© 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

Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image

Give Now

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Skin in the Game

How the NFL Became America’s Religion & Why Every Day Is Sunday with Ken Belson

Published November 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM EST

Ways To Subscribe

Mariann Do

New York Times reporter Ken Belson, author of “Every Day Is Sunday,” joins John and Tim to unpack the business and culture behind America’s most powerful sports league, and to share why this story resonates even if you’re not a football fan. Belson explains what inspired him to finally write the book, why he focused on Robert Kraft, Jerry Jones, and Roger Goodell, and how their relationships reshaped the modern NFL. From the Fox deal that changed television forever to the “high school cafeteria for billionaires” where owners trade influence and cliques abound, Belson offers a behind-the-scenes look at the league’s inner workings and its future, complete with global expansion, the rise of gambling, and the growing role of private equity.

Skin in the Game | Season 1

Latest Episodes

How General Sports’ Lou DePaoli Builds Winning Teams Off the Field

This week, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with sports business veteran Lou DePaoli, President Executive Search and Team Consulting at General Sports Worldwide. From the AHL and MLB to the NBA and now global consulting, DePaoli’s career has spanned nearly every corner of professional sports.
Inside M&T Bank’s Playbook: Sports Marketing, Brand Loyalty, and Community Impact

This week on Skin In The Game, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with Jan Liebchen, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing at M&T Bank, to explore how one of the region’s most recognizable brands uses sports and community partnerships to deepen its connection with customers.
Danny Gare on Scoring, Grit and Building Hockey’s Future

This week, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei welcome Buffalo Sabres legend Danny Gare (No. 18). Gare reflects on a career defined by goal-scoring and old-school toughness, from his first NHL shift to living through the rough-and-tumble 1970s—and why those first five years are the ones you miss most.
Two Leagues, One Game: Paul Woods on the Power of Partnership Between the CFL and NFL

This week on Skin in the Game, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with Paul Woods, Canadian Football League historian, journalist and author, to explore the evolving story of the Toronto Argonauts and Canadian Football.
The Rise of Women’s Hockey: Katy Knoll and the PWHL

This week on Skin in the Game, John and Tim sit down with Katy Knoll, forward for the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Knoll reflects on the opportunity the PWHL is creating for athletes like her, and what it means for this moment in women’s sports.
Lake Placid Mountain Biking and ORDA’s Sports Innovation

This week on Skin in the Game, John Cimperman welcomes Kris Cheney Seymour, senior manager of sport strategy and engagement, and Tait Wardlaw, vice president of sales, marketing and communications at the Olympic Regional Development Authority.
Looking Into Water with Bob Rich Jr.

This week on Skin in the Game, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with Bob Rich Jr, an author, businessman, team owner and lifelong angler. A decade after publishing his novel Looking Through Water, Rich shares the story of how it’s now been adapted into a feature film starring Michael Douglas.
Inside the Bills’ New Stadium with Populous’ Jonathan Mallie & Scott Radecic

This week on Skin in the Game, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with Populous leaders Jonathan Mallie (senior principal and managing director for the Americas) and Scott Radecic (senior principal, founder and former Bills linebacker) for a deep dive into the design of the Buffalo Bills’ next home.
Inside the ECHL with Commissioner Ryan Crelin

This week on Skin in the Game, John Cimperman and Tim O’Shei sit down with ECHL Commissioner Ryan Crelin to unpack the state of the league—the premier “AA” professional circuit and a key bridge between the AHL and NHL.
The Best of Baseball with Tim O’Shei

This week on Skin in the Game, Tim O’Shei cues up a baseball special that spans sandlots to the show. We’ve dug into the archives and curated a program that looks at America’s pastime from different perspectives.