Hour 1: Helpful Advice

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Episode Summary: Hour 1: Helpful Advice

Release Date: July 20, 2025 | Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf | Presented by ESPN Radio

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1. Welcome Back and Initial Banter

After a brief hiatus, Matt Jones rejoins co-host Myron Medcalf on the "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" podcast. The hosts exchange light-hearted remarks about upcoming vacations and the transition into football season.

Notable Quote:

• Matt Jones [00:34]: "It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio. Matt and Myron, presented by Progressive Insurance."

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2. UFC and Boxing: Scheduling Conundrums

Matt and Myron delve into the overlapping schedules of UFC and boxing events, questioning the rationale behind having major fights on the same nights. They express nostalgia for a time when the two sports didn’t directly compete for viewership.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [01:35]: "Why do UFC and boxing have fights on the same night?"
• Myron Medcalf [01:36]: "It used to be the opposite. They used to kind of play off one another."

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3. Golf Spotlight: Scotty Scheffler and the British Open

The bulk of the episode centers on golf, with a focused discussion on Scotty Scheffler's impressive performance at the British Open. The hosts explore the significance of winning multiple majors and compare Scheffler's trajectory to legends like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Historical Context and Major Wins

Matt provides a historical overview of major winners, highlighting that only a handful of active golfers have secured four or more majors. He emphasizes that a fourth major could elevate Scheffler into golf’s elite tier.

Notable Quote:

• Matt Jones [02:56]: "So Scotty Scheffler, unless he collapses here down the stretch, is likely to win his fourth major."

Comparisons to Golf Legends

Myron and Matt discuss whether Scheffler can be considered the next Tiger Woods, debating his consistency and dominance in a more competitive modern golf landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Myron Medcalf [05:15]: "This feels like the equivalent of winning a second national championship in college basketball."
• Matt Jones [08:25]: "He's over 100 weeks at number one. That's the most Tiger-like thing he's doing."

Impact of Arrest on Reputation

The conversation takes a turn as they address Scheffler's recent arrest during a Coldplay concert. They humorously speculate on the long-term implications for his public image and legacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [10:23]: "But we also talk about the Scottish Scheffler arrest. It doesn’t matter what this dude achieves beyond this in life, this is going to be with him the rest of his life."
• Myron Medcalf [10:48]: "There is going to be what, a 17-minute sobbing statement that nobody will feel sympathy for."

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4. Pop Culture Brief: Coldplay Concert Incident

Matt recounts an incident at a Coldplay concert where Scotty Scheffler was arrested. The hosts humorously dissect the events, offering tongue-in-cheek advice on how Scheffler could have handled the situation better to avoid viral embarrassment.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [15:00]: "What are we telling him to do?"
• Myron Medcalf [17:46]: "They just have to act natural and avoid any sudden movements like getting shot."

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5. WNBA All Star Game and Player Protests

Shifting to basketball, the hosts discuss the WNBA All Star Game, focusing on the players' bold statement by wearing shirts demanding better pay and revenue shares. They analyze the current state of the WNBA, the financial challenges, and the potential impact of these protests on future collective bargaining agreements.

Players' Demands and League's Financials

Myron praises the players' unified stance and the strategic use of the All Star platform to highlight their concerns. They delve into the specifics of the WNBA's financial struggles and the new $2.2 billion TV deal, debating how revenue sharing could transform the league.

Notable Quotes:

• Myron Medcalf [25:07]: "I was all for it. They had had two meetings this weekend with the WNBA and it seems like we're headed to a lockout."
• Matt Jones [26:01]: "They're asking for a percentage of revenue, but the league has historically done not well in revenue."

Comparisons to Other Leagues

Matt draws parallels between the WNBA's situation and that of the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL, questioning how the WNBA can navigate negotiations without the extensive history these leagues possess.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [30:23]: "The NBA, NFL, they are negotiating based on a long history. The WNBA is going from a league that lost a lot of money to one that might make money."

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6. NBA Offseason Moves

The discussion transitions to significant NBA roster changes, including Marcus Smart's move to the Lakers, Bradley Beal’s signing with the Clippers, and Damian Lillard’s return to Portland.

Marcus Smart to the Lakers

Myron expresses skepticism about Smart's potential impact on the Lakers, citing recent injuries and the team's current standing.

Notable Quotes:

• Myron Medcalf [38:49]: "If he can stay healthy, he can contribute, but I don't know that the Lakers are real contenders yet."

Bradley Beal to the Clippers

The hosts debate Beal's fit with the Clippers, acknowledging his previous performance and potential to bolster the team's depth.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [41:00]: "But Phoenix was basically paying him. They did not want him to be on the team."
• Myron Medcalf [41:26]: "He was averaging like 18 a game. He's the perfect number three guy on a team that wants to make."

Damian Lillard's Return to Portland

Myron highlights Lillard's deep ties to Portland beyond basketball, suggesting that his return could have impactful ramifications both on and off the court.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [43:25]: "Like, he's one of those guys that everybody loves. He's like Freddie Freeman when he goes back to Atlanta."
• Myron Medcalf [43:54]: "He could run for mayor. He's that kind of dude."

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7. Closing Remarks and Additional Segments

The episode wraps up with brief mentions of upcoming topics, including a new 30 for 30 podcast series on basketball and humorous promotions for sponsors like Progressive Insurance, Shop Pay, and Venmo. Matt and Myron also engage with listener comments, further illustrating their chemistry and lightheartedness.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Jones [37:36]: "So if you ever want to have a Sunday morning Matt Myron reading club, say Nothing is a great book."
• Myron Medcalf [45:17]: "The 30 for 30 podcast presents a brand new original series, Chasing Basketball Heaven."

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Conclusion

In "Hour 1: Helpful Advice," Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf deliver a dynamic and engaging episode filled with insightful sports analysis, playful banter, and thoughtful commentary on current events in the sports world. From dissecting Scotty Scheffler’s golfing prowess and mishaps to examining the WNBA players' fight for better compensation, the podcast offers a comprehensive look at both the highlights and the challenges facing athletes today. Their seamless blend of humor, expertise, and genuine discussion makes the episode a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking both depth and entertainment.

Transcript

[Matt Jones]

On WhatsApp, no one can see or hear your personal messages. Whether it's a voice call message or sending a password to WhatsApp, it's all just this. So whether you're sharing the streaming password in the family chat, or trading those late night voice messages, that could basically become a podcast, your personal messages stay between you, your friends and your family. No one else, not even us. WhatsApp message privately with everyone.

[Myron Metcalf]

This is Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

It is Sunday morning here on ESPN Radio. Matt and Myron, presented by Progressive Insurance. I was gone last week, but Myron held the fort down. Now we're back and basically going to be together for most of the going into the fall, right? Are you missing any more, Myron? You got some big stuff, sexy vacations coming.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I'm going on vacation for two weeks. So you'll be here?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Well, so never mind. But nevertheless, when we get to football season, we will all be together, represented by Progressive Insurance. Cars, homes, boats, motorcycles, RVs, and [e-mail].

[Myron Metcalf]

What are we thinking about?

[Matt Jones]

I'm trying to think, but nothing happens.

[Myron Metcalf]

Nothing happens. It's time to find out.

[Matt Jones]

This is off the top, Flash. Off the top. With Matt and Myron, it is off the top. There's a lot of things we could start with. My reds are hot. There were multiple fights last night. Why do UFC and boxing. Why do they have fights on the same night?

[Myron Metcalf]

Why?

[Matt Jones]

Why is it? I feel like every time one of them goes, the other one goes too. Why do they do that?

[Myron Metcalf]

It's weird. It used to be the opposite. Like, they used to kind of play off one another and not put a big fight on the same nights. But I feel like they think maybe their audiences are different, you know, Manny Pacquiao fighting ufc, Dustin Poirier's retirement fight.

[Matt Jones]

And it does feel like I hear the same. Like, when you told me that Pacquiao and Poirier were fighting, I was like, is this 1996? Like, I feel like these are the exact same names I heard back a long time ago.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, Pacquiao is a legend. He made his debut in 2000. He looked good for 46. Like, he did. He looked really good. Didn't train a lot. You know, he's in the. He's in the Senate in the Philippines. So, like, he's a politician, really. So, yeah. So, yeah, that's why he couldn't train. He had a realization.

[Matt Jones]

We lived in the Philippines and, like, Lindsey Graham came and fought.

[Myron Metcalf]

They're about the same age, right?

[Matt Jones]

UFC 40, UFC, Indonesia, Lindsey Graham versus a 28 year old. Well, anyway, those fights happen but the reality is the big one is the golf. The, the British Open or as those in Europe like to just say, the Open, which is silly right now. Why is it silly?

[Myron Metcalf]

It's the British Open. I mean, that's what it is. I don't know what they. I'm not changing names of any other events the rest of my life in sports. I don't care what they say. It's the French Open, it's the British Open, I'm not changing names anymore.

[Matt Jones]

That's what old men say. So they are playing right now. It's Royal Port Bush in Northern Ireland. Scotty Scheffler leads by five strokes over Lee. Roy McElroy is six back, Harrison English is six back. And then somebody named Goddard up is also six back. So Scotty Scheffler, unless he collapses here down the stretch, is likely to win his fourth major. He is going to. He's approaching 30 years old, but it'll be his fourth major. And, and I, I wanted to sort of give some historical context to the fourth major because I think, you know, in some sports there is a moment that a player moves kind of to a different tier of history. And I think in golf you can really say that moment to some extent is the fourth major. Because let's just look at modern players. If I were to just tell you people playing now and the majors, they've won, Tiger is of course the, you know, Tiger of guys now is the, is the highest Tiger has won. What is it? How many has he won? He's won 14 or something. Well, he's won a lot. I'll find it here in just a second. But he is one. It's the second most of all time behind Nicholas. It is 15. Yeah, I was right, 15 then. If you look at guys who are still active, you get to. Phil Mickelson has won six. Ka and Rory have won five. And then even with four, there's no one else active that's won four. The most recent one was Ernie Ells. So when Scotty, if he wins today, gets to four, basically the only modern players that will be in his range are Tiger, Rory, Kep and Koepka. So it's a pretty. And Phil Mickelson, it's a pretty amazing list. He will have done it at a young age. However, other guys have done at a young age. Koepka did, Tiger did. But I do think it's fair to say, Myron, that if he wins today he's hitting a new level of golf history, and I think people should appreciate that. Just what an amazing accomplishment it is.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, this feels like the equivalent of winning a second national championship in college basketball.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, that's a good one. I think that's a good one. It's a different level.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. Put you in a different level. And I think the guys you mentioned, I mean, Tiger is basically retired, you know, in terms of being a real contender. Same with Phil Mickelson. I don't think people see him as sort of an active presence on the tour. So in terms of guys who are playing right now, Scotty Scheffler is certainly the best golfer. Uh, and we have seen other guys, Koepka and Rory. I think what feels different about Scotty is the consistency. We saw a lot of guys who won a bunch of majors in a short span, whereas it feels like Scottie Scheffler continued to get better. Rory just won that fifth major. Right. Win a decade without winning. I think if Scotty stays healthy, continues to get better, there's a world where I don't think anyone will ever be Tiger, but I think there's a world where he becomes one of the greats. And if he can continue to play this at this pace, there's a world that.

