1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports where in the situation 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: that we haven't dealt with in modern times, pandemic here 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: has really accelerated the investments that we've been advocating for 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: for years. Almost everyone else there is hoping that there's 5 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,759 Speaker 1: some kind of return to normal by August September. In 6 00:00:16,880 --> 00:00:20,200 Speaker 1: depth conversations with the leaders in the sports industry, who 7 00:00:20,200 --> 00:00:22,800 Speaker 1: wants to be the sacrificial lambs that shows up at 8 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 1: the first big major sporting events were part of something 9 00:00:25,720 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 1: much bigger than the sports right now and the health 10 00:00:28,120 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 1: and safety of our stakeholders are both more important every moment. 11 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:33,760 Speaker 1: I think we're all from business respective thinking about the 12 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:37,080 Speaker 1: impact that the virus is having across the country. Bloomberg 13 00:00:37,240 --> 00:00:40,800 Speaker 1: Business of Sports from Bloomberg Radio. Hello, I'm Jason Kelly 14 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:43,839 Speaker 1: and Mike Glint. We're here Monday's, Wednesdays and Thursdays to 15 00:00:43,880 --> 00:00:46,360 Speaker 1: explore the big money issues in the world of sports 16 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:49,120 Speaker 1: and talk to some of the biggest players in the industry. 17 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: That is certainly true again. Today we're joined delighted to 18 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 1: be joined by w NBA Commissioner Kathy Engelberg joining us 19 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: from New Jersey. Cathy, First of all, how are you 20 00:01:00,960 --> 00:01:05,000 Speaker 1: amid all of this, the world changes so fast. I 21 00:01:05,080 --> 00:01:07,720 Speaker 1: know you, like all of us, have been sheltered in place. 22 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:11,959 Speaker 1: You did a draft. What's it like? Yeah, so, Jason, 23 00:01:11,959 --> 00:01:14,920 Speaker 1: it might great to be talking with you today. Obviously 24 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:17,480 Speaker 1: it's different than any other time in my over three 25 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:20,680 Speaker 1: decades in business. But you know, it's an interesting time. 26 00:01:20,760 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 1: And I think in any crisis situation, you know, issues 27 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:27,280 Speaker 1: that you had going into the crisis tend to be 28 00:01:27,360 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 1: accelerated and deepened, and but it's also an opportunity to 29 00:01:31,240 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 1: innovate and invest and the risk manage and and you know, 30 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:37,560 Speaker 1: so you know, it's it's every day, it's fluid. You 31 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:40,640 Speaker 1: have to be lots of agility. I'm so glad. I'm 32 00:01:40,640 --> 00:01:42,919 Speaker 1: blessed that I had thirty three years in business before 33 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:46,960 Speaker 1: coming into sports during a global pandemic and now obviously 34 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:50,600 Speaker 1: a social justice rising that is important to our players 35 00:01:50,600 --> 00:01:52,600 Speaker 1: with the diversity of our league. So yeah, that that 36 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 1: never a dull moment on the stand, for sure, Kathy, 37 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: share with us your plan. I know what's You're gonna 38 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: be down at the i MG Academy in Bradenton, floor M. 39 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 1: Every day there's a new question, a new concern. The 40 00:02:03,680 --> 00:02:06,240 Speaker 1: spike of cases in Florida to share with some of 41 00:02:06,280 --> 00:02:08,840 Speaker 1: our listeners. Now, what's your plan is as of right now? 42 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:10,639 Speaker 1: And I know it could change in four and twenty 43 00:02:10,639 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 1: four hours. Yes, my thank you for saying that part 44 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:16,880 Speaker 1: because of the fluid nature of everything going on. But 45 00:02:17,280 --> 00:02:19,760 Speaker 1: so first, you know, stepping back a little bit, we 46 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:23,200 Speaker 1: came off the first virtual draft on April seventeen, had 47 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:25,800 Speaker 1: a successful draft where so much could have gone wrong 48 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:30,080 Speaker 1: and didn't thankfully. UM. And now then we were you know, 49 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:34,160 Speaker 1: like really deep into scenario planning around you know, we 50 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 1: usually play a thirty six game season. The Olympics were 51 00:02:36,880 --> 00:02:39,880 Speaker 1: being postponed normally, we don't. We weren't going to play 52 00:02:39,960 --> 00:02:43,160 Speaker 1: between July thirteenth and August thirteenth, and that windows opened 53 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,520 Speaker 1: up for us. So you know, we looked at you know, 54 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:51,280 Speaker 1: a full season, partial season, UM tournament like season with 55 00:02:51,480 --> 00:02:54,679 Speaker 1: or without fans in arena and in arena UM. And 56 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 1: we looked at no season and obviously to be absent 57 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:00,120 Speaker 1: from the sports landscape forever twenty months because we're a 58 00:03:00,160 --> 00:03:03,800 Speaker 1: summer season would not you know, would not be acceptable. 59 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 1: So we started working on you know, at different levels, 60 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:08,720 Speaker 1: and when we came up with the twenty two games season. 