Revenue Above Replacement
Northwestern's Master of Arts in Sports Administration (MSA) program is pleased to host the Revenue Above Replacement (RAR) podcast. MSA faculty members Adam Grossman and Brice Clinton will interview sports industry leaders weekly on a wide range of topics including business, economics, marketing, branding, media, sponsorship, events, and public policy. The podcast will also be directly integrated into the MSA curriculum with students taking MSA 401-0: Sports Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis creating a production plan that includes an episode’s guest, questions, audience and timing as part of a group assignment for the course.

Revenue Above Replacement
Northwestern's Master of Arts in Sports Administration (MSA) program is pleased to host the Revenue Above Replacement (RAR) podcast. MSA faculty members Adam Grossman and Brice Clinton will interview sports industry leaders weekly on a wide range of topics including business, economics, marketing, branding, media, sponsorship, events, and public policy. The podcast will also be directly integrated into the MSA curriculum with students taking MSA 401-0: Sports Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis creating a production plan that includes an episode’s guest, questions, audience and timing as part of a group assignment for the course.
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Episodes

Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Jon Fascitelli is the Founder and Chairman of Seregh and the former Chief Executive Officer of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment Real Estate. He led the Philadelphia 76ers' new $1.5 bn arena development as well as significant projects for the New Jersey Devils. This included rejuvenating the Loew’s Theatre in Jersey City and fostering growth in the vicinity of Newark's Prudential Center. Jonathan is deeply committed to enhancing neighborhoods, aiming for positive social change through economic growth and job creation. At HBSE, he built and managed his team and related consultants to over 100 people.
In addition to his role at HBSE, Fascitelli worked closely with HRS Management and BOLT Ventures, the family offices of Josh Harris and David Blitzer. On behalf of HRS Management he was an active board member at Mosaic Development Partners, a black-owned developer with a strong community focus. He played a lead role in the acquisition of the Washington Commanders. In New York, he oversaw the operations of Central Park's Wollman Rink, partnering with Related and Equinox. He also advised on behalf of Bolt Ventures, Vessel Technologies, a firm that is looking at innovative approaches to affordable housing and works closely with the Cleveland Guardians.
Early in his career he held positions at Colony Capital and UBS. On the academic side, Jonathan is a graduate of Brown University and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Jason Sinnarajah joined the Royals in August 2023 as the Sr. Vice President, Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Jason oversees the business analytics, ticket operations, technology and stadium operations departments as well as the team’s relationship with its food and beverage and retail partners at Kauffman Stadium. In 2024, Jason led the revitalization of our concession experience on the Plaza level, the implementation of new local food offerings and an improved GoEntry fan experience to reduce wait times for entering Kauffman Stadium.
Prior to joining the Royals, Jason was Senior Vice President of Business Administration for the Buffalo Bills from 2020-23 where he oversaw ticket and premium sales, marketing, community relations, stadium operations and strategy and analytics. In that time, he led stadium operations during a period of COVID-19 fan protocols with New York State, managed the concessionaire partnership at Highmark Stadium, created a strategy and analytics teams to support the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres, grew the team’s marketing app audience to Top 5 in the NFL across engagement and registered users and increased overall revenue by 40%. Jason also helped lead efforts to secure a new stadium for the Bills through the building of economic business cases to ownership and local/state government officials for a new stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Jason had prior sports experience with the Cleveland Guardians Strategy and Analytics team from 2012-15. During his tenure, he negotiated a new partnership for their food and beverage business, acquired capital to renovate Progressive Field, set and managed revenue and sales compensation goals across premium seating, ticket sales and corporate partnerships and led efforts to bring an All-Star Game to Cleveland.
Outside of sports, Jason spent five years in media and corporate development at Ziff Davis and the Weather Company. At the Weather Company he led business development partnerships with large global media platforms such as Apple, Meta, X and Google, and negotiated media deals with international media companies. At Ziff Davis, Jason led data and e-commerce focused business units and was involved in several M&A transactions to expand the company’s presence in e-commerce and media. Jason also spent five years at Google where he was responsible for an internal consulting team across the Asia-Pacific region and lived in Tokyo and Sydney. He also held a role leading Google’s partnership across global media and sports and helped build out Google’s early entrance into sports-related content through partnerships with ESPN, and sports leagues such as MLB, NFL, NBA and the NHL.
A native of Toronto, Canada, Jason earned his MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from Boston College.

Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Ken Belson covers the business of professional sports, focusing on the teams, personalities, and complex issues that shape America’s most popular form of entertainment — from finances and stadium development to medical issues and major lawsuits.
He rejoined The New York Times Business section in 2023 after 14 years in Sports, where he primarily covered the N.F.L. His earlier reporting at the Times included coverage of New York City transportation, economics, and energy for the Metro section, as well as media and telecommunications for Business. From 2001 to 2004, he was based in Tokyo covering the Japanese economy.
In 2011, Belson was part of a Times team that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting for its coverage of the Japanese tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster. Before joining The Times, he reported for Bloomberg, Reuters, and Business Week in Tokyo.
A graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, Belson attended on a Japan-America Friendship Commission Fellowship and received the Pulitzer Traveling Scholarship, which he used to report from the Cook Islands on the economic aftermath of national bankruptcy.

Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
In the fifth season premiere of Revenue Above Replacement, Adam and Brice reflect on five years of conversations at the intersection of sports, business, and innovation. From the early discussions on COVID-19’s impact to today’s debates around AI, real estate, and media disruption, the duo explores how the sports industry has transformed — and where it’s heading next.
They kick off the episode with a look back at how the show has grown and evolved, highlighting the unique access it provides to experts shaping the sports landscape. The conversation then dives deep into several major themes that will define the season ahead.

Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
In this season finale of the Revenue Above Replacement podcast, hosts Brice and Adam reflect on a dynamic year of conversations across the sports business landscape. From the rise of sports-anchored mixed-use developments and the evolving role of private capital to the explosive growth in women's sports and new monetization strategies for content creators, the episode dives into key themes that defined the season.
Brice and Adam revisit highlights from interviews with top industry professionals, including insights into NIL, digital fan engagement, sports sponsorship amid economic shifts, and how content—like Benny the Bull’s TikTok dominance—is shaping brand and fan acquisition strategies. They also discuss the economic and cultural impact of rising stars like Caitlin Clark and the crossover appeal of women’s sports.
As always, the conversation comes back to the importance of relationships in sports—whether it's building lasting industry connections or creating authentic bonds with fans. Join us as we wrap up a standout season and look ahead to what's next in sports business. As always, thank you to the listeners for the continued support.

Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
CJ O’Brien is the co-owner of the Chicago Union, a professional ultimate frisbee team competing in the Ultimate Frisbee Association. A lifelong athlete with roots in football, CJ discovered ultimate frisbee while attending the University of Illinois, where he became a standout player and competed at the national level. After college, he entered the consulting world but remained closely tied to the sport, ultimately transitioning from player to part-owner of the Chicago franchise.
Since 2016, CJ has been instrumental in transforming the Union from a niche club team into a growing professional sports organization. He has worn nearly every hat—player, marketer, operations manager, and community builder—investing both time and resources into the long-term vision of the sport. Under his leadership, the team has focused on grassroots fan engagement, youth programming, and creating a family-friendly, hyper-local game day experience. CJ also works full-time in consulting, leveraging his skills in project management and strategic communication to support the Union’s growth.
A passionate advocate for emerging sports and community-based entertainment, CJ is committed to expanding the visibility of ultimate frisbee while building a sustainable and inclusive model for professional sports. He lives in the Chicago area with his family and continues to champion the values of accessibility, participation, and purpose-driven growth in sports.

Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Jason Hartlund is the Chief Commercial Officer for the Buffalo Bills, where he leads the team’s commercial strategy, including corporate partnerships, premium seating, media sales, and all revenue-generating initiatives tied to the new Highmark Stadium. With over two decades of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, Jason brings a deep understanding of how to drive fan engagement, build long-term brand value, and create innovative revenue solutions.
Prior to joining the Bills, Jason spent more than a decade with the Milwaukee Brewers, ultimately serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in securing one of Major League Baseball’s most high-profile naming rights deals with American Family Insurance and oversaw the successful integration of major concerts and events into the ballpark experience. He also held leadership roles in digital strategy, marketing, and ballpark operations, helping to shape a more personalized and data-driven approach to fan engagement.
Jason’s career in sports began with the Green Bay Packers, where he helped grow the team's corporate sponsorship portfolio. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of Visit Milwaukee’s Board, where he continues to advocate for the role of sports and entertainment in regional economic development.
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, Jason now brings his Wisconsin-rooted experience to Western New York, helping shape the future of the Bills organization and the broader NFL fan experience.

Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Keith Friedenberg serves as Chief Analytics & Insights Officer of Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. which owns and operates Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), William Morris Endeavor (WME), IMG, 160over90, On Location, and OpenBet/IMG Arena.
Keith is founder of Endeavor Analytics, LLC, a global knowledge and insights company that provides strategic consulting, media intelligence, valuation services, and consumer insights. Endeavor Analytics boasts a global team of 80 who leverage AI & machine learning and third-party data providers to inform decision-making across media & sports properties, talent & athletes, and Fortune 500 brands.
Prior to joining Endeavor in 2008, Friedenberg spent eleven years with Warner Bros. Media Research & Insights, where he supervised consumer, media and brand research operations for divisions including domestic television distribution, gaming, consumer products and emerging technology.
Keith is an alumnus of the Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California.

Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
On this episode of the Revenue Above Replacement Podcast, Adam and Brice take a break from the great guests and dive deep into Adam’s newest venture, ROAR (Revenue Over and Above Replacement). Built from insights gained through his past experiences at Block Six Analytics and Excel Sports Management, Adam shares his innovative approach to breaking down industry silos across technology, advisory services, and sales within sports business. The discussion explores the critical role of fan engagement, leveraging AI and data analytics to create meaningful connections and drive revenue, and reveals strategies to maximize partnership value.
Brice and Adam also discuss the realities and challenges of entrepreneurship, sharing personal stories about the excitement and anxieties of building businesses from the ground up. The episode further touches on emerging industry trends, such as sports-anchored mixed-use developments, media rights monetization amidst fragmented viewership, and the impactful integration of artificial intelligence and agents in the fan experience.
Listeners will gain actionable insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of sports business, partnership valuation, and innovative strategies to navigate technological disruption effectively.

Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Katie Morgan is the Vice President of Business Analytics and Ticket Strategy for the Texas Rangers. Katie has held various positions beginning as an Inside Sales Representative, transitioning in the CRM & Database Manager, and now as the Vice President of Business Analytics and Ticket Strategy.
Prior to her time with the Rangers, she played college basketball and spent a year coaching. Katie loves working for a baseball team and enjoys using analytics to help bring the experience of a Rangers game to fans throughout the area.


