Phil Andrew - CEO, USA Fencing | Scaling a Sports NGO

Former professional ice hockey executive turned sports administrator Phil Andrews has built a reputation as one of the most innovative leaders in the Olympic movement. After nearly a decade transforming USA Weightlifting as its CEO, Andrews took the helm at USA Fencing, bringing a growth-oriented, entrepreneurial approach to National Governing Bodies (NGBs). Known for his scrappy marketing tactics and operational modernization, Andrews specializes in taking niche sports, turning them into high-performing commercial entities, and preparing them for the global stage.USA Fencing serves as the official national governing body for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of fencing across the United States. Operating at the intersection of grassroots participation and elite international competition, the organization oversees more than 400 sanctioned events annually, including massive national tournaments hosting tens of thousands of attendees. By implementing forward-thinking membership models, scalable digital broadcast infrastructure, and targeted brand partnerships, USA Fencing works to drive sport adoption from local grassroots clubs all the way to the Olympic podium.Phil Andrews explores the modern business of Olympic sports and NGB governance. Andrews outlines the unique mechanics of participatory sports media, highlighting how USA Fencing streams over 100 active strips simultaneously to serve its D2C audience.Podcast Chapters:04:26 Understanding National Governing Bodies in Sports09:53 The Role of Nonprofits in Sports13:25 Growing Membership and Engagement in Fencing19:22 Direct-to-Consumer Models in Sports26:58 Building Brand Partnerships and Revenue Streams33:46 Emerging Trends in the Sports World