🔥Upside Chat: Dr Ron Dick, Duquesne University, Ex NBA/NCAA Exec on the NCAA, MLB All Star Game, NFL Camps, NHL Draft, OKC Title, Roland Garros & FIFA Club World Cup

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🔥Upside Chat: Dr Ron Dick, Duquesne University, Ex NBA/NCAA Exec on the NCAA, MLB All Star Game, NFL Camps, NHL Draft, OKC Title, Roland Garros & FIFA Club World Cup

Julien Blin

Jul 11, 2025

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.

You can watch the video interview below by clicking on the Youtube link. You can also listen to the audio interview by clicking on the link at the top of the page:

📝Show Notes: Through this interview, we touched on the following topics:

Q1. NCAA update
Q2. MLB update - Allstar game
Q3. NFL camp’s starting the grind
Q4. NHL Draft
Q5. Free agent signings in NBA/NFL
Q6. NBA OKC championship, Q6. French open - Sinner / Alcatraz
Q7. PSG @ World Cup of soccer clubs

Here are the best quotes from the interview with Ron:

Q1. NCAA Update (NIL..)

Dr Ron Dick:

“We’ve now had four full years to see how the NCAA has handled name, image, and likeness — the NIL — and things have evolved dramatically. When this all began, the landscape was vague, uncertain, and completely unregulated. No one knew exactly who was getting what or how deals were being structured. It was, frankly, the Wild West — undocumented, except maybe by the IRS. But now, fast forward to July 1st, 2025, and we’re starting to see the emergence of a more defined structure, which I think is a step in the right direction. The next phase, which is already underway, is conference-level decisions on whether to opt in or out of television revenue sharing — and that could reshape college sports as we know it.”
“The model they’re exploring is similar to what the NFL uses — equal sharing of TV revenue. And why does that work? Because it lifts everyone. When the tide comes in, all the ships rise. That’s how a small-market team like Green Bay can compete with a juggernaut like New York. That model is coming to college football, and it’ll be up to each conference to decide if they want to participate. I believe most will.”
“What’s also fascinating is how the so-called ‘losers’ of realignment — Oregon State and Washington State — may end up being the winners. They’re aligning with football schools from the Mountain West and are pushing toward an automatic qualifier for the playoff. There’s growing momentum for a 16-team playoff structure with five major conference champions and 11 at-large bids. In hindsight, being left out might’ve been the right call.”

Q2. MLB Update – All-Star Game + Standings

Dr Ron Dick:

“The All-Star Game this year is set for July 15th in Atlanta, and fans are genuinely excited. This event hits right at the halfway point of the season and offers a rare and much-needed break for the players. These guys play nearly every day from April to September, and the All-Star break is their only true moment to rest, recharge, and showcase their talent on a national stage. The Home Run Derby is always a fan favorite, and it really brings casual viewers back into the sport midseason.”
“From a competitive standpoint, there are some really interesting developments. The Toronto Blue Jays are exceeding expectations and leading a very competitive AL East, where the Yankees, Rays, and Red Sox are still strong. That’s easily the most stacked division in baseball. In the National League West, the Dodgers are dominant again, and both the Padres and Giants are performing well. Meanwhile, teams like the Colorado Rockies are struggling to even reach 40 wins — which would be a record low. There’s a huge disparity in performance this year, but that’s baseball. It always finds a way to balance drama and unpredictability.”

Q3. NFL Camps Starting – Preseason Outlook

Dr Ron Dick:

“We’re heading into August, which means NFL training camps are getting underway. And with that, optimism returns for every fanbase. This is when ‘hope springs eternal.’ Every team believes they have a shot. It’s the start of what we call ‘the grind’ — from the first padded practices through to the Super Bowl in February. It’s long, it’s grueling, and it’s relentless.”
“You’ve got big storylines this year — the Chiefs trying to repeat, the Eagles retooling, and the Cowboys as perennial contenders in theory, if not in practice. The AFC North, in particular, should be must-watch with stacked rosters. And then there are teams like the Commanders, who’ve made major moves — acquiring a top defensive player from the 49ers, drafting a quarterback like Jayden Daniels, and hiring Dan Quinn. They’re building something strong in D.C. Everyone’s got their free agents locked in. Trading is slowing down. And fans are glued to the NFL Network around the clock. It’s the number one sport in America — no doubt about it.”

Q3. NHL Draft + Florida Teams

Dr Ron Dick:

“The NHL Draft has passed, and what’s interesting is that while you don’t see many trades in the NHL, there’s always a heavy emphasis on development — drafting young players and signing the right free agents. Look at what happened in Florida. The Panthers went from afterthoughts to back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. That doesn’t happen without vision, leadership, and buy-in from the roster.”
“Edmonton has now lost two straight finals, which is tough. They have a great young core, but psychologically, that’s hard to bounce back from. And Tampa Bay is still a powerhouse. These aren’t traditional hockey markets, but success has changed the narrative. People said you couldn’t sell ice in the sand. But now, Florida has two of the most competitive NHL teams, and the fanbases are growing — slowly, but winning always helps fill seats.”

Q4. NBA + NFL Free Agent Signings

Dr Ron Dick:

“Kevin Durant being traded to the Rockets shocked everyone — including Kevin himself. The criticism that he can’t win on his own has followed him for years, but let’s be honest: he’s still an elite shooter. Watching him dominate at the Olympics this year, hitting shot after shot in the final, just proved how sharp he still is. The Rockets are building something, and Durant might just be the right veteran presence to push them over the top.”
“LeBron is a big question mark. He’s still incredibly productive, meticulous about his body — spends $1.5 million a year maintaining it. The man is a machine. But there’s talk that his wife wants him to retire. We’ve seen this before — remember the Brady situation. But I could honestly see him going back to Cleveland for one last run. That team is young and talented — they just might need one more piece to contend. And how poetic would it be for LeBron to close his career where it began?”
“In the NFL, the Rodgers deal is low-risk — a one-year contract, $10–12 million. If it works, great. If not, no long-term damage. And looking ahead, the Steelers are hosting the 2026 Draft and are expected to pursue one of the many talented QBs projected in that class. It’s a big setup for the future.”

Q5. NBA – Oklahoma City Thunder Championship

Dr Ron Dick:

“This year’s NBA Finals were phenomenal — OKC versus Indiana. It wasn’t the ratings bonanza that a Lakers-Knicks matchup would bring, but in terms of basketball IQ, strategy, and grit, this was a classic. Seven games, full drama. And for people in Pittsburgh, it was special to see TJ McConnell — who played locally and at Duquesne — have such a standout role.”
“I’m especially happy for Scott Loft, the Thunder’s VP of Sales, who finally got a ring after 37 years in the business. And let’s not forget what this means for OKC. They’re young, hungry, and loaded with draft capital. When SGA said after the win, ‘We’re just getting started,’ it didn’t feel like hyperbole. This team is built for a decade-long run. If they manage things right, we could be looking at a new dynasty in the making.”

Q6. French Open – Sinner vs. Alcaraz

Julien Blin:

“The French Open final this year was absolutely incredible. Alcaraz versus Sinner. Five sets. Five hours. And the momentum shift — with Alcaraz coming back from two sets down — was a masterclass in endurance, focus, and athletic brilliance. People often overlook how demanding tennis is, but at that level, it’s among the most physically and mentally challenging sports on Earth.”
“What we saw wasn’t just a final — it was the beginning of a rivalry. Like Federer-Nadal. These two are young, polished, and will meet over and over again in the years to come. It’s the dawn of a new era in men’s tennis.”

Q7. PSG at World Cup of Soccer Clubs

Julien Blin:

“PSG just demolished Real Madrid 4-0 — and they were up by three in the first 20 minutes. This comes after they won the Champions League, and it cements their place as the best club team in the world right now. What’s fascinating is that they did this after letting go of Mbappé — and it turns out that may have been the best move they could’ve made.”
“Luis Enrique deserves a ton of credit. He told the players straight up: ‘If you don’t defend as a unit and attack together, you won’t play.’ That’s why Mbappé didn’t fit in. The team now plays with cohesion, balance, and hunger. That’s a real system at work — and it’s winning at the highest level.”

Dr Ron Dick:

“But the bigger picture here is the soccer calendar. These guys don’t stop. You’ve got the Club World Cup in summer, national league campaigns, Champions League, and next year — the 2026 World Cup in the U.S. It reminds me of when Jordan played three seasons and then went straight into the Olympics. The physical toll is enormous. But next summer, the world will be watching, and the U.S. is going to be the center of global football.”