61 00:03:09,600 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 1: We had a variety of sites where we were looking 62 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,560 Speaker 1: at and IMC Academy, you know, being a best in 63 00:03:14,680 --> 00:03:20,919 Speaker 1: class competitive athletic environment was was really intriguing to us. Um. 64 00:03:21,000 --> 00:03:23,240 Speaker 1: They trained athletes, that's what they do there, so that 65 00:03:23,320 --> 00:03:26,919 Speaker 1: was intriguing. And um, you know, then we set um 66 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:31,320 Speaker 1: some guiding principles. UM number one, the health and medical 67 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:35,160 Speaker 1: protocols had had had to be number one for both 68 00:03:35,200 --> 00:03:37,680 Speaker 1: our players and the staff, the essential staff. And then 69 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 1: number two was to provide a competitive, highly competitive season. 70 00:03:41,240 --> 00:03:44,400 Speaker 1: So we arrived at twenty two games at IMC Academy 71 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:47,920 Speaker 1: without bands, um, and it's hard, There's no doubt about it. 72 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 1: And then you know, kind of on top of that, 73 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:53,560 Speaker 1: um our players who have had, you know, a high 74 00:03:53,720 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 1: level of social consciousness and I've been bragging about them 75 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: since I took over less than a year ago of 76 00:03:59,200 --> 00:04:01,720 Speaker 1: how they do this year round. Now want to use 77 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: this as part of their platform around social justice. So um, 78 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:08,720 Speaker 1: so again loss of scenario planning and I'm I'm actually 79 00:04:08,760 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 1: pleased at how that came out. And then we did 80 00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: pick the twenty two games because if we need contingencies 81 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,400 Speaker 1: because of arising cases and where we are now. You 82 00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:18,279 Speaker 1: have that Lard is a big state, so I know 83 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:19,839 Speaker 1: there's a lot of media around it, but you have 84 00:04:19,880 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: to look at a couple of things. You have to 85 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:28,560 Speaker 1: look at hospitalization, ventolator availability, testing, availability, mobility into that area. 86 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:31,880 Speaker 1: We're in a small county called Manatee County where I 87 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:35,479 Speaker 1: amg Academy in Bradenton Falls, and thankfully the cases have 88 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:38,240 Speaker 1: not been large there, but you know, we're monitoring that 89 00:04:38,480 --> 00:04:42,560 Speaker 1: daily and again monitoring the hospitalizations which have been extremely 90 00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:45,599 Speaker 1: small there. Um. But you know, again this is going 91 00:04:45,640 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 1: to be all about a medical and safety protocol around 92 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:51,000 Speaker 1: testing and temperature checks and sense of checks at mask 93 00:04:51,080 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: wearing and social distancing and you know, uh, I know 94 00:04:54,800 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 1: more about it the trajectory of this virus then I'll 95 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,640 Speaker 1: ever want to know. But you know, all of that's 96 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:05,039 Speaker 1: really important. And Kathy tell us about the conversations you 97 00:05:05,080 --> 00:05:08,920 Speaker 1: know then and maybe more importantly now with the players 98 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:13,920 Speaker 1: and their representatives. They're obviously very worried about their health. 99 00:05:14,040 --> 00:05:16,040 Speaker 1: And I mean, we'll start with health, but but then 100 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 1: maybe move to some of the conversations you're having, as 101 00:05:18,600 --> 00:05:24,080 Speaker 1: you alluded to, around racial justice and activism, but specifically 102 00:05:24,279 --> 00:05:27,039 Speaker 1: what's sort of the tone and tenor of the conversations 103 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:30,120 Speaker 1: right now with the athletes. Yeah, I've had an opportunity 104 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:33,720 Speaker 1: to talk to the player leadership at the Players Association, 105 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:36,919 Speaker 1: the player reps for each team and and even broader 106 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: players and and just to get there. And I just 107 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:42,240 Speaker 1: you know, again with my business experience, I knew as 108 00:05:42,279 --> 00:05:45,159 Speaker 1: soon as we hit this pandemic, like the number one 109 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:48,840 Speaker 1: thing is communication. Uh, you cannot over communicate in the 110 00:05:48,880 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 1: middle of a crisis, especially a health crisis that is 111 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:55,279 Speaker 1: causing economic burden on everyone. And then obviously with the 112 00:05:55,320 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 1: social justice as well. So um, so this is all 113 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:01,080 Speaker 1: about communication. So again, our player us have lots of questions. 114 00:06:01,160 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: We've been answering them. We've been looking at frequently asked 115 00:06:03,800 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 1: questions and making sure we can get them out to 116 00:06:05,880 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: all players. We still have players overseas um in international 117 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 1: markets because you know, about a little over twenty of 118 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,480 Speaker 1: our players are from other countries, so you know, you 119 00:06:15,600 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 1: have to find different ways to communicate. Um. Obviously, we 120 00:06:19,120 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 1: want to make sure we're providing all the medical and 121 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: safety protocols as well as the mental health resources they've 122 00:06:24,800 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 1: asked about. So I think for the most part, our 123 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 1: players are excited, uh and ready to get back on 124 00:06:30,279 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: the court. Um. You know, we we will and have 125 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:36,160 Speaker 1: had a few players opt out on the season so far. 126 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:39,760 Speaker 1: We totally expected that. Um, we expected it for a 127 00:06:39,839 --> 00:06:43,280 Speaker 1: variety of reasons, and especially when the recent murders of 128 00:06:43,360 --> 00:06:46,279 Speaker 1: George Floyd and Brianna Taylor who are you know again 129 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:50,000 Speaker 1: have really put this systemic oppression of black lives in 130 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:53,440 Speaker 1: America back on the back on the screen for everybody. 