Episode Summary

Podcast: Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast
Host: Scott Becker
Episode: Rivalries, Legends, and Olivarisms with Oliver McGrath
Date: September 2, 2025
Guest: Oliver McGrath, Youth Sports Fan & Athlete

Overview

This episode features a spirited conversation between host Scott Becker and young sports enthusiast Oliver McGrath. The discussion centers around sports fandom, favorite teams across soccer, basketball, and Formula One, what it's like growing up in a multicultural family in New York City, the significance of sports rivalries, and the wisdom found in "McGrathisms" and "Oliverisms." The episode offers both insightful and lighthearted looks at how a young fan develops his knowledge and love for various sports.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oliver’s Background & Sporting Influences

• Oliver’s Introduction (00:31)
  • Lives in NYC, plays for the Chelsea Piers soccer team, former German school student, now attending the Clinton School.
  • Multicultural heritage: “I was born in California and I'm Austrian. British America.” (00:42)

2. Sports Preferences and Fandom

• Favorite Sports & Teams (01:05, 01:35)
  • Favorite Sport: Soccer (“that's the one I play the most”) (01:05)
  • Follows closely: Formula 1 and basketball
  • Soccer: Manchester United (“I think they're the best team ever. But Barcelona is great. I love the way they play.”) (01:35)
  • Basketball: Chicago Bulls, admiration for Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan
  • F1: Ferrari (citing Schumacher, Hamilton, Lauda as inspirations)

3. Understanding of Sports Systems: Relegation

• Relegation in Soccer Explained (02:30)
  • “If you're relegated, that means you won't be playing for the same teams you were that year… if you do well enough, you can get promoted…”
  • Hope for teams like Venezia FC to climb back up remains.

4. Influence of Media and Pop Culture

• Sports Movies & Documentaries (03:03, 05:57)

  • Brad Pitt’s F1 movie triggered his interest in Formula One: “That was one of the things that got me into Formula One.” (03:03)
  • Key Resources for staying up-to-date: YouTube, Google, books, 442 magazine, ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, "The Last Dance," and Beckham documentaries.

• Advice for Emerging Fans

  • “Most of my information [came from] just watching YouTube videos, googling who’s the best at what sport… a great magazine for soccer that I used to read was 442…” (05:57)

5. Team Prognosis and Rivalries

• Chicago Bulls & American Sports (03:20, 03:29)

  • Skeptical of immediate Bulls success: “I don’t think they’re going to be title contenders for a very long time…” (03:29)
  • Doesn’t follow American football.

• Rivalries

  • Manchester United’s biggest rivalry:
  • “Biggest rival is Liverpool… there have been huge games deciding games that have been played between them.” (05:25)

6. McGrathisms & Oliverisms: Family Wisdom and Personal Sayings

• The Great Ones Adjust (04:50)

  • Favorite family “McGrathism”:
  • “The great ones adjust. That's my favorite one.” (04:50)
  • Host relates this anthem to Michael Jordan’s drive for continued improvement.

• Oliver’s Own Wisdom: Olivarisms (07:48–08:45)

  • “I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count.” (07:48)
  • “If it was a snake, it would bite you.” (08:19)
  • “If I were you, who would be me?” (08:45)
  • Oliver explains the meaning and how he uses each, showing a knack for clever phrasing.

7. Personal Heroes

• Favorite Player
  • “David Beckham is my favorite player of all time.” (07:22)

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On family expertise:

  • Scott: “Who is the most knowledgeable sports fan in the McGrath household?”
  • Oliver: “Definitely me.” (04:12)

• On learning about sports:

  • Oliver: “A great magazine for soccer that I used to read was 442. 442 is information is the name of the magazine... talks about all the latest news, predictions for the new season, the players, what's gonna happen, the games.” (05:57)

• Dealing with rivalries:

  • Oliver: “Liverpool is Manu’s biggest rival… there have been huge games deciding games that have been played between them.” (05:25)

• Passing along wisdom:

  • “The great ones adjust.” (04:50, 05:05)
  • “If it was a snake, it would bite you.” (08:19)

• On independence:

  • “If I were you, who would be me?” (08:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:31–00:56: Oliver’s introduction and background
• 01:05–01:14: Oliver discusses his favorite sports
• 01:35–02:07: Favorite teams across soccer, basketball, and Formula 1
• 02:30–02:47: Relegation in soccer
• 03:03–03:11: Discussing Brad Pitt’s F1 movie
• 03:29–03:46: Bulls’ outlook in the NBA
• 05:25–05:47: Manchester United vs. Liverpool rivalry
• 05:57–06:57: Advice and resources for sports fans
• 07:22: Beckham as Oliver’s favorite player
• 07:48–08:45: Introduction and description of “Olivarisms”

Tone and Style

The podcast maintains a warm, humorous, and engaging tone throughout. Scott Becker is effusive in his praise for Oliver’s knowledge and curiosity, fostering a lively back-and-forth. Oliver brings both confidence and humility, sharing insights with a mix of youthful authority and wit—especially when discussing his own invented sayings.

Summary

This episode is a fun and insightful look into the makings of a passionate young sports fan. Listeners gain not only a window into Oliver’s personal fandom—across global soccer, basketball legends, and the thrills of F1—but also a collection of practical tips for emerging fans. The blend of “McGrathisms” and original “Olivarisms” punctuates the conversation with memorable wisdom and charm, making this episode as thoughtful as it is entertaining.