Sports Media with Richard Deitsch

Episode 626 of the Sports Media Podcast features a roundtable with Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch. In this podcast we discuss the NBA Finals; why the Spurs being in the Finals would be much better for viewership; whether the Knicks have viewership juice because of New York City; why Wemby is such a TV draw; ESPN's Pat McAfee landing multiple league commissioners; why the league heads went on McAfee; why McAfee's juice continues growing at ESPN; the NHL having a renaissance season; how much interest we have in the Rafa Nadal doc on Netflix, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 625 of the Sports Media Podcast features Jon Wertheim, who does features and player interviews for TNT Sports's live coverage of the French Open and also works as a "60 Minutes" correspondent, a Tennis Channel analyst, and a Sports Illustrated Senior Enterprise Writer. In this podcast we discuss Jaxson Dart introducing President Donald Trump at a rally on behalf of Representative Mike Lawler which caused an eruption on social media and the greater sports media ecosystem; whether that act opens up Dart for journalistic inquiry about the decision; whether it is fair to ask teammates about it; why it's fair to make the same inquiries of all athletes who delve into podcasts, from LeBron to Steve Kerr; the French Open draws and why the women's tournament is more interesting this year; the access that tennis journalists get; what TNT Sports is doing differently with tennis; Andre Agassi as a broadcaster; Dana White and politics; Wertheim's work on "60 Minutes" and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 624 of the Sports Media Podcast features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch and Sports Business Journal media reporter Austin Karp. In this podcast, we discuss Victor Wembanyama as a longterm television draw; why Wembanyama looks like the league's most attractive media commodity heading forward; Spurs-Thunder Game 1 averaging a combined 9.16 million viewers on NBC across Nielsen and a streaming audience measured by Adobe Analytics, officially marking the largest audience on record for a Game 1 of the West Finals; Fox taking a studio show on the road for the World Cup; the NFL owners voting to drop the policy allowing them to protect their two most lucrative home games from being scheduled overseas; NASCAR no longer report Nielsen “Big Data + Panel” figures for its races, returning to the “panel-only” methodology; the NHL seeing its best conference semifinals on record, as ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, TNT and truTV averaged 1.9 million viewers for all second-round games, and more.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 623 of the Sports Media Podcast features Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers Tamika Catchings and Chamique Holdsclaw. The two are working as analysts for the WNBA on USA Network this season, with Tamika as a game analyst and Chamique in the studio. This is USA Sports's inaugural season of covering the WNBA, and they will air more than 50 games this season, including the WNBA Finals. Barring a sweep, the champion will be decided on USA Network in 2026. In this podcast we discuss how they ended up getting their jobs; the discussion around being an advocate for the WNBA versus doing journalism or being critical of the league; which WNBA teams look good early; Holdsclaw publicly discussing her mental health struggles and her being one of first prominent athletes of her era to discuss that prominently; Catchings on UConn star Sarah Strong and what kind of pro she will make;  where they see the Tennessee women's basketball program right now, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 622 of the Sports Media Podcast features two guests. First up is Al Michaels, the lead game-caller for Prime Video's football package since 2022 and an iconic figure in sports broadcasting. Michaels has called prime-time NFL football for the past 40 seasons. He is followed by Sports Business Journal media reporter Austin Karp. In this podcast, Michaels discusses Amazon's schedule this season; how he feels about the Lions at Bills opener and the number of times he has been on the call when a new NFL stadium has opened; Prime Video's very strong end of season schedule including Texans vs. Eagles on Christmas Eve in Philadelphia, followed by Ravens vs. Bengals in Cincinnati on New Year’s Eve; what it's like to call games on Black Friday games; the NFL playing games in  London, Paris Madrid, Munich, Melbourne, Rio and Mexico City; his fondness for newspapers; watching the Montreal Canadiens in Montreal with Johnny Bench and Pete Rose; how he is approaching his career at this point and why he has happy to be on a year by year deal and more. Karp comes on to discuss the NFL schedule; what each of the networks said about their allotment of games; the NFL's post-schedule conference call with reporters and a shoutout to ESPN PR staffer Mac Nwulu. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 621 of the Sports Media Podcast features play by play broadcaster Ian Eagle, who will call Game Six of Spurs-Timberwolves series for Prime Video this Friday. Eagle is the lead broadcast for Prime's coverage of the NBA as well as the lead broadcaster for CBS/WBD coverage of March Madness. He also calls NFL games for CBS and the Brooklyn Nets for the YES Network. In this podcast, Eagles discusses his fondness for Kevin Harlan; the most impressive thing he's seen in person so far from the NBA postseason games; calling the duration of LeBron James' career; what it means for the league when the Knicks have a chance to go on a deep postseason run; the iconic players he has called in the NBA during his career; the NCAA Tournament extending to 76 teams; how closely he follows the NFL's schedule release; his dream to attend Wimbledon, whether he thinks life exists outside of earth and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 621 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a roundtable with Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch. In this podcast, we discuss the announcement that the NCAA women and men's tournament will be expanding to 76 teams; the NCAA receiving an additional $50 million each season from partners CBS and Turner; what it means for viewers; the women's basketball tournament's expansion and how that will play on ESPN properties; the Wall Street Journal piece on Fox Corporation executives including Rupert Murdoch essentially lobbying government on the NFL’s rights deals with streaming companies; the NFL's response and argument; Roger Goodell pushing back against claims that the league’s rights deals with streaming companies are anti-consumer; John Ourand of Puck reporting that YouTube wants no part of splitting the rights to the available games that ESPN once had; the NFL and Netflix are being close to a deal for at least five NFL games next season; Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reporting that Netflix will acquire the Week 1 NFL International Series game from Australia between the 49ers and Rams; the interest in a Thanksgiving Eve game; the NBA seeing the best audience for the first round of the playoffs in 33 years with the addition of an extra broadcast TV partner; the importance of NBA postseason games on broadcast and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 620 of the Sports Media Podcast features two WNBA-specific segments. First up is Sandy Brondello, the first-ever head coach of the Toronto Tempo, which begins play in the WNBA this season. Brondello previously was a head coach in San Antonio, Phoenix and New York and won WNBA titles in 2014 and 2024. She is followed by a roundtable with Annie Costabile, a senior writer for The Athletic, a co-host for the "No Offseason" podcast and a writer for the "No Offseason" newsletter, and Savannah Hamilton, a Toronto-based sportscaster covering the Tempo who previously covered the Toronto Raptors. In this podcast, Brondello discusses what success look like this season for the Tempo; why she took a job with an expansion franchise; how much input she had in the Expansion and WNBA Draft selections; her thoughts on her players; why strong ownership is the key to longterm success; choosing A'Ja Wilson has the hardest player to game-plan against; why she's developed a reputation as a media-friendly coach, and if she's getting recognized on the streets of Toronto and more. Costabile and Hamilton discuss realistic expectations for the Tempo this season; why Vegas is the preseason pick to win a title from most who cover the league nationally; how popular the WNBA will be in Canada; all of the Indiana Fever games being nationalized; advocacy coverage versus journalism and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 619 of the Sports Media Podcast features Donna Brothers, who has served as the riding reporter on NBC Sports’ horse racing coverage since 2000 and will retire after the Preakness on May 16. In this podcast, Brothers talks about her decision to retire from broadcasting after this year's Preakness; what it was like to work her final Kentucky Derby; Golden Tempo winning the Derby, and winning trainer Cherie DeVaux telling Brothers that "it is an honor that you get to do your last walkover with me"; what DeVaux winning will mean for the sport; the best horses Brothers covered during her NBC run; her toughest day on the track; winning 1,130 races during her 11-year riding career and what the feeling of winning a race as a jockey feels like; her plans to travel and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 618 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch, and Chad Finn, media writer and columnist for The Boston Globe. In this podcast we discuss Duke and Amazon's Prime Video announcing a multi-year partnership where the streamer will carry three high profile Duke non-league games against UConn, Michigan and Gonzaga; the CW partnering with ESPN Unlimited to give the broadcast network a streaming home; NBC's massive Saturday with the Kentucky Derby and Boston/Philadelphia Game 7; the NFL Draft viewership numbers; what we think of Russell Wilson's prospects as a broadcaster; why Wilson will have to be candid to convince viewers; where the Vrabel-Russini story goes from here and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 617 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch 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 how the Vrabel-Russini photographs are problematic, and in ways that pose potential hurdles in workplace investigations; the privacy aspect of the story; if Russini is under any professional obligation to cooperate in The Athletic’s investigation; why the NFL is unlikely to set a precedent on the issues of alleged infidelity or anti-fraternization; whether the Patriots are willing to endure daily scrutiny of Vrabel; the U.S. Department of Justice launching an investigation into whether the NFL has engaged in anticompetitive practices; the sports prediction market and why the prediction market feels like legal mess and a public health risk; why Kalshi is winning in court right now; how U.S. states can argue that prediction markets hurt the public; Donald Trump issuing an executive order that directs federal agencies, including the Justice Department and the Department of Education, to determine if colleges have become “unfit for federal grants and contracts” by engaging in “improper financial activities,” and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 616 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch. In this podcast, we discuss the NBA and NHL viewership numbers for the regular season and playoffs and whether we think the leagues have interest momentum; the WNBA releasing its schedule and what it means to have this many national games; the Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini story and what might be next; whether the public can trust the information insiders provide; Mike Tomlin joining NBC and whether we think he will be good, and more.  You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 615 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Booger McFarland, a longtime ESPN and ABC NFL and college football analyst who will be part of ESPN NFL Draft coverage as a main set analyst. In this podcast, we discuss the ESPN/ABC Draft coverage; how Booger preps for the Draft; whether the future will consist of NFL Network and ESPN draft talent working together; why Booger would choose Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 1; what Booger sees on film with Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza; what six teams with multiple first-round picks means for the coverage; the depth at wide receiver; the lack of criticism on the coverage and how to look at that and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 614 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a media roundtable with Jimmy Traina, the host of the SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina. In this podcast, we discuss NFL Draft coverage; whether there is truly a difference between the entities that broadcast the Draft; why no one criticizes Draft picks on air; why this is the golden age for play by play announcers; Mariners broadcaster Angie Mentink being insanely criticized for using AI; NBA regular season viewership; Jimmy's interview with Shams Charania; our thoughts on being underwhelmed by this year's WrestleMania lineup and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 613 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a media roundtable with Sports Business Journal media reporter Austin Karp, Sports Media Watch founder and editor Jon Lewis and Josh Carpenter, golf writer and media reporter for Sports Business Journal. In this podcast, we discuss the upcoming NBA playoffs and the playoffs now airing on Amazon Prime Video, NBC/Peacock and ESPN/ABC; the big questions for the new media partners; our viewership expectations; how ESPN will handle Inside The NBA; CBS’s coverage of Rory McIlroy becoming the first back-to-back Masters champion since Tiger Woods in 2001-02; what McIlroy winning means for golf interest heading forward; a discussion of the Diana Russini-Mike Vrabel story; how that story is being processed by the sports public; where the NHL has viewership teams for the playoffs and more.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 612 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Joe Buck, the voice of ESPN’s Monday Night Football. On Wednesday night Buck will call the Dodgers-Mets game alongside analysts Ron Darling and Orel Hershiser and reporter Buster Olney as part of ESPN’s exclusive, national presentation on Jackie Robinson Day. In this podcast Buck discusses how the assignment came about and prepping for it; asking to work with Darling and Hershiser; calling baseball again; being part of ESPN’s first Super Bowl at the end of this season; ESPN’s plans for that game; why he wants to work at ESPN for the rest of his career; his love of St. Louis Blues hockey; why we both want to hear Jim Nantz curse; praise for baseball broadcaster Jason Benetti and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 611 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Business Journal NFL writer Ben Fischer. In this podcast, Fischer discusses how far the NFL can push broadcasters on price; the latest on on the four-game mini-package and distributor for the Melbourne game; teams being able to sell local preseason game rights to streamers; game highlights being added on TikTok and Threads; how successful can a professional flag league be and where might it air;ESPN integrating the NFL Network into its business and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 610 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch. In this podcast, we discuss the release Netflix MLB viewership and whether three million viewers was a good number; NCAA viewership expectations for both the men and women's tournament; ESPN expecting to change its No. 2 NFL game-calling team of Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick; Jason Kelce's increasing profile at ESPN; Fox getting a Christmas game and our long discussion on media coverage of Tiger Woods' arrest on a driving under the influence charge. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 609 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features four-time Gold Glove Award-winning outfielder Kevin Kiermaier who this month was announced by MLB Network as an on-air analyst appearing across its studio programming. In this podcast, Kiermaier discusses how and why he entered sports broadcasting; what he feels his on-air strengths will be; discussing defence on-air; the significant differences in playing in markets such as Tampa Bay, Toronto and L.A.; and Dodgers; his love of bow fishing; which current major leaguer would make for a good broadcaster; the toughest field to play at as a visiting player and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 608 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a roundtable Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis, Sports Business Journal media writer Austin Karp and Boston Globe sports media writer Chad Finn. In this podcast we discuss Netflix's Opening Day broadcast between the Yankees and Giants and the criticism of that broadcast; what we think Netflix will do with MLB heading forward; NBC's MLB debut and how we saw it; SBJ's reporting NFL teams would be permitted to sell preseason game TV rights and original shows to streamers; the right to sell non-game productions, like coaches’ shows, to streamers; the WNBA and CBS Sports signing a new long-term media rights deal, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 607 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Canadian sportscaster Donnovan Bennett. In this podcast, we discuss the upcoming Blue Jays season; what we think of the offseason moves; what has to happen for the Blue Jays to return to the playoffs; the additions and subtractions from last year; the opening three weeks of the schedule, predictions, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 606 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jessie Katz, the Head of iHeart Women's Sports Division. Katz leads the iHeart Women's Sports slate across iHeartMedia’s broadcast, digital and podcast platforms. In this podcast, Katz discusses where the women's sports audio space is today; why the women's sports audio space has expanded massively in the last two years; her flagship shows including "Good Game with Sarah Spain"; "Flagrant and Funny" with with Jemele Hill and Cari Champion; and "Fudd Around And Find Out" with Azzi Fudd; what women's sports are underserved; how she decides on talent; where the space needs to be in two years; local sports podcasts for women's sports, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Here’s a First Look from our upcoming podcast with Jessie Katz, the Head of iHeart Women's Sports Division. The full podcast will be out on Wednesday. In this preview clip, Katz discusses why the women's sports audio space has expanded massively in the last two years. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 605 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch. In this podcast, we discuss the remarkable Venezuela-United States World Baseball Classic viewership numbers -- the championship game averaged 10.78 million viewers across FOX and Fox Deportes; what the viewership numbers mean; how much of an Olympic carryover was this number; what outlet will get future tournaments; Barry Bonds officially joined Netflix; our initial thoughts on NCAA Tournament coverage, and more.

Episode 605 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Front Office Sports women's basketball writer Annie Constable; Doug Feinberg, the lead women's basketball writer for the AP; Jackie Powell, who works at The IX Sports covering the New York Liberty and the WNBA and hosts the IX Sports Podcast and Alexa Philippou, a women's basketball writer for ESPN. These four reporters were instrumental in providing first-hand reporting on the WNBA and WNBA Players Association agreement on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement. In this podcast, the group discusses the reporting experience; what it was like to interview subjects at 3:30 a.m. ET; how to learn about sports labor agreements on the fly; evaluating the deal from both the players' and management sides; how frantic WNBA free agency will be in the next couple of weeks; the upcoming WNBA Draft; the salary cap jumping to $7 million (up from $1.5 million in 2025); the current owners of the WNBA; whether they would take Sarah Strong over Paige Bueckers if they were building a team and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 604 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Talia Goodman, a national women's college basketball and recruiting reporter for On3 and Rivals, and Sabreena Merchant, a women's basketball writer for The Athletic and one of the co-hosts of "No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show." In this podcast, Goodman and Merchant discuss women's basketball viewership and ESPN networks airing 20 women's college basketball  games that delivered more than 500,000 viewers; what people in the sport are talking about on the ground; where the two reporters are assigned during the women's tournament; why the winner this year will come from UConn, UCLA, Texas or South Carolina; why UConn has been so dominant; the most dangerous teams on the No. 2 seed line; whether UCLA deserved to be the No. 1 overall seed; whether we would take Sarah Strong over Paige Beckers in all-class Draft; who the Toronto Tempo should be focused on with their first-ever WNBA Draft pick; our temperature on the WNBA's collective bargaining and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 603 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features CBS Sports college basketball broadcasters Andrew Catalon and Steve Lappas. This will be their 11th year calling the NCAA men's basketball Tournament together. The duo (along with Evan Washburn) will work the NCAA men's basketball tournament through the Regional Finals. In this podcast, Catalon and Lappas discuss why their partnership works; how they prepare for the NCAA tournament; getting theMarch Madness assignment an hour before the brackets come out; what it meant professionally to call No.16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson’s monumental upset over No.1 Purdue in 2023; the challenges of learning the lower-seeded teams; a quick look at Duke, Michigan, Arizona, Florida, and UConn; who the best player in college basketball is right now as it relates to potential pro success; Catalon's work on The Masters; Lappas's daughter, Kristen Lappas, who has become an accomplished documentarian; getting rest between calling March Madness games and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 602 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch; Armand Broady, the co-host of the Sports Media Watch podcast and a contributor to SMW, and Derek Futterman, a multimedia writer and producer for Sports Media Watch. In this podcast, we discuss the fantastic viewership numbers for the World Baseball Classic and how high they can get; whether Pat McAfee is now the face of ESPN; McAfee's success with NFL free agency programs; Tony Dungy is out at NBC; Matt Vasgersian, C.C. Sabathia, Hunter Pence and Lauren Shehadi working baseball for Netflix; The PGA Tour wanting to double the number of signature events and expand fields to 120 players; the PWHL making its U.S. national television debut later this month on ION and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 601 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Elsa Garrison, a Sport staff photographer for Getty Images based in New York and New Jersey. Garrison has been with Getty Images for nearly 30 years and is the photographer behind the viral photo of Jack Hughes following the U.S. gold medal win over Canada in men's hockey at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. In this podcast, Garrison discusses why her photo connected with so many people; how the photo has impacted her life; how she was able to procure the image; her current assignments including shooting many New York area teams, including the Knicks, Nets, Yankees, Mets, Liberty, Devils and Sirens; some of her other famous images such as a photo she took of Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade celebrating on the podium with Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles during a Medal Ceremony at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games; her career with Getty; the growth of women sport photographers during her career; her meeting with Hughes after taking the photo, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 600 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Kenzie Lalonde, the bureau reporter in Montreal for TSN (Canada) as well as one of the PWHL's lead broadcasters. Lalonde recently called the Olympic women's hockey gold medal game for the CBC. In this podcast, Lalonde discusses her recently concluded assignment as the lead play-by-play voice for the women's Olympic hockey tournament for CBC; the hockey setup in Milan; where the U.S. stands as a women's hockey program compared to the Canadians; calling PWHL games; where the PWHL is right now in its evolution; what she expects heading forward regarding job prospects for women who want to work in hockey media; her work as TSN’s bureau reporter in Montreal for three seasons, primarily responsible for covering the Canadiens and Alouettes; the Canadiens playoff prospects, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Here’s a First Look from our upcoming podcast with Kenzie Lalonde, the bureau reporter in Montreal for TSN (Canada) as well one of the PWHL's lead broadcasters. Lalonde recently called the Olympic women's hockey gold medal game for the CBC.  The full podcast will be out later this week. In this preview clip, Lalonde discusses why and how she believes the PWHL will benefit from the Milan-Cortina Olympics. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 599 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis and SBJ media reporter Austin Karp. In this podcast we discuss Paramount chairman/CEO David Ellison telling CNBC that the company plans to continue its relationship with the National Football League and what the means; Jason Benetti joining NBC as lead play by play announcer for "Sunday Night Baseball;" CBS and TNT Sports announcing their joint NCAA men’s basketball tournament broadcast teams; TNT Sports picking up media rights to FIBA tournaments in the U.S.,; Tubi carrying alt-casts F-1 races and practice and qualifying sessions available to stream through Yahoo Sports; the Lakers-Warriors brutal rating on ABC; our thoughts on the World Baseball Classic; Austin's interview with CAA agents and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 598 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Julia Alexander, a media correspondent for Puck and one of the foremost streaming experts in the U.S. In this podcast, Alexander discusses her thoughts on Paramount Skydance ultimately getting WBD's properties; CBS Sports joining forces with WBD’s TNT Sport for a portfolio of NFL, MLB, the NHL, the Masters, NCAA hoops and football and Champions League and others; the NFL likely opting out of its 11-year, $110 billion-plus rights deals with CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN and Amazon Prime Video and what that will mean; Netflix's sports ambitions following the exit on WBD; whether Netflix would be interested in the 2030 men's World Cup; her thoughts on hockey back in the zeitgeist and what that means for its media rights; the incoming media layoffs from the Paramount/WBD and the impact of media people fighting for no jobs in markets that don’t want to create new ones, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Here’s a First Look from our upcoming podcast with Julia Alexander, a media correspondent for Puck and one of the foremost streaming experts in the U.S. The full podcast will be out later this week. In this preview clip, Alexander discusses how Netflix might think about the rights to the 2030 World Cup both in the U.S. and globally. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 597 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Alexa Pritting, a supervising producer at NBC Sports and the editorial point person for the company's coverage of the Paralympic Games. Pritting also produces NBC’s figure skating broadcasts among other Olympic and Paralympic sports. In this podcast, Pritting discusses the overarching goal of NBCUniversal's Paralympic coverage; having a record eight hours of Winter Paralympics coverage on NBC this month; the sled hockey gold medal game on March 15, at 11:05 a.m. ET, with the U.S. potentially going for its fifth consecutive gold medal against Canada; how commentators are chosen for the Paralympic Winter Games; this year marking the 50th anniversary since the first Paralympic Winter Games; the upcoming LA 28 Paralympics; the biggest stories leading into the Winter Paralympics; working as a figure skating producer for both Ilia Malinin and Alysa Liu's massive Olympic moments; where producing Liu's free skate ranks for her as a producer, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 596 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Austin Karp, the lead media writer for Sports Business Journal. In this podcast, we discuss Paramount Skydance acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery and what that means for sports; the deal bringing CBS Sports and Turner Sports under one roof; what it means for certain sports such as the NFL; what the gold medal games mean for the NHL and the PWHL; the NHL thinking if it had a better slot for the men's U.S.–Canada gold medal it would have hit 35 million; the Athletic hiring several former Washington Post journalists to expand its coverage; Unrivaled’s viewership dropping off; NBC planning a revamp of its NFL pregame show; and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 595 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features CBC Sports host Donnovan Bennett. In this podcast, we discuss our broad takeaways from the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics; how the Games looked on television; what this means for the L.A. Games in 2028; the politics of the moment and how that impacts Olympics heading forward; what the U.S. winning the men's gold medal hockey game means for the sport; what it means for the 2030 Olympic hockey tournament and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 594 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch, and Austin Karp, the sports media writer for Sports Business Journal. In this podcast, we discuss our broad takeaways from the Olympics; the viewership of the Games; what this means for the L.A. Games in 2028; the WNBA and NWSL becoming a key element of ESPN’s Sunday night sports strategy this summer for nine weeks of Sunday night WNBA and NWSL games under the banner “Women’s Sports Sundays; the NBA All Star Game and the Daytona viewership number and how we feel about NASCAR’s viewership future, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 593 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Max Gershberg and Jake Rogal, the co-directors of the new Netflix documentary, "Miracle: The Boys of ’80," which re-examines the 1980 United States men's hockey team that won a gold medal at the Lake Placid Games. In this podcast the filmmakers discuss why they thought they could do a unique documentary on a subject that had been previously covered many times; the process of getting the living players back to Lake Placid; the new footage that makes the documentary worth seeing; getting Herb Brooks' children to participate in the piece; filming in Lake Placid; getting Al Michaels for the film; how they will judge success and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 592 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis and Ben Strauss, the longtime sports media writer and most recently of The Washington Post. In this podcast we discuss ESPN's all-year promotion for its upcoming Super Bowl in 2027; how the Disney cross-company collaboration will work; what kind of content across every platform throughout the year; how many alternate telecasts one can have a Super Bowl; the Super Bowl viewership; the NBA All Star Game as a media play; our thoughts on the Olympic coverage of NBC and its platforms; the end of The Washington Post and how Strauss feels about it; can another publication be a sports player in DC and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 591 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Kenan Kamwana Holley, an Emmy Award documentarian who directed "Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association," a four-part docu-series that will debut on Feb. 12 on Prime Video. In this podcast Holley discusses why the ABA was worth examining; how the project came to him, and the time from conception to completion; the revolutionary aspects of the league, from the 3-point shot to the All-Star Game slam dunk competition to player empowerment; how the ABA fit into the era of Vietnam protests, civil rights protests and women's liberation; procuring still images of ABA games and ABA footage; the genius of having a multicoloured basketball; the importance of Spencer Haywood and Rick Barry;  his interviews with Julius Erving and discovering ABA footage showing Dr. J at the height of his prime; learning stories about Moses Malone; beginning his filmmaking career at NFL Films and working under the tutelage of sports documentarian, Steve Sabol and more.  You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Here’s a First Look from our upcoming podcast with Kenan Kamwana Holley, an Emmy Award documentarian who directed "Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association," a four-part docu-series that will debut on Feb. 12 on Prime Video.  The full podcast will be out later this week. In this preview clip, Holley discusses his interviews with Julius Erving and discovering ABA footage showing Dr. J at the height of his prime. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 590 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Illustrated podcaster and media writer Jimmy Traina. In this episode, we discuss NBC’s coverage of the Seahawks-Patriots Super Bowl; whether a blowout impacts how you process a game; why we find NBC’s pregame show unmemorable; the not-great viewership prospects for Seahawks-Patriots; Jimmy losing money on a bad beat; next year’s Super Bowl falling on Valentine’s Day and airing on  ABC and ESPN; why Jimmy does not watch the Olympics; Seth Rollins as an NFL analyst; Maria Taylor as an interview subject; Jimmy’s Reddit fandom, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 589 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis and Boston Globe sports media writer Chad Finn. In this episode, we discuss The Washington Post owner and publisher laying off or reassigning all the reporters and editors in its sports section days before the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics; this year's interest in the Super Bowl; NBC's approach to the Super Bowl; what we think the game will draw; whether the Milan-Cortina Games can continue the Olympic momentum from Paris; ESPN plans for its Super Bowl and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 588 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Molly Solomon, the Executive Producer & President, NBC Olympics & Paralympics Production and Amy Rosenfeld, the Senior Vice President, Olympics and Paralympics Production for NBC Sports. In this podcast (NOTE: This podcast was taped before Lindsay Vonn's injury and before the awful news about Savannah Guthrie's mother) Solomon and Rosenfeld discuss if they fundamentally see the Olympics as a sporting event versus entertainment programming; what the week is like for them before the Milan-Cortina Olympics; why they learned from Paris about what works in primetime as a show; the importance of Lindsay Vonn's comeback; the excitement over NHL players returning to the Games; the success of Gold Zone coverage; how Mike Tirico will be impacted by the Super Bowl; how they will approach the politics of the moment as it relates to sports; which sports will pop for viewers; breaking the glass ceiling as far as broadcasting Olympics executives; the debut of Ski mountaineering; the additions of celebrities such as as Snoop and Stanley Tucci, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. Episode 588 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Molly Solomon, the Executive Producer & President, NBC Olympics & Paralympics Production and Amy Rosenfeld, the Senior Vice President, Olympics and Paralympics Production for NBC Sports. In this podcast (NOTE: This podcast was taped before Lindsay Vonn's injury and before the awful news about Savannah Guthrie's mother) Solomon and Rosenfeld discuss if they fundamentally see the Olympics as a sporting event versus entertainment programming; what the week is like for them before the Milan-Cortina Olympics; why they learned from Paris about what works in primetime as a show; the importance of Lindsay Vonn's comeback; the excitement over NHL players returning to the Games; the success of Gold Zone coverage; how Mike Tirico will be impacted by the Super Bowl; how they will approach the politics of the moment as it relates to sports; which sports will pop for viewers; breaking the glass ceiling as far as broadcasting Olympics executives; the debut of Ski mountaineering; the additions of celebrities such as as Snoop and Stanley Tucci, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 587 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Chris Cuthbert, the lead play-by-play voice for Sportsnet's coverage of the NHL. Cuthbert and Mike Johnson will call the men’s Olympic hockey tournament for CBC. In this podcast Cuthbert discusses his preparation for calling the Olympic hockey tournament; how he navigates the game schedule; why having the NHL players back makes this tournament much different than anything else; learning about the non-Canada and U.S. rosters; the navigation of calling the Olympic hockey tournament while significant issues exist politically between Canada and the United States; calling games in the afternoon local time; calling Sidney Crosby’s “golden goal” for CTV from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games; the prospect of 20 million North American viewers watching a Canada-U.S. final; why he thinks someone other than Canada or the U.S. might win the tournament and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Here’s a First Look from our upcoming podcast with Chris Cuthbert,  the lead play-by-play voice for Sportsnet's coverage of the NHL and the CBC gamecaller for the men’s Olympic hockey tournament.  The full podcast will be out on Feb. 4. In this preview clip, Cuthbert discusses the navigation of calling the Olympic hockey tournament while significant issues exist politically between Canada and the United States. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 586 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Business Journal media writer Austin Karp and CBC Sports host Donnovan Bennett. In this podcast we discuss the reporting that the Washington Post may cut its sports section amid massive layoffs; the disbanding of The Washington Post; how there are no safe harbour jobs in sports journalism in 2026; the Super Bowl matchup and how it plays as a viewership game; Austin’s prediction that the Seahawks-Patriots will set a new viewership record; Caitlin Clark being hired by NBC’s NBA coverage; SBJ’s story on the NFL Monday Wild Card window and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 585 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Neil Best, who worked for Newsday for many decades covering sports media, the NFL and  other topics. He retired from journalism in December. In this podcast, Best discusses what covering sports media was like for him over the last two decades; how he approached the job as a writer whose market was the No. 1 media market in the U.S.; the endless power of the NFL; why sports-talk radio was such an important topic for him; his time covering the Giants for time; working for the Anchorage (Alaska) Times; whether the streamers will ultimately get all the NFL content; why Newsday was one of the only places that staffed a full-time sports media columnist at a major newspaper; the future of this subject matter as far as a beat, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 584 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis and Boston Globe sports media writer Chad Finn. In this podcast we assess the NFL Championship Games from a media perspective; why the Broncos and Patriots might struggle with viewership; Tom. Brady's improvement as a broadcaster; how NBC would look at potential Super Bowl matchups; what NFL package the steamers might want; Bill Belichick as a full-time media person; why some broadcasters and reporters address NFL owners as Mr. and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 583 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Richie Zyontz, the lead producer for FOX's top NFL team featuring Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi, and Rich Russo, the lead director for that team. FOX will air the Rams at Seahawks at 6:30 PM ET on Sunday from Seattle. In this podcast, Zyontz and Russo discuss their schedule this week; why Lumum Field is so good for NFL production teams; how the FOX team sees Sean McVay and Mike Macdonald in production meetings; why Mike Tomlin is a good television prospect; how specifically Brady has improved as a broadcaster; their favourite moment of the year with Brady; if the broadcast has had to work around restrictions on Brady; whether Brady will stay for the duration of his broadcast contract; how the public does not see what Andrews and Rinaldi do behind the scenes and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Here’s a first look from our upcoming podcast with Richie Zyontz, the lead producer for Fox's top NFL team featuring Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi, and Rich Russo, the lead director for that team. The full podcast will be out on Jan. 23  In this preview clip, Zyontz and Russo discuss from their perspective why Brady has improved as a broadcaster in Year 2. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 582 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Matt Olson, a Sports Media Agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Olson represents Laura Rutledge, Elle Duncan, Dan Orlovsky, Pablo Torre, Jon Sciambi, Cassidy Hubbarth, Diana Russini, Bruce Feldman,and Adnan Virk among other clients. In this podcast, Olson discusses what he does for clients; how he creates relationships among the people who make hires; how an agent  navigates different clients; what happens when client is competing against another for the same job; how he decides if he will take on a client; the best mediums for clients right now; podcasters and influencers versus traditional on-air talent; the range of salaries in the space right now; what he makes of talent leaks; how he sees Rutledge's career arc; the differences of negotiating at a place such as The Athletic versus Fox or ESPN; Tim Legler getting the No. 1 NBA job at ESPN; Virk's career arc; Elle Duncan landing at Netflix; Pat McAfee's career arc; whether  Torre's setup can be duplicated, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 581 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Terry Gannon, NBC's lead Olympic figure skating and gymnastics caller as well as a play-by-play announcer and host for the PGA Tour and LPGA Tour. Since October 2025, Gannon has also served as a play-by-play voice for the NBA on NBC and Peacock. In this podcast Gannon discusses how the Opening Ceremony assignment for Milan Cortina came about; calling Olympic figure skating with Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir since the 2014 Olympics and why its worked; why this might be the greatest U.S. figure skating team ever; what a play by play broadcaster should possess when calling figure skating; why Snoop Dogg has popped at the Olympics; working an NBA broadcasting schedule; playing against Michael Jordan in college; winning a basketball championship at N.C. State under Jim Valvano, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 580 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis and CBC Sports host Donnovan Bennett. In this podcast we go over all of the NFL Divisional games from a media perspective; whether the Bills-Broncos can overcome Saturday being a less-watched day than Sunday; the criticisms of Tony Romo; Tom Brady's improvement; if we think the college football national championship is a good viewership game; Al Michaels returning for another year; the press conference comments from Lynn Jones to Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen during a press conference; why that became a cause célèbre for some sports writers, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 579 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis and SBJ media reporter Austin Karp. In this podcast we go over all of the NFL Wild Card games from a media perspective; how Prime Video got such a great game with the Packers-Bears; why 30 millions viewers is the new floor for these games; ESPN landing Texans-Steelers; Tom Brady's role with the Raiders, Troy Aikman helping the Dolphins, and Matt Ryan potentially working with the Falcons and what that means for viewers; the inherent conflict that exists with the roles; Jason Benetti as a leading candidate for NBC's MLB upcoming package; how NBC should approach MLB hires; the college football playoff quarterfinals averaging 19.3 million viewers; whether we think Indiana, Oregon, Ole Miss and Miami are good television draws and more.  