Ballfields & Blackboards

This month we explore the factors behind the dramatic decline of Manchester United and possible lessons for other elite sports teams as well asking whether the Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin should be praised for their consistency or questioned for their inability to advance in the playoffs in recent years. We quickly dabble back into the equity and sustainability of the NCAA settlement with former players. 

We dive into Major League Baseball to consider ways to curb the rash of pitcher injuries, the breakup of ESPN and MLB, Hall of Fame considerations for Pete Rose and Joe Jackson, the Rockies dismal performance, and other stuff. 

This month we tackle the coach firings in the lead-up to the NBA playoffs, the wrestling match known as the NCAA basketball final, and the roller-coaster, emotional win of Rory McIlroy at the Masters Tournament. 

Where will the Rays relocate? Is the break-up of MLB and ESPN good or bad for MLB? Why did the ACC settle with Clemson and FSU and does the SEC want them? Will the PGA Tour and LIV ever reach a deal? We tackle all these questions this month 

This month we consider the blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, the Dodgers hoarding most of the MLB free agents by paying Ohtani practically nothing over the next decade, and Super Bowl stuff. 

This month we discuss the outcomes for and tweaks to the College Football Playoffs, the emerging NFL playoff scenarios, whether any NBA stars will arise, and the UCLA basketball coach's media meltdowns. 

This month we examine how the college football playoff selection and seeding panned out along with adjustments likely to occur down the line. Also, we discuss Juan Soto's new contract with the Mets and how much advantage the big money clubs have in MLB along with the most positive sports stories of the past year.  

This month we talk about Michael Jordan's suit against NASCAR, why and how different athletes perform better or worse under pressure, and college and NFL playoff projections. 

This month we tackle the dilemma that some NFL teams face of paying their "average" QB a big percentage of their salary cap space or risking falling off a cliff. We also think about ways to stem the tide of MLB pitcher injuries, Formula 1 hype versus reality, and the ongoing NCAA payer player litigation. 

This month we consider where the PAC 12 is headed, if anywhere, Deion Sanders' present and future in Colorado, and why so many coaches like Billy Napier at Florida can't transfer their lower-level coaching success to the bigger stage. 

We recap the fun, amazing, and weird from the Paris Olympic Games along with questions about the new $7 billion per year TV deal that the NBA signed with various networks and streaming services. 

We examine Vegas college football win totals betting lines, the MLB aversion to developing 2-way players like Paul Skenes, and more. 

After a year off we're back at it and looking at the media consensus condemned the Falcons for selecting Michael Penix in the first round. Crazy or clever? Why trade up in the draft? Why take so many quarterbacks early when history says that most of them won't pan out? Plus, will the Caitlin Clark effect on women's basketball viewership last? 

In this final installment of Ballfields & Blackboards we talk about bad behavior by parents & fans, the LIV merger with the PGA Tour, and the SEC's wrongheaded choice of an 8-game conference schedule. 

We discuss the growth of "mid-majors" in the Final Four in 2023 and since 2005 and whether that trend is likely to continue. Also, we look at the early results of the new MLB rules, LIV golf, and more. 

We dive into a variety of topics related to the men's NCAA basketball tournament. Why is parity increasing? Why are some of the big-name programs struggling? Why is the Big 12 the new ACC? What has happened to John Calipari's magic touch? Why does the selection committee hate Texas A&M? Who are the best bets for to make the Final Four? 

This month we consider a variety of topics including the new MLB rules, sinking NBA viewership, and a few other topics. 

This month we examine the sense or nonsense of the long and large free-agent contracts in MLB along with how college football bowl games may fare with an expansion of the CFB playoffs and a bit on the Brett Maher extra points drama.  

This month we dig into the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams along with discussing the pros and cons of the World Cup tournament and NFL games in Europe. 

In this episode, we consider the structure of the MLB playoffs and how teams like the Braves last year and Phillies this year are excelling after fairly average seasons. We also discuss the dilemma of the $95 million guaranteed contract to Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher along with other coach compensation and selection topics. 

This month we consider places where various sports might play a one-off game like the Iowa "Field of Dreams" game. We also delve into possible incentives and the shape of a LIV and PGA Tour merger down the line, big-name free agents in MLB, John Calipari, and Manchester United's struggles.

This month we dive into possible implications of the Big Ten's adding USC and UCLA along with looking at LIV Golf from more angles than just the Saudi financial sponsorship. 

We try to find some of the positive things going on in Major League Baseball as well as exploring a few other topics such as politics in sports and Dusty Baker's managing decisions. 

We focus on the trend for MLB and other sports to move more content to exclusive streaming platforms.  It may well drive existing viewers away and also fail to attract the younger demographic that they seek. 

What's going on over the past few years with the big names of college basketball like Kentucky, Duke, Carolina, and Kansas struggling to make the Final Four and more little guys making noise? We talk about the influences and why schools like Vanderbilt aren't joining in. Also, we get into a spirited discussion of whether teams like the Braves letting Freddie Freeman get away makes sense. 

