Michael McKnight - Sports Illustrated The Wormcast: How Sports Media Happens

This week it's Episode 37 of The Wormcast and my guest is Sports Illustrated writer and author Michael McKnight. Michael pursues overlooked stories about crime, ethics, justice and people fighting long odds. His gripping book "Intercepted" about former NFL cornerback Darry Henley who made many disastrous life decisions is a real page turner.

Topics discussed:
2:00 Michael's unique journey in journalism
5:15 Intercepted-Darryl Henley, how he connected with Darryl and earned his trust
14:55 How he was hired by Sports Illustrated, the Brian Cole story
16:30 SI pieces "The Soccer War: El Salvador v Honduras"; Eddy Hammel; Johan Hultin
25:20: Is the process of research and interviewing subject just as pleasing as the final result?
31:30 Michael-the 21st Century George Plimpton; playing semi-pro football at 37, attempting to dunk a basketball and hit a home run out of a Major League Baseball park.
39:00 The changing landscape of longform sports journalism
45:50 The Athletic
47:40 Thought on Naomi Osaka's situation at the French Open, do athletes own the media anything?
1:09:30 College Football coaches, Sunday shows from the 70's/80's
1:12:00 The proposals for an expanded College Football Playoff
1:16:00 Nick Saban

Links mentioned in this episode:
SI.com

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm