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 Players Shift Tone on CBA, Dolphins Raise ...
Scott and Eben talk about a notable shift in how WNBA players are discussing their labor battle. They also talk about an Atlanta Hawks strip club promo, and some recent sports team M&A.
31 min
2
Inside a Duke Blue Devils Athletics Threat Asse...
Scott and Eben discuss a recent story about a Duke athletics risk assessment, which examined teams on campus most likely to unionize. They also talk more about Jack Hughes’ post-Olympics run, and a new group formed by President Donald Trump to explore college sports reform.
24 min
3
Team USA’s Double Hockey Gold Boosts NHL, Gover...
Scott and Eben complete their final Olympics recap by talking about Team USA’s two hockey gold medals. They talk about the live coverage, the aftermath, and the business of USA Hockey, a governing body whose economics differ from many of its peers.
30 min
4
ESPN’s ‘Unlimited’ Learnings, Six Months In
John Lasker, the head of ESPN’s direct-to-consumer initiatives, joined Eben and Jacob to discuss the first six months since the launch of ESPN Unlimited, which allows fans to subscribe to all the network’s programming directly. In the ensuing months, ESPN has closed a takeover of NFL Media assets, integrated MLB’s direct-to-consumer offering, MLB.TV and signed an exclusive WWE deal, while also courting a series of questions about what the current strategy means for fans' ability to continue accessing their favorite sports content. Will streaming sports get simpler, or is the complexity here to stay?
36 min
5
Olympics Media Thoughts, Tony Clark’s MLBPA Mel...
Scott and Eben break down the biggest business stories from the 2026 Winter Games in Italy. They also talk about Tony Clark’s inauspicious departure from the MLBPA, a table tennis business strategy and Casey Wasserman’s decision to sell his representation agency.
30 min
6
MLS Valuations: Growth at the Top, Stagnancy at...
Scott and Eben speak with Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico’s valuations expert, about his latest MLS numbers. They break down a critical moment for the league with the World Cup, schedule flip and new leadership all on the horizon.
36 min
7
NASCAR on Ice? President Steve O’Donnell Talks ...
Scott and Eben speak with NASCAR president Steve O’Donnell about the league’s tumultuous last few years, its return to normalcy, and what might be on the longer-term horizon.
24 min
8
Super Bowl Recap: Seahawks Sale, NFL Media Talks
Scott and Eben break down the business stories coming out of the Super Bowl, including the looming sale of the champion Seattle Seahawks, the renegotiation of the NFL’s media deals, and Bad Bunny’s halftime show.
31 min
9
Live at the Super Bowl, With a Former NFL MVP
Scott and Eben chat live from Radio Row at the Super Bowl in San Francisco. The episode includes clips of interviews with former Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander and USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck.
28 min
10
Hosting the Super Bowl w/ 49ers CEO Al Guido
Scott and Eben speak with San Francisco 49ers CEO Al Guido about hosting this year’s Super Bowl, the growth of the NFL’s business, and how the Super Bowl compares to the upcoming World Cup.
26 min
11
“Animals in the Zoo:” Tennis Players Ask for Pr...
Scott and Eben discuss Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub. They also talk about tennis player privacy, Whoop vs. the Australian Open, and the future of the Washington Post’s sports coverage.
30 min
12
Davos Recap w/ Alex Rodriguez, Todd Boehly and ...
Scott and Eben recap their two days in Davos, Switzerland alongside the World Economic Forum. The episode features snippets of interviews with Dodgers owner Todd Boehly, Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez, Genius Sports CEO Mark Locke and Africa 10 (A10) founder Kojo Annan.
35 min
13
Why Duke Is Suing Its Own QB
Transfer madness continues, as Duke University has sued to effectively prevent QB Darian Mensah from switching schools. Meanwhile, the college basketball world is up in arms over Charles Bediako’s return to Alabama three years after he signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs. Sportico legal analyst Mike McCann returns to break it all down.
29 min
14
The Winter Olympics Are Almost Here
Scott and Eben are joined by colleague Sara Germano to discuss the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. They talk through the biggest storylines of the Games, including a better time change with North America, the return of NHL players, Lindsey Vonn’s comeback, figure skating dominance, and more.
26 min
15
The 100 Highest-Paid Athletes In The World
Scott and Eben are joined by Sportico valuations guru Kurt Badenhausen to discuss his latest list of the world’s highest-paid athletes. It’s led by Cristiano Ronaldo, followed by Canelo Alvarez, Lionel Messi and Juan Soto.
33 min
16
CFP Money Madness / MLB Arbitration Craziness
Scott and Eben talk about the money in Miami’s showdown with Indiana in the CFP title game next week. They also talk about the NFL playoffs and the latest in MLB arbitration, with the sport’s best pitcher on the verge of setting multiple records.
34 min
17
How a Sponsor Helped Land MLB’s First Big Signi...
Scott and Eben discuss the Japanese company that helped the Houston Astros sign Tatsuya Imai. They also talk about the Las Vegas Athletics, the Winter Olympics, and KKR’s push to buy Arctos Partners.
29 min
18
Football and Politics: Inside the 100 Most-Watc...
Scott and Eben discuss the most-watched TV broadcasts of 2025, a list predictably dominated by football. They also talk about the NFL playoffs and Indiana coach Curt Cignetti.
29 min
19
New Year’s Prediction: World Cup, NFL Media, ML...
Scott and Eben discuss some bold predictions for sports business in 2026, with topics that include the World Cup in North America, the NFL’s media renegotiations, the MLB and WNBA labor battles, the chaos in college sports, and more.
27 min
20
Do Athletes Get the Flu? Plus College Sports Wa...
Scott and Eben, both under the weather themselves, talk about the sports business implications of a bad flu season. They also talk about the theater of the absurd in college sports, with seventh-year QBs, NBA draft picks-turned-freshmen, and Pop-Tarts galore.
27 min
21
Chiefs Find $1.8 Billion In Public Money Under ...
Scott and Eben discuss the Kansas City Chiefs’ move across state lines. The NFL team will receive more than $1.8 billion in public funds, a record, to build a $3 billion venue in Kansas. They also talk about the rise of prediction markets and what to expect in 2026.
28 min
22
This Popular Basketball YouTuber is a Platform ...
Eben and Jacob speak with Zach Miller, president of Bucketsquad, the media and e-commerce company behind popular basketball YouTuber Jesser. They talk about Jesser’s popularity, how it’s monetized, and the ancillary businesses that Miller is planning to build on top of it
26 min
23
Monumental News! Plus, A College Coach Getting ...
Scott and Eben discuss new investors in Monumental, the parent of the Washington Wizards and Capitals. The backers are QIA and Arctos, buying shares previously held by Laurene Powell Jobs. They also talk about a notable line in Marshall Faulk’s new college football coaching contract, and an NWSL player (not Trinity Rodman) crossing the $1 million barrier.
26 min
24
Big 12's Private Equity Plans / MJ's House Drama
Scott and Eben talk about the Big 12's private equity plan, which is basically a credit facility for members. They also talk about the odd saga of Michael Jordan's former mansion, Diego Pavia's reverse star turn, and Nebraska women's volleyball.
26 min
25
Lane Kiffin’s House Mystery / Utah’s Private Eq...
Scott and Eben discuss a mystery involving Lane Kiffin’s house, which may impact his compensation as LSU’s head football coach. They also talk about the University of Utah’s private equity pitch, and delays at a critical Winter Olympics venue in Milan.
27 min