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A New Voice in the $500 Billion Collectibles Market Apr 09, 2024

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Media focused on collectibles has often centered around breaking open card packs and other hype-focused events. A new entry, Cllct, founded by Darren Rovell, takes a different, more journalistic approach. Rovell joins the show to discuss why he started the publication and the state of the collectibles market in the wake of the pandemic boom.

Plus, the trendy new thing in Brooklyn is owning a soccer team, and we look back at the record-setting Final Four.

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March Madness Star Jack Gohlke on His Life-Changing Tourney Apr 08, 2024

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The NIL era has changed what it means to be a March Madness Cinderella team, especially for those teams’ star players. Oakland’s Jack Gohlke joins the show to discuss how his team’s improbable upset of Kentucky has changed life for him.

Plus, former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has a new role with the Miami Grand Prix. He describes how Formula 1 is working to build on its initial hype in the U.S. to create a lasting presence in the country.

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The NIL Machine Behind DJ Burns’s Magical Tournament Run Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

Not long ago, NC State looked to be NIT-bound at best. Now the Wolfpack are in the Final Four, and their star big man, DJ Burns, has been cooking on and off the court, making deals with Adidas, CVS, and TurboTax, among others. We take a look at the often-chaotic world of March Madness deal-making, while peeking ahead at what will likely be record audience numbers for the women’s Final Four, despite NCAA management disasters.

Plus, it’s another big weekend for NASCAR races. Driver and broadcaster Parker Kligerman joins the show to discuss the sport’s new $7 billion media-rights deal, its place in U.S. culture, and why Amazon is now part of NASCAR’s broadcasting pit crew.

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What Record Ratings Mean for Women’s College Basketball Apr 04, 2024

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The people have spoken—with their remotes. Iowa’s Elite Eight win over LSU in the women’s college basketball tournament captured 12.3 million viewers for ESPN, the most for a women’s game broadcast in the U.S. We dig into what those numbers could do for future broadcasts of the sport—starting with this weekend’s final—and why ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ may not stay long in its time slot.

Plus, skateboarding will be back at the Olympics in Paris this summer. The CEO of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, Matt Cohn, shares how the company's Street League Skateboarding works to maintain the sport's renegade spirit while the biggest stars are collaborating with global brands.

(00:00) Tuned In on the Final Four

(07:46) Thrill One CEO Matt Cohn Joins FOS Today

(14:01) How Skateboarders are Building Their Brand

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The Business of Sports Speculation Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Former ‘SportsCenter’ anchors Trey Wingo and Kevin Frazier recently launched a new show that asks the big ‘what if’ questions from sports history. Billed as a ‘leap into the multiverse,’ their podcast ‘Alternate Routes’ is the latest example of talent leaping from legacy media brands into the great unknown of the always-on, streaming future. Wingo and Frazier join the show to tell us why now was the right time to make the move.

Plus, through its Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia has presented a $2 billion proposal to unite the ATP and WTA. We asked women’s world No. 5 player Jessica Pegula whether this is a good idea.

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Midge Purce, Alexis Ohanian, and the Future of Women’s Sports Apr 02, 2024

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NWSL star Midge Purce and Alexis Ohanian, cofounder of Reddit and founding owner of Angel City FC, are producing The Offseason, a series in production that’s part docuseries, part reality show. They join the pod to discuss how they’re breaking a sports-media mold and why the future of sports is female.

Plus, the A’s could be staying in Oakland—at least for a few years. We dig into the latest plot twists in the ongoing drama.

(00:00) Are the A's Staying Oakland?

(06:31) Alexis Ohanian and Midge Purce on The Offseason

(19:25) All Star Investors in the NWSL

(24:35) Ohanian's Favorite Serena Williams Highlight

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Ted Leonsis on Virginia Deal: 'It Started to Scare Us' Apr 01, 2024

Show notes

The Wizards and Capitals owner joins the show to discuss what happened with his planned $2 billion development in Alexandria, and why he's optimistic about retrenching and redesigning in D.C. Leonsis also talks about his big plans for Capital One Arena, how he hopes to survive RSN disruption, and MLB aspirations.

Plus, one Final Four is set and another will be by the end of today. We take stock of the state of women's and men's college hoops.

(00:00) The State of College Basketball w/ Amanda Christovich

(08:48) Ted Leonsis Joins FOS Today

(16:37) Renovating Capital One Arena

(23:17) Navigating the RSN Landscape and the Future of MLB

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Why the Timberwolves Sale was Called Off Mar 29, 2024

Show notes

The Utah Jazz are pioneering a broadcasting arrangement with no local cable provider. Team president Jim Olson joins the show to discuss why the team made the move and how it’s going.

Plus, the sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx has been called off after Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore failed to meet a payment deadline, according to team owner Glen Taylor. A-Rod and Lore dispute Taylor’s claims, and believe they are still entitled to buy the team under the terms agreed to three years ago. We break down the drama behind one of the NBA’s top teams.

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MLB Opens Season With MLBPA, Ohtani, and Ownership Dramas Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

MLB opening day is here. It is also David Rubenstein’s first full day as Orioles’ owner, and the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes expects he will alter the futures of the O’s and the Washington Nationals, with whom the Orioles are locked in a years-long legal dispute. Janes also provides her perspective on the turmoil at the MLBPA, the Shohei Ohtani scandal, and who will win the World Series.

Plus, March Madness is breaking viewership records and more are likely to fall, NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to ban prop bets on college athletes, and the Marlins are offering all-you-can-eat snacks.

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Chiefs Double Down on Threats to Leave Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to float the possibility that they could leave the area if a vote for public money on April 2 doesn’t go their way. The defending Super Bowl champions are seeking funds for a major renovation of Arrowhead Stadium while the Kansas City Royals would get money for a new downtown stadium from the same vote.

Plus, the MLS referee lockout is over and we delve further into the statements made by Shohei Ohtani, his relationship to his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, and what the whole saga will mean for MLB with LA Times writer Mike DiGiovanna, who has covered Ohtani since the start of his MLB career.

(00:00) Could Chiefs Leave Kansas City?

(07:30) MLS Refs Return

(10:28) Mike DiGiovanna on Shohei’s Legacy

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