A Wisconsin Upset & Gary Vee’s Next Bet 8/14/26

Summary

Squawk Pod – August 14, 2026

Episode: A Wisconsin Upset & Gary Vee’s Next Bet

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Episode Overview

This episode of Squawk Pod, hosted by Leslie Picker with contributions from Brian Sullivan, Mike Santoli, and Joe Kernan, dives into three primary stories shaping headlines:

• The surprising outcome in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary and the broader reliability crisis facing political polling.
• The rapid rise of “alternative sports,” with entrepreneur and investor Gary Vaynerchuk (“Gary Vee”) discussing Wiffle Ball, fractionalized sports ownership, and the future potential of blockchain in sports and business.
• An exclusive look at NASA’s ambitions from Administrator Jared Isaacman, detailing the next steps in the U.S. space program and the global space race.

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Key Segments & Insights

1. Polling Misses in the Wisconsin Democratic Primary

[01:01–11:33]

Summary

The episode opens with Leslie Picker recapping a political upset in Wisconsin, where Democratic Socialist frontrunner Francesca Hong—polled 20 points ahead—narrowly lost to centrist David Crowley. The discussion highlights not only the flaws in polling and prediction markets but also deeper tensions in the Democratic Party around socialism, the language of capitalism, and economic opportunity.

Essential Insights & Quotes

a. The Dangers and Inaccuracy of Polls

• Pollster Frank Luntz delivers a strong warning about overreliance on polls, particularly in low-turnout primaries:

  "You can’t avoid the fact that in these primary races you get turnouts of 15 or 20%. Most people are not participating... it’s not accurate, it’s not appropriate and they have to stop doing it." — Frank Luntz [03:46]

• On the impacts of polls and prediction markets:

  "They don't change a vote, but they do change participation. If people think that their candidate doesn't have a chance of winning, they don't vote." — Frank Luntz [05:10]

• Luntz draws a stark line:

  "Our democracy is under threat. The people who are potentially going to lead this country in Congress are at the extremes, extreme right and extreme left. And that's not helpful for getting things done." — Frank Luntz [05:44]

b. Youth and Democratic Socialism

• A CNBC–Generation Lab poll shows young voters driving a shift toward democratic socialism:

  "Nearly half have a somewhat favorable or very favorable opinion [of democratic socialism]... 12% said they don’t know what democratic socialism is." — Leslie Picker [06:57]

• Luntz connects regional variation and youth voting:

  "Young people will, if they vote, will vote far left. If you're in Wisconsin, they didn't. If you're in Michigan, they did. It goes state by state, region by region." — Frank Luntz [07:48]

c. The Need to Reframe 'Capitalism'

• Luntz calls for a “rebrand” of capitalism for a new generation:

  "It's one of the reasons I've recommended that we start calling it economic freedom. Capitalism is about Wall Street. Economic freedom is about Main Street. Capitalism is about billionaires. Economic freedom is mom and pop." — Frank Luntz [07:48]

d. Economic Frustrations and Messaging

• The panel explores why young people feel locked out of the American Dream:

  "They look at a crap apartment in New York and it's 2 million bucks. They're like, I'll never ever afford that." — Joe Kernan [10:31]

• Luntz urges better communication from business and political leaders:

  "I'm frightened that the people who are advocating for capitalism are the worst communicators in America today." — Frank Luntz [08:56] "Get your act together. Stop communicating like you're billionaires and start communicating like you give a darn about your workforce." — Frank Luntz [11:02]

Memorable Moment

• A Radiohead reference underscores the theme of self-inflicted wounds in communication and policy:

  "Everything you need to know, you can learn from a Radiohead song. You do it to yourself." — Joe Kernan [10:31]

---

2. Gary Vaynerchuk on Alternative Sports, Capital, and the Future

[13:37–22:51]

Summary

Gary Vaynerchuk joins to discuss his investment in Wiffle Ball and the exploding business of alternative sports. The conversation covers media models, the scarcity of traditional sports franchises, the promise of blockchain for fractionalized ownership, and the growing intersection of sports, tech, and capital.

