Players

I’ll admit, I approached *Players* skeptical of yet another ‘rise of modern sports’ narrative, but Futterman’s focus on the *people*—not just the deals—won me over. The book’s real magic is in its character studies: the way he frames Jerry Maguire-esque agent David Falk as both a visionary and a ruthless operator, or how he traces Michael Jordan’s business acumen back to his father’s influence. Newbern’s narration elevates the material—his timing on punchlines (like a certain NBA owner’s “I’m not paying *him* $100 million!” outburst) had me laughing out loud, while his measured tone during the more analytical sections keeps the listener engaged without overselling. That said, the audiobook isn’t flawless. Futterman’s jumps between timelines can occasionally feel jarring in audio format; a chapter on 1980s tennis sponsorships might abruptly cut to a 2010s NBA lockout, and without visual cues, it takes a beat to reorient. And while Newbern’s performance is largely excellent, his voice for female figures (like agent Lynn Lashbrook) occasionally veers into distracting caricature. Still, these are minor quibbles. The production quality is crisp, the pacing brisk, and the insights—like how Nike’s “Just Do It” wasn’t just a slogan but a *negotiating tactic*—are the kind that’ll have you pausing to text a friend. For sports fans who love the game *and* the game behind the game, this is a must-listen.