Expanded Hotline coverage: AJ Maestas to write monthly column on the economics of college sports
In two years of existence, the Pac-12 Hotline has devoted dozens of stories and tens of thousands of words to campus economics and conference revenue, coaching salaries and attendance trends, media deals and consumer behavior, audience engagement, night games and even, ahem, morning games.
It’s about time we brought in an expert.
I’m delighted to announce that AJ Maestas is joining the Hotline team — instantly doubling our size — as a guest columnist.
Maestas will address many of the off-the-field topics that impact what we see on the field, not just in the Pac-12 but across major college sports.
If there’s a better analyst to frame the issues and explain the details, I am unaware.
Maestas, who has degrees from Washington and Arizona State, is the founder and CEO of Navigate Research, a key behind-the-scenes player in college and pro sports.
Navigate provides analytics-based consulting services on topics as far reaching as stadium/arena naming rights deals, apparel contracts, media strategy and even conference realignment.
When the Big 12 explored expansion in 2016, it hired Navigate to crunch a decade of data and model various scenarios; Maestas then presented Navigate’s findings to the conference brass.
Navigate has also worked with Big Ten and the Pac-12 executives, as well as individual schools within each conference.
The company’s clients in the pro sports and entertainment industry include the Broncos and Bears, the NHL and NFL, ESPN and Comcast.
Hotline readers might be familiar with Maestas, who joined me for a lengthy podcast earlier this year on Pac-12 media strategy.
He has agreed to author a monthly column on topics relevant to fans (and schools), both within and outside the Pac-12.
“I believe we have some amazing insights at Navigate that could enlighten and possibly even more forward the national dialogue and public debate on collegiate athletics,’’ Maestas explained.
“And I also absolutely love collegiate athletics. It’s the only thing I’m truly a fan of, and that’s why I’ve dedicated my career to sports and entertainment.
“So my why” — for writing the column — “is big.”
Maestas has no shortage of insight or opinions, so our publication pace might exceed one column per month when the time is right.
I’ll learn something — plenty, actually — and hope Hotline readers will, too.
Maestas’ first column is scheduled for next week.
The Hotline newsletter will have details as the publication date approaches.
Support the Hotline: Several Hotline articles will remain free each month (as will the newsletter), but for access to all content, you’ll need to subscribe. I’ve secured a rate of 16 cents per day for a full year or 21 cents for six months. Click here. And thanks for your loyalty.
*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to pac12hotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716
*** Follow me on Twitter: @WilnerHotline
*** Pac-12 Hotline is not endorsed or sponsored by the Pac-12 Conference, and the views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the Conference.