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. Oct 23

    PTTP #19 - TV Exec Kelly Kahl On World Series & '82 Brewers Doc 'Just A Bit Outside'; Troy Aikman

    In this episode, television executive and film producer Kelly Kahl joins the pod to discuss his sports documentary 'Just a Bit Outside: The Story of the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers'. A longtime Brewers fan, Kelly reflects on the team's '82 season, including Harvey Kuenn's appointment as manager, the trade for Don Sutton, the race against the Baltimore Orioles for the AL East title, overcoming an 0-2 deficit in the ALCS to the California Angels, and coming up just short in the World Series versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Kelly also highlights the close bond the team and city had for each other, as exemplified by the parade that was held for the Brewers even though they returned home empty-handed. Kelly additionally goes behind the scenes, detailing how the documentary was made and spotlighting the interviews with Robin Yount and Bud Selig. Jake and Kelly also preview this year's World Series and how the Brewers match up against the Tampa Bay Rays in this clash between two franchises who have never won the Fall Classic. Then, Kelly looks back at his time at CBS and describes the art and science of scheduling TV shows. The conversation concludes with the two pondering how Skydance will handle its sports properties following the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal. In Jake's Takes, why the Super Bowl is one of the rare sports events where altcasts actually have a tangible benefit. Also, exploring what led to the tension between Troy Aikman, Joe Buck, and ESPN and what might happen next for the Monday Night Football booth. Additionally, examining the NBA's technological innovations of smart balls and wearables and how the NBPA might feel about these proposed changes. Lastly, why adding the African Grand Prix in Rwanda is an important step in making Formula 1 truly global. Kelly Kahl is a television executive and film producer. He served as President of CBS Entertainment and also held the roles of Senior EVP, CBS Primetime and VP, Scheduling during his 26-year tenure. 'Just a Bit Outside: The Story of the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers' premiered in 2024 and is directed by Sean Hanish. It is available to rent or buy on all major platforms and is available to stream on The Roku Channel and Tubi. You can follow Kelly on Twitter / X calibadger. 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

  2. Oct 9

    PTTP #18 - What Punishment Manchester City May Face; Tony Romo; Kirk Herbstreit; Super Bowl Halftime

    In this episode, Jake discusses the Premier League's investigation of Manchester City and the bombshell findings that the club artificially inflated their financial reporting to the tune of $1.1 billion over the course of nine seasons. After reviewing the charges and the mechanisms Man City employed to further their self-funding scheme, Jake then explores what type of penalty should be imposed and notes how there is no apt comparison to any scandals in other sports. He concludes the segment with a look at the sociopolitical factors at play and the impact this may have on Pep Guardiola's legacy. Jake then provides an update on the Protect College Sports Act, which recently got passed by the Senate. He also examines the leadership structure of Skydance following the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. Additionally, he explains the significance of Amazon's now-official Emmys broadcasting deal. He also weighs in on 49ers owner Jed York's six-game suspension and whether the punishment fits the violation. Jake then wonders what exactly CBS and Tony Romo agreed to as part of their separation and what it means for Romo's prospects for a future career in media. In Jake's Takes, why Kirk Herbstreit's extension with Amazon offers just as many questions as it does answers with regard to the NFL commentating carousel. Jake also gives his suggestion for which artist should headline the Super Bowl LXI Halftime Show and who would make for good guest performers. Jake also delivers his verdict on the recently released emblems for the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Lastly, why Arsenal deciding to abandon their plans to largely increase their stadium's capacity fits into a broader pattern across top tier professional teams, including the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans of the NFL. 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. Sep 25

    PTTP #17 - The Athletic's Ira Gorawara On CFB & The Protect College Sports Act; Paramount Settlement

    The Athletic's Ira Gorawara joins the pod to discuss the latest storylines in college football. She starts with the enormous hype surrounding the LSU-Ole Miss game and the exorbitant costs associated with Lane Kiffin's return to Oxford. She then covers UCLA's fresh start with athletic director and CEO Tim Harris and head coach Bob Chesney. She also recaps the beginning of Michigan's season, in particular the team's miraculous and controversial win over Western Michigan. Ira then identifies the type of stories that interest her and describes the experience of international students being exposed to American college sports for the first time and how it parallels her own journey to becoming a sports journalist. The conversation then shifts to the Protect College Sports Act, going over what the bill entails and what hurdles may exist for it in the House of Representatives if it is passed by the Senate. Ira also explains what makes cricket so special and makes the pitch to Americans for why they should watch the sport. In Jake's Takes, why Paramount unquestionably 'won' the settlement with the attorneys general on the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition. Also, detailing how Mark Walter continues to offload sports assets following his and Todd Boehly's selling of their stakes in Chelsea FC. Additionally, how Joe Buck's contract extension with ESPN might include additional responsibilities and what it means for his on-air colleague Troy Aikman. Then, why Formula 1 appears poised to add more Sprint races in future years. The episode concludes with highlighting several individual achievements at the Primetime Emmys and exploring how Apple TV became synonymous with 'prestige television'. Ira Gorawara is a College Sports Staff Writer for The Athletic, who covers news, enterprise, and longform stories from across college athletics. She previously served as a Sports Editor at UCLA's Daily Bruin, and has worked at the Los Angeles Times, the South China Morning Post, NDTV, and several cricket publications worldwide. She also is the author of the book, 'The ABCs of Life'. You can follow her on Twitter / X IraGorawara, on Instagram iragorawarawriting, on TikTok iragorawaraa, and on her website iragorawara.com. #PathwayToThePodium 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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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
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pathway To The Podium
  • Show Website
    Pathway To The Podium