Are You Not Entertained?

A new series brought to you by the team at Are You Not Entertained sees Giles "The Captain" Morgan at The Captain’s Table where he welcomes aboard England Rugby World Cup winning legend Jason Robinson.  A light-hearted 45 minute chat around the galley table where Jason shares his passion for Leeds United, Wigan, England Rugby and.... Lionel Ritchie?!

The lads welcome James Elliott on the “how f*cked is sport” episode. No punches pulled in discussing who wont make it as business models change and who will! The FA, betting not welcome, Amazon CPMs and data, subs arbitrage. The eternal appeal of watching guys laying into each other. And of course the risks of saying no to Ari Gold.

Grant and Roger, in their own inimitable way, choose their sporting Goals and Own Goals for 2019 and peer into the future to see what the New Year has in store for us.

The lads have a Christmas chat with one of sport’s true disruptors from the new generation: Joe Markowski of Dazn. Discussing the lessons of working cross culture in sport in Japan, Europe and the States. The importance of making the most of your “break” and finding yourself with great mentors. Debating fiercely, at 30, the future of boxing with top guys like Skipper and Gleasure. Great insight into how Dazn was conceived and executed, and how it approaches new markets. And why it’s model is unique, especially in attracting young viewers. Obvious mentions of “frenemies” like Snapchat, FB, TikTok. The sports rights market will not be the same after Dazn. This podcast perhaps helps explain why. Superb. 

The boys host the legendary multi sports administrator Ian Ritchie. Forthright discussion on the Damned United, West Ham, Wimbledon, Rugby. Focussing on salary caps, media/fan balance private equity, introducing tech whilst protecting tradition. And recruiting top people. Wonderful insight from a top top operator. 

One of our most authentic chats. Roger and Grant discuss Mexican boxers, Dazn, the return of the Old Firm, Patrick Reid and bunkers, asking football to play politics and solve racism, and the simple pleasures of Craven Cottage with your dad. 

The lads are joined by the legendary golf author John Hopkins, to discuss golfing heroes, the beauty and the codes of great sports writing, and a million anecdotes from inside the ropes. Wonderful listening from a true craftsman. In the margins: a very honest discussion around the resignation of the CEO of English football and some chat around sports films like Ford v Ferrari. 

Simon Hallett, the new owner of a Plymouth Argyle talks about running a community club on 2019, attracting new audiences, player strategies, and “no dickheads”; league politics, and media strategies. Is football like running an investment firm? Obviously discussing mourinho, Bale, sex before games, and Magic Johnson.

The lads are joined by senior sports insider Andy “the nugget” Sutherden from industry giant CAA. Very spikey discussions around Gomez/Sterling; “media bollocks”; PE investment in sport; new faces in tennis; Man City and FFP; Taylor Swift getting “scootered”; defending the Carabao Cup; Logan/KSI; did the Leeds doc turn boomerang; great insight into building the Beckham brand; are bookmakers good sponsors; and the future of sports partnership. And of course Timmy Tryline. 

Statler and Waldorf come back for their Goal Own Goal “ok boomer” rants. This week its fake boxing, the end of influencers, glorious Lionesses, and a full health check around the glorious game of Association Football. From the Kop, to Inter; from unreasonable coaches, to algo player trading strategies; from selling our Champions league soul, to banning heading. And part 2 of our series on Realpolitik in sport; Saracens rugby and closing the eye when needed.