The Ringer

The Press Box

Sports EN ↓ 1290 episodes

The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis, David Shoemaker and Joel Anderson catch you up on the biggest media stories, from sports to politics and everything in between. 

Author

The Ringer

Category

Sports

Podcast website

www.theringer.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Undermining Jimmy Carter's Presidency, Donald Trump's Looming Indictment, and Quentin Tarantino's New Film 20.03.2023

Bryan and David start the pod by discussing a recent article about Jimmy Carter that some are using to discount his presidency. Next, they dive into Donald Trump's possible impending arrest, listen to Ron DeSantis's comments about it, and break down the logistical complications of indicting a former president and what this might do for Trump's reelection campaign (6:11). After the break, they disc...

The Madness of NFL Free Agency, and Tucker Carlson’s GOP Takeover 16.03.2023

Bryan and David are back to discuss all that’s happening throughout the NFL "legal tampering period," a.k.a. free agency (0:40), and they touch on the biggest stories involving Aaron Rodgers, trade inflation, and more! Then, they switch gears and review Tucker Carlson’s media position while more information is released from the Dominion lawsuit (22:24). Plus, David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-P...

The Asteroid About to Hit Baseball, the 'Match of the Day' Controversy, and Seth Rogen vs. Critics 13.03.2023

Bryan is joined by Jason Gay to break down BBC’s response to political comments by 'Match of the Day’ host Gary Lineker. They discuss Lineker’s support from colleagues and the all-too-familiar reaction when sportscasters talk politics (1:53). Then, they weigh in on Diamond Sports' bankruptcy and how this will affect the sport of baseball if it's forced to be broadcast locally (10:56). Later, they...

Adam Gopnik on Acting in ‘Tár,’ Writing for The New Yorker, and 50 Years of Jets Fandom 10.03.2023

Bryan is joined by New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik. They talk about his role in ‘Tár’ and what it was like to work on the movie (1:50). Then, they discuss The New Yorker and his career in journalism (14:50). Finally, they get into his relationship with sports and sports media (26:00). Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Adam Gopnik Associate Producer: Carlos Chiriboga Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...

Fox News vs. Dominion. Plus, the Oscars and the Media and Ron DeSantis's Opt-Out. 06.03.2023

Bryan and David break down the Dominion lawsuit against Fox News and discuss what we’ve learned (2:55). Later, they preview the Oscars and refer to past campaigns with the help of Michael Schulman's new book, 'Oscar Wars,' (25:03) before weighing in on Ron DeSantis’s media strategy that doesn't involve mainstream media (40:18). Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week and David Shoemaker Gues...

Puck’s Tara Palmeri on Low-Energy Trump, Slow-Moving Biden, and the Rest of the 2024 Presidential Campaign 02.03.2023

Bryan is joined by Tara Palmeri from Puck to preview the 2024 presidential race. They discuss Trump’s current position in the polls and relationship with the media (2:00), weigh in on Ron DeSantis’s potential candidacy against Trump compared to that of other Republican candidates (10:22), and then review President Biden’s potential for reelection with VP Kamala Harris (20:28). Host: Bryan Curtis G...

2024 Presidential Race Check-in. Plus, Don Lemon’s Meltdown and Texas News. 27.02.2023

Bryan and David are back with some news from Texas: Chip Gaines bought Larry McMurtry’s bookstore in the “hard-scrabbled” town of Archer City, Texas (0:37). Then, they check in on the 2024 presidential race, which may or may not include President Joe Biden, and discuss the handful of Republican candidates who would be tasked with running against fellow party candidate Donald Trump (11:31). Later,...

New York Magazine's Shawn McCreesh on PR Showdowns, the Media Beat, and Working for Maureen Dowd 21.02.2023

Bryan is joined by NY Magazine features writer Shawn McCreesh to discuss his profile on crisis communications representative Risa Heller and to touch on his career at the magazine. They dive into how this story came about, which well-known clients Heller has represented, and her relationship with the media (1:36). Then, they talk through McCreesh's career, from working for Maureen Dowd as an edito...

Kevin Van Valkenburg on Leaving ESPN for ‘No Laying Up,’ Tiger's Late Period, and Year 2 of LIV Golf 16.02.2023

Bryan is joined by Kevin Van Valkenburg to discuss his career as an editorial director for ‘No Laying Up.’ Valkenburg dives into his transition from ESPN and his revitalized passion for the sport of golf (5:46), touches on next career moves writing columns and storytelling (18:46), and talks through the advantages of working for a smaller company. Later, they weigh in on how the sport of golf has...

Super Bowl Reaction Pod on the Announcers, the Ads, the Penalty, and Much More 13.02.2023

Bryan and David react to the 57th Super Bowl, which ended with the Kansas City Chiefs taking home the championship win against the Philadelphia Eagles. They begin with thoughts on the controversial fourth-quarter holding call, discuss Greg Olsen and Kevin Burkhardt's analysis, and touch on all the celebrity commercials and Rihanna’s halftime performance before wrapping things up with some pregame...

The Super Bowl of Sports Radio With Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Mike Felger 08.02.2023

Bryan is joined on Radio Row by Chris “Mad Dog” Russo of Sirius XM to talk about his career as a radio host, from the biggest media transitions throughout the year to his favorite thing about radio, and about his recent reunion with Mike Francesa on ‘First Take’ (1:45). Later, Bryan is joined by Sports Hub radio host Mike Felger to dive into his career covering Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, findin...

Live From Radio Row! Tom Brady vs. Greg Olsen, Farewell Gawker 2.0, and the Death of the Super Bowl Party 06.02.2023

Bryan is live from Radio Row and joined by The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Gay to discuss the news of Tom Brady’s retirement, take two. They talk through his future at Fox and his no. 1 comp, Greg Olsen, and then break down other comparisons in media, such as Frank Gifford and Tony Romo (1:08). Later, they bid farewell to Gawker 2.0, touch on news that the National Enquirer has been sold, and pond...

One Perfect Story: Wright Thompson on Writing About Michael Jordan 01.02.2023

Bryan is joined by Wright Thompson on the 10-year anniversary of his ESPN profile "Michael Jordan Has Not Left the Building." They begin by reflecting on the pitching process—discussing how the story came to be and how Thompson got a hold of Michael—then touch on his expectations for the piece, his experience talking with both Michael and Michael's friend George Koehler, and what he came prepared...

Is AI Coming for Your Media Job? Plus, the Passion of Tony Romo and the Smugness of Book Collectors. 30.01.2023

Bryan and David react to the news that BuzzFeed will be utilizing artificial intelligence throughout the company and discuss how this could impact the media landscape (5:47). Then, they talk through weekend media takeaways from the NFC and AFC championship games, from the lack of replay shots to Tony Romo’s overly enthusiastic performance in the booth (19:20), before weighing in on Rhiannon Lucy C...

Nora Princiotti on the NFL, Damar Hamlin, and Tom Brady. Plus: Jason Gay Toasts Billy Packer. 27.01.2023

Bryan is joined by Nora Princiotti, a few weeks before from the Super Bowl, to unpack NFL playoff media topics, ranging from Colts owner Jim Irsay potentially hiring Jeff Saturday, to Tom Brady thanking beat writers after his last game of the season (1:55). Then, ‘Wall Street Journal’ columnist Jason Gay joins to remember the legendary sports announcer Billy Packer and how his career transformed c...

The George Santos Fib-O-Meter, Shannon Sharpe, and the Chorizo Pun Mystery 23.01.2023

Bryan and David begin the week talking about the Dallas Cowboys' playoff loss against the San Francisco 49ers and discuss the role they play as a content machine (0:34). Then, they break down and rate the multitude of fibs told by U.S. Representative George Santos (7:17), before weighing in on Shannon Sharpe’s altercation with Memphis Grizzlies players at the L.A. Lakers game last week (26:40), an...

