Sports Media with Richard Deitsch

Episode 233 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Jon Wertheim, a senior writer for Sports Illustrated, a senior correspondent for 60 Minutes and a senior analyst for The Tennis Channel, and Scott Price, who worked for 26 years as a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and wrote under the byline S.L. Price. Both Wertheim and Price covered Serena Williams for the duration of her career. In this podcast, Wertheim and Price discuss covering Serena Williams and the first time they interacted with her; Price’s cover story in the Sept. 20, 1999 issue of Sports Illustrated which chronicled Serena winning her first major and becoming the first African-American woman to win a major since Althea Gibson in 1958; the dynamic between Serena and the media who covered her; comparisons with her sister Venus; the subject of race and tennis; the evolution of Serena as a subject; being critical of Serena and what that meant; expectations for this year’s U.S. Open; what Serena might do in the future, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 232 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Stewart Mandel, a senior writer covering college football for The Athletic. In this podcast, Mandel and Deitsch discuss the Big Ten’s new media rights deal; whether the inventory is deep enough for an all-day linear airing of Big Ten football games; what networks did the best; ESPN being out of Big Ten football; what it means for other conferences including the SEC; the future of the Pac-12’s media rights; the Big Ten going to market again before the SEC’s new contract with ESPN expires in 2034, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 231 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Brian Gewirtz, a senior vice president of development at Seven Bucks Productions, which is a production company co-founded by Dwayne Johnson and his producing partner, Dany Garcia. Gewirtz is the author of the new book, “There’s Just One Problem: True Tales From The Former, One-Time Seventh Most Powerful Person In WWE.” In this podcast Gewirtz discusses his history working for the WWE as a writer from 1999 to 2015; the skills and temperament one needs to write for a professional wrestling company; the similarities between writing for a sitcom and for WWE; how one writes for someone who on face is so different than them; advice for getting a pro wrestling writing job; writing for The Rock and Kurt Angle; Vince McMahon’s departure from WWE over alleged sexual misconduct; how one should view McMahon today; why Gewirtz wanted to write this book and how he approached it; working on the original XFL product; whether what is happening with AEW's MJF is a shoot or work; returning to the WWE when Rock is part of that production; working with Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins; how the WWE might be different in a post-Vince era, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 230 of the Sports Media Podcast features Andscape senior NFL Writer Jason Reid. His new book is the “Rise of the Black Quarterback: What it means for America.” In this podcast, Reid discusses the black quarterbacks of the 1960s and 1970s in the AFL and NFL and what they experienced; the hate mail players such as James Harris had to deal with; the positional segregation regarding Black athletes when it came to the quarterback position; the anonymous scout quotes that exist today; the modern Black quarterbacks including Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson and Kyler Murray; the importance of Doug Williams and Randall Cunningham historically; the impact of writing about Colin Kaepernick; whether young Black quarterbacks would up to play for HBCU’s and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 229 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Dr. Dani Gilbert, a Rosenwald Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy and International Security at the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding at Dartmouth College, and an expert on U.S. hostage policy and diplomacy. She is followed by T,J, Quinn, an investigative reporter for ESPN who has reported on the Griner case for ESPN. In this podcast, Dr. Gilbert discusses the leverage value for Russia in this process; what "wrongfully detained" means legally and how it relates to Griner; Russia as a bad actor on the world stage; the process of how this negotiation will work; how she viewed the initial silence from the Griner camp at the start of Griner's incarceration; how Griner’s sexuality and race plays a role in this case; who is specifically working on this case at the State Department; what you should do if you travel to a country like China or Russia; whether Griner will be treated more humanely given the high profile nature of her case, and more. Quinn discusses his reporting on Griner and how he translated Griner’s trial; what happens next as far as formal proceedings; how to acquire State Department sources; how much media coverage of the case will happen; Griner’s current conditions; the social media aspect of the case; covering the case heading forward and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 229 of the Sports Media Podcast features ESPN broadcaster and longtime World Series game-caller Joe Buck. In this podcast, Buck discusses the life and career of the legendary broadcaster Vin Scully, who passed away on Tuesday at age 94; the friendship between Scully and Jack Buck, the father of Joe Buck; Scully’s remarkable ability to call games solo; why Scully always felt relevant even as he aged; Scully’s connection to Los Angeles; the time when Tim McCarver told a national audience Scully was not at a ballpark he was at; Scully’s call of Hank Aaron passing Babe Ruth and Sandy Koufax’s perfect game; why this feels like the end of a broadcasting era, and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 228 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Yahoo Sports NFL writer Shalise Manza Young. She is followed by Boston Globe media writer and general columnist Chad Finn. In this podcast, Young discusses her excellent piece on independent arbitrator Sue L. Robinson’s decision on Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson; why the decision seems wholly inconsistent with Robinson’s own findings; the narrow definition of "violent" as defined in the decision; Manza Young’s argument that the decision “underscores to many of us, once again, how some people, even other women, perceive women as disposable, especially if they’re Black or brown or work in the service