Game Over with Max Kellerman & Rich Paul

Episode: Game Over’s First Guest: Snoop Dogg! | Part 2

Date: March 20, 2026
Host: The Ringer
Guests: Snoop Dogg

Episode Overview

In this lively, wide-ranging conversation, Max Kellerman and Rich Paul welcome Snoop Dogg for part two of their extended sit-down. The trio dives deep into iconic moments from Snoop’s career—especially memories from the 1990s—while connecting hip hop to sports, culture, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. The episode is rich with personal anecdotes, industry insights, classic Snoop humor, and serious reflections on legacy, business, and giving back.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Snoop’s Iconic Saturday Night Live Appearance & East Coast Respect

[01:52-05:46]

• Rich surprises Snoop by wearing the legendary Tommy Hilfiger rugby shirt from Snoop’s ’94 SNL performance.
• Snoop reminisces on the era, sharing the real thrill was being accepted in New York’s hip hop scene, not just being on TV.

  “When you getting respect and can go to parties, that means more than being on TV.” — Snoop Dogg [03:06]

• The Death Row crew rolled deep in New York, connecting with East Coast legends like Kid Capri and KRS-One.
• Rich and Snoop reflect on the unique mutual respect between LA and NY hip hop scenes.

2. Basketball Nostalgia & GOAT Debates

[06:08-12:41]

• Snoop and Rich share childhood memories about discovering throwback jerseys at the NBA Store in NYC.
• Snoop’s basketball “GOATs” (in no order): Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, with shoutouts to LeBron, Kobe, and Steph Curry.

  “I watched [MJ] get rock solid, didn’t cry, didn’t complain. Kept it gangster...” — Snoop [11:10] "Steph ... changed the whole dynamic of the whole sport." — Snoop [12:32]

• Snoop reveals he’s never met Michael Jordan and Rich vows to arrange a “Goat for Goat” meeting on a golf course.

3. College Basketball, March Madness, & Talent Development

[17:12-21:55]

• Snoop and Rich discuss NCAA tournament picks and the unpredictability of March Madness.
• Snoop explains the importance of great guard play in winning college championships:

  “You have to have great guard play.” — Rich Paul [19:09]

• They trade memories about legendary teams: UNLV’s ’90 squad, Arkansas ’94, the Fab Five, and discuss the challenges of managing immense talent.
• Snoop gives props to Coach K and Gino Auriemma for their ability to coach stars—especially recognizing Gino’s dominance in women’s basketball.

4. Growth of the WNBA & Women in Sports

[21:51-23:16]

• Rich announces the new WNBA pay structure (min: $300k, avg: $600k, max: $1.4M).
• Snoop leads a “Let’s go, girls!” chant, highlighting deserved financial progress.
• Discussion of women’s college stars building organic followings, NIL deals, and how women’s basketball now mirrors what men’s college hoops once did.

  “It’s making a couple of coaches frustrated, but you should want that. You’re teaching them how to be businessmen before they get to the next level.” — Snoop [24:10]

5. Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) & Athlete Empowerment

[23:22-25:02]

• Snoop recalls personally supporting youth players before NIL and cheers that athletes can now monetize their brand.
• Max, Snoop, and Rich tease an upcoming project on NIL; Snoop jokes, “Snoop Dogg is up for nil action, too. I still have my eligibility!” [25:02]

6. Snoop’s Sports Mentorship & Grassroots Impact

[25:10-26:00]

• Snoop spotlights athletes developed through his Snoop Youth Football League (e.g., John Ross, De’Anthony Thomas).
• Snoop on his mentorship philosophy: “I don’t work for people. I work with people. So we have an understanding.” [25:33]

7. Baseball, Marketability, and Globalization

[26:00-28:03]

• Snoop’s love for baseball, friendships with players (Mookie Betts, David Wells), and desire for more athlete-owned franchises.
• They lament declining Black participation but celebrate the global appeal brought by events like the World Baseball Classic and megastars like Shohei Ohtani.

8. Snoop Dogg’s New Album & Business Philosophy

[31:11-34:46]

• Announcement: Snoop’s album “10 to Midnight” releases April 10.
  • Producers: Swizz Beatz, Pharrell, Superfly, Knotts; guest features include Peezy and October London.
  • Album described as a return to form, with wisdom, humor, and “that Snoop Dogg voice and melody."
• Snoop reflects on learning from younger generations (especially his son Cordell), the value of mentorship, and staying relevant by listening to youth.

9. Legacy-Building, Business Acumen & Industry Lessons

[39:19-47:38]

• Snoop discusses his move from Death Row to No Limit (“the biggest free agency trade in hip hop”) and ultimately buying the Death Row catalog.

  “That’s just genius because this player ain’t like nobody on his team, but he can inspire and these players can inspire him.” — Snoop [40:34]

• Rich and Snoop break down IP (intellectual property), branding, and keys to business success:

  “I don't look at an athlete as a brand. I look at an athlete as an IP that aligns themselves with a brand." — Rich Paul [44:21]

• The trio repeatedly emphasize the unselfish sharing of knowledge and ‘paying forward’ opportunities in sports and business.

10. Mentorship, Respect & Reflections on Life

[47:38-51:07]

• Rich shares wisdom from his father about integrity and “once a man, twice a child.”
• Snoop and Max reflect on crediting mentors, honoring foundational figures, and using one’s platform to uplift community.

11. The Snoop – Martha Stewart Partnership

[37:30-39:08]

• Snoop details his close (and real) business relationship with Martha Stewart, teasing future business ventures and joking about a potential Snoop & Martha movie:

  “It's insane...Martha and Snoop movie... it's in the making.” — Snoop [38:51, 39:02]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s like riding a bike, man. It don’t go nowhere.” — Snoop, after rapping “Gin and Juice” live [08:29]
• “I don’t work for people. I work with people.” — Snoop [25:33]
• “Just like we talk about opportunities, people always say, well, you wouldn't be this if LJ wouldn't have done that…but I call it the YAO—What's the Yards After the Opportunity.” — Rich Paul [45:22]
• “You gotta hustle…it don’t rely on that [one] relationship.” — Snoop [46:20]
• “My dad used to always tell me, you once a man, twice a child.” — Rich Paul [47:51]
• “Snoop is for the children. Always.” — Max Kellerman [37:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |--------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 01:52 | Saturday Night Live, Tommy Hilfiger, 90s nostalgia | | 06:08 | NBA Store, throwback jerseys, GOAT debate | | 12:08 | Snoop's Top 3 Basketball Players / Generational stars | | 17:12 | March Madness and College Basketball philosophy | | 21:51 | WNBA deals, women’s sports, and NIL | | 25:10 | Snoop’s impact on young athletes / mentorship | | 26:00 | State of baseball & Snoop’s MLB connections | | 31:11 | New Snoop album ‘10 to Midnight’ details | | 37:30 | Snoop & Martha Stewart partnership | | 39:19 | Death Row, No Limit, intellectual property, business | | 47:38 | Wisdom from Rich’s father, respect, mentorship | | 51:07 | Closing reflections, podcast value, and shoutouts |

Episode Summary

This episode blends deep nostalgia for the 90s with forward-looking reflections on sports, music, and business. Snoop Dogg, ever the cultural connector, brings stories that bridge hip hop, basketball, entrepreneurship, and mentorship. Max and Rich’s dynamic steers the conversation from lighthearted banter to sage advice. Whether discussing Death Row and No Limit, the future of college sports with NIL, or the Snoop–Martha Stewart business dynamic, this episode is dense with relatable life lessons, genuine warmth, and actionable wisdom—essential listening for fans of sports, hip hop, and cultural entrepreneurship.