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Mike Sielski on the Year of the Eagles, Writing Columns, and Sweating Out Deadlines 20.01.2023

Bryan is joined by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Mike Sielski to talk about covering the Eagles and what it’s like to write in Philadelphia. They start by discussing the unique nature of Philadelphia sports fans. Then they talk about Mike’s career and how he approaches writing columns and writing on tight deadlines. Later, they discuss his book, ‘The Rise’, about the origin story of Kobe Bryant. Hos...

Prince Harry's 'Spare' Is Good. Really. Plus: Tom Brady, Mike Tirico, and Netflix's New Tennis Doc. 17.01.2023

Bryan is joined by author and Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay to discuss Prince Harry’s new memoir, ‘Spare.’ They weigh in on the American interest in the royals and highlight a few disclosures that stood out in the memoir (1:44). Later, they recap the wild-card playoff round and touch on what could have been Brady’s last game as a player and his potential future at Fox (27:40) before divi...

Joe Buck on Damar Hamlin, Year 1 of ‘Monday Night Football,’ and Dreaming About His Dad 13.01.2023

Bryan is joined by ESPN’s Joe Buck to discuss his perspective on Damar Hamlin’s injury in the Bills-Bengals game. They touch on the booth’s immediate reaction to Hamlin’s injury, the responsibility of an announcer in moments of uncertainty, and how the players and coaches handled the situation. Later, they revisit Buck’s first year on ‘Monday Night Football,’ discuss preparation for the upcoming p...

Michael Irvin on the 30th Anniversary of the 1992 Dallas Cowboys 11.01.2023

Bryan is joined by football Hall of Famer and NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin on the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Dallas Cowboys. They revisit that season’s NFC championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, reminisce about Dallas’s Super Bowl victory over the Buffalo Bills, and discuss details behind the Cowboys’ performance—including Irvin’s most replayed catch of all time—and offer a last...

More on ESPN and Damar Hamlin, Plus the Excruciating Victory of Kevin McCarthy 09.01.2023

Bryan and David are back in the new year with positive updates regarding Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin after his sudden cardiac arrest on the field last Monday (10:27). Then, they break down Kevin McCarthy’s dramatic pursuit of and victory as Speaker of the House (34:06), before wrapping things up with a discussion about the revamped TCU Horned Frogs that will play in the college football nati...

ESPN's Chris Fowler on Sportscasting During a Time of Crisis, College Football vs. the NFL, and Calling the National Championship 07.01.2023

Bryan is joined by ESPN’s Chris Fowler to discuss his career as a sports broadcaster covering both college and professional sports since 1986. They begin by remembering the unfortunate death of college basketball player Hank Gathers back in 1990, then discuss what it was like to cover a tragedy. Later, they dive into the differences between covering NFL versus college games, the impact of the tran...

How ESPN Handled Damar Hamlin’s On-Field Collapse 03.01.2023

Bryan is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist Jason Gay to discuss the Damar Hamlin incident during the Buffalo Bills–Cincinnati Bengals NFL game that has left him in critical condition. They touch on the aftermath from the perspective of the players and coaches, weigh in on the social-media response and support for Hamlin, and discuss ESPN’s coverage of the event. Host: Bryan Curtis Guest: Jas...

One Perfect Story: Stephen Rodrick on Writing About Lindsay Lohan 28.12.2022

Bryan is joined by journalist Stephen Rodrick on the 10th anniversary of his New York Times story "Here Is What Happens When You Cast Lindsay Lohan in Your Movie." They dive into Rodrick’s career writing celebrity profiles and working with creatives, discuss the rare full access he had on the set of the film 'The Canyons,' touch on the writing process alongside director and screenwriter Paul Schra...

The Takes We Had: 'The Press Box' Year in Media 26.12.2022

Bryan and David reconvene for the last time this year to discuss their takes on the major media events of 2022. They weigh in on the Times buying The Athletic, the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock, and much more! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker Associate Producer: Erika Cervantes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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