The Greatest Sports Towns on Earth

America is filled with cities and towns that are built around a university, but no city better embraces the term "College Town" than the home of the University of Georgia; Athens, Georgia. Winners of the last two NCAA College Football National Championships, along 46 other team national titles across their nineteen sports, the Bulldogs have become one of the most dominant athletic programs in the United States. We are joined by Senior Writer covering the Cincinnati Reds for The Athletic, and Georgia alum, C. Trent Rosecrans, to talk about where his career in sports journalism got started, the rise of UGA's athletic teams, and how Athens might have claim to the best music town on Earth, as well.   Read Trent's work by subscribing to The Athletic at www.theathletic.com and follow him on Twitter at @CTrent.   Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPod Questions, comments, recommendations? Contact us at www.GreatestSportsTowns.com! Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex Kacik Producer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

Sitting right in the heart of the Midwest, Indianapolis has become one of the premier destinations for major sporting events in the United States. Home to the world's largest one day sporting event (Indianapolis 500) and the headquarters of the NCAA, this city has hosted almost every major sports championship at some point. We welcome 3-time Associated Press Sports Columnist of the Year, Gregg Doyel of the Indianapolis Star, to talk about what makes Indianapolis the most gracious hosts in America.    Read Gregg's work at www.indystar.com/sports/ and follow him on Twitter at @GreggDoyelStar.   Learn more about the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors at www.phoenix-society.org. Adopt a pet in Indianapolis by visiting the IACS page at https://www.indy.gov/activity/adopt-a-pet.    Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPod Questions, comments, recommendations? Contact us at www.GreatestSportsTowns.com! Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex Kacik Producer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

Sitting directly in the middle of the U.S., Omaha is often overlooked in the discussion of great sports cities, but the growing success of the College World Series is beginning to change that. We are joined by 2001 Heisman Trophy Winner and 2020 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, former Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch, to discuss why his hometown has some of the most passionate sports fans anywhere. Learn more about Eric's work with the Elkhorn Athletic Association at www.elkhornathletics.org, and about his company Crouch Recreation at www.crouchrec.com.Follow Eric on Twitter at @croucheric or on Instagram at @ecrouch2001.Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Contact us at www.GreatestSportsTowns.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

With a metro population of nearly 6 million people, Toronto is the largest city in Canada. It is also home to some of the most successful sports franchises in Canadian history. Award-winning activist and multi-platform journalist, Shireen Ahmed, joins us to talk about why she thinks Toronto is the greatest sports town on Earth, and how they could be doing so much more. Follow Shireen on Twitter at @_shireenahmed_ or on Instagram at @footybedsheets. You can visit her website at www.shireenahmed.com and listen to her Burn it all Down Podcast anywhere you get your podcasts or by visiting www.burnitalldownpod.comFollow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

When people think of Philadelphia, they often think of Benjamin Franklin, the Declaration of Independence, Rocky, or even cheesesteaks. But if you ask a person from Philadelphia what they think of, they are more likely to mention the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers or 76ers. We speak with 2015 APSE National Sports Columnist of the Year, Mike Sielski, of the Philadelphia Inquirer about the obsession with sports in his hometown, and why a chip is eternally placed firmly on their shoulder. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeSielski and find his work at the Philadelphia Inquirer. You can purchase his critically acclaimed book, 'The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the pursuit of Immortality' anywhere you find books, and check out his in-depth podcast on Kobe's life by subscribing to 'I am Kobe' wherever you find your podcasts. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

(Originally released November 9, 2021) When you first think of Portland, you may think of it's thriving art scene, numerous breweries, coffee shops, and bookstores, but it is also home to one of the more loyal fanbases in all of professional sports. We speak with the legendary Mike Barrett, formerly the television broadcaster for the Portland Trail Blazers and now the Managing Director of the Portland Diamond Project, about the extensive history of sports in Northwest Oregon.Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodFollow Mike Barrett on Twitter at @BlazerMBFollow Portland Diamond Project at @PDXDiamondProjCheck out Mike's media company Red Anchor Society at www.redanchorsociety.comQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

London is one of the largest cities, economies, and cultural centers in the world. When you mix this with a history that stretches back to the first century, it should be no surprise that it has also become an international epicenter for sport. Ed Malyon, renowned sports journalist and Managing Director of The Athletic UK, joins us to talk about his hometown and its abundance of rapid sports fans.Follow Ed Malyon on Twitter at @eaamalyon and read his work at The Athletic UK (theathletic.com/uk). Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

New Orleans has become known as a cultural hub full of great food, better music, and a vibrant nightlife, but it is also a regular host of some of the biggest sporting events in the world thanks to the Caesars Superdome. Local sports anchor and New Orleans native, Fletcher Mackel, of WDSU-TV joins us to talk about the rise of the Saints, what the Superdome means to the Big Easy, and how sports helped bring a city together after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Follow Fletcher Mackel on Twitter @FletcherWDSU or on Instagram @FletcherMackel. You can watch him as the sports anchor on WDSU-TV New Orleans. Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

With a metropolitan population of over 26 million residents, it's no surprise that Seoul has produced world-class athletes in a variety of competitions, but over the last several decades, it has established itself as a powerhouse sports city on an international level. Jeeho Yoo of Seoul's Yonhap News Agency, and frequent contributor to the KBO broadcasts on ESPN, joins us to discuss the rapid rise of baseball talent, how the South Korean National Football Team unites a country, and some of the dominant athletes making their way to the international scene. Follow Jeeho Yoo on Twitter @Jeeho_1 and find his work in the Yonhap News Agency Sports section by visiting: https://en.yna.co.kr/sports/Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

Butte, Montana's reputation is largely centered around its past as a mining town, but "The Richest Hill on Earth" is also filled with a robust sports history. Retired Montana Tech head football coach, Bob Green (aka The Funniest Coach in College Football) joins us to talk about a historic high school rivalry, a passionate college fanbase, and an impressive string of coaches to come through town. He also shares about his path from the Marines, to coaching in the NAIA Football Championship, to going viral for interviews 10 years after retirement. Follow Bob Green on Twitter at @CoachBobGreen and you can find him on Cameo. Compilation video used with permission from creator Nick Petraccione.Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

Buffalo, New York teams have seen a number of successes, but have had an even larger number of heartbreaks. Despite that, their fans support these franchises in droves and have built a reputation of being one of the most passionate fanbases in America. Buffalo native, Lyndsey D'Arcangelo, author and writer for The Athletic and Just Women's Sports, joins us to share how Buffalo sports leads to family bonding, and how gamedays are just like holidays in this rust belt city. Check out Lyndsey's latest book with Britni de la Cretaz, Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women's Football League and read her coverage of women's basketball on The Athletic and Just Women's Sports.Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

It is nearly a guarantee that the most watched television event in the United States in any given year is going to be the Super Bowl. Aside from determining an NFL champion, this has a pretty significant impact on the cities who host it and the companies who broadcast it. Billy and Alex discuss in this bonus episode of The Greatest Sports Towns on Earth! Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)

Adelaide is known to international travelers for their world-class wineries and hosting one of the world's largest art festivals, but did you know they are also home to some of Australia's most passionate sports fans? Steven Jeffery of the rock band, Atlas Genius, joins us to try and teach us the rules of footy and shares some stories about the passionate fans of South Australia. Check out Steven's band Atlas Genius on social media at @AtlasGenius or visit their website at www.AtlasGenius.com.Follow Steven on Twitter and Instagram at @StevenRJeffery.Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you think of Montreal sports, you probably think of hockey and Stanley Cup championships. This is for good reason, but the intersection of politics and sports in this Quebec city is far more complex than you might've guessed. Journalist and commentator Dave Kaufman joins us to discuss how hockey changed the way forward for French Canadians, as well as the history (and future?) of baseball in Montreal. Check out Dave's new podcast through McGill University's Desautels Faculty of Management by visiting: https://delve.mcgill.ca/listen/Follow Dave Kaufman on Twitter @TheKaufmanShow or on Instagram @DaveKaufman1Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dayton is most recognizable for being the home of aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers, but did you know that it is also the home of the first-ever NFL game, the longest professional sports sellout streak in the world, and host of more NCAA tournament games than any other city? We speak with Dayton's mayor and candidate for governor of Ohio, Nan Whaley, about the incredible sports history and environment of this midwestern town, and how minor league baseball led to a revitalization of the city's downtown. Visit Nan Whaley for Governor at NanWhaley.comFollow Nan Whaley on Twitter or Instagram @NanWhaleyFollow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When you first think of Portland, you may think of it's thriving art scene, numerous breweries, coffee shops, and bookstores, but it is also home to one of the more loyal fanbases in all of professional sports. We speak with the legendary Mike Barrett, formerly the television broadcaster for the Portland Trail Blazers and now the Managing Director of the Portland Diamond Project, about the extensive history of sports in Northwest Oregon.Follow us on Twitter or Instagram @SportsTownsPodFollow Mike Barrett on Twitter at @BlazerMBFollow Portland Diamond Project at @PDXDiamondProjCheck out Mike's media company Red Anchor Society at www.redanchorsociety.comQuestions, comments, recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Green Bay is the 294th largest city in the United States, but it is home to one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world. This episode, we'll speak with Bleacher Report's Ian Kenyon to discuss how this tiny town on a bay has built itself into Titletown, U.S.A.Follow us on Twitter @SportsTownsPodFollow Ian Kenyon on Twitter @IanKenyonNFLQuestions, comments, or recommendations? Email us at GreatestSportsTowns@gmail.com!Hosts: Billy Puckett and Alex KacikProducer: Tim Corpus (timcorpus.net)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With our first full episode coming out next week, we first wanted to share a little about who we are, what we'll be covering, and what role sports have played in our lives. We can't wait to dive deeper into towns across the world as we discuss the Greatest Sports Towns on Earth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Greatest Sports Towns on Earth podcast!Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices