This week's edition dissects the evolving economics of sport, from the NFL's exploding edge rusher contracts to India's cricket dynasty and the leagues' scramble to treat players as intellectual property. We unpack how data-driven valuations are reshaping team construction, and whether the pursuit of marketability is overshadowing on-field performance. Plus, we question the sustainability of public service broadcasting and the increasing manipulation of sporting events for TV revenue.
Explore the full visual digest at pers-int.com
0:00 - Introduction
1:09 - Global Football Dynamics: Leagues, Players, and Politics
8:17 - The NFL Offseason: Contracts, Rosters, and Edge Rushers
15:06 - March Madness: Bracket Busting and Tournament Upsets
18:47 - India’s Cricket Dominance and the IPL’s Influence
21:49 - Conclusion
Referenced sources:
Olympic Gold Medalist Kendall Coyne Schofield Talks Growth of Women's Hockey (Bloomberg Business of Sports)
What's going on with Maxx Crosby + Andrew's NFL Free Agency Takeaways (Business of Sports: NFL Business Podcast)
Maxx Crosby Is No Longer A Raven, Nate Tice Joins Us To Talk NFL Free Agency, World Baseball Classic, Hot SeatCool Throne And A Laser Tag Debate During Guys On Chicks (Pardon My Take)
Is the Premier League as strong as everyone thinks (The Athletic FC Podcast)
Varying fortunes of recent managerial hires (The Athletic FC Tactics Podcast)
Vikings swing for the fences with Kyler Murray (The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL)
Free agency day three Maxximum Chaos (The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL)
Free agency day one, part two The edge and DB markets fall into place (The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL)
Free agency day one, part one Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers, Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders, Alec Pierce stays in Indy, and more (The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL)
Ravens Maxx Crosby trade highlights a busy weekend on the eve of free agency (The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL)
The Bam Backlash, Kawhi's Heater, East vs. West, and SGA vs. Jokic, With Tim Legler (The Bill Simmons Podcast)
NFL OverUnders, an Oscars Preview, and a Brady-Pats Feud With Cousin Sal, Sean Fennessey, and Seth Wickersham (The Bill Simmons Podcast)
Clare Connor's (nearly) Exit Interview (The Final Word Cricket Podcast)
TFW Daily - India the GOAT - T20 World Cup 2026, Final (The Final Word Cricket Podcast)
TFW Daily - India the T20 GOAT - T20 World Cup 2026, Final (The Final Word Cricket Podcast)
Stairway to Evans Reacting to the Second Wave of Free Agency News (The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny)
Free Agency Live Reaction Show (The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny)
Valverde Dominates, Premier League Disappoints & Pep's Odd Choices (The Rest Is Football)
Storytime With Raheem, Friday WBC, and Conference Tourney Updates The Ringer Gambling Show (The Ringer Gambling Show)
Conference Tournaments Are Here and Which Teams Have the Upset Potential The Ringer Gambling Show (The Ringer Gambling Show)
76ers' Chances of Making the Playoffs, Pistons Collapse, and Tate's NCAA Update The Ringer Gambling Show (The Ringer Gambling Show)
OTT reaction Is EPL move really a game-changer (The SportBusiness Podcast)
This episode is independent commentary and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the sources listed above.