DAZN and Team Whistle Launch Athlete-Led Podcast Exploring NIL Era

DAZN and Team Whistle have partnered with Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs launches  a new athlete-led digital media series, Downs 2 Business.

The podcast explores the realities of athlete life in the name, image and likeness (NIL) era, with content distributed across both long-form and short-form platforms.

The series is positioned at the intersection of college and professional sport, leveraging the unique dynamic of one host still competing in the NCAA system and the other already in the NFL.

This format provides DAZN and Team Whistle with a differentiated storytelling asset at a time when athlete-led content is increasingly driving engagement among younger audiences.

Distribution will span multiple channels, including audio platforms, YouTube, DAZN’s OTT network, and social media outlets such as TikTok, Instagram, and X. 

Commercially, the show has already secured sponsorship from White Castle frozen foods, highlighting how NIL-era athletes are now positioned to attract brand partnerships even before entering the professional ranks.

For DAZN, which continues to diversify its content strategy beyond live rights, Downs 2 Business fits into its push to engage fans through original programming and athlete-driven narratives.

The first episode will feature Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, offering an early test of how the series blends insider access with broader cultural and commercial themes.

Both Downs brothers emphasised the focus on authenticity, with Caleb noting the show intends to provide a look inside the game, the grind, and the off-the-field side that most people never see.

The podcast underscores the shifting media landscape in US sport, where NIL has created new opportunities for college athletes to develop personal brands while still competing.

For sponsors and media partners, these projects offer both storytelling value and commercial upside, particularly as audiences increasingly seek unfiltered athlete perspectives.

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