The Athletic Show

NHL players are back on the world stage for the first time in 12 years! Pierre LeBrun sits down with Brady Tkachuk to discuss the fierce USA-Canada rivalry and the race to finish the Olympic arena in Italy before the puck drops. Fresh off the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame announcement, the crew welcomes Zack Meisel to discuss the strange fraternity of players who were nominated but fell into the "one-vote" category. Plus, the team debates who belongs in the inaugural "Hall of Very Good.”

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Pierre LeBrun @PierreVLeBrun

Brady Tkachuk @Wingmenpod

Zack Meisel @ZackMeisel

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

Producer: Stephen Lorenzo

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Go behind the curtain of the most intense broadcast in media: NFL RedZone. We explore the secret shorthand, the 200-page research dossiers, and the "shaman-like" stamina of Scott Hanson. Can the NFL’s most addictive show survive without its legendary quarterback? Plus, as the NFL coaching carousel begins to spin, Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff are joined by Dave Helman to play "NFL Owner" and predict where the league's biggest names—from Mike Tomlin to John Harbaugh—will land. Also, is "polite" sports culture dead? We dive into the rising tide of pettiness in the league, from Ben Johnson’s abrupt handshakes to the never-ending Jordan vs. Isiah feud.

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Scott Hanson @ScottHanson

Dave Helman @davehelman_

Jayne Bardahl @Jaynabardahl

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

Producer: Stephen Lorenzo

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena, Robert and Jason are kicking off the New Year by digging into the seismic shifts rocking the football world. Madeline Hill and Charlotte Wilder from The Sports Gossip Show join the show for a special "Vibes-Only" NFL Playoff Preview. We’re ranking every playoff team from "Immaculate" to "Horrific" and spilling the tea on the off-field drama you might have missed—from front-office feuds to Jordon Hudson’s latest correspondences. Plus, after Indiana’s historic 38-3 dismantling of Alabama in the Rose Bowl and Miami’s upset over Ohio State, The Athletic’s Chris Vannini joins the set to answer the question: Is the SEC’s era of untouchable dominance officially over? We also turn our attention to the disaster in the desert. After a 3-14 season, Pete Carroll is officially one-and-done with the Las Vegas Raiders. We examine the enigma of owner Mark Davis: Why can he build a dynasty with the WNBA’s Aces but can’t find his footing in the NFL and is Tom Brady the only person who can save the Silver and Black.

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Chris Vannini @ChrisVannini

Chalotte Wilder @TheWilderThings

Madeline Hill @mad_hill

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

Producer: Stephen Lorenzo

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zena Keita sits down with Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr for a remarkably candid conversation about the "inevitable" end of the Warriors' dynasty. Kerr opens up about the "beauty in the struggle" of chasing one last ring, facing his own retirement, and what life looks like after coaching Steph Curry. Then, The Athletic’s senior writer Sam Amick joins the crew fresh from Las Vegas to break down the NBA Cup results. The team plays a game of "Save It or Scrap It"—debating whether the league should keep the In-Season Tournament, how to fix the load management crisis, and if rule changes are needed to bring intensity back to the game. Plus, a look at the imminent "passing of the torch" from the league’s aging superstars to the next generation, a trade market preview, and a new edition of "Learning Feels Good."

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Sam Amick @sam_amick

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

Producer: Stephen Lorenzo

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Zena, Jason, and Robert for a brand new episode of The Athletic Show as they tackle the biggest existential question in sports right now: What exactly is "football" and who gets to play it?

Rundown:

-Old man Rivers - The Colts have signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers to save their season. We debate if this is a brilliant move or an experiment destined to crash and burn.

-Should we kick the term soccer to the curb? - With the World Cup coming to the US next year, the debate is heating up: Should we finally start calling "soccer" by its global name? 

-Is flag football the future? - The NFL wants in on the Olympics, but the pioneers of Flag Football aren't rolling out the red carpet. The Athletic’s Tim Graham joins us to break down the tension

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Tim Graham @ByTimGraham

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

Producer: Stephen Lorenzo

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The countdown to 2026 has officially begun! Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff are back for a special edition of The Athletic Show dedicated entirely to the biggest sporting event on the planet. With the World Cup coming to North America, the stakes have never been higher. US Soccer legend Landon Donovan joins the crew to discuss what we can expect from the Men’s National Team—are they headed for glory or global embarrassment? Plus, The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio stops by to set the stage for the US squad’s chances. The team also dives into the new 48-team format, the "David vs. Goliath" stories of Cape Verde and Curacao, and the controversial ticket pricing strategy that might hurt your wallet. Finally, Jason wraps things up with a World Cup-themed edition of "Learning Feels Good."

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Paul Tenorio @PaulTenorio

Landon Donovan

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Athletic Show, Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff are joined by Super Bowl champion Vernon Davis and NFL reporter Jourdan Rodrigue to explore the Golden Age of Tightends—how the position evolved, why it’s having a moment, and whether the spotlight is here to stay. The team also discusses the fan-fueled firing of Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and the rapid rise of women’s volleyball and why League One Volleyball might be the next breakout pro sport. Plus, stick around for this week’s “LFG: Learning Feels Good.”

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Jourdan Rodrigue @JourdanRodrigue

Vernon Davis

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Athletic Show, Zena Keita, Robert Mays, and Jason Goff discuss why top U.S. women’s soccer stars are heading overseas and what does it mean for the future of the NWSL? Then, more and more fans are rooting for teams outside their home town. Is that good or bad for sports? Finally, former MLB pitcher and agent Dave Steart helps break down the growing crisis in baseball after Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted for fixing pitches in an illegal betting scheme.

Rundown

-Why are top US Soccer stars leaving the NWSL to play overseas?

-A growing number of sports fans are rooting for teams outside their hometown

-Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz' indicted for fixing pitches

-LFG (Learning Feels Good): 1183?

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Tamera Griffin @tamerra-griffin.bsky.social

Dave Stewart

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Athletic Show, Zena, Robert, and Jason dive into a packed slate of stories across the sports world. Dan Wiederer pulls back the curtain on what really happens when NFL players get traded — from the whirlwind logistics to the toll on families. Then a look at “Super shoes” that are reshaping marathons and sparking debate about fairness. Finally, The Tennis Podcast's David Law helps break down British tennis star Jack Draper's comments this week about the sport's grueling schedule pushing players to the breaking point. 

Rundown

-What Happens When NFL Players are Traded?

-How "Shoe Doping" Is Transforming Competitive Running

-Is Tennis Burning Out Its Stars?

-LFG (Learning Feels Good)

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Dan Wiederer @danwiederer

David Law @DavidLawTennis

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Episode 2 of The Athletic Show, Zena Keita, Robert Mays and Jason Goff are joined by John Hollinger to debate whether it's time to do away with the NBA Draft. The Athletic's WNBA reporter Sabreena Merchant also stops by with the inside scoop on the W's contentious CBA negotations while college football coaches receive tens of millions of dollars in buyouts. Plus, LFG is back with a number you won't believe.

Rundown

-WNBA Standoff

-How To Get $50M to Not Work

-Should We Kill the NBA Draft?

-Learning Feels Good!

Hosts & Guests

Zena Keita @itszenakeita

Robert Mays @robertmays

Jason Goff @Jason1Goff

Jon Hollinger @johnhollinger

Sabreena Merchant

Editor: Matt Shilts

Executive Producer: Maggie Burbank

A Production of The Athletic, Ode Studios, and Banner Studios.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.