[Matt Jones]

That exists. But I do think it's very important because it's kind of become a hot take for people to go, this is the best thing since Tiger. And I just want to rewind a little bit and remind people of how many times that's been said in the past. All right, so it's. It was said about Rory, you're right. He hadn't won in 10 years. But before that, like Scotty, he won four and four years so that he would bet. Roy was basically on the same path. Koepka won five in five years. Okay, so Koepka was at the exact same level. I'll also remind you there was a year where Jordan Spieth won the Masters, won the US Open, and was leading the British Open on the final day in order to win the first three. So you are right. If Scotty keeps on this path, I mean, if he keeps on this path, he could very easily become the third best golfer of all time behind Nicklaus and Tiger. But you could have said that same thing about Jordan Spieth. You could have said that same thing about Rory. You could have said that same thing about Koepka. So there is a part of me as sort of a golf. I don't want to say I'm a historian, but as somebody who appreciates the history of the game that says, hey, let's let Scotty go a few more years before we say that.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, I guess I respect that. You know, the weird thing about Tiger, too, is there was like, what, a six, seven year span where we didn't really see him due to injuries and personal stuff. But I think what feels Tiger like to me, especially watching him at the Open, it feels like to me, if you tell me Scottie Scheffler is playing his best golf, then there's a big gap between whoever's behind him. And that's what feels like Tiger to me. Just the level that he.

[Matt Jones]

But that's what Koepka was like and that's what Rory was like. We forget it. But Koepka was in a moment where, like, no one was close to him in the majors. He was coming first or second in every major.

[Myron Metcalf]

And I think Scotty's getting better. Obviously, he's 29, so you're right. I mean, this could all. This could all end. But it just feels like every time you see him, he's going to a different level. And I think that to me feels like the difference brisk. Koepka did have his flash and then had his challenges. Rory won early and then didn't win for a long time. Scotty just feels to me like a guy who every time I see him is even more and more dominant. And when he's at his best, he's had an amazing. I have no doubts.

[Matt Jones]

And I think to me, we. It's a natural tendency to focus on majors. And I get that. I'm actually almost more impressed by guys when they're ranked number one in the world because that tells me that they're winning at everything. And that's where I think Scotty is amazingly impressive. He's over 100 weeks at number one. That's the most Tiger like thing he's doing because go back to the. When Brooks Koepka was making his run, he wasn't number one in the world the whole time. He kind of showed up at majors and then he wouldn't be the greatest in other things. Scotty's great in everything. And Scotty is getting to the point that if he's in a tournament, he's expected to win. And that is the only person we've seen in my lifetime like that is Tiger. He's a long way from there. But I will say this. In today's golf, to be able Myron to win with how many people Are good. Okay. That's another big difference. You go back to when Nicholas played, there just weren't that many people as good as him. Like, like he, he was playing against a lot of guys that weren't on his level. Tiger led to where you've got dudes who win one major their whole career that are amazing. And for Scheffler to beat those fields, I think is pretty impressive.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. And I think, you know, it's fair to say, you know Tiger 20 years ago, who remembers the number two guys, who remembers a lot of the guys who were chasing.

[Matt Jones]

Well, the reason we don't know them is because they didn't get careers because Tiger ruined them all.

[Myron Metcalf]

But whereas I think, I think Scheffler's facing a more competitive field right at the end.

[Matt Jones]

I think that. I think he is. But I also think, like, take a guy like David Duvall, if Tiger doesn't exist, David Duvall is in the, Is in these names. Right? It's just, it's just Tiger won all those tournaments, so we don't know who David. We don't remember David Duvall. Phil. Yeah, listen, if Tiger doesn't exist, Phil probably has nine or ten majors and then you're looking at it being a. You're looking at him and saying that's one of the three or four best players of all time.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, it's fair. I, like, you know, I, I think golf is clearly looking for the next guy and they've been on that path for a long time. And I think, is he personal to.

[Matt Jones]

Be the next guy? Is he? Yeah, well, the personality isn't there enough?

[Myron Metcalf]

That's the challenge with him. I don't think he cares about anything but golf. And I think that's why it'll be hard.

[Matt Jones]

And getting. Arresting Tiger, like, and he's, he's done time.

[Myron Metcalf]

That'll be the biggest thing. But that'll be the biggest thing on his Wikipedia page, no matter what he does.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Is that true? Like, this is. He's going to win his fourth major today. And Myron, when you say his name, is the thing he's most known for getting arrested in Louisville.

[Myron Metcalf]

100%. That'll be the big. He would have to hit double digit majors, I think, for people to not make that number one.

[Matt Jones]

What's amazing is there are all these golfers on the PGA Tour. There are probably none more boring than Scottie Scheffler. And for all I know, I think he's the only one that's ever been arrested. He's certainly the only one that's ever been arrested going to a tournament.

[Myron Metcalf]

Going to a tournament? Yeah. That's unheard of. That is.

[Matt Jones]

While I love my state of Kentucky, the fact that we arrested that guy at the major championship in our city is not our finest hour. I think that's fair. Sunday morning is presented by Progressive Insurance. Cars, homes, boats, motorcycles, RVs and more. They are here at progressive.com we're going to talk a little more about Scotty Scheffler. He did some philosophical chatter this week that I want to ask Myron. Myron's been in his philosophy bag recently. That and more around the world of sports. What? You've not been in your philosophy bag? I feel like you've been channeling your inner Nietzsche. But we'll deal with it next on Sunday Morning on ESPN Radio.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron the Podcast.

