The lads are schooled by Phil Liggett, the Oracle of Cycling, who talks about Mercx, Bartoli, Coppi and now all the fresh exciting young riders. Astonishingly frank statements around Mr Armstrong and loyalty. Phil tells us his view as to where cycling (and Lance) go from here. Recorded on 14 October 2019
Grant and Roger discuss realpolitik in sports. Having “shameless liars” as fit and proper owners; who really cares about international football; closing an eye to drugs and shoes in athletics; Wagatha Christie; gangsters running Italian football; the Tokyo International Allstars in rugby; and PR disasters from the NBA in China. It doesn’t get any richer than that.
Chris Sweeney joins Giles, Grant and Roger to discuss his book on Thomas Gravesen, the last of the football mavericks. From porn stars to poker and knocking out Ronaldo’s teeth. What is today's role of the sporting maverick. Will we ever see the likes of John Daly, Brian Barnes, Gazza, or Cantona again? How DO you coach them? And how do sponsors manage the latent risks? Leave any snowflake tendencies at the door.
Roger and Grant discuss the impossible job of running a league, as sport polarises and money talks; the impact of fan-run leagues; managers and their "shelf-life"; Roy Keane's punditry; what could possibly be wrong with the Rugby World Cup and the Athletics in Doha; German goalies; and of course Bernardo Silva and the Milky Bar Kid.
Giles Morgan joins the home team for an astonishing conversation with Mark Oliver, one of the most prescient minds in sport. We get to see the future on new formats, new business models, new leagues. From Football to Cricket, Rugby to Golf and everything in-between.
Grant and Roger come back for Season 2 and review an amazing summer of sport, both on and off the field. Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Politics, and of course Fulham and Football. Biting honesty as always.
Grant and Roger do their season finale Goal Own Goal, and reflect on their passion project experience as authentically as possible. Arrivederci hopefully.
The boys host the founder of Wyscout, Matteo Campodonico, who explains how he developed his vision for moneyball for European football. From his love of Genoa FC, detesting Sampdoria, to being shown Sacchi videos as a player, and realizing the immense market for sports data in scouting and coaching. It’s a unique window into how the player and coach transfer market REALLY works. And how football and business are about to change! Matteo gives his incredible insight into the last 20 years of Itali...
Grant and Roger are joined by F1’s Zarah Al-Kudcy to discuss balance and progress in sport. From Highbury to Hockenheim, via cricket and rugby, this amazing young sports executive was a delight, and an education. Take away? Sports at the top level needs more women!
Grant and Roger give us their own personal views on an amazing week for football both on and off the pitch. From their own inimitable perspective. No punches pulled. No sacred cows.
Grant and Roger welcome world class, and very erudite, cricketer Chris Cairns for a very honest conversation. Discussing being the son of a great sportsman; the future of New Zealand sport; Allblacks and CVC; what takes a sportsperson to elite level; inside stories of great all rounders; Miller and the Don; Christchurch and the role of sports; matchfixing; and the future of sport content and rendered virtual worlds.
A unique insight into the mindset and DNA of a top top golfer and very impressive young man. On and off the course, he is astonishingly deep, and yet not too serious. Just perfect. All you we can say is we’ve got our golfer for the next generation.
Matt Rogan, son of sporting parents; a reluctant wing back wanting to be Nevin; standing in the Shed; loving the lonely mental battle of tennis and golf; the attraction of the David Speedies in life; leadership culture in sport, Adrian Moorhouse, and building a great company vision; challenging governing bodies to grow and get better; sport, following music, a deep dive on modern data driven sports marketing; selling your company when the right time comes; a different view on Tiger’s redemption;...
From Malibu to Augusta National our hosts discuss NCAA and true sportsmanship, German bottle crashing at Dortmund, Neeta’s story changing young girls’ lives; Augusta showcasing women’s golf in all its splendor; “stop the greed” for ticket prices; Fulham going down; rebranding the FA for the politically correct; Strachan becoming MrAngry; not liking the scousers; soft London football. Splendid chat.
Grant and Roger delve into the world of Italian football with Federico Smanio. Ex pro, ex league director, currently running the wonderful Wylab sports incubator. His insight into the sport from all perspectives is totally authentic.
