Alternate Routes

It was the “retirement” heard round the world. In October of 1993, shortly after losing his father, Michael Jordan shocked the world by walking away from basketball and becoming a minor league baseball player for the Birmingham Barons. MJ was at the peak of his powers and the Chicago Bulls were coming off three consecutive championships when he decided to ride the bus and pick up a bat and glove. Although (after announcing it by fax) Michael came back in ‘95 and led the Bulls to the promised land three more times, we’ll never know what would’ve happened if he had just stayed in Chicago. That’s where Trey and Kevin come in. Would the Bulls have gone on to win NINE rings? Would the Houston Rockets have ever won a championship? Would Phil Jackson have ever gone to the Lakers and would Jordan staying in the NBA somehow extended the curse of the Bambino?! Find out on Alternate Routes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Of all the sports covered on Alternate Routes, few breed more “what if” scenarios than golf. It’s so often one round, one swing, one putt separating winners from losers. To fully explore golf’s greatest “what if?” moments, we’re flipping the script with a new format called Hot Routes, where Trey and Kevin dive down the rabbit holes from multiple sliding door moments. For instance, what if Tiger Woods was disqualified at the 2000 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (almost happened) - does he still become the greatest golfer of his generation? Would Ben Hogan become one of the all-time greats if he never got into that car crash? And if Greg Norman doesn’t choke at The ‘96 Masters, does LIV Golf exist today?? Find out on the inaugural Hot Routes edition of Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Self-confessed sports geeks Elis James and Colin Murray are here to serve up the juiciest tales from the world of sports – think epic rivalries, scrappy underdogs, and the wildest comebacks and you’re in the right ballpark. Thought you knew the story? Think again. From top-secret training sessions to dressing room dust-ups, join Colin & Elis as they dive into the greatest sporting stories of all time (and probably get a yellow card for simulation). Blood? Sweat? Tears? Sport has it all. And that’s why we love it.Listen to Everything To Play For on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App or on Apple Podcasts. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/everything-to-play-for now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Can a single play change the trajectory of a franchise? If a quarterback is hit while his arm is (maybe) in motion, is it a fumble? Is there no true justice in the universe?! These are the questions that keep sports fans (especially Raiders fans) up at night. When the referees called the infamous “tuck rule” in the 2001 AFC Divisional Round Playoff game, they sent New England into the record books and Oakland into the wilderness. But, what if the play in question was ruled a fumble? Do the Raiders go on to Super Bowl glory and ultimately stay in Oakland? Does Tom Brady go back to the bench and Drew Bledsoe become the greatest Patriot of all time? And does an AFC East with no TB12 pave the way for “Broadway Mark Sanchez”?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether you call him Shaq, Diesel, Shaq Diesel, or DJ Diesel, Shaquille O’Neal is one of the greatest players to ever step on a basketball court and a true American treasure. So much of his success as a player and personality stems from the three rings he won alongside Kobe Bryant in L.A, despite their tumultuous alliance. But, what if Shaq never moved out West and instead, stayed in Orlando? Do the Magic outrun the Bulls and speed up the last dance? Does LeBron never take his talents to South Beach in a newly configured Eastern Conference? And would we never have witnessed the cinematic masterpiece, Kazaam?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Joel Embiid is on the court, he’s one of the greatest big men the NBA has ever seen. However, emphasis on the word “when” - injuries have proven to be Embiid’s achilles heel, fractured back, and tweaked knee. Just days before the 2014 draft, Embiid fractured his foot in a workout for the Cleveland Cavaliers, causing them to pass on the Cameroonian superstar, leaving him available for Philly, and forever altering the sports-time continuum. But, what if Embiid stayed healthy and went to the Cavs in 2014? Do he, LeBron and Kyrie go on to win a fistful of rings? Does the Golden State dynasty disappear? And would we ever have learned to “trust the process”?