Bomani Jones discusses the goals of his new HBO late-night sports show.

• HBO's new show "Game Theory" with Bomani Jones will debut on March 13, consisting of six episodes, each lasting 30 minutes.
• CNBC interviewed Jones about the reasons behind the show's format, why it wasn't launched during Black History Month, and his experience hosting other sports shows on ESPN, as well as the failure of the network's "High Noon" show.
• Jones stated that he has a real management position on the show, which he hadn't experienced before.

HBO has given Bomani Jones the opportunity to make compelling arguments about the intersection of sports and money, rather than teaching economics.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Jones' sports show "Game Theory" will premiere on March 13. The late-night program will consist of six 30-minute episodes in the first season, which will end on April 17.

Unlike his days as an ESPN host, Jones now has complete control over his project.

Jones, 41, intends to explore weekly sports topics and incorporate his perspectives through an economic perspective. He illustrates this by discussing the National Football League's Rooney Rule.

Jones stated, "We're discussing the Rooney Rule and how it affects the labor market for coaches. If we were in-season, we would be discussing this topic. The economics will play a role in the discussion."

Jones emphasized that "Game Theory" is not an economics class and that their goal is not to teach, but rather to inform, invigorate, and entertain.

Jones stated that he would discuss sports-related topics beyond the weekly news, including his opinion on why the NFL should eliminate its annual draft.

The NFL Draft should be abolished due to economic issues, but if I say I want to abolish it, you'll want to hear the argument. Once I start talking, you won't stop because it sounds like I'm discussing economics. Instead, it's a compelling take.

He stated that Game Theory's segments will not be as in-depth or lengthy as John Oliver's deep dives, but they will follow a similar format.

Since 1995, HBO has been producing the Emmy award-winning show "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," and in 2001, the media company lured long-time sportscaster Bob Costas for a late-night sports show. The show, titled "On the Record with Bob Costas," lasted until 2004, but HBO rebooted the program in 2021, calling it "Back on the Record with Bob Costas."

HBO is shifting its power and media resources to Jones. The exact amount of investment in "Game Theory" and the payment to Jones are not clear as HBO does not disclose financial information. In comparison, HBO reportedly paid Gumbel over $1 million annually to host Real Sports in 2006.

James Davis, the creator of "Hood Adjacent" on Paramount-owned Comedy Central, was tapped by Jones as an executive producer for the new show. Jones stated that Davis' involvement will make the show more compelling.

Jones joked that he didn't work in the department responsible for launching "Game Theory" during Black History Month in February, and that he hadn't given it any thought. He added that they were starting the show on Selection Sunday, which he believed was the best time for the format.

Last week, CNBC spoke with Jones about "Game Theory" and why the show will succeed.

"The origin of the name 'Game Theory'" - Jabari Young, CNBC.

Bomani Jones: As someone with a background in economics, I found it easy to come up with ideas for what to do. My interest in game theory, which I learned in school, has influenced my thought processes about sports and culture. By considering the incentives of players and how things will play out in theory, I can often predict the outcome.

Can you tell me about your journey? When I first encountered your work, you were writing long-form blog posts and rekindled my passion for Ric Flair because you appreciated his wrestling persona and showmanship. Then, you started appearing on ESPN shows and I found your arguments to be quite thought-provoking. Did you ever imagine that you would eventually host a show on HBO? Was this always part of your plan?

I learned early on in the game that I didn't have control over what was in the cards. Although I always thought I could do a show like this, I never believed it would happen. A lot of things had to fall into place for me to be in a position to think it was possible. Many of these factors were outside of my control, including the politics of the network, the industry, and trends. If someone had asked me in 2007 if I could host a show, I would have said yes.

Did hosting ESPN's "Highly Questionable" and "High Noon" help you prepare for this opportunity?

