Disney+ Snags Gary Neville’s ‘The Overlap’ in Major Podcast Coup
Disney+ Scores Big with Football Podcast Deal: Gary Neville’s "The Overlap" Joins the Streaming Team
The Big Picture: Streaming Wars Hit the Pitch
Imagine two giant playgrounds—Disney+ and Netflix—competing to have the coolest toys. Right now, the score is Disney+ 1, Netflix 1 in the game of sports podcasts.
- Netflix made the first move this summer by teaming up with former England striker Gary Lineker for World Cup episodes of his show The Rest is Football.
- Disney+ just answered back by signing a major deal with Gary Neville—former Manchester United captain turned media boss—for shows from his company, The Overlap.
Important Point: This isn’t just about audio anymore. Both streamers want video-led sports podcasts—shows you can watch as well as listen to—hosted by famous former players who bring huge, loyal fanbases.
What Did Disney+ Actually Get?
Disney+ has secured a double-header of football content for the upcoming 2026/27 season. Here’s the breakdown:
1. Stick to Football (The Flagship Show)
- 40 brand-new episodes coming to Disney+
- Hosts: A "dream team" of legends:
- Gary Neville
- Jamie Carragher
- Jill Scott
- Ian Wright
- Roy Keane
- Format: The crew welcomes guests to chat about everything football—tactics, transfers, drama, and dressing room stories.
2. Stick to United with Wayne Rooney (Brand New Series)
- 50 episodes of a brand-new show focused entirely on Manchester United
- Hosts:
- Wayne Rooney – United’s all-time record goalscorer, fresh off a breakout stint as a World Cup pundit
- Mark Goldbridge – The passionate, sometimes exasperated superfan who built a massive YouTube following reacting to United games
- Format: Weekly deep dives into United’s results, news, and biggest talking points.
Where Can You Watch? (The "Multi-Platform" Plan)
Disney+ is the headline sponsor, but they’re not locking everything behind a paywall. Here’s how it works:
| Show | Disney+ | Other Podcast Apps (Spotify, Apple, etc.) | The Overlap YouTube Channel | Exclusive to Disney+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stick to Football | ||||
| Stick to United | 20 episodes (limited time) + 6 extended specials with surprise guests |
Important Point: The 20 exclusive Stick to United episodes and 6 extended specials will only be on Disney+ for a limited window—after that, they’ll likely appear elsewhere. The specials promise "special guests" and longer runtimes.
Key Dates to Circle on Your Calendar
- Tuesday, August 18 – Stick to United kicks off weekly on Disney+
- Thursday, August 20 – Stick to Football returns weekly (UK & Ireland)
Why This Deal Matters: The Bigger Story
The Rise of "Player-Led Media"
Former pros aren’t just pundits anymore—they’re media moguls.
- Gary Neville co-founded The Overlap, which is now majority-owned by Global (the UK radio/audio giant that bought a stake in January 2026).
- Mark Goldbridge sold his fan channels to The Overlap in April 2026—turning a bedroom YouTube rant into a professional studio gig.
Streamers Want "Local Originals" with Global Appeal
Disney+ isn’t just buying shows; they’re buying communities.
- Sean Doyle, Disney+ EMEA’s VP of Unscripted, says these shows "broaden our local original content offering" and complement their existing slate of drama, comedy, docs, reality, and ESPN sports.
- Neville puts it perfectly: "We’re not changing who we are. Our community keeps watching on YouTube, and now Disney+’s global audience can discover us too."
Summary: The Final Whistle
| What Happened | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Disney+ signed Gary Neville’s The Overlap | Streamers are betting big on video podcasts hosted by legends |
| Two shows: Stick to Football (40 eps) + Stick to United (50 eps) | Fan-led, personality-driven content is the new gold |
| Multi-platform: Disney+, podcast apps, YouTube | Accessibility first—fans watch where they want |
| 20 eps + 6 specials exclusive to Disney+ (limited time) | Disney+ gets a differentiator without walling off the core show |
| Neville & Goldbridge = pros + passionate fans | Authenticity wins—it’s not corporate, it’s "from the terraces" |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Do I need a Disney+ subscription to watch these shows?
Nope! Both shows will be free on regular podcast apps (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.) and on The Overlap’s YouTube channel. Only 20 episodes of Stick to United and 6 extended specials are exclusive to Disney+ for a limited time.
Who is Mark Goldbridge and why is he hosting with Wayne Rooney?
Mark Goldbridge is a Manchester United super-fan who built a huge YouTube channel (The United Stand) by reacting passionately—sometimes hilariously—to United games. He sold his channels to The Overlap in April 2026. Pairing him with Rooney (the club’s record scorer) gives the show the perfect mix of insider expertise + raw fan emotion.
Is this only for UK viewers?
The shows launch first in the UK and Ireland, but Disney+ is a global platform. The deal is designed to help these shows reach international audiences who might not know The Overlap yet.
What’s the difference between Stick to Football and Stick to United?
- Stick to Football = General football chat with a rotating panel of legends (Neville, Carragher, Wright, Keane, Scott) + guests.
- Stick to United = 100% Manchester United focus, hosted weekly by Rooney & Goldbridge, analyzing every match, signing, and crisis.
Why are streamers suddenly obsessed with sports podcasts?
Because video podcasts are cheap to make, have super-loyal audiences, and keep people coming back weekly—exactly what streaming services need to reduce churn. Plus, former players bring instant credibility and built-in fanbases.
Bottom Line: Whether you’re a die-hard Red, a neutral who loves Roy Keane’s rants, or just someone who enjoys smart football talk—this deal means more access, more platforms, and zero compromise on the voices you trust. The beautiful game just got a new streaming home.