"No one wants to pay to watch you birds play"

Travel back to September 1973 in this episode of How It All Played as Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward look at one of the most infamous tennis matches to ever take place - The Battle of the Sexes between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

More than 50 years on, this is a tale that encompasses equal pay, equitable treatment and women's rights on the one hand, whilst on the other, an inveterate showman and addicted gambler with friends in shady places who was desperate to get back into the limelight.

It wasn’t just a tennis match, but a major cultural moment in the fight for gender equality in sports. But how did it all come about and was it all rigged from the very beginning?

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Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

We all lose our cool sometimes - but this takes it to another level.

In this bonus episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward head to Argentina to revisit the infamous football match that saw a staggering 36 red cards handed out. Yes, thirty-six.

From that chaotic clash to some of the most jaw-dropping dismissals in football history including Zidane’s headbutt, Jens Lehmann’s Champions League madness and Wayne Rooney’s World Cup moment, the pair explore the wildest reasons players have been sent packing.

Red cards, rage, and ridiculousness - this one’s not to be missed.

Remember to follow or subscribe and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: howitallplayedout@global.com

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells

"If we don't beat you, we'll knock your bloody blocks off"

As soon as a sport star reaches Mount Olympus, you can guarantee that somebody is waiting in the wings to bring them crashing back down to earth. Fair or foul, an opponent will find any means to defeat a rival, restricting them from their usual tactics and well drilled gameplay.

In one of the most bitter and controversial Ashes series ever played, England set their sights on cricketing legend Don Bradman. Their method? A brutal, calculated strategy known as Bodyline—a tactic so aggressive it sparked outrage, strained diplomatic ties, and forever changed the spirit of the game.

In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward break down the origins of Bodyline, the logic behind "fast leg theory," and why Australia viewed it as nothing short of an assault on fair play.

Was it genius strategy or just plain unsporting? And why did it cause such a deep rift between two cricketing giants?

Remember to follow or subscribe, and give us a 5 star review too!

We'd love to hear from you! Email us: howitallplayedout@global.com

Executive Producer: Adem Waterman

Head of Podcasts: Factual: Al Riddell

Director of Podcasts: Vicky Etchells