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
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
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
8
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
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
‘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
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
The Richest School Won, Plus Minor League Hocke...
Scott and Eben discuss Ohio State’s college football national title. They also talk about changes afoot in minor league hockey, Netflix economics, and a very lucky 11-year-old boy.
38 min
20
Bills Fans Drop Shovels / College Sports Crosse...
Scott and Eben discuss the NFL playoffs, including Bills fans’ love of Zubaz, a tradition dying in their new stadium, and an owner’s conflict. They also discuss a wild week in college sports and how the incoming Trump administration might play a role.
29 min
21
Deion and the Cowboys?? Plus, UConn Women’s Bas...
Scott and Eben discuss the bonanza that would follow if Deion Sanders took the Cowboys job. They also talk about UConn women’s basketball and the Chicago White Sox ownership latest.
22 min
22
The NFL Sells Books Now, Plus A Comcast-76ers D...
Scott and Eben discuss a self-help book that jumped to the top of Amazon’s sales charts after it appeared on an NFL sideline. They also talk about a shocking arena deal in Philadelphia, a quiet investment in the White Sox, and a dream College Football Playoff matchup.
26 min
23
TGL Debut / FanDuel Losses / Jerry Jones the Actor
Scott and Eben talk about the debut telecast of TGL, the new team simulator golf league backed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. They also talk about NFL betting favorites, Jerry Jones the actor, and NDSU’s FCS football dominance.
33 min
24
Fulu?! Hubo?! What To Make of the Latest Sports...
Scott and Eben discuss the combination of Fubo and Hulu+ Live TV services. They also talk about NWSL expansion, a controversial new DraftKings product, and more.
26 min
25
“The Data is the Fuel” w/ Chris Bevilacqua
Scott and Eben speak with sports media consultant and entrepreneur Chris Bevilacqua about the recent sale of his company to DraftKings, changes in sports media consumption, and his thoughts on how to fix college sports.
35 min