Hour 2: CMA Fest!

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Episode Summary - Hour 2: CMA Fest!

Released on June 8, 2025 | Hosted by ESPN Radio’s Myron Metcalf and Matt Jones

---

Introduction to CMA Fest

The second hour of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" kicks off live from the vibrant CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee. Matt Jones sets the scene, describing the bustling environment filled with hundreds of thousands of attendees dressed as cowboys and cowgirls, capturing the quintessential Nashville spirit.

Matt Jones [00:34]: "It is Matt and Myron here at Fanfare X at CMA Fest in Nashville. It is a crazy weekend in Nashville."

He highlights the festivities available at Fan Fair X, including bull riding and live performances, emphasizing the event's central location at the Music City Center.

A Memorable Encounter with Walker Hayes

Matt and Myron are joined by country music star Walker Hayes, who provides insights into his musical journey and experiences at CMA Fest. Their interaction is both engaging and light-hearted, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Hayes’ life and career.

Matt Jones [03:34]: "Walker Hayes, you thank you for being so kind especially for coming overnight."

Walker Hayes shares stories about his recent performances, including opening for Brad Paisley in San Diego and his anticipation for a meet-and-greet at Fan Fair X.

Walker Hayes [04:07]: "Yes. Yeah, I was in San Diego opening for Brad Paisley right outside the Padres stadium."

The Art of Songwriting

The conversation shifts to the creative process behind writing songs. Myron, not musically inclined, seeks advice from Walker on how he crafts his hits. Walker explains his collaborative approach, starting with ideas sparked by conversations and personal experiences.

Walker Hayes [06:10]: "I take it home. I usually start with a chorus, words, but everybody's different."

They delve into the intricacies of song creation, with Matt jokingly suggesting quirky song ideas inspired by their banter.

Navigating Nashville’s Culture

A humorous segment unfolds as Myron recounts his attempts to fit into the Nashville cowboy culture, leading to a series of mismatched cowboy hats and jeans. Walker humorously critiques Myron’s fashion choices, highlighting the challenges of embodying the authentic Nashville cowboy persona.

Matt Jones [07:54]: "But he didn't tell me, like. So last night we went out."

This light-hearted exchange underscores the duo's camaraderie and the fun atmosphere of CMA Fest.

Sunday Headlines: Sports Updates

Transitioning to the "Sunday Headlines" segment, Matt, Myron, and guest James discuss the latest in sports, providing insightful commentary on current events.

Stanley Cup Final Highlights

The conversation begins with an update on the Stanley Cup Final, highlighting Brad Marchand’s double-overtime goal that tied the series.

James [17:53]: "Brad Marchand scored in double overtime in game two to give the Panthers the win and tie up the series at one apiece."

Matt and Myron express their excitement over the intense and closely contested series, analyzing player performances and potential outcomes.

WWE Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View Recap

The discussion shifts to the latest WWE events, focusing on the Money in the Bank pay-per-view. They dissect the main event involving John Cena and Logan Paul versus Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso, and the dramatic return of R-Truth.

Matt Jones [20:01]: "Pretty amazing story. Like, R. Truth was fired. A lot of people think fired for real. Not just on the show."

They debate whether the events were part of a storyline or real-life developments, with Myron leaning towards authenticity.

Myron Metcalf [20:31]: "WWE is good at seeing that. Like, this is, like, people what they want and then bringing it back."

French Open Victory by Coco Gauff

Matt shares his excitement over Coco Gauff’s resilient comeback victory at the French Open, defeating world number one Ariana Sabalenka.

Matt Jones [21:07]: "Yes. First of all, French Open, hard for Americans to win... Coco Gauff gets the victory."

They commend Gauff’s performance and discuss the sportsmanship displayed by Sabalenka post-match.

Myron Metcalf [22:17]: "Loved it. Yeah. Congrats to Coco."

In-Depth Discussion: Aaron Rodgers Joins the Steelers

A significant portion of the episode revolves around the controversial trade of Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Matt and Myron engage in a heated debate about the implications of this move for both Rodgers and the Steelers franchise.

Matt Jones [26:55]: "What is the most positive case for bringing Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers?"

They explore both the potential upsides and downsides, analyzing Rodgers' past performance and the Steelers' organizational culture.

Myron Metcalf [27:54]: "Aaron Rodgers will go down as top 10 quarterback all time."

The conversation delves into the challenges Rodgers might face, including adapting to a new team dynamic and managing his public persona.

Matt Jones [29:09]: "I don't understand why you would bring Aaron Rodgers. If you were to say to me, what franchise would Aaron Rodgers make the least sense on? I think I would say the Steelers."

They also discuss the broader implications for NFL team strategies and player management, highlighting the complexities of high-profile trades.

Final Remarks and Meet-and-Greet Announcements

As the episode nears its conclusion, Matt and Myron announce upcoming meet-and-greet sessions with Walker Hayes at Fan Fair X, encouraging listeners to engage with them in person.

Matt Jones [25:49]: "You can meet and greet Myron and I today from 1 to 2 Central."

They wrap up with playful banter about Myron’s cowboy attire and the interactions it generated at the festival, reinforcing the show's personable and relatable tone.

Matt Jones [39:18]: "One person writes, myron, superpower is likeability."

Conclusion

The second hour of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" seamlessly blends vibrant festival energy with insightful sports commentary and engaging celebrity interactions. From the lively atmosphere of CMA Fest to the nuanced discussions on major sports events and player trades, Matt and Myron provide listeners with a comprehensive and entertaining recap of their experiences and perspectives.

---

Note: This summary excludes all advertisements and non-content segments to focus solely on the substantive discussions and interactions of the podcast episode.

Transcript

[Nordstrom]

Summer's here and Nordstrom has everything you need for your best dress season ever. From beach days and weddings to weekend getaways and your everyday wardrobe. Discover stylish options under $100 from tons of your favorite brands like Mango Skims, Princess Polly and Madewell. It's easy too, with free shipping and free returns in store. Order, pickup and more. Shop today in stores [e-mail] or download the Nordstrom app.

[Myron Metcalf]

This is Matt and Myron the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

It is Matt and Myron here at Fanfare X at CMA Fest in Nashville. It is a crazy weekend in Nashville. For those of you all around the country, you've never been here. If you want to see what it is like to have hundreds of thousands of people dressed as cowboys and cowgirls on the street, you get it here. One of those is my Metcalf. I'm Matt Jones. They have just opened up Fan Fair X. The X, I think is for the 10th one of these and all the boosts are available. You can ride a bull. You can hear people sing. You can come see us. It is at the Music City Music City center right here in the middle of Nashville, just right outside the Music City Center. Myron, my OVW wrestling. We set up out here during SummerSlam and did a free show and had two of our wrestlers surprisingly get engaged during the show. Right out here just a couple of years ago. So you never know what'll happen.

[Myron Metcalf]

Didn't see a lot of engagements last night. Saw some breakups, but not proposals.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, you know what? Nashville is not a place to get engaged.

[Myron Metcalf]

It is a place to go home mad. That's a place.

[Matt Jones]

So your wild oats.

[Myron Metcalf]

You shouldn't. You should go solo. I feel like to Nashville like, you know, it should be a boys trip or a girls trip. Like I don't know if you want to mix the two.

[Matt Jones]

Well, your. Your woman is coming down here today. Which leads me to a quick story. I'm going to.

[Myron Metcalf]

Oh boy. This is. This is.

[Matt Jones]

I need to say something. All right, so Zach Top is a country singer that I really like. I wanted to go see Zach Top tonight. So James, I said, zach Top's manager is a Kentucky fan. Yeah. So I wrote him and I said, hey, can I get a ticket for me and Myron to go see Zach Top? Cuz I didn't want to leave him at home. You know what I mean? I just want. I wanted him to get to go. He said, of course I got you, not your child. Then Myin says, hey, my woman's coming down. It's gonna be. It's gonna be fancy, like. So do you. Do you mind getting me a ticket for. For my woman? So I call Zach tops manager again. I go, zach, top's manager, can I also get a third ticket? He says, yes. That's what you do for friends, right? That's what you do for friends. You do for friends. You go and you get them and their girlfriend a ticket.

[Myron Metcalf]

It's not true.

[Matt Jones]

Now let's fast forward. Myron gets asked by ESPN if he wants to sit in the ESPN suite for the concert tonight. I will note no one asked me if I want to sit. But he said, myron, they said, would you like to do that? Myron says, sure. My girlfriend and I'll go. Does not ask for a ticket for me.

[Myron Metcalf]

No.

[Matt Jones]

After I asked for a ticket for Zach, doesn't ask for a ticket for me. And now I don't have a ticket to the suite.

[Myron Metcalf]

First off, you will. But that's not how it happened. I didn't know how CMA fest worked, so I thought I was just getting admission tickets because I didn't understand all the particulars. It wasn't personal, man. But I'm gonna hook you up. I'm gonna make sure you get in. And we're all well, I'll tell you what.

[Matt Jones]

Nothing else. Even if we don't get to see that top, we do get to see Walker Hayes. Walker Hayes, country singer, is going to join us right now. Let's hear a little bit of his music as he comes in here. Walker, how are you, sir? Right here. Right here on the headphones. Matt Jones. Myron Metcalf. And now we got the country. Since I just put that on right there. There you go, Walker. Thank you very much. Did I hear that you were in San Diego last night?

[Walker Hayes]

Yes. Yeah, I was in San Diego opening for Brad Paisley right outside the Padres stadium.

[Matt Jones]

But that's.

[Walker Hayes]

I mean, got me a jersey and everything.

[Matt Jones]

But that's far away. Did you fly all night to get back here?

[Walker Hayes]

Praise God for United Airlines, man.

[Matt Jones]

You flew commercial all night.

[Walker Hayes]

We did nice. We did United from San Diego to Chicago and then Chicago to here just for this interview.

[Matt Jones]

Dude, Walker, appreciate it. You're one of my. Now you're going to be right here.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

At Fan Fairx for a meet and greet in 30 minutes.

[Walker Hayes]

At 10:30, we're gonna be hanging out.

[Matt Jones]

He played in with my guy. Brad Paisley, Little West Virginia.

[Walker Hayes]

You know him?

[Matt Jones]

I mean, I've met him. We're not. We're not the club. I mean, I don't think he sits there and says, I'm glad.

[Myron Metcalf]

I know.

[Walker Hayes]

I know.

[Myron Metcalf]

He said it like, yeah, I play golf with Brad Paisley 100 every Tuesday.

[Walker Hayes]

I was like, y' all are buddies. You've been in a nationwide commercial. Yeah, dude. Brad is. He's incredible. I've watched the show basically every single night. Six shows.

[Matt Jones]

Do you really?

[Myron Metcalf]

That's amazing.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah. And he. He has us out for a couple songs, so we get to experience it with him. But, man, he is. He's iconic, and it's just banger after banger. You know, he's got a tough. One of those set lists you read, and you're like, I don't know if I know that. And then when he starts it, you know. You know it. Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

Let me ask you this.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

When you're writing a song.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

As someone who is not musically, you know, you're not.

[Walker Hayes]

I don't believe it.

[Myron Metcalf]

I can. I can. I can. I can. I can. Humor.

[Walker Hayes]

Okay.

[Myron Metcalf]

Like, if there was a role for humming and music, you're the guy. You could have.

[Walker Hayes]

You're a session hummer.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm a session hummer. Yeah. But, like, how do you start the process? Like, from beginning to end?

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

What are you doing?

[Walker Hayes]

Literally, for me, it's like talking with y' all. One of you accidentally says, like, session hummer. Let's write that down. That's an idea.

[Matt Jones]

What about Tux's jeans into his new boots?

[Myron Metcalf]

Do you think about this?

[Walker Hayes]

I love if. If you tuck your cheeks into your boots.

[Matt Jones]

He's laughing, though.

[Myron Metcalf]

My first pair of boots.

[Matt Jones]

Walker, you're.

[Walker Hayes]

You're about as country as Nashville is. Honestly, it's my first pair of boots, though. You know, look, it's. It starts with an idea for me. I take it home. I usually start with a chorus, words, but everybody's different. Some people are music first, but that's really where it begins. And. And just something that means something to you. But honestly, that is a good. That's.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's Walker approved. You don't have to lie.

[Matt Jones]

You do not have to lie. His rod are not. That is not a look.

[Walker Hayes]

I'm saying, you know, you. You gaze across the crowd and you're like, hey, she's got her. You know, he's got his jeans tucked in his boots. He might not be a real cowboy.

