Owned with Rex Chapman

SmartLess Media | Wondery

Buckle up for a wild trip behind the scenes of one of the most exclusive clubs on earth: the world of professional sports owners. A mix of comedy, tragedy, and everything in between, OWNED is the first podcast ever to take listeners way above the court or field into the luxury boxes where billionaires roam. Each week, former NBA player (and current Twitter all-star) Rex Chapman is joined by a cast of reporters, athletes, and comedians to dissect the politics, scandals, and scores of these eccentric moguls who hold our hopes and dreams in their hands. It is fun, funny, dynamic, surprising, and based on incredible stories; a hybrid talk show that combines the wit and flair of SmartLess with the reporting, storytelling, and production muscle of Campside Media, creators of hit shows like Chameleon: Wild Boys, and Suspect.

read less

Our Editor's Take

Rex Chapman has had one of the most interesting careers of any pro athlete in recent memory. A vaunted NBA player during his career, he became big on Twitter after his retirement. With Owned with Rex Chapman, the veteran player and commentator is a compelling podcast host.

Chapman is one of the most storied players in Kentucky Wildcats history. He played professionally in the NBA for twelve years. Chapman shared the court with legends like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal. After beginning his NBA career in 1988, Chapman retired due to injuries in 2000. He then began a secondary career as a sports broadcaster and commentator.

Owned with Rex Chapman focuses on an area of professional sports that rarely comes up. That would be the motivations, desires, and goals of those who own sports teams. Getting an owner to sit down for an interview is often very challenging for various reasons. Chapman's podcast manages to do so.

This podcast utilizes two episode structures. In the first type of episode, Chapman sits down with an owner or part-owner of a sports team. People such as Hollywood star Natalie Portman and author John Green have been guests on the podcast. The other type of episode sees a guest panel discussing a sports team or franchise owner. One of the more notable episodes in this style is a two-part series on WWE owner Vince McMahon. In that instance, the panel of guests will often comprise people with a connection to the owner. In the second episode of the WWE series, comedian Run Funches is one of the guests. He was a writer for the pro wrestling enterprise and worked for them while still doing comedy.

Owned with Rex Chapman premieres new podcast episodes weekly on Mondays.

read less

SportsSports

Play Trailer

Introducing: Owned

Introducing: Owned

Buckle up for a wild trip behind the scenes of one of the most exclusive clubs on earth: the world of professional sports owners. A mix of comedy, tragedy, and everything in between, OWNED is the first podcast ever to take listeners way above the court or field into the luxury boxes where billionaires roam. Each week, former NBA player (and current Twitter all-star) Rex Chapman is joined by a cast of reporters, athletes, and comedians to dissect the politics, scandals, and scores of these eccentric moguls who hold our hopes and dreams in their hands. It is fun, funny, dynamic, surprising, and based on incredible stories; a hybrid talk show that combines the wit and flair of SmartLess with the reporting, storytelling, and production muscle of Campside Media, creators of hit shows like Chameleon: Wild Boys, and Suspect.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

Eugene Melnyk, Ottawa Senators (with Ian Mendes and Jon Dore)

Eugene Melnyk, Ottawa Senators (with Ian Mendes and Jon Dore)

Eugene Melnyk once saved the Ottawa Senators from possibly needing to leave Canada but then spent the rest of his time as owner, causing chaos at every turn! We dive into this very complicated man with The Athletic's Ian Mendes and comedian Jon Dore. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Al Davis, The Oakland Raiders (with Anjelah Johnson-Reyes and Hondo Carpenter)

Al Davis, The Oakland Raiders (with Anjelah Johnson-Reyes and Hondo Carpenter)

Arguably, nobody has embodied the spirit of his team more than Al Davis did with the Rrrrrraiders. This week we have comedian (and former Raiders Cheerleaders!) Anjelah Johnson-Reyes and journalist Hondo Carpenter on to talk all things Raider Nation! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Abe Saperstein, The Harlem Globetrotters (with Matt Walsh and Ben Green)

Abe Saperstein, The Harlem Globetrotters (with Matt Walsh and Ben Green)

This week, we've got the shortest man in basketball Hall of Fame, Harlem Globetrotters founder Abe Saperstein! What better way to commemorate the Globetrotters than with comedian Matt Walsh, who actually spent time teaching the globetrotters improv! Plus, we talk to author and professor Ben Green about the history of the Globetrotters, and how Abe might not be the founder everyone thinks he is! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Art Modell, The Cleveland Browns (with Dave Hill and Andre Knott)

Art Modell, The Cleveland Browns (with Dave Hill and Andre Knott)

We're talking about the man who moved (and maybe cursed) the Browns! Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore in 1996 and earned a spot as one of the most hated men in Cleveland. We're talking to Cleveland sports broadcaster Andre Knott and comedian Dave Hill about how the move went down and if Art Modell really is to blame! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jerry Reinsdorf, The Chicago Bulls (with Ike Barinholtz)

Jerry Reinsdorf, The Chicago Bulls (with Ike Barinholtz)

Jerry Reinsdorf! The owner behind the 90s Bulls Dynasty! Ike Barinholtz joins the show to talk about Reinsdorf, Jerry Krause, and of course, Michael Jordan See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Harold Ballard, The Toronto Maple Leafs with (Will Arnett and Sean McIndoe)

Harold Ballard, The Toronto Maple Leafs with (Will Arnett and Sean McIndoe)

Perhaps the most iconic bad owner in NHL history! This week, we're talking Harold Ballard with very special guest Will Arnett and The Athletics Sean McIndoe. We talk Ballard's coupe to become the Maple Leaf's owner, his time living inside the Maple Leaf's arena, and all the other crazy stuff he did while he owned the team. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bill Dwyer, The New York Americans (with Chris Distefano and John Joe McGinley)

Bill Dwyer, The New York Americans (with Chris Distefano and John Joe McGinley)

This week, we're taking a time machine back to prohibition-era New York City to discuss the life of sports team owner (and Irish Mobster) Bill Dwyer. Dwyer owned a number of different teams, and when he wasn't in jail, he somtimes was actually a good owner. Comedian and history fan Chris Distefano joins the show with Irish historian and author John Joe McGinley to break down Dwyer's legacy. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guy Laliberte, Cirque Du Soleil, (with Joyelle Johnson, "Celine Dion" and Courtney Bassett)

Guy Laliberte, Cirque Du Soleil, (with Joyelle Johnson, "Celine Dion" and Courtney Bassett)

Yes, Cirque du Soleil is a sport. You try backflipping through the air! And yes, the owner and creator of Cirque du Soleil is just as colorful as you'd expect. This week, we're talking about Guy Laliberte, creator and former owner of Cirque du Soleil. To help us talk about Laliberte, comedian Joyelle Johnson joins the show to tell us about how she was almost a Cirque du Soeli clown herself! Plus...a very special guest. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Silvio Berlusconi, AC Milan (with The Cooligans Podcast)

Silvio Berlusconi, AC Milan (with The Cooligans Podcast)

Some have called him the Italian Trump, or maybe Trump is the American Berlusconi... In any case, we're talking about former AC Milan owner and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Berlusconi has quite the history, and we walk through it with Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros of The Cooligans Podcast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dan Snyder, The Washington Commanders (with Lewis Black and Dave McKenna)

Dan Snyder, The Washington Commanders (with Lewis Black and Dave McKenna)

Is Dan Snyder the worst owner in sports? It's certainly a conversation! We talk to Dave McKenna, a journalist who has gone to battle with Snyder countless times and has actually been sued by Snyder for a piece he wrote! Then we talk to comedian Lewis Black about what it's been like rooting for a Snyder-owned team all these years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mukesh Ambani, Mumbai Indians (with Vir Das and the Grade Cricketer Podcast)

Mukesh Ambani, Mumbai Indians (with Vir Das and the Grade Cricketer Podcast)

How did it take us this long to get to the richest owner in sports?! This week, we're talking about Mukesh Ambani, the billionaire owner of the Mumbai Indians' cricket team. We talk to Ian Higgins and Sam Perry of the Grade Cricketer Podcast about the rise of the Indian Premier League and Ambani's involvement in the IPL. Then we talk to Vir Das about his experience performing standup at Ambani's house!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kelly Loeffler, The Atlanta Dream (with Renee Montgomery and Jordan Ligons Robinson)

Kelly Loeffler, The Atlanta Dream (with Renee Montgomery and Jordan Ligons Robinson)

Did you know a WNBA team helped flip the Senate? That's right, we’re talking about Kelly Loeffler, former US Senator and former owner of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. Jordan Robinson joins the show to talk all things Loeffler, and then current Atlanta Dream owner and former Atlanta Dream player Renee Montgomery joins the show to tell us how the team has moved forward.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mason Gordon and Mike Tollin, Slamball (with Mason Gordon, Mike Tollin, and Blake Griffin)

Mason Gordon and Mike Tollin, Slamball (with Mason Gordon, Mike Tollin, and Blake Griffin)

Get your trampoline ready because this week we're talking SLAMBALL! What is Slamball? Well, it's a combination of basketball, football, and hockey played on a court full of trampolines. We're talking to the two people crazy enough to think this sport up, plus NBA star and legendary dunker Blake Griffin, about what it's like to invent a sport. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert Kraft, The New England Patriots (with Sam Jay and Seth Wickersham)

Robert Kraft, The New England Patriots (with Sam Jay and Seth Wickersham)

We’re talking about the man at the head of one of the greatest dynasties in sports, Patriots owner Robert Kraft! Rex talks to comedian Sam Jay and author Seth Wickersham about Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and the wild ride that is the Patriots dynasty under Kraft.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Owned Bonus Episode: Owning a minor league basketball team with Shawn Pratt

Owned Bonus Episode: Owning a minor league basketball team with Shawn Pratt

Another bonus episode! Rex and Nicole sit down with Shawn Pratt, community organizer, and ABA team owner. Shawn owns two teams, including the only ABA team in Brooklyn, the Coney Island Thunder!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mikhail Prokhorov, Brooklyn Nets (with David Greene and Adam Pally)

Mikhail Prokhorov, Brooklyn Nets (with David Greene and Adam Pally)

This week, we’re talking about the infamous Mikhail Prokhorov, former owner of the Brooklyn Nets and current Russian oligarch! Comedian, actor, and hoops head Adam Pally comes on with NPR’s former Moscow correspondent David Greene to break down Prokhorov’s short but illustrious time as the Nets owner.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Howard Schultz, Seattle Supersonics (with Gary Payton and Kenny Mayne)

Howard Schultz, Seattle Supersonics (with Gary Payton and Kenny Mayne)

This week, we’re talking about the man who built Starbucks, Howard Schultz. In addition to making burnt coffee famous and running for President in 2020, Schultz also made a name for himself by owning the Seattle Supersonics. He is, by and large, the person most blamed for the Supersonics moving to Oklahoma City. It's safe to say the people of Seattle have not gotten over that one. We talk to Supersonics legend Gary Payton and sports broadcasting legend Kenny Mayne about all things Schultz.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Shaquille O'Neal, Everything (with Shaq)

Shaquille O'Neal, Everything (with Shaq)

We're talking to a titan in business and sports this week! Shaquille O'Neal joins the show to talk about his post-basketball business career. Shaq talks about lessons he learned about financial literacy, the worst business idea he's been pitched, and even his goal of owning an NBA team one day.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Owned Bonus Episode: The Crypto Organization That Wants To Buy an NBA Team (with Flex Chapman)

Owned Bonus Episode: The Crypto Organization That Wants To Buy an NBA Team (with Flex Chapman)

Bonus episode alert! Rex is joined by the head of the Krause House DAO, a crypto organization with the goal of owning an NBA team one day! Get this...the guy who started it...is named Flex Chapman.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury (with Mat Ishbia)

Mat Ishbia, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury (with Mat Ishbia)

This week, we've got a BIG ONE! Rex sits down with the new Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury owner Mat Ishbia. Ishbia tells Rex and Nicole about his journey from Michigan State walk-on to earning a scholarship, taking over his dad's mortgage company, and finally purchasing the Suns and the Mercury! Plus....Rex has a little news about himself and the Phoenix Suns.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.