Real Sports Podcast

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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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