The Mina Kimes Show, Omaha Productions

ABOUT THIS ENTRY

Mina Kimes, one of the most distinct voices in sports journalism, is a key figure within Omaha Productions’ talent network. Through deep analysis of the NFL’s biggest moments, and a little help from her dog, Lenny, The Mina Kimes Show has positioned Mina as one of the most exciting and relatable voices in sports podcasting. From her time as senior writer at ESPN the magazine, Mina honed her ability to put a unique spin on even the most mundane sports story. Through clever metaphor, engaging guests, and unbiased insights, she guides her audience through the constantly moving world of pro football, tackling everything from coaching changes, off-season pickups, and detailed game recaps. From reality show reactions in the offseason to preseason buzz and playoff matchup previews, Mina has built her show into a true reflection of herself: equal parts football and fun. 

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

The Mina Kimes Show is more than just a place to get industry-best football analysis. It’s a tight-knit community of sports fans who come to the show for Mina just as much as they do for the expert breakdowns she provides. Off season, long-form breakdowns of reality shows like Love is Blind and The Traitors have provided a secondary point of entry for new fans of the show. The comment section of these episodes explode with fans debating right along with Mina, who often makes herself known with replies and likes. 

As ESPN’s first female NFL analyst, Mina was able to tap into an underrepresented demographic, simultaneously carving her own path in the industry while making waves in the sea of male voices within the NFL podcast space.Fans seeking respite from the cookie cutter world of sports podcasting have found a forever home with Mina and Lenny. Ballooning follow numbers across Instagram and Twitter, that currently sit at a combined 1.4M, portend a continuously growing following.

Objective

As The Mina Kimes Show continues to blossom, it seeks to further establish its unique place within the larger firmament of sports podcasting. Where other shows opt for wild takes and endless debate, Mina has steadily built a fandom of those who appreciate her narrative background, wealth of ball knowledge, and fun-loving demeanor. Mina and her team approach the show with the goal of keeping die-hard NFL fans informed while bringing a smile to their faces. Her show stands out among a field of anonymous sports podcasts by never shying away from her true colors.  

As the podcast begins to age gracefully into its 8th year, Mina is spreading her wings further. Her career-long public fandom of the Seattle Seahawks this year paid dividends when the team won Superbowl LVIII. Episodes released before and after the game saw a massive surge in engagement with fans from all over the sports world flocking in to see what Mina thought about her birds in the big game. This boost was a surefire sign to Mina and her team to double down on the personality that has gotten them this far. 

Strategy & Execution

To further establish the unique tone of the show, The Mina Kimes Show has invested heavily in visual storytelling. By elevating production with tailored graphics, eye catching thumbnails, and pop-up visuals, the show maintains a distinct identity. Special formats like “Power Hours” and “Division Previews,” complete with customized visual packages, give fans a premium, appointment-viewing experience. Meanwhile, segments like “Winners and Woofs” have helped to deepen The Mina Kimes Show brand by infusing her personality into the gamified sports content fans love. 

As part of an ongoing partnership between Omaha and ESPN, the show has built out a steady timeslot on the most dominant sports coverage brand. In tandem, the show’s small but mighty production team consistently maintains an aggressive posting cadence across Mina Kimes’ YouTube channel and socials, offering fans a multitude of ways to engage. Mina Kimes’ success demonstrates that smart format design and visual strategy can dramatically grow a football show in the digital era. 

Organizations

• Omaha Productions

  ESPN

Links

•   Website

Featured

• Mina Kimes

Credits

Kirsten Sobecki
Senior Producer
Omaha Productions

Richelle Markazene
Head of Audio
Omaha Productions

Jack Foster
Segment Producer
Omaha Productions

Tucker Tashjian
Producer
Omaha Productions