Inside the Arena: A Seattle Sports Podcast

"Inside the Arena" takes a first step outside the ring with a big interview with the current WWE Champion. Tiffany Stratton talks with Niko about her rapid rise in the industry, her past career as a gymnast, and her upcoming visit to Seattle. In addition, Niko and Chris talk about what's good and bad in the world of sports business in "Four Corners" including the latest on the hockey dad who assau...

In this episode of "Inside the Arena," Niko and Chris talk about two big venues in the Puget Sound region: Memorial Stadium and the Tacoma Dome. You'll hear about the new update on Memorial Stadium from Seattle School Superintendent Brent Jones, Seattle Kraken Owner Samantha Holloway and Seattle Center Director Marshall Foster. Plus, Chris has a long conversation with Tacoma Dome Director Adam Coo...

In this week's edition of "Inside the Arena", new WSU Football Coach Jimmy Rogers joins Niko and Chris in-studio to talk about his decision to take the Cougar job, and expectations in Year One. Rogers discusses his time at South Dakota State University, and how it will translate in Pullman at a time when other schools may be offering more money to recruits. Plus, he gives Niko and Chris hints abou...

In this edition of "Inside The Arena," Niko and Chris focus on Husky athletics. Niko talked at length with UW Head Football Coach Jedd Fisch about adjusting the program during the NIL era and how he's trying to evolve amidst the changes in the NCAA. As always, Chris and Niko talk about what's good and bad in the world of sports business, and philanthropy in "Four Corners" and the latest on the ret...

In this edition of "Inside The Arena," Niko and Chris look ahead to the biggest local sports event of the season: The Sports Star of the Year. Niko talks to Beth Knox, president of the Seattle Sports Commission, about the planning for this year's event that will include former Seahawk great Marshawn Lynch, Kenny Mayne, and stars from professional and collegiate sports in a new venue! As always, Ch...

In the latest edition of the "Inside the Arena," Niko Tamurian talks 1-on-1 with WSU Athletic Director Anne McCoy about a tumultuous few weeks for the Cougar Athletic Department. She talks about the stealth process of finding a new football coach and the financial picture for Cougar Athletics. Plus, Chris shares why he's concerned about a major streaming deal and more in "Four Corners," and shares...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena", Niko and Chris talk at length about the rapidly changing world of college sports and specifically how it impacts Washington State University. The pair talk with Cougar Collective co-founder Tim Brandle about the recent series of events, including the departure of WSU Head Coach Jake Dickert, Quarterback John Mateer, and what alumni did to try and keep Mateer...

In this holiday special of "Inside the Arena", Niko and Chris bring in one of "Eric's Heroes" Jamie Munson for an extended conversation. Munson was profiled by KOMO News' legendary anchor back in 2021 about how he weathered the pandemic, Downtown Seattle's challenges, and has built the business to be the unofficial Sonics Team Store in a city without the Sonics. Niko and Chris talk with Jamie abou...

Happy Holidays from "Inside the Arena!" In this episode, KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian talks at length with former Seattle Sonic star and top draft pick Olden Polynice about his journey to the NBA, time in Seattle, and what he's hearing about an NBA team returning to the city. Plus, per usual, Chris and Niko talks about what's good and bad off the court, off the ice, and off the field in "Fou...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena," Seattle Kraken CEO talks about the legacy of owner David Bonderman, who passed away this week at the age of 82. Plus, Keith and Donny Stevenson of the Muckleshoot Tribe talk about the partnership with the Kraken franchise and how they worked with the Kraken for a special uniform for "Indigenous People's Night" at Climate Pledge Arena. As always, Chris and Nik...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!," Niko and Chris talk about the local basketball team called the "Seattle SuperHawks" which are trying to keep basketball interest alive in the city by bringing in former Supersonics and hungry ballplayers in a professional environment. Niko sits down with the SuperHawks owners to talk about their strategy and why they think the business model works. Plus, Chr...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian and KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels talk about the business side of rugby and feature a long conversation with Seattle Seawolves COO Drew Dambreville. Drew talks about why he joined the organization and the long-term goal of moving to Seattle’s Memorial Stadium, plus how the Major League Rugby club can capitalize on...

In the 25th edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian talks exclusively with Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez about philanthropy, giving back to the community, and his upbringing in the Dominican Republic. Plus, Niko and Chris talk at length about the settlement in the NBA TV and Digital Rights negotiations and how it relates to Seattle, in the weekly "Supersonic Minut...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian and KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels are joined in studio by the Seattle Sports Commission's President and CEO Beth Knox for an in-depth conversation about luring large scale sports events in recent years, and in the near future. Knox shares details about recruiting the NHL's Winter Classic and MLB All Star Game, alon...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian and KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels talk a lot about the WSU Cougar Football team, the National picture, and one of their key players. Niko talks at length with kicker WSU kicker Dean Janikowski about the foundation he created in honor of his late mother, and what he’s experienced off-the-field. Niko and Chris also s...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian and KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels talk in depth with Seattle City Council member Joy Hollingsworth about her personal connection to the Seattle Supersonics, and what her basketball career taught her about leadership and politics. Hollingsworth was a Seattle Prep basketball star, who played at the University of Ariz...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian and KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels talk about their visit with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was in town to tour Seattle's soccer facilities and make a big announcement about future FIFA World Cup games in the city. Niko and Chris also reflect on the life and career of Seattle TV legend Tony Ventrella, who pa...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian and KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels talk about their reactions to the recent NBA exhibition game in Seattle, and observations behind the scenes. Niko and Chris pull the curtain back on what they heard and a potential timeline, plus share conversations with Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trailblazers players about...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian and KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels talk about the latest with the NBA and look ahead to the exhibition game scheduled for Climate Pledge Arena. Niko goes in depth with former Seattle Supersonics and current Portland Trailblazers play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Calabro about his time in Seattle, his job in Portland, a...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian and KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels get into the business side of the World Cup, Pac-12 Expansion, and TV ratings. Chris talked a length with Seattle World Cup Organizing Committee Chair Peter Tomozawa about plans for a 'World's Fair' of sorts, and Seattle's former World's Fair site. Plus, Chris talked 1-on-1 with Se...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian and KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels get into the business side of NBA Expansion. Niko and Chris share a portion of a conversation with Ed Tapscott, who was the first hire of the NBA's expansion Charlotte Bobcats. Tapscott talked about the process during a lengthy interview done in partnership with the Iconic Sonics P...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels and KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian talk at length about Pac-12 expansion and realignment news. Chris shares a long-form discussion he had with WSU President Kirk Schulz about the invitations to Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Colorado State Universities. Schulz gets in-depth about why it makes financ...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels and KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian talk about Chris' trip to New York City and the annual preseason Board of Governor's meeting involving league owners. You will hear Chris' interaction with Adam Silver about the expansion process, and about the buzz inside. Chris and Niko talk about what it means for Seattle and wh...

In this edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels and KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian talk at length about the legacy of the Watts family in Seattle. Niko talks in depth with former UW basketball star Donald Watts about his health scare, which came after his legendary father and former Sonic Slick Watts suffered a stroke. Donald also talks about his son Isaiah's car...

In this heavenly edition of "Inside the Arena!" KOMO News Senior Reporter Chris Daniels and KOMO Sports Director Niko Tamurian talk about hot dogs. Niko does an in-depth interview with the mastermind behind the "Hot Dogs from Heaven" promotion at T-Mobile Park and all the planning that goes into dropping dogs from the sky. Niko and Chris also discuss the recent Mariners changes, and what it means...