HoS: Bomani Jones

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Bomani Jones is here and suddenly without constraints. We had a great conversation on sports industry topics, many of which we were able to get to by using the Damian Lillard/Le Batard/Woj situation as a jumping off point. Oh, and below we’re testing out a more complete podcast outline, put together by Sam Schuette. Pod subjects include but aren’t limited to: * Individual branding * After leaving ESPN, becoming your own brand as a journalist * ESPN equity stakes to NBA and NFL * Desperation? Inability to compete with big tech * Chess move? Leagues could be going for established networks after failed NBA TV * NFL has leverage over ESPN, no need to make deal * NFL’s popularity over other leagues * Good balance of variance and predictability in the NFL makes it exciting * Regular season matters more in NFL which piques interest all year long * Lillard trade/Woj drama * How did Woj’s relationship with Lillard’s agent influence his reports? * Lillard’s situation reflective of shift in players’ status in how they get to pick their next destination even when under contract * Different types of journalism (Windy vs Woj) * Windhorst: brings fans behind the scenes * Woj: more focused on breaking the big news first * White guys in the NBA * Tyler Herro undervalued because he’s white? * Whiteness can be a detriment to how a player’s perceived when he’s below average, but an asset when he’s good (x-cubed analogy) * White Americans vs white Europeans (guys who connect with media vs foreigners perceived as outsiders) * Many white Americans grow up in predominately white areas (where it’s more socially acceptable for a white guy to aim for the NBA) * Taylor Swift male audience * Recent influx of male audience members at Swift concerts, particularly among Gen-Z * Do guys actually care about her music or is it just a way for them to get a date? * Jonathan Ogden story (some guys simply enjoy the music, even those you’d least expect) * Messi in Miami * Miami is an ideal location because of Argentine population * It’s an “events” city * Will be tough to because few fans care about the team, only Messi himself * Running back salary * Running backs supposedly underpaid * Complicated by the fact that RB’s often leave their primes when they’re up for free agency * In multiple sports, CBA’s complicate players salaries and create disconnect between max contract players versus role players * Bomani addressing naysayers * TV show ratings * Unpredictable takes (sometimes traditionally left-wing, sometimes not) * What’s it like to have your career discussed as a proxy for wokeness