NFL Chief Data & Analytics Officer Paul Ballew on the Evolution of Data Teams
674: In this interview, Paul Ballew, Chief Data and Analytics Officer of the NFL, discusses the role that data and analytics play in the most famous American sports, as well as the evolution of the disciplines associated with each from across his career. He reflects on the early stages of his journey in data and analytics, the limitations he faced throughout its evolution, and how it's being used now for personalizing the customer experience across the NFL’s constituent groups. Paul also describes how the roles in data analytics have changed, why Chief Data Officer tenures tend to be shorter on average, and the way the teams and reporting relationships have changed throughout the years. Finally, Paul talks about how his background suits him well for a position on the board of Hyatt Hotels, trends in analytics that excite him, and the keys to success that he believes have led to his career ascension.