Le Batard & Friends Network

Leave us a voicemail at 631-377-4869 It's So You Wanna Talk to Samson Wednesday! Let's start things off with a message from my Mom!? She asked about my friendship early on with Red Holzman and Jack McKeon. What was the most important thing I learned from them. (11:00) How much can a team trade in cash to acquire a player? Can you spend $120 million to acquire Paul Skenes? (19:00) Service time manipulation! Let's go! (28:00) Someone asked me about Jose Alvarado and the statement that he released. Are you kidding me? (34:30) The Dallas Stars own the hockey rinks around the Frisco area. It's become a nightmare for the locals. Woof. (43:00) Revenue sharing. How does it work in MLB? Is sharing a percentage of revenue with employees a good business model? (49:00) The WNBA has a problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘equity' as in ESPN as in the NFL as in billions as in Red Zone as in Roger Goodell as in Bob Iger as in journalism! Let's discuss what the NFL is doing, what ESPN is doing, and what the future holds for us all. ESPN is getting the NFL. ESPN is getting the WWE crown jewel events. Bob Iger says that journalism will live there… how? (26:30) The NFL has banned smelling salts. Huh? Ah, concussion cover ups! (32:30) Review: Captain America - Brave New World. (34:30) Will Kyle Schwarber get a career payday? He's in the final year of his deal now with the Phillies and he is MASHING! (40:10) Devin Williams fell apart again yesterday. Devin Williams is bad. The Yankees are bad. Jake Bird, new acquired? Demoted! (45:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jonathan Zaslow joins us! It's his debut! Let's go! (29:30) Donald Trump came out and said that Saquon Barkley would be part of the council for fitness, or something. Well, it turns out that Barkley is not on that board. (35:30) Jobs report. (39:40) Giannis is on the Milwaukee Bucks. Why do we have to hear about this everyday? (47:00) The Cubs are going through it. Last week they acquired Mike Soroka, and in his first start he's hurt. Straight to the IL. Horrible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘crumble' as in not the cookie as in the Yankees as in the Mets as in playoff races as in falling apart. Let's start with the Yankees. Another blown save from Devin Williams. Another bullpen acquisition given up a walk off homer. What about the Mets? They've been bad since mid-June! Starting pitching stinks. (17:00) Let's review our July predictions. And then discuss some August predictions. (22:30) Can you be a star in a small market in baseball? Can Elly De La Cruz be a star in Cincinnati? Let's discuss because David Ortiz and Derek Jeter had some thoughts. (34:00) Review: The Life of Chuck. (38:30) What is the Browns plan at quarterback? Is it Flacco? Is it Pickett? Is it Gabriel? Is it Sanders? Is it Watson? Is it Huntley? (44:30) The Chargers/Lions preseason game was watched by 6.9 million people. Wow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys are in a standoff. Jerry Jones looked at Parsons' trade request and laughed. Jones looked at the fans and laughed. Jerry Jones will not change. Year in and year out, it's all the same! Who is right and who is wrong here? (11:45) ESPN and the NFL have an agreement over media assets. It's a monster deal. Billions of dollars. (22:30) NPPOD (25:30) What is going on with the Connecticut Sun? Are they moving to Boston? Are they being sold? (33:15) We got a Commanders vote. The first approval has been done by the D.C. City Council. But it's still not done. More talking, more votes, more revisions. (39:00) Governor Mike DeWine of Ohio wants to do away with prop bets. Two Cleveland Guardian pitchers are out right now as an investigation is ongoing into betting on baseball. (46:00) Luka is back with the Lakers. He's got a new deal. He's setting himself up for an even greater deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘reunion' as in back in Miami for the first time to see a Marlins game! What a strange feeling being back. What a great feeling to see the stadium rocking. The Marlins are HOT right now! (13:40) The Yankees are a mess right now. There is so much bad that this team does. The little mistakes add up and Aaron Boone is finding out the hard way that letting his players get away with those mistakes isn't good! (27:00) The Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox got into this weekend… over sign-stealing! But it was the Astros mad at the Red Sox! (34:30) Review: Materialists. (38:00) MLB had its Bristol Speedway Classic on Saturday. Disaster. No food. Bad views. Bad weather. A suspended game in the first inning. Nightmare. (44:20) The NFLPA has its new interim boss. The same guy who was a finalist with Lloyd Howell. The same guy who had past problems. But the NFLPA doesn't seem to care. Welcome David White to the party! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

And now it's time for Coca Friday! We chat about MLB Trade Deadline! ABS! Replay! A lot of baseball talk! You can follow me on Twitter @matthewcoca !!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘whirlwind' as in so many trades as in deadline as in mayhem as in Padres as in Astros as in buyer as in sellers! What a day it was! Let's kick things off with the San Diego Padres. AJ Preller has done it again. Trading away one of the top prospects in all of baseball for a reliever and a starting pitcher. Wow. (8:40) Carlos Correa is back with the Astros! And the Twins are paying big money in order to save money. The Astros are going for it again. (11:00) The Twins have traded everyone. 11 players traded away. 40% of the roster switched over. (20:00) It's time for a Front Office Roundup. So many GMs and team presidents spoke yesterday. These were our favorites. (39:30) Review: On Swift Horses. (42:00) NPPOD. (47:00) Wait to see updates! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Fuentes recounts his days as a 19 year old movie theater manager drunk with power. Later, Izzy debuts a new game of "Are you ok?" with the group, Jessica brings attention to the flood of AI video content on the internet and Tony wants to know how Robert Downey Jr. is going to end up playing Dr. Doom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our semi-regular roundtable on sports business reconvenes for expertise from the boardroom: David Samson takes Pablo behind the scenes of Ichiro's viral joke about him at the Baseball Hall of Fame, then John Skipper translates the math from the ESPN negotiating table to the Unrivaled cap table the looming strike over WNBA salaries — and team valuations at large. Plus: foreskin, poppycock, psychedelic pastel paisley, pandering to the people, talking with your eyes... and a haberdashery version of pre-determinism. • Subscribe to Nothing Personal with David Samson https://www.youtube.com/@NPDS • From Pablo's Substack: We're One of the 100 Best Podcasts of All Time (Allegedly) https://www.pablo.show/p/were-one-of-the-100-best-podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The great, the legendary, the broadcast God, Bob Costas joins us! We talk hall of fame, we talk Ryne Sandberg, we talk hall of fame voting, we talk the state of baseball! (30:30) Max Scherzer is a funny guy. He said he can't wait to have a face-to-face with Rob Manfred. Why? You have his number! (37:00) Shannon Sharpe is out at ESPN. Done. Finished. Just weeks after his lawsuit was settled. (45:00) Gilbert Arenas was arrested for hosting poker games. Here's why he can't do that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the NFL returns, Pablo and Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio are back with more secret documents, a federal investigation, new government names, billions of union dollars, an O.J. Simpson parking space, the world's largest strip club... and one big "clusterf*ck." Does the OneTeam Partners saga connect to a Game of Thrones-style power play by the NFLPA's shadow boss? Or could the feds be on the trail of an even bigger scandal? • Part One: The NFL's Secret Collusion Case, Revealed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P42Wq3fmTYg • Part Two: We Got Another Secret Union Document — and Smoked Out Another Cover-Up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P42Wq3fmTYg • Read our latest NFL document on Pablo's subscribers-only newsletter: https://www.pablo.show/subscribe • Pre-order "Big Shield" by Mike Florio https://www.amazon.com/Big-Shield-Mike-Florio-ebook/dp/B0FGH43V6D • Ex-NFLPA boss Howell's strip club expenses sent to investigator (Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler) https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45703132/nflpa-nfl-agreed-keep-collusion-findings-secret • "If he failed, their process failed": Inside the NFLPA meltdown (Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler) https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45800610/inside-nflpa-executive-director-lloyd-howell-tenure Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘arms race' as in trades as in flurry as in Mets as in Phillies as in Mariners as in buyers as in sellers! Let's start with the slugger. Eugenio Suarez is back to the Mariners. Big pop. Joins Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez. (13:00) The Mets and Phillies is the real arms race. The Mets trade for a bullpen arm. The Phillies trade for a closer. The Mets then trade for another bullpen arm! That's how it goes. The divisional race then the bullpen race. (26:00) The Reds have traded for Ke'Bryan Hayes from the Pirates. He is an elite defensive player. He is so bad at the plate. (32:50) The Red Sox traded for Steven Matz last night. He's a starter that's been in the bullpen. (35:30) Review: Field of Dreams. (40:00) Shohei Ohtani was pulled from his start for cramping in his hip. It was the first time he went into inning 4 this year. He stayed in the game as DH. (44:00) NPPOD. Let's talk about the Yankees and Anthony Volpe. The errors won't stop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you want to leave a voice: 631-377-4869 It's another So You Wanna Talk to Samson Wednesday! Let's go! First up is about Tom Brady and his comments about Scottie Scheffler and fatherhood. Hmm. (13:40) How much control does the manager have during and before a game? Does a manager like Bruce Bochy get more control? (26:30) Does the Yankees ownership cave to fans? (33:45) Why doesn't MLB have a RedZone channel? Is this something they will do? (42:00) How do teams authenticate that trade proposals are real? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘Fleetwood Mac' as in rumors as in trade deadline as in the Miami Marlins as in sellers as in buyers! The Marlins have two of the biggest trade chips in the sport right now with Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. What calls are they taking? Are they holding out for more? (12:00) The Giants have the worst record in baseball since the trade for Rafael Devers. Oh boy. What will Buster Posey do? (16:40) We have a rare trade! A trade in-between a doubleheader! (23:00) The Minnesota Twins are finished. Byron Buxton is hurt again. Horrible. (25:30) Ronald Acuna is hurt again. This is a sad one. He's missed so many games due to injury. (28:30) Framber Valdez was not happy with his teammate. (35:00) Review: The Accountant 2. (38:45) There's been updates on the shooting in NYC the other day. The man had a suicide note about his brain, and CTE, and how much he hated the NFL. (43:35) Jimmy Haslam had some more quotes that need to be discussed. He's the owner of the Cleveland Browns. (49:40) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Bogert joins us! We have soccer talk! Thomas Muller transfer to MLS? Messi is mad at MLS? Tom will break it all down! (29:00) Steph Curry thinks he's underpaid. Here is why. Equity. (37:00) NPPOD. (40:00) NFL players are in big trouble for selling Super Bowl tickets. Uh oh! (47:00) The NFLPA is still going through it. Every week is a new story. This time its a criminal investigation into funds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘sadness' as in just a terrible morning for so many of us. Ryne Sandberg died last night after a long battle with cancer. Sadness because of a mass shooting in New York City yesterday after a gunman stormed a building and killed four people. What are we doing? What is this country? (9:00) Trying to honor Ryne Sandberg on a day like today is hard, but he deserves it. (16:30) Bryce Harper and Rob Manfred got into it. Wow. Harper cussed out Manfred over a meeting that the commissioner was having with the Phillies. Manfred stood his ground. This CBA negotiation will be ugly. (29:50) Review: Sovereign. (39:40) Eugenio Suarez was hit on the hand yesterday. Uh oh. X-rays were negative, sigh of relief. (41:00) Emmanuel Clase is under investigation for gambling. Here we go again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The viral commercial has a mysteriously simple message: sportsmanship. The child actor has gotten dunked on by NBA Twitter for more than a decade. Correspondent Zach Schwartz untangles a web from Madison Avenue to the Supreme Court to Damian Lillard, in search of a boy named Alex — and the meaning of perseverance. (This episode originally aired January 7, 2025.) • Subscribe to Pablo's Substack for exclusive access, documents and invites https://pablo.show/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Long before the viral Coldplay concert, there was another — and even wilder — affair caught on camera. Two pitchers for the Yankees agreed to the wildest trade in sports history: They switched wives. And children. And furniture. And pets. David Mandel laments his big-screen adaptation that never was... even though the ultimate passion project could have starred Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. (This episode originally aired April 30, 2024.) • Subscribe to Pablo's Substack for exclusive access, documents and invites https://pablo.show/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aaron Judge is hurt. Horrible. Having one of the best offensive seasons we've ever seen, and now a flexor strain and straight to the IL. (15:30) The Astros got swept by the Athletics. So many injuries for Houston. How will they respond? Are reinforcements coming? (23:00) The Atlanta Braves are finished. All five Opening Day starters are on the IL. That's how fast things end in MLB. (28:00) Seth Lugo is signing an extension with the Royals. One of the biggest trade chips is now off the market. (34:10) Review: Stick. NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘surreal' as in what a weekend as in Hall of Fame as in Ichiro Suzuki as in CC Sabathia as in Billy Wagner as in Dave Parker as in Dick Allen. An unbelievable weekend. I'm still a bit speechless with what happened in Cooperstown. This first hour is all about the Hall of Fame. There's just too much to cover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are back with another Coca Friday! It has yet to crack the Top 100 Podcasts of All Time list, but I'm sure we were 101! As always (IF YOU'RE EVEN READING THIS) you can yell at me on Twitter @matthewcoca Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘induction' as in Hall of Fame as in Ichiro as in CC as in the best of the best as in Cooperstown! The weekend is finally here! My guy! Our guy! Ichiro Suzuki! What a weekend it's going to be and I'll be there! (12:00) The trades are starting! The Arizona Diamondbacks traded Josh Naylor yesterday to the Seattle Mariners. Seattle desperately needed to make that move. (24:00) The Washington Commanders still need a stadium. Despite President Trump's threats, the D.C. Council still needs to vote. The clock is ticking if the city wants a new stadium on the Commanders timeline. (33:30) Review: KPop Demon Hunters. (37:00) Austin, Texas wants baseball. It's trying to get a Major League Baseball team. It really doesn't have a chance. (42:00) Hulk Hogan has died at 71. What a life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of Mystery Crate, the show travels back to their senior high school days to discuss the times they did, or did not, skip class and what pranks their senior classes pulled off. Also, Mike Fuentes wants to revive a classic show bit, Jessica was made to feel bad by athletic children and Billy finds himself in a pickle over group chats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jim Bowden joins us today! He's an MLB Insider for CBS Sports, The Athletic, and you can hear him on SiriusXM. Let's get into the trade deadline. The Diamondbacks and Twins are the two teams that have to sell! What other teams should we be paying attention to? (28:45) Messi didn't play in the All-Star Game yesterday. Wow. For rest? (39:00) NFL isn't going anywhere. The Packers financials came out. And MONEY! But that's not all. More NFLPA drama. (48:00) A concession strike! No food or drink for you at Fenway! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘defensive' as in the Yankees as in Aaron Boone as in ejected as in the Blue Jays as in errors. The Yankees defense has been bad. Anthony Volpe has been bad. The Yankees are now 4 games back of the Blue Jays and lost the tiebreaker if the season ends tied. Let's talk about Boone and his comments postgame. (9:50) Automated ball-strike system is coming to baseball. It's a guarantee. The union is going to do what it can to make the transition as difficult as possible. Tony Clark wants a buffer-zone? WHAT!? (21:40) Would you trade for Dylan Cease? That's the big question for teams right now. Why are the Padres selling? (28:15) Shohei Ohtani is magic. Everything he does is magic. Are you paying attention? (36:00) Review: RRR. (39:00) Review: Part 2: One Night in Idaho. (45:00) NPPOD. (48:30) Mets got a sweep of the Angels. Are they back? Is the team ready? But let's talk about Mike Trout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leave your message at 631-377-4869 for a chance to make it onto the show! It's So You Wanna Talk to Samson Wednesday! First up, someone asked me about an owner being forced out. What would it take? How does it work? (10:00) Someone asked me about how taxes work for athletes. Do they have to play in games to be taxed? Just show up? (15:30) A correction for Coca? It can't be! (20:00) Why has no one asked Mookie Betts about that early season sickness? He lost a lot of weight. He has not been himself this year. (25:30) Pat McAfee wanted to step up and pay for budget cuts. Hmm. (37:00) What is a workout like for a player that wants to be signed in season? The Phillies signed David Robertson recently. How did that look? (43:00) We have a question about the WNBA and CBA negotiations. Does expansion mean anything for leverage? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘crazy train' as in Ozzy Osbourne as in The Prince of Darkness as in Parkinson's as in the MLB season. Let's start with Rafael Devers. He made his debut at first base with the Giants yesterday. Said he loves playing the field. Oh? (9:30) Aaron Boone is having a rough go of it right now. He went off on the Jomboy team. The Yankees have a problem with Anthony Volpe. He has been bad bad bad at short stop, and Boone and Cashman will defend him to the grave. (23:40) Ethan Holliday is the new record holder in Draft history. A monster $9 million signing bonus! (32:40) Review: My Mom Jayne. (36:15) The Los Angeles Times going public? That's the plan. Will it work? (43:00) NPPOD. (48:20) Qatar wants the Olympics in 2036. Is it going to happen? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Evan Drellich joins the show! He's a senior writer for The Athletic and an author! HE covered some tactics that MLB has taken this year with the CBA fast approaching. MLB wants to be cool and win over the fans. This is how they're doing it! Is a salary cap coming? (27:30) Let's talk about paywalls. (39:30) Trey Hendrickson is not showing up for camp. Whoops! (42:00) Lloyd Howell is done at The Carlyle Group. Back week to be him. (48:30) Chris Paul is back with the Clippers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘manna' as in Jerry Jones as in the Dallas Cowboys as in training camp as in FOOTBALL! Jerry Jones is back and he brought his fastball with him! You want hope for the season? Well Jerry spent time bashing Micah Parsons who wants a new contract. What a guy! (21:30) Now we move to the Bengals owner and his comments on Shemar Stewart, who has still yet to sign. What is happening there? (27:45) Phillies owner John Middleton met with the media about his trade plans. Is he satisfied? No, he wants a ring. (35:30) Review: Dying for Sex. (39:45) Will Levis season over before it started. Wow. Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick from the 2025 draft, is now the starter for good. Why did Levis wait so long? (48:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The viral commercial has a mysteriously simple message: sportsmanship. The child actor has gotten dunked on by NBA Twitter for more than a decade. Correspondent Zach Schwartz untangles a web from Madison Avenue to the Supreme Court to Damian Lillard, in search of a boy named Alex — and the meaning of perseverance. (This episode originally aired January 7, 2025.) • Subscribe to Pablo's Substack for exclusive access, documents and invites https://pablo.show/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump has taken aim a the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Guardians. He wants the name changed back. He has threatened the Commanders stadium deal. This is a big deal. (16:00) The WNBA All-Star Game was this weekend. Did you watch? The players wore shirts before the game calling out the league. The CBA negotiations are ongoing and that are contentious. (28:00) Dee Strange-Gordon went viral for his comments on the 2015 season. He said a player, alluding to Bryce Harper, called him and told him not to win the batting title. What!? (36:30) We have the numbers on some first round picks in the MLB Draft. The Nationals are giving Eli Willits nearly $3 million under slot. Why is that? (46:00) Scottie Scheffler wins again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘sabotage' as in Dodgers as in Brewers as in Dave Roberts as in down bad. The Los Angeles Dodgers were swept by the Milwaukee Brewers and Dave Roberts can't figure it out. The Dodgers have struggled over the past few weeks and have lost ground in the division. The Brewers, however, have been streaking… 10-straight! (12:30) The Mets still have some problem. 2nd worst record in baseball over the past 31 games. Not great! (16:30) The Yankees and Braves have some beef that MLB is going to look into. (23:00) Ketel Marte was on the Restricted List after his house was burglarized during the All-Star break. He said over $400K was stolen from his home! A ring was busted for stealing from other professional athletes recently. (31:40) Review: The Phoenician Scheme. (36:00) J.C. Tretter is out at the NFLPA. Finished. Another member of the NFLPA has been PTFO'd. (48:50) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You can yell at Coca on Twitter @matthewcoca It's another Coca Friday! Time to party! Maybe we turn on a little Coldplay and snuggle up on the jumbotron at Gillette Stadium? Shoutout to Pablo Torre for his reporting! Barstool going to save Fox Sports? And we play a new game with Coca called The Darwin Meter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘distraction' as in Lloyd Howell as in the NFLPA as in Pablo Torre as in Mike Florio as in found out. What a night. It needed to happen. We told you it would happen. It started with a possible collusion coverup then went to advisor of a PE firm then landed on another coverup. Will the players finally care? Now we hear about the former NFLPA president told players to fake injuries! WHAT!? (19:30) It's time for the sprint for October in MLB. Trade deadline is approaching. Postseason approaching. We have some huge series ready to go. (31:15) Review: Old Guard 2. (34:30) Caitlin Clark is out of the All-Star Game that'll be played in Indiana. Sad. Injuries suck. That's a huge story for the country, but a huge story for the players… CBA negotiations. (42:00) Damian Lillard is back with the Portland Trail Blazers. He is making so much money next year and guess what… not playing! (45:00) NPPOD. (46:00) TJ Watt is now the highest non-QB in the NFL. A monster deal and now other teams have some issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've got Brian Campbell with us today! He's an MMA expert and Boxing expert and all around good guy! UFC at the White House? Saudi's boxing takeover? The business of Jake Paul! (29:45) NFL Draft problems are here. 2nd rounders holding out for guaranteed deals. Uh oh! (42:00) Bradley Beal has given back money and will now be a free agent. And will now sign with Clippers! (45:30) Turning down $10 million? The International Tennis Hall of Fame did! We have an update on this story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steven Spielberg's "JAWS" turns 50 years old and Chris Cote has a confession about the classic film. Later, Billy joins the show while Chris and Jeremy both release exclusive Mystery Crate Top 5s! Also, the crew is curious and cautious about Dan's intentions inviting a barber to the studio next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can rockstar sportswriters be friends with superstar athletes? How do you measure a good episode of sports TV? And what's so great about being an old dad? Plus: playing the human jukebox, brokering the Jordan-Barkley peace, writing about Holyfield's ear on deadline... and the word "podcast" as a racial slur. Further content: • "Ear Today, Gone Tomorrow" (1997) https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/06/29/ear-today-gone-tomorrow/3f93d30d-2606-4adc-aeb4-1bf26c9b9bb9/ • "Mission Impossible: African-Americans & Analytics" (2016) https://andscape.com/features/mission-impossible-african-americans-analytics/ • South Beach Sessions: Michael Wilbon (2023)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdUV2FxatwQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you thought Pablo and Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio set the NFL world on fire last month, wait until you get a load of the "diabolical genius" behind the cover-up... to the cover-up... to the cover-up: Fake injuries, encouraged by one union boss, only to be litigated by the league. Private-equity side hustles, cashed in on by another, only to be selectively edited on social media. And smoke. Lots of smoke. • Read our newly obtained NFL document on Pablo's subscribers-only newsletter: https://www.pablo.show/subscribe • Pre-order "Big Shield" by Mike Florio https://www.amazon.com/Big-Shield-Mike-Florio-ebook/dp/B0FGH43V6D • Previously on PTFO: The NFL's Secret Collusion Case, Revealed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P42Wq3fmTYg • Sources: NFLPA, NFL agreed to keep collusion findings secret (Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler) https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45703132/nflpa-nfl-agreed-keep-collusion-findings-secret • NFLPA head also works for firm approved to invest in NFL (Van Natta and Kahler) https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45705432/nflpa-head-works-firm-approved-invest-nfl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Call us and leave your question: 631-377-4869 It's So You Wanna Talk to Samson Wednesday! Someone asked me three questions in one! What is the Angels draft strategy? Why do they seem to try and find prospects they can rush to the big leagues? Which union is the best in American sports? (15:30) Someone asked me about Dontrelle Willis, arbitration, and if I play both sides of the arbitration argument. (22:10) Which other league would I want to be president in? Is promotion/relegation better than what we have? (27:00) Leadership. Let's discuss leadership and the role it plays. (35:30) What happens when a player gets traded or brought up? Who handles the moving? The expenses? (45:00) Is the RSN issue going to be the end of iconic and longtime voices we hear? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘electric' as in All-Star Game as in swing-off as in MLB as in getting right! What a night for MLB! What a moment! Wow! Let's break down the game and all the moments. From ABS to Hank Aaron tributes to dingers to Schwarbombs. LOVED IT! (21:40) MLBPA executive director Tony Clark met with the media before the All-Star Game and he had very strong feelings about the salary cap idea. Woof. Collusion? GMAB! (31:30) The Tampa Bay Rays are going to play games at home in the postseason… if it happens! Shocker! (37:50) Review: Thunderbolts. (39:10) Emmy nominations are out! (43:40) NPPOD. (44:00) Scottie Scheffler gave some responses to some questions before The Open Championship and whoa. The level of depth in his answers. The level of truth. It's something you rarely see. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Terry Virts has joined us today! The former F16 fighter pilot, and NASA astronaut, is running for the Senate in Texas! (27:30) Let's discuss ICE and professional athletes. MLB is full of immigrants, and where this country is right now, baseball needs to protect its players. (38:30) A rich dude bought his way into a tennis tournament and people are MAD! (46:00) Donald Trump made himself the story of the Club World Cup. He had to be on stage Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘robbery' as in Home Run Derby as in Big Dumper as in Cal Raleigh as in Brent Rooker as in Junior Cameniro. What a a night. Everyone was made from the production to the broadcast to the rules. Everything. But Cal Raleigh had his moment with his father and brother. We saw Junior Caminero hit some bombs. We saw Jazz show up for the fun of it. We saw a measuring stick come out. (21:35) How excited are you for the All-Star Game? Paul Skenes. Tarik Skubal. What more can you want!? (30:30) Review: Friendship. (35:30) Rob Manfred met with the media to talk about new broadcast deals. MLB still doesn't have them. (43:05) The Tampa Bay Rays sale is expected to be complete by September. Wow. (50:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Home Run Derby is tonight! Who's excited!? We've got some big bats going. (11:00) What is going on with the NFLPA is something we haven't seen in the sports world for quite some time. The collusion story gets deeper and deeper. This time the NFLPA has released a statement questioning the reports, but also said it was looking into the reports. Not great. (23:00) Club World Cup final. Big money. Big fans. Big problems? (36:20) Go Messi Go! Lionel Messi is setting MLS records and the league needs him so badly. (41:00) MLB Draft time! Let me explain to you what happened yesterday. (50:30) Cooper Flagg shutdown… he is good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's word of the day is ‘break' as in All-Star break as in baseball as in Home Run Derby as in All-Star Game as in the first half is here. What were the biggest observations from the pre-ASG? Remember when everyone wanted Craig Breslow fired? That was just a month ago! What about the Brewers and Blue Jays season!? Are the Rockies going to break the record!? (23:00) Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh are having themselves a season. The MVP race is on! (32:40) Review: Heads of State. (36:20) MLB decided to put Jacob Misirowoski in the All-Star Game and Phillies players and fans went crazy. Wow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did a seemingly random super-fan on NBA Twitter know about a federal gambling investigation... before the NBA did? And how does he connect to Carmelo Anthony, Nicolas Cage, Larsa Pippen, Jontay Porter, a legless woman, Malik Beasley, "Madea's Family Reunion," meme coins, and perhaps the greatest play in modern Knicks history? Correspondents Tom Haberstroh and Amin Elhassan join Pablo to run the numbers, grind the tape, and uncover a secret world of penthouse poker games and deleted accounts. • Subscribe to The Finder with Tom Haberstroh for more on this story http://tomthefinder.com/p/who-the-f-is-moose • Subscribe to Cinephobe with Amin Elhassan https://www.youtube.com/@CinephobePod • Subscribe to Basketball Illuminati https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLImO7ahoFX0g7GMLy5r7zGezv-0ixnDkU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Coca Day! We talk weather apps and Prime Day and July 4 baseball and MVP races and Juan Soto and Apple and colleges! Another fun Friday with Coca! You can follow him (me) on Twitter @matthewcoca if you want more terrible takes, or if you want to yell at me! Whatever! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

https://www.charitybuzz.com/catalog_items/auction-lunch-with-david-samson-of-nothing-personal-3220102 Today's word of the day is ‘benjamins' as in big bills as in Brinks truck as in Thunder as in SGA as in Jalen Williams as in Chet Holmgren. That's right. The Thunder won the NBA title and now have locked up its Big 3 for $800 million! WHAT!? (10:30) Giannis has spoken. What did he say? A clue! A crumb! (17:00) Orioles owner David Rubenstein finally spoke for the first time since Brandon Hyde was fired. That was a month ago. Woof. What did he have to say? Injuries. (28:30) Review: The Bear Season 4. (34:15) Another American woman is in a Grand Slam Final. Amanda Anisimova is back in a final for the first time in 6 years. She had previously taken time off for mental health struggles. (42:50) We have another update on Lloyd Howell and the NFLPA. Uh oh. (48:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tony is in a small pickle about his brother's upcoming bachelor party and the craters try to help him find a way to resolve it. Jessica makes the case for July as a good sports month, Fuentes wants Chris Cote to size down his Starbucks order and Tony learns that vacations aren't quite the same once you have a kid. Finally, the crew discusses more unpopular opinions from the internet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Does anyone win in a fight between a hockey enforcer and a golfer? Will A.I. impressions ruin comedy? And how many tabs is too many tabs? For more human-grade impressions: DanSoder.com/tour  Subscribe to Casuals: https://www.youtube.com/katienolan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mike Tollin has joined the show! The mastermind of The Last Dance with Michael Jordan! You know him from Smallville and One Tree Hill and Varsity Blues and Radio and All That! (28:45) We have a stadium CEO accused of rigging a bid! Oh boy! And it involves some heavy hitters! (38:40) Deion Sanders sounded off on the state of college football. He has a problem with salary. He has a problem with tampering. (44:00) Rob Manfred wants a salary cap. Players are worried. What will happen? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices