Section 415

The San Francisco Standard

The Standard's sports insiders take you on-site, on the road and behind-the-scenes with the 49ers, Giants, Warriors, and Valkyries. Essential listening for Bay Area sports fans. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

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85 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes85

Newest first

January 2 · 28 min
Our 2026 Bay Area Sports Preview
In 2025, the Warriors landed Jimmy Butler, the Giants added Rafael Devers and the Valkyries stormed into the playoffs. As the year ended, the 49ers surged and Kyle Shanahan’s team opens the month of January with a shot at an NFC West title. What should Bay Area sports fans expect in 2026? On this episode of Section 415, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Bonta Hill joins host Kerry Crowley to take a peek into the future and discuss the major storylines for each Bay Area franchise for the year ahead. Will Steve Kerr, Steph Curry, and Draymond Green all remain with the Warriors when next season begins? Can Buster Posey position the Giants to compete for a playoff berth? And is 2026 the year Cal and Stanford bring college football fever back to the Bay Area? It’s too soon to know the answers to any of those questions, but as the year begins, we’ll make educated guesses anyway. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Sophie Bearman. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at sfstandard.com/signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 30, 2025 · 29 min
Inside the 49ers’ Unlikely Late-Season Surge
The 49ers have won six consecutive games, Brock Purdy is playing some of the best football of his career, and Kyle Shanahan’s team suddenly looks like a Super Bowl contender. After a 42-38 win over the Bears at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday night, the 49ers will turn around and host the Seahawks with a shot to win the NFC West and secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff field on Saturday night. How did a team that lost Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to catastrophic injuries overcome so much adversity? What keyed this unlikely late-season surge? In this episode of Section 415, the Standard’s 49ers beat reporter, David Lombardi, joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss how Shanahan and Purdy have turned San Francisco into an offensive juggernaut and what to expect in Saturday’s showdown against Seattle. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Sophie Bearman. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at sfstandard.com/signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 19, 2025 · 27 min
Baseball Hall of Fame Controversies
Jeff Kent is a Hall of Famer and Barry Bonds isn’t. Joe Buck is a Hall of Famer and Duane Kuiper isn’t. Plenty of Giants fans are upset, and The Standard's John Shea joins Section 415 to break down recent votes and explain how Cooperstown could change in the coming years. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Matt Collette. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at sfstandard.com/signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 16, 2025 · 25 min
Mapping Out the Warriors' Path to the Trade Deadline
At 13-14, the Warriors are under .500 as their role players haven’t been able to pick up the slack when Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green have missed time. With Jonathan Kuminga set to become trade-eligible on Jan. 15 and the NBA trade deadline looming on Feb. 4, The Standard’s Danny Emerman joined Section 415 host Kerry Crowley to discuss the urgency Golden State’s front office faces as it looks to give Curry a supporting cast fit to make a deep postseason run. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Sophie Bearman. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at sfstandard.com/signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 12, 2025 · 23 min
Tavita Pritchard's Vision for Stanford Football
After spending 15-plus years as a player and assistant coach for the Stanford Cardinal, Tavita Pritchard left for the NFL to work as a quarterbacks coach with the Washington Commanders. Last week, he returned to Palo Alto as the university's new head football coach. On this episode of Section 415, Pritchard joins host Kerry Crowley and outlines his vision for the program and how he’ll work alongside old friend Andrew Luck in an effort to bring the Cardinal back to national prominence. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Sophie Bearman. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at sfstandard.com/signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 9, 2025 · 26 min
Vern Glenn Wants to Make you Love Bay Area Sports
Local news has changed dramatically in recent years, and sports coverage is no exception. But there’s one man who has remained a constant in the Bay Area: Vern Glenn. The KPIX sports anchor brings energy, passion, and more than anything, authenticity to the airwaves, making each show feel special. Vern wants to turn everyone into a Bay Area sports fan, and on today's episode of Section 415, he just might succeed. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Sophie Bearman. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at ⁠sfstandard.com/⁠signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 5, 2025 · 24 min
The 22-Year-Old Broadcasting 49ers Games
At 25 years old, Brock Purdy is one of the NFL’s brightest young quarterbacks. And at 22, Jack Smith is calling Purdy’s touchdown passes. The Bay Area native is a rising star in sports media, winning the Jim Nantz Award given to the nation’s top college broadcaster. On this episode of Section 415, Smith joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss how he landed one of the most coveted gigs in sports. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Sophie Bearman. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at sfstandard.com/signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 2, 2025 · 21 min
Cal and Stanford's Football Program Shakeups
College football chaos has descended upon the Bay Area, and Cal and Stanford are feeling the heat. After the Cardinal’s stunning Big Game rout, Cal fired head coach Justin Wilcox. Days later, Stanford hired Tavita Pritchard, to usher in a new era. As each program starts from scratch, reporter Jane Kenny joins Section 415 host Kerry Crowley to discuss which Bay Area program is best positioned to return to national prominence. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Sophie Bearman. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at sfstandard.com/signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 25, 2025 · 25 min
Rise of the San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are in the midst of their longest playoff drought in franchise history and for the last few years, the team was essentially deemed irrelevant. All of a sudden, everything is changing. Led by 19-year old superstar Macklin Celebrini, the baby Sharks are charging up the NHL standings and breathing new energy into SAP Center. On this episode of Section 415, broadcaster Brodie Brazil joins host Kerry Crowley to break down the most captivating young team in hockey. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Sophie Bearman. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at sfstandard.com/signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 21, 2025 · 28 min
SF Giants Offseason Priorities
With Tony Vitello on board as the new manager and several new coaches joining the organization, Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey can finally start to shift his attention toward upgrading the team’s roster. On this episode of Section 415, The Standard’s baseball reporter, John Shea, joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss Shea’s 30-minute conversation with Vitello at MLB’s general manager meetings, the Giants’ offseason priorities, and why the team might be willing to consider trading top prospect Bryce Eldridge. This episode was produced by Dakota London and edited by Sophie Bearman. Sophie Bearman is our head of audio. Our show art is by Jess Hutchison; theme music by Hannis Brown. We’re a production of the San Francisco Standard, which you can support by becoming a member at sfstandard.com/signup. I’m your host Kerry Crowley, thank you for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 18, 2025 · 28 min
How the Bay Area is Landing Major Sporting Events
In February, the Bay Area will play host to Super Bowl XL. A few months later, men's World Cup games will take place at Levi's Stadium. These massive events come on the heels of the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, tennis' Laver Cup, this weekend's NWSL championship, and so much more. Why is the Bay Area suddenly riding a wave of marquee sporting events? On this episode of Section 415, Zaileen Janmohamed joins Kerry Crowley and shares the answers. Janmohamed is the CEO and president of the Bay Area Host Committee, which has played a leading role in luring the biggest games in sports to the region. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at distilling months of work into a 10-minute presentation to NFL owners and working with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 17, 2025 · 3 min
Introducing 'Pacific Standard Time'
Pacific Standard Time is smart, surprising weekly podcast about California’s future—and why what happens here matters everywhere and to everyone. Hosted by SF Standard culture editor Emily Dreyfuss and enterprise reporter Jesse Alejandro Cottrell. New episodes Wednesday mornings, beginning Nov. 19. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 14, 2025 · 29 min
KNBR's Adam Copeland on the Future of Sports Talk Radio
The media landscape is shifting, and for years, it seemed as if sports talk radio was destined to be left behind. Lately, a few new innovations indicate that sports talk radio isn’t done yet. On this episode of Section 415, KNBR’s Adam Copeland joins host Kerry Crowley to talk about the state of the industry, working for the station he grew up listening to, hosting 49ers pregame shows, and what’s next for Bay Area sports fans looking for ways to tap into a never-ending conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 11, 2025 · 31 min
All of the 49ers' Dilemmas
With Nick Bosa and Fred Warner out for the season, the 49ers entered the trade deadline needing help on defense. They chose not to make a big splash. Now, after Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford picked the unit apart on Sunday, Kyle Shanahan’s team is left to pick up the pieces. The playoffs are still in reach, but at 6-4, the 49ers need a lift. Can quarterback Brock Purdy provide it? After six consecutive Mac Jones starts, we might know soon. The Standard’s David Lombardi joins Section 415 host Kerry Crowley to talk about the 49ers’ biggest predicaments, and where the team goes from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 7, 2025 · 26 min
Making Sense of the Warriors' Uneven Start
The Golden State Warriors are a perfect 4-0 inside Chase Center, but their strong home mark doesn’t begin to tell the story of their early-season grind. With a handful of brutal performances on the road and early-season concerns regarding a rugged schedule for their stars, Steve Kerr’s team has begun to stumble. What’s wrong, and how quickly might Steph Curry and company be able to get Golden State back on track? Today on Section 415, the Standard’s Warriors reporter, Danny Emerman, checks in with host Kerry Crowley to analyze what’s next for a team in search of solutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 4, 2025 · 29 min
Natalie Nakase reflects on the Valkyries' historic first season
Back in May, the Golden State Valkyries played their first game at Chase Center in front of 18,000 screaming fans. The introduction of a WNBA team marked the start of a new chapter in Bay Area sports history, and over the next four months, the story exceeded everyone’s expectations. The Valkyries sold out all 22 home games, won 23 regular-season matchups, and became the first expansion team in league history to make the playoffs. The person at the center of it all is WNBA Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase, who joins Section 415 host Kerry Crowley to reflect on the magnitude of the team’s achievements, and where Golden State goes from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 31, 2025 · 36 min
Warriors, Giants, and 49ers Breakdown with Tim Kawakami
It’s the busiest time of the sports calendar, and nearly every Bay Area team is making news. The 49ers, at 5-3, are navigating injuries to superstars in their quest for a playoff berth. The Warriors, at 4-2, are off to an interesting start thanks to the ascension of young wing Jonathan Kuminga. The Giants, after missing the playoffs again, made one of the boldest managerial hires in MLB history, and introduced former University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello at Oracle Park on Thursday. How do we make sense of all the news? With The San Francisco Standard’s sports columnist, Tim Kawakami, who joins Section 415 host Kerry Crowley to analyze the state of the Bay Area sports landscape. Read more about the stories discussed in today’s episode: Kawakami: There are no magic fixes left for the 49ers and they know it Kawakami: The edge and feistiness that brought Buster Posey and Tony Vitello together Kawakami: The Kuminga-Kerr relationship is honest, open, and succeeding Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 28, 2025 · 23 min
Min Woo Lee Talks Steph Curry, TGL, and The Bay Golf Club
Pro golfer Min Woo Lee fell in love with the Golden State Warriors watching Steph Curry and Klay Thompson win titles together. Now, the Australian golfer is playing for "The Bay Golf Club," one of six teams in the TGL indoor league. Curry, Thompson, and Andre Iguodala are among the investors in The Bay Golf Club which hired former Warriors employee Eric Kwait as its team president. On this episode of Section 415, Lee and Kwait chat with host Kerry Crowley about their experience with The Bay Golf Club, what enticed them to join the TGL, and how they're looking to build genuine connections with Bay Area sports fans despite playing matches in an arena more than 3,000 miles away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 24, 2025 · 27 min
SF Giants make a splash with Tony Vitello hire
When Buster Posey began the process of searching for Bob Melvin’s replacement, The Standard’s John Shea wrote that fans should expect the team to pursue a leader who brings different qualities and strengths to the table than Bob Melvin. Well, Posey did more than that. He hired University of Tennessee coach Tony Vitello in a nearly unprecedented move that rocked the baseball industry. In this episode of Section 415, Shea joins host Kerry Crowley to discuss a bold new era of Giants baseball and how Vitello will adjust to life in the majors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 21, 2025 · 26 min
Ballers manager Aaron Miles talks bringing a baseball title to Oakland
Aaron Miles, an Antioch native who spent parts of nine seasons in the majors, was inspired to pursue a career in baseball during his childhood when he watched legends such as Rickey Henderson and Dave Stewart at the Coliseum. These days, he's trying to create memories for kids across the East Bay as manager of the Oakland Ballers, an independent league team that played its first game in 2024. Miles joined Section 415 and discussed how the Ballers have engaged the Oakland community, how the team recruited so many local players, and what the next steps in the evolution of the young franchise look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices