This Sporting Planet

As the F1 circus heads to Melbourne for the start of the 2025 season, Natalie Sawyer, Todd Harris and Edward Russell are joined by F1 presenter, and star of Netflix’s Drive To Survive, Jennie Gow to preview everything we can expect this year. Will Hamilton hit the ground running at Ferrari and secure an 8th world title? And which of the rookies will stamp their mark on the sport?

Basketball fever is about to descend on North America in March Madness. Commentator and ‘Voice of the Cougars’ Greg Wrubell, who knows most things there are to know about college sport, explains why it’s such a big deal, and which players and teams to watch out for during the tournament.

Plus, as LIV Golf heads to Singapore, we chat to former pro and now On Course Analyst Su-Ann Heng about why the league is continuing to draw attention as it enters it’s fourth season.

00:00 Introduction

01:10 Americas sports round-up, including news of Luka Doncic

02:43 Europe sports round-up

06:30 Asia sports round-up as Lydia Ko wins in Singapore

08:08 F1 2025 season preview with Drive to Survive's Jennie Gow

24:42 March Madness preview with commentator Greg Wrubell

37:53 LIV Golf heads to Singapore

47:18 AOB

52:11 Coming up next time

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Natalie Sawyer, Todd Harris and Edward Russell take you on a whistle stop tour around the globe to review February’s sporting stories!

As the ICC Champions Trophy continues in Pakistan, broadcaster and former cricketer Suhail Chandhok helps to explain why it means so much to the country to be hosting an ICC event for the first time in nearly three decades, and who we can expect to claim the trophy.

Men’s World Number One Jannik Sinner has been banned from tennis for three months, but why? And why has the agreement the Italian reached with the World Anti-Doping Agency caused so much controversy? The Editor In Chief of the world’s oldest tennis magazine Il Tennis Italiano helps to shed some light.

Plus, Steve Mayer from the NHL speaks to us about the runaway success of the 4 Nations Face-Off, which saw Canada emerge as champions. We analyse how it came about, and what’s next for the new tournament after huge ratings success.

00:00 Introduction

01:19 Edward Russell returns

05:30 Americas sports round-up

08:23 Asia sports round-up

09:19 Europe sports round-up

14:17 ICC Champions Trophy returns in Pakistan

26:20 Why has Jannik Sinner been banned?

38:41 4 Nations Face-Off success for NHL

49:25 Any Other Business

54:11 Coming up next time!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this bonus episode of This Sporting Planet, hear Natalie Sawyer's full chat with broadcaster and former cricketer Suhail Chandhok on the state of Indian men's cricket.

Will the Board of Control of Cricket in India's new guidelines for players actually help to bring the team together?

Plus is a 'hero culture' preventing India moving on from legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli despite poor form?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the biggest events in the sporting calendar is just around the corner, but who will win Super Bowl LIX?!

As the Kansas City Chiefs, led by stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, gear up to face Saquon Barkley’s Philadelphia Eagles, we explore what the impact of the match is around the globe and what to expect in the New Orleans showdown with NFL Hall of Famer Dan Fouts.

As skiing royalty Lindsey Vonn returns to the slopes at the Alpine World Ski Championships, we discuss who will be in medal contention in Saalbach, Austria.

Plus, all is not well in the Indian men’s cricket camp. Is it down to a superstar culture? Will the new ten-point plan from Indian cricket’s governing body help? Former cricketer and broadcaster Suhail Chandhok explains.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sports fans, this one's for you! We're recapping all the best moments from January across the globe!

As the new League Phase of the UEFA Champions League reaches its conclusion, we analyse whether the new format has been a success. Plus, after scraping through into the play-offs, will Manchester City be able to overcome perennial European winners Real Madrid? We hear from City boss Pep Guardiola.

The Australian Open crowned a new women’s champion as Madison Keys defeated Aryna Sabalenka, but what was behind the 29-year-old’s first Grand Slam title? And can anyone stop Jannik Sinner on the men’s side?

We also hear from home favourite Destanee Aiava on her journey, her mental health challenges and what inspired her to buy vintage dresses, first worn by the likes of Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova, to play in during the tournament.

And Super Bowl 59 will see the Kansas City Chiefs going for a THIRD title in a row. We hear from NFL Hall of Fame inductee Dan Fouts on how they navigated their way through the play-offs, and what we can expect from the big match in New Orleans on 9th February as Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes & co aim to make history.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special edition of This Sporting Planet, hosts Todd, Natalie, and Edward discuss the drama and excitement of January's deadline day. 

Join us as we speak with Kevin Hatchard, writer, broadcaster, and European football expert, to uncover the secrets behind the scenes of a transfer window. Discover the key players involved, the intricate steps required to finalise a deal, and the heart-stopping moments that can lead to a multi-million-pound transfer collapsing at the last minute.

Natalie recounts some behind-the-scenes dramas in the Sky Sports News newsroom. She shares her experience presenting 18 years of Transfer Deadline Day broadcasts, during which the entire nation was captivated by the events unfolding on their television screens.

We’ll ask some thought-provoking questions: Could football benefit from insights derived from other sports, such as the NBA? Should players have more control over their careers and potential transfers? Could a draft system enhance competitiveness across leagues worldwide? 

This episode is vital listening for any football fan eager to understand the inner workings of the transfer market.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As 2025 gets under way, what is capturing the sporting headlines across the globe?

First Natalie, Todd and Ed look back on a festive feast of sport as Nottingham Forest continue to surprise many in the Premier League. Plus, just how many world darts titles will Luke Littler win after claiming his first at just 17?

We head to Vietnam and hear from Đức Trường to find out what the celebrations were like as the country claimed their third ASEAN Championship title.

Then it’s a trip to Australia as AO Radio commentator Peter Marcato gives us some inside tips on which tennis stars to watch at the year’s opening Grand Slam. How will home favourite Nick Kyrgios do on his much-anticipated return?

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have launched a brand new golf league, TGL, which is being played indoors with a huge simulator screen! We speak to Claire Rogers who was inside the stadium for the opening night of action to find out what it’s all about.

Plus, as the January transfer window opens, which clubs will be most active in the market? Will the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marcus Rashford and Keira Walsh all be on the move by the end of the month?

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kick off 2025 with our guide to the year's most significant and exciting sporting events. 

We'll preview the upcoming Australian Open, where all eyes will be on Djokovic's surprising new coaching partnership with Andy Murray. Can this legendary couple conquer Melbourne? Meanwhile, the NFL season builds to its spectacular conclusion with the Playoffs and Super Bowl.

There is an Ashes series in Australia to look forward to, a Ryder Cup, the Women's Euros, the Women's Rugby World Cup, the African Cup of Nations, and a new tournament - the FIFA Club World Cup. Plus, Singapore will host the World Aquatics Championships, where a new swimming complex will be built.

Then we will cover the globe, from golf to tennis to domestic and regional football, massive horse racing festivals, F1 and MotoGP, the NBA, WNBA, MLB and NFL, Rugby Union and League, the AFL, and lots more.

Prepare for a year of nonstop action, drama, and unforgettable moments!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We begin by reacting to the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk - who came out on top in Riyadh?

Then, we review the excitement of the MLB World Series, examining Shohei Ohtani's first season at the LA Dodgers and the growing global interest in baseball with Japanese journalist Tomoya Shimura.

We head Down Under to relive all the major sporting events in Australia and New Zealand: the Grand Finals, the iconic Melbourne Cup, and intense cricket battles.

Plus, as Caitlin Clark bursts onto the scene in the WNBA, some sports stars were coming to the end of their careers and we finish with our tribute to those who decided to hang up their competitive clothes in 2024: Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray, and a few more...

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode we rewind to a summer of unforgettable sporting drama! 

We relive the magic of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Gold medallist Gabby Thomas reflects on the opening ceremony, her performance, and her future. Discover how hosting these monumental events transformed the City of Lights and inspired our hosts. 

Then, we jet across the Atlantic to capture the electrifying atmosphere of Copa America, where Messi mania swept through Miami! Plus, Spain's European conquest solidified their position as the dominant force in men's and women's football. 

Please tune in to hear Olympic gold medallist Gabby Thomas and Paralympic silver medallist Ali Truwit share their experiences from Paris 2024! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices