The Podcast Academy handed out its highest individual honor Tuesday night to Pablo Torre, naming the Meadowlark Media host Vanguard Podcaster of the Year at the annual awards for excellence in audio, widely known across the industry as ‘The Ambies,’ while also recognizing his show as Best Sports Podcast for 2025.
Torre, an ESPN veteran who launched Pablo Torre Finds Out after leaving the network, earned the distinction in a year when sports podcasting continued to expand in both scale and sophistication.
The Vanguard designation recognizes a creator whose work not only resonates with audiences but also pushes the medium forward through innovation, originality and cultural relevance.
In addition to the individual accolade, Pablo Torre Finds Out secured the Ambie for Best Sports Podcast, prevailing over a competitive field that reflected the depth of the category.
Among the nominees were Chasing Basketball Heaven from 30 for 30 Podcasts and ESPN, Netflix Sports Club from Netflix and Pod People, New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce from Wondery, San Diego FC: Behind the Flow from iHeartPodcasts, Sports in America with David Greene from WHYY, and The Deal with Alex Rodriguez and Jason Kelly from Bloomberg Podcasts.
The victories underscored Torre’s ability to blend reporting instincts with conversational storytelling in a format that often rewards personality-driven debate. Rather than lean solely on hot takes or athlete access, Torre’s show frequently explores the intersections of sports, media and culture, a strategy that has distinguished it within a crowded marketplace and attracted a loyal, engaged audience.
Comedian Wyatt Cenac hosted this year’s ceremony at the Arlo Williamsburg in Brooklyn as part of the On the Air festival, which celebrates audio storytelling in its many forms. During the event, Christy Mirabal, chair of The Podcast Academy, presented the Governors Award to Kara Swisher in recognition of her contributions to podcasting’s growth and cultural influence.
The Podcast Academy, a nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 2020, presents The Ambies annually to spotlight excellence across the audio landscape. The awards aim to elevate podcasts as a powerful and personal medium for entertainment, information and creative expression, while also celebrating creators and organizations of varying sizes and backgrounds.
Last year, The Athletic secured a multi-year licensing agreement with Pablo Torre’s podcast, Pablo Torre Finds Out, marking a significant step in the outlet’s push to expand its presence in the audio space and deepen its cultural footprint within sports storytelling.
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