Front Office Sports Today

March Madness broadcasting rights are highly coveted, but the networks that hold them are signing up for chaos: They have to change plans, narratives and travel schedules with every big upset. ESPN’s VP of production Sara Gaiero joins the podcast to discuss how she prepares for the unknown. Plus, Transfer Portal Monday provides an unwelcome distraction from Selection Sunday, billions in legal bets are expected on March Madness, and calmer days may be on the horizon for Sports Illustrated.

In 2016, CBS looked to make Selection Sunday an event on par with the NFL Draft, ballooning it from a tight half hour to a full two hours. That plan turned upside down when the NCAA tournament bracket was leaked before the network could roll it out. Front Office Sports senior writer Mike McCarthy joins to discuss the network’s nightmare and how it shaped the big day going forward. Plus, a miracle run altered a head coach’s fate, Caitlin Clark is getting a dedicated reporter, and we peek ahead to the Paris Olympics with journalist Ari Saperstein, as Simone Biles looks to extend her unprecedented run of dominance. The GOAT gymnast is steadily separating herself from USA Gymnastics and offering other gymnasts a way to make money off their talents.

Lesley Slaton Brown, the NBA’s chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, sees her role as one that drives business and guides league expansion as it develops its existing markets and grows internationally. She joins the show to discuss the values, both moral and economic, of her work. Plus, Sports Illustrated is scrambling to find a new manager before layoffs set in, the Kansas City Chiefs threaten to move ahead of a vote on public funding for a stadium renovation, Bay FC kicks off its inaugural season, and someone stole thousands of Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads.

Despite weathering multiple scandals throughout his career, Rick Pitino is revered in college basketball. Freelance sportswriter Tim Rohan joins the show to discuss the strange world of Pitino-protectors he discovered while looking into the coach’s past. Plus, Aaron Rodgers is under consideration to join a presidential ticket, MLB is stoking hype about its top prospects, and we check in on “Spulu” and the NBA media-rights negotiations.

An investigation from Front Office Sports reveals the identities of the executives accused of facilitating and covering up alleged exploitation by longtime WWE boss Vince McMahon. The story shines a light on the circle of protection around McMahon: high-ranking officials who were complicit in his conduct. Plus, NFL teams are using their extra $30 million worth of cap space in a free agent bonanza, but headlines announcing signings can be misleading, and an MLB player is looking for a new team after his old one used a little-known loophole to cut him.

Formula 1 has surged into the American consciousness over the last four years, but now it faces the challenge of maintaining interest amid a season that may be uncompetitive from the start. Wall Street Journal sports editor and co-author of The Formula Jon Clegg joins the show to discuss how F1 got as big as it has and whether it can sustain that success. Plus, the Bears are staying in Chicago after all, Deadspin has been sold and its entire editorial staff laid off, and North Carolinians are seeing sports betting ads everywhere they look.

Big East commissioner Val Ackerman is wary of the major changes coming to college sports, including the possibility of athletes becoming unionized employees. She joins the show to discuss how the overlapping web of school, conference, state, and federal rules and bylaws create a sea of confusion regarding the future of college sports. Plus, a potential betting scandal encircles Temple University, a new college basketball tournament shows what is possible in the NIL era, and Roger Clemens comes out of retirement …. for the Savannah Bananas.

A planned $2 billion development, centered around a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals, appears to be dead, after Virginia lawmakers killed a budget item that would have provided funding. The move could signal a turning point in the attitude toward public funding for sports venues. Plus, Netflix will show a live fight between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul … as long as it can avoid potential legal issues, the PWHL altered its jerseys to better accommodate women, and we explore the evolution of sports talk shows with New York Times Magazine writer Jonathan Mahler.

The National Rugby League of Australia is looking to harness football’s massive popularity in the US by promoting its similar sport. The NRL hosted games at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas last weekend as part of a long-term push to grow a US audience. Plus, Jason Kelce is in high demand among media companies, Bill Belichick could be as well, we have another sign that women’s sports are on the rise, and we asked the Las Vegas mayor what she thinks about the new renderings from the Oakland A’s.

