PTI Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Pardon the Interruption (PTI)
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Episode Title: What Now for Giannis?!
Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon tackle a slate of the day's hottest sports stories:

• The fallout for the Milwaukee Bucks as Giannis Antetokounmpo faces injury and swirling trade rumors
• High-stakes NFL matchups as playoff races intensify
• The ACC lobbying for two College Football Playoff slots
• An interview with ESPN’s Booger McFarland on pivotal conference championship games
• Updates on notable sports headlines, including Trinity Rodman’s contract situation and Lamar Jackson’s injury status

The episode is energetic, fast-moving, and punctuated by playful banter and sharp analysis characteristic of PTI.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL: Cowboys vs. Lions is Make-or-Break

Segment Begins: [01:01]

• Wilbon’s Take: Urgent stakes for Dallas; they must “run the table” or are likely out of playoff contention.
  • “I’ve seen the estimates...Cowboys only having a 6% chance to make the playoffs if they lose tonight.” [01:34]
  • Picks Detroit to win decisively, doubts Dallas’ momentum against a surging Lions team.
• Kornheiser’s Take: Sees it as an “elimination game” for both.
  • Highlights Dallas’ improvements, especially on defense after trading Micah Parsons and bringing in George Pickens and Quinnen Williams.
  • Praises Brian Schottenheimer’s fit as OC.
  • “History will look back kindly on Jerry Jones this year.” [02:55]
  • Declines to pick a winner, sticks to 'watch the game' mantra.
• Both agree stakes are sky-high for both contenders.

2. What Now for Giannis? Injury & Trade Rumors

Segment Begins: [04:11]

• Context: Giannis expected to miss 2-4 weeks with calf strain, with recent reports of him and his agent speaking to the Bucks about a future exit.

  • “The Bucks star is going to miss apparently two to four weeks after suffering a scary-looking calf strain early in last night’s win.” [04:11]

• Kornheiser:

  • Milwaukee is in trouble without Giannis; offensively they drop steeply when he’s off the court.
    • “When he’s on the court, they actually have the best offense in the entire NBA. And when he is off the court, that falls to third from last.” [04:43]
  • Dismisses immediate trade speculation; “nobody is going to trade for him while he is hurt."
  • Thinks Giannis will get traded eventually but not until he’s healthy.

• Wilbon:

  • Sees a midseason or deadline deal as possible, brings up the “second apron” salary complications.
  • Suggests Knicks and various three-team scenarios as landing spots, including a potential Golden State move involving Draymond Green and others.
    • “You have to have Jalen Brunson and Anunoby on the other side of the deal to play with Giannis or what’s the point?” [05:48]
  • Stresses: Why get Giannis if you can’t contend right away?

• Both linger on an NBA historical parallel: Kareem’s exit from Milwaukee.

  Kornheiser: “The difference was Kareem said, ‘I’m done.’ Giannis has not done that yet. Giannis keeps playing footsie.” [07:12]

3. College Football: ACC’s Bid for Two Playoff Spots

Segment Begins: [07:12]

• Topic: ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips lobbying for two teams in CFP
• Wilbon:
  • Calls it “wishful thinking,” but credits Phillips’ lobbying skills.
    • “It’s more wishful thinking, ’cuz I don’t see it.” [07:44]
  • Dismisses claim that Duke (with five losses) should be considered, says “Duke can’t be in there, Tone. Duke can’t be in with five losses.” [08:31]
• Kornheiser:
  • Calls Phillips’ pitch “insane.”
    • “The last time I used the word insane it was about Nico Harrison trading Luka Doncic…” [08:42]
  • Points out persistent committee resistance to ACC’s case, especially with complicated tiebreakers and the “mixture” of contenders.
  • Faults Phillips for not fixing tiebreaker mess before the season.

4. Five Good Minutes with Booger McFarland

Segment Begins: [11:53]

a. SEC Title Game: Alabama vs. Georgia, CFP Implications

• Kornheiser: Suggests committee moved Alabama ahead of Notre Dame to justify a playoff spot, even as a three-loss team.
• Booger McFarland:
  • Thinks committee “corrected a wrong.”
  • “Alabama might get left out if different things happen,” but a third loss doesn’t guarantee exclusion if body of work is strong.
  • Highlights Bama’s streak beating four ranked teams.
    • “I think if you’re the committee, you look at Alabama, you say this: they went on a run where they beat four ranked teams in a row. Like, it’s one of the best runs we’ve seen all college football season.” [12:56]

b. Big Ten Title Game: Ohio State vs. Indiana

• Wilbon: Asks if there’s anything at stake beyond pride since both teams look playoff bound.
• Booger: Sees it as “pride” and program validation for Indiana and Coach Kurt Signetti.
  • “If there’s a trophy at stake, I want to win it… It’s another opportunity for Indiana to prove they belong.” [14:08]
  • Highlights on Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza’s first-round potential.

c. Big 12 Title Game: BYU vs. Texas Tech

• Wilbon: Wonders if BYU has much of a chance.
• Booger: Gives BYU a “puncher’s chance,” but says they have to “make it a fist fight,” dominate on the ground for a shot at upset.
  • “You gotta take Texas Tech into a phone booth and you gotta see who’s gonna come out.” [15:23]

d. LSU’s Hiring of Lane Kiffin

• Kornheiser (teasing): “How do you feel about being the next school that Lane Kiffin’s gonna leave?” [16:15]
• Booger:
  • Fully endorses the hire, calls LSU the “Mecca” of college football.
    • “If you’re a college football fan, you want to get to Baton Rouge on a Saturday night. That’s what it means.” [16:44]
  • Sets expectations high: “I don’t think 8 and 4 is going to cut it and Lane knows that.” [17:32]

5. Quick Hits & Notable Updates

Segment Begins: [20:58]

• Jackson Holliday’s Birthday & Baseball Family Success:
  Kornheiser points out his quick ascent and the unique “two All-Stars as sons” scenario. [21:45]

• Herschel Walker’s Heisman Anniversary:
  Wilbon marvels at the star-studded top three of that award year (Walker, Elway, Dickerson). [22:50]

• Trinity Rodman Contract Drama:
  Offer vetoed by NWSL commissioner, possibly sending her career abroad.

  • Wilbon: “Great having Trinity Rodman in a town that hasn’t had that many stars in sports lately. ...It’s kind of cool having her here.” [23:39]
  • Kornheiser expresses confusion: “If they’ve offered the money, why can’t she get the money?” [23:54]

• Lamar Jackson Injury Status:
  Did not practice, causing concern for the Ravens’ prospects.

  • Wilbon: “This has been going on for a month, even after the injury. When he’s back, is he really back?” [24:07]

• Other Quick Hits:

  • Mark Andrews gets extended by the Ravens—Kornheiser notes he’s “earned this."
  • Bulls’ losing streak—Wilbon is blunt: “They stink.” [24:29]
  • Ovechkin’s scoring surge continues.
  • LSU women’s basketball streak—Wilbon lauds coach Kim Mulkey’s title prospects.

Notable Quotes

• Wilbon on Dallas’ playoff odds:
  “Cowboys only having a 6% chance to make the playoffs if they lose tonight. 6%. Come on now.” [01:34]

• Kornheiser on Giannis situation:
  “Milwaukee now in trouble, and it leaves Giannis in Milwaukee because nobody is going to trade for him while he is hurt.” [04:43]

• Wilbon’s reality check on NBA trade rumors:
  “Why get Giannis if you’re not going to contend? But there are a couple of things out there, and you know your Knicks are always in the discussion...” [05:48]

• Kornheiser on ACC’s playoff lobbying:
  “My word is insane. And the last time I used the word insane on this show, it was about Nico Harrison trading Luka Doncic...” [08:42]

• Booger McFarland on Alabama’s playoff case:
  “They went on a run where they beat four ranked teams in a row. Like it’s one of the best runs we’ve seen all college football season.” [12:56]

• Booger on Indiana’s championship shot:
  “If there’s a trophy at stake, I want to win it… It’s another opportunity for Indiana to prove they belong.” [14:08]

• Booger on LSU hiring Lane Kiffin:
  “Now he comes to the Mecca...If you’re a college football fan, you want to get to Baton Rouge on a Saturday night. That’s what it means.” [16:44]

• Wilbon—blunt honesty on the Bulls:
  “They stink. They started the season 5 and 0. Now they can’t beat Charlotte and Brooklyn and New Orleans. What is going on there?” [24:29]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:01] Cowboys vs. Lions playoff stakes
• [04:11] Giannis’ injury and trade situation
• [07:12] ACC playoff lobbying
• [11:53] Five Good Minutes: Booger McFarland (SEC/Big Ten/Big 12/LSU)
• [20:58] Quick hits, Happy birthdays, Anniversaries
• [23:39] Trinity Rodman contract controversy
• [24:03] Big Finish rapid-fire headlines

This concise, lively episode covers urgent sports debates across football and basketball, featuring signature PTI banter, informed analysis on Giannis’ future, pivotal college football playoff races, and perspective from Booger McFarland. The show’s tone remains competitive but good-natured, with both hosts bringing personal angles and contemporary context to every topic.