Want to stay connected to and keep up with what's happening beyond the field, gridiron, court, or diamond? Podcasts are a great way to enjoy your favorite sports on a deeper level. Here are 20 of the best sports podcasts to get you closer than ever to the action and into the minds of outstanding players and coaches. No matter which game you follow or whether you're a casual watcher or a serious fanatic, there's a sports podcast for you on this list.
Best Sports News Podcasts
Got a couple of minutes to spare? Then you have time to listen to Sports News Minute. Every day, sports media pro and longtime radio broadcaster Larry Brown presents the most essential sports news of the day in quick, compact, two-to three-minute-long episodes. More than just a rundown of the latest wins and scores, this podcast covers all aspects of sports news, including the rumors off the field and what playmakers are saying.
Whether ESPN is your go-to channel, 24/7, or you don’t know the difference between a goal and a touchdown, Go! My Favorite Sports Team offers a lot to keep you listening. Hosts Mark Fischbach (Markiplier) and Tyler Scheid are sports commentators who break down all things sports in ways that are humorous and accessible to both superfans and novices. Episodes feature primers on sports from baseball to skateboarding, a look at the intricacies and drama of sports rivalries, and discussions of serious issues like whether individual athletes have the right to reject protocols created for own safety and protection.
The debate about money in college sports is a complicated one, and recent changes to the way college athletes can earn money might just change the nature of college sports forever. Out of Bounds takes a deep dive into the controversial and highly debated issue of money in college sports. Narrated by Chris Ballard, this Audible Original podcast follows six diverse athletes—three from the past and three in the present—across a range of sports to examine how actual athletes are impacted. Did the Supreme Court's 2021 ruling against the NCAA mark the end of amateur sports in the US? Listen in and decide for yourself.
What draws sports fans to following their favorite teams isn't just the action on the field or court—it's also the thrill of rooting for underdogs and marveling at the feats and determination of players. From the Wondery network, The Lead is an award-winning sports podcast devoted to bringing fans outstanding, inspiring stories of teams and athletes, all in under 30 minutes. Hosts Tiffany Oshinsky and Anders Kelto cut through the chatter and get right to the heart of the biggest and most fascinating stories in the world of sports, as told by the reporters who cover them up close. New episodes release every Wednesday and Friday.
Best Basketball Podcasts
On their NBA Show, The Athletic has fans covered Monday through Saturday with a lineup of shows featuring the sports website's top basketball insiders, writers, and reporters. On Mondays, you get Basketball Buds with Zach Harper and friends. Tuesday is Tampering with Sam Amick, Anthony Slater and Fred Katz. On Wednesday, it's Hoops Adjacent with David Aldridge and Marcus Thompson. As for Thursday, tune in to hear Point of Contention with Zach Harper, Marcus Thompson, and assorted guests. On Friday, listen to Nerder She Wrote with Dave DuFour, Seth Partnow, and Mo Dakhil. And finally, just as you hit the weekend, you get the Saturday Slam & Jam with Andrew Schlecht and Alex Speers. Plus, you'll also hear The NBA Daily Ding, a quick recap of the previous night's game.
If you're a fantasy basketball fan eager to stay up to speed on breaking news and developments or looking for some expert guidance, Roundball Stew is a must-listen podcast. Matt Stroup, Steve Alexander, Ryan Knaus, and the rest of the NBC Sports EDGE crew cover everything from season-long NBA trends to waiver wire pickups, from DFS to random side bets, as well as regularly weigh in on key fantasy questions.
With All the Smoke, you get fiery basketball commentary from two of the most outspoken players of their time—and two of the most widely respected voices by today's crop of NBA stars—Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. During their NBA careers, each spanning 14 seasons, they stood out as intense competitors and championship winners. After playing alongside two generations of All-Stars, they went on to serve as mentors to many players throughout the league. Barnes and Jackson have their fingers on the pulse of what matters in today's basketball world, and in this podcast, they give listeners all the latest news and drama from both on and off the court. Episodes often feature interviews with hot players and living legends, including four-time NBA Champ Klay Thompson and eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard.
Best Hockey Podcasts
With The Hockey Weekend Wrap-Up, you get the exact hockey news and updates you're looking for. From the Faceoff Hockey Network team, this podcast delivers a thoughtful, in-depth recap of everything that happened in the Friday through Sunday games in the NHL. Here are all the marquee matchups and big moments from the weekend that you'll want to know about.
If you're playing fantasy hockey, you won't want to miss out on NHL Fantasy on Ice with hosts Pete Jensen and Nick Alberga. These guys bring you all the fantasy hockey news you need, year-round. Along with their guests, Pete and Nick have all the advice and know-how to help you have an edge on the competition. And if you're interested in the world of sports betting, these hosts take a little time to chat about that with their guests as well.
Best Baseball Podcasts
The Athletic's Baseball Show features some of the best writers and thinkers in the world of the sport. Join Ken Rosenthal, Jayson Stark, Doug Glanville, Britt Ghiroli, Eno Sarris, Keith Law, Andy McCullough, Grant Brisbee, Derek VanRiper, Tim McMaster, and many others as they come together to discuss all things baseball. The podcast is coming at you five days a week to deliver all the baseball news, rumors, analytics, trivia, and interviews to help guide you through the Major League Baseball season.
If you're a baseball fan who can't get enough of hearing game recaps and highlights, you'll want to give this podcast a listen. Every Monday and Friday, hosts Jimmy "Jomboy" O'Brien, Jake Storiale, and Trevor Plouffe sit down for half an hour and talk about all things (you guessed it) baseball-related. Talkin' Baseball breaks down the series that were, the standings, and all the good, bad, and angry from the MLB, while keeping it all entertaining.
Best Football Podcasts
Tired of sifting through the hundreds of talking heads in fantasy football? Fantasy Footballers is the only fantasy football podcast you'll need on your roster! Andy Holloway, Jason Moore, and Mike "The Fantasy Hitman" Wright are an expert trio of podcast hosts who are able to break down the world of fantasy football for you. This podcast features everything you need to win your fantasy league—thoughtful analysis, strong opinions, and the matchup-winning advice unlike anything you'll hear anywhere else.
Within a few years, NFL star Aaron Hernandez went from Super Bowl fame to convicted murderer. Was football somehow to blame? From Wondery, the podcast team that brought you Dr. Death, and the Boston Globe's Spotlight Team of investigators, Gladiator takes a hard look at football through the lens of Hernandez's tragic downfall and terrible crimes. Did football-induced brain trauma provoke Hernandez's violence? Did a hyper-masculine football culture force him to keep secrets about his sexuality? Did elite coaches cover up his volatile behavior? Drawing on in-depth research and exclusive interviews, Gladiator sheds light on football's role in what happened to Aaron Hernandez and raises questions about what it means for fans who cheer on a violent game.
If college football is your game, then check out The Late Kick with Josh Pate. This high-energy podcast has access to a team of insiders who help deliver all the information you want to know about the world of college football—behind-the-scenes intel and rumors, game breakdowns, recruiting info, players to watch, and even the occasional gambling twist. Kicking off in pre-season, episodes release every other weekday to keep superfans in the know.
Best Soccer Podcasts
If you're a fan of soccer, better known as football outside of the USA, the experts at The Guardian, the UK's premiere source for sports news (and most other news), present a can't-miss podcast. Football Weekly covers all the latest action from the Premier League and beyond. Despite the name, it's actually a daily podcast. Throughout the week, hosts Max Rushden and Barry Glendenning are joined by special guests to help discuss everything soccer-related from around the globe.
Men in Blazers is a podcast in which the hosts discuss soccer and wear blazers—usually at the same time. Created and hosted by Roger Bennett and Michael Davies, this daily podcast is driven by the belief that soccer is America's sport of the future and has been since 1972. Episodes range from an interview with Brendan Hunt, who plays Coach Beard on "Ted Lasso," to an in-depth, six-part discussion of the complexities and moral conundrums of a World Cup hosted in Qatar.
Best Sports History Podcasts
Originally released in March 2022 in honor of Women's History Month, Miles to Go is an Audible Original podcast devoted to the history of women's distance running—a largely untold story of triumph over discrimination. It focuses on the landmark achievement of marathon runner Joan Benoit Samuelson and her incredible journey to the Olympics in 1984, marking the first time ever women were allowed to run at the Games. This podcast also looks at the women who helped paved the way for Samuelson's record-breaking success, including the women who competed against her. These women's passion for running became their race for gender equality in sports—and beyond—a race that continues to this day.
More than just outstanding sports players, professional athletes are role models. They have the platform and the power to fight for change. The Audible Original podcast Defiance explores the history of protests in professional sports and its impact on the world. Legendary sprinter Michael Johnson chats with fellow athletes, commentators. and educators and discovers the stories of those who have been strong enough to take a stand, starting with the "godfather" of sporting protest, Jackie Robinson. On a more personal note, Johnson also looks at his own actions of defiance and how he might do things differently if he were in the world of sports today.
The 1990s Chicago Bulls championship teams were arguably the greatest in NBA history, if not the best in sports history. Their names—Michael Jordan. Scottie Pippen. Dennis Rodman. Steve Kerr. Phil Jackson—are legendary. not just to avid basketball fans but to everyone. Beyond the Last Dance is a 10-part Audible Original podcast series that looks at the history and legacy of these legendary players and the team that changed the world of basketball forever. It's cohosted by B.J. Armstrong, the All-Star guard who played alongside Jordan for three of the Bulls’ six championships, and acclaimed sports journalist J.A. Adande.