We engage in a lively discussion of ways that MLB and other leagues might better set up their revenue sharing to allow younger players to make more when most productive, reduce incentives for losing games and still maintain a reasonable competitive balance. 

This month we dig transfer issues in college football along with the ACC's opposition to current playoff expansion after first covering some rugby questions

It isn't just Urban Meyer. Bad behavior of some form by coaches seems the norm more than the exception. This month we discuss why that is the case along with the college football playoffs and MLB's collective bargaining issues. 

This month we discuss the tenuous status of regional sports networks in the era of growing streaming services and declining cable subscriptions. We consider the fallout for revenue in MLB, NBA, and NHL along with implications for collective bargaining problems.  We also follow up on the college football conference reshuffle and a variety of current topics. 

We look at the domino effect of the shifts in NCAA football conferences from the SEC and Big 12 down through the American, CUSA, and Sun Belt conferences. 

This month we discuss the best and worst sports stadiums and atmospheres. Beware if you are a Red Sox fan!  Also, we dig deeper into the impact of NCAA realignments.  

This month we discuss which teams are rising and falling in MLB along with our favorite and not-so-favorite MLB announcers. We also ponder the attendance questions for the NFL. 

We discuss the implications of the SEC admitting OU and Texas, perspectives on the Olympics, and the Aaron Rodgers diva show.

We talk about the NCAA's hammering by the Supreme Court, silly rules or structures within sports, MLB's crackdown on doctoring baseballs, and NBA & NHL playoffs.

We go less scripted and talk about MLB injuries, lack of NHL viewers, the NBA playoff structure, the Olympics, and other stuff.  

We discuss rule changes in MLB that might increase balls in play and other improvements, hockey's icing rule, and the idea of a Super League of top European soccer teams to replace the Champions League 

This month we discuss the current Final Four along with memorable NCAA tournament games, make predictions for the upcoming MLB season, and ponder the future of college sports if the Supreme Court blows up the compensation restrictions of the NCAA. 

This month we explore why Indiana basketball isn't elite anymore, our current sports interests, impacts of billionaire owners, and how a golfer can become the top endorsement draw  

We examine the paradox in college football of 4 teams dominating the playoffs while underneath that there is a lot of competition. We also look at the problem of "tanking" in sports leagues, the struggles of John Calipari and Kentucky Wildcat basketball, and take guesses as to whether Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens make it into the Hall of Fame.  

We discuss the college football playoff structure and teams, the sense and nonsense of big buyouts for college coaches, and identify our favorite and least favorite sports-related events for 2020 along with the NFL no-bubble decision and a new name for the Cleveland Indians. 

We talk about the pending restructuring and takeover of minor league affiliations, locations, and operations by MLB along with reasons for the decline in viewership across sports since the restarts during the pandemic.

In this episode, we discuss whether bans against the use of performance-enhancing drugs make sense along with minor-league risk sharing plans, and our views on the home run surge in MLB playoffs.

This month we discuss the dilemma facing sports leagues in dealing with politicized topics like racial discrimination. We also pick out some of the best moments in sports over the last few months and debate the expansion of MLB's playoffs and 2 out of 3 structure of the first round. 

We discuss the current turmoil surrounding the decision of the SEC, Big 12, and ACC to continue on track to play college football in the fall in spite of the Big 10 and Pac 12 calling off their fall season. In addition, discuss restarts in MLB and other sports -- which ones got it right and which rule changes we like and don't like. Finally, we consider how much of a long term impact the year's disruption may cause. 

This month we make predictions for playoff berths and the World Series for the shortened Major League Baseball season along with discussing directions for the re-naming of the Washington Redskins, and whether and how the college football season will and should take place.  

We discuss the state of MLB's season and the sticking points between owners and players in negotiations. We also look at MLS' very cool World-Cup style tournament, the NBA's resumption, and short and long term issues in NASCAR

We discuss the potential impact on NCAA basketball of a big increase in salary structure for star 18-year olds in the NBA's G-League. We also throw out names of MLB's current and all-time most overrated and underrated players, including some names likely to surprise like Rivera and Jeter. 

We discuss the options and complexities of possible restarts of MLB, NBA, PGA, and other sports along with proposals by commissioners of major college conferences to suspend low-revenue sports because of the revenue impact of COVD. 

With baseball and all other sports on hold, we discuss a variety of baseball topics including possible restarts to the season, which teams would benefit from a shortened season, not-too-longshots to win league pennants, favorite games of all-time, and most painful games

We debate the sense or nonsense of the Mookie Betts trade from the Red Sox to the Dodgers, reasons behind the growing number of upsets and struggles of big teams in college basketball, and the accuracy of media estimates of pro sports profits

We discuss the cheating scandal involving the Houston Astros and likely other teams along with the obstacles to paying college players and the MLB free agent signings.