On the latest Sporticast episode, hosts Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams chat through a host of rapid-fire topics heading into the holidays.
They start with college sports, and more specifically, college football. Massive upheaval in NIL, transfers, conference realignment and playoff expansion–just to name a few–have many who work in the industry near a breaking point. Could 2025 be the year that happens? Perhaps, but what would that even look like? The hosts talk through possibilities, and also possible hurdles. They agree on one thing: It doesn’t seem fun right now to be a leader in college sports.
Next they talk about the WNBA labor talks, which have the potential to be one of the biggest sports business stories of 2025. Players opted out of the current agreement early to force the league to the bargaining table. The talks come amid massive jumps in viewership, attendance and other commercial opportunities, but also with a misunderstanding among many about how much money is actually being made. In major men’s sports, fans are typically split on who they blame for labor disputes; in women’s sports, fan bases are largely pro-player. All of that combines for a compelling collection of stories ahead of a critical new deal.
Next the hosts talk about the trend of athletes as investors. It’s been a topic for about a decade, but the pace of change is accelerating and reaching younger stars. As a latest example, 19-year-old college basketball sensation JuJu Watkins invested in Unrivaled, the new 3×3 pro women’s basketball league.
They close by talking about media innovations in 2025, including the innovation of the alt cast and the future of sports docu-series.
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