There are a ton of sports podcasts out there in 2021. It can be hard to find the time to sample different ones to find out which are the best. That’s why we’ve put together this list of recommendations.
There are general sports podcasts on this list and ones for a more niche audience. We’ve also prioritized pods that sports fans from the Northwest will like more than others. Here are the best sports podcasts to listen to in 2021.
The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Pod Father himself is still going strong almost a decade and a half after releasing his first podcast on ESPN, Eye of the Sports Guy. His podcasts now, produced for his media company The Ringer (now part of Spotify), are still great.
Simmons talks a lot about the NBA and NFL and has become an excellent celebrity interviewer over the years. He still goes on too many Boston sports tangents, but that’s what the fast-forward button is for, right?
The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny
One of the most unique and interesting voices in NFL punditry these days is ESPN’s Mina Kimes. She blends old-school NFL commentary with new school analytic and strategic analysis. The podcast is about the whole NFL, but Kimes is a Seahawks fan, so you get more Seattle talk than most pods.
She always has smart guests, which leads to very engaging conversations. And, if you’re wondering about her “co-host,” Lenny, that’s a nod to her dog, so you don’t hear much from him.
Pull Up with CJ McCollum
Active or very recently retired players doing podcasts is an exciting new trend in sports media. The Old Man and the Three with JJ Redick, All the Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, and Road Trippin’ with Channing Frye and Richard Jefferson are all good, but CJ does it best for our money.
The Blazers guard was a journalism major at Lehigh, so he understands what listeners want to hear. Fans get CJ’s in-depth take on everything from games to the latest trends in sports and entertainment. It is a must-listen for Blazers fans and really anyone who likes the NBA.
The Tony Kornheiser Show
“Uncle Tony,” as many co-hosts and guests lovingly refer to the PTI host, has taken a classic daily sports talk radio show and put it in a podcast format. Kornheiser talks about all the relevant sports topics of the day with some of the country’s top writers and TV personalities, including a regular Monday segment with his ESPN co-host, Michael Wilbon.
As with a lot of sports talk radio, you get a lot of personality and nonsense from the host. Kornheiser’s curmudgeonly rants about everything from parking spots to cable bills will be hilarious to many, but it is not for everybody, especially if you are looking for hardcore sports.
Men in Blazers
For soccer fans (or football if you prefer the European type), Roger Bennett and Michael Davies’ New York-based pod is great. Even if you are getting into the sport, these two fast-talking English transplants combine the right amount of humor and analysis to please all fans.
The duo covers the English Premier League more than any other topic and gives listeners a healthy dose of top European leagues, MLS, NWSL, and US Men’s and Women’s National Teams.