Journalist. Podcaster. Network founder. Warren Shaw joins Kevin L. Warren to explain how 19 Media Group and The Baseline NBA Podcast were actually built — cold calls, credential hustles, and a COVID-era decision that changed everything. 🎙️

Kevin L. Warren hosts Warren Shaw — Co-Founder of 19 Media Group, host of Dope Interviews, and co-host of The Baseline NBA Podcast — for a wide-ranging conversation on breaking into NBA journalism, launching a media network from frustration into something authentic, and why he still measures success by integrity, not metrics.

📋 ON THIS EPISODE:

🤝 A PodFest friendship that turned into a business partnership

✍️ Breaking into journalism through cold outreach and rejection

🏀 The Orlando Magic credential grind that taught him the business

📡 Why 19 Media Group was born out of frustration during COVID

🎯 How he lands big-name guests for Dope Interviews

📈 What's next for Baseline's milestone 15th season

⚡ A lightning round on fandoms, artists, and dream guests

⏱️ CHAPTERS:

0:00 Meet Warren Shaw

0:57 Show Welcome and Housekeeping

2:04 PodFest Friendship Origin

6:03 Childhood Bond With Kyle

8:30 Breaking Into Journalism

11:29 Handling Rejection and Grind

13:06 Orlando Magic Credential Hustle

16:09 Journalism Lessons for Podcasters

18:12 From Writing to Podcasting

22:10 Launching 19 Media Group

24:25 Network Shows and Lineup

27:42 Consistency and Leadership Challenges

31:17 Human First Networking Mindset

32:56 Grace and Empathy

33:42 Defining Real Success

35:57 Landing Big Guests

39:12 Why Dope Interviews

42:26 Cadence and Balance

44:01 Interviews That Surprised

49:40 Baseline Season 15 Plans

51:17 Segments Nostalgia and Debates

56:37 Lightning Round Favorites

1:01:32 Dream Guests and Integrity

1:04:24 Closing Salutes

⭐ HIGHLIGHTED CHAPTER: "Launching 19 Media Group" (22:10) — the real, unfiltered origin story of the network, born from frustration and built on integrity.

🔗 MORE FROM WARREN SHAW & 19 MEDIA GROUP:

📰 Read his feature on Bold Journey: boldjourney.com/meet-warren-shaw/

🐦 Follow him on X: x.com/TheWarrenShaw

🌐 Explore 19 Media Group: 19mediagroup.com

🎧 Listen to Dope Interviews on iHeart: iheart.com/podcast/53-dope-interviews-84807034

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We want to hear from YOU and continue building the Sports Chasers community. Your support helps us grow, improve, and keep delivering objective, no-narrative sports conversations every week.

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🎬 PRODUCTION CREDITS:

Music: "Egg Rollz" by Jobii — licensed via Epidemic Sound

Intro/Outro Video Production: Kevin L. Warren

#SportsChasers #WarrenShaw #19MediaGroup #TheBaselineNBAPodcast #DopeInterviews #TheInterviewSessions #NBAPodcast #SportsMedia #PodcastLife #ChasersNation

🎙️ WEEKEND REWIND RETURNS — Episode 539

The Sports Chasers are back after a month off, and Kevin L. Warren, D-Dubbz, The D.A., and The Angry1ne came loaded. The NBA is investigating whether the Clippers used outside arrangements to circumvent the salary cap for Kawhi Leonard — and it's already delayed a reported trade back to Toronto. 🚨🏀

📌 ON THIS EPISODE:

📺 Fox is pumping the brakes on renegotiating its ~$2.25B/year NFL rights deal until closer to 2028-2030

🏈 Renewed debate over a 20-team College Football Playoff — workload, diluted regular seasons, and Notre Dame's automatic-bid access

🚨 The Kawhi Leonard / Clippers salary-cap circumvention investigation

🏆 A full breakdown of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 — Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, Roger Craig — plus a 2027 watch list

🏟️ Criticism of the Bills' new $2.1B stadium design and roof

⚾ MLB Power Rankings, including the Dodgers' ongoing slump

🏀 The WNBA opening talks on transgender eligibility standards following Sophie Cunningham's public comments

Objective analysis. Real debate. Zero narratives. This is Chasers Nation.

⏱️ CHAPTERS:

00:00 🎙️ Weekend Rewind Returns

01:25 📢 Housekeeping & Milestones

02:30 👥 Meet the Crew

04:47 📺 NFL TV Rights Debate

11:35 🏈 CFP Expansion Pushback (20 Teams?)

24:33 🍀 Notre Dame's Special Access

25:37 🚨 Kawhi Leonard Clippers Cap Investigation

34:21 🏆 Hall of Fame Class Spotlight

43:08 😂 Vinatieri Roasts Peyton

44:05 🤔 Kuechly Hall Debate

46:42 👀 2027 HOF Class Preview

49:00 ⚖️ Cam Newton & AB Cases

53:56 🗳️ First-Ballot Arguments

58:08 📊 QB Resume Breakdown

01:05:54 🏈 Football Is Back

01:07:30 🎓 Carson Beck Preseason Check

01:12:55 🏜️ Cardinals Outlook & Injuries

01:14:24 🏟️ Bills Stadium Backlash

01:21:19 💵 Vote With Your Dollars

01:21:44 🎮 Stop Buying Madden

01:23:24 🏟️ Bills Stadium Roof Debate

01:25:53 ⚾ MLB Power Rankings (Dodgers Slump)

01:27:42 🏀 WNBA Trans Policy Debate

01:39:06 ⚖️ Safety & Fairness Focus

01:50:33 📰 Press Access & Accountability

01:52:13 🎬 Final Thoughts & Sign Off

⭐ HIGHLIGHTED CHAPTER

🚨 Kawhi Leonard's Cap Circumvention Investigation Explained — 25:37

The crew breaks down the NBA's active investigation into allegations that the Clippers used outside arrangements to circumvent the salary cap for Kawhi Leonard — and why it's already stalling a reported trade back to Toronto.

