Former NBA player and podcaster, Evan Turner, discusses his podcasting career and the need for more journalistic integrity in NBA coverage. They also touch on the James Harden situation, the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness in college sports, and Evan's own podcasting and social media presence.
Evan Turner highlights the importance of athletes having their own voice and dispelling false narratives through podcasting.
Turner emphasizes the therapeutic nature of podcasting for athletes to address misinformation and share unique perspectives.
Turner discusses the challenges and rewards of building a podcasting business, emphasizing the need for patience, resilience, and networking to succeed.
Deep dives
Building a Podcasting Business and Giving Athletes a Voice
Evan Turner, co-host of the Point Forward podcast and founder of the Beyond the Big Ten podcast, discusses his journey in building a podcasting business and giving athletes a platform to share their opinions. He emphasizes the importance of having the right team and network, as well as the value of relatability and authenticity in media. Turner highlights the need for athletes to have their own voice and dispel false narratives. He also touches on the growing trend of athletes starting their own podcasts and the therapeutic nature of podcasting. Turner expresses his desire to expand his media platform beyond audio and visual content, mentioning live podcasts, on-field reporting, and the potential for blogs and features. He aims to continue pushing out content that humanizes athletes and provides fans with unique perspectives.
The Impact of New Media and Athlete Podcasting
Turner discusses the impact of new media and podcasting on the sports industry, specifically focusing on the NBA. He explains that athletes having their own podcasts allows them to share their opinions, control their narrative, and provide a different perspective than traditional media outlets. Turner notes that podcasting provides a therapeutic outlet for athletes to address misinformation or narratives that may have been false. He highlights the importance of accuracy and integrity in journalism, particularly when reporting on athletes. Turner expresses his appreciation for the growing number of athletes who are using the podcast platform to connect with fans and provide deeper insights into their experiences.
The Need for Athlete Representation and Fair Treatment in College Sports
Turner reflects on the importance of fair treatment and representation for college athletes. He discusses the limitations and challenges faced by athletes in the NCAA system, including the exploitation of their talents without proper compensation. Turner shares his support for athletes receiving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation, but emphasizes that there is still work to be done towards providing fair compensation for athletes' contributions. He also discusses the concept of gatekeeping in media and the importance of athletes having the opportunity to tell their own stories through independent journalists.
Challenges and Rewards of Building a Podcasting Business
Turner shares the challenges he faced in building his podcasting business, including raising funds and finding the right team. He highlights the importance of patience, resilience, and networking in navigating the podcasting industry. Turner emphasizes the need for persistence and dedication in order to succeed. Despite the challenges, he expresses his appreciation for the rewards and opportunities that come with building the business, such as the ability to provide a platform for former athletes to share their insights and have their voices heard.
The Future of Media and Athlete Podcasting
Turner discusses his aspirations for the future of media and athlete podcasting. He envisions expanding his podcasting business into a broader media platform, including live podcasts, written content, and regional events. He highlights the importance of providing a space for athletes to share their opinions, stories, and experiences, as well as the potential for cross-collaboration between athletes and journalists. Turner emphasizes the need for media outlets to understand and respect athletes' perspectives, and he expresses his excitement for the future growth and impact of athlete-driven media.
Mike Vorkunov is joined by Evan Turner to discuss his podcasting career with Point Forward and Beyond the Big 10, how he was covered when he was in the NBA, how there needs to be more journalistic integrity, how Evan views the James Harden situation, if Evan would have stayed in college if NIL existed when he was in college, and more.
