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
WNBA Valuations Breakdown
Scott Soshnick and Kurt Badenhausen discuss Sportico’s recently released 2025 WNBA Valuations. The newly created Golden State Valkyries debuted at No. 1, with a $500 million valuation, ten times the price the franchise paid in expansion fees in October 2023. They also discuss how an ongoing expansion process plays into the numbers, and what impact rising team values could have on the WNBA’s next CBA.
32 min
2
Breaking Down the Team Sale of the Century
Scott Soshnick and Kurt Badenhausen dive deep on Mark Walter’s $10 billion takeover of the Los Angeles Lakers. They start by discussing whether the iconic franchise is worth the record-shattering sale price and what it means for the Los Angeles Dodgers owner to become the only person with control of two of the 10 most valuable sports teams in the world. They also discuss the potential sale of the Tampa Bay Rays.
29 min
3
Are Sports Fans Nearing a Breaking Point?
This week, Joon Lee’s New York Times Op-ed struck a chord, arguing that “fandom isn’t being nurtured anymore. It’s being mined.” He joined Jacob Feldman to discuss why he thinks recent growth—from new investors to new media deals to new international efforts—could threaten the bonds that made sports a central component of American culture in the first place.
36 min
4
A Made-for-TV Club World Cup, & Shaq Pays Up
Scott and Jacob discuss the early returns from the first-of-its-kind Club World Cup, including how DAZN intends to make back the $1 billion it spent on streaming rights while airing games for free. The hosts also break down Shaquille O’Neal paying FTX customers $1.8 million in a legal settlement—and whether MLB players would be better spokespeople for weight-loss or weight-gain programs.
26 min
5
How & Why Certain Teams Excel on Social Media
Host Jacob Feldman is joined by STN Digital CEO David Brickley to discuss ⁠the company's latest report⁠ detailing the top U.S. teams on social media and the content they're using to get ahead, from Saquon Barkley to LeBron James to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Brickley also dished a few tips for people hoping to grow their own social following—or just looking for a more personalized feed of posts on their favorite app.
34 min
6
College Sports Chaos: What’s Next After House S...
Legal expert Michael McCann joins hosts Jacob Feldman and Scott Soshnick to discuss what last week’s completed House settlement means for the future of college sports. And boy do we have questions. The group discusses how billions of dollars will now flow from schools to athletes, whether the new rules will be enforced, and what it means for universities unable to keep up financially.
30 min
7
lnside the $7M Takeover of a Viral Winter Olymp...
Eben speaks with Nic Sulsky, CEO of The Curling Group, about the ~$7 million takeover of the sport’s biggest event series, the business strategy behind making curling a more commercially successful global sport, the impact of the Olympics, and how curling is misunderstood among many sports fans.
39 min
8
How Another Stanley Cup Run Makes Panthers Money
Scott and Eben speak with Shawn Thornton, chief revenue officer of the Florida Panthers, about the team’s third straight Stanley Cup run and how that turns into new revenue for the NHL franchise. They also talk Florida hockey, the Tkachuk brothers, and the culture of the sport.
30 min
9
$6.1B Celtics Group Comes Together, Caitlin Cla...
Scott and Eben discuss the latest on the $6.1 billion Celtics sale, with the buyers finalizing their group members and their financing. They also talk about a notable WNBA stake sale, a notable WNBA injury, and big news concerning the world’s highest-paid athlete.
28 min
10
Why Haven’t Sports Teams or Their Billionaire O...
Scott and Eben speak with Syracuse sports management professor Rick Burton about the future of sports and fandom, with commonsense changes to enhance stadiums and leagues. They also talk about MLS, the subject of Burton’s most recent book, titled “The Rise of Major League Soccer.”
36 min
11
TGL Franchise Values, Plus NFL Boosts Olympic F...
Scott and Eben discuss the newest TGL franchise selling for $70+ million. They also talk about Olympic flag football, the WNBA opening week, the Fanatics Games, and LiveBarn for sale.
27 min
12
Can UCLA Reverse its $200+ Million in Athletics...
Scott and Eben talk about UCLA’s plan to right-size its athletic department. They also talk about a stake sale for the San Francisco 49ers, and the NHL/NBA playoffs.
39 min
13
Connecticut Sun, Portland Trail Blazers Both Fo...
Scott and Eben discuss the sale of two pro basketball teams: the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers. Both are happening in the midst of expansion talks. The hosts also talk about the NFL schedule reveal.
29 min
14
Michael Jordan on NBC? What’s Going On Here?
Scott and Eben discuss Michael Jordan partnering with NBC to do some NBA coverage next season. They also talk about Shohei Ohtani, Michael Eisner and the new Pope.
34 min
15
Real Madrid Regains Spot As Soccer’s Most Valua...
Eben is joined by colleague Kurt Badenhausen to discuss his ranking of the 50 most valuable soccer teams in the world. They talk No. 1 Real Madrid, No. 2 Manchester United, and a number of other teams. Plus, they break down the economics of global soccer as compared to other major U.S. leagues.
37 min
16
Giants Investors Line Up / Warren Buffett Steps...
Scott and Eben discuss Marc Lasry and Michael Strahan joining forces to pursue an investment in the New York Giants. They also talk about Warren Buffett, the NHL playoffs, President Donald Trump, and more.
35 min
17
LIV Golf Nearing Rankings Points / Kentucky Der...
Scott and Eben talk about the latest in professional golf, with LIV Golf close to securing something it has wanted since its inception. They also talk about the Kentucky Derby, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the very physical NHL playoffs.
31 min
18
Shedeur Sanders’ Surprise Saturday Slide Stuns ...
Scott and Eben discuss the biggest story of the NFL draft: Shedeur Sanders’ fall to the fifth round. They also talk about the Commanders’ new stadium deal and the NCAA’s new partnership with Genius Sports.
30 min
19
50 Highest Paid Athletes Ever / NFL Draft Preview
Scott and Eben discuss Sportico’s high-paid athletes of all time, a top 50 that covers eight sports and 16 countries. They also debate the Savannah Bananas and the upcoming NFL Draft in Green Bay.
27 min
20
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
21
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
22
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
23
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
24
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
25
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