The Business of Sport - Mike Buckley

The Business of Sport - Mike Buckley

From The Business of Sport by International Sports Convention

January 15, 2026 · 32 min

About this episode

Mike Buckley discusses his journey from a young sailor to CEO of the U.S. SailGP Team, highlighting the intersection of sailing, culture, and mainstream sports.

Born and raised on Cape Cod, MA, Buckley was introduced to sailing by his single mother who worked multiple jobs and sports became both an outlet and a foundation for discipline, resilience, and drive. What started as an unexpected extracurricular pursuit quickly grew into a defining passion that shaped his personal and professional trajectory. From high school waters to global competition, Buckley's career ascended quickly. He went on to become a 2-time world champion sailor, competing at the highest levels of the sport and earning recognition for his strategic sharpness and relentless competitiveness. His experience across international racing circuits provided not only athletic success but also an insider's understanding of the opportunities and shortcomings of sailing as a spectator sport. In November 2023, Buckley and tech entrepreneur Ryan McKillen led the acquisition of the U.S. SailGP Team, marking a historic moment for professional sailing. As CEO, Buckley has built one of the most diverse and high-profile ownership groups in the sport's history, with investors including Issa Rae, DeAndre Hopkins, Gary Vaynerchuk, Avenue Capital Group's Marc Lasry and Carolyn Tisch…

People in this episode

Guest: Mike Buckley

Topics covered

  • sailing
  • sports business
  • entrepreneurship
  • professional sports
  • diversity in sports

Keywords

  • sailing
  • world champion
  • U.S. SailGP Team
  • sports entrepreneurship
  • diverse ownership

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. SailGP Team

Places: Cape Cod, MA

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