The “new media” is here to stay. Increasingly, fans are turning to alternative forms of media to get their sports information. Gone are the days of turning to the back pages of the newspapers to get box scores or purchasing magazines to obtain articles that provide in-depth analysis. With the growth of social media platforms, coaches, players and fans are all able to contribute to the rapidly changing landscape of sports media.
Former NFL MVP Cam Newton sat down with Shaquille O’Neal this week on The Big Podcast providing his views on sports journalism and especially athlete-generated content.
“This is a podcast epidemic. People are leaning into receiving their content in a different way,” said Newton. “If I want to hear about basketball, I want to hear from Shaquille O’Neal…Respectfully, not Stephen A. Smith.”
“If I want to hear about basketball, I want to hear from @SHAQ… Respectfully, not Stephen A. Smith” –@CameronNewton
Full episode: https://t.co/pAhpjGZENp pic.twitter.com/E95tAtOGWU
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) March 6, 2024
Newton believes one of the reasons athletes have had so much success with podcasts is because fans was to hear directly from the source.
He goes on to say that while he respects Stephen A. Smith and Scott Van Pelt, people prefer the insights of players over television personalities.
Several former NBA players like Stephen Jackson, Matt Barnes and JJ Redick have had success since launching their podcasts. Current NBA players have also got in on the act with Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green and New York Knicks’ guards Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart releasing episodes during the season.
Since retiring from the Carolina Panthers, Newton has become one of the bigger names in the NFL podcasting world. He is never shy to voice his opinion on current topics and his experience and success in the league allow him to offer a unique perspective to fans.
