The Sports Media Podcast

This week on the SBJ Sports Media Podcast, Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter get heavy into football with the start of the NFL season and the CFP inching closer to a 24-team format. The duo also dishes on a Ben Shelton-Frances Tiafoe showdown at the U.S. Open semifinals, two Taylors shining during the Michigan game and the PWHL’s latest deal. And amid the start to the NFL season, Falcons President & CEO Greg Beadles joins the pod to discuss the latest from his perch down in Atlanta. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the SBJ Sports Media Podcast, Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter break down the latest around Tony Romo, a new media deal in the golf space, and look back at Week 0 in college football. Also, CBS analyst Charles Davis joins the pod to break down his return to college football and how being the voice of Madden NFL has given him street cred. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter talk about the myriad moves being made by DAZN, including more NBA rights, adding a channel for Monumental+ and acquiring EverPass. With college football’s Week 0 set for this weekend, ESPN’s Rece Davis joins the show to talk about his time as host and how the show stays relevant. Plus, with the Tour Championship underway in Atlanta, CBS’ Trevor Immelman talks about the state of the PGA Tour and more. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We've got a bonus episode this week. SBJ Sports media podcast co-host Austin Karp recently went one-on-one with NFL Senior Vice President of Data and Analytics Paul Ballew, diving into the data, trends, and decision-making shaping today's NFL. The conversation was packed with insights, so we're bringing you the full extended interview. Here's Austin with the NFL's data chief. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

SBJ tennis reporter Rob Schaefer joins the show this week to preview the U.S. Open, and we’re also joined by Andy Roddick to discuss the Open, as well as his new role at ESPN. NFL executive Paul Ballew dives into data and analytics around the league. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter look at what came out of CBS NFL Media Day in the wake of the Tony Romo’s leave of absence. The duo also looks at what stands out from the NBA schedule release, what a 20-team CFP would mean for ESPN and other outlets and an interesting new hire for the PGA Tour. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter break down Disney's early ad sellout of the Super Bowl and its Q3 earnings. Also, the latest on Tony Romo's future with CBS and the Preakness Stakes makes substantive changes to sure up its future. Finally, with a new ESPN Radio show starting this week, Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr. join the pod to discuss the new show and more. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter dig into why MSG and YES Network are taking streaming from the Gotham App over to DAZN, and what it means for DAZN cracking the U.S. market. Plus, the duo breaks down what MLS might get in its next media deal, the sports angles related to Paramount Skydance’s upcoming court case and the WNBA’s strong first half. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp is joined by Richard Deitsch, Alex Silverman and Bret McCormick for a deep dive into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The quartet looks back at the tournament’s record-breaking viewership for Fox and Telemundo, forecasts the future of World Cup media rights, and discuss FIFA’s first World Cup halftime show. Plus, Silverman and McCormick share on-the-ground insights from host cities across the country. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter reflect on the massive viewership around the World Cup quarterfinals, as well as Bundesliga's shift away from ESPN. We look back at Netflix's debut around MLB's Home Run Derby, and Chicago Sports Network's Mike McCarthy joins the pod to talk RSNs. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter reflect on the U.S. and Mexico exits from the FIFA World Cup, and how Fox and Telemundo will continue to deliver viewership numbers. Plus, the duo look at who might want rights to the next iterations of the tournament. Then, Karp and Carpenter address Versant’s recent acquisition of Full Swing. Plus, with MLB All-Star weekend around the bend, MMLB Network’s Matt Vasgersian, who will call the Home Run Derby, breaks down Netflix’s debut with the event and what he sees regarding MLB’s labor situation. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Coming up on this week’s pod: Diving into World Cup viewership, what’s next for NBC and Comcast from a sports perspective, Bonnie Bernstein joins the show, and our hosts offer a peak at their Fourth of July plans. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp digs into the NBA Draft presentation, NASCAR’s debut in San Diego, the continued rise of NCAA Baseball and Linda Cohn’s “SportsCenter” legacy. Karp also delves into Telemundo having to make corrections to their early World Cup numbers. Finally, ahead of U.S.-Turkey to wrap the group stage, Fox Sports lead analyst Stu Holden breaks down the early portion of the tournament. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter dig into the big numbers to start the World Cup, and how Fox has really looked to commercialize hydration breaks. Plus, the duo looks at how the NBA and NHL finished their seasons on a high, the UFC Freedom 250’s presentation on Paramount+, what to make of Fox Corp.’s purchase of Roku and the latest on golf media with the U.S. Open underway at Shinnecock Hills. Finally, with Fanatics Fest on the horizon, Lance Fensterman, CEO of Fanatics Events, joins the pod to talk about all the content that will be coming out of Javits Center in July. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp looks at where things sit with the NBA Finals, Pat McAfee eyeing a new deal that could be worth $60 million annually and the lack of star power at Roland Garros. After an incredible start to the Stanley Cup Final, ESPN’s Sean McDonough joins to talk about the Golden Knights-Hurricanes matchup and the state of the. Finally, with the FIFA World Cup set to begin, SBJ soccer writer Alex Silverman joins the pod to break down the event. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter dive into a big June for ABC, which is hosting both the Stanley Cup Final as well as the NBA Finals, which will have an international flair. We break down the newest NFL analyst for CBS Sports, and Rebecca Lowe looks ahead to the World Cup. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter dig into the NBA and ESPN getting the Knicks back in the NBA Finals, what Stanley Cup Final matchup would be best for the NHL, takeaways from NASCAR and IndyCar on Memorial Day weekend and what to make of the recent Excel Sports-WIN Sports tie-up. Finally, with just two weeks until the FIFA World Cup, Karp sits down with Landon Donovan and Tim Howard to talk about their podcast and what to expect from the event as it hits North America. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the SBJ Sports Media Pod: What’s ahead for the NBA conference finals and finals, a big race weekend on tap, NASCAR’s Nielsen pivot, and recapping the Sports Business Awards. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ’s Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter go deep on the biggest headlines around sports media. First, the duo look back at the Upfronts in Manhattan and how sports was woven in. Then, there’s talk about where some NFL games are landing ahead of the formal schedule release and how the Knicks return to the conference finals is a win for the NBA. Finally, with Roland Garros around the corner and the network growing its viewership, Tennis Channel CEO Jeff Blackburn joins to break down how the spring was a big hit and what’s ahead for the Sinclair-owned channel. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's pod, SBJ media reporters Austin Karp and Josh Carpenter saddle up to break down the biggest Kentucky Derby audience since 1983. Then, it’s the latest on a carriage dispute between Disney and Comcast over NFL Network and why Duke basketball made sense for Amazon Prime Video. Finally, Matthew Caldwell of the T’Wolves and Lynx dishes why he moved from the NHL to the NBA, fan reaction to Year 1 of the new NBA media deals, what’s next for the two teams on local distribution and his favorite Army-Navy game memories. Sign up for SBJ 360, our free, daily newsletter. SBJ 360 delivers a concise, high-level overview of the most important stories shaping the sports industry. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.