PTI Podcast Summary: "Could Shemar Stewart Sit Out the ENTIRE Season?"
Release Date: July 18, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser and Pablo Torre
Guest: Tim Kirchen
1. British Open Highlights
The episode kicks off with a discussion about the British Open, where Tony Kornheiser and Pablo Torre analyze the current standings and key players.
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Leaderboard Standouts:
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Pablo Torre's Insight: Torre shifts focus to Scotty Scheffler's introspective nature, suggesting that his ability to combine introspection with dominance could lead him to secure the title (01:31).
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Tony's Analysis: Tony emphasizes the balance between power and artistry required by the British Open courses, noting that any player within six shots of the lead entering the weekend has a viable chance (02:18). He highlights Scheffler's competitive drive despite his philosophical considerations (04:09).
Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre on Scheffler's balance of introspection and competitiveness:
"He might just win this and be the guy that, of course, the PGA was hoping for when everyone went to live." (01:31)
2. NFLPA Leadership Controversy
A significant portion of the episode delves into the tumultuous resignation of Lloyd Howell, the head of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).
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Background on Lloyd Howell: Howell's tenure has been marred by allegations of conflicts of interest and questionable leadership decisions. Pablo Torre reveals that Howell was installed by JC Tretter under clandestine circumstances, hiding critical aspects of his resume, including his involvement in a major fraud settlement as CFO of Booz Allen (05:01).
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Conflict of Interest: Howell's prior role as a paid consultant for the Carlyle Group, a private equity firm with interests in NFL teams, presents a clear conflict (07:04).
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Behavioral Issues: Reports surfaced of Howell expensing strip club visits, highlighting irresponsible financial behavior (07:04).
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Union Leadership Concerns: Pablo draws parallels to historical union leadership, emphasizing the critical role of effective leadership in sports unions and lamenting Howell's perceived incompetence (08:04).
Notable Quote:
Pablo Torre on Howell's installation and conflicts:
"The way he arrived to power at the union was so secretive and so engineered that it hid key aspects of his resume." (05:01)
3. Shemar Stewart's Contract Dispute
Transitioning from union issues, the hosts discuss the potential sit-out by rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart due to a contract dispute with the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Contract Concerns: Stewart objects to clauses that could void guaranteed money based on unspecified behavioral criteria, leading him to consider sitting out the season (08:38).
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Possible Outcomes: The discussion explores the feasibility of Stewart returning to college or challenging the NFL's rules, especially in the context of evolving NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) regulations (09:24).
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Financial Implications: Pablo highlights the broader labor relations issues at play, questioning the financial leverage of players versus teams in such disputes (10:44).
Notable Quote:
Tony Kornheiser on Stewart's situation:
"Nobody has come out publicly about that. Is this just aimed at him? Has he shown a type of behavior over some period of time that they're worried about?" (10:44)
4. Baseball Trade Deadline Insights with Tim Kirchen
ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kirchen joins the conversation to provide expert analysis on the ongoing baseball season and the upcoming trade deadline.
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All-Star Game Recap: Kirchen reflects on the All-Star Game's innovative swing-off to resolve a tie, praising its success and fan reception (15:05).
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Trade Deadline Predictions: Emphasizing the Arizona Diamondbacks as key players in the trade market, Kirchen anticipates potential moves involving pitchers Zach Allen and Merrill Kelly, as well as hitter Eugenio Suarez (16:17).
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Award Contenders: A discussion ensues about Cal Raleigh's chances for MVP over Aaron Judge, with Kirchen expressing his support for Judge despite Raleigh's impressive stats (17:14).
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Cubs vs. Brewers Race: Kirchen predicts a tight race, siding with the Cubs to win their division due to their robust offense, while acknowledging the Brewers' playoff potential (18:26).
Notable Quote:
Tim Kirchen on the Diamondbacks' potential trades:
"If the Diamondbacks are the big sellers that we think they're going to be, that's the team we have to keep our eye on. It's going to be, in a way, a pretty robust trade deadline for several teams." (16:17)
5. Damian Lillard's Return to the Trail Blazers
The hosts discuss Damian Lillard's move back to the Portland Trail Blazers amid contract negotiations.
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Contract Details: Lillard has agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal with the Blazers, with $141 million guaranteed over two years despite his upcoming Achilles recovery (23:14).
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Trade Request History: The conversation touches on Lillard's previous trade request to Miami and the subsequent move to the Bucks, adding depth to his return storyline (23:14).
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Performance and Team Impact: Pablo critiques Lillard's defensive capabilities, questioning how his offensive prowess will translate defensively for Portland (23:25).
Notable Quote:
Tony Kornheiser on Lillard's contract and move:
"For Damian Lillard, the nine-time All Star old team is his new team. Lillard reportedly agreed to a three year, $42 million deal with the Trail Blazers weeks after the Bucks bought him out." (23:14)
6. Additional Sports Updates
The episode wraps up with a series of brief sports updates and anecdotes:
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Nick Faldo's Birthday Tribute: Tony celebrates Nick Faldo's 68th birthday, recounting Faldo's victories at the British Open and his transition to a successful broadcasting career (20:46).
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Bill Belichick Docu-Series: Speculation arises about a potential docu-series on Bill Belichick airing on Hulu, prompting light-hearted reactions from the hosts (23:40).
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Other Highlights:
- The Cubs' victory over the Red Sox ends Boston's 10-game winning streak.
- Discussions on MLS star Leo Messi and unusual betting activities in baseball.
- Predictions for the WNBA All-Star Weekend, with a nod to Sabrina Ionescu's participation in a three-point contest (24:07).
Notable Quote:
Tony Kornheiser on Nick Faldo's achievements:
"Happy 68th birthday Nick Faldo. It's British Open week. The first major Faldo won was the 1987 British Open at Muirfield." (20:46)
Conclusion
In this episode of PTI, Tony Kornheiser and Pablo Torre navigate through a rich tapestry of sports topics, from golf and baseball to NFL labor disputes and NBA star movements. Their insightful discussions, complemented by expert guest Tim Kirchen, provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of current sports narratives and emerging storylines.
For those who missed the episode, this summary encapsulates the essential conversations and analyses, offering a thorough understanding of the day's hottest sports topics.
Timestamps Reference:
- 00:29 – Pablo Torre's Introduction
- 00:34 – British Open Leaderboard Discussion
- 01:31 – Pablo's Focus on Scotty Scheffler
- 02:18 – Tony on British Open Competitiveness
- 04:09 – Tony on Scheffler's Competitiveness
- 05:01 – Introduction to NFLPA Story
- 07:04 – Pablo on Howell's Conflict of Interest
- 08:04 – Tony on Union Leadership Importance
- 08:38 – Introduction to Shemar Stewart Story
- 09:24 – Tony on Stewart's Contract Dispute
- 10:44 – Pablo on Labor Relations in Sports
- 12:11 – Transition to Baseball with Tim Kirchen
- 15:05 – Tim on All-Star Game
- 16:17 – Tim on Trade Deadline Predictions
- 17:14 – Tim on MVP Race
- 18:26 – Tim on Cubs vs. Brewers
- 20:46 – Tony Celebrates Nick Faldo
- 23:14 – Discussion on Damian Lillard
- 23:25 – Pablo on Lillard's Defense
- 23:40 – Bill Belichick Docu-Series
- 24:07 – WNBA All-Star Predictions
This summary was generated to provide a comprehensive overview of the PTI podcast episode titled "Could Shemar Stewart Sit Out the ENTIRE Season?" for listeners seeking a detailed recap.