[Matt Jones]

But here's the thing.

[Myron Metcalf]

Here's the problem with cowboys.

[Matt Jones]

This is my first pair of boots.

[Myron Metcalf]

Right?

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

Right. So you can either be overboard when people go, you're trying Too hard.

[Matt Jones]

Or.

[Myron Metcalf]

Or you can be not enough.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

I was trying to find the, like, in between. And he didn't help me, by the way. He didn't help me at all, man.

[Matt Jones]

Let me tell you what's hard about taking Myron to a country bar. We went to a country bar last night. There was one guy in the place that was wearing fur and nothing on under.

[Walker Hayes]

Oh, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And Myron was like, let's go talk to him. That's my. Like, he's not. He's not trying to fit in.

[Myron Metcalf]

Take it a step further. It was. It was the only other brother in the place. So we had on fur and nothing. Nothing underneath. So I felt like we should gravitate. Yeah. And then, you know, next thing you know, he got kicked out. It became a thing, you know, you're alone.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

It was just. It was just me. 48% of the population was going out of that bar.

[Walker Hayes]

I got to mess it up, man. Boot boots are funny. I have. I have some pretty sick boots, but I don't have the right pants. And if you. If you put those over, I would start to look like the Toy Story guy. But you look like. You look like you have an extra knee.

[Matt Jones]

You do look like Woody.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's a good.

[Matt Jones]

You look like.

[Myron Metcalf]

Wait a minute. Walking. I thought we were buying. And then all of a sudden, I felt like. You just talk like Woody.

[Walker Hayes]

I'm in the same belt. That's why I wear these.

[Myron Metcalf]

These are.

[Walker Hayes]

These are like. They're like tennis shoes.

[Myron Metcalf]

But he didn't tell me, like. So last night we went out. He had the cowboy hat in, the boots.

[Walker Hayes]

Oh, you put on the whole outfit.

[Myron Metcalf]

I show up today, and I'm thinking, everybody's doing it. He's like, I didn't think you'd be doing all of that. Nobody told me.

[Walker Hayes]

Are you. Are you legit?

[Matt Jones]

I'm from Kentucky, so I'm for. I mean, I. I'm from the wall. I'm from the eastern Kentucky, so I'm from the mountains. Let me ask you a question.

[Myron Metcalf]

You had.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, you had.

[Myron Metcalf]

You.

[Matt Jones]

You. You'd had a career going for some time, and then all of a sudden, you have this song that just gets insanely huge, right? With. With the fancy, like. And then you end up in a commercial. It ends up being one of those songs that even my mom is singing. Get to that point when.

[Myron Metcalf]

When you.

[Matt Jones]

When you have a song get that big, do you still love it or are you just like, yeah, you. Like, I can't do this anymore.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah, no, no, no. I. I think if. I think if I'd have had that song in the first couple years of me coming to Nashville, I might have taken it for granted. But you were kind. You said I had something going. I didn't have anything.

[Matt Jones]

But, I mean, you had had a career.

[Walker Hayes]

I mean, I could barely take care of my kids. So Fancy, like, is a song that I will never. I will never tire of singing. It will never leave my set. I'm so grateful for that song, and it'll give me work till I die.

[Matt Jones]

So. Even beyond, like, the hook, which obviously works.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, when you wrote it, were you, like, maybe they'll put this in a commercial? Like, did you ever think that the.

[Walker Hayes]

The Applebee's was so kind?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

But I will say, when we first approached them, they were kind of like, hey, let's see what happened. You know, they weren't ready to jump in bed. But honestly, after one week of the success they were calling it, they were like, hey, let's do this.

[Matt Jones]

Well, it's also. I mean, I will say, yeah, like, if you're from a small town, it's life, man. That's what it is. Like, in a small town, that's where you go. If it's. If it's your night out, that's where you go.

[Walker Hayes]

I grew up in Mobile, and our. Our Applebee's was all hometowned out. You know, it had UMS and St. Paul's rivalry, you know, flags and jerseys and local high school stuff in there. And we. We went to Applebee's, like, once a week. You know, that was where we went.

[Myron Metcalf]

What's it like? You know, so being here, like, in Music City, you. I love Memphis and New Orleans and all these places where. Yeah, you can go to a bunch of bars and see bands and singers, where you're like, that person could be on the radio tomorrow. They just haven't had their break. What's that process like? And how tough is that when you're waiting for somebody to give you your shot?

