A Complete Guide to the Best Sports Podcasts
By
Will Brown
Contributor Updated: 13 January 2025
Will Brown Contributor
William Brown is a Content Writer with strong expertise in US and global gambling industry trends. Having covered the local sports betting market since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, William approaches his gambling guides with passion and diligence. He is a keen player of online slots, blackjack, and a regular sports bettor.
The Best Sports Podcasts
Sports enthusiasts have endless media options when it comes to finding discussions, interviews, and analyses of their favorite sports. Podcasts are among the best options when it comes to sports media, with their long-form run time and unfiltered conversations providing endless hours of entertainment. But what are the best sports podcasts? In this guide, we’ve answered this question by highlighting 10 of the best shows, including the flagship podcasts of ESPN, Barstool Sports, and other industry heavyweights.
Intro to the Most Popular Sports Podcasts
Before diving into the top sports podcasts, we’ve discussed some of the benefits of listening to podcasts over traditional media services. After, we’ve jumped straight into our list, beginning with the ESPN Daily podcast and sports pundit legend Bill Simmons’ show.
We’ve then covered hit shows such as New Height with the Kelce Brothers, the hilarious Pardon My Take podcast from Barstool Sports, and The Dan LeBatard Show. Feel free to use the links below to jump to each section, or continue to scroll to find details about them all.
- Why Listen to Sports Podcasts
- The ESPN Daily Podcast
- The Bill Simmons Podcast
- New Heights with the Kelces
- The Pat McAfee Show
- Pardon My Take
- Club Shay Shay
- The Ryen Russillo Podcast
- The Dan LeBatard Show
- The MeatEater Podcast
- The McShay Show
Why Listen to Popular Sports Podcasts
One of the best things about listening to podcasts is their convenience. Whether you’re listening at home or in your car, podcasts are the perfect way to passively learn or be entertained. Their online distribution also means that time limits aren’t an issue, so hosts and guests are free to go into as much depth as possible.
The best sports podcasts featured on this page are among the world’s most popular for good reason. The hosts are extremely knowledgeable about sports, with some being athletes and others being experienced commentators. This expertise allows them to attract some of the biggest names in sport as guests, giving listeners unprecedented access into their minds.
The ESPN Daily Podcast
Hosted by Pablo Torre, the ESPN Daily Podcast is the best show to listen to if you’re looking for an in-depth exploration of sports’ biggest stories. Torre, a long-time journalist for ESPN, utilizes his journalistic experience to craft compelling and interesting episodes on a range of topics, whether upcoming major games or historical scandals.
Episodes are released daily from Monday to Friday and include recaps of the biggest events in that week’s major league games, sports news, and exposés into underrepresented sporting issues. In addition to Torres, the show regularly hosts other ESPN insiders and major athletes. Episodes are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
Hosted by sportswriter and media personality Bill Simmons, The Bill Simmons Podcast is one of the world’s most popular sports podcasts. It’s beloved by fans for its light-hearted and comedic approach to sports, covering everything from sports analysis to commentary on the latest pop culture trends.
Produced by HBO and Simmon’s The Ringer network, the show includes regular segments such as Cousin Sal’s NFL betting picks and “Guess the Lines”. Past conversations include everything from the best sports movies, to interviews with Hollywood stars such as Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The show is also informative, with Simmons covering the latest news with his trademark insight and passion.
New Heights With Jason & Travis Kelce
Launched in 2022, New Heights is hosted by the NFL’s most famous brothers, Travis and Jason Kelce. It has since grown to become one of the most popular sports podcasts in the world, with the brothers signing a $100 million deal with Amazon in 2024. Despite the deal, it can be found at all major streaming services.
The podcast sees the brothers discuss NFL news, their personal lives, the Super Bowl, and their performances. With occasional appearances from sister Kylie, the Kelces’ sibling dynamic is infectious and comedic, and their immense fame allows them to host the biggest athletes and celebrities in the world as guests.
The Pat McAfee Show
Former NFL punter and WWE commentator Pat McAfee hosts this exciting daily sports talk show which streams live on YouTube and ESPN. McAfee delivers sports analysis with his trademark charisma and off-the-wall energy, never failing to add his own comedic opinions on sports’ biggest stories.
As a former NFL player, McAfee’s insights into the game are profound and informative, with regular segments including recaps of the latest rounds. Co-hosted by former NFL player A.J. Hawk, the sports podcasters’ insider status has helped them to host high-profile guests such as Dana White and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Pardon My Take
Of all of the best sports podcasts featured on this list, Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take has to be the funniest. Launched in 2016, hosts Eric Sollenberger and Dan Katz cover sports from every angle with a light, satirical touch. Episodes are released three times a week on all major streaming services.
The hosts’ passion for sports is boundless, with everything from insights that can help you bet on live boxing online to absurd discussions about sports culture. Fans of the show return for the infectious camaraderie between the hosts and their guests, as well as regular segments such as “Who’s Back of the Week”.
Club Shay Shay
Hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, Club Shay Shay has quickly emerged as one of the most popular sports podcasts for NFL fans. Sharpe’s eloquent delivery and no-nonsense interview style has resulted in in-depth conversations with celebrities, major athletes, political figures, and influencers about their ambitions.
Sharpe’s status as an all-time sporting great creates an even playing field between him and his high-profile guests, making for compelling interviews. Rather than solely focus on his guests’ lives, Sharpe probes them for their opinions on the latest cultural events. The result is a refreshing, surprising, and at times, moving show.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Joining Bill Simmons on his The Ringer network, former ESPN radio host Ryen Russillo covers sports and culture informed by his decades of experience. The episodes are characterized by Russillo’s trademark monologues on basketball and football, with the host then covering everything from existential philosophy and career advice to college football analysis.
One of the most popular segments is “Life Advice”, which sees Russillo interact with listeners’ conundrums. There are also regular interviews and conversations with major sports stars, including current and former major league players, coaches, pro league executives, and other sports media personalities. The show can be found on all major services and is released two to three times per week.
The Dan LeBatard Show
Another former ESPN personality to host his podcast is Dan LeBatard. The sportswriter and reporter has partnered with DraftKings to provide an unconventional talk show that is comedic, informative, and insightful. Co-hosted with Stugotz, The Dan LeBetard Show can be streamed on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
Each episode includes commentary on the day’s sports news, covering everything from the NFL to obscure international leagues. While the show tends to maintain a light and comedic tone, LeBetard also doesn’t shy away from discussing more serious social issues. The blend of sports talk and cultural criticism results in something unique and, most importantly, entertaining.
The MeatEater Podcast
Fans of Netflix’s MeatEater series will love this podcast. Hosted by Steven Rinella, The MeatEater Podcast covers an array of topics, though primarily explores hunting, fishing, environmental conservation, and outdoor activities. Rinella’s fascination with the natural world is communicated through his engaging storytelling abilities and his curated selection of expert guests.
With the podcast also veering into topics such as biology and cooking, the multi-faceted exploration of the outdoor lifestyle is intriguing to hunters and non-hunters alike. If this all sounds too heavy for you, don’t worry — the episodes are offset with biting humor and irreverence that make the listening experience a joy.
The McShay Show
After being a regular guest on Bill Simmons’ and Ryen Russillo’s popular sports podcasts, former ESPN commentator Todd McShay launched his own show with The Ringer network. Debuting in October 2024, the show has already been embraced by football fans. McShay’s unrivaled insights into college football and the NFL Draft are at the center of the show, meaning college football bettors shouldn’t overlook it.
McShay’s experience shines through, and his analysis includes detailed reflections on the future of the NFL and upcoming drafts. He also lifts the curtain on the college football scene by sharing personal stories and insider scoops about the sport.
