Sporticast

Scott and Eben speak with Stan Kasten, the president and CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They talk about Shohei Ohtani’s superlative performance, the team’s run toward another World Series title, and how the business of the Dodgers has grown in recent years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben break down the start of the NBA season, including some major changes on the media side, and a new all-time highest earner. They also talk about Shohei Ohtani’s superlative performance, and a new plan to save college soccer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben speak with Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico’s valuations guru, about his latest NBA rankings. They discuss the business of the Warriors, Clippers and Knicks; the NBA’s international opportunity; a shift towards an NFL-style model; the economics of new arenas; and more. 1:00 – Kurt’s opening takes 6:00 – International opportunity 6:57 – The China question 17:57 – Scott prediction 19:46 – Clippers 24:40 – Thunder 28:57 – Start of the rapid fires… 32:37 – Who is more superlative? 33:24 – The “classic question” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the rush of college football buyouts, including Penn State paying James Franklin about $50 million to leave Happy Valley. They also talk NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman’s new contract, and the MLB playoff latest. 0:37 – James Franklin 4:50 – Other schools 5:40 – College sports is skittish 11:50 – Scott q on pension funds (Carol this might be a good segment for a clip) 16:10 – Jess Berman new deal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The WNBA Finals have garnered record ratings, even with a lot of attention focused on the ongoing negotiations and conversation between commissioner Cathy Engelbert and top players, including Napheesa Collier. Just Women’s Sports founder Haley Rosen joined Scott and Jacob to discuss both storylines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss Connor McDavid’s two-year, $25 million extension to stay in Edmonton. They also talk about Gavin McKenna, college sports private equity, the MLB playoffs, and the latest drama in the WNBA labor fight. 0:57 – Connor deal details 6:17 – Salary cap jumps 18:35 – Learfield-style deals 19:20 – Scott’s endowment q 27:51 – WNBA labor drama Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben are joined by Sportico valuations expert Kurt Badenhausen to talk about the NHL’s rise, labor peace, new media deals, international opportunities and the marketability of the NHL’s biggest stars. 1:10 – NHL vs. MLB and text message 5:06 – Let’s talk Florida Panthers 9:15 – Local media disruption 12:35 – International opportunities 16:30 – Hockey culture shies away from marketing 19:30 – Who is the third most recognizable NHL player??? 27:49 –Quick talk about Arizona. Then, will the NHL return there?? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the collapse of the New York Mets’ 2025 season, which ended with a $342 million roster failing to make the playoffs. They also talk about owner guarantees, the Ryder Cup and new investors in Angel City FC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith joins the Sporticast podcast to discuss his views on the world’s richest sports league. He talks about the NFL’s antitrust exemption, a potential long-term threat from college football, and a theory on why women’s unions seem to be making more progress than their male counterparts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben speak about the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting a big commercial milestone. They also talk about the economics of The Sphere in Las Vegas, and changes in college hockey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben talk about the highest paid NFL players, a new Masters media partner, and growing pains in women's sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the title fight between Canelo Alvarez and Bud Crawford, which started late and paid its fighters handsomely. They also talk about Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, Nascar driver Bubba Wallace and some throwback Buds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eben and Jacob discuss the expansive grey area in the relationship between sports teams, players and sponsors. They also talk about the growing cost of sports streaming, and the NFL's YouTube numbers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben break down the biggest NBA story of the past week—allegations that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer may have tried to circumvent the league’s cap via a fraudulent tree-planting start-up. They also talk about Unrivaled’s $340M funding round, and a big NWSL loss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben speak with Marc Ganis, prominent sports consultant and NFL advisor, about the league’s business heading into the 2025 season—they touch on media, valuations, private equity, college sports, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben speak with Gareth Balch, the co-founder and CEO of Two Circles, about the company’s data work, trends about sports consumption, and how AI is already disrupting it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the celebrity engagement of the week. They also talk about NFL advertising, the U.S. Open, and Tommy “Cutlets” DeVito. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Scott Soshnick and Jacob Feldman are joined by Kurt Badenhausen to discuss the latest sports business news, including a record-breaking sports card auction, the return of the U.S. Open, and an action-packed opening weekend of college football amid seismic change for the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Scott Soshnick and Jacob Feldman are joined by Kurt Badenhausen to discuss Sportico’s rankings of the highest-paid tennis players, led by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Then they discuss the debut of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer offering, and why the company doesn’t get enough credit for its digital transformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss a handful of big sports business stories, including Michigan’s punishment for its sign-stealing operation, the collapse of Grand Slam track, a new revenue stream for LA28, and Aaron Rodgers’ helmet fiasco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben are joined by valuations expert Kurt Badenhausen to discuss Sportico’s latest NFL valuations, which start with the Dallas Cowboys ($12.8 billion) and end with the Cincinnati Bengals ($5.5 billion). They also talk about recent sales involving the Minnesota Twins and Portland Trail Blazers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben speak about UFC’s new $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, which came a week after the Skydance merger was announced. They also talk about ESPN’s streaming tie-up with FOX, and a Sportico investigation into a former NFL player now being sued for fraud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the NFL’s latest billion-dollar media deal, a deeper relationship with ESPN that involves NFL Network, RedZone, fantasy, real estate, carriage, and more. They also talk about the Big Dumper, and Shedeur Sanders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Change is afoot. Hosts Scott Soshnick and Jacob Feldman break down a major bit of volleyball news as two leagues announce they are coming together—and expanding. Then they talk about the state of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun sale, and whether the team will stay in New England or be shipped away from Boston. They also hit on ESPN’s acquisition of media assets from the NFL and the current state of the flag vs tackle divide in youth football, as well as their takeaway’s from MLB’s Bristol experiment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the latest in the NBA’s efforts to launch a new pro basketball