The CW Pod

You know Chris Williams from Cyclone Fanatic and Iowa Everywhere, but in this interview-based program Chris brings your favorite sidebar content in a different light. With his guests, Chris will deep dive into his many eclectic passions, including business, leadership, family, small-town soul, sports, and more.

  1. Jul 14

    CW Pod: Chris Connolly on the Future of Casey's Center, NCAA Tournaments & Iowa Hoops in Des Moines

    Chris Williams sits down with Iowa Events Center General Manager Chris Connolly for an in-depth conversation about the future of Casey's Center, hosting NCAA Tournament games, bringing major concerts to Des Moines, Iowa basketball's return to downtown, and the continued growth of Iowa's premier entertainment venue. 🏀 NCAA Tournament & Casey's Center Chris Connolly discusses: • Missing out on the NCAA First Four bid • Why Des Moines continues to land NCAA Tournament games • What the selection process looks like • The impact of hotels, venue upgrades and community support 🎤 Concert Business The conversation also covers: • Ella Langley's rapid rise and sold-out show • Garth Brooks changing Des Moines' reputation • Landing artists like Lil Wayne, Journey, and UFC • Iowa State's growing concert partnership at Jack Trice Stadium and Stephens Auditorium 🏀 Iowa Basketball • Iowa vs. Creighton and Alabama at Casey's Center • The future of neutral-site college basketball • Whether Iowa State could eventually return to downtown for marquee games Plus • Casey's Center's future management • Polk County's consultant review • Selling alcohol at Iowa State athletic events • Behind-the-scenes stories from major sporting events and concerts CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    CW Pod: Chris Connolly on the Future of Casey's Center, NCAA Tournaments & Iowa Hoops in Des Moines
  2. Jul 8

    CW Pod: Big 12 Media Days Begin, Texas Tech's Growing Problem & Brett Yormark's Missed Opportunity

    Chris Williams is in Frisco, Texas, for a reaction from Day 1 of Big 12 Football Media Days. He breaks down Brett Yormark's press conference, explains why the commissioner missed an opportunity to address the Brendan Sorsby situation, reacts to the conference's new Monster Energy partnership, and shares why Texas Tech needs to be careful not to become the next "Texas" of the Big 12. Plus, thoughts on playoff expansion, Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham, and the perception battle facing the conference. 🏈 Day 1 at Big 12 Media Days Chris shares his biggest takeaways from Frisco: • Brett Yormark's opening press conference • Why the Sorsby questions weren't answered • The commissioner's biggest challenge ⚡ Monster Energy Joins the Big 12 The conference lands a major new sponsorship. • Why it's a perfect brand fit • What it means for Big 12 revenue • Why perception matters in college athletics 🌵 A Warning for Texas Tech Chris explains why Texas Tech needs to avoid becoming the next "Texas." • The fallout from the Brendan Sorsby saga • Why perception around the program is changing • How the Red Raiders should approach success 🏆 The Big 12's Biggest Challenge Can the conference change how it's viewed nationally? • The importance of winning College Football Playoff games • What success should look like moving forward CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    CW Pod: Big 12 Media Days Begin, Texas Tech's Growing Problem & Brett Yormark's Missed Opportunity
  3. Jun 9

    CW Pod: The WNBA Has a Messaging Problem, Not a Caitlin Clark Problem

    Chris Williams takes a deep dive into the WNBA, Caitlin Clark, media narratives, and why he believes the league's biggest challenge has nothing to do with basketball. Along the way, he shares a personal coaching story from Bondurant Little League and reflects on one of the most fascinating business stories in sports. 🥎 Little League Lessons Chris opens the show with a story about coaching his daughter's softball team, the joy of youth sports, and why watching kids improve through hard work remains one of life's most rewarding experiences. 🏀 The WNBA's Real Problem The basketball is fantastic. The stars are better than ever. The league has more attention than at any point in its history. So why does it feel like the conversation is never about the games? Chris argues that the WNBA has developed a messaging problem, where off-court drama and social media battles have become bigger stories than the product itself. 🌪️ The Royce White Comparison Drawing from his years covering Iowa State basketball, Chris compares the current WNBA landscape to Royce White's unique career arc — and explains how important it is for the sport itself to remain the main attraction. ⭐ Caitlin Clark's Impossible Position Chris discusses how Clark has become a symbol for countless debates she never asked to be part of, why that creates challenges for both her and the league, and how the focus has drifted away from what made her a superstar in the first place: basketball. 🎙️ Also Included: • Media controversies around the Indiana Fever • Why authenticity matters in sports • The role of social media in modern sports • A broader look at sports, culture, and public perception CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge. Only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    CW Pod: The WNBA Has a Messaging Problem, Not a Caitlin Clark Problem
  4. Jun 2

    CW Pod with Nate Boulton: Can Congress Actually Fix College Sports?

    Chris Williams welcomes attorney Nate Boulton for a deep dive into the future of college athletics as Congress prepares to debate major NCAA legislation on Capitol Hill. From NIL and collective bargaining to transfer portal chaos and Olympic sports funding, the guys unpack why college sports may be approaching a total reset. 🏛️ Congress enters the college sports fight Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell introduce bipartisan legislation aimed at reshaping college athletics. Chris and Nate discuss why the NCAA may have finally lost the “student-athlete” argument for good. 💰 Is collective bargaining inevitable? Nate explains why college football and basketball now resemble professional sports development leagues — and why a true collective bargaining agreement may be the only realistic solution moving forward. 🏈 The transfer portal problem Fans don’t seem to mind athletes making money… but they do hate roster instability. The guys debate contracts, transfer limits, player movement, and whether college sports are losing their identity. ⚖️ Could Congress accidentally make things worse? The conversation dives into antitrust exemptions, employee status, NIL regulation, and why trying to legislate college sports could create even more loopholes and unintended consequences. 🥎 What happens to Olympic sports? As football and basketball budgets explode, non-revenue sports face growing pressure. Nate explains why programs like gymnastics, wrestling, soccer, and rowing may be caught in the middle. 🔥 Also included: • Why the NCAA mishandled the NIL era • SEC and Big Ten power consolidation • Why fans are exhausted by constant fundraising • Coaches vs. players power imbalance CW Pod presented by Steeple Ridge Bourbon. Only on Iowa Everywhere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    CW Pod with Nate Boulton: Can Congress Actually Fix College Sports?

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

You know Chris Williams from Cyclone Fanatic and Iowa Everywhere, but in this interview-based program Chris brings your favorite sidebar content in a different light. With his guests, Chris will deep dive into his many eclectic passions, including business, leadership, family, small-town soul, sports, and more.

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