REAL DEAL with Tony Reali – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

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REAL DEAL with Tony Reali

iHeartPodcasts

Sports

Frequency: 1 episode/5d. Total Eps: 4

REAL DEAL with Tony Reali is a sports culture podcast built around one irresistible moment at a time. A play. A clip. A photo. A legend. The cultural touchstones of sports that never leave us. Every episode starts small and goes deep into the story behind the story, the feeling behind the moment, and the human truth that explains why it's still living rent-free in our heads years later.

Hosted by longtime ESPN personality Tony Reali, REAL DEAL blends storytelling, humor, nostalgia, emotional insight, and unpredictable energy with guests who complete the story. Athletes, broadcasters, superfans, comedians, journalists and the people nobody else would think to call.

This is neither a debate show nor a recap show. It’s an evergreen sports culture format built around the moments, stories, and emotional chaos that keep sports alive, always.

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Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇺🇸 USA - sports
20/07/2026
#100
🇺🇸 USA - sports
19/07/2026
#82
🇺🇸 USA - sports
18/07/2026
#97
🇺🇸 USA - sports
17/07/2026
#95

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

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https://omnystudio.com/listener
4 shares
https://sites.prh.com/bigfan
2 shares

https://www.youtube.com/@tonyreali
1 share

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RSS feed quality

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Score global : 48%

Publication history

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Why Do We Do This to Ourselves? | Mike Schur & Joe Posnanski on Sports Fandom

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 • Duration 01:03:35

Why do we do this to ourselves?!

I’m talking about sports fandom. The thing most likely to make you cry tears of joy one day, and snap the leg off your coffee table the next. There’s an indescribable bond we have with our teams and our fandom. Even in the bad times, there’s an odd comfort in the fact that the team will still be there, playing an objectively bad version of their sport and breaking your heart.

So, again, I ask ya, why do we do this to ourselves?!

Is it because fandom creates a culture? You don’t get the surrender cobra, or guys wearing replica championship belts while dressed up as Macho Man, or Taylor Swift friendship bracelets without fandom.

Is it because fandom creates community? Suffering with a fellow fan makes the feeling of breaking a curse and winning a championship that much sweeter. Arguing with that same fan over the direction your team took at the trade deadline can also be fun. It’s like a lower stakes thanksgiving dinner argument with your uncle.

Is it because we can measure time with fandom? You may not remember the vacation you took in 2012, but you probably remember your favorite baseball team’s backup catcher. Once you revisit that name, the rest of the details about the year fall into place.

To figure all of this out, I’m bringing in the guys who literally WROTE THE BOOK on fandom, Mike Schur and Joe Posnanski.

This episode was funny, enlightening and, I think, got me a little closer to understanding WHY WE DO THIS TO OURSELVES!

Welcome to Episode 003 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here.

I loved reading BIG FAN. (And since I also got it on audio book, I loved having it read to me!) , Make sure to buy BIG FAN wherever you buy your books https://sites.prh.com/bigfan

(This reminds me… Back in the old days, I started a book club at PTI, The Stat Boy Judge Books By Their Cover Book of the Month Club. I came out strong recommending BATTLE ROYALE, by Koushun Takami, a book I judged by its cover! It worked, tremendous book. Not all covers are judge worthy, but man, that one was. Anyways, I lost Wilbon and Kornheiser immediately with that one but endeavor to try again with you. Expect recommendations of books, shows and multimedia on REAL DEAL.

Subscribe for new episodes of REAL DEAL every Tuesday. You can also listen on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Is Messi's World Cup Win the Most Hijacked Moment in Sports History? (with The Athletic's Nick Miller)

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • Duration 39:10

This past weekend, Argentina, led by Messi, in what could have been his final World Cup appearance, lost to Spain 1-0. It was a crushing loss, one that, understandably, left Messi looking more reflective and appreciative than full of joy.

Ok, now let’s rewind to 2022. Messi won the World Cup and, in the midst of his elation, the look on his face shifted from unbridled happiness to perplexed discomfort. The kind of face Curb Your Enthusiasm has made famous over the years. That’s because, in Messi’s biggest moment, surrounded by teammates and being watched by millions around the world, he had his moment stolen by an internet celebrity.

Salt Bae, the internet’s most infamous social media chef, grabbed the trophy and somehow made Argentina’s, and Messi’s, World Cup win about himself.

Welcome to Episode 002 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here.

Today we’re diving into a moment that felt like a cross between a Mad Lib and a fever dream. Helping us make sense of it all is The Athletic’s Nick Miller, who has covered Messi and his dealings with Salt Bae extensively.

It all boils down to one question: Was Salt Bae inserting himself into Messi’s celebration the most hijacked moment in sports history?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Subscribe for new episodes of REAL DEAL every Tuesday. Watch on YouTube or listen on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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"He's Tightening Up!" The Olympic Relay That Still Makes Tony Reali Cry, with Rowdy Gaines

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • Duration 59:03

Welcome to Episode 001 of REAL DEAL! I’m Tony Reali, and I’m so happy you’re here.

Every episode starts with one unforgettable sports moment, and together we relive the feeling to figure out why it still matters.

For this first episode, Olympic champion and legendary broadcaster Rowdy Gaines joins me to revisit his unforgettable call of the 2008 Olympic 4x100 freestyle relay, where Jason Lezak chased down Alain Bernard and in the process kept Michael Phelps’ dream of eight gold medals in one Olympic Games alive.

The moment still cracks me open. But it also raises a bigger question:

Was this the greatest teammate moment in sports history?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Subscribe for new episodes of REAL DEAL every Tuesday on YouTube. You can also listen on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Introducing: REAL DEAL with Tony Reali

Monday, July 13, 2026 • Duration 02:02

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

REAL DEAL with Tony Reali – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

REAL DEAL with Tony Reali – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other2

Youtube1

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other2

Youtube1