Community, Resilience and Creator Life

On today’s episode, we kick off the inaugural edition of the Sports Pundit Media Podcast with YouTuber and content creator Manny Brown.

Over the past 13 years, Manny has built one of the most recognisable voices in digital football media, growing from gaming roots into a multi-platform creator with millions of followers. His work spans YouTube stardom, brand collaborations, and founding his own Sunday League football team, Under the Radar FC - a project that blends storytelling, authenticity, and community in a way traditional broadcasters are still trying to replicate.

In this conversation, Manny reflects on his journey from gamer to football creator, the evolution of sports content in the digital era, and the role of gaming and virtual clubs in building fandom. He opens up on the highs and challenges of life as a creator, why community is central to everything he does, and how sports media can better connect with audiences who crave relatable, engaging content.

Timestamps
03:00 – The Birth of Under the Radar FC
07:00 – Engaging the Audience: Lessons for Broadcasters
10:00 – Building and Managing a Community
15:00 – Balancing Personal Brand and Family
22:00 – Innovative Formats in Sports Media
30:00 – Collaborations and Future Aspirations

About The Hosts

Jo Redfern is a digital and youth media specialist who has spent the last five years at the forefront of platforms such as YouTube, Roblox, and TikTok. With a background in traditional broadcast and kids media, Jo is known for turning generational media behaviours into commercial opportunities. Through her consultancy firm, Futrhood, she helps IP owners and rights holders scale engagement and monetisation by leveraging content, platforms, community, and emerging tech. Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Cohen has spent the last decade building at the intersection of sport, media, and the creator economy. As former CEO of Whistle, he scaled the company into a $100M multi-platform media business, driving organic growth and strategic M&A before leading its exit to Eleven Sports and later DAZN. Today, through his new venture Disruptive Play, Michael partners with companies and creators to shape the next wave of sports and media IP, challenging the status quo and architecting business models for the next era of sport. Connect on LinkedIn

About Sports Pundit

Sports Pundit is a community-driven platform for executives working in sport, built around content, events, and conversation. Through its weekly newsletter, social channels, WhatsApp groups, and podcast network, it connects industry leaders across the globe.

At the heart of the platform is the Sports Pundit Podcast Network, a multi-show lineup created for sports executives, by sports executives. The network features six domain-specific podcasts spanning innovation, marketing, finance, performance, and media, alongside a conversational companion show, The Pitch. Together, they deliver insider perspectives that live up to Sports Pundit’s mission to be “The Voice of the Sports Industry.”

Produced by OH SIX

The Sports Pundit Podcast is proudly produced by OH SIX, a content marketing agency specialising in producing digital and social-first content that connects. Trusted by Premier League clubs, F1 teams, and top brands, OH SIX deliver premium content end-to-end, from ideation, working with talent during production and platform specific content to reach audiences on screen.