biggest organisations in sport including PepsiCo, Google and Vodafone. Louise was chair of judges for the sport category at the Cannes Lions Festival and was named as one of the FT’s women of the year.

Andy Meikle is the founder and CEO of Recast, a fintech company that enables media owners to monetise digital content from £0.01, with payments via RecastPay, a wallet that distributes earnings in real time to multiple parties including affiliates, such as athletes. He was formerly one of the founders of Sportlobster, digital platform which had Cristiano Ronaldo as the company’s brand ambassador

Unofficial Partner is the leading podcast for the business of sport. A mix of entertaining and thought provoking conversations with a who's who of the global industry.
To join our community of listeners, sign up to the weekly UP Newsletter and follow us on Twitter and TikTok at @UnofficialPartner

We publish two podcasts each week, on Tuesday and Friday.

These are deep conversations with smart people from inside and outside sport.

Our entire back catalogue of 400 sports business conversations are available free of charge here.

Each pod is available by searching for ‘Unofficial Partner’ on Apple, Spotify, Google, Stitcher and every podcast app.

If you’re interested in collaborating with Unofficial Partner to create one-off podcasts or series, you can reach us via the website.