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Skin in the Game

Skin in the Game

By: BTPM NPR
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Get ready for a front-row seat to the business of sports with Skin in the Game, the weekly sports industry podcast hosted by sports marketing expert John Cimperman and veteran sports business journalist Tim O’Shei. If you follow sports news, sports business trends, or the fast-changing world of NIL, college athletics, pro leagues, and sports media, this show is your essential listen.Each episode goes beyond the headlines to explain why these developments matter. Skin in the Game breaks down how major sports business decisions ripple through teams, athletes, fans, and communities across North America. From the NFL, NHL, PWHL, WNBA, NBA, MLB, and MLS to college rivalries, high school sports, and the expanding youth sports economy, John and Tim reveal how industry shifts affect competitiveness, revenue, fan engagement, and the future of sports.Expect in-depth analysis, insider interviews, and expert commentary on the stories driving today’s sports economy—along with new perspectives you won’t hear anywhere else.New episodes air weekly on BTPM NPR Saturdays at 4 p.m., with rebroadcasts Tuesdays at 11 a.m.Stream Skin in the Game on-demand on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Business of Sports Cards: Inside the Explosive Growth of Collectibles with Tracy Hackler

    The Business of Sports Cards: Inside the Explosive Growth of Collectibles with Tracy Hackler
    May 16 2026
    Sports cards are no longer just childhood collectibles tucked away in shoeboxes—they’ve become a global business driven by technology, culture, nostalgia, and massive fan engagement. This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Tracy Hackler, Senior Brand Manager at Panini America, to explore the evolution of the sports collectibles industry—from vintage baseball cards to modern-day “golden ticket” chase cards and blockchain collectibles. Tracy shares how the hobby transformed during the pandemic, why women’s sports collectibles are surging, and how athletes like Caitlin Clark are reshaping the marketplace. The conversation also dives into NIL deals, the rise of digital collectibles, international growth, and the emotional connection fans still have to physical cards in an increasingly digital world. Along the way, Tracy reflects on his own journey from sports journalism to one of the leading voices in the collectibles industry—and reconnects with Tim over the early days of Beckett Baseball Card Monthly. Whether you’re a lifelong collector, a casual sports fan, or someone wondering if those old cards in the basement are worth anything, this episode is a fascinating look at how sports memorabilia became both cultural currency and big business.
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    54 mins
  • Beyond the Field: Soccer, Trust, and Opportunity for Newcomer Youth

    Beyond the Field: Soccer, Trust, and Opportunity for Newcomer Youth
    May 9 2026
    Soccer is often called the world’s universal language—but what happens when it becomes the only language you share in a brand-new country? This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Jennifer Tepper, Executive Director of Soccer Without Borders, and Bruno Contreras, Program Director in Massachusetts, to explore how the organization is using sport to build trust, belonging, and opportunity for immigrant, refugee, and underserved youth. With a model that prioritizes relationships over results, Soccer Without Borders has served more than 60,000 young people from over 120 countries, helping them find community, develop life skills, and simply rediscover the joy of play. From inclusive coaching practices and culturally connected mentorship to the realities of funding nonprofit work in today’s climate, this conversation reveals what’s possible when sport is designed for connection first—and competition second.
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    54 mins
  • Athletes as Media Brands: The Future of Sports Storytelling with Lars Bengston

    Athletes as Media Brands: The Future of Sports Storytelling with Lars Bengston
    May 2 2026
    The lines between sports, media, and entertainment have officially disappeared—and athletes are now at the center of it all. This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Lars Bengston, Head of Agency at HardScope, to explore how the next generation of athletes are becoming media brands. From his early days at Vice during its explosive growth, to co-creating Some Good News with John Krasinski, Lars shares a front-row perspective on how storytelling, authenticity, and platform-native content are reshaping the sports landscape. The conversation dives into the rise of athlete-creators, the impact of NIL, and why today’s players don’t need traditional media to tell their stories—or build their businesses.
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    54 mins
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