Nightcap
The 7th Annual Awards
- Best Athlete Podcast
- Best Use of Live Video
ABOUT THIS ENTRY
Nightcap is the nightly sports talk destination with NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. Sharpe and Johnson give their unfiltered takes on the latest headlines in pro and college football and instant reactions to the biggest games just ten minutes after they end.
In a world where fans hunger for immediate analysis and discussions, “Nightcap with Unc and Ocho” cuts through the clutter as a go-to source for real-time sports insights—and, well, everything else. Leading the rapid influx of athlete-powered sports podcasts in recent years, Nightcap has shown that the model for personality-driven audio content is a winner.
How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?
The team leaned further into its instantaneous nature by branching into live events and accompanying live video. This past summer, the Nightcap team took their show cross-country with their Nightcap Summer Sessions Live Tour, stopping at three sold-out 700+ seat venues in Dallas, Houston, and Atlanta.
This transition into live events has elevated how fans interact with Nightcap–from listening and watching to actually experiencing–not to mention it opened doors for more creative brand partnerships. As Nightcap continues to grow, it serves as a model for future athlete-driven media ventures.
The show's ability to maintain consistent engagement while expanding into new formats and experiences demonstrates the potential for sports personalities to build sustainable media brands. Nightcap has established itself as a premier destination for sports entertainment, proving that athlete-led content thrives when it combines authentic personality, timely analysis, and cultural relevance.
Objective
As two football icons, Sharpe and Johnson’s first-hand experience in the NFL allows them to provide insight beyond what traditional sports coverage can offer. Plus, their unique dynamic, borne through years of partnership and camaraderie, gives the show a unique blend of humor and commentary.
This past year, Nightcap set out to perfect their cadence and increase their versatility in the world of sports media. Once intended to be a straightforward debrief where the two icons discuss the mechanics of the game, the show has become known for its viral antics that have just begun to scratch the surface of what’s possible for the podcast.
This year, they hope to continue to push out quality content at a fast paced cadence, expand their content and appeal, and lean further into the show’s instantaneous nature by hosting live events.
Strategy & Execution
Nightcap was designed to keep pace with the breakneck speed of the sports world. The post-game reaction show – starting just ten minutes after each NFL game – requires the team to be buttoned up in terms of show planning logistics… from scheduling to talking points to lights, camera, action. This isn’t always easy, considering the busy schedules of the show hosts, the demand for relevant and new content, and the quick-turn editing required. But no matter the conditions, the Nightcap team delivers dynamic, humorous, and unfiltered conversation without missing a beat.
The show's editorial vision extends beyond conventional sports talk, embracing a broader cultural conversation that resonates profoundly with its target demographic. Sharpe and Johnson's natural chemistry and candid discussion style create engaging content that seamlessly blends professional sports analysis with contemporary cultural topics, from takes on viral Twitter moments to celebrity news. This versatility has helped Nightcap capture a highly engaged, culturally influential audience, particularly among young, diverse sports enthusiasts.
Organizations
- Shay Shay Media
- The Volume
Links
Featured
- Shannon Sharpe
- Chad Johnson
Credits
Ashleigh Arnim
Head of Content, Shay Shay Media & Executive Producer
Shay Shay Media
Jacob Hazzard
Director
Shay Shay Media
Aaron Lorick
Executive Producer
Shay Shay Media
Cristian Hunter
Director
Shay Shay Media
Celebrate in NYC
Join us for the 7th Annual Hashtag Sports Awards™ on the evening of June 24, 2025 as we celebrate finalists and reveal the winners of this year's awards live during the show.