You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 578 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Courtney Thompson, an analyst for USA Network and a two-time U.S. Olympic volleyball player. Thompson will serve as the analyst for USA Network's League One Volleyball (LOVB) Game of the Week airing on Wednesdays nights from January through April. The first broadcast is Jan. 7 at 6:00 PM ET. In this podcast Thompson discusses how she approaches broadcasting volleyball; why her sport has seen growth over the last five years; why the league's six franchises -- Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Madison, Nebraska and Salt Lake City — were chosen and LOVB's plans to expand from six to nine teams beginning in 2027; the new money being invested in the sport; what makes for a good volleyball broadcast; balancing being an advocate with objectivity; the importance of the 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A. to help the product and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 577 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Patrick Antonetti, who has produced this podcast for many years. In this podcast, Antonetti discusses what his job is; how this podcast gets produced; the challenges and opportunities of doing a podcast that is interview-based; how to edit when a host has verbal tics; the different genres he has produced over the years; what makes a good guest for this podcast; why he loves SI's Jimmy Traina as a guest; his thoughts on his favourite team, the Mets, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 576 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Business Journal media writer Austin Karp and Sports Media Watch founder and editor Jon Lewis. In this podcast, we offer our sports media predictions for 2026; why we think the World Cup will draw record numbers but not have a long-lasting impact on soccer in the United States; the short-term future of MLB on TV and streaming; viewership for the Milan-Cortina Olympics; what happens with Turner Sports properties; whether Pat McAfee's star and leverage grows or declines in 2026; if Netflix's sports podcast strategy be successful; does the WNBA season start on time; if Caitlin Clark can still be a viewership unicorn; the takeaway of the 2026 World Cup and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 575 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Miller, the President, Acquisitions & Partnership for NBC Sports. Miller previously served as President of Programming for NBC Sports and has been an executive at the company for multiple decades. In this podcast, Miller discusses what being the president of acquisitions and partnerships means for a major sports media content provider; why the bubble has yet to burst for Tier I sports rights; how he was responsible for bringing in Michael Jordan as a special contributor on NBC's NBA coverage; how long Jordan might do it; why cutting NBC's most recent deal with the IOC for $3 billion was worth it for Comcast NBCUniversal; the importance of Peacock for future Olympics; his  negotiations over the years with the Premier League; NBC's interest in a couple of Premier League games one day opening the season in the U.S.; if Miller is worried about the competition for the next round of Premier League rights; why he thinks women's volleyball has massive growth ahead and why rugby should be bigger in the U.S; advice for young people who want in the business and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Here’s a first look from our upcoming podcast with  Jon Miller, the President, Acquisitions & Partnerships for NBC Sports. The full podcast will be out on December 23.  In this preview clip, Miller discusses how he was able to bring in Michael Jordan as a special contributor on NBC's NBA coverage and his longtime relationship with Jordan. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 574 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jimmy Traina,  a writer for SI.com and the host of the SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast. In this podcast we discuss Joe Buck and Troy Aikman establishing themselves as the best NFL broadcast team; Ian Eagle and JJ Watt's development, The Athletic's end of the year media awards; the Oscars moving to YouTube; Paul Finebaum revealing the game on politics; John Cena's goodbye; why Jimmy is so down on sports media and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Here’s a short look from our upcoming podcast with Jimmy Traina, a writer for Sports Illustrated and the host of "SI Media with Jimmy Traina." In the podcast clip, Traina discusses how ESPN's Joe Buck no longer faces the same kind of online vitriol he once did and how he and Troy Aikman are the best broadcast in the NFL. The full interview will be out Dec. 20. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 573 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch featuresHarvey Araton, who worked for 25 years as a columnist and enterprise reporter at the New York Times and is the author of a new novel for middle-grade readers, "The Goal of the Game.” In this podcast Araton discusses why he wanted to write a novel about a seventh grade soccer player; how you get into the voice of a seventh grader; the challenge of writing a book for kids; how to get such a book sold; how promoting a kids book is different than a book for adults; whether the general sports columnist is extinct; how he viewed the NYT disbanding the sports desk; why the Knicks have become a likeable franchise and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 572 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Rick Cordella, the president of NBC Sports. In this podcast Cordella discusses his company’s remarkable upcoming set of events in February 2026, including the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games, the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star Game; what it means business-wise to have all of these properties in such a relative short period; what the events should mean for Peacock subs; the process of how Rebecca Lowe ended up with her studio assignment for Fox Sports during the World Cup; NBCU’s three year rights deal with MLB and what Sunday Night Baseball on NBC, Peacock and NBCSN should look like; why NBC wants to be in the MLB business; the NBA's strong viewership to start the season; the usage of Michael Jordan heading forward; his thoughts on Notre Dame not making the CFB playoffs and Notre Dame's response to that; NBC having the rights to Super Bowl 64 in 2030; Puck’s report that NBC plans to sell Amazon the rights to next year’s Big Ten Championship game, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 571 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Austin Karp, the sports media reporter for Sports Business Journal. In this podcast we discuss SBJ's "Influence 125" list, which looks at the most influential people in sports business over the last 25 years; how people were selected; how they determined which owners from each of the big sports should make the list; Bill Simmons being the only pure content creator on the list; how to think about powerful agents such as Nick Khan and Ari Emanuel; who might make such a list in 2040; the Big Ten Championship between Indiana and Ohio State averaging 18.3 million viewers; the regular season college football viewership numbers for each network that airs national games, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here’s a short look from our upcoming podcast with Rick Cordella, the president of NBC Sports. In the podcast Cordella goes deep on his company’s remarkable upcoming set of events including the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games, the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game. In this preview clip, Cordella discusses Michael Jordan’s involvement as an NBA special contributor and how he feels about Notre Dame, a partner of NBC Sports, being left out of the college football playoffs. The full interview will be out Dec. 15. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 570 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Troy Aikman, the lead analyst for ESPN's coverage of Monday Night Football. In this podcast, Aikman discusses where his enjoyment level for the job stands after three decades in the booth; how he accesses ESPN's culture versus Fox's; how he defines honesty in sports broadcasting — and particularly as it relates to officiating calls; why he won't be in the job at age 70; ESPN's upcoming Super Bowl on February 14, 2027; who he talks to for honest feedback on his work; his thoughts on Lane Kiffin and NIL; the Eagles-Chargers and the AFC's unpredictable year; why he'd love to meet Warren Buffett and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 569 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a roundtable with Austin Karp of the Sports Business Journal and Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch. In this podcast, we discuss Netflix to buy Warner Bros. in a $72 billion deal and what it means or might not mean for those sports properties; whether Netflix will go more all-in on sports; the future of TNT Sports as an entity; the interminable World Cup draw show; why we think Fox made a great move bringing in Rebecca Lowe and Thierry Henry, the battle between ESPN and Fox Sports PR departments as far as college football pregame viewership and much more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here's a short clip from our interview with ESPN's Troy Aikman. In this preview clip, Aikman discusses how he approaches being critical of NFL officials when the moment calls for it. The full interview will be out Dec. 8. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 568 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Malika Andrews, the host of ESPN's NBA Countdown, NBA Today, WNBA Countdown and the NBA Draft, and Chiney Ogwumike, an ESPN studio analyst and host for the NBA, WNBA and women’s college basketball. In this podcast, Andrews and Ogwumike discuss why they both signed long term with ESPN; how they describe navigating ESPN as young, on-air talents; their relationship on and off camera; how they see the NBA's new media rights holders outside of ESPN; Andrews return to the sideline reporting; Elle Duncan leaving for Netflix and how that impacts ESPN's women's basketball coverage; who the Dallas Wings should pick at No. 1 in the WNBA Draft; what they expect from their agents and whether young broadcasters should pursue a talent agent; navigating media coverage about yourself and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here's a short clip from our interview with ESPN's ESPN's Malika Andrews and Chiney Ogwumike. In this preview clip, the two broadcasters talk about how they see their agents and how young people in the business should think about talent agents. The full interview will be out Dec. 4. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 567 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Teresa Resch, the president of the Toronto Tempo, which makes its WNBA debut in 2026. In this podcast Resch discusses the process of hiring Sandy Brondello as the franchise's first head coach; how the interviews with Brondello were conducted; the challenges of building a WNBA franchise; the number of employees the Tempo will need; the practice facility situation; what games will look like at Coca-Cola Coliseum; the team's ticketing situation; where things stand on media deals; how to think about merch and a mascot; philosophically, building with young players versus veterans; whether Golden State's success impacts the Tempo's thinking; interviewing for the Blackhawks GM role in 2022; and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here's a short clip from our interview with Teresa Resch, president of the WNBA's Toronto Tempo. The team begins play in 2026. In this preview clip, Resch discusses where her expansion team as far as hiring and ticket sale approaches. The full interview will be out Dec. 2. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 566 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jon Lewis, editor and founder of Sports Media Watch. In this podcast we discuss the Chiefs-Cowboys game airing on CBS on Thanksgiving Day and the prospect of the game breaking the current NFL regular season viewership single-game viewership record (42 million for Cowboys-Giants in 2022); whether the game can hit 50 million viewers if it's close in the final quarter; why the NFL decided to schedule its two biggest viewership draws against each other; whether the Chiefs have surpassed the Cowboys as the league's most popular draw; why we think the early game between the Packers and Lions on Fox should set an early window record for viewership; the late game between the Bengals and Ravens on NBC and why it looks to be viewership-challenged; how we see the Black Friday NFL matchup as a viewership play for Prime Video; the all-day sports marathon on Thanksgiving for Prime Video and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 565 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a roundtable discussion with Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch and Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal. In this podcast we discuss Major League Baseball's new three-year media rights agreements with ESPN, NBCUniversal and Netflix; what we think of the deal; the return of NBC to regularly airing MLB games on its broadcast network for the first time in 26 years; the partnership with Netflix and whether Netflix can make the Home Run Derby bigger; ESPN getting the rights to sell and distribute MLB.TV, the league’s out of market streaming service and a 30-game package exclusively on ESPN’s linear networks; whether Sunday Night Baseball can become a franchise; will this help Peacock, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 564 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Ben Fischer, who covers the NFL and all other professional football news for Sports Business Journal. In this podcast, Fischer discusses his reporting on "The Next Commissioner: The vexing task of finding the next generation of sports leadership"; who is line to ultimately succeed Roger Goodell; the NFL's international playbook; what he thought of the Spain game; the NFL's research claiming there are about 11 million NFL fans in Spain; 19 million fans in Germany and 36 million in Brazil; where the NFL would like to expand its international inventory; playing in Australia next year; whether we could ever see a 20th regular season game; the NFL's viewership in 2025; the league's relationship with Netflix and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here's a short clip from our interview with Ben Fischer, who covers the NFL for Sports Business Journal. In this preview clip, Fischer discusses the candidates and skill set needed to replace Roger Goodell when he ultimately leaves his NFL commissioner job. The full interview will be out on Wednesday. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 563 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features NBA and college basketball analyst Robbie Hummel, who has jobs with NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Turner Sports and Big Ten Network. Regarding his NBC Sports duties, Hummel is a game analyst for Peacock and NBC situated on the bench as opposed to the traditional broadcast spot. In this podcast Hummel discusses how his "On the Bench" work is different than a conventional analyst; what that access affords him; how NBA teams have responded and whether teams have asked him not to report specific things; how he communicates with his other analyst; why men's college basketball is not as popular in the regular season as it once was; his responsibilities for CBS Sports; morphing between the college game and the pro game; working for so many networks; his work as a men’s basketball analyst for Paris 2024, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 562 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Alex Sherman, a CNBC media and sports reporter, the author of the CNBC Sport newsletter and the host of the CNBC Sport Videocast. In this podcast Sherman discusses YouTube TV subscribers dealing with all of Disney’s programming being removed until the two sides reach a new carriage agreement; why the two sides are battling over carriage fees; which side has the leverage; why YouTube TV is aided by being a small part of a $3.3 trillion company in Alphabet; does public pressure matter; the role of Hulu with Live TV; whether the allegations against Guardians pitchers an indictment Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase will impact MLB's bottom line; an update on WBD's potential sale or split-off as it relates to sports, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 561 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features best-selling author Jeff Pearlman, whose latest book is "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives Of Tupac Shakur." In this podcast Pearlman, who has written books on Walter Payton, the Dallas Cowboys, Bo Jackson. The Lakers and the 1986 Mets among others, discusses why he spent three years doing a book on Tupac; how he navigated interviewing nearly 700 people for this book; how the book reunited the mother and son from Tupac’s ‘Brenda’s Got a Baby’"; what Tupac might be doing today; getting criticism for writing the book; why he thinks recent sports nostalgia can sell and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 560 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Sports Media Watch editor and founder Jon Lewis. In this podcast Lewis and Deitsch discuss the World Series viewership numbers, including the Game 7 average of 27.33 million viewers on FOX; why this series produced the numbers it did; the viewership in Canada and Japan; what it means heading forward; the Chiefs-Bills viewership number; whether the teams currently leading the AFC can draw viewership numbers; Kenny Smith calling NBA games for ESPN; the report from the Athletic that Drew Brees will fill in the Fox NFL spot previously held by Mark Sanchez and what we think of that, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here's a short clip from our interview with Jeff Pearlman, the best-selling author whose latest book is "Only God Can Judge Me: The Many Lives Of Tupac Shakur." In this preview clip of the full interview on Friday, Pearlman discusses what he sees as the best avenue to sell a sports book in 2025. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Step inside the mind of NFL legend Von Miller as he goes free range — from the gridiron to the culture at large. Each week, Von breaks down the biggest football stories, dives into the world of sports and entertainment, and chops it up with athletes, artists, and trendsetters shaping the conversation. Equal parts football IQ, locker room energy, and societal curiosity, Free Range is where game meets culture, and no topic is off-limits. You might even get some inside nuggets on this Super Bowl MVP’s chicken farm!

