This week's episode looks at ESPN's decision to slash some of its bigger on-air names, including Jay Crawford, Ed Werder, Jayson Stark and Trent Dilfer. Sports valuation consultant Michael Rapkoch comes on to talk about the changing economics b

Ep. 19: Comparing the city of Seattle's arena plans

Apr 18th, 2017 1h 4m

This week, in an episode devoted entirely to Seattle's pursuit of an arena solution, Geoff reviews the proposals by the Oak View Group and Seattle Partners to renovate KeyArena and compares them to the Sodo District project pitched by entrepren

Ep. 18: MLB bumps NFL out among major U.S. sports for best fan loyalty

Apr 5th, 2017 46m 37s

Brand Keys president Robert Passikoff discusses his New York firm's 25th annual Sports Fan Loyalty Index survey, showing MLB has bounced NFL out of top spot. Plus, more on Mariners fan loyalty and a chat with Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei abp

Ep. 17: Loaning players to national teams in-season

Mar 22nd, 2017 39m 46s

Seattle Sounders majority owner Adrian Hanauer talks about the business issues involved in loaning players to various national teams in-season and why soccer seems to handle it better than other sports like Major League Baseball. Also, Seattle

Ep. 16: Tim Leiweke on KeyArena timeline and attracting team owners

Mar 17th, 2017 39m 6s

Oak View Group CEO Tim Leiweke joins the podcast to talk about the timeline for completing a KeyArena renovation in Seattle. Leiweke also discusses how his groups would plan to attact team owners to a setup where they would be third-party tenan

EP. 14: Brian Surratt on the KeyArena renovation proposal process

Mar 2nd, 2017 37m 21s

Brian Surratt, head of Seattle's office of economic development, stops by to discuss his overseeing the NBA/NHL proposals for renovating KeyArena. Also, the prospects for Chris Hansen's arena in Sodo District and what he must do to get approval

Ep. 13: Kain Colter discusses huge boost for college football unionization

Feb 8th, 2017 45m 7s

Football player Kain Colter, who has led the push for college athletes to unionize, talks about a National Labor Relations Board memo agreeing some players are "employees" who can seek money and better working conditions. Plus, Seattle Reign FC

Ep. 12: Experts on Donald Trump immigration ban and where sports go next

Feb 1st, 2017 50m 4s

President Donald Trump's immigration ban has caused shock and outrage among athletes and coaches in the sports world, while leagues themselves have remained silent. Brand Keys president Robert Passikoff in New York and sports immigration lawyer

Ep. 11: Ex-Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant on hard knocks of business life

Jan 25th, 2017 32m 13s

Former Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant dishes on his tough, but successful transition between professional football and the business world.

Ep. 10: "Jerry Maguire" agent Leigh Steinberg on Seattle arena process

Jan 18th, 2017 49m 30s

Famed sport agent Leigh Steinberg from Los Angeles and Field of Schemes author Neil deMause from Brooklyn discuss the Seattle arena process and what to watch out for in terms of public contributions as things move forward.

Ep. 9: AEG President Bob Newman on building "world class" KeyArena facility

Jan 11th, 2017 27m 3s

Anschutz Entertainment Group president Bob Newman joins the podcast to discuss his company's plans to restore KeyArena into a "world class" facility for NBA and NHL teams.

Ep. 8:MLB writer Jonah Keri on how Mariners can succeed despite big money

Jan 4th, 2017 57m 16s

Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports baseball writer and author Jonah Keri sits down with Geoff to discuss their mutual hometown, alma matter and the state of MLB. Plus, is playoff 'fatigue' setting in for Seahawks fans?

Ep, 5: Tim Leiweke talks potential KeyArena renovations

Dec 14th, 2016 30m 43s

On this week's Hard Count with Geoff Baker, we catch up with Tim Leiweke, whose Oak View Group is looking to renovate KeyArena for NBA and NHL use. We'll talk as well with his new Seattle point-man, onetime Seahawks executive Lance Lopes, about

Ep. 4: What does new CBA agreement mean for Mariners & MLB? Plus a look behind the CFB rankings

Dec 7th, 2016 31m 53s

On this week's episode of 'Hard Count', Geoff Baker takes a look at what the new CBA agreement means for MLB and the Mariners, plus why did Clemson move to No. 2 while Huskies stayed put at No. 4 in College Football Playoff rankings? Spoiler: i

Ep. 3: Thunderbirds keep business rolling years after leaving KeyArena

Nov 30th, 2016 32m 10s

On this week’s Hard Count with Geoff Baker podcast, we go in-depth with Seattle Thunderbirds general manager Russ Farwell about the Western Hockey League team’s current business status and evolution since a move out of KeyArena seven years ago.

Rate