[Kendra Andrews]

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[Matt Jones]

You can Venmo everything. Your favorite band's merch. You can Venmo this or their next show.

[Myron Metcalf]

You can Venmo that.

[Matt Jones]

Visit Venmo Me Debit to learn more. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the.

[Myron Metcalf]

Bancorp bank and a pursuant to license.

[Matt Jones]

By Mastercard International, Inc. Card may be used everywhere. Mastercard is accepted. Venmo purchase restrictions apply. Yes it is Sunday morning, Matt Myron, here on ESPN Radio. Little Coldplay. Of course, they were in the news this week. You know, I kind of thought this Coldplay story with the couple that were canoodling at the concert and then got on the Jumbo Tron. It harkened me back, Myron, to a better time on the Internet when, like, unimportant things could become big stories and we could all have fun. I mean, I'm sure they didn't have fun, but everybody else was kind of able to collectively make jokes, and it just, it felt like a good throwback time to before, you know, now everybody's so mean to each other. This felt like a better time this week, didn't you think?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I feel like we could all laugh at it. No, I love, you know, the memes and just The Retweets and TikToks. They were hilarious.

[Matt Jones]

No, my favorite one was where they had Dwight Schrute and Pam from the office as if they were on the big screen. So, so when, when it happened, I did think of you, not because I.

[Myron Metcalf]

Thought, oh, man, don't just say that without context, man. You can't say you saw these people canoodling. And then you thought, me what?

[Matt Jones]

Well, I just thought it would be the kind of thing you do. No, I'm just kidding. I, I, I, I saw it and I thought, in that moment, is there a way that they could have handled it differently besides. Well, let me give you the mistakes I thought. And then you tell me if you're in a number one, if you're out canoodling with, with the head of hr. First of all, when the Jumbotron starts, y' all gotta separate. Yes. Yes. You can't be, you can't be touching each other. Would you agree with that?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. You gotta have that conversation in the car, right? Like, hey, listen, Kiss cams, Jumbotrons, anything. If the camera takes. Goes away from the stage. Yes, we split. We don't split.

[Matt Jones]

Gotta go. And also, this is apparently a part of the concert where he picks people out of the crowd and he sings little songs about them. So the moment that starts, I'm going to the, I'm going to the concession stand. You and I cannot be in the same place. Okay.

[Myron Metcalf]

No.

[Matt Jones]

Second, he's got his arms around her. They look in love. So it was the fact that they looked like they liked each other so much that kind of did them in. But once the camera gets on you, I don't know what your reaction needs to be, Myron, but Getting on the ground like you've been shot, is that not the worst reaction you could have?

[Myron Metcalf]

Like, man, did you get hit by a bullet from the rafters? Like, that's how it looked like. It looked like. Looked like he'd been wounded.

[Matt Jones]

What was in his mind? I mean, he had to have.

[Myron Metcalf]

You can tell he has no game, right? Because I'll tell you why. Because that reaction was a man who had no idea that this was gonna happen. Which, if you're gonna sit in a skybox, what do you expect? No player is gonna sit in that luxury box with a miss. You go to section 409 in the back corner where nobody can see you, and you put on sunglasses and a hat. You don't sit out in the open like that. You know what I mean? So.

[Matt Jones]

So he goes. He goes down like he shot. Here's my question.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, he does.

[Matt Jones]

Let's say they just stood there like they were in love.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

None of this happens, right?

[Myron Metcalf]

None of it.

[Matt Jones]

Like, we all just move on. I mean, he still may have gotten caught because somebody in the stadium might have known him and her. But, like, it certainly doesn't go viral, right?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yes. If they just don't do anything. And it's him first. Right. She's kind of shocked. But then when he basically runs away and just leaves her there.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Myron Metcalf]

Like that. That unraveled everything.

[Matt Jones]

And she turns around. If you notice, when she turns around, at first she's just laughing. And then all of a sudden, he's gone now. Yeah. Here's the part that's been interesting. In my mind, that moment happens. They know they've been caught. Probably in their minds, they're sitting there thinking, okay, how bad that can this be?

[Myron Metcalf]

Exactly.

[Matt Jones]

Will. Will our spouse find out? But here's what I found interesting. There is no way, no matter how bad they thought it was, they could have never imagined Myron it was as bad as it ended up being. They could have never imagined that the next night the Philly fanatic would be re. Like re Introducing. They would have never imagined it would be on the COVID of the New York Post with a headline dumbotron. Like they could have never imagined it.

[Myron Metcalf]

I love New York Post in moments like this, by the way, because nobody's better at those headlines.

[Matt Jones]

But.

[Myron Metcalf]

But we talked about the Scottish scheffler arrest. It doesn't matter what this dude achieves beyond this in life, this is going to be with him the rest of his life. Like this TikTok. This scandal is going to be what everybody knows him for there's no way they could have imagined, you see, that his linked.

[Matt Jones]

His LinkedIn page had been viewed 175 million times.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yes. It's a. People are sending in new videos, too. I don't know if you've seen some of them.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Where they're like the concert. Because other people. Yeah, they were. And he's there in the background making out. So here's my question for you now. Let's say he was your friend. All right? Myron Metcalf, and I think the guy's name's Andy. Myron Metcalf and Andy are buddies, first of all. Are you reaching out to call him? Are you gonna, like, reach out to him in his. Because he's got to be. He's got to be lonely right now.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, yeah. I'm probably sending like some DMX lyric or something. Like some pick me up that, like, does it. That isn't personal.

[Matt Jones]

Like, are you gonna, like, try to, like, say, he's your good friend? Are you gonna say, hey, man, hang in there?

[Myron Metcalf]

You got to be careful if you have a significant other. Like, if I'm single, we can go out. Let's go talk about it with the significant other. I gotta test the water a little bit. Because if she's against him now I'm against him. You know what I mean?

[Matt Jones]

So, like, giving up your friend, like you're just throwing your friend out.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm not giving up. I'm just letting the water simmer a little bit. Things are a little hot right now, and I got away. But I would send. A man hires.

[Matt Jones]

He hires the PR firm of Metcalf and Jones. Oh, yeah. What are we telling him to do?

[Myron Metcalf]

We're holding the press conference on Monday. Before the press conference, we're going to practice crying. Like. And I don't mean. I don't mean like one of those tears that comes out. I'm talking. We're gonna practice crying to where you can't get out the words and someone has to speak on your behalf because you're sobbing that uncontrollably.

[Matt Jones]

And then I don't know if that's a good idea because I don't think anybody's gonna feel sympathy for him. I think you just have to. I think you have to go on some interview where you get interviewed. Like, you go on an interview and you just take it. You just go, this was a huge screw up. I've messed this up and I'm taking responsibility and I'm going to try to make it right.

[Myron Metcalf]

Who? Everybody who does that interview goes to jail or they get divorced. Everybody who does the one on one. Everybody who does the one on one. I'm not saying it, but everyone who does the one on one. I'm going to tell the world what happened. They always lose in the end. Like, I don't. I mean, he took her to a Coldplay concert, right? We all saw what happened. You gotta come out and you gotta just cry for no less than 17 minutes and you read a statement and people ask you questions and you can't even get the words out.

[Matt Jones]

I don't think women are gonna feel bad for him at all if he cries. Let me ask you this. CEO of CEO and HR person for an AI company cheat at a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Is that the widest thing you've ever heard in your life?

[Myron Metcalf]

It's the equivalent of two black people cheating at a T Pain concert. I feel like. You know what I mean? I feel like that's the equivalent in Atlanta. It would definitely happen in Atlanta.

[Matt Jones]

That's the opposite. It would be the T Pain concert in Atlanta. If you was Tamplay in Boston. That would be T playing in Atlanta.

[Myron Metcalf]

T Pain Kiss Cam concert in Atlanta is definitely where it would happen. Probably has happened.

[Matt Jones]

Except it would be like during the better not put us on Kiss Cam.

[Myron Metcalf]

Though, I'll tell you that. People will fight. We will fight.

[Matt Jones]

That's exactly right. Well, it did add some levity for those of us not involved that I thought was nice that we haven't had in some time in the world. Now, on a more serious note, the WNBA players made a statement last night during the All Star game. We'll get to it next. I'm Matt and Myron. Matt and Myron.

[Myron Metcalf]

The podcast hey, guys, it's Ceedee Lamb, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys. I'm partnering with Abercrombie this season to tell you all about their viral denim. All you need to know is denim should fit like this. My jeans need to check a lot of boxes. Fit first, trend second. They need to go with whatever I'm feeling. And Abercrombie Denim has it down whether I'm throwing on a tee or putting a whole fit together. Shop Abercrombie Denim in the app, online and in store.

[Matt Jones]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm Insurance. May all seem the same on the surface, but having insurance isn't the same as having State Farm. It's like getting a speech from your third cousin's plus one at your wedding when you needed a speech from your best man, you wouldn't settle for just any speech. So don't settle for just any insurance. When it comes to getting the help you need, State Farm is the real deal. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Sunday morning Matt Myron on ESPN Radio presented by Progressive Insurance. Scotty Scheffler now leads by seven at the British Open. Rory is amongst a group of golfers. Seven back. It's going to be a Scotty Scheffler show. The this week it was also the WNBA All Star Game and it was looked like a celebration, people having fun the the yesterday. I don't remember what the final score of the game was, but it was like the NBA All Star game in the sense that there was no defense. However, probably the bigger story coming out of it is during warm ups the WNBA All Stars all wore a T shirt that said pay us what you owe us. Of course the CBA agreement with the WNBA players and the owners ends this year and there are some talk about a work stoppage if a deal isn't reached by October. As we've as you those of you that follow the league at all know the salaries are extremely low. Caitlin Clark making $78,000 this year. What did you think of using that All Star Game platform, Myron, as a chance to sort of give their bargaining position on a national scale?

[Myron Metcalf]

I was all for it. I loved it. I mean where else would you do it? You know, I mean at the end of the day people are tuning in. You have a sold out arena, you got a ton of people tuning in like no, no Caitlin Clark. But the social media stuff that was happening, just all the stars in the building, it was a big deal. So you know all these eyes are on you. Why wouldn't you do it? So I think it was a great statement. They had had I think two meetings this weekend with the WNBA and it seems like we're headed to a lockout because they are far apart in terms of what they want. I think it was a great move and the fact that everybody participated says a lot about where they stand.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, every single player. I mean that that's something I think that would be hard in a lot of leagues to get every single player to do it. Kendra Andrews, ESPN's WNBA reporter, gives a little sense of what's at stake in the future collective bargaining negotiation.

[Unknown]

The thing that the players are stressing more than anything is pay and revenue shares. That is what they say is their non negotiable is what they are not budgeting on. So that's the Thing I think that is really going. Once they get something they like there, I think that's when we're really going to start to see progress. You know, our, our Michael Vocal reported the other day that childcare and retirement plans is something that they have agreed on or is part of this negotiation that everyone's in a good space with. But it's really the revenue shares. As this league continues to make more money, as they put a new TV deal in place as expansion team join the league, they're paying, these teams are paying $250 million to join the WNBA. The players are saying we deserve a bigger piece of this pie.

[Matt Jones]

So pay and revenue share now. You know, this is a tough spot in terms of negotiations because in general I think these players are paid way too little, especially in the kind of post Caitlin Clark era with the ratings they get, et cetera. But when it comes to actual revenue, the league has historically done not well in revenue. Now it's going to go up. I think the new TV deal is going to be substantially more than, than the last one. But what's going to be interesting is they may have to do this contract negotiation before they finish the television deal, which is a kind of a. Probably poor planning on the owner's part to do it like that. So when, when you see the shirts that say pay us what you owe us, that's gonna, that's. I don't totally under know if that's the message that I think the WNBA players should should say because right now the league loses a lot of money. So like a rev share of zero profit is still zero. I think that's going to change here very shortly. But it's interesting to me how this process is going to work when you're asking for a percentage of revenue. And right now the league doesn't make money. So I don't really know exactly how this is going to play out over the next few months.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, well, profit and revenue are different right at the end. Like the league, they're, they're bringing in revenue. And I think what these players are saying, because I saw with them 100% they're saying based on what they've done in the brand that they have built. The owners are making more money just right now they're making more money off ticket sales, concessions, and now you have.

[Matt Jones]

This new TV deal, but making more, which is making more money. Making more money than what, what. They're still overall operating at a loss.

[Myron Metcalf]

But making more money than they were. As the league grows season for Instance, Minnesota Lakes season tickets are a lot more. Everything attached to the WNB experience is more expensive. But what they're saying right now is the deal that's coming, it's legit. Like the league is going to get $250 million a year with this new.

[Matt Jones]

TV deal, the new media deal.

[Myron Metcalf]

And the players are saying we want a cut of that. Like, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. So when people are talking about operating losses and things like that, this money coming in.

[Matt Jones]

But, but this might, but I mean there is an accounting principle to this. So let's just let me look at the NBA and the NFL, how things are done with the players. Whether you think the players get a good deal or a bad deal, whatever it is, cut a percentage of revenue, but is a percentage of revenue in a league with the NFL that prints money and in the NBA that makes money. Now go to baseball and hockey, they do the same thing, but the owners, some of them lose money. And so it is a. The players are in a much more, much different situation. And these other four leagues have created a negotiating platform that the WNBA is going to have to just start from scratch in some ways on because the league has lost money until the last year. And I just, I think you're, this is my point of all this. Whoever side you're on, I think we're headed for a work stoppage there because they don't have the 75 year plus of history of negotiations as a starting point. They're going from a league that lost a lot of money to a league that might make money. And they're going to have to decide the future based on this one deal.

[Myron Metcalf]

And it's going to shape the future. Right. I mean, that's why they're saying that this is so important. We gotta be careful about using WNBA ownership talking points when we talk about what these players are asking for. The league's expected to lose about $40 million. Yes, that's a real thing. They have operated at a loss. But let's Also be clear, $250 million a year is attached to this $2.2 billion deal.

[Matt Jones]

But I want to be fair though, when you say it's going to. It's supposed to lose 40 million this year, but it has lost significantly more than that. Before this year, this was a league that was losing a ton of money. Now to the players credit, they have made it to where with the new TV deal, there's a good chance they'll operate at a profit next year for the first time. But that has not been what it has been historically.

[Myron Metcalf]

It is. It has not been that historically. I think what players are saying is we're the reason you were able to sign this $2.2 billion deal. The expansion fees that are coming in, I think it's 1.5 billion. They're going to take in with all these expansion teams that are coming. And to me, when people say NBA, WNBA, they're not asking to be paid $50 million.

[Matt Jones]

No, they're not.

[Myron Metcalf]

They're saying is having a bigger piece of the revenue that the league is.

[Matt Jones]

Be.

[Myron Metcalf]

Is. Is has coming in going into this new TV deal. We are going to get a stoppage, a strike, whatever is going to happen, because I don't think these players are going to go back to the court until they get what they want.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so let's assume. Let's assume. Go ahead. I'm sorry.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, they. They have Caitlin Clark. To me, Caitlin Clark wearing that shirt was the most significant thing that happened.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, I agree with you. I agree with you. Do you. What happens if there is a stoppage? What happens? Do you think the league loses momentum, that will be hard for it to get back? You know, there are times stoppages have really hurt leagues. Like when the baseball strike of 95 and then there have been times where like leagues have stopped and it really didn't end up making any difference at all. Picked right back up. Which do you think this would be.

[Myron Metcalf]

More like it would hurt the league? You know, it would hurt just because of when they play. I mean, they're playing at the end of the NBA season. Baseball's just starting up, training camps going. So that's a really kind of tough time in general to capture the casual fan or even a diehard fan. But also think they never had a Caitlin Clark. So they never had someone who I think just has changed the entire popularity of the league. They also have unrivaled. Right. There's this league that Nafisa Collier and Brianna Stewart have started where let's say Caitlin Clark and all the players say we'll be a part of that during this work stoppage. So I think, I think for the first time in these conversations, the players have leverage that they never had before.

[Matt Jones]

That's a really interesting point about that.

[Myron Metcalf]

They get what they want.

