Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul

Host: The Ringer

Episode: Mike Tomlin Out, Plus Rich’s Reaction to the Reaction

Date: January 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This charged and insightful episode dives into the surprising news about Mike Tomlin’s future with the Steelers, explores the massive reactions to Rich Paul’s comments about Austin Reaves and the Lakers, and tackles the complexities of player trades, sports media narratives, and the evolving business of sports. Max Kellerman (seasoned sports analyst) and Rich Paul (super-agent, CEO of Klutch Sports) bring real-life experience and blunt takes, mixing humor with deep context about how stories unfold in the sports world.

Key Discussion Points

1. The LeBron Narrative and Rich Paul’s Place in Media

Timestamps: 00:33 – 04:43

• Media Blame Game: Max dogs Rich about the Lakers being Rich’s “fault” when they lose and congratulates him when they win. Rich laughs off the idea but calls out the double standard in media coverage.
  • “Congratulations. The Lakers won. You should be congratulated because it was your fault when they lost.” – Max (00:37)
• Real Talk about LeBron Hate: Max notes much of the negativity around LeBron stems from the MJ crowd. Rich, an open LeBron ally and confidante, feels people just want to limit him, but that only fuels his drive.
  • “I'm so tired of being told what I can't do.” – Rich (02:50)
• The ‘Weirdness’ of an Agent Podcast: Both reflect on how rare—and provocative—it is for an active agent to host a pod, especially since Rich is often the source of the “inside info” others speculate on.
  • “It's weird to see an agent have a podcast, but it's not weird to see a player have a podcast.” – Rich (03:33)

2. Mike Tomlin: Evaluating a Coaching Legacy

Timestamps: 07:41 – 18:34

• Media Criticism on Tomlin: Max attacks the narrative that Tomlin should leave because the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in 10 years, calling the take “nonsense” and reminding everyone that playoff success is almost impossible without a top quarterback.
  • “No one wins in the playoffs without a quarterback. ... The days of Trent Dilfer—no disrespect—those days are over.” – Max (07:51)
• What Tomlin’s Really Done: Despite no Super Bowl runs post-Roethlisberger and a parade of backup-level QBs, Tomlin never had a losing season—a staggering achievement overlooked by critics.
  • “If you don’t have a quarterback ... and you never have a losing season—come on!” – Max (10:35)
• Tomlin’s Leadership as Matriarch: Rich compares Tomlin's impact to the "grandmother of a family"—the glue keeping it all together. Losing him feels like losing the family's center.
  • “Losing Mike Tomlin is like losing your grandmother in the family.” – Rich (15:04)

3. Quarterbacks, Team Building, and Hypotheticals

Timestamps: 11:43 – 14:18

• QB Carousel: Discussion covers missed opportunities for the Steelers to acquire someone like Baker Mayfield. Rich champions Baker as a “warrior”—while Max isn’t convinced that’s enough for Super Bowl glory.
  • “Would have been perfect for Mike Tomlin... Baker Mayfield is a warrior.” – Rich (11:43)
• The Market for QBs: Max and Rich break down that “guys do move,” and sometimes teams have to make bold moves or trade up in the draft, rather than settle and blame the coach.
  • “If you identify a quarterback ... you can trade up. It happens all the time.” – Max (11:24)

4. Youth Sports, Coaching, and Accountability

Timestamps: 17:30 – 19:28

• Broken Youth Sports: Rich expresses frustration with the entitlement in youth sports and adults preventing real coaching and accountability for kids.
  • “As a young person ... there was accountability starting at 9 and 10 years old. ... Now there’s this entitlement.” – Rich (17:55)

5. Texans vs. Bears – Offense vs. Defense Debate

Timestamps: 20:09 – 24:23

• Which Wins Championships—Elite QB or Elite Defense? Max and Rich set up a Texans (defense-heavy) vs. Bears (offense/CQB) comparison. Ultimately, both agree there’s no easy answer—history supports both models.
  • “Would you rather have ... that dude at quarterback ... or ... that defense is different?” —Max (20:47)
  • “Defense wins championships. But the excitement of the game... you want those big plays.” —Rich (22:09)

6. The Austin Reaves & Lakers Media Firestorm

Timestamps: 24:23 – 35:36

• Rich Paul’s Hypothetical Moves: Rich laments how his hypothetical comments about possible trades (including Austin Reaves) spun out of control with the media—most critics didn’t even watch the full segment.
  • “Everyone made it about Austin. But that’s how I know they didn’t necessarily watch the whole thing.” – Rich (25:02)
• Clarifying Intentions: He stresses the example was a general discussion about team building, not about trading anyone or relaying any LeBron/Clutch agenda.
  • “This does not mean you want somebody to be traded... it’s a hypothetical.” – Rich (30:44)
• Austin Reaves' Agent Reaction: Rich relates a candid, friendly discussion with AR’s real agent—emphasizing it was all business and not personal.
  • “Love the player, love the person... This is not about Austin Reaves.” – Rich (27:19)
• Media Consumption Critique: Max and Rich riff on the shallowness of much sports media—hype without substance—and promise their show is the “real broccoli.”
  • “There’s so much gibberish on TV that when you hear something of substance... it’s like, you don’t recognize it.” – Rich (48:53)

7. LeBron’s Response & Navigating Agent-Client Boundaries

Timestamps: 41:55 – 45:37

• LeBron Clears the Air: Max reads LeBron’s statement distancing himself from Rich’s podcast comments, asserting that Rich “is his own man” and the pod is “his platform.”
  • “What Rich says is not a direct reflection of me and how I feel.” – LeBron James via Max (42:10)
• Rich on Agency & Loyalty: Rich appreciates LeBron’s public backing and describes their relationship as mutually respectful and professional, each minding their own business.

8. Racial Dynamics and Gatekeeping in Sports Business

Timestamps: 39:53 – 40:29

• Industry Barriers: Max points out the “Rich Paul rule” and industry obstacles Rich faced as a young, Black agent in a traditionally older, whiter business.
  • “The issue that you ran into was ... being young and black in an industry that was not young and black.” – Max (39:53)

9. All-Star Game, Player Motivation, and the Business of Basketball

Timestamps: 53:13 – 71:39

• All-Star Selection: They discuss All-Star snubs, why legacy stars (like LeBron) often get the nod, and how the voting process can neglect hard-working players.
• NBA All-Star Game Should Matter: Max reminisces about more competitive All-Star Games and debates how to incentivize players—cash, special shoes, home court, or something else?
  • “When you are an athlete... Most athletes spend a lot of time trying to show people they're more than just an athlete.” – Rich (65:48)
• Educating Players on Business: Rich argues for a greater focus on teaching players the business side—including how collective fan engagement (like the All-Star Weekend) impacts Basketball Related Income (BRI) and player-ownership dynamics.

10. Closing Banter & Teasers

Timestamps: 75:00 – end

• Upcoming Topics: Hate mail, fashion tips, comparisons of 80s and 90s movies, and the Knicks-vs-Lakers championship race are teased for Friday’s show.
• Show Philosophy & Appeal: Both hosts reemphasize why Game Over is different: real access, real game, and unvarnished truth—no matter the discomfort.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tomlin’s Criticism (Max, 09:40): “No one wins in the playoffs without a quarterback. ... The days of Trent Dilfer—no disrespect—those days are over.”
• On agent-client boundaries (LeBron, 42:10): “What Rich says is not a direct reflection of me and how I feel.” (read by Max)
• On Clutch and media bias (Rich, 35:55): “Most people are looking at it one sided. ... They’re putting everything against a 6'8", 260lb guy.”
• On sports media (Rich, 48:53): “There's so much gibberish on TV that when you hear something that actually has substance to it... you don't really recognize it.”
• On being told “you can’t” (Rich, 03:13): “I'm just tired of being told what I can't do. ... I couldn't start Klutch Sports Group. I couldn't do this. ... I'm so tired of being told what I can't do.”

Important Segment Timestamps

• LeBron/MJ media narratives: 00:48 – 03:51
• Tomlin’s legacy debate: 07:41 – 18:34
• QBs and “you need a guy” in the NFL: 11:43 – 14:18
• Youth sports & accountability: 17:30 – 19:28
• Bears v. Texans (defense vs. QB): 20:09 – 24:23
• Austin Reaves trade drama fallout: 24:23 – 35:36
• LeBron’s response on Rich Paul’s independence: 41:55 – 45:37
• All-Star Game incentives and legacy: 53:13 – 71:39

Tone & Style

The episode is conversational, at times combative, always blunt. Max brings the seasoned media skepticism; Rich delivers both street wisdom and the inside business view. Their teasing, mutual respect, and willingness to “keep it real” set the tone.

For New Listeners

If you want behind-the-scenes insight into sports business, unfiltered takes on trending stories, and banter that’s both sharp and relatable, this episode of “Game Over” is must-listen. Even if you missed the show, you’ll come away knowing why the Mike Tomlin debate matters, how sports narratives get built and spun, and what happens when a high-power agent shifts from making the deals to telling the real story—mic in hand.