On a warm Friday in mid-August, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as Josh Hart stepped up to the microphone, settling into his chair at the heart of the stage. With a casual tug of his baseball cap’s brim, he surveyed the scene around him. To his left, the iconic former N.F.L. quarterback Tom Brady relaxed alongside the renowned rapper Lil Wayne, both comfortably perched on a sleek black leather love seat. To Hart’s right sat his New York Knicks teammate and close friend, Jalen Brunson, who was equally at home in a matching easy chair.
As Hart glanced past Brunson, he acknowledged the only member of the panel who needed a formal introduction. “That’s the man, the myth, the legend: Matt Hillman,” Hart announced with enthusiasm. “If you guys are familiar with the podcast, you know Matty Ice.”
In a humble response, Hillman smiled and said, “I’m the only one onstage you guys don’t know.”
With a playful nod, Hart reassured the audience, “Y’all will know who he is by the end of the night.”
This engaging moment marked the recording of the inaugural live episode of their podcast, The Roommates Show, held during the vibrant Fanatics Fest NYC. Launched in February, the podcast has quickly gained traction, thanks in part to the rising popularity and personal connections of the dynamic Knicks roster. Hart and Brunson are among four players from the Knicks who previously played together at Villanova, where they also shared living arrangements as roommates.
As Hillman echoed his earlier sentiment to the crowd, “I’m the only one onstage you guys don’t know,” it was clear that the evening was not just about celebrity but also about building connections and sharing stories.
Podcasting in the Age of Athletes
The podcast landscape is increasingly crowded, with no official count, but some estimates suggest that close to 60 podcasts are hosted by current or former N.B.A. players. Last season alone, active players launched at least two dozen podcasts, which translates to roughly one out of every 20 players having their own show. Amidst this surge of athlete-hosted content, a fascinating trend has emerged: more than half of these podcasts include relatively unknown co-hosts, like Hillman, who bring a unique perspective to the conversations.
- Josh Hart: Knicks player and podcast host.
- Tom Brady: Legendary former N.F.L. quarterback.
- Lil Wayne: Influential rapper and cultural icon.
- Jalen Brunson: Close friend and teammate of Hart.
- Matt Hillman: The behind-the-scenes personality of the podcast.
As the night unfolded, the blend of sports, music, and camaraderie captivated the audience, showcasing not only the personalities involved but also the vibrant culture surrounding athlete-led conversations in today’s media landscape.