league in Europe. They also talk about the sale of the Connecticut Sun, a film-inspired putter, and more about Deion Sanders’ business interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss Deion Sanders’ big Colorado announcement. They also talk about medical marketing in sports, the licensing future of Hulk Hogan, and the latest in MLB’s looming labor battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss an interesting trademark disagreement between the NFL and the U.S. Government. They also talk about a Little League lawsuit, the NFLPA scandal, and Real Madrid’s real revenue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the latest in the WNBA labor talks. They also discuss President Donald Trump’s latest foray into sports, and the meltdown at the NFLPA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss a curious clause in the new contract of Maryland athletic director Jim Smith. They also talk about the MLB All-Star Game’s Swing Off, the WNBA labor latest, and Juan Solo delivering baseball’s quote of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben talk about the Home Run Derby, which took place this year without any of the sport’s biggest stars. They compare it to struggles felt by other leagues and their All-Star Weekends. They also talk about latest NFLPA controversy, the Wimbledon finals, the FIFA Club World Cup, and—of course—the Tour de France. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben talk about the details of Gail Miller’s recent $580 million acquisition of the Utah Royals and Real Salt Lake. They also talk about Penn State hockey, the Tour de France, and FIFA’s increasingly cozy relationship with Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben talk about the Colorado Rockies, who are historically bad on the field but continue to draw decent crowds to Coors Field. They also talk about Chandler Bats, the batmaker of the pros; the latest in the WNBA labor talks; and a new gambling tax taking effect in 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss NBA salary economics, and a curious legal request from Michael Jordan. They also talk about the two-time NHL defending champion Florida Panthers, who managed to secure hometown discount for some of their most important players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Soshnick and Jacob Feldman discuss the WNBA’s announcement of new franchises coming to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia following a historically competitive bidding process. They also break down a new slice of the Cleveland Cavaliers going on sale, NHL labor peace, and MLS teams’ Club World Cup haul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Soshnick and Kurt Badenhausen discuss Sportico’s recently released 2025 WNBA Valuations. The newly created Golden State Valkyries debuted at No. 1, with a $500 million valuation, ten times the price the franchise paid in expansion fees in October 2023. They also discuss how an ongoing expansion process plays into the numbers, and what impact rising team values could have on the WNBA’s next CBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Soshnick and Kurt Badenhausen dive deep on Mark Walter’s $10 billion takeover of the Los Angeles Lakers. They start by discussing whether the iconic franchise is worth the record-shattering sale price and what it means for the Los Angeles Dodgers owner to become the only person with control of two of the 10 most valuable sports teams in the world. They also discuss the potential sale of the Tampa Bay Rays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Joon Lee’s New York Times Op-ed struck a chord, arguing that “fandom isn’t being nurtured anymore. It’s being mined.” He joined Jacob Feldman to discuss why he thinks recent growth—from new investors to new media deals to new international efforts—could threaten the bonds that made sports a central component of American culture in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Jacob discuss the early returns from the first-of-its-kind Club World Cup, including how DAZN intends to make back the $1 billion it spent on streaming rights while airing games for free. The hosts also break down Shaquille O’Neal paying FTX customers $1.8 million in a legal settlement—and whether MLB players would be better spokespeople for weight-loss or weight-gain programs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jacob Feldman is joined by STN Digital CEO David Brickley to discuss the company's latest report detailing the top U.S. teams on social media and the content they're using to get ahead, from Saquon Barkley to LeBron James to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brickley also dished a few tips for people hoping to grow their own social following—or just looking for a more personalized feed of posts on their favorite app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legal expert Michael McCann joins hosts Jacob Feldman and Scott Soshnick to discuss what last week’s completed House settlement means for the future of college sports. And boy do we have questions. The group discusses how billions of dollars will now flow from schools to athletes, whether the new rules will be enforced, and what it means for universities unable to keep up financially. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eben speaks with Nic Sulsky, CEO of The Curling Group, about the ~$7 million takeover of the sport’s biggest event series, the business strategy behind making curling a more commercially successful global sport, the impact of the Olympics, and how curling is misunderstood among many sports fans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben speak with Shawn Thornton, chief revenue officer of the Florida Panthers, about the team’s third straight Stanley Cup run and how that turns into new revenue for the NHL franchise. They also talk Florida hockey, the Tkachuk brothers, and the culture of the sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the latest on the $6.1 billion Celtics sale, with the buyers finalizing their group members and their financing. They also talk about a notable WNBA stake sale, a notable WNBA injury, and big news concerning the world’s highest-paid athlete. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben speak with Syracuse sports management professor Rick Burton about the future of sports and fandom, with commonsense changes to enhance stadiums and leagues. They also talk about MLS, the subject of Burton’s most recent book, titled “The Rise of Major League Soccer.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the newest TGL franchise selling for $70+ million. They also talk about Olympic flag football, the WNBA opening week, the Fanatics Games, and LiveBarn for sale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben talk about UCLA’s plan to right-size its athletic department. They also talk about a stake sale for the San Francisco 49ers, and the NHL/NBA playoffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss the sale of two pro basketball teams: the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Both are happening in the midst of expansion talks. The hosts also talk about the NFL schedule reveal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss Michael Jordan partnering with NBC to do some NBA coverage next season. They also talk about Shohei Ohtani, Michael Eisner and the new Pope. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eben is joined by colleague Kurt Badenhausen to discuss his ranking of the 50 most valuable soccer teams in the world. They talk No. 1 Real Madrid, No. 2 Manchester United, and a number of other teams. Plus, they break down the economics of global soccer as compared to other major U.S. leagues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Eben discuss Marc Lasry and Michael Strahan joining forces to pursue an investment in the New York Giants. They also talk about Warren Buffett, the NHL playoffs, President Donald Trump, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices