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As Adam Silver calls for the NBA's Kawhi Leonard probe to wrap up and Aspiration's co-founder gets 14 years behind bars, Pablo investigates how Steve Ballmer covered his tracks on a side deal of his own — and with the SEC on the case. Former DOJ prosecutor Lou Manzo returns to make sense of the relationship between a billionaire and a fraudster, while David Samson is finally convinced that the richest owner in sports has lost credibility.(Additional reporting by Anita Bennett)• Take the PTFO audience survey• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter• Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson"Previously on PTFO:• Part I: The Silent Superstar and the Rotten Apple Tree• Part II: An Argument with Mark Cuban• Part III: The Mystery Investor, the No-Show Payday and the "Smoking Gun"• Part IV: Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion• Part V: Steve Ballmer's "Inconceivable" Donation, the $20 Million Guarantee and a Head on a Spike• Part VI: An IRL Showdown with Mark Cuban• Part VII: The Briefcase, Ballmer's Social Network and Aspiration's House of Cards• Part VIII: Uncle Dennis, Ballmer's $50 Million Sprint and the Side Deal That Wouldn't Die• Part IX: Ballmer's Tree Money, the Whistle-Blowers and the Document You've Been Waiting For• Part X: Steve Ballmer's Victim Impact, the Man Who Prosecuted Aspiration and the Abacus of Incarceration(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's edition of ZASLOW SHOW 2.0, Zaslow is not impressed with the Stanley Cup Final because of his disdain for both teams. Nonetheless, he goes on the record with his pick. Zas is joined by ESPN's Joe Fortenbaugh, to give out the picks for the Stanley Cup, the NBA Finals, and also recap a huge weekend in WWE, including Brock Lesnar taking down Oba Femi. And, Zaslow addresses Lucy leaving Meadowlark Media. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine "ZASLOW SHOW 2.0" is presented by Anidjar & Levine, Accident Attorneys. Call 800-747-FREE (3733) and get the money you deserve. Sawgrass Infiniti - Florida's #1 Volume Infiniti Dealer. Financing as low as 0% APR Available. $0 Down Payment Required. 400 New Infiniti models in stock at all times. Where the Commercial Ends and the Savings Begin. Conveniently located off the Sawgrass & Commercial Blvd. Signature Real Estate Whether you're buying your dream home, selling your property, or looking to join the best in the business, contact Matthew H. Maschler at 561-208-3334 or Matt@RealEstateFinder.com Johnny Cuba Official beer of ZASLOW SHOW 2.0 - European Roots with a Caribbean Soul #StayTranquilo Brunt Insurance Official insurance agency of ZASLOW SHOW 2.0. Wherever you're located in Florida, from Pensacola to The Keys and beyond, Brunt Insurance delivers you comprehensive insurance tailored exactly to your needs. Home, auto, boat, life insurance, call 954-589-2204. Legacy Lab If something were to happen to you today, would your loved ones know what to do? Legacy Lab helps people organize their end-of-life and incapacity info in one convenient, secure location. Download the app today for peace of mind for you, your family and loved ones. If your business targets 25-54 year old Men, let's advertise on ZASLOW SHOW 2.0!! Email jonathanzaslow@gmail.com and join the growing list of partners!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On today's edition of ZASLOW SHOW 2.0, Zaslow is not impressed with the Stanley Cup Final because of his disdain for both teams. Nonetheless, he goes on the record with his pick. Zas is joined by ESPN's Joe Fortenbaugh, to give out the picks for the Stanley Cup, the NBA Finals, and also recap a huge weekend in WWE, including Brock Lesnar taking down Oba Femi. And, Zaslow addresses Lucy leaving Meadowlark Media. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine "ZASLOW SHOW 2.0" is presented by Anidjar & Levine, Accident Attorneys. Call 800-747-FREE (3733) and get the money you deserve. Sawgrass Infiniti - Florida's #1 Volume Infiniti Dealer. Financing as low as 0% APR Available. $0 Down Payment Required. 400 New Infiniti models in stock at all times. Where the Commercial Ends and the Savings Begin. Conveniently located off the Sawgrass & Commercial Blvd. Signature Real Estate Whether you're buying your dream home, selling your property, or looking to join the best in the business, contact Matthew H. Maschler at 561-208-3334 or Matt@RealEstateFinder.com Johnny Cuba Official beer of ZASLOW SHOW 2.0 - European Roots with a Caribbean Soul #StayTranquilo Brunt Insurance Official insurance agency of ZASLOW SHOW 2.0. Wherever you're located in Florida, from Pensacola to The Keys and beyond, Brunt Insurance delivers you comprehensive insurance tailored exactly to your needs. Home, auto, boat, life insurance, call 954-589-2204. Legacy Lab If something were to happen to you today, would your loved ones know what to do? Legacy Lab helps people organize their end-of-life and incapacity info in one convenient, secure location. Download the app today for peace of mind for you, your family and loved ones. If your business targets 25-54 year old Men, let's advertise on ZASLOW SHOW 2.0!! Email jonathanzaslow@gmail.com and join the growing list of partners!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
He's wowed presidents, pro athletes and podcasters. But magicians tell us Oz Pearlman's viral act has crossed an ethical line. Stevie Baskin, after obsessively studying Pearlman's tricks, explains to Pablo how influencers from Charles Barkley to the White House were in on the act — and why he thinks this brand of "mind-reading" amounts to fraud.• Much more from Stevie Baskin's YouTube video• Previously on PTFO: The Unwritten Rules of Magic(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Meadowlark Media's Dave Dameshek joins the show discussing Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers, NFL, and MUCH MORE! Plus, Nick reacts to Aaron Rai's PGA Championship win, and gives out his best bets for tonight.
Meadowlark Media's Dave Dameshek joins the show to break down the Steelers chances of making the playoff with Aaron Rodgers. Plus, Dave and Nick talk PGA Championship, Aaron Rodgers legacy, and much more!
"So far, the only punishment from any of the categories you mentioned was the Clippers getting the 5th pick." Dan missed reacting to Meadowlark Media winning a Pulitzer Prize, so he shares his disbelief that Pablo Torre's Kawhi Leonard story was honored among the other award-winning reporting. Then we recap this weekend's action in the NBA playoffs, including the New York Knicks sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers, James Harden saving the Cleveland Cavaliers' season against the Detroit Pistons, and Victor Wembanyama throwing an elbow at Naz Reid's face. Is there more than a 0.0% chance he will be suspended for even one more second? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Knicks are surging. But politicians are condemning owner James Dolan and his tax breaks, after our investigation with WIRED. So Pablo tests the limits of facial recognition with his playoff ticket plug Ben Wizner, who just happens to be the Deputy Legal Director at the ACLU — and one of America's foremost experts on modern privacy. Which makes him uniquely (if begrudgingly) qualified to break down everything from spooked NBA journalists and a banned puppy, to Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein connections… to, yes, the Mount Rushmore of whistleblowers.• Previously on PTFO: We Got Inside Knicks Surveillance — and MSG's Deep State Is Stranger Than You Think• From WIRED: "The Shocking Secrets of Madison Square Garden's Surveillance Machine"• Watch "CITIZENFOUR" by Laura Poitras• Read "Permanent Record" by Edward Snowden• Read "Your Face Belongs to Us" by Kashmir Hill• PTFO Vault: We Found the Secret Rap Album That the NBA's Best Executive Doesn't Want You to Hear(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"Bring out the maple syrup, cause nothing says love like warm and sticky." Jessica Smetana joins us to field some honeymoon tips from The Love Doctor, and it goes exactly where you think it would. The conversation heads into the current Hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship that cannot find a place to dock, the fall of LIV Golf, and the plans for stars like Bryson DeChambeau once it folds, as well as whether Brad Williams could score a touchdown in an NFL game. We may also have come up with a great plan to decide which members of Meadowlark Media get the invite to Jess's wedding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
As the Clippers await punishment, their owner is big mad at Pablo — and appears worried about what Aspiration's founder might have told the NBA. So Pablo and David Samson (finally) sit down with a special guest: Lou Manzo, the former DOJ prosecutor who investigated this whole tree-planting fraud in the first place, to go inside the courtroom, comb through footnotes and focus on the end game.(Additional reporting by Anita Bennett)Previously on PTFO:• Part I: The Silent Superstar and the Rotten Apple Tree• Part II: An Argument with Mark Cuban• Part III: The Mystery Investor, the No-Show Payday and the "Smoking Gun"• Part IV: Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion• Part V: Steve Ballmer's "Inconceivable" Donation, the $20 Million Guarantee and a Head on a Spike• Part VI: An IRL Showdown with Mark Cuban• Part VII: The Briefcase, Ballmer's Social Network and Aspiration's House of Cards• Part VIII: Uncle Dennis, Ballmer's $50 Million Sprint and the Side Deal That Wouldn't Die• Part IX: Ballmer's Tree Money, the Whistle-Blowers and the Document You've Been Waiting For• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter for exclusive access, documents and invites• Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson"(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Epstein wasn't just funding women's sports or creeping around campus. Our new files — and Harvard's own audit — show how a billionaire pedophile used the biggest brand in academia to launder his reputation. Pablo and The Harvard Crimson's Dhruv Patel continue their investigation, with exclusive internal files, letters and interviews with athletes who say the university normalized a monster — and skirted accountability, until now.• Part One: "The Jeffrey E. Epstein Fund for Women's Athletics"• More from The Harvard Crimson: "Women's Rugby Players Were Told to Keep a $25,000 Gift Quiet. The Donor Was Epstein."(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How did an unforgettable donation from the most notorious pedophile in America get past the most prestigious university's self-investigation? And why did Harvard allegedly ask to keep it confidential? Pablo and The Harvard Crimson's Dhruv Patel unearth internal financials, the secret role of president Lawrence Summers, plus new Jeffrey Epstein correspondence — and speak to the team that "never asked to be affiliated with this monster."• More from The Harvard Crimson: Women's Rugby Players Were Told to Keep a $25,000 Gift Quiet. The Donor Was Epstein.(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What are the business ethics of sh*tting where you eat? Can you be a journalist and an "insider" at the same time? And what happened after the Knicks' owner doxxed the man threatening his arena's beer? David Samson — the Marie Kondo of sports infidelity and the watchful eye of Florida baseball — helps Pablo decode the messy stories of Dianna Russini and Mike Vrabel... and James Dolan versus his enemies.• Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson"(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The notorious conspiracy theorist profited from his vile Sandy Hook conspiracy. Then America's finest (fake) news source decided to troll the world's greatest troll. Ben Collins — who transformed from reporting on the historic Infowars defamation trial to buying out his "ideological enemy" in a Storage Wars-style auction saga — tells Pablo why The Onion committed to the ultimate bit: doing the right thing.(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tracking players. Monitoring kids. Allegedly watching a fan enter the bathroom. The panopticon of notorious owner James Dolan has been caught in glimpses. But a WIRED investigation — revealed in collaboration with PTFO — lifts the veil on the Orwellian scope (and occasional clown show) of MSG security, from The Garden and The Sphere to the streets of New York and out across America. Correspondent Noah Shachtman and Pablo hear from spooked insiders, read snooping group chats, scour a second-by-second confidential report, plus view the facial-recognition database itself — only to discover that paranoid billionaires... are all around us.• Read the full digital cover story at WIRED• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter for exclusive access, documents and invites(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As the NFLPA plots to restore its scandal-plagued leader to power, the labor group's outgoing lead security officer sits down with Pablo. And Craig Jones — the conscience of a billion-dollar union — does not hold back.Previously on PTFO:• Part I: The NFL's Secret Collusion Case Revealed• Part II: We Sparked an NFL Union Crisis. Here's the Sequel.• Part III: We Followed the Money in the NFL Union Scandal. So Did the FBI.• Part IV: The NFL Union Elected a New Leader. We Investigated the Hollywood Cover-Up They Ignored. (Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"Don't say that word in front of me..." JuJu delivers his Top 5 Most Disrespectful Moments In NBA History, and Zaslow remembers every single one of them. Also, JuJu delivers the Polls and initiates a celebration of the employee of Meadowlark Media that Dan was antisemitic toward yesterday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In an era devoid of accountability for the Epstein class and sports owners (and in-between), Pablo finds a kindred spirit in the OG blogger turned ESPN insider turned fellow independent muckraker who's not afraid to call out the backroom dynamics of Adam Silver during wartime: If billionaires can't police themselves, does cheating matter? Do the people who run the sport... really love the sport? If there's no effort to be decent, where do the lies end? And if Steve Ballmer's already negotiating, what is his minimum viable punishment?• Previously on PTFO: Ballmer's Tree-Money, the Whistle-Blowers and the Document You've Been Waiting For• "Bron got me on sea bass"• Subscribe to TrueHoop by Henry Abbott(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How did millions travel from the Clippers to Aspiration to Kawhi Leonard? Amin Elhassan and David Samson join Pablo — live onstage at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference, right where Adam Silver was just sitting — to examine new and extremely credible evidence.Previously on PTFO:• Part I: The Silent Superstar and the Rotten Apple Tree• Part II: An Argument with Mark Cuban• Part III: The Mystery Investor, the No-Show Payday and the "Smoking Gun"• Part IV: Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion• Part V: Steve Ballmer's "Inconceivable" Donation, the $20 Million Guarantee and a Head on a Spike• Part VI: An IRL Showdown with Mark Cuban• Part VII: The Briefcase, Ballmer's Social Network and Aspiration's House of Cards• Part VIII: Uncle Dennis, Ballmer's $50 Million Sprint and the Side Deal That Wouldn't Die• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter for exclusive access, documents and invites• Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson"• Subscribe to "Basketball Illuminati" with Amin Elhassan(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As Terry Rozier and Co. return to court, Pablo spans the globe — and the nether regions of the basketball internet — to reveal the unnamed player who turned a cup of coffee into the NBA's worst nightmare. Amin Elhassan helps connect government clues to red flags, obscure movie references to entourage Instagram posts... and one really dirty recruiting trip to a new guarantee in the economy of legalized gambling.Previously on PTFO:• Part One: Moose, the Money and a Garbage-Time God• Part Two: Hoopfellas• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter for exclusive access, documents and invites• Subscribe to "Basketball Illuminati" with Amin Elhassan(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Meadowlark Media's Trysta Krick joins the show to discuss Jaylen Brown's chances of winning MVP, Luka Doncic's complaining, and MUCH MORE!
As the Clippers host NBA All-Star Weekend, Pablo's "thorough due diligence" leads down a trail of LLCs and lawsuits that Kawhi Leonard and the richest owner in sports probably don't want you to know about. David Samson and Amin Elhassan return with a new prescription and — if the Aspiration whistle blows again — judgment day.Previously on PTFO:• Part I: The Silent Superstar and the Rotten Apple Tree• Part II: An Argument with Mark Cuban• Part III: The Mystery Investor, the No-Show Payday and the "Smoking Gun"• Part IV: Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion• Part V: Steve Ballmer's "Inconceivable" Donation, the $20 Million Guarantee and a Head on a Spike• Part VI: An IRL Showdown with Mark Cuban• Part VII: The Briefcase, Ballmer's Social Network and Aspiration's House of Cards• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter for exclusive access, documents and invites• Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson"• Subscribe to "Basketball Illuminati" with Amin Elhassan(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A wrongfully convicted football fan is running out of time. So Pablo travels from the free world to Texas, to sit with Charles Flores for the one hour a day when he's not in solitary confinement. To learn what it feels like to watch the NFL through the bars of a super-max prison. To understand why Charles continues to await execution, a decade after the real killer went free. And to find out how the road might go on, before it's too late.• Sign the petition to stop the execution of Charles Flores• Previously on PTFO: Watching the Dallas Cowboys on Death Row"The Road Goes On Forever" written and performed by Robert Earl Keen, with permissions from Songs of Universal, Inc., and Keen Productions.(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does being Robert Pera's "co-owner" even mean? Why can't a sports executive wear his team's uniform? And what do the layoffs at The Washington Post and CBS News suggest about the business of journalism? Former Marlins president David Samson joins Pablo, one-on-one, to decode the sagas of the Memphis Grizzlies and mainstream media.• Previously on PTFO: The Invisible NBA Owner and "Crimes Against Humanity"• Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson"(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and Hunterbrook Media and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A dunking tech bro in Memphis. A drone massacre in Ukraine. How did America's backyard beams end up in Putin's network of underground buyers? And how on Earth do Ja Morant, Justin Timberlake, Kevin Hart and "The Grindfather" get us to an illegal trade war? Hunterbrook Media's Sam Koppelman breaks down how his reporters investigated from a bird's-eye view, to a high-end Moscow dealer, to undercover calls back home — and asks what the hell Adam Silver's gonna do about another billionaire scandal hiding in plain sight.• Read the full investigation at Hunterbrook Media (Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and Hunterbrook Media and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"Chris is packin' heat." Bryant McKinnie is here to rep the University of Miami and actually break down the game, but things escalate quickly thanks to an Indiana shirt a certain someone is wearing. Plus, Meadowlark Media's Bears expert, Andrew Santino, stops by to make the not-so-bold prediction that Dan has a small poker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Meadowlark Media's Dave Dameshek joins the show to react to everything from last weekend's NFL Playoff games. Dave shares is thoughts on Texans vs. Steelers tonight!
As the NBA's investigation heats up, Pablo goes behind closed doors — and emerges with fresh sunlight: What exactly did the Clippers know about Kawhi Leonard's no-show deal? When did Steve Ballmer really get to know the fraudster who paid him off? And what do Doc Rivers, the Ritz-Carlton and a topless fashion shoot have to do with the origin story of a "match made in heaven" that the richest owner in sports would rather you ignore? Amin Elhassan and David Samson shake their heads, as we fact-check a timeline that the Clippers want you to believe.Previously on PTFO:• Part I: The Silent Superstar and the Rotten Apple Tree• Part II: An Argument with Mark Cuban• Part III: The Mystery Investor, the No-Show Payday and the "Smoking Gun"• Part IV: Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion• Part V: Steve Ballmer's "Inconceivable" Donation, the $20 Million Guarantee and a Head on a Spike• Part VI: An IRL Showdown with Mark Cuban• Subscribe to Pablo's newsletter for exclusive access, documents and invites• Subscribe to "Nothing Personal with David Samson"• Subscribe to "Basketball Illuminati" with Amin Elhassan(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today we are joined by David Fleming, Peabody-nominated correspondent for Meadowlark Media, longtime ESPN senior writer, and author of A Big Mess in Texas: The Miraculous, Disastrous 1952 Dallas Texans and The Craziest Untold Story in NFL History (St. Martin's Press, 2025). In our conversation, we discussed the origins of the infamous (but also surprisingly un-famous) Dallas Texans, the club's disastrous rise and fall, and why the NFL's first franchise in Texas failed. In A Big Mess in Texas, Fleming skilfully recovers the characters, hijinks and scandals, losses and one wonderful win that engulfed and eventually finished the Dallas Texans over ten months in 1952. It was the last NFL franchise to fail. His tale includes notable NFL personalities including Bert Bell, Jimmy Phelan, Gino Marchetti, Buddy Young, and Art Donovan. He argues that the Texans, mostly remembered for being a famous flop, also deserve a place in NFL history for being pioneers. They were the first team NFL team in the south, the first football team to integrate and Texas, and their management and ownership included men and women. The rump of the team became the beginnings of the super successful Baltimore Colts team of the 1950s. Perhaps most importantly, while they were never America's team, they set the stage for the emergence of the Dallas Cowboys in 1960, who borrowed liberally from the aesthetics and the antics of the Texans. Fleming's compelling account, deeply researched, and genuinely rollicking narrative will be of broad interest to people fascinated by American sports, football, and the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Today we are joined by David Fleming, Peabody-nominated correspondent for Meadowlark Media, longtime ESPN senior writer, and author of A Big Mess in Texas: The Miraculous, Disastrous 1952 Dallas Texans and The Craziest Untold Story in NFL History (St. Martin's Press, 2025). In our conversation, we discussed the origins of the infamous (but also surprisingly un-famous) Dallas Texans, the club's disastrous rise and fall, and why the NFL's first franchise in Texas failed. In A Big Mess in Texas, Fleming skilfully recovers the characters, hijinks and scandals, losses and one wonderful win that engulfed and eventually finished the Dallas Texans over ten months in 1952. It was the last NFL franchise to fail. His tale includes notable NFL personalities including Bert Bell, Jimmy Phelan, Gino Marchetti, Buddy Young, and Art Donovan. He argues that the Texans, mostly remembered for being a famous flop, also deserve a place in NFL history for being pioneers. They were the first team NFL team in the south, the first football team to integrate and Texas, and their management and ownership included men and women. The rump of the team became the beginnings of the super successful Baltimore Colts team of the 1950s. Perhaps most importantly, while they were never America's team, they set the stage for the emergence of the Dallas Cowboys in 1960, who borrowed liberally from the aesthetics and the antics of the Texans. Fleming's compelling account, deeply researched, and genuinely rollicking narrative will be of broad interest to people fascinated by American sports, football, and the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sports
He's the tall guy in the notorious Mar-a-Lago video with Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. He's lived at the intersection of sports, politics and high society. What does Tom McMillen have to say for himself, after the release of the new Epstein files? Pablo asks the difficult questions, in an increasingly awkward interview.(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The crew can't contain their excitement for the upcoming final season of Stranger Things, talking fan theories, predictions, and goodbyes for their favorite characters. But after all the Upside Down talk, the craters dive into the first ever draft of what they're most thankful for and pie draft. Finally, Tony imposes a strict Mystery Crate ban on a mystery Meadowlark Media employee. Happy Thanksgiving! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The crew can't contain their excitement for the upcoming final season of Stranger Things, talking fan theories, predictions, and goodbyes for their favorite characters. But after all the Upside Down talk, the craters dive into the first ever draft of what they're most thankful for and pie draft. Finally, Tony imposes a strict Mystery Crate ban on a mystery Meadowlark Media employee. Happy Thanksgiving! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This week, we're bringing you something a bit different. Our reporter Madison Pauly recently teamed up with journalist and podcaster Pablo Torre for a special episode of his investigative show, Pablo Torre Finds Out. The episode is a deep dive into right-wing superstar Riley Gaines, a swimmer who tied a transgender woman for fifth place and became a viral figure with outsized influence within the MAGA movement. Pauly spent six months digging into the money behind Gaines' anti-trans empire and interviewing Gaines' former teammates and competitors. She uncovers how the swimmer is profiting from her newfound fame as a generational conservative activist and explores how a lawsuit Gaines filed against the NCAA, which will be decided by the Supreme Court next year, could change everything for trans athletes.Pablo Torre Finds Out is produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. Check out their other investigations on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast app. Donate today at Revealnews.org/more Subscribe to our weekly newsletter at Revealnews.org/weekly Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
She notoriously parlayed a tie for fifth into a star turn on Fox News. But who's funneling money into the radicalization of Riley Gaines? And what's her dark past lurking beneath the surface? In partnership with PTFO, Madison Pauly from The Center for Investigative Reporting spent six months wading through the trans-athlete debate — then washed up with former teammates, NBA owners, merch... and a Supreme Court case that could change everything.• Read the full profile at Mother Jones(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and Mother Jones and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Writer David Fleming joins Rhett to dig into craft, career pivots, and the true story behind A Big Mess in Texas—the wild rise-and-fall of the 1952 Dallas Texans (owned by Rhett's grandfather). Fleming talks about finding meaning in real life, learning to “disappear” as a writer, managing deadlines without losing your mind, and why the work (not the label) is what matters. It's a candid, funny, and generous conversation about storytelling, identity, and doing your best work—whether you call it sports writing or just great writing. David Fleming is a Peabody-nominated correspondent for Meadowlark Media, longtime ESPN senior writer, author of Who's Your Founding Father?; Breaker Boys; Noah's Rainbow; and, A BIG MESS IN TEXAS - The Miraculous, Disastrous 1952 Dallas Texans and The Craziest Untold Story in NFL History. Out now! Listen to Rhett's new album “A lifetime of riding by night” https://rhettmiller.com/ Wheels Off is hosted and produced by Rhett Miller. Executive producer Kirsten Cluthe. Music by Old 97's. Episode artwork by Mark Dowd. Show logo by Tim Skirven. This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also ask Alexa to play it. Listen to previous episodes of Wheels Off with guests Rosanne Cash, Rob Thomas, Jeff Tweedy, Stewart Copeland, Lucinda Williams, and many more. If you like what you hear, please leave us a rating or review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why has the famous golfer (and notorious gambler) been hooking right and tweeting incessantly about insider trading? Hunterbrook Media's Sam Koppelman got inside a group chat even more bro'd-out than the defense secretary's Signal messages — and uncovered audio about trading 18 holes with a cabinet secretary to pump up a gas company. His investigation's findings are... huge.• Read the full Hunterbrook investigation(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out and Hunterbrook Media and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Basketball's high-stakes nightmare is front-page news. But Pablo has been decoding thousands of pages of court documents, while talking to two dozen sources... and keeping up with Kash Patel, to unmask the would-be kingpin hiding in plain sight. Amin Elhassan joins for a swipe through the jet-setting, sports-betting, tequila-chugging life of a man who might actually connect the mafia to the NBA.• Previously on PTFO: Moose, the Money and a Garbage-Time God• Subscribe to "Pablo Torre Finds Out" on YouTube• Subscribe to "Basketball Illuminati" with Amin Elhassan(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out, and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"We talked about this." Lionel Messi signing an extension shouldn't happen quietly, the Canes shouldn't be playing games quietly, and the Dolphins should just be quiet. Also, Amin is clearly holding Meadowlark Media up on his shoulders. Today's cast: Dan, Amin, Chris, Jeremy, Mike, Roy, and Tony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Carolina football GM Mike Lombardi likes to talk about himself as a three-time Super Bowl champion operating an NFL team in college. But not all Super Bowl rings are created equal. Correspondent (and UNC dad) David Fleming joins Pablo to fact-check the $1.5 million man, for a roadmap to how the Belichick administration became such a (taxpayer-funded) disaster.• Order David Fleming's book, "A Big Mess in Texas: The Miraculous, Disastrous 1952 Dallas Texans and the Craziest Untold Story in NFL History":https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250374301/abigmessintexas(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out, and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's edition of ZASLOW SHOW 2.0, Zaslow recaps an emotional night for the Panthers and Brad Marchand. Plus, he definitely did not need a 5-game losing streak in his life. The NBA returned to NBC last night. Also, Meadowlark Media's, Lucy Rohden, joins the show, as she and Zaslow will both be in Baton Rouge this weekend. Zas and Lucy discuss the best (and worst) stops on their respective tours. The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine "ZASLOW SHOW 2.0" is presented by Anidjar & Levine, Accident Attorneys. Call 800-747-FREE (3733) and get the money you deserve. Sawgrass Infiniti - Florida's #1 Volume Infiniti Dealer. Financing as low as 0% APR Available. $0 Down Payment Required. 400 New Infiniti models in stock at all times. Where the Commercial Ends and the Savings Begin. Conveniently located off the Sawgrass & Commercial Blvd. CanesWear has the largest selection of Miami Hurricanes items. And, an amazing selection of all your favorite South Florida Pro teams. Dolphins, Panthers, Heat, Inter Miami and Marlins items, are all available. No matter which South Florida Team you root for, CanesWear is the spot, Miami fans shop, CanesWear.com Signature Real Estate Whether you're buying your dream home, selling your property, or looking to join the best in the business, contact Matthew H. Maschler at 561-208-3334 or Matt@RealEstateFinder.com Johnny Cuba Official beer of ZASLOW SHOW 2.0 - European Roots with a Caribbean Soul #StayTranquilo Brunt Insurance - Official insurance agency of ZASLOW SHOW 2.0. Wherever you're located in Florida, from Pensacola to The Keys and beyond, Brunt Insurance delivers you comprehensive insurance tailored exactly to your needs. Home, auto, boat, life insurance, call 954-589-2204. Legacy Lab If something were to happen to you today, would your loved ones know what to do? Legacy Lab helps people organize their end-of-life and incapacity info in one convenient, secure location. Download the app today for peace of mind for you, your family and loved ones. If your business targets 25-54 year old Men, let's advertise on ZASLOW SHOW 2.0!! Email jonathanzaslow@gmail.com and join the growing list of partners!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
After tweeting 17,053 words in defense of his fellow billionaire NBA owner, the most polarizing member of Team Ballmer is back — in-studio — to confront all of Pablo's most burning questions: Why was Kawhi Leonard's deal kept so secret? When did the Clippers really know? Just how screwed was Aspiration? And what the hell do Cuban's Mavericks and the Knicks' Jalen Brunson have to do with this scandal?• Part I: The Richest Owner in Sports, the Silent Superstar and the Rotten Apple Tree• Part II: Team Ballmer vs. Team Sh*tting Bricks — an Argument with Mark Cuban• Part III: The Mystery Investor, the No-Show Payday and the "Smoking Gun"• Part IV: Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion• Part V: Steve Ballmer's "Inconceivable" Donation, the $20 Million Guarantee and a Head on a Spike(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out, and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Media Day will force Kawhi Leonard to respond to scandal, but not before Pablo returns with new scoops and urgent questions: Just how easy was the "no-show" payday? Did Uncle Dennis really act alone? And why did the richest owner in sports keep funding a fraudster, even as the feds closed in? Mr. Amin Elhassan joins as an increasingly sweaty one-man cast of experts.• Part IV: Steve Ballmer, the Other Cuban and the $118 Million Infusion• Part III: The Mystery Investor, the No-Show Payday and the "Smoking Gun"• Part II: Team Ballmer vs. Team Sh*tting Bricks — an Argument with Mark Cuban• Part I: The Richest Owner in Sports, the Silent Superstar and the Rotten Apple Tree• Subscribe: Pablo's newsletter has exclusive access, documents and invites(Pablo Torre Finds Out is independently produced by Meadowlark Media and distributed by The Athletic. The views, research and reporting expressed in this episode are solely those of Pablo Torre Finds Out, and do not reflect the work or editorial input of The Athletic or its journalists.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
"I'd say upper quadrant in terms of liking combat sports at Meadowlark Media, me." Carson Beck: Better than Cameron Ward? Bobby Dodd: Do you just stroll in there? Ryan Day: Wants to leave for the NFL? Curt Cignetti: A guy who dyes his hair? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
"Pardon me for living." Dan has once again purposefully created tension in the Meadowlark Media offices over Pablo Torre's upcoming scoop, and Billy had a famous person sighting at a funeral home. Oh, and, you know, there's a lot of College Football stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
He was the Bill James of basketball. A cocky forefather of sports analytics who saw numbers as colors. Whose book, "Basketball Heaven," helped usher in the three-point era. And who failed. But Martin Manley also left behind a map, ranging from X-Files to his mother-in-law to the path toward the most efficient life... and death. Reporters Nick Altschuller and Rich Levine adapt their new "30 for 30" podcast — produced by our parent company Meadowlark Media and Adam McKay's Hyperobject Industries, in partnership with ESPN. (If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.) • Listen to all six episodes of "Chasing Basketball Heaven": https://30for30podcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This Week on Good Follow: Ros, Logan, and Meadowlark Media's Juju Gotti decide if the Atlanta Dream are a championship dark horse, discuss how the StudBudz stay authentic to who they are after facing criticism, and react to the WNBA vs. NBA player debate going around the internet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On today's episode of The Right Time, Bomani Jones is joined by Howard Bryant of ESPN & Meadowlark Media to talk about issues within tennis and Major League Baseball. The show begins with Bo and Howard discussing why fame may be dependent on how old someone is (6:15) and why the decline in SportsCenter means less knowledge across the board in sports (9:32). They move onto tennis and say why it's an American sport yet Americans aren't good at tennis (19:03) and why you no longer need to win tournaments to achieve success in the sport (26:02). After the break, they dive into baseball's issues including why stars like Mike Trout aren't recognizable (33:00), how the MLB lost its grasp on being the summer sport (37:28) and would America even care if a historic record was about to be broken? (50:01) . . . Subscribe to Supercast for Ad-Free Episodes: https://righttime.supercast.com/ Buy 'The Right Time' merch: http://therighttimebomani.com/ Subscribe to The Right Time with Bomani Jones on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts and follow the show on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok for all the best moments from the show. Download Full Podcast Here: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6N7fDvgNz2EPDIOm49aj7M?si=FCb5EzTyTYuIy9-fWs4rQA&nd=1&utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=social Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-right-time-with-bomani-jones/id982639043?utm_source=hoobe&utm_medium=social Follow The Right Time with Bomani Jones on Social Media: http://lnk.to/therighttime Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dave Dameshek is set to host our new football podcast (Football America!) and is immediately demanded by Dan to do improv that, transparently, makes no sense. So, between that, his technology delaying him from actually joining the show, and dorking out with Mike over uniforms, he's going to fit right in here at Meadowlark Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ros, Logan, and Meadowlark Media's Juju Gotti react to the All-Star voting first returns and reveal their own All-Star ballots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices