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Imagine coming home from work, turning on TV and watching analysts who dissect everything you did wrong that day. This is life for professional athletes.
“People always have thoughts about what we can do better,” says dear Knicks Star (yes, star) Josh Hart. “They even have narratives for you and your game.”
But in the Podcast era, where anyone can get a friend and athletes to have direct access to their lantern, many are taking control of their stories. Here are boys like Matt Hillman.
As a great basketball team, an excellent sporting podcast thrives when everyone plays their role. You need the talent of the superstar that attracts the crowd, the comedy boy who holds high energy and, of course, the mandatory white boy.
As co-awaiter of Podcast roommates Alongside the stars of Knicks Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Hillman embraces that role. But in reality, he is much more.
“We wanted someone we could see as a long -term partner, be around and who wouldn't do it for them,” Hart says. “We both trust Matt, and to be honest, if we didn't have a 3rd person, the dialogue could go from the rails very quickly,” Brunson added. “You never know with jesh.”
Hillman and Hart's partnership began in high school, where they played in the same team and lived together. While Hillman followed the Division III basketball, he knew his future was not in court but remained connected to the game, often visiting the map in Villanova -Where he also met with their future co-jale, Jalen Brunson.
After the college, Hillman moved to LA, randomly reunited with the map after being designed by Lakers. While Hillman built his career – eventually establishing and selling his marketing firm, Cut and Sew, at Gamesquare Esports – they continued to cooperate, including on on SparseOne of the first podcasts organized by an active NBA player.
H (e) art on hype
“At the beginning of his career, it was clear that Josh had a prominent personality and the potential to get to know beyond basketball,” says Hillman. “He had that kind of star quality.”
Recognizing the opportunity, they started Sparsepositioning themselves as pioneers in the athlete media space now in bloom. “What attracts people is the value of a player's perspective,” Hillman explains. “Traditional media plays a vital role, but journalists bring their opinions. Listening directly from players offers another level of penetration.”
Think about this-ua would you better hear a winning game blow: a TV analyst or someone who was actually in court?
Return to Sparse day, an active player Awaiting a podcast It was a rarity. Now, brands are very likely when it comes to athlete -led shows, making it less about reducing a big name and more about building a particular identity.
Hillman believes Roommate distinguished because of Organic “brotherhood” He-and especially his co-hosts-feel.
“Their resident, those unexpected tangents, like when we are in the middle of the interview and they suddenly begin to argue for Josh's Lissi,” Hillman says. “This is what people love because it is authenticly. We do not shorten or edit those moments – we hug them.”
Beyond his role in the air, Hillman serves as a bridge between the map, Brunson and the potential brand partners. Most of his work involves filtering opportunities, whether choosing the right guests or approximating brands that make sense to the Knick duo.
“I am really great in creating partnerships that feel organic and approximate what boys do,” he shares.
A main example came earlier this season when Hart and Brunson I was told WITHIN Turtle ninja teenagers mutant-Themes of prepared clothing to promote exclusivity collaboration with Fortnite.
“It is about understanding what works for them, especially their annoying schedules, and making sure that partnerships feel natural than as a daily job,” says Hillman.
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Press your way
He brings that same mentality TrailThe Fitness Influencer Agency he founded last year. While based on social media for fitness advice, diet and recovery, Hillman noticed that many senior creators – despite having millions of followers – lacked management.
Acknowledging that the influence of fitness had appeared as a phenomenon behind the Kovid, with coaches shifting to digital content after losing customers within persons, he saw an opportunity. He started Trail To help these creators navigate the business side of their platforms, using his experience with professional athletes to support the rapid growth of health and fitness.
nevertheless Roommate AND Trail It may seem like separate ventures, Hillman sees them as deeply connected.
“When we bring a brand over RoommateI build relationships that can lie in Trail and its influencers, and vice versa, “he says.” After all, the more Roommate grows, the better it is for the show, the boys, my self and everything in our orbit – including Trail“
Image Credit: Podcast of roommates
What began as a way for Hart and Brunson to display their personalities has evolved into a lucrative enterprise for all involved – from the players themselves to the brands they collaborate with.
“The most open experience for me was our Live event at Central Park,” Brunson says. “We had 5,000 people to go out to support the show, and they didn't even leave when it rained.”
Although they have joked for podcasting being their own ”real work“Both Marts and Brunson admit that podcast is only possible because of what they do in court. Despite its success, they make an aware effort not to take it too seriously.
“First and most importantly, we want to continue enjoying it,” Brunson says. “That said, our eyes are really open to the potential of roommates as a business, and we are excited about what is ahead.”