A lot can happen in 54 days. Markets rise and fall. Teams’ playoff hopes can be elevated or dreams shattered. For Emmanuel Acho, his release from FS1 last summer sparked a vision—the concept of a sports program that builds community and creates a safe space to fill a void he believed existed. In 54 days, Acho assembled the pieces and launched his independent creation, Speakeasy.
Now, nearly eight months into that vision, Acho is seeing better results than he imagined. While expectations often suggest things won’t go as planned, Speakeasy has proven otherwise.
“You launch a show seeing a void in the market. You capitalize on the void in the market. Then all of a sudden, we’re hitting goals ahead of schedule and we stopped setting goals from a numbers standpoint,” said Acho on the early success Speakeasy has seen in viewership on YouTube.
Speakeasy’s success stems from content consistency and the community it has built. Every evening, Sunday through Thursday, Acho and co-hosts LeSean McCoy, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Kieran Hickey-Semple deliver commentary on the day’s top issues in a late-night-style podcast atmosphere.
“We are creating a community of friends that come together to kick it every night. I’m not so egotistical that I think people are coming to watch me,” said Acho. “All I am is a catalyst for a safe space in a lonely world. For sports fans to come hang out and be heard.”
Growth And Expansion
The longform program centers on engagement—not just among the hosts, but also with the live audience. Acho describes the chat and super chats during each episode as the lifeblood that fuels the show’s energy. He says every element of the original vision has been refined over time.
First impressions were a major focus. Launching at the start of the NFL season, the show leaned into relationships Acho and his co-hosts had with current players. Each week, players joined Speakeasy for exclusive content that traditional networks couldn’t provide.
That access helped define the show’s early identity. However, branching beyond sports has also become a defining trait in the crowded live-content space.
“We’ve shown our dexterity. We’re not just a sports show with hard hitting analysis, but we’ll also meet you where you’re at,” explained Acho, admitting there was some initial hesitancy about expanding beyond strict sports content. “Some people would question a football player moving away from sports content. Those days are dead and gone. Are you an entertainer? I am an entertainer.”
Acho says the show isn’t afraid to cast a wide net, diving into pop culture and trending topics. His goal was to create a program that reflects the current era—one shaped by short attention spans and driven by authentic personalities who can deliver engaging conversations.
“If you want hardcore astute NBA analysis, there’s like ten other NBA shows for you. I’m not looking to expand like crazy,” said Acho in response to adding more sport-centric analysts. “If you drop a chat, we will chat back and you’ll feel like a part of the show. As opposed to being talked at, we aim to talk with… We have a family here and the vision long term is to be that late night show that ESPN swung and missed on.”
YouTube Vs Netflix
When Acho spoke with Barrett Media at Speakeasy’s launch last year, he said the goal was to build a model that networks would pursue through licensing deals, similar to ESPN’s agreements with Pat McAfee and Rich Eisen, or FOX Sports’ own partnerships.
Since launching on YouTube, however, Acho’s success has shifted his perspective.
“I love where I’m at with YouTube. The money you could make on YouTube is crazy if you’re pushing out content like us,” said Acho. “I would be hard pressed to go to a stream, but you still want to opportunity to go a streamer. At this point in time, they would have to make it worth our while. Something like Netflix could make sense. But I’m not as desperate as I was then.”
A potential deal with Netflix would require a different approach. The show would likely sit behind a paywall and could lose its live chat feature—something Acho values deeply.
An element Acho says he holds in high regard for the community Speakeasy serves.
“If you go behind a paywall, that’s not as important as making sure you can still talk to the chat. What makes our show unique is that we talk to the chat,” explained Acho. “I don’t care as much about the paywall as I do making sure we can still talk to the chat.”
Sports Media Drama
With success comes a spotlight. Like any locker room Acho experienced during his college and NFL career, conversations can spark drama. In sports media, that drama often drives attention—and Acho admits he engages with it more than he once did.
Since launching Speakeasy, Acho has drawn criticism from several sports media personalities, including Stephen A. Smith and Leonard Fournette. He says the reaction doesn’t surprise him and considers it part of the business.
“A lot of people don’t realize what it takes to have done what I’ve done. They assume either I was given it, or it was luck,” said Acho. “I’m not surprised by it, but it comes with the territory. I kind of like it. I care to be respected by people I respect. Outside of that, I’m not really in competition with too many people.”
At 35, Acho says his résumé already includes accomplishments many never achieve. A two-time Emmy winner and New York Times bestselling author, he sees his only competition as himself.
“I’m trying to get a Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony. I’m running my own race,” said Acho.
Still, the data tells a clear story. Audience interest spikes around sports media disputes. While Acho doesn’t feel compelled to respond to every criticism, he acknowledges the benefits.
“When you do respond, drama rates. Our highest rating conversations are drama, Sheduer Sanders, and anything Philadelphia Eagles,” revealed Acho. “Now I talk more drama than I ever used to. I dignify it a little bit because in large, drama rates. If I’m having a conversation with or about Cam Newton that will get over additional views on YouTube, I’ll do it.”
Remaining Independent
Speakeasy’s success has also removed any desire for Acho to return to traditional sports television. Following his FS1 exit, he says he no longer wants to answer to anyone but himself.
“I am not going to be controlled by the man again. I’m not about to be fired again. Also, just because you’re in a position doesn’t mean you know what you’re doing. What network executive would have been able to ideate Speakeasy? Then line up talent, build out the studios, and choose the timeslot for Speakeasy. I did that in 54 days,” explained Acho.
Instead, Acho continues exploring new ways to connect with and grow his audience. He believes Speakeasy’s success reflects a shift away from the traditional sports media model.
“Network people still think the audience is dumb. They’re not. Even if they are dumb, they don’t think they’re dumb,” said Acho. “Because they don’t think they’re dumb, that means they don’t want to be taught. They feel like they already know, but want to be made to feel. That’s what I had to learn… I’m not going to teach you. Instead, I’m going to get you mad or make you happy, and just make you feel.”
In just 54 days, Emmanuel Acho built Speakeasy as an answer to what he believed sports media was missing. Eight months later, its growth reinforces something bigger—that connection, not just content, drives the modern audience.
Acho is no longer chasing the old model. Instead, he’s betting on one where creators own the platform, the conversation, and the relationship with their audience. If Speakeasy continues on its current trajectory, it won’t just be a success story—it may become the blueprint.
Because in a landscape crowded with voices trying to be heard, Acho has found power in something simpler: making sure his audience feels like they already are.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
