In the latest episode of Big Business on Campus—a college sports podcast powered by Playfly Sports—hosts Corey Leff and Michael Schreiber sit down with Ed Kull, Vice President and Director of Athletics at St. John's University. The conversation offers a fascinating look at how the Red Storm are navigating the modern landscape of college athletics, from leveraging iconic venues to redefining donor relationships in an era of commercialization.

One of the standout topics? St. John's unique relationship with Madison Square Garden. While many programs dream of building state-of-the-art on-campus facilities, Kull sees the historic arena as a strategic advantage that goes beyond just a home court. "We have a new MSG deal, and we're trying to make that a larger partnership," Kull explains. "Getting them more involved in ticket sales, branding, advertising, and sponsorship sales. MSG executives are trying to position us to be the third franchise behind the Knicks and Rangers."

For Kull, the power of playing at "The World's Most Famous Arena" cannot be overstated. "We're leveraging Manhattan and MSG as almost an extension of our campus," he says. "The portal opened up a few weeks ago, and we had visits there. It's a really important recruiting piece. And I see our students more excited about MSG games than playing on campus." That excitement, combined with the venue's prestige, gives St. John's a distinctive edge in attracting top talent.

Schreiber adds that the program has become an effective way for savvy marketers to "get into the New York market and The Garden without breaking the bank." It's a compelling pitch for brands looking to tap into the energy of one of the world's biggest sports markets.

Shifting gears, the conversation turns to the evolving role of donors in college athletics. St. John's alum and serial entrepreneur Mike Repole stands out as a prime example of the modern booster. His contributions go far beyond financial support—he's become a strategic partner for the athletic department as it operates more like a commercially focused enterprise. "He's extremely involved in the efforts to recruit other donors," Kull says. "He's extremely helpful in terms of trying to identify new partners, whether that be sponsors or media opportunities."

It's a reminder that in today's college sports world, success on the court or field often starts with strong relationships off it. And for St. John's, that means blending tradition with innovation—from the bright lights of MSG to the boardroom.