Podcasts hosted by professional athletes

Last updated

Professional athletes have a documented history of going into the sports media industry after they retire from their playing careers. In the mid-to-late 2010s, there were a growing amount of instances of players pursuing media ventures even during their playing careers. Often times, athletes utilize the podcast medium to disseminate their media output, with these podcasts covering the athletes' respective sport.

Contents

History

JJ Redick was the first active NBA player to launch a podcast J. J. Redick.jpg
JJ Redick was the first active NBA player to launch a podcast

A. J. Hawk has been cited as the first active professional athlete to begin podcasting, having launched his Hawk Cast in 2014. [1] [2] JJ Redick was the first NBA player to launch a podcast while still an active player, hosting The Vertical on Yahoo! Sports in 2016. [3] [4] After punter Pat McAfee retired from the National Football League (NFL) in 2016, he launched his own eponymous show; it has been credited with "paving the way for fellow athletes to pursue a media career upon retirement". [5]

In the 2020s, the rise in players issuing statements or producing content through their own media ventures was dubbed the "new media" by National Basketball Association (NBA) player Draymond Green. [6] Players have been noted to invite and interview fellow players on their podcasts. [7] Sometimes, these podcasts are co-hosted by friends of the players who did not have professional sport careers. [8]

Reception

Reception of the podcasts vary from podcast to podcast, though media writers have also written about the broad concept and its increased prominence over the years. Writing about the increase of NBA players launching podcasts and other media pursuits, Alex Siquig of GQ stated "there's a sweetness to this sort of access. It's an unlocked door to brawny, garrulous NBA tenderness. Players talking through COVID with grace and honest introspection has been a boon, even when the topics veer from the sacred to the profane, from brilliance to bullshit." [9]

The New York Times writer Jeremy Gordon commented that "the premise of so many athlete-run podcasts" involves how the podcasts "demystify what these people do, allowing talented figures to break down their talent-utilization processes", citing examples including "Draymond [Green]'s, or The Old Man and the Three (in which the former NBA player JJ Redick and co-host Tommy Alter trade stories and discuss the modern league), or All the Smoke (the former NBA journeymen Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson trade stories and discuss the modern league), or I Am Athlete (the former NFL receivers Brandon Marshall and Chad Johnson trade stories and discuss the modern league). [10] Gordon criticized this concept, writing "But the demystification process can, at times, be too thorough", and adding that "it turns out to be deeply enervating to hear these athletes talk about [sports]". [10]

List of podcasts hosted by professional athletes

American football players

Denotes player was retired when podcast debuted ❧
Denotes non-professional athlete co-host
PodcastHost(s)DebutedRef.
The Hawk Cast A. J. Hawk 2014 [2]
Club Shay Shay Shannon SharpeSeptember 22, 2020 [11]
The Pivot Podcast Ryan Clark
Channing Crowder
Fred Taylor
January 4, 2022 [12] [13]
New Heights Jason Kelce
Travis Kelce
September 8, 2022
The Edge Micah Parsons September 11, 2023 [14] [15]
Nightcap Shannon Sharpe
Chad Johnson
Gilbert Arenas [lower-alpha 1]
September 11, 2023 [17] [18]
4th & 1 Cam Newton September 13, 2023 [19] [20]

Athletics competitors

Denotes player was retired when podcast debuted ❧
Denotes non-professional athlete co-host
PodcastHost(s)DebutedRef.
MarathonTalk Deena Kastor
Martin Yelling
January 2010 [21] [22]
Showrunners Scott Fauble June 2019 [23]
Sit & Kick Josh Kerr
David Ribich
January 2020 [24] [25]
Coffee Club Podcast Geordie Beamish
Olli Hoare
Morgan McDonald
2021 [26]
Unconventional Voices of Track & Field Jade Johnson
Anson Henry
May 2021 [27]
Running Things Donovan Bailey
Jason Portuondo
July 2021 [28]
Lactic Acid Dominique Smith
Laura Thweatt
October 2021 [29] [30]
Out of the Blocks Jasmine Todd
Katelyn Hutchinson
January 2022 [31]
Nobody Asked Us Des Linden
Kara Goucher
January 2023 [32]
Ready Set Go Justin Gatlin
Rodney Green
January 2023 [33]
Running: State of the Sport Amby Burfoot
George Hirsch
August 2023 [34]

