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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:
Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
Take the Consulting Fit Quiz (free self-assessment)
Get full prep support with Black Belt
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Connect With Management Consulted
Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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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 Market Outsiders 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
Connect With Management Consulted
Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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What’s the real difference between an analyst, a manager, and a partner in consulting?
In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux breaks down how consulting roles actually work — what changes as you move up, what each level is responsible for, and what firms value most at every stage.
You’ll learn:
What analysts, managers, and partners really do day to day
Why being great at analytics isn’t enough as you move up
How expectations shift from execution to leadership to vision
If you’re considering consulting or trying to understand how the career path actually works in practice, this episode gives you the insider view.
Additional Resources:
Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
Take the Consulting Fit Quiz (free self-assessment)
Get full prep support with Black Belt
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Connect With Management Consulted
Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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What is consulting, really — and why do companies pay so much for it?
In this first episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux (former Bain consultant and CEO of Management Consulted) breaks down consulting in 5 minutes, including:
The difference between professional consulting and “single-shingle” consulting
The 4 core reasons companies hire consultants
The 3 main types of consulting: strategy, tech, and operations
What it actually takes to succeed as a professional consultant
If you’re considering consulting — or trying to figure out whether it’s the right career path — this is the simplest and clearest place to start.
Additional Resources:
Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
Take the Consulting Fit Quiz (free self-assessment)
Get full prep support with Black Belt
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Connect With Management Consulted
Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text
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
Connect With Management Consulted
Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.