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

Sports News
Sports
Business
1
Are the WNBA Finals Being Overshadowed?
The WNBA Finals have garnered record ratings, even with a lot of attention focused on the ongoing negotiations and conversation between commissioner Cathy Engelbert and top players, including Napheesa Collier. Just Women’s Sports founder Haley Rosen joined Scott and Jacob to discuss both storylines.
27 min
2
Connor McDavid Returns to Oilers / Phee vs. Cat...
Scott and Eben discuss Connor McDavid’s two-year, $25 million extension to stay in Edmonton. They also talk about Gavin McKenna, college sports private equity, the MLB playoffs, and the latest drama in the WNBA labor fight.
35 min
3
NHL Valuations Extravaganze w/ Kurt Badenhausen
Scott and Eben are joined by Sportico valuations expert Kurt Badenhausen to talk about the NHL’s rise, labor peace, new media deals, international opportunities and the marketability of the NHL’s biggest stars.
33 min
4
A PSA For All Sports Team Owners
Scott and Eben discuss the collapse of the New York Mets’ 2025 season, which ended with a $342 million roster failing to make the playoffs. They also talk about owner guarantees, the Ryder Cup and new investors in Angel City FC.
26 min
5
The NFL is “Built on a Crime” Says Former Union...
Former NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith joins the Sporticast podcast to discuss his views on the world’s richest sports league. He talks about the NFL’s antitrust exemption, a potential long-term threat from college football, and a theory on why women’s unions seem to be making more progress than their male counterparts.
47 min
6
Dodgers Achieve Something Unseen in MLB Since 2008
Scott and Eben speak about the Los Angeles Dodgers hitting a big commercial milestone. They also talk about the economics of The Sphere in Las Vegas, and changes in college hockey.
27 min
7
Travis Kelce Stands Alone / Amazon Gets the Mas...
Scott and Eben talk about the highest paid NFL players, a new Masters media partner, and growing pains in women's sports.
30 min
8
No Major U.S. Sporting Events Should Start At 1...
Scott and Eben discuss the title fight between Canelo Alvarez and Bud Crawford, which started late and paid its fighters handsomely. They also talk about Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, Nascar driver Bubba Wallace and some throwback Buds.
29 min
9
The Growing Cost vs. Convenience of Sports Stre...
Eben and Jacob discuss the expansive grey area in the relationship between sports teams, players and sponsors. They also talk about the growing cost of sports streaming, and the NFL's YouTube numbers.
38 min
10
What To Make of The Steve Ballmer, Clippers Sal...
Scott and Eben break down the biggest NBA story of the past week—allegations that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer may have tried to circumvent the league’s cap via a fraudulent tree-planting start-up. They also talk about Unrivaled’s $340M funding round, and a big NWSL loss.
26 min
11
Inside NFL Business Evolution as 2025 Seasons K...
Scott and Eben speak with Marc Ganis, prominent sports consultant and NFL advisor, about the league’s business heading into the 2025 season—they touch on media, valuations, private equity, college sports, and more.
35 min
12
How AI Is Advancing Sports’ Data Revolution w/ ...
Scott and Eben speak with Gareth Balch, the co-founder and CEO of Two Circles, about the company’s data work, trends about sports consumption, and how AI is already disrupting it all.
33 min
13
It’s a Love Story: Travis, Taylor and the NFL
Scott and Eben discuss the celebrity engagement of the week. They also talk about NFL advertising, the U.S. Open, and Tommy “Cutlets” DeVito.
30 min
14
Sports Premium Push, from US Open To CFB Openers
Hosts Scott Soshnick and Jacob Feldman are joined by Kurt Badenhausen to discuss the latest sports business news, including a record-breaking sports card auction, the return of the U.S. Open, and an action-packed opening weekend of college football amid seismic change for the sport.
32 min
15
Tennis’ Big Two Era; ESPN’s Future Arrives
Hosts Scott Soshnick and Jacob Feldman are joined by Kurt Badenhausen to discuss Sportico’s rankings of the highest-paid tennis players, led by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Then they discuss the debut of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer offering, and why the company doesn’t get enough credit for its digital transformation.
28 min
16
What’s $30 Million to the Michigan Wolverines?
Scott and Eben discuss a handful of big sports business stories, including Michigan’s punishment for its sign-stealing operation, the collapse of Grand Slam track, a new revenue stream for LA28, and Aaron Rodgers’ helmet fiasco.
25 min
17
NFL Valuations Special, Plus Portland Trail Bla...
Scott and Eben are joined by valuations expert Kurt Badenhausen to discuss Sportico’s latest NFL valuations, which start with the Dallas Cowboys ($12.8 billion) and end with the Cincinnati Bengals ($5.5 billion). They also talk about recent sales involving the Minnesota Twins and Portland Trail Blazers.
29 min
18
Paramount Makes $7.7B Splash With UFC Deal / ES...
Scott and Eben speak about UFC’s new $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, which came a week after the Skydance merger was announced. They also talk about ESPN’s streaming tie-up with FOX, and a Sportico investigation into a former NFL player now being sued for fraud.
26 min
19
Unpacking An NFL-ESPN Tie-Up Years in the Making
Scott and Eben discuss the NFL’s latest billion-dollar media deal, a deeper relationship with ESPN that involves NFL Network, RedZone, fantasy, real estate, carriage, and more. They also talk about the Big Dumper, and Shedeur Sanders.
26 min
20
Pro Volleyball Merger, WNBA Relocation Battle
Change is afoot. Hosts Scott Soshnick and Jacob Feldman break down a major bit of volleyball news as two leagues announce they are coming together—and expanding. Then they talk about the state of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun sale, and whether the team will stay in New England or be shipped away from Boston. They also hit on ESPN’s acquisition of media assets from the NFL and the current state of the flag vs tackle divide in youth football, as well as their takeaway’s from MLB’s Bristol experiment.
26 min
21
NBA’s Europe Efforts Take Shape / Sun Sale Latest
Scott and Eben discuss the latest in the NBA’s efforts to launch a new pro basketball league in Europe. They also talk about the sale of the Connecticut Sun, a film-inspired putter, and more about Deion Sanders’ business interests.
31 min
22
Deion Sanders’ Strange Cancer Press Conference ...
Scott and Eben discuss Deion Sanders’ big Colorado announcement. They also talk about medical marketing in sports, the licensing future of Hulk Hogan, and the latest in MLB’s looming labor battle.
32 min
23
Where Is Gotham? The Jets and the U.S. Governme...
Scott and Eben discuss an interesting trademark disagreement between the NFL and the U.S. Government. They also talk about a Little League lawsuit, the NFLPA scandal, and Real Madrid’s real revenue.
25 min
24
How “Pay Us What You Owe Us” Changes WNBA Labor...
Scott and Eben discuss the latest in the WNBA labor talks. They also discuss President Donald Trump’s latest foray into sports, and the meltdown at the NFLPA.
30 min
25
What is “Revenue” Anyways? Plus, More MLB All-S...
Scott and Eben discuss a curious clause in the new contract of Maryland athletic director Jim Smith. They also talk about the MLB All-Star Game’s Swing Off, the WNBA labor latest, and Juan Solo delivering baseball’s quote of the year.
31 min