🔔 SUPPORT • FOLLOW • FEEDBACK – CHASERS NATION

We want to hear from YOU and continue building the Sports Chasers community. Your support helps us grow, improve, and keep delivering objective, no-narrative sports conversations every week.

⭐ LOVE THE PODCAST 👉 https://lovethepodcast.com/678c0f38d21e0cd429a48a1b

🔔 FOLLOW THE PODCAST 👉 https://followthepodcast.com/678c0f38d21e0cd429a48a1b

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🙏 Thank you for rocking with us and helping grow Chasers Nation. Join the Chase. Enjoy the Chase. 🏁🎧

📍 STAY CONNECTED:

Website: sportschasers.net

Merch: 1800tshirts.chipply.com

Affiliates & Partners: sportschasers.net/affiliate

Love the show: lovethepodcast.com/678c0f38d21e0cd429a48a1b

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🎬 PRODUCTION CREDITS:

Narration: Ken Marsiglia

Intro "Super Bowl" · Outro "Buss Down" — licensed via Epidemic Sound

Music Production: Darrell L. Warren

Intro/Outro Video: Azad S.

#KawhiLeonard #ClippersInvestigation #SportsChasers #NBA #NFL #CollegeFootballPlayoff #ProFootballHOF #WNBA #WeekendRewind #MLB #Dodgers #BillsStadium #Raptors #SalaryCap #SportsPodcast

Tarik Skubal's stunning trade from Detroit to the Dodgers has MLB's parity debate boiling over. Host Kevin L. Warren, MLB Resident Expert Alvin "Cincinnati Al" Clawson, D-Dubbz, and The D.A. break down why L.A. needed Skubal, whether Detroit's timing made sense, and if baseball's competitive balance problem is real — or if it's time for fans to stop blaming the Dodgers for legally winning.

The crew also reviews the Cubs' deadline masterclass (Gausman, Clay Holmes), Luis Arraez joining Philadelphia, Adley Rutschman's move to Boston, and a full Yankees shake-up: George Lombard Jr.'s debut and Anthony Volpe's demotion. It closes with MLB's push for a hard salary cap and floor ahead of the December 2026 CBA deadline, NFL money vs. MLB money, and whether "Level The Playing Field" is fair messaging or propaganda.

👉 HIGHLIGHTED CHAPTER:

"Are MLB Owners Scamming Fans? The Salary Cap Fight, Unpacked"

⏱️ 56:39

The panel turns sharply on MLB's own ad campaign, arguing owners are using real payroll gaps — highlighted by the Skubal trade — to sell fans on a hard cap that critics say mostly protects ownership profit.

⏱️ FULL CHAPTERS:

⚾ 00:00 – Skubal Trade Shockwave

🎙️ 02:19 – Show Returns & Panel Introductions

🔥 05:39 – Why the Dodgers Needed Skubal

😤 07:42 – Parity Debate: "Stop Crying"

🐻 15:52 – Cubs' Deadline Masterclass (Gausman, Clay Holmes)

🔴 18:48 – Phillies Add Luis Arraez

🧢 19:52 – Red Sox Land Adley Rutschman

🗽 21:52 – Yankees Injuries & Outlook

⚡ 25:04 – Lombard's Debut vs. Volpe Debate

🌊 36:33 – Padres Push for the Wild Card

🏆 39:18 – NL Wild Card Race Breakdown

🔵 39:48 – More Phillies Deadline Moves

🐯 40:35 – Detroit's Skubal Decision, Debated

💰 42:49 – MLB's Salary Cap Fight

🎰 48:02 – "Scratch-Off" Chaos

🏈 50:20 – NFL Money vs. MLB Money

😡 56:39 – Are Owners Scamming Fans?

💸 01:02:51 – Dodgers' Luxury Tax Spending

👑 01:07:19 – Dynasties & Villains

🎤 01:08:51 – Parting Shots

✅ 01:18:01 – Final Sign-Off

🌐 Website: sportschasers.net

🛒 Merch: 1800tshirts.chipply.com

🤝 Affiliates & Partners: sportschasers.net/affiliate

🔔 SUPPORT • FOLLOW • FEEDBACK – CHASERS NATION

We want to hear from YOU and continue building the Sports Chasers community. Your support helps us grow, improve, and keep delivering objective, no-narrative sports conversations every week.

⭐ LOVE THE PODCAST 👉 https://lovethepodcast.com/678c0f38d21e0cd429a48a1b

🔔 FOLLOW THE PODCAST 👉 https://followthepodcast.com/678c0f38d21e0cd429a48a1b

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🙏 Thank you for rocking with us and helping grow Chasers Nation. Join the Chase. Enjoy the Chase. 🏁🎧