WHATTTT IS UPPPP EVERYBOODYYY!!

Hey everyone, it’s been a while. Welcome to the fifth edition of Rami's Monthly Sports Digest exclusively on Rami's Sports Corner!

The past few months have been some of the busiest and most transformative of my life. Over 3 months ago I got in and decided to officially enroll in my dream school the University of North Carolina. Fast Forward a couple months I officially moved across the country from Michigan to North Carolina to transfer into UNC Chapel Hill. Leaving behind family, friends, and everything I’ve ever known and worked for. It wasn’t easy, there've been some lonely nights and it has been one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. But I knew I needed to challenge myself, grow, and step into new opportunities.

Now that I’m here, I can honestly say the move was the right choice. In just a month I’ve already learned so much about myself, not only as a student, but as a person. I’ve been pushed out of my comfort zone, met new people, and experienced a completely different environment. At times it’s been overwhelming, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. And as someone passionate about school and learning, being at a place like UNC is exactly where I want to be, and it is officially home.

So with that, I’m excited to bring back the Digest and catch you up on everything I’ve been working on and thinking about while I was away. This edition covers three big topics:

1. The USGA Pathways Internship — my behind-the-scenes experience at the U.S. Open, from merch tents and ticketing to player relations and even pitching a winning case comp.
   

2. UNC Football’s new era — how Bill Belichick and university leadership are transforming Carolina football into a business powerhouse.
   

3. Netflix and sports storytelling — how shows like Full Swing, Drive to Survive, and the new SEC docuseries are redefining how fans experience sports.
   

It feels great to be back writing. Thanks for sticking with me, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve seen and learned over the past few months.

Inside the USGA Pathways Internship: Lessons From the Biggest Stage in Golf

This past June, I had the opportunity of a lifetime: joining the USGA Pathways Internship Program during the U.S. Open. For someone passionate about the intersection of sports and business, it was an experience that felt like standing inside the driver seat of one of the most powerful ships in sports. The U.S. Open is the largest golf event in the country, and I got to see how it all works not just from the stands or the TV screen, but from behind the scenes.

Behind the Tents: Merchandising and Ticketing

One of the first things that struck me was the scale of the merchandise operation. Walking into the merch tents behind the ropes felt like walking into a department store built just for golf fans. Every detail from inventory management to product placement was strategically coordinated. It was clear that merch wasn’t just a souvenir stand; it was a multi-million-dollar business within the event itself.

I also shadowed the ticketing department, where I learned how complex it is to sell and manage entry for tens of thousands of fans. From pricing models to digital ticket scanning, the department operated like a machine. Every detail mattered to make sure the fan experience started smoothly at the gate.

Player Relations: The Human Side of the U.S. Open

One of my biggest highlights of my internship was being able to shadow the player relations team during championship Sunday. Behind closed doors, I got to see the amenities offered to players: everything from lounges to equipment services to personalized touches that make athletes feel valued. It was a reminder that major events aren’t just about fans and sponsors; they’re also about creating an environment where the world’s best athletes can perform at their peak and it all starts with what the player relations team offers for their athletes.

Greens Crew: Perfecting the Stage

What I was most surprised by and loved was the greens and course crew. Golf is unique because the playing surface itself is a art, and Oakmont Country Club is the ultimate test, fast greens and thick rough. I spent time with the greens and course crew, who worked around the clock to ensure everything that went into the course was US Open material. Watching and hearing about their process gave me a new appreciation for agronomy as both a science and an art. With how much effort goes into making the course look perfect for millions watching worldwide.

Business Development: Partnering With Giants

The internship also exposed me to the business development and sponsorship side of golf, something now that might be my calling. I had the chance to meet leaders from USGA’s top partners: American Express, Deloitte, Lexus, Cisco, and more. These weren’t just “logo on the leaderboard” deals each partner integrated deeply into the event, from in person fan experiences to technology enhancements. Seeing these things live and having conversations firsthand taught me how critical sponsorships are in elevating an event’s scale, visibility, and financial strength.

The Case Competition: Driving Women’s Golf Forward

One of the defining moments of the internship was the case competition, shoutout to my teammates the dream team!!. My team pitched an extension of the USGA GHIN app, incorporating AI features and in-person activations to increase the prominence of women’s golf. We focused on personalization, community engagement, and creating tools to draw more fans into the women’s game. Winning first place was a blessing, and it showed that innovation in sports technology can have a direct impact on growth, especially in underrepresented areas.