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hang on, hear us out, this is a real thing that almost happened, multiple times. It’s widely reported that beginning in the early 1980s, Donald Trump had interest in purchasing multiple NFL teams: The Baltimore Colts, The New England Patriots, The Dallas Cowboys, and The Buffalo Bills. What if even one of these scenarios actually materialized? If Trump buys The Patriots, do we ever get a dynasty in New England? If Trump became an NFL owner, would he ever have run for President, or hosted The Apprentice? And, why would American Football become the biggest sport in Russia?! Find out, on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Whether you love him, hate him, or REALLY hate him, there’s no denying that Alex Rodriguez was one of baseball’s most perplexing stars. Despite becoming the best player in the AL and signing (at the time) the richest contract in pro-sports history, he never really sealed the deal with the fans - or with J-Lo (twice). But, instead of landing on the Yankees, what if his 2003 trade to the Red Sox went through? Would he have led Boston to multiple titles, or would the curse of the Bambino be alive and well? Would the Rangers have won their first ring decades earlier, and would we ever have experienced Manny Ramirez playing pro ball in Japan with guaranteed unlimited sushi?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Super Bowl XLIX. Seattle vs. New England. The Seahawks are on the one yard line with the chance to win back to back Lombardis and the game in their hands. You know whose hands the ball should’ve been in?! Marshawn Lynch. Instead, Russell Wilson threw the ball into the arms of Patriots’ cornerback Malcolm Butler. The rest, as they say, is history. But what if Russ handed off to Beastmode for the game winning touchdown? How does a Seahawks Super Bowl win alter the Brady/Belichick legacy? Does Pete Carroll become the greatest coach of all time? And does Marshawn Lynch become a fashion mogul and turn Skittles into a top-selling health food?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What’s the most you’ve ever lost on a coin toss? What’s the most you’ve ever stood to gain? The Bulls and Lakers once had more than life or death on the line; they had Earvin “Magic” Johnson. The top draft pick in 1979 went to the winner of a toss between LA and Chicago, and we all know how that story played out. But, what if the coin flipped the other way and Magic went to The Chi? Are we now making TV shows about the Showtime Bulls? Does Michael Jordan end up building a dynasty with the 76ers? And, does this alternate flip of the coin lead to Charles Barkley becoming our first Black president?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before Caitlin Clark was the biggest name in Indiana, one guy ruled the Hoosier state: Petyon Manning. “The Sheriff” may as well have been Governor while quarterbacking the Colts, but in 2012 they shocked the world by cutting him from the team following a potentially career ending neck injury. Manning went on to lead the Broncos to Super Bowl glory, but what if he stayed in Indianapolis? Does Peyton face his brother Eli in The Manning Bowl? Does Andrew Luck go on to create a dynasty in Washington? And would we have ever witnessed the glory of Kirk Cousins in gold chains?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Something is happening in Minnesota. Thanks to the elite play of Anthony Edwards basketball fans in the Twin Cities are experiencing a new and surprising emotion, hope. The T-Wolves are on the doorstep of destiny, a place they could’ve been years ago if they didn’t decide to draft back to back PGs, Ricky Rubio and Johnny Flynn with the 5th and 6th overall picks in 2009. But, what if the Wolves picked Steph instead of passing him up? Do Curry and Love create a mini-dynasty in Minnesota? Do Klay and Draymond ever make a splash in The Bay? And, do Steph, Dame Dolla and Prince collaborate on the hottest NBA album of all time?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“The Big Three” are sacred words in basketball. Lebron, Wade and Bosh in Miami; Steph, Klay and Draymond in Golden State; Bird, McHale and Parish in Boston; and Magic, Kareem and Worthy in L.A. One trio that never realized their full potential: Durant, Harden and Westbrook in OKC - a young, hungry squad on the cusp of greatness before going their separate ways. But, what if The Thunder kept the band together? How many rings could they have won? Does KD vs LeBron become the NBA’s signature rivalry and how does this all affect the adult entertainment industry?