Craig Custance
@craigcustance.bsky.social
Author of The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams 📚
Head of Creative Development at @TheAthletic | Formerly @ESPN
🔗 http://www.craigcustance.com
✉️ craig@theathletic.com
Head of Creative Development at @TheAthletic | Formerly @ESPN
🔗 http://www.craigcustance.com
✉️ craig@theathletic.com
Reposted by Craig Custance
It's NHL season preview ... season.
We're going from No. 32 to No. 1.
The bottom five dropped this morning. Boy these teams are gonna stink! Not saying which ones though! ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...
We're going from No. 32 to No. 1.
The bottom five dropped this morning. Boy these teams are gonna stink! Not saying which ones though! ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...
September 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
It's NHL season preview ... season.
We're going from No. 32 to No. 1.
The bottom five dropped this morning. Boy these teams are gonna stink! Not saying which ones though! ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...
We're going from No. 32 to No. 1.
The bottom five dropped this morning. Boy these teams are gonna stink! Not saying which ones though! ⤵️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...
Reposted by Craig Custance
Subscribe to the YouTube channel! You can now watch full episodes. Next one drops Wednesday
The Athletic's Tyler Kepner on How He Broke In to Baseball Writing
YouTube video by Breaking In With Kevin Fishbain
youtu.be
July 14, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Subscribe to the YouTube channel! You can now watch full episodes. Next one drops Wednesday
Reposted by Craig Custance
🎙️The #StanleyCup Playoffs are set. Today we preview the West!
@seangentille.bsky.social @shaynagoldman.bsky.social & @domluszczyszyn.bsky.social cover it all.
+ @haileysalvian.bsky.social joins for a #WomensWorlds update from Czechia @theathletic.bsky.social
⤵️
pod.fo/e/2c9514
@seangentille.bsky.social @shaynagoldman.bsky.social & @domluszczyszyn.bsky.social cover it all.
+ @haileysalvian.bsky.social joins for a #WomensWorlds update from Czechia @theathletic.bsky.social
⤵️
pod.fo/e/2c9514
The Athletic Hockey Show: A show about the NHL: Western Conference NHL playoff preview
Sean Gentille, Shayna Goldman and Dom Luszczyszyn preview the four western conference first round playoff series, including the Stars in tough vs the Avalanche, the Kings and Oilers part 4, Minneso...
pod.fo
April 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
🎙️The #StanleyCup Playoffs are set. Today we preview the West!
@seangentille.bsky.social @shaynagoldman.bsky.social & @domluszczyszyn.bsky.social cover it all.
+ @haileysalvian.bsky.social joins for a #WomensWorlds update from Czechia @theathletic.bsky.social
⤵️
pod.fo/e/2c9514
@seangentille.bsky.social @shaynagoldman.bsky.social & @domluszczyszyn.bsky.social cover it all.
+ @haileysalvian.bsky.social joins for a #WomensWorlds update from Czechia @theathletic.bsky.social
⤵️
pod.fo/e/2c9514
Reposted by Craig Custance
"I have 23 games in the big leagues ... I haven't accomplished a whole lot yet."
Another week, another great guest on Starkville.
Paul Skenes joins me & @dougglanville.bsky.social talking the pursuit of greatness, the MLB the Show cover & lots more
theathletic.lnk.to/windTX
Another week, another great guest on Starkville.
Paul Skenes joins me & @dougglanville.bsky.social talking the pursuit of greatness, the MLB the Show cover & lots more
theathletic.lnk.to/windTX
March 19, 2025 at 1:02 PM
"I have 23 games in the big leagues ... I haven't accomplished a whole lot yet."
Another week, another great guest on Starkville.
Paul Skenes joins me & @dougglanville.bsky.social talking the pursuit of greatness, the MLB the Show cover & lots more
theathletic.lnk.to/windTX
Another week, another great guest on Starkville.
Paul Skenes joins me & @dougglanville.bsky.social talking the pursuit of greatness, the MLB the Show cover & lots more
theathletic.lnk.to/windTX
Reposted by Craig Custance
“He was loved at the highest level and hated at the highest level,” Mike Krzyzewski said by phone yesterday, stopping and starting. “He knew that, too, and he was OK with it."
That's a life too large to fit into any simple sketch, but here we remember John Feinstein
www.nytimes.com/athletic/620...
That's a life too large to fit into any simple sketch, but here we remember John Feinstein
www.nytimes.com/athletic/620...
Remembering John Feinstein, renowned American sportswriter who was ‘larger than life’
Feinstein was 30 when he penned 'A Season on the Brink,' a 1986 portrait of Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers.
www.nytimes.com
March 14, 2025 at 12:04 PM
“He was loved at the highest level and hated at the highest level,” Mike Krzyzewski said by phone yesterday, stopping and starting. “He knew that, too, and he was OK with it."
That's a life too large to fit into any simple sketch, but here we remember John Feinstein
www.nytimes.com/athletic/620...
That's a life too large to fit into any simple sketch, but here we remember John Feinstein
www.nytimes.com/athletic/620...
Huge congrats to the Connections: Sports Edition team for the official launch today in @theathletic.bsky.social --
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Timer on: theathletic.com/connections
Connections: Sports Edition
Puzzle #139
Time: 00:40
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Timer on: theathletic.com/connections
Connections: Sports Edition
Puzzle #139
Time: 00:40
🟢🟢🟢🟢
🟣🟣🟣🟣
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🟡🟡🟡
Play Connections: Sports Edition, our newest word game
Group sports terms that share a common thread. A new puzzle is available each day.
theathletic.com
February 9, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Huge congrats to the Connections: Sports Edition team for the official launch today in @theathletic.bsky.social --
.
Timer on: theathletic.com/connections
Connections: Sports Edition
Puzzle #139
Time: 00:40
🟢🟢🟢🟢
🟣🟣🟣🟣
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🟡🟡🟡
.
Timer on: theathletic.com/connections
Connections: Sports Edition
Puzzle #139
Time: 00:40
🟢🟢🟢🟢
🟣🟣🟣🟣
🔵🔵🔵🔵
🟡🟡🟡🟡
So much great work in here from Keith 🔽
nothing new today but here's what's gone up this week from me at @theathletic.bsky.social:
the top 100 prospects for 2025 nyti.ms/4gdjOKn
a Q&A about the top 100 nyti.ms/42wHar2
prospects who just missed the 100 bit.ly/40viuN8
ranking all 30 farm systems nyti.ms/3ChfCLW
the top 100 prospects for 2025 nyti.ms/4gdjOKn
a Q&A about the top 100 nyti.ms/42wHar2
prospects who just missed the 100 bit.ly/40viuN8
ranking all 30 farm systems nyti.ms/3ChfCLW
Top 100 MLB prospects 2025: Keith Law’s rankings, with Roman Anthony at No. 1
Law's annual top 100 MLB prospect ranking leads off with Boston's Roman Anthony and includes 15 players from last year's draft.
nyti.ms
January 31, 2025 at 10:41 PM
So much great work in here from Keith 🔽
Reposted by Craig Custance
From @theathletic.bsky.social: Former Fox Sports host Julie Stewart-Binks alleges that Fox Sports executive Charlie Dixon sexually assaulted her in 2016. Days later, she said she felt forced to participate in a segment with Rob Gronkowski that led to public backlash. nyti.ms/4hztkbR
January 31, 2025 at 3:36 PM
From @theathletic.bsky.social: Former Fox Sports host Julie Stewart-Binks alleges that Fox Sports executive Charlie Dixon sexually assaulted her in 2016. Days later, she said she felt forced to participate in a segment with Rob Gronkowski that led to public backlash. nyti.ms/4hztkbR
Reposted by Craig Custance
There's a list out there on the internet, one tallying h.s. basketball's highest single-season scorers. The name on top isn't a familiar one. It's one that was without a story.
That's where we begin...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/607...
That's where we begin...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/607...
The search for an all-time scorer that time forgot
The unwritten history of Finell White, who went from Harlem playgrounds to South Carolina countrysides and rewrote the record book
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
There's a list out there on the internet, one tallying h.s. basketball's highest single-season scorers. The name on top isn't a familiar one. It's one that was without a story.
That's where we begin...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/607...
That's where we begin...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/607...
There's some good stuff in Culture Code by Daniel Coyle that I think you'd like. But yeah, that's what I was hoping to accomplish. Tell some stories that help people learn and get better, I appreciate you sending a note.
@craigcustance.bsky.social reading the new book and like it (like I did the bench bosses one). Suggestions for more easy reads on how sports folks do leadership that can apply to corp America? This style beats generic leadership books.
January 30, 2025 at 3:53 PM
There's some good stuff in Culture Code by Daniel Coyle that I think you'd like. But yeah, that's what I was hoping to accomplish. Tell some stories that help people learn and get better, I appreciate you sending a note.
Reposted by Craig Custance
From @theathletic.bsky.social: Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only one with a "dad bod." Superstar athletes in all kinds of physically demanding sports are combining unconventional body types with otherworldly athleticism. nyti.ms/40E0FeH
January 30, 2025 at 2:40 PM
From @theathletic.bsky.social: Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only one with a "dad bod." Superstar athletes in all kinds of physically demanding sports are combining unconventional body types with otherworldly athleticism. nyti.ms/40E0FeH
Reposted by Craig Custance
🎙️ Rates & Barrels ⚾
After a brief detour to begin the week, @enosarris.bsky.social & I return to the position preview series with Part 1 (of 3) focusing on outfielders.
(Spoiler: There are a lot of players we like in this episode.)
Audio: pod.fo/e/2a2985
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels
After a brief detour to begin the week, @enosarris.bsky.social & I return to the position preview series with Part 1 (of 3) focusing on outfielders.
(Spoiler: There are a lot of players we like in this episode.)
Audio: pod.fo/e/2a2985
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels
January 23, 2025 at 4:48 AM
🎙️ Rates & Barrels ⚾
After a brief detour to begin the week, @enosarris.bsky.social & I return to the position preview series with Part 1 (of 3) focusing on outfielders.
(Spoiler: There are a lot of players we like in this episode.)
Audio: pod.fo/e/2a2985
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels
After a brief detour to begin the week, @enosarris.bsky.social & I return to the position preview series with Part 1 (of 3) focusing on outfielders.
(Spoiler: There are a lot of players we like in this episode.)
Audio: pod.fo/e/2a2985
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels
Reposted by Craig Custance
Better late to add my eclectic Xmas book haul to #booksky! (Not counting ebooks lol)
Started attacking the stack!
Merci pour la bonne lecture @mathiasbrunet.bsky.social!
We’ll see who’s next! 😁 @pintsizedfarmer.bsky.social @davewragg.com @craigcustance.bsky.social @buehlmeister.bsky.social
Started attacking the stack!
Merci pour la bonne lecture @mathiasbrunet.bsky.social!
We’ll see who’s next! 😁 @pintsizedfarmer.bsky.social @davewragg.com @craigcustance.bsky.social @buehlmeister.bsky.social
January 20, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Better late to add my eclectic Xmas book haul to #booksky! (Not counting ebooks lol)
Started attacking the stack!
Merci pour la bonne lecture @mathiasbrunet.bsky.social!
We’ll see who’s next! 😁 @pintsizedfarmer.bsky.social @davewragg.com @craigcustance.bsky.social @buehlmeister.bsky.social
Started attacking the stack!
Merci pour la bonne lecture @mathiasbrunet.bsky.social!
We’ll see who’s next! 😁 @pintsizedfarmer.bsky.social @davewragg.com @craigcustance.bsky.social @buehlmeister.bsky.social
Thrashers 2.0 could learn a lot from the Vegas chapter in there. Also, there's at least one Thrashers 1.0 reference in the book that I can think of off hand.
Gotta get reading so I can help the owners of Thrashers 2.0 when they call, right @craigcustance.bsky.social?
January 13, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Thrashers 2.0 could learn a lot from the Vegas chapter in there. Also, there's at least one Thrashers 1.0 reference in the book that I can think of off hand.
Reposted by Craig Custance
I talked to @craigcustance.bsky.social about his terrific book The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams. It's more than just hockey, you'll glean a lot of great life/business advice and reading suggestions: thecommentary.ca/ontheline/22...
Craig Custance | thecommentary.ca
The writer and journalist Craig Custance, Head of Creative Development at The Athletic, discusses his new book The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams (Simon & Schuster, 2024), with Jose...
thecommentary.ca
January 9, 2025 at 1:21 PM
I talked to @craigcustance.bsky.social about his terrific book The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams. It's more than just hockey, you'll glean a lot of great life/business advice and reading suggestions: thecommentary.ca/ontheline/22...
Just got finished reading this. Worth the time
Could not love this more. Could not love Jim Crutchfield more.
“In a sport full of copycats, it’s hard to find anything that looks completely different.”
@cjmoorehoops.bsky.social is in his bag here …
www.nytimes.com/athletic/603...
January 8, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Just got finished reading this. Worth the time
Reposted by Craig Custance
New TAHS Wednesday pod with Other Sean and Frank:
- Wait, are the Canucks going to trade *both* of JT Miller and Elias Pettersson?
- Who's real and who's not at the midway mark
- The Blue Jackets have a playoff spot
- Frank Vatrano's weird new contract, and more...
pod.fo/e/29b14b
- Wait, are the Canucks going to trade *both* of JT Miller and Elias Pettersson?
- Who's real and who's not at the midway mark
- The Blue Jackets have a playoff spot
- Frank Vatrano's weird new contract, and more...
pod.fo/e/29b14b
The Athletic Hockey Show: A show about the NHL: Are the Canucks prepared to move on from Pettersson and Miller?
On the first new Wednesday show of the year, Gentille, Corrado and McIndoe discuss the dysfunction in Vancouver between Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller and if the Canucks are prepared to deal both...
pod.fo
January 8, 2025 at 5:18 PM
New TAHS Wednesday pod with Other Sean and Frank:
- Wait, are the Canucks going to trade *both* of JT Miller and Elias Pettersson?
- Who's real and who's not at the midway mark
- The Blue Jackets have a playoff spot
- Frank Vatrano's weird new contract, and more...
pod.fo/e/29b14b
- Wait, are the Canucks going to trade *both* of JT Miller and Elias Pettersson?
- Who's real and who's not at the midway mark
- The Blue Jackets have a playoff spot
- Frank Vatrano's weird new contract, and more...
pod.fo/e/29b14b
There's a great new bookstore in Bethesda, MD called Wonderland Books with The Franchise on display. I'd be happy to mail a signed, personalized copy to anyone who buys it and sends me a pic.
January 7, 2025 at 8:59 PM
There's a great new bookstore in Bethesda, MD called Wonderland Books with The Franchise on display. I'd be happy to mail a signed, personalized copy to anyone who buys it and sends me a pic.
This might be my favorite review yet for The Franchise:
"Quick delivery and in perfect condition. Couldn’t be happier." (five stars) 😂
But honestly, huge thank you to everyone who read and reviewed over the holidays. Helps a ton and means a lot: www.amazon.com/Franchise-Bu...
"Quick delivery and in perfect condition. Couldn’t be happier." (five stars) 😂
But honestly, huge thank you to everyone who read and reviewed over the holidays. Helps a ton and means a lot: www.amazon.com/Franchise-Bu...
The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams
The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams [Custance, Craig] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Franchise: The Business of Building Winning Teams
www.amazon.com
January 3, 2025 at 9:00 PM
This might be my favorite review yet for The Franchise:
"Quick delivery and in perfect condition. Couldn’t be happier." (five stars) 😂
But honestly, huge thank you to everyone who read and reviewed over the holidays. Helps a ton and means a lot: www.amazon.com/Franchise-Bu...
"Quick delivery and in perfect condition. Couldn’t be happier." (five stars) 😂
But honestly, huge thank you to everyone who read and reviewed over the holidays. Helps a ton and means a lot: www.amazon.com/Franchise-Bu...
Thank you Reece! For anyone interested in some reading in the new year, here's the best place to get The Franchise: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
December 31, 2024 at 6:59 PM
Thank you Reece! For anyone interested in some reading in the new year, here's the best place to get The Franchise: bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
Got a request from our collectibles editor to drive across Michigan to see in person if an industrial scanning company could really do what they said - see inside unopened boxes of trading cards.
Ended up being a fascinating story w/Larry Holder: www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...
Ended up being a fascinating story w/Larry Holder: www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...
How CT scanners are being used on trading cards: The ethical and legal issues it presents
Using CT scanners to reveal what's inside sealed packages of trading cards has raised concerns in the industry
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2024 at 3:47 PM
Got a request from our collectibles editor to drive across Michigan to see in person if an industrial scanning company could really do what they said - see inside unopened boxes of trading cards.
Ended up being a fascinating story w/Larry Holder: www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...
Ended up being a fascinating story w/Larry Holder: www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...
Reposted by Craig Custance
Since there's a lot of new folks here, I also run a journalism/media newsletter. It sends out open job postings and links to great stories. I update the Patreon weekly (sometimes more frequently) and send out a newsletter, ummm, as often as I can. Check it out!
We have arrived. Brand new account. Same old purpose.
Subscribe to the newsletter here: t.co/tKOtcPQaI2
Subscribe to the Patreon here: www.patreon.com/30newsletter
Subscribe to the newsletter here: t.co/tKOtcPQaI2
Subscribe to the Patreon here: www.patreon.com/30newsletter
http://bit.ly/2axXVKf
t.co
December 10, 2024 at 4:45 PM
Since there's a lot of new folks here, I also run a journalism/media newsletter. It sends out open job postings and links to great stories. I update the Patreon weekly (sometimes more frequently) and send out a newsletter, ummm, as often as I can. Check it out!
Reposted by Craig Custance
NEW: Five thoughts after Sebastian Cossa’s debut shootout win, Moritz Seider’s statement showing to help secure it, and more on this Red Wings season
www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...
Sebastian Cossa’s NHL debut brings a much-needed win: 5 Red Wings thoughts
The 2021 first-round pick made his debut in tough circumstances, but came through with the win.
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2024 at 5:01 AM
NEW: Five thoughts after Sebastian Cossa’s debut shootout win, Moritz Seider’s statement showing to help secure it, and more on this Red Wings season
www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/598...
Reposted by Craig Custance
We'll be streaming live tomorrow to react to tomorrow's CFP rankings here:
www.youtube.com/live/i9hRjON...
www.youtube.com/live/i9hRjON...
December 8, 2024 at 2:59 AM
We'll be streaming live tomorrow to react to tomorrow's CFP rankings here:
www.youtube.com/live/i9hRjON...
www.youtube.com/live/i9hRjON...