• Loading stock data...
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is open through Nov. 6 Learn More
exclusive
Podcasts

Cris Carter Scores New Deal With Blue Wire Podcasts

  • Hall of Famer to interview NFL receivers past and present on new ‘WR1’ pod.
  • WynnBet signs up as presenting sponsor
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Cris Carter has scored a podcast deal with Blue Wire Podcasts and will focus his show on the subject he knows best: wide receivers.

The Pro Football Hall of Famer will headline an eight-part podcast series called “WR1,” where he’ll interview the top receivers in football. 

The weekly podcast premieres this July before the NFL’s 2021 season kicks off. WynnBet, the sports betting unit of Wynn Resorts, has signed as presenting sponsor, according to Blue Wire CEO Kevin Jones.

Carter marks the latest big name to dive into the podcasting industry, which has become a hotbed for deal-making and investment. 

DraftKings recently signed a $50 million, 3-year deal to distribute and monetize Dan Le Batard’s podcast. Long-time UFC personality Joe Rogan signed an exclusive licensing deal with Spotify for $100 million. Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports recently teamed with iHeart Radio to launch a new pod network called “The Volume.” The template for financial success is Bill Simmons’ “The Ringer,” which sold to Spotify for $200 million in early 2020. 

Over 80 million Americans now listen to podcasts on a weekly basis with the most diverse audience ever, according to a study by Edison Research and Triton Digital. That’s up 17% over 2020.

Wide receivers like Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr. have become some of the NFL’s most fascinating and controversial personalities. Who better to get them to open up than Carter, a veteran of Fox Sports, ESPN and HBO’s “Inside the NFL?”

Along with Michael Irvin, Randy Moss, and Terrell Owens, the eight-time Pro Bowler ushered in the era of superstar receivers whose media personalities were as big as their talent.

Today’s pass-happy NFL values receivers like never before, noted Carter. When he used to coach football camps, recalls the ex-Minnesota Vikings star, roughly 50 out of 100 kids wanted to be quarterbacks. Now 50 out of 100 want to be wide receivers. 

“I’ve always gravitated to receivers. I have always talked receivers. And I’ve always mentored receivers,” the 55-year old Carter told FOS in an interview. “If there’s a subject where I feel that no matter who we have on the show, looking at the history of football and looking at the future of football, to me it could only be about receivers.”

Sports Betting Is Changing the Media Landscape

Sports media and sports betting are converging, and it’s impacting the world’s…
May 5, 2021

Among the players he’d like on his pod are current NFL stars like Brown, DK Metcalf of the Seattle Seahawks and Justin Jefferson of the Vikings. As well as retired legends such as Marvin Harrison, formerly of the Indianapolis Colts. 

“I look forward to sitting down with Antonio Brown to ask him the question: How the hell do you burn your feet off?”

Kevin Jones, the ex-sportswriter who founded Blue Wire in 2018, said the combination of Carter’s “knowledge and personality” makes him perfect for podcasting. He declined comment on terms of the deal.

“I feel like the TV format has boxed a lot of people into tossing to commercial breaks — or dealing with other loud screamers on set,” Jones said. “This will give Cris the opportunity to go long-form and show off his knowledge, his personality and his passion for the game of football. We’re excited for him to be the solo host — and get deep with these wide receivers.”

Some of Carter’s shows will originate from Blue Wire’s new podcast studio in the lobby of Wynn’s Las Vegas hotel. The Blue Wire platform already offers “TE1” pod, with former Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen interviewing tight ends, past and present.

Greg Olsen

Q&A: Blue Wire CEO On How Podcasting Is Shifting Sports Media

In 2018, Kevin Jones felt launching a localized podcast network built around…
August 25, 2020

With over 160 podcasts featuring athletes like Carter, Olsen and Chiney Ogwumike, Blue Wire has raised $9 million in capital from investors including Wynn, ex-NBA All-Star Baron Davis, Dot Capital and 500 Startups. Blue Wire expects to hit over 50 million downloads this year. 

Jones said he’s already declined several offers to remain independent:  “We’re still super young; 2-½ years old; 30-person team. We really believe in our vision. So [Blue Wire’s] not for sale.”

Meanwhile, Carter declined to comment on his sudden departure from Fox in 2019, where he co-hosted FS1’s weekday morning show “First Things First.” 

But agent Maury Gostfrand of The Montag Group confirmed Carter wants to return to TV on a more regular basis. Since leaving Fox, he’s done TV features for NFL Network and Epix.

“If the right opportunity and the right fit presents itself with the NFL, yes, me and my agent would sit down and weigh the options,” Carter said. “We have a number of things on our plate right now that are game-related; NFL-related. So we’re still in the broadcast business.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

World Series Delivers 7-Year Ratings Record, Marking MLB’s Big Comeback

Viewership of the five-game win by the Dodgers soared by 74% over last year.

World Series Game 4 Draws 16.7M Viewers, Up 92% From 2023

The average audience of 16.7 million nearly doubles the comparable figure from last year.

Lululemon-Fanatics Collab With NHL Sees ‘Explosive’ First-Day Sales

The premium collection made up 80% of all NHL merch sales.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

First-Ever 12-Team CFP Takes Shape

0:00

Featured Today

Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump waves flanked by former Georgia Bulldogs player Herschel Walker, recording art Kid Rock, professional golfer John Daily, Alabama senators Tommy Tuberville (R) and Katie Britt (R) during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Mission Swing State: College Football’s Political Advertising Battle

Trump, Harris, and the PACs that support them are utilizing the sport.
October 31, 2024

The Untapped Revenue ‘Powder Keg’ of Women’s NFL Fandom

There’s a “boatload” of money at stake for brands and the league.
Oct 19, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) shakes hands while entering the locker room after a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
October 28, 2024

NIL Director Is the Trendy New Job in College Sports. But the Role Is Chaos

Athletic departments nationwide are hiring for what’s become their most important position.
FuboTV signage
opinion
October 26, 2024

Fubo’s Fight Against Streaming Giants Feels Futile

Fubo notched a legal win, but subs and stock still slump.

How the Chiefs Are Prepping for Year 2 of Taylor Swift Mania

The pop star is expected to attend more games this season.
Olivia Moody
August 4, 2021

Colin Cowherd’s New Podcast Network Going All-In On Sports Betting

With sports betting rapidly legalizing, Colin Cowherd’s The Volume podcast network is hiring Olivia Moody, a.k.a. ‘Liv Moods,’ from Bookit Sports.
Actor Vince Vaughn throws out first pitch at Chicago Cubs game
exclusive
December 9, 2022

Vince Vaughn, Greg Olsen’s New Company Eyeing Financing

Greg Olsen and actor Vince Vaughn’s new company has launched first two podcasts.
Sponsored

World Series Delivers High-Demand Marquee Matchup

The hype around the World Series matchup drove ticket prices to record levels—but the Dodgers’ dominance quickly quieted the fervor.
September 24, 2020

Office Hours: Alex Magleby, co-founder and CEO of the New England Free..

Alex Magleby, the New England Free Jacks co-founder and CEO, is bullish on rugby’s future in the U.S. and Major League Rugby.
August 13, 2020

Office Hours: Bart Conner, Owner of Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy and Former..

Bart Conner is the only American male gymnast to win a gold medal at every level of national and international competition.
July 22, 2020

Office Hours: Devon Kennard, Real Estate Investor

Devon Kennard has found success on and off the field with a multi-million dollar real estate portfolio that includes 14 different properties.
July 7, 2020

Office Hours: Isaac Rochell, Founder, Local Human

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Isaac Rochell, Los Angeles Chargers defensive end and founder of apparel company Local Human.