FIFA Presses Ahead with 64-Team World Cup Expansion

Summary

PTI Podcast Summary

Episode: FIFA Presses Ahead with 64-Team World Cup Expansion
Date: July 31, 2026
Hosts: Mike Wilbon, guest host Frank Isola (filling in for Tony Kornheiser)
Theme: Deep dive into FIFA’s contentious World Cup expansion, sports and money dynamics, WNBA betting controversy, LeBron’s legacy chase, and MLB rivalries.

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on FIFA’s divisive plan to sell a portion of the Men's and Women's World Cup to private investors for $20 billion, exploring its implications for the sport and global football organizations. The hosts also weigh in on recent sports controversies—including the intersection of gambling and athletes—while checking in on NBA legacies and hot MLB storylines.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. FIFA’s World Cup Expansion and $20 Billion Sale to Private Investors

• FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s Proposal:
  Infantino wants to push ahead with a controversial move to sell World Cup commercial rights to private equity, promising massive financial upsides for national associations.
• Global Unrest:
  Authorities from Europe, the Americas, and now Asia have vehemently opposed the plan. FIFA’s own COO publicly criticized the move, stating the staff felt "deceived."

  "It's the project of one person and it's obviously greed has a lot to do with it… not really caring about the sport, the players and the fans."
  – Frank Isola [01:54]

• Money vs. Tradition:
  Infantino vows big cash: from $36 million to $86 million per country in the next 11 years. Isola notes that while large countries oppose it, “the littles”—smaller national associations—may be swayed by the promise of funds.
• Fan and Cultural Pushback:
  Past attempts to break away (e.g., European Super League) were quashed by coordinated fan and club backlash. Isola doubts FIFA can succeed against such unified resistance.
• American Influence:
  Concerns that American investors/White House links will deepen skepticism abroad:

  "A lot of these countries are gonna say, this is just the Americans getting involved and only caring about money…"
  – Frank Isola [03:10]

• Wilbon's Counterpoint:
  Wilbon suggests greed is inexorable and will eventually win, even if packaged differently with time:

  "Greed doesn’t fail. Greed ultimately comes through...you adjust the project…you tweak it here, you tweak it there...kick the can down the road…greed wins in some form."
  – Mike Wilbon [03:22]

• Changes Already in Play:
  Hydration breaks (major moneymaker) and the tournament's expansion to 48, now 56, teams are cited as examples of commercially motivated change.

Notable Quote:

• "Worldwide, greed wins. It's why we are as a world what we are as a world."
  – Mike Wilbon [03:55]

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2. WNBA Betting Video Controversy

• Situation:
  WNBA posted, then deleted, a video of Paige Beckers and Angel Reese jokingly betting $400 on a game between their teams. WNBA admitted this "missed the mark" but will not punish the players.
• Wilbon’s Take:
  He sees no outrage, citing industry-wide gambling partnerships:

  "It suffices. There’s no outrage… Our bosses are in partnership with gamblers. So what? The players shouldn’t be?"
  – Mike Wilbon [06:05]

• Hypocrisy in Sports:
  Wilbon calls out the double standard, with media and management deep in betting partnerships while penalizing athletes for jokes.
• Isola’s Perspective:
  He’d have issued a light punishment to send a message:

  "Even if it was one game...it's not something you joke around about."
  – Frank Isola [07:41]

• Big Picture:
  Wilbon pushes back, saying the league’s real challenges are more serious than gambling.
• On Gambling’s Ubiquity:

  "Greed doesn’t just apply to FIFA and UEFA...And so that includes gambling. Gambling in big bold World War II letters."
  – Mike Wilbon [08:47]

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Notable Exchange:

• Wilbon: "They're not even gonna slap 'em on the wrist." [09:11]
• Isola: "They should have gave 'em a one game suspension." [09:09]

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3. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers, and the ‘GOAT’ Debate

