There’s nothing new about former athletes entering the digital content space post-career. The practice has been underway for nearly two decades, if not longer. Many consider the venture more of a hobby than a duty. As a result, many who enter the space don’t last and never truly break through or meet the goal of becoming an example of how to navigate the practice to excellence. For Taylor Lewan and Will Compton, what began as an idea in an abandoned Budweiser bus has morphed into one of the most successful independent podcasts in sports media with Bussin’ With The Boys.
“It’s extremely humbling to feel like what we’re doing is working,” said Lewan, reflecting on the journey of Bussin’ With The Boys since its inception in 2019. “Our lives were spent as football players, and you get to a point when you think you’re peaking. Now we get to go into a world where we’re learning so much every single year, and a new opportunity to be great at something else.”
Now, seven years after their debut episode, Bussin’ With The Boys has become one of the most sought-after football digital brands in sports media. This past football season, Bussin’ expanded its scope and collaborations. The show added additional podcasts to its portfolio, separating its Locker Room podcasts into college and professional football verticals. In addition, the brand partnered with ESPN for weekly appearances on Get Up and other programming.
2025 marked a massive year of growth for the Bussin’ With The Boys brand. When Barrett Media released its first digital show rankings, Lewan and Compton were recognized as the sixth-best digital show among 580 programs considered.
“It feels surreal,” said Compton. “Shout out to the boys in the back of the bus. We’re always talking about how we can get better everyday. To look up and see rankings like this. It’s a testament to all the guys we have in this building.”
Growth has been the mission since the beginning. Compton and Lewan launched the podcast while both were still active in the NFL. At the time, it was a risky move, as few players provided that level of access while still sharing a locker room with an NFL franchise.
Growth And Departing Barstool Sports
The content quickly became a hit. Insights and discussions rarely heard in traditional press settings fueled audience growth and influence in the space. Eventually, Barstool Sports brought the podcast onto its network, where the Bussin’ brand grew exponentially over the next five years.
“Give a lot of flowers to Dave Portnoy, Erika Nardini, Big Cat, and everyone at Barstool Sports. They brought us into their world which fueled our fire,” explained Lewan. “Without them, we may not have had the ascension we’re at right now.”
Like players learning under a head coach, Lewan and Compton spoke highly of the lessons they gained while working under the Barstool Sports umbrella. They also valued the freedom to remain authentic. Barstool guided them through strategies to increase engagement, downloads, and overall audience growth. Lewan described it as a crash course in understanding the internet and catering to audience demands.
Then, in January 2025, Bussin’ With The Boys left Barstool Sports despite efforts to retain the podcast.
“Leaving Barstool was very difficult,” said Lewan. “But what we learned through the process of having so many advertisers and clients work with us is the most important thing is being aligned based on what they want to do, and what we want to do. That includes being aligned creatively as well.”
Just weeks after departing, Bussin’ With The Boys reached a new sponsorship agreement with FanDuel and regained its independence.
“When you leave a brand like Barstool, who has a massive audience, you lose their roster to collaborate with,” explained Compton. “It’s now up to us to find our collaborations. Because collaborations rise all ships.”
Collaborating With FanDuel, ESPN
The FanDuel agreement in January 2025 proved to be a game changer for the brand’s trajectory. Rather than simply accepting a sponsorship, Lewan and Compton worked closely with FanDuel on project ideas and integrations. The level of feedback and creative freedom checked every box they sought in a title partner.
“When we looked at all the pros and cons, FanDuel looked like they were going to be an incredible partner. Just one year into the deal, they’ve treated us amazingly,” said Lewan. “FanDuel made the transition much easier for us leaving what felt like a family with Barstool Sports.”
Following the partnership with FanDuel, another opportunity emerged.
As the NFL season approached in September, ESPN announced a collaboration with Lewan and Compton for weekly appearances across its programming, including Get Up. The opportunity provided exposure on the largest sports network in the country and introduced the Bussin’ brand to a broader audience.
“This year with ESPN was incredible,” said Lewan. “When you walk into the ocean of media, and we grew up watching ESPN too. It was an, ‘Oh s**t. We’re with the big dogs now’ moment. The locker room vibes were absolutely incredible.”
Lewan and Compton became another example of ESPN’s shift toward incorporating outside voices. The network, which licensed Pat McAfee’s program just two years earlier, continued expanding its collaboration with digital creators.
This trend is one both Lewan and Compton have embraced, despite limited experience in traditional sports television.
“ESPN has done a tremendous job of listening to the audience. Whether or not they get hate or love, everyone thought this time last year ESPN was going to die,” said Compton. “All the moves they’ve made, us being a small piece. ESPN has done a great job keeping their ear to the ground and listening to what the consumer wants and adapting along the way. There’s a new wave of these brands collaborating with each other because it works.”
Both credit McAfee as proof that authenticity resonates more than formality. Appealing to the everyday fan has always been central to the Bussin’ brand.
Gameplan For 2026
Bussin’ With The Boys now enters an offseason following a year of significant independent growth. However, neither Lewan nor Compton plans to slow down.
“This job is the best. We f***ing love our lives. How great is this,” said Lewan. “There’s a good balance to all of it. You should be a little stressed about wanting to perform and having a level of competition coming up with great content. But also, what is helping me grow in this industry.”
Currently, the team is evaluating its performance over the past year, reviewing existing projects while developing new ideas and partnerships. Lewan and Compton continue to lean on their athlete mentality, focusing on self-evaluation and team collaboration to make 2026 even bigger.
“We can do anything and as much as we want to. We’ve gotten into a lot of different lanes,” said Compton.
In a space where many former athletes enter but few endure, Bussin’ With The Boys has distinguished itself by treating content creation as a craft rather than a side project. What began as two teammates talking football on a bus has evolved into a blueprint for blending authenticity, adaptability, and business strategy.
“People like feeling like they’re a part of something,” said Lewan. “We’re always looking to give something to the audience where they feel more a part of it. There’s been small changes here and there that I think have been awesome for the audience and the tier one fans that have been with us since day one. It’s about creating a higher sense of community with Bussin’ With The Boys.”
As the lines between traditional media and digital creators continue to blur, Lewan and Compton aren’t just riding the wave — they’re helping define where it goes next.
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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.
