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Podcasts hosted by professional athletes

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Professional athletes have a documented history of going into the sports media industry after they retire from their playing careers. In the mid-to-late 2010s, there were a growing amount of instances of players pursuing media ventures even during their playing careers. Often times, athletes utilize the podcast medium to disseminate their media output, with these podcasts covering the athletes' respective sport.

History

[edit]
JJ Redick was the first active NBA player to launch a podcast

A. J. Hawk has been cited as the first active professional athlete to begin podcasting, having launched his Hawk Cast in 2014.[1][2] JJ Redick was the first NBA player to launch a podcast while still an active player, hosting The Vertical on Yahoo! Sports in 2016.[3][4] After punter Pat McAfee retired from the National Football League (NFL) in 2016, he launched his own eponymous show; it has been credited with "paving the way for fellow athletes to pursue a media career upon retirement".[5]

In the 2020s, the rise in players issuing statements or producing content through their own media ventures was dubbed the "new media" by National Basketball Association (NBA) player Draymond Green.[6] Players have been noted to invite and interview fellow players on their podcasts.[7] Sometimes, these podcasts are co-hosted by friends of the players who did not have professional sport careers.[8]

Analysis and reception

[edit]

The New York Times writer Jeremy Gordon commented that "the premise of so many athlete-run podcasts" involves how the podcasts "demystify what these people do, allowing talented figures to break down their talent-utilization processes", citing examples including "Draymond [Green]'s, or The Old Man and the Three (in which the former NBA player JJ Redick and co-host Tommy Alter trade stories and discuss the modern league), or All the Smoke (the former NBA journeymen Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson trade stories and discuss the modern league), or I Am Athlete (the former NFL receivers Brandon Marshall and Chad Johnson trade stories and discuss the modern league).[9] Gordon criticized this concept, writing "But the demystification process can, at times, be too thorough", and adding that "it turns out to be deeply enervating to hear these athletes talk about [sports]".[9]

Reception of the podcasts vary from podcast to podcast, though media writers have also written about the broad concept and its increased prominence over the years. Writing about the increase of NBA players launching podcasts and other media pursuits, Alex Siquig of GQ stated "there's a sweetness to this sort of access. It's an unlocked door to brawny, garrulous NBA tenderness. Players talking through COVID with grace and honest introspection has been a boon, even when the topics veer from the sacred to the profane, from brilliance to bullshit."[10]

List of podcasts hosted by professional athletes

[edit]

American football players

[edit]
Denotes player was retired when podcast debuted ❧
Denotes non-professional athlete co-host ‡
Podcast Host(s) Debuted Ref.
The Hawk Cast A. J. Hawk 2014 [2]
Club Shay Shay Shannon Sharpe ❧ September 22, 2020 [11]
The Pivot Podcast Ryan Clark ❧
Channing Crowder ❧
Fred Taylor ❧		 January 4, 2022 [12][13]
New Heights Jason Kelce
Travis Kelce		 September 8, 2022
The Edge Micah Parsons September 11, 2023 [14][15]
Nightcap Shannon Sharpe ❧
Chad Johnson ❧
Gilbert Arenas[a] ❧		 September 11, 2023 [17][18]
4th & 1 Cam Newton September 13, 2023 [19][20]

Athletics competitors

[edit]

Denotes player was retired when podcast debuted ❧
Denotes non-professional athlete co-host ‡
Podcast Host(s) Debuted Ref.
MarathonTalk Deena Kastor
Martin Yelling ‡		 January 2010 [21][22]
Showrunners Scott Fauble June 2019 [23]
Sit & Kick Josh Kerr
David Ribich		 January 2020 [24][25]
Coffee Club Podcast Geordie Beamish
Olli Hoare
Morgan McDonald		 2021 [26]
Unconventional Voices of Track & Field Jade Johnson
Anson Henry		 May 2021 [27]
Running Things Donovan Bailey ❧
Jason Portuondo ‡		 July 2021 [28]
Lactic Acid Dominique Smith ‡
Laura Thweatt		 October 2021 [29][30]
Out of the Blocks Jasmine Todd ❧
Katelyn Hutchinson ‡		 January 2022 [31]
Nobody Asked Us Des Linden
Kara Goucher ❧		 January 2023 [32]
Ready Set Go Justin Gatlin ❧
Rodney Green ❧		 January 2023 [33]
Running: State of the Sport Amby Burfoot ❧
George Hirsch ❧		 August 2023 [34]

Basketball players

[edit]
Denotes player was retired when podcast debuted ❧
Denotes non-professional athlete co-host ‡
Podcast Host(s) Debuted Ref.
The Vertical Podcast JJ Redick February 1, 2016 [3][35]
Road Trippin' Channing Frye
Richard Jefferson
Allie Clifton[b] ‡		 January 17, 2017 [36][37]
The Chronicles of Redick JJ Redick July 19, 2017 [35][38]
The JJ Redick Podcast with Tommy Alter JJ Redick
Tommy Alter ‡		 November 29, 2017 [39][4]
Knuckleheads with Quentin Richardson & Darius Miles Quentin Richardson ❧
Darius Miles ❧		 February 19, 2019 [10][40]
All The Smoke Matt Barnes ❧
Stephen Jackson ❧		 October 21, 2019 [41][42]
The Old Man and the Three JJ Redick
Tommy Alter ‡		 August 5, 2020 [43]
The ETCs Kevin Durant May 16, 2021[citation needed] [44]
Curious Mike Michael Porter Jr. July 20, 2021 [45][46]
The Draymond Green Show Draymond Green November 17, 2021 [47][48]
KG Certified Kevin Garnett ❧
Paul Pierce ❧		 January 18, 2022[citation needed] [44]
The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone Patrick Beverley
Adam Ferrone ‡		 October 11, 2022 [49][50]
Club 520 Jeff Teague ❧
DJ Wells ‡
Bishop B Henn ‡		 January 31, 2023 [51][52]
Podcast P with Paul George Paul George
Jackie Long ‡
Dallas Rutherford ‡		 March 6, 2023 [53][54]
From the Point Trae Young June 1, 2023 [6]
The OGs Udonis Haslem ❧
Mike Miller ❧		 December 19, 2023 [55][56]
The Big Podcast with Shaq Shaquille O'Neal ❧
Adam Lefkoe ‡		 December 21, 2023 [57][58]
Roommates Show Jalen Brunson
Josh Hart		 February 8, 2024 [59][60]
The Underground Lounge Lou Williams ❧
Spank Horton ‡		 February 14, 2024 [61]
Mind the Game LeBron James
JJ Redick ❧		 March 19, 2024 [62]
Welcome Party Gradey Dick

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Arenas, a former professional basketball player, joined Sharpe and Johnson as a co-host in December 2023.[16]
  2. ^ Though not a former professional athlete, Clifton did play at the collegiate level for Toledo.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Podcast Era For Athletes Has Started And J.J. Redick Is First To Create A Louder Voice". Sports Business Journal. January 27, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Owczarski, Jim (June 2, 2016). "A.J. Hawk preps for post-NFL career as podcast grows". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Kavner, Rowan (January 28, 2016). "Redick To Be First Active NBA Player With Weekly Podcast". NBA.com. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Cacciola, Scott (August 3, 2020). "After 100 Podcasts, JJ Redick Widens His Range". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Ratts, Tyler; Benedek, Jonathan J. (December 14, 2021). Pedersen, Paul M. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Sport Management. Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 362–363. ISBN 9781800883284. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Buckhalter, Joshua (May 31, 2023). "Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young reveals 'From The Point' podcast launch date". Soaring Down South. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  7. ^ "Former NBA 2nd Overall Pick Will Miss The Entire Season". Sports Illustrated. August 21, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  8. ^ Murray, Law (July 24, 2023). "Paul George and his podcast with friends meshes chemistry, cohesion and comedy". The Athletic. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Gordon, Jeremy (July 7, 2022) [July 6, 2022]. "The Rise of the Professional-Athlete Podcast". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Siquig, Alex (July 29, 2020). "NBA Players Are Creating a Lot of Content. Which Is the Best?". GQ. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  11. ^ "Shannon Sharpe Debuts 'Club Shay Shay'". Fox Sports. September 23, 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  12. ^ The Truth | The Pivot Podcast with Channing Crowder, Fred Taylor & Ryan Clark (Series Premiere). The Pivot Podcast. January 4, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2024 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ Bishop, Greg (June 16, 2023). "'Pivot Podcast' Hosts Reflect on Their Fondest Father's Day Memories". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  14. ^ Magliochetti, Geoff (September 6, 2023). "Cowboys BREAKING: Micah Parsons To Start New Video Podcast". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  15. ^ Micah Parsons Reacts to Crushing Giants, Ranks NFC Contenders & Bosa's Contract | The Edge Ep. 1. The Edge. Bleacher Report. September 11, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024 – via YouTube.
  16. ^ Kotuby, Jeff (December 13, 2023). "Gilbert Arenas Joins Shannon Sharpe & Chad Johnson's 'Nightcap' Podcast". Barrett Sports Media. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  17. ^ Koster, Kyle (September 8, 2023). "Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson Will Host New Show Co-Produced by Shay Shay Media and The Volume". The Big Lead. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  18. ^ Shannon Sharpe & Chad Johnson on Cowboys-Giants, 49ers-Steelers, Bengals-Browns | Nightcap Week 1. Nightcap. September 11, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ Cam Newton [@CameronNewton] (September 13, 2023). "M¥ Ñ£₩ §₽ØRT§ §HØ₩ "4th & 1"" (Tweet). Retrieved April 27, 2024 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Goss, Nick (October 26, 2023). "Cam Newton reveals biggest regret from his season with Patriots". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  21. ^ "MarathonTalk Podcast". World Marathon Majors. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Marathon Talk". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Showrunners". Citius Mag. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Sit & Kick". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  25. ^ "The Victory Lap: David Ribich". Citius Mag. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  26. ^ "COFFEE CLUB". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Unconventional Voices of Track & Field". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  28. ^ "Donavan Bailey Running Things: The Podcast". Spotify. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Lactic Acid with Dom and Laura". Spotify for Podcasters. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  30. ^ "DOMINIQUE SMITH". Runner's World. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Out Of The Blocks". Citius Mag. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Nobody Asked Us with Des & Kara". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  33. ^ "Ready Set Go". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Running--State of the Sport". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  35. ^ a b "The Chronicles of Redick on Apple Podcasts". Retrieved May 12, 2024 – via Apple Podcasts.
  36. ^ "Road Trippin' on Apple Podcasts". Retrieved April 26, 2024 – via Apple Podcasts.
  37. ^ Gonzalez, John (May 24, 2017). "This NBA Life". The Ringer. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  38. ^ Spain, Kevin (July 19, 2017). "JJ Redick: Re-signing with Clippers was not an option". USA Today. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  39. ^ "Welcome to 'The J.J. Redick Podcast'". The Ringer. November 27, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
  40. ^ "Knuckleheads with Quentin Richardson & Darius Miles". Retrieved May 25, 2024 – via Apple Podcasts.
  41. ^ "All The Smoke on Apple Podcasts". Retrieved April 27, 2024 – via Apple Podcasts.
  42. ^ Contes, Brandon (October 18, 2019). "Matt Barnes & Stephen Jackson Launch Digital Show". Barrett Sports Media. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  43. ^ Healy, John (August 4, 2020). "NBA Star JJ Redick Launching New Podcast 'The Old Man & The Three'". Audacy. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  44. ^ a b Olojede, Zion (July 28, 2023). "The Best NBA Player Podcasts Right Now, Ranked". Complex. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  45. ^ Staying Grounded & Standing Firm In Your Convictions ft. Lecrae // Michael Porter Jr. Curious Mike. July 20, 2021. Retrieved May 5, 2024 – via YouTube.
  46. ^ Redford, Patrick (April 29, 2024). "There Are NBA Players With Interesting Podcasts, And Then There's Michael Porter Jr". Defector. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  47. ^ Hayes, Dade (November 15, 2021). "Golden State Warriors Star Draymond Green To Host Weekly Podcast For Colin Cowherd-IHeartMedia Network The Volume". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  48. ^ "The Draymond Green Show on Apple Podcasts". Retrieved April 27, 2024 – via Apple Podcasts.
  49. ^ The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone: Ep 00 - I'm Not Out Here Punching People. The Pat Bev Podcast with Rone. October 11, 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2024 – via YouTube.
  50. ^ Nehm, Eric (March 27, 2024). "Bucks guard Patrick Beverley says he has a torn ligament in his right wrist". The Athletic. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  51. ^ Club 520 Podcast | Episode 1 ft Josh Smith. January 31, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  52. ^ Nelson, Joe (April 27, 2023). "Jeff Teague tells 'what really happened' with Jimmy Butler's Timberwolves outburst". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  53. ^ "Introducing "Podcast P with Paul George"". Podcast P with Paul George. 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2024 – via Apple Podcasts.
  54. ^ Dye, Natasha (March 14, 2023). "NBA All-Star Paul George Says He's 'Not Going to Sugarcoat Anything' on New Podcast". People. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  55. ^ Brown, Devin (December 15, 2023). "Miami Heat OG's Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem Are Starting A New Podcast". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  56. ^ UD Thinks Draymond Green Is "Crazy Smart" & Paolo Banchero Is An MVP?! | The OGs Ep. 1. The OGs. December 19, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2024 – via YouTube.
  57. ^ Weprin, Alex (December 21, 2023). "Shaquille O'Neal Launching Podcast Network, Reboots His 'Big' Show". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  58. ^ Shaq Gets HEATED At A Hater, Reveals Untold Homeless Story & More | Ep. 1. The Big Podcast with Shaq. December 22, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2024 – via YouTube.
  59. ^ Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart React To All-Star & WILD Tweets, Reveal Untold Stories | Ep. 1. Roommates Show. February 8, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024 – via YouTube.
  60. ^ Magliocchetti, Geoff (February 4, 2024). "Cats Cast: Knicks Stars Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart Are Starting a Podcast". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  61. ^ Lou Williams & Spank Horton Discuss Comedy, Cash & Community In Episode 1 Of The Underground Lounge. The Underground Lounge. February 14, 2024. Retrieved May 5, 2024 – via YouTube.
  62. ^ Marchand, Andrew (March 18, 2024). "LeBron James, JJ Redick teaming up for new basketball-centric podcast". The Athletic. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
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