Front Office Sports Today

After seeing the success of ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Amazon, the NBA is looking into crafting an exclusive streaming package of its own, with Amazon and Apple believed to be interested. We also take a look at the first player to defy the NHL’s pride tape ban and Michigan State’s nightmare season. Plus, Shea Serrano and Jason Concepcion join to talk all things new in the NBA, including the midseason tournament, load management rules, which teams could surprise, and whether Victor Wembanyama will live up to the hype.

For the first time in its history, Disney reported ESPN’s earnings separately from the rest of the company. The findings reveal quite a lot about the state of the sports media giant, and why Disney CEO Bob Iger has chosen to hang onto the company despite calls to spin it off. Plus, we hear from McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown on Formula 1's United States Grand Prix in Austin, the Las Vegas GP next month, and how he feels about a team backed by Andretti and General Motors potentially entering the grid.

The NFL is thrilled with the progress of ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Amazon Prime Video with the league in its second year of an 11-year pact with the retail giant’s streaming service. We also hear more dispatches from the NFL owners’ meetings, including the league eyeing Spain and Brazil for regular season games and Roger Goodell’s new contract. Plus, Sports Illustrated editor in chief Steve Cannella joins to offer his thoughts on the changes in sports media and at the legacy publication, and his experience of allowing Jimmy Butler to guest edit an edition.

Shaquille O’Neal is Reebok’s new president of basketball and he wasted little time in inking his first signature star: LSU’s Angel Reese. The move provides an early sign of how Shaq and vice president Allen Iverson are positioning the brand as it seeks to rebuild its stature. Plus, Howard University basketball coach Kenny Blakeney joins to discuss the school’s return to the NCAA tournament, its 20-year commitment from Jordan Brand, and how it is evolving in the era of NIL and a more active transfer portal.

Kim Ng, the first female general manager in MLB history, has declined her mutual option and is leaving the Miami Marlins. Former team president David Samson joins the podcast to discuss her tenure, Derek Jeter’s previous role with the team, why the Tampa Bay Rays could be sold, and the MLB playoffs. Plus, Front Office Sports newsletter co-author David Rumsey joins to discuss why some want the WNBA to separate itself from the NBA.

British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe is buying a 25% stake in Manchester United, allowing Joel and Avram Glazer to retain a controlling interest in the club. Ratcliffe will have influence over roster-building decisions and could seek full control of the club. We also discuss the NFL, and commissioner Roger Goodell revealing that the league is mulling the idea of a London Super Bowl in the future. Plus, we explore the international baseball landscape with reporter Shawn Spradling, in light of the IOC approving it for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and highly touted Japanese slugger Rintaro Sasaki is making the unprecedented move of forgoing Nippon Professional Baseball to play in college in the U.S.

Major League Baseball has made legal filings to compel Diamond Sports Group to declare which of the 12 teams for whom it has local broadcast rights it intends to broadcast in the 2024 season. MLB wants more time to prepare its media landscape after having to scramble when DSG dropped its broadcasts of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks mid-season in 2023. We also look into the intrigue around Endeavor bidding for a piece of the PGA Tour, the sports talk morning show wars, and the Connor Bedard effect on ratings. Later, Ben Pickman, staff writer for The Athletic, joins to discuss the WNBA finals and the state of the league as it looks toward, expansion, its next set of media deals, and the potential for new CBA negotiations in 2025.

Brett Favre has been preventing Mississippi authorities from accessing his tax returns. Favre is under investigation for allegations that he purposefully directed funds intended for needy families to a volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi. Senior reporter AJ Perez joins to discuss the latest in the legal drama. Plus, we hear from the founder of Moolah Kicks, Natalie White. White started the sneaker company after realizing that many women’s basketball shoes were actually smaller versions of men’s shoes and don’t account for differences in women’s bodies.

AEG Global Partnerships' co-COOs join us to talk about their big year, new partners, and the multimillion renovations at Crypto.com Arena. Plus, newsletter co-author Eric Fisher discusses dips in MLB postseason viewership — and why there's a debate around the format of the playoffs.