In this podcast, longtime Canadian sports broadcaster Donnovan Bennett joins the Sports Media Podcast following Toronto’s Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2025 World Series. In the podcast we discuss the Game 7 loss; if winning is the only thing that matters here; the biggest moments in Game 7; how we should think about Jeff Hoffman giving up the tying home run in the ninth inning and Daulton Varsho's at-bat in the bottom of the inning; upcoming free agents Bo Bichette, Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber, Chris Bassett, SerAnthony Dominguez, Ty France, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa and what we would do with the free agents and what we expect the Blue Jays to do, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 559 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features ESPN college football and NFL analyst Booger McFarland. In this podcast McFarland discusses working at ESPN for 11 years and how he has been able to find his place at ESPN; how to morph between NFL and college football content; why Brian Kelly was fired by LSU and how he sees the LSU Football job; why Indiana has become a football power and whether it can be sustained; McFarland's top NFL teams so far and why the race is wide open; how he sees sports gambling in in both pro and college sports; the biggest card game he ever played on a plane, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here's a short clip from our interview with Booger McFarland, the ESPN college football and NFL studio analyst. In this preview clip of the full interview on Monday, as part of a larger answer on sports gambling, McFarland discusses card games played on flights when he was in the NFL. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

In this podcast, longtime Canadian sports broadcaster Donnovan Bennett joins the Sports Media Podcast following Toronto’s Game 5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. In the podcast we discuss the remarkable run of the Blue Jays this postseason; Trey Yesavage’s incredible performance; the continued effectiveness of the bottom of the Blue Jays order; why the Dodgers have struggled'; scenarios for Game 6 and Game 7, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.

Episode 558 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch featuresKen Belson, who writes about sports, power and money for The New York Times. He is the author of a new book, "Every Day Is Sunday: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Turned the N.F.L. Into a Cultural & Economic Juggernaut." In this podcast, Belson discusses how does one go about reporting on NFL ownership; where the ownership power-centers are in the NFL; Goodell's goal of reaching $25 billion in total revenue by 2027; why the games are too much of a narcotic for people to care en masse about health; how NFL owners are navigating Donald Trump's criticism of Bad Bunny playing halftime of Super Bowl; what will be the impact of private equity firms buying minority stakes in NFL teams; how ownership looks at sports gambling and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 557 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Dani Wexelman and Jenny Cavnar, who lead SiriusXM’s pre-game shows on the MLB Network Radio channel prior to every World Series game. In this podcast the guests discuss the goal of a good baseball pregame show; expectations for the rest of the World Series; working in a male-majority business; the importance of prep for their jobs; Cavnar discusses her role as the  play by play caller for the Athletics, the first woman to serve as an MLB team’s primary play by play announcer for television; Wexelman discusses the challenges of navigating a non-linear career in MLB media; their respective dream interview subjects from anyone in the history of the game, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here's a short clip from our interview with Ken Belson, who writes about sports, power and money at the NFL and for The New York Times. He is the author of a new book, "Every Day Is Sunday: How Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft, and Roger Goodell Turned the N.F.L. Into a Cultural & Economic Juggernaut." In this preview clip of the full interview later this week, Belson discusses how the NFL owners look at sports gambling. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 556 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Mike Vorkunov, a basketball writer at The Athletic who covers the intersection of business and basketball. He is also the host and founder of Business Decision, a new podcast and YouTube show that focuses on the intersection of sports, money and power. In this podcast we discuss the challenges of starting an independent podcast and YouTube show; the biggest challenge and biggest opportunities today for the NBA; the NBA's global interests; how the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers-Aspiration story will play out; the women's basketball space for business opportunities; the upcoming WNBA CBA negotiations; a primer on Project B, a prospective women's basketball league to rival the WNBA, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here’s a short clip from our upcoming interview with Mike Vorkunov, a basketball writer at The Athletic who covers the intersection of business and basketball. In this clip, we discuss how the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers-Aspiration story will play out. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

In this podcast, longtime Canadian sports broadcasters Donnovan Bennett and Arash Madani join the Sports Media podcast following Toronto's Game 7 win over the Seattle Mariners in the American League Championship Series. In this podcast we discuss the remarkable season the Blue Jays have had; how Game 7 was won; where George Springer's seventh-inning home run ranks in franchise history; John Schneider's managerial decisions; how the pitching staff sets up for the Dodgers series; whether we would role the dice and start Trey Yesavage in Game One; how would we use Bo Bichette in the World Series; our predictions and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 555 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features a roundtable with Jon Lewis, the founder and editor of Sports Media Watch, and Chad Finn, the sports media writer for the Boston Globe. In this podcast we discuss the NBA's new media rights partners -- NBC, Prime Video, and ESPN; the big coverage things we will be watching for this week as the NBA debuts; our initial thoughts and hopes for NBC, Prime Video and ESPN's NBA coverage; what we think Inside The NBA will look and sound like on ESPN; why we are very high on NBC and Prime Video producing good broadcasts; ESPN's shift to Tim Legler being on the Finals broadcasts; our expectations for Michael Jordan's role with NBC; Bruce Pearl, Jalen Rose, Jamal Mashburn and Chris Webber being part of TNT Sports' college basketball coverage; F-1 moving from ESPN to Apple; the MLB postseason and potential World Series viewership, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 554 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jean-François Poisson and Marie-Christine Pouliot, the director and executive producer of "Who Killed the Montreal Expos?," a sports documentary debuting on Netflix on Oct. 21. As the title says, the 90-minute doc examines how the Montreal  Expos ultimately departed Montreal. In this podcast Poisson and Pouliot discuss why they wanted to make a film about the Expos leaving Montreal; why the Expos still resonate in 2025; why the story has many villains; making a consciousness decision to do a very Quebec-centric film; procuring Pedro Martinez, Larry Walker and other Expos greats for the films; the impact of the 1994 strike on the Expos; how Expos fans feel about the Blue Jays and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Episode 553 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Julia Alexander, a media correspondent for Puck and the founder and author of Posting Nexus, a subscriber-based pub which you can find on Substack. She is the former VP of Strategy at Parrot Analytics, where she advised clients on the tectonic shifts in tech, media, and telecom. In this podcast, Alexander discusses why she is so bullish on YouTube's future in sports; where live sports are going over the next five years; the short-term future of sports on broadcast programming and cable; EA Sports, given its 265 million users, as a future live distributor of sports; Netflix's global sports ambitions; how Prime Video has successful approached sports; burnout in the creator economy; TikTok, Threads, Twitter and the splintering of sports and social media; the NBA's Prime Video bet; whether you can beat the algorithms designed to only take from you, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Here’s a short clip from our upcoming interview with Julia Alexander, the media correspondent for Puck and one of the foremost experts on media in the U.S. The full interview will be available on Thursday. In this clip, Alexander discusses how social media has splintered for sports discussion and how the idea of one social media site being the centralized place for sports is akin to Walter Cronkite returning as the solo voice of news. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

In this podcast, longtime Canadian sports broadcaster Donnovan Bennett joins the Sports Media podcast following their four-game win over the Yankees in the ALDS. In this podcast we discuss why the team has captured the attention of Canada beyond sports fans; Vladmir Guerrero Jr. trolling the Yankees; broadcasters who admit their fandom; what the Toronto roster should be for the ALCS; Chris Bassitt vs. Max Scherzer, and more.You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.