industry”; Watson being cheered at Browns camp; the NFL’s decision on the discipline imposed to the Dolphins for violations of NFL policies relating to the integrity of the game, and more. Finn and Deitsch discusses the coverage Bill Russell’s passing; the powerful words of Karen Russell, Bill’s daughter; Charles Barkley’s flirtation with LIV Golf; Amazon hiring Dude Perfect for an alternate telecast; whether there is a definitive NFL program or pregame show; how the league-owned networks cover challenging stories and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 227 of the Sports Media Podcast features three guests. First up is Ian Darke, a football commentator for ESPN in America and for BT Sport in UK. Last week Fox Sports announced that Darke will be part of the network’s coverage of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar later this year. He is followed by Roberto Andrade Franco, a feature writer for ESPN and the author of one of the best pieces of sports writing in 2022. Franco recently wrote “The All-Star dreams of Uvalde's biggest José Altuve fan,” a piece for ESPN on the life of Tess Marie Mata, one of the 19 students killed in the May 24 massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Franco is followed by Julie Kliegman, a writer and copy chief for Sports Illustrated. She recently wrote a piece on Sarah Fuller's journey from kicker for Vanderbilt to mental health advocate and is working on a book about how athletes navigate mental health. In this podcast, Darke discusses how Fox was able to use him for this year’s World Cup; when he anticipates learning what games he will call; calling the women’s European Championship tournament; the growth of women’s soccer in England; the potential of the 2026 World Cup as a game-changer in the United States, and more. Franco discusses why he was compelled to write about Mata for ESPN; traveling to Uvalde three times to report the story and how he approached his reporting; how the Mata family treated his queries; the inevitable tension of prying into people’s lives about the worst moment of their life while knowing the importance of such stories to the public; why he opted to make his story about Texas, guns, the U.S., segregation, and the violence that surrounds us; how his background shaped the story, and more. Kliegman discusses why the intersection of mental health and athletics is of interest to her; what happened to Sarah Fuller since she made history at Vanderbilt; the challenge of navigating sudden fame for a college student; the climate of athletes discussing mental health; how this generation of athletes is more willing to be open about mental health and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. ReplyForward To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 226 features Conrad Thompson, the preeminent wrestling podcast host in the United States and the promoter of “Ric Flair's Last Match" which features 11 matches from promotions across the globe that will air July 31on PPV and FITE.TV from The Fairgrounds in Nashville, TN. In this podcast, Thompson discusses how he came to put together the promotion for the 73-year-old Flair, his father-in-law; creating the wrestling convention Starrcast V which will emanate from Nashville from July 29 to 31; how pro wrestling talent gets booked for events; what Flair’s doctors have said about a 73-year-old being part of a wrestling show; blurring the lines on his podcast network to promote this event; how he views McMahon stepping down from his job as the company’s board investigates allegations of misconduct against him; WWE revising financial statements to reflect hush-money payments; his relationship with AEW head Tony Khan; his relationship with the people who have worked for McMahon including Bruce Prichard, his podcast partner, and his sister in law, Ashley, who wrestlers as Charlotte Flair; whether we think WWE will sell and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 225 features The Athletic writers Katie Strang, Dan Robson, and Ian Mendes. The three co-authored a recent piece on allegations of sexual assault and a reckoning for Hockey Canada. In this podcast, Strang, Robson, and Mendes discuss how the reporting came together for the piece and the steps reporters take to report on this subject; what we know and don’t know about the two alleged sexual-assault incidents involving Hockey Canada; whether adults enabling a rampant culture; the media's role; what happens when you contact lawyers representing players; the impact and importance of sponsors speaking up; police in Halifax opening an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving members of Hockey Canada's 2003 national junior team; the hearings before the Parliament of Canada; what will happen to Hockey Canada heading forward, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 224 features Jamie Erdahl, the new host of Good Morning Football which airs Monday to Friday at 7:00 AM ET on NFL Network. She will make her debut on the show on July 25. In this podcast, Erdahl discussed why she wanted the GMF job; when she first became aware the job was open; what the interview process was like; why people have taken to this show; the value of getting NFL reps as a sideline reporter; having a job where she now gives opinions on air; people being happy for her; doing play by play for LSU-Alabama when they lost sound in the booth in 2020; being pregnant and a young mother while doing SEC games; traveling as a working mother; her future at CBS Sports; changing the trajectory of her career, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 223 of the Sports Media Podcast features a roundtable with Chad Finn, a sports media writer and general sports columnist for the Boston Globe and Sports Business Journal managing editor/digital Austin Karp. In this podcast, Karp and Finn discuss MLB viewership at the All Star Game; baseball’s decision to sign deals with so many different media partners; can the Home Run Derby outdraw the All-Star Game; why younger people like the Home Run Derby more than the MLB All Star Game; where do we stand in the post-Tiger Woods world as far as media interest; will LIV Golf get a deal (we think yes); an examination of the USFL viewership; John Ourand’s report that ESPN is hiking the price of its ESPN+ by 43% starting next month and what it means; will you watch ESPN’s Derek Jeter doc; the future of the ACC, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 222 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Fox Sports reporter and producer Tom Rinaldi, who served as an executive producer, writer, and host of an eight-part podcast series titled “Wesley.” The series examines the heartbreaking story of Lyman Wesley Bostock Jr., who was murdered in-season during the height of his MLB career. Rinaldi is followed by Zak Keefer, a senior writer who covers the Colts for The Athletic and is the host of a six-part series from on the rise and surprising retirement of Andrew Luck. In this podcast, Rinadi talks about “Wesley” and why he wanted to re-examine the story of Bostock Jr.; why this story has haunted him for years; the what ifs of Bostock’s life; what happened on Sept. 23,1978 in Gary, Indiana; on Bostock being a .311 hitter in four major league seasons; the trial of his killer; the 30+ interviews he did for the podcast; how he will judge success; being on the sidelines with a mostly new NFL group (Kevin Burkhart, Greg Olsen and Erin Andrews); when he was informed that Joe Buck and Troy Aikman were leaving; discovering Tom Brady was hired by Fox Sports; the bigness of the NFL; the advantages of covering college football for an NFL job, and more. Keefer explores a fundamental question: How did one of the greatest quarterback prospects of all-time end up walking away from the game before he turned 30 years old; why Luck decided not to participate in the podcast; how to tell the story of a football career via audio; the takeaway on Luck’s career; why teams still contact Luck to play and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 221 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests — ESPN director and producer Russell Dinallo and host and reporter Jeremy Schaap. In this podcast, Dinallo and Schaap discuss the story of Barry Bremen, a Detroit-area novelty goods salesman who in the late 1970’s was known as “The Great Imposter.” Bremen pulled off sports pranks that included crashing the 1979 NBA All-Star Game to shoot layups on the court with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Moses Malone, and Dr. J , crashing baseball’s 1979 All-Star Game and shagging flies in the outfield for 30 minutes, and posing as a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader at a Cowboys-Washington game. The stunts landed him on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the David Letterman Show and the Today Show. Bremen died of cancer in 2011 but that’s where the story begins in many ways. More than three dozen people have now learned that Bremen is their biological father, through sperm donation. They found out about each other – and Bremen – through genetic testing and the painstaking efforts of one of the children to track their lineage. “The Great Imposter and Me” debuts on July 12, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and will be available for on-demand streaming on ESPN+. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 220 of the Sports Media Podcast features Monica McNutt, a host, analyst, and reporter for ESPN and MSG Networks with a specialty in basketball. In this podcast, McNutt discusses the challenges of live sports television; the differences in covering the NBA and WNBA; the preparation for being a Draft interviewer; working multiple jobs as a 20-something in sports media and how to react if you get a break; LaChina Robinson and others as mentors; not changing her look or her personality when she landed on national television; representation in the space; being recognized as an opinionist and what that means; Draymond Green and the new media; her basketball career at Georgetown and playing against Brittney Griner and Maya Moore, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 219 of the Sports Media Podcast features Andy Staples, a senior writer for The Athletic covering college football. He is the host “The Andy Staples Show And Friends,” a podcast about college football and also a host of College Sports on SiriusXM. In this podcast, Staples discusses the seismic move of USC and UCLA heading to the Big Ten; why we are heading for two super leagues with the SEC and Big Ten; what this means heading forwards for the Pac-12, Big-12 and ACC as far as media rights; how we see what will happen with the Big Ten media rights; why Apple could be a very interesting partner for a set of Big Ten football games; why ESPN’s leverage for the Big Ten has been reduced; the massive rights deal increase coming for the Big Ten; the future of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament; how some of the smaller sports will be impacted; networks paying players and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 218 of the Sports Media Podcast features ESPN investigative reporter and senior writer T.J. Quinn, In this podcast, Quinn discusses his reporting on WNBA star Brittney Griner being detained in Russia; where the Griner criminal trial stands right now; Griner facing 10 years in prison if convicted on charges of large-scale transportation of drugs; the strategy of the Griner camp on promoting her story; how the Department of State must manage a potential prisoner swap; how media coverage in the U.S. might be different if Griner was male and played a major male sport; whether Russia is off the table forever as a destination for U.S athletes; which experts can help educate you on Griner’s case; activism in the WNBA and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 217 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Lindsey Adler, a senior writer for The Athletic covering the New York Yankees. She is followed by Sports Business Journal motorsports and combat sports reporter Adam Stern. In this podcast, Adler discusses what it’s like covering a team that has the potential to make sports history; if there is pressure on covering a team like the Yankees because every game has magnitude; whether people are more interested in reading about a winning team; how winning impacts things for reporters such as subscriptions and page views; the competitiveness of the Yankees beat; how front office people and players look at where she works versus other publications; how access has been this year and the difference from last year; women covering baseball who are under-35; the influences of Suzyn Waldman and Sweeny Murti for her; whether MLB will or should make a statement on the Roe decision and more. Stern discusses why F1 has agreed to renew its rights deal with ESPN through 2025; why Amazon and Comcast executives and Netflix did not get the product; how ESPN will advance the product in the future; what F1’s growth potential is in the U.S.; the importance of a U.S. driver to the growth; the importance of races being on linear television; the explosion of F1 podcasts; where he sees NASCAR’s viewership heading forward; whether a Drive To Survive show for IndyCar can move the needle, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 216 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Jimmy Pitaro, the Chairman and top executive at ESPN. In this podcast, Pitaro discusses his interest in extending media rights deals with the NBA and Formula One — and why that’s important to his company; how he views ESPN’s current relationship with the NFL and why getting into the Super Bowl rotation matters beyond viewership and finances; breaking down ESPN’s recent NFL rights deal; ESPN’s definitive interest in the Big Ten Conference rights; how ESPN’s SEC deal impacts inventory when it comes to interest in the Big Ten and Pac-12’s upcoming inventory; the intersection of sports and politics and sports and culture at ESPN and how he views that with regard to ESPN employees; the odds the NBA takes some of its premiere content and sells it exclusively to an online outlet; how ESPN views opportunity in the sports gambling space; why ESPN’s viewers want and expect ESPN to be in the sports gambling space; his family’s obsession with the Yankees and love of baseball; running parallel paths of a linear television business and ESPN’s direct-to-consumer business; ESPN unequivocally wanting back in World Cup rights; whether someone in his position should be part of talent negotiations; how many emails gets a day; and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 215 of the Sports Media Podcast features Michael McCann, a legal analyst and senior sports legal reporter at Sportico and a Professor of Law at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, where he is Director of the Sports and Entertainment Law Institute. In this podcast, McCann discusses why coverage of the intersection and sports and legal has increased multifold; how he distinguishes between his legal read on something versus how he might feel morally about it. Del Rio from a sports law vantage point; the legal questions here since a coach or executive is neither an employee of the NFL nor in a players' union; PGA Tour suspensions of LIV golfers and what legal fallout may come of that; the new reporting that found DeShaun Watson booked message appointments with at least 66 different women from the from fall 2019 to spring 2021; whether the Browns can void the Watson trade if they wanted to; Johnson v. NCAA, which is before the Third Circuit, and why is this case is extremely important; at least 12 states enacting legislation banning transgender students from participating in sports teams at public high schools and what that means legally; the NCAA women’s basketball tournament and what recourse players have on media compensation; and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re sharing a preview of the new podcast, Legacy of Speed, from Pushkin Industries. Legacy of Speed follows the transformation of a San Jose State track program in the 1960s. What started out as a second-tier state college no one outside of California had ever heard of, quickly became known as the home to Speed City. The guidance of one coach and his unconventional techniques launched the careers of the fastest sprinters of the day. Host Malcolm Gladwell, a competitive runner himself, traces the journeys of those sprinters, who went on to ignite a boycott movement and protest the 1968 Summer Olympics. It’s a story about athletes who dared to take a stand, and the mentors who made them fast – and brave enough – to change the world. Listen to Legacy of Speed at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/losmedia To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 214 of the Sports Media Podcast features ESPN NHL reporter and podcaster Emily Kaplan. In this podcast Kaplan, a co-host of In The Crease with Linda Cohn, discusses covering the Lightning-Avalanche Stanley Cup Final; how coaches and players have received her this year reporting from ice level; why some viewers seem angry at in-game coaching interviews; how therapy is helping her navigate what people say on social media; the social media feedback she gets on the NHL mandating that she wears a mask during interviews; the impact of being on television regarding getting access from players; representation in hockey and the recent hirings of Meghan Duggan, Marie Phillip Poulin and Émilie Castonguay; where the sport is heading next and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 213 of the Sports Media Podcast features two segments. First up is Haley Rosen, the founder and CEO of Just Women’s Sports. She is followed by a sports media panel with Boston Globe media writer Chad Finn and Sports Business Journal Managing Editor/Digital Austin Karp. In this podcast, Rosen discusses Just Women’s Sports, a women’s sports-focused media platform featuring news and analysis of women’s sports, interviews, podcasts, videos and other media content; why she feels this is a moment where a women’s sports media brand can be built to last; how she soft launched her company and then launched with investment including from Elena Delle Donne and Kevin Durant among others; how teams and players have reacted to JWS; softball and volleyball as underserved media markets; advocacy versus journalism and how to approach that; her thoughts on gambling on women’s sports and an underserved market in that space; long-term possibilities for the site and more. Finn and Karp discuss NBA viewership through three games of the NBA Finals; why the NBA should feel mixed on the data so far; the importance of length, particularly for this series; whether the Celtics’ stars play nationally; the viewership for Turner and ESPN in their first year of the NHL deal; why people did not tune into Rafa Nadal but did for Coco Gauff; the debut of LIV golf and the potential for a U.S. TV deal; sportswashing; how viewers might feel about Arlo White taking LIV’s money; if there is a non-Tiger golfer who moves the needle and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 212 of the Sports Media Podcast features Edward Keenan, the Washington Bureau Chief of The Toronto Star and former local and political columnist in Toronto. In this podcast, Keenan discusses covering the United States from a foreign perspective; how he landed a job; covering America at one of its most fraught times; how he decides on stories; traveling to Uvalde, Texas and reporting from that tragedy; how he views repeated mass shootings in America; the professional wrestling and political entertainment element on American