131 00:06:53,480 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 1: But our players have had it all along. So that 132 00:06:56,120 --> 00:06:58,880 Speaker 1: also is leading into maybe some opt outs. But I 133 00:06:58,920 --> 00:07:02,080 Speaker 1: think we think we can really continue to have a 134 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:05,440 Speaker 1: very highly competitive season with these elite women at female 135 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:08,359 Speaker 1: athletes and um, and I think they you know, for 136 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:09,920 Speaker 1: the most part, you know, yeah, do they have a 137 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:12,360 Speaker 1: lot of questions? Yes? And I said the other day 138 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:15,200 Speaker 1: they will have questions until we crown a w NBA champion. 139 00:07:15,240 --> 00:07:17,320 Speaker 1: And that's what I'm here for to make them feel 140 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 1: like we are here to answer the questions. We're here 141 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:22,400 Speaker 1: to support them in their social justice platform and just 142 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 1: communication being so important and every leader, like I know, 143 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,680 Speaker 1: we're all saying the same thing because especially during a 144 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:34,680 Speaker 1: crisis like this, will there be any sort of uniform uh, 145 00:07:34,720 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: stand up for social justice for every game at halftime 146 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 1: or something with the team, something that the league is 147 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 1: going to do, or you're going to leave it up 148 00:07:42,240 --> 00:07:46,800 Speaker 1: to the individual players and individual teams. Yes, so, very 149 00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:51,800 Speaker 1: good question, Mike. We are working with our Players Association 150 00:07:51,840 --> 00:07:55,320 Speaker 1: and our players. Um, we've already held some community conversations 151 00:07:55,360 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: with them on social justice and the reality of racial trauma, 152 00:07:59,520 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 1: and um, you know, had some experts social activist experts 153 00:08:03,160 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: as well as mind health experts, civil and human rights experts. 154 00:08:07,320 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 1: So we're already well on our way to you know, 155 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 1: getting our players because yes, I actually had to build 156 00:08:11,840 --> 00:08:16,360 Speaker 1: trust during this period too. Um you know. Uh so uh, 157 00:08:16,440 --> 00:08:20,360 Speaker 1: Natasha Cloud had you know, a powerful article in the 158 00:08:20,360 --> 00:08:23,520 Speaker 1: Players Tribune. You know, you may already know this. Maya 159 00:08:23,560 --> 00:08:25,560 Speaker 1: Moore took a year off last year to work on 160 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:29,120 Speaker 1: criminal justice reform and is taking this year off as well. 161 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:34,760 Speaker 1: We kind of launched a bigger than bold women's empowerment merchandise, um, 162 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:37,959 Speaker 1: you know around this so, um, we are looking at 163 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 1: prominent court placements, are letting players express how they want 164 00:08:41,800 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 1: to express themselves during during the season and actually kind 165 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,520 Speaker 1: of dedicate the season to their social justice platform. So 166 00:08:47,559 --> 00:08:50,800 Speaker 1: we're working on the details on that with players um, 167 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: you know, literally as we speak, and Kathy, I wonder 168 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:57,280 Speaker 1: how you had sort of approached this moment and feel 169 00:08:57,320 --> 00:09:00,080 Speaker 1: about it. You know, having worked as you did in 170 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:03,320 Speaker 1: corporate America for a number of years, thirty plus years 171 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 1: at at Deloitte um trailblazing in your way through you know, 172 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:12,720 Speaker 1: a very male corporate America to say the least, which 173 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:16,520 Speaker 1: remains to this day. You know, how do you approach it, 174 00:09:16,720 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 1: especially as you as you've alluded to, you know, this 175 00:09:20,520 --> 00:09:23,319 Speaker 1: is a league sort of built on empowerment and equality 176 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:26,079 Speaker 1: in many ways. But I wonder from a personal perspective, 177 00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 1: how you approach it? Yeah, I think again, I'm using 178 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:34,000 Speaker 1: every bit of everything I learned at around scenario planning, 179 00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:37,240 Speaker 1: around communication, around how to you know, I was involved 180 00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:40,319 Speaker 1: in the very involved in leadership during the crisis of 181 00:09:40,360 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 1: the light oh nine, Now that was what call it. 182 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 1: I know this is going to sound were just a 183 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:47,839 Speaker 1: financial crisis, not a glocal It's a fair point. It's 184 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:51,080 Speaker 1: a fair point. Yeah, it's not a global pandemic that 185 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:54,520 Speaker 1: has been creating, you know, an economic downturn and high 186 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 1: unemployment and lots of obviously issues out out there, so, 187 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,640 Speaker 1: um so, I mean I really think for me, you know, 188 00:10:02,120 