The Sport Professor Podcast

Game Theory and MLB Free Agency

Have you ever wondered why baseball fans were so shocked the Red Sox traded former MVP Mookie Betts? Or what happened throughout baseball history to make Mookie Bett’s impending free agency so important to the future of the MLB? If so, this is the podcast for you as today we deep dive into the world of game theory and its application to Major League Baseball free agency. Beginning with a discussion of the history and evolution of baseball and the conflicts between players and owners, we set the scene and explain why free agency is so important to both actors. We then more to dissect how free agency works in the Big 3 leagues before concluding with a conversation about Mookie Betts and his path towards it. So, if you are interested in learning more about the history of baseball and its inner workings just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.    

Sport News - Kobe & the Beauty of Sports

In this special podcast, we divert from our normal topics and conversations to talk about the tragic death of Kobe Bryant. We do not focus on his basketball career or accolades, rather we discuss how his death is impacting sport fans around the world and seek to shine some light on why so many people who never met him are feeling such a sense of loss. In doing so we dive into the wonder and beauty of sports and the relationship we as fans have with professional athletes. So if you are interested in a heartfelt conversation about how the death of one of sports’ greatest athletes is affecting people and what it all means in the larger landscape of life just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.

Sport Ethics - MLB and the Sign Stealing Scandal

Have you ever wondered why the Houston Astros' cheating scandal has become such a big deal? Or if breaking an unwritten rule in baseball is even cheating? If so, this is the podcast for you as today we continue our examination of sport ethics through tackling the Houston Astros Sign Stealing Scandal. So if you are interested in learning what really happened, examining the ethical questions surrounding sign stealing, and breaking down the sport management implications of it all just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.

Sport Ethics - Title IX

Have you ever wondered why Title IX was enacted? Or how a law that is merely one sentence grew to become one of the most important laws in the history of sports? If so, this is the podcast for you as today we deep dive Title IX with special guests, Professor Amanda Siegrist, Esq. and Professor Chelsea Kaunert, Ph.D. Beginning with a discussion of the origins of the law we then more to break down what Title IX actually says, and discuss its legal elements before ending with a conversation about the myths and ethical implications the law presents. So, if you are interested in pulling back the curtain and learning more about sport law and Title IX just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.

Sport News - NCAA & Paying College Athletes

To the shock of many, the NCAA announced on October 29, 2019, their board of governors had unanimously voted to begin the process of allowing student-athletes to profit off their name likeness, and image. But what exactly did they say in their press release? How will this announcement affect the future of college athletics? And what potential challenges will the NCAA face in instituting their new policy? Today, we tackle these questions as we deep dive into the NCAA’s decision, and what it all means. So, if you are interested in learning more about the latest news hitting college sport just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.

Sport Ethics - Gender, Sexuality, & Sports

Have you ever wondered about the challenges facing transgender athletes? Or what sport organizations like the NCAA, IOC, and HSAA are doing to increase access to all individuals regardless of one's gender identity? If so, this is the podcast for you as today we deep dive into the world of ethics and the intersection of sport and sexuality, with special guest, Dr. Chelsea Kaunert. Beginning with a discussion of what gender and sexuality are, and how they are related to sports, we then move to dissect numerous sporting organizations and their policies for addressing transgender athletes.  We end our conversation by offering recommendations to current and future sport managers. So, if you are interested in learning more about gender and sexuality, and tackling the ethical questions both present in the world of sports just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.  

Sport Ethics, the Olympics, and Rule 50

Have you ever wondered why professional athletes can compete in the Olympics and yet they can’t make money directly from the games? Or why countries will sometime protest the games and not compete at all? If so, this is the podcast for you as today we once again dive into the world of ethics and ethical decision making in sport. Beginning with a brief history of the Olympics, we then move to discuss the structure behind the games and focus specifically on Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter and how it limits political protests and athlete compensation. So, if you are interested in learning more about the history of the Olympics, and exploring the ethics of one of the most controversial rules governing the games just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.

Sport Ethics - Logical Fallacies

Have you ever wondered why so many ex-athletes argue that analyst don't know what they are talking about because they never played professor sports? Or questioned why Rolex uses Rodger Federer to sell watches?  If so, this is the podcast for you as today we deep dive the world of logical fallacies with our special guest, Professor Amanda Siegrist, Esq.  Beginning with a discussion about logic and how to construct an argument, we then move to dissect numerous ways people may error in their reasoning and try to persuade others to agree with them in the business and sporting world.  So, if you are interested in pulling back the curtain and learning how people might be swaying you, just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.

Sport Ethics - A Crash Course in Basic Ethical Theory

Have you ever wondered how Lance Armstrong could claim taking PEDs was ethical? Or how an athletic director might use ethics when making budgetary decisions?  If so, this is the podcast for you as today we once again dive into the world of ethics and ethical decision making in sport.  Beginning with a few questions to make you reflect on what you value when you make a decision, we then move to discuss teleological, deontological, and virtue ethics and provide context to their application in the world of sport management.  So, if you are interested in learning more about how ethics drive the thought and decision-making process just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.

Sport Gambling 101 - A Crash Course

Have you ever wondered what the difference between a teaser and a parlay is? OR how professional sport gamblers beat the casinos? If so, this is the podcast for you as today we continue our deep dive into the world of sport gambling.  Beginning with a discussion on the basics to sport betting, we provide a crash course in gambling terminology and sport wagering before moving to breakdown what sport management and economic research have taught us about how to bet college and professional football games.  So if you are interested in learning more about how to gamble on sports just sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode of The Sport Professor Podcast.