The NHL begins its 2023-24 season amid signs of growth for the league, including a rising salary cap and talk of expansion. Veteran player and broadcaster Eddie Olczyk joins the show to discuss the state of the league. Plus, State Farm CMO Kristyn Cook gives us an exclusive announcement on the sports-aligned brand’s next long-term athlete deal. The star will join Patrick Mahomes and Chris Paul as key players in State Farm’s advertising.

The deal that stands to upend the golf world is running into trouble, and now seems likely to miss a deadline at the end of the year. We delve into what it means for the future of the sport. Plus, Zaire Wade, son of NBA legend Dwyane Wade, joins to discuss his path in professional basketball, through the Basketball Africa League and the G League, which he hopes lands him in the NBA.

The WNBA will be adding teams in San Francisco and, pending final approvals, Portland in 2025. The announcement signals the ongoing strength of the league and women’s sports generally. Plus, baseball play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson joins to discuss the MLB playoffs and the state of sports broadcasting ahead of the National League Division Series between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, which he will be calling.

FIFA has made the unprecedented move to start the 2030 World Cup in South America before the action moves to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Plus, reporter Amanda Christovich joins to discuss her exclusive report on big tech companies joining the race for College Football Playoff rights. Later, NFL All-Pro Marcellus Wiley join us to talk about the NFL, the Deion Sanders phenomenon, and his foundation work.

A complaint presented to the National Labor Relations Board challenges the NCAA’s amateurism model — and could lead to college athletes becoming employees. Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich discusses the complaint and its chances of success. Plus, ESPN NBA Front Office Insider Bobby Marks joins to preview a high-stakes NBA season that will debut the midseason tournament and new rules to keep stars on the court, as the league negotiates its largest set of media deals in history.

NBC is exploring whether to obtain the rights to broadcast a slice of the expanded College Football Playoff in 2026. Senior Writer Michael McCarthy and newsletter co-author Eric Fisher discuss the news, along with their takeaways from Sunday's "Toy Story" NFL broadcast and Taylor Swift's appearance on "Sunday Night Football." Plus, Dallas Stars president and CEO Brad Alberts speaks with senior writer Owen Poindexter about last season's run to the Western Conference Final, growing hockey in the southern U.S., and why NHL expansion teams are so successful.

The MLB regular season is over, and the playoff picture is finally clear for 2023. Newsletter co-authors Eric Fisher and David Rumsey take a look at which teams made the cut, and how the new rules will affect the postseason. Fisher and Rumsey also discuss the scenes in Boulder after Colorado played USC, and the takeaways from this year's Ryder Cup. Plus, senior writer Owen Poindexter sat down with Joel Beckerman — composer of some of the most iconic theme songs in sports.

From the Prime Effect on college football to the NFL potentially going international, there's a lot of change happening on and off the gridiron. Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, and host of The Five Spot on Outkick, joins Owen Poindexter to discuss the state of the NFL, college football, and where he sees the sport going in the future. Plus, newsletter co-authors Eric Fisher and David Rumsey tells us why Deion Sanders still has a hold on college football despite a big loss last week, as well as gauge Taylor Swift's impact on the NFL.

The Milwaukee Bucks altered the balance of power in the NBA — and possibly the course of their franchise — by swinging a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard. We also check in on the woeful Chicago Bears, who are still in search of a new stadium and identity. Plus, with the Ryder Cup starting, PGA of America chief commercial officer Jeff Price tells us how his organization is leveraging this moment to grow the game of golf.

Just when you thought the NFL couldn’t get any bigger, pop star Taylor Swift and her rumored relationship with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce has brought in a new, more female-heavy audience. Plus, executive director of sports law and business at Villanova, Andrew Brandt, joins to discuss private equity and sovereign wealth fund money potentially entering the NFL, the league’s grievance against the NFLPA, what ails the New York Jets and what to expect from this year’s trade deadline.

With the writer’s strike ending, major sports broadcasters such as Disney, Comcast, and Warner Bros. Discovery are breathing a sigh of relief, as are top agencies. We delve into the potential long-term impact of the five-month strike. Also, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are still acting like rivals, and Ken Griffey Jr. is enjoying a second career as a sports photographer. Plus, legendary soccer broadcaster Ray Hudson joins to discuss Lionel Messi’s impact on U.S. soccer and much more.

The NFL is exploring Spain, Brazil, and Australia as potential sites for regular season games. The league also announced the main act for the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show, and the Jaguars are threatening relocation if they don’t get around $1 billion in public funding. Plus the NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl joins to discuss her career, the growth of “Good Morning Football,” and which people in the NFL are the best interviews.

Rupert Murdoch has been arguably the most influential figure in sports media over the last three decades. As he steps down as chair of Fox and News Corp., we discuss his monumental and ongoing impact. Plus, MLB’s top three spenders are missing the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, the Milwaukee Bucks are at the mercy of superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, and we hear from Topgolf chief brand officer Geoff Cottrill on how his company has upended the sport's image.

Boise State associate athletic director Michael Walsh has proposed a promotion and relegation system for college football among western U.S. schools. The proposal aims to create an exciting media product while reducing travel for non-football sports. Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich joins to explain what she’s hearing on the idea from school and conference administrators. Plus FOS senior reporter A.J. Perez joins from the U.S. capitol for a report on Washington, D.C.’s, push to bring the Commanders back to RFK Stadium.

The NFL has accused its players association of encouraging running backs to exaggerate injuries to gain leverage in contract negotiations — something that NFLPA president JC Tretter hinted at earlier this summer. Also, Colorado football has now sold out all its home games for the first time ever, and the XFL and USFL are nearing a merger. Plus, we hear from Washington Mystics star Elena Delle Donne on her career and the state of the WNBA amid a surge of interest in women’s sports.

After decades of discussion and negotiations, the Tampa Bay Rays are set to announce a deal for a new stadium. The team will stay in St. Petersburg and develop the surrounding Gas Plant District, potentially freeing up MLB to focus on further expansion. Plus, we hear from Learfield president and CEO Cole Gahagan on what a new round of investments in the company will mean for its efforts in NIL and college sports.

Major networks swarmed Colorado, where the Buffaloes kept the hype-train going after narrowly avoiding an upset to Colorado State. ESPN and Fox both had a presence in Boulder over the weekend, despite the latter network not having broadcast rights to the game. FOS newsletter co-author David Rumsey provides an on-the-ground report from the scene. Plus, we hear from comedian Rob Riggle on his experience in sports media, his long-time love of Kansas football, and his newfound obsession with pickleball.

The NFL has further deepened its roots in Europe by making Tottenham Hotspur Stadium its official U.K. home, and next season could bring a game played in Madrid. We also look into pushback against allowing Netflix and other platforms access for sports documentaries, as well as the NBA’s new rules to keep stars on the court. Plus, Eli Manning joins to discuss whether the NFL should replace all turf fields with grass, Saquon Barkley’s relationship with the New York Giants, and his first forays into fantasy football.

Amazon is entering its second season as the exclusive broadcaster of “Thursday Night Football.” Amazon feature reporter Taylor Rooks joins the show to discuss how she gets NFL players to open up and provide new angles to viewers. Plus, Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour are merging with a $50 million investment into a new entity. Tom Webb of the rival Association of Pickleball Players joins to discuss the merger and the overall pickleball landscape.

Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury has massive implications for the New York Jets, the NFL, and its major media partners. We delve into the fallout of this stunning turn in the league’s biggest narrative of the season. Plus, "The Last Dance" executive producer and Slamball co-creator Mike Tollin joins us for a behind-the-scenes look at the Michael Jordan-focused series and the world of sports media.