• LeBron’s Move:
  Reports state Jaylen Brown is "fully on board" with LeBron potentially joining the Sixers. Ian O’Connor of The Athletic claims a 5th title (with a 4th team) would tip the “GOAT” debate toward LeBron.
• Isola’s Analysis:
  Acknowledges LeBron’s staggering stats and unique achievements (all-time scoring, multiple teams), but holds firm on Jordan’s legacy:

  "For my money, it’s still Michael Jordan." [10:40]

• Wilbon’s Perspective:
  He’s weary of the debate, saying the "GOAT" argument is not just a tally of rings. Critiques the notion of teaming up to chase titles, giving Jordan credit for sticking with one franchise:

  "If you have to go ask Dwyane Wade to tag team with you to get your first two championships, the other dude's the goat for other reasons." [11:18]

• Ringers Comparison:
  Wilbon likens player teaming-up to softball leagues using "ringers" (outside stars):

  "If you took two former pro softball players and put them with the Washington Post team...that's today's version." [11:56]

• LeBron’s Odds in Philly:
  Neither host predicts LeBron could necessarily bring a title to Philadelphia, echoing how hard it is to win even with big names.

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4. MLB Rivalries & Triple Crown Chase

• Astros vs. Rangers:
  Who needs the series more? Wilbon says the Astros, tying it to Yordan Alvarez’s rare Triple Crown chase:

  "The last person to do that...Mickey Mantle in 1956." [15:07]

• Season Stats:
  Astros have a historic edge; the Rangers hope for a boost with Corey Seager’s return.
  Isola on the Astros: "They're 8 and 2...the Astros are flying right now." [15:37]

• Red Sox vs. Dodgers:
  Who’s hotter now?
  Wilbon: "By virtue of that 15-game winning streak...Red Sox 25 and 5 in their last 30." [16:45]
  Isola: "Right now it's the Red Sox. If you're asking me who do I think is going to be lifting the trophy, I'm still taking the Dodgers." [17:56]

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5. Quick Hits & Memorable Moments

• Gambling Theme Recurs:
  Wilbon: "I'm not yelling at you because of gambling. I'm just loud. I'm yelling at everybody." [13:14]

• Notable Birthdays/Anniversaries:

  • Kristaps Porzingis's birthday/extension with the Warriors [19:56]
  • Dick Allen’s induction after belated recognition [20:40]

• Historic Walk-Off Grand Slam:
  Kansas City Royals’ blown three-run lead to the Twins:

  "They call it the ultimate grand slam. That's not something on Denny's menu for breakfast."
  – Frank Isola [22:12]

• "Happy Trails", "Happy Anniversary", "Happy Birthday" mini-segments for player milestones and dramatic finishes.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:15] FIFA sell-off controversy and global reaction
• [02:14] Super League comparison; impact on small federations
• [03:20] Wilbon’s “greed wins” argument
• [04:35] Hydration breaks, tournament expansion, and investors' long-term impact
• [05:14] The money question—"How much do I get?"—as the bottom line
• [05:14] UEFA/fan pushback—"If UEFA's not involved… you don’t have a World Cup."
• [06:02] WNBA gambling controversy; league and player response
• [07:41] Isola: why even a "light" punishment would be prudent
• [08:47] Wilbon: “Greed...Gambling in big bold World War II letters.”
• [09:11] Closing argument—no real punishment likely
• [09:42] LeBron to Sixers/GOAT debate with Jordan
• [11:26] Wilbon on ‘ringers’ and the value of team loyalty
• [12:39] Why superteams don’t guarantee rings even if stars are in their prime
• [14:30] MLB toss-up: Astros vs. Rangers
• [16:45] MLB toss-up: Red Sox vs. Dodgers (Red Sox’s hot streak)
• [19:56] Rapid-fire: Porzingis news, Dick Allen anniversary, Royals blown lead, etc.

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Notable Quotes

• Frank Isola on FIFA’s plan:

  "It’s the project of one person and it's obviously greed has a lot to do with it and not really caring about the sport, the players and the fans." [01:54]

• Mike Wilbon on football’s future:

  "Greed ultimately comes through...put new people in charge...kick the can…greed wins in some form." [03:22]

• Frank Isola on the World Cup without UEFA:

  "If UEFA is not involved… you don't have a World Cup." [05:14]

• Wilbon on the WNBA betting scandal:

  "Gambling's allowed because half of our colleagues… are doing ads for gambling houses." [06:05]

• Wilbon on superteams:

  "If you have to go ask Dwyane Wade to tag team with you… the other dude's the goat." [11:18]

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Tone and Language

The conversation is lively, irreverent, and opinionated—classic PTI banter. Both hosts combine deep sports knowledge with sharp, sometimes sarcastic, commentary. Wilbon, in particular, brings repeated focus to how money and business interests are transforming sports, while Isola often asks pragmatic (“what’s really likely to happen?”) questions.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This PTI episode provides a sharp, critical look at the inescapable march of money in world sports—whether in FIFA’s controversial gambit, the normalization of sports betting, or NBA/MLB storylines. The hosts’ authentic, no-spin reactions give fans clarity on not just what’s happening, but why, and what it says about the direction of major sports institutions.

Transcript

[Mike Wilbon]

You know, when you're locked in, focused and fearless.

[Frank Isola]

Welcome to the wnba.

[Mike Wilbon]

Your vision narrows. You can't look away. Every assist, every stop, every logo.

[Frank Isola]

Three from beyond the logo, every.

[Mike Wilbon]

Did you see that moment, you big. What records are going to be broken this season? All of it. Right here. Lock in. It's the WNBA on ESPN all season long. Hard to interrupt, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's the last show of the week in midsummer, so you know what that means.

[Frank Isola]

I'm Frank Isola. It's a Phil and Frank Friday. There we go. That's what it means.

[Mike Wilbon]

There we go. These used to be the dog days. Now you get a story here and there, right?

[Frank Isola]

Tony just threw his shoe at the tv when I said that. Yeah, they made me do it.

[Mike Wilbon]

Welcome to pti. Apparently, Tony just ran out of gas. Couldn't finish the. So here in relief is our great friend from the starting lineup on Sirius XM, Mr. Frank Isola.

[Frank Isola]

That's an introduction.

[Mike Wilbon]

There we go. Let's start with the shaky state of FIFA's plan to sell a portion of the Men's World Cup, World cup and Women's World cup to private investors for $20 billion. The governing bodies of Europe, the Americas, and now Asia have all blasted the plan. And today, FIFA's Chief Operating Officer broke with President Gianni Infantino saying the staff had been deceived. You know the media, Frank, and the project must not go through. Frank, what was Infantino trying to do and does he seem more destined to succeed or fail?

[Frank Isola]

Yeah, like the COO said, it's the project of one person and it's obviously greed has a lot to do with it and not really caring about the sport, the players and the fans. I think it all started with the hydration breaks at the World Cup. They made so much money. Each break was between like seven and nine million dollars to broadcast two per game.

[Mike Wilbon]

And how many games and extra revenue?

[Frank Isola]

Yeah, I think this is going to fail, Mike. If you go back five years ago, you had those big clubs in Europe try to basically circumvent the Champions League and start their own league. That's like, you know, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, Juventus, psg, Real Madrid. And right away, every team in Europe, including their own fans of their own team, said, we're not doing this now. There is a lot of money here at stake. And Infantino is telling these countries over the next 11 years, instead of 36 million, you could be getting $86 million. 86 million. So when it comes down to a vote, it's one thing for Spain and France to say, no, we're not doing this. But what if the littles. Exactly. What if you're San Marino? What if you're Gibraltar? What if you're El Salvador? You're gonna say, well, hang on a second. That's a lot of money here. I think ultimately it will fail. It should fail. And I ought another part of this too, because of who's involved in the investing, who's involved with connections to the White House. I think a lot of these countries are gonna say, this is just the Americans getting involved and only caring about money and not the sport.

[Mike Wilbon]

And so it will fail for a while.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Greed doesn't fail. Greed ultimately comes through. Depends on what form you, you, you, you adjust the project. You tweak it here, you tweak it there, you represent it. You know, you put new people in charge and you go down the road, you kick the can down the road a little bit. And guess what? Greed wins in some form. And I hear you. I'm glad they stood up. I thought, wow, this is pretty cool that they're like, wait a minute, what are we talking about here? And then the notion becomes, okay, in America, we're much more accepting. Maybe we're much more quickly accepting.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah, yeah, I think it's true.

[Mike Wilbon]

But worldwide, greed wins. It's why we are as a world what we are as a world. So I believe that it may be 20 years from now, it may take on all kinds of different shapes and sizes and colors. But, Frank, it just seems. Look at what's happening with basketball internationally. Look at what's happening with college sports domestically. I mean, all these entities are just gonna turn away from money because they figure they're gonna sing Kumbaya and we shall overcome. Well, I'm not buying that ultimately, even though I am applauding the stand these countries and these organizations have taken.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah. And the fans are against it as well. So you mentioned things change. Yeah. So just look at this World Cup. We mentioned the two hydration breaks, which everyone outside of the US Was like, what are they playing, four quarters? It's like a basketball game. And they did expand the tournament to 48 teams, and now they're talking 56.

[Mike Wilbon]

Now they're talking about discussion now.

[Frank Isola]

But when you get private equity involved, investors, they are going to now have a say. So are they going to want the tournament every two years or what kind of broadcasting deal is there going to be?

[Mike Wilbon]

There's one counter question, Frank, as we move on. How much do I get?

[Frank Isola]

100%.

[Mike Wilbon]

How much do I get?

[Frank Isola]

Yeah, that's the.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's the price.

[Frank Isola]

Hopefully the fans and the players are against it. By the way, if UEFA is not involved in all those European countries, you don't have a World Cup. Five of the last seven World cup champions have come from Europe, including Italy, by the way. All right, let's move to the WNBA taking heat again, this time for posting a video of young stars Paige Beckers and Angel Reese betting $400 on a basketball game between their respective teams. The league removed the post soon after its publishing acknowledging it, quote, missed the mark and said the players would be reminded that, quote, conversations about wagering on WNBA games, even when intended as a joke, can have negative consequences. All right, so ESPN's reporting that neither player will be punished. Mike, does the WNBA's response to the situation suffice?

[Mike Wilbon]

Actually, yeah, it does.

[Frank Isola]

Really? Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Let's. Not again today's show. We could just start with big hypocrisy. We can just start with that. Yes, this suffices. There's no outrage over this. People don't give a damn. They don't. This is not 1919 Black Sox. It's not even Pete Rose walking into a clubhouse. This is no gambling allowed. Frank, gambling's allowed. It's allowed because I know. Because half of our colleagues who host shows on this network are doing ads for gambling houses. Our bosses are in partnership with gamblers. So what? The players shouldn't be. The WNBA's got much money.

[Frank Isola]

That's between the players.

[Mike Wilbon]

It doesn't matter what's in the cba, what's in the air, what's on the air, gambling segments on the shows that we follow or precede with gambling. I don't want to hear it. I don't.

[Frank Isola]

Well, you know who. What about Malik Beasley? What about Chauncey Billups, Damon Johnson? So I don't want to put all

[Mike Wilbon]

the blame on them. I don't.

[Frank Isola]

Well, here's my thing. I think a lot of times the WNBA looks at the NBA and they say we want to be like them. We want to travel by charter, we want to fly, we want to stay in the nice hotels. We want to make the big money. This is the time where they're glad they're not the NBA. Cuz the punishment would be different. Now, if you're asking me, because that whole NBA, the WNBA All Star Weekend, it was all Twitch and live streaming. It's like they live on social media. So do I think it was a lighthearted thing? Yes. But the league has to deliver some type of punishment, even if it was one game.

