Rights to Ricky Sanchez
| Company type | Podcast |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports media |
| Founded | July 2013 |
| Founder | Spike Eskin, Michael Levin |
Area served | Philadelphia 76ers fans, NBA audience |
Key people | Spike Eskin, Michael Levin, Andrew Unterberger, Dan Olinger, Mike O’Connor, Alonzo Jones, Abbie Huertas, CJ Coyle |
| Products | Podcast episodes, live events, written content, merchandise |
Rights to Ricky Sanchez is a sports-focused podcast centered on the Philadelphia 76ers, created and hosted by Spike Eskin, a former New York sports radio executive, alongside Michael Levin, a television comedy writer. Since its inception in 2013, the show derives its name from Puerto Rican basketball player Ricky Sánchez, whose contractual rights were held by the 76ers between 2007 and 2012.
Recognized as one of the leading and most influential single-team sports podcasts, it features celebrity interviews, live events, catchphrases, and fan-driven initiatives that have shaped both 76ers fandom and broader NBA culture.
History
Eskin and Levin launched the podcast in July 2013 shortly after the appointment of Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie. The show closely chronicled the team during the period known as “The Process”, an era marked by deliberate underperformance aimed at securing advantageous draft picks and enhancing long-term team potential. As outspoken proponents of this strategy, Eskin and Levin regularly encouraged fans to support a vision focused on future championships.
They also originated the annual Lottery Party, an event where local Philadelphia fans convene to watch the ESPN NBA Draft Lottery broadcast that determines the Sixers’ draft position. As the podcast's popularity grew alongside the team’s improving performance in the late 2010s, it hosted multiple live shows in Philadelphia featuring Sixers personnel such as T. J. McConnell, Dario Šarić, Mike Scott, head coach Brett Brown, and general manager Elton Brand.
In 2018, the twice-weekly show expanded into a broader content platform featuring written contributions from hosts and collaborators including Andrew Unterberger (“AU”), Dan Olinger ("The Danny"), Mike O’Connor (“MOC”), and newsletter author Alonzo Jones (“Zo”). Abbie Huertas became the lead illustrator in 2019. The addition of CJ Coyle as lead producer in 2020 facilitated live streaming on social media platforms and YouTube. In 2023, Adam Aaronson ("SixersAdam") departed while Olinger took on the role of beat writer.
Format
Each episode begins with analysis of recent Philadelphia 76ers news, showcasing the hosts’ differing perspectives on games, roster decisions, and player developments. The show also incorporates listener correspondence and voice messages, alongside rotating recurring segments unrelated to the Sixers—such as “Relationship Advice” and “Jigsaw,” which presents challenging hypothetical dilemmas. Notable guests have included national sports commentators, Sixers players and executives, as well as prominent fans from music and political spheres. (Refer to "Notable Guests" section.)
Impact on 76ers Culture
Trust the Process: Coined publicly by Sixers guard Tony Wroten in 2015, “Trust the Process” emerged as the unofficial slogan during Sam Hinkie’s tenure. Eskin and Levin played a significant role in popularizing this phrase by frequently reiterating it on their podcast and producing t-shirts emblazoned with it, worn by influential figures such as ESPN’s Pablo S. Torre.<ref> Michael Levin also incorporated the phrase into a script for FOX's The Grinder in a 2016 episode.<ref>
The Hinkie Billboard: Following Sam Hinkie’s resignation as general manager in 2016 amid speculation regarding league and ownership dissatisfaction, Eskin and Levin organized a tribute billboard along Interstate 95. The sign displayed “Hinkie Forever” alongside promotions for the 2016 Rights to Ricky Sanchez Lottery Party and longtime sponsor LL Pavorsky.<ref><ref>
Retweet Armageddon: Early in their run, Eskin and Levin devised “Retweet Armageddon,” an event designed to revisit past negative commentary from sports analysts about The Process once those critiques were disproven. Held on June 19, 2017—shortly after the Sixers secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft to select standout prospect Markelle Fultz—the event trended nationally on Twitter as fans resurfaced outdated criticisms. Sixers star Joel Embiid also took part.<ref><ref>
Distinguished Visitors
- Ex-General Manager of the 76ers, Sam Hinkie
- Head coach in basketball, Brett Brown
- Vocalist and guitarist Adam Granduciel from The War on Drugs
- Entrepreneur and political figure Andrew Yang
- Member of Philadelphia City Council, Helen Gym
- Renowned sports journalist Zach Lowe
- Current 76ers President of Basketball Operations (since 2020), Daryl Morey
- Singer and songwriter Amos Lee
- Philadelphia-based personality Tony T
- NBA athlete Joel Embiid
- NBA competitor Tobias Harris
- Sports columnist Pablo S. Torre
- Professional bowling athlete Bill O'Neill