*California Gov. Gavin Newsom understands the power of celebrity connections and wealth. Now, he’s banking on a “Beast Mode” alliance, so to speak. Bottom line: Newsom is set to host a weekly podcast with former NFL star running back Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch and his agent Doug Hendrickson. The podcast, titled “Politickin‘,” premieres on July 15 on the iHeartRadio platform.
Billed as “an unexpected collaboration,” the podcast features “Gavin Newsom like you’ve never heard him and Marshawn Lynch exactly how you’d expect him.” Despite the political-sounding title, Lynch clarified in a preview that the podcast won’t focus on politics.
“It’s bridging gaps,” Lynch said. “You sit down, you come to the roundtable, we need to figure it out. I need to figure out where you’re coming from, right? But you need to figure out where he’s coming from. Your politicking may be a little bit different, you feel me? You handle yours a different way. We bring each side, all walks of life, and we figure out what we’ve got going on.”
The unique partnership between the former NFL player, known for his quirky and profane personality, and the Democratic governor of California, who may have presidential aspirations, was facilitated by their shared connections. Hendrickson, a lead NFL agent with Wasserman who represented Lynch, has been friends with Newsom since the 1990s, reports the LA Times.
Newsom and Lynch both have roots in the Bay Area. Lynch, who grew up in Oakland and attended UC Berkeley, became a star in Seattle, rushing for 6,381 yards and 58 touchdowns over seven years with the Seahawks. He helped the team win the Super Bowl in 2014.
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Get ready!!
Tune in starting 7/15 to hear me talk about everything and anything with @MoneyLynch and @DHendrickson41! https://t.co/H7SqoEc0HL
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 3, 2024
Lynch, nicknamed “Beast Mode” for his aggressive running style, retired after the 2015 season but returned in 2017 with the Raiders, declaring, “I had hella fun in Seattle … But I’m really from Oakland.” After a strong season in 2017, injuries limited his play in the following two years, leading to his final retirement in 2019.
Though often known for his bizarre and hilarious remarks, Lynch has been actively involved in social and philanthropic causes. After the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, he and Seahawks teammates Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett helped build houses and schools there. He also co-founded the Fam 1st Family Foundation, which aims to instill family values of loyalty and leadership to impact the lives of Oakland’s disenfranchised youth, where Lynch serves as vice president.
This podcast isn’t Newsom’s first foray into media hosting. As lieutenant governor, he hosted “The Gavin Newsom Show,” which aired weekly on San Francisco-based Current TV and featured interviews with celebrities and business leaders, particularly from the tech industry.
With “Politickin’,” Newsom and Lynch aim to bridge gaps and bring diverse perspectives to the forefront, proving that collaboration can come from the most unexpected places.
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