Sports With Friends

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397. The Impact Of Regional Sports Networks' Bankruptcy Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

In March 2023, Diamond Sports, the parent company of Bally Sports Regional Networks, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, but as of the release of this podcast, is currently operating as normal. Diamond's parent company Sinclair has amassed $8 billion in debt since its acquisition of the RSNs in 2019. 14 MLB Teams have their games carried on a Bally Sports Network. There are also several NBA and NHL teams as well. Kurt Bodenhausen is a reporter for Sportico and has been covering this story for that website. In this episode, he explains why Sinclair/Diamond bought the RSNs in the first place when cord-cutting and streaming were on the rise. He also explains how all Bally Sports Network teams are not suffering the same fate. Follow Kurt on social media @kbadenhausen.

396. The Story of Ken Caminiti with Author Dan Good Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

With 2023 Opening Day occurring the week this episode is released; this is the first baseball-centric episode of the 2023 season. The saga of 1996 National League MVP Ken Caminiti is one of triumph and tragedy. He was a superior player, marred by the steroid era that eventually impacted his health. In his new book Playing Through the Pain, writer Dan Good seeks to make sense of MLB MVP Ken Caminiti's fascinating, troubled life. Good began researching Caminiti in 2012 and conducted his first interviews for his biography in 2013. Since then, he's interviewed nearly 400 people, providing him with an exclusive and exhaustive view into Caminiti's addictions, use of steroids, baseball successes, and inner turmoil. Good's on-the-record sources include Caminiti's steroids supplier, who has never come forward; people who attended rehab with Caminiti and revealed the secret inner trauma that fueled his addictions; hundreds of Caminiti's baseball teammates and coaches; childhood friends who were drawn to his daring personality, warmth, and athleticism; and the teenager at the center of Caminiti's October 2004 trip to New York City, during which he overdosed and died. In this episode, Good discusses the process of deciding Caminiti was a good subject for a book, and the many new things he learned about the baseball all-star. Get Playing through the Pain here: https://a.co/d/ehBKIOm Follow Dan Good on social media @Dgood73.

395. Formula-E Driver Jake Dennis Mar 22, 2023

Show notes

At the time of this episode's release, Jake Dennis is in 2nd place, challenging for Formula E's Season 9 Championship. Dennis has been a Formula-E since 2020. He currently races for the Avalanche Andretti team, which is based in the United States. Dennis, who grew up and currently lives in England won the first race in Mexico City on January 14th, 2023, and hasn't looked back. He already has three podiums in the young season. This Saturday is Round 6 of Season 9, the first-ever race in São Paulo, Brazil. In the episode, Dennis discusses his early success and gives insight as to how to be strategic in an electric car race. He speaks about his former teammate American Oliver Askew, who has moved to the broadcast booth after his appearance on the podcast last year, and Andre Lotterer, his new teammate who has also been on this show. Finally, Jake explains how he's pulling for Seth's Premier League team Arsenal despite being a lifelong fan of Leicester City.

394. "When Women Stood" Author Alexandra Allred Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

This podcast continues a series of episodes commemorating Women's History Month. Alex Allred's new book “When Women Stood: The Untold History of Females Who Changed Sports and the World.” In the book, Allred discusses the various challenges women have faced in sports. It offers a historical perspective but also a detailed analysis of current issues such as social media, the #metoo movement, and the debate about transgendered athletes. Allred is a professor of kinesiology at Tarleton State University. In this episode, she discusses how she chose the various subjects to address. She mentions superstar athletes such as Simone Biles, Rhonda Rousey, Britney Griner, and many more. Get the book here: https://a.co/d/88FhI5w For more info check out www.alexandraallred.com.

393. Olympic Skiing Medal-Winner Devin Logan Mar 08, 2023

Show notes

This episode is released on International Women's Day and is dedicated to women both in and out of sports, all over the world. The podcast has a long tradition of having Olympic athletes on the show. Freestyle Skier Devin Logan is a 3-time Olympian. She participated in Sochi (2014), PyeongChang (2018), and most recently, Beijing (2022). She won the silver medal in the women's slopestyle event in 2014. She also had a bronze medal in World Championships in the halfpipe in 2017. In this episode, Logan speaks about her involvement in a new initiative from U.S. Ski & Snowboard entitled Heroic. Its goals within the overall women's movement, along with the challenges women face, improvements that have been made, and general advice for those entering the ski and snowboard industry. Logan also gives intimate details on the day she won the silver medal in 2014. She discusses what International Women's Day means to her, and what message it sends to women worldwide. Follow Devin on Instagram @devinlogan.

392. Seattle Kraken Announcer John Forslund Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

Longtime NHL Announcer John Forslund is in his second season calling Seattle Kraken games for ROOT Sports. He joined the Kraken after a lengthy tenure as the TV voice of the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes. During his tenure in Carolina, he also called national games most recently for NBC and TNT. During the Spring of 2020, he called games for NBC Sports in the Toronto “bubble” through the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Forslund joined the Hartford Whalers in 1991 as the team's public relations director. He became the team's announcer in 1995. In 1997, he followed the franchise when they relocated to Carolina and became the Hurricanes. In this episode, he detailed the process for his getting hired by the Kraken. He also explained what the Kraken need to do to become a true fixture in the Seattle sports community. Forslund gave his thoughts on the possibility of an NBA franchise returning to Seattle. Follow John Forslund on social media @JohnForslund.

391. Lisa Guerrero Feb 22, 2023

Show notes

Lisa Guerrero is currently Inside Edition's Chief Investigative Correspondent. She has produced stories that have led to arrests, changed federal legislation and policies at Fortune 500 companies, and helped shine a light on crime, scams, child abuse, and even cold case murders. She has won over thirty-five national journalism honors and awards. Before that, she had a tumultuous sportscasting career in television. Guerrero spent over a decade as a nationally recognized sports reporter on CBS, Fox, ABC, and ESPN, having anchored and reported for dozens of shows including the wildly popular “The Best Damn Sports Show Period.” In 2003, she was the sideline reporter for ABC's Monday Night Football. In her new book, “Warrior: My Path to Being Brave,” she explained that while she covered Super Bowls, Worlds Series, NBA Finals, and interviewed sports superstars. From the outside, it seemed glamorous, but often she was miserable, told to smile more, argue less, and show a lot of leg and cleavage. Colleagues would joke—sometimes on national TV—that she clinched big interviews because of sexual acts rather than talent. She made a mistake on air during the opening game on Monday Night Football that cost her her sportscasting career… and almost her life. In this episode, she displays incredible candor in detailing the ups and downs. She also talks about the small roles she played in various films and TV shows, including Batman Returns, Moneyball, and Frasier. Get “Warrior” here: https://tinyurl.com/2awjdn8w Follow Lisa on social media @4lisaguerrero.

390. Jon Wertheim (Sports Illustrated, Tennis Channel, 60 Minutes) Feb 15, 2023

Show notes

Longtime reporter and broadcaster Jon Wertheim has been with Sports Illustrated since 1996. He is also an analyst for Tennis Channel. Recently, he began doing non-sports reporting for the CBS Show 60 Minutes. In this episode, Wertheim discussed the recent passing of his longtime SI colleague Grant Wahl. He also discusses the current state of Tennis, including a discussion about the recently completed 2023 Australian Open. He weighed in on the debate for tennis of 2 out of 3 set matches being a better viewing experience than 3 out of 5 set matches. He also talked about the state of streaming, and the NBA's issue with load management. He also went into detail about a story he did for 60 Minutes about Prince and a tour of Paisley Park since the musician's passing. He also discussed Seth's previous involvement with Prince. Follow Jon Wertheim on social media @jon_wertheim.

389. NFL Hall-of-Famer James Lofton Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

Hall of Fame wide receiver James Lofton is now in his ninth season calling games for the NFL on CBS. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time, Lofton was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. Lofton was named to the NFL Pro Bowl eight times. He was also named to four All-Pro teams. He also played in three Super Bowls during his career with the Bills. In his 16 NFL seasons, Lofton caught 764 passes for 14,004 yards and 75 touchdowns. He averaged 20 yards per catch or more in five seasons, leading the league in 1983 and 1984 with an average of 22.4 and 22 yards, respectively. Lofton is the first NFL player to record 14,000 yards receiving. After his playing career ended, he became a wide receivers coach for the San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders. Lofton served as a color analyst and sideline reporter for NFL coverage on Westwood One radio from 1999–2001. In 2009, he re-joined the network to team with Dave Sims and later Kevin Kugler on Sunday Night Football broadcasts. He moved to a television position on the NFL on CBS in 2017. He has been the game analyst paired with 3-time Sports with Friends guest Andrew Catalon since then. In this episode, Lofton previews the upcoming Super Bowl matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. He also discussed his career, and what he brings to the broadcast booth.

388. Eric LeGrand Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

Former Rutgers football player turned broadcaster and entrepreneur Eric LeGrand joined the show. In October 2010, LeGrand suffered a life-threatening career-ending spinal cord injury in the 4th quarter of a game vs. Army. In the years since his catastrophic injury, LeGrand has shown improvement in his medical well-being. He has joined the Rutgers Broadcast team on the Rutgers Radio Network. In 2022, he opened LeGrand Coffee House, and in 2023, is launching LeGrand Whiskey. Last Fall, the New Jersey Devils announced the winning black-owned, New Jersey-based business for this season's Devils Buy Black Partnership, a business and marketing program seeking to expand access and opportunity for Black entrepreneurs. LeGrand Coffee House is located in the Avenue & Green Development at 10 Green Street in Eric's hometown of Woodbridge, New Jersey. In this episode, LeGrand details his health status and gives details on his daily routine. He also explains his Philanthropy and the motivation behind his “Believe” mantra. All of Eric's activities are cataloged on his website, https://ericlegrand52.com/. Follow Eric LeGrand on social media @EricLeGrand52.

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