Introduction

Being paid $700,000 for 10 years of playing a sport sounds pretty nice, right? Well then why don’t most people do it? It’s because playing sports at a professional level is not easy. If it were easy, then a lot of people would do it. In fact, college athletes rarely go on to play professionally. This is why many sports teams and athletes have many fans and companies that would like to sponsor these programs and individuals because they want to be a part of their greatness. Due to the obsession over these different professional sports, many fans and sports journalists feel the need to understand their favorite athlete and team on a deeper level. This is where press conferences come into play. For decades, sports journalists have been allowed to interview athletes after sporting events to ask questions about their performance, their thoughts on the team, and anything else that occurred in the week. Professional athletes have been media trained to make sure they answer certain questions in a particular way that will be best for them and their team. This is understandable from a business standpoint, but the fans almost never think about the business side. They want what they want and that is to see athletes help their team win while also feeling a close connection to their favorite team. 

Enter the creation of sports podcasts. The popularity of sports podcasts increased in the mid to late 2000s and since then, have become the new way for fans to gain new information about their sports team that they would not necessarily learn from listening to a press conference. Because sports podcasts are a little less formal than press conferences, fans may be able to learn a lot more from the hosts as they “tend to speak to listeners in a chatty, direct, friendly and confidential tone and to reveal personal information and thoughts” (Adler Berg, 2023, p. 2). Sports podcasts hosted by present or former athletes could also add a level of credibility to what they are talking about and who they have on because of their success at their sport. All this information about press conferences and sports podcasts leads to this overarching question: How do athlete-driven podcasts foster stronger connections with fans, requiring traditional journalism, such as postgame press conferences, to adapt? 

The Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart exemplifies how athlete-driven podcasts can enhance fan perceptions of accessibility and transparency compared to traditional media formats. This podcast, co-hosted by Matt Hillman, provides a unique blend of basketball insights and personal anecdotes, drawing listeners into the friendship and shared experiences of two players who have navigated the challenges of the NBA together. By filming in Room 311, a space reminiscent of their college dorm where their bond was forged, Brunson and Hart cultivate an intimate atmosphere that resonates with fans, fostering a sense of connection and familiarity (Adler Berg, 2023).

Guests like Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and sports legends such as Eli Manning and Patrick Ewing add to the show's allure, offering listeners diverse perspectives on sports and culture. This dynamic range of guests not only enhances the content but also reflects the podcast’s intent to break down barriers between athletes and fans, aligning with Mirer’s (2023) assertion that athlete-driven platforms empower sports figures to share their narratives more authentically. The inclusion of these high-profile guests provides an opportunity for Brunson and Hart to discuss not just basketball but also broader topics, enhancing the podcast's appeal to a wider audience.

However, while many listeners appreciate the podcast's interactive and engaging style, some have noted that audio quality can be inconsistent, a common challenge in the podcasting realm (Villanova Sports Law Symposium, 2024). This highlights a broader issue in sports media where the production quality can impact the perceived professionalism and reliability of content. As traditional media evolves, the demand for higher production values becomes essential, especially as athletes leverage their platforms to create a more personal and engaging connection with their audience. This aligns with the findings of Nasri and Souid (2024), who discuss how the portrayal of athletes in media can elevate their public personas, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity amid the pressures of media representation.

In examining the Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart, it becomes evident that athlete-driven podcasts like this one not only foster deeper connections with fans but also challenge traditional media formats such as postgame interviews. By offering an informal, candid space for discussion, Brunson and Hart's podcast underscores the necessity for traditional journalism to adapt, providing fans with content that feels genuine and relatable. As the sports media landscape continues to shift towards more intimate and accessible formats, the success of such podcasts illustrates the evolving expectations of audiences in their engagement with athletes.

Overall, athlete-driven podcasts represent a transformative shift in how fans connect with sports figures, offering a more personal and authentic experience compared to traditional media outlets like press conferences. Through informal, yet insightful conversations, podcasts such as the Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart allow fans to engage with athletes on a deeper level, blending behind-the-scenes anecdotes with relatable, human moments. This format enables athletes to shape their own narratives and connect directly with their audience, fostering a sense of closeness that traditional postgame interviews struggle to achieve. As fans increasingly seek transparency and relatability, sports journalism faces growing pressure to adapt, delivering content that matches the accessibility and authenticity that athlete-driven podcasts provide. The growing success of these platforms illustrates a shift in audience expectations, marking a new era in sports media where athletes themselves play a pivotal role in shaping their public image.

