Best Matty Ice Media Network Podcasts (2025)

1
ESPN’s D.T.C. Blitz 39:40

Play Pause

2h ago39:40

39:40

Axios’s Sara Fischer reunites with John to discuss ESPN’s blockbuster deals with the NFL and MLB and the early splash of ESPN and Fox’s new D.T.C. products, each racking up over a million sign-ups in under two weeks. They also weigh in on NBC’s simmering turf war with YouTube TV, the looming possibility of an early NFL rights shake-up, and much mor…

1
Ellison’s Playbook & NFL’s $100B Bonanza 51:51

2d ago51:51

51:51

Veteran media analyst Michael Nathanson returns to the pod for a romp through the sports media circus: David Ellison and Paramount’s sports rights binge, the NFL’s looming $110 billion rights bonanza, legacy media’s curious flirtation with niche sports, and much, much more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://…

1
Introducing Simpsons Declassified with Nancy Cartwright 2:12

3d ago2:12

2:12

Simpsons fans —THE VAULT IS OPEN! I’m Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson for 35+ years, and I’m finally taking you inside Springfield. Simpsons Declassified is your all-access pass to the world’s most iconic, animated series. Each week, we crack open wild predictions, eerie coincidences and fan conspiracies and stories from 36 seasons (tha…

1
The Colts are 3-0, Indiana is for REAL, Franchise NFL QBs | Football Frenzy 1:18:30

4d ago1:18:30

1:18:30

The state of Indiana is killing it in football right now. The Colts and Hoosiers are off to HOT starts. The Lions get a huge road win over the Ravens, but many are questioning Lamar. Lots of great games in both college and the NFL. On this week's show: 1. The state of football in Indiana: Colts and Hoosiers. 2. Franchise quarterbacks in the NFL. 3.…

1
The UFL’s Scale-Up Era 42:10

6d ago42:10

42:10

Dany Garcia, former Merrill Lynch executive and co-owner of the UFL, joins John to discuss her game plan for investing in sports and navigating the ever-changing media landscape. Garcia dives into how the UFL is staking its claim with deep-pocketed allies like Disney and Fox, while doubling down on storytelling, fan engagement, and clever innovatio…

1
Being a Sneaker Dad 16:39

8d ago16:39

16:39

Creative ruts happen for all creators. At times we get burned out and need new inspiration. As Matt was struggling in what to talk about in coming back to Fire Footwear, inspiration came in a small form: his son. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://k…

1
The Prime Play for Sports Rights 42:49

10d ago42:49

42:49

Charlie Neiman, Amazon’s head of sports partnerships, joins John to discuss the company’s new deal with Augusta National to air four hours of the Masters each year. Then he pulls back the curtain on Amazon’s broader play for tier-one sports rights—including the NFL, NASCAR, and the upcoming NBA deal—plus how the company is tinkering with A.I. to re…

1
Brent Pry Fired, Brian Kelly and Dabo Outbursts, Joe Burrow injured again | Football Frenzy 1:30:34

11d ago1:30:34

1:30:34

Iceman and Coach are back to talk about the exciting weekend that was in football. On today's show: 1. Virginia Tech fires Brent Pry 2. Brian Kelly and Dabo Swinney get testy at press conferences. 3. Vanderbilt an SEC contender? 4. Joe Burrow has turf toe. 5. Are the Chiefs finally mid? and more! Tap in. --- Live every week. Subscribe on YouTube: h…

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Mark Shapiro’s Media Rights Cage Match 52:33

14d ago52:33

52:33

Mark Shapiro, president of WME Group and TKO, joins John for a candid conversation about his blockbuster UFC and WWE deals, and the market’s broader convulsions. Shapiro also offers his thoughts on Netflix’s and YouTube’s live sports strategies, weighs in on boxing’s resurgence, and ranks where Netflix’s Crawford–Canelo spectacle—which packed 70,00…

1
Matty Ice Quarterbacks the CBS Booth 40:02

16d ago40:02

40:02

Former pro bowl quarterback Matt Ryan joins John to discuss his transition from the sidelines to CBS’s star football analyst, and the art of calling the game. Then he weighs in on the league’s hottest debates—from the potential 18-game expansion to fantasy football, sports betting, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practic…

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Josh Allen as Superman, USF upsets Florida, and spitting in sports | Football Frenzy 1:13:06

18d ago1:13:06

1:13:06

With both the NFL and College Football in full swing, Iceman and Coach are back to break down the happenings in the sport of football. On this week's show: 1. Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson show how elite they are. 2. USF upsets Florida; who is actually good in College Football? 3. College Football coaches on the hot seat. 4. Are the Chiefs and Lions…

1
The Clippers Bombshell & Belichickghazi 52:32

20d ago52:32

52:32

Pablo Torre, former ESPN mainstay turned podcast sleuth, joins John to unravel his latest investigations—into Bill Belichick, the NFLPA, and most recently, his bombshell report on the Clippers’ alleged salary cap circumvention. He also weighs in on the tightrope of balancing independence with partnerships like The New York Times and The Athletic—an…

1
Any Given Streamday 43:21

24d ago43:21

43:21

Dylan Byers joins John to dig into the NFL’s streaming playbook, starting with Friday’s YouTube debut. They discuss how the NFL, NBA, and other leagues are walking a tightrope between expanding their digital footprint and keeping legacy partners appeased. They also explore the so-called democratization of sports and news media, the outsized role of…

1
The NFL Returns, Panic at Alabama, Arch Manning Struggles | Football Frenzy 1:21:26

25d ago1:21:26

1:21:26

Week in College Football provided some necessary data points but it's probably too early to hit the panic button ... or is it? The NFL returns with a packed Week 1 slate. Iceman and Coach are ready to break it down. On this week's show: 1. Week 1 of college football breakdown. 2. Kalen Debour in trouble at Alabame? Arch Manning already cooked? 3. L…

1
Awake NY Accountability (& more) 21:30

27d ago21:30

21:30

Sneaker pre-orders and scamming in the sneaker community. These two stories dominated last week in the game. Matt talks through both and drives home a firm message: accountability and transparency are key. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattfratescreates Like what you hear? Help this content grow: https://ko-fi.co…

1
Any Given Algorithm 42:33

27d ago42:33

42:33

Jon Kelly joins John to map the many fault lines in today’s sports media circus, from cable's slow bleed to the sports rights land grab by streamers like Netflix and Amazon. They also dig into YouTube’s NFL experiment in Brazil and why MLB’s golden age may be gone for good. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://…

1
Are the Cowboys Still America’s Team? 50:11

1M ago50:11

50:11

NBC’s veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico joins John to yap about the upcoming NFL season that’s already brimming with soap opera-esque storylines—most recently the Cowboys shipping Micah Parsons off to Green Bay. Mike and John get into the ripple effects of the blockbuster deal, the NFL’s sustained brand dominance, Tirico’s next act leading NBC’s pla…

1
Football Frenzy: Give Us ALL the College Football! 1:23:29

1M ago1:23:29

1:23:29

College Football is back in a big way as Iceman and Coach rev up Football Frenzy. This is an unprecedented Week 1 slate; possibly the greatest ever, and there is a ton to unpack. On this week's show: 1. Biggest College Football storylines headed into 2025 2. The Arch Manning Hype 3. 12 team CFP format. 4. Conference Outlooks and Breakdown 5. Nation…

1
Roger Goodell’s Justice League 52:17

1M ago52:17

52:17

NBC’s Mike Florio returns to the pod for a wide-ranging NFL season preview, tackling the biggest off-the-field questions facing the league: the NFL's in-house justice system, the league’s potential 10% ownership stake in ESPN and its impact on coverage, the NFLPA's leadership issues, the potential expansion to 18 games, and much, much more. To lear…

1
Embrace Your Life 15:31

1M ago15:31

15:31

As the fourth anniversary of his mom's passing comes, Matt has been thinking about life changes over that time. The growth of self and embracing of passions has filled him with perspective and continued yearning for more. Life is short and we should embrace it as much as we can. Are you? --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.…

1
College Football Embraces the Crazy 59:01

1M ago59:01

59:01

Fox Sports’ lead college football analyst Joel Klatt joins John to make sense of the sport’s ongoing upheaval—from playoff expansion madness and conference realignment to N.I.L. and the huge debates over the transfer portal. They also delve into ESPN’s continued GameDay supremacy over Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff (even after the Portnoy stunt), plus the …

1
Yahoo’s Big Sports Play 41:15

1M ago41:15

41:15

Ryan Spoon, president of Yahoo Media Group, joins John to announce the launch of the Yahoo Sports Network. He outlines the company’s strategy to serve content across mobile, web, YouTube, and FAST channels like Samsung TV Plus and Fubo. Spoon also discusses partnerships, the shift from linear to streaming, and Yahoo’s collaborative approach in a co…

1
The Undefeated Jordan 4 15:44

1M ago15:44

15:44

Nike and Undefeated released the most coveted grail in all of sneakers with their mass release of the Undefeated Jordan 4. By most measures, the release was a massive success. There has been chatter about delayed shipping, and it begs the question "is sneaker culture spoiled?". Matt gives his take. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube: https://w…

1
Does Baseball Need a Salary Cap? 59:41

1M ago59:41

59:41

ESPN’s Jeff Passan joins John to discuss the deepening tensions between MLB owners and the players union, highlighted by Bryce Harper’s recent altercation with commissioner Rob Manfred. Passan weighs the odds of a potential work stoppage and explains how a salary cap could reshape the future of baseball. To learn more about listener data and our pr…

1
A Sports Rights Royal Rumble 33:10

2M ago33:10

33:10

Axios’s Sara Fischer returns to the pod to help make sense of the biggest sports media plot lines from the past few weeks: Paramount’s $7.7 billion deal with UFC, ESPN’s respective bombshell pacts with the NFL and WWE, the network’s forthcoming D.T.C. product, and much, much more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: h…

1
Josh Pate Gets Drafted 43:59

2M ago43:59

43:59

Josh Pate, college football’s favorite late-night philosopher, joins the pod to break down his new distribution deal with On3/Rivals and Yahoo. Josh also retraces his winding path through the sports media ecosystem, and addresses a host of other topics affecting the college sports business. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practice…

1
Nick Khan on the WWE-ESPN Deal 33:55

2M ago33:55

33:55

Nick Khan, president of WWE, joins John for an exclusive interview about the company’s blockbuster deal with ESPN to bring WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and its other premium live events to the network’s forthcoming streaming platform. They dig into what makes WWE such a coveted media property, the company's ongoing international expansion strategies, …

1
Toronto Sneaker Culture (with Trev from In Kix We Trust) 1:13:10

2M ago1:13:10

1:13:10

Trev, one fifth of the In Kix We Trust podcast team, joins Matt to discuss his life in sneakers and beyond. They talk about sneakers in Toronto, the emergence of runners, and all the sneaker releases we have now. Trev has a lot to provide the culture, and this chat helps shine some light on his contributions. --- Subscribe to Matt Frates on YouTube…

1
A Sports Legend’s Second Act 51:03

2M ago51:03

51:03

Sally Jenkins, perhaps the best sports columnist in the business, joins John for a candid conversation about her decision to leave The Washington Post after 25 years and join The Atlantic. She reflects on her rise through the ranks, Bezos’s generous buyout offer, the uncertain future of The Post, what she hopes to tackle in her next chapter—and muc…

1
The Art of the Sports Collectible 48:45

2M ago48:45

48:45

Puck’s resident art market expert Marion Maneker swings by the pod for a rollicking conversation about the growing market for sports collectibles, from a recent $660,000 Caitlin Clark rookie card sale to the many ways auction houses are elevating collectibles into high art. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://…

1
Diluted Sneaker History 16:39

2M ago16:39

16:39

Nike and Jordan Brand have a unique ability to tell stories with their rich history in sneakers. The frequency of releases has left Matt thinking about whether the brand is diluting their own history by leaving little room between retros. Should Nike lean more into storytelling, or has the culture changed so much that it just doesn't matter? --- Su…

