Pathway To The Podium

Pathway To The Podium
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Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else. With Host Jake Kline. We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours?

  1. Sep 12

    PTTP #16 - WNBA Seeks New Commissioner; Kroenke Buys Angels; Clippers Investigation Fallout; Odyssey

    In this episode, Jake covers several prominent news items in the sports business world. First, with Cathy Engelbert retiring from the position of league commissioner at the end of the year, why it is essential the WNBA chooses the right successor and what qualities will make for the best candidates during the selection process. Also, with the Los Angeles Angels set to join Stan Kroenke's sports empire, what we can expect from Kroenke as an MLB owner. Then, why everyone other than Pablo Torre looks bad in the aftermath of the NBA's investigation finding the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap by securing endorsement opportunities for Kawhi Leonard. In Jake's Takes, how Tiger Woods, Tony Romo, and Mark Sanchez each got their comeuppance despite their celebrity status. Finally, as The Odyssey becomes Universal's all-time highest grossing film at the worldwide box office, why discussions over how true the movie is to the source material may be intellectually engaging but nevertheless cause people to overlook Christopher Nolan's greater achievement. Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours? Follow on Twitter / X: @JakeAKline, @PathwayToThePod Follow on YouTube: @PathwayToThePodiumPod Follow on Instagram: @pathwaytothepodium Follow on TikTok: @pathwaytothepodium Please send inquiries to: pathwaytothepodium@gmail.com

  2. Aug 30

    PTTP #15 - Mark Walter Investigation Analysis; Honoring Dolly Parton+Bill Rasmussen; Jed York Arrest

    Legal economist Andrew Granato joins the pod to cover what is known and what is still unclear about the ongoing investigation of Mark Walter and his companies. He details the disclosure requirements for affiliated investments, which is at the crux of the inquiry. Jake and Andrew also theorize what penalties Walter might face and what arguments he could make as a defense. They then discuss how this may impact Walter's sports business holdings. They also point to an abandoned 2014 lawsuit filed against Walter which contained claims that appear to run parallel to what Walter is currently being accused of. Jake and Andrew also call for more stringent federal and state disclosure regulations. They also argue sports leagues need to revamp their vetting procedures when approving new franchise owners. Additionally, Andrew spotlights the additional burden that falls upon insurance policyholders and taxpayers when insurers engage in more risky private equity investments. In Jake's Takes, remembering the life and legacy of ESPN co-founder Bill Rasmussen. Also, with the Atlanta Falcons turning to a private equity investment from Arctos and the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx getting a new controlling owner in Marc Stad, what this frantic selling of teams says about how sports franchises are increasingly being viewed as assets. Additionally, how San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York's arrest has even further eroded the reputation of the team in what has arguably been the most tumultuous offseason in the history of the franchise. Then, how important Max Verstappen's extension with Red Bull is for both his team and Formula 1 as a whole. Lastly, a tribute to the late great Queen of Country Dolly Parton. Andrew Granato is a legal economist and an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas School of Law. He holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, a Ph.D. in Financial Economics from the Yale School of Management, and a B.A. in Economics from Stanford. He also previously served as a Senior Associate Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. You can follow him on Twitter / X agranato42. Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours? Follow on Twitter / X: @JakeAKline, @PathwayToThePod Follow on YouTube: @PathwayToThePodiumPod Follow on Instagram: @pathwaytothepodium Follow on TikTok: @pathwaytothepodium Please send inquiries to: pathwaytothepodium@gmail.com

  3. Aug 16

    PTTP #14 - Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill On College Sports Reform; Why Walter Sold The Lakers

    Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill joins the pod to discuss the dynamic landscape of collegiate athletics. He details his day-to-day responsibilities as commissioner and how his role has changed in recent years. Tom also describes how the Big Sky handled the addition of Utah Tech and Southern Utah as full-time members along with the departure of Sacramento State. He also explains how the conference's football scheduling formula was subsequently altered to account for the membership changes. Tom then delves into the Big Sky's media deals with ESPN and Scripps. Jake and Tom then identify where reform is needed in college sports and discuss what the best method is to implement change, assessing the pros and cons of federal legislation and student-athlete collective bargaining. The conversation concludes with Tom evaluating the health and future of the Big Sky. Then, in Jake's Takes, the impetus behind Mark Walter selling the Los Angeles Lakers to Josh Kushner and Bob Iger a year after he bought the team. Plus, why moving the Preakness Stakes deeper into May was a necessity. Also, how Fox might have caused the NFL's media rights renegotiation strategy to backfire. Additionally, why Nielsen's planned acquisition of DoubleVerify reeks of desperation. Finally, Jake gives Jason McCourty his palmarès following his promotion to Monday Night Countdown. Tom Wistrcill is the Commissioner of the Big Sky Conference, a position which he has held since 2018. Previously he was a Senior Vice President at Learfield and earlier was the Athletic Director of the University of Akron and a Senior Associate Athletics Director at the University of Minnesota. During his tenure he has served on many college sports committees, including the Division I Men's Basketball Committee, the NCAA Men's Basketball Competition Committee, and the Collegiate Football Officiating Board. You can follow him on Twitter / X BigSkyCommish. Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours? Follow on Twitter / X: @JakeAKline, @PathwayToThePod Follow on YouTube: @PathwayToThePodiumPod Follow on Instagram: @pathwaytothepodium Follow on TikTok: @pathwaytothepodium Please send inquiries to: pathwaytothepodium@gmail.com

  4. Aug 2

    PTTP #13 - ESPN Layoffs; LeBron To 76ers; CBS Romo On Leave; 49ers' Mishandling Of Shanahan's Crash

    This episode opens with Jake addressing the ESPN layoffs as he explores the business decisions behind the firings with a particular focus on the on-air talent. The terminations of Ryan Clark, Charles Davis, Tom Pelissero, Karl Ravech, David Lloyd, Cam Newton, Bart Scott, and Stephania Bell are each covered in turn. For each of these media personalities, Jake identifies why ESPN executives may have thought it was in the company's best interest to let them go and how it may signal a strategic shift across the network. That's followed by a discussion on the impact LeBron James' move to the 76ers is expected to have on NBC Sports Philadelphia at a time when many regional sports networks are struggling. Also, the NFL at last has assigned a date for the 2028 Super Bowl—why that is significant and what it means for the league’s long-held aspirations to increase the length of the regular season. Plus, how Tony Romo’s OWI arrest and getting placed on leave offers both headaches and opportunities for CBS and its other commentators. Lastly, in Jake's Takes, how the San Francisco 49ers mishandled the Kyle Shanahan car crash news by not getting out in front of the story sooner and what this all says about the state of sports journalism. Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours? Follow on Twitter / X: @JakeAKline, @PathwayToThePod Follow on YouTube: @PathwayToThePodiumPod Follow on Instagram: @pathwaytothepodium Follow on TikTok: @pathwaytothepodium Please send inquiries to: pathwaytothepodium@gmail.com

  5. Jul 18

    PTTP #12 - Sportico's Eben Novy-Williams On Seahawks Sale; Why States' Lawsuit Vs Para-WBD Is Weak

    Sportico's Eben Novy-Williams joins the pod to discuss the $9.612B sale of the Seattle Seahawks. Among the topics covered: how the deal was struck and who was in the running, what we know about the Khosla Family, why the team is unlikely to relocate anytime soon, how the potential addition of an NBA expansion franchise in Seattle impacted the sale, the growing trend of NFL minority owners of one team becoming majority owners of another, and what the financing arrangement might look like. Then, Jake and Eben point out what the NFL can learn from the FIFA World Cup. The two also chat about the Tour de France and engage in a broader conversation on the state of professional cycling. In Jake's Takes, why the 12-state antitrust lawsuit against Paramount's planned acquisition of WarnerBrosDiscovery is extremely weak. Also, a look at the comments Christopher Nolan made on artificial intelligence during The Odyssey press tour, in particular younger generations' rejection of AI-generated content, which are then juxtaposed with Ben Affleck's investment in AI filmmaking tools startup InterPositive. Finally, the International Olympic Committee has now lifted its suspensions of Russia and Belarus—what it means moving forward. Eben Novy-Williams is deputy editor of Sportico, which he helped launch in 2020. Previously he covered sports business for about a decade for Bloomberg News. He also co-hosts the Sporticast podcast with Scott Soshnick. You can follow him on Twitter / X novy_williams. Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours? Follow on Twitter / X: @JakeAKline, @PathwayToThePod Follow on YouTube: @PathwayToThePodiumPod Follow on Instagram: @pathwaytothepodium Follow on TikTok: @pathwaytothepodium Please send inquiries to: pathwaytothepodium@gmail.com

  6. Jul 5

    PTTP #11 - WSJ's Joe Flint On Comcast Spinning Off NBCUniversal, Paramount-WarnerBrosDiscovery, IMAX