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 1: there was a reason I took this job last July, 189 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:06,680 Speaker 1: and it was, you know, I wanted to make a 190 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:11,240 Speaker 1: difference and broader women's empowerment platform. I wanted to transform 191 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:14,200 Speaker 1: this league. We put in three pillars of that transformation, 192 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:16,880 Speaker 1: which was player first, which we got the collective bargaining 193 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 1: agreement done in January, which was revenue, revenue models, economic model, 194 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:25,440 Speaker 1: which is very difficult. I cannot you know, spare that 195 00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:29,320 Speaker 1: during this pandemic, but you know, we're hoping that, you know, 196 00:10:29,400 --> 00:10:31,840 Speaker 1: we make some investment during it, we come out stronger, 197 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 1: which is why we need a season this year. And 198 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:37,680 Speaker 1: then a fan engagement and and that was a really 199 00:10:37,720 --> 00:10:40,640 Speaker 1: important pillar that. Um. You know, now obviously with a 200 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 1: different you're actually changing the whole model of sports right 201 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:46,840 Speaker 1: now to put on sports without fans. And how do 202 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:49,720 Speaker 1: you do that, and how do you work with innovation 203 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,840 Speaker 1: and technology and tax the clap tap to cheer apps 204 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: well while hopefully fans are at home, you know, watching 205 00:10:57,040 --> 00:10:59,440 Speaker 1: And what do you do with augmented reality and what 206 00:10:59,480 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 1: can you do with digital and virtual signage in the 207 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:06,160 Speaker 1: arena that you're playing in without fans, so um, so 208 00:11:06,240 --> 00:11:09,000 Speaker 1: much to think about there, and again, I just feel 209 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:11,199 Speaker 1: blessed that I had this great training to come in 210 00:11:11,679 --> 00:11:13,679 Speaker 1: and become the commissioner the w n B A at 211 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:15,679 Speaker 1: a time when we were just like less than a 212 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:19,079 Speaker 1: year into a major transformation and we've got to kind 213 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:23,400 Speaker 1: of keep you know, keep these priorities going, but obviously 214 00:11:23,440 --> 00:11:25,400 Speaker 1: pausing now to try to put a season on with 215 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:28,960 Speaker 1: health and safety protocols number one. So following up on that, Kathy, 216 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:30,960 Speaker 1: how do you connect with the fans who will not 217 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:33,160 Speaker 1: be able to be sitting in an arena around the 218 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:36,880 Speaker 1: country watching all your teams compete. What's what's some of 219 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 1: the most innovative things you've heard in some of the 220 00:11:38,960 --> 00:11:42,560 Speaker 1: wackiest things you've heard. So, you know, one of the 221 00:11:42,559 --> 00:11:44,920 Speaker 1: things we try to and this is this is I'm 222 00:11:44,920 --> 00:11:47,360 Speaker 1: a big believer, and do some small things the symbolic 223 00:11:47,480 --> 00:11:50,240 Speaker 1: value to build trust and then the harder things you 224 00:11:50,280 --> 00:11:52,760 Speaker 1: can get done. So with our rookie class, So as 225 00:11:52,840 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 1: part of draft, you know, we were supposed to have 226 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:57,160 Speaker 1: a live draft, bring them to New York City, the 227 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 1: big city, from their universities and uh and and you know, 228 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:03,800 Speaker 1: kind of get to know them to a rookie orientation, 229 00:12:03,920 --> 00:12:06,800 Speaker 1: so you know, we immediately kind of said we need 230 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:10,040 Speaker 1: some innovation. We actually partnered with Snapchat on a virtual 231 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,160 Speaker 1: you know, an augmented reality app where I filmed for 232 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:17,200 Speaker 1: the top six team picks or so uh, individual messages 233 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:19,200 Speaker 1: so that when they got kind of a swag bag 234 00:12:19,240 --> 00:12:21,679 Speaker 1: at home, they would open it they click on Snapchat, 235 00:12:21,720 --> 00:12:24,439 Speaker 1: I kind of I would literally pop up in augmented 236 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:28,720 Speaker 1: reality with a message congratulations on your college career. We're 237 00:12:28,720 --> 00:12:31,480 Speaker 1: so you know, we're looking forward to draft and welcoming, 238 00:12:31,559 --> 00:12:33,880 Speaker 1: welcoming you to the w n B A. So we're 239 00:12:33,920 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 1: trying to find things like that, things through Google lens 240 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:40,440 Speaker 1: that fans can scan any w NBA logo or team 241 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 1: logo and they get some kind of content. Obviously, when 242 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,760 Speaker 1: we're in the single site down at IMG Academy, we're 243 00:12:46,760 --> 00:12:50,200 Speaker 1: gonna be looking at ways to provide social media content 244 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,640 Speaker 1: and fan content back. And then the technology that you're 245 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:56,240 Speaker 1: probably all hearing about on these tap to clap, tap 246 00:12:56,280 --> 00:13:00,600 Speaker 1: to cheer up, can you do some gamification off of that? UM. 247 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:02,880 Speaker 1: I think there's a lot of people working really hard 248 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:06,040 Speaker 1: in the kind of tech space to find ways to 249 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:09,880 Speaker 1: engage fans in a different way is legalized sports betting 250 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:12,920 Speaker 1: as it gets approved in states. Part of that gamification 251 00:13:13,600 --> 00:13:15,480 Speaker 1: um does that they're all a new fan based in 252 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:18,520 Speaker 1: for us, which we normally wouldn't have had. So we're 253 00:13:18,679 --> 00:13:21,560 Speaker 1: thinking about all of that and we're already thinking of 254 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:24,200 Speaker 1: that as part of our fan engagement pillar. And now 255 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 1: it's like what can you accelerate, what can you pilot? 256 00:13:26,880 --> 00:13:30,000 Speaker 1: Not everything will be successful, and that's another thing, as 257 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:31,760 Speaker 1: Jason and might you know, like in the middle of 258 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 1: a crisis, you've got to take some risks and pilots 259 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:36,320 Speaker 1: some things and maybe they don't look great on TV, 260 00:13:36,480 --> 00:13:39,000 Speaker 1: but the fan likes that sitting in their living room 261 00:13:39,040 --> 00:13:41,800 Speaker 1: at home. But you know, there are not everything. And 262 00:13:41,800 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 1: I've been watching you know, the Bundesstlague and English Premier 263 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:46,559 Speaker 1: and you know kind of some of the other leaves 264 00:13:46,559 --> 00:13:49,160 Speaker 1: that have started up before us to say what's working, 265 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:52,000 Speaker 1: what's not there? And instead of criticizing what's not working, 266 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 1: how can you actually use innovation to try to have 267 00:13:55,320 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 1: fans you know who you probably need to get used 268 00:13:57,520 --> 00:13:59,520 Speaker 1: to what the broadcast is going to look like, because 269 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:01,160 Speaker 1: I assure you it's not going to be the same 270 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 1: as being in you know, arenas that could fit you know, 271 00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:07,480 Speaker 1: tend the eighteen thousand people. So it's all going to 272 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 1: be different. But we're working really hard on this on 273 00:14:10,120 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: this avenue. So Kathy, you know, and you've alluded to this, 274 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:16,120 Speaker 1: and certainly one of the things we've heard as all 275 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:19,480 Speaker 1: sports have tried to get back to work in some 276 00:14:19,520 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 1: form of fashion. We certainly have heard this from Major 277 00:14:22,600 --> 00:14:25,520 Speaker 1: League Baseball, which is sort of limping towards some sort 278 00:14:25,560 --> 00:14:28,920 Speaker 1: of a season a commissioner mandated uh season, which I'm 279 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 1: guessing you did not want to be in the uh 280 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 1: Medford shoes uh in this in this particular case. But 281 00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:37,320 Speaker 1: I do wonder about the economics of all this, and 282 00:14:37,440 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 1: and you've talked about, you know, kind of how the 283 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:44,080 Speaker 1: league works and uh, the various revenue sources. But give 284 00:14:44,160 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 1: us a sense of what's what's lost and gained here 285 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:50,560 Speaker 1: as you try and figure this out and what the 286 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 1: season ultimately looks ultimately looks like. Yeah, so obviously if 287 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:58,440 Speaker 1: you think about losing fans, especially you know for our 288 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 1: league where we had over one in three billion fans 289 00:15:00,960 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 1: sit in our seats last year, UM, you know, not 290 00:15:04,080 --> 00:15:08,120 Speaker 1: having you know that revenue, UM, trying to maintain revenue 291 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 1: for broadcast revenue for UH sponsors and partners, and you know, 292 00:15:13,080 --> 00:15:16,000 Speaker 1: those are all things that you know, we're working on 293 00:15:16,040 --> 00:15:18,640 Speaker 1: hard to maximize as part of this. But you know, 294 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 1: coming back to health and safety number one, Number two, 295 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:24,160 Speaker 1: competitive play and a competitive season, highest level of play 296 00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: we can get UH and then you know, all of 297 00:15:26,800 --> 00:15:28,800 Speaker 1: those other things are on the list and being worked 298 00:15:28,800 --> 00:15:32,080 Speaker 1: on in parallel. But it's not easy. I will tell you. 299 00:15:32,120 --> 00:15:34,800 Speaker 1: Our owners have stepped up. Our owners stepped up with 300 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 1: Allowed Voice to ensure that we were going to pay 301 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:41,720 Speaker 1: the players their full salary this year, which is very 302 00:15:41,800 --> 00:15:44,280 Speaker 1: unusual given that we're going to have a shortened season, 303 00:15:44,440 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: And you know, I'm proud of them and the league 304 00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:48,960 Speaker 1: and the support we get, you know, from all of 305 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 1: our stakeholders on that, because that wasn't easy. And you know, 306 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 1: the cost of testing and all the medical protocols UM 307 00:15:57,560 --> 00:15:59,760 Speaker 1: and the cost of not again or the lost revenue 308 00:15:59,760 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 1: from not having fans in arenas is UM is something 309 00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 1: I think all sports are are balancing and struggling, and 310 00:16:05,520 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 1: certainly for our league of our size and scale, you know, 311 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:11,680 Speaker 1: this is difficult. But we felt, you know, along with 312 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 1: the ownership group that it was really important not to 313 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:17,320 Speaker 1: be absent from the sports landscape for over twenty months, 314 00:16:17,360 --> 00:16:20,200 Speaker 1: and to capitalize on the nomenum we had coming off 315 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:24,240 Speaker 1: the collective bargaining agreement, coming off a successful draft, and 316 