Tours, Panels, and Meeting Leaders

The access we received was unmatched. I got to meet with the USGA Executive Committee, such, the President, CEO, and more. Each conversation reinforced how much leadership, strategy, and vision drive success at the organizational level. Hearing their advice will carry on with me forever and ever.

Beyond golf, we even had the chance to speak with the WNBA Commissioner, who shared her insights on how women’s sports are building momentum in today’s market. I also sat in on behind-the-scenes sessions with the video production crew of the U.S. Open, where I learned how broadcast operations come together to deliver a seamless product to fans worldwide, being in the compound where they have the screens was SOOO COOL.

The Best Part: The People

For all the panels, case studies, and behind-the-scenes tours, the best part of the Pathways Internship was the people I met. The intern class was filled with some of the most driven, talented and amazing individuals I’ve ever been around. Saying goodbye was hard but I know the friendships and connections I built during those weeks were as valuable as any session or workshop I’ll ever have. I'm confident in saying that the future leaders in sports were 2025 Pathways Discover interns. You'll see!

Takeaways

The USGA Pathways Internship showed me that golf is much more than a sport. It’s a business ecosystem powered by collaboration, creativity, and precision. From merchandise tents to sponsorship meetings, from perfect greens to executive boardrooms, I saw how every part of the operation must work in sync to pull off the biggest golf event in the country.

It also showed me the future of sports: blending technology, inclusivity, and bold ideas to grow the game. Whether it was hearing about AI-powered fan engagement tools or listening to leaders from global brands, I came away convinced that the opportunities in sports business are limitless.

And for me personally, the experience was a reminder that this is exactly where I want to be working at the intersection of sports and business.

Thank you to the USGA, and my Pathways Cohort class, for changing my life.

The Belichick Era at UNC: How Carolina Is Turning Football Into a Business Powerhouse

I started as a student at UNC Chapel Hill just three weeks ago, and it’s hard to imagine a more exciting time to be a Tar Heel. Classes are going, campus is buzzing, and for once, the biggest story isn’t about basketball. Carolina football has already kicked off its 137th season, and even though we’re only one game in(with a very bad loss), the hype feels like a season’s worth. You can’t walk through Polk Place without hearing someone talk about Bill Belichick, the tailgates, or the Hulu docuseries filming behind the scenes.

The truth is, UNC football isn’t just chasing wins this year. It’s chasing something bigger: a business transformation.

A Gamble in Chapel Hill

When Chancellor Lee Roberts and Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham pulled the trigger on hiring Bill Belichick, it wasn’t just about putting a legendary coach on the sideline. It was about making a gamble. Belichick signed a five-year, $50 million deal at a school that also has to find ways to fund 28 varsity sports and, under new NCAA rules, share $20.5 million in revenue directly with student-athletes this year.

That’s not sustainable without new ideas. The gamble was simple with Belichick’s name, reputation, and NFL pedigree it could ignite a new era of revenue for UNC, while creating a culture that finally elevates football into the same conversation as Carolina basketball.

Three weeks into the semester, it’s clear: the gamble is already paying off.

Maybe not on the field yet though lol.

The Money Game

The numbers tell a story bigger than any box score.

• Ticket Revenue: Prices jumped 25%, and Kenan Stadium is sold out every single game this season. This bumps revenue from $12 million to a record $19 million.
  
  

• Food & Beverage: Forecasts project another $500,000 boost from the new Polk Place tailgate setup with the Chapel Thrill gameday experience.
  
  

• Merchandise: Sales are expected to climb by an additional $250,000.
  
  

• Donations: The Rams Club, UNC’s fundraising arm, set a record at $18.1 million, with football-specific giving tripling.
  
  

• Sponsorships: New deals with Verizon, and DirecTV are already signed. Plus, UNC is adding on-field logos at Kenan for the first time in its history which is a a multiyear, seven-figure agreement.
  
  

For context: in 2023-24, UNC Athletics reported $164.5 million in revenue. Football brought in $67 million of that, more than double basketball’s $32 million. This year, thanks to Belichick and a revamped business strategy, those numbers could push even higher.

What we’re watching in Chapel Hill is a business case study in real time that will continue to grow.

Chapel Thrill: Turning Saturdays Into Festivals

As a student, what stands out to me is how game day has been completely reimagined. Last year we had the Modelo Kickoff Club by the Bell Tower. This year, it’s become Chapel Thrill Gameday on Polk Place which is twice the size, featuring student-group tailgating, food trucks, beer gardens, and even a concert series.