Essential Insights & Quotes

a. The Business Model of Alternative Leagues

• Vaynerchuk on monetizing non-mainstream sports:

  "The business model of the league is the business model of every league, right? Ultimately you want to build enough demand that you get significant TV rights, sponsorship." — Gary Vaynerchuk [14:30] "Major League pickleball teams now sell for tens of millions of dollars, has a real following. You have Annalee Waters like real fame in the league. And they can now make it because you can win on a small streaming service or social media and then build your way up to your ESPN deal." [15:40]

b. Franchise Scarcity and Capital Inflows

• With traditional teams pricing out most buyers, alternative sports are opportunity-rich:

  "There is so much capital flowing into the sports space, there's not enough supply of places to put it." — Leslie Picker [17:25] "Even when I was a kid and wanted to buy a team, these were like hundreds of millions of dollars. Obviously capital... there's a lot more money in the system." — Gary Vaynerchuk [17:28]

c. The Future: Fractionalization and Blockchain

• Vaynerchuk’s bold claim: all assets, including sports franchises, will soon be fractionalized via blockchain:

  "All assets are about to get fractionalized because the blockchain is about to change the world.... When Rick Thompson has four pizza shops in Iowa and can get liquidity because there's an incredibly easy way for him to transact and we have laws in place that allow for it." — Gary Vaynerchuk [18:42] "We talk about stuff ad nauseam before it hits maturity... Technology is undefeated in the end." [19:47]

d. Sports Betting and Regulation

• Sports betting is poised to enter these new leagues:

  "The kind of league that within two or three years I could see a Fanduel or DraftKings or Fanatics come along and say, hey, this thing’s ready. And then you gotta put in all the checks and balances." — Gary Vaynerchuk [20:50]

e. Gary Vee’s Jets Dream

• Personal passion comes full circle, including a (half-joking, half-serious) dream of moving the Jets:

  "When I buy the Jets... I do dream about moving them to Queens. The Jets need their own identity and that I will take care of." — Gary Vaynerchuk [22:17]

• On franchise valuations:

  "I think the Jets are 15 [billion]. I do." — Gary Vaynerchuk [21:40]

Notable and Fun Exchanges

• Jets jokes abound: “That’s about a billion a win,” [18:13] and color banter: “Go back to the lighter green. I don’t like the shiny darker green.” [22:23]
• On the proliferation of streaming and alternative leagues: “We all grew up where cable and TV were the only options. And then you got satellite, but now we’re in full fledged streaming.” — Gary Vaynerchuk [15:16]

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3. NASA’s Next Leap: Moon Bases and the New Space Race

[23:05–32:14]

Summary

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman outlines the United States’ bold step forward in space exploration, explaining upcoming plans for moon missions, technical innovation, and America’s standing in the global space race.

Essential Insights & Quotes

a. The Next Big Showcase: U.S. Space Expo

• Isaacman previews the upcoming expo at Kennedy Space Center, promising a showcase of U.S. “air and space power”:

  “We have a grand expo...showcasing air and space power, the technological might of the nation.” — Jared Isaacman [25:06] “You probably have a 50/50 chance of seeing a rocket launch happen almost any given day here at Kennedy Space Center.” [26:59]

b. Why Haven’t Airplanes Gotten Faster?

• Addressing why commercial air travel has stagnated:

  “We have gotten comfortable... 3 or 4% more efficiency out of the engines... But that is changing, at least within NASA. The first day in aeronautics, we're down to 1x plane. We are completely rebuilding.” — Jared Isaacman [28:07] “What we learn from [the X59 supersonic demo] could very well usher in an era of quiet supersonic travel.” [28:07]

c. Renewed U.S.–SpaceX Ties Under Trump

• On his relationship with Elon Musk and his own appointment:

  “There is absolutely a space race underway right now. Every minute, every hour counts. And we are moving. We're making progress building our rocket here at Kennedy Space Center to launch Artemis 3 in 2027.” [29:42]

d. The Plan: Moon First, Then Mars

• The science and strategy behind building a moon base:

  “We've gained so much from [the ISS], but it’s time to take the next step, to go to the surface of the moon, establish the enduring presence, work with the regolith. Number one goal, master the skills necessary to go to Mars.” [30:39] “You want to figure all that out...when you’re three and a half days away on the lunar south pole than when you’re potentially nine months or more away on Mars.” [31:20] “We may have a lunar economy. We might be mining, refining lunar regolith, or who knows, Helium 3 at some point.” [31:45]

Memorable Moment

• On building on the moon: “Clear reactor on the South Pole of the moon.” — Joe Kernan [32:00]
• On bureaucracy: “The permitting is probably easier there... Not a lot of red tape on the moon.” — Brian Sullivan & Joe Kernan [32:03-32:06]

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Notable Quotes: Rapid Reference

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:46 | Frank Luntz | "Most people are not participating... it’s not accurate, it's not appropriate." | | 05:10 | Frank Luntz | "They don't change a vote, but they do change participation." | | 07:48 | Frank Luntz | "I've recommended we start calling it economic freedom. Capitalism is about Wall Street. Economic freedom is about Main Street." | | 14:30 | Gary Vee | "The business model of the league is the business model of every league." | | 18:42 | Gary Vee | "All assets are about to get fractionalized... the blockchain is about to change the world." | | 22:17 | Gary Vee | "When I buy the Jets... I do dream about moving them to Queens." | | 25:06 | Isaacman | "We have a grand expo...showcasing air and space power, the technological might of the nation." | | 28:07 | Isaacman | "We have gotten comfortable... But that is changing, at least within NASA." | | 29:42 | Isaacman | "There is absolutely a space race underway right now. Every minute, every hour counts." | | 30:39 | Isaacman | "It's time to take the next step, go to the surface of the moon, establish an enduring presence..." |

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Polling & Wisconsin Primary Discussion: 01:01–11:33
• Gary Vaynerchuk on Sports, Capital & Blockchain: 13:37–22:51
• NASA & the Space Race with Jared Isaacman: 23:05–32:14

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Conclusion

This episode provides a sweeping look at how institutions—political, business, and scientific—are all facing moments of reckoning, opportunity, and uncertainty. Whether it’s the reliability of polls, the future of sports in a digitized economy, or the new era of American space exploration, the takeaways converge on a need for better communication, innovation, and bold strategies for the future.

For those seeking succinct takeaways:

• Don’t trust political polls at face value, especially in low-turnout races.
• Alternative sports and fractionalized ownership (powered by blockchain) may reshape business beyond anything we’ve seen.
• America’s space program is moving aggressively to reclaim the spirit of innovation, with the moon as a crucial step toward Mars.

Transcript

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[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

Bring in show music please.

[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

Hi, I'm CNBC producer Katie Kramer. Today on Squawk Pod, a political summer of socialism hits a speed bump. Wisconsin's Democratic primary for governor has a surprising result.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

If people think that their candidate doesn't have a chance of winning, they don't vote.

[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

Pollster and strategist Frank Luntz has a warning about letting polls get ahead of voters.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

These prediction markets are now turning politics into a game. We already have enough trouble with our democracy as it stands. God help us.

[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

The business of sports marketing whiz and alternative sports investor Gary Vaynerchuk on Wiffle Ball and big dreams.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

When I buy the jets and I'm a Jersey voice. This is challenging for me, but I do dream about moving them to Queens. The jets need their own identity and that I will take care of.

[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

Plus, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman on the future of American space exploration.

[Jared Isaacman (NASA Administrator)]

There is absolutely a space race underway right now. Every minute, every hour counts and we are moving.

[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

It is Friday, August 14, 2026. Squawk Pod begins right now. First up today on the podcast, the polls don't trust the polls. This week's Democratic primary in Wisconsin showed the limits of polls, political prognostications when candidate Francesca Hong, a Democratic socialist who represents Madison in the state legislature, was favored to win by one metric. She was more than 20 points ahead of her nearest competitor.

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[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

She lost narrowly to Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a more establishment candidate. He had actually dropped out at one point because of these very polls showing him so far behind, and he reentered the race in its final weeks with his support of Wisconsin sitting and popular Democratic governor.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

Wow.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Always say that every day is a

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

good day in Wisconsin.

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[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

Okay, let's get into it.

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

Good Friday morning and welcome to Squawk Box here on cnbc. Live from the NASDAQ marketsite in Times Square. I'm Leslie Picker along with Brian Sullivan. Mike Santoli, third day in a row. Joe, Becky and Andrew are off today. Just 81 days to go until the midterm elections. Joining us to break down the big primary results from this week and the key issues driving voters, Frank Luntz, FILE Inc. Pollster and political strategist. Frank, good to see you. So we saw some pretty big polling misses in the Midwest this week. In the age of I, we're 10 years after the 2016 election, which perhaps had one of the most highest profile polling misses in history. How is polling still so off it

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

shouldn't be used the way that it's being used right now? I've been a guest here now for more than a decade and I've seen the advances in the technology. But you can't avoid the fact that in these primary races you get turns out turnouts of 15 or 20%. Most people are not participating. So you should not be making these projections. News networks, newspapers, media outlets want to participate, want to be able to tell their readers, their viewers who's going to win. But it's not accurate, it's not appropriate and they have to stop doing it.

[Joe Kernan]

Is it dangerous?

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

It's wrong. It's simply wrong. We have a responsibility to be factual and to acknowledge where we are weak. We don't have the capability. There's no humility in polling.

[Joe Kernan]

Let me flip it. Let me flip it because I think what happened in Wisconsin state that I know well. Okay. Is you have to really think David Crowley, who won the Democratic nomination, effectively dropped out. He was so low in the polling that he effectively said, I'm out, I'm done. Whenever he came back in, he ended up winning. But he was she was 96% on prediction markets soaring in polling. Do polling and prediction markets, and I'm lumping them together, you can address that as well. Do they influence and impact outcomes rather than measure a neutral feeling about an outcome?

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

They don't change. That's a good question. They don't change a vote, but they do change participation. And we've seen this now for decades. If people think that their candidate doesn't have a chance of winning, they don't vote on election night is why we don't do projections ahead of time. We have to get enough of the votes in to make a declaration. And the fact is these prediction markets are now turning politics into a game, into betting. We already have enough trouble with our democracy as it stands to add any other component that makes it less serious. God help us. I've said this on this show several times. Our democracy is under threat. The people who are potentially going to lead this country in Congress are at the extremes, extreme right and extreme left. And that's not helpful for getting things done. It's not helpful for making democracy work. And as someone who is a professor in addition to being a pollster, it frightens me.

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

I want to get your take on one of the questions from a survey from CNBC and Generation Lab that we had on the show yesterday. Polls have attributed the rise of democratic socialism to young voters, and the data here supports that. Nearly half have a somewhat favorable or very favorable opinion, while 24% had an unfavorable opinion. 12% said they don't know what democratic socialism is. So there's clearly this, this growing divide in the Democratic Party. And I'm curious if you think that the, you know, trend toward democratic socialism makes the party more compelling. Do you feel like that is the future of the Democratic Party come November, or do you think it will be the moderate candidates that bring more people out to vote?

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

It depends on where you are. That's exactly the case in New York State. In this area where we are in Times Square, it really does matter. Young people will, if they vote, will vote far left. If you're in Wisconsin, they didn't. If you're in Michigan, they did. It goes state by state, region by region. I think capitalism is in trouble. It's one of the reasons I've recommended that we start calling it economic freedom. Capitalism is about Wall Street. Economic freedom is about Main Street. Capitalism is about billionaires. Economic freedom is mom and pop. You change the lexicon, which I'd love to do on this show, you change the lexicon and you change how young people see socialism. And if you don't change it, then these far left candidates are going to win and they're going to be successful in November.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

I mean, that sort of a, of a rebrand would probably make sense. Although what it would seem those people are reacting to is the fact that capital in aggregate has been in ascendance for a long time. I mean, basically wealth piling up. Big companies are kind of have all the money and spending power and the perception is that there's no real path to the average person to exploit the current economy, even though all the numbers are great.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

And that's the key is do I have a path?

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

Yeah.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

It used to be that we're not revenge focused. We were not vengeful in our outlook towards the economy. But that's not the case anymore. We now think that the only way that we get ahead is by denying other people their success. And that has been a challenge over the last 10 years. It's getting more and more significant. You don't have Democratic socialists who are 60 years old. You most certainly have them who are 20 years old. And this next generation of Vermont is

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

like 80 years old.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

One individual. One individual and his family.

[Joe Kernan]

So rebrand capitalism as economic freedom is. That's the idea. Because capitalism is now a dirty word.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

And it's not just human capital is putting a price tag on the workforce. Human talent is reckon recognizing them for their success. There are a whole series of language that makes a difference in how we perceive our economy, how we perceive our future. And I'm frightened that the people who are advocating for capitalism are the worst communicators in America today. They have no one to blame but themselves if they're turning people off.

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

Well, I, you know, I think there is a line that's being drawn between what's going on with affordability and the ascendance that Mike was just talking about with regard to capitalism. And people say that the reason I can't afford my rent or to buy a house is because other people are getting wealthier and they're driving up prices. Whether that's true or not, private equity

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

owns all the houses. I mean, that was such an overstated thing that it became a core piece of this housing.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

But we have a president of the United States who says, and I quote, affordability is a hoax. Why are you saying that? If you want Republicans to win in the fall, you're challenging what the public sees. 51% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. My response to that was, oh, my God, we need to do better. And you say affordability is a hoax, or you say, I love inflation. You're actually explicitly hurting Republican candidates in November with comments like that.

[Joe Kernan]

Yeah.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

Why is this happening? I don't understand it. That's what you need to.

[Joe Kernan]

Because everything you need to know, you can learn from a Radiohead song. You do it to yourself. And to your point, they need better communication strategies, better messaging. Young people, to your point, Leslie, when they look at a crap apartment in New York and it's 2 million bucks. They're like, I'll never ever afford that. And even if I could afford it, I'm going to basically bankrupt myself for four walls, a window and a bed.

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

Well, and then you layer on top of that the job displacement fears. Will they even have a job to

[Joe Kernan]

even they don't like the privilege of

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

looking at that apart?

[Joe Kernan]

We'll get you back on to talk about that people don't like.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

And the last issue is we're looking at what's happening in France, in Germany and the UK it's coming here. The public looks at not being able to afford a house until they're 40. And they say, hell no. And we're getting that in America. So I see the future and I say to the people in the Hamptons who I'm going to see in about 10 days, get your act together. Stop communicating like you're billionaires and start communicating like you give a darn about your workforce.

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

All right, Frank, lots to think about there. Appreciate your time.

[Frank Luntz (Pollster and Political Strategist)]

Thank you.

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[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

Coming up on Squawk Pod, Gary Vee, the founder of Vaynerchuk Media, has an eye on the next big thing. Professionalizing sports that you may play in your backyard like Wiffle ball.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

The business model of the league is the business model of every league, right? Which is ultimately you want to build enough demand that you get significant TV rights, sponsorship.

[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

We'll be right back.

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[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

Welcome back to Squawk Pod from cnbc where in sports it's serious business of any size. Our anchors today, Leslie Picker, Mike Santoli and Brian Sullivan.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

The world of alternative sports is exploding and one of the latest examples is big league wiffle ball. The New York Green Apples just became the first ever big league wiffle World Series champions, defeating the Dallas Pandas in Florida last week. Joining us now is one of the team's investors. Easier to talk about the rise of alternative sports and much more from AI to media and collectibles. Gary Vaynerchuk, VaynerMedia CEO and Vanerex chairman. Great to see you, Gary.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Always great to see you. Good morning.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

So much fun. This idea of, of major league wiffle ball, my one disappointment in looking into it is you don't actually use a lawn chair for the strike song. But I mean, how long has it been around? What's the business model of the league?

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

I mean, the business model of the league is the business model of every league, right? Which is ultimately you want to build enough demand that you get significant TV rights to become exclusive sponsorship. None of these alternative sports are creating any kind of new business model per se. Obviously esports does some stuff, but I mean, look, we, we've all lived through watching UFC be a side conversation to a huge sport. I think people forget the 1982 NBA Finals. There was games that were taped delay because the NBA was in that position. Even pro football not too long ago Super Bowl 1 did not sell out its tickets. So, you know, you have a teenage founder for this wiffle ball league who had an idea and was grinding for several years and then caught enough attention from people like me, Lazari Blitzer, real investors, real thought leaders, real operators and this last season crushed ratings on espn. To Will Smithy, the greatest wiffle ball player in the world. And you know, stuff like me being on this and people start to dig in and slowly but surely like every league that has ever been created becomes the thing that people are missing is we all grew up where cable and TV were the only options. And then you got satellite, but now we're in full pledge streaming and you've got YouTube TV. And I was an early investor in pickleball, which has done incredibly well. Major League pickleball teams now sell for tens of millions of dollars, has a real following. You have Annalee Waters like real fame in the league and they can now make it because you can win on a small streaming service or social media and, and then build your way up to your ESPN deal or your Paramount deal or Netflix deal. And I think that Wiffle ball, sailing league I'm involved in, Padel, all of these things have a real shot.

[Joe Kernan]

MTV has a TV show about a former a pickleball player.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

That's right. That's right.

[Joe Kernan]

Right.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

This is real.

[Joe Kernan]

I mean they're turning it into like the Ted Lasso of pickleball.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

That's right. And you know, for me, I think, you know, I aspire to buy the New York Jets. I don't know if you've heard, but these teams in the big leagues are starting to get really expensive. So I got.

[Joe Kernan]

What? Yeah, yeah.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

So I've got real work to do. But I think one of the ways I do that is by building out my, my portfolio. But, but Logan Rose and kids like that are. Or a 60 year old that has a passion could start a league. You build on social media and you could be stunned where this could go.

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

But how much of a correlation is there to the higher valuations you see in traditional sports? We've been talking all week about the Lakers at $13 billion with the alternative sports world. This idea that there is so much capital flowing into the sports space, there's not enough supply of places to put it. Therefore you're able to support maybe under the radar, less well known sports in the process.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, is the argument when you say nowhere to put it. I just want to make sure I fully understand you.

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

Well, there just scarcity value.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Of what?

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

Of traditional sports.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Oh yeah, for sure. And like even when I was a kid and like wanted to buy a team, these were like hundred hundreds of millions of dollars. Obviously capital. Everyone that watches this knows there's a lot more money in the system. But of course, and even if that wasn't the case, you know, I didn't go into the fives and major league pickleball or, or big league whiffle because like oh darn, I can't get the Jets. I'm going to get the Jets. I went into it.

