The Athletic Show

Oct 1, 2026 · 32m

Zena Keita and Robert Mays are joined by NFL writer Michael-Shawn Dugar to reveal how the Seattle Seahawks built a Super Bowl champion. Pablo Torre takes us inside his investigation into Tim Tebow's involvement with a controversial faith-based company. Plus, David Ornstein details the Manchester City financial scandal, and Golden State Valkyries owner Joe Lacob discusses building a WNBA powerhouse. Finally, Hannah Vanbiber ranks sports' iconic farewells after Justin Verlander's emotional sendoff.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysMichael-Shawn Dugar @MikeDugarPablo Torre @PabloTorreHannah VanBiber @hannahvanbiberExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankAudio Mix: Michael Hardman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 24, 2026 · 30m

Zena Keita and Robert Mays are joined by senior NFL writer Zak Keefer to break down the biggest stories across the NFL, NBA, and college sports. The crew dives deep into Zak’s exclusive reporting on the Dallas Cowboys' future—analyzing Jerry Jones' lack of a formal succession plan and how Stephen Jones is set to take over the $15.5B empire. Plus, Robert evaluates NFL Week 2 panic levels for the Falcons and Commanders, while Zak exposes the multi-million dollar college football roster spending gap. Later, Zena details the NBA's push to expand to Seattle and Las Vegas by 2028.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysZak Keefer @zkeeferHannah VanBiber @hannahvanbiberJonathan Jones @jjones9Executive Producer: Maggie BurbankAudio Mix: Michael HardmanA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 17, 2026 · 33m

Zena Keita and Robert Mays break down Josh Allen's electric Week 1 win with former Bills RB Damien Harris. Plus, Mike Silver analyzes Chicago's 59-point explosive offense, and Hannah Vanbiber ranks the worst sports travel SNAFUs in history.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysMike Silver @MikeSilverDamien Harris @DHx34Executive Producer: Maggie BurbankAudio Mix: Michael HardmanA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 9, 2026 · 34m

The Athletic Show returns for Season 2! Host Zena Keita and co-host Robert Mays are joined by senior NFL reporter Jonathan Jones to break down exclusive reporting on Steelers receiver DK Metcalf, including his wild conspiracy theories and Aaron Rodgers dynamic. Plus, Pablo Torre takes us behind the scenes of his investigation into the LA Clippers' record-breaking NBA salary cap penalty. Could the Cowboys' rebuilt defense flip their season, and who wins a Super Bowl rematch between Seattle and New England?Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJonathan Jones @jjones9Pablo Torre @PabloTorreExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankAudio Mix: Michael HardmanA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 11, 2026 · 33m

The regular season is in the rearview, and the NBA Play-In Tournament is officially knocking on the door. With the Pistons and Thunder sitting pretty, the rest of the bracket in total flux. Joel Lorenzi helps us break down who’s a contender and who’s just a pretender fighting for their life. Then, the "Robot Ump" revolution has arrived, and MLB veterans are feeling the heat. We discuss Sam Blum’s latest reporting on the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS). Is a mathematically perfect strike zone progress, or is the "humiliation" of public overturned calls ruining the soul of the game? In our main story, the Athletic’s prediction guru Austin Mock joins the show to crunch the numbers on the NFL Draft. Austin, Robert and Jason play "Mock with Mock," a high-stakes simulation of the first six picks for the Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Titans, Giants, and Browns.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysJason Goff @Jason1GoffJoel Lorenzi @JoelXLorenziSam Blum @SamBlum3Austin Mock @amock419Mix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducers: Jen Bradley, Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 4, 2026 · 35m

This week on The Athletic Show, Zena, Robert, and Jason break down a week of sports history in the making. Braylon Mullins’ stunned Duke with an absolute "bonkers" buzzer beater to send UConn to the Final Four. We debate whether Mullins has officially dethroned the "Laettner Moment" as the greatest in NCAA history. Then, we explore the "Victims of Circumstance." Inspired by recent reporting on NFL legend Doug Flutie, the crew discusses the athletes who were simply born in the wrong era. Who are the stars of the past that would be undisputed #1 picks in today's modern schemes? Finally, we go behind the scenes of the technological arms race threatening the soul of golf. The Athletic’s Brody Miller joins the studio to take us inside Callaway’s HQ to ask the big question: Is innovation making the game too easy?Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysBrody Miller @BrodyAMillerMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducers: Jen Bradley, Stephen LorenzoA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 28, 2026 · 39m

The MLB regular season officially kicked off Wednesday, and we are getting you prepped with the help of Keith Law, senior baseball writer for The Athletic, who joins the show to break down the three most striking storylines heading into Opening Day and what they reveal about the trajectory of the upcoming season. Then, the crew discusses how the high volume of transfers, NIL money and the introduction of NBA-style offenses has fundamentally reshaped college basketball. Finally, olympic sprinter Jordan Lyles sits down with Marcus Thompson to pull back the curtain on his polarizing public persona and share his ambitious master plan to elevate track and field to the same commercial heights as major American team sports.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysMarcus Thompson @thompsonscribeKeith Law @keithlaw.bsky.socialMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 21, 2026 · 32m

The WNBA and Players Association have agreed on a new collective bargaining agreement so it's full steam ahead for 2026 season. What will the new agreement mean for players and the league moving forward? The NBA is inching closer to 32 teams. We’re joined by The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov to discuss the inevitable return of the Seattle SuperSonics, the Vegas gold rush, and the "talent dilution" debate. Plus, which Western Conference team is getting shipped East?  And we do a deep dive into the parallel pressures facing Duke’s men and UConn’s women. College sports writer Scott Dochterman joins Zena to explain why anything short of a Final Four is a failure for these powerhouses and decide which pro teams would be the perfect match for the biggest stars from each program.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysScott Dochterman @ScottDochtermanMike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunovMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Jen BradleyA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 14, 2026 · 39m

Steph and Dell Curry sit down with The Athletic's Marcus Thompson for a wide-ranging conversation. From the "Originator" to "The Second," they discuss the evolution of the NBA, the rivalry for "NBA Family Royalty" against the Jameses, and a candid look at how the youth sports complex is failing American-born players. Also, Robert shares the intel from three crucial phone calls. By checking in with an NFL coach, a front-office executive, and an Athletic insider, he reveals what the league really thinks about the recent free agency frenzy. And, is the Prediction Market Loophole gambling or a financial exchange? Hannah Vanbiber joins the show to discuss the rise of platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket. We explore why federal regulation makes these markets legal in all 50 states—and why the traditional sports betting world is sounding the alarm.Hosts & GuestsZena Keita @itszenakeitaRobert Mays @robertmaysMarcus Thompson @ThompsonScribeHannah VanBiber @HannahVanbiberMix: Matt ShiltsExecutive Producer: Maggie BurbankProducer: Beret RemakA Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.