Country star and former Tar Heel linebacker Chase Rice headlined the first event which I was able to be at and wow. The energy rivaled what you’d expect from an SEC powerhouse: fans camping out, live music heard across campus, and brands lining up to be part of the experience.

This isn’t just tailgating. It’s a business model. Every extra minute fans spend on campus means more ticket scans, more concessions sold, more merchandise bought, and more visibility for sponsors. UNC has effectively turned football Saturdays into all-day entertainment festivals.

A Pro Sports Blueprint

The biggest shift at Carolina isn’t just cultural, it’s structural.

Belichick didn’t come alone. He brought Mike Lombardi, a longtime NFL executive, as the program’s first general manager. UNC also created a new role Chief Revenue Officer to be filled by Rick Barakat, a Tar Heel alum with decades of experience at IMG academy.

This leadership team mirrors a professional sports franchise more than a traditional college athletic department. Sponsorships aren’t just about slapping logos on walls anymore they’re becoming partnerships with digital content, hospitality, and athlete interaction.

Competing With the Giants

Let’s be honest: UNC isn’t Alabama, Georgia, Michigan (go blue) or Ohio State. The SEC and Big Ten dominate the college football revenue arms race. Georgia reported $203 million in athletic revenue last year.

UNC in comparison, ranked 40th on CNBC’s list of most valuable athletic departments. But with this new direction, the Tar Heels are showing that they’re not afraid to chase the big players. By embracing a pro-style model and leaning on Belichick’s star power.

No one expects UNC to leapfrog the SEC overnight. But in a world where revenue sharing, NIL, and transfer portals are reshaping the game, its possible.

The Belichick Effect

So how is the chapel Biill himself fitting into Chapel Hill? His arrival has already put UNC football on a national stage unlike anything in its history. The Tar Heels opener against TCU wasn’t just another Week 1 matchup it was a prime-time ESPN feature, complete with a pregame show broadcasting live from Kenan Stadium, although we got smacked up we really had the spotlight. To top it off, Michael Jordan himself, the greatest Tar Heel of all time, was there, showing how the moment extends beyond football and into the larger Carolina legacy.

The spotlight isn’t just limited to game day. Hulu is producing a full docuseries on the Belichick era, giving fans behind-the-scenes access and further elevating Carolina football’s profile. Pair that with ESPN’s coverage and Jordan’s presence at the opener, and it’s clear UNC football has crossed into a new cultural space it’s about becoming part of the national conversation.

The Future

North Carolina hasn’t won an ACC football championship since 1980. It has never won a national title in football. But now it feels different.

The gamble of hiring Belichick, raising ticket prices, and chapel thrill isn’t just about this season. It’s about setting UNC up for the next decade. The money is flowing, the fan experience is booming, and the business model is sharper than ever.

As a new student, it’s surreal to watch this unfold from the inside. I didn’t just show up at Carolina during a big moment I arrived at the start of a transformation. For the first time in decades, Tar Heel football could be up!

The question isn’t whether the gamble was worth taking. The question is whether it will pay off in the one way that matters most which is winning but for now, the hype is real and the money is rolling in.

Netflix’s Sports Takeover: The Numbers Behind the Storytelling

One of the most exciting things in sports right now isn’t happening on the field, in the arena, it’s happening on Netflix. Over the past few years, Netflix has quietly built a sports empire, not by buying live broadcast rights, but by telling stories. The genius of this strategy is simple: they don’t need to show the games to make fans care about them. Instead, they hook audiences through behind the scenes access, drama, and the human side of athletes.

Shows like “Drive to Survive” (Formula 1), “Full Swing” (PGA Tour golf), “Break Point” (tennis), and now “Any Given Saturday” (SEC football) have become global talking points, reshaping how fans interact with sports and how leagues think about their business. Let’s dive into what makes these series more than just entertainment but changing sports entirely.

Drive to Survive: Formula 1 Goes Mainstream in America

My favorite show on netflix sports was Drive to Survive but, Before Drive to Survive debuted in 2019, Formula 1 was a niche sport in the United States. In 2018, ESPN averaged about 547,000 viewers per race. Just three years later, that number had climbed to nearly 928,000 per race with many crediting Netflix for the surge. To be completely honest with you, this sport got introduced to me through the Netflix series. By 2022, the U.S. was hosting three Grand Prix events, and F1’s American fan base topped 50 million people.

