Sports Media with Richard Deitsch

Jon Lewis, founder of Sports Media Watch, and Austin Karp, media reporter at Sports Business Journal, dive into their bold predictions for 2026. They forecast the World Cup as a record-breaking TV event, though its impact on U.S. soccer may be fleeting. Discussions also touch on MLB’s evolving broadcast rights and potential turmoil in regional sports networks. They analyze the futures of smaller leagues and debate whether Turner Sports can maintain its hold amid corporate changes, all while addressing the star power of athletes like Caitlin Clark.

Jon Miller, President of Acquisitions & Partnerships at NBC Sports, offers a fascinating peek into the world of billion-dollar sports deals. He shares insights on the enduring value of Tier-One sports rights and how live events attract vast audiences. Miller recounts his experience persuading Michael Jordan to contribute to NBC's NBA coverage and discusses the strategic $3 billion deal with the IOC. He also envisions future Olympic coverage on Peacock and highlights the growth potential of women's volleyball and rugby in the U.S., providing advice for aspiring sports media professionals.

Here’s a first look from our upcoming podcast with  Jon Miller, the President, Acquisitions & Partnerships for NBC Sports. The full podcast will be out on December 23.  In this preview clip, Miller discusses how he was able to bring in Michael Jordan as a special contributor on NBC's NBA coverage and his longtime relationship with Jordan. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 574 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Jimmy Traina,  a writer for SI.com and the host of the SI Media with Jimmy Traina podcast. In this podcast we discuss Joe Buck and Troy Aikman establishing themselves as the best NFL broadcast team; Ian Eagle and JJ Watt's development, The Athletic's end of the year media awards; the Oscars moving to YouTube; Paul Finebaum revealing the game on politics; John Cena's goodbye; why Jimmy is so down on sports media and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here’s a short look from our upcoming podcast with Jimmy Traina, a writer for Sports Illustrated and the host of "SI Media with Jimmy Traina." In the podcast clip, Traina discusses how ESPN's Joe Buck no longer faces the same kind of online vitriol he once did and how he and Troy Aikman are the best broadcast in the NFL. The full interview will be out Dec. 20. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 573 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch featuresHarvey Araton, who worked for 25 years as a columnist and enterprise reporter at the New York Times and is the author of a new novel for middle-grade readers, "The Goal of the Game.” In this podcast Araton discusses why he wanted to write a novel about a seventh grade soccer player; how you get into the voice of a seventh grader; the challenge of writing a book for kids; how to get such a book sold; how promoting a kids book is different than a book for adults; whether the general sports columnist is extinct; how he viewed the NYT disbanding the sports desk; why the Knicks have become a likeable franchise and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 572 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Rick Cordella, the president of NBC Sports. In this podcast Cordella discusses his company’s remarkable upcoming set of events in February 2026, including the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games, the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star Game; what it means business-wise to have all of these properties in such a relative short period; what the events should mean for Peacock subs; the process of how Rebecca Lowe ended up with her studio assignment for Fox Sports during the World Cup; NBCU’s three year rights deal with MLB and what Sunday Night Baseball on NBC, Peacock and NBCSN should look like; why NBC wants to be in the MLB business; the NBA's strong viewership to start the season; the usage of Michael Jordan heading forward; his thoughts on Notre Dame not making the CFB playoffs and Notre Dame's response to that; NBC having the rights to Super Bowl 64 in 2030; Puck’s report that NBC plans to sell Amazon the rights to next year’s Big Ten Championship game, and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Austin Karp, a sports business reporter for Sports Business Journal, dives into the Influence 125 list, highlighting the most impactful figures in sports business over the last 25 years. He explains how selections were made while avoiding recency bias, discusses powerful agents like Ari Emanuel, and celebrates Bill Simmons as a unique content creator. They predict potential future influencers for 2040 and discuss major viewership trends in college football, notably the Big Ten Championship's impressive 18.3 million viewers.

Here’s a short look from our upcoming podcast with Rick Cordella, the president of NBC Sports. In the podcast Cordella goes deep on his company’s remarkable upcoming set of events including the Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games, the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game. In this preview clip, Cordella discusses Michael Jordan’s involvement as an NBA special contributor and how he feels about Notre Dame, a partner of NBC Sports, being left out of the college football playoffs. The full interview will be out Dec. 15. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.  To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 570 of the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch features Troy Aikman, the lead analyst for ESPN's coverage of Monday Night Football. In this podcast, Aikman discusses where his enjoyment level for the job stands after three decades in the booth; how he accesses ESPN's culture versus Fox's; how he defines honesty in sports broadcasting — and particularly as it relates to officiating calls; why he won't be in the job at age 70; ESPN's upcoming Super Bowl on February 14, 2027; who he talks to for honest feedback on his work; his thoughts on Lane Kiffin and NIL; the Eagles-Chargers and the AFC's unpredictable year; why he'd love to meet Warren Buffett and more. You can subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices