The Sports Media Podcast Big moves for Big Data, Lee Corso’s farewell and The CW’s Brad Schwartz
Aug 28, 2025
Ben Portnoy, a college sports writer for SBJ, shares insights on the shifting dynamics of college football viewership and the legacy of Lee Corso as he prepares to retire from "College GameDay." Brad Schwartz, President of The CW, discusses the network's rapid transformation into a live sports contender with significant partnerships in NASCAR and college football. They explore the evolving media rights landscape and the strategic moves that will shape the future of sports broadcasting and audience measurement.
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Lee Corso Became A Saturday Ritual
- Ben Portnoy recounted how Lee Corso became a Saturday ritual for many fans and colleagues.
- He described colleagues tuning in on road trips just to see Corso's picks, demonstrating Corso's cultural reach.
College Football Faces Global Adoption Limits
- International expansion of college sports is plausible but faces cultural and structural hurdles.
- Ben Portnoy warns college football's U.S.-centric model complicates global adoption despite growing international rights interest.
Broadcast Remains The Mass-Reach Anchor
- Nexstar repositioned The CW toward live sports because broadcast still delivers the largest simultaneous reach.
- Brad Schwartz says live sports naturally strengthen local stations and community relevance.