Could changes be in order at Shaq’s podcast? And likewise for Angel Reese and Marshawn Lynch? The Big Podcast was launched in 2023 in collaboration with Playmaker HQ and things have been running smoothly until a new development came to light which involves the latter’s parent company Better Collective.

The European-based Better Collective acquired Playmaker Capital last year for a $190 million transaction which included Yardbarker Media and World Soccer Talk. Meanwhile, Shaquille O’Neal brought back his old show, The Big Podcast in collaboration with Playmaker HQ. This new edition features Adam Lefkoe, and is affiliated to his day job at TNT.

According to 2023 reports, Better Collective employed 1,211 staff, but an update from Front Office Sports revealed that they laid off at least 100 employees this week. Better Collective CEO Jesper Søgaard on LinkedIn revealed that the company adjusted its “cost base” and downgraded its “financial targets for the year.” Although he did not disclose the number of layoffs or which parts of the company were most affected by the cuts, Søgaard wrote,

“Unfortunately, this plan also includes the difficult decision to part ways with some of our colleagues. Each of them has played a role in shaping Better Collective into what it is today, and for that I owe them all a big thank you!”

Better Collective had continually shown signs of revenue and profit growth, making particular headway in the US market. However, in the last week, its share price has fallen by 36.5% and currently sits at $13.08. Reasons cited by Søgaard included declining performance and “shifts in the US market as well as a continued slowdown in commercial activities in Brazil in anticipation of the upcoming regulations.” A spokesperson for Better Collective also declined to state the total number of layoffs.

Owing to the share price decline, last week on Thursday, the company adjusted its financial guidance for its 2024 revenues downward from $425-$460m to $385 million to $407 million. Søgaard had then said, “As external market conditions shift, it’s important for us to recalibrate our spending and investment strategies to ensure sustainable long-term success.”

Søgaard in his post mentioned the company is facing genuine challenges “due to shifts in the US market,” as well as a “continued slowdown” in anticipation of upcoming regulation in Brazil. These were cited as the key factors behind its revenue adjustment. The state-by-state regulations do pose a challenge in the US market and with names like FanDuel and DraftKings leading the way in most states, the challenge is doubled for someone like Better Collective and its affiliates.

Meanwhile, how will the recent cuts affect Shaq’s show and other podcasts that Playmaker HQ produces?

Better Collective’s cuts could impact Playmaker HQ’s many shows

The potential new regulations there have impacted its sports betting arm, which has caused this situation. If it also affects its sports media division remains to be seen.

Together with The Big Podcast Network, Playmaker HQ signed Angel Reese to host Unapologetically Angel. When Shaq was on the show last week, their interactions confirmed several of O’Neal’s past colleagues from his podcast now work with Angel Reese. Playmaker HQ is also behind Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller’s The OGs podcast. These personalities also guest on each other’s shows. Playmaker HQ has not responded to the situation

The shows produced by Playmaker HQ are pretty much interconnected and how the parent company’s setbacks could trickle into the production is cause for speculation.