The Sports Bubble with Jensen Karp

In 2019, three-time Olympian swimmer Nathan Adrian was diagnosed and treated for testicular cancer - setting him up for a difficult road to recovery in time for Tokyo 2020, hopefully to be his fourth Olympic Games. Then the global pandemic rescheduled all of 2020. The five-time Olympic gold medalist talks about how the postponement may have helped him, the difficult task of finding Olympic-sized pools in a global crisis, and how hi...

We're all in need of a little inspiration these days, which makes Sean Elliott the perfect athlete for The Sports Bubble. Not only is the Spurs legend an NBA champion and two-time All-Star, he's also one of the greatest college basketball players of his generation - and he did it all while battling a crippling kidney disease that resulted in a transplant. Now, as the long-time, and healthy, San Antonio Spurs broadcast analyst, Sean...

While the return of most sports leagues remains shaky at best, NASCAR has returned at full speed. Leading the way is driver Aric Almirola who found himself on a hot streak - whether as the only driver that has finished in the top 10 at every race since the stopdown or by crossing the finish line in third place at Geico 500… backwards. The driver of the No. 10 Smithfield Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing shares how he’s turned th...

The first sports league in the United States to return to “normalcy” was the NWSL – no small feat accomplished without the brave women who first experienced it like Utah Royals FC star Kelley O’Hara. The two-time FIFA World Cup champion talks about the “summer camp” vibe of the Challenge Cup, the social landscape of America, and if the internet trolls she’s dealt with in her life and career still allow her to think this world can b...

Kenny "The Jet" Smith went from playing alongside Michael Jordan on a North Carolina NCAA team to ten seasons in the NBA where he helped lead the Houston Rockets to back-to-back championships. Since then, The Jet has brought his expertise on the court to the always entertaining & award-winning Inside the NBA on TNT, where he's delivered enough classic TV moments to rival his extensive on-court highlight reel. With the NBA Bubbl...

It’s official, the MLS is Back…in a bubble. For stars like midfielder Sebastian Lletget of the powerhouse LA Galaxy, the results of this tournament mean more than just a win, draw, or loss… it’s an attempt at playing for normalcy. In this episode, Jensen talks to Sebastian about the latest in the MLS quarantined version of “the happiest place on earth,” the racism he’s seen in the sport while playing for West Ham United, and whethe...

To be an elite striker, you have to be fearless. As the fastest player in Major League Soccer history to reach 100 goals, Bradley Wright-Phillips has shown he’s as fearless as they come. But the current world we’re living in even has him worried. In an open and raw conversation, recorded just before the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando, the two-time Golden Boot winner reveals his deep concerns about the “tough ask” to leave his fa...

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen is not only one of baseball’s best all-around players, he’s also a fun guy off the field, which can’t be said about everyone in the league. The 2015 NL MVP and five-time All-Star talks to Jensen about his hilarious quarantine alter-ego “Uncle Larry,” how that epic Topps trading card came to be, and his recent viral “Fresh Prince” moment in an empty Philly rental. They also chat abou...

When your gamer handle is “MamaImDatMan,” you better mean business. As the reigning MVP of the NBA 2K League and its first individual player to sign an endorsement deal, Nidal “MamaImDatMan” Nasser has proven he deserves the moniker. Nidal joins Jensen to talk about the skills and training it takes to be WAY better than you at video games, how the 2K League travels just like their NBA counterparts, and why the community of eSports ...

The name Jerry Stackhouse is synonymous with basketball. One of the greatest players to ever wear the North Carolina Tar Heels jersey, he went on to play 18 seasons in the NBA - yes, 18! With a resume that’s parallel to none, it's easy to see why he was recently chosen to be the head coach of the Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball team. Coach Stackhouse talks to Jensen about leading an impressive young roster during these challenging time...

As soon as we’re allowed to give hugs again, it’s hard to imagine not having WWE Superstar Big E at the top of your list. The teddy bear masquerading as the current WWE SmackDown! Tag Team Champion has proven himself in the ring for years now, but it’s his ability to see the larger picture that will make you a fan for life. Big E talks to Jensen about the racial divide dominating our culture, the history of the black performer in w...

Amongst his numerous achievements, tennis legend Patrick McEnroe never intended to add being the first No-Sports Report guest to be diagnosed with Coronavirus to the list. The ESPN broadcaster shares his COVID-19 story - from the symptoms he experienced to what it was like to be quarantined in his basement for two weeks - and gets into the challenges ahead for the planned U.S. Open, amidst all the positive tests last week. Patrick ...

Julie Foudy is an absolute legend. The soccer icon and two-time World Cup champion has fought for human and civil rights her entire career – exemplifying what it means to be a captain on and off the field. In this chat, Foudy discusses the difficult decisions that athletes will make as they return to their sports, why athletes like Colin Kaepernick and Megan Rapinoe are the leaders we need, and her thoughts on racial bias, social i...

Coming off an impressive season in 2019, pitcher Keone Kela had even bigger plans for this season - set on proving he’s the Pittsburgh Pirates opening day closer while exhibiting his personal growth on, and off, the mound. Now, with the MLB season in limbo, Keone has all the time in the world to continue to mature… and reflect on how he was probably sick with the Coronavirus during Spring Training. Keone and Jensen talk about fathe...

Sports have always been about breaking records and the athletes who make history. As a black woman on a NASCAR pit crew, everything Brehanna Daniels does smashes through a glass ceiling and sets a record - and she’s proud to be doing it. The NASCAR tire changer talks about the groundbreaking changes in her sport and how, seemingly overnight, she went from being a college basketball player to a rising star in the revolutionary Drive...

Since 1896, the modern Olympics have only been canceled four times - thanks to World War and now the COVID-19 pandemic. And Molly Solomon, the executive producer and president of NBC Olympics and the Golf Channel, now has the difficult task of overseeing the world’s biggest competition’s broadcast move from 2020 to 2021. Add in the fact that she’s raising 16 year-old triplets in a pandemic and you can’t help but feel like Solomon s...

Last year, starting pitcher Zach Plesac had one of the most impressive debuts in Cleveland Indians history, taking the mound in a rainy Fenway Park against David Price. Now, instead of following up that fairytale start in what was to be his impressive rookie season, he’s moving from city to city as a young contract signee without his own house yet. Zach talks to Jensen about the eerie drive across the country during a pandemic, why...

Maybe it’s just the Hawaiian way, but nothing really rattles Jordan Yamamoto. Need proof? How about starting his major league career last season by setting a Miami Marlins franchise record of 14 scoreless innings over two starts. Oh, and a rotation best WHIP of 1.144 and 82 strikeouts in under 79 innings to finish the season. Now, that’s Aloha. The Marlins pitcher talks to Jensen about how he maintains a positive mindset during slu...

“The Toddfather,” Todd Frazier, is the kind of Major Leaguer you can’t help but love, even when he’s not on your team. The beloved little league superstar turned All-Star third baseman talks to Jensen about fitting in with his new team, the Texas Rangers, during quarantine, the difficulties of MLB’s return, and how the pandemic is letting the Astros get away with cheating “scot-free.” Todd also talks about looking up to Charles Bar...