Dartmouth basketball players voted to unionize, setting up a precedent that, if upheld, will spell the end of the NCAA’s amateurism model. Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich joins to sort through the implications of the industry-shaking vote. Plus, the Oakland A’s finally produced renderings of their planned Las Vegas stadium and we get the live reaction from Gensler architect Ryan Sickman. Sickman also provides a deep dive into the world of stadium and arena design, including the latest trends in team training facilities.

Brad Gilbert is an ESPN analyst and coach of rising tennis star Coco Gauff, and recently he picked up another client: Zendaya. The movie star turned to Gilbert to learn the game for her upcoming film Challengers. Gilbert joins the show to discuss the parallels he sees between Gauff and Zendaya, the state of tennis in the post “Big Three” era, and how Netflix is changing tennis media. Plus, MLS is in a precarious position with extra attention on their replacement referees, Jason Kelce retired from the NFL and could have a new job before long, and more than 10,000 college football players have accepted an NIL deal with EA Sports.

As Caitlin Clark broke the record for points scored in a Division I college basketball career, Dartmouth basketball players prepared to hold a vote on whether to unionize. Any vote to unionize is sure to be challenged in court, but could ultimately lead to athletes at private schools being declared employees. Plus, freshly retired World Series champion Eric Hosmer and Anthony Seratelli join to discuss their just-launched production company Moonball Media, and why amid a surge in athlete-led media companies, very few focus on baseball.

Jenny Cavnar will be the first female lead play-by-play announcer for an MLB team, following her hire to call games for the Oakland A’s by NBC Sports. She joins the podcast to talk about her approach to the job, breaking barriers, and narrating a singular season in Oakland while the team has one foot out the door. Plus, Caitlin Clark declares for the WNBA draft, another presumptive number one pick, Caleb Williams, has already made an estimated $10 million in NIL contracts, and we look into the world of collectibles and life as the most-hyped rookie through the market for Victor Wembanyama’s rookie card.

Spring training is a time when many MLB players say they are in the best shape of their lives, but how about the league itself? We explore the state of the game, and much more, with Jason Kelly of Bloomberg, who is launching a new show with Alex Rodriguez. Plus, Stephen A. Smith could be eyeing a late night gig (amid other intrigue at ESPN), leagues aren’t happy about the coming joint venture between ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, the ATP Tour strikes a deal with Saudi Arabia, and NFL players grade their teams.

The Caitlin Clark phenomenon has turned into a major opportunity for the business world around her, particularly broadcasters Fox and Comcast. The two media giants are opting for very different approaches when it comes to how to leverage the hype around Iowa’s superstar. Plus, we speak with NFL journalism legend Peter King who just announced he's hanging up his lanyard, Illinois governor JB Pritzker is skeptical of providing public money for a new White Sox stadium and every NWSL team released brand new kits.

The answer might be: depends on the lighting in the room. Uni Watch founder and editor Paul Lukas joins to discuss the fiasco of MLB’s see-through pants and he dissects the Los Angeles Clippers’s revamped logo and jerseys ahead of the Intuit Dome opening next season. We also look into the pay-for-play future of the NCAA in light of a recent court injunction with Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich, and what it could mean for the coming transfer window.Plus, the MLBPA is not pleased with a certain team executive and Marvin Harrison Jr. is charting a unique path to the NFL.

Social media impostors of sports reporters are a real challenge for the sports media ecosystem. The trend has been egged on by changes made to X, formerly known as Twitter, under Elon Musk. Front Office Sports senior reporter AJ Perez investigates the phenomenon, which has become a thorn in the sides of reporters like Adam Schefter and Adrian Wojnarowski. Plus, amateurism in college sports may effectively be over, a Nevada group looking to block the funding the state is providing to the Oakland A’s plots their next legal move, and we explore the world of professional women’s ultimate frisbee.

The Negro Leagues have been kept alive through oral histories and the work of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. That history is coming to life in a new way: through the Storylines option on the popular video game, MLB: The Show. NLBM president Bob Kendrick joins to talk about how the collaboration is one of the most important achievements of the museum and why the Negro Leagues matter more than ever. Plus, Utah wants to give $900 million to build a new baseball stadium. Now it just needs a team, and EA Sports is making an unprecedented NIL offer to every football player in the FBS system.

Ironman has been synonymous with triathlons and other extreme sports for decades. Now the company is working to tap into that legacy to inspire a new generation of athletes who want to swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run a marathon in one day. We spoke with Scott DeRue, Ironman Group’s new CEO, on his vision for the company. Plus, the Arizona Diamondbacks are floating relocation if they can’t secure taxpayer money, Fubo is suing to block the combined sports streaming venture from ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon is paying $120 million to stream a single game.

With every passing day, what exactly the Oakland A’s are up to becomes more and more of a mystery. Melissa Lockard of The Athletic joins us with thoughts on where the A’s will play next season and whether they will ever make it to Las Vegas. Plus, with the MLS season starting, Apple is releasing a docuseries on Lionel Messi—we speak with the executive producers of the show. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé looks to trademark his signature goal celebration before heading to Real Madrid, while Barcelona faces another major cut to its spending limit.

Cleveland is a top-20 market and home to some of the most-beloved franchises in sports. Now there is momentum to launch a National Women's Soccer League team, including funding earmarked for a new stadium. The founders of the group behind this big-league push join the show to discuss all the moving parts involved with the ambitious plan. Plus, the NBA All-Star Game produced almost as many points as complaints, while the Steph Curry-Sabrina Ionescu three-point contest pointed toward the weekend’s potential, MLS is likely to begin its season with replacement referees, and the Chicago White Sox want $1 billion from the state.

The NBA All-Star Game has gone from being just a top-shelf scrimmage to a full weekend of concerts—Lil Wayne! Keith Urban! T-Pain!—panels, and events. NBA Senior Vice President, Head of Event Strategy and Management Joey Graziano joins the show to discuss the evolution of the game and what the league learned from the first in-season tournament. Plus, Wilson is selling a $2,500 basketball, Comcast is using Caitlin Clark’s record chase to drive Peacock subscriptions, and MLB players are less than thrilled with their new Nike-Fanatics uniforms. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

Nikola Jokić is a singular basketball player, but he is emblematic of a talent pipeline from Serbia that is growing in prominence for the NBA. The New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas joins the episode to discuss the Serbian team that produced the superstar, the challenges of marketing Jokić, and what he means for the future of the NBA. Plus, Oakland and the A’s are talking again, and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo tells FOS's Mike McCarthy how ESPN changed his life. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

The NHL is looking to this weekend’s Stadium Series to help grow interest in the league. With team values rising, the league is expected to expand in the coming years. However, a hiatus from the Olympics and a fumbled response to the question of whether players can wear pride tape on their sticks shows a league that sometimes causes its own problems. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan joins the show to discuss the state of the league. Plus, Tiger Woods begins his next chapter, the Oakland A’s will have the first female lead play-by-play announcer in MLB history, and the Kansas City Royals campaign to fund a new downtown ballpark. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

The NFL just wrapped up arguably its biggest season yet, and now faces some compelling offseason questions: Will the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders secure new stadium deals? Can the league continue to push the envelope on streaming-exclusive broadcasts? What opportunities are there for the week one Friday game in Brazil? We dive into those issues, plus Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes, executive producers of an upcoming Apple TV docuseries on the New England Patriots, join to discuss how they chronicled one of the most dominant teams in NFL history.

Sin City saw its rise as a sports city come to fruition with Sunday’s Super Bowl, but more and more economists are questioning the value of hosting major sporting events. The city is also learning the quirks of Oakland A’s owner John Fisher, as he seeks funding for a new stadium on the Las Vegas Strip. FOS contributor Dan Kaplan and The Athletic columnist Tim Kawakami join the show to discuss the perils and profits that the city has felt as a high-profile sports destination.

The spectacle that is Super Bowl week is reaching new heights in Las Vegas. Long before kickoff, NFL players, media personnel, celebrities, and brands flooded the city for both business and pleasure. Ahead of the game, our writers on the scene join for a roundtable talk on the wild week. Plus, a development firm put out ambitious renderings for a new Chicago White Sox stadium, the NBA is embracing the flow of money from the Middle East, and Patrick Beverly broke the news of his own trade.

Disney’s quarterly earnings showed strength at ESPN and narrow losses from its streaming services. This week, ESPN announced both a joint streaming venture with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery, and a separate standalone product that will put the ESPN cable channel on a streaming service along with ESPN Bet integration and other features. We dive into how the network is shaping its cord-cutting strategy. Plus, Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, and Phil Simms chime in from Radio Row, we have exclusive data on whether fans would pay to watch the Super Bowl, and the Boston Red Sox are getting the “Hard Knocks” treatment.

A ruling by the National Labor Relations Board puts college athletes on the path to becoming employees of their schools. While appeals are expected, the NCAA could face an equally tough audience from the Supreme Court, should the case progress that far. Plus, the mayor of Las Vegas responds to the reaction from her interview on this show, ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery are launching a sports-focused streaming service, and we look back on the NFL season and ahead to the NFL draft with ESPN’s Matt Miller. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman applauds the city’s rise as a sports destination with one exception: the Oakland A’s. Mayor Goodman told Front Office Sports that she believes the team’s plans at the Tropicana site don’t make sense and that the team ought to stay in Oakland. She also discussed a potential NBA team there, and how the city will adjust in future years hosting Formula 1 to mitigate harm to small businesses. Plus, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell held his annual Super Bowl press conference, FIFA announced the World Cup final host, Inter Miami’s international tour has disappointed Lionel Messi fans, and the Kansas City Royals made one of the biggest signings in baseball history.

The NFL has embraced sports betting with its first Super Bowl in Las Vegas, but the league’s gambling by-laws present a maze of potential hazards for the hundreds of players that will be in Sin City for the week. Players on NFL rosters have to navigate detailed regulations on casino events and the rules around sportsbook locations. The situation is primed for rule breaking, whether intentional or accidental. Plus, Kylian Mbappe has reportedly picked a new team, NHL players will participate in the next two Winter Olympics, and we dive into the strange world of Super Bowl ads with USA Today’s Rick Suter.

A documentary film on Providence and its former head basketball coach Ed Cooley from an anonymous social media user known as “Blue Demon Degenerate” caused a huge stir. The project raises questions about creator content and journalistic ethics. The doc has rippled throughout sports media and prompted an apology from writer Jeff Goodman over messages he sent to the filmmaker. Plus, a University of Tennessee lawsuit against the NCAA presents another threat to amateurism, and Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes for Ferrari.

Peter Angelos has agreed to sell the Baltimore Orioles after owning them for 31 years. The new ownership group is led by private equity executive and Baltimore native David Rubenstein. It includes Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr. and Grant Hill, as well as former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg, and prompts questions on how this will alter team operations and whether it will lead to the sale of the Washington Nationals. Sam Dingman, co-host of the Orioles podcast The Rumor, joins the show to discuss what this means for the team and their fans. Plus, the PGA Tour has secured a $1.5 billion investment that could rise to $3 billion as it continues to negotiate with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The deal bolsters the future of the leading golf organization as it works to determine the future of the sport.

Newly released deposition transcripts revealed insensitive statements by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. In one instance Goodell referred to former NFL players who committed suicide and left notes asking for their brains to be studied, saying, “I think players who want to participate in the research necessary to advance science is a positive thing for us.” Plus: the second half of our conversation with Tom Brady, in which he discusses how he's preparing to take over as Fox’s lead color commentator and why he wants to own an NFL team. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

Tom Brady joins the show to tell us why he is merging his wellness company, TB12, and apparel company, Brady Brand with the footwear and apparel company NOBULL. Brady and NOBULL owner Mike Repole discuss the deal, and the shared vision they are bringing to the venture. The merger is set to be one of the defining moves of Brady’s post-playing career. Plus: With two popular teams, the spectacle of Las Vegas, and a possible Taylor Swift appearance, Super Bowl LVIII is shaping up to be one of the most-watched and expensive sporting events ever. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

Paramount Global is exploring a sale as cord cutting continues to eat into its margins and its deal for NFL rights creates as many problems as it solves. CNBC’s Alex Sherman joins for an in-depth report on the trajectory of the legacy media company, and its longtime competitors, Comcast, Disney, and Fox. Plus, Jannik Sinner claims his place in tennis’ youth movement with an Australian Open victory, NBA commissioner Adam Silver is nearing an extension, and the NFL teased something happening in Accra, Ghana. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

A trial brought by the National Labor Relations Board has produced uncomfortable moments for representatives of USC, as schools and the NCAA hope to maintain the amateurism model and prevent college athletes from becoming employees. Reporter Amanda Christovich reports from Los Angeles on some of the trial’s head-turning moments. Plus, North Carolina is legalizing sports betting just in time for the ACC and NCAA tournaments, Ohio State is spending big to topple Michigan, and we look into the future of sports economics, including the role of private equity and the viability of major events like the Olympics with Deloitte analyst Pete Giorgio. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

The Los Angeles Times became the latest major media outlet to announce deep cuts to its staff. The paper will not have a traveling beat writer with the Dodgers in Shohei Ohtani’s first year with the team. The cuts speak to broader issues in the media world, as legacy publications look for a sustainable model. Plus, Salt Lake City is looking to become the next big sports hub, Doc Rivers’ departure could mean Doris Burke’s time to shine, and former Miami Marlins president David Samson joins to discuss the struggles the Oakland A’s are having in securing funding for their new stadium, the changes coming to local sports broadcasting, and why Red Sox fans are mad at the team’s ownership. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

Netflix has leapt into the live sports ring with a 10-year deal for WWE’s Raw, worth more than $5 billion. The move gives Netflix a weekly live program with a devoted audience, and could augur further steps into sports. We also look at a potential labor strike by MLS referees and another viewership record broken by the NFL. Plus, ESPN’s Jay Bilas joins to discuss the state of college basketball as the NCAA attempts to cling to amateurism and prevent college athletes from gaining employment status. Bilas argues that the NCAA is attempting to apply standards to college athletes that don’t exist for anyone else in the American economy. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

Nick Dunlap, a 20-year-old sophomore at the University of Alabama, bested some of the world’s top golfers at the American Express tournament, but was ineligible to claim the $1.5 million first place prize due to his amateur status. The incident raises questions around how the PGA Tour operates, as Dunlap considers whether or not to turn professional or finish out the college golf season. Plus, Tiger Woods appears set to announce a deal with TaylorMade, Jim Ratcliffe makes his first big move as minority owner of Manchester United, and we dive into the increasingly murky picture of MLB, NBA, and NHL local broadcasts with The Athletic’s Evan Drellich. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

Sports Illustrated is laying off large swaths of its staff, following a missed payment by its managing company, The Arena Group, to SI’s parent company, Authentic Brands Group. The future of the venerated, 70-year-old publication is full of questions, including who will operate the magazine going forward. Front Office Sports senior reporter AJ Perez, who broke the story on the layoffs, joins to break down what we know about Sports Illustrated and its future. Plus, there is a massive difference in pay among quarterbacks of the remaining NFL teams, the Detroit Lions were Sunday’s hottest ticket, and the playoffs have raised the stature of fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk. This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

The ACC is trying to strip Florida State of its voting power on conference issues while the two sides are locked in a legal dispute. The enmity stems from FSU’s discontent over the ACC’s media deal, and the lack of conference competition that contributed to FSU being left out of the College Football Playoff after an undefeated season. Plus, we look at how conference realignment, NIL, and heavier use of the transfer portal are reshaping college basketball with Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney.

