In this episode of On Stage, Steve Ballmer—Chairman of the L.A. Clippers, Intuit Dome, and former CEO of Microsoft—joins Sports Business Journal’s Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour for a wide-ranging conversation that took place on September 16, 2025, at SBJ’s AXS DRIVE conference in Los Angeles.

With his trademark enthusiasm, Ballmer shares how he’s redefining what it means to be a sports owner, builder, and leader. The conversation explores:

• Intuit Dome Vision: How Ballmer is creating a state-of-the-art arena designed to transform the fan experience.
• Leadership Lessons: Insights from his years at Microsoft and how they influencerunning an NBA franchise.
• Innovation & Infrastructure: Why building new venues is about more than basketball—it’s about community, technology, and culture.
• The Power of Energy: Ballmer’s personal philosophy and how it drives his approach to business, sports, and life.

It’s a dynamic and insightful discussion with one of the most energetic and influential leaders in sports and business.

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In this episode of On Stage, two visionary leaders—Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President of Ariel Investments, and Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment—share the stage at SBJ’s Dealmakers Conference in Washington, D.C., on November 30, 2023.

Hobson, a nationally recognized financial executive and advocate for financial literacy, speaks candidly about how Ariel Investments approaches long-term value creation, why patience is critical in both markets and leadership, and how she’s worked to open doors for underrepresented groups in business. She also reflects on lessons from serving on the boards of major companies like JPMorgan Chase and Starbucks, and the importance of making investment decisions that align with values as well as returns.

Leonsis, a longtime entrepreneur, sports owner, and investor, brings the perspective of a dealmaker who has navigated growth across technology, media, and sports. Together, their conversation touches on what makes partnerships endure, the responsibility of leaders to connect business with community impact, and how innovation is reshaping both finance and sports.

This dialogue is both practical and inspiring—grounded in real-world lessons while offering a vision for how business and sports leaders can drive growth with purpose.

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In this episode of On Stage, Michael Rubin, CEO and Chairman of Fanatics, joins SBJ’s Publisher and Executive Editor Abe Madkour for a lively conversation at the CAA World Congress of Sports on April 16, 2024.

Rubin pulls back the curtain on the unprecedented growth of Fanatics, which now spans licensed merchandise, trading cards, collectibles, and sports betting. Along the way, he shares the mindset behind building what he describes as “the world’s leading digital sports platform,” and what it takes to keep scaling a business that has reshaped how fans interact with their teams and athletes.

The conversation touches on business metrics, the baseball uniform rollout controversy that made headlines in spring 2024, and lessons learned along the way about leadership, customer trust, and bold decision-making.

For anyone interested in what it takes to grow a global sports business—and the human stories behind the headlines—this is a must-listen.

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