[Mike Wilbon]

To say, really?

[Frank Isola]

It's not something you joke around about.

[Mike Wilbon]

By the way, after the game, Angel

[Frank Isola]

Reese, when she was asked about it, she said, yeah, I'm waiting for my Apple pay.

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't think it needs to be reduced to a joke, Frank. The reality is we're in bed with gamblers until people understand it. Admit that.

[Frank Isola]

But this is two players though. So what?

[Mike Wilbon]

The players are part of the show.

[Frank Isola]

Dude, you think of two NBA players, two high profile NBA players.

[Mike Wilbon]

They're not the NBA. And the WNBA has bigger fish to fry. They got issues of race and culture which are out front that need to be addressed. And there's. People are afraid to address some of them, at least publicly, at least. Seriously. There's all kinds of issues out there that don't get addressed. Don't tell me that gambling, which is sanctioned by the league and its partners is the devil.

[Frank Isola]

Both things can be true. You're saying they do have other issues, but something like this, just dismissing it while it was a joke. Okay, that's fine.

[Mike Wilbon]

But the two high profile players, a

[Frank Isola]

one game suspension to say, listen, this is for everyone in the league. Don't be joking about gambling on games, Frank.

[Mike Wilbon]

I didn't say it's good. It's here and it's here to stay. Greed doesn't just apply to FIFA and UEFA and it doesn't. It's everywhere. And so that includes gambling. Gambling and big bold World War II letters.

[Frank Isola]

But the league should have done something. Should have done something.

[Mike Wilbon]

They gonna do anything. No, they're not.

[Frank Isola]

They should have gave him a one game suspension.

[Mike Wilbon]

They're not slap on the wrist. They're not even gonna slap em on the wrist. Let's move to the latest on LeBron's move to the Sixers. Agent Rich Paul said on his podcast today that Jaylen Brown is fully on board with LeBron joining the team. Ian O', Connor, meanwhile, makes this case in the Athletic that LeBron winning a fifth title with a fourth team would tip the scales in the goat debate toward LeBron over Michael Jordan. For undecideds like himself, what do you think of what Ian o' Connor is saying, Frank?

[Frank Isola]

Ian didn't want to write about the baseball trade deadline, so he picked this one. Ian's forgetting that he was sitting courtside with you in the late 90s watching Michael Jordan come into Madison Square guard and go to Utah.

[Mike Wilbon]

We'll get to that.

[Frank Isola]

And winning championships. I've heard this before from a lot of people. I agree with it. Can you make the case? LeBron's had the greatest career when you think of all the accomplishments that he's had. So I can't always just call it championships because the first year that, the first time that he went to the finals, he took a ragtag Cleveland Cavaliers team. I don't hold that against him. To me, that is an accomplishment. But he does have the all time scoring record. If you compare him to Jordan from that, because he played more years, 411 more wins, including postseason. 13,000 more points. For my money, it's still Michael Jordan. What, what LeBron is doing now is incredible. If he could snap a 43 year championship draft for Philadelphia, that certainly elevates him. But I think a lot of us, our heels are dug in. You're either Michael Jordan, everybody's heels are dug in.

[Mike Wilbon]

We need to just admit that. And I tend not to get involved in this conversation anymore. And Brian Windhorst leads the way in this and he leads it with an attitude. And I love it. Love Bryan for that. It's not accounting. That's not what it is. Because if it was accounting, Bill Russell has more championships than both of them. So let's stop and you know, we get into this situation where you have to say something negative about one to boost your case. I don't want to do that. My case is always this. If you have to go ask Dwyane Wade to tag team with you to get your first two championships, the other dude's the goat for other reasons. By the way, even if I didn't go to that negative place, I just went.

