Despite her messy, protracted exit from FS1, Joy Taylor figures to be a fairly major sports media free agent — starting now.
News broke Monday that Taylor is out at FS1 after a decade, as her show Speak was canceled along with 60 percent of the network’s daytime studio lineup. The writing was on the wall as Taylor navigated a messy lawsuit, and now she will look to reset her career away from the only place she has ever been a national commentator.
Fortunately for Taylor, she got a head start. Since relaunching her Two Personal podcast as a solo venture earlier this year, she is in prime position to cash in as digital media networks keep pouring millions into star talent and flashy new shows. Already, Gilbert Arenas is teasing that he has talked with Taylor about hosting an NFL show for his company in partnership with Underdog.
In 2025, this is what being a sports media free agent means. Launch a podcast independently, grow it with your following on social media and the strength of your celebrity, then monetize it with a distributor, publishing partner, or sponsor.
The informal, argumentative flair of Gil’s Arena would figure to be a strong fit for Taylor. On Two Personal, sports arguments are nowhere to be seen. The former Miami radio host turned FS1 talking head instead chimes in on everything from incels to the internet to cancel culture. Those interests could combine with Taylor’s extensive background as a sports host to create a no-holds-barred NFL talk show that would draw an audience.
That doesn’t mean Taylor is a lock to partner with Arenas. Here’s a run-down of Taylor’s options:
All the Smoke
Soon after The Athletic broke the news that Taylor’s contract was not being extended, former FS1 star Jason Whitlock revealed he believed she could be headed for All the Smoke. The long-running podcast hosted by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson has grown continually since 2019. Beyond its core interview show, ATS publishes content from Open Run with former ESPN host Rachel Nichols.
Since departing Showtime, ATS has gone to great lengths to diversify. The company now runs a boxing promotion, hosts live shows, and cosponsors a mezcal brand.
With previous content from Kevin Garnett, DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo, the priority for ATS is clearly big personalities that cut through online. They are the clear inspiration for news shows like Club 520 and even Nightcap. Adding Taylor with a general sports show or NFL-focused addition to the network would be a great brand fit and a smart expansion for the growing company.
The Volume
Who’s up for a reunion?
Taylor cohosted The Herd with Colin Cowherd from 2018-22, and has said as recently as this summer that the star host remains a mentor for her. As Cowherd’s digital media company expands into entertainment and culture content, Taylor and Two Personal could be a fit.
On its sports shows, The Volume has focused on either bringing in big properties or building niche, analytical offerings. Taylor may not make sense in the network’s sports lineup, but she could certainly help grow the entertainment and culture arm.
Over the past year, The Volume has acquired the Rory & Mal podcast, Joe and Jada and Angie Martinez IRL. A dating talk show from Taylor brings something new to the table. It could be The Volume’s answer to SiriusXM’s Call Her Daddy, Spotify’s Anything Goes or Barstool’s Plan Bri Uncut.
iHeartMedia
An iHeartMedia podcast in 2025 feels akin to a daytime TV show two decades ago. They are a dime a dozen, but there is still real money and audience for the best ones.
The network still has real hits. Its legacy advertising machine and distribution umbrella go a long way. iHeart has partnerships with the NBA and NFL, not to mention Cowherd, Charlamagne tha God, Will Ferrell, Sarah Spain and SNL star Bowen Yang.
An experienced host like Taylor with a decent following should have no trouble drawing an audience with the ad sales and distribution help that iHeart brings.
Meadowlark Media
Let’s not pigeonhole Taylor into the Two Personal box. Without Speak to occupy the sports side of her brain, she easily could choose to pursue multiple opportunities — or a podcast that encompasses sports as well as culture.
That’s where Meadowlark comes in. Aside from Cohwerd, the other mentor Taylor most often cites is Dan Le Batard, who co-founded the content house in early 2021 upon his exit from ESPN.
Taylor came up in Le Batard’s kingdom in Miami, and even had a close friendship with his late brother, David. Those personal ties could be a priority for Taylor in her next chapter, as could the chance to work for a company with a home base that, for her, is also actually home.
With nearly 500,000 followers on X, more than 800,000 on Instagram, and a decade on one of the most-watched daytime cable networks in America, Taylor is sure to have interest. A modest hit for Taylor would be a dream for most.
One would assume that ESPN, which has pared back its on-air staffing over the past decade, is not interested. The Worldwide Leader’s top hosting jobs are all full. And though Taylor is experienced, she has never anchored a live sports broadcast or pre- or postgame show. A podcast clearly makes the most sense in the short-term, which is likely what Taylor thought when she relaunched Two Personal.
The choice, ultimately, will be in what type of content Taylor wants to pursue. That will determine the niche she can fill for a network, and what type of partnership she may want to strike.