00:16:24,320 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 1: to have a season at the extent we feel we 317 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 1: can put on a health and safety protocols that would 318 00:16:29,800 --> 00:16:32,160 Speaker 1: that would be up to our standards based on our 319 00:16:32,600 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 1: consultations with our medical and state and local health officials. Again, 320 00:16:37,320 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 1: I've learned more about that whole ecosystem throughout this as well, 321 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:45,320 Speaker 1: you know, infectious disease specialist, epidemiologists, and thankfully I have 322 00:16:45,560 --> 00:16:48,120 Speaker 1: like some family members that are doctors and nurses that 323 00:16:48,320 --> 00:16:51,200 Speaker 1: that you know. I actually used to work before I 324 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:54,000 Speaker 1: started Deloitte for a pediatrician for eight years through high 325 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 1: school and college stuff, and then I worked in life 326 00:16:56,840 --> 00:17:01,320 Speaker 1: sciences pharmaceuticals that Deloitte for many, many years to two decades. 327 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:03,720 Speaker 1: So I know a little bit, but now I know 328 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:06,639 Speaker 1: a lot more than may maybe the average citizen. Maybe not. 329 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:09,880 Speaker 1: I was just scrambling through Google. I said, I didn't 330 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:15,320 Speaker 1: know Lee high at a medical school exactly. I think 331 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:18,200 Speaker 1: we all, you know, we all are becoming a bit 332 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:22,040 Speaker 1: of our own, uh, at least sources for medical information 333 00:17:22,119 --> 00:17:26,120 Speaker 1: around COVID, COVID nineteen and the community spread and the 334 00:17:26,119 --> 00:17:28,480 Speaker 1: trajectory of the virus, and you know, and we're all 335 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,040 Speaker 1: reading so much, you know, because work from home. So 336 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:33,320 Speaker 1: one quick follow up that you've got about a half 337 00:17:33,359 --> 00:17:35,200 Speaker 1: a dozen coaches that are in their early to mid 338 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:37,440 Speaker 1: or late sixties. Now we know some of the players 339 00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:40,880 Speaker 1: are have health concerns. Any health concern has been voiced 340 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:43,320 Speaker 1: for any of those coaches, we have a whole process 341 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:47,640 Speaker 1: that we've employed and we're in the process of around um, 342 00:17:47,680 --> 00:17:51,720 Speaker 1: it's not just age, it's as as you indicated medical conditions, 343 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:56,440 Speaker 1: high risk medical conditions for severe potential severe COVID. So 344 00:17:56,920 --> 00:17:58,879 Speaker 1: you know, that is definitely on the list. But you 345 00:17:58,920 --> 00:18:00,960 Speaker 1: know what's been fascinating out this all of that we 346 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,239 Speaker 1: have a process for We have physicians advising us. We 347 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:06,240 Speaker 1: also have you know, the normal stuff that you would 348 00:18:06,240 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 1: have as part of a season, and normally you would 349 00:18:08,080 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 1: have you know, players playing overseason, ry coming into training camp, 350 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:14,960 Speaker 1: you know, obviously having having you know, not a big 351 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:17,639 Speaker 1: break in and not working out, and now we have 352 00:18:17,880 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 1: you know, three to four months of not working out, 353 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:22,840 Speaker 1: UM and a lot of that would stay at home 354 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:26,120 Speaker 1: time as as you know, instructed through the different state 355 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:29,360 Speaker 1: and local requirements because of COVID. So you know, we've 356 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:31,879 Speaker 1: got a whole plan. It's more of a broad medical 357 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:35,520 Speaker 1: plan COVID and non COVID UM, but certainly looking at 358 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,439 Speaker 1: anybody who's part of essential staff what we call the 359 00:18:38,480 --> 00:18:42,080 Speaker 1: travel party to Florida as well as players and looking 360 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:45,120 Speaker 1: at those and getting advice from team physicians as well 361 00:18:45,160 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 1: as um, you know, our doctors at the league level. So, Kathy, 362 00:18:50,520 --> 00:18:56,040 Speaker 1: I do wonder as an athlete, and Mike mentioned your 363 00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 1: your time at Lee High where you were a two 364 00:18:57,800 --> 00:19:00,679 Speaker 1: sport varsity athlete, I believe both best all in lacrosse. 365 00:19:00,720 --> 00:19:04,920 Speaker 1: Do I have that right? Yes? Yes, So you've played 366 00:19:04,920 --> 00:19:06,920 Speaker 1: the game, but not just played the game. You played 367 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:10,560 Speaker 1: the games. Uh, you were an athlete in your collegiate years. 368 00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:15,720 Speaker 1: You have seen you know, women's athletics. I hope progress 369 00:19:15,800 --> 00:19:19,120 Speaker 1: pretty dramatically over time. But I do wonder where are 370 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:21,520 Speaker 1: we now at this moment where I feel like we're 371 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:27,159 Speaker 1: considering and reconsidering all things around equality. Where do you 372 00:19:27,160 --> 00:19:31,359 Speaker 1: think we are when it comes to women and athletics. Yeah, 373 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:34,080 Speaker 1: so that's been probably one of the things as I 374 00:19:34,119 --> 00:19:38,080 Speaker 1: took on this role last summer. Obviously I was a 375 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:41,000 Speaker 1: big beneficiary of title nine because I was growing up 376 00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:43,159 Speaker 1: in the seventies and I had five brothers, and I 377 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:46,480 Speaker 1: was playing three sports and in college in high school 378 