Literature Review

Traditional Sports Media/Press Conference

Sports journalism evolved with horse races and boxing matches in the early 19th century. These events sparked regional pride and shaped national identity, long before the first sports columns (De Leon & Gi Woong, 2023). By the late 1800s, the penny press, led by outlets like The New York Sun, turned sports coverage from niche to mainstream. Newspapers like the Chicago Tribune and New York Times expanded sports sections, with content jumping from 0.4% in 1890 to 20% by 1920 (De Leon & Gi Woong, 2023).

The 1920s marked the "Golden Age of American Sports," where writers elevated athletes and storytelling. The introduction of beat reporters and press boxes cemented sports journalism’s place in-game. After WWII, radio and television revolutionized coverage, and Sports Illustrated, launched in 1954, fueled in-depth analysis, reaching 1.2 million subscribers by the 1970s (De Leon & Gi Woong, 2023). Today, digital platforms continue to reshape athlete-journalist-fan dynamics.

In recent years, the evolution of sports media has shifted towards digital platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, and audio-visual storytelling. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 64% of Americans now receive news from social media platforms, a significant increase from just 20% in 2012 (Pew Research Center, 2021). This evolution of audio-visual storytelling, such as podcasts, not only increases accessibility but also impacts the tone of the communication.

Differences in Tone and Accessibility

The contrast between the closed, monitored environment of press conferences and the open, accessible format of podcasts is noteworthy. “Without access, the media is now focusing more on opinion-oriented and criticism-oriented, further leading to a divide between the press and interviewees because they only see all the opinions of media members, such as Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless” (DeLeon, 2023, p. 56). Press conferences often yield scripted and rehearsed responses, creating a controlled atmosphere that may hinder genuine expression (Murray, personal communication, April 19, 2023). In contrast, podcasts use an informal platform where athletes can express their thoughts freely, so how fan audiences perceive tone and accessibility in press conferences vs. podcasts is an important area to focus on.  

The Significance of Press Conferences and One-on-One Interviews

Smudde and Courtright (2014) emphasize that these platforms are essential for athletes seeking to re-establish their identities after public controversies. Journalists aim to craft compelling stories that may not align with the athlete's intended message, creating tension between the two parties. Peña and Bock (2024) illuminate the relationship between journalists and athletes during press conferences, emphasizing that questions are pivotal in shaping narratives. 

Press conferences are increasingly seen as critical opportunities for journalists to ask questions that lead to newsworthy stories. “When a good reporter, a beat reporter, will be the person who will dig to get information continually. [It’s] not necessarily to tarnish anybody's reputation, but stuff a franchise or an athlete may not want them, but they need to know” (Mitchell, April 17, 2023). However, the interplay of stereotypes and established journalistic routines complicates this dynamic. Utilizing the hierarchy of influences model, Peña and Bock illustrate how organizational and cultural factors shape journalists' questioning practices, highlighting that stereotypes can lead to harmful reductionism, which can impact the nature of questions posed to athletes.  

Power dynamics can likely influence factors in age, experience, and media stereotypes/politics. Younger, less experienced athletes, particularly in the NFL or NBA, may feel intimidated by seasoned journalists, which affects their communication. This dynamic is worsened by racialized pressures, especially in sports like college and professional football (Waymer & Bradley, 2018). Additionally, the "hegemony of emotion" restricts athletes from expressing genuine emotions in press conferences. Kevin Durant and Serena Williams have faced backlash for emotional responses, leading many athletes to adopt restrained personas.

Podcasting Marketing & Relationships 

Podcasting has emerged as a powerful platform for athletes to connect with fans in ways that were previously limited by traditional media outlets. Podcasts offer a long-form medium that allows athletes to express themselves fully and authentically. It gives them the chance to create their own narrative, sharing personal stories, thoughts, and perspectives in their own words.

Dick & Schwarz (2020) found that the adoption of virtual reality and podcast marketing was notably slower than other forms of marketing such as face-to-face meetings, social media engagement, group sales, and promoting star players, as they ranked 18th and 19th respectively. However, these newer methods are still in the early stages of development by NBA franchises. The study highlights the potential for podcasts to grow in popularity as part of a broader trend toward innovative fan engagement techniques.

Mirer’s (2023) study on The Players’ Tribune sheds light on how athlete-driven platforms on social media empower athletes to bypass traditional media and take control of their narratives. Analyzing 110 stories posted by athletes reveals that athletes can critique their portrayal in sports journalism and reconstruct how the public views them. Platforms like The Players' Tribune offer a space for athletes to engage directly with their audiences, presenting stories in their own words and challenging conventional sports media authority. Recent examples such as Draymond Green’s podcast or the Kelce brothers’ New Heights podcast demonstrate the power of these platforms. This study shows how the landscape of sports media is shifting.

A symposium held at Villanova in the Spring of 2024 provided insights from athletes and media professionals on the evolving dynamics of sports media, emphasizing the integration of traditional broadcasting and streaming platforms. A representative from the Phillies discussed a shift toward a hybrid model aimed at better engaging audiences, while insights from the MLS highlighted strategic partnerships, such as the Apple deal, which have enhanced production quality and viewer experience. Industry experts like Betsy Riley emphasized the need for multimedia skills in modern journalism, as evolving production methods demand versatility. Nasri & Souid (2024) examine how media discourse shapes public perceptions of athletes, positioning them as central figures in sports journalism. They argue that media coverage often goes beyond athletic statistics, focusing on personal stories and personalities, similar to the marketing tactics used in political campaigns (Nasri & Souid, 2024). The journal article highlights figures like Michael Jordan, Usain Bolt, and Serena Williams, whose athletic achievements, charisma, and brand collaborations create emotional connections with audiences. However, the authors caution that this portrayal risks reducing athletes to symbols for external agendas, stripping them of authenticity (Nasri & Souid, 2024). They stress the immense pressure athletes face under such scrutiny and advocate for the media to recognize their humanity. 

Sports Podcasts Affect on Education, Media, Athletes, and Culture

Podcasts serve many purposes, in many cases as entertainment, but also as journalism platforms and even education. Shaw & McNamara (2021) dove into the education of sports professionals, such as athletes, coaches, or players through sports science podcasts available to the public. The trio found that the convenience of podcasts has helped these professionals a lot, as they can listen to them while performing other tasks during their very busy days, which is very beneficial. Many listeners value easy access and flexibility, so they can listen while completing their daily tasks. 

The surge of sports podcasts has affected so much within the sports media landscape, but the change in dynamic between media outlets and direct sources in sports is tenuous. In a 2016 study, Suggs examined how podcasts were affecting media members' access to teams and athletes, and the growing tendency of organizations to limit the media’s access to practices, and instead turning more towards producing content in-house, including podcasts. These findings illustrate the direction that sports media has continued in through the alteration of narrative control by teams taking some of it away from traditional media sources and retaining more of the engagement opportunities. In a review of The End of Sport podcast, Dart (2024) displays this medium as a way to face the ugly truths of the sports world and create outlets for discussing topics that get marginalized in mainstream media narratives. These offer a more critical examination of the sociopolitical state of sports media.

With recent up-endings of traditional college rules when it comes to athlete branding, podcasts are a valuable resource for the education of athletes when it comes to topics like Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), which is much different than previous NCAA rules and culture. In a 2023 examination of the Beyond the Field podcast, which is aimed to help college athletes navigate NIL opportunities, Sullivan (2023) expands on the idea that podcasts are a tool for empowering student athletes by giving them experience with personal branding and legal rights in order for them to maximize their potential. The podcast also acknowledges that the success of these student athletes’ podcasts relies heavily on continual growth and interaction with fans.

Analyzing Podcasts & Fan Engagement

Many podcasts, specifically sports podcasts, have and continue to grow at tremendous rates. According to Shamburg, the main inspirations for podcasts are independence, filling an underserved need, integrity, and a sense of optimism (2020). This motivates podcast hosts and can be achieved due to the increased desire for intimacy, which puts an emphasis on the podcast host speaking to listeners in a casual and amicable way that allows for personal information and thoughts to be revealed and discussed (Alder Berg, 2023). The Final Word, a famous cricket podcast, found that 24.7% of their listeners tuned in to “be entertained,” and their study concluded that media engagement and news consumption were very important to the listeners (English et. al, 2023). Alder Berg (2023) performed a case study and researched four categories: intimacy in what is said, intimacy in listening, cross media interactions, and intimacy on how it is said. The categories all had subcategories, which then ensured that podcasts are not just intimate, but they also contain specific intimate uses that differ in every podcast. 

