Branding the Biggest Games on Earth: Inside Sports Marketing with Mike Goff

In this episode of The Corporate Couch, Kansas City native and sports marketing legend Mike Goff shares stories, lessons, and the occasional war wound from his trailblazing career in brand strategy and sponsorship. From his early days dreaming of sports journalism to leading iconic campaigns with the NFL, World Cup '94, and Rolling Stones tours, Mike’s career is a masterclass in storytelling, strategy, and savvy execution.

Mike, whose resume includes everything from being the force behind Sprint’s groundbreaking NFL headset sponsorship to naming the College Football Playoff (CFP), doesn’t just drop names like Peyton Manning, Marcus Allen, and Richard Petty—he’s worked side-by-side with them. He also gives an insider's look at what it takes to manage legacy brands, build meaningful agency relationships (even when your company had a reputation for being “a tough client”), and transition with purpose from corporate life to entrepreneurship.

Other highlights:

• Why naming the CFP was harder—and smarter—than it looked.

• The truth about Mad Men-style ad agency days and being a client on both sides of the dinner table.

• The business impact of the 2026 World Cup and what it means for Kansas City.

• Advice for recent grads and first-time managers that cuts through the corporate noise.

• And yes, you’ll find out who was more polished on set: Brett Favre or Peyton Manning.

Mike Goff’s episode is more than a conversation—it’s a mini-MBA in strategic marketing, sponsorship, and leadership from a true icon in the field.

 

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About Mike: Mike Goff is an accomplished leader and marketer with experience across various brands and business assignments. He founded Goff + Marketing, a strategic consultancy that offers C-suite-level service and leadership to brands locally and nationally. He is also a partner in G4—a Kansas City-based consortium of four sponsorship activation, sports, and experiential-focused companies.

His experience includes senior leadership roles at Sprint, United Way of Greater Kansas City, Barkley, and Premier Sports Management. His partnership experience includes working with brands ranging from the NFL to the World Cup to Hershey to American Express to the College Football Playoff…and many more. Mike has managed a top 10 U.S. brand, developed Cannes Gold Lion award-winning campaigns, and achieved significant business results throughout his career. During his tenure at Sprint (now T-Mobile), The
Sporting News recognized him as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Sports. He also received the Arthur E. Lowell Award—the highest honor of the local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, given to those who have combined exemplary career accomplishments with ethical excellence and a commitment to the local community.

Mike has a long history of civic involvement in the Kansas City area. He also focuses on mentoring and developing talent and is a frequent guest lecturer.