Grant enjoys commenting on the international week, dwelling on diverging fortunes for the home nations; the ongoing purgatory of Scotland, and the fearless youth of England. The return of Vialli to his beloved Sampdoria? Playing Serie A in china....thin end of the wedge? Points deductions for breaking FFP, end of “speculate to accumulate”? Ronnie back at No1. The clear evidence of the rise of women’s sport. And of course, the rugby big money saga again!!!!
Roger and Grant host a very special guest in Richard Gillis. Journalist, author (The Captain Myth) and all round thought leader in sport. Astonishing insight on PE investors, leadership, sport polarisation, sporting myths, and authentic punditry (like Benaud). Also discussing Grant’s medal partner Eddy Pepperell, epic rugby comebacks, and f1 sports documentaries. One of our best episodes. So much in here.
Grant and Roger discuss charming the ladies at baseball, English clubs doing the business in Europe, fan invasions and paying the price, bribing sports directors to get into Uni, and the magnificent chaos of Italian football.
The lads welcome @CormackDavie. Based in the US and a massively successful tech founder, he still gives his time and money to his hometown team of @AberdeenFC. We talk Harper, Clark and the arrival of Fergie. Winning attitudes. The upside of 1 team cities, new stadia, and polarisarion.
Grant and Roger discuss the musical chairs around their own clubs, the modern generation of players and how to coach them, college sports; all in the context of the wisdom of Mark Yusko and the values he has promoted at Notre Dame. A world class philanthropist and sports fan.
Grant is back in the saddle with Roger discussing the closing chapter in the career of Lindsey Vonn; memories of the magnificent Roberto Baggio, and becoming a champion through real sacrifice; not tipping your caddie enough and getting slammed; arguing over how much a dead player should cost; and what price loyalty to the “land of your fathers”.
Roger is joined by guest host Mike Meehall Wood, whilst Grant takes a well earned rest. Special guest interview with James Davies Yandle. Today’s podcast talks extensively about: sledging and homophobia, Scottish football culture and the ongoing pull of losing but authentic teams, the importance of real football people to mentor young kids (Eric Harrison!), the role of academies and undue pressures placed on children, working with Fabio Cannavaro, the traits of good and bad coaches, nature v nur...
Grant and Roger conclude the last part of the Meeting, discussing where to now for sport. Will the increasing influence of big finance undermine the authenticity our fathers gave us, and will female sport keep us real?
Part 2 of the meeting with the guys discussing GOATs and generational conflicts. The future of sport journalism, great storytelling and content that works.
Grant and Roger introduce the first session of the Meeting, an in-person discussion on the future of sport, and it’s related businesses, with top industry figures. In Part 1, extraordinary insight into the future of sponsorship and broadcasting, all from the perspective of the fan.
Roger revisits the 4th December 2018 podcast discussion on the authenticity of The Argentinian, Marcelo Bielsa, which seems very relevant after today’s extraordinary press conference. Will British coaching ever be the same?
Grant and Roger return for 2019, sampling the crazily in-depth knowledge of die hard Gooner Colin O’Donnell. Asking if Wenger was really a bluff in debt to Graham. Charlie, Chipper and Fever Pitch, Arsenal TV and new stadia. Is Gerrard more of a winner than Rodgers. Oh and some Irish golf and rugby to top off what was truly a one of a kind interview.
Grant and Roger forensically dissect the Sunderland documentary and the inside persona of Martin Bain; calling “bullshit” on the media and their last chance saloon; models for top journos becoming their own brand; Charles Barkley and authentic dads; lamenting the end of Cup replays; the folly of caretaker managers; and private equity’s creeping control in sport.
Grant and Roger are totally absorbed by the storytelling talent of Giles Morgan as he recounts the culture and glory of Welsh rugby, great commentators, taking on Beefy as a schoolboy, Björn Borg setting tennis alight, and different formats in golf. Oh and we get into all the very big issues in the industry. Engagement, authenticity, and the keeping the “magic of emotion”. Sporttech and learning. DONT NOT MISS THIS, TRUST ME!
Grant and Roger heap praise on Steve Clarke and Killie, enjoy the rehabilitation of Tyson Fury and boxing, rats at the Palace surely not?, the Pogba virus is only a symptom of the cancer, and “loser sexism” in football. Whilst introducing the life and times of the magnificent sport industry guru Giles Morgan.