[Walker Hayes]

I know it's humbling when you get here because you got to play for free. Because every. I mean, honestly, there's a million people doing it. So many talented people. You got to play on the street. I mean, we did that. I did that with some friends. We would stand outside of Predators games and just play cover song. Yeah. But, I mean, there's just so much talent in this town, and that is. You get any gig that you can get, and you pray for a regular one, but they're Hard to come by because there's so many people. Like, you just said you could walk out of here, and the first person you hear, you're like, why?

[Matt Jones]

We heard a dude. We heard a dude last night at Kid Rock. I was like, that's one of the best voices I've heard. Now you are also big sports fan, big Alabama fan.

[Walker Hayes]

We're big Bam Kentucky basketball.

[Matt Jones]

A lot of our fans cheer for y' all.

[Walker Hayes]

A lot of y' all Basketball camp.

[Matt Jones]

Which one?

[Walker Hayes]

Rick or no? Tubby.

[Matt Jones]

You went to Tubby.

[Myron Metcalf]

I know Tubby well, yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Now you have a new song. We're gonna play a little clip here, right? For a second. About. With about. It's got Nick Saban.

[Walker Hayes]

What's it called? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. This is aa.

[Matt Jones]

It's what?

[Walker Hayes]

It's called aa. Yeah. Where they love Mix safe. Come on, now.

[Matt Jones]

Do you put. So again, I try to think of it. I'm a marketing guy.

[Walker Hayes]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

You put this song out.

[Walker Hayes]

Just.

[Matt Jones]

Are you like. Are you thinking the Todd fans are going to take this dude?

[Walker Hayes]

I. I did hope. I was like, you know, they do the Dixieland delight thing.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, they do.

[Walker Hayes]

And I was like, what if. What if they do this? And it is big. I mean, it's. It's pretty. Pretty massive in the. In the Tuscaloosa region. I will say this. That song. A lot of my family, I'm just walker. Like, they don't care. They don't care what I do for profession. But that song allowed me. I. I got to meet Nick and just. And talk to him about it. All of a sudden, I'm the coolest person.

[Matt Jones]

That's the first time they thought you made it.

[Walker Hayes]

Oh, my God. Everybody wanted to hang.

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't want to recommend a hit, but. Brother with the boots.

[Matt Jones]

Brother with the boots.

[Myron Metcalf]

Brother with. I'm just saying.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah, I kind of.

[Matt Jones]

I can hear the chorus.

[Myron Metcalf]

You want to run with the boot? Yeah. I mean, I'm just saying, you know.

[Matt Jones]

You know, I could hear a whole kind of fish out of water, but I don't know if he's the guy to sing it just for.

[Myron Metcalf]

Just for representation.

[Matt Jones]

Maybe you bring Shabzi. Bring in Shabzi.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm going find Shabzi.

[Walker Hayes]

We'll feature.

[Myron Metcalf]

You in the video. I think that's how we do it.

[Matt Jones]

All right, so you've played before. We get you out of here. You played the college football playoff. You've played the AFC championship. Championship game. But playing in college football playoff, as a guy who grew up as a college football fan had to be amazed, right?

[Walker Hayes]

Nuts, man. Anything I ever get to do that has anything to do with college football. My, my whole family wants to go. We're there, we're the first to show up, last to leave. And yeah, that play in the championship was pretty outstanding and it was wild because you know met Saban right before, before he retired, saw that Washington championship, that's the one I played. And then deboer, you know, was our coach the next year. So it was like, oh dude, I feel like I had something to do.

[Matt Jones]

Are you a Nate Oats guy? I mean you're actually becoming a basketball team now, dude.

[Walker Hayes]

All of a sudden Bama is a.

[Matt Jones]

Basketball, basketball school now. Nate Oats, kind of a jerk. It's perfect.

[Myron Metcalf]

Like he's a hell of a coach. I've been to his practice.

[Walker Hayes]

He's a real deal.

[Matt Jones]

Walker Hayes, you thank you for being appreciate being so kind especially for coming overnight. You will be here at 10:30 here at Fan Fair X. Very nice to meet you. Thank you very much. And so you so your final ver Approve?

