The Sports Media Podcast

Sports Business Journal

The hottest headlines, network deals, ratings, trends and everything else you need to know inside sports media.

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254 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes254

Newest first

Oct 23, 2025 · 41 min
Getting the gang back together, NBA/NBC tip off and F1 takes a bite of the Apple
On this week’s pod, host and SBJ media writer Austin Karp is joined by The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand and Puck’s John Ourand. The trio take a deep dive into NBC’s return to the NBA mix, how F1 fits into the Apple grid, who’s up and who’s down in sports media and more. 1:00 Podcast Reunion 2:01 Who's Up Who's Down 18:45 NBA This Season 22:24 Rank the Four Players in Sports ( NBC Sports, Amazon Prime, ESPN, TNT) 25:50 The Future of WBD 30:25 YouTube TV deal with Disney 31:19 World Series TV Ra
Oct 16, 2025 · 39 min
Big numbers for the MLB postseason; Dick Vitale talks hoops; ‘We Need a Fourth’ on all things golf
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp brings in Dick Vitale to talk about his new namesake hoops event and how he sees all the changes to college basketball. Plus, SiriusXM and SmartLess Media have a new show, “We Need a Fourth,” and co-hosts Brian Baumgartner, Cooper Manning and Kenny Mayne come on the pod with their unique approach to talking about golf. And with numbers in for the first two rounds, MLB viewership has skyrocketed, but can it continue that success with some smaller markets in
Oct 9, 2025 · 19 min
An SBJ writer roundtable; Kate Scott gets back to women's hoops; and the Wild and Blue Jackets keep their address on Main Street.
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Oct 2, 2025 · 24 min
ESPN’s Steve Levy, the NFL stays on record pace and Bama-UGA brings a big number
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp looks at how NFL games remain on pace for a record audience this season, and why the Ryder Cup saw some its lowest numbers in decades. Plus, with the NHL season set to begin, Steve Levy, the longtime voice of all things hockey on ESPN, discusses what’s driving storylines around the league. And finally, in Karp’s Corner, a look at the biggest winners from the MLB regular season. 1:10 NFL flexes it's muscles 2:29 Ryder Cup 3:19 WNBA Media Rights 4:43 Steve
Sep 25, 2025 · 27 min
Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee, the Big Ten’s Grace McNamara and Roger Goodell moves up the NFL’s timetable
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp looks at Roger Goodell’s comments about an early move on media rights. Plus, with the Ryder Cup set to begin, Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee joins the show to discuss the event at Bethpage and other topics impacting golf. With volleyball and other women’s sports getting more and more traction with audiences, Big Ten administrator Grace McNamara dishes on how BTN and other media partners are benefitting. And finally, in Karp’s Corner, could sports be
Sep 18, 2025 · 18 min
A look at what a combined Paramount-WBD could be; Amazon gets a tee time at Augusta National; and CBS turns back the clock with the NFL.
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp chats with SBJ’s Josh Carpenter about what a combined Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery could look like, particularly with the sports portfolios of CBS Sports and TNT Sports. The duo also get into Prime Video’s deal with the Masters, Molly Qerim and Malika Andrews moves at ESPN, big numbers for NFL Week 2 and how CBS’ NFL national window in Week 2 will have a distinct ‘70s feel. 1:12 PARAMOUNT WBD POSSIBLE MERGER 3:49 THE MASTERS ON AMAZON PRIME 7:
Sep 11, 2025 · 28 min
IMG’s Hillary Mandel, NFL’s Week 1 audience bonanza and U.S. Open goes big
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp dives into the numbers behind NFL Week 1’s viewership surge and the impact of Big Data. Plus, IMG’s Hillary Mandell joins the show to unpack major media rights deals like UFC, WWE and the U.S. Open, as well as what could be next for a league like the NWSL. And finally in Karp’s Corner, we examine the U.S. Open’s viewership surge, who won the weekend in college football and why a big European basketball should have a bigger American audience. 1:24 Austin K
Sep 4, 2025 · 32 min
All things football with ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, SBJ’s Ben Fischer
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp gets set for NFL season. SBJ football reporter Ben Fischer talks dishes on the Eagles and Cowboys, YouTube's NFL debut and the future of who might air games. Plus, ESPN's Seth Wickersham dishes on his new book about QBs and how it feels to have the NFL as an equity investor in ESPN. 1:10 BEN FISCHER SEGMENT 16:36 SETH WICKERSHAM INTERVIEW 29:34 KARPS CORNER
Aug 28, 2025 · 35 min
Big moves for Big Data, Lee Corso’s farewell and The CW’s Brad Schwartz
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp takes you around the sports media landscape, including major news on how sports will be measured going forward by Nielsen, comings and goings with the U.S. Open and Netflix betting big in Japan with MLB. SBJ college reporter Ben Portnoy chimes in as Lee Corso gets set for his final “College GameDay.” Plus, The CW President Brad Schwartz discusses the network’s rapid transformation into a major player in live sports anchored by NASCAR and college football, a
Aug 21, 2025 · 34 min
Dallas Cowboys’ docuseries directors Chapman and Maclain Way; TNT Sports’ Adam Lefkoe and the arrival of the ESPN direct-to-consumer app
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp chats with Chapman and Maclain Way, directors of the new Netflix docuseries “America’s Team: The Gambler and his Cowboys” about how they put the project together and the character that is Jerry Jones. Karp is also joined by SBJ golf reporter Josh Carpenter to discuss a big week in the sport and how the star power of Scottie Scheffler is growing beyond hardcore golf fans. Finally, TNT Sports studio host Adam Lefkoe dishes on the addition of Big 12 football,
Aug 14, 2025 · 36 min
NFL Films’ Keith Cossrow, Paramount’s knockout power and big moves for ESPN and Fox
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp chats with SBJ combat sports reporter Adam Stern about the massive Paramount-TKO Group deal for UFC. Karp is then joined by Keith Cossrow of NFL Films about the many projects his group is leading. Finally, we whip around the sports media landscape to talk ESPN and Fox partnering up around DTC, big viewership for the Little League Softball World Series and much more. 1:12 Paramount-UFC Deal 10:03 Keith Cossrow Interview 29:24 Quick Hitters
Aug 7, 2025 · 32 min
What to make of the NFL and ESPN’s deeper relationship; the McCourty brothers and Greg Olsen get set for the 2025 season
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp breaks down a number of deals struck between the NFL and ESPN. And with the season fast approaching, Karp is joined by NBC’s Devin McCourty, CBS’ Jason McCourty and Fox’s Greg Olsen to look at what’s in store for 2025. 1:13 ESPN-NFL DEAL 5:18 THE McCOURTY BROTHERS INTERVIEW 25:40 GREG OLSEN INTERVIEW 29:58 QUICK HITTERS
Jul 31, 2025 · 39 min
NBCUniversal launching another cable sports channel? All things media with The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch
On the pod this week, co-hosts Austin Karp and Mollie Cahillane break down the latest in sports media, including NBCUniversal potentially launching a new cable sports channel. Also, The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch joins the show to break down the future of NFL Media, including what may happen in the wake of the Paramount/Skydance merger. The trio also examines what a 16-team CFP could look like from a media perspective. Finally, an examination of the media future of both the NBA and MLB. 1:11 NB
Jul 24, 2025 · 47 min
WNBA All-Star Game rewind, Snap’s Anmol Malhotra and Joe Hand Promotions’ Joe Hand Jr.
On the pod this week, co-hosts Austin Karp and Mollie Cahillane break down the latest in sports media including Barstool Sports and Fox Sports teaming up, what sports programming is resonating on Netflix and ESPN’s latest . SBJ’s Rachel Axon also stops by to break down WNBA All-Star weekend and where the league goes from there. Later in the show, Snap’s Anmol Malhotra discusses how the social media giant is making sports even more accessible for fans. Finally, Joe Hand Jr. of out-of-home distri
Jul 17, 2025 · 42 min
F1 to Apple, ESPN’s John Lasker on DTC and MLB festivities
On the pod this week, Austin Karp and Mollie Cahillane are joined by SBJ’s Adam Stern for a deep dive into the reported $150 million/year F1 and Apple media deal -- and what it could mean for ESPN and UFC. The pair also speaks with ESPN’s head of direct-to-consumer John Lasker around the company’s upcoming DTC service and the growth of ESPN+. Lastly, they break down Home Run Derby and MLB Draft numbers, as well as the reception for the new “Swing Off” at the MLB All-Star game. 1:31 F1 TO APPLE?
Jul 10, 2025 · 48 min
Fox’s Joe Davis, MLB Network’s Robert Flores and “The Decision” 15 years later
On the pod this week, Austin Karp and Mollie Cahillane take a look back 15 years to “The Decision” and LeBron James taking his talents to South Beach. They then take a deep dive into Apple’s pole position to land F1 media rights. With MLB All-Star festivities around the corner, the duo also chats with Joe Davis of Fox Sports about what he is looking forward to in Atlanta and why Shohei Ohtani is a man ahead of his time. Finally, MLB Network’s Robert Flores joins the show to talk about the state
Jul 3, 2025 · 37 min
MLB and ESPN talking again?; Another big summer of soccer for Univision
This week on the Sports Media Podcast, Mollie Cahillane and Austin Karp explain why conversations between ESPN and MLB are what many expected and what those talks could yield. The duo also takes a deep dive into the results for both the NBA and NHL drafts, and whether the “F1” movie can help draw fans to live races and bolster fortunes for a media rights pact. Finally, Cahillane and Karp are joined by TelevisaUnivision’s Olek Loewenstein to examine the Spanish-language network’s approach to con
Jun 26, 2025 · 21 min
Game 7 puts NBA Playoffs in positive territory; Inside the Pac-12/CBS deal
This week on the Sports Media Podcast, Mollie Cahillane and Austin Karp dive into the significance of NBA Finals Game 7 and whether a potential a run by Oklahoma City would be good for the NBA’s media fortunes. SBJ’s Ben Portnoy also joins for a deep dive into the Pac-12/CBS media rights agreement and where the league sits in the pantheon of college athletics. Finally, the duo breaks down ESPN’s equity stake in the Premier Lacrosse League and what that means for both sides. 0:31 NBA 6:01 PLL 8:
Jun 19, 2025 · 39 min
How Brian Rolapp’s move impacts NFL, PGA Tour media; SailGP, Vice TV look to crack the code
On the pod this week, Austin Karp chats with SBJ colleagues Ben Fischer and Josh Carpenter to break down the implications of Brian Rolapp’s move from the NFL to the PGA Tour (and whether he may still be on the NFL commissioner short list in the future). Then, fresh off a successful event in NYC, Karp talks with Melissa Lawton of SailGP to check in on the series’ deal with CBS and other media efforts. Finally, Vice TV’s Pete Gaffney joins Karp to talk about the strategy shift for the company into
Jun 12, 2025 · 21 min
ESPN’s Holly Rowe; WBDivorce; Championship Viewership
On the pod this week, co-hosts Austin Karp and Mollie Cahillane discuss Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to split into separate entities. They break down how they expect it to work and what this means for the broader sports media landscape. The duo then deep dive into the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final viewership numbers and experience. Later in the pod, ESPN’s Holly Rowe explains how reality far exceeded expectations on Women’s College World Series viewership.

The Sports Media Podcast

Getting the gang back together, NBA/NBC tip off and F1 takes a bite of the Apple

Big numbers for the MLB postseason; Dick Vitale talks hoops; ‘We Need a Fourth’ on all things golf

An SBJ writer roundtable; Kate Scott gets back to women's hoops; and the Wild and Blue Jackets keep their address on Main Street.

ESPN’s Steve Levy, the NFL stays on record pace and Bama-UGA brings a big number

Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee, the Big Ten’s Grace McNamara and Roger Goodell moves up the NFL’s timetable

A look at what a combined Paramount-WBD could be; Amazon gets a tee time at Augusta National; and CBS turns back the clock with the NFL.

IMG’s Hillary Mandel, NFL’s Week 1 audience bonanza and U.S. Open goes big

All things football with ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, SBJ’s Ben Fischer

Big moves for Big Data, Lee Corso’s farewell and The CW’s Brad Schwartz

Dallas Cowboys’ docuseries directors Chapman and Maclain Way; TNT Sports’ Adam Lefkoe and the arrival of the ESPN direct-to-consumer app

NFL Films’ Keith Cossrow, Paramount’s knockout power and big moves for ESPN and Fox

What to make of the NFL and ESPN’s deeper relationship; the McCourty brothers and Greg Olsen get set for the 2025 season

NBCUniversal launching another cable sports channel? All things media with The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch

WNBA All-Star Game rewind, Snap’s Anmol Malhotra and Joe Hand Promotions’ Joe Hand Jr.

F1 to Apple, ESPN’s John Lasker on DTC and MLB festivities

Fox’s Joe Davis, MLB Network’s Robert Flores and “The Decision” 15 years later

MLB and ESPN talking again?; Another big summer of soccer for Univision

Game 7 puts NBA Playoffs in positive territory; Inside the Pac-12/CBS deal

How Brian Rolapp’s move impacts NFL, PGA Tour media; SailGP, Vice TV look to crack the code

ESPN’s Holly Rowe; WBDivorce; Championship Viewership