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
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
2
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
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
8
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
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
MLB’s Home Run Derby Has Slam Dunk Contest Prob...
Scott and Eben talk about the Home Run Derby, which took place this year without any of the sport’s biggest stars. They compare it to struggles felt by other leagues and their All-Star Weekends. They also talk about latest NFLPA controversy, the Wimbledon finals, the FIFA Club World Cup, and—of course—the Tour de France.
32 min
20
A Royal Return, Plus the Tour de France is Back
Scott and Eben talk about the details of Gail Miller’s recent $580 million acquisition of the Utah Royals and Real Salt Lake. They also talk about Penn State hockey, the Tour de France, and FIFA’s increasingly cozy relationship with Donald Trump.
31 min
21
Rockies Fans Keep Showing Up / A Wild Bat Story
Scott and Eben talk about the Colorado Rockies, who are historically bad on the field but continue to draw decent crowds to Coors Field. They also talk about Chandler Bats, the batmaker of the pros; the latest in the WNBA labor talks; and a new gambling tax taking effect in 2026.
31 min
22
NBA Salaries Explode / Florida Panthers Reload
Scott and Eben discuss NBA salary economics, and a curious legal request from Michael Jordan. They also talk about the two-time NHL defending champion Florida Panthers, who managed to secure hometown discount for some of their most important players.
29 min
23
Three Winners of The WNBA Sweepstakes
Scott Soshnick and Jacob Feldman discuss the WNBA’s announcement of new franchises coming to Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia following a historically competitive bidding process. They also break down a new slice of the Cleveland Cavaliers going on sale, NHL labor peace, and MLS teams’ Club World Cup haul.
32 min
24
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
25
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