Real Sports Podcast

“Chechen Warlord Hosts MMA Fight-Club” with Karim Zidan Jul 08, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by journalist Karim Zidan. Zidan has reported on Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov since 2017. It’s been reported that Kadyrov uses an MMA fight-club as an apparatus of power and military might and Zidan joins to speak to the unusual events taking place.

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“The History of the AR-15“ with Zusha Elinson Jun 07, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Zusha Elinson, reporter from the Wall Street Journal who is currently writing a book on the history of the AR-15. Zusha has reported extensively on guns in America, including how the AR-15 has become its favorite sporting gun.

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“Depression Among Elite College Athletes“ with Daniel Eisenberg May 13, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Daniel Eisenberg, a professor of health policy at UCLA who specializes in mental health. They discuss the recent mental health crisis among collegiate athletes, potential solutions, and the importance of highlighting these issues. Eisenberg also happens to be a former athlete, having played soccer at Stanford.

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“Jake Paul: Problem Child“ with Chris Mannix Apr 21, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by boxing writer for Sports Illustrated and broadcaster for DAZN, Chris Mannix to comment on David Scott’s piece on Jake Paul. They comment on the polarizing aspects of Paul, from his past to what his future may look like in the sport of boxing. Mannix shares his excitement around the influence Paul is having on the arguably fading sport and how he’s changing the game.

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“Fighting the Gray“ with Jay Glazer Apr 07, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by NFL reporter Jay Glazer to revisit a portion of Bryant Gumbel’s 2011 piece on the well-connected “scoop artist.” Jay opens up about his personal mental health struggles, opening his own unique MMA gym and launching a project designed to bond football players with military veterans. Jay also weighs in on the latest from the NFL.

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“Home Schooled“ with Jalen Rose Mar 23, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by former collegiate and NBA basketball star, turned broadcaster and educator, Jalen Rose to talk about tackling one of his home city of Detroit’s biggest problems, a suffering school system and the effect it has on low-income African American students. Jalen reflects on his own experiences that led him to create the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy and pivoting from NBA star to educator.

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“The Sports World Freezes Out Putin“ with Michael Payne Mar 09, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by the former Marketing Director of the International Olympic Committee, Michael Payne to reflect on Bernard Goldberg’s 2016 IOC special report. They examine the response the sports world has taken against Vladimir Putin, the significance of recent announcements and why it took so long for organizations like the IOC to break ranks.

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“Bitcoin Beach“ with Kate Rooney Feb 23, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Kate Rooney of CNBC to examine the surfing hotspot El Zonte, a rustic beach town on the shore of El Salvador that is attempting to rebuild their economy around Bitcoin and reimagine how it’s used in their daily lives. Kate Rooney weighs in on El Salvador serving as a test cast for the financial world, and what Bitcoin’s future might look like.

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Exclusive: The Untold Story of The Washington Football Investigation Feb 03, 2022

With the NFL still concealing the results of its investigation into the Washington franchise and its alleged culture of sexual harassment, the Real Sports Podcast uses interviews with former team employees – many of whom have never spoken publicly before – to shed light on what may be hidden in the league’s confidential report. Host Max Gershberg is joined by Real Sports producer Katie Melone.

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“Show Me The Money” with Keith Whyte Jan 26, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Keith Whyte, the Executive Director for the National Council on Problem Gambling to examine the post-legalized sports betting world. Everyone wins except for one group -- the gamblers who become addicted. They discuss the fallout from sports betting in the UK and what should be done in the USA.

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“Olympians in Debt” with Johnathan Cheever Jan 13, 2022

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Jonathan Cheever, former Team USA snowboarder and 2018 Olympian to discuss the lack of revenue from the United States Olympic Committee flowing back to athletes. John Frankel’s 2018 report kicks off a conversation about what American athletes must do to fund their dreams, the cost of training and what should be done about it.

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“A Year in Review” with Bomani Jones Dec 20, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Bomani Jones, host of HBO’s “Game Theory with Bomani Jones”. They look back at the major stories over the past year, from star athletes serving as vaccine advocates, legal gambling in sports, and activism. Bomani hands out superlatives, including who he thinks was the best team to watch this past year.

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“Playing for Peanuts” with Harry Marino Dec 10, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by former ballplayer turned lawyer and Executive Director of the organization Advocates for Minor Leaguers, Harry Marino to look back on Jon Frankel’s 2018 report about the pay disparity minor league baseball players are facing in comparison to their Big League counterparts. They discuss the core issues facing minor league players and what to do next. [The interview starts at 13:50.]

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“The University of Michigan Sexual Abuse Trouble” with Dr. Amos Guiora Nov 24, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Professor of law at the University of Utah and author of “Armie of Enablers’ Survivor Stories of Complicity and Betrayal in Sexual Assault”, Dr. Amos Guiora. Dr. Guiora discusses sexual assault alligations from former Michigan Wolvarines who were alleged victims of longtime athletic doctor, Robert Anderson. They comment on the missteps of The University of Michigan, and the motivation of an enabler. [The interview starts at 18:14.]

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“The NHL’s Problem with Pain” with Daniel Carcillo Nov 04, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by former NHL Hockey Player, Daniel Carcillo to talk about his beliefs around the distribution of prescription pain medication and NHL culture. He also reflects on his friendship with the late Steve Montador who suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). We look back at the 2018 report about the NHL’s seeming refusal to acknowledge a connection between dangers of a violent game and potential for permanent brain damage in cases like Steve Montador’s. [The interview starts at 15:50.]

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“The Fallout From Jon Gruden’s Emails” with Andrea Kremer Oct 21, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Real Sports Correspondent, Andrea Kremer in an attempt to make sense of Jon Gruden’s leaked emails, and what this means for Mark Davis and the Raiders. They discuss the original investigation and how this could impact the NFL and team owners moving forward.

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“Making New Strides” with Mary Cain Oct 06, 2021

Host Max Gershberg catches up with running prodigy Mary Cain from January 2021. Mary reacts to her former coach Alberto Salazar’s suspension being upheld. Mary talks about her inspirations to create her nonprofit, Atalanta NYC and what her goals are personally and professionally. [The interview starts at 20:20.]

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“Love & Loss: Living in the Shadow of 9/11” with Jon Frankel Sep 23, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Real Sports Correspondent Jon Frankel. Jon Frankel opens up about ESPN Reporter Adam Schefter reaching out to him when entering a relationship with a 9/11 widow. Jon looks back at the grave day and reflects on the similarities and differences between him and Schefter with respect to marrying 9/11 widows and becoming fathers to their sons. [The interview starts at 15:35.]

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“The Case of Race Norms and Dementia” with Dr. Charles Golden Sep 09, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by Dr. Charles Golden, a Neuropsychologist with experience examining retired NFL players, and diagnosing them with dementia. Dr. Golden talks about diagnoses and related settlement payments being rejected, and how race norms played into those decisions. He later discusses his own examination and findings of former NFL running back, Najeh Davenport. [The interview starts at 20:50.]

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“Card Craze” with Mike Gioseffi & Harrison Barnes Aug 26, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by host of the Ringer Podcast, Sports Cards Nonsense Mike Gioseffi to talk about the recently unexpected boom in the sports collecting and trading market and what this means for the future of both traditional and digital collectables. Later, Max is joined by Sacramento Kings Forward and avid NBA Top Shot enthusiast Harrison Barnes to learn more about the NBA Top Shot, how it was embraced and question the value of NFT’s in the collectible world. [The interview starts at 16:05.]

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“The Life of a Sports Agent” with Leigh Steinberg Aug 12, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by sports super agent Leigh Steinberg, who went from living the high life to falling into bankruptcy and battling addiction to then rebuilding his life and returning to prominence as a top agent. Steinberg reflects on his journey from when Real Sports last spoke with him in 2012, detailing his struggles and celebrating the new wins in his life. Steinberg also weighs in on the latest news coming out of the NFL -- including issues surrounding Covid vaccination -- as the 2021 season approaches. [The interview starts at 14:41.]

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“Green Gold Rush” with Al Harrington Jul 28, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by former NBA player, and cannabis entrepreneur, Al Harrington. Harrington reflects on discovering the power of the marijuana plant and why he believes it’s a natural, healthier alternative to alcohol. He reflects on his success of his company, VIola, and how it led to his goal of creating 100 Black millionaires in the cannabis space. He comments on the stigma around athletes and weed, and shares his thoughts on U.S. track star Sha'Carri Richardson’s recent suspension due to a positive marijuana test. [The interview starts at 15:58.]

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“The Reconstruction Olympics - Tokyo 2021” with Real Sports Correspondent David Scott Jul 14, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by correspondent David Scott to discuss the effort put forth by the International Olympic Committee and Japan to host the 2021 Olympics. With the games already reluctantly pushed to 2021, both the IOC and the host country of Japan are determined to move forward. They revisit an archival story from January 2020 that reports on the existing radiation in Fukushima from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, and a report from the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown that shows while the sports world was shutting down, Olympic trials continued to the detriment of global communities. Lastly, David’s recent report covering the relentless push to vaccinate athletes in vaccine-deficient countries demonstrates the lengths pursued to carry on with the 2021 Olympics. [The interview starts at 7:42.]

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“Big League Advance” with Real Sports Producer Nick Dolin Jun 25, 2021

Host Max Gershberg is joined by fellow Real Sports Producer Nick Dolin to examine a new business shaking up the baseball industry: Big League Advance, a private equity fund founded by former Major League Baseball pitcher Michael Schwimer. The investment firm pays Minor League players money before they make it, in exchange for a percentage of their future baseball earnings. If they don’t make it, they don’t have to repay. Schwimer’s all-or-nothing approach is attractive to investors and upcoming players who are notoriously paid little in the Minor Leagues, though critics say it’s exploiting young athletes. Recently the company was in the news when client and MLB star Fernando Tatis, Jr., signed a $340 million contract. They discuss how the business works and examine the risks taken by both investors and players. [The interview starts at 15:00.]

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“Why Black America Has Abandoned Baseball” with Doug Glanville Jun 09, 2021

Real Sports Podcast host Max Gershberg is joined by former Major League Baseball outfielder turned broadcaster and writer Doug Glanville to reflect on Chris Rock’s archived 2015 stand-up piece on why black baseball fans are considered an “endangered species.” They examine the idea of fandom being generational and review the Marist poll and Center for Sports Communication study results highlighting the realities keeping participation low among African-Americans. [The interview starts at 08:45.]

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“Reporting While Female” with Andrea Kremer May 27, 2021

Real Sports Podcast host Max Gershberg is joined by correspondent and award-winning journalist Andrea Kremer to learn more about the harassment female journalists face while working in the male-dominated industry of sports. Andrea reflects on her own experiences in the field and shares more about the disadvantage women have today as well as how #MeToo could make sports reporting a more accepting place for women. [The interview starts at 17:10.]

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"The Fight Before the Fight" with Ariel Helwani May 12, 2021

Real Sports Podcast host Max Gershberg speaks with renowned mixed martial arts reporter and sports journalist Ariel Helwani about the dangerous consequences MMA fighters face as a result of severe weight cutting prior to a fight. Helwani details why the extreme practice persists, who is ultimately to blame, and what state commissions and the UFC are -- and are not -- currently doing to try to make the sport safer. [The interview starts at 15:42.]

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"Benched: Youth Mental Health Fallout from Covid" with Kavitha Davidson Apr 21, 2021

Real Sports Podcast host Max Gershberg speaks with Real Sports correspondent Kavitha Davison about how the loss of youth sports has seriously affected the mental health of young athletes in America throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Davidson elaborates on how the experts she interviewed were able to draw their conclusions about the link between depression and the loss of athletics, highlighting what makes sports different from other extracurricular activities. Gershberg and Davison also discuss the ways in which the various sports-related restrictions have disproportionately impacted poorer communities.

Interview starts at 14:30. Watch Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel on HBO Max.

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“Going the Extra Mile: Remembering Dick Hoyt” Apr 07, 2021

Real Sports Podcast host Max Gershberg speaks with Dave McGillivray, the director of the Boston Marathon and longtime friend of the late Dick Hoyt, about Team Hoyt’s lasting impact on the racing community and the Hoyts’ incomparable father-son bond. Dave shares some of his favorite memories from his time with the Hoyts and gives a glimpse into what the response has been like since Dick’s passing. Also, Gershberg and McGillivray reflect on Dick and Rick Hoyt’s memorable appearances on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel over the past 15 years, chronicling their growing popularity and journey on and off the racecourse.

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"Bouncing Back" with Jayson Williams Mar 25, 2021

Real Sports Podcast host Max Gershberg is joined by former NBA star Jayson Williams to talk about the series of life events that led him to create “Rebound,” his unique rehabilitation program for those suffering from addiction that puts an emphasis on action-adventure physical activities, alongside life coaches and wellness practices. Williams doesn’t hold back, reflecting on his descent into alcoholism, his time at Rikers Island Prison, and shares his newfound outlook on the many chances life has awarded him.

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"Reforming College Athletics" with Senator Cory Booker Mar 10, 2021

Real Sports Podcast host Max Gershberg breaks down the ongoing controversy surrounding the NCAA’s treatment of student-athletes with U.S. Senator from New Jersey Cory Booker, who recently introduced a sweeping NCAA reform bill. Senator Booker delves into the problems he sees within the current amateurism system and explains how he believes athletes should be compensated beyond their scholarships. Gershberg and Senator Booker also reflect on several past ‘Real Sports’ reports, which further exemplify the issues that have arisen from the NCAA’s practices over the years.

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"Black Coaches in the NFL" with Rod Graves Feb 25, 2021

Real Sports Podcast host Max Gershberg delves into Bryant Gumbel’s report on the lack of Black head coaches in the NFL with guest Rod Graves, the Executive Director of The Fritz Pollard Alliance. Graves further breaks down the pros and cons of the NFL’s “Rooney Rule” -- a policy requiring teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operation jobs -- and explains what else needs to be accomplished in order to create a more fair and equitable hiring process.

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"In The Rough": Trump’s Golf Reckoning Feb 10, 2021

The Real Sports Podcast looks back at the previously reported story, “Trumped,” an updated report from the April 2016 episode of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. Host Max Gershberg is joined by golf journalist John Feinstein to bring us up to speed on former President Donald Trump’s status in the golf world, and how the events at the Capitol prompted the PGA to cut ties with Trump -- for now.

Interview starts at 17:12

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“The Long Haul” with Mary Carillo Jan 27, 2021

The Real Sports Podcast kicks off its first episode by diving deeper into “The Long Haul” report featured on the January 26, 2021 episode of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. Host Max Gershberg is joined by correspondent Mary Carillo to learn more about the long-lasting effects of COVID-19 on athletes and why this story initially scared her.

Interview starts at 16:43
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The Real Sports Podcast Is Coming Soon Jan 19, 2021

HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is getting a podcast. This bi-weekly podcast, hosted by Real Sports producer Max Gershberg, will offer an insider look at stories from the latest episode of the show.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss out. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. And watch new episodes of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, every month on HBO Max.

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