The NBA is nearing a massive media rights deal, as a dramatic playoffs featuring a new cast of characters unfolds. The New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas joins the show to discuss how these playoffs represent a changing of the guard and the enigmatic figure of Jimmy Butler. Plus, the Premier League could implement a spending cap and LeBron James is leaving his options open with his son, Bronny, entering the NBA Draft.

The Florida Panthers are chasing a Stanley Cup while still feeling the reverberations of last year’s run to the finals. Team president and CEO Matt Caldwell joins the show to discuss how the Panthers’ success boosted the franchise in the short and long-term. Plus, MLB is fixing its uniforms – eventually, and Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are buying into a Liga MX team that already has numerous celebrity owners.

The MLB season has been dominated by headlines of star pitchers going down with significant injuries. Is this a particularly rough year or simply the new reality for MLB? The Score’s Travis Sawchik joins the show to delve into his research on pitchers, the state of MLB labor relations, and plenty more. Plus, the NFL Draft set a new attendance record, Roger Goodell pitched an 18-game season, and the newly relaunched Arena Football League is already in serious trouble.

The NHL is entering the playoffs coming off the best-attended regular season in its history. That will only further stoke the league’s desire to expand to new markets, with the Phoenix area remaining the NHL’s top priority. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan joins the show to discuss how these playoffs are a dream come true for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, where the league could expand next, and why Ryan Smith’s “energy” is just what the NHL needs. Plus, NFL draftees could see record salaries, the league is expanding its international efforts in Australia, and Utah is set to claim the 2034 Winter Olympics.

The NFL Draft begins today with the forecast calling for surprises and trades. ESPN’s NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller joins the show with a look at how the Cardinals, Commanders, Patriots, and other teams with top picks might leverage their position for long-term future gains. Plus, Reggie Bush got his Heisman Trophy back 14 years later, Tiger Woods is set to receive $100 million in equity for staying loyal to the PGA Tour, and the Bears are expected to ask for $2.3 billion in public funds for a new domed stadium.

Austin Ekeler’s free agent market developed over the course of a few hours. He joins the show to take us inside that chaotic day and offer his thoughts on the NFL’s new rules, where he would like to see the league expand, what he expects from his new team, the Washington Commanders, and his athlete fan connection platform, Eksperience. Plus, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore are entering mediation over their attempted purchase of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, the Kansas City Current are building a new neighborhood around their stadium, and the Utah NHL team name will be decided by a fan vote.

Randy Johnson spent a career staring down the best hitters in the world. Now he stares down wildebeests. The Hall of Fame pitcher joins the show to discuss how baseball has changed and his second life as a photographer. He’s also part of a campaign to make bird homes, after the famous incident in which one of his pitches collided with a mourning dove during a game. Plus, the NBA is now free to negotiate with any company on its next media rights deals and a major Olympics controversy pits the U.S. against China.

The New York Knicks were looking to take their franchise into a new era by signing free agent LeBron James in 2010. To seal the deal, they put together an elaborate, celebrity-filled recruitment video, exclusively for LeBron and his agent. That video has now surfaced 14 years later due to the work of Pablo Torre. Torre joins the show to discuss what compelled him to search for the video, what it reveals about the Knicks' front office, and how the team has changed since then. Plus, private equity firms are preparing to invest in the NFL, David Beckham is suing Mark Wahlberg’s fitness company, and the people of Utah are buying in on their hockey team before it even has a name.

The NFL Draft is a swarm of moving parts, with trades and surprises a regular part of the action. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport anticipates that this year could bring loads of drama, with everything past the first pick in flux. He also discusses the NFL’s new rules and Deion Sanders’ claim that teams leak negative stories about players they are interested in. Plus, a settlement was reached with the Justice Department in the Larry Nassar case, the clubhouse attendees of the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks had their lives changed by the teams’ trips to the World Series, and Caitlin Clark is inspiring at least one WNBA team to shift venues when she comes to town.

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins has a second favorite sport: cornhole. He's competing, along with 7 other NFL players, in a big event being broadcast from New Orleans by ESPN this weekend. Dawkins joins the show to discuss his love of the sport, where he sees it going (hint: the Olympics), and why he thinks the bags are "like therapy." Plus, Caitlin Clark broke more records at the WNBA Draft, Travis Kelce has a thriving media career, and the NBA banned Jontay Porter for life.

With team valuations on the rise and the World Cup on the way, optimism is soaring on soccer’s future in the U.S. Former USMNT player and Golazo Network analyst Charlie Davies joins the show to discuss the American appetite for soccer, and whether MLS might one day buy the USL and introduce a promotion/relegation system. Plus, we delve deeper into the Arizona Coyotes’ move to Utah and whether hockey could return to Phoenix down the road, the NBA delivers a banner year ahead of its media rights deals and eventual expansion, and new details emerge on the betting habits of under-investigation NBA player Jontay Porter. (00:00) Arizona Coyotes Leave for Utah (05:28) NBA's Banner Year (07:47) Charlie Davies on the Appetite for American Soccer

The WNBA enters a new era with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and Cameron Brink set to join the league. The WNBA will seek to build on the popularity of the most successful women’s college player in history, with expansion and a new media rights deal looming. Plus, the Arizona Coyotes are likely heading to Utah, the NBA play-in tournament starts tonight, and we hear from someone tasked with looking after the Stanley Cup as it travels the globe, from the NHL finals to local bars and far beyond. (00:00) Inside the 2024 WNBA Draft (05:05) The Arizona Coyotes Relocate to Utah (07:46) Keeping Up with the Stanley Cup

Philadelphia Eagles stars DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy have stayed busy in retirement. The two have a podcast together, The 25-10 Show, and separate real estate dealings. They join to show to discuss their post-playing careers and their thoughts on today’s NFL. Plus, the Masters concluded against a backdrop of a fractured golf world, and Wrexham F.C. added another chapter to its remarkable story with its second consecutive promotion.

Two years ago, Jake Knapp was working as a bouncer in night club. Now he’s competing in his first Masters after winning the Mexican Open and securing $1.5 million in prize money. He joins the podcast to talk about his improbable journey. Plus, the WNBA is gearing up for a hugely anticipated draft, Ippei Mizuhara is charged with stealing over $16 million from Shohei Ohtani, and NBC has sold $1.2 billion in Olympics ads.

Deion Sanders believes that NFL teams leak negative stories about players they are interested in drafting to tank their draft stock. Coach Prime joins the show to discuss the draft, the transfer portal, NIL, and the state of college football. Plus, the Olympics are finally giving out prize money, new details have come out about John Calipari’s contract with Arkansas, and the WNBA is putting nearly every Caitlin Clark game on national TV. (00:00) Tuned In on Caitlin Clark in WNBA (05:08) The Olympics Prize Money (07:27) Deion Sanders on the State of Football

The Masters will bring together golfers from LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, as a deal to define the future of the sport is still in negotiations. Dustin Johnson joins the show to discuss how playing for LIV has changed his lifestyle, how he’s preparing for the Masters, and what future golf competitions could look like. Plus, the founder of an Oakland fan group discusses how they are aiding efforts to block the team’s funding in Nevada, and why that could be the first of many such initiatives. Also, the WNBA is already feeling the Caitlin Clark effect and Dude Perfect secures over $100 million.

Media focused on collectibles has often centered around breaking open card packs and other hype-focused events. A new entry, Cllct, founded by Darren Rovell, takes a different, more journalistic approach. Rovell joins the show to discuss why he started the publication and the state of the collectibles market in the wake of the pandemic boom. Plus, the trendy new thing in Brooklyn is owning a soccer team, and we look back at the record-setting Final Four.

The NIL era has changed what it means to be a March Madness Cinderella team, especially for those teams’ star players. Oakland’s Jack Gohlke joins the show to discuss how his team’s improbable upset of Kentucky has changed life for him. Plus, former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has a new role with the Miami Grand Prix. He describes how Formula 1 is working to build on its initial hype in the U.S. to create a lasting presence in the country.

Not long ago, NC State looked to be NIT-bound at best. Now the Wolfpack are in the Final Four, and their star big man, DJ Burns, has been cooking on and off the court, making deals with Adidas, CVS, and TurboTax, among others. We take a look at the often-chaotic world of March Madness deal-making, while peeking ahead at what will likely be record audience numbers for the women’s Final Four, despite NCAA management disasters. Plus, it’s another big weekend for NASCAR races. Driver and broadcaster Parker Kligerman joins the show to discuss the sport’s new $7 billion media-rights deal, its place in U.S. culture, and why Amazon is now part of NASCAR’s broadcasting pit crew.

The people have spoken—with their remotes. Iowa’s Elite Eight win over LSU in the women’s college basketball tournament captured 12.3 million viewers for ESPN, the most for a women’s game broadcast in the U.S. We dig into what those numbers could do for future broadcasts of the sport—starting with this weekend’s final—and why ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ may not stay long in its time slot. Plus, skateboarding will be back at the Olympics in Paris this summer. The CEO of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, Matt Cohn, shares how the company's Street League Skateboarding works to maintain the sport's renegade spirit while the biggest stars are collaborating with global brands. (00:00) Tuned In on the Final Four (07:46) Thrill One CEO Matt Cohn Joins FOS Today (14:01) How Skateboarders are Building Their Brand

Former ‘SportsCenter’ anchors Trey Wingo and Kevin Frazier recently launched a new show that asks the big ‘what if’ questions from sports history. Billed as a ‘leap into the multiverse,’ their podcast ‘Alternate Routes’ is the latest example of talent leaping from legacy media brands into the great unknown of the always-on, streaming future. Wingo and Frazier join the show to tell us why now was the right time to make the move. Plus, through its Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia has presented a $2 billion proposal to unite the ATP and WTA. We asked women’s world No. 5 player Jessica Pegula whether this is a good idea.

NWSL star Midge Purce and Alexis Ohanian, cofounder of Reddit and founding owner of Angel City FC, are producing The Offseason, a series in production that’s part docuseries, part reality show. They join the pod to discuss how they’re breaking a sports-media mold and why the future of sports is female. Plus, the A’s could be staying in Oakland—at least for a few years. We dig into the latest plot twists in the ongoing drama. (00:00) Are the A's Staying Oakland? (06:31) Alexis Ohanian and Midge Purce on The Offseason (19:25) All Star Investors in the NWSL (24:35) Ohanian's Favorite Serena Williams Highlight

The Wizards and Capitals owner joins the show to discuss what happened with his planned $2 billion development in Alexandria, and why he's optimistic about retrenching and redesigning in D.C. Leonsis also talks about his big plans for Capital One Arena, how he hopes to survive RSN disruption, and MLB aspirations. Plus, one Final Four is set and another will be by the end of today. We take stock of the state of women's and men's college hoops. (00:00) The State of College Basketball w/ Amanda Christovich (08:48) Ted Leonsis Joins FOS Today (16:37) Renovating Capital One Arena (23:17) Navigating the RSN Landscape and the Future of MLB

The Utah Jazz are pioneering a broadcasting arrangement with no local cable provider. Team president Jim Olson joins the show to discuss why the team made the move and how it’s going. Plus, the sale of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx has been called off after Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore failed to meet a payment deadline, according to team owner Glen Taylor. A-Rod and Lore dispute Taylor’s claims, and believe they are still entitled to buy the team under the terms agreed to three years ago. We break down the drama behind one of the NBA’s top teams.

MLB opening day is here. It is also David Rubenstein’s first full day as Orioles’ owner, and the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes expects he will alter the futures of the O’s and the Washington Nationals, with whom the Orioles are locked in a years-long legal dispute. Janes also provides her perspective on the turmoil at the MLBPA, the Shohei Ohtani scandal, and who will win the World Series. Plus, March Madness is breaking viewership records and more are likely to fall, NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to ban prop bets on college athletes, and the Marlins are offering all-you-can-eat snacks.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue to float the possibility that they could leave the area if a vote for public money on April 2 doesn’t go their way. The defending Super Bowl champions are seeking funds for a major renovation of Arrowhead Stadium while the Kansas City Royals would get money for a new downtown stadium from the same vote. Plus, the MLS referee lockout is over and we delve further into the statements made by Shohei Ohtani, his relationship to his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, and what the whole saga will mean for MLB with LA Times writer Mike DiGiovanna, who has covered Ohtani since the start of his MLB career. (00:00) Could Chiefs Leave Kansas City? (07:30) MLS Refs Return (10:28) Mike DiGiovanna on Shohei’s Legacy

Shohei Ohtani read a prepared statement addressing the scandal that has captured the baseball world’s attention just before opening day. The Dodgers star alleged that his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole millions of dollars from Ohtani and then lied about it, in some cases using his role as interpreter to control the information going to and from Ohtani. Crisis management expert Mike Paul joins the show to discuss how Ohtani and his representatives handled the situation, and in what ways it could have been prevented. Plus, the NFL owners are making changes to the game on and off the field, the Orioles have a new owner coming in just before their first game of the season, and spring football gets another chance to shine. (00:00) NFL Owners' Meeting (06:34) The Orioles' New Ownership (9:08) Grading Shohei Ohtani's Statement

Dartmouth athletes are fighting to unionize, but Blake Lawrence, CEO of Opendorse, feels that schools and conferences may be the ultimate benefactors of collective bargaining efforts. He joins the show to give his perspective on that topic, plus how NIL has impacted the earning potential for student athletes during March Madness. Plus, LSU head coach Kim Mulkey threatens to sue the Washington Post, March Madness posts its best viewership numbers in years, and we look into the murky past of Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

Clemson joined a lawsuit by Florida State challenging the ACC’s fees and procedures for leaving the conference. Should those two schools depart, others may look to follow as college football media contracts continue to reshape the conference landscape. Plus, soccer legend Sam Mewis joins the show to talk about her new role leading the women’s soccer coverage at Men In Blazers, and we sort through the spiraling betting scandal surrounding Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

The tremendous hype around Caitlin Clark has brought enormous attention to the Iowa basketball team. Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz joins the show to discuss what that’s meant for the program and its athletes, as they try to stay focused on the team and their classes. Plus, the WNBA is looking to turn its growing popularity into a substantial bump in its media rights, ESPN and the CFP link up on a new media rights deal, and NBC's Paris Olympics are getting their own RedZone.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has a new production company with aspirations beyond the athlete stories one expects to see from similar ventures. After releasing a documentary about Giannis himself, the company is working on a heist movie set in Greece and a cooking show, among other projects. The CEO of the company, Improbable Media, joins the pod to talk about the vision for Improbable Media and why more and more sports media is athlete-driven. Plus, there is unrest at the MLBPA, Shohei Ohtani now has his own logo, and a new NIL deal offers every woman in March Madness $500.

March Madness broadcasting rights are highly coveted, but the networks that hold them are signing up for chaos: They have to change plans, narratives and travel schedules with every big upset. ESPN’s VP of production Sara Gaiero joins the podcast to discuss how she prepares for the unknown. Plus, Transfer Portal Monday provides an unwelcome distraction from Selection Sunday, billions in legal bets are expected on March Madness, and calmer days may be on the horizon for Sports Illustrated.

In 2016, CBS looked to make Selection Sunday an event on par with the NFL Draft, ballooning it from a tight half hour to a full two hours. That plan turned upside down when the NCAA tournament bracket was leaked before the network could roll it out. Front Office Sports senior writer Mike McCarthy joins to discuss the network’s nightmare and how it shaped the big day going forward. Plus, a miracle run altered a head coach’s fate, Caitlin Clark is getting a dedicated reporter, and we peek ahead to the Paris Olympics with journalist Ari Saperstein, as Simone Biles looks to extend her unprecedented run of dominance. The GOAT gymnast is steadily separating herself from USA Gymnastics and offering other gymnasts a way to make money off their talents.

Lesley Slaton Brown, the NBA’s chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, sees her role as one that drives business and guides league expansion as it develops its existing markets and grows internationally. She joins the show to discuss the values, both moral and economic, of her work. Plus, Sports Illustrated is scrambling to find a new manager before layoffs set in, the Kansas City Chiefs threaten to move ahead of a vote on public funding for a stadium renovation, Bay FC kicks off its inaugural season, and someone stole thousands of Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads.

Despite weathering multiple scandals throughout his career, Rick Pitino is revered in college basketball. Freelance sportswriter Tim Rohan joins the show to discuss the strange world of Pitino-protectors he discovered while looking into the coach’s past. Plus, Aaron Rodgers is under consideration to join a presidential ticket, MLB is stoking hype about its top prospects, and we check in on “Spulu” and the NBA media-rights negotiations.

An investigation from Front Office Sports reveals the identities of the executives accused of facilitating and covering up alleged exploitation by longtime WWE boss Vince McMahon. The story shines a light on the circle of protection around McMahon: high-ranking officials who were complicit in his conduct. Plus, NFL teams are using their extra $30 million worth of cap space in a free agent bonanza, but headlines announcing signings can be misleading, and an MLB player is looking for a new team after his old one used a little-known loophole to cut him.

Formula 1 has surged into the American consciousness over the last four years, but now it faces the challenge of maintaining interest amid a season that may be uncompetitive from the start. Wall Street Journal sports editor and co-author of The Formula Jon Clegg joins the show to discuss how F1 got as big as it has and whether it can sustain that success. Plus, the Bears are staying in Chicago after all, Deadspin has been sold and its entire editorial staff laid off, and North Carolinians are seeing sports betting ads everywhere they look.

Big East commissioner Val Ackerman is wary of the major changes coming to college sports, including the possibility of athletes becoming unionized employees. She joins the show to discuss how the overlapping web of school, conference, state, and federal rules and bylaws create a sea of confusion regarding the future of college sports. Plus, a potential betting scandal encircles Temple University, a new college basketball tournament shows what is possible in the NIL era, and Roger Clemens comes out of retirement …. for the Savannah Bananas.

