Underdog Secures Multi-Year Deal with Gil’s Arena Cast
Underdog, one of the fastest-growing sports gaming and media companies in the U.S., has signed multi-year contract extensions with the entire cast of Gil’s Arena.
About Gil’s Arena
As the largest digital basketball show in the U.S., Gil’s Arena has built a massive following. Hosted by three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas, the show features a panel of former NBA and WNBA stars, including:
- Josiah Johnson – Host & Executive Producer
- Rashad McCants – NCAA Champion
- Nick Young – NBA Champion
- Kenyon Martin – NBA All-Star
- Sheryl Swoopes – Hall of Famer
- Brandon Jennings – Mr. Basketball USA
- Lexie Brown – WNBA Champion
Airing live on YouTube four days a week, the show has surpassed 500 million views while generating billions of social media impressions. It also averages 275,000 viewers per episode, a number that continues to climb. By the end of 2025, the show aims to exceed ESPN’s First Take (496,000 viewers per episode) in audience size.
Underdog & Gilbert Arenas: A Growing Partnership
Arenas sees this extension as a crucial step in expanding basketball 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 Gil’s Arena host, Gilbert Arenas.
The collaboration between Underdog’s VP of Content, Tim Livingston, and Arenas began in 2018 with the No Chill podcast. The success of that project helped pave the way for Gil’s Arena, solidifying Underdog’s influence in sports media.
Liz Marro, Underdog’s Chief Marketing Officer, highlighted the company’s vision for the future: “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.”
Underdog’s Growing Media Network
Since its launch four years ago, Underdog has expanded rapidly, becoming a major player in sports media. Its YouTube network recently surpassed 1.3 million subscribers, fueled by a strong lineup of hit shows.
In addition to Gil’s Arena, Underdog’s network features:
- 89 – Hosted by All-Pro WR Steve Smith
- Clean Pocket – Featuring Jay Gruden, Colt McCoy, AQ Shipley, and Justin Pugh
- Baseball is Dead & Section 10 – With Jared Carrabis and Dallas Braden
- Fantasy Football – Hosted by Josh Norris & Hayden Winks
- Heed the Call – Featuring Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler
What’s Next for Gil’s Arena & Underdog?
“We teamed up with Gil to build a wholly authentic show for the basketball community,” said Livingston. “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.”
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