[Myron Metcalf]

Man, he approved.

[Walker Hayes]

No, no, no, he's good. Don't change anything.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

I think he should. It's Matt Myron here at CMA Fest on ESPN Radio.

[Walker Hayes]

You need a different pair of jeans. That's what we need.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron the Podcast.

[Shopify Ad]

If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify. You know that purple shop pay button you see at checkout? The one that makes buying so incredibly easy? That's Shopify. And there's a reason so many businesses sell with it. Because Shopify makes it incredibly easy to start and run your business. Shopify is the commerce platform behind 1010% of all e commerce in the US from household names like Mattel and Gymshark to brands just getting started. Shopify gives you a leg up with hundreds of beautiful ready to go templates to express your brand style and forget about the code. Tackle all those important tasks in one place. From inventory to payments to analytics and more. Spread your brand's word with built in marketing and email tools to find and keep new customers. And did I mention that iconic purple shop pay button that's used by millions of businesses around the world? It's why Shopify has the best converting checkout on the planet. Your customers already love it. If you want to see less carts being abandoned, it's time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at shopify.com network. Go to shopify.com network, shopify.com network.

[Myron Metcalf]

Does it ever feel like you're a marketing professional just speaking into the void? Well, with LinkedIn ads, you can know you're reaching the right decision makers. You can even target buyers by job title, industry, company seniority, skills. Wait, did I say job title yet? Get started today and see how you can avoid the void and reach the right buyers with LinkedIn ads. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started at LinkedIn.com results. Terms and conditions apply. Live from CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, this is Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio. And on the ESPN app.

[Matt Jones]

Is Matt Myron here on CMA Fest in Nashville. Thanks to Walker Hayes for coming on. Thanks even more for calling Myron Woody from Toy Story, because I'll have that one on him for a long time. Got another UK fan here. Good to you see. See you. Go Cats in the crowd. People starting to line up and meet various folks. Myron Metcalf, that was. That was fun. Nice guy.

[Myron Metcalf]

He was great, man. And then obviously the crossover to playing in NFL championship game and playing at college football Playoff, man, that's pretty cool. But I love what he said about just how hard it is for artists to make it, man. Like just going out even last night. So many incredible groups. It's just so hard to break through.

[Matt Jones]

Sunday mornings, presented by Progressive Insurance. Progressive Commercial insurance flexes to fill your business's needs. From quick repairs to adjustable coverages and even payment options. Progressive Commercial makes it easy to get what you need. Quote today as little as seven minutes. Progressive commercial.com.

[Myron Metcalf]

The Sunday headlines.

[Matt Jones]

It is time for Sunday Headlines. I got some Kentucky folks in the crowd. Go Cats. But there's other things I can't just sit and talk about. Mark Pope. There's other stuff going on. So tell me what's in the headlines. James.

[James]

Yeah. Let's start with the Stanley cup final. Brad Marchand scored in double overtime in game two to give the Panthers the win and tie up the series at one apiece. It was Marshan's second goal of the night. He scored a shorthanded goal earlier. What do you guys think about the Stanley cup playoffs?

[Matt Jones]

Dude, I.

[Myron Metcalf]

You.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, first two games, Stanley cup playoffs, overtime. In both games, crazy goals split 1 1. I'm not sure you could ask for a better series. So far. Been exciting. Martian gets the final goal. Sometimes in hockey, it always feels like the final goal is a little random. That one looked like it, too, but nevertheless, been a great series so far.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. I mean, Bobrovsky had, what, 42 saves in game one. Still wasn't enough to get the win because of how good Edmonton played. So for this to be tied up with all the drama, if you're Gary Bettman, you got to be excited about how this series is starting.

[Matt Jones]

I want Edmonton to win. They care more. People in Miami don't care.

[Myron Metcalf]

Help the people that want Canada. I just want.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, Canada hasn't won a Stanley cup since 1992. They care about it the most. It's like if Kansas plays, I don't know, USC in basketball, you know, Kansas wants it more, like, you know, so.

[Myron Metcalf]

But you're not rooting for Kansas, though, in that situation.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, it's just theoretical. I didn't want to say Kentucky again, so I was using a different.

[Myron Metcalf]

What?

[Matt Jones]

I want Edmonton to win because they care more. That's what I want.

