College Athletes Network Joins iHeartPodcast Network

iHeart Deal

The COLLEGE ATHLETES NETWORK podcast network is joining with iHEARTMEDIA for distribution of its slate of podcasts hosted by college athletes. The network was formed by former NBC O&O KNBC-TV/LOS ANGELES sports department staffers RON PIVO and BRETT MARTZKE in the wake of the new NCAA policy allowing college athletes to be paid for their names, images, and likenesses. First up under the iHEARTPODCAST NETWORK deal is the weekly "WALKIE TALKIEZ," hosted by DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY basketball walk-on NOAH BUONO.

“By teaming up with iHEART, the COLLEGE ATHLETES NETWORK is able to provide these athletes with even more opportunity to expand their audience and increase their access to advertisers,” said PIVO. “I'm excited to introduce new voices in a variety of sports. These kids are very talented behind the mic and it's time people got a chance to hear them.”

MARTZKE said, "RON is an incredible idea guy, when he brought this to me it was 100% a no brainer. I love college sports and I think this network will help feed the passion that all college sports fans share. The stories you will hear will tug on all your emotions. The daily grind of the athletes, dealing with crazed fans and the recruiting circus they go through will really give listeners a whole new perspective of today's college athlete.”

"After five incredible years of being a college basketball walk-on, I can confidently tell you that every walk-on has their own inspiring journey to tell,” said BUONO. “I'm super grateful and excited that ‘WalkieTalkieZ’ now has a national platform to help share these incredible stories and I look forward to the continued growth of this podcast through the COLLEGE ATHLETES NETWORK and its collaboration with iHEARTMEDIA to reach massive audiences."

New podcasts coming in 2022 include CHLOE V. MITCHELL's "PLAYBOOKED" (MAY 12th); college golfer KENNEDY SWANN's "THE BIRDIE BUNCH" (JUNE 9th); HARVARD basketball siblings MACKENZIE and MASON FORBES' "OUT OF BOUNDS" (JULY); UNIVEWRSITY OF INDIANA cheerleaders CASSIDY CERNY and NATHAN PARIS' "BEYOND THE MEGAPHONE WITH CASSIDY AND NATHAN" (AUGUST); quarterback TERRY WILSON's "BETTING ON YOURSELF" (SEPTEMBER); and former soccer player AMOBI OKUGU's "THE FRUGAL ATHLETE" (OCTOBER).

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