1
A Major NFLPA Fumble 47:59

2M ago47:59

47:59

ESPN’s Don Van Natta joins the pod to break down the widespread dysfunction rocking the NFLPA—from sexual harassment claims to collusion accusations and more—that led to the abrupt resignation of executive director Lloyd Howell. They explore the myriad implications for the future of one of the most powerful labor organizations in sports. To learn m…

1
The Dark Art of Stadium Financing 47:43

2M ago47:43

47:43

Sports Business Journal’s Bret McCormick joins John to chart the shifting priorities in sports ownership, from media rights deals to the increased focus on real estate development. They dig into how organizations across professional leagues are leveraging real estate for steady income, touch on the myriad challenges of financing new stadiums, predi…

1
Michael Nathanson’s Sports Media Pulse Check 50:05

2M ago50:05

50:05

Michael Nathanson joins John for a rollicking conversation about the future of sports media. They dig into the R.S.N. slow bleed, CBS’s shocking cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, ESPN’s forthcoming D.T.C. service, which potential streamers will bid on NFL rights—and much, much more. To learn more about listener data and our privac…

1
Dude, Where’s My NASCAR? 51:50

3M ago51:50

51:50

NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps joins John Ourand for a candid conversation about the sport’s evolving media ecosystem, including new deals with Fox, NBC, and Amazon Prime. Phelps also outlines NASCAR’s experimental growth strategy; explains why he’s not in competition with F1 and IndyCar; and weighs in on the simmering legal standoff with Denny H…

1
Angel Reese Gets A Signature Shoe 14:53

3M ago14:53

14:53

Angel Reese is a polarizing WNBA athlete who is making a name for herself. Her story is also seemingly tied to Caitlin Clark's, fairly or unfairly. Angel Reese recently announced her first signature sneaker with Reebok, something Caitlin Clark does not have to this point. While a notch in her belt for her legacy, the shoe design itself seems on par…

1
Matt Berry’s Real Life Sports Fantasy 59:57

3M ago59:57

59:57

NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry returns to the pod to share the growth story behind his fantasy sports startup, Fantasy Life. He explains how he attracted heavyweight investors like LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Jeff Shell, and how the company has carved out a niche in an oversaturated space—boasting 1.5 million daily users and a 73 percent jump in …

1
Here Come the Robo Umps… 45:20

3M ago45:20

45:20

Puck’s A.I. expert Ian Krietzberg joins John for a deep dive into the growing influence of artificial intelligence in sports. Ian discusses the promise and pitfalls of A.I. in sports, from computer vision models to predictive analytics—and stresses the importance of deploying A.I. with intent, solving real-world problems rather than embracing the t…

1
Who Is Matt Frates? 22:44

3M ago22:44

22:44

Fire Footwear is nearing its third birthday, and looking back on the journey to this point is essential as this podcast grows. Matt sits behind the mic reminiscing about where things started, where they are, and where he wants them to go for the future of this podcast. If you found Fire Footwear recently, this is your chance to get to know the host…

1
The Caitlin Clark Effect 59:17

3M ago59:17

59:17

Christine Brennan, the pioneering sports columnist, joins the pod to discuss her new book, “On Her Game: Caitlin Clark and the Revolution in Women's Sports.” She unpacks the WNBA’s struggle to match the moment of Caitlin’s rise, the financial implications of Caitlin’s ascent, the league’s perpetual lack of media attention and support, and much more…

1
A College Football Power Grab & CBS Sports on Edge 34:34

3M ago34:34

34:34

Axios’s Sara Fischer returns to the pod for a sweeping tour of the most urgent issues in the sports media landscape—from the looming Trump–CBS settlement (and what a Skydance-Paramount merger portends for CBS Sports) to the College Football Playoff’s potential expansion, the growing leverage of live sports in ad markets, the possibility of a new NF…

1
Social Media Toxicity 15:55

3M ago15:55

15:55

Expounding on his initial episode about the Urban Necessities story, Matt goes into the human elements behind the aftermath. Social media is a mainstay in society and while it has its benefits, it also has many pitfalls. The Urban Necessities situation has been an example of the toxicity that social media can traffic in: taking sides, false narrati…