Phantom Island | Podcast on RSS.com

Phantom Island

by Steven Godfrey & Ryan Nanni

The Single Wing: Of Superleagues and Walkmen (PREVIEW)

Steven Godfrey opens up the listener mailbag once again to answer questions from Phantom Island subscribers on topics including how to tell if your head coach hates one of his assistants, who might be placed at the top of a theoretical super league, how to approach getting into physical media, and whether Steven Godfrey, Color Commentator might ever come to pass. This is a preview of the full episode, which is available to paid subscribers – go to phantomisland.show to sign up today. Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

Will sports ever grow bigger than we actually want them to be?

Rodger Sherman, author of the Sports! newsletter, joins Ryan Nanni on this episode to talk about the continued growth and expansion of almost every professional sport. Can our most popular leagues ever approach oversaturation of their audiences? What do lengthier schedules mean for completionists? And has Ryan found the best way to enjoy college football playoff broadcasts? Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

The NFL team that nearly perfected third down (PREVIEW)

Sometimes, Ryan Nanni becomes excessively intrigued by an oddball sports occurrence. On this episode, he's bringing one such instance to Steven Godfrey to discuss: the time Drew Brees and the Saints nearly finished a game perfect on third down. What made this feat possible, why is it unlikely to ever be surpassed, and how long does it take Steven to trash the Saints and Sean Payton? This is a preview of the full episode, which is available to paid subscribers – go to phantomisland.show to sign up today. Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

Why have the French gone so long without winning the Tour de France?

Andy McGrath, freelance cycling journalist and author of Tadej Pogacar: Unstoppable joins Ryan Nanni to review four decades of French futility at cycling's biggest race. What explains the drought of French champions at the Tour de France? Will 19-year-old Paul Seixas end that losing streak? And how badly do the French want to see one of their own finish in the yellow jersey? Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

Finding the next narratively satisfying champions (PREVIEW)

Steven Godfrey and Ryan Nanni review submissions from the Phantom Island audience focused on one topic: which team has the best narrative case to be the next to end a long championship absence? From division mates in the NFL to polar opposites in the NBA to a variety of baseball options, there are plenty of trophy-less teams to choose from. This is a preview of the full episode, which is available to paid subscribers – go to phantomisland.show to sign up today. Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

What do TV ratings actually tell us about sports leagues?

Ryan Nanni is joined by Ben Strauss, Sports Business Reporter for ESPN, to discuss the evolving art of measuring/promoting/analyzing sports viewership, but not before Steven Godfrey hops on to explain the dog-related weaknesses of the old Nielsen ratings. Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

Numbers and Words: Part 2 of The Optimist's G6 Preview with Bill C. (PREVIEW)

Steven Godfrey is joined by ESPN's Bill Connelly to discuss if Memphis or Navy or even UTSA can take advantage of an interesting year in the American, what North Dakota State will do in year one at the FBS level, how we should think of the reconstituted Pac-12, and whether Jim Mora has magic powers. This is a preview of the full episode, which is available to paid subscribers – go to phantomisland.show to sign up today. Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

Why didn't the NBA see Jalen Brunson coming?

Dan Devine, cohost of The Big Number and senior NBA writer for Yahoo, joins Ryan Nanni to discuss the persistent narrative of Jalen Brunson, The Most Unexpected Finals MVP. What makes Brunson different from other small guards before him? Why did the league seemingly undervalue a player who'd won so consistently in high school and college? And what might teams learn from watching Brunson lead the Knicks to a titlle? Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

The Single Wing: Time-Traveling Godfrey (PREVIEW)

Steven Godfrey takes the microphone for this edition of the Single Wing, answering listener questions about the Big 12's eject button, the school that reminds him of his 26-year-old truck, the theoretical basis behind It Just Means More, beverage rankings, and working with your friends. This is a preview of the full episode, which is available to paid subscribers – go to phantomisland.show to sign up today. Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

How greedy can FIFA get with the 2026 World Cup?

Steven Godfrey and Ryan Nanni have some fun exploring the cost of World Cup group stage tickets before Ryan is joined by Rachel Bachman, Senior Sports Reporter at the Wall Street Journal, who's written about the individual struggles of fans trying to get into the games of the 2026 tournament. How (and why) has FIFA changed its pricing structure for this World Cup? What was the whole deal with seat locations changing? Or the crypto path to tickets? And is this the way every organization will run its ticketing going forward? Phantom Island is presented by Homefield and produced by Michael Surber.

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