The coronavirus pandemic has halted and prevented the return of nearly all sports, but that doesn’t mean the stories are stopping. Sports podcasts have given journalists an opportunity to dive deeper into long-form pieces, and listeners the chance to go back and listen to series they may have missed in the past.
The pods below could comfortably fit onto a “best-of” list, but perhaps might be best thought of as podcasts that make for perfect quarantine listening—ones that don’t need live sports to be just as entertaining.
30 for 30 Podcasts
The award-winning team behind the “30 for 30” film series has shifted mediums without losing a step. This podcast series features long-form journalism in audio form on a range of topics throughout six seasons of episodes, with season three exclusively dedicated to the story of disgraced yoga guru Bikram Choudhury and season five focused on former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. The stories aren’t time-sensitive, and make for perfect listening from home.
Baseball BBQ
The newest show on The Ringer Podcast Network is only two episodes in, but already seems poised to satiate those hungry for baseball content while they await the 2020 season to begin. Hosts Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman, co-founders of Céspedes Family BBQ, fully embrace the weird within America’s favorite pastime, with topics already including the top five brawls in MLB history and debates over the Home Run Derby.
Crime in Sports
True crime is one of the best-performing genres in the world of podcasts, and there’s no prerequisite sports knowledge needed to appreciate the product of comedians James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman. “Crime in Sports” uses humor to tell true crime stories—this time involving athletes.
ESPN Daily
Modeled after The New York Times’ “The Daily” in both name and format, ESPN’s Mina Kimes anchors discussions and insight into the most compelling developing stories on ESPN every weekday. Recent episodes include further analysis of ESPN Films’ “The Last Dance,” college football’s path to returning, and a conversation on mental health with Atlanta Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst. Even in a slow time for sports news, “ESPN Daily” is a great way to keep informed with all the latest stories.
Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc.
From The Boston Globe’s Pulitzer-winning Spotlight Team comes even more exemplary investigative journalism, this time in podcast form. Over eight episodes, the Globe’s Bob Hohler tells the story of Aaron Hernandez, a former football star who was convicted of murder just a few years after starring in Super Bowl XLVI with the New England Patriots. The series examines football’s hyper-masculine culture and concussion-related brain damage to try and understand Hernandez’s life and fall.
Men In Blazers
With wit as sharp as their dress, British expats Roger Bennett and Michael Davies host this daily soccer-centric podcast (though they prefer to call it football). “Men In Blazers” is casual and humorous, and serves as a great stepping stone for Americans just getting their feet wet in regard to the world’s most popular game.
The Ringer NBA Show
This pod is best known for its bi-weekly show “The Mismatch,” in which The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor and Chris Vernon lead listeners through all of the latest news in the world of hoops with their trademarked chemistry. As the NBA plans its potential return, “The Ringer NBA Show” is the place to go to keep up to date with coronavirus-related developments.
The Pat McAfee Show
Pat McAfee may have retired from football in 2017, but the two-time Pro Bowl punter has been busy in front of the camera and the mic ever since. This pod touches on all of the major sports, and with guests including journalists as well as Hall of Fame-caliber athletes, it seeks to entertain just as much as it informs thanks to McAfee’s personality and gift for commentary.
Tifo Football Podcast
Already featured on Game Plan for their YouTube content, Tifo’s podcast series serves as an excellent complement to the video series in a medium that allows for more drawn-out conversation. It’s the kind of podcast that doesn’t need live soccer to thrive—recent episodes feature conversations on how players are using data to find new clubs, an interview with the manager of the best non-league club in England, and a recurring “What’s Going On At…?” series that looks at how different clubs are faring, even during the break.
Zonal Marking
Yet another soccer podcast, but The Athletic’s Michael Cox and Ali Maxwell are sure to make it worth it for any footy fan interested in the history and current trends in soccer tactics. Cox is a veteran tactics writer who has written for The Guardian and ESPN before joining The Athletic, and has written two books, “The Mixer” and “Zonal Marking,” focusing on tactics within the English Premier League and around the world.