The NFL and its media partners are putting the New York Jets and Giants on prime time, betting that the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers and the Giants’ recent resurgence will bring new levels of attention to the massive media market. Meanwhile, Disney and Charter settled their dispute just in time to avoid a "Monday Night Football" blackout. Plus, we hear from IndyCar champion Alex Palou on his recent victory, the global racing landscape, and his contract dispute with McLaren.

YouTube made it through its first Sunday broadcasting ‘NFL Sunday Ticket’ without any major hiccups. Now it looks toward the long-term question of how many viewers and subscribers it can attract, as Google and Amazon spearhead the NFL’s streaming future. Plus, we hear from former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL star Ricky Williams on running back pay, the effects of NIL, and what he’s watching for this NFL season.

Oregon State and Washington State are exploring options to keep the Pac-12 name alive, but it’s unclear whether the conference would retain Power 5 status — or what would happen to the crumbling conference’s media deal and IP rights. Plus, TNF analytics expert Sam Schwartzstein joins us to discuss the football analytics movement, overvalued and undervalued NFL positions, and his predictions for the new season.

The NFL season begins with the Kansas City Chiefs on top of the football world — and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes building one of the most expansive athlete business empires before his 28th birthday. We also take a look at their Thursday night opponents, the Detroit Lions, who have gone from perennial cellar-dwellers to league darlings. Plus, KC star tight end Travis Kelce joins us for a wide-ranging interview, including whether he sees NFL team ownership in his future.

Disney is in a high-stakes carriage dispute with cable company Charter — one that blacked out ESPN and other Disney-owned stations for millions of fans at the peak of the US Open, the start of the college football season, and on the eve of the first ESPN-broadcast ‘Monday Night Football’ game. Cord-cutting and Disney’s long-term plans for ESPN+ make this tussle more complicated than past carriage disputes. Plus, we hear from Philadelphia Eagles’ linebacker Haason Reddick on his offseason, charity work, returning to the Eagles after their run to the Super Bowl, and the state of NFL player pay.

Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments has invested $100 million into the Professional Fighters League. Newsletter co-author David Rumsey breaks down the details of the transaction, along with Saudi Arabia’s growing portfolio in the world of professional sports. Next, we’re joined by Donn Davis, founder and CEO of the PFL. Davis describes how the PFL is planning to spend its $100 million — including creating a “Champions League for MMA.”

The Big Ten is taking a page from the NFL in its broadcast strategy with plans to own Saturday the way the NFL does Sunday. We also take a look at the Coach Prime phenomenon as Colorado attracts outsized attention and soaring ticket prices due to the presence of Deion Sanders. Plus, former Miami Marlins president David Samson joins us to discuss the state of the Los Angeles Angels — following one of the most dramatic reversals in recent memory.

The College Football Playoff Board of Managers met on Wednesday to discuss the future of the CFP amid the collapse of the Pac-12. Now, Power 5 revenue distribution and the role of Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff are in question. Plus, we have a fascinating interview with Jeffrey Pollack, who has been an executive with the Los Angeles Chargers, the XFL, the Professional Bull Riders Association, and the World Series of Poker. He's now the first professor of practice at the McCormack Department of Sport Management at the University of Massachusetts' Isenberg School of Management.

The Kansas City Royals are moving past the renderings and into the realities of getting a new stadium built — but they face certain challenges in striking a deal. Negotiations over the coming months could determine whether the team builds a downtown venue or a large development away from the city center. Plus, we hear from New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner on his offseason and playing with Aaron Rodgers, while FanRally founder and CEO Chris Giles discusses reimagining the fan-team relationship.

Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Pittsburgh Penguins, is now buying the team's regional sports network, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh. Fenway is expected to follow the model it has used with the Boston Red Sox's NESN channel by introducing streaming for local fans. But the purchase presents a fork in the road for the Pittsburgh Pirates — also broadcast by AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh. Plus, we hear from ESPN broadcaster Jessica Mendoza on broadcasting the Little League World Series, being one of the first female broadcasters in an MLB booth, and the state of MLB.

Cal and Stanford have engaged the Big 12, Arizona State will not host bowl games this season amid an NCAA investigation, Spanish coaches are resigning en masse to protest Luis Rubiales, and the Oakland A’s may try to share Oracle Park with the San Francisco Giants for three years. Plus, we speak to USTA CEO and US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster on the 50th anniversary of Billie Jean King successfully advocating for equal pay between men and women at the US Open.

The ACC has three schools knocking out the door but remains undecided whether to let them in. Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich breaks down why ACC members are on the fence —and if this is really the end of the Pac-12. Plus, FOS newsletter co-author David Rumsey speaks to New York Red Bulls president Marc de Grandpré on Messi Mania coming to the Big Apple, and we hear from tennis legend and ESPN analyst Chris Evert on the U.S. Open.

Reggie Bush won the Heisman Trophy in 2005, then had it taken away for accepting impermissible benefits, according to the NCAA. We dive into the backstory of this thorny case, and what’s likely to happen next. Plus, the US Gymnastics Championships begin on Thursday, as three former champions, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, and Suni Lee, look to assert themselves. Journalist Ari Saperstein joins to discuss what this key moment, with an eye toward the 2024 Olympics.

Chicago White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf has floated the possibility that the team could leave Guaranteed Rate Field — or even depart Chicago entirely — if they don’t get a good deal when their lease runs out in six years. We explore how serious that threat is — and whether Reinsdorf even intends to keep the team. Plus, MLB Hall of Famer Tom Glavine discusses his broadcasting career, how he’s had to adjust to the pitch clock as an analyst, the surging Atlanta Braves, and the biggest what-if of his career.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber told ESPN he thinks clubs should take the initiative in harnessing Messi Mania for long-term growth. Newsletter co-authors Eric Fisher and David Rumsey discuss what Garber's comments mean for MLS clubs going forward. Plus, we are joined by Rob Petrozzo, co-founder of the Rally Museum — where everything on exhibit is available for public investment.

Spain defeated England to win its first Women’s World Cup at a time when then the women’s game has never been more popular. We take a look at what this tournament meant for women’s soccer. Plus, we take a look at the multi-club model of soccer team ownership, first with a new women’s fund that aims to raise $100 million to buy women’s teams, and then with 777 co-founder Josh Wander, who was one of the early innovators in that realm.

The Kansas City Royals are looking for a new home to replace Kaufman Stadium. We get the latest on the sites they have in mind, how much it will cost, and what will be there other than a stadium. Plus, we hear from MLB legend Tino Martinez on his work with the PBX pickleball league and his thoughts on MLB today and the state of the New York teams.

Michael Oher, who became nationally known as the subject of “The Blind Side” book and movie, is suing the Tuohy family that he lived with for years. New York Times reporter Santul Nerkar and attorney Nick Soltman join the show to explore the narrative and legal implications of what Oher is doing, and why he is taking action years after his retirement.

“Undisputed” host Skip Bayless has torn up his winning formula and is now emulating Stephen A. Smith. Front Office Sports senior writer Mike McCarthy stops by to explain the perplexing and ego-filled dilemma facing Fox — and why not everyone there is happy with the changes. Plus, Comcast has a unique program connecting sports tech startups with some of the biggest sports properties in the world. Jenna Kurath, who runs the media giant’s program, joins the show to explain the initiative and how it can be a win for all parties.

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert visited Denver to explore the city as a potential site for league expansion. We take a look at which cities could add a team, when that might happen — and whether WNBA players are buying in. Plus, Major League Rugby CEO and commissioner Nic Benson joins to discuss how his league is stoking fan interest and participation in the sport ahead of the 2031 Rugby World Cup in the U.S.

Negotiations in Milwaukee have become acrimonious enough that the Milwaukee Brewers are at least floating the idea of relocation. Eric Fisher joins guest host Doug Greenberg to discuss whether relocation is a real possibility and where they might go in that scenario. Plus, we hear from Upper Deck President Jason Masherah on how a leading trading card and collectibles company is riding and nurturing the revival in the industry.