Working with Dan Le Batard and his show "Highly Questionable" taught me valuable lessons about interviewing and making people feel comfortable. With "High Noon," I learned what I needed to be doing at this point in my career and that I needed to do something outside of my comfort zone. The assessment reaffirmed my belief in my abilities and gave me confidence in what else I could achieve.

What is the biggest thing you learned that you will take into "Game Theory"?

The things that I excel at are those that align with my personality the most. I don't believe "High Noon" accurately reflected my personality. However, I understand that it was not designed to do so. This show is completely tailored to me, and everything that happens on it will be a reflection of me. The best way to work with me is to embrace my personality. My ESPN podcast has been successful, and a significant part of its growth is due to us leaning into my personality more.

We discovered that people prefer listening to me chat with my friends over famous individuals. As a result, we focused on my casual conversations with my friends and the topics that reflect my personality, which proved to be the most successful.

You're now a recognizable figure and ready to take your career in the business of Bomani Jones.

The business hasn't changed from what it was before. I have a new client that I'm working with now, but what's different? I have a management role on this show, which is something I haven't had before. I'm not just talking and telling someone to book me; I'm on calls interviewing news and graphics producers for jobs I never considered before because at ESPN, everything was already filled. I've learned how to build a television show, how to allocate budgets, and how to write and shoot promos to reflect myself and the show in the way I want. I have a team around me to give me information and inform me of decisions. This is a creative endeavor for me, and it's the most exciting part of it.

Describe the business model of “Game Theory.”

The business model of the show is unclear to me, as I only know that they will pay me and I will perform the required tasks. We have a budget allocated for the show, but I am not aware of the specifics of the model itself.

Why did you choose HBO to distribute your show?

This company contacted me, which is great. They presented this to me. Even if I had this myself and recommended who to present it to, HBO would be the first people. HBO is the most prestigious network in television. They have the people who know how to make things work. They have the people who do a good job of letting you do what you want to do and try to create something that people will love rather than trying to create something that many people may think is good enough. Another thing about working with HBO is that if this was a half-ass project, it would not end up on HBO. The level of quality control at this place is high enough to make you feel affirmed just by the fact that it gets to see the light of day. You can't be sure of that with everyone you'll work with. If you asked 100 people who worked in television and said you could have a show, nine out of 10 would say HBO. When you tell people, "I have a show, and it's on HBO," their look changes completely. My look would change too.

What about the topic of "Game Theory" and its focus on the economics of sports?

I always approach economics as a problem-solving thought process. While operating in this space, I have never done anything new. However, I believe that economics can be used to discuss a variety of topics. People often make the mistake of trying to present themselves as extra smart when discussing these topics, but what people truly want is something that is interesting, compelling, and entertaining. To effectively communicate these ideas, they must be presented in a digestible and plain English manner, with a clear explanation of why they are compelling.

In a time where media companies vie for viewers' focus, what sets "Game Theory" apart and ensures its success?

To make a successful television show, we need to focus on creating a compelling narrative that will captivate the audience. While it may not always be easy to predict what will resonate with viewers, we can make our show stand out by offering something unique and fresh. Whether it's through humor, visual appeal, or a fresh perspective, we can create a show that will leave a lasting impression. With a talented team of individuals working together, we can create a show that is truly exceptional.

If you need someone to speak truthfully about what's happening and whose opinion you can rely on, and if their words go beyond what they say to convey their feelings, then this show is worth watching.

Do you need to reduce your ESPN consumption to avoid being overwhelmed by Bomani Jones?

If you've been observing me over the past year, you may have noticed that I've been less active on social media. This is simply because I no longer feel the need to engage in such activities. If you want to avoid me, it's easy enough to do so.

What song or soundtrack would you choose to encapsulate this moment in your career as an advent music lover?

Unfortunately, Kanye West's behavior has caused a "We Major" moment, with horns blurring and a call to "chill out, thinking we local, c'mon, homie, we major." Despite this, being in a position to host a late-night show on HBO is a major accomplishment, and nothing can diminish the significance of this show being here.