Time Magazine today released its highly anticipated list of the 100 Best Podcasts of All Time, spotlighting a dedicated section for sports-themed audio shows. Correspondent Eliana Dockterman, who helmed the project, emphasized in the accompanying methodology article how she weighed influence, longevity and storytelling quality over mere celebrity buzz.
Making the list for the sports category were the following:
- 30 for 30 (ESPN)
- The Bill Simmons Podcast (The Ringer)
- Men in Blazers (Wondery)
- New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce (Wondery)
- Pablo Torre Finds Out (Meadowlark Media)
- The Tennis Podcast (The Athletic)
Dockterman explained that the selection process began by reviewing nearly twenty years of podcasting history. Rather than simply chasing the biggest household names or top-charting downloads, she prioritized influence — “shows that shaped their genre” — and staying power TIME. To that end, she included both active podcasts with consistent archives and classic series whose episodes still resonate today, a strategy she described as seeking “the best of the best.”
Moreover, in the sports category, Dockterman took care to balance mainstream appeal with journalistic rigor. She deliberately curated a list that spans everything from long-form investigative reporting to comedic breakdowns of game-day culture. She observed that, in a landscape where celebrity-hosted and big-money shows are increasingly prevalent, “sorting out who can conduct an insightful interview or piece together a compelling monologue from who is just a big name” was a key challenge TIME.
Once the list was publicized, some sports podcasts took note of their absence from the list. Most notably, Pardon My Take hosts Dan “Big Cat” Katz and Eric “PFT Commenter” Sollenberger took to social media to share their reaction to the list.
Other notable podcasts that did not make Time Magazine’s Top 100 list of the best podcasts of all time include The Joe Rogan Experience, the Ben Shapiro podcast, or the Kill Tony podcast.
As Dockterman noted, the final list functions as both a historical archive and a listening guide. Whether listeners are looking to revisit groundbreaking content or explore newer productions with archival depth, the curated top 100 in sports offers a reliable road map.
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