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:48,639 Speaker 1: and two in college. As you mentioned, and thank you 379 00:19:48,640 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: for mentioning lacrosse too. They don't get the shout out 380 00:19:51,119 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 1: that they deserve. Her. Listen, I have a lacrosse player 381 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:56,359 Speaker 1: in my I have a male lacrosse player in my 382 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:58,080 Speaker 1: house and a two year old too. I'm sure we'll 383 00:19:58,080 --> 00:20:01,199 Speaker 1: become a women's lacrosse players. So I would be in 384 00:20:01,200 --> 00:20:03,480 Speaker 1: big trouble at home if anybody listened to this and 385 00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:06,879 Speaker 1: I didn't mention lacrosse. Yes, um, but you know, my 386 00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:10,399 Speaker 1: passion has always been in sports, with brothers and a 387 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:13,680 Speaker 1: father who was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in ninety seven. 388 00:20:13,760 --> 00:20:19,120 Speaker 1: I don't know if you guys knew that nine seven. Yeah, 389 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 1: they were actually called the Fort Wayne Pistons back then, 390 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:25,480 Speaker 1: and then a year later I think changed changed the Yeah. 391 00:20:25,480 --> 00:20:28,639 Speaker 1: But he played under Jack Ramsey at St. Jose University 392 00:20:28,680 --> 00:20:31,119 Speaker 1: back when St. Jose, you know, was a powerhouse in 393 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:36,000 Speaker 1: basketball and the Big five in Philadelphia from yeah, we're big, 394 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:39,920 Speaker 1: big sports programs in basketball. Um, but again huge beneficiary 395 00:20:39,960 --> 00:20:42,280 Speaker 1: of Title nine. I know, we just had the forty 396 00:20:42,359 --> 00:20:45,320 Speaker 1: ninth anniversary the other day of that in ESPN did 397 00:20:45,320 --> 00:20:47,960 Speaker 1: a nice job with you know, profiling women's sports. But 398 00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 1: you know, where are we We're just we're not where 399 00:20:50,080 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: we need to be. Someone described it to me, you're 400 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:54,520 Speaker 1: pushing a big boulder up the hill and you just 401 00:20:54,520 --> 00:20:56,239 Speaker 1: got to kind of tip it to the top. But 402 00:20:56,680 --> 00:21:00,520 Speaker 1: as a former accountant and consultant at the Lloyd, I say, well, 403 00:21:00,560 --> 00:21:03,040 Speaker 1: it gives me the data. And the data is, you know, 404 00:21:03,160 --> 00:21:06,000 Speaker 1: less than less than five percent of all media coverage 405 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:08,640 Speaker 1: covers women's sports and less than one percent of all 406 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:12,520 Speaker 1: corporate sponsorship dollars go to women's sports. So I got 407 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:15,320 Speaker 1: those statistics last summer. I said, what's the numerator and 408 00:21:15,359 --> 00:21:20,119 Speaker 1: the denominator? How can we move these percentages? And and that's, um, 409 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:22,040 Speaker 1: that's what you know, we set off to do and 410 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 1: set off to kind of empower at least through our 411 00:21:25,119 --> 00:21:27,520 Speaker 1: efforts at the w n b A and broad more broadly, 412 00:21:27,560 --> 00:21:30,040 Speaker 1: I mean one of the things and um, you know, 413 00:21:30,119 --> 00:21:32,240 Speaker 1: if you have kids, and you have a daughter who 414 00:21:32,320 --> 00:21:35,720 Speaker 1: reaches twelve thirteen fourteen, they drop out at alarming rates 415 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:39,639 Speaker 1: of organized sports versus their male counterparts. And so, you know, 416 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:42,400 Speaker 1: my my hope is that you know, what we're doing 417 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 1: at the w NBA, the role models these players are 418 00:21:44,880 --> 00:21:48,320 Speaker 1: is is hopefully going to drive a broader narrative around 419 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:51,119 Speaker 1: supporting women and girls in sports. And we're doing a 420 00:21:51,119 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 1: lot in a stakeholder group around why are UM girls 421 00:21:55,040 --> 00:21:57,719 Speaker 1: dropping out at alarming rates versus boys? Because we know, 422 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:01,080 Speaker 1: like someone like me gained a lot of leadership skills 423 00:22:01,240 --> 00:22:04,359 Speaker 1: on the court and on this and the lacrosse field UM, 424 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:07,919 Speaker 1: and there's no doubt that I wouldn't have developed the 425 00:22:07,920 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 1: way I did. And I had great mentors and sponsorship 426 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:13,480 Speaker 1: deloyed as well. But an experience, but you know, without 427 00:22:13,560 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 1: kind of that grounding and not that everybody has to 428 00:22:15,760 --> 00:22:18,879 Speaker 1: play sports that becomes a leader, but it's sure for 429 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:21,320 Speaker 1: me was helpful, and I think more girls need to 430 00:22:21,359 --> 00:22:25,359 Speaker 1: stay in sports, especially in today's environment where we've got 431 00:22:25,400 --> 00:22:28,000 Speaker 1: a lot of mental health issues, We've got a lot 432 00:22:28,040 --> 00:22:30,280 Speaker 1: of other things that b C. We've got a lot 433 00:22:30,320 --> 00:22:33,440 Speaker 1: of things that that society is troubled with in addition 434 00:22:33,480 --> 00:22:36,600 Speaker 1: to the social and racial justice UM and you know, 435 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 1: climate change and all the other social issues out their 436 00:22:40,320 --> 00:22:43,720 Speaker 1: societal issues. So it's really important that I think that 437 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:47,560 Speaker 1: we um elevate women's sports. So that's why I appreciate 438 00:22:47,800 --> 00:22:51,120 Speaker 1: you know, you guys and you know the media when 439 00:22:51,119 --> 00:22:53,960 Speaker 1: we do get covered. Um, it's really important to lift 440 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:57,359 Speaker 1: the profile and that you know, and that girls and 441 00:22:57,600 --> 00:23:01,120 Speaker 1: young boys see women role models sports, not just male 442 00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:04,720 Speaker 1: role models. Yeah, it's important. It's interesting that you say that. 443 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:06,600 Speaker 1: And Mike and I had a chance to catch up 444 00:23:06,640 --> 00:23:09,680 Speaker 1: earlier this week with Elena Beard and obviously she has 445 00:23:10,040 --> 00:23:12,800 Speaker 1: now moved on and she's sort of gone gone the 446 00:23:12,840 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 1: other way. She's gone from sports to business and obviously, 447 00:23:15,680 --> 00:23:17,280 Speaker 1: as you know, is working as a venture capitalist out 448 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,920 Speaker 1: in Silicon Valley. And you know, her perspective was invaluable 449 00:23:20,960 --> 00:23:23,280 Speaker 1: about that, you know, what sports has done for her, 450 00:23:23,320 --> 00:23:25,959 Speaker 1: but also you know sort of the differences and the 451 00:23:26,000 --> 00:23:28,959 Speaker 1: struggles you know, both as a woman and and obviously 452 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:32,240 Speaker 1: as a woman of color as well during these times. 453 00:23:32,359 --> 00:23:34,960 Speaker 1: And it is a reminder, you know, hearing from you 454 00:23:35,119 --> 00:23:40,919 Speaker 1: and those statistics are depressing candidly around sponsorship and viewership, 455 00:23:41,119 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 1: and uh, it's a reminder that that uh, that boulder 456 00:23:44,320 --> 00:23:47,120 Speaker 1: that you described it is big. It is big and 457 00:23:47,240 --> 00:23:51,040 Speaker 1: uh and and not moving too fast unfortunately. Yeah, and 458 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:54,600 Speaker 1: the denominator is huge, so to move it, yeah, you 459 00:23:54,680 --> 00:23:56,880 Speaker 1: got to make lots of progress on the numerator, which 460 00:23:56,920 --> 00:23:59,440 Speaker 1: is the support for women's sports. So you know, one 461 00:23:59,440 --> 00:24:01,360 Speaker 1: of our platfor horms we announced at the same time 462 00:24:01,359 --> 00:24:03,680 Speaker 1: as collective bargaining agreement was at w n B a 463 00:24:03,760 --> 00:24:05,800 Speaker 1: change maker platform. These are companies that are going to 464 00:24:05,880 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 1: step up in big ways to support the w n 465 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:11,080 Speaker 1: B A and and more broadly women's sports. So we're 466 00:24:11,080 --> 00:24:14,280 Speaker 1: starting to see companies do that. Again, hitting a pandemic 467 00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:18,080 Speaker 1: hasn't been helpful to that, to any any program. But 468 00:24:18,440 --> 00:24:21,920 Speaker 1: I think again we're we're pleased with where we were 469 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:24,119 Speaker 1: coming into the pandemic. We need to get through this. 470 00:24:24,200 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 1: We need to put a season on, we need health 471 00:24:26,040 --> 00:24:28,679 Speaker 1: and safety to be number one. We need to be 472 00:24:28,720 --> 00:24:30,639 Speaker 1: agile and then kind of come out of this and 473 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 1: re look at those percentages to say how can we 474 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:35,840 Speaker 1: drive this and move those so more. The most important 475 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:38,280 Speaker 1: question Kathy right now, do you still have game and 476 00:24:38,359 --> 00:24:40,240 Speaker 1: could you compete with any of the players in the 477 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:43,720 Speaker 1: league in a mean game of horse right now? Well, 478 00:24:43,760 --> 00:24:46,720 Speaker 1: one of the most interesting things about the pandemic is that, 479 00:24:46,840 --> 00:24:50,240 Speaker 1: you know, my son, who's uh just finished his freshman 480 00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:52,640 Speaker 1: year in college, has been home since his spring break 481 00:24:52,680 --> 00:24:55,200 Speaker 1: because he never went back. And and so every night 482 00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:57,399 Speaker 1: about six or seven o'clock, if I could get a 483 00:24:57,400 --> 00:24:59,800 Speaker 1: break from all the medical and safety protocols were f 484 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:02,400 Speaker 1: in place, we go out and we play on this 485 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:05,199 Speaker 1: little chord on the end of our street. And for 486 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:09,280 Speaker 1: Mother's Day, my kids bought me bought me a three 487 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 1: point line chalk kid, so we now drew a three 488 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:16,000 Speaker 1: point line NFL line. We had already spray painted the 489 00:25:16,040 --> 00:25:18,359 Speaker 1: foul line out there, which I got from my brother's 490 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:21,160 Speaker 1: growing up, but we literally have a legit three point 491 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:22,960 Speaker 1: line out there now, and so we go out and 492 00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:25,840 Speaker 1: play horse and no, I definitely could not compete against 493 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:29,199 Speaker 1: w NBA players, but my son and I we we 494 00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:33,679 Speaker 1: do get out back and forth. That's fantastic. Well, listen, 495 00:25:34,160 --> 00:25:36,440 Speaker 1: we really appreciate you taking some time. We know it's 496 00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:40,040 Speaker 1: a fast moving time, a fast moving story. In many ways, 497 00:25:40,119 --> 00:25:43,120 Speaker 1: I think we're all hoping, as we know you are, 498 00:25:43,720 --> 00:25:46,040 Speaker 1: that we do see a season that you're able to 499 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:49,560 Speaker 1: get down to Florida and pull something off. Because we 500 00:25:49,600 --> 00:25:54,200 Speaker 1: need sports. We know that it's important for everyone, the players, 501 00:25:54,240 --> 00:25:59,080 Speaker 1: the fans, and everyone else. W NBA Commissioner at Cat Englebert, 502 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:01,840 Speaker 1: thank you so much for appreciate it. Jason and Mike 503 00:26:02,080 --> 00:26:05,399 Speaker 1: stay healthy. Thanks guys, and our thanks to Kathy Engelbert. 504 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,520 Speaker 1: The w n b A commission really enjoyed that. Mike, Well, 505 00:26:08,560 --> 00:26:11,160 Speaker 1: you can catch our podcast right here every Monday, Wednesday 506 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:14,199 Speaker 1: and Thursday. I'm Jason Kelly on Twitter find me at 507 00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:16,400 Speaker 1: Jason Kelly News. And I'm Mike Lynch. You can find 508 00:26:16,440 --> 00:26:19,240 Speaker 1: me on Twitter at Lynch e w CVV. You're listening 509 00:26:19,240 --> 00:26:22,879 Speaker 1: to the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcasts for Bloomberg Radio 510 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:23,680 Speaker 1: around the world.