BenchMarks is an audio-first documentary series from the Empty the Bench Network, where the biggest moments in sports aren’t just remembered — they’re re-examined.
Hosted by Callan McClurg and joined by voices from across the Empty the Bench Network, BenchMarks lives at the intersection of E60, 30 for 30, and Real Sports. Each episode digs deep into the controversial moments, polarizing figures, and defining games and plays that refuse to fade with time. These are the stories that sparked debate, shaped careers, altered leagues, and still echo through locker rooms, broadcasts, and barroom arguments years — sometimes decades — later.
Through immersive storytelling, original reporting, archival sound, and thoughtful conversation, BenchMarks revisits the moments that history never settled. Not to sensationalize them, but to understand them — the context, the consequences, and why they continue to matter. This is sports history told with humanity, curiosity, and a willingness to ask the uncomfortable questions.
If you believe the best sports stories don’t end at the final whistle, subscribe to BenchMarks wherever you get your podcasts and join us as we revisit the moments that defined the game — and the people inside it.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
BenchMarks is an audio-first documentary series from the Empty the Bench Network, where the biggest moments in sports aren’t just remembered — they’re re-examined.
Hosted by Callan McClurg and joined by voices from across the Empty the Bench Network, BenchMarks lives at the intersection of E60, 30 for 30, and Real Sports. Each episode digs deep into the controversial moments, polarizing figures, and defining games and plays that refuse to fade with time. These are the stories that sparked debate, shaped careers, altered leagues, and still echo through locker rooms, broadcasts, and barroom arguments years — sometimes decades — later.
Through immersive storytelling, original reporting, archival sound, and thoughtful conversation, BenchMarks revisits the moments that history never settled. Not to sensationalize them, but to understand them — the context, the consequences, and why they continue to matter. This is sports history told with humanity, curiosity, and a willingness to ask the uncomfortable questions.
If you believe the best sports stories don’t end at the final whistle, subscribe to BenchMarks wherever you get your podcasts and join us as we revisit the moments that defined the game — and the people inside it.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The National Basketball Association’s relationship with China is a modern, billion-dollar balancing act, fraught with political tension and ethical conflict. On this episode of BenchMarks, Nick Morgasen dives deep into the complex, often contradictory, ties that bind the world's most globally successful sports league to the world's second-largest economy.
We trace the history of the NBA's expansion into China, that all began with then commissioner Larry O'Brien and the Washington Bullets stepping foot in China inn 1979, that would be further spearheaded by the vision of former commissioner David Stern, which evolved into a multi-billion-dollar market fueled by broadcasting deals and the legacy of players like Yao Ming. The episode then unpacks the 2019 crisis, where a single, seven-word tweet from then-Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey expressing support for Hong Kong protesters triggered a diplomatic and financial firestorm that cost the league hundreds of millions of dollars.
Billion Dollar Lines examines the difficult choices the league, its owners, and its socially conscious players face when American ideals of free speech clash with the commercial pressures and political realities of doing business with an authoritarian state. We explore the financial stakes, the human rights concern regarding regions like Xinjiang, and the lasting precedent the controversy set for American corporations navigating the global political stage.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On November 7, 1991, the world of basketball—and the world at large—ground to a halt. In a stunning press conference from The Forum, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, the transcendent superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers and one of the most famous people on the planet, announced he was retiring from the NBA after testing positive for HIV.
On this episode of BenchMarks, the Empty the Bench Network's E60 audio form podcast, we take you back to that pivotal moment. Narrator Callan McClurg guides us through the immediate aftermath, featuring the indelible audio from Magic's emotional announcement. We explore the seismic reaction from across the NBA landscape, the specific impact felt within the legendary Lakers locker room, and how the news forever changed the conversation around health, celebrity, and AIDS awareness.
Finally, we trace Magic's incredible journey from his initial retirement to his improbable return to the court, and how his unwavering influence has evolved into successful ownership endeavors across multiple sports, solidifying his legacy far beyond the hardwood.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Every legendary game, every world-shaking scandal, and every career-defining moment leaves a mark on the sports world. Welcome to BenchMarks, the premier audio documentary series from the Empty the Bench Network, where the goal is to go beyond the final score and explore the events that changed the landscape of sports forever.
Modeled after the deep-dive, cinematic style of long-form sports journalism, this series utilizes rich archival audio, expert analysis, and immersive storytelling to bring history to life. BenchMarks provides a definitive look at the ghosts, legends, and turning points of the games we love. Whether it's a tragedy that stopped the world, a billion-dollar geopolitical conflict, or the rise of a flawless dynasty, we find the truth behind the headlines.
This is where the box score ends and the real story begins. Grab a seat on the bench and get ready to witness the moments that set the standard.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.