​It’s been a busy offseason for former Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book as he begins to lay the groundwork for a life beyond playing football. After stepping into the role of color commentator for the Blue & Gold game, Book impressed many with his performance behind the microphone. Rather than letting the momentum fade, he has pressed forward with a new venture: a podcast called The PlayBook: A Rally Podcast. The show centers on how Notre Dame athletes are navigating the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
The PlayBook aims to pull back the curtain on NIL from the perspective of those inside the Notre Dame program, and Book plans to bring on insiders and experts as guests. The premiere episode featured former Notre Dame stars Cole Kmet and Julian Love, offering listeners an inside look at their experiences and insights. In the second episode, Book welcomed Irish General Manager Mike Martin, who detailed the complexities involved in managing players and contracts, shedding light on the business side of college sports.
This podcast provides a compelling glimpse into Notre Dame athletics and demonstrates Book’s growing versatility in media and communications. The project likely would not hinder his potential candidacy for a radio analyst position, and some fans might even argue that his recent in-booth experience during the spring game positions him as a natural fit for the radio booth. It makes sense to keep an ear on Book as he expands his media portfolio, given his familiarity with the program and his ability to articulate the nuances of college football to a broad audience.
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This overview echoes how Ian Book’s post-playing career is taking shape as he broadens his reach in the media, using the platform of The PlayBook to explore NIL and its impact on Notre Dame athletes. As his journey continues, Book remains a notable figure to watch in the intersection of college football, broadcasting, and athlete branding. This piece originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire, highlighting Book’s step forward in his budding media career and its potential implications for his future in sports media.