Front Office Sports Today

Latest Episodes:

MLB’s Post-Pitch Clock Boom Continues Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

MLB had its best-attended weekend in over a decade, while its local broadcasting future gets hashed out in court. Meanwhile, a change in the minor leagues provides hints on the future of umpiring. The league is also commemorating the Negro Leagues with a game in Alabama, as it continues its series of custom-built specialty games. Front Office Sports newsletter co-author Eric Fisher joins the show to break down everything going on with the busy league.

Plus, Pat McAfee reportedly remains without a contract to keep his place on ESPN’s College GameDay, and many Charlotte residents are unhappy with a proposal to spend $650 million renovating the Panthers’ stadium.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Major Implications of the SCOTUS Sports Betting Decision Jun 18, 2024

Show notes

The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the sports betting monopoly held by the Seminole Tribe in Florida. The decision likely secures the tribe’s domination of the sports betting market until 2051, and could set precedents that have implications in other states. Sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach joins the show to explain the decision and what could happen next.

Plus, Shaun White is launching a snowboarding league, a former coach is suing LSU, and Derek Jeter sold an estate often compared to a medieval castle in upstate New York.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Sandwich Delivery Driver to MLB Pitcher Jun 17, 2024

Show notes

Chris Roycroft charted an unlikely path to MLB, training between shifts as a Jimmy John's delivery person, car mechanic, and other odd jobs. Now a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Roycroft joins the show to discuss the habits and determination that got him to MLB, and the challenging life of an independent league baseball player.

Plus, Charles Barkley announced plans to call it quits as a TV analyst, MLB faces a new integrity challenge, and the US team’s run in the Cricket World Cup could have a lasting impact.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How the US Open is Designed for Drama Jun 14, 2024

Show notes

Pinehurst No. 2 is designed to be one of the more challenging, intimidating major golf courses, and it will be the stage for this weekend’s US Open. Golfer-turned-analyst Smylie Kaufman joins the show to discuss the nuances of broadcasting the tournament, and how his time as a player against many of today’s top competitors informs his approach as an analyst.

Plus, Formula E has a new majority owner, the Big 12 is mulling a massive conference naming rights deal, and a peculiar drama is unfolding in the world of competitive eating.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stanley Cup Final a Clash of Vastly Different Markets Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

The Stanley Cup Final brings together the Florida Panthers, who have ridden a wave of recent success to build a loyal fanbase, against the Edmonton Oilers, a team with a deep history but little success in the last decade. Those different paths are on display as the series moves to Edmonton. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan joins the show to break down the narratives on and off the ice, and opine on who will be the big movers this offseason.

Plus, Front Office Sports’ David Rumsey checks in from the US Open at Pinehurst, Paramount pulls the plug on a major media deal, and Nike was denied a trademark.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cricket Making Its Case as America’s Next Big Sport Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

While cricket is usually associated with countries like India, Pakistan, and the U.K., the U.S. team is making the most of its time hosting the T20 Cricket World Cup. The team’s upset victory over Pakistan has the country eyeing a spot in the tournament’s next rounds. U.S. National Team batter Aaron Jones joins the show to discuss the sport’s big moment.

Plus, Shannon Sharpe signed a multi-year with ESPN a year after being pushed out at FS1, a college basketball team from 1983 is suing the NCAA, and Christian McCaffrey celebrated a new contract, a Madden cover, and his birthday in one week.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Designing Niche Social Media-Driven Sports Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

The Pro League Network is carving out a unique space in the sports landscape with properties such as Slap Fight, Putt Putt, and Carjitsu. These novel sports are produced as digital-first properties to catch the attention of social media users among others. PLN founders Mike Salvaris and Bill Yucatonis join the show to discuss how they are building a sports media company for today’s fans.

Plus, NBA commissioner Adam Silver floated potential expansion cities, and the Oilers run to the Stanley Cup Final has caused a strange political fight in Canada.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBA Hits Peak Drama with Finals, Rights, and Draft Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

The NBA is having one of its most dramatic periods in recent memory with a historic rights deal expected to be announced in the same month as its finals and draft. ESPN’s Bobby Marks joins the show to explain how each of those will shape how teams build toward a future in which the salary cap is set to reach enormous heights.

Plus, bids are coming in for Everton, two non-MLB events drew huge crowds at historic MLB stadiums, and the French Open wrapped up.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Sports Drinks Have Evolved with Sports Media Jun 07, 2024

Show notes

Sports drinks have long been closely allied with sports, but as media has changed to help athletes grow their personal brands, sports drink brands have adjusted. BodyArmor CMO Tom Gargiulo joins the show to discuss how he approaches the shifting performance-drink market.

Plus, two finals broadcasts will break barriers, the NHL is looking for its Drive to Survive moment, and we explore the state of golf one year after the announced deal between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sports’ Next Big Labor Movement Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

Harry Marino led the charge to unionize minor league baseball players, eventually securing massive pay and benefit increases. Now he is turning his attention to a larger project: organizing non-union sports workers from coaches to stadium workers. He joins the show to explain what worked with the minor leagues and how he intends to build on that success with this next project under his new organization, Sports Solidarity.

Plus, the Chiefs, Browns, and Panthers are all seeking public funds for new NFL stadiums or major renovations and JJ Redick could parlay a podcast into a head coaching gig.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected