Underdog, a rapidly expanding force in sports gaming and media, has announced a multi-year contract renewal with the entire cast of Gil’s Arena, reinforcing its commitment to the show’s continued success. This strategic move solidifies the partnership between the network and its lineup of sports personalities, ensuring the program remains a dominant presence in digital sports media.

Since its inception, Gil’s Arena has become a leading digital basketball show in the United States, attracting a substantial audience across various platforms. Hosted by three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, the show features a star-studded lineup, including executive producer and host Josiah Johnson, NCAA Champion Rashad McCants, NBA Champion Nick Young, NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin, Hall of Famer Sheryl Swoopes, Mr. Basketball USA Brandon Jennings, and WNBA Champion Lexie Brown. The program is currently the fifth-largest daily sports show nationwide, boasting over 500 million views on YouTube, millions of audio downloads, and billions of impressions on social media.

“Underdog built us a platform and more importantly created a real partnership to share our unfiltered takes with fans. We’re building a one-of-a-kind basketball network here, and this is just the beginning – we have big plans for the future,” said Arenas.

Arenas and Tim Livingston, Underdog’s VP of Content, were pioneers in athlete-driven media, having launched the No Chill podcast in 2018—one of the first shows of its kind. Their continued collaboration has driven Gil’s Arena to new heights, and this latest contract extension signals Underdog’s long-term vision for sports content development.

Gil’s Arena Sets Sights on First Take’s Viewership

Averaging 275,000 viewers per episode, Gil’s Arena is on an upward trajectory, with a clear goal of surpassing ESPN’s First Take, which averages 496,000 viewers per episode on linear TV. With its strong digital presence, Underdog is positioning Gil’s Arena as a competitive alternative to traditional sports talk shows.

“This partnership is at the center of our media network expansion and proof of concept for our belief in bringing fans unvarnished and incredibly deep sports content. Working with Gil and his team has been incredible, and we are going to continue to elevate our sports content and build the best sports entertainment experience for our customers,” said Liz Marro, Chief Marketing Officer at Underdog.

Underdog’s commitment to expanding its media network is evident in its recent achievements. The company, founded in 2020, has quickly established itself as a leading name in the sports media landscape. Alongside Gil’s Arena, the network offers an array of programs featuring sports figures such as Steve Smith (89), Jay Gruden and Colt McCoy (Clean Pocket), and Jared Carrabis (Baseball is Dead).

Expanding Influence in Sports Media

Underdog continues to build its reputation as a premier sports media company, recently surpassing 1.3 million YouTube subscribers. The company is also integrating Gil’s Arena talent into its fantasy sports and gaming platform, with Arenas’ picks—and soon those of his co-hosts—being featured on Underdog’s website and app.

“We teamed up with Gil to build a wholly authentic show for the basketball community,” Livingston added. “The success is a testament to the hard work of Gilbert, Josiah, and the entire cast and crew. We’re grateful for the last two years and excited for the next ten.”