Mellody Hobson: Investing in Purpose and the Future of Sports · 38:37

In this episode of On Stage, two visionary leaders—Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President of Ariel Investments, and Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman & CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment—share the stage at SBJ’s Dealmakers Conference in Washington, D.C., on November 30, 2023. Hobson, a nationally recognized financial executive and advocate for financial literacy, speaks candidly about how Ariel Investments approaches long-term value creation, why patience is critical in both markets and leadership, and how she’s worked to open doors for underrepresented groups in business. She also reflects on lessons from serving on the boards of major companies like JPMorgan Chase and Starbucks, and the importance of making investment decisions that align with values as well as returns. Leonsis, a longtime entrepreneur, sports owner, and investor, brings the perspective of a dealmaker who has navigated growth across technology, media, and sports. Together, their conversation touches on what makes partnerships endure, the responsibility of leaders to connect business with community impact, and how innovation is reshaping both finance and sports. This dialogue is both practical and inspiring—grounded in real-world lessons while offering a vision for how business and sports leaders can drive growth with purpose. 🔔Subscribe to SBJ on YouTube: https://bit.ly/41bbXaV #nfl #sportsbusiness #leadership #ownership 0:00 - Introduction 3:45 - What's happening in women's sports and why she invested in WNBA 4:50 - Hobson on her relationship with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert 6:30 - Hobson explains what makes a great leader 8:50 - Hobson on her relationship with league commissioners 9:30 - Motivation to invest personally in an NFL team 13:45 - Hobson on diversity in leadership across society 18:30 - Madison Square Garden and The Sphere 26:50 - Financial literacy in society and taking care of players in that regard 28:50 - How Hobson was introduced to investing 32:45 - Bullish or Not Bullish on soccer? 37:45 - Outro

September 30, 2025