FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 19th, 2018

NBC SPORTS PODCAST PREVIEW: THIS WEEK’S LINEUP & YEAR IN REVIEW

The Mike Tirico Podcast features SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt and PFT Live Co-host Chris Simms

Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Guard Arike Ogunbowale Joins Kathryn Tappen for the On Her Turf podcast

STAMFORD, Conn. – December 19, 2018 – NBC Sports presents a new slate of podcasts this week featuring SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt; PFT Live co-host, and Notre Dame Football and Football Night in America analyst Chris Simms; Notre Dame women’s basketball star Arike Ogunbowale, and many more.

This week rounds out a remarkable 2018 for NBC Sports podcasts, highlighted by:

  • Three original podcast launched: The Podium, The Mike Tirico Podcast, and On Her Turf;
  • More than 5 million downloads for the year;
  • Approximately 1 million downloads during PyeongChang Olympics in February 2018;
  • 25% increase in downloads since November 2017.

New episodes of 16 podcasts will be available for download on all major podcast platforms including: Apple, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and iHeart.

Following is a sport-by-sport look at what’s on tap:

NOTRE DAME

  • The Mike Tirico Podcast: This weekly podcast features Mike Tirico’s takes on the biggest news across the sports landscape, including the NHL, as well as interviews with sports commentators and athletes.
    On this week’s episode: Scott Van Pelt, SportsCenter host and Mike’s former radio partner, joins the podcast to review the year in sports for 2018; the impact of legal sports gambling on how we watch games; and how this year’s College Football Playoff opens the door for more than just playoff expansion. Chris Simms joins the podcast to discuss Notre Dame’s matchup with Clemson in the Cotton Bowl, and who he has pegged as the No. 1 team in the AFC with two weeks left in the regular season.
    When: Thursday, Dec. 20
  • On Her Turf: Hosted by NBC Sports’ Kathryn Tappen, the On Her Turf podcast welcomes a powerhouse guest each week who is a champion on and off the field and who motivates others to be the best versions of themselves. They talk about careers, what motivates them, how sports has impacted their lives, and lessons they’ve learned along the way.
    On this week’s episode: Kathryn and Arike Ogunbowale talk about her two game-winning shots that earned Notre Dame the NCAA Basketball title; growing up in an athletic family; and meeting her idol, Kobe Bryant.
    When: Wednesday, Dec. 19

NFL

  • PFT PM: Mike Florio has conversations with top names and newsmakers in the NFL, while updating his fans on breaking news and story lines that take place during the day and preparing listeners for what is coming next.
    On this week’s episodes: Mike covers the latest news and storylines from around the NFL
    When: Multiple times per week
  • The Leisuremen: The Leisuremen podcast features popular personalities/producers Paul Pabst and Andrew Perloff, who bring their entertaining brand of humor, fun, and passion to listeners each week. The show touches on a wide range of topics that go wildly beyond sports – from food, drink, cars, travel, and money to how to properly wear plaid pants.
    On this week’s episode: NFL rule changes; free agent QB hierarchy; college football final four predictions
    When: Wednesday, December 19
  • The Michael Holley Podcast: Michael Holley of NBC Sports Boston interviews a wide variety of guests from different backgrounds and industries in front of a live audience.
    On this week’s episode: 3x Super Bowl Champion and former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi
    When: Thursday, Dec. 20
  • Washington D.C.: Redskins Talk with J.P. Finlay: Led by Redskins Insider JP Finlay, along with Pete Hailey and Mitch Tischler, Redskins Talk provides a unique brand of expert analysis, casual conversation and humorous banter for Washington football fans.
    Among this week’s guests: Interviews with Pro Bowl selections Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Williams and starting QB Josh Johnson
          – When: Multiple times per week
    Available here: https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/RedskinsTalk
  • Philadelphia: Eagle Eye: NBC Sports Philadelphia Eagles’ reporter Derrick Gunn is joined by former Eagle and Super Bowl Champion Barrett Brooks, as they break down the key matchups, and discuss the key topics and issues surrounding the defending Super Bowl Champions.
    On this week’s episodes: Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro react to the stunning win in LA. What are the things Nick Foles does better than Carson Wentz? Is this the beginning of a true quarterback victory? How realistic is a playoff berth for the Eagles? Also, which players were the unsung heroes in Sunday night’s upset victory?
    When: New episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
    Available here: https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/podcasts

SOCCER

  • The 2 Robbies: Robbie Mustoe and Robbie Earle discuss and dissect the top Premier League storylines of every match. Together, the former Premier League players and current NBC Sports analysts provide fans with top-class punditry on the most exciting soccer league in the world.
    On this week’s episode: Earle and Mustoe assess the fallout from Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Manchester United, the Round of 16 Champions League draw and look forward the busy Festive Fixtures period kicking off in the Premier League.
    When: Monday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 22
  • That’s a Dive with Kyle Martino: Kyle Martino of NBC Sports takes a deep dive into some of the most debated topics bouncing around the soccer community.
    On this week’s episode: Kyle Martino is joined by U.S. soccer player DaMarcus Beasley to discuss his amazing career beginning as an 18-year-old with the Chicago Fire in MLS, playing all over Europe with PSV, Manchester City, Rangers and Hannover and of course what it was like to be a member of four USMNT World Cup squads.
    When: Wednesday, Dec. 19

BASKETBALL

  • The Haberstroh Show: NBC Sports national NBC Insider Tom Haberstroh sits down with some of the biggest names in the NBA to share the stories and the numbers behind the bigger games ad biggest moments in the league.
    On this week’s episode: NBA insiders join Tom to talk the biggest stories this week in the NBA
    When: Tuesday, Dec. 18
  • Pro Basketball Talk on NBC Sports: Kurt Helin and the team from ProBasketballTalk at NBCSports.com talk all things NBA basketball: news, analysis and even the ridiculous. Regular guests include NBA players and media members.
    On this week’s episodes: NBA Twitter star Matt Moore will be on to talk about the best/worst moves of last summer’s free agency, now that we’ve seen them in action for a while. Carmelo Anthony does not make the good list.
    When: Multiple times per week
  • College Basketball Talk on NBC Sports: Robert Dauster takes a look at everything happening across college basketball, including a weekly recap of action across the country and each conference, recruiting and looking ahead to the future of the sport.
    On this week’s episodes: Monday overreactions; and later, Rob will cover some of the biggest college games of the week
    When: Multiple times per week

BASEBALL

  • White Sox Talk – Hosted by NBC Sports Chicago’s trio of White Sox experts Chuck Garfien, Ryan McGuffey, and Chris Kamka, the White Sox Talk podcast (now in the Top 200 among Apple Store’s top sports podcasts) provides fans with in-depth White Sox discussion on the hottest topics and latest breaking news all year long.  In addition, fans can look forward to exclusive one-on-one interviews with White Sox players, coaches, front office execs, along with MLB media insiders from coast-to-coast.
    On this week’s episodes: On Tuesday, it’s a “Manny Mania” podcast focusing on highly-touted free agent Manny Machado’s visit with the White Sox earlier this week, including sound with new White Sox first baseman & Machado’s brother-in-law Yonder Alonso. On Thursday, the “White Sox Talk Christmas Podcast” will feature the crew answering fan submitted questions.
    When: Tuesday, Dec. 18 & Thursday, Dec. 20
    Available here: com/podcasts or via the new MyTeams by NBC Sports app.
  • Cubs Talk – Hosted by NBC Sports Chicago’s Luke Stuckmeyer, Cubs digital reporter/producer Tony Andracki, along with special appearances by David Kaplan and Kelly Crull, the Cubs Talk podcast provides die-hard Cubs fans with detailed discussion on the hottest topics and latest breaking Cubs news throughout the year.  In addition, fans can look forward to exclusive one-on-one interviews with Cubs players, coaches, front office execs, along with MLB media insiders from coast-to-coast.
    On this week’s episodes: On Wednesday, former Cubs fan favorite/current free agent Matt Szczur joins the podcast team to discuss his memories being a part of the 2016 World Series champions, along with his acclaimed artwork depicting the clinching moment. On Friday, new Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy discusses his role of blending scouting and analytics within the staff, along with his expectations for the upcoming 2019 season.
    When: Wednesday, Dec. 19 & Friday, Dec. 21
    Available here: com/podcasts or via the new MyTeams by NBC Sports app.

ROTOWORLD

  • Rotoworld Football: From fantasy implications to NFL draft analysis to major events, the Rotoworld Football staff has the NFL landscape covered. Listen as Josh Norris, Evan Silva, Roto Pat, Rich Hribar and Ray Summerlin meet three times each week to give their analysis and opinions on everything happening in the NFL.
    On this week’s episodes: It is the week of your fantasy championship, so let’s win some rings. On Tuesday, Ray Summerlin tells you key players to pick up to get over the hump. Then the whole crew – Rich Hribar, Nick Mensio, Evan Silva and RotoPat preview the games and matchups on Thursday and Friday’s episodes
    When: Multiple times per week
    Available here: http://www.rotoworld.com/podcasts/nfl
  • Rotoworld College Football: Rotoworld’s podcast with Thor Nystrom and Mark Lindquist covering the landscape of college football, with a specific focus on ATS and DFS.
    On this week’s episode: The team will be discussing every college football bowl game in this special “New Year’s Six/Playoff” preview episode which will also be available as video on Rotoworld You Tube channel and Rotoworld.com
    When: Tuesday, Dec. 18
    Available here: http://www.rotoworld.com/podcasts/cfb
  • Rotoworld Fantasy Basketball: Matt Stroup and Mike Gallagher have you covered from every angle. Joined by Steve “Dr. A” Alexander, Ryan Knaus and the rest of the Rotoworld crew three times a week they cover everything from the latest injuries, waiver wire pickups, DFS strategies and much more!
    On this week’s episodes: On Monday, Steve joins Matt to analyze the top waiver wire options, including Kevin Knox and Emmanuel Mudiay of the Knicks, as well as dynamic Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr., aka “Airplane Mode.” Wednesday’s episode involves making fantasy basketball predictions for 2019. On Friday, Mike previews the evening’s games from a DFS perspective.
    When: Monday, Dec. 17, Wednesday, Dec. 19 & Friday, Dec. 21
    Available here: http://www.rotoworld.com/podcasts/NBA

 

                 — NBC SPORTS —