politics; straddling opinion and reporting; how much longer he wants to cover the beat and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 211 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Chad Finn, the sports media writer and general columnist for The Boston Globe. He is followed by Louise Radnofsky, a sports reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Her piece, “Testing Positive in Zero-Covid China” was about being isolated under aggressive policies in China during the Olympics. In this podcast, Finn and Deitsch discuss how we see the popularity of a Celtics-Warriors NBA Finals; what historical viewership trends mean for this series; cultural wars and the NBA; whether ESPN has found the right fit for its NBA studio programming; Greg Olsen officially being named as Fox’s No. 1 NFL analyst; NESN’s new direct-to-consumer product for the Red Sox and Bruins and more. Radnofsky discussed her piece on testing positive 19 hours after arriving in Beijing on Feb. 4 to cover figure skating at the 2022 Olympic Games; being part of Chinese policies that call for centralized isolation; how she and the Journal navigated her testing positive; her reporting on Britney Griner being held in Russia; the public campaign to advocate for Griner; the challenge of reporting on Griner’s situation; the future of USA Gymnastics; the earnings potential of college gymnasts and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 210 of the Sports Media Podcast features Washington Post writer John Woodrow Cox, an enterprise reporter for The Washington Post who has focused on the impact of gun violence on children. Cox is also the author of a book on the subject, “Children Under Fire: An American Crisis.” In this podcast, Cox discusses his reporting on children experiencing gun violence; what school shootings do to the kids who survive them; the process of getting permission to talk to kids; how to interview kids who experience trauma; what solutions can work; should media outlets show what bullets do to bodies; why good guys with guns have routinely failed to stop bad guys with guns who are intent on murdering school children; self care of reporters who report on gun violence, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 209 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Lindsay Jones, an national NFL writer for The Athletic and the President of Pro Football Writers Of America. She is followed by Leigh Diffey, who serves as NBC Sports’ lead play-by-play commentator for its Indycar WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, MotoGP and Supercross coverage and is NBC Olympics’ primary announcer for Track & Field and has called numerous events at both the Summer and Winter Games. In this podcast, Jones discusses Colin Kaepernick, who last played professional football in 2016, working out for the Raiders and what that would mean regarding media coverage; whether the argument that Kaepernick would be a distraction has any merit; how the NFL sees this; realistically, what can of QB can he be after six years out; what kind of access she expects in locker rooms this year; the Pro Bowl viewership and more. In this podcast Diffey discusses the elements to being successful as a motorsports broadcaster; the rising viewership of motorsports in the U.S. and whether the sport is having a moment; Scott Dixon and Jimmie Johnson in the Indy 500; James Hinchcliffe’s Indy analyst debut; the skills needed to call track and field; voicing the remarkable men’s Tokyo Olympics 400 meter hurdles final in Tokyo where Karsten Warholm defeated Rai Benjamin; having a voice that is not born in America; the presentation of sports in Australia; whether the Sports Emmys has a bias against motorsports and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 208 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Tony Khan, the president, CEO and head of creative of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a co-owner and the chief football strategy officer for the Jacksonville Jaguars, co-owner and GM of Fulham F.C., and owner and chairman of TruMedia Networks, an engineering firm used for data analytics. In this podcast, Khan discusses his personal media consumption and how he consumes information about AEW; the importance of getting mainstream sports media coverage versus wrestling media and crossover media; how he looks at doing his own press; how he consumes AEW’s television viewership metrics and what he considers to be the most important metric in his evaluation; how the Discovery/WarnerMedia merger will impact AEW; how he sees streaming as it relates to his product and the wrestling business heading forward; the three-year anniversary of the company; AEW’s upcoming Double or Nothing PPV in Las Vegas; how he views the role of the announcers he has such as Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone and how hands-on his he with his announcers during shows; AEW's incredible tribute show to Brodie Lee; his thoughts on Conrad Thompson and Eric Bischoff debating AEW; MJF and the value of delivering a promo versus in-ring work; acquiring talent in pro sports versus professional wrestling; Urban Meyer as a college football studio analyst; how he views success with AEW in the long-term; and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 207 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Tom Verducci, the senior writer for Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports and MLB Network game, studio analyst and reporter. In this podcast Verducci discusses the life and times of Roger Angell, the brilliant baseball writer who passed away last week at age 101; Verducci’s piece on Angell in 2014 titled, “The Passion of Roger Angell: The best baseball writer in America is also a fan”; spending time with Angell at his home in Maine; why Angell can never be duplicated given he connected Babe Ruth to Shohei Ohtani; how Angell approached baseball writing in his later years; Angell’s late start to writing baseball at 41; the literary family Angell grew up in; the luxury Angell had in writing longform; Josh Donaldson’s comments on Tim Anderson; the Mets under owner Steven Cohen; Joe Davis replacing Joe Buck; the legend of Sandy Koufax, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 206 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Lesley Visser, the sports broadcaster and commentator who this month will be the first woman to receive the Emmys' Sports Lifetime Achievement Award. She is followed by Iliana Limón Romero who this month became the first female sports editor in its history, and the only Latina sports editor at a major U.S. newspaper. In this podcast Visser discusses ice fishing with John Madden in Minneapolis and her relationship with Madden; being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award; her years at The Boston Globe as a writer; covering the fall of the Berlin Wall; working the Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals in 1984 and other memorable finals; coming up in an age prior to social media; not being allowed in clubhouses because of her gender; Al Michaels’ move to Amazon; if she misses sports television; her podcast with Sirius, and much more. Romero discusses what a sports editor at a major metro daily like the LA Times does daily; how you cover Los Angeles given its large spread; whether she thinks digital-first or print first; who she envisions as the LA Times reader; being the only Latina sports editor at a major U.S. newspaper; what it’s like covering the Lakers; the most press-friendly in L.A.; how you staff high school sports coverage; the interest in USC Football; how she looks at audio, and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 205 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Chad Finn, a sports media writer and general sports columnist for the Boston Globe. In this podcast, Finn and Deitsch discuss the NFL’s national television schedule; what we thought of Amazon and ESPN’s Monday Night Football’s schedule; if Sunday Night Football did as well as recent years; whether Drew Brees has a future as an analyst; the challenges facing Tom Brady in television; the Celtics/Heat and Mavs/Warriors in the NBA conference finals and what it means for viewership; Joe Buck’s alternate broadcast for golf; Kevin Harlan’s promotion; sports-washing when it comes to the World Cup and Olympics; former referees on broadcasts and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 204 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Chad Finn, a sports media writer and general columnist for the Boston Globe, and Austin Karp, managing editor/digital of Sports Business Journal. In this podcast, we discuss Fox hiring Tom Brady as an analyst after he retires; how Brady may fare on the job; the reported money paid to Brady for the deal; the explosion of F1 in the U.S. and where it’s heading; why F1 is having this American moment; Peacock’s Sunday Morning MLB debut; how we see the USFL at this point; the Kentucky Derby viewership and what Rich Strike’s win mean; if Carlos Alcaraz can be a sports media factor; media research wars; the NFL schedule release; a Wall Street Journal sports media job opening and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 203 of the Sports Media Podcast features Larry Collmus, the race caller for the NBC Sports Group coverage of the Triple Crown (the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont), and Breeders’ Cup. In this podcast, Collmus discusses calling Rich Strike’s remarkable win at the Kentucky Derby at 80-1 odds; when he saw Rich Strike making his move; what he thought about his call; how much race preparation he does in advance; what he did after the race; the impact of the win and what he expects for the Preakness; his racecalling and analyst work away from NBC; the difference in calling races from Churchill Downs, Pimlico and Belmont Park; his all-time favorite horse racing calls, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 202 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with three women who transitioned from sports media into other businesses — Amy Moritz, a former Buffalo News sports writer; Amy K. Nelson, a former ESPN and SB Nation writer and on-air commentator; and Kat O’Brien, a former baseball writer for The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Newsday. They are followed by T.J. Quinn, an ESPN investigative reporter. In this podcast, Moritz, Nelson and O’Brien discuss transitioning from working in the sports media to other professions; the challenges of that process; where they have found success; what, if anything, they miss from their previous jobs; how identity plays into working in the sports media; how they view the sports media business today; advice for those in the business who want to leave; and more. Quinn discusses the latest on Griner; what changed with the case; how the WNBA is involved; the challenge of reporting on Griner; the future of women’s basketball abroad; what’s next and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 201 of the Sports Media Podcast features a conversation with Chad Finn, a sports media writer and general columnist for the Boston Globe. In this podcast, we discuss ESPN, ABC and the NFL Network’s NFL Draft coverage; what we thought about the lower viewership; how we would staff future NFL Draft presentations; what we think about Amazon’s first game in 2022; how ESPN and Turner will present the NHL playoffs and what series has the most viewer appeal; Urban Meyer returning to Fox Sports; the Celtics as an NBA ratings draw; and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 200 of the Sports Media Podcast features three guests — Michael Shawn Dugar, who covers the Seahawks for The Athletic; Tashan Reed, who covers the Raiders for The Athletic; and Rhiannon Walker, who previously covered the Washington Football Team for The Athletic and now works as a feature writer. In this podcast, the guests discuss what it’s like to cover the NFL Draft from a beat reporter perspective; who they get their information from; whether executives are truthful when it comes to the NFL Draft; what readers want from their coverage; the beat is all-consuming and how they navigate that challenge; missing time with family; being a writer of color on the beat; thoughts on Elon Musk buying Twitter, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 199 of the Sports Media Podcast features ESPN host and reporter Suzy Kolber, one of the company’s longtime NFL voices and part of this week’s NFL Draft coverage. In this podcast Kolber discusses how she prepares for her role on ESPN/ABC’s NFL Draft coverage; making connections with prospects prior to the NFL Draft; the challenge of determining what to ask prospects in a short period of time; when she learns who is being drafted; her decision to be NFL-specific professionally; the skillset of thriving and surviving at a high-profile organization; seeing her contemporaries as such as Kenny Mayne and Trey Wingo leave; being asked to take a pay cut and how she reacted to it; her 29th year at ESPN; the skill set needed to host on sports television; being a pioneer in sports television and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 198 of the Sports Media Podcast features three guests. First up is sports broadcaster Gus Johnson, who is calling the NBA postseason for Turner Sports and is a longtime Fox Sports play by play caller. He is followed by Bill Shea, a senior writer for The Athletic covering sports business, and Robert Seidman, the co-founder of TVbytheNumbers who can be found on Twitter at @SportsTVRatings. In this podcast Johnson discuss what it has been like calling NBA games again; how the assignment came about; why he loves calling the NBA; the reaction to his calls; his fondness for Giannis Antetokounmpo; attending Harvard University as part of a leadership forum and much more. Shea and Seidman discuss what they thought of the first weekend of the USFL; what we made of the viewership numbers; the Fox Sports push for USFL; the tech things we saw that can be incorporated into NFL broadcasts; whether drones work or don’t for audiences; what kind of audience is needed to have a second year; the NBA’s postseason viewership numbers and what they mean; what teams going far would be helpful, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 197 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests — ESPN investigative reporter Paula Lavigne and ESPN senior writer Tom Junod. They are the co-authors of “Untold,” a 30,000-word piece that investigates the horrific actions of Todd Hodne, a former football player and student at Penn State in the late 1970s who was a serial predator and ultimately a murder. The piece took two years to report. In this podcast Lavigne and Junod discuss how they learned of Hodne’s story; the reporting process for their piece; how they characterized Penn State’s response to their queries; if the piece says something about the silence that happens in college football towns; the incredible strength of Betsy Sailor, and the story of Betsy and Irv Pankey; how they view Joe Paterno after their reporting; the decision to contact Jerry Sandusky; what happens next with the story; the resources ESPN gave them to report; and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 196 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests — Lisa Byington and Kate Scott, the first women full-time TV play-by-play broadcasters for a major men's professional sports team. Byington calls Milwaukee Bucks games and Scott calls the Philadelphia 76ers. In this podcast, Byington and Scott reflect on their first season in the NBA; the biggest challenges for them this season and how they handled them; how each provided support for the other during the season; receiving online criticism including gender-based criticism; their favorite interactions with players this year; Byington getting Giannis Anteokounmpo Oreo cookies during one flight; what it was like in March when they both called an NBA game at the same arena; receiving feedback from bosses; how they approach the future and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re sharing a special preview of the new season of Against the Rules from Pushkin Industries. On Against the Rules, bestselling author Michael Lewis takes a searing look at what’s happened to fairness in American life. In the preview you’re about to hear, Michael speaks with baseball statistician Bill James. Bill is the man at the heart of Michael's bestselling book, Moneyball, and he's transformed how we think about expertise in the sport. You'll hear Bill talk about how, for him, baseball was never just about the sport itself -- it was about finding meaning in the world. You can hear more episodes of Against the Rules at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/atrsports To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 195 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Chad Finn, a sports media writer and general columnist for the Boston Globe. He is followed by Charlotte Carroll who covers UConn basketball and WNBA for The Athletic In this podcast, Finn discusses the interest in national broadcasts of baseball; whether MLB expanding to streaming services such as Amazon and Apple+ is good for the game; how ESPN’s Michael Kay/Alex Rodriguez Megacast will do; why it is tough to relate to Rodriguez as a game broadcaster; ESPN’s re-signings of Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski and what that means; how much ESPN valued their social media standing; Fox’s upcoming decision to replace Troy Aikman and why Greg Olsen has yet to be named, whether Urban Meyer will be hired in sports broadcasting again, and more. Carroll discusses the on-the-ground coverage of the Final Four; the access media received; how many writers The Athletic had in Minneapolis; how the players felt as far as equity from last year; what it means that the final drew 4.85 million viewers on ESPN; what to expect from UConn and South Carolina next year; the favorite for the WNBA title; the status Britney Griner and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 194 of the Sports Media Podcast features Fox Sports broadcaster Joe Davis, who replaces Joe Buck as the lead television voice of the World Series. Davis is also the television voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In this podcast, Davis discusses how he found out he was getting the job; what his reaction was to that promotion; his awareness of Joe Buck wanted to step back from calling baseball; how he is approaching the assignment; how many national games he expects to do; the challenge of calling the Dodgers if they make the World Series; his conversation with Buck after getting the job; what sport he enjoys calling the most; his brother winning a Best Documentary Short at the 2019 Oscars; why he left ESPN in 2014; the impact of Vin Scully for any Dodgers broadcaster; how often he stays in touch with Scully; You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 193 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is James Andrew Miller, best-selling author of books on CAA, ESPN and Saturday Night Live and HBO. He is hosting a new chapter of the podcast “Origins” titled “HBO: Present, Past, and Future.” He is followed by Grant Wahl, who writes the Futbol with Grant Wahl at GrantWahl.com and works with CBS Sports and Meadowlark Media. In this podcast, Miller discusses the ESPN deals for Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski; what it means salary-wise for others; how much has the talent office changed at ESPN over the years; ESPN employees participated in walkouts over Disney’s response to the Florida legislation coined the “Don’t Say Gay” bill; whether it is a good time to be a talent agent, and more. Wahl discusses the World Cup draw; World Cup viewership in the U.S.; the interest in group stage matches; the importance of the U.S. getting out of knockout stage; the prospects of Ukraine making the World Cup and what it would mean; how he will cover this World Cup; how Fox Sports , in his opinion, will not talk about the rights of migrant workers in Qatar; on rightsholders not being critical of the host country, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 192 of the Sports Media Podcast features Paul Heyman, the longtime WWE performer who will be part of the main event of WrestleMania 38, the WWE’s signature event, which is set for April 2-3 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In this podcast Heyman discusses how he approaches this stage of his career and how long he wants to perform; the ability to align yourself with great performers such as Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and CM Punk; how the best performers never break from character; Renee Paquette calling him a method actor and why he agrees with that; performers getting physical with his character and how to prepare for that; why Pat McAfee has been so successful as a WWE broadcaster; his desire to do a podcast and what those future plans possible can be; the prospect of one day working with Ronda Rousey; CM Punk’s future in AEW; why the WWE is not using Charlotte Flair to her best potential; the incredible women’s division in the WWE, and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 191 of the Sports Media Podcast features Isabelle Khurshudyan, a foreign correspondent for The Washington Post based in Odessa, Ukraine, and a former sports writer who covered the Washington Capitals for the Post. In this podcast, Khurshudyan discusses what her days are like covering Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; what the city of Odessa, where she is situated, is like; her safety level in the country; whether anything prepares a journalist to cover war; why the war has proceeded as it has; leaving Moscow for this assignment; the global outpouring of solidarity shown toward Ukrainians; wearing a bulletproof vest; how she views Alex Ovechkin within this larger conflict; if she is following any sports; why she does want to leave her assignment; whether she sees an end game for Russia and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 190 of the Sports Media Podcast features Taylor Rooks, a host and reporter for Bleacher Report and Turner Sports and Alex Sherman, who covers technology, media and telecommunications for CNBC. In this podcast Rooks discusses her “Taylor Rooks X vodcast, whose recent interviews include DeMar DeRozan, DK Metcalf and Micah Parsons; the challenges of booking guests and how much of that is relationship-based; reflections on covering the NBA bubble; the dehumanization of athletes and how we are all guilty of that; our shared fondness for Pam Oliver; the challenge of interviewing Kawhi Leonard; navigating wanting to promote your work but not to be overexposed, and more. Sherman discusses his piece on the near-term future of ESPN; the prospect of spinning off ESPN from Disney; the rift between Disney chiefs Bob Chapek and Bob Iger; how Chapek’s leadership has impacted ESPN; the future of sports betting and ESPN; how Chapek will navigate the issues regarding the Florida House bill and his company’s LGBTQ employees and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 189 of the Sports Media Podcast features ESPN basketball analyst Rebecca Lobo and ESPN reporter Holly Rowe. Both have significant on-air roles during ESPN’s coverage of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament including being part of the Final Four and national title game telecast. In this podcast, Lobo and Rowe discuss their preparation for the NCAA Tournament; how this tournament is different based on the NCAA’s equity changes; what the changes mean for women’s basketball heading forward; should the women’s Final Four be in the same city as the men; the viewership of the women’s title game; whether sports gambling will help women’s basketball; which No. 2 seed is most dangerous; NC State as a No. 1 seed; Stanford’s attempt to repeat; Kim Mulkey at LSU; Nicki Collen at Baylor; Aliyah Boston as a difference-maker in big sports; UConn is now healthy and what does that mean. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 188 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is T.J. Quinn, the ESPN investigative reporter. He is followed by Chad Finn, the sports media writer for the Boston Globe. In this podcast Quinn discusses his reporting on WNBA star Brittney Griner being detained in Russia; the road ahead for Griner; the political component to this story; whether she can she get a fair trial in Russia; why the WNBA and players around the league have stayed relatively quiet; how one goes about reporting this respectfully and more. Finn discusses the NFL broadcasting changes; what he thinks of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman moving to Fox; who will call the World Series; whether he thinks Amazon will be impactful with its coverage; the media impact of the unretirement of Tom Brady and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 187 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Bomani Jones, the sports journalist and commentator whose new HBO show, “Game Theory with Bomani Jones,” debuts this month. He is followed by Jeff Pearlman, the best-selling author of nine books. HBO’s new docudrama “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” is based on Pearlman’s 2014 best-seller “Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s.” In this podcast, Jones discusses how his new HBO show came to be; what’s it’s like to be management on a show; what the format will be and the how the show will break down; the idea that there is less ratings pressure at HBO versus elsewhere; the culture of HBO versus ESPN; what happens after his six episode run ends April 17; the short term extension he signed with ESPN; whether he is interested in continuing his ESPN employment; his podcast and more. Pearlman discusses “Winning Time”; what it’s like when a book you write gets turned into a television show; his best tips on how to promote a book; what he looks for in potential stories to sell a book; whether there is another Lakers era to write about; his upcoming book, “The Last Folk Hero: The Life and Myth of Bo Jackson” and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Stitcher, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices