Since the advent of iPods and other portable media players, podcasting has thrived as a tool for journalism outlets as they continue to take their battles for survival and the bottom line into cyberspace. It has also given regular people the ability to voice their opinions on a variety of topics.

The sports podcasting world is no different. While media juggernauts such as ESPN use podcasting as a way to advance their television brands and personalities, normal fans are also getting in on the action. MySportsRadio allows fans with the software and a mic to create specialty shows tailored to whichever team they feel like. Jumping back to the media for a minute, the localized levels are also doing some interesting stuff. Check out what the sportswriters of the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World and '6News' have done to keep Kansas Jayhawk fans up to date.

In two or three years' time, podcasting has become a part of the sports fan's vocabulary. None of the above is revolutionary. With that, where will the next step be in podcasting? This is new media, a place where technology is constantly evolving, so naturally, there must be one. Sports sites often split recap podcasts by game and while some of those game recaps are comprehensive, they can miss several moments that the fan/listener may see as key to the game. How about putting the game up with a sidebar full of game notes linked with video? The fan could cut up the notes, pick out the highlights HE or SHE thinks were important and create their own customized podcast for themselves. That big three-point play - the one that starts a 15-0 run that turns the game in the home team's favor - can get its glory.

It's just a thought.