Beyond the 11 · Episode 10

Sport Has Grown Up (And Lost Something)

with Scott French, Veteran sports journalist

3 November 202612 minHosted by Shaun Harris & Kevin Meredith

The short version

Scott French on sport's growing corporatism, gambling, analytics and the decline of sports writing.

Veteran sports journalist

A veteran of Southern California sports journalism and one of America's longest-serving soccer writers.
Decades covering MLS, US and international soccer, several World Cups and the Olympic Games, including Sydney 2000.
Was at the LA Galaxy when David Beckham arrived, and contributed to a recent book on soccer in Los Angeles.

You look at the history of soccer in this country, and it'll be before David Beckham and after David Beckham.
Scott French · Episode 10
It's just become a corporate entity rather than a competition.
Scott French · Episode 10
Great sports writing is great writing.
Scott French · Episode 10

Lines from the recorded conversation, lightly edited for length.

Short cuts from the conversation, straight from our Instagram. Tap a clip to play it.

ReelOnly hockey got better since the 1970sLoading the clip…

Only hockey got better since the 1970sScott French · Episode 10
ReelFans need too many streaming subscriptionsLoading the clip…

Fans need too many streaming subscriptionsScott French · Episode 10

Want the full conversation?

Question one, left by Misha Sher

"What are you building today that will still matter when the thing you're currently known for is gone?"