PTI – "Giannis Wants Out of Milwaukee!"

Podcast: PTI (Pardon the Interruption)
Date: January 28, 2026
Hosts: Mike Wilbon, Frank Isola (in for Tony Kornheiser)
Special Guest: Booger McFarland

Episode Overview

The January 28, 2026 episode of PTI dives into sports' hottest topics. Wilbon and Isola dissect the blowback from Bill Belichick not being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on his first ballot, the escalating NBA trade drama around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Karl-Anthony Towns, and notable news from the Australian Open. ESPN’s Booger McFarland joins for NFL deep dives, commentary on the Cleveland Browns’ coaching drama, and insights on college football’s transfer portal. The tone is lively, candid, and unfiltered, with classic PTI banter and insider context.

Main Discussion Points

1. Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame Snub

Segment: [01:19 – 05:32]

• Background: Despite a storied career (6 Super Bowl wins as head coach), Belichick was not inducted on the first ballot, missing the required 40 votes out of 50.
• Media & Player Reaction:
  • Tom Brady called it “completely ridiculous.”
  • Jimmie Johnson labeled it “wrong” and challenged non-voters to identify themselves.
• PTI’s Take:
  • Both Wilbon and Isola agree Belichick should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
  • Wilbon explains flawed Hall processes, citing strategic voting that might ‘save’ spots for other deserving candidates:

    “Sometimes you're put in a position and you're saying... I can get Belichick in next year. I don't want Roger Craig, who should have been in already, or Elsie Greenwood, who should have been in already, to slip between the cracks.” ([03:03])

  • Isola notes scandal-related resentment (Spygate, Deflategate) and personal baggage may influence votes.
  • Both deride the "absurd" overreaction, arguing Belichick will—deservedly—get in soon.

Notable Quotes:

• Wilbon: “The process is extremely flawed. It's always been flawed. I have never been happier to get out of a room because of things like this.” ([03:03])
• Isola: “Now he has everyone on his side... In a weird way, he's become a martyr.” ([02:38])
• Isola: “You're a pretty courageous guy. If you didn't vote for him, would you reveal that you didn't vote for him?” ([05:09])
• Wilbon: “I would have. You and I both reveal our NBA ballots.” ([05:12])

2. NBA Trade Rumors: Giannis and Karl-Anthony Towns

Segment: [05:32 – 08:50]

• Giannis Antetokounmpo:
  • Bucks are reportedly “more open than ever” to trading him, but his injury (out 4–6 weeks) complicates immediate moves.
  • Wilbon claims he’s said since Labor Day that Giannis would be moved by the trade deadline, but injuries likely push any deal to the offseason.
  • Wilbon:

    “What are you going to do if you're a team and you can't get back the real Giannis Antetokounmpo?”

• Karl-Anthony Towns:
  • Towns was benched by the Knicks recently, sparking speculation he could be moved independently of any Giannis deal.
  • Towns’ value: strong production (22 & 12 season average, 25 & 12 in playoffs against Indiana) but uncertainty on his playoff impact and future.
  • Isola points out Towns feels whiplashed by rumors:

    “He could have gotten extended. They didn't do that. So he's become kind of the guy that gets all the blame now.” ([07:21])

• Trade Market Dynamics:
  • Isola references the Nets getting five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges as a reference point for a potential Giannis deal.
  • Expectation: Bucks may hold off until offseason to field higher-value offers when draft positions are clearer.

Notable Quotes:

• Wilbon: “Let’s review what Giannis's record is in the last 10 playoff games... 1 and 9. Otherwise, Giannis is hurt and he's not even on the floor in the playoffs.” ([08:32])

3. Australian Open Quarterfinals

Segment: [08:50 – 11:09]

• Men’s:
  • Novak Djokovic advanced after Musetti retired injured; now faces Sinner, who’s beaten him four times in a row.
  • Discussion: Ben Shelton's struggles against top seeds; parallels drawn to Andy Roddick’s era.
    • Wilbon: “We keep waiting for Shelton to break through because it seems like he has all the, the parts including the charisma tennis needs...” ([10:23])
    • Shelton’s record vs. Sinner and Alcaraz: 1–12; vs. top 3 players, 1–17.
• Women’s:
  • Rybakina upsets Witek; Jessica Pegula reaches another major semifinal—possibly a “breakthrough year,” but faces tough competition like Sabalenka.
• Memorable Djokovic Response:
  • When told he’s now chasing Sinner and Alcaraz, Djokovic quips,

    “Hold on a second. You failed to mention I won 24 majors in between.” ([11:09])

4. NFL Hot Topics with Booger McFarland

Segment: [12:48 – 19:43]

A. Bill Belichick’s Snub (Booger’s Reaction)

• Booger: “You have the greatest coach arguably in professional sport... For at least 11 people to say, you know what? We don't think Bill Belichick is a Hall of Famer, to me, it screams of powerless people trying to get power and become powerful, and it's a shame on them.” ([13:19])
• Booger stresses Belichick’s historic impact—not just the wins, but his influence and football intellect.
• Calls the vote a “disgrace” and urges NFL leadership to “rectify” the system.

B. Browns Head Coach Decision / Jim Schwartz Situation

• Todd Monken named new Browns HC; Jim Schwartz (interviewed for the job) is reportedly upset and may leave his DC post.
• Booger:

  “Jim Schwartz basically told everybody, if I ain't getting this job, I'm out. He threw the deuces.” ([15:23])

• Booger uses the scenario to highlight the Browns’ dysfunction and their trouble attracting candidates.

C. Super Bowl Preview: Patriots' D-line

• Focus on Patriots DT Milton Williams (8 pressures vs Broncos, highest-paid Patriot).
• Booger:

  "Look at their ankles... Milton Williams... is a guy that can create pressure and create havoc in the middle."
  "If that one, two punch can create enough pressure on Sam Donald ... just maybe we might have a game when we get to Santa Clara." ([17:01])

D. CFB Transfer Portal: Duke’s QB to Miami

• Duke QB Darian Mensah transfers to Miami—an in-conference move.
• Booger (relationship analogy):

  “If you're dating somebody who left somebody to come with you, don't be surprised when they leave you to go to somebody else.” ([18:28])

• Says it’s emblematic of portal era culture in college football, driven by money and opportunity.

5. Rapid Fire Final Segment: Headlines & Happy Topics

Segment: [21:18 – 23:56]

• Peyton Pritchard: Celtics guard’s emergence, value contract ($7.2M), and scoring leap.
• Cowboys Anniversary: 30 years since 3 SB wins in 4 years; team’s glory days recalled.
• Nebraska Basketball: Stunned by Michigan, end of their unbeaten run.
• Quick Hits:
  • Jets coaching search update: Jon Gruden declines; Frank Reich a candidate for OC.
  • Patrick Reed leaves LIV Golf for PGA Tour (Wilbon: “Not significant.”)
  • USWNT blows out Chile in a friendly; Trini Robbins scores and celebrates.
  • Patrick Kane ties American-born NHL points record.
  • NBA matchups: LeBron possibly last visit in Cleveland, injuries noted.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Wilbon on Hall of Fame voting:

  “The process is extremely flawed. It's always been flawed. I have never been happier to get out of a room because of things like this.” ([03:03])

• Isola, on Belichick becoming a “martyr”:

  “Here he is, we're a week away from the super bowl, and the former Patriots coach ... is dominating the news cycle. In a weird way, he's become a martyr.” ([02:38])

• Booger McFarland on the Belichick snub:

  “It screams of powerless people trying to get power and become powerful, and it's a shame on them.” ([13:19])

• Isola, on NBA trade rumors:

  “It's still Giannis. So I gotta get ... young stars and draft picks. Why do I want the guys off the Knicks?... I think he's going to get traded... in the off season.” ([07:41])

• Wilbon, on Giannis’s playoff record:

  “Let's review what Giannis’s record is in the last 10 playoff games in which he has participated. 1 and 9.” ([08:32])

• Djokovic’s press conference quip:

  “You failed to mention I won 24 majors in between.” ([11:09])

• Booger on college football’s transfer scene:

  “If you’re dating somebody who left somebody to come with you, don’t be surprised when they leave you to go to somebody else.” ([18:28])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Start | Notable Discussion/Quote | |---------------------------------------|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | Belichick Hall of Fame Debate | 01:19 | “The process is extremely flawed...” – Wilbon ([03:03]) | | NBA Trade Rumors (Giannis/Towns) | 05:32 | “Let’s review what Giannis’s record is...” – Wilbon ([08:32]) | | Australian Open Results | 08:50 | “We keep waiting for Shelton to break through...” – Wilbon ([10:23])| | Booger McFarland Segment | 12:48 | “It screams of powerless people...” – Booger ([13:19]) | | Browns Coaching Drama | 15:03 | “He threw the deuces.” – Booger ([15:23]) | | Super Bowl/Patriots D-line | 17:01 | “Milton Williams is ... highest paid Patriots player...” ([17:01]) | | CFB: Duke QB Transfers to Miami | 18:02 | “If you're dating somebody who left somebody to come with you...” | | Rapid Fire Headlines & Happy Topics | 21:18 | “Happy 28th birthday, Peyton Pritchard ...” |

Summary

This PTI episode features a riveting, rapid-fire tour across pro and college sports’ biggest stories:

• Belichick’s Hall of Fame snub sparks fierce debates about voting politics and personal resentments, with consensus that he’ll soon get his well-deserved place.
• NBA trade rumors swirl around Giannis and Towns, with Wilbon and Isola emphasizing the business realities, Giannis's fragility, and the unpredictability of timing.
• Australian Open results highlight generational shifts in tennis and the struggles of rising stars against current legends.
• NFL guest Booger McFarland unloads on the Hall voting process, dissects Browns coaching dysfunction, and highlights college football’s chaotic transfer market—all with directness and humor.
• Rapid-fire segment touches on the NBA, NHL, PGA Tour, and women's soccer, pairing insight with PTI’s trademark banter.

Whether you’re catching up on the latest drama or want to relive the best moments, this episode captures the intense debate and unique camaraderie only PTI offers.