Buckeye Brotherhood: Bill Rabinowitz on Ohio State’s Title Run, Ryan Day, and the Craft of Writing

If you love Ohio State football or want to break into sports journalism, this one’s for you. I’m joined by Bill Rabinowitz, the longtime Buckeyes beat writer (Columbus Dispatch), Substack creator, and author of Buckeye Brotherhood—the inside story of Ohio State’s historic national championship run.

We dig into:

What Bill learned interviewing 50+ Buckeyes players/coaches (including Ryan Day)

The people-first stories behind the title run—and why they matter

How to build a career in sports media today (writing, audience, Substack)

The single most underrated reporting skill: listening to understand

Why Ohio State football uniquely unites the state

Book process, wild deadlines, and the jigsaw puzzle of narrative reporting

Watch if you’re: an Ohio State fan, an aspiring sports writer, a sports-media nerd, or anyone who loves great stories.

Bill’s book: Buckeye Brotherhood (search on Amazon/Barnes & Noble/Triumph Books)

Bill’s Substack: billrabinowitz.substack.com
00:00 Intro
01:10 Why this conversation matters (Buckeyes + sports writing)
03:00 Bill’s path: Dispatch → Bengals/Browns → Ohio State beat
06:45 Breaking into sports media now (what’s changed, what still matters)
08:40 The power of listening in interviews
10:20 Moments that stick: how sports bond generations
12:35 Why Ohio State football unites the state
13:30 Inside Buckeye Brotherhood: pitching, access, and timeline
16:45 Building the book: 50+ interviews, structure, and deadlines
18:55 Telling Ryan Day’s story the right way
21:05 Lesser-known players, big stories (and a funny “book report” twist)
23:20 Handling pressure, truth vs clickbait, and doing the work
27:30 Substack strategy and paying for real journalism
30:40 Takeaways for aspiring sports writers
41:00 Wrap, where to find the book + Bill’s work

Key Takeaways

Great sports writing is people first, plays second.

Listening is greater than talking. You learn more, write better, and earn trust.

Preparation kills nerves—on the field and on the page.

Ohio State’s run was about resilience, identity, and leadership.

There’s still room for careers in sports media—if you’re excellent and consistent.

FAQs from the Show:

Who is Bill Rabinowitz?
A veteran Ohio State beat writer and author of Buckeye Brotherhood, formerly at the Columbus Dispatch, now on Substack.

What is Buckeye Brotherhood about?
A behind-the-scenes account of Ohio State’s national championship season, built from 50+ interviews with players and coaches, including Ryan Day.

How do I become a sports writer today?
Master fundamentals (clear writing, reporting, listening), publish consistently, and build direct audience channels (e.g., Substack).

Why does Ohio State football matter to Ohio?
It’s the rare team that unites the entire state across regions and rival pro allegiances.

About The Gametime Guru

Nine years running, I interview sports figures from around the world to deliver a panoramic view on sports—so former athletes, die-hards, and casual fans all walk away with something useful.

Listen everywhere: Apple Podcasts • Spotify
Watch more episodes: @TheGametimeGuru
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