When analyzing the engagement of sports podcasts, transparency has to be a core value of forming close connections with guests as well as fans. Louis (2023) believes that when hosts connect with the hosts and even the fans, that a certain level of comfortability is achieved, and fans definitely notice it. For example, on The Old Man and the Three, JJ Redick talked about the injuries that he overcame during his playing time and tied them into the injuries that Ben Simmons was going through at the time of their interview. Being transparent also relates to an athlete’s life outside of sports, as it was found that “the most successful podcast episodes from two successful podcasts talked not only talked about sports topics, but they also talked about life topics” (Louis, 2023, p. 60). 

It is important for listeners to know what they want to listen to, which is why Thomas (2023) incorporates the Uses and Gratifications Theory to articulate how listeners decide which podcast listeners want to listen to based on the certain fulfillments they are looking for. Their research displays “the connections between audience gratifications and sports podcast rankings” (Thomas, 2023, p. 129). Sports podcasts need to make sure each listener’s needs are met. Podcast hosts are driven by passion for the team and athletes, and they want to establish a sense of community with listeners and followers (Taylor, 2023). 

The purpose of our study is to test and understand fan engagement by comparing sports podcast vs. press conference style of media, the differences in the sentiment of narratives around sports professionals, and culture of community engagement surrounding each platform. This contributes to existing literature by using their information to help us test and understand our research and findings, whether it be in regards to intimacy or press conference questioning. Doing this allows us to add new and more detailed data to the sports podcast industry, which can be used in the future to create more engaging podcasts. 

Research Question #1:  How do fans perceive the accessibility and transparency of athletes in podcasts versus postgame interviews?

Postgame interviews are often perceived as controlled by PR teams and scripted. In podcasts, athletes can speak more freely, creating a stronger connection with their audience. The informal, conversational tone fosters a sense of direct engagement, allowing fans to feel closer to the athlete’s true personality, without the typical media filtering (De Leon & Gi Woong, 2023). This shift has made podcasts a preferred medium for fans seeking a more genuine experience.

Research Question #2: What are the reactions to popular athlete podcasts looking at the engagement (likes, comments, reposts,impressions), and how do they contribute to sports storytelling today?

Athlete podcasts have become integral to sports storytelling, evidenced by high levels of engagement on social media. Metrics such as likes, comments, and reposts reflect fans' enthusiasm for content that offers deeper, more personal insights into athlete’s lives. Shows like the Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart exemplify this trend, with their candid conversations drawing significant fan interaction. This format allows athletes to control their narratives, contributing to a new wave of sports media that emphasizes personal connection over traditional coverage (De Leon & Gi Woong, 2023).

Research Question #3: What can the world of sports journalism do to adapt to athletes sharing their experiences directly to their audience? 

Sports journalism must evolve by embracing athlete-driven platforms like podcasts, integrating them into broader reporting frameworks. Rather than competing with these platforms, journalists can provide deeper analysis and context, offering insights that complement the personal stories athletes share directly with their audiences. By focusing on adding value through interpretation, traditional media can adapt to this new landscape, maintaining relevance in an era where athletes increasingly control their narratives (Peña & Bock, 2024).

Methods

The section below delineates our methods and procedures for this mixed-method research study. We engaged in triangulation between different data sources and analysis techniques to better understand the role of athlete-driven podcasts in the realm of contemporary sports media and journalism. In particular, we used a survey to answer the question, “How do fans perceive the accessibility and transparency of athletes in podcasts versus postgame interviews?,” we used content analysis techniques to answer the questions, “What are the reactions to popular athlete podcasts looking at the engagement (likes, comments, reposts, impressions), and how do they contribute to sports storytelling today?,” and we also engaged in interviews/expert feedback techniques to answer the question, “What can the world of sports journalism do to adapt to athletes sharing their experiences directly to their audience?”

