Legends Of Sport With Andrew D. Bernstein

Andy chats with one of the most iconic broadcasting duos of all time - Ralph Lawler & Bill Walton! Ralph & Bill share memories from their 13 years in the booth together, their first time meeting, how Ralph saved Bill's life, the chance moment that lead to Bill's broadcasting career, memories from the early days of their broadcast partnership, an infamous river rafting trip, entertaining the lean years of the Clippers, all the times Bill was "fired", a spanish prank, & Ralph's new book "Bingo!: 40 Years In The NBA".

This week's LOS CLASSIC features the most iconic skateboarder of all time - Tony Hawk! Tony discusses his life in skateboarding, mentorship from Stacy Peralta, the evolution of the sport & business of skateboarding, DogTown & Z-Boys, his father's leadership, inventing the backside varial, the early days of the X Games, the impacts of landing the "900", starting his own skate company Birdhouse, skateboarding in the Olympics, the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game franchise, his new app video game Tony Hawk's Skate Jam, injuries & concussions, Atiba Jefferson, as well as his philanthropic ventures!

The tables have turned! Andy takes the guest chair as he's interviewed by friend & collaborator, Iain Thackrah, about their new project - Beyond The Lens! Want to learn from a Hall Of Fame photographer? Andy & Iain detail the new venture (a Masterclass 2.0, if you will), what the workshop will entail, how the Mamba Mentality is interwoven into the fabric of the program, why Andy decided to start the project, & more! Beyond The Lens launches TODAY at www.beyondthelens.live - early bird pricing (the lowest price EVER) is now available!

Andy chats with long-time colleague & sports journalist - J.A. Adande! Andy & J.A. talk about the Showtime Lakers reunion in Hawaii, his start in sports journalism (& why he credits Magic Johnson), stories from covering Kobe Bryant for 19 of his 20-year career, the Shaq & Kobe era, how sports journalism has evolved over the years, the role of media in today's world, his new position as Director of Sports Journalism at Northwestern, his new book "The Year's Best Sports Writing 2022", and so much more!

The business of sports! Andy takes the show on the road to the inaugural 2022 Global Sports Business Forum at UCLA! Andy chats with 11 different guests from the world of sports business, from NBA Hall Of Famer Mitch Richmond, to sports super-agent Leigh Steinberg, professional jockey Romero Maragh, and many of the industry's leading experts in branding, marketing, & analytics! Each guest shares their part & perspectives on what makes the world of sports possible in today's world!

Andy chats with Los Angeles Kings Hockey Operations & Prospect Advisor - Manon Rhéaume! Manon, aka "The First Woman of Hockey", was the first & only woman to ever play in the NHL! Andy & Manon discuss the 30th anniversary of her debut as goalie for the Tampa Bay Lightning, her early hockey journey, how she became a goalie, her personal goalie style, winning the silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics with the Canadian team, the moment she was invited to camp by the Lightning, team comaraderie as a woman, her hockey & goalie role models, her children's book "Breaking The Ice: The True Story of the First Woman to Play in the National Hockey League", her role with the Red Wings youth programs, & working as an analyst for RDS & Bally's!

Hey Lakers fans! This week's LOS CLASSIC features Andy with Lakers legend - Rick Fox! Rick discusses growing up in the Bahamas, being inspired by the path of neighborhood friend Mychal Thompson, playing under legendary coaches Dean Smith, Phil Jackson & Red Auerbach, the competitive nature of Larry Bird, guarding Michael Jordan, the Shaq & Kobe era, his motivation for signing with the Lakers, the significance of selecting #17, being recruited by Jerry West, why Shaq is his favorite teammate, Shaq & Kobe's reunion winning co-MVPs in the 2009 All-Star game, as well as his exciting new venture in the world of ESports! PLUS, Andy shares some of his favorite photos from over the years & the art of capturing the magic! Original Air Date: June 25, 2019.

Andy chats with fellow Naismith HOF Curt Gowdy Media Award winner & writer for The Athletic - David Aldridge! David discusses his route into journalism, the Dream Team & other Olympic teams, covering the NBA full time for ESPN, transitioning from writing to television work, his time at Turner Broadcasting, the early days of the Autism Awareness campaign, & the top NBA storylines heading into the 2022 season! The guys talk Warriors dynasty, Lakers or Clippers, a big year for Zion Williamson, and a few great memories of the incomparable Kobe Bryant!

Since the LA Dodgers & LAFC are back in the playoffs, & the Golden State Warriors are on the brink of another season - we decided to talk to the owner! In this LOS CLASSIC, we revisit Andy's chat with Chairman & CEO of Mandalay Entertainment & Sports Media - Peter Guber! As co-owner of the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Dodgers, LAFC, and ESports franchise 'Team Liquid' - Peter knows entertainment! The guys discuss Peter's entrepreneurial path into the sports & entertainment world, his enduring commitment to higher education & teaching, the movie biz vs the sports biz, creating the sporting experience for fans, the business relationship between fans & owners, the REAL purpose of the jumbotron, lessons in leadership & management, how to engage fans in the 21st Century, & the future of American soccer! Original Air Date: July 2, 2018.

As we've highlighted time & time again on this podcast - not all Legends of Sport are forward facing. This week, Andy chats with longtime colleague, friend, & former USC Sports Information Director - Tim Tessalone! Over Tim's 43-year tenure at USC - his office publicized 47 National Championships across the Men's & Women's sports programs, 267 Olympians, 5 Heisman Trophy Winners, 12 Rose Bowl's(that the USC Trojans participated in), and countless honors. Andy & Tim discuss his sports fandom growing up in Southern California, his path to USC & the world of PR, how the world of Public Relations has changed over the years due to technology, & so much more! Plus, the time Will Ferrell interned for his office, how NIL deals are changing college sports, & a few stories from cutting their teeth together over the years!

Andy chats with fellow Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Famer, Nancy Lieberman! The two discuss Nancy's early days in Far Rockaway & Rucker Park, her crazy path to the USA Basketball Team roster at age 17, winning the Silver Medal in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott, the Women's Pro Basketball League (WBL), training Martina Navratilova, the Banana Boat, being a Mother/Player, her (first) coming-out-of-retirement moment, punching Bridget Pettis, and more! Plus, coming out of retirement (a second time) at age 50, coaching her way to a championship in the BIG 3 League, & her current projects with Nancy Lieberman charities.

Andy & the LOS team took the podcast on the road to the 2022 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame enshrinement ceremony! Andy chats with enshrinees from this year & years past, presenters, past guests, media members & great friends! Hear conversations with basketball's biggest names, such as; John Doleva, Swin Cash, Lindsay Whalen, Bob Huggins, Nancy Lieberman, Walt Frazier, Tim Hardaway, Jason Zone Fisher, Del Harris, Spencer Haywood, Marc Stein, Teresa Shank Grentz, Charles Barkley, & Chris Mullin!

Hey Kobe fans! This week, Andy chats with Philadelphia Inquirer columnist/author Mike Sielski about his new book, "The Rise: Kobe Bryant And The Pursuit Of Immortality". Andy & Mike take a deep dive into how the Mamba became the Mamba! The two analyze the common threads between each other's books, the genesis of "The Rise", Kobe's arrival to America & Lower Merion HS, how he sharpened his talent around the Philadelphia area, an important moment from an early karate lesson, his first time meeting Michael Jordan as a freshman in high school, how he studied Andy's photos, plus the first EVER Mamba Mentality Lightning Round!! Andy & Mike also discuss Kobe's post-career path, the tragic day of his passing, the thousands of Kobe murals all around the world, & the lasting legacy that he leaves us with. Join us while we unpack the stories & tiny details that made a legend

This week's LOS CLASSIC, we flash back to the Bubble! Andy chats with WNBA legend Candace Parker! Andy & Candace talk about her early influences, how Kobe Bryant influenced her career, her time with coach Pat Summit at the University of Tennessee, & more! Candace also talks about the playoff bubble, discussions with her daughter about social justice issues, her Ron Harper fandom, as well as how she balances being a mom & a pro athlete! Andy & Candace also discuss the new CBA & how it will affect the new generation of players, her career in the media, her post-career evolution, how she wants to be remembered, & so much more! Original Air Date: October 13, 2020.

This week's LOS CLASSIC - Andy chats with 12-time Emmy winning, Hall Of Fame sports journalist, Jim Gray, about his new book - "Talking To GOATs!" Andy & Jim discuss the genesis of the book, his path into the industry, early inspirations, cutting his teeth as a video tape editor, the countless memories featured in his book, lessons from Coach Chuck Daly, the influence of his father, & memories of Kobe Bryant. Hear the backstories of Jim's biggest interviews & subjects over the years - from his very first interview with Muhammed Ali, conversations with Tom Brady & Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan's first retirement, the return of baseball after 9/11, the Atlanta Olympic bombing, The Malice in the Palace, a kiss from Mike Tyson, & so many more! Original Air Date: December 8, 2020

The Dream Team! USA Basketball's Legendary lineup from the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona - Widely considered the greatest basketball team ever assembled! Andy chats with the former Assistant Coach of the Dream Team, Hall Of Famer - P.J. Carlesimo! Andy & P.J. share thoughts & memories from the experience that summer, 30 years ago! Andy & P.J. discuss how he got the call to join the coaching staff, Head Coach Chuck Daly's approach to coaching the team, his first time meeting Larry Bird, dynamics between team members, & winning the Gold Medal! Andy & P.J. remember traveling with the team, practices in Monte Carlo, 'Harry & Larry', shooting the Team Photo, Gold Medal moments, & more memories from the greatest team to ever touch the court!

Andy sits down with former Los Angeles Lakers Head Athletic Trainer – Gary Vitti – to discuss his book "32 years of Titles & Tears from the Best Seat In The House: What I Learned About Happiness, Leadership, & Greatness". Gary describes the many lessons learned from NBA greats like Pat Riley, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kareem, James Worthy, Byron Scott, Kobe, Shaq, Phil Jackson, & many more! Gary expands on the path to his first year with the Lakers in 1984 under head coach Pat Riley, & how the position has evolved over 32 years. Hear stories of plane rides with Chick Hearn, Pat Riley’s 12+2+1 formula, the personal pain & trauma behind Magic Johnson’s HIV diagnosis, getting caught between Kobe & Shaq, & the importance of the Lakers ‘85 championship. PLUS, a few tales of Kobe Bryant’s world-class work ethic – including being waterboarded by Navy SEALS, & the reverse bear trap. Original Air Date: August 20, 2019.

Andy chats with veteran NBA coach Phil Weber! Andy & Phil discuss his new book "How Do You Make Them Thirsty?", the genesis of the book, lessons his many years coaching under Mike D'Antoni, his philosophy in player development, and how he gained the respect as a coach by many of the league's superstars like Steve Nash & Kobe Bryant! Andy & Phil also talk about team culture with the Heat under Pat Riley, the Suns' team trip to Italy, what made Amar'e Stoudemire great, team photo shoots with Andy, his experiences working alongside a young Kobe Bryant, how meeting John Wooden changed his life, and so much more!

This week's LOS CLASSIC, Andy chats with legendary basketball player & broadcaster Ann Meyers Drysdale! Andy & Ann discuss her book "You Let Some Girl Beat You," dynamics of her early life, where her dream of becoming an Olympian began, the importance of recognizing female role models, signing with the Indiana Pacers in 1979, her extensive broadcasting journey, playing in the Women's Professional Basketball League(WPBL), and more! Ann also discusses her many "firsts", Title IX, the Men's Superstars & Women Superstars, pickup games with Tommy Lasorda, golfing with husband Don Drysdale, trail blazers, resiliency, and memories of Kobe Bryant. Original Air Date: March 16, 2021.

Andy chats with NBA writer/author Ben Golliver about his new book Bubbleball: The NBA's Fight To Save A Season. Andy & Ben recap their unique journey through the NBA Bubble, sharing stories about the experience in what Ben calls, "An incredible Public Health story, an incredible Business story, & an incredible Basketball story". Andy & Ben discuss the NBA’s decision to shut down the season in March, the difficult decisions behind attempting the bubble, the many surprises they both encountered, covering topics outside of basketball, the most memorable moments on the court, and the genesis of his new book!