Sports Audiobooks | Biography & Memoir

Black Market: An Insider's Journey into the High-Stakes World of College Basketball

"From a former college basketball player and Executive at Nike, a "riveting" (Sports Illustrated) insider's account into the business of college basketball exposes the corrupt and racist systems that exploit young athletes and offers a new way forward For Merl Code, basketball was life. In college he played point guard for Clemson before turning pro. Later, when he pivoted to marketing, he found himself thrust into a startling world of profit-driven college basketball programs. He realized that the NCAA's amateurism rules could be used to exploit young athletes, and athletes of color in particular. Now, for the first time, Code will share his side of the explosive story of college basketball's dark reality-a system that begins with young talent in AAU programs and culminates at the highest levels of the NBA. Propulsive, urgent, and eye-opening, Black Market exposes the truth to offer a more just way forward for both colleges and athletes."

Merl Code (Author), James Shippy (Narrator)

Audiobook

Tour de Force: My history-making Tour de France

"Brought to you by Penguin. 'I pulled off my glasses and wiped my eyes. 'That was perhaps the last race of my career...'' Deep down, Mark Cavendish thought he was finished. After illness, setbacks and clinical depression, the once fastest man in the world had been written off by most. And at the age of 36, even he believed his explosive cycling career would fade out with a whimper. The Manxman hadn't won a single Grand Tour stage in Italy, Spain or France since 2016. But then came his incredible resurrection at the 2021 Tour de France. Included on the Deceuninck Quick-Step team at the very last minute, only after Sam Bennett suffered an injury, Mark set about rewriting history. He claimed back the green jersey he first wore in 2011, and his four stage victories finally saw him matching Belgian legend Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 34 Tour de France stage wins. Cycling greats are never content, and Cav's dogged determination and inner strength had earned him the record that few believed he could ever achieve. This is his own intimate account of that race, right from the saddle of the miracle tour. © Mark Cavendish 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021"

Mark Cavendish (Author), Mark Cavendish (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Great Nowitzki: Basketball and the Meaning of Life

"A journey into the mindset of a historic basketball superstar, and the importance of his landmark career. The seven-foot Dirk Nowitzki is one of the great players in basketball history. With a devastating fadeaway and unexpected agility, the Dallas Mavericks superstar helped to pioneer the modern three-shooting game and became a global ambassador for the sport. Award-winning novelist and sportswriter Thomas Pletzinger traveled with Nowitzki for more than seven years, seeking the secret of his success and longevity. In novelistic detail, Pletzinger tells the dramatic story of how a lanky kid from the German suburbs became a top-five all-time scorer and NBA champion. He profiles the revolutionary training methods developed by Holger Geschwindner, Dirk's enigmatic mentor and coach, whose philosophical insights on performance, creativity, and freedom shaped Dirk's game. A masterpiece of sports journalism and a work of personal obsession—akin to John McPhee's A Sense of Where You Are and David Halberstam's The Breaks of the Game—The Great Nowitzki brims with a fan's passion and offers an intimate portrait of an iconic performer."

Thomas Pletzinger (Author), Charles Constant (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hoop Innovators:: The Pioneering Visionaries Who Changed the Game of Basketball

"Narrated by the long-time L.A. Lakers announcer, John Ireland, this audiobook profiles the 60-year friendship between two basketball icons – Bill Sharman and Dennis Murphy, who collectively changed the game of pro basketball as we now know it. From the 3-point shot, to morning shoot-arounds, to allowing teen-aged players to enter the NBA, to the creation of sports teams such as the Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets among others, these two historical and iconic figures changed the game of basketball and helped to make it into the multi-billion dollar business it is today. There was a UNIQUE and UNPRECENTED number of basketball icons interviewed for this project that are ALSO included here, along with having NUMEROUS HALL OF FAMERS that are presented into this audiobook to hear the story of Dennis & Bill by those who knew them and benefitted from their actions – some of which are: DENNIS MURPHY, BILL SHARMAN; KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR; BILL WALTON; BOB COUSY; BILL RUSSELL; DR. JERRY BUSS; PHIL JACKSON; EARL LLOYD; OSCAR ROBERTSON; ELGIN BAYLOR; JERRY WEST, GAIL GOODRICH; PAT RILEY; LARRY BROWN; ARTIS GILMORE; RICK BARRY; SPENCER HAYWOOD; PAUL WESTPHAL; and BILL BERTKA."