Amazon is buying into regional sports network provider Diamond Sports Group in a deal that will see the tech giant broadcasting local games. The deal represents a lifeline for Diamond, which remains in bankruptcy proceedings. MLB, the NHL, and NBA will now have to decide how to work with Amazon going forward. However, much remains to be determined as a complicated bundle of deals remain in court proceedings. Plus, as a league still introducing itself to much of its own country, Major League Soccer has room to experiment in a way that other, more established leagues don’t. MLS executive Chris Schlosser joins the show to discuss how MLS and Apple are innovating when it comes to the sports fan's experience. Host: Owen Poindexter Producer: Daniel Myrick This episode is sponsored by: Autotrader: autotrader.com/seeitfindit

Tennis has long been one of the more most buttoned-up of professional sports. Most major tournaments prize civility and discourage noise during play. However, the Australian Open is tacking in the opposite direction with live music and a two-story bar by one of the courts. Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated joins us to discuss the changing face of tennis, a potential merger between the men’s and women’s tours, and how money from Saudi Arabia could change things. Plus, the Detroit Lions’ first playoff win in 32 years is bringing a surge of excitement and a spike in ticket prices, and the busy NFL coaching carousel could see even more spots open up. Check out Autotrader.com/seeitfindit

Sub-Zero temperatures in Kansas City's "Peacock Bowl," an utter collapse by the Dallas Cowboys, and the Lions first playoff win in over 30 years made for a wild weekend in the NFL. Newsletter co-authors Eric Fisher and David Rumsey break down the wild-card weekend that lived up to its name. Afterward, soccer reporter Ben Jacobs joins Owen Poindexter to share all his thoughts on this season's international transfer window — including Kylian Mbappe's future and the implications of Premier League clubs' financial fair play violations.

With Bill Belichick leaving the New England Patriots, a quarter of the NFL has head coach vacancies. Andrew Brandt joins us to discuss why Belichick and the Pats parted ways, the retirement of Nick Saban, Pete Carroll’s exit from his head coaching role with the Seahawks, and the NFL’s lack of patience for success. Plus, ESPN had a very strange day in which Pat McAfee reversed course on his announcement that he would take a break from having Aaron Rodgers on his show, and it was reported that the company secured Emmys for its on-air talent under false pretenses for 14 years.

The Houston Texans are set to host a playoff game amid an unfolding ownership squabble. Robert Cary McNair Jr. has issued a court request for guardianship over the estate of his mother, controlling owner Janice McNair, a move opposed by Janice and another of her sons, Texans CEO Cal McNair. Plus, we dive into the drama surrounding the growing number of NFL coaching vacancies and the big narratives of the NFL playoffs with ESPN’s Matt Miller.

Aaron Rodgers continued his public feud with Jimmy Kimmel on Tuesday, using Pat McAfee’s show as a platform. Meanwhile, McAfee is facing off against powerful ESPN executive Norby Williamson. All of it adds up to drama—and possibly big ratings—at ESPN, as the conversation has transcended sports and expanded into the mainstream. Plus, we take a look at the NBA’s efforts to grow in Europe, particularly in France, with Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama turbo-charging interest in his home country.

Tiger Woods and Nike have parted ways after 27 years of working together. We dive into how the relationship is unlike nearly any other in modern sports history and we may not see anything comparable for a long time. Plus, the Washington Commanders have parted ways with head coach Ron Rivera, and are taking a unique approach to replacing him. The Kansas City Royals and Chiefs have offered the voters of Jackson County a stadium deal, and Mark Cuban and the new Dallas Mavericks ownership are giving out big bonuses.

The College Football Playoff final features two teams in transition. Washington represents the Pac-12, but ironically played an active role in dismantling the conference. Meanwhile, Michigan is fighting for a championship while its storied coach, Jim Harbaugh, may be eyeing a gig in the NFL. Plus, we look at another dominant year in viewership for the NFL, the rise of the Houston Texans, and we hear from Nick Carparelli, executive director of Bowl Season, on what’s working and what needs to change in college football.