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Skin in the Game

Making the Most of Sports Arenas with Peter Luukko

Published March 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM EST

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Mariann Do

This week, hosts John and Tim welcome Peter Luukko, Co-Chairman of the Oak View Group Arena Alliance, for a deep dive into the game-changing strategies reshaping event booking. Learn how his work transforms traditional sports arenas into year-round economic engines that boost local communities and redefine fan experiences.

Skin in the Game | Season 1

Latest Episodes

Inside the Sports Betting Boom—and Its Consequences

This week on Skin in the Game, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with journalist and author Danny Funt to discuss the explosive growth of sports gambling and what it means for fans, athletes, and the future of the games themselves.
The Future of Hockey Starts with Access

In this episode of Skin In The Game, John Cimperman sits down with Rick Nadeau of Nadeau Sports to explore what it really takes to grow the game of hockey.
From Grassroots to Gold Medals: How USA Fencing Is Expanding the Sport

This week on Skin In The Game, hosts John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, and Brad Suchorski, Director of Membership Service and Growth, to explore how the national governing body is expanding the sport across the country.
Cowboys, Cowgirls, and Big Business: The Growth of Professional Rodeo

In this episode of Skin In The Game, hosts John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei are joined by Sean Gleason, CEO and Commissioner of Professional Bull Riders (PBR), and Linsay Rosser-Sumpter, Commissioner of Premier Women’s Rodeo (PWR).
Canada’s Basketball Boom: Inside The Golden Generation with Oren Weisfeld

In this episode of Skin In The Game, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with sports journalist Oren Weisfeld, author of The Golden Generation: How Canada Became a Basketball Powerhouse, to explore how Canada transformed from producing the occasional NBA player into a global basketball force.
Forged for Gold: What It Takes to Become an Olympian

Hosts John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with three-time Paralympic gold medalist Adam Page, training center director Miguel Azcarate, and sports performance coach Dr. Jason Rich for a powerful conversation about sacrifice, deliberate practice, pressure, and mental resilience.
Leaving It All on the Field: Brandon Steiner, Sports Memories, and the Business of Collectibles

Entrepreneur and sports memorabilia pioneer Brandon Steiner joins Skin In The Game for a conversation about building businesses, preserving sports history and turning passion into purpose.
Turf Wars: DeMaurice Smith on Power, Labor, and the Business of the NFL

Former NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith joins Skin In The Game for a candid, wide-ranging conversation with hosts John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei about power, labor, and the true business of professional football.
Beyond the Podium: Steve Mesler on Life After Olympic Gold and Leading With Purpose

In this episode of Skin In The Game, hosts John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with Steve Mesler, Olympic bobsled gold medalist and founder of Mesler Performance Group, for a deeply honest conversation about success, identity, and life after elite competition.
How Winning Teams Are Built: Craig Custance on Leadership, Culture, and Power in Sports

In this episode of Skin In The Game, hosts John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with Craig Custance, author of The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams and Head of Creative Development at The Athletic, for a deep dive into leadership behind the scenes of professional hockey.