Becker Business: Sports Talk with David Pivnick of McGuireWoods LLP

Date: December 18, 2025
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: David Pivnick

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Scott Becker steps away from business to focus on sports with returning guest David Pivnick, a business leader and passionate sports fan. Their conversation explores the biggest sports stories of the moment, focusing on how small-market teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and Oklahoma City Thunder have found outsized success, the nuances of blockbuster trades, the inspirational (and sometimes surreal) stories of veteran and unlikely athletes thriving, and the deeper challenges and quirks underlying team success.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Current Sports Stories Catching Attention

(01:23–03:12)

• MLB Offseason: David is closely watching the MLB offseason, especially the Toronto Blue Jays’ aggressive moves in free agency and the movement of stars like Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette. He expresses hope the Blue Jays can land top talent and keep pace with high-spending teams like the Dodgers.
• NFL Developments: David anticipates the Chicago Bears will outperform the Packers, especially after the Packers lose star defender Micah Parsons.
• NBA Dominance: David highlights the Oklahoma City Thunder’s rise as evidence of successful team building, praising their management, coaching, and player development.

“I'm holding out hope the Jays managed to sign [Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette]... also that the Dodgers don't end up getting one or both.” – David Pivnick, (01:45)

2. **Small Market Giants: Toronto Blue Jays & OKC Thunder

(03:12–10:14)**

Toronto Blue Jays:

• Financial Firepower & Ownership
  • The Blue Jays now surpass $300 million in payroll, thanks to owner Rogers Corp’s deep pockets. Despite past difficulties in attracting players (even after major offers), improvements in team camaraderie, club culture, and city appeal have helped recruitment.
  • Monetization and Profitability:
    Winning drives massive ticket sales and revenue, and recent stadium investments have enhanced fan experiences, generating playoff revenue between $50–$100 million last season.
  • Tax Implications:
    Players face higher taxes in Toronto, but benefits include being paid in USD (while spending in CAD) and unique Canadian marketing opportunities.

“The biggest challenge the Jays have had... is they couldn't get players to take their money... They made a huge offer for Juan Soto last year. ...I think people really saw the camaraderie in the Jays clubhouse. ...It’s a lot easier to sell people on a good clubhouse in a great city.” – David Pivnick, (04:21–06:11)

“They probably made... between 50 and $100 million on the playoff run last year. ...They think they can make money.” – David Pivnick, (06:53)

Oklahoma City Thunder:

• Strategic, Patient Rebuild:
  OKC’s success stems from long-term vision, stable ownership, strong coaching, and excellent drafting—even leveraging trades like sending Paul George to the Clippers and acquiring franchise centerpiece Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and draft assets.
  • Avoiding Superstar Pitfalls:
    The Thunder benefit by resisting blockbuster, multi-asset trades for fading or risky superstars, and instead focus on sustainable, organic team growth. David contrasts this with the Bulls’ struggles despite their big-market status.

“They built slowly, steadily, and patiently... They’ve made consistently intelligent decision after decision... The Thunder have just built consistently and put a great team in place.” – David Pivnick, (10:14–12:48)

3. **Blockbuster Trades & Their Outcomes

(13:10–15:44)**

• Blockbuster Trades’ Double-edged Sword:
  • Becker references historic trades (like the Herschel Walker deal) and notes how winning or losing is often determined by luck (health) and timing.
  • Example: Micah Parsons was believed to be the missing piece for the Packers, but a tragic injury highlights the risks of “all-in” moves.
• Nuanced Trade Evaluation:
  • Sometimes aggressive, asset-heavy trades are justified (like the Raptors with Kawhi Leonard); other times, teams overpay for short-term gains or miss their window.

“Health always matters... Are you one piece away from a championship? ...The Raptors traded for Kawhi... and then they won the title. So that was an educated, smart, all-in aggressive move that worked.” – David Pivnick, (14:10–15:23)

4. Feel-Good Stories & Unexpected Heroes

Philip Rivers’ NFL Return

(15:44–18:33)

• The 44-year-old Philip Rivers returns to start for the Colts after years of retirement—a move that’s both heartening and, according to David, somewhat desperate. Rivers’ play is serviceable but not star-level; the Colts’ season is likely unsalvageable after the injury to Daniel Jones.

“It says a lot about his abilities that he's able to come in as... a guy who retired a couple of years ago... and still play at a high enough level to contribute at all in the NFL.” – David Pivnick, (16:09)

“I think the Colts have absolutely no chance of going anywhere this year with Philip Rivers at the helm.” – David Pivnick, (17:37)

• Memorable Quote:

  "[A] reporter asked Philip Rivers... 'what’s your playing weight right now?' and Philip Rivers... said, 'I don't know, do you know what your weight is?'... It’s just literally great TV..." – Scott Becker, (18:33)

Pat Spencer: From Lacrosse Star to NBA Contributor

(19:40–22:30)

• The hosts marvel at Pat Spencer’s unlikely NBA journey: once the greatest college lacrosse player, with minimal college basketball experience, he’s now contributing minutes for the Golden State Warriors.
• Athleticism and Talent:
  David and Scott highlight how elite athletes transcend ordinary human limits, drawing parallels with other exemplars like Pat Connaughton and extolling the difference between pro athletes and everyday people.

“Pro athletes are just not actually just like us. These guys are just on a whole different level... It’s hard to even comprehend.” – David Pivnick, (20:12)

5. Reflections on Talent, Training, and Life Choices

(21:19–22:58)

• The conversation closes philosophically, noting that sometimes effort and dedication can’t make up for pure talent or good fortune.
• Both agree that pursuing one’s strengths and recognizing one’s own limits is a kind of wisdom, both in sports and life.

“If I devoted all my time to being great at any one sport... I would have been a marginal country club tennis player and... less successful in every other facet of my life. ...We can take a pat on the back for recognizing our own limitations.” – David Pivnick, (22:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm fairly indifferent. But I like and respect dominance.” – David Pivnick on the Thunder, (02:41)
• “It's amazing to me that the Cubs, I think, are still not a top 10 payroll team... even though they've been quite competitive.” – Scott Becker, (08:17)
• “The Thunder were able to recognize they needed what Caruso brings... It helped them win a title next year. ...The Thunder... have a long road ahead to continue juggernauting, if that's a word.” – David Pivnick, (12:06)
• “I know that you heard the news and immediately thought it might not be too late for you to get on the ATP Tour.” – David Pivnick joking with Scott Becker, (17:56)
• “I think you and I have invested our time and energy in different pursuits in an intelligent way...” – David Pivnick, (22:30)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:23 – David’s top sports stories: MLB, NFL, NBA
• 04:21 – The Blue Jays’ free agency approach and financial strategy
• 06:26 – Can the Blue Jays be profitable with huge payrolls?
• 08:38 – Toronto’s tax and other pros/cons for players
• 10:14 – Oklahoma City Thunder’s patient team-building and key trades
• 13:10 – Risks and rewards of blockbuster, multi-asset trades
• 15:44 – The feel-good comeback of Philip Rivers
• 18:33 – Rivers’ press conference quote
• 20:12 – Pat Spencer’s lacrosse-to-NBA journey and elite athlete discussion
• 21:19 – Reflections on talent versus training for average people

Tone:
Warm, witty, informed, and conversational, with a mix of deep sports analysis and self-deprecating humor.

Ideal For:
Listeners curious about the intersection of business principles and sports, the economics behind team-building, and the human-interest stories that animate the sports world.