Team Whistle Launches New ‘1st and Scroll’ Micro Vodcast series Starring NY Giants’ Justin Pugh

Team Whistle, DAZN’s global sports media and entertainment company, is launching a new micro vodcast series “1st and Scroll,” an original football-focused Micropod on the first week of August across all Whistle and DAZN social media handles. The series is created in collaboration with the “Pick a Side” podcast, hosted by Joel, River, Andrew and Dehls, where heated sports debates are paired with a large dose of hilarious commentary. The premiere episode features Justin Pugh from the New York Giants as he talks about his experiences and hot takes on and off the field. “1st and Scroll” is a micropod that debates trending stories across the NFL – both on-field, and more importantly, the culture around it. From fantasy drafts to tailgating menus and the ultimate fan traditions, the series creates football conversation for everyone.

“At Team Whistle we let the algorithm inform us of the existing appetite for content among Gen Z audiences. We are investing in the micropod format, because it is the proven method to engage with our audience and meet them where they are,” says Noah Weissman, EVP of Content at Team Whistle. “‘1st and Scroll’ will continue to capture audiences’ attention by bringing them quick-hitting, engaging conversations that mirror the discussions they are already having with their friends around football timed to the upcoming season.”

“I am first and foremost a player, but I absolutely have hot takes and my own point of view about the game and its trending topics,” says Justin Pugh. “It was a no-brainer to participate in “1st and Scroll” to allow me to connect with my fans directly, while getting the chance to break down the hottest discussions around football.”

This original continues Whistle’s evolution of building out its micropod slate. The short-form vodcast format brings quick-hitting content on trending debates around sports culture that Gen Z and Millennial audiences are already participating in. Other original titles recently launched include ‘Fast Break,’ ‘New York Minute,’ and a reimagined format of Whistle’s flagship sports docuseries, ‘No Days Off.’ A recent internal survey conducted by the publisher’s insights and analytics division found that 87 percent of participants are constantly consuming short-form content, with 90 percent of social users enjoying thought-provoking discussion videos.

The company plans to double down on this format around upcoming major tentpoles like the Olympics, the NFL season kickoff, and the World Series to complement its rolling short and midform slate, while pushing distribution across social and the DAZN platform globally.