Trending Sports Podcast (TSP) was created in 2025 by Montreal sports fans Gian-Carlo Albertson, 25 – a former junior hockey player, James De Sua, 23 – a former hockey goaltender, and Westley (Wes) Ruggi, 25 – a hockey referee. With 10,000 followers on Instagram and YouTube, 38,000 on TikTok, and 100,000 on Facebook in the year since its launch, TSP has exploded onto social media.
How did the whole thing start? Gian-Carlo and Westley are childhood friends, and sports have always been a huge part of their lives. Whether they were watching games together, debating the latest trades, or arguing over who’s the GOAT, sports were at the center of almost all their conversations. “One day,” says Gian-Carlo, ” we thought, we’re having these conversations all the time. Why not create a platform where others can watch, listen, and enjoy these conversations with us?”
That’s how TSP was born. It wasn’t about chasing fame, but about sharing something they loved with other sports fans. The two friends soon realized they needed another trustworthy person to help bring things to life. Enter James, another sports buff, and a childhood friend of Gian-Carlo’s, to take on the role of producer from behind the scenes, with occasional appearances in front of the camera.
“TSP is not just a podcast,” says Gian-Carlo. “We see it becoming a sports media brand that fans genuinely trust and enjoy. We are the place where people turn to for great conversations, breaking stories, and content that keeps them connected to the sports they love. Whether that’s through podcasts, video, interviews, live events, or new platforms, we’re always thinking about what’s next.”
Wes adds, “We’re building for the long term and hope to cultivate community and connection with a passion that continues to drive us forward. Our ‘work’ is like play. We’re excited to keep evolving TSP until it is recognized as the all-sports, leading-edge, multi-platform.”
From left to right, Trending Sports Podcasters Wes Ruggi, James De Sua, & Gian-Carlo Albertson with retired WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi. (Photo: TSP)
What started as friends who love talking about sports, has grown into something much bigger. At its core, though, it’s still about friends discussing sports in their authentic voices, with diverse viewpoints, and inviting fans everywhere to be part of the conversation.
What is a typical day like for the three sports enthusiasts? According to James, “We’re basically a three-man team with our own studio.” Every recording day starts long before the cameras start to roll. “We set up our shots, adjust the lighting, check the audio, and make sure everything is ready so we can deliver the best quality possible. Before we film, we map out a content schedule so we’re covering the biggest trending stories in sports. We shoot a mix of short-form content on breaking news and viral topics. We also do long-form episodes, where we dive into trades, major storylines, debates, games, and in-depth conversations. Once everything is filmed, we move into editing and production, before publishing across all of our platforms. It’s a seven-day-a-week operation because the sports world never stops. Every day brings a new story, and our job is to make sure our audience never misses it.”
What sports podcast inspired them, one wonders? The answer is surprising! “To be honest,” says Gian-Carlo, “our biggest inspiration wasn’t actually a sports podcast; it was the Not-For-Radio NFR (hip-hop music commentary) podcast founded in 2019” – coincidentally, by two other lifelong friends, Anthony Daliesio and Luca Guerini. “Witnessing a local Montreal podcast grow into such a strong platform around music convinced us of what was possible. They proved that if you’re passionate, consistent, and authentic, you can build a loyal community around great conversation.”
James chimes in: “That gave us the confidence to do the same with sports. We wanted to leverage that same energy and create a platform where fans could bond around the biggest stories, share opinions, and enjoy the conversations with us. While we respect the many sports podcasts around the world, NFR showed us that you don’t have to be a major media company to have an impact. This mindset has guided our journey.”
Three-time NBA Champion Danny Green (second from left) with, from left to right, Wes Ruggi, James De Sua, & Gian-Carlo Albertson. (Photo: TSP)
In fact, the local sports podcast scene is extremely active in Montreal – and elsewhere! What differentiates TSP from the other podcasts? As Wes sees it, “Most sports podcasts focus on a single sport or league, but we love covering the entire sports world. One day we might be talking about the NBA finals, the next it’s a major soccer story, an NFL trade, or a viral moment that’s got fans everywhere talking. We’re not just reporting scores and statistics. We focus on the conversations around sports; the relevant stories, the personalities, the debates, and the moments that bring fans together. We want listeners to feel like they’re sitting in on a real conversation with friends who genuinely love sports.”
Sports move fast, and fans want more than just game recaps. TSP connects the dots between what’s happening across different sports and explains why those stories matter, with a mix of comedy and fast-paced information. The blend of analyses, trending topics, fan reactions, and sports culture into one digital show keeps viewers informed without having to follow multiple podcasts. Catch Gian-Carlo, James, and Wes @trendingsportspodcast.
“Maria Luisa Ierfino-Adornato is a Montreal freelance writer. She is the author of the historical novels McCord’s Quiet Rebellion and McCord’s Griffintown (Chronicler). Maria is a regular contributor to Accenti Magazine.”
