Kike Levy outlines a new model for sports media in Italy

Nicole Junkermann’s vision for the future of sport is taking shape in Italy

27 April, 2026: Published today in Sport e Finanza, Kike Levy gave his first official interview in Italy, setting out how Gameday by NJF Holdings, founded by Nicole Junkermann, plans to grow women’s volleyball through a broader, digital-first distribution strategy.

Levy’s core argument is simple: in an age of endless choice, content can’t wait to be found. It has to reach audiences wherever they already are – across social platforms, creator channels, athlete accounts, broadcasters and live events. That marks a shift away from the traditional model of selling exclusive media rights to a single bidder.

Why Italian women’s volleyball

Levy described Italian women’s volleyball as a premium property with strong participation, deep sporting culture and clear room for commercial growth. Through the joint venture Spike Media with Lega Volley Femminile, Gameday will manage media rights and content strategy from next season.

He pointed to early momentum already visible in the market. During the regular season, the combined digital ecosystem of league, clubs and athletes generated 1.4 billion views worldwide.

Beyond rights fees

A key theme of the interview was that content should be seen not only as a revenue stream, but as a marketing asset that can unlock wider value – from sponsorships and live experiences to fan data and new digital products.

Levy also argued that sport should learn from the music industry, which evolved beyond dependence on physical sales into a broader mix of streaming, events and brand partnerships. In his view, many sports properties remain too reliant on media rights alone.

A long-term investment approach

He said Gameday’s agreement with the league runs for ten years and benefits from a patient-capital mindset backed by Nicole Junkermann, allowing time to build a sustainable model rather than chase short-term returns.

What’s next

Looking ahead, Levy highlighted further opportunities in women’s sport and in under-served competitions across markets such as Spain and France. He also cited Gameday’s Spanish project Cayo TV, which has generated strong engagement since launch.

Read the original interview in Italian.

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