The demographics changed too. The show drew in younger audiences with 77% of F1’s U.S. growth between 2020–2022 coming from the 16–35 age bracket. Formula1.com reported a 73% increase in female visitors between May 2023–2024. For a sport that once felt exclusive and technical, Netflix turned it into a cultural phenomenon.

From a business standpoint, this was transformative. Sponsors began lining up to reach F1’s new fanbase, U.S. media rights became more valuable, and Liberty Media which is F1’s parent company saw its valuation soar. One docuseries fundamentally reshaped a global sport.

Full Swing: Golf Finds Its Drama

Golf doesn’t usually scream “binge-worthy television.” But Netflix found the drama hiding in plain sight. Full Swing followed players through major tournaments, off-course lives, and, the PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf feud. It turned what had been seen as a slow, traditional sport into a story of conflict and personality.

The results were staggering. In surveys, 63% of viewers said they started watching PGA Tour coverage within two months of the series. Season One racked up over 53 million hours watched worldwide in just five months.

The ripple effects showed:

• Joel Dahmen, featured in the series, nearly doubled his social media following.
  
  

• Justin Thomas added more than 70,000 new followers in a few weeks.
  
  

• PGA Tour sponsors noted more engagement from younger audiences.
  
  

• Social media content tied to Full Swing generated 22 million video views.
  

In short, golf became cool again. And while it didn’t suddenly make the PGA Tour as popular as the NFL, it did something arguably more important: it made fans care about the people behind the swings, hence the name.

Break Point: Tennis Beyond the Big Three

For decades, tennis has had Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic to carry global interest. But with two of those legends retired and Djokovic nearing the end of his career, the sport lacks those big names to carry them but Netflix then delivered with Break Point.

The show spotlighted players like Coco Gauff, Ons Jabeur, and Taylor Fritz, presenting them as relatable humans with struggles, personalities, and aspirations. While hard numbers are still early, the signs are looking good: Grand Slam coverage saw increased viewership among younger demographics, and featured players gained sponsor recognition and digital engagement.

The long-term impact may be similar to F1 and golf. The shows are creating characters. And in sports, characters are what drive loyalty, fandom, and business growth.

Any Given Saturday: SEC Football Goes Global

Netflix’s newest series, Any Given Saturday, applies the same formula to SEC football. The docuseries brings viewers into locker rooms, film sessions, recruiting battles, and game-day pageantry.

For die-hard fans, it’s validation of what they already knew: SEC football is a way of life. For casual viewers, especially internationally, it’s a first introduction to why college football is such a cultural powerhouse in America, and it is so amazing. I am on episode 4 and hooked.

The business here is huge. If Netflix can globalize college football the way it did Formula 1, we’re talking about billions in long-term value:

• Media rights for the SEC (already valued in the billions by ESPN) could grow even stronger.
  
  

• NIL opportunities for student-athletes could explode as their stories reach global audiences.
  
  

• Sponsorships tied to SEC schools could find new markets far beyond the U.S.
  
  

It’s not just about selling out football stadiums anymore — it’s about selling SEC football to the world.

The Bigger Picture

Here’s why Netflix’s approach works so well:

1. They don’t need live rights. While ESPN, Amazon, and Apple spend billions, Netflix spends a fraction producing docuseries that still grow fanbases.
   
   

2. They expand markets. F1 in the U.S., golf among Gen Z, tennis beyond the Big Three, and now SEC football globally all are being re-imagined.
   
   

3. They humanize athletes. When viewers see golfers navigate PGA drama, or LSU players hyping each other before kickoff, they become invested not just in the sport, but in the people. That translates into ticket sales, merchandise, and sponsorship dollars.
   

Conclusion: The Future of Sports Is Storytelling

What Netflix has done is prove that sports don’t need to be live to matter. The drama, the rivalries, the human emotion is what hooks fans. Drive to Survive doubled F1’s U.S. audience. Full Swing added millions of hours of golf viewing. Break Point gave tennis new faces for a new generation. And Any Given Saturday could do the same for college football.

As someone studying economics at UNC, I find this strategy fascinating. Netflix isn’t chasing the same old playbook it is creating its own. One where the value of sports is told by storytelling

And as I watch as a football fan I can’t help but think: what if one day, my favorite teams get the Netflix treatment.

Well, thats all I got for you today. It's been a wild couple of months but I hope edition 5 of Rami's Monthly Sports Digest made up for the wait. Stay tuned for next month as we get back to regular programming at Rami's Sports Corner.