logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2024
42m 21s

Power Plays: Finance Insights from Flori...

Vena Solutions
About this episode

If you like sports, you might say James Suh has one of the coolest jobs in the world. After 11 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, James became CFO of the NHLs Florida Panthers. What a first year he had, as the Panthers went from barely making the playoffs to the Stanley Cup finals!  


In this episode, James gives us an inside look at what goes into finance operations for a sports team and what it was like to lead those operations for an underdog in a breakout year. His experiences offer valuable lessons in strategic planning, underscoring the importance of knowing your market and prioritizing long-term growth and profitability over quick sales streams. 


Discussed in This Episode:

  • Understanding the finances of a hockey franchise
  • The many streams of revenue in an NHL franchise, and how those differ from team to team
  • Scenario modeling in an industry and market that are both highly unpredictable
  • The impact fan behavior has on budgeting and revenue forecasting
  • How winning impacts work culture, revenues and operations


For CFO insights, episode show notes, and exclusive blog content, visit thecfoshowpodcast.com.

Up next
Jan 13
Managing Costs, Complexity, and Change in Healthcare Finance
Healthcare finance leaders are operating under unprecedented pressure. Rising costs, staffing shortages, payer complexity, and constant uncertainty. Matthew Ennen, Senior Vice President of Finance and Business Development at Ensemble Health Partners, shares how finance leaders ca ... Show More
21m 29s
Dec 30
The Hallmarks of a Modern, Mature Finance Team
What separates good finance teams from great ones? In this special episode, host Melissa Howatson brings together insights from more than 20 finance leaders to answer one deceptively simple question: What is the hallmark of a mature finance team? Across industries and company siz ... Show More
14m 28s
Dec 16
Beyond the Close: How Financial Consolidation Creates Strategic Advantage
Financial consolidation has long been treated as a “back-office necessity,” but in today’s complex, data-dense businesses, it’s becoming a strategic engine. Craig Schiff, Founder and CEO of BPM Partners joins Melissa to unpack the evolution of consolidation, why it’s resurging in ... Show More
27m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
The Business of Sport: NFL, F1, PGA Tour - [Business Breakdowns, EP. 96]
This is Dom Cooke and this week is a little different. It’s Super Bowl week and to get in the mood, we’re doing a sports special as we break down the business behind 3 iconic sports - The NFL, Formula 1, and the PGA Tour. Now, these are not new episodes. We have covered each of t ... Show More
1h 40m
Mar 2023
The National Basketball Association - [Business Breakdowns, EP. 104]
This is Matt Reustle and today we are breaking down the National Basketball Association. The NBA topped $10bn in revenue last season, in line with MLB and behind only the NFL in terms of major sports leagues. The initial headlines for the next media rights deal, which is coming i ... Show More
1h 10m
Jan 2023
Daryl Morey - Systems Thinking in Sports - [Invest Like the Best, EP.313]
My guest this week is Daryl Morey, who is President of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers. Daryl is a computer science graduate but has become one of the NBA’s most successful General Managers during his time with the Houston Rockets and the 76ers. Together with my ... Show More
1h 5m
May 2024
Andrew Brandt Breaks Down Why NFL Players Are Ditching Agents, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Fanatics Lawsuit, Chicago’s Stadium Deal, Netflix’s Approach To Live Sports, And More
<p>Andrew Brandt is the former Vice President of the Green Bay Packers and one of the sharpest minds in sports business today. We discuss Caleb WIlliams not using an agent, Marvin Harrison Jr. lawsuit with Fanatics, Netflix paying $150 million for NFL games, the Chicago Bears NFL ... Show More
1h 13m
May 2023
Live from The Toronto Multi Family Conference
<p>On today’s show we’re coming to you live from Multi Family Conference in Toronto. </p> <p><br></p> <p>There were a number of great speakers at the conference, but I want to focus on one speaker in particular. Our North American culture can be celebrity obsessed and I don’t buy ... Show More
5m 49s
Feb 2023
317: Scott O'Neil, How to thrive where you're at (Strategy Skills classics)
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For this episode, let's revisit a Strategy Skills classic where we interviewed</span> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">one of the most recognized, connected, and dynamic executives in the sports and entertainment industry today,</span> <span sty ... Show More
1h 4m