Market Outsiders

College football isn’t just a game anymore, it’s a business. On this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae Le Roux and Namaan Mian break down how wins on the field translate into dollars off it, sparked by Indiana University’s surprising national championship run. 
From media deals and ticket sales to donations and NIL money, Namaan lays out the six revenue engines powering modern college football - and why performance is everything. 
Finally, Namaan and Jenny Rae explore the high-stakes decisions university leaders face as they invest in their programs, align leadership, and compete in a rapidly changing sports economy.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to College Football Business
02:41 The Financial Landscape of College Football
04:58 Key Revenue Streams for Athletic Departments
12:20 Investing in Coaching and Program Alignment
20:59 The Impact of NIL on College Sports
28:55 Conclusion and Future Considerations
Additional Resources:
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Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted
More Market Outsiders:
Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

Saks Fifth Avenue has filed for bankruptcy.
After years of warning signs – including its Neiman Marcus acquisition and Amazon’s investment – the iconic luxury retailer is officially on life support.
In this episode, Namaan and Jenny break down what actually went wrong behind the headlines. They cover:
Why the Neiman Marcus deal failed to deliver real synergies
How junk-bond financing and cash-flow missteps pushed Saks into bankruptcy
What happens next – and whether Saks can realistically be rebuilt
This isn’t just a retail story. It’s a case study in leverage, dealmaking, and what happens when strategy can’t outrun structural change.
Episode Links:
Amazon says its Saks investment is now worthless (CNBC)
How the Neiman Marcus acquisition pushed Saks into bankruptcy (CNBC)
Previous episode:
Saks on Amazon Signals Luxury in Crisis – Our original breakdown of Amazon’s stake and why the strategy looked fragile from the start
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Saks Fifth Avenue's Bankruptcy
02:31 Understanding the Acquisition of Neiman Marcus
05:47 Revenue and Cost Synergies Explained
09:33 The Role of Cash Flow in Business
13:24 Amazon's Investment and Its Implications
16:47 Potential Paths for Saks's Revival
21:36 The Future of Luxury Retail
Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted
More Market Outsiders:
Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

The average new car now costs over $50,000, with monthly payments nearing $760.
So how did Ford post its best U.S. sales year since 2019?
In this episode of Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how Ford defied expectations in 2025 – despite tariffs, high rates, and weakening EV demand.
They cover:
Why 2025 may have been the first “normal” auto year since COVID
How financing, hybrids, and product mix drove Ford’s outperformance
What Ford must change in 2026 as margins shift beyond unit sales
This is a forward-looking strategy conversation on how automakers adapt when cars start behaving more like platforms than products.
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Chapters:
03:05 — 2025 Auto Industry Overview
06:33 — Ford's Unexpected Success
08:56 — Consumer Behavior and Car Buying Trends
13:53 — Analyzing the Automotive Market Trends
16:40 — Consumer Behavior and Financing Strategies
19:51 — The Shift Towards Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
22:46 — Sales Performance and Market Share Insights
25:38 — Future Strategies for Automotive Companies
28:30 — Monetizing Customer Relationships Post-Purchase
Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted
More Market Outsiders:
Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

Cannabis just moved from Schedule I to Schedule III — and the biggest implications have nothing to do with lifestyle or politics.
In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what reclassification means for the market: who benefits, who loses, and why cannabis stocks dropped on “good” news.
They unpack the real unlocks behind the headlines — Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, federally funded research, banking access, and why Big Pharma, consumer giants, and even beer companies may now have the edge.
This is a regulatory shock case study: how one policy change reshapes competition, pricing power, supply chains, and long-term winners across healthcare and consumer markets.
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Chapters:
01:05 — What Cannabis Reclassification Actually Changes
03:15 — Schedule I vs Schedule III: Why It Matters
05:45 — Banking, Taxes, and the Industry’s Hidden Constraints
08:20 — Medicare, Medicaid, and the Real Demand Unlock
11:10 — Why Cannabis Stocks Fell on “Good” News
13:30 — Big Pharma, Big Beer, and New Market Entrants
19:40 — Supply Chains, Compliance, and Rising Costs
25:00 — Who Wins, Who Loses, and What Comes Next
Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted
More Market Outsiders:
Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

Thrive Market just became the first major online grocer to drop alcohol completely, and the internet is cheering… but the business case isn’t what it seems. 
In this episode, we break down the real reasons behind the move, what the data actually says about drinking trends, and why households, not individuals, tell the true story.
We cover:
Why “54% of adults drink alcohol” is the wrong metric for retailers
The hidden logistics + regulatory friction behind alcohol shipping
How Thrive’s branding strategy earns attention, even if the business case is thin
The one customer-insight mistake we see companies make again and again
A fascinating look at strategy, consumer behavior, and the storytelling behind business decisions.
 
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 until Dec. 10, 2025
 
Chapters:
03:19 Consumer Trends in Alcohol Consumption
06:23 Business Model Analysis of Thrive Market
09:05 Logistical Challenges in Alcohol Sales
12:07 Market Size and Consumer Preferences
15:38 Branding and Business Storytelling
17:30 How Great Strategists Think Past the Press Release
21:00 Households, Not Individuals: Why the 54% Stat Misleads
23:30 Takeaways on Strategy, Storytelling & Alcohol’s Future
Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted
More Market Outsiders:
Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube