Podcast appearances and mentions of Cam Smith

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down the Bulls' frustrating 10-game losing streak and what's fueling the slide, from late-game execution to lineup adjustments. The guys also discuss the opportunity emerging from the skid, including the valuable minutes Rob Dillingham is logging and what that experience could mean for his long-term development in Chicago. They also dive into Matas Buzelis' breakout 32-point performance against the Charlotte Hornets and what it says about his ceiling moving forward. Plus, former Bull Coby White makes his return to the United Center in a Hornets uniform for the first time since the trade, adding another emotional layer to a pivotal stretch of the season.

We washed all of our bowls THOROUGHLY before this great episode! A main topic was the story of US Ski Mountaineering at the Olympics, where Cam Smith and Anna Gibson had miraculous performances. 50 years from now, people will still be talking about this team with the impossible dream.And this one had extremely interesting science that had us asking lots of big questions. We talked about a study on supershoes for slower athletes, another on red blood cell damage after ultramarathons, and a final study on foam rolling in cyclists. The red blood cell study brought up a fascinating question on the role of science communication in the social media age. Plus there were tons of great topics! Other topics: the pee bowl controversy, Megan's bike power breakthrough, David's 3 tips on health challenges, why Alysia Liu might be our favorite athlete of all time, the SWAP training theory encyclopedia, LT1 v. LT2 workouts, when you're ready to move up to ultras, balancing fun goals and long-term specificity, navigating grief, and our problems with excess intensity in some training approaches.Alysia Liu: “I love sharing my story, my art, and the process of creation. Even if I make mistakes, they don't disappear. Something still remains. They still become part of the story. A bad story is still a story, and I think that's beautiful.”That's also what we say when we burp on the mic. We love you all! HUZZAH!-David and MeganClick "Claim Your Sponsorship" for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP")The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”)For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, heart rate zones, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap

In this week's edition of Singletrack News, Ashley Paulson runs 12:19 at the Jackpot 100 to set a new 100-mile world record, averaging 7:34 pace and continuing the rapid evolution of speed at the distance. We discuss the course dynamics, surface differences from Tunnel Hill, and what this means for the future of flat-course ultras.We also unpack a very public dispute in the performance apparel space after Satisfy founder Brice Partouche shared private messages accusing emerging brand Currently of copying product designs. Where's the line between inspiration and imitation, and are there winners in a social-media-fueled fallout?Elsewhere, ski mountaineering makes its Olympic debut with trail crossover athletes Cam Smith and Ana Gibson narrowly missing the podium, Golden Trail doubles down on global expansion and broadcast ambitions, and Gorge Waterfalls releases the full breakdown of its $75,000 prize purse.Plus: a new 200-miler called the Maine Moose Ultra is announced for 2027 with significant local backing, Desert Rats expands access through the North American Para Trail Summit, and the skyrunning season begins.Partners:Precision Fuel and Hydration - use code SINGLETRACK at checkout for 15% off your next order (https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=singletrack)Norda - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (https://nordarun.com/)Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (https://raideresearch.com/singletrack)Janji - premium trail running apparel (https://janji.com/pages/singletrack)Support the show

Laurence & Russ Dorsey were joined by CHSN's Cam Smith who discussed his upbringing playing basketball in Chicago

Ski mountaineering is officially coming to the Olympics, and if you've never watched skimo before, this episode is your crash course.I'm joined by Max Valverde, former U.S. skimo athlete and NBC Olympic commentator, to break down how the sport works, why the Olympic version is so different from traditional backcountry skiing, and how the U.S. somehow snuck into medal contention at the last possible moment.We talk sprint races that last three minutes, transitions that decide medals in seconds, why these athletes are basically redlining past max heart rate, and how trail runners will instantly recognize the engine required to compete at this level. Max also explains the Cam Smith and Anna Gibson story, why transitions matter more than fitness alone, and what to watch for when the races go live.If you're into trail running, endurance sports, or just want to understand what you're watching when skimo debuts on the Olympic stage this February, this episode gives you everything you need.Chapters 04:21 Why ski mountaineering is in the Olympics05:05 What skimo is and how it differs from traditional racing06:55 Sprint vs mixed relay explained08:45 How the U.S. qualified at the last possible moment11:40 Cam Smith and Anna Gibson's breakout race14:10 Why transitions decide races17:05 Boot packs, skins, and six-second chaos20:15 How mistakes cost medals23:10 Favorites and podium contenders26:40 Mixed relay medal math and U.S. upside30:30 Race strategy and pacing across heats34:15 Why skimo works as an Olympic spectator sport38:05 Calling the Olympics from NBC41:00 Final thoughts and wrap-upSupport our Sponsors: Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffeeGarage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8abSubscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.comSupport this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutsideBuy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSFEmail me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.comWatch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outsideWebsite: www.Freeoutside.comInstagram: thefreeoutsidefacebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside#Trailrunning #Runningnews #Outdoors #Outdooradventure

Last weekend featured several of professional golf’s “Welcome back!” celebrations. PGA Tour star Collin Morikawa braved 30 mph winds at the famed Pebble Beach Golf Links in California on Sunday to earn his first title in 2 ½ years.  It was Morikawa’s seventh career PGA Tour victory. Shreveport’s 59-year old David Toms won for the first time in nearly three years at the PGA Champions Tour event in lovely (but windy) Naples, Florida. It was DT’s fifth win on the senior circuit to go with his 13 wins on the PGA Tour. But neither of these two stories can compare with what LIV Golf’s Anthony Kim accomplished over the weekend.  Kim had not won a professional golf tournament in nearly 16 years since capturing the Shell Houston Open on April 4, 2010. The magic returned…5,976 days later After literally giving up professional golf for more than a decade, Anthony Kim’s wife and young daughter Bella have served as his inspiration to give the game one more try. LIV Golf’s then-chief Greg Norman invited Anthony Kim back to compete for a permanent spot on the LIV Golf tour in 2024.  His comeback didn’t go well at first. Kim finished 56th out of 59 golfers at season’s end. His best tournament finish was in 36th place.  That wasn’t exactly a stellar return for the three-time PGA title holder. Anthony Kim had to win a spot in LIV’s 2025 field by placing high enough in the tour’s qualifying tournament.  After making the tour again in 2025, Kim finished the year as #55 of the 61 LIV golfers. His best finish was a tie for 25th place. For a second straight year, Anthony Kim had to earn his 2026 spot in LIV Golf by performing well in the qualifying tournament. He did. The first LIV Golf event in 2026 was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Anthony Kim posted his best finish in his two seasons on the LIV Golf tour with a tie for 22nd place. His final round six-under par 66 In Saudi Arabia may have lit the fuse on what was going to happen the following week in Australia. LIV Golf’s second stop was the very popular annual event in Adelaide.  As Aussie golf fans cheered for countryman Cam Smith and his Ripper GC golf team, unheralded Anthony Kim came out the gate with opening rounds of -5, -5, and -4 to move into third place going into the final round. If that wasn’t enough pressure to make 40-year old Anthony Kim nervous, he was paired in the final round with former World #1 golfer Jon Rahm and long-hitting two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. Anthony Kim knew that it would take a terrific final round to beat these two young golf phenoms.  After opening with three straight pars, Kim then birdied nine of the next 14 holes to zoom past his two competitors and take the tournament lead. He would finish at 23-under par to win by three shots over Spain’s Jon Rahm. The 9-under par closing round of 63 earned Anthony Kim his first professional golf victory since April, 2010. Why has it taken nearly 16 years for Anthony Kim to win again? Success came early and often for talented young golfer Anthony Kim.  After three successful years playing college golf at the University of Oklahoma, Kim qualified to play on the PGA Tour in 2006 at age 21. Two years later, he won two PGA events in 2008 and earned a spot on the victorious US Ryder Cup team. Anthony Kim would add a third PGA victory in April, 2010 at the Shell Houston Open.  He wasn’t quite 25 years of age and was already ranked among the world’s top 20 golfers. Kim injured one of his thumbs and had surgery one month after his 2010 victory in Houston.  He was unable to play golf for several months.  An Achilles tendon injury then put Anthony Kim on the shelf for much of the year 2012.  He received a medical exemption from the PGA Tour in 2013 during his physical rehabilitation period. The year 2014 brought the surprising announcement from Anthony Kim that he was no longer playing golf – even for fun. Golf fans were perplexed as to how one of the game’s brightest young stars could literally fall off the map so quickly.  The rumor mill added dark stories about Anthony Kim’s off-the-course personal issues.  Another circled about Kim trying to collect upwards of $20 million from a disability insurance policy after his run of significant injuries. Kim would later say that he had been victimized by some “bad people” during this time of his life.  He also admitted to having an addictive personality and sought professional counseling.  He claims to be sober for three years as of February, 2026. Anthony Kim’s wife Emily has been at the center of the golfer’s return to the top There’s nothing like having your wife suggest that she wants to learn how to play golf to inspire Anthony Kim to give the game another go himself. While mentoring wife Emily Kim, the process rekindled a renewed interest in playing golf by the talented husband.   After more than ten years without golf in his life, Anthony Kim said that he discovered that he was falling in love with playing the sport for the very first time. During an insightful interview two years ago with LIV Golf’s David Feherty, Anthony Kim claimed to have felt extra pressure from his family and friends to excel at golf entering college. Feherty, a recovering alcoholic, encouraged Kim to share that how easy it was to fall prey to bad influences away from the golf course.  Kim acknowledged that he developed an alcohol and drug problem to go with his mental health struggles. The pro golfer also revealed that 98% of his former friends are no longer a part of his new life. Anthony Kim acknowledges that the game of golf is very hard.  His mantra is to “get 1% better every day” in golf and, now, in his role as a husband and father. Introducing the star of this week’s show – 4-year old daughter Bella Kim Anthony Kim’s incredible golf comeback has paralleled his time after becoming a first-time father four years ago.  Bella was born three months prematurely and experienced a number of early struggles. Upon receiving an offer from Greg Norman to return to professional golf with LIV Golf two years ago in 2024, Anthony Kim made a significant modification to his golf ball.  “Papa” Kim drew a “B” onto his golf ball.  It was to remind him that he was now playing on behalf of his young daughter, too. “I had no self worth until I became a father”, said the now 40-year old Anthony Kim. “Now I have a duty, a responsibility of taking care of my family and being the best role model for my daughter as I could be. That gives me purpose every morning, and I just didn’t have that before.” Welcome back into the winner’s circle in golf and life, Anthony Kim! The post 1% Better Every Day! Anthony Kim’s Miraculous LIV Victory appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

When Phoebe's buggy fell into the water on the golf course, Cam Smith came to the rescue. In a case of truth being stranger than fiction, hear the story as told to Quentin Hull.

In the Best of Mully & Haugh this week, David Haugh and Ruthie Polinsky discussed Bears head coach Ben Johnson's mindset as he looks ahead to his second season in Chicago; Chicago Sports Network pregame and postgame host Cam Smith joined the show to discuss the state of the reeling Bulls at the NBA All-Star break; and Mike Mulligan and Brad Biggs outlined the details around Bears quarterback Caleb Williams being eligible for a contract extension after the 2026 season.

David Haugh and Ruthie Polinsky were joined by Chicago Sports Network pregame and postgame host Cam Smith to discuss the state of the Bulls at the All-Star break.

In the second hour, David Haugh and Ruthie Polinsky discussed the Bears' offseason needs. After that, Chicago Sports Network pregame and postgame host Cam Smith joined the show to discuss the state of the Bulls at the All-Star break.

As the first half winds down, Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson evaluate how the revamped Bulls roster is starting to take shape. With Anfernee Simons, Rob Dillingham, and Collin Sexton now in the mix, the focus shifts to late-game struggles, locker room accountability, and whether this group can finally close out tight contests. The conversation turns to which newcomer has captured their attention most, with Cam and K.C. each making their case and sharing a fun nugget about who Simons believes is the greatest of all time. They also preview Matas Buzelis showcase in the Rising Stars Game before looking ahead to the post–All-Star stretch.

It's officially the Olympics season, and I was stoked to join endurance athlete Travis Macy and Olympic ski mountaineer Cam Smith to talk about the mental skills behind peak performance. This episode is shared here on the Mental Training Lab feed as part of a crossover with Skimo Gold, and I'm excited to bring this conversation to you. We get into what it truly means to train your mind like an Olympian. And that means for any moment where pressure, uncertainty, or expectations are high. Not just on race day.You'll learn:How elite athletes stay present when the stakes are highWhat effective visualization actually looks like (and where it often goes wrong)How to avoid spiraling into outcomes and future thinkingWays to build confidence without tying it to resultsHow to coach yourself with a healthier, more supportive inner voiceWhile the examples come from endurance sport and ski mountaineering, the mental skills we discuss apply far beyond athletics. These are tools for leaders, parents, coaches, and anyone trying to show up more grounded and intentional under pressure.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Learn more about The Mental Training LabConnect with Pete on Instagram | LinkedIn | WebsiteSubscribe to the podcast on Apple | Spotify This show is produced and edited by the team at Palm Tree Pod Co.

Fantasy Baseball Live – February 8, 2026 @ 1 pm ETSegment 1 – News and Notes1.The Reds sign Eugenio Suarez for a one-year, $15 million contract. He mostly played third base last season, but with future HOFer Ke'Bryan Hayes there, I guess he'll be the full-time DH.a.Thoughts?b.In looking at their lineup, Spencer Steer or Sal Stewart is going to lose playing time. Steer is 28 and is one year removed from a 20-20 season, but with serious concerns about how much he'll hit, and Sal Stewart is a rookie, although he looked great in his debut last season. How does this shake out?2.The Red Sox sign Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a one-year, $6 million contract. Is this just depth or is this a message that Marcelo Mayer needs to hit?a.What happened to Kristian Campbell?3.The Padres sign Miguel Andujar for $1.5 million, and in looking at their roster. Is he going to get enough at-bats at DH to make him a sneaky late-round grab? He's an afterthought in drafts at an ADP of 601.4.The Yankees re-sign Paul Goldschmidt, and in reading details of the signing, the Yankees were not the only suitor. He's far from the player he was, but should I be worried that he could steal at-bats away from Ben Rice?a.If so, do you discount Rice at the draft table?5.Finally, the Tigers had an eventful and expensive week. First they lost their arbitration hearing with Skubal, which cost of them $32 million and they signed Framber Valdez to a big three-year deal.a.I guess if there were worries about them moving Skubal, that appears to be unlikely. Thoughts on Tigers this season?Segment 2 – Fantasy Questions of the AL WestThe Athletics1.Denzel Clarke looks like he will get the first shot at center field. Do you like Clarke or Colby Thomas to get the bulk of the at-bats?a.Does it even matter?2.Outside of Nick Kurtz, which two Athletics are you most interested in rostering?3.We now have data on the first year at Sutter Park in Sacremento and it ranked as the second best ballpark to hit in after Coors Field.a.Luis Severino had a 3.02 ERA away from Sutter and a whopping 6.01 ERA at home. I grabbed him in the 31st round of my NFBC Draft Champions League and was going to do the Home/Away game. Dumb idea?b.The ballpark factor does not bode well for young rookies like Luis Morales and Gage Jump. Thoughts?4.Who gets the saves for A's?5.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)Houston Astros1.After a great spring training, Cam Smith wasn't very good. In 134 games, he hit nine home runs and stole eight bases while hitting .236. In Spring Training, he hit .342 with four home runs and 15 games. a.Is this a reminder to ignore spring training stats?b.Also, do you see 2026 as a growth year for Smith? If so, could he become a 15+ home run guy with 10+ stolen bases?2.Yordan Alvarez – Over/Under 400 at-bats?3.Stat line for Tatsuya Imai – IP, K's, ERA and wins – 165, 180K, 3.50 ERA, 10 wins4.Christian Javier was a horse, and then 2024 came, and he had TJS. He struggled in his returns, but the fastball was back and the change-up was as good as ever. He doesn't throw particularly hard, but his xERA was 3.36 last season.a.Any interest?5.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)Los Angeles Angels1.Nolan Schanuel – Over/Under 15 home runs?a.Everyone thought he would hit, and while he makes great contact, his low hard-hit rate drives his BABIP down, and he hit .264 with a .263 xBA. How can you start this guy at first base?2.After Zach Neto and Jo Adel, give me two players you are interested in drafting from the Angels and why.3.Reid Detmers' stat line for 2026 – IP, Ks, ERAa.Detmers or Alek Manoah – who would you rather roster?4.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)Seattle Mariners1.Cal Raleigh will hit closer to 40 home runs or 60 home runs in 2026.2.Dominic Canzone or Victor Robles – Who would you rather roster and why?3.Which one of Colt Emerson or Kade Anderson do we see in 2026? Or, do we see both?a.I know you're not a big Emerson fan, but I think he's going to be very good when he gets up – hint, I think we see him in the first half4.I can't think of a good pitching question – but, WOW, what a staff?5.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)Texas Rangers1.Wyatt Langford – 2026 stat line – HR, SB, Runs, RBIs, and BA2.It's hard to say that Evan Carter is a bust, but so far, he's been a disappointment. He's still going as a number five outfielder – pick #71. Are you going to be one of those managers?3.I don't believe we talked about Josh Jung much last season or even when we did your third base rankings. He actually was somewhat healthy last season – 131 games, but hit 14 home runs and a SLG of .390. What happened?a.Is he of interest to you in upcoming drafts?4.Are you ready to trust Jack Leiter?5.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)

Send us a textYou press play for stoke, but stay for substance. We sit down with legendary endurance athlete and coach Travis Macy to unpack ski mountaineering's Olympic debut, the rise of Skimo Gold as “SportsCenter for Skimo,” and how smart storytelling can turn niche talents into household names. From the first shotgun blast at Leadville to adventure racing across continents, Travis connects the dots between joyful beginnings and professional systems that actually grow a sport.We dig into the sprint and mixed relay—how three minutes of mayhem can hinge on a flawless skin rip—and why Team USA's duo of Cam Smith and Anna Gibson has real medal potential. Travis explains the physiology behind these formats, why training low builds the power you can't access at 9,000 feet, and what a modern program looks like when you balance sleep-high, train-low blocks with precise transition practice and downhill control under redline fatigue. If you've ever wondered how to watch schemo like an insider, start by watching hands and feet.The conversation also tackles the big question: can schemo scale without losing its soul? We weigh the broadcast-ready sprint against the long, romantic epics of Pierramenta, and the absence of vertical and individual at the Games. Along the way, we spotlight youth pipelines in the U.S., how European systems give rivals a head start, and why star building—done with authenticity—creates the next wave of fans and athletes. Travis even opens up about auditioning for Olympic commentary and what it takes to make technical sport coverage sing.If you enjoyed this deep dive, follow Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show, share this episode with a friend who loves mountain sport, and leave a quick rating or review. Your support helps more people discover the athletes, stories, and ideas reshaping ski mountaineering and short trail.Follow Travis on IG - @travismacyFollow Skimo Gold on IG - @skimogoldSubscribe to Skimo Gold on Apple - @skimogoldSubscribe to Skimo Gold on Spotify - @skimogoldSubscribe to Skimo Gold on Youtube - @skimogoldFollow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

Cam Smith is a pro trail runner and ski mountaineer living in Crested Butte, CO. Anna Gibson is a pro trail runner and ski mountaineer living in Jackson Hole, WY. Together they are representing Team USA at the winter olympics in the Mixed Relay SkiMo race. This is the first time skimo has been included in the Olympic Games but the sport has gained increasing popularity in recent years, especially among top trail runners who often pursue the sport competitively or recreationally in the winter months.    Chapters: 03:55 Introduction to Olympic Aspirations 06:46 The Emotional Finish at Solitude 09:53 Personal Journeys to the Olympics 12:43 Understanding the Mixed Relay Format 16:06 The Stakes of the Solitude Race 19:07 Margin of Victory and Team Dynamics 21:55 Recruitment and Team Building 24:48 Transition Skills in Ski Mountaineering 28:00 Lessons from Trail Running Competitions 35:21 Building Confidence Through Competition 36:26 Mentorship and Team Dynamics 38:24 Strategic Preparation for World Championships 39:04 The Evolution of Ski Mountaineering in North America 41:22 Lessons from Olympic Inclusion 44:07 Navigating Individual vs. Team Formats 47:55 The Journey to Team USA 50:48 Embracing Inexperience as a Strength 52:24 Final Training Push Before the Olympics 56:45 Mindset and Competition 01:00:35 Overcoming Health Challenges 01:04:04 Family Support and Emotional Moments 01:08:04 Looking Ahead to Future Goals     Sponsors:   Grab a trail running pack from Osprey Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order of NEVERSECOND nutrition at never2.com   Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts   Dylan Links: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Strava

Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Chicago Sports Network host Cam Smith to share his takeaways from the Bulls' series of trades in recent days, including guard Coby White being dealt to the Hornets.

In the third hour, Mike Mulligan and David Haugh were joined by Chicago Sports Network host Cam Smith to share his takeaways from the Bulls' series of trades in recent days, including guard Coby White being dealt to the Hornets. After that, WGN sports anchor Jarrett Payton joined the show live from the Super Bowl festivities to discuss the latest storylines as the Patriots and Seahawks prepare to meet Sunday.

The fifth season of upstart LIV Golf teed-off today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  This year’s season opener is being played in the home country of the league’s $1 trillion owner, the Saudi Public Investment Fund. LIV Golf will feature some of golf’s top names like Americans Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, Spain’s Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia, and Australia’s Cam Smith.  Each is a major championship winner. Differentiating themselves from the PGA Tour, LIV Golf starts each round at the same time for all players.  With 57 golfers in the field, they are positioned at each of the 18 tee boxes as a shotgun start begins play.  The daily playing conditions are identical for all golfers.  I really do like that concept. You’ll still find LIV Golf’s unique 4-player team concept this season, too. A significant pool of prize money is paid to the top three golf teams which have the lowest composite scores at the conclusion of each tournament.  This encourages every golfer – from first to last place – to try harder to help their team’s score. You will continue to hear music being played over loud speakers around the course during play. It doesn’t seem to affect the players one way or the other.  LIV Golf seems to think the music turns their golf tournament into a party for the fans. SwampSwami Rant ALERT!  LIV Golf’s US TV viewers must play “FOX Sports Whack-a-Mole” to watch the action this season The 14 LIV Golf events in 2026 (with only four being played in the US) will be televised again by FOX Sports.  Good luck trying to find the action on television from day to day. Today’s first round in Saudi Arabia began on FS1.  Two hours later, viewers were told to migrate over to FS2 to continue watching the golf action. Note to LIV Golf.  Not many US cable providers carry FS2 unless you pay for the highest price option.  I don’t.  To watch LIV Golf on television again this year, you will need a combination of the following channel options from day-to-day during their tournaments: Your local FOX TV affiliate FS1 FS2 Fox Business Network Fox Sports App (internet) The same issues occurred last year.  Sadly, it is being repeated in 2026. The US channel-surfing options might be more tolerable if LIV would simply offer a simulcast of the entire televised round via an internet (perhaps on a LIV Golf app?) as a service to viewers. LIV Golf needs the ratings support, so please make viewing as easy as possible. This maddening game of “Fox Sports Whack-a-Mole” is a major pain for American golf fans.  This should have been addressed and resolved during the lengthy off-season. These golfers said “Goodbye to LIV” In late December, it was five-time golf major champion Brooks Koepka walking out of LIV Golf’s door as he has announced a decision to rejoin the PGA Tour. Last week, former Masters champion Patrick Reed announced that he was no longer under contract with LIV Golf for 2026.  He wants to return to the PGA Tour just like Brooks Koepka. Keep in mind that LIV Golf doled out over $150 million in signing bonuses – just to snare both Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed less than four years ago. Koepka worked a deal with the PGA Tour and competed at last week’s stop in San Diego. Patrick Reed’s defection from LIV Golf came just one week before his former LIV Golf four-player team called the 4 Aces was set to start the 2026 golf season. That left LIV Golf’s 4 Aces a card short today. Team captain Dustin Johnson and Belgium’s Thomas Detry and Thomas Pieters scrambled to find a sub to take Patrick Reed’s spot in this week’s season opening event. Reed pocketed over $42 million in tournament earnings over his four seasons with LIV Golf starting in 2022.  That money was in addition to his initial signing bonus. The PGA Tour will not allow Patrick Reed to return for at least 12 months after his last appearance in a LIV Golf event (August, 2025). In the meantime, Patrick Reed quickly scored a victory ten days ago while playing on the DP World (formerly European) Tour.  He plans to enter several more European events this spring and summer until he is cleared to return to the PGA Tour in late summer. Na, Na, Na, Na…Hey, Hey, Hey…The LIV story…of Kevin Na Five-time PGA Tour winner Kevin Na also took the leap to LIV Golf in June, 2022.  The 42-year old Na had quietly amassed $38 million in PGA Tour earnings over his 17-year career. Kevin Na was made team captain of LIV Golf’s Iron Heads Golf Club four-man team in 2022.  He did not win a tournament at LIV Golf but still managed to pocketed more than $11 million in four seasons. Surprisingly, South Korean-born Kevin Na was recently booted off of his own LIV golf team! He was replaced with journeyman PGA golfer Ben An.  The LIV Golf team then renamed itself the “Korean Golf Club” for 2026. Ironically, one of the team’s current players is New Zealand citizen Danny Lee. Lee was born in South Korea.  His family moved to New Zealand when he was eight years old. Upon getting booted from LIV Golf, Kevin Na has also requested to be allowed back onto the PGA Tour.  His reinstatement status has not been announced. Pat Perez packed-up his LIV Golf bag, too Former LIV golfer Pat Perez (a three-time PGA Tour winner) is also seeking his PGA Tour reinstatement.  The 49-year old Perez was cut by LIV Golf after a dismal 2024 season but returned as their on-course television announcer in 2025. Like Kevin Na, Pat Perez is waiting to hear when he will be allowed to tee-it up again on the PGA Tour.  Perez will turn 50 in March and may opt to play on the PGA Champions (senior) Tour at some point. The biggest question remains – Will LIV’s top draw Bryson DeChambeau stay or go after this season? The charismatic 32-year old Bryson DeChambeau won the US Amateur title and later added two US Open major championships to his trophy case. In 2022, DeChambeau pocketed a reported $125 million signing bonus from LIV Golf to join the fledgling golf tour.  He has earned another $50 million in tournament winnings during his four seasons playing for LIV Golf. Bryson DeChambeau has worked hard to build his own personal brand.  His YouTube channel attracts millions of mostly younger viewers. DeChambeau’s popularity has been one of the few bright spots for the LIV Golf brand.  His four-man LIV Golf team called the Crushers is a fan favorite, too. Bryson DeChambeau’s contract with LIV Golf will expire at the end of the tour’s 2026 golf season this August. Word has it that he is asking for upwards of $500 million to sign a contract extension to remain with the Saudi-backed golf group. LIV Golf didn’t help matters if they wanted DeChambeau to stick around One recent change for the 2026 LIV Golf season has not set well with the popular Bryson DeChambeau. LIV (which is “54” in Roman numerals) played 54-hole golf tournaments over three days in previous years.  This helped to differentiate the league from the PGA Tour’s 72-hole four-day events. A stodgy organization calling itself “Official World Golf Rankings” assigns numerical rankings to professional golfers.  Their board of directors was unwilling to grant any points to top finishers for the LIV Golf for the past four years due to its 54-hole events. That issue has been a sore spot for LIV golfers since the league’s first season in 2022. The OWGR rankings are used to determine which golfers receive invitations to play in some of golf’s four major events. The LIV golfers have earned zero ranking points the past four years.  Top players keep falling down the world rankings list. LIV’s Jon Rahm was ranked #1 at the time he signed with LIV Golf three years ago.  Despite winning twice over the past three seasons and rarely finishing out of the top ten, Jon Rahm had dropped all the way to #96 in World Golf Rankings this week. To appease the overlords of rankings, LIV Golf will start playing 72-hole events this season. The World Ranking body announced Tuesday that LIV Golf’s top ten weekly finishers will now be awarded points for the new 72-hole events. Bryson DeChambeau spoke up recently that the initial premise for LIV Golf was to be different than the PGA Tour.  He had been in favor of maintaining the 54-hole tournaments to bring more focus and urgency to golfers on the course each day. “It’s definitely changed away from what we had been initially told it was going to be,” said DeChambeau.  He added, “We didn’t sign-up to play 72 (holes).” What happens if Bryson DeChambeau decides to leave LIV Golf after this season? DeChambeau is one of the league’s biggest draws.  His enthusiastic personality and famous length off the tee has been a fan magnet for LIV Golf. The PGA Tour won’t admit it publicly, but they would love to see Bryson DeChambeau return to help put the proverbial nail into LIV Golf’s coffin. Yes, LIV Golf would still have former World #1 golfer Jon Rahm under contract as its best player.  Australia’s Cam Smith and 53-year old Phil Mickelson still have plenty of LIV fans, too. Though LIV Golf has lost an estimated $2 billion during its first four seasons, the Saudi Public Investment Fund seems quite proud of simply owning a worldwide golf league.   Oil money literally flows out of the ground and right into their bank to replace the massive losses of LIV Golf. The PGA Tour has started to lure several of its more popular golfers by offering a more family-friendly US-based tour.  LIV Golf’s far-flung worldwide events have made it difficult on golfers with young families like Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed. The reputation of LIV Golf is starting to sink as more top golfers bail-out and return to the PGA Tour. The loss of Bryson DeChambeau after the 2026 LIV Golf season would be quite difficult to overcome. This would seem to be a great time for LIV Golf to broker a peace deal with the PGA Tour.  Allow golfers on both pro tours a chance to participate in a limited number of events on either tour every year. While you’re at it, please fix the “Fox Sports Whack-a-Mole” LIV Golf TV coverage, too!  The post Season 5 Begins – Is this Goodbye to LIV? appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

The final update on arbitrations, Astros in the WBC, Cam Smith to Center (?), and Joe Espada's remarks on Yordan's usage.

- The Houston Astros have announced their new campaign slogan for 2026: Catch The Fight!- The Astros present new ballpark food coming to Daikin Park, promotions, theme nights & events, and new things coming to the ballpark- Dana Brown and Joe Espada speak to the media before they head to West Palm Beach for Spring Training- Brown continues to discuss about the infield depth Houston has. Will they hold on to Walker or Paredes heading into Spring Training?- Could a Framber Valdez reunion be in the mix?- Brown would still like to add a left-handed bat, and could potentially give the keys to Cesar Salazar for the backup catching role. However, he did discuss they still could upgrade at that position.- Isaac Paredes will NOT play in the WBC. While Zach Dezenzo (Italy), Shay Whitcomb (Korea), and Jeremy Pena (Dominican Republic) will play in the Classic. Yainer Diaz is still up in the air.- Espada talks on Yordan Alvarez getting most of his at-bats at DH.- Cam Smith getting some reps and games in center field- Astros settle with Paredes, while Diaz won his arbitration- Astros trade for RHP Kai-Wei-Teng from San Francisco. Could he be a starter or reliever?- TriStar interviews on our YouTube page.- Much, much, more!YouTube link: https://youtube.com/live/RV5OXzpbcQIHave you subscribed to the Full Seam Ahead YouTube Channel yet? Make sure to hit that subscribe button and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Astros news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and much more all year long!

Make sure you follow Cam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronsmithgolfFollow Ripper GC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rippergolfclub/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is not the first time we've selected baseball boyfriends because of their moms, but this may be the first time we've concocted a plan to bring them beer in person. This week we talk HOU and NYM. For the Astros, Pottymouth picks the mom in the stands reminding him to run and Patti chooses the mom in the clubhouse. For the Mets its Pottymouth goes for the mom who just wants both boys to have a great time and Patti the one who could watch her kid every single day playing ball. Two fatal shootings by Feds in Minnesota push the sports and business communities to take a stand at the organizational level, the NBPA adds their collective voice, and our patron saint provides context. Serie del Caribe is just getting started and we are on Yadi watch for the LVBP. We try to suss out the insurance rules keeping certain MLB players out of the World Baseball Classic. In a Police Blotter/cross training/cross over, Patti commits $10 per goal scored by Britta Curl-Salemme to Baltimore Safe Haven so that she can still cheer for US Women's Olympic Hockey. Hilary and Laila deserve better than a transphobic teammate in this historic year. And we encourage the NHL to use some of its financial gains from the Heated Rivalry effect to make hockey a safer space for all.We say, “I thought pitchforks in this town were only brandished at Council meetings,” “How big can Ozark be, really?” and “It is, in fact, color coded.” Fight the man, send your game balls to Meredith, get boosted, and find us on Bluesky @ncibpodcast, on Facebook @nocryinginbball, Instagram @nocryinginbball and on the Interweb at nocryinginbball.com. Please take a moment to subscribe to the show, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to NCiB. Become a supporter at Patreon to help us keep doing what we do. We now have episode transcripts available!  They are available for free at our Patreon site. Say goodnight, Pottymouth. 

In this episode, Dani Moreno and EmKay Sullivan interview Cam Smith, a rare dual-threat athlete who's carved his way from Vertical K and uphill mountain running to earning a spot on Team USA's Olympic skimo team.Cam breaks down how long he has been eyeing the 2026 Winter Olympics, what it actually takes to make an Olympic team in a endurance sport, and dives into his history of injuries and comebacks these past few years. ---

Seth and Sean dive into Bill Belichick failing to net the votes he needs to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Astros shutting down Carlos Correa's intent to play in the World Baseball Classic, where the Astros are with Cam Smith, and go through the day's Headlines.

Seth and Sean dive into Bill Belichick failing to net the votes he needs to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Astros shutting down Carlos Correa's intent to play in the World Baseball Classic, where the Astros are with Cam Smith, go through the day's Headlines, look at the coaching hires made around the AFC and if any concern them, Seth recalls the end of his time with the Texans, they react to Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco explaining a reputation Houston has that they didn't know about, formulate narratives based on the way too early odds for next year's Super Bowl, dive into what Chandler Rome had to say about if the Astros may look at bringing back Verlander, assess Kendrick Perkins' crazy trade idea he thinks the Rockets should to bring Giannis to Houston, discuss Bill Belichick not getting enough votes to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the politics surrounding it, look at which of the top 50 free agents are relevant to the Texans this offseason, a snub to the baseball Hall of Fame that Lopez had a part in, and what Reggie and Lopez's question of the day is.

Seth and Sean discuss the Astros pulling the plug on Carlos Correa playing in the World Baseball Classic and what Chandler Rome had to say about Cam Smith's roster spot not being guaranteed.

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson open the episode by reflecting on an emotional night at the United Center as the Derrick Rose jersey retirement takes center stage. They break down what the moment meant for Rose, the franchise, and the city, before diving into the on-court action that followed as the Chicago Bulls edged the Boston Celtics on Kevin Huerter's game-winning shot. From there, the guys recap a tough loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, sparked by a big first half from LeBron James and a double-double from Luka Dončić. They also highlight Coby White who is playing some of his best basketball of the season, Josh Giddey finding his rhythm since returning from injury, and Matas Buzelis earning another Rising Stars nod while opting out of the dunk contest. The episode wraps with a look ahead to a packed stretch of games, including multiple matchups with the Miami Heat and a visit from the Indiana Pacers, plus a debate on whether the Bulls should keep leaning into their effective double-big lineup.

Send us a textA high-stakes relay, a new Olympic sport, and two athletes who refused to blink. We sit down with Cam Smith to unpack how he and Anna Gibson qualified Team USA for the ski mountaineering mixed relay—beating Canada when it mattered most—and how an underdog mindset became their superpower. Cam's story delivers a rare inside look at Olympic prep when your sport is making its debut: recruitment gambles, selection races, and the art of saying no to media so you can say yes to training.Cam explains how he recruited Anna, why her track speed and mountain grit were a perfect fit, and how selection races turned a bold idea into a winning relay. He breaks down the Solitude World Cup from the inside: crisp transitions, a key pass from fourth to first, and the calm second lap that sealed it. We dive deep into training specificity—ankle weights matched to ski system weight, start cadence rehearsal, treadmill intervals with race film study—and how peaking for a three-to-four-minute burst mirrors track more than trail. Expect practical takeaways on race craft, pacing under pressure, and building systems that protect performance when the spotlight gets hot.We also demystify Olympic logistics and gear rules: national kits with strict logo sizes, manufacturer-only markings on helmets and poles, and equipment checks that may lock your gear pre-race. Cam offers a candid view on seeding, the wide first climb, and why a second-row start isn't a problem. He shares the mantra anchoring his approach—“Expect nothing, handle anything”—and looks ahead to the likely addition of the individual event in 2030, where his engine can really sing.If you're curious about ski mountaineering, or you love stories of process beating pressure, this one's for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who thrives in big moments, and leave a review to help more people find the show. Then tell us: what's your favorite underdog win?Follow Cam on IG - @camfromcbFollow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

Haugh & Ramirez: K.C. Johnson & Cam Smith reflect on Derrick Rose's legacy (Hour 1) full 2908 Sun, 25 Jan 2026 06:58:47 +0000 Fc8X5DqyFaFQXQDBZ9vyuV5FkNdVoTEG sports Best of 670 The Score sports Haugh & Ramirez: K.C. Johnson & Cam Smith reflect on Derrick Rose's legacy (Hour 1) Best of the Score brings listeners the best interviews, segments, bits and highlights of the station's many shows. © 2025 Audacy, Inc. Sports False https://p

We're looking back at some of our favourite moments on Triple M's Rush Hour, including our genius guests, the worst phone topic ever, Queens of the Stone Age frontman Josh Homme, Billy's nickname, and Billy reading minds. Then, we get you across a big long weekend of sport, we bring back the Fat's On Fire Quiz, Daisy gives Billy a Personality Test, and we hear a joke that nearly got us taken off air.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson take a reflective look at the legacy of Derrick Rose, ahead of his jersey retirement, revisiting the moments that defined his journey from a Chicago prodigy to one of the most electrifying players of his era. The guys walk through his rise with the Chicago Bulls, from being selected No. 1 overall to the peak of his prime, while also acknowledging the challenges and lost time that shaped his career. The conversation expands beyond the court, touching on Rose's early roots, his influence on basketball culture, and his impact in Chicago after his playing days, including his continued efforts to give back to the city. They also look ahead to the jersey retirement night against the Boston Celtics, and which familiar Bulls faces are expected to be in attendance for the momentous occasion.

Ski Mountaineering is the only new sport at the 2026 Winter Olympics and Team USA Olympian Cam Smith has a chance to win the sports first Gold Medal. We talk what makes Ski Mountaineering special, what it's like competing in a new Olympic Sport and the 2026 Winter Olympics. Then, it's Civics and Odysseys vs. Cybertrucks and Tacomas as we countdown the Top 5 Worst Car Names. 00:00: Introducing Olympian Cam Smith 01:11: What is Ski Mountaineering 05: 19: Competing in a New Olympic Sport 06:47: Getting Started in Ski Mountaineering 08:59: The 2026 Winter Olympics 10:20: Ski Mountaineering Crashes 15:07: The Future of Ski Mountaineering 18:15: Pointless 38:34: To5 Worst Car Names Contact the Show Cam Smith Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down the Bulls' gritty win over Utah, punctuated by Nikola Vucevic's game-winner. The guys examine Billy Donovan's rotation choices and discuss how Jalen Smith continues to carve out a meaningful role. The conversation also highlights Dalen Terry's two-way spark, why Coby White is still searching for his offensive rhythm, and how it all fits into a demanding stretch of games ahead. To wrap it up, Cam and K.C. look ahead to a home-and-home with Brooklyn.

Miami Dolphins On SI Publisher Alain Poupart and Deputy Editor Dante Collinelli discuss the latest regarding the Dolphins coaching search, the John Harbaugh decision, Mike McDaniel's options, Cam Smith news, and more. Make sure to follow Alain on Twitter at @PoupartNFL and Blusky at @alainpoupart.bsky.social, and for more (free) Miami Dolphins content, visit Miami Dolphins on SI at si.com/nfl/dolphins.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Send us a textDan is away getting his reggae on in Mexico, so the crew calls up a heavy hitter from the bullpen: Mike from Beautiful Golf Courses joins Matt, Joe, and Jeremy for a packed episode.The guys dive immediately into the biggest news in golf: Brooks Koepka is officially back on the PGA Tour. We break down the strategic timing, the specific parameters that allowed his return (and seemingly excluded Phil Mickelson), and what this means for Bryson DeChambeau, Cam Smith, and the future sustainability of LIV Golf.Later, the conversation shifts to "Experiential Golf." Mike and the guys discuss why difficult-to-reach courses like Landman, Dismal River, and Gamble Sands are worth the journey. We debate if the hype is real, the logistics of booking tee times, and why the "hang" is just as important as the golf.In this episode, we cover:The Return of Brooks: Analyzing Brooks' statement, the financial penalties, and why the PGA Tour needs Bryson back next.LIV Golf Status: Is the league on the verge of folding, or will it evolve into something else?.Game Time: Matt hosts a round of "LIV Golfer or Southern Nevada Amateur?".Matt's Road to Recovery: Matt announces his official date for total knee replacement surgery and his goal to be ready for the team trip to Landman.Scotty Cameron Pilgrimage: Jeremy recaps his first-ever trip to the Scotty Cameron Gallery in Encinitas and the process of buying a Circle T.Wisconsin Lore: A strange detour into Green Bay fandom, cheese, and Wisconsin's surprisingly dark true crime history.Course Reviews: Thoughts on Coyote Springs (and the Bob Does Sports episode), Prairie Club, and Sand Valley.Mentioned in this episode:Vegas Golf Network: The season is starting soon! Visit VegasGolfNetwork.com to sign up.New Merch: Check out the new "Evolution" mug and T-shirts on the website.Precision Pro: Coming soon to the show.Callaway Golf: Look out for the new Quantum line releasing this Friday.Sponsors:Garsen Golf: Use code daylight15 at checkout for 15% off.Support the Show: Enjoying the content? Join CDP Premium for access to after-shows and exclusive future episodes.Support the showSpecial thank goes out to our show sponsors:

There’s nothing like losing another PGA Tour tournament sponsor to motivate the long-time men’s golf league to invite a few LIV golfers back this season. The year 2022 saw PGA star Brooks Koepka among several big name PGA Tour players who accepted a reported $100 million signing bonus to join start-up LIV Golf. He has won five times during his four seasons on the new golf tour and earned millions more in the process. Brooks Koepka told the media in late December that he and LIV Golf had reached an agreement to release him from playing obligations during 2026.  He wanted to “prioritize the needs of his family and stay closer to home”. Koepka’s contract with LIV Golf was set to expire at the end of 2026. The rationale given sounded quite noble.  Koepka’s wife suffered a miscarriage in October during the fourth month of her second pregnancy.  The couple already had a two-year old son at home. The LIV Golf tour plays ten of its 14 tournaments this year outside of the United States.  Brooks Koepka would have been away from his young family quite a bit in 2026. Yes, this SOUNDED very noble – until Monday Yesterday, the PGA Tour announced an agreement allowing Brooks Koepka to return to play on the PGA Tour later this month at the Farmers Invitational in San Diego. My lovely wife and I speculated that, perhaps, Mrs. Koepka may have been ready to boot her husband out of the house after his relatively short sabbatical. The PGA Tour’s announcement about the return of Brooks Koepka strangely coincides with recent news that Farmers Insurance is exiting as a 16-year title sponsor for the tour’s long-time event in San Diego. The high cost of sponsoring pro golf tournaments has been taking a toll Want to sponsor a PGA Tour event?  The cost has been rapidly in recent years – even after the Tiger Woods era has effectively ended. Sponsorship costs have nearly doubled in the past decade.  A multi-year sponsorship agreement (usually for four or more years) will cost a company up to $20-25 million annually for a traditional spring or summer PGA Tour stop. A $100 million investment in a men’s golf tournament sponsorship must pass muster with corporate board overseers who will expect to see results to justify the exceptional costs. Don’t expect to see “The SwampSwamiSports.com Open” anytime soon! The PGA Tour has not delivered enough positive results to a growing number of former tournament sponsors Average television viewership for weekly PGA Tour events still brings nearly three million viewers – primarily on CBS.  The network’s advertisers buy TV spots to woo professional golf’s wealthy male audience.  High-dollar vehicles, investment firms and insurance companies dominate ads frequently seen on golf telecasts. However, the 64-year old average age for pro golf’s television viewers is the oldest demographic in all of professional sports. Compare that with NASCAR (58), baseball (57), NFL (50) and the NBA (42). Ironically, younger viewers are much more likely to part with discretionary income than their graybeard dads with fatter wallets. Watch any NFL game and notice the types of products being pitched to its viewers.  Growing families purchase houses, furniture, automobiles, fast food, beverages, and recurring household goods. That’s one reason why PGA Tour weekly telecasts seem to be waving their proverbial broadcast booth pom-poms for younger stars such as 36-year old Rory McIlroy, 29-year old Scottie Scheffler, and 32-year old Justin Thomas. The men’s pro golf tour is desperate to find “the next Tiger Woods”.  El Tigre has been sidelined in recent years with injuries and recently turned 50.  He cannot prop-up the PGA Tour forever. The rising price tag to host a PGA Tour stop may be indicative of fewer events in the future San Diego’s long-time PGA Tour stop has been sponsored by Farmers Insurance for the past 16 years. A press release by Farmers Insurance announced the end of the sponsorship recently stating, “The tournament has generated millions of dollars for charity and delighted golf fans in San Diego and beyond”. Perhaps a more honest comment might have been, “But we haven’t received a significant enough return on our investment after spending $20 million to prop-up this rather expensive event annually”. It’s not like Farmers Insurance is giving up on golf as an advertising vehicle. The company recently posted a news release that Farmers has become a title sponsor for this winter’s second-year of TGL (Tomorrow’s Golf League).  TGL is a weekly televised indoor golf contest aired on ESPN. A TGL spokesperson said, “Farmers Insurance recognizes the engagement that prime time team golf delivers with a wide spectrum of sports fans, especially younger fans.” Traditional PGA tournament sponsors expect to see positive results The loss of major male golf stars like Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Cam Smith and others to LIV Golf a few years ago really hurt the PGA Tour.  Every tournament sponsor wants their event to feature a top field of golfers which excites local fans to come out and see. The title sponsor is “sold” with the expectation that a significant national television audience will be watching from home. That sponsor wants to see thousands of happy golf fans attending their event in person, too.  This one-week golf tournament blitz is intended to capture the maximum positive name recognition today and some long-lasting goodwill associated with the company’s financial investment. This spring’s Colonial golf event (currently known as the Charles Schwab Invitational) in Fort Worth wants patrons to plunk down $85 for a one-day pass in late May.  North Texas golf fans want to see top golfers and popular regional favorites such as former University of Texas stars Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler in this year’s field. However, the PGA Tour does not require a golfer to play in any particular weekly event (yet), so the field in Fort Worth is still rather uncertain.  The upper echelon of PGA Tour golfers often decide to enter a particular event if played in a favorite geographic region or on a golf course which suits their game or which features significant prize money up for grabs. The title sponsor of any particular PGA Tour event bears a significant financial risk if not enough of the top golfers elect not to play in their tournament.  Fewer top stars at some events mean lower television ratings and a negative impact on tournament revenues. Have the costs exceeded with the desired benefits for some PGA tournament sponsors? Farmers Insurance is not the first major corporation to end a sponsorship of a PGA Tour event in recent years. Wells Fargo walked away from its tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina last year.  The year 2024 saw Honda Motor Company end its long-time association with a tournament in southeast Florida. Shriners Children’s Hospital walked away from its PGA event in 2023. The PGA Tour’s competition with LIV Golf caused weekly money to balloon to nearly $8 million per tournament in recent years.  These increased payouts to players has been passed along in the form of higher corporate sponsorship costs. Some companies believe that the current costs outweigh the perceived benefits.  The market is working. A $3 billion life preserver was received by the PGA Tour just in time for the 2024 season A unique partnership with private equity investor Strategic Sports Group provided the PGA Tour a massive cash infusion in January, 2024.  This $3 billion investment was intended to halt the migration of top golfers to LIV Golf and provide a long-term financial backstop against potential operational losses on the PGA Tour. Half of the new money ($1.5 billion) was set aside to pay for a new long-term incentive bonus plan to be paid to PGA Tour golfers.  The players must remain on the tour for several years in order to collect their full bonus share.  This would (theoretically) cause players to think twice about jumping to LIV Golf or any other golf tour. Will the three other major LIV Golf stars take the bait and return to the PGA Tour? Monday’s announcement by the PGA Tour to allow Brooks Koepka’s amnesty came along with a rather restrictive short-term offer to three other prominent (and young) LIV Golf stars.  The PGA’s “Returning Member Program” would allow LIV golfers Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith a chance to return to the PGA Tour this season if they should agree to accept the terms by February 2. Brooks Koepka (and the other three LIV golfers) will not be eligible for any FedEx bonus pool money in 2026.  The golfer must play in 15 PGA Tour events in 2026.  Koepka (and any other LIV golfers) will be excluded from the new PGA Tour bonus pool for the next five years.  That might result in a potential future loss of up to $50 million per player. Brooks Koepka also agreed to donate $5 million to charity as part of his “deal”.  Expect the other three golfers to be required to pay at least that amount to charity. LIV Golf’s youthful trio of DeChambeau, Rahm, and Smith still remain under contract with their employer to play this season.  They would have to quickly negotiate a buy-out for their LIV Golf contracts and then be fleeced again by the PGA Tour’s punitive terms and conditions. I don’t expect the other three golfers to take the bait.  Brooks Koepka had his own personal reasons to exit LIV Golf. The others?  Not so much – at least right now. Does this signal the end for LIV Golf? The Saudi Public Investment Fund is worth more than $1 trillion.  That Saudi PIF doesn’t seem concerned that LIV Golf has become a multi-billion dollar money loser. The loss of a few percentage points from this massive pile of cash is balanced by the Saudis’ perceived prestige as the owner of a worldwide golf tour. I believe that the loss of Brooks Koepka represents a relatively small hit for LIV Golf.  The five-time major champion was never very personable with fans and the media.  He doesn’t move the “fan favorite” needle as much as Bryson DeChambeau, Spain’s Jon Rahm, or even Australian Cam Smith. If DeChambeau, Rahm, and Smith follow suit and join Koepka to accept the PGA’s short-term “Come home” offer by February 2, worldwide interest in LIV Golf will plummet. The 2026 LIV Golf schedule has only 14 golf tournaments.  Ten will be played overseas with only four LIV Golf events to be played in the US this year. One of the US tournaments will be played in New Orleans at Bayou Oaks in City Park from June 25-28. Whose bad idea was that to schedule a golf tournament at that time of year in the Crescent City? Those of us who have lived in New Orleans will confirm the oppressive late June heat and humidity in the city.  Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf combine to create one of America’s hottest summer locations.  It will punish the golfers far more than the layout at the renovated City Park golf course. Conclusion The PGA Tour now desperately wants their wealthy competitor (LIV Golf) to surrender soon. LIV Golf is feeling no pressure to fold anytime soon. The PGA Tour, though, has new private financial backers who may be quietly demanding executives to show improved profitability after the group’s $3 billion investment into the long-time men’s professional golf league. Purses for men’s pro golf may have peaked due to competition from LIV Golf.  The average PGA Tour golfer earned more than $2.2 million in 2025.  They’ll somehow survive. This is getting very interesting.  Stay tuned! The post PGA Tour attempts to turn the screws on LIV Golf appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com.

When five time major champion Brooks Koepka quit LIV to return to the PGA it shook up the world of golf. Australian fans wondered whether Cam Smith might follow suit. He's been emphatic in his position, but questions still abound. Featured: Jimmy Emmanuel, golf writer and commentator.Subscribe to the ABC Sport Newsletter

Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour—and the penalties and deadline in this new returning member policy could reshape the future of LIV Golf. In this week's episode of The Golf Podcast we'll break down the PGA Tour's brand-new Returning Member Program and ask the big question: is this the beginning of the end for LIV Golf? With Brooks Koepka returning to the PGA Tour immediately, we unpack the penalties that came with the deal—starting with a reported $5 million charitable donation, five years of ineligibility for the PGA Tour equity program, and even being ineligible for the 2026 FedEx Cup bonus (even if he wins it). We also explain the program's eligibility rules—a major (or THE PLAYERS) win since 2022 and at least two years away—which narrows the door to a select few names like Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Cam Smith, plus a hard application deadline of February 2. We react to your poll results, debate the “optics” of players paying a price to come back, and discuss why the PGA Tour structured the policy to protect current members (including minimum event requirements and field considerations).   Listen to This Week's Show Download on iTunes here Listen on Spotify here Thanks to this Week's Sponsors Titleist is committed to ensuring that every golf ball delivers superior quality and consistency.  From ball to ball, dozen to dozen we should expect our golf ball to perform exactly the same way, shot after shot. That's why Titleist owns the design, the technology and the manufacturing to make sure consistency spot on every time. They even conduct all the testing and quality checks to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.  Titleist is the #1 ball for every player and the #1 ball in golf.  Choose the best for your game and find out more at Titleist.com. Trust your golf game to FootJoy, the number one Shoe in Golf. Shop now at FootJoy.com. Thanks for tuning to The Golf Podcast! Cover Image via X

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson take a closer look at the Bulls' recent back-to-back games, breaking down what stood out from those matchups against the Hornets and Celtics. The conversation then turns to Coby White and how he continues to fight through his calf injury, before diving into Matas Buzelis' continued emergence. Cam and K.C. also share a lighter moment from K.C.'s live TV countdown on-court collision. Plus, a look at the Bulls' decision to sign Yuki Kawamura to a two-way contract and how it fits into the team's broader plans.

Despite the lack of (outdoor) professional golf during this first week of January, Andy and Brendan know the show must go on! The two are admittedly down in the dumps a bit with no Kapalua on our TV screens and wonder if we've already seen the final PGA Tour event played at the Plantation Course. This "rite of passage" may not be kicking off 2026, but there has been plenty of TGL to fill the void! The Bay GC and Atlanta Drive match on Tuesday night was a "second-screen filler" for Andy, Brendan, and PJ, and all three admit some level of fatigue with the screen golf league after just three matches of season two. Some of the new holes are nice, Chris Gotterup has been a star, and Roberto Castro has improved the ESPN broadcast, but nobody knows where TGL should rightfully stand in the golf ecosystem. Even with all of these outstanding questions facing its first league, TGL has expanded and founded a WTGL, coming this winter! Lexi Thompson, a semi-retired professional golfer, has signed on to be the face of the women's league, which Andy and Brendan both deem to be "too much" screen golf. Andy thinks a WTGL league could be better than the LPGA's week-to-week product, but doesn't have much faith that the TGL will figure out how to get there. There's a lengthy discussion about TGL rosters and how nobody can figure out who's on what team with all of the "alternates" in play before everyone agrees that too much time has been spent on screen golf in this episode. Speaking of teams, Talor Gooch made a strong, Sam Presti-like move adding Harold Varner III to Smash GC! This trade came as a result of Thomas Detry joining fellow Illini Thomas Pieters on the 4Aces, marking another signing for LIV during this Hot Stove season. Elvis Smylie has also joined the league, teaming up with Leish and Cam Smith on the Rippers. After a very, very abbreviated Schedule for the Week, Andy leads his yearly look at the Top 10 of the OWGR as the group predicts which players will fall out of the top spots by the end of 2026. Join us in Chicagoland for an SGS Live Show on Thursday, February 12! We'll be hanging out at SPACE in Evanston, Illinois for a night of Q&A, Champs Tour Minute, and plenty of Bears chatter. A presale for FEGC members begins at 11 am ET on January 7, with general public tickets going live on January 9. Check out https://www.ticketweb.com/event/the-shotgun-start-space-tickets/14054084?pl=space for more details.

Images of overrun apartment buildings in Colorado -- and severed fingers -- landed in the president's Venezuela speech over the weekend, part of Donald Trump's justification for his actions in Venezuela. Justice reporter Allison Sherry provides some context. Then, Colorado had to try hard to become a state. It took five attempts over two decades. In time for this year's sesquicentennial, History Colorado lays out the saga. Also, four generations of the Gresham family have weathered blizzards, drought and long nights in the calving barn -- all on the same land for more than a century. The Gresham Farm was recently named a Centennial Farm. And, Ski Mountaineering is new at this year's Olympics. The games take place in February in Italy. Crested Butte's Cam Smith will be there. 

In this episode, I sit down with fellow endurance coach Joe Howdyshell and elite athlete (and Olympic hopeful) Cam Smith for what turned into a true badass class on endurance training, mindset, and long-term athletic development. Joe is the author of Badass Class, and this conversation dives deep into the big-picture principles that actually move the needle—without getting lost in spreadsheets, buzzwords, or social-media noise.We talk about why general training lays the foundation for everything that comes later, and why so many athletes overestimate what they can do in six weeks while underestimating what's possible over a year—or a decade. Joe breaks down first principles like volume, intensity, stress, and recovery, while Cam shares real-world perspective from racing at the highest level and navigating injuries, setbacks, and evolving goals.We also explore the often-overlooked skills that support great training: life skills, athlete skills, coping strategies, and the importance of having tools beyond exercise to manage stress. From fueling and sleep to fun, flexibility, and knowing when to push—and when to walk it out in the woods—this conversation is about staying healthy, consistent, and excited for the long haul.Whether you're a beginner, a seasoned endurance athlete, or a coach trying to simplify your approach, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, honest reflections, and plenty of laughs. The basics work—and this is a masterclass in why.skimo gold, endurance and life coaching with brief testimonials

Adam Howe and Kevin Hasting return with a full ASK (Avoid, Stream, Keep) episode, using late-round ADP groupings to explore how fantasy managers should approach players across Gladiator, Draft & Hold, and FAAB formats. The discussion spans hitters, starters, relievers, prospects, and roster construction strategy, with a strong focus on risk management, playing time, and format-specific value.00:00 – Intro & ASK Format BreakdownExplanation of the ASK game and how format (Gladiator vs Draft & Hold vs FAAB) changes player value.03:10 – Outfield Prospects & Post-Hype BatsPlayers:Jordan Walker, Cam Smith, Chase DeLauterDiscussion centers on health risk, strikeout concerns, platoon risk, and which format best absorbs uncertainty.09:40 – Starting Pitchers with Uncertain RolesPlayers:Jonah Tong, Yusei Kikuchi, Seth LugoHow rotation security, innings expectations, and replacement value differ dramatically by format.16:40 – Shortstop Prospects vs Injured VeteransPlayers:Kevin McGonigal, J.J. Weatherholt, Anthony VolpeDebate over stash value, opening-day roster odds, and trusting plate appearances over upside.24:00 – Multi-Position Eligibility AssetsPlayers:Brooks Lee, Zach McKinstry, Josh SmithWhy positional flexibility matters most in Draft & Hold formats and how lineup placement impacts value.31:30 – Catcher Tier ChaosPlayers:Freddie Fermin, Sean Murphy, Harry Ford (Kybert Ruiz discussed as comparison)How to approach C3 in Draft & Hold leagues and why name recognition can mislead drafters.38:40 – First Base Veterans vs Upside PlaysPlayers:Josh Bell, Tristan Casas, Spencer HorwitzBalancing lineup quality, injury recovery, and production floors late in drafts.44:50 – Second Base Risk ProfilesPlayers:Jake Cronenworth, Christian Campbell, Andrés Giménez(Christian Moore discussed contextually)Evaluating stash risk, opening-day certainty, and multi-category stability.50:30 – Third Base Uncertainty & OpportunityPlayers:Jordan Lawlar, Connor Norby, Josh JungPlaying time clarity vs injury history and why boring everyday roles still matter.55:00 – Relievers & Saves SpeculationPlayers:Jeremiah Estrada, Tanner Scott, Robert GarciaHow closer ambiguity changes draft strategy and why not all saves are created equal.58:20 – Final Thoughts & Spring Training LookaheadWhy ASK is most useful in late-round decision-making and a plan to revisit these groupings later in the preseason. Join Our Discord & Support The Show: PL+ | PL Pro - Get 15% off Yearly with code PODCASTProud member of the Pitcher List Fantasy Baseball Podcast Network Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson dive into a tough stretch for the Bulls, starting with Saturday night's loss to the Bucks and the challenges that came with it. They discuss the impact of injuries, including Zach Collins, and dive into standout performances from Anthony Edwards and Giannis Antetokounmpo, with a closer look at Giannis' dominant showing against Chicago. The conversation continues with Giannis' late windmill dunk that sparked a postgame scuffle and a debate over whether it crossed the NBA's unwritten rules. Cam and K.C. also recap Monday night's loss to the Timberwolves, examine the injury concerns surrounding Coby White and Josh Giddey, and reflect on their own personal injury histories to put the latest developments into perspective.

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down the Bulls' strong recent stretch, winning four of their last five and starting to look more settled as the roster gets healthier. They dive into how having all the bigs available has opened up more lineup and rotation flexibility, and what that means for Billy Donovan moving forward. The guys also discuss Matas Buzelis' recent performances and why it feels like he may be turning a corner—easing some of the offensive pressure on Josh Giddey and Coby White in the process. Plus, a look ahead to a challenging six-game homestand against quality opponents, and K.C. wraps things up with a great story about how Rajon Rondo helped make him a better interviewer.

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson break down arguably one of the Bulls' most complete performances of the season, a win over the Cavaliers that marked Chicago's largest margin of victory. They dive into Josh Giddey's night—tying a career high in made threes while competing defensively to the final horn—and give love to Nikola Vučević for working his way out of a recent funk. The guys also discuss how a healthy Bulls roster could lead to a shift in the big-man rotation and how Chicago's zone defense helped neutralize Cleveland on the boards. Plus, thoughts on two-game series as a playoff prep tool, Ayo Dosunmu's nagging injuries and changing perspectives on the NBA Cup.

Cam Smith and K.C. Johnson dive into the Bulls' seven-game losing streak and the defensive issues that continue to haunt them. They dive into Billy Donovan's postgame comments after another tough loss to the Warriors, assess the latest injury updates, and break down what Chicago's depth looks like moving forward. They also look ahead to another great opportunity to bounce back with games against Charlotte and New Orleans as the Bulls search for a momentum shift.

We had one of the most fun sports-watching weekends of our lives before this great episode! The main science topic was a new study on Kilian Jornet at Western States, breaking down his fueling, the metabolic demand, and lots more. Kilian is also the 2nd author on the paper! We've said it before and we'll say it again: In a world of external monitors, be the rectal thermometer.We also talked about the amazing saga of USA Skimo's Olympic qualification, featuring trail runners Anna Gibson and Cam Smith. This story needs to be a movie! In the meantime, a podcast will have to do.And this episode was full of amazing topics! Other topics: David's bad experience at the track, when data and belief conflict, Courtney Dauwalter's blazing fast marathon time, a shoe review rant, what it means to improve VO2 max, why effort is cool, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, training through colds, and the perils of NCAA running and short-term incentive structures.This episode finishes with the most joyous time of all: A PERIOD PARTY. We love you all! HUZZAH!-David and MeganClick "Claim Your Sponsorship" for $40 free credit at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap  Buy Janji's amazing gear: https://janji.com (code "SWAP")The Wahoo KICKR Run is the best treadmill on the market: https://www.wahoofitness.com/devices/running/treadmills/kickr-run-buy (code “SWAP”)For training plans, weekly bonus podcasts, articles, and videos: patreon.com/swap

Soly and TC talk all things Royal Melbourne and Australian Open as one of the best courses on earth took center stage this week with Cam Smith three putting on the 72nd hole handing Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson a one shot victory. Expect minimal birdies and bogeys discussion, we're here to celebrate RM, react to Rory's comments comparing it to Kingston Heath and have a fun hypothetical fifth major discussion.  From there it's on to the Nedbank in South Africa and the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas where Kristoffer Reitan and Hideki won those respective events and some notable quotes from Wyndham, Jordan and Tiger. We close with some thoughts on the reaction to our midweek pod with JT and the aggregation around his comments on the green speeds at Bethpage plus some assorted news and notes. Join us in our support of the Evans Scholars Foundation: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://nolayingup.com/esf⁠ Support our Sponsors: Titleist Loch Lomond Whiskies The Stack If you enjoyed this episode, consider joining⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Nest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: No Laying Up's community of avid golfers. Nest members help us maintain our light commercial interruptions (3 minutes of ads per 90 minutes of content) and receive access to exclusive content, discounts in the pro shop, and an annual member gift. It's a $90 annual membership, and you can sign up or learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nolayingup.com/join⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the No Laying Up Newsletter here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://newsletter.nolayingup.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to the No Laying Up Podcast channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@NoLayingUpPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the first time in six weeks, this is NOT a Victory Monday episode of The Shotgun Start. Andy and Brendan are both deflated after losses by the Bears and Browns but at least a great weekend of professional golf made up for it! Despite zero wins, a Football Minute kicks off the show with plenty of ranting and raving about the College Football Playoff and its selection process. To tie this back to golf, Andy ponders which golfer would "pull a Notre Dame" by taking their ball and going home after not getting an exemption into an event. After that detour, the Australian Open is first up on the weekend recap. The two focus on how to make this event the fourth men's major instead of the PGA and wonder whether a new date on the schedule would convince more top players to make the trip down under. Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen picked up his biggest win to date and an invite to next year's Masters. Cam Smith and Adam Scott also popped on the leaderboard in their home country to secure some OWGR points and in Scott's case, a spot in the 2026 Open. The Nordic takeover continued at the Nedbank where Kristoffer Reitan withstood some heat from Dan Bradbury to shore up his own trip to Augusta in April. Finally, Andy and Brendan begrudgingly discuss the Hero World Challenge. Wyndham Clark was unhappy with the conditions at this "hit-and-giggle" event and Tiger joined his Jup Links teammate Kevin Kisner in the booth to reminisce about Kisner's infamous bunker shot at the SoFi Dome. After another sleepy tournament week, Andy and Brendan are left wondering why this event even exists. After a brief bit of news, PJ is called on to unpack a bizarre Skechers World Champions Cup and his trip to Madison Square Garden to watch the Utah Jazz's great young core. The 2025 Year in Review (probably) resumes on Wednesday!