Best In-Game Dunkers, LeBron Vs. Steph 37.0, Chicago’s New QB Hero, and Building a 2024 Media Company With Jason Goff and Dave Finocchio
Mar 20, 2024
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Jason Goff is a co-host of The Ringer’s Chicago sports podcast, offering expert insights on local teams. He dives deep into the Chicago Bears' quarterback turmoil, including Justin Fields' trade and the team's hopeful pursuit of Caleb Williams. Dave Finocchio, co-founder of Bleacher Report, shares his journey in the media landscape, contrasting past and present challenges in building engaging platforms. They also discuss the impact of legendary dunkers and innovative approaches to sustainability in media, blending sports culture with environmental consciousness.
Bears QB history lacks consistent offensive production, emphasizing ongoing challenges.
Turner's ownership saw significant growth and revenue increase for Bleacher Report.
Facebook's algorithm shifts impacted media traffic strategies, revealing reliance on external platforms.
Media companies face challenges of overspending and need for audience diversification.
Podcast promotes practical environmental solutions over fear-based messaging for sustainability.
Deep dives
Jake Cutler holds career passing records for the Bears
Jake Cutler is the best statistical QB for the Bears with over 23,000 passing yards, 154 TDs, and 50 wins. He is the only QB with over 20,000 passing yards and 50 wins.
Individual Season Performances
In 1995, Eric Kramer had an impressive season with 3,800 yards, 29 TDs, and 10 interceptions. In 2006, Rex Grossman led the Bears to a 13-3 record with nearly 3,200 yards, 23 TDs, and 20 interceptions.
Challenges with Quarterbacks
Bears QBs have faced significant challenges, with no QB throwing for 3,900 yards or 30 TDs in a season. The lack of consistent offensive production has been a long-standing issue for the franchise.
Offensive Struggles and Wide Receivers
The Bears have struggled offensively for generations, with wide receiver production notably lacking. Icons like Johnny Morris and Jim McMahon were leading receivers, highlighting the ongoing offensive challenges.
The Growth of Bleacher Report Under Turner's Ownership
Under Turner's ownership, Bleacher Report experienced significant growth, expanding from 130 to 550 employees. Revenue showed substantial growth from 37 million to nearly 200 million, marking a successful period of expansion. Turner's hands-off approach allowed Bleacher Report to reinvest its profits into the business, contributing to its rapid development.
The Influence of Facebook on Media Companies
The podcast discusses the impact of Facebook on media companies, especially in driving traffic to third-party websites. Facebook's algorithm changes significantly affected traffic patterns for publishers, reshaping content distribution strategies. Companies like Buzzfeed benefited initially from social traffic, but challenges arose when Facebook shifted strategies, highlighting the dependence on external platforms for traffic.
Challenges Faced by Media Companies in the Changing Landscape
The changing media landscape posed challenges for companies aiming for acquisition or growth. Instances of overspending and over-investment in appearance-led strategies emerged, leading to unsustainable models. The podcast also highlights the importance of diversifying audience sources and building stable, direct audience relationships to counterbalance dependency on external platforms like Facebook.
Promoting Environmental Awareness and Action
The podcast episode discusses the importance of promoting environmental awareness and action to address pollution and climate change. It emphasizes the need for accessible and trusted information to help individuals lower pollution levels and make positive changes in their communities. The host highlights the impact of household actions on pollution levels, such as using energy-efficient appliances and reducing carbon emissions, to improve personal health and contribute to a better future.
Challenging Traditional Environmental Approaches
The podcast challenges traditional approaches to environmental issues, aiming for a more moderate and relatable stance. It critiques fear-based messaging and doom scenarios that often fail to motivate action and suggests a shift towards practical solutions that resonate with mainstream audiences. Specific examples like the negative impact of leaf blowers and plastic bottle usage are highlighted to illustrate the need for informed and sustainable choices in everyday practices. The episode also delves into the importance of providing solutions alongside highlighting problems to drive positive behavioral changes and create a more sustainable future.
The Ringer's Bill Simmons runs through six sports topics, including playoff hopes for Lakers and Warriors, the Patriots' poor spending habits, the uncertain future of NFL Network's ‘GMFB,’ all-time in-game dunkers, and more (1:58). Then Bill is joined by Jason Goff to discuss the Bears trading QB Justin Fields to the Steelers, a Bears QB deep-dive, Chicago preparing for Caleb Williams, and more (29:02). Finally, Bill talks with Bleacher Report cofounder Dave Finocchio about starting BR in the mid-2000s, competing with sites like Vice, BuzzFeed, and SB Nation, his newest platform The Cool Down, and the differences between building a media company 20 years ago versus today (1:02:48).
Host: Bill Simmons
Guests: Jason Goff and Dave Finocchio
Producer: Kyle Crichton
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