Veteran NBA Reporters Chris Haynes and Marc Stein Partner to Host New iHeartPodcast – “#thisleague UNCUT” – Launching January 30

LOS ANGELES, January 30, 2023 – Chris Haynes, Senior NBA Insider for TNT and Bleacher Report, and Marc Stein, veteran NBA reporter and publisher of The Stein Line on Substack, announced today they have partnered to host a new iHeartPodcast, “#thisleague UNCUT.”

Launching today, January 30, “#thisleague UNCUT” features two of the most well-connected NBA insiders as they break down the latest hot topics with candor and bold opinions. Twice a week, Haynes and Stein - who previously worked together at ESPN - will dive deep into all the basketball storylines, rumblings and intel, with occasional appearances by heavy-hitting guests. The podcast title is inspired by the Twitter hashtag #thisleague that Stein has been using for nearly a decade. 

“Reuniting with Stein has been a long time coming and this partnership with iHeartRadio is the perfect platform for us to share our insight uncut,” said Haynes. “I’m excited to get back to work with one of my best friends in the business, and equally excited for NBA fans because we’re going to bring it like never before.”

"I’m excited beyond words to be able to team up again with Chris on #thisleague UNCUT," said Stein. "I've literally spent years, with an S, trying to break into the podcast arena with the proverbial ‘right’ pod -- and to be able to get on the mic and break things down twice a week with such a dear friend and also have iHeart joining forces with us to produce it makes me feel very fortunate."

Stein began covering professional basketball as a Cal State Fullerton student in 1989 and as a full-time beat writer in February 1994. He has been a national NBA reporter, columnist and analyst for more than 20 years after serving as a traveling writer with the Clippers, Lakers and Mavericks. The 2022-23 season is his 30th in a row without interruption covering #thisleague, and it’s his second season writing several times weekly via his own new Substack (marcstein.Substack.com) after stints at The New York Times and ESPN. Stein was the Basketball Hall of Fame’s 2019 recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award for print journalists for “outstanding contributions to basketball.” While “#thisleague UNCUT” is Stein’s first podcast hosting role, he’s been a regular guest on some of the most popular basketball podcasts for many years.

Haynes joined Warner Bros. Discovery ahead of the 2022-23 NBA season after several years with Yahoo and serves as a senior NBA insider for both TNT and Bleacher Report. Haynes previously served as a sideline reporter for Turner Sports and TNT. His current multi-year agreement expanded his role with the company. During his time at Yahoo, he hosted the podcast, "Posted Up With Chris Haynes.”

“#thisleague UNCUT” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. Visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen on your favorite device.

About iHeartMedia, Inc.

iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) is the number one audio company in the United States, reaching nine out of 10 Americans every month. It consists of three business groups.

With its quarter of a billion monthly listeners, the iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group has a greater reach than any other media company in the U.S. Its leadership position in audio extends across multiple platforms, including more than 860 live broadcast stations in over 160 markets nationwide; its National Sales organization; and the company’s live and virtual events business. It also includes Premiere Networks, the industry’s largest Networks business, with its Total Traffic and Weather Network (TTWN); and BIN: Black Information Network, the first and only 24/7 national and local all news audio service for the Black community. iHeartMedia also leads the audio industry in analytics, targeting and attribution for its marketing partners with its SmartAudio suite of data targeting and attribution products using data from its massive consumer base.

The iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group includes the company’s fast-growing podcasting business -- iHeartMedia is the number one podcast publisher in downloads, unique listeners, revenue and earnings -- as well as its industry-leading iHeartRadio digital service, available across more than 500 platforms and 2,000 devices; the company’s digital sites, newsletters, digital services and programs; its digital advertising technology companies; and its audio industry-leading social media footprint.

The company’s Audio & Media Services reportable segment includes Katz Media Group, the nation’s largest media representation company, and RCS, the world's leading provider of broadcast and webcast software.

Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.