Basketball players

Denotes player was retired when podcast debuted ❧
Denotes non-professional athlete co-host
PodcastHost(s)DebutedRef.
The Vertical Podcast JJ Redick February 1, 2016 [3] [35]
Road Trippin' Channing Frye
Richard Jefferson
Allie Clifton [lower-alpha 2]
January 17, 2017 [36] [37]
The Chronicles of Redick JJ Redick July 19, 2017 [35] [38]
The JJ Redick Podcast with Tommy Alter JJ Redick
Tommy Alter
November 29, 2017 [39] [4]
Knuckleheads with Quentin Richardson & Darius Miles Quentin Richardson
Darius Miles
February 19, 2019 [9] [40]
All The Smoke Matt Barnes
Stephen Jackson
October 21, 2019 [41] [42]
The Old Man and the Three JJ Redick
Tommy Alter
August 5, 2020 [43]
The ETCs Kevin Durant May 16, 2021 [44]

(Citation needed for date)

Curious Mike Michael Porter Jr. July 20, 2021 [45] [46]
The Draymond Green Show Draymond Green November 17, 2021 [47] [48]
KG Certified Kevin Garnett

Paul Pierce

January 18, 2022 [44]

(Citation needed for date)

The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone Patrick Beverley
Adam Ferrone
October 11, 2022 [49] [50]
Club 520 Jeff Teague
DJ Wells
Bishop B Henn
January 31, 2023 [51] [52]
Podcast P with Paul George Paul George
Jackie Long
Dallas Rutherford
March 6, 2023 [53] [54]
From the Point Trae Young June 1, 2023 [6]
The OGs Udonis Haslem
Mike Miller
December 19, 2023 [55] [56]
The Big Podcast with Shaq Shaquille O'Neal
Adam Lefkoe
December 21, 2023 [57] [58]
Roommates Show Jalen Brunson
Josh Hart
February 8, 2024 [59] [60]
The Underground Lounge Lou Williams
Spank Horton
February 14, 2024 [61]
Mind the Game LeBron James
JJ Redick
March 19, 2024 [62]

Notes

  1. Arenas, a former professional basketball player, joined Sharpe and Johnson as a co-host in December 2023. [16]
  2. Though not a former professional athlete, Clifton did play at the collegiate level for Toledo.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shannon Sharpe</span> American football player and sports analyst (born 1968)

Shannon Sharpe is an American former professional football tight end who played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Denver Broncos. Regarded as one of the greatest tight ends of all time, he ranks third in tight end receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He was also the first NFL tight end to amass over 10,000 receiving yards. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">JJ Redick</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1984)

Jonathan Clay "JJ" Redick is an American professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He most recently served as an analyst for ESPN. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils, winning many individual awards. He was selected 11th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2006 NBA draft and subsequently played for 15 seasons in the NBA, with six different teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Breen</span> American sportscaster

Michael Breen is an American play-by-play sports commentator. He has been the lead announcer for NBA games on ABC and ESPN since 2006, including the NBA Finals. He is also the lead announcer for New York Knicks games on the MSG Network. Breen previously called NFL regular season games for both NFL on Fox and NFL on NBC, as well as New York Giants preseason games.

<i>NBA on TNT</i> NBA basketball telecasts aired by cable network TNT

NBA on TNT is an American presentation of National Basketball Association (NBA) games, produced by TNT Sports. In the United States, the TNT cable network has held the rights to broadcast NBA games since 1989, making it TNT's longest-running regular program and sporting event, dating back to only a year after TNT's launch on October 3, 1988. Its telecasts have also been streamed on its Max platform since 2023. TNT's NBA coverage includes the Inside the NBA studio show, weekly doubleheaders throughout the regular season on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a majority of games during the first two rounds of the playoffs, and one conference finals series.

<i>NBA on ESPN</i> US television program

The NBA on ESPN is the branding used for the presentation of National Basketball Association (NBA) games on the ESPN family of networks. The ESPN cable network first televised NBA games from 1982 until 1984, and has been airing games currently since the 2002–03 NBA season. ESPN2 began airing a limited schedule of NBA games in 2002. ABC began televising NBA games under full ESPN production in 2006. On October 6, 2014, ESPN and the NBA renewed their agreement through 2025, and on July 24, 2024 it’s agreement was renewed through 2036.

<i>First Take</i> (talk show) Sports talk show broadcast by ESPN

First Take is an American sports talk television program on ESPN. Episodes air daily Monday through Friday, with the live episode airing from 10 am ET until noon, with reruns from noon to 2 pm ET on ESPN2 and from 2 to 4 pm ET on ESPNews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season</span> Basketball season

The 2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 6, 2005, progressed through the regular season and conference tournaments and concluded with the 2006 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament championship game on April 3, 2006, at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Florida Gators won their first NCAA national championship with a 73–56 victory over the UCLA Bruins. This was the last Final Four site at the RCA Dome. The Final Four will return to the city of Indianapolis, but will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Johnson (basketball, born 1987)</span> American basketball player

James Patrick Johnson is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was the starting power forward for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons from 2007 to 2009. He was drafted 16th overall in the 2009 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Draymond Green</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

Draymond Jamal Green is an American professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Green, who plays primarily at the power forward position, is a four-time NBA champion, a four-time NBA All-Star, a two-time member of the All-NBA Team, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Considered one of the greatest defensive players in the league, he is an eight-time All-Defensive Team, 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and led the league in steals. Green has been a runner-up for the Defensive Player of the Year Award three times in his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scheana Shay</span> American television personality

Scheana Marie Davies (née Jancan, formerly Shay; born May 7, 1985) is an American television personality. Since 2013, she has been a cast member on the Bravo reality television series Vanderpump Rules.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Ruocco</span> American sportscaster (born 1986)

Ryan Ruocco is an American television and radio sportscaster. He serves as a play-by-play announcer for the NBA, WNBA, and women's college basketball on ESPN, and the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets on YES Network. He hosts the podcast R2C2 with former Yankees all-star pitcher CC Sabathia. He previously hosted the Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco Show on ESPN Radio 98.7 FM.

Shaqtin' a Fool is a weekly segment from the television show Inside the NBA, the postgame show of NBA on TNT following the conclusion of National Basketball Association (NBA) games airing on cable TV channel TNT. The title is a play on "actin' a fool." It first aired during the 2011–12 NBA season, when retired NBA All-Star Shaquille O'Neal voiced it upon joining the show and was created by Turner Sports producer Mike Goldfarb. Shaqtin' highlights humorous and uncommon basketball plays that have occurred during NBA games in the past week. O'Neal is the host and presenter, while the other analysts in studio react and provide commentary. Most often, those have been fellow Inside regulars Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley, but other Inside hosts have also participated, including Chris Webber, Grant Hill, Steve Smith, Kevin Garnett and Matt Winer. Since 2018, the Shaqtin franchise has been led by Turner Sports producer Michael Kaplan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denzel Valentine</span> American basketball player (born 1993)

Denzel Robert Valentine is an American professional basketball player for Pallacanestro Trieste of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA). He played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans. As a senior, Valentine became the first player in Michigan State history to be recognized as the National Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Volume</span> Sports media company

The Volume is a sports media company founded by Colin Cowherd. The network currently hosts podcasts and produces video content for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and other platforms. It produces content to meet fan demand around sporting events rather than following a traditional schedule.

Club Shay Shay is an American podcast hosted by sports analyst and former NFL player Shannon Sharpe. It is co-produced by The Volume and Shay Shay media, and airs once a week. On the podcast, Sharpe interviews athletes and celebrities about current events, sports, and pop culture. Episodes of the podcast are filmed, and the video format is released on the show's YouTube channel.

<i>Mind the Game</i> Sports podcast

Mind the Game is a basketball podcast hosted by American basketball player LeBron James and coach JJ Redick. It was produced by their respective media production companies, Uninterrupted and ThreeFourTwo Productions. At the time of the podcast's debut on March 19, 2024, James was an active player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), while Redick was retired NBA player and then a sports podcaster and NBA broadcast analyst for ESPN.

Nightcap is a nighttime podcast produced by The Volume and Shay Shay Media. It is hosted by former NFL players Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco Johnson, along with former NBA player Gilbert Arenas. The podcast is live streamed on YouTube and the audio is available on podcast platforms.

Tommy Alter is an American television producer and sports podcaster. With various media credits to his name, he is perhaps best known for being former National Basketball Association (NBA) player JJ Redick's co-host on multiple podcasts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uninterrupted</span> American sports media company

Uninterrupted is an American multi-platform media company founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter. Its primary focus is on sports media, with an intended aim to highlight athletes' voices in the sports media space.

References

  1. "The Podcast Era For Athletes Has Started And J.J. Redick Is First To Create A Louder Voice" . Sports Business Journal. January 27, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Owczarski, Jim (June 2, 2016). "A.J. Hawk preps for post-NFL career as podcast grows". The Cincinnati Enquirer . Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  3. 1 2 Kavner, Rowan (January 28, 2016). "Redick To Be First Active NBA Player With Weekly Podcast". NBA.com . Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  4. 1 2 Cacciola, Scott (August 3, 2020). "After 100 Podcasts, JJ Redick Widens His Range". The New York Times . Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  5. Ratts, Tyler; Benedek, Jonathan J. (December 14, 2021). Pedersen, Paul M. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Sport Management. Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 362–363. ISBN   9781800883284 . Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Buckhalter, Joshua (May 31, 2023). "Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young reveals 'From The Point' podcast launch date". Soaring Down South . Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  7. "Former NBA 2nd Overall Pick Will Miss The Entire Season". Sports Illustrated . August 21, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  8. Murray, Law (July 24, 2023). "Paul George and his podcast with friends meshes chemistry, cohesion and comedy". The Athletic . Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Siquig, Alex (July 29, 2020). "NBA Players Are Creating a Lot of Content. Which Is the Best?". GQ . Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Gordon, Jeremy (July 7, 2022) [July 6, 2022]. "The Rise of the Professional-Athlete Podcast". The New York Times . Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  11. "Shannon Sharpe Debuts 'Club Shay Shay'". Fox Sports . September 23, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  12. The Truth | The Pivot Podcast with Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor & Ryan Clark (Series Premiere). The Pivot Podcast. January 4, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2024 via YouTube.
  13. Bishop, Greg (June 16, 2023). "'Pivot Podcast' Hosts Reflect on Their Fondest Father's Day Memories". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  14. Magliochetti, Geoff (September 6, 2023). "Cowboys BREAKING: Micah Parsons To Start New Video Podcast". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  15. Micah Parsons Reacts to Crushing Giants, Ranks NFC Contenders & Bosa's Contract | The Edge Ep. 1. The Edge. Bleacher Report. September 11, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024 via YouTube.
  16. Kotuby, Jeff (December 13, 2023). "Gilbert Arenas Joins Shannon Sharpe & Chad Johnson's 'Nightcap' Podcast". Barrett Sports Media. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  17. Koster, Kyle (September 8, 2023). "Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson Will Host New Show Co-Produced by Shay Shay Media and The Volume". The Big Lead . Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  18. Shannon Sharpe & Chad Johnson on Cowboys-Giants, 49ers-Steelers, Bengals-Browns | Nightcap Week 1. Nightcap. September 11, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024 via YouTube.
  19. Cam Newton [@CameronNewton] (September 13, 2023). "M¥ Ñ£₩ §₽ØRT§ §HØ₩ "4th & 1"" (Tweet). Retrieved April 27, 2024 via Twitter.
  20. Goss, Nick (October 26, 2023). "Cam Newton reveals biggest regret from his season with Patriots". NBC Sports . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  21. "MarathonTalk Podcast". World Marathon Majors . Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  22. "Marathon Talk". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  23. "Showrunners". Citius Mag. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  24. "Sit & Kick". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  25. "The Victory Lap: David Ribich". Citius Mag. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  26. "COFFEE CLUB". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  27. "Unconventional Voices of Track & Field". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  28. "Donavan Bailey Running Things: The Podcast". Spotify. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  29. "Lactic Acid with Dom and Laura". Spotify for Podcasters. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  30. "DOMINIQUE SMITH". Runner's World . Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  31. "Out Of The Blocks". Citius Mag. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  32. "Nobody Asked Us with Des & Kara". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  33. "Ready Set Go". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  34. "Running--State of the Sport". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  35. 1 2 "The Chronicles of Redick on Apple Podcasts" . Retrieved May 12, 2024 via Apple Podcasts.
  36. "Road Trippin' on Apple Podcasts" . Retrieved April 26, 2024 via Apple Podcasts.
  37. Gonzalez, John (May 24, 2017). "This NBA Life". The Ringer . Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  38. Spain, Kevin (July 19, 2017). "JJ Redick: Re-signing with Clippers was not an option". USA Today . Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  39. "Welcome to 'The J.J. Redick Podcast'". The Ringer . November 27, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  40. "Knuckleheads with Quentin Richardson & Darius Miles" . Retrieved May 25, 2024 via Apple Podcasts.
  41. "All The Smoke on Apple Podcasts" . Retrieved April 27, 2024 via Apple Podcasts.
  42. Contes, Brandon (October 18, 2019). "Matt Barnes & Stephen Jackson Launch Digital Show". Barrett Sports Media. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  43. Healy, John (August 4, 2020). "NBA Star JJ Redick Launching New Podcast 'The Old Man & The Three'". Audacy . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  44. 1 2 Olojede, Complex Sports, Zion. "The Best NBA Player Podcasts Right Now, Ranked". Complex. Retrieved 2024-06-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  45. Staying Grounded & Standing Firm In Your Convictions ft. Lecrae // Michael Porter Jr. Curious Mike. July 20, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2024 via YouTube.
  46. Redford, Patrick (April 29, 2024). "There Are NBA Players With Interesting Podcasts, And Then There's Michael Porter Jr". Defector . Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  47. Hayes, Dade (November 15, 2021). "Golden State Warriors Star Draymond Green To Host Weekly Podcast For Colin Cowherd-IHeartMedia Network The Volume". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  48. "The Draymond Green Show on Apple Podcasts" . Retrieved April 27, 2024 via Apple Podcasts.
  49. The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone: Ep 00 - I'm Not Out Here Punching People. The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone. October 11, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2024 via YouTube.
  50. Nehm, Eric (March 27, 2024). "Bucks guard Patrick Beverley says he has a torn ligament in his right wrist". The Athletic . Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  51. Club 520 Podcast | Episode 1 ft Josh Smith. January 31, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  52. Nelson, Joe (April 27, 2023). "Jeff Teague tells 'what really happened' with Jimmy Butler's Timberwolves outburst". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  53. "Introducing "Podcast P with Paul George"". Podcast P with Paul George. 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2024 via Apple Podcasts.
  54. Dye, Natasha (March 14, 2023). "NBA All-Star Paul George Says He's 'Not Going to Sugarcoat Anything' on New Podcast". People . Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  55. Brown, Devin (December 15, 2023). "Miami Heat OG's Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem Are Starting A New Podcast". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  56. UD Thinks Draymond Green Is "Crazy Smart" & Paolo Banchero Is An MVP?! | The OGs Ep. 1. The OGs. December 19, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024 via YouTube.
  57. Weprin, Alex (December 21, 2023). "Shaquille O'Neal Launching Podcast Network, Reboots His 'Big' Show". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  58. Shaq Gets HEATED At A Hater, Reveals Untold Homeless Story & More | Ep. 1. The Big Podcast with Shaq. December 22, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024 via YouTube.
  59. Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart React To All-Star & WILD Tweets, Reveal Untold Stories | Ep. 1. Roommates Show. February 8, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024 via YouTube.
  60. Magliocchetti, Geoff (February 4, 2024). "Cats Cast: Knicks Stars Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart Are Starting a Podcast". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  61. Lou Williams & Spank Horton Discuss Comedy, Cash & Community In Episode 1 Of The Underground Lounge. The Underground Lounge. February 14, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024 via YouTube.
  62. Marchand, Andrew (March 18, 2024). "LeBron James, JJ Redick teaming up for new basketball-centric podcast". The Athletic . Retrieved April 26, 2024.