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The ping pong balls of destiny can be cruel arbiters of fate. The Gods shined on the city of San Antonio, and fundamentally shifted the NBA landscape when The Spurs landed the first pick of the ‘97 draft, Tim Duncan. The rest (five championships and an all-time dynasty) is history. But, The Celtics had two lottery picks and everyone, including Duncan himself, thought he’d be rocking green. What if The Big Fundamental ended up in Boston? How many more banners are hanging in TD Garden? Does Gregg Popovich ever reach the promised land? And, does Tim Duncan replace Kevin Garnett in Uncut Gems? Find out, on Alternate Routes. Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Before promoting the benefits of ayahuasca and considering Vice Presidential bids, Aaron Rodgers was one of the most hyped quarterbacks entering the 2005 NFL Draft. Rodgers was widely expected to go to his childhood team, The 49ers, but ended up waiting out an awkward draft night until the Packers finally picked him up. Rodgers became a Green Bay legend, but what would’ve happened if he ended up in San Francisco? How many more Lombardis would the Niners have won? Would we have never heard the name Colin Kaepernick? And, instead of a Kennedy, might we be looking at a Biden-Rodgers Presidential ticket? Find out on Alternate Routes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What do Patrick Mahomes and DJ Khaled Have in common? All they do is win, no matter what. Mahomes has three rings and counting and is on a breakneck pace to become the GOAT. But, what if the Chicago Bears drafted Mahomes instead of trading up to snag Mitch Trubisky (*this is a real thing that actually happened). Would Mahomes have led the Windy City to the promised land or would he still be running for his life around Soldier Field? Would Tom Brady have ended up in Tennessee winning Super Bowls for the Titans? And, instead of Travis Kelce, would Taylor Swift be dating Aaron Rodgers and convincing him to embrace science? Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tiger Woods is the greatest golfer of his generation, but he might have been even “greater-er” if not for that infamous Thanksgiving night of 2009. Following Tiger’s tabloid-worthy cheating scandal and ambient induced car crash, Woods took a hiatus at the height of his powers, forever changing the trajectory of golf. If Tiger kept on rolling in ‘09, how many majors would he have won? Would he have topped Jack Nicklaus as the undisputed GOAT? Would LIV even be a thing? And would Tiger have created a mini-golf revolution worthy of erasing pickleball from existence?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chris Webber might be one of the best college basketball players of all time, but he’s still best known for the one play he’d love to forget. When Webber called an illegal timeout in the 1993 NCAA championship game, he cost Michigan a championship and brought about the abrupt end of The Fab Five. But what if Webber never called timeout? Would Michigan have become the greatest college basketball dynasty of all time? Does NIL arrive decades earlier? And how C-Webb’s slip-up could’ve altered foreign policy forever? Plus would we all still be rocking basketball shorts down to our ankles? Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The legendary but scandal-ridden career of Barry Bonds could’ve taken a very different turn if he’d signed with the Yankees, not the Giants, as a free agent in ‘92. The alternate reality of Bonds playing in pinstripes sets off a butterfly effect that changes the entire baseball landscape and begs pressing questions like: Would Barry have even needed to juice in hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium? Would the ‘94 baseball strike have ever happened? Would we know Bonds best today as a first-ballot hall of famer AND Donald Trump spokesman?! Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Jordan’s iconic career may have taken a different route had he missed his first big shot. Not the game winner in Utah, not the dagger vs The Cavs, but the jumper to ice the ‘82 NCAA championship for North Carolina. If that ball rims out, does MJ lose his confidence and swagger? Does Georgetown become the greatest college basketball dynasty of all time? What happens to the legacies of Dean Smith and Roy WIlliams? Does MJ pivot to baseball sooner? What does all of this have to do with Shaq staying in Orlando? And do those NIKE sneakers on your feet right now turn into dust? Find out on Alternate Routes.Listen to Alternate Routes on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting https://wondery.com/links/alternate-routes/ now.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.