[Frank Isola]

Yep.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's not close for me. And I don't believe Ian for one second. I believe he did this to write a column, which we used to do. I used to do that. I don't believe he believes this at all. Because somebody of his age and by the way, a great columnist for a long, long time. It's provocative. Provocative to present that. It's nonsense. First of all, if you just join up with a bunch of people, you know what happens down on the mall here in Washington. If you took two former pro softball players and put them with the Washington Post team. They were called ringers.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

Okay, so that's today's version of that with the Sixers. And by the way, I don't blame LeBron for doing that.

[Frank Isola]

Good.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm glad he's doing it. But then don't tell me that that makes him better than Jordan. That's the part where I draw the

[Frank Isola]

line and also Michael Jordan going to Washington was as much of a financial deal as it was basketball.

[Mike Wilbon]

So it was entirely a financial ownership.

[Frank Isola]

I think if you had to do it all over again, he might say, you know what, I'm going to try to win two more. I'm going to go play. I'm going to go with Shaq and Kobe and win a couple more there.

[Mike Wilbon]

He could have and he didn't. But again, this conversation, we're going to go to Brian Windhorst.

[Frank Isola]

Do you think LeBron will win a championship? I think getting to a conference finals. But you don't think he'll win?

[Narrator]

No.

[Mike Wilbon]

What happened when he went to Miami? Those guys played 76 games apiece. The three stars of that team, Bosh, Dwade, LeBron, they couldn't win that first year and they were together in their physical primes and played every game. It's hard people to win a championship. You don't just amass them.

[Frank Isola]

I'm not going to bet you, because that would be wrong.

[Mike Wilbon]

But coming up, the Rangers and Astros face off for control of the American League West. Who needs to stop Series more.

[Frank Isola]

And the Red Sox and Dodgers start a series tonight. Which team is playing better right now? Toss up is next.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm not yelling at you because of gambling. I'm just loud. I'm yelling at everybody. Everybody. It's definitely out there. Nobody wants to be accountable.

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[Mike Wilbon]

Time to spank Frank and toss up. What's first?

[Frank Isola]

Toss Up.

[Mike Wilbon]

They open a three game series tonight. Who needs it more, the Rangers or the Astros? I mean, this is essentially a dead heat, Frank.

[Frank Isola]

Yep.

[Mike Wilbon]

In this division. And you go back and you look, I mean, it seems like the Astros are just much, much, much greater than Texas, but it's only, I think it's two World Series wins to one recently. Astros have been in the World Series more often. But I'm looking at this related to something individual. Yordan Alvarez, his pursuit of The Triple Crown. 35 home runs, hitting.321 with 80 runs batted in. So he leads the American League, of course, in all those categories, but he's got a shot at leading baseball in all of them. The last person to do that, baseball, all of baseball, Mickey Mantle in 1956. It's been 70 years. The Mick has been sitting on this and that would be really cool and it would give a certain authenticity, legitimacy to me, to Alvarez, if the Astros would overtake Texas and sort of pull on away.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah. Interesting seeing them both above Seattle, which has had, you know, a subpar season. Cal Raleigh's been hurt. He's been subpar of all. Nathan Aaldi tonight against Hunter Brown. So that, that's, that's the matchup for tonight. Couple of things to keep in mind. If the Astros win one more game of this series, they'll win the season series, which is important. If you go back to all the way to 2001, right now, the Astros 155 wins, the Rangers 154 wins against each other, which is pretty remarkable. The Astros are flying right now. They're 8 and 2. That's why for the Rangers, they're 5 and 5 in their last 10, but they maybe help is on the way. Corey Seager expected to be in the lineup tonight. He's been out for over a month. He was down in Frisco rehabbing, so that could help Texas. I agree, though, about, like there's something about the Astros. I even heard the guys today on MLB Network talking about maybe at the deli because both these teams are going to do something by Monday's deadline. And there's talk about, you know, the Astros adding a bat, maybe even bringing George Springer back. How about that?

[Mike Wilbon]

That would be pretty good. Even at 37. Rejuvenated. Rejuvenated. George Springer coming back from almost winning another World Series. What's next? Toss up. They open a three game set tonight. Who's playing better right now, the Red Sox or the Dodgers? Well, who's played better right now is just Straight math to me, Frank.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah.

[Mike Wilbon]

And the Red Sox, by virtue of that 15 game winning streak, you know, just not long ago, 25, five in their last 30. Now, it doesn't mean they're going to sustain this for the whole run. It doesn't mean I wouldn't rather be the Dodgers. Right now the Red Sox is still in a chase and don't know if they're going to make it. The Dodgers, unless something calamitous happens, they're going to finish atop the entire National League and be able to set up with a buy and pitching and the whole deal and you know, they'll make whatever deal or deals they feel they need to make. So I'd rather be the Dodgers. But the answer to the question Red Sox 25 and 5.

[Frank Isola]

Yeah, you're right about that. What's interesting too is you have the Red Sox playing in a minor league ballpark last night in Sacramento. Now tonight they get to go to la. A couple of things to keep in mind. Shohei Ohtani did not play last night. Still bothered by that sore knee. They expect him to play tonight. And then how about the situation with Curtis Mead, who they got. The infielder that they got from Washington. Fractured his wrist. Four weeks until he's reevaluated.

[Mike Wilbon]

It's unfortunate.

[Frank Isola]

So who knows if we're going to see him again. I love this stat though, about the Red Sox. After 108 games this season, they're 57, 51.

[Mike Wilbon]

So especially after that.

[Frank Isola]

That's their exact record the last four seasons this season and the previous three, which is a little hard to believe. But here's the thing about the Dodgers. Remember this. Best batting average in the majors, second in slugging percentage, fourth in runs. And their rotation is the low. They have the lowest cra in baseball. So right now it's the Red Sox. If you're asking me who do I think is going to be lifting the trophy, I'm still taking the Dodgers against

[Mike Wilbon]

the working for who we work for. Given that number and that trend, could we get. Can we get odds on that happening again for the Red Sox?

[Frank Isola]

Well, give me the odds on the Dodgers versus the field.

[Mike Wilbon]

I don't know. Odds.

[Frank Isola]

If sh. If sh. Health.

[Mike Wilbon]

That's it. Let's take one last break. Still to come, Michigan's new coach says it doesn't need to be hatred toward Ohio State.

[Frank Isola]

And could Flo Balagon be on the move to a top tier team? As they say in France, au revoir, Flo Balagon. Even though he might be going to a French team, though.

[Mike Wilbon]

The French team, yeah.

[Narrator]

In a sunny Californian suburb, one family's home is unusually quiet.

[Mike Wilbon]

When detectives walked into that house, they said that it was like time just stood still.

[Narrator]

Still, it's 2010 and the McStay family is nowhere to be found inside the home. No clear answer where the family could have gone.

[Frank Isola]

Husband, wife and two children all gone.

[Mike Wilbon]

Like poof. Disappeared.

[Narrator]

The search for the McStays quickly captures the nation, but for years, the search for answers only brings more questions.

[Mike Wilbon]

Who's ever heard of an entire family going missing?

[Frank Isola]

A family of four doesn't just drop off the face of the earth with no contact.

[Narrator]

Is this a family on the run? Or is the truth far more sinister? From ABC Audio in 2020, this is what happened to the mixed days coming August 11th, wherever you get your podcast or subscribe to 2020 True Crime plus on Apple Podcasts for ad free episodes, early access to new episodes, and so much more.

[Mike Wilbon]

Time to get happy people Happy early 31st birthday Chris Staps Porzingis the Warriors center celebrates his birthday actually Sunday because he joined the team in mid season. He's not often mentioned alongside Steph Draymond and Jimmy Buckets, but Porzingis produced decent numbers when healthy during his limited time with the Dubs. Averaged 16 points, five boards, two assists and one block. Only played 15 games with them. That earned him a two year $40 million extension last month, which is pretty lucrative for a player who has missed 90 games. Frank the past two seasons.

[Frank Isola]

I covered him when he broke into the league as a rookie with the Knicks. Fourth overall pick. Terrific guy. But that third season made the All Star team before he ever got to play in the game. Blew out his knee and Mike, he's been injured ever since.

[Mike Wilbon]

Couldn't LeBron win with them? I thought LeBron could have won with the warriors or gonna come close. Happy anniversary. Dick Allen is as posthumous, but on this day 54 years ago, the then White Sox star hit not one but two inside the park home runs against Burt Blythe, 11 of the Twins. Allen would go on to win AL MVP that year. Eight seasons after winning NL Rookie of the Year with the Phillies, he was finally inducted into the hall of Fame last summer. Long overdue. We count 12 inside the park home runs across baseball this season, including two leading off games for the Rockies by outfielder Jake McCarthy, the first time that's happened since 1929.

[Frank Isola]

Frank one of the most exciting plays in baseball. Dick Allen's one of those guys that in New York at that time we Only got to see him a couple of times a year when the Yankees played. I remember him always wearing the helmet. And then you read why he wore the helmet.

[Mike Wilbon]

One of the most players ever that I could ever remember seeing. Happy trails to last night's seemingly sure win for the Royals. Kansas City's up three nothing on the twins with two out and 02 count on Cody Clemons in the bottom of the ninth. When everything changes. Royals reliever Matt Strom chose not to waste a pitch. Clemons then sent what looked like a strike out to right field for a walk off grand slam. This was such a bad loss for the Royals who had no hit to Twinkies for the first six innings. Said Minnesota manager Derek Shelton, quote, I went from being extreme just very candidly to pure elation.

[Frank Isola]

They call it the ultimate grand slam. That's not something on Denny's menu for breakfast. Even though Cody Clemons did say earlier in the day for breakfast he did have chocolate chip pancakes. But that's a walk off grand slam when your team is down by three runs. The claim is it's happened 34 times in major league history. Yesterday was 34th, not that special.

[Mike Wilbon]

And numbers just reduced his feet. It was great.

[Frank Isola]

When I read it's more uncommon than a no hitter.

[Mike Wilbon]

PSG is reportedly, as we go to the big finish, talking with AS Monaco about bringing in Flo Baligan. Frank, what do you think of this idea?

[Frank Isola]

Well, PSG is the two time defending Champions League title holders. Flo Bin goes there. That is some move for him. That'd be great. Dak Prescott is calling the Cowboys offense Gotti. That's. That's got nothing to do with Italians living in New York. It means greatest offense there. Is that okay by you?

[Mike Wilbon]

Sure. Is he calling their defense gahbage? You doing that? Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said the rivalry with the Ohio State can be intense and emotional without hatred. Well, you buying that?

[Frank Isola]

Yeah. I think the coach, he likes Ryan Day and Ryan Day is a nice guy. But I don't agree. Try telling the fans it's not about hatred. Victor Wembanyama signed an acceptance with Nike and will be getting a signature shoe. Does that make sense?

[Mike Wilbon]

Anything built around Victor Wimbanyama is smart. Yes. Last one. The Yankees beat my Cubs 2 nothing this afternoon at Wrigley in a matinee. Is that significant?

[Frank Isola]

This explains everything. It explains everything. Two solo shots for the Yankees today. By the way, they've been in Chicago for about. About a week split when they lost. Walk off back to back games and extra innings against the White Sox. So they got that.

[Mike Wilbon]

The Cubs had a couple of walk offs. They split those and now lose the Yankees.

[Frank Isola]

Possible world.

[Mike Wilbon]

Not starting my weekend off.

[Frank Isola]

And up. We're out of time. Thanks for watching. I'm Frank Isola.

[Mike Wilbon]

I'm Mike Wilbon. Have a great weekend, knuckleheads. And now you know what's coming. Frank and I are going to go to the window. I put down some money.

[Frank Isola]

I said God. And you said garbage.