CNBC Sport American Kings author Seth Wickersham & Versant President of Sports Matt Hong 8/14/25
Aug 14, 2025
Seth Wickersham, an ESPN senior writer and bestselling author of American Kings, shares the emotional journeys of quarterbacks in football, exploring their development and struggles. He discusses the psychological impact of fame and the challenges faced after retirement. Matt Hong, President of Versant Sports, delves into the company’s growth strategy, highlighting significant media rights acquisitions like the USGA deal. Together, they examine the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting and the future of media consumption, revealing insights into strategic partnerships and emerging opportunities.
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Quarterback Role Is A Cultural Throughline
- Seth Wickersham wanted to map quarterbacking from high school to the Hall of Fame to show its cultural evolution.
- He aimed to reveal how the position's burdens and blessings persisted across a century.
History Repeats In Quarterback Challenges
- Wickersham weaves stories to show that modern quarterback problems mirror those from decades ago.
- He argues thematic continuity makes past players' experiences illuminate today's stars.
Why Evaluating QBs Is So Hard
- Predicting quarterback success is hard because college schemes and NFL demands differ fundamentally.
- Fame and psychological wiring also limit how many can thrive at the position.
