Podcast

The Evolution of Fandom podcast series

This podcast series, hosted by Kyle Eichman, explores how technology, media, and culture are transforming fan engagement.

June 15, 2026

Table of Contents

About the series

The Evolution of Fandom explores how the relationship between sports organizations and their audiences is changing.

Each episode features industry leaders unpacking new approaches to fan engagement, challenging traditional thinking, and sharing what’s next for teams, leagues, and media companies.

New episodes are released exclusively on the CTS website before they’re available anywhere else.

Subscribe now to get first access and stay ahead of what’s next in fan engagement.

 

Podcast episodes

Please note that the views and opinions expressed by the panelists are their own and do not reflect any official policy or position of Comcast.

Episode 1: Social media in sports

 

As fan behavior shifts and digital noise grows, this episode breaks down how organizations can uncover authentic fan signals and turn insight into smarter engagement, stronger strategy, and real business impact.

 

In our first episode, Kyle Eichman is joined by Rhys Ryan, CEO of Ekkobar, to explore:

 

  • Why social media now extends beyond marketing, powering fan engagement, sponsorships, and broader business strategy
  • The difference between social analytics and true social intelligence, and why deeper insights matter
  • How to identify authentic fan signals amid AI-generated content and digital noise
  • How to turn social conversation into action across content strategy and sponsorship alignment
  • How teams, leagues, and brands can leverage social media as a revenue driver, not just a reporting tool

 

Listen now to learn more!

 

Read the companion blog here.

 

Episode 2: The rise of voice & proactive fan engagement

 

The way fans connect with sports is changing fast. Passive viewing is giving way to personalized, always-on engagement powered by data, AI, and new content formats.

 

In episode 2, Kyle Eichman is joined by Mark Antal, CEO of Vokol, to explore:

 

  • How AI is transforming fan engagement - 
    Understand how personalization engines and generative technologies enable scalable, one-to-one fan experiences.
  • Why audio is an emerging power channel - 
    Explore why voice-driven experiences are delivering stronger engagement, recall, and action than traditional formats.
  • How to monetize beyond the broadcast - 
    Learn how organizations are converting engagement into revenue through tickets, merchandise, subscriptions, and sponsorships.
  • How to balance scale with authenticity - 
    Discover how leading brands maintain trust, accuracy, and brand safety while leveraging AI.

 

Listen now to learn more!

 

Read the companion blog here.

 

Episode 3: The Rise of In-Venue Streaming 

 

As fan expectations continue to evolve, teams, leagues, and venue operators must rethink how content is delivered before, during, and after live events. 

 

In Episode 3, Kyle Eichman sits down with Greg Bobolo, Founder and CEO of SEVN, to explore how in-venue streaming is transforming fan engagement through personalized content, instant highlights, direct-to-fan experiences, and new monetization opportunities.

 

Listen now to learn more!

 

Read the companion blog here.

 

Episode 4: Loyalty, membership, & the modern fan journey

 

Loyalty used to mean a punch card. Now it means knowing exactly who your fans are, what they care about, and how to keep earning their attention, not just their next purchase.

 

In episode 4, Kyle Eichman is joined by Oli Shawyer, VP of Marketing and Growth at Komo to explore:

 

  • Shifting loyalty programs from transactional rewards to participatory engagement
  • Turning fan participation into first-party and zero-party data as third-party tracking fades
  • Engaging Gen Z fans through role and community rather than discounts and points
  • Reframing retention and acquisition as complementary growth levers, not competing priorities
  • Rethinking how fan value gets measured beyond attendance and merchandise spend
  • Applying a global participation model with market-specific value exchange across the U.S., U.K., and Australia

 

Listen now and learn more!

 

Read the companion blog here.

 

Episode 5: Keeping fans in the game

 

The biggest audience in sports isn’t in the stands. It’s the millions of fans who follow on social and watch on broadcast but never buy a ticket, and most teams barely know who they are.

 

In episode 5, Kyle Eichman is joined by Miheer Walavalkar, Founder & CEO at LiveLike, to explore:

 

  • Why “ghost fans” are sports’ biggest untapped audience, and why teams need to get to know them
  • Why owned platforms beat rented social channels as fan interactivity evolves
  • Where first-generation OTT fell short by putting TV on mobile without interactivity or community
  • How AI can orchestrate siloed workflows across broadcast, push notifications, social, and loyalty
  • How personalization creates new sponsorship inventory, from contextual to emotion-based campaigns
  • What to fix first: tech stack integration, identity, and unified first-party fan data

 

Listen now to learn more!

 

Read the companion blog here.

 

Frequently asked questions

Stay ahead of the trends shaping the future of sports, media, and fan engagement.

  • Hear directly from leaders across sports, media, and technology
  • Explore how fan behavior is evolving from passive audiences to active participants
  • Gain insights on monetization, data, and community-driven engagement
  • Understand what’s next and how to prepare your organization

  • Sports marketing and digital leaders
  • League and team executives
  • SportsTech innovators and operators
  • Brand partners and media professionals

New episodes are released on the CTS website first. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Both. Each episode blends strategic insight with practical discussion of the technologies, platforms, and data models enabling modern fan engagement, making it valuable for both business and technical leaders.