Sports journalist and professor J.A. Adande joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation on how money, media, and power are reshaping the world of sports. From the Big Ten’s potential $2 billion private equity deal to the rise of The Athletic and the collapse of local sports coverage, Adande explains how financial literacy has become essential for sports reporters — and why sports journalism remains one of the few thriving corners of the media industry.
They dig into how gambling, influencer culture, and social media are transforming how fans consume sports — and how shows like Around the Horn and PTI paved the way for today’s single-voice, personality-driven debate model. Adande also reflects on the increased diversity in sports media, the tension between advocacy and escapism, and why issues like Latino discrimination and trans inclusion in sports are becoming defining cultural flashpoints. He also explains why the sports world has gotten out of the social justice advocacy business… and likely won’t be coming back. It’s a candid look at how sports coverage mirrors — and sometimes predicts — the shifts happening across American journalism.
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Timeline:
00:00 J.A. Adande joins the Chuck ToddCast
01:00 Big Ten seeking $2 billion dollar private equity infusion
02:15 Money would keep current Big Ten setup for 2 decades
03:30 Knowledge of finance & business is a must for sports reporters
06:00 Sports journalism is one of the only growth areas in journalism
08:30 Why ESPN was a better option for J.A. than Sports Illustrated
09:15 The Athletic is the final destination for sportswriting
10:30 The role of sports journalism in rebuilding local news/media
12:00 The Athletic is evolving into a national sports outlet
13:30 Local sports reporting doesn’t scale
14:30 Where do sports fans go to now for localized coverage?
15:30 It’s more efficient for teams to leak stories to one national reporter
16:30 There is plenty of localized sports discussion, but not breaking news
18:30 There’s no FOIA in sports coverage, reporters aren’t entitled to access
20:00 Teams can shut out journalists and still get word out to the public
22:00 The impact of the pandemic on journalism and in-person access
23:00 Sports is one of the last places where people are debating the facts
24:00 Sports talk has become formulaic and like pro wrestling
25:15 The template for PTI was Siskel & Ebert
27:00 Around the Horn premised on winning a subjective argument
29:00 There’s a huge audience for fake, manufactured competition
30:00 Sports talk moving to the singular influencer model
30:45 Cutting production costs is reason for centering shows on one talent
32:00 News will likely move to the sports talk, licensing model
33:45 Streamers haven’t moved to pick up sports debate shows
34:30 Podcasts are a more intimate experience for the audience
36:15 The impact of the infusion of sports gambling into sports journalism
37:15 Journalists have to be more precise with gambling coverage
39:00 Newspapers would discourage gambling & still publish lines
41:00 Sports gambling journalism is a form of service journalism
42:15 Far more gender diversity now in sports journalism schools
44:15 There’s never been a better time to be a woman in sports media
46:45 There’s been a retreat from social commentary in sports media
48:15 Trans women in sports debate is dividing women
49:30 Baseball should be leading the fight against latino discrimination
51:30 Latino integration or expulsion will be a defining fight of our time
55:00 Sports will not be at the forefront of fighting for social justice
57:15 Sports as a source for escape vs a source of advocacy
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