New Orleans Pelicans’ JJ Redick and Josh Hart reach fans through their podcasts

Using their platform to better communicate with fans, a couple of New Orleans Pelicans are using podcasts as a way to share stories and conversation.

The podcasts of Pelicans guards JJ Redick and Josh Hart are extremely popular, and give fans a chance to learn more about two of the New Orleans Pelicans stars as they open up about themselves through their shows.

Guard JJ Redick has some serious followers of his long-running podcast, The JJ Redick Podcast with Tommy Alter. He’s interviewed some of the biggest names in basketball, including Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, and his first guest, Joel Embiid.

Recently, Redick spoke with teammate Zion Williamson, where the most recent Duke product in the NBA discussed his desire to head back to campus rather than turn pro.

This interview was the top story on every single sports network and online entity, which speaks to the quality of what Redick is doing in his podcast.

But Redick isn’t the only Pelicans player dipping his toe in the podcasting world.

With just under 30 overall episodes under his belt, Josh Hart and his friend, Matt Hillman, are making news of their own through Light Harted Podcast. Hart’s interview with his New Orleans Pelicans teammate Lonzo Ball caused a stir as Ball spoke about his Big Baller Brand shoes and having to switch them out every period.

https://twitter.com/lighthartedpod/status/1169288869424091137?lang=en

When asked about why he started the podcast, Hart told Forbes this past September, “I was looking for an outlet to control the narrative. Being in LA, I had seen the dark side of media and how words can be twisted. I wanted a platform to speak my mind and provide a unique experience for my fans.” And control it he has.

The Light Harted Podcast has risen so quickly and Hart and Hillman have already secured a sponsorship from Venmo.

While both Redick and Hart have interviewed teammates and other NBA stars, they also dive into topics that interest them.

Redick recently released a podcast with author Malcolm Gladwell and Hart took his love for wine to the airwaves, speaking to Vanessa Conlin, Head of Wine at Wine Access/Master of Wine Candidate.

If you are a Pelicans fan, these two podcasts provide an avenue to learn more about your favorite players, as both Redick and Hart not only interview their teammates both current and former, but also talk a bit about themselves.

Their appeal not only lies in the comfort they provide for their interview subjects but also through their knowledge of the game and pure interest in the subjects they bring on their shows.