Takeline

Crooked Media

Takeline is a weekly podcast hosted by Jason Concepcion that’s a fast-paced exploration of the NBA and world of sports and culture. Each week Jason talks about the games, players, controversies and issues that run both on and off the court. The show will be a place for lively debates, guests (experts and super fans), and contributors who will provide game analysis, get deep into the storylines and will give the audience a chance to learn everything they didn’t even know about the games. New episodes every Tuesday! read less

Our Editor's Take

Takeline is a high-energy podcast about the NBA. It aired in 2021 and 2022. The hosts of the show are Jason Concepcion and Renee Montgomery.

Concepcion is a self-described NBA "superfan" and a writer. In collaboration with Crooked Media, he hosts a number of podcasts. Some are on pop culture, and some are on the NBA. He brings humor and enthusiasm to all his projects.

Takeline cohost Montgomery is a former WNBA player. After retiring as a player, she became part-owner of the Atlanta Dream. Concepcion and Montgomery have lots of guests on the show. Comedian Jamel Johnson and sports journalist Jordan Ligons are regulars. So is Golden State Warrior Jordan Poole. Zach Harper of The Athletic also joins them for a chat. The conversations are lively, engaging, and sometimes irreverent. In one episode, Concepcion and Johnson discuss the NBA Media Day that will live in infamy.

The podcast hosts update listeners on the latest games, team strategies, and trades. They consider the reasons why the Eagles are still undefeated. They analyze the Knicks' new style of gameplay. They share the latest Brittney Griner news. They wonder why Draymond Green has issues with teammates like Poole.

Takeline is a podcast about the NBA, but listeners can also expect its hosts to talk about other sports. Los Angeles Football Club midfielder Kellyn Acosta talks about the LAFC's season. The cohosts discuss the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo. The NFL and MLB are frequent subjects of conversation. In one episode, the hosts provide a recap of the US Open.

People who like staying abreast of what's happening in sports will appreciate Takeline. While the talk is mostly about NBA and WNBA news, the hosts mention soccer, tennis, football, or baseball in every episode. Concepcion and Montgomery love all team sports and want to share their passion with their listeners. While the podcast is no longer making new episodes, basketball fans can enjoy this archive.

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Takeline with Jason Concepcion
Feb 26 2021
Takeline with Jason Concepcion
Introducing Takeline, the newest podcast from Crooked Media. Takeline is a weekly podcast hosted by Jason Concepcion that’s a fast-paced exploration of the NBA and world of sports and culture. Each week Jason talks with guests about the games, players, controversies and issues that run both on and off the court. The show will be a place for lively debates, guests (experts and super fans), and contributors who will provide game analysis, get deep into the storylines and will give the audience a chance to learn everything they didn’t even know about the games. Subscribe now! New episodes drop every Tuesday.Subscribe to Takeline on Youtube for exclusive content including ALL CAPS NBA: http://youtube.com/takelineshowFollow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

Episodes

The Takeline Series Finale
Nov 15 2022
The Takeline Series Finale
All good things come to an end! On this series finale episode of Takeline, Jason is joined by three of his rotating co hosts, Zach Harper (The Athletic) Jordan Ligons (Spinsters podcast) and Jamel Johnson (Air Buds, Sorry We Love Football), to offer one last round of hot takes on the sports world. Then, super producers Zuri Irvin and Ryan Wallerson join the fray for one last Take Survivor.
The Greatest MLS Game Ever + Houston Astros Redeem Team
Nov 8 2022
The Greatest MLS Game Ever + Houston Astros Redeem Team
What a sports weekend! The World Series ended with a Houston Astros victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in six games and the Major League Soccer season ended with Los Angeles Football Club’s first championship. Jamel Johnson (Air Buds, Sorry We Love Football) returns this week, alongside guests Will Kuntz (LAFC asst. general manager) and MLB.com’s Will Leitch, who join to take us into the MLB and MLS championships.
The Knicks’ New Blueprint + How the Eagles Remain Undefeated
Nov 1 2022
The Knicks’ New Blueprint + How the Eagles Remain Undefeated
Jason Concepcion joins special guest Jamel Johnson (Air Buds, Sorry We Love Football), alongside The Athletic's Fred Katz and Zach Berman. Fred Katz, Knicks beat reporter, checks in to explain why the team is moving both backwards and forwards. Zach Berman, Eagles beat reporter, joins the show with a temperature check on the Philadelphia Eagles and their chances of a perfect. Jason and Jamel discuss Kyrie Irving and how to combat conspiracy theories.
Surprises From the NBA's Opening Week
Oct 25 2022
Surprises From the NBA's Opening Week
Welcome to a NBA and Athletic heavy edition of Takeline. Jason Concepcion and the great Zach Harper, NBA insider extraordinaire for the Athletic, dissect the early season struggles of the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers, then Zach’s fellow NBA Insider at the Athletic John Hollinger joins the episode to share his thoughts on the first week of the NBA season and major storylines for the 2022 NBA campaign.
LAFC MLS Playoff Preview + Messi & Ronaldo's Era Defining Rivalry
Oct 18 2022
LAFC MLS Playoff Preview + Messi & Ronaldo's Era Defining Rivalry
It's a soccer themed episode of Takeline this week. Kellyn Acosta, midfielder for Los Angeles Football Club and United Stated Men’s National Team, comes on Takeline to discuss LAFC’s regular season success, preview the MLS playoffs and look forward to the World Cup. Then, we’re joined by Wall Street Journalists Josh Robinson and John Clegg, the co-authors of the new book "Messi vs. Ronaldo: One Rivalry, Two GOATs, and the Era That Remade the World's Game," a deep dive into the careers of the two football legends as their careers enter their respective twilights.
World Corrupt Episode 1: A Toxic Love Affair between Politics and Sports
Oct 15 2022
World Corrupt Episode 1: A Toxic Love Affair between Politics and Sports
This fall, when the eyes of the world turn towards Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a shadow looms over the tournament, which is one of the most watched events in the world. The sports landscape being co-opted for geo-political and corporate gain is nothing new, but this year's iteration of football's biggest competition may be the most expensive example to date. Pod Save the World’s Tommy Vietor and Roger Bennett of Men in Blazers join forces to unravel the riddle of how to enjoy the game we love while holding the powers that control it accountable for their corruptive policies and practices. On this inaugural episode of World Corrupt, a collaboration from Men in Blazers Media Network and Crooked Media, the two hosts share the memories that helped them first fall in love with soccer, while also looking back into the annals of history at past instances of a phenomenon known as "sportswashing.”
The Fallout of Draymond Green's Sucker Punch on Jordan Poole
Oct 11 2022
The Fallout of Draymond Green's Sucker Punch on Jordan Poole
Hello and welcome back to Takeline! Jason Concepcion and Jamel Johnson (Air Buds and Sorry We Love Football podcasts), along with producers Ryan Wallerson And Zuri Irvin, discuss the events of MLB Wild Card weekend and week 10 of the English Premier League. Then Anthony Slater, Golden State Warriors insider for the Athletic, takes the duo through the events and fallout of last week's altercation between Jordan Poole and Draymond Green.
NBA Preseason Begins + NFL Week Four In Review
Oct 4 2022
NBA Preseason Begins + NFL Week Four In Review
Hello, and welcome back to Takeline! Jason Concepcion is flying solo this week, but has got a great show lined up for you that spans the sports spectrum from football (soccer) to football (NFL) with some NBA in between. Jake Fischer, Senior NBA Reporter for Yahoo Sports, will joins the pod to discuss the latest transactions and storylines around the association as the NBA preseason picks up. Then Jason reunites with his old coworker Kevin Clark, the Ringer’s senior NFL writer, to discuss the happenings of week four in the National Football League. But first, Super producer Ryan Wallerson and I will talk talk soccer on both sides of the Atlantic, and then he helps me unpack my disappointment over the Mets' late season collapse in Atlanta over the weekend.
The Most Awkward NBA Media Day of All Time
Sep 27 2022
The Most Awkward NBA Media Day of All Time
Alongside host Jason Concepcion, comedian and podcaster Jamel Johnson (Air Buds, Sorry We Love Football) joins the show to discuss the fracas from this year's NBA Media Day. Later, NBA staff writer Jared Weiss (The Athletic) joins the show to help unpack situation between now suspended Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. The team held a press conference to announce Udoka’s suspension Friday. Finally, senior NFL reporter Kalyn Kahler (The Athletic) hops on to recap Week 3 of the NFL season.
Robert Sarver’s Suspension + Brett Favre Defrauds Mississippi + Aaron Judge’s Home Run Chase
Sep 20 2022
Robert Sarver’s Suspension + Brett Favre Defrauds Mississippi + Aaron Judge’s Home Run Chase
On this week's Takeline, Jason Concepcion is back and refreshed from vacation and excited to be back at the helm of the show. Tania Ganguli, NBA reporter for The New York Times joins to discuss the investigation into and suspension of Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, Anna Wolfe, of Mississippi Today, shares her incredible reporting on former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, who attempted to shepherd a proposal to use welfare funds on the construction of a new volleyball stadium for retired NFL player Brett Favre. The show wraps up with MLB.com reporter Mark Feinsand, who helps Jason put New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge’s triple crown and Yankees home run record chase into context.
WNBA Finals Game 1 + U.S. Open Recap + 2022 NFL Fantasy Football Advice
Sep 13 2022
WNBA Finals Game 1 + U.S. Open Recap + 2022 NFL Fantasy Football Advice
Welcome to another episode of Takeline! On this week's podcast, Jordan Ligons and Jamel Johnson hold the fort down for Jason Concepcion as he continues to enjoy some well-deserved R&R. The duo discuss the WNBA Finals match up between the Las Vegas Aces and the Connecticut Sun. Then, Ben Rothenberg of Racquet Magazine helps recount events of the U.S. Open, which came to a close on Sunday and finally, and the show wraps up with a fantasy football discussion with Chris Towers of CBS Sports.
Utah Jazz Trade Donovan Mitchell + 2022 NFL Season Preview
Sep 7 2022
Utah Jazz Trade Donovan Mitchell + 2022 NFL Season Preview
Welcome to a special post Labor Day edition of Takeline. Jamel Johnson, host of the "Air Buds" and "Sorry We Love Football" podcasts, and Zach Harper of the Athletic host this week's episode while Jason Concepcion enjoys a well deserved week off.  The Donovan Mitchell Saga ended with the Utah Jazz trading the Spyda to the Cleveland instead of the New York Knicks as widely expected, and Eric Walden of the Salt Lake City Tribune joins Takeline to help make sense of it all. Jamel and Zach then preview the upcoming NFL season with Jamel's "Sorry We Love Football" co-host, Dan Hartigan.
Chet’s Holmgren’s Injury + TV Money in College Football (ft. Andrew Schlecht & Nicole Auerbach)
Aug 30 2022
Chet’s Holmgren’s Injury + TV Money in College Football (ft. Andrew Schlecht & Nicole Auerbach)
In OKC, it looks like we’re heading back to tank town after Chet Holmgren was been ruled out for the season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. Thunder reporter with The Athletic Andrew Schlecht joins us with the latest. Then, college football national reporter Nicole Auerbach helps explain The Big Ten’s titanic new TV rights deal & what might happen as conferences continue to realign.
WNBA Playoffs + Deshaun Watson Suspension Reaction (ft. Jordan Ligons)
Aug 23 2022
WNBA Playoffs + Deshaun Watson Suspension Reaction (ft. Jordan Ligons)
On this week's episode of Takeline. Jason Concepcion is joined by Jordan Ligons, host of the Spinsters podcast.  Jamel Johnson joins the duo to recount the WNBA playoff games from over the weekend and share their postseason expectations. Then, Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal will joins the podcast to react to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s 11 game suspension from the league stemming from his sexual assault cases.
Brooklyn Nets Hard Knocks (ft. Zach Harper & Kristian Winfield)
Aug 16 2022
Brooklyn Nets Hard Knocks (ft. Zach Harper & Kristian Winfield)
On this week's Takeline, Jason Concepcion is joined by Zach Harper of the Athletic. Together, they discuss the Detroit Lion's edition of "NFL: Hard Knocks" and the English Premier League's equivalent, "All or Nothing,"  which is focused on Jason's EPL team Arsenal this season. Then, the duo take a deep dive into the Brooklyn Nets' drama filled postseason with Kristian Winfield, Nets beat writer for the New York Daily News.
Premier League Opening Week (ft. Joshua Robinson)
Aug 9 2022
Premier League Opening Week (ft. Joshua Robinson)
Joshua Robinson (Wall Street Journal) joins Takeline to help break down every match from Premier League’s opening weekend, with discussions on Arteta’s future with Arsenal, Tottenham’s statement win & a sputtering Chelsea team. Josh’s new book (Messi vs. Ronaldo), written with Jonathan Clegg, is out November 1st, 2022. Then, Trevor Lane (Lakers Nation) joins the show to explain the Lakers’ ideal deadline to trade Russell Westbrook, expectations for Anthony Davis & what contract makes the most sense for LeBron James.
Zion Williamson's Weight Restrictions (ft. Will Guillory)
Aug 2 2022
Zion Williamson's Weight Restrictions (ft. Will Guillory)
On this episode of Takeline, Jason Concepcion talks to Myles Simmons — a reporter with NBC Sports & Pro Football Talk — about Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension, handed down to him Monday by independent arbitrator Sue L. Robinson, in a punishment that can still be upended by commissioner Roger Goodell. Jason also talks to New Orleans Pelicans reporter Will Guillory of The Athletic about Zion Williamson’s curious weight clause in his new extension with the team. In this week's edition of Buzzer Beater, Jason looks back on the Women’s Euro Final and how the English women finally brought the trophy home. Follow and subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to subscribe to X Ray on YouTube for exclusive video clips from Jason's pop culture series, which releases videos twice a week.
American Soccer Culture (ft. Jamel Johnson & Max Bretos)
Jul 26 2022
American Soccer Culture (ft. Jamel Johnson & Max Bretos)
Jason is joined by Jamel Johnson (Air Buds podcast) to help explain what it’s like to hang with celebrities at the ESPYs in Hollywood. Later, Jason & Jamel talk to Max Bretos — play-by-play announcer for LAFC — to unpack the state of Major League Soccer (with a look towards the 2022 World Cup) after Gareth Bale & Giogio Chellini made their debuts in LA.
Tiger Woods' Final British Open (ft. Bob Harig)
Jul 19 2022
Tiger Woods' Final British Open (ft. Bob Harig)
Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated joins Takeline to unpack the awkward appeal of LIV Golf, Ian Poulter’s 160-foot putt, Rory’s duel with Cameron Smith and Tiger Woods’ long walk off The Open. Then, Penn State law professor William E. Butler explains Brittney Griner’s recent acknowledgement of guilt, Russia’s narcotic substance punishments, “prisoner swaps,” and the likelihood of an acquittal.
NBA Summer League + Wimbledon Review (ft. Tumaini Carayol)
Jul 12 2022
NBA Summer League + Wimbledon Review (ft. Tumaini Carayol)
Jason Concepcion, refreshed and recharged for the Summer, makes his triumphant return on this week's episode of Takeline.  Alongside co-host Jamel Johnson, Concepcion chats with another great friend of the pod, Zach Harper of the Athletic, who joined from deep within the thick of NBA summer league in Las Vegas, Nevada to talk the summer league experience as well as offseason storylines, rumors, trades and signings. Then Tumaini Carayol, a sports reporter for the Guardian who covered Wimbledon first hand, returns to Takeline to recap the illustrious tennis tournament, which just ended on Sunday.