Dr. Elliott Haimoff (Author), John Ireland (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Helluva Life in Hockey: A Memoir

"A captivating memoir from Canada's foremost hockey historian and a beloved NHL commentator It's been 85 years since Brian McFarlane first laced a pair of skates and tested the black ice on a tiny pond. And then he discovered the joy of hockey. Ultimately, there would be grade school hockey, high school hockey, junior hockey, college hockey, and, miraculously, two decades with the NHL Oldtimers anchoring his life. He was the rank amateur playing on a line with the Big M and Norm Ullman, facing off against icons like Gordie Howe and Ted Lindsay at Maple Leaf Gardens - even scoring a goal. He suited up at the Montreal Forum, elbow-to-elbow against John Ferguson, before thousands of fans. (There was even a stint with the Flying Fathers who ordained him a "Bishop" after a hat trick.) Off the ice, in 1960, McFarlane was the first Canadian to be a commentator on CBS's coverage of the NHL. He also survived 25 years of Hockey Night in Canada - despite confrontations with Punch Imlach, Harold Ballard, Bobby Hull, and Eddie Shack. Now, in this revealing autobiography, he remembers it all. For Brian McFarlane, it has been a helluva life in hockey."

Brian Mcfarlane (Author), Brian Mcfarlane (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Captain's Run

"How the captains of the last 50 years have gone about leading the world's most successful rugby team. The job of All Blacks captain comes with a scrutiny that puts it alongside the prime minister in terms of profile and public expectation. It takes a strong, confident and assured personality to captain a team where failure is never tolerated. The Captain's Run is a behind the scenes journey into the world of All Blacks captaincy. It reveals how the great captains dealt with the pressure of the toughest job in world rugby, how they coped with failure, and what they would have done differently, if given their time again."

Gregor Paul (Author), Greg Smith (Narrator)

Audiobook

GO! The Bettenhausen Story: The Race Against A Dream

"If “Top Gun: Maverick” or “Ford Versus Ferrari” kept your attention, “Go! The Bettenhausen Story” will keep you riveted. What prompts these men to climb into small spaces and propel themselves at death defying speeds? Subtitled “A Race Against A Dream,” this audiobook attempts to answer that question through the eyes of the Bettenhausen family, one of the greatest racing families in the history of the sport of automobile racing. Whether a casual or passionate racing fan, you’ll be fascinated at the closeup of the racing industry as this book chronicles its growth from the 1930s to the 1980s through the eyes of patriarch Tony Bettenhausen and his three racing sons as they conduct “A Race Against A Dream.” As the author Carl Hungness writes, “It’s not the win at Indy the racers want, it’s the challenge. The way of life. It’s the feeling that can’t be conveyed until it’s experienced. What makes the breed of man they call a race car driver tick? Some respect them and others pity them. Don’t pity them; they’ve seen the consequences. They all think they’ll beat the odds. For some, driving in the race is living and everything else is just waiting. They’re more alive inside the car than out of it.” A very small percentage of humans will experience the peril and thrill of the Indy 500, an annual spectacle that fuels the dreams of men and women alike seeking the thunderous adrenaline rush that the race provides. This audiobook dares to drive you close to experiencing “the aura surrounding the fervor for driving a race car.” Buckle up- it’s quite a ride."

Carl Hungness (Author), Stark Wilson (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Lady Tyger: Es mi cuerpo y es mi vida

"'Lady Tyger no hizo historia, si nos atenemos a la cantidad de títulos que ganó (solo uno, el de campeona mundial de peso ligero), pero fue una de esas «heroínas cotidianas» que peleó, hasta sus últimas consecuencias –huelga de hambre incluida–, por lo que quería: una licencia para boxear en Nueva York. Fue la primera en lograrlo.'—ABC cultura 'Este perfil de perdedora, de digna perdedora, está escrito con muy buen oficio, y contiene, también, una carga de profundidad política.'—Culturamas El pugilato precisa de algo más que un buen uppercut, necesita algo que brille. Un nombre sugerente, por ejemplo. Por su cabeza rapada algunos la llaman Black Kojac, pero como no tiene padrinos, Marian no va a aceptar que nadie elija su nombre. Tampoco quiere, como hicieron otras antes y también después que ella, un mote que se refiera a su padre. No quiere ser sobre el ring La hija del Minero, ni La hija del Predicador. Ella anhela un bautizo de hombre: Harry Greb 'Molino de Viento Humano', Gene 'Perro Rabioso' Hatcher, Jack Dempsey 'El Matón de Manassa'. 'Sus sueños son mis sueños', dice mirando a los compañeros que esa noche también pelean en el Audubon y con esa meta en mente elige nombre de lucha: «Lady Tyger». Lo escribe con y, no con i, porque suena, dice, más femenino. Pero con y, y no con i, nombró también William Blake al tigre —¿o sería tigresa?— de su célebre poema. Como el animal de aquellos versos, «luz llameante en los bosques de la noche», Marian Trimiar vestirá desde ese día una bata animal print marrón y negra; posará ofreciendo a las cámaras sus ojos colosales; colocará los puños bajo la barbilla, mostrando a veces —y otras ocultándolo— el hueco que dejó el diente perdido, y ladeará la cabeza ligeramente a la derecha para resaltar el resplandor de su calva."

Silvia Cruz Lapeña (Author), Txe Arana (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Nation Holds its Breath: My Lyrical Life

"‘David O’Leary is entrusted with the responsibility of taking the penalty that could send Ireland to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. This kick can decide it all. The nation holds its breath … Yes, we’re there!’ Written with his trademark warmth and candour, The Nation Holds Its Breath is George Hamilton’s eagerly awaited and wonderfully told journey through a rich and varied career in broadcasting. As the undisputed voice of Irish football, George’s evocative and celebrated commentary is familiar to millions. He has captured the highs and lows of Irish sport for generations of fans, ever since he first took up the microphone in the mid-seventies, and he has been enthralling his audiences ever since. The listener will be captivated as George takes us on an affectionate journey from the Cregagh Road in East Belfast to an emotional farewell salute from Big Jack Charlton on the hallowed Anfield turf in 1995. The destinations – Stuttgart, Genoa, New Jersey – will be familiar, the journeys in between, anything but. A must-listen memoir from one of Ireland’s truly undeniable national treasures."

George Hamilton (Author), George Hamilton (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Tom Brady. El partido más largo

"La NFL es el deporte de equipo por excelencia y el rendimiento de cada jugador está en estrecha relación con lo que hace el resto del conjunto. A lo largo de más de veinte años de carrera profesional, Tom Brady ha puesto en cuestión este principio. Su juego es el que ha elevado el rendimiento de sus compañeros, a los que ha conducido en múltiples ocasiones hacia la más absoluta de las glorias: el anillo de campeón de la NFL. La historia de Brady se basa en la determinación, esfuerzo, confianza en sí mismo y éxito. Este deporte de equipo, ya no puede explicarse sin su persona. Brady ha destrozado todos los records del deporte más popular de los Estados Unidos, su leyenda se ha forjado a través de la consecución de los siguientes títulos: 7 anillos de Super Bowl. 5 veces MVP del Super Bowl. 3 veces MVP de la NFL. 14 veces elegido al Pro Bowl. 3 veces en el Primer Equipo All-Pro. Integrante de los Equipos de la Década 2000 y 2010. Integrante del Equipo del Siglo de la NFL. Esta es la historia de la leyenda más grande del fútbol americano de todos los tiempos. - Rubén Ibeas (Madrid, 1979). Inició su carrera creando un blog del equipo de sus amores llamado Breakdown Packers. Mariano Tovar, el hombre que lo cambió todo, lo invitó a escribir para su blog Zona Roja, que pasaría, años después, a ser la sección web NFL del Diario As. El proyecto NFL en Estado Puro nace en 2017 de su amistad con Marco Álvarez y de las ganas de hacer algo con su estilo propio. Tras más de ocho años escribiendo y hablando de football en varias plataformas distintas (NFL Hispano o 100 Yardas de la Cadena SER), firma con Movistar+ para comentar en directo el primer Draft de NFL televisado en España. Meses más tarde, se incorpora al equipo de NFL de Movistar+ para comentar partidos todas las semanas. Actualmente, además de estar en NFL en Estado Puro, 100 Yardas y Movistar+, trabaja para NFL Internacional en su sección de habla hispana y comparte canal de YouTube, llamado El Nickel, con Javier López. Marco Álvarez (La Línea, 1980). Creador de NFL en Estado Puro en el año 2000 en formato web, que se amplió a proyecto total con podcast y redes sociales tras la fusión con Rubén Ibeas, a quien conoció y forjó amistad tras compartir trabajo en el podcast Café Lombardi y en la sección web NFL del Diario As. Mucho antes de esto, colaboró durante numerosos años con la web NFLHispano realizando la sección ''Recuerdas'', donde contó la biografía de numerosas leyendas de este deporte. Su gusto por la historia le condujo a crear en 2019 el documental NFL 100x100, un relato audiovisual de cien minutos de duración donde narró el primer siglo de vida de la competición, y que actualmente puede verse vía suscripción a NFL en Estado Puro. Maestro de espíritu y en el día a día como oficio, su pasión por enseñar abarca desde los más pequeños en el colegio, hasta los más mayores con la NFL."

Marcos Álvarez, Rubén Ibeas (Author), Jordi Llovet (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Big three. La mayor rivalidad de la historia del deporte

"Big Three es el único libro que narra la mayor rivalidad deportiva de la historia, la que enfrenta a los tres mejores tenistas de todos los tiempos: Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal y Novak Djokovic. Durante dos décadas, los protagonistas de este libro han dominado con gran autoridad el circuito ATP, disputándose los Grand Slams, las grandes competiciones y el número uno del ranking mundial. En una batalla física y psicológica sin precedentes, han deleitado a los aficionados con duelos inolvidables que será difícil que volvamos a vivir. Carlos Báidez analiza en Big Three los entresijos de la ya legendaria rivalidad de los tres mayores genios de la raqueta. Un recorrido detallado desde su infancia hasta su lucha actual por ser el mejor tenista de siempre. En el camino, nos muestra el rostro más humano de Federer, Nadal y Djokovic, además de permitirnos revivir sus momentos de mayor gloria y sus derrotas más sonadas. Una obra imprescindible para cualquier aficionado al deporte, que aporta innumerables argumentos y datos para que el lector pueda decidir quién es, en su opinión, el mejor tenista de la historia. Este audiolibro está narrado en castellano - Carlos Báidez (Hellín, 1980) es Licenciado en Ciencias de la Información-Periodismo y ha trabajado y colaborado en medios de comunicación como el Diario As, la Cadena Ser y el diario Superdeporte. Entre los eventos deportivos cubiertos en su trayectoria profesional destacan la Copa Davis, La Liga de Primera División, la UEFA Champions League, la ACB y la Copa del Rey de baloncesto."

Carlos Baidez (Author), Aram Delhom (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hard Work Pays Off: Transform Your Body and Mind with CrossFit’s Five-Time Fittest Man on Earth

"Brought to you by Penguin. *The Sunday Times Bestseller* Train with the Fittest Man on Earth - 5-time CrossFit Champion Mat Fraser. No matter your level of fitness, no matter if you've never attempted CrossFit before, this book is your total training manual. No one can say they're a better all-around athlete than Mat Fraser. Weightlifting, gymnastics, kettlebells, running, swimming, rowing, Strongman: he's relentlessly trained them all, so you don't have to. In this ground-breaking book, Fraser reveals the secrets of his success to help you transform your own body and mind. Structured into sections on strength, endurance, speed, coordination, mental and recovery, Mat shares workouts, techniques, recipes and advice. From push-ups to sprints, rope climbs to deadlifts, high-knee drills to swimming intervals, the book showcases CrossFit's uniquely wide-ranging and infinitely scalable approach to exercise. There is tailored advice for beginners, intermediates and advanced athletes. So listen to this book at the gym. Write down your personal records and the techniques you need to master. And most of all, do the workouts. Because Mat Fraser can promise you this: hard work pays off. © Mat Fraser 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022"

Mat Fraser (Author), Chris Berger, Mat Fraser (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sports Audiobooks in Biography & Memoir