Zuri Hall Launches ‘Not About Sports’ Podcast

In the fast-paced world of media, Zuri Hall has mastered the art of making every moment count. Known for her Emmy-winning hosting skills, she’s transformed fleeting red carpet encounters and interviews into meaningful exchanges. Now, Hall is stepping into a new role – one where she sets the pace and controls the narrative. Her new podcast, “Not About Sports,” offers the space she’s always craved for deeper, more authentic conversations.

From Sports Appreciation to Human Stories

The idea for “Not About Sports” had been brewing for years. Hall, who has always admired the dedication and discipline within the sports world, wanted to contribute to those conversations. However, her true passion lies in human interest and one-on-one storytelling. She explained, “My biggest passion and my skillset is very much human interest, one-on-one conversations.”

Instead of focusing solely on stats and game analysis, Hall aims to explore the mindset, pressure, and identity tied to athletic competition. She loves uncovering the “why” behind people’s stories. “I wanted to be able to contribute to conversations in sports at the highest level, but I wanted to do it in a way that was authentic to me—I’m not a stats and analytics girl,” she shared.

Shaping Conversations Through Experience

Hall’s ability to conduct in-depth conversations, which she calls “cooking” when given 20 minutes, stems from her diverse career. Her early experience in local news demanded patience and meticulous attention to detail. Furthermore, her work with the Black & Missing Foundation involved traveling the country to highlight cold cases involving people of color. These intense, heartbreaking, yet crucial conversations shaped her approach to storytelling.

With “Not About Sports,” Hall uses sports as a jumping-off point to explore universal themes. The podcast delves into topics relevant to almost everyone: finding happiness, living a fulfilling life, balancing passions with work and family, and discovering one’s identity in different life stages. It’s about the human element that connects us all.

Embracing Ownership and Entrepreneurship

The pandemic’s shift in creator dynamics inspired Hall to finally bring “Not About Sports” to life. Having built strong relationships and understanding the creator economy, she decided to self-fund the project. “I’m just going to do this on my own on purpose so that I can actually embrace the role of independent creator, own the IP, build it myself, and then expand and partner up from there,” she explained. This move signifies her commitment to ownership and building something on her own terms.

Hall acknowledges the increased responsibility that comes with building a project from the ground up. “I can’t blame anybody but me if it doesn’t work out,” she admitted. However, the overwhelming positive response from athletes and publicists alike has been incredibly exciting. Her dream guests include Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, and Serena Williams, with a particular focus on highlighting Black women in and around the sports world.

Beyond the podcast, Hall continues to expand her influence as a global ambassador for the Global Fund for Children. This role reinforces her commitment to using her platform responsibly. Through her production company, Good News First Studios, she’s not only creating content but also investing in and providing opportunities for other creatives. Balancing the creative and business aspects is an ongoing journey, but Hall is dedicated to understanding every detail before making commitments.

Zuri Hall’s career is evolving, with hosting remaining central, but ownership now taking equal priority. “Not About Sports” represents this growth, merging her years of experience with a forward-thinking vision. As she puts it, “Instead of waiting for a ‘yes,’ I made a ‘yes’ myself.” It’s a powerful testament to betting on oneself.