

The Sports Media Podcast
Sports Business Journal
The hottest headlines, network deals, ratings, trends and everything else you need to know inside sports media.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 25, 2025 • 28min
Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee, the Big Ten’s Grace McNamara and Roger Goodell moves up the NFL’s timetable
Brandel Chamblee, a veteran Golf Channel analyst, shares insider insights on the Ryder Cup, discussing its unique anticipation and studio prep differences. He reflects on evolving commentary styles and the PGA Tour's challenges, highlighting LIV defections. Grace McNamara from the Big Ten emphasizes the surge in women's sports viewership, particularly in volleyball, and hints at exciting developments like a potential women's conference tournament. They also explore media rights shifts impacting the NFL, revealing how sports might bridge significant industry disputes.

Sep 18, 2025 • 19min
A look at what a combined Paramount-WBD could be; Amazon gets a tee time at Augusta National; and CBS turns back the clock with the NFL.
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp chats with SBJ’s Josh Carpenter about what a combined Paramount Skydance-Warner Bros. Discovery could look like, particularly with the sports portfolios of CBS Sports and TNT Sports. The duo also get into Prime Video’s deal with the Masters, Molly Qerim and Malika Andrews moves at ESPN, big numbers for NFL Week 2 and how CBS’ NFL national window in Week 2 will have a distinct ‘70s feel.1:12 PARAMOUNT WBD POSSIBLE MERGER3:49 THE MASTERS ON AMAZON PRIME7:41 MOLLY QERIM AND MALIKA ANDREWS ESPN NEWS10:28 NFL WEEK 2 RATINGS12:38 WNBA RATINGS13:53 CANELO CRAWFORD NETFLIX NUMBERS15:36 NFL TODAY 50TH ANNIVERSARY ON CBS Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 11, 2025 • 29min
IMG’s Hillary Mandel, NFL’s Week 1 audience bonanza and U.S. Open goes big
Hillary Mandel, Executive Vice President at IMG, joins to discuss vital media rights deals for the UFC, WWE, and the U.S. Open. They explore the explosive viewership trends for Week 1 of the NFL season and the growing influence of data analytics in sports broadcasting. Mandel also shares insights on potential growth avenues for leagues like the NWSL. Additionally, the conversation highlights the U.S. Open’s cultural significance and record attendance, alongside emerging trends in college football and basketball's appeal in America.

Sep 4, 2025 • 32min
All things football with ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, SBJ’s Ben Fischer
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp gets set for NFL season. SBJ football reporter Ben Fischer talks dishes on the Eagles and Cowboys, YouTube's NFL debut and the future of who might air games. Plus, ESPN's Seth Wickersham dishes on his new book about QBs and how it feels to have the NFL as an equity investor in ESPN. 1:10 BEN FISCHER SEGMENT16:36 SETH WICKERSHAM INTERVIEW29:34 KARPS CORNER Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 28, 2025 • 35min
Big moves for Big Data, Lee Corso’s farewell and The CW’s Brad Schwartz
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.

Aug 21, 2025 • 35min
Dallas Cowboys’ docuseries directors Chapman and Maclain Way; TNT Sports’ Adam Lefkoe and the arrival of the ESPN direct-to-consumer app
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp chats with Chapman and Maclain Way, directors of the new Netflix docuseries “America’s Team: The Gambler and his Cowboys” about how they put the project together and the character that is Jerry Jones. Karp is also joined by SBJ golf reporter Josh Carpenter to discuss a big week in the sport and how the star power of Scottie Scheffler is growing beyond hardcore golf fans. Finally, TNT Sports studio host Adam Lefkoe dishes on the addition of Big 12 football, his foray into tennis at Roland Garros earlier this year and the release that he gets from hosting “The Big Podcast with Shaq.” Be sure to like and subscribe wherever podcasts are available. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com
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Aug 14, 2025 • 36min
NFL Films’ Keith Cossrow, Paramount’s knockout power and big moves for ESPN and Fox
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp chats with SBJ combat sports reporter Adam Stern about the massive Paramount-TKO Group deal for UFC. Karp is then joined by Keith Cossrow of NFL Films about the many projects his group is leading. Finally, we whip around the sports media landscape to talk ESPN and Fox partnering up around DTC, big viewership for the Little League Softball World Series and much more. 1:12 Paramount-UFC Deal10:03 Keith Cossrow Interview29:24 Quick Hitters Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 7, 2025 • 32min
What to make of the NFL and ESPN’s deeper relationship; the McCourty brothers and Greg Olsen get set for the 2025 season
On the pod this week, host Austin Karp breaks down a number of deals struck between the NFL and ESPN. And with the season fast approaching, Karp is joined by NBC’s Devin McCourty, CBS’ Jason McCourty and Fox’s Greg Olsen to look at what’s in store for 2025. 1:13 ESPN-NFL DEAL5:18 THE McCOURTY BROTHERS INTERVIEW25:40 GREG OLSEN INTERVIEW29:58 QUICK HITTERS Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 31, 2025 • 39min
NBCUniversal launching another cable sports channel? All things media with The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch
On the pod this week, co-hosts Austin Karp and Mollie Cahillane break down the latest in sports media, including NBCUniversal potentially launching a new cable sports channel. Also, The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch joins the show to break down the future of NFL Media, including what may happen in the wake of the Paramount/Skydance merger. The trio also examines what a 16-team CFP could look like from a media perspective. Finally, an examination of the media future of both the NBA and MLB. 1:11 NBCU CABLE SPORTS CHANNEL4:43 NFL MEDIA24:52 COLLEGE FOOTBALL33:22 QUICK HITTERS Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 24, 2025 • 47min
WNBA All-Star Game rewind, Snap’s Anmol Malhotra and Joe Hand Promotions’ Joe Hand Jr.
Anmol Malhotra, Global Head of Sports Partnerships at Snap, discusses how the platform is revolutionizing fan engagement through innovative content and augmented reality. Joe Hand Jr., President of Joe Hand Promotions, shares insights on the evolving pay-per-view landscape and its impact on live sports. Rachel Axon breaks down the WNBA All-Star weekend, highlighting the league's cultural significance and the push for fairer player contracts. The conversation also touches on the collaboration between Barstool Sports and Fox Sports, and the challenges networks face in attracting younger audiences.