🔥Upside Chat: Dr Ron Dick, Duquesne University, Ex NBA/NCAA Exec on the NHL/NBA/MLS Favorites, MLB Spring Training, Aaron Rodgers, March Madness, Leo Messi

This week we had the honor to interview again Dr. Ron Dick, associate professor of sports marketing at Duquesne University in the school of business. Ron also worked for 20 years in sports, including 15 years in the NBA with the Sixers and the Nets, and then five years in the NCAA.

You can read the full transcript of the podcast interview with Ron located at the top of this blog post.

Here are some of the best quotes of our conversation with Ron:

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1. NHL and NBA Championship Favorites

• Ron Dick: “The NHL is definitely ratcheting up the intensity as teams fight for playoff positioning. The Capitals, Hurricanes, Devils, Florida Panthers, and the Lightning are all serious contenders in the East, while I really like Edmonton in the West—I think they’re going to get back again. Vegas and the Kings are also playing well, and you can never count them out come playoff time.”

• Ron Dick: “In the NBA, things are just as exciting. The Cavaliers are on a 14-game winning streak, proving they’re a real contender, but the Celtics and Heat are still dangerous, and the Knicks are making noise. Out West, the Lakers with LeBron and Luka are a big storyline, and the Warriors, with their combination of Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry, are still a threat. I like a Cavaliers vs. Lakers or Cavaliers vs. Thunder final. The NBA would love to see a LeBron vs. Cavs matchup in the Finals—it would be one of the biggest storylines in years.”

2. MLB Spring Training and World Series Favorites

• Ron Dick: “Spring training is one of the best-kept secrets in sports travel. If you ever get a chance to go, you should. There’s just something about being up close to the action, hearing the bat crack, and seeing future stars competing for those final roster spots. Every team is undefeated, and hope is alive for every fan.”

• Ron Dick: “As for the favorites to win it all? The Dodgers are the team to beat. They’ve loaded up their roster with top Japanese players and are even opening their season in Japan, which has created massive excitement. But don’t count out the Braves—they’re looking for a big bounce-back year. The Phillies and Mets are also strong contenders in the NL East, while the AL East remains stacked with the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Orioles making big moves. It’s going to be a great season.”

3. NFL as a 12-Month Sport

• Ron Dick: “The NFL has mastered the art of staying relevant all year long. You go from the Super Bowl straight into free agency, then the draft in April, and before you know it, the schedule release in May has fans planning their road trips. It never stops. There’s no true offseason anymore—it’s a 12-month sport where teams are always trying to improve, and fans are always engaged.”

4. MLS Season Favorites

• Ron Dick: “The MLS continues to grow at an incredible pace. With Lionel Messi in the league, every stadium he visits is a sellout. Inter Miami is going all-in to win the title this year, and Messi will play a huge role in that. But LAFC and LA Galaxy are also strong contenders, and you can never overlook teams like the Seattle Sounders and Atlanta United, who have passionate fan bases and strong rosters.”

• Julien Blin: “It’s also exciting to see more European stars expressing interest in playing here. David Beckham was one of the first big names to come over, then Zlatan, and now there are rumors that Antoine Griezmann, a World Cup winner with France, could be the next big signing. That’s a sign that MLS is gaining respect on the global stage. The 2026 World Cup is coming to the U.S., and that’s only going to accelerate the league’s growth.”

5. March Madness and Tournament Controversies

• Ron Dick: “March Madness is one of the best sporting events in the world. This year, we’ve got some exciting first-time tournament appearances from teams like the Omaha Mavericks and High Point Panthers. That’s what makes this tournament special—schools that have never been on this stage now get their chance to shine.”

• Ron Dick: “But behind the scenes, there’s some controversy. The SEC and Big Ten are trying to grab most of the at-large bids, just like they did in college football’s new 12-team playoff. There are even rumors that those conferences might break off and create their own basketball tournament. That would completely shake up college sports, and it’s something to keep an eye on. If conferences like the Big East and ACC only get two teams in the tournament while the SEC and Big Ten dominate the field, that’s going to create a lot of debate.”

6. $20 Million Annual Collective in College Sports

• Ron Dick: “The financial landscape of college sports is changing rapidly. Schools like West Virginia University are now saying they need to raise $20 million annually just to stay competitive in the power conferences. That money is split about 70% for football, 25% for men’s basketball, and only 5% for all other sports combined.”

• Ron Dick: “The challenge is that non-revenue sports, like gymnastics and volleyball, are struggling to stay funded. Some schools are even considering cutting these programs, which would be a huge loss for college athletics. To reduce costs, there’s talk of making non-revenue teams play more regional schedules, where they can bus to games instead of flying across the country. That could help keep these programs alive, but it’s a tough situation. The NCAA is evolving fast, and by July 1st, 2025, we could see even more dramatic changes in how college sports operate.”

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