Sporticast
'Sporticast' is a new podcast hosted by business journalists Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams from Sportico that will deliver the inside scoop on the intersection of money and sports. From billion-dollar valuations to team sales, sponsorship contracts and media rights, go behind the scenes on the deals that power the global sports economy. For more coverage and information, be sure to check out sportico.com
26
The ‘Matriarch of Utah’ Returns, Plus Trump vs....
Scott and Eben speak about Gail Miller’s return to big-time sports ownership in Utah with her purchase of the Utah Royals and Real Salt Lake. They also talk about a new sports PE fund, and Trump vs. Harvard.
26 min
27
What the Hell is Going on In College Sports?
Eben chats with Sportico’s Daniel Libit about the rapid changes underway in college sports, including a series of high-profile lawsuits and looming revenue sharing. They also talk about what it all means for fans, the status of athlete activism, and why 2030-2032 may actually be the critical window of reform.
33 min
28
PGA vs. LIV Undertones Abound as Rory Wins Masters
Scott and Eben talk about Rory McIlroy’s win at The Masters, and the many business stories that spun off it. They also talk about Nico Iamaleava, Paige Bueckers and Western Michigan hockey.
30 min
29
Tariff Whiplash, Plus the World’s Highest Paid ...
Scott and Eben discuss a crazy few days in the global economy, with markets crashing and dire words from Republican donors like Ken Griffin, followed by a Trump announcement that sent stock surging. They also talk about the world’s highest-paid golfers on the eve of the Masters, and two senators asking the DOJ to probe a new partnership between Fanatics and Ticketmaster.
25 min
30
Ovechkin Breaks Goal Record / Tariffs Rock Sports
Scott and Eben talk about Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL scoring. They also talk about the sports implications of President Trump’s global trade war, the NCAA basketball tournaments, and The Masters.
28 min
31
The Truth About Torpedo Bats / Timberwolves Sal...
Scott and Eben talk about the ‘torpedo bats’ that have taken the internet—and MLB—by storm. They also chat about a major update in the Minnesota Timberwolves sale, a potential sale in MLS/NWSL, and the latest in the Ovi goal chase.
32 min
32
NBA Europe?!? w/ Unofficial Partner Host Richar...
Scott and Eben speak with Richard Gillis, host of the Unofficial Partner podcast, about the NBA considering its own league in Europe. They break down the what, the why and the how, and discuss some potential hurdles to the project.
30 min
33
MLB Valuations Recap on Opening Day
Scott and Eben speak with Sportico valuations expert Kurt Badenhausen about his latest MLB numbers, the business of baseball, and what might be in store with the sport's looming labor battle.
34 min
34
NCAA Tournament Update: All March, No Madness
Scott and Eben discuss the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, which were light on upsets or drama. They also talk about a surprising Celtics sale, and the death of a sports business icon.
27 min
35
Galatioto: “My Golden Retriever Could Run an NF...
Scott and Eben speak with banker Sal Galatioto about his thirty years of sports dealmaking, including surging valuations, notable transactions, and why he thinks MLB teams are undervalued.
33 min
36
A March Madness Business Preview
Scott and Eben break down the business of March Madness, including controversy involving UNC, the NCAA’s legal struggles, and the lack of star power on the men’s side. They also talk MLB in Japan and the Bengals’ spending spree.
27 min
37
Live from SXSW: Breaking Celtics Sale News
Scott and Eben are joined by Eric Jackson for a live taping at SXSW in Austin. They talk about Eminem the WNBA owner, the groups vying for the Celtics, and other musings from their time in Texas.
30 min
38
Fanatics x Ticketmaster / Ovi the Collectibles ...
Scott and Eben discuss Fanatics’ long-expected move into ticketing, via a partnership with Ticketmaster. They also talk about Alex Ovechkin’s memorabilia haul, the Yankees’ record 2023 ticket revenue, and WNBA labor omens.
26 min
39
How the NHL Is Confronting Fraught USA-Canada R...
Scott and Eben talk about how the NHL is navigating fraught economic and political tensions between the U.S. and Canada. They also discuss a notable legal settlement in college sports, a World Cup halftime change, and Adidas finally ridding itself of Yeezy product.
28 min
40
Is a Nationals Sale Looming? / Ovi Watch Begins
Scott and Eben discuss the media rights settlement between the Orioles and Nationals, and what it means for a potential Nats sale. They also talk about the UFC and the FBI, Alex Ovechkin’s goal chase, and Serena Williams’ latest investment.
30 min
41
NFL Players Rated Every NFL Owner. Only One Got...
Scott and Eben discuss the latest NFLPA report card, in which anonymous players rated various aspects of their teams. They also discuss the Top 100 most valuable sports franchises, and the ownership future of the Cleveland Guardians.
27 min
42
What Up With the Yankees?! Plus, MLB and MLS Ro...
Eben and Jacob discuss some recent changes underway with the New York Yankees. They also talk about ESPN’s divorce from MLB, robot umps, MLS’s deal with Apple, and a new MLS owner.
37 min
43
It’s Christmas Morning For Hockey Fans In North...
Scott and Eben talk about the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off, which ends Thursday with a title showdown between the U.S. and Canada. They talk about the economics of the event, its future, and a rare national win for the sport. They also talk about a first for Nike, baseball’s stadium woes, and women’s sports sponsors.
30 min
44
NHL vs. NBA All-Star Breaks, Plus 100 Highest-P...
Scott and Eben discuss the very different All-Star breaks in the NBA and NHL. The former had a fairly standard weekend in San Francisco; the latter launched a new four-team international showcase. They also talk about the 100 highest paid athletes in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo’s YouTube account, and a stake in the New York Giants that is on the market.
31 min
45
‘The NFL Should Have Pulled that Deal off the T...
Scott and Eben speak with DeMaurice Smith, the former executive director of the NFLPA, about his time running the union, risk management, negotiating a CBA during COVID, and Donald Trump vs. the NFL.
47 min
46
Super Bowl Recap, Plus ESPN’s Women’s Sports We...
Scott and Eben speak with Susie Piotrkowski, VP of women’s sports programming at ESPN, about the Eagles’ dominant Super Bowl performance, ESPN’s big weekend of women’s sports content, and how Disney utilizes a portfolio that includes the WNBA, NWSL, League One Volleyball, and more than a dozen college championships.
34 min
47
Where Does the NFL Go From Here?
Scott, Jacob, and longtime NFL advisor Marc Ganis discuss what's next for the league, ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl. An NFL team is now worth more than $10 billion. The league is playing games in Australia and on Netflix. It is hosting the President of the United States—and Taylor Swift—on Sunday. Can anything slow the sport's momentum? And how has it gotten so big, by luck or by strategy?
34 min
48
MLS Valuations Breakdown
Scott, Jacob, and Kurt Badenhausen discuss Sportico's recently published MLS valuations. How have a handful of clubs separated themselves from the pack, why are small-market and new clubs excelling, and where do things stand with MLS's Apple deal?
22 min
49
What We Do/Don't Know: Super Bowl, Caitlin Clar...
Scott and Jacob discuss expectations for the Super Bowl—can the Chiefs set another record? Will Caitlin Clark show up?—as well as some tidbits on the way playoff advertising and ticket revenue is collected by the NFL that surprised the hosts themselves.
32 min
50
Again?! Eagles vs. KC Super Bowl Rematch, Plus ...
Scott and Eben discuss the Super Bowl matchup, a rematch between the Chiefs and Eagles. They also talk about another possible NWSL sale, a curious new F1 rule, and the economics of Fanatics.
30 min