Research Question #1

• Sample: We sent out a survey to students who are enrolled at Villanova University. Our target demographic was students who are interested in sports and who have engaged in some way in sports podcasts. We recruited them mainly through people we know and group chats we are a part of. Our total number of participants who filled out the survey was 7.  

• Procedures & Measures: We asked five brief, open-ended questions on the survey, which all related and contributed to the research question. We measured the responses we received by categorizing them with a code book. We then organized the responses by identifying positive, negative and neutral responses with certain words and phrases. This allowed for all the responses to be used and for the information to be interpreted and understood correctly.  

• Analysis: We gathered all the information from the survey and from using the code book to take a closer look at how students interpret their fan experience either through a podcast or a press conference. 

Research Question #2

• Case/Podcast Selection: The podcast we selected for this study is “The Roomates Show with Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart.”

• Data Collection Procedures: Each one of the group members watched and listened to three podcasts and recorded the amount of views, likes and comments on each podcast, as well as the content that was presented. Grouping the number of comments, views and likes and then putting the certain numbers into different columns (varying with each episode) allowed us to recognize and analyze the engagement of the different episodes of the podcast. For the comments, we came together and decided on which comments were sarcastic, as well as which ones were positive, negative, or neutral emotions, which helped us accurately collect and interpret the data. 

• Analysis: We analyzed if fans were more likely to engage in the comments section with players or each other through the podcasts. We used consensus coding, as we all coded separately and came together to discuss themes before agreeing on them. 

Research Question #3

• Sample: We interviewed three professionals: Zachary W. Arth, the Assistant Professor of Sports Communication and Assistant Director of the Center for Sports Communication at Marist University, Matt Hillman, the producer of “The Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart,” and Peter Duane, the Social Media Coordinator of “The Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.”

• Procedures & Measures: We contacted them via email and conducted a 15-30 minute interview with each of our desired interviewees over Zoom. We created an interview guide and asked specific questions on background, their understanding of athlete-driven podcasts, and the future of sports journalism with these podcasts. We had a group member write down the responses with everyone being able to ask questions. Our group also measured the time the interviewee spends on each question, which helped indicate what topic was most important and vice versa. 

• Analysis: We compared how the interview actually went to our interview guide to see if anything was touched on that we did not think of or to see if it went in a completely opposite direction. Comparing and categorizing the three different interviews showed similarities and differences, which then led to more accurate and detailed results.

Results

The first research question looked at how fans perceive the accessibility and transparency of athletes in podcasts versus postgame interviews. 7 individuals filled out the 5-question survey we sent out to Villanova students, so the findings we received apply to this small portion of Villanova students. For our codebook, we used words such as personality and connection to group responses together. Based on the survey responses, we found that 85% of students believed they were more likely to engage with an athlete or sport's social media account based on likes/comments/reposts and impressions. 71% feel more connected to an athlete/team when listening to a podcast. 79% see very few press conference snippets on their feed, but see podcasts instead. These participants had a more positive attitude toward podcasts than toward press conferences, as seen in the numbers. We recognized that the fan interactions, environment and talking points were all advantages for listeners and viewers. There are many more benefits from listening to podcasts than press conferences in their minds. These fans recognized that interactions with a podcast clip are way more common and that podcasts produce deeper connections and are more authentic than post game interviews, which was the common theme throughout the survey responses.   

The second research question asked “What are the reactions to popular athlete podcasts looking at the engagement (likes, comments, reposts,impressions), and how do they contribute to sports storytelling today? After watching and analyzing 12 random episodes through an 8-question codebook, we found common themes within the episodes. Episodes with guest stars were more popular than episodes with just Jalen and Josh, but guest stars who were/are involved in the sports industry received the most engagement in terms of having guests. Episodes involving fan interactions (i.e answering fan questions on social media, reacting to fans posts on social media, etc.) received more views than episodes without fan interactions. In regard to the conversation content that Jalen and Josh produced, the most popular subject of conversation was off-the-court topics. This included personal stories, vacations, friendships, etc. so fans wanted to know more of what was going on beyond the court and behind the scenes. For the comments, we each went through several comments, came together to discuss, and observed that many of the sarcastic comments were positive, with a few about trading players with noticeable sarcasm. Comments varied in each episode, but the overall theme was that listeners were very pleased with the podcasts. Many of the negative comments were because they have kept asking for certain guests to be featured. Episodes that included fan reactions had more comments than episodes without reactions. Based on the comments, likes, views, and reposts of the episodes we viewed, many of the fans seemed to prefer listening/viewing episodes that involve more topics relating to the athlete themselves instead of their sport as well as social media interactions with fans, which allows them to better understand the athlete/team. 

Our third and final research question wanted to understand what the world of sports journalism can do to adapt to athletes sharing their experiences directly to their audience? Each interview stayed within our interviewee guide. Dr. Arth spent the most time (1 minute, 24 seconds) answering what he looks for most in a podcast to keep him listening. His response included behind-the-scenes information as well as viewing podcast clips on social media. In the interview with Dr. Arth, he stated that “Press conferences serve a function, but feel like an obligation” and that “Podcasts are centered around a topic, and press conferences are centered around an event.” These responses demonstrate some of the key differences between podcasts and press conferences. Cam Smith said “They [Jalen and Josh] highlight fan art or excellent stories, and Josh even recently paid for a young fan’s school textbooks. They find creative ways to interact with the fans.” Athlete-driven podcasts are finding different ways to keep fans engaged, and live shows are most likely to be the next big trend. When compared, both Cam Smith and Dr. Arth hinted at diving deeper beyond the sports and into personal lives to further engage listeners. Peter Duane mainly talked about his role and how he got involved, and he discussed his view very minimally. The world of sports journalism needs to become more personal and create a more exciting, welcoming environment that will make athletes share these stories that they share on their podcasts. 

Discussion 

This study aimed to determine the importance of athlete-hosted podcasts vs. traditional sports media. Our research suggests that sports fans prefer athlete-hosted podcasts as opposed to traditional sports media because of the personal connection it gives to the fans. On top of that, the athletes are more open to different topics of conversation knowing that they have the final cut, giving them the comfort in knowing their words won’t get twisted. This allows them to give fans more of a behind the scenes look on their life off the court, again providing a deeper personal connection with the fans. 

Our research supported our hypothesis, which was that fans enjoy hearing from athletes more on their own podcasts rather than watching a post game press conference hosted by traditional media outlets. The results from our survey showed us that a large majority of respondents from Villanova feel a more intimate connection to athletes when listening to their podcasts. For instance, research by Adler Berg highlights the importance of personal narratives in creating emotional connections, which our findings corroborate (2023).

These findings suggest that traditional sports media is going to need a major pivot in the way they operate interviews and press conferences. Luckily, Dr. Arth's observations suggest a fundamental tension between the structured nature of press conferences and the fluidity of podcasts. The assertion that podcasts are centered around topics rather than events signifies a potential opportunity for sports journalism to evolve. By incorporating more personal narratives and fostering a welcoming environment, media outlets can better engage with fans and provide a platform for athletes to share their experiences authentically. 

The research we conducted along with the media experts we interviewed contradicted some of the literature our study found. Moretti (2014) believed that fans enjoy the idea of a neutral reporter asking tough questions to athletes and trying to squeeze information out of them. While that does make sense, our research shows a strong correlation to fans feeling more involved with the athletes when listening to a podcast that is posted directly by them to the public. Besides just the survey, many of the comments from episodes of the Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart expressed how much they love Jalen and Josh as a duo for podcasting. Jalen and Josh often reminisce on old stories from college or earlier in their career which, according to the comments, makes the fans feel more connected to the players as people rather than just basketball players. 

Our analysis of 12 episodes highlighted that episodes featuring guest stars and fan interactions garnered higher engagement metrics. This aligns with the concept of participatory culture in media, as outlined by Moorad (2024), which suggests that audience involvement enhances the overall media experience. The emphasis on off-the-court topics suggests that fans are eager to connect with athletes beyond their sports personas. Our findings indicate a shift in sports storytelling, where the personal lives of athletes are becoming increasingly relevant to fans, allowing them to relate more closely to their experiences. This challenges the traditional narrative structure in sports journalism, which often prioritizes game-related content.

Limitations and Future Research

The study faced several limitations that constrain the generalizability and depth of its findings in athlete-driven podcast analysis. First, the survey sample comprised only 7 Villanova University students, which restricts the diversity of responses and the ability to draw comprehensive conclusions. While the sample showed interesting insights into fan perceptions of athlete-driven podcasts, the limited size of 7 people, and demographic selection of Villanova sports organizations/clubs mean the results primarily reflect the views of a small and specific subset of fans. Expanding future research to include larger and more diverse populations, encompassing varied ages, cultural backgrounds, and levels of sports engagement, would offer a more nuanced understanding of how these podcasts resonate with different fan bases.

Another portion to keep in mind is how sarcasm and performative behavior on the internet can make it tricky to figure out what’s genuine. We noticed that people might like, comment, or share something just to hop on a trend or make a joke rather than actually being engaged. Plus, our sample size was limited to Villanova students, which narrows the perspective. These students are super active online, posting across multiple platforms, so tracking real engagement gets messy. On top of that, some of the studies we looked at in our literature review didn’t line up with our findings. A few suggested that sports podcasts might just be a passing phase on social media, which throws a bit of doubt on how permanent their popularity might be. This all shows that while podcasts seem to be thriving now, it’s worth keeping an eye on how things shift over time.

More limitations lie in the way we conducted content analysis, which focused exclusively on the Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart. The narrow lens limits the validity of findings to the broader landscape of athlete-driven podcasts. Other athlete-hosted shows may explore different themes, feature varied audience interactions, and demonstrate diverse production styles that could yield a new result. For instance, examining The Draymond Green Show, which often delves into player dynamics and game strategy, All The Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, known for raw and unfiltered conversations, or I Am Athlete featuring Brandon Marshall and other former NFL stars, could provide comparative insights into how different sports and personalities influence engagement. Including a wider array of podcasts across various sports, such as Club Shay Shay with Shannon Sharpe or Road Trippin' featuring Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, would broaden the understanding of how storytelling styles and themes impact fan engagement.

The qualitative interviews were conducted with only three professionals, two of them are closely affiliated with the Roommates Show with Jalen Brunson & Josh Hart. Therefore, there’s an aspect of bias, as these interviewees may have a vested interest in portraying the podcast in a positive light. Future research should include a broader range of perspectives, such as independent sports journalists, media critics, and fans who can provide neutral assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of athlete-driven podcasts. Including insights from professionals associated with other successful podcasts, such as producers or media strategists for Knuckleheads with Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles or The Old Man and the Three with JJ Redick, could shed light on the production, audience interaction, and storytelling techniques that set certain podcasts apart.

Despite these limitations, this study underscores the potential of athlete-driven podcasts. One promising perspective is looking at AI and emerging technologies, such as live-streaming platforms, interactive betting, or fan engagement tools into podcast formats. Streaming and social media advancements could build a personal connection between athletes and fans, providing more immersive and in-tune storytelling experiences. Additionally, future research could investigate the long-term sustainability of athlete-driven podcasts, examining whether they represent a lasting shift in sports media or a transient trend. Analyzing how these podcasts influence traditional journalism—such as press conference structures or reporting styles—would also be an angle to dive into. By examining a broader range of athlete-driven podcasts and their influence on sports storytelling, future studies can better capture the evolving dynamics of sports media and the growing demand for realistic athlete narratives.

Conclusion

Our study illustrates the transformative impact of athlete-driven podcasts within the sports media landscape and fan engagement. The results reveal that fans increasingly favor the podcast medium to traditional sports media like press conferences for a number of reasons, including the raw authenticity and the deeper, personal connections between athletes and fans. This platform provides athletes the chance to share behind-the-scenes narratives and stories that otherwise might never get heard, which gives fans a lens beyond just the games or injuries that comes with the ups and downs of a season and offseason. The results from our survey, expert interviews, and episode analyses give us a clear view of the rising preference among fans to engage with this form of content. Fans not only support these stars for their efforts between the lines, but also on their personal and other professional endeavors as well. 

Our results reveal a real shift in the way sports storytelling is being produced, and the sources that it comes from. Traditionally, sports stories were only centered around an event, but now they are more centered around the person that wears the uniform. Sports journalism must adapt by embracing this shift and fostering authenticity with athletes and coaches. In the future, researchers should incorporate various athlete-driven podcasts to examine how this type of medium, and potentially new ones, would further enhance these athlete to fan relationships. As the sports media world changes, athlete-driven podcasts will certainly play a pivotal role in how sports stories are shared with fans

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