A planned $2 billion development, centered around a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals, appears to be dead, after Virginia lawmakers killed a budget item that would have provided funding. The move could signal a turning point in the attitude toward public funding for sports venues. Plus, Netflix will show a live fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul … as long as it can avoid potential legal issues, the PWHL altered its jerseys to better accommodate women, and we explore the evolution of sports talk shows with New York Times Magazine writer Jonathan Mahler.

The National Rugby League of Australia is looking to harness football’s massive popularity in the US by promoting its similar sport. The NRL hosted games at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last weekend as part of a long-term push to grow a US audience. Plus, Jason Kelce is in high demand among media companies, Bill Belichick could be as well, we have another sign that women’s sports are on the rise, and we asked the Las Vegas mayor what she thinks about the new renderings from the Oakland A’s.

Dartmouth basketball players voted to unionize, setting up a precedent that, if upheld, will spell the end of the NCAA’s amateurism model. Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich joins to sort through the implications of the industry-shaking vote. Plus, the Oakland A’s finally produced renderings of their planned Las Vegas stadium and we get the live reaction from Gensler architect Ryan Sickman. Sickman also provides a deep dive into the world of stadium and arena design, including the latest trends in team training facilities.

Brad Gilbert is an ESPN analyst and coach of rising tennis star Coco Gauff, and recently he picked up another client: Zendaya. The movie star turned to Gilbert to learn the game for her upcoming film Challengers. Gilbert joins the show to discuss the parallels he sees between Gauff and Zendaya, the state of tennis in the post “Big Three” era, and how Netflix is changing tennis media. Plus, MLS is in a precarious position with extra attention on their replacement referees, Jason Kelce retired from the NFL and could have a new job before long, and more than 10,000 college football players have accepted an NIL deal with EA Sports.

As Caitlin Clark broke the record for points scored in a Division I college basketball career, Dartmouth basketball players prepared to hold a vote on whether to unionize. Any vote to unionize is sure to be challenged in court, but could ultimately lead to athletes at private schools being declared employees. Plus, freshly retired World Series champion Eric Hosmer and Anthony Seratelli join to discuss their just-launched production company Moonball Media, and why amid a surge in athlete-led media companies, very few focus on baseball.

Jenny Cavnar will be the first female lead play-by-play announcer for an MLB team, following her hire to call games for the Oakland A’s by NBC Sports. She joins the podcast to talk about her approach to the job, breaking barriers, and narrating a singular season in Oakland while the team has one foot out the door. Plus, Caitlin Clark declares for the WNBA draft, another presumptive number one pick, Caleb Williams, has already made an estimated $10 million in NIL contracts, and we look into the world of collectibles and life as the most-hyped rookie through the market for Victor Wembanyama’s rookie card.

Spring training is a time when many MLB players say they are in the best shape of their lives, but how about the league itself? We explore the state of the game, and much more, with Jason Kelly of Bloomberg, who is launching a new show with Alex Rodriguez. Plus, Stephen A. Smith could be eyeing a late night gig (amid other intrigue at ESPN), leagues aren’t happy about the coming joint venture between ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, the ATP Tour strikes a deal with Saudi Arabia, and NFL players grade their teams.

The Caitlin Clark phenomenon has turned into a major opportunity for the business world around her, particularly broadcasters Fox and Comcast. The two media giants are opting for very different approaches when it comes to how to leverage the hype around Iowa’s superstar. Plus, we speak with NFL journalism legend Peter King who just announced he's hanging up his lanyard, Illinois governor JB Pritzker is skeptical of providing public money for a new White Sox stadium and every NWSL team released brand new kits.

The answer might be: depends on the lighting in the room. Uni Watch founder and editor Paul Lukas joins to discuss the fiasco of MLB’s see-through pants and he dissects the Los Angeles Clippers’s revamped logo and jerseys ahead of the Intuit Dome opening next season. We also look into the pay-for-play future of the NCAA in light of a recent court injunction with Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich, and what it could mean for the coming transfer window.Plus, the MLBPA is not pleased with a certain team executive and Marvin Harrison Jr. is charting a unique path to the NFL.

Social media impostors of sports reporters are a real challenge for the sports media ecosystem. The trend has been egged on by changes made to X, formerly known as Twitter, under Elon Musk. Front Office Sports senior reporter AJ Perez investigates the phenomenon, which has become a thorn in the sides of reporters like Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski. Plus, amateurism in college sports may effectively be over, a Nevada group looking to block the funding the state is providing to the Oakland A’s plots their next legal move, and we explore the world of professional women’s ultimate frisbee.