[Matt Jones]

That's an interesting point about the other league, because I don't know that. I don't know that I completely processed that either. But the other league actually gives them another option which. Which a lot of times in the Other. In these other leagues, players don't have. I am almost universally pro labor in work agreements. My view is the owners do very little in comparison to the players in every sport. So I am almost always pro labor. But I also think, though, there is a realism component to this. And what the new deal is going to do is going to set up the structure for the future. And so these women, it's awesome to see them all unified. But there are two different ways the league can go. This can be a league like say the NHL or to some extent even the NFL, where the membership as a whole is protected. Or it can be a league like the NBA where the top guys make insane money and some of the other guys see their salaries pushed down. What's the WNBA going to decide? Are they going to be a league where Caitlin Clark and the top players make most of the money or is it going to be a league that's more spread out like the NHL? Myron, I don't know. I don't know what the answer is, but that's going. They're going to decide the future of how players get paid in that league in this deal. And I'd be interested to see what happens. It'd be interesting to see if after two months of negotiation, if they're all wearing the same shirt, because I can tell you, in the NBA it would, they wouldn't be, it would be different because the LeBron's of the world get treated very differently than the average player does.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, I think that's, that's why I think it was significant that they're all unified. Listen, there's no world where Caitlin Clark should be making $78,000 a year.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think there's a world though where like in the NBA, Caitlin Clark should make 40 to 50% of the salary cap of the team?

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, I don't know if that's where they're headed, but if you tell me Caitlin Clark is making $5 million one day and the lowest paid players making 400,000 guaranteed, I think the league would take that.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, you know, I mean, I think there's a strong argument that the top players, okay, your, your Angel, Reese's, Caitlin Clark's, Paige Beckers, the marquee stars should make 40 to 50%. That's who everybody's tuning in for. Right. But it'll be interesting to see if that's exactly what they ended up. What they ended up doing. Now, the NBA had a lot of interesting moves this week, including a couple faces. It's going to be weird to see are you going to, is it going to be weird to see Marcus Smart in a Lakers uniform? I mean, that's going to be hard for my brain to process. We'll talk about that and more here on Sunday morning.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

The McDonald's Snack Wrap is back.

[Myron Metcalf]

You brought it back.

[Matt Jones]

Ranch snack wrap, Spicy snack wrap. You broke the Internet for a snack.

[Myron Metcalf]

Snack wrap is back. Gatorade is the number one proven electrolyte blend designed to hydrate better than water so you can lose more sweat and raise your game. Gatorade, is it in you?

[Matt Jones]

Sunday morning, Matt Myron on ESPN Radio. I hadn't checked the text machine yet. This is where you can send messages to the show 772-774-5254. By the way, Shefford just made another birdie. He's 18 under ridiculous.

[Myron Metcalf]

So he's probably remarkable.

[Matt Jones]

And one person writes, matt, tell Myron I am from Ireland. He needs to start calling it the Open. It's not the British Open. Sometimes it's played in Ireland and Ireland is not part of Britain. How would he respond to that?

[Myron Metcalf]

Okay, I don't want to get into the Ireland British thing. So I'll call it the Open because that is a, that's a I read that say Nothing book. So I don't want to get involved in that. Like the, the Irish, the Scottish, the Welch and the British. Like they're serious about what you know.

[Matt Jones]

In all these places. You look at you knowing the, the whole kingdom. Have you been to these places?

[Myron Metcalf]

Sometimes I don't think you believe I went to college, but I did.

[Matt Jones]

I believe you went to college. I just didn't know. I just didn't know how much you read about the I read that book say Nothing.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, I read, I read that say Nothing. But great book that taught me that history.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. I would say if you ever want to have a Sunday morning Matt Myron reading club, say Nothing is a great book. There's a series on Disney plus Hulu that's one, you know, one of our company series that's also very good the book, though, to me, you know, because I don't know about you, you don't realize what's happening in the world everywhere. So you now are going to start calling it the Open. Like a good, like a good British.

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't want any problems with Ireland that they. I don't want any problems. Yeah, I'll call it the Open from now look at you.

[Matt Jones]

See, this show can change minds. And in this case change a cold, cold Minneapolis. Now the NBA. The NBA off season. We, you know, it feels like it never ends. We've had some more moves. I'm going to give you three of them. Myron and I want your quick take first. Let's start with Marcus Smart. He gets bought out by the Wizards and now he's going to join the Lakers. So he's going to be on the team with Luca and LeBron and Austin Reeves and Rui. Do you like. And some deandre Ayton. What do you think about Marcus Smart? Is that going to matter? Is it going to be weird to you to see a longtime Celtic wearing Laker gold?

[Myron Metcalf]

That part will be odd. You know, going, going to la. He's been hurt, I think most of the last two years. Um, yeah, I think, I think it's a boost. You know, I don't think the Lakers, they're not the best team in LA right now. Right. So I think that it's a team that's just trying to be strong.

[Matt Jones]

That's it. When we do King of the Mountain here in the third hour, feel free to come in and yell at Myron for saying the Lakers stink.

[Myron Metcalf]

I just don't. I mean, yeah, Bradley, Bill, now I don't think they're the best team in la, so maybe it's a boost if he can stay healthy. But I don't know that the Lakers are a top four or five team in the Western Conference right now.

[Matt Jones]

So you, do you think he'll play? Like, is he gonna, is he just gonna be fun to have around or do you think he can have any impact on the actual season? Because you're right, it's been a couple years since he's played.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I think we forget how old some of these guys are. Right?

[Matt Jones]

Like, I mean, it's like what, 58.

[Myron Metcalf]

2018, you know, Marcus Smart, you know what I mean? Like he, he played at what, Oklahoma State in like, what, 2014. I always think of the Texas.

[Matt Jones]

He was in John Wall's class.

[Myron Metcalf]

He's like in John, the Texas text incident. When I think of you remember that Marcus spark, the, the fan confrontation?

[Matt Jones]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I almost got into it with the fan. I do remember that.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, that whole thing, man, was wild.

[Matt Jones]

He saw it. By the way, Marcus smart is only 31. You're acting like he's like 80.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, but I mean he came out at 19, right? He came out after what, a couple years at.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that's actually. You're right. It was, it was 14. He was not in John Walls class. But anyway, so you have him being ancient and unable to move. He's 31 years old, so I don't think he's quite as old as you thought he was.

[Myron Metcalf]

If he stayed, he's been hurt the last couple years. If he stays healthy, he can contribute, but I don't know that the Lakers are real contenders yet, you know.

[Matt Jones]

All right, now let's go to the team that you say is the best team in LA, the Clippers. They signed Bradley, Bradley Beal to a two year, $11 million contract after the buyout with Phoenix. And he, by the way, to buy, he gave up $14 million voluntarily. So he's basically playing for free here. He didn't have to do this so he could play for a good team. Do you like the idea of a motivated Bradley Beal joining Kawhi Harden, et cetera in la?

[Myron Metcalf]

Can I say something when I hear about, like, you know, we hear about these buyouts and guys giving up $10 million, $8 million, you've made 200. You know what I mean? It's all relative, right? So he did, but you wouldn't.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, I can't get you to pay for lunch. So for you to act like it's crazy to get $3, I mean, like, you're the cheapest person I know. I mean, you, like, you just try to get. I try to get a soda from you and you're like, you need to Venmo me.

[Myron Metcalf]

I was like, oh, he gave up 8 million. Like, yeah, all right. He'll be okay. But I think it's a big pickup. I think it gives them a third. I don't know if Bradley Bill's a star. I think he's in that.

[Matt Jones]

He hasn't been good, though. Like, he hasn't been good. Like, he basically wasn't healthy. Yeah. But Phoenix was basically, like paying him. They did not want him to be on the team. They didn't want to. They weren't playing. Towards the end of the year, he.

[Myron Metcalf]

Wasn'T healthy, but he still averaged like 18 a game. Made like 40% of his threes. He's, you know what he is? He's the perfect number three guy on a team that wants to make.

[Matt Jones]

He can make. You think he can make an impact on a playoff Clippers team?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, I think that's the perfect number.

[Matt Jones]

The Clippers want to win the West. They think they're a West contender. Can you win the west with Bradley Beal as your number three guy?

[Myron Metcalf]

You have A much tried it.

[Matt Jones]

Phoenix tried it, didn't really work, but they gave up.

[Myron Metcalf]

Remember when, when the KD trade happened, we all said the same thing, who is going to be their support? You know, they gave up all of the players, all their bench players, all the reserves to get those three guys together. That's not LA's situation. The Clippers have more depth, so you.

[Matt Jones]

Didn'T say got a chance. All right, well, what about Dame Lillard? He. After being bought out by Milwaukee or stretched by Milwaukee, he's now going back to Portland, where I don't think people realize what a big star he is in Portland. Like, he's, he's got that, he's got that sort of energy. Walks the streets and people. The sea parts in Portland. Do you like that? This could be Dame's last hurrah going back to Portland, being a veteran with a lot of young guys, I love.

[Myron Metcalf]

You know, people are saying, oh, he's not going after a championship. Listen, he tried to win championships in his prime, but Steph Curry was there, LeBron was there. Like, it wasn't like, he didn't try to win championships to go home and remember going back, his family's there, all his people there. I don't think people realize the Damian Lillard family, I'm talking cousins, they have so many business interests in Portland. Like, seriously, like, there are. There are so many people who are thriving because of Damian Lillard, man, in Portland.

[Matt Jones]

Like, you think he's going back for real things?

[Myron Metcalf]

One time I posted what business? There are businesses in Portland attached to the Lillard family. 100. I don't know all the specific businesses, but, like, they have like a bank as an investment. He could win. He could run for mayor.

[Matt Jones]

Okay.

[Myron Metcalf]

And win after basketball. He's that kind of dude, man. So I love him going home. And if this is it for him, good for you, man. Like, I think that's a cool life move.

[Matt Jones]

So you're, you're reporting he went back because his cousins have a bakery?

[Myron Metcalf]

No, I'm saying his family's there.

[Matt Jones]

They have a.

[Myron Metcalf]

They ask about Damian Lillard, man, who has.

[Matt Jones]

Who. My God, Real.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm saying there's a lot of Damian Lillard beyond basketball.

[Matt Jones]

No, there is. Like, he's, he is, he is a hero there. Like, I was in Portland not that long ago, and there's still pictures of him up when he was playing Milwaukee. Right? Like, I mean, he's one of those guys that everybody loves. He's like Freddie Freeman when he goes back to Atlanta and even though he's played for the Dodgers for like three years, he's still getting a standing ovation every time he goes back to Atlanta. Like, I mean, that's, that's kind of how. Damn it.

[Myron Metcalf]

So it is cool.

[Matt Jones]

He's going to end his career where it started, and I think that's neat. He's kind of a Pacific Northwest guy, too, right? Like, went to Weber State and all that stuff.

[Myron Metcalf]

So I love it.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. Well, good. Good for. Good for Dame. And you know, the good thing we've learned here is Myron still believes in the old guys. He thinks they all have something they can do. He still believes in old success. The NFL Players association needs a new executive director. The other one was partying. We'll tell you next.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

You've seen the headlines, heard the debates. Some say the three point ball has created a monotonous rhythm to the game. Has the three pointer ruined basketball? And how did we get here? The rise of the three point shot.

[Myron Metcalf]

Can be partially traced to an eccentric.

[Matt Jones]

Kansas genius named Martin Manley, whose story didn't turn out quite the way he imagined. I decided I wanted to have one of the most organized goodbyes in history, and I think I will be successful. 30 for 30 podcast presents a brand new original series, Chasing basketball heaven, available July 22. Wherever you get your podcasts.