Parsons’ and Samuels’ shows have potential connections to TNT Sports’ college football playoff games it’s sublicensing from ESPN starting in 2026. Spector sees TNT Sports’ NASCAR, French Open, and Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball coverage as opportunities for other video podcasts, but they also give Bleacher Report more information on how to connect fans throughout its platforms.
“Bleacher Report, at its core, is a data company in that we have a treasure trove of over a decade of personalized data coming through our pipes to tell us this many millions of people want fantasy football content, this many millions of people want fashion content, and so on,” Spector said. “We can deliver them bespoke content at a moment’s notice … so it’s a beautiful thing where the fans inform Micah. Micah then can create content around it, and we can give that to the fans in a personalized way.”
Parsons and other active players also give that ecosystem a chance to interact with a demographic that retired players typically don’t reach. During this year’s NFL Draft, Parsons brought in reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud, to watch the Cowboys pick Parsons’ future teammates in real-time. He brought on Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts just as the Falcons were drafting their picks.
While that gives WBD and Bleacher Report greater access to active players and their engaged fans, it gives hosts like Parsons a head start on life after the game. Parsons takes the old cliche that the NFL stands for “Not For Long” to heart, noting that he’s already in the fourth year of a professional football career that typically lasts just 3.3 years on average.
He looks at former NFL athletes, including Amazon announcers Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman—each of whom has mentioned they wish they had started their broadcast careers earlier—and realizes the opportunities available to his generation of players. It’s a break he has no intention of fumbling.
“I’m getting more comfortable. I’m getting more dialogue,” Parsons said. “Hopefully, I get seven years’ worth of experience before I even get there, but I know that opportunity will be there for me post-football.”
