Oct 21, 2026 · 1 hr 18 min · 10 segments
What does it take to attract sponsors, build a sports event and grow an international fanbase?In the first episode of the Raw Sports Business Show, Ahmad Elhawli welcomes Rob Yowell, Co-Founder and…
Rob YowellGuestAhmad ElhawliHostWhat was the hardest part of turning the Union Jack Classic game from an idea into an actual event?
I mean, look, you know, it was one of those things and you'll you'll you'll chuckle, my friend.
But this really is one of those things that, you know, started out as a napkin at the Ted Lasso pub known as the, you know, the crown and anchor when you watch it on the show.
Yeah, you just put them on a plane, they fly over, they play a game, they fly back.
Well, the business of college football is more than just, you know, selling tickets and bringing a game.
Those college football teams, you know, have a travel with 180 people when they travel.
Plus they have, you know, full 18-wheel haulers full of equipment that they usually drive from point A to point B when they're playing a road game.
So those teams had to prepare a whole separate, you know, truck full of gear that needed to leave before they even started their season.
And so I would say, you know, really when it came down to the logistics of the game, That's one of the things where I think, one, we had a great group of staff that worked for us, but also working with each of the universities that were pros and really leaned in and understood that this was, one, history, two, made some adjustments along the way, but I would say the logistical side of moving basically a traveling party of just about 300 people for each school was one of those things that I think when you write it down on paper, it's a whole lot different when you're actually having to make it happen.
you know, fortunately, you know, we worked, we partnered with the Jacksonville Jaguars, uh, and their operation team there in the UK.
So we were able to, to have some, some real experience in bringing over, uh, you know, they bring their team over obviously every year.
So converting a stadium of this size twice a year into an American football stadium, it's a little different.
And so we were able to work closely with their staff, their team, their organization on so many things operationally in the UK that I would easily say that there'd probably be not only gray hair, but probably no hair on my head had I had to deal with it personally.
But we had great partners and a great staff that really leaned in to make that happen on this end.
What was the hardest part of turning the Union Jack Classic game from an idea into an actual event?
I mean, look, you know, it was one of those things and you'll you'll you'll chuckle, my friend.
But this really is one of those things that, you know, started out as a napkin at the Ted Lasso pub known as the, you know, the crown and anchor when you watch it on the show.
Yeah, you just put them on a plane, they fly over, they play a game, they fly back.
Well, the business of college football is more than just, you know, selling tickets and bringing a game.
Those college football teams, you know, have a travel with 180 people when they travel.
Plus they have, you know, full 18-wheel haulers full of equipment that they usually drive from point A to point B when they're playing a road game.
So those teams had to prepare a whole separate, you know, truck full of gear that needed to leave before they even started their season.
And so I would say, you know, really when it came down to the logistics of the game, That's one of the things where I think, one, we had a great group of staff that worked for us, but also working with each of the universities that were pros and really leaned in and understood that this was, one, history, two, made some adjustments along the way, but I would say the logistical side of moving basically a traveling party of just about 300 people for each school was one of those things that I think when you write it down on paper, it's a whole lot different when you're actually having to make it happen.
you know, fortunately, you know, we worked, we partnered with the Jacksonville Jaguars, uh, and their operation team there in the UK.
So we were able to, to have some, some real experience in bringing over, uh, you know, they bring their team over obviously every year.
So converting a stadium of this size twice a year into an American football stadium, it's a little different.
And so we were able to work closely with their staff, their team, their organization on so many things operationally in the UK that I would easily say that there'd probably be not only gray hair, but probably no hair on my head had I had to deal with it personally.
But we had great partners and a great staff that really leaned in to make that happen on this end.
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