"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.

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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?

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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

From a sport historians to fashionistas, In this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward read an intriguing email from listener Scott, who claims to know why tennis players flip their collars up. But does the theory hold up?

The pair also discuss other sporting attire, exploring how and why certain garments are used in the way they are. And they give their honest opinion on England's grey Euro 96 kit.

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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

"Sit down son, it's all over. No one will ever forget what you did here today"

In part two of this episode of How It All Played Out, Mark Pougatch and Paul Hayward cover the last two fights in the legendary trilogy between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. From the buildup to Super Fight II to the searing heat and savage intensity of the Thrilla in Manila, they explore the bitter rivalry, racial tensions, and raw physical toll that made this clash more than just a boxing match—it was a war.

Step into the 1970s, where insults flew on TV, faces swelled beyond recognition, and two icons pushed themselves past the limits of endurance in a fight that left one man near blind and the other physically and mentally broken.

This is more than sport. This is unfiltered, unforgettable history.

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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

Commiserations to last place.

With Wales getting the Wooden Spoon for two years running in the Six Nations, Mark and Paul discuss how and why the 'prize' came about and they also talk NFL with the Mr. Irrelevant award.

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 were twins in the belly of our mama, I'd reach over and strangle him"

Sport is all about debate. Who is the best, who is the most famous and who has had the most impact? Many would say that Muhammad Ali is the greatest figure in sport, but you could argue that he’s one half of the greatest rivalry in world sport of all time as well with Joe Frazier.

In this episode of How It All Played Out Mark and Paul start in 1964 to understand how these two boxing titans became who they were and how their fighting history, mixed with politics fueled a fierce rivalry.

It involves religion, war, class, money and race relations to build a feud like no other. From the war in Vietnam to Madison Square Garden, this trilogy of fights not only remains iconic today, but would go on to change the face of boxing forever.

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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

We're used to seeing sports being played in 60,000 seat stadiums under humongous flood lights with a roaring crowd. But did you know astronaut Alan Shepard once played golf on the moon?

Join Mark and Paul in this bonus episode of How It All Played Out as they find out about some of the more unusual places humans have played sport. From the trenches of World War I, river football in the Cotswolds and cricket down a mine in the Lake District.

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