Val Ackerman has been the Commissioner of the Big East college conference since 2013. In episode 57 of the Leaders Sport Business Podcast, she gives Leaders Editor-at-Large James Emmett her College Sports 101, before discussing:

- The hows and whys of schools moving from one conference to another;

- The compensation debate, its fragility and complexity; why college athletes aren't paid; and why we could be a few years away from major change;

- The Big East revenues - where they come from, and where they go;

- The growth of women's sport

- Male-to-female mentorship and David Stern's ongoing influence on Ackerman's career; and why men have such an important role to play in the development of women's careers in the sports industry;

- How to learn from other leaders' style, without being imitative;

- The many ways of being a mentor;

- Why young sports executives need to be aggressive but patient.