Anyone who follows sports knows money is at the crux of, well, everything. What Matthew Futterman details, and what George Newbern clearly describes, is the genesis of how money took root in the games we love. Newburn's storytelling abilities help give an identity to the real-life characters in many athletic, marketing, and contractual endeavors. Futterman's narrative is fascinating; it's not bogged down in too many statistics. Newbern's narration fits the story well--with the right amount of intonation, surprise, and inflection. Chapters include a variety of topics: Catfish Hunter's battle over an annuity in baseball, the founding of a sports academy, and the biography of vanguard agent Mark McCormack are three of the best ones, with Newbern keeping perfect pace.
Pub Date: April 26, 2016
Duration: 10 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781508212843
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Klosterman's keenness for the controversial pastime is on full display in this insightful audiobook.
Culture critic Klosterman narrates his latest audiobook, deconstructing the history and appeal of football. Klosterman's no voice pro, and this production is unpolished. But what he lacks in professional veneer he makes up for with intimate enthusiasm for his subject. Klosterman reflects deeply on his lifelong fandom, especially on how the sport has survived for so long in the public consciousness, yet faces a crossroads as public media consumption shifts drastically and awareness of traumatic brain injuries expand. The result is a rough, bare-bones listening experience, but Klosterman remains a good storyteller in any format.
Klosterman's keenness for the controversial pastime is on full display in this insightful audiobook.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217282166
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 9, 2026
Two men from the basketball pantheon team up to deliver these biographical portraits that are less a ranking and more a snapshot of their game. Smith, a longtime sportswriter, and Jackson, the venerable coach and "Zen master," work in tandem narrating their writing. Nayib Felix sets the tone with the introductory part of each player's bio, then Smith and Jackson each weigh in with their perspectives and anecdotes. Felix is a pro. And while Smith and Jackson are definitely not polished narrators, they lend an authenticity to the audiobook. The narration covers older players from decades ago as well as modern ones. Fans will enjoy the audiobook's banter and conversation.
Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2025
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217169351
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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