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
Is Men’s Fencing a Profitable Sport for Colleges?
Scott and Eben tell stories from the latest Invest in Sports event in New York. They also talk about Fairleigh Dickinson University’s decision to add men’s fencing to make more money.
29 min
2
World Series Hangover, Plus ESPN vs. YouTubeTV
Scott and Eben discuss the end of the World Series, on of the most dramatic in recent memory, and the shift toward baseball’s looming labor battle. They also talk about ESPN vs. YouTubeTV, the latest major carriage fight in sports media.
22 min
3
The Business of the Blue Jays, The Other World ...
Scott and Eben talk about the other side of the World Series—the Toronto Blue Jays—who are part of a much larger Canadian tech/internet/sports conglomerate. They also talk about athlete nutrition, sideline seating, and Jim Dolan’s many salaries.
27 min
4
How to Talk about the NBA Betting Scandal
Scott and Eben debate all sides of the latest NBA betting scandal, unveiled by the FBI late last week. They also talk about the World Series and the college football coaching carousel.
33 min
5
Dodgers CEO Talks Ohtani World Series, and Yes…...
Scott and Eben speak with Stan Kasten, the president and CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They talk about Shohei Ohtani’s superlative performance, the team’s run toward another World Series title, and how the business of the Dodgers has grown in recent years.
35 min
6
NBA Season Tips Off / Shohei Ohtani Shines
Scott and Eben break down the start of the NBA season, including some major changes on the media side, and a new all-time highest earner. They also talk about Shohei Ohtani’s superlative performance, and a new plan to save college soccer.
30 min
7
NBA Valuations Extravaganza w/ Kurt Badenhausen
Scott and Eben speak with Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico’s valuations guru, about his latest NBA rankings. They discuss the business of the Warriors, Clippers and Knicks; the NBA’s international opportunity; a shift towards an NFL-style model; the economics of new arenas; and more.
36 min
8
From White Out to Buyout: A Penn State Story
Scott and Eben discuss the rush of college football buyouts, including Penn State paying James Franklin about $50 million to leave Happy Valley. They also talk NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman’s new contract, and the MLB playoff latest.
29 min
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
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
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
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
20
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
21
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
22
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
23
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
24
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
25
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