The way people are consuming their media sources is changing. A new contender has emerged, commanding the attention of avid fans and casual enthusiasts alike – sports podcasts. This burgeoning phenomenon has transformed the way fans engage with their favourite pastime, offering a unique blend of analysis, commentary and often unfiltered opinions.
Podcasting has only existed for the past twenty years. Its inception can be traced back to 2004, when Apple launched its iTunes platform. The term itself, coined by The Guardian journalist Ben Hammersley, is a combination of Apple’s “iPod” and “broadcast”.
This development provided a centralised hub for audio content, enabling creators to distribute their shows to a wider audience. Podcasts quickly gained traction, attracting listeners with their portability, on-demand accessibility and ability to cater to niche interests.
Sports podcasts emerged as early adopters of the format, capitalising on its ability to provide in-depth coverage of sporting events and personalities. These podcasts offered an alternative to traditional sports media on television networks and in print, providing a more intimate and personal connection with the sport.
The appeal of sports podcasts lies in their diversity. They range from long-form analytical shows to humorous banter between friends, catering to the full spectrum of tastes and preferences. Podcasts have placed sports commentary in the hands of the ordinary person, allowing anyone with a passion for the game to share their insights and opinions with a global audience.
As the year draws to a close, here is a list of some of the most popular sports podcasts of 2023:
The Rest Is Football
Football (or soccer) is the biggest sport on the planet so there’s no shortage of football focussed podcasts on this list. The Rest is Football is presented by three heavyweights of the international soccer community: Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards.
Fans tune in for the trio’s laidback and candid takes on everything going on in the world of football. You can listen to The Rest is Football via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.
Bloomberg Business of Sports
Financial media giants Bloomberg offer a slightly different approach to a sports podcast with Bloomberg Business of Sports. Keeping right on brand, the show follows the big money decisions being made in the world of sports, with a focus on the major professional sports leagues from the US, online casino news and top-tier racing.
Michael Barr, Scarlet Fu and Damian Sassower take a look at the latest headlines and invite conversations with some of the biggest names from off the field. You can listen to Bloomberg Business of Sports on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts.
The High Performance Podcast
UK broadcaster Jake Humphrey alongside Professor Damian Hughes host a series of conversations with high-flyers from various industries including many athletes. Probing questions aim to reveal clues behind the mindset of these international stars.
You can listen to The High Performance Podcast through their own website or via Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.
F1: Beyond the Grid
Tom Clarkson hosts this podcast of feature length interviews with everyone who’s anyone in the world of F1. Enjoy unfettered access to the anecdotes and insights of the top drivers, team bosses, engineers and luminaries of the sport; an unmissable treasure trove for racing fans.
You can listen to F1: Beyond the Grid on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.
Athletico Mince
A sports podcast that’s not actually a sports podcast. Hosted by the hilarious Bob Mortimer and his pal, writer Andy Dawson, Athletico Mince began as a place for the pair to share their thoughts principally about English football.
United by a love for their childhood teams, Middlesbrough and Sunderland respectively, the podcast now bears more semblance to a sketch show than it has anything to do with sports (save for some uncanny impressions of a few select sportspeople). But it’s to the benefit of the listener, since it’s become one of the most entertaining shows you can get your hands on, whether you love or loathe football.
You can listen to Athletico Mince on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Around the NFL
The three co-hosts, writers and analysts for the NFL, Gregg Rosenthal, Dan Hanzus and Marc Sessler, are about as qualified as they come to inform listeners on the latest news from the most valuable sports league in the world. You can listen to Around the NFL on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.
The unprecedented growth of sports podcasts has attracted the attention of major media companies, who have invested in podcast networks and established partnerships with popular sports podcasters, keen to secure their own slice of the action. And the future appears bright. With their ability to offer a personalised connection to the sport, podcasts are sure to continue their reign as a dominant force in sports media.
