Show overview
The Lead: Starting Five has been publishing since 2022, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 392 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode. That works out to roughly 75 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a near-daily cadence.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 11 min and 12 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language News show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 2.3 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. The busiest year was 2023, with 232 episodes published. Published by Wondery.
From the publisher
The Lead: Starting Five is a new daily sports show from the creators of the award-winning podcast, The Lead. Every weekday, our team of perennial all-star hosts breaks down five of the biggest sports stories of the day, in 10 minutes. Whether it’s Tom Brady un-retiring (seriously, how did we fall for that), LeBron James hinting at another return to Cleveland, or a minor league mascot getting named ‘Blob’ through a Twitter fan vote, you’ll hear about it on Starting Five. Get the sports news and analysis you need to start your day, with The Lead: Starting Five.Audible subscribers can listen to all episodes of The Lead: Starting Five ad-free right now. Join Audible today by downloading the Audible app.
Latest Episodes
View all 392 episodesStarting Five Says Goodbye
An announcement about our show.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Sabalenka’s Revenge
Plus: The Panthers bet on a quarterback whisperer to unlock Bryce Young. And GM gets caught up in Lions fever.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Harbaugh Heads West
Plus: Milwaukee moves into the post-Griffin era. And Jason Kelce recounts a raucous day in Orchard Park.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Bucks Pull The Rip Cord
Plus: A new class gets the call to Cooperstown. And South Carolina topples a Blue Blood.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Embiid Serves Up A 70-piece
Plus: The Tar Heels get another big night from a star senior. And a murky future looms over Allen and the Bills.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
History Made, History Repeated
Plus: The Clippers keep the good times rolling. And Caitlin Clark gets upended in Columbus.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
College Football’s Never-Ending Career
Plus: Mike McCarthy claims Dallas is a championship team — just without the actual championships. And more upsets in college hoops.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A New Voice In New England
Plus: Baker Mayfield claps back at CJ Gardner-Johnson. And Rory McIlroy dreams about a global future for golf.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Embiid Wins An MVP Showdown
Plus: An end of an era for the Eagles. And a USWNT gets her bag.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Josh Allen Puts The Steelers On Ice
Plus: A pivotal draft decision for the Chicago Bears. And another shakeup at the top of the women's college hoops rankings.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The End Of (Another) Coaching Era
Plus: Connor McDavid and the Oilers are looking dangerous after a brutal start to the year. And LSU blows away another SEC foe.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Saban’s Sudden Farewell
Plus: A showdown between the NBA’s two best teams. And chaos reigns supreme at the top of men’s college hoops.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Titans Shake Things Up
Plus: Draymond Green says the antics (but only the antics) are behind him. And the Cubs finally land a free agent.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Hail! Michigan Is Back On Top
Plus: The Commanders make an out of the box front office hire. And the Canucks play some winning numbers.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Battle(s) For The East
Plus: An underwhelming showing from Phoenix’s big three. And Virginia Tech’s historic win over an ACC foe.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Freak Vs The Alien
Plus: CeeDee Lamb makes his case to be the highest paid wideout in the league. And the defending NWSL champs make another splash in free agency.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
UConn’s New Dynamic Duo
Plus: An NBA rivalry dividing Middle America. And a four time world series champ is set for his debut... at the New York Philharmonic?Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A Contender Rises In The West
Plus: Jonathan Gannon says Kyler Murray is the one. And a tennis great returns to the hard courts after a lengthy injury absence.Listen to The Lead: Starting Five on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/the-lead-starting-five/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
L.A.’s Billion Dollar Investment
Plus: The NFC's dark horse contender closes in on a playoff spot. And thefreshman sensation leading USC back to the top of women's college hoops.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The Kicker Makes His Case
Plus: A beastly performance from Joel Embiid against the best defensive team in the NBA. And the AFC South race rapidly becomes a battle of the backups.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.