© 2025 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Give Now
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
SKIN IN THE GAME logo with a yellow background and the BTPM NPR logo in the top left corner
Skin in the Game

The Lord Stanley Cup with Phil Pritchard

Published June 14, 2025 at 4:00 PM EDT
Ways To Subscribe
Background is a turf field. At the top: SKIN IN THE GAME logo with "INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS" in green text below. Beneath that is a photo of Phil Pritchard with the Stanley Cup and his name under that in white text
Mariann Do

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Phil Pritchard, vice president of the Hockey Hall of Fame and the iconic “Keeper of the Cup.”

No one knows the Stanley Cup—or the history of the game of hockey—better than Pritchard. In this episode, he shares what makes the Cup unlike any other championship prize in professional sports, from its deep-rooted traditions to the emotional, often personal journeys players take with it after victory.

Pritchard discusses the intricate logistics involved in transporting the Cup around the world and offers insight into its many unexpected destinations. He also reflects on the memorable moments the Cup has witnessed and why this singular piece of silver continues to unite generations of fans and athletes alike.

Skin in the Game | Season 1
Latest Episodes
  • turf field is the background. From top to bottom: SKIN IN THE GAME logo with INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS in green text below that. Photo of S.L. Price with his name and THE AMERICAN GAME: HISTORY AND HOPE IN THE COUNTRY OF LACROSSE in white text.
    Lacrosse, Identity and the Making of “The American Game” with S.L. Price
    This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with journalist and author S.L. Price to discuss his new book, “The American Game: History and Hope in the Country of Lacrosse.”
  • turf field is the background. From top to bottom: SKIN IN THE GAME logo with INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS in green text below that. Photo of Scott Swanson with his name and CAL RIPKEN, Sr. FOUNDATION in white text.
    From the mound to mentorship with Scott Swinson from the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation
    This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim talk with Scott Swinson, Senior Director of Development at the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, about how baseball—and a strong coach—can change a kid’s life.
  • Cosmic Baseball with Rob Perez and the Tri-City Chili Peppers
    In this special edition of Skin In The Game, hosts John and Tim dive into the neon-lit spectacle of Cosmic Baseball, featuring fan-favorite innovation from the Coastal Plain League’s Tri-City Chili Peppers — joined by none other than Rob Perez, the team’s award-winning general manager.
  • SKIN IN THE GAME logo at the top with INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS in green text underneath. Below that, a photo of the people in this episode and the episode title in white text below that
    The Changing Course: How Golf Is Evolving On and Off the Green
    In this special edition of Skin in the Game, John and Tim take a deep dive into the world of golf. They’re joined by: Tim Fries, General Manager and Head Professional at Glen Oak Golf Club IN East Amherst, NY; Cindy Miller, LPGA professional, coach, and author; and Tim Karches, Executive Director of First Tee Western New York.
  • Beyond the Perfect, Perfect Game with Kate Brownell
    This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim are joined by Kate Brownell—trailblazer, athlete, coach, and the only Little Leaguer in history to pitch a perfect game.
  • Background is a turf field. Top to bottom: Skin in the Game logo with INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS below it in green text. Photo of Frank Supovitz in a suit and tie against a grey background and his name below that in white text.
    The Show Must Go On with Frank Supovitz
    This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Frank Supovitz, President and Chief Experience Officer of Fast Traffic Events & Entertainment—and one of the most respected names in sports event production.
  • Turf field in the background. At the top: SKIN IN THE GAME logo with INSIDE THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS in green text underneath. Below that: Photo of Dennis Eshbaugh and his name in white text below.
    On the Slopes with Dennis Eshbaugh
    This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim welcome Dennis Eshbaugh, President and CEO of Holiday Valley, to discuss the evolution of the ski and winter recreation industry—and how one resort is redefining what it means to be a year-round mountain destination.
  • Background is a turf field. SKIN IN THE GAME logo at the top, photo of Michelle Seniuk in the center and her name below that in white text
    Behind the Blue Jays Fan Experience with Michelle Seniuk
    This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim welcome Michelle Seniuk, Senior Vice President of Fan Experience and Concessions for the Toronto Blue Jays to examine one of Major League Baseball’s most ambitious fan engagement strategies.
  • Be In Buffalo: Leveraging Sports Success with Greg Pokriki
    This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Greg Pokriki from Invest Buffalo Niagara to explore the powerful connection between sports, identity, and economic development in Western New York.
  • Background: turf field. Top to bottom: Skin in the Game logo, photo of Brian Higgins and his name in white text
    The Legacy of Ralph C. Wilson Jr. with Brian Higgins
    This week, John and Tim sit down with Brian Higgins, President of Shea’s Performing Arts Center and former U.S. Congressman, for a wide-ranging conversation rooted in Western New York pride. Higgins unpacks how investments in arts, culture, and sports help build stronger, more connected communities.