Wondery is expanding into UK sports podcasts with its first original UK sports show, Everything To Play For.
The company also signed a distribution and advertising sales agency deal for the award-winning podcast, The Socially Distant Sports Bar.
Wondery and Crowd Network's Everything To Play For launches on June 10th, with Countdown presenter Colin Murray and comedian, actor and presenter Ellis James co-hosting for the first time.
The first two episodes are available across all podcast platforms and the full series on Wayne Rooney is available on Wondery+. The podcast will tell the stories behind the iconic moments, the greatest rivalries, the bravest underdogs and the most amazing comebacks.
Each season, the hosts explore the wild, funny and surprising stories that made their mark on sports legends.
The podcast begins with Wayne Rooney: England's Man, the story of Rooney's dramatic arrival on the global sporting stage two decades later, as a celebrated and talented 18-year-old carrying England's hopes at Euro 2004. Hosts Colin and Ellis follow the journey of one of the country's greatest ever players, who shocked the footballing world with his arrival in a major championship.
Future seasons will also feature other iconic stars, including Wimbledon glory Andy Murray, multiple Olympic gold medal winner Mo Farah and the intense, and at times bitterly competitive, rivalry between two of the greatest managers of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
As Wondery continues to expand its sports-related content, the highly acclaimed podcast “The Socially Distant Sports Bar” joined the network today.
Wondery will represent distribution and ad sales rights for the fan-favorite show, which will launch on Wondery+ on June 4 and continue to be available on all podcast platforms the following day.
Hosted by Ellis James, Mike Babins and Steph Garrero, the podcast's mix of sports and comedy has attracted a huge fan base and seen live music venues sell out across the UK.
The podcast has received widespread industry recognition, winning the Pod Bible Poll Winner Award in the Sport & Leisure category in 2021 and Best Comedy Sports Podcast at the Sports Podcast Awards in 2022.
Declan Moore, head of international at Wonderly, said: “We're excited to expand the reach, breadth and appeal of our acoustic storytelling for UK listeners, building on our current Wonderly sports content, including popular titles like 'Six Trophy,' 'Men in Blazers' and 'The Old Man and the Three.'”
“Insightful presenters Colin Murray and Ellis James will take us on an entertaining and riveting journey through the key moments that defined the lives of some of the biggest stars in global sport.”
“Just as the nation anxiously awaits Euro 2024, there could be no better person to launch a podcast than Wayne Rooney’s dramatic arrival on the world stage in 2004.
“We're delighted that Ellis, and fellow presenters Mike and Steph, will be joining the Wonderly family and bringing their wildly witty and hugely popular podcast, The Socially Distant Sports Bar, to UK audiences.”
