This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.houseofstrauss.comBomani Jones is here and suddenly without constraints. We had a great conversation on sports industry topics, many of which we were able to get to by using the Damian Lillard/Le Batard/Woj situation as a jumping off point. Oh, and below we’re testing out a more complete podcast outline, put together by Sam Schuette. Pod subjects include but aren’t limited to:* Individual branding* After leaving ESPN, becoming your own brand as a journalist* ESPN equity stakes to NBA and NFL* Desperation? Inability to compete with big tech* Chess move? Leagues could be going for established networks after failed NBA TV* NFL has leverage over ESPN, no need to make deal* NFL’s popularity over other leagues* Good balance of variance and predictability in the NFL makes it exciting* Regular season matters more in NFL which piques interest all year long* Lillard trade/Woj drama* How did Woj’s relationship with Lillard’s agent influence his reports?* Lillard’s situation reflective of shift in players’ status in how they get to pick their next destination even when under contract* Different types of journalism (Windy vs Woj)* Windhorst: brings fans behind the scenes* Woj: more focused on breaking the big news first* White guys in the NBA* Tyler Herro undervalued because he’s white?* Whiteness can be a detriment to how a player’s perceived when he’s below average, but an asset when he’s good (x-cubed analogy)* White Americans vs white Europeans (guys who connect with media vs foreigners perceived as outsiders)* Many white Americans grow up in predominately white areas (where it’s more socially acceptable for a white guy to aim for the NBA)* Taylor Swift male audience* Recent influx of male audience members at Swift concerts, particularly among Gen-Z* Do guys actually care about her music or is it just a way for them to get a date?* Jonathan Ogden story (some guys simply enjoy the music, even those you’d least expect)* Messi in Miami* Miami is an ideal location because of Argentine population* It’s an “events” city* Will be tough to because few fans care about the team, only Messi himself* Running back salary* Running backs supposedly underpaid* Complicated by the fact that RB’s often leave their primes when they’re up for free agency* In multiple sports, CBA’s complicate players salaries and create disconnect between max contract players versus role players* Bomani addressing naysayers* TV show ratings* Unpredictable takes (sometimes traditionally left-wing, sometimes not)* What’s it like to have your career discussed as a proxy for wokeness