BUSINESS WIRE
Sinclair Expands Podcast Content Division, Launches Sports Talent Programming with “The Triple Option” with Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone and “Throwbacks” with Matt Leinart and Jerry Ferrara
Jessica Bellucci, jbellucci-c@sbgtv.com
This month, Sinclair is expanding its podcast division, launching a new slate of sports programming featuring top athletes, coaches, and experts. On August 21 Sinclair will launch “The Triple Option,” hosted by Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone. On September 5, “Throwbacks” with Matt Leinart and Jerry Ferrara will debut. Sinclair expects to introduce additional shows to its growing podcast lineup, giving audiences unparalleled access to the athletes and the games they love.
“As Sinclair continues to evolve into a cross-media platform company, we are thrilled to announce the official launch of our new sports podcast division,” said Rob Weisbord, COO and President of Local Media. “Podcasting is a natural extension of Sinclair’s commitment to providing our audience with engaging content, and we are excited to bring together top talent and passionate storytellers to deliver in-depth analysis, exclusive interviews, and the latest news in the world of sports. We have seen great success with our existing news-focused podcasts, and these additions will be a game-changer for sports fans everywhere, offering exclusive access to the stories and voices that matter most.”
“We have secured inaugural sponsorships with many great brands including Wendy's, BetMGM, NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and ZipRecruiter, with more to be announced soon. Our partners share in the vision of what we are building, and we appreciate their passion and creativity. Leveraging the power of Sinclair's linear, digital, and social assets to power promotion and sales efforts for the Sinclair Sports Group fundamentally sets us apart in the marketplace,” said Eric Welles, Chief Digital Monetization Officer.
“The Triple Option”
A weekly show hosted by Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone, “The Triple Option” will provide analysis, opinions, and unique insights on the biggest topics in college football, the NFL, leadership and more. Meyer, 3x National Champion Head Coach at Ohio State and Florida, takes the audience inside the mind of the decision-makers, and explores championship caliber leadership and locker room culture. Ingram, National Champion and Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama and NFL veteran running back with the New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans, gives the player perspective. And Stone has seen it all, bringing more than two decades of experience covering sports as a broadcaster.
“The Triple Option” brings the experience and perspective to give fans a front row seat to the action on and off the field.
“The Triple Option” will launch on August 21, with new episodes each Wednesday available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all podcast platforms.
Follow “The Triple Option” on Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and Reddit at @3XOptionShow
“Throwbacks” with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara
Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart and actor Jerry Ferrara may feel like opposites, but the two share more in common than initially meets the eye. They both know what it is to experience extreme success, they both love talking sports and they're both navigating the challenges of dad-life. In their new weekly podcast, Matt and Jerry will share stories about leading one of the biggest football teams and TV shows of their time, while also delivering thoughtful sports opinions and relatable family adventures.
“Throwbacks” will launch on September 5, with new episodes each Thursday, available on You Tube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all podcast platforms.
“We could not be more excited to partner with this incredible lineup of talent as we continue to build our podcasting and social division, strengthening our commitment to providing engaging content to audiences across all platforms. Our approach for these shows will allow creators to develop deep, authentic connections that drive impact. They’ll be able to provide unique access and insight, while having fun and letting their entertaining personalities shine. This is an exciting first step for us, with more big announcements on the horizon,” said Rich Cooke, VP, Audio Programming.
To listen to the best in sports talk podcasts, subscribe to “The Triple Option” and “Throwbacks” on all podcast audio platforms, with video content available on YouTube. Short-form content will be available across talent, show, and Sinclair’s social channels.
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HOST BIOS:
- URBAN MEYER has the 3rd highest winning percentage as a head coach in college football history, with an overall record of 187-32. Meyer coached 17 seasons of Division I football and is a 3-time national champion, winning in 2006 and 2008 with Florida, and winning a title in 2014 with Ohio State.
- MARK INGRAM II - a 3-time Pro Bowler, played at The University of Alabama for three seasons (2008-2010), winning both a national title and the Heisman Trophy (2009.) Ingram went on to play 12 seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, where he is the all-time leader in rushing yards, as well as the Baltimore Ravens, and the Houston Texans.
- ROB STONE has 27 years of sports media experience, covering a wide array of leagues and sports across top networks. Stone currently hosts FOX Sports’ marquee studio coverage of soccer, college basketball and college football, including the network’s Saturday pregame show BIG NOON KICKOFF. A former WWE 24/7 Champion, Stone began covering college football in 1999 and covered several conferences, including the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, BIG EAST, Pac-12 and MAC. Prior to joining FOX, Stone worked for ESPN as a soccer commentator and served as a sideline reporter for select MLS and U.S. Soccer telecasts on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC where he covered four FIFA World Cups and 12 MLS Cups. Stone’s television career began at ESPN as a production assistant in 1992 where he worked on SportsCenter, Outside the Lines and College GameDay.
- MATT LEINART is one of the most decorated college football players in history. As the starting quarterback at USC from 2003-2005, Matt won the Heisman Trophy, 2 National Championships, and was voted All-American 3 different times. He finished his college football career as one of USC's all-time leaders in career touchdowns and completion percentage, totaling 807 completions, 99 touchdowns, and a remarkable 37-2 winning record. After college, Matt was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals as the 10th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft and went on to play for the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders.
- JERRY FERRARA - The three-time Screen Actors Guild Award-nominee has gone from co-starring as Turtle, the lovable best friend of Vincent Chase over eight seasons of HBO’s highly acclaimed comedy series “Entourage,” to landing marquee film roles including “Last Vegas” alongside Michael Douglas, Kevin Kline, Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman; “Lone Survivor” opposite Mark Wahlberg, Emile Hirsch and Taylor Kitsch; and the “Think Like a Man” series. Ferrara recently starred on the hit Starz television series “Power,” opposite Omari Hardwick, and was also featured in the Clint Eastwood film “Sully,” based on airline pilot Chesley Sullenberger's heroic landing in the Hudson River. A diehard sports fanatic—Ferrara can be found cheering on the NY Giants, the Yankees, and the Knicks.
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About Sinclair
Sinclair, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) is a diversified media company and a leading provider of local news and sports. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 185 television stations in 86 markets affiliated with all the major broadcast networks; owns Tennis Channel and multicast networks Comet, CHARGE!, TBD., and The Nest. Sinclair’s content is delivered via multiple platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and the nation’s largest streaming aggregator of local news content, NewsON. The Company regularly uses its website as a key source of Company information which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.
Category: General
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