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Joon Lee on the Cost of Being a Sports Fan
Former ESPN journalist Joon Lee joins Sportly host Kavida Davidson for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about what comes after leaving the sports media “mothership” and why the industry is undergoing a fundamental shift. Lee reflects on being laid off from ESPN, how the brand continues to shape credibility long after his departure, and why sports media has become increasingly decentralized. He breaks down the real cost of being a sports fan today, from fragmented streaming services and rising ticket prices to the quiet erosion of community that once made sports a shared cultural experience. The conversation dives deep into Joon Lee’s New York Times op-eds on sports affordability and sports gambling, including how private equity, streaming wars, and legalized betting are reshaping leagues, journalism, and fan trust. Lee also explains why he declines gambling sponsorships on his YouTube channel, what accountability means in the creator economy, and why trust, not outrage, may be the most valuable currency in modern sports media. Plus, Joon Lee shares behind-the-scenes insight into his viral NASCAR video with Jimmie Johnson, what it taught him about athleticism and fear, and why YouTube, not traditional media, is where he sees the future of sports journalism. A thoughtful, unsparing look at fandom, money, media, and what we lose when sports become inaccessible. Host: Kavitha A. Davison | Producer: Paroma Chakravarty I Executive Producer: Saadia Khan | Fact Checking and Research: Paroma Chakravarty I Sound Designer & Editor: Paroma Chakravarty I Immigrantly Theme Music: Simon Hutchinson | Other Music: Epidemic Sound | Cover Art Graphic Designer: Sarah DiMichele Want to go deeper into your own identity? Download Belong on Your Own Terms, the app helping first-gen, second-gen, and third-culture kids reclaim belonging on their own terms. link below http://studio.com/saadia Join us as we create new intellectual engagement for our audience. You can get more information at http://immigrantlypod.com Please share the love and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify to help more people find us! Remember to subscribe to our Apple podcast channel for insightful podcasts. You can reach the host, Kavitha, at kavitha@immigrantlypod.com Follow us on TikTok @immigrantly Sportly is an Immigrantly Media Production For advertising inquiries, you can contact us at info@immigrantlypod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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