[Joe Kernan]

Are you going to get the Jets?

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

I'm going to get the Jets.

[Joe Kernan]

Okay, so let's, let's, let's talk, let's talk about the jets, please. All right. So Woody Johnson and his brother buy The jets called $700 million in the year 2000.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

I'm impressed.

[Joe Kernan]

The LA Lakers reportedly being sold for 12 and a half billion. That's a basketball team, Gary.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Yes, I heard.

[Joe Kernan]

So the CNBC lists the valuation of the New York Jets J ETS. Yes. At $9.1 billion last year. That's about a billion a win.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Yep.

[Joe Kernan]

Sorry I had to do it.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

By the way, I'll take nine wins, okay?

[Joe Kernan]

I'm talking like in total, not per year.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

No, no, don't take it back.

[Joe Kernan]

I'm sorry. I have to say that I'm the Chargers fan. Okay, Let me ask you this. If you were to buy the jets today, what would, what would they go for? Because if the lakers were worth 12 and a half or the jets worth

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

20, I think they could get it. I mean, now that the Jets. But here's what happened. Fractionalization happened. They're. They've allowed pe. I mean, by the way, let's like make this very valuable for everybody. This is what's about to happen with all assets. All assets are about to get fractionalized because the blockchain is about to change the world. The number.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

Because the blockchain is about to change the world or we need so much capital to get toward AI compute. We were talking about that all week.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Because the blockchain is going to change the world. You're right, they'll change. Yes. That's the minor thing. The macro thing is within a decade on this incredible platform, what we're going to see is there's going to be an ability for small businesses to transact. When Rick Thompson has four pizza shops in Iowa and can get liquidity because there's an incredibly easy way for him to transact and we have laws in place that allow for it. And this incredible technology that continues to get misunderstood because of the cynicism of crypto and NFTs. People don't understand the macro.

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

But we've been hearing that for a long time. This idea that illiquid assets will be disintermediated by the blockchain. But it hasn't happened yet. Sure, why not?

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

The show also in 2003, asked someone like me, like we've been hearing about the Internet, why hasn't happened yet? Because we talk about stuff at nausea before it hits maturity. Do you know how many times ESPN talked about LeBron not winning a title yet? And then he did. We are incredibly impatient. We like to talk about short term things. And the reality is, is anybody who's got a long view and who understands consumer behavior and technology now? I guess the government. I mean, we have a very interesting political spectrum. So if it swings too hard and it becomes politicized, it could slow it down. But technology is undefeated in the end.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

The other thing that's certainly propping up or expanding the value and opportunity in sports is, is betting. I mean, can you bet on these alternative sports?

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

I think these sports. The answer is I don't believe so. I'm sure. I mean, listen, someone take a heard about polymarking. You could bet on him sneezing in the next minute. Yeah, but.

[Joe Kernan]

Yeah, but I could make that happen. No, I couldn't.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

You can't bet on.

[Joe Kernan]

Well, I can affect the outcome, which is why I'm making the bet, which

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

is why all of that is going to be a very, very challenging thing to navigate for all of us in society. Regulation, the, the leagues. I would say that Major League Pickle is the kind of league that within two or three years I could see a fanduel or draftkings or fanatics back come along and say, hey, this thing's ready. And then you got to put in all the checks and balances. I'm under educated on what those checks and balances are, but I know that the threshold when I look at the platforms when I'm studying behavior, you got to get to a certain point to get in.

[Joe Kernan]

You think 20 billion? Maybe not 20 billion for the Jets. Realistically though, Gary, if the Lakers are going to sell for 12 and a half and CNBC values the jets at 9.1 billion, what would realistically an NFL franchise be worth today? Well, you're not the Cowboys.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

What do the Seahawks just go for?

[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

9?

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

9 out of 10?

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

I think the jets are 15. I do.

[Joe Kernan]

Because the New York media market, they also don't. They have a terrible stadium, but they

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

also own half of it.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

Yeah, the stadium, right.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

So it might be a terrible stadium because they tried to appease both and they appeased no one. But they still own the stadium. The cool thing is when I was. I was born in the Soviet Union. When I came to America, I came to Queens. And the thought that. And I have a crazy story because of what. My mom knitted me a Jets jersey. It's really cool. But we don't have time for that. When I buy the jets and I'm a jersey voice. This is challenging for me, but I do dream about moving them to Queens. The jets need their own identity.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

Yeah.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

And that I will take care of.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

All right, get on it, Gary.

[Joe Kernan]

There you go.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

Appreciate it.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Have the best day.

[Joe Kernan]

Go back to the lighter green. I don't like the shiny darker green. Go back to the lighter green.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

I agree.

[Joe Kernan]

The name of green, the retro. What is the name of green?

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

That's what I call it.

[Joe Kernan]

Oh, you call it that? That's not the actual.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Well, we'll work on that as well. Rebrand that you and I. I'll see

[Joe Kernan]

you at the I'm going to go to the packers jets game at the Meadowlands. I will be there, watch the packers win.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

I'm going to go to Nashville Week one. We're going to stick it to you, Salah. Even though Robert Sala is one of my dear friends and I love it, we're going to stick it to you, Salah.

[Joe Kernan]

Jets Titans that should burn up the ratings.

[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

Coming up, the next big step in space exploration. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman on the mission ahead.

[Jared Isaacman (NASA Administrator)]

Step one Go to the moon. Use it as your technical proving ground to go to Mars. You're going to get a lot of There's a lot of scientific potential on the South Pole Moon.

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[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

You're listening to Squawk Pod from CNBC.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Here's Mike Santoli, NASA unveiling plans for

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

a big event to showcase US Aviation and space exploration. Joining us now, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman to to tell us all about this. Mr. Administrator, what is this expo going to encompass what are the objectives.

[Jared Isaacman (NASA Administrator)]

Well, thank you very much. It's great to be speaking to you today from Kennedy Space Center. We've got an awful lot going on here. We've got the Artemis 3 rocket coming together for our mission next year. We're checking in on lander progress, Moon base build out. A lot of activity happening at ksc. Well, a lot more activity is coming this November. We have a grand expo that's coming to the once restricted shuttle landing facility here at Kennedy Space center where we're going to be showcasing air and space power, the technological might of the nation. I mean when a lot of people think of the big aerospace exhibitions, you think of Farnborough, you think of Paris. Now you're going to start thinking about Florida and Kennedy Space center and I

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

guess how will it differ from those other events that you mentioned? And who's going to participate? And I mean how much are you going to show about what NASA has on the way?

[Jared Isaacman (NASA Administrator)]

Well, you're going to have to, people are going have to tune in a little bit later this afternoon but I'll be joined by Senate and congressional leadership representing the state of Florida. Right now there is an awful lot of support alongside of, alongside of industry and it will be different. Not only will it be in the United States where so much innovation is happening, whether it's evtols, you know, new quiet supersonic transportation aircraft or all the breakthroughs that are, that are happening in space right now, we are bridging all of those domains which is very different than what you'd see at a Farnborough or Paris air show where it's, it could be very commercial transportation focused, it could be military aircraft. If you're going to perhaps like the Dubai Air show for example, you're going to have the full spectrum here unlike anywhere else you can go in the world. Not to mention in between all these big, you know, kind of corporate and industry announcements, you're going to be seeing an air show like you'd never, like you've never seen before. And this year will be headlined by

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

quite an act, quite an act. So a launch, what might it be?

[Jared Isaacman (NASA Administrator)]

Well that's, you know, that's what's so special about Kennedy Space Center. Going back to your question is you can have a multi day event here again featuring the latest breakthroughs, EVTOLs transportation, military aircraft and all the aerospace hardware you can imagine. And you probably have a 50, 50 chance of seeing a rocket launch happen almost any given day here at Kennedy Space Center. So I'd honestly be Surprised if there wasn't at least one during the event later this year.

[Joe Kernan]

I like the tease. Jared, it's Brian Sullivan. This is not directly up your alley, but you're talking about commercial air traffic, so I'll see if you can answer this one. Why hasn't air travel gotten better in the last 50 years? I know the quality of the air is better. The jets are better. The 747 first flew in 1969. We no longer have supersonic aircraft, which you just mentioned. Why can't we board a plane today, go to the edge of the atmosphere, maybe into the atmosphere, and land in Azerbaijan in two and a half hours? Why isn't that possible in this day and age? Feels like in 50 to 60 years we haven't gotten that far. Or am I completely wrong about everything I'm saying right now?

[Jared Isaacman (NASA Administrator)]

No, no, you are absolutely spot on. I mean, I'm a pilot, an aerospace enthusiast, and I can tell you, yes, for the longest period of time, we have gotten comfortable, right? We, we stretch the plane a little bit. We get 3 or 4% more efficiency out of the engines. Maybe we update the avionics in the, in the cockpit. We have gone so far from the breakthrough, you know, radical airframe and propulsion designs of decades past. But that is changing, I can tell you, at least within NASA. The first day in aeronautics, we're down to 1x plane. We are completely rebuilding. This is exactly the kind of thing that President Trump is challenging us in this golden age of science and discover to take on the big, bold endeavors again. That's why we have the X59 aircraft doing the quiet supersonic demonstration flights out of Edwards Air Force Base. That's a NASA program right now. And what we learn from that could very well usher in an era of quiet supersonic travel. But that's just one part of a, of a bigger, you know, initiative that's underway right now to tackle again, whether it's the big industrial projects I, the missions that we have to return astronauts to the moon and build a moon base and launch nuclear powered spaceships. Like we're getting in gear again.

[Leslie Picker (Anchor)]

Administrator, there's a big piece in the Wall Street Journal today detailing how President Trump has mended his relationship with Elon Musk. And you're part of it. The Journal says, quote, trump also made an extraordinary U turn in November, reappointing Musk ally Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, a move that Musk appreciated. And I'm just curious what your reaction is to that.

[Jared Isaacman (NASA Administrator)]

You know, and tell you, I haven't read the article, in fact, I don't have an opportunity to really lift my head up much, you know, for, for, for current events, because we are going 18, 20 hours a day and have been since I was sworn into this job in December of 2025. There is absolutely a space race underway right now. Every minute, every hour counts. And we are moving. We're making progress building our rocket here at Kennedy Space center to launch Artemis 3 in 2027. We're working on our landers, we're building a moon base and all the other things. So to be very honest, I haven't had a chance to read the article. Extremely grateful to President Trump for nominating me for this position and working with the best and brightest at NASA.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

You mentioned the next Artemis mission building at some point toward a moon base. What is, what do we anticipate learning and facilitating with an eventual moon base?

[Jared Isaacman (NASA Administrator)]

It's such a great question, right? We've made incredible progress in low Earth orbit. I mean, the International Space station, if you're 25 years or younger, you have not lived a time when there weren't astronauts orbiting above you on the iss. We've gained so much from it. But it's time to take the next step, to go to the surface of the moon, establish the enduring presence, work with the regolith. Number one goal, master the skills necessary to go to Mars. I mean, we've been gifted a moon here that's, you know, three and a half days away for us to test habitability, next generation spacesuits, putting a nuclear reactor on the, on the south pole, the moon, to interact with the water ice in the permanently shaded regions of the south pole so you can make life support, whether it's oxygen, you can make liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen that you could use potentially for rocket fuel. You are going to, believe me, want to figure all that out and get very good at it. When you're three and a half days away on the lunar south pole than when you're potentially nine months or more than a year away on Mars. Step one, go to the moon. Use it as your technical proving ground. To go to Mars, you're going to get a lot of, there's a lot of scientific potential on the south pole of the moon. You can put radio telescopes on the far side. There's economic potential. We may have a lunar economy. We might be mining, refining lunar regolith, or who knows, Helium 3 at some point. But number one, master the skills to where you go next, which is Mars.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

All right, pretty good pitch. We'll see there's a lot to be done there.

[Gary Vaynerchuk]

Yeah.

[Joe Kernan]

Clear reactor on the south pole of the moon.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

Yeah. The permitting is probably easier there.

[Joe Kernan]

A little easier. Yeah. Not a lot of red tape on the moon.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

Administrator Jared Eisenman, really appreciate you joining us today. Exciting stuff. Thanks.

[Jared Isaacman (NASA Administrator)]

Thank you for your time.

[Joe Kernan]

Take care.

[Podcast Host (Leslie Picker)]

And that is Squawk Pod for today and for the week. Thanks for listening. Squawk Box is hosted by Joe Kernan, Becky Quick and Andrew Ross Sorkin. Becky and Andrew will be back next week. Big thanks to Leslie, Mike and Brian for sitting in this week. You can tune in any morning Monday to Friday on cnbc starting at 6 Eastern or get the smartest takes and analysis from our TV show right into your ears in a podcast when you follow Squawk Pod wherever you like to listen. We'll meet you right back here on Monday. Have a great weekend.

[Interviewer/Host (Brian Sullivan)]

We are clear. Thanks, guys.

[Schwab/Ameritrade Announcer]

Trading at Schwab is now powered by Ameritrade, bringing you an expanding library of education with even more ways to sharpen your trading skills. Access new online courses, insightful webcasts, articles, engaging videos and more, all curated just for traders. Plus guided learning paths with content designed to fit your unique interests. And no sifting to find exactly what you need so you can spend your time learning to trade brilliantly. Learn [e-mail] trading.