    Joe Flint of The Wall Street Journal joins the pod to discuss the latest deals and developments from across the sports media landscape. The conversation starts with a look at this year's FIFA World Cup and how it serves as a dry run for the LA28 Olympic Games. After that, a preview of how Netflix is going to handle the 2027 Women's World Cup, the streamer's largest sports endeavor yet. That's followed by a sizing up of the candidates for the media rights to the Men's 2030 World Cup and beyond. Jake and Joe then explore Comcast's decision to spin off NBCUniversal and what the ramifications might be. They then analyze the Paramount-WarnerBrosDiscovery deal as it works its way through the regulatory process. Next, they react to the news that IMAX is exploring a sale. They conclude with an overview of the NFL's new standalone game windows and what it could mean moving forward as the league looks to renegotiate its existing media rights deals. In Jake's Takes, why the Tour de France starting in Spain should cause some concern. Then, a look at the extensions Dave Pasch and Jason McCourty signed with ESPN and what it could signal for how the network handles contracts with its NFL talent moving forward. Finally, the significance of the Harry Potter films having a new linear TV home. Joe Flint is a media and entertainment reporter for The Wall Street Journal based in the Los Angeles bureau, covering everything from broadcast networks and sports to cable and streaming. He has previously written for the Los Angeles Times, Variety, and Entertainment Weekly. He also served as the director of industry programs at the Paley Center For Media. You can follow him on Twitter / X JBFlint. Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours? Follow on Twitter / X: @JakeAKline, @PathwayToThePod Follow on YouTube: @PathwayToThePodiumPod Follow on Instagram: @pathwaytothepodium Follow on TikTok: @pathwaytothepodium Please send inquiries to: pathwaytothepodium@gmail.com

  7. Jun 21

    PTTP #10 - SVG's Brandon Costa Talks FIFA World Cup; Fox-Roku; UFC Freedom 250; Taylor Swift HOFer

    Brandon Costa of Sports Video Group comes on to discuss how sports broadcasting has changed in recent years and then does a deep dive into Fox's production of the FIFA World Cup. He also identifies the elements which make for a good scorebug. The conversation concludes with how drone technology has transformed the way we watch sports. In Jake's Takes, why Fox's buying of Roku fits into their broader streaming strategy. Then, further evidence the Olympics is focused on practicing neutrality. Plus, why the UFC's White House event should have aired on CBS. Also, a retrospective on ABC/ESPN's extremely enjoyable NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final run. Finally, an analysis of Taylor Swift's Songwriters Hall of Fame speech. Brandon Costa is Director of Digital for the Sports Video Group, where he covers the sports video production industry with a focus on game production, live streaming, over-the-top (OTT), social media, and other digital distribution technologies and platforms. He also serves as program director of both the SVG College Summit and the SVG Sports OTT Forum. You can follow him on LinkedIn brandon-costa and on Twitter / X SVG_Brandon. Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours? Follow on Twitter / X: @JakeAKline, @PathwayToThePod Follow on YouTube: @PathwayToThePodiumPod Follow on Instagram: @pathwaytothepodium Follow on TikTok: @pathwaytothepodium Please send inquiries to: pathwaytothepodium@gmail.com

  8. Jun 7

    PTTP #9 - NBA Finals; Myles Garrett & A. J. Brown Trades; Hawk-Eye Technology; The Issue w/MLB's ABS

    The episode opens with a recap of the first two games of the Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals and examining how the narrative has shifted. Plus, what Pat McAfee's NBA Finals altcast and new DraftKings partnership mean as he negotiates an extension with ESPN. Additionally, President Trump's busy sports calendar. Also, the NFL and College Football Playoff butt heads once more. Then, why the Browns trading Myles Garrett to the Rams shouldn't have been that surprising and the significance of the Eagles receiving a 2028 1st round draft pick from the Patriots for A. J. Brown. After that, Serena Williams' long-expected return to tennis. Then, sizing up the new NFL main studio additions, Russell Wilson and Kyle Long for CBS and Mike Tomlin for NBC. Finally, Caleb Wilson being named the Madden 27 cover athlete despite his low completion percentage and Hugh Laurie's affinity for John le Carré projects. In Jake’s Takes, why it’s high time ESPN show college tennis some love. Plus, dissecting NBA commissioner Adam Silver's comments to Pat McAfee on the league's planned technological innovations, what it could mean for other sports, and what's wrong with MLB's current ABS system. Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours? Follow on Twitter / X: @JakeAKline, @PathwayToThePod Follow on YouTube: @PathwayToThePodiumPod Follow on Instagram: @pathwaytothepodium Follow on TikTok: @pathwaytothepodium Please send inquiries to: pathwaytothepodium@gmail.com

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About

Sports / SportsBiz / MediaBiz / Entertainment / All Else. With Host Jake Kline. We're all striving for some kind of podium. What's yours?

Information

  • Creator
    Pathway To The Podium
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pathway To The Podium
  • Show Website
    Pathway To The Podium