Best Gridiron Gamble Podcasts (2025)

1
The Caitlin Clark Effect 1:01:17

2d ago1:01:17

1:01:17

Christine Brennan, the pioneering sports columnist, joins the pod to discuss her new book, “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports.” She unpacks the WNBA’s struggle to match the moment of Caitlin’s rise, the financial implications of Caitlin’s ascent, the league’s perpetual lack of media attention and support, and much more…

1
A College Football Power Grab & CBS Sports on Edge 36:34

6d ago36:34

36:34

Axios’s Sara Fischer returns to the pod for a sweeping tour of the most urgent issues in the sports media landscape—from the looming Trump–CBS settlement (and what a Skydance-Paramount merger portends for CBS Sports) to the College Football Playoff’s potential expansion, the growing leverage of live sports in ad markets, the possibility of a new NF…

1
Tennis’s Next Rafa and Serena? 44:25

9d ago44:25

44:25

Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim—America’s preeminent tennis sage—joins the pod to explore the sport’s cultural resurgence, driven in large part by breakout stars like Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannick Sinner. Jon makes a strong case for unifying the men’s and women’s tours, weighs into tennis’s global business dilemma, touches on growing in…

1
Paul Rabil’s Lacrosse Gospel 53:46

13d ago53:46

53:46

Paul Rabil, co-founder of the Premier Lacrosse League, joins John for a deep dive into the PLL’s new five-year media rights deal with ESPN, which includes an equity stake from the network. Rabil charts the PLL’s growth trajectory, teases expansion plans, and explains why the 2028 Olympics could be a turning point for lacrosse as a global sport. To …

1
Kicking It With Alexi Lalas 49:57

16d ago49:57

49:57

Alexi Lalas, Fox Sports analyst and former American soccer star, swings by the pod for a wide-ranging discussion about the accelerated growth of soccer in the U.S. Alexis lays out the MLS roadmap to global relevance, celebrates the rise of the NWSL, and explains why he’s bullish on the 2026 World Cup—and what this all means for the future of the sp…

1
The Sports Media Multiverse! w/ Alex Sherman 48:55

20d ago48:55

48:55

CNBC’s Alex Sherman returns to the pod to gab about the biggest forces reshaping sports media—from the streaming ambitions of Amazon, Google, and Netflix, to the accelerating collapse of linear TV, epitomized by the dual Comcast and WBD divorces. They also size up the precarious futures of F1, UFC, and MLB media rights—and what comes next for the e…

1
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Takes the Wheel 49:11

23d ago49:11

49:11

The legendary Dale Earnhardt Jr. joins John for a rollicking discussion about the future of motorsport. He delves into NASCAR’s expansion into Mexico City and the opportunities of international racing; shares his thoughts on F1’s hospitality and accessibility compared to NASCAR; discusses Amazon Prime’s gripping four-part documentary series on his …

1
Who Gets What in the WBD Divorce? 47:36

27d ago47:36

47:36

LightShed’s Rich Greenfield joins John to break down the myriad implications of Zaslav’s WBD spin-off. With both Comcast and WBD laying down a roadmap for exiting the linear era, Rich weighs in on whether Disney and Paramount will follow suit. Then they chart the fate of TNT and WBD’s sports rights—and why WBD will likely avoid any major sports acq…

1
The NCAA’s Corporate Makeover 52:04

30d ago52:04

52:04

Len Perna, founder of the executive search firm TurnkeyZRG, joins John for a wide-ranging conversation on the shifting landscape of college sports. They unpack the fallout from the NCAA’s landmark House settlement, trends in athletic director hires, the real estate gold rush on campuses, and why the next wave of roles might be titled ‘C.E.O. of Ath…

1
Moneyball Meets the F.B.I. 50:58

1M ago50:58

50:58

ESPN’s Don Van Natta returns to the pod with the scoop on a new FBI investigation into OneTeam Partners—the licensing company backed by the NFL and MLB player associations and RedBird Capital. Van Natta breaks down the opaque finances, the major players under scrutiny, and why some insiders suspect a potential Trump linkage. Then they dig into the …

1
U.S. Openings 36:37

1M ago36:37

36:37

Chris Eubanks, TNT’s French Open analyst (and professional tennis player, himself) joins the pod to discuss the state of tennis in the U.S. He unpacks the surge of homegrown talent, the media’s role in turning players into personalities, and what it’ll take to bring casual fans into the fold. Eubanks also shares what it’s like to straddle the broad…

1
The NFL Owners Summit & More Belichick Blues 43:45

1M ago43:45

43:45

ESPN’s Seth Wickersham joins John to break down all of his remarkable inside reporting from last week’s NFL owners meetings in Minnesota. They discuss what it all portends for the league, before turning to Seth’s forthcoming book, American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback. Finally, they dig into all the latest drama surrounding Bill Belichick.…

1
CBS’s Goal Standard 49:35

1M ago49:35

49:35

CBS Sports’ Pete Radovich joins John for an in-depth conversation about the UEFA Champions League. Pete reflects on the evolution of CBS’s coverage, the challenge of preserving its distinctive vibe amid personnel changes, and how they’ve optimized social media to deepen fan engagement. Then he previews the upcoming Champions League finals between P…

1
Wall Street’s Sportsbook 45:18

2M ago45:18

45:18

Bill Cohan drops by the pod to break down Wall Street’s view of the sports media landscape. Bill explains why he’s bullish on Warner Bros. Discovery, what investors want from sports rights, what’s really behind the Skydance-Paramount holdup, and much more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/…

1
Can IndyCar Go Global? 42:39

2M ago42:39

42:39

Eric Shanks, C.E.O. and executive producer of Fox Sports, joins John to break down the state of IndyCar, five races into the season. Eric reflects on the sport’s deep-rooted nostalgia, its future-facing momentum, his efforts to build a bridge between IndyCar and NASCAR. and how he’s “Fox-ified” the event for modern audiences. Then Eric outlines the…

1
ESPN’s Mic Drop & The Athletic’s NYT Afterlife 39:07

2M ago39:07

39:07

Axios media reporter Sara Fischer returns to the pod to preview ESPN’s forthcoming streaming service, ingeniously named… ESPN. She breaks down the logic behind the offering—but also the potential problems with the branding. Then Sara and John discuss Fox’s more tempered streaming strategy and how The Athletic has prospered under The New York Times …

1
Introducing: Aspire with Emma Grede 2:31

2M ago2:31

2:31

Build the life of your dreams and learn from the world’s most successful people. Emma Grede, one of America’s richest self-made women - wants you to make the most of your life. On ‘Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet. Each episode will unpack their …

1
Up Front With Jeremy Carey 52:01

2M ago52:01

52:01

Jeremy Carey, Optimum Sports’ chief investment officer, joins John for a look ahead at New York’s upfronts week. Jeremy shares the overarching themes he’s watching out for, discusses the health of the TV business, and examines whether recession fears are affecting advertisers who’ve spent years falling over themselves to buy into sports. To learn m…

1
Jeff Passan’s MLB Forecast 58:55

2M ago58:55

58:55

ESPN’s MLB insider Jeff Passan joins John for a sweeping conversation about the state of the league a few months into the 2025 season. Jeff discusses MLB’s biggest red flags, the forthcoming labor and media rights negotiations, and the parity between high-payroll teams and small market teams. Then, as the specter of a new salary cap looms, Jeff war…

1
Connor Schell on the Sports Doc Gold Rush 51:09

2M ago51:09

51:09

Connor Schell, the visionary co-creator behind ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, joins John for a deep dive into the golden era of sports storytelling. From the evolution of prestige documentaries at HBO and ESPN to the streaming revolution led by the likes of Netflix and Apple, Connor unpacks how the landscape has shifted—and why these are the golden days …

1
The NHL’s Thin Ice 46:15

2M ago46:15

46:15

ESPN’s senior NHL guru Greg Wyshynski joins John Ourand to take stock of professional hockey amid the league's labor negotiations, big media deals, and its innovation mindset. Then Greg explains why the tumultuous economy threatens the NHL in ways it doesn’t the NBA or NFL. With a new labor deal expected to be announced during the forthcoming Stanl…

1
Kornacki After MSNBC 39:10

2M ago39:10

39:10

NBC’s data guru Steve Kornacki drops by the pod to talk about his new deal with the network, expanding his footprint across both NBC News and Sports—while also allowing flexibility to pursue other avenues, à la Stephen A. and Pat McAfee. Then he previews his coverage plans for the Kentucky Derby, riffs on the rise of sports betting, explains how he…

1
The NFL's Trust Issues 43:09

3M ago43:09

43:09

NBC Sports’ Mike Florio revisits the pod to shed light on the shifting sands of the NFL Draft’s media rights—and the league’s continued international push with next year’s season opener in Brazil. Then, Mike drills into the NFL’s antitrust challenges and the league’s 18-game-fantasy, before assessing the freshly-filed $50 million civil lawsuit agai…

1
2025 NFL Draft Props 47:57

3M ago47:57

47:57

Donnie and Rich grumble about the state of sports betting, especially with the draft, before giving their favorite props for the 2025 NFL Draft. Join the Discord: bit.ly/DiscordMooseBy Gridiron Gamble

1
The Varsity Live From SF! 49:49

3M ago49:49

49:49

In a special live taping of The Varsity, Giants C.E.O. Larry Baer and Fox Sports exec Ben Valenta join John for a rollicking convo on the art of community-building in sports. They discuss the Giants’ hands-on approach, Fox Sports’ data-fueled fan strategy, the ripple effects of chord-cutting, and more. Then, the trio dig into the delicate balance b…

1
Everyone Watches Women’s Sports 37:39

3M ago37:39

37:39

Axios’s Sara Fischer returns to the pod to discuss the meteoric rise of women’s sports. From the emergence of the new LOVB volleyball league and the Professional Women’s Hockey League, to Willow Bay and Bob Iger’s bold investment in Angel City FC, Sara breaks down why women’s sports rights are being viewed as a huge asset in today’s sports media cl…

1
Sports TV in the McAfee Era 45:08

3M ago45:08

45:08

Jerry Silbowitz, UTA's co-head of sports media, joins John to discuss how next-gen talent are following the McAfee playbook—leveraging platforms like YouTube and TikTok to skip the corporate development ladder and connect directly with younger audiences—and how broadcasters like ESPN are reinventing themselves to get a piece of the action. To learn…

1
The ESPN Migration 46:45

3M ago46:45

46:45

Beloved sportscaster Peter Schrager drops by the pod to chat about his decision to jump from NFL Network to ESPN and the evolving business of professional sports analysis. Then Peter and John weigh into what’s next for the NFL and ESPN in the streaming era and the impact that Netflix and Amazon will have on the media rights market in 2029. To learn…

1
Gary Bettman: O Canada! 40:41

3M ago40:41

40:41

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman swings by The Varsity to gab about the league’s recent successes, including the Four Nations tournament and his $11 billion media rights deal with Roger’s Communications. Then Bettman wades into NHL’s international plans… and addresses how Trump’s trade war on Canada could impact the league’s economics. Plus: the futur…

1
Marchand, Round 2! 55:07

3M ago55:07

55:07

In a special reunion episode, the legendary Andrew Marchand returns for a rollicking conversation about the NFL’s streaming strategy, from Amazon’s Thursday Night Football to Netflix’s Christmas Day triple header. Then, they debate whether ESPN will reacquire Sunday Night Baseball rights and the effectiveness of MLB's current media tactics. Finally…

1
Gary Danielson’s Final Analysis 48:17

3M ago48:17

48:17

CBS’s top college football analyst, Gary Danielson, joins John for a candid chat about his decision to retire after an incredible 36-season run in the booth. Gary revisits the highs, the hurdles, and the unforgettable calls—like the “Kick Six” and “Holy Toledo” games—that cemented his legacy. He also discusses why adaptability is so vital to colleg…

1
The Sports Streaming Battle Royale 48:05

3M ago48:05

48:05

Julia Alexander joins John for a wide-ranging conversation on the high-stakes battle for sports streaming supremacy. She unpacks Peacock’s savvy regional sports play, ESPN’s multi-pronged strategy, and YouTube’s untapped advertising goldmine. Plus, she analyzes Netflix’s more experimental approach and why Apple TV+ is struggling to keep up. To lear…

1
Can Netflix Outpace YouTube? 46:56

4M ago46:56

46:56

MoffettNathanson’s Michael Nathanson and Robert Fishman join John for a deep dive into the world of streaming. They debate the brewing Netflix vs. YouTube streaming war, examine the fluctuating landscape of sports media rights, and explore what’s next for ESPN’s Flagship. Plus, they probe the broader implications of sports betting for the sports me…

1
Do the Wright Thing 45:09

4M ago45:09

45:09

Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright joins John for a candid chat about the evolution of his legendary career. He explains the moment he knew it was time to retire and discusses how the job changed over his 22 years helming Villanova, including two national championships. He also weighs into all the massive upheaval in college sports, the notorious transf…

1
TNT's Life After NBA 56:29

4M ago56:29

56:29

Luis Silberwasser, the C.E.O. and chairman of TNT Sports, joins John for a rollicking discussion about the state of his company in the aftermath of losing its rights to the NBA. Luis goes deep on how those negotiations unfolded, and breaks down TNT’s shifted focus on digital expansion and engaging a younger audience. He also dishes on their unique …

1
LIV and Let Die 44:31

4M ago44:31

44:31

Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch joins John for an in-depth breakdown of the chaos percolating professional golf. Eamon explains why the sport is facing a crisis of confidence and structure—and why the PGA Tour can’t just rely on its past glory anymore. He also dishes on the Tour's search for a C.E.O., calls out its history of arrogance and complacency, …

1
Women’s Soccer’s Billion-Dollar Glow-Up 49:23

4M ago49:23

49:23

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman joins John for a deep dive into the league’s burgeoning popularity, following a record-breaking season in attendance and TV viewership. She highlights the power of storytelling in building cultural relevance before pulling back the curtain on the league’s massive media rights deals with ESPN, CBS, and Amazon Prime—a…

1
A New D.C. Sports Monopoly? 41:31

4M ago41:31

41:31

Axios’s Sara Fischer rejoins John to dig into the rapid decline of R.S.N.s, and in particular, the unraveling of MASN—once the home of the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles. With the Nationals walking away from the network entirely, could this move pave the way for Ted Leonsis to buy the team and create a D.C. sports monopoly? Plus, the du…

1
Coming to America: World Cup Edition 42:39

4M ago42:39

42:39

Roger Bennett, founder of the Men in Blazers Media Network, joins John for an in-depth look at the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup in North America. He explores the challenges of building momentum and awareness leading up to the tournament, its potential to leave a lasting imprint on American soccer culture, and the significance of tentpole event…

1
The MLB-ESPN Breakup Song 40:38

4M ago40:38

40:38

The Athletic’s Evan Drellich joins John to weigh into the imminent ESPN-MLB divorce, and offer a behind-the-scenes snapshot of how owners are coming to grips with the split. Evan also explains why he doesn’t think this is truly the end of the ESPN-MLB relationship, previews baseball’s upcoming labor negotiations, discusses the financial fallout fro…

1
Big East Hoop Dreams 48:34

4M ago48:34

48:34

Big East commissioner Val Ackerman joins John for a deep dive into the present and future of college sports. She lays out the Big East’s strategy for thriving in a football-dominated landscape, probes the possibility of a Big East-ACC merger, and breaks down the conference’s approach to revenue sharing. Val also reflects on her groundbreaking role …

1
UFC Rights Fights, F1 Deal Heat & ESPN’s Media Moneyball 41:50

5M ago41:50

41:50

CNBC’s Alex Sherman joins John for a deep dive into how leagues can maximize profits from social media engagement in the streaming era. They also wade into the brewing media rights battles between traditional networks and streaming giants, with UFC and F1’s rights up for grabs, before Alex shares his personal insights on the overall state of sports…

1
Grant Hill From the Owner's Box 46:20

5M ago46:20

46:20

NBA Hall of Famer Grant Hill joins John for a candid conversation about his pivot from the court to the sidelines, where’s he's become a standout broadcaster. Hill discusses his ownership stakes in various sports franchises, the health of the NBA, and the impact of their blockbuster media rights deal. He also reflects on leading Team USA to back-to…

1
Shams’ Art of the Scoop 36:42

5M ago36:42

36:42

ESPN’s Shams Charania, the consummate NBA insider and veritable scoop machine, joins John to probe some of the biggest business stories ahead of NBA All-Star Weekend: the impacts of sports betting, Maverick Carter’s attempt to jumpstart an NBA-adjacent international rival, and the league’s evolving trade dynamics. Plus, Shams explains the bizarre L…

1
NBC Sports in The Big Easy 38:46

5M ago38:46

38:46

NBC Sports president Rick Cordella joins John from Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans for an in-depth conversation on the business of the NFL and the evolving landscape of sports media, breaking down the NFL’s unparalleled ability to draw massive viewership and the complexities of media rights negotiations. Then he offers a preview at what’s in stor…

1
Super Bowl LIX: Everyone Loves Dallas Goedert 48:13

5M ago48:13

48:13

Everyone loves the Eagles, and everyone loves Dallas Goedert. The Collective agree with one of these sentiments.By Gridiron Gamble

1
In Goodell We Trust? 42:32

5M ago42:32

42:32

ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr. joins John for a wide-ranging conversation on the NFL’s booming business, where soaring ratings and sponsorship deals underscore the league’s financial dominance—highlighted by the Dallas Cowboys’ staggering $10 billion valuation. They also tackle some of the league’s prime concerns, including the perceived officiating prob…

1
Hoop Talk With Stan Van! 43:35

5M ago43:35

43:35

TNT analyst and former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy joins John for a broad-spectrum chat about the overall health of the league. The duo address potential scheduling and rule changes, the realities of player empowerment, the influx of 3-point shooting, and much more. Plus, Stan shares his insights on the turbulence in college basketball, and offer…

1
The NFL’s Streaming Playbook 43:11

5M ago43:11

43:11

Fox Sports and NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager joins John for an in-depth look at the business trends shaping the NFL as the Super Bowl approaches. They explore the league’s media opportunities, the growing influence of streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon, and what it all means for traditional broadcasters. Then they debunk the idea of “Chi…

1
Netflix’s UFC Gamble & ESPN’s Streaming Calculus 58:16

5M ago58:16

58:16

Michael Nathanson rejoins John to dissect the most pressing sports media topics of 2025: Netflix’s potential bid for UFC rights, the challenge of building a sustainable PPV business model, the viability of ESPN’s streaming strategy (and Fox Sports’ need to develop one), and so much more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices v…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Gridiron Gamble Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide