Podcast
The Athletic Show
Hosted by The Athletic · EN
Welcome to your essential weekly breakdown of the biggest stories in sports, brought to you by the most extensive sports newsroom ever assembled. Every Saturday, Robert Mays, Zena Keita and Jason Goff will explain the stories behind the headlines, leaning on the expertise of The Athletic's esteemed reporters to cut through the noise.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Mocking The NFL Draft, MLB's Robot Umps and NBA Play-In Pressure
Apr 1100:33:11Tap to summarizeThe regular season is in the rearview, and the NBA Play-In Tournament is officially knocking on the door. With the Pistons and Thunder sitting pretty, the rest of the bracket in total flux. Joel Lorenzi helps us break down who’s a contender and who’s just a pretender fighting for their life. Then, the "Robot Ump" revolution has arrived, and MLB veterans are feeling the heat. We discuss Sam Blum’s latest reporting on the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS). Is a mathematically perfect strike zone progress, or is the "humiliation" of public overturned calls ruining the soul of the game? In our main story, the Athletic’s prediction guru Austin Mock joins the show to crunch the numbers on the NFL Draft. Austin, Robert and Jason play "Mock with Mock," a high-stakes simulation of the first six picks for the Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Titans, Giants, and Browns.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffJoel Lorenzi @JoelXLorenziSam Blum @SamBlum3Austin Mock @amock419Mix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducers: Jen Bradley, Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The New Laettner, Golf's Soul and Athletes Stuck In The Wrong Era
Apr 400:35:22Tap to summarizeThis week on The Athletic Show, Zena, Robert, and Jason break down a week of sports history in the making. Braylon Mullins’ stunned Duke with an absolute "bonkers" buzzer beater to send UConn to the Final Four. We debate whether Mullins has officially dethroned the "Laettner Moment" as the greatest in NCAA history. Then, we explore the "Victims of Circumstance." Inspired by recent reporting on NFL legend Doug Flutie, the crew discusses the athletes who were simply born in the wrong era. Who are the stars of the past that would be undisputed #1 picks in today's modern schemes? Finally, we go behind the scenes of the technological arms race threatening the soul of golf. The Athletic’s Brody Miller joins the studio to take us inside Callaway’s HQ to ask the big question: Is innovation making the game too easy?Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysBrody Miller @BrodyAMillerMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducers: Jen Bradley, Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Noah Lyles' Master Plan, MLB's Opening Act and the Death of Amateurism
Mar 2800:39:07Tap to summarizeThe MLB regular season officially kicked off Wednesday, and we are getting you prepped with the help of Keith Law, senior baseball writer for The Athletic, who joins the show to break down the three most striking storylines heading into Opening Day and what they reveal about the trajectory of the upcoming season. Then, the crew discusses how the high volume of transfers, NIL money and the introduction of NBA-style offenses has fundamentally reshaped college basketball. Finally, olympic sprinter Jordan Lyles sits down with Marcus Thompson to pull back the curtain on his polarizing public persona and share his ambitious master plan to elevate track and field to the same commercial heights as major American team sports.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysMarcus Thompson @thompsonscribeKeith Law @keithlaw.bsky.socialMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →WNBA Players Getting Paid, NBA Expanding & The Weight Of The 1-Seed
Mar 2100:32:34Tap to summarizeThe WNBA and Players Association have agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement so it's full steam ahead for 2026 season. What will the new agreement mean for players and the league moving forward? The NBA is inching closer to 32 teams. We’re joined by The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov to discuss the inevitable return of the Seattle SuperSonics, the Vegas gold rush, and the "talent dilution" debate. Plus, which Western Conference team is getting shipped East? And we do a deep dive into the parallel pressures facing Duke’s men and UConn’s women. College sports writer Scott Dochterman joins Zena to explain why anything short of a Final Four is a failure for these powerhouses and decide which pro teams would be the perfect match for the biggest stars from each program.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysScott Dochterman @ScottDochtermanMike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunovMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The NBA's Curry Family Royalty, Market Moves and the Inside Scoop On NFL Free Agency
Mar 1400:39:17Tap to summarizeSteph and Dell Curry sit down with The Athletic's Marcus Thompson for a wide-ranging conversation. From the "Originator" to "The Second," they discuss the evolution of the NBA, the rivalry for "NBA Family Royalty" against the Jameses, and a candid look at how the youth sports complex is failing American-born players. Also, Robert shares the intel from three crucial phone calls. By checking in with an NFL coach, a front-office executive, and an Athletic insider, he reveals what the league really thinks about the recent free agency frenzy. And, is the Prediction Market Loophole gambling or a financial exchange? Hannah Vanbiber joins the show to discuss the rise of platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. We explore why federal regulation makes these markets legal in all 50 states—and why the traditional sports betting world is sounding the alarm.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysMarcus Thompson @ThompsonScribeHannah VanBiber @HannahVanbiberMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Beret RemakA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Napheesa Collier on Unrivaled, CBA negotiations and the future of women's professional basketball
Mar 700:33:35Tap to summarizeWNBA superstar Napheesa Collier joins us to discuss how her new league, Unrivaled, is giving players the ultimate power move: options. She also weighs in on the WNBA CBA negotiations and more. Also, the Atlanta Hawks' controversial "Magic City Monday" is coming next week. A theme night honoring the legendary local institution known for adult entertainment. Should pro sports leagues act as a moral compass or is this just another "uniquely Atlanta" marketing win?. Then The Athletic's Carl Anka joins the show with 100 days to go before this summer's World Cup. He discusses that and also Wrexham’s Hollywood-style rise and Tottenham facing relegation as the Premier League season winds down.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffCarl Anka @Ankaman616Mix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →NBA Tanking, March Madness and the Rise of Angel Reese
Feb 2800:33:12Tap to summarizeJohn Hollinger joins the show to discuss whether the league's tanking problem has finally reached a breaking point. We explore radical solutions—from abolishing the draft entirely to a "split-season" format—and look at a mathematical formula that could finally reward teams for being competitive, even when they’re losing. Then, Shakeia Taylor from The Athletic drops by to discuss her deep dive into "The Bayou Barbie’s" systematic ascent. We look at how Angel Reese has curated a brand that spans from the Victoria’s Secret runway to the Unrivaled 3x3 court, all while navigating a high-profile comeback from injury. In our main story, it’s almost March, and the madness is already bubbling over. Brendan Marks and Zena Keita give us the ultimate lay of the land for the Men’s and Women’s tournaments. Are the Duke men the team to beat? Can the Darryn Peterson saga derail Kansas? And how is NIL rewriting the "one-and-done" playbook? With parity on the women's side at an all-time high, we look at UConn’s quest for perfection, the dominance of JuJu Watkins, and why the stars of the women's game are sticking around to build the best rivalries in sports.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffJohn Hollinger @johnhollingerBrendan Marks @BrendanRMarksMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The Hardest Coaching Job in Sports, an Olympic Recap from Milan, and Your MLB Spring Training Preview
Feb 2100:32:25Tap to summarizeThis week, The Athletic's Lindsay Schnell joins us live from Milan to recap the Winter Olympics, breaking down the must-watch events from the final weekend. Then, the hosts dive into a heated debate over The Hardest Coaching Job in Sports with The Athletic's Jets reporter Zack Rosenblatt. Finally, baseball season is almost here! Derek VanRiper gives us a full MLB spring training preview, discussing Tony Clark’s shocking resignation, the robot ump debate, the overhauled New York Mets, and whether the Seattle Mariners are the best team in the AL.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaJason Lloyd @ByJasonLloydJason Goff @Jason1GoffLindsay Schnell @Lindsay_SchnellDerek VanRiper @DerekVanRiperZack Rosenblatt @ZackBlattMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Your brain on ping pong, Ilia Malinin's dominance and saving the NBA All Star Game
Feb 1400:39:07Tap to summarizeSenior Writer for The Athletic, Rustin Dodd, and world-class coach Matt Hetherington stop by to explain why table tennis is the ultimate "brain sport." From helping pro athletes sharpen their reaction times to potentially warding off dementia, we explore why you should trade your running shoes for a paddle. With icons like LeBron James, Steph Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined for the 2026 NBA All Star Game, Bulls writer Joel Lorenzi weighs in on whether a "US vs. The World" format or a 1v1 tournament save a weekend that’s lost its soul? Also, the "Quad God," figure skater Ilia Malinin often has math-defying performances, but is his technical dominance making the sport "ugly"? We discuss the evolution of scoring, the legalization of the backflip, and more.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffRustin Dodd @rustindoddMatt Hetherington @mhtabletennisJoel Lorenzi @JoelXLorenziMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Previewing Super Bowl LX, NBA Trade Deadline Chaos and US Skiing's Secret To Success
Feb 600:40:28Tap to summarizeZena and Jason welcome Dave DuFour to break down the final preparations for the Big Game, featuring a special sit-down between Robert Mays and Matt Ryan. Also, Jordy Fee-Platt joins the show to share the incredible "backyard" origin story of Olympic skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle and how his family’s "fun-first" philosophy built a gold-medal dynasty. Finally, we dive into the madness of the NBA trade deadline with The Athletic's Joe Vardon - did your team find a missing piece, or are they stuck in the league's new "two-tier" economy? Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffDave DuFour @DaveDuFourNBAJoe Vardon @joevardonJordan Fee-Platt @jfeepEditor: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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