Please don't get upset. I'm trying to prepare you for the news. Are you ready? Are you sitting down? The Bill Simmons podcast is not on my list of the top five sports podcasts. No, I don't have a gripe with Mr. Simmons. His show is a perfectly competent sports podcast. Mr. Simmons has not been without controversy in his career, -- angry white man syndrome -- but is knowledgeable and articulate about sports.
However, the sports podcasts I've chosen all have something -- a special ingredient to offer.
First, let me wax angrily about the controversy addicts on sports podcasts who think that blurting out the most outlandish statements at a jet-engine decibel level generates ratings and makes them more visible in a crowded sports broadcasting field. Yes and yes, courting controversy accomplishes both goals, but at some point listeners get tired of your forced rants and fake controversies.
How many times can you flip out on the refs in any sport? Or call some athlete overrated? Or overpaid? Or attack some billionaire sports owner who has the ego of a monster and the self-awareness of a three-year-old?
Think Stephen A.Smith, Skip Bayless, and Colin Cowherd. These three never met an unfiltered opinion they didn't like. But enough about them. Let's talk sports podcast excellence.
Hang Up And Listen
Slate podcasts are, as a rule, a cut above iHeart, Spotify, and Wondery podcasts. These intelligence-inflected podcasts are often designed to spur thinking, reflection, and self-awareness. That rule applies to the Hang Up And Listen podcast with hosts, Joel Anderson, Stefan Fatsis, and Josh Levin, who excel as quieter, more perceptive versions of Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless.
The show covers the requisite sports topics of the week. The December 18th episode, for example, covered the indefinite suspension of Draymond Green, reports of the Wizards and Caps decamping to Northern Virginia, and college quarterbacks in the transfer portal.
What makes this podcast so remarkable is the show's instinct to make listeners think about the covered topic, instead of telling listeners what the hosts think and demanding that listeners then support the ideological line.
What the three co-hosts accomplish every episode is to remind listeners that, while sports can be a metaphor for life, it's still an entertainment medium. Even more impressive is the show's resistance to either lionize or demonize athletes in sports. Instead, the show reserves its opprobrium for the self-indulgent, narcissistic owners of team sports and parent organizations of individual sports.
I recommend the August 7th episode titled, "The USWNT Is Out Edition," covering the Women’s World Cup, conference realignment, and the MLB trade deadline. Plus, a conversation with Wimbledon quarterfinalist Chris Eubanks.
Ross Tucker Football Podcast
Ross Tucker is a former offensive lineman whose career was cut short by a serious neck injury in 2007. He's a Princeton graduate and has done multiple jobs in football journalism since his retirement.
His show -- Ross Tucker Football Podcast -- broadcasts throughout the year with reviews of the NFL draft by position, forecasts about the upcoming season, and guest interviews that sparkle.
Tucker doesn't offer his listeners the typical screaming retired football player with random opinions that are shouted and announced as fact. Instead, Tucker interviews people with more thoughtful, nuanced positions, such as journalist Gary Myers, math wizard Steve Fezzik, and insightful interviews with current players.
However, Tucker's ace in the hole is ESPN's NFL Matchup producer and analyst Greg Cosell. Unlike some analysts, Cosell is not loud, controversial and is often quite bland. But his devotion to watching game films and explaining the intricacies of the game to listeners makes him a unique repository of knowledge for those who really want to understand how NFL football is played.
What to know about which teams use "12" personnel and why? Cosell will tell you on this podcast. (12 personnel means that there is one running back, two tight ends, and two receivers on the field.) When Cosell explains the two deep safety shell (The two deep safeties divide the field in half and work over the top of the five underneath players.) you'll understand why some quarterbacks have a hard time exploiting that defense. Cosell is ideal for the fan who wants to know why his team is winning or losing, and not for the fan who wants to blame the referees for everything.
The Rich Eisen Show
The Rich Eisen Show provides a mix of sports news, interviews with athletes and celebrities, and lively discussions on current events in the sports world. Eisen brings his extensive knowledge and experience to the show, engaging with guests and offering insightful analysis. The show covers a wide range of sports topics, including football, basketball, baseball, and more.
The show has a similar format to most sports podcasts, but it's Eisen that stands out. He's smart, and can be smart-alecky but with a restraint that tells listeners he's a thinking man, not a drinking man. Eisen handles interviews with ease, and always inserts reflective musing, attentive skepticism, and that awareness that he's discussing sports, not life or death conundrums.
Finally, Eisen may have the only spouse who is always an incredible sports podcaster, Suzy Shuster. (What The Football with Amy Trask).
30 For 30 ESPN Podcasts
It may be that ESPN's 30 for 30 Podcasts has set the bar so high for audio sports documentaries that no one will catch up.
The podcast is a highly acclaimed audio series that extends the storytelling of ESPN’s renowned 30 for 30 documentary films. Each episode of the podcast focuses on a captivating sports story, delving deep into the narratives that shape the sports world.
With a combination of powerful interviews, archival recordings, and expert analysis, 30 for 30 Podcasts brings these stories to life in an audio format. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, including iconic athletes, historic moments, and controversial events, providing a thought-provoking and immersive experience for sports enthusiasts.
30 for 30 is known for its high production value and compelling storytelling, which is why it has earned a dedicated following and continues to captivate audiences with its unique blend of sports and narrative journalism.
Attaching an asterisk to this podcast, I can't leave ESPN without mentioning Bomani Jones, who has always been a natural fit for the podcasting format. While it sucked to lose High Noon (the show he hosted with Pablo Torre), Jones cuts deep on everything from sports and culture to music and social issues.
Jones is one of the smartest people in sports media, and anyone looking for a debate is going to get their money's worth—and that's why he's always such a great listen, no matter what the platform.
Real Science Of Sport Podcast
World-renowned sports scientist Professor Ross Tucker and veteran sports journalist Mike Finch break down the myths, practices and controversies from the world of sport on the Real Science Of Sport Podcast.
From athletics to rugby, soccer, cycling and more, the two delve into the most recent research, unearth lessons from the pros and host exclusive interviews with some of the world's leading sporting experts.
Recent episodes include Rugby's high-tech mouth guards, cold water therapy for recovery, the science of carb loading for endurance athletes, and the effectiveness of high-altitude training.
Finally, science people have a voice in sports.
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Finally, a good sports podcast should not recreate the sports bar or locker room in language, attitude or intelligence level. A sports podcast should not approximate jock talk in the locker room and devolve into audio "high-fives” or “belching and boobs” jokes.
While some men still can't accept this fact, more and more women are listening to sports podcasts.
A good sports podcast shouldn't be designed for the frat boy follies. Sure, sports podcasts do not have to sound like the Harvard Business Review podcast, but also not appeal to those who spend time on new "knock-knock" jokes and deciding on their latest whoopee cushion purchase.
These sports podcasts I've highlighted can fill your craving for sports talk by offering you a healthy dose of lively, spirited yet intelligent sports news and commentary.
By contrast, I heard a fan call in to a sports radio show after the Eagles lost to the 49ers a few weeks ago and tried to recruit people to fly to San Francisco and start fights at the next 49ers home game for revenge.
Get a life. It's only a game.
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