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:
Q1. What is your take on the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight?
"That fight to me, though, I was really concerned for Tyson's health. I mean, we’re talking about a 28-year-old fighting a 58-year-old. Seven states wouldn’t even touch that fight as far as betting’s concerned. It felt like a little bit of an exhibition or WWF stage tour sort of thing. Mike's legs are shot—he’s very stationary. Sure, he’s got power, but Jake Paul was running around the ring for two rounds, and it felt like a money grab."
"The event itself had a massive turnout; I think they said 72,300 people were packed into the Dallas Cowboys stadium leading to $18M in total revenue, a record for boxing and mixed martial art events held outside of Las Vegas. Netflix saw the fight peak at a record 65M concurrent streams. Financially, it was a win-win for both fighters, but it didn’t feel much like a fight. I just hope Tyson doesn’t fight again—it’s not a good place for him."
Q2. WNBA is looking to have a new team in Pittsburgh. Is it a good idea?
"For a city like Pittsburgh, which has a population of about 333,000, we’re already the smallest city to host three of the four major sports leagues. Adding a WNBA team here might not work as well as it could in larger cities like Philadelphia, which is four or five times bigger. You’d need strong local interest, and I don’t know if that’s feasible financially. Who would the team draw fans from? Pirates fans? Vacationers during the summer league schedule? It’s tough competition."
"On the positive side, WNBA expansion has been successful in some markets. Look at the New York Liberty, bought for $15 million in 2019 and now valued at $200 million. I’d love to see a team in Pittsburgh—it would create jobs for my students and opportunities in sports marketing—but without an NBA ‘sugar daddy’ team for support, it’s a tough sell."
Q3. MLS/NHL: What are your thoughts on the CNBC report comparing NHL team valuations with MLS team valuations?
"For the first time, we’re seeing some of the higher-valued MLS teams—LA Galaxy, Atlanta United, and Inter Miami—surpassing NHL teams like the Winnipeg Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Buffalo Sabres in estimated worth. This had never happened before, and it’s catching people’s attention."
"The star power of someone like Leo Messi has had a huge impact. Inter Miami, for example, has skyrocketed to over $1 billion in valuation since Messi’s arrival. While the MLS is still not at the caliber of the Premier League or the top global leagues, it’s pointing in the right direction."
Q4. NFL updates: What are your thoughts on TV ratings and Super Bowl favorites?
"Attendance is through the roof, with most teams operating at 90% or more ticket sales capacity. The NFL remains the number one sport in terms of viewership and attendance in the U.S."
"In terms of favorites, it’s wide open. On the NFC side, teams like the Lions, Eagles, and Vikings are all strong contenders, while the Chiefs are the clear favorites in the AFC. Whether the Chiefs can repeat remains to be seen, but the NFL continues to dominate."
Q5. The NBA TV ratings are down slightly and ticket sales are also down. What are your thoughts?
"The drop in TV ratings and ticket sales is surprising, especially for a league that’s been so strong in fan engagement. Teams like the Cavs are off to a fantastic start, but I wouldn’t get too excited yet. Let’s wait until February or March around the All-Star break to see how things stabilize. The league still has potential—it’s just a matter of recapturing fan interest."
Q6. Cavs’ (NBA) record start: How far can they go in the playoffs?
"The Cavs are 17-1 and leading the Eastern Conference, which is fantastic. They’ve done everything right—trades, free-agent signings, drafting, coaching. They’ve covered all the bases. That said, it’s still early in the season. Let’s see where they stand around February or March, when the playoff picture becomes clearer."
Q7. Dalton Knecht the new NBA rookie from the LA Lakers who some believe has been a true steal in the recent NBA draft: What are your thoughts?
"Drafting is not an exact science. Scouts miss on players all the time because it’s hard to measure heart and competitiveness, but Knecht is proving to be a diamond in the rough. Congratulations to the LA Lakers GM for spotting him."
Q8. MLB free agents: What are your thoughts?
"Juan Soto, at just 25, is a major free agent. He started playing in the majors at 19, so he’s hitting free agency quickly. Teams like the Giants, Yankees, and Mets are all likely to pursue him aggressively. Another name to watch is Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old Japanese pitcher who’s drawing comparisons to Shohei Ohtani."
"The Dodgers, with a healthy pitching staff, will likely be perennial favorites again. Even after an injury-plagued season, they managed to win the World Series. With players like Clayton Kershaw back, they’re a team to watch."
Q9. MLB testing robot referees: What are your thoughts?
"The MLB’s move to test robot umpires is part of its effort to create a more accurate and fair game. It will reduce the arguments over strike zones and improve consistency. While it might feel unusual at first, it’s probably a step in the right direction, and we could see it fully implemented by 2026."
Q10. TNT Inside the NBA’s TV crew (Charles Barkley, Shaq, Kenny, Ernie) going to ESPN: What are your thoughts?
"The chemistry between Barkley, Shaq, Kenny, and Ernie is unmatched. It’s very organic and natural, not staged at all. They replicate the feel of a locker room, which is part of their charm. It’s great to see them moving to ESPN, and hopefully, they’ll stay together for a long time. Fans love their dynamic."
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