The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly
When sports, business and culture collide, there’s often a deal to be made. Join Alex Rodriguez and Bloomberg correspondent Jason Kelly as they get the inside track from corporate titans, sports champions and game-changing entrepreneurs on investing, strategy, reinvention and the ones that got away. The Deal is a Bloomberg Podcasts and Bloomberg Originals series that’s passionate, relaxed, insightful and inspirational. If you think you know these icons, prepare to be surprised. Hosts: Alex Rodriguez is chairman and chief executive of A-Rod Corp, an investment firm that backs startups and partners with global companies across real estate, sports and entertainment. While best known as a fourteen-time All-Star and World Series champion with the New York Yankees, Rodriguez is now an owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx sports teams and an on-air analyst for Major League Baseball. Jason Kelly is the chief correspondent of Bloomberg Originals. During his two decades at Bloomberg, Kelly has served as executive editor of Bloomberg Television, hosted Bloomberg Businessweek on television and radio, and also hosted Power Players and Next in Sports series. He’s also the author of two books, The New Tycoons, about the global private equity industry, and Sweat Equity, an inside look at the business of fitness.
Episodes
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about the potential #1 pick in the NFL draft and Alex's report from sitting court-side in LA at a star-studded Timberwolves/Lakers Game 1 of the NBA playoffs. Then, they speak with Christine Dorfler about how she’s rising to the economy’s challenges as the NFL’s chief financial officer. Dorfler tells the hosts how a recession could affect the NFL&rsq...
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about Rory McIlroy’s historic win at the 2025 Masters at Augusta National. Then, they speak with Richard Jefferson about how he made the transition from NBA star forward to ESPN analyst. Jefferson tells the hosts why work ethic is important to him, the lessons he learned from being robbed by his former manager, and why he’s never been more nervous than at ...
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about two big records: Alex Ovechkin topping Wayne Gretzky’s legendary scoring record in the NHL, and Geno Auriemma’s 12th NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship win as coach at the University of Connecticut. Then, they speak with Jessica Berman about how she has helped revolutionize the National Women’s Soccer League for the last three years as ...
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk about Major League Baseball’s opening weekend and the new torpedo bat everyone is talking about. Then, they speak with Tom Garfinkel about the business empire he leads as President and CEO of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium. Garfinkel tells the hosts why his partnership with Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross, is so special, how he was able to negotiate a 10-...
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Mike Repole about how he built two beverage empires with Vitamin Water and BodyArmor. Repole tells the hosts why it’s important for him to share equity with everyone at his company, how he worked with huge investors like Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady, and why he thinks it’s important for entrepreneurs to fail.
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In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with the New York Yankees’ Assistant General Manager, Jean Afterman. Afterman explains how she helped change the game by helping to introduce Japanese players to the MLB, what she learned from legendary Yankees owner, George Steinbrenner, and the advice her mother gave her to start off every negotiation on the strongest foot.
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In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Mike McCarley about how he built TMRW Sports and the TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League). McCarley explains the pitch that got legendary golfer Tiger Woods on board, how his team navigated setbacks and delays in launching the league for its inaugural season, and where TGL is already looking to expand.
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In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Katlyn Gao about how she founded a whole new women's professional sports league: League One Volleyball. Gao tells the hosts why LOVB chose their six inaugural team markets, how she got investors like Jayson Tatum and Candace Parker on board, and why women’s volleyball is uniquely situated to take off in the United States.
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In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Johnny Damon about his career highlights with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Damon tells the hosts the surprising reason why he doesn't agree with the Yankees' new facial hair policy, the reason it’s important to really know your teammates if you want to win a World Series, and what he’s learned about running a business since founding A...
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Laura Rutledge about how she built a career as a host for ESPN and the SEC Network. Rutledge tells the hosts about how the new name, image, and likeness rules are affecting when college football players are ready to go pro, how she organizes herself covering football and golf, and what she thought about Tom Brady's turn on the mic calling games.
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with Ted Leonsis, founder of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, to discuss how he came to dominate the Washington DC sports scene. Leonsis shares what he learned from the “world’s worst deal” at AOL and how he’s helping the US capital become a “super city” by investing in its teams.
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In this special bonus episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly hop on the mic to talk about the biggest night in sports. They discuss the pressures of being a quarterback at the Super Bowl, how FOX must feel about the game's ratings, the best sports-related ads of the night, and what it all means for the business of football.
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In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with entrepreneur Josh Richards to discuss his social media empire. Richards explains how he cracked the algorithm to make a name for himself on TikTok, what he’s learned from his partnerships with Dave Portnoy and Mark Wahlberg and why sports teams and star athletes should follow his lead in creating content that can meet target demographics where they are. ...
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, CEO and founder of Next 3 and the governor of Gotham FC. Blodgett explains why she wanted to invest in women’s professional soccer, what Peloton taught her about marketing and brand development and how her family’s ownership of the New York Giants has affected her work with Gotham.
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In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with Steve Pagliuca to discuss his ownership principles for the Boston Celtics and Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio. Pagliuca explains how he ended up with a successful career as an investor at Bain Capital, what lessons he applied to growing sports teams and why he’s proud to be called the Italian Ted Lasso.
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In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit with former professional lacrosse player Paul Rabil to discuss the evolving business of the sport. Rabil tells the hosts how he managed to develop a new lacrosse league, why he's investing in its digital media presence and how he plans for the league's future growth.
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In this special bonus episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly hop on the mic to talk about Juan Soto's record-breaking $765 million deal to play for the Mets over the next 15 years. They discuss the details of Soto's deal, how it compares to Rodriguez's own record-breaking contract back in 2000, and what it all means for the business of baseball.
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In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly sit down with former WNBA player and Seattle Storm co-owner Sue Bird to discuss her growing media empire and the explosion of women's sports. Bird tells the hosts how she has built her investment portfolio, why her company’s viral t-shirt is about more than just a meme and why timing is so important for her big decisions on and off the court.
In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with former WNBA player Candace Parker about how she’s making a name for herself off the court. Parker shares how she got into the business side of basketball by working closely with Adidas, her former sponsor, why she loves being an NBA broadcaster and what she’s looking for in her investments.
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In this episode of The Deal, Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly talk with Bruin Capital Founder and CEO George Pyne about how he reinvented institutions like NASCAR and IMG before pivoting to investing. Pyne explains what he looks for in a founder, why the risk-reward ratio is important in deal-making and the opportunities he sees for growth in college sports.
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