[Myron Metcalf]

Who?

[Matt Jones]

It's next.

[Shopify Ad]

All right.

[James]

The WWE held its money in the bank pay per view yesterday. Lots of stuff happened. Naomi won the women's briefcase. Seth Rollins won the men's briefcase. There's a couple Intercontinental title matches. Becky lynch won the women's. But the big news. The big news was in the main event was John Cena and Logan Paul, a dastardly team, to say the least, took on. Yeah, took on Cody Rhodes and Jey USO at the end of the match, John Cena was going to cheat again to win. And out of the crowd comes a. Comes a guy in a hooded sweatshirt, his face covered up, tackles John Cena, hits it with the belt, takes the mask off. It's R. Truth who was released. He was released.

[Matt Jones]

Pretty amazing story. Like, R. Truth was fired. A lot of people think fired for real. Not just on the show. Like, fired for real. But there was such a fan outcry that they brought him back, and then he ended up doing that. Some people think that was part of the storyline.

[James]

That's my question. What do you guys think?

[Myron Metcalf]

Was.

[Matt Jones]

Is it.

[James]

Was it a work? Is it part of the storyline?

[Matt Jones]

I do. I mean, I've been around it long enough to know kind of when things. I mean, if it was fake, then they did it as good as I've ever seen anything. I tend to think it was real.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

WWE is good at seeing that. Like, this is, like, people what they want and then bringing it back. So I'm gonna say it was real, but it was interesting. I do like, though, if you don't know anything about wrestling, his headline of that Seth Rollins gets the briefcase. You'd be like, what are you talking about? Gets the briefcase. But if you like wrestling, you would know what that meant.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. I mean, the r Truth element has been incredible. He confirmed on Twitter and so did his son, that apparently it was real. And what I son said Cap. Yeah, son said cap. What I appreciate about our truth is the grind for him to get to this point. I think people really admire that. Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Can I ask you a question for the average person out there wouldn't know when someone posts on an Instagram comment, Cap, translate that lie.

[Myron Metcalf]

Cat means lie. No cap means.

[Matt Jones]

No Cap. It means truth.

[Myron Metcalf]

Truth.

[Matt Jones]

So Cap, lie.

[Myron Metcalf]

No.

[Matt Jones]

No Cap.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Truth.

[Myron Metcalf]

Am I like your personal urban dictionary? Is that basically what you just did to me feels like what you just did, man?

[Matt Jones]

I get a term and I ask you to translate it for middle America.

[Myron Metcalf]

Could you wrap the first verse of Tupac's Dear Mama while you at it?

[Matt Jones]

That's true. That'd be a good segment. I read you rap lyrics and ask you to translate them for middle America.

[Myron Metcalf]

That'd be our last segment.

[Matt Jones]

Let's do one more. What's next?

[James]

Yeah. Coco Gauff had a resilient comeback and beat number world number one Ariana Sabalenka yesterday to win the French Open.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. First of all, French Open, hard for Americans to win. I mean, if you go historically, I don't think American man's won it since Jim Courier, but Coco Goff gets the victory. Exciting. Great match, too, with three sets crowd. Spike Lee was sitting there in the front row. Did you enjoy it?

[Myron Metcalf]

Loved it. Yeah. Congrats to Coco. But Sabalenka, I thought was a sore loser afterwards. No, no, you. She was saying a lot of things about how Coco didn't beat her, she beat herself and all these things. Like, I hate that element of it. Give Coco credit for what she did.

[Matt Jones]

She's like Sabalinka. The crowd just didn't.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm a fan of her.

[Matt Jones]

Why not?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, I mean, because you need a villain.

[Matt Jones]

We just talked about how much you love villains in wrestling.

[Myron Metcalf]

Not. Not Sabalink. I thought she was a poor sport and how she handled that.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, every time I hear her name, I just go, saba link. Saba link. Dorme vu.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's what you think of.

[Matt Jones]

Like, it follows. Do you even know Freya Jacob?

[Myron Metcalf]

I know Farah Jacob, but I never make that connection.

[Matt Jones]

Well, you should have. Aaron Rodgers made a connection back to the NFL. You could guess what my reaction will be to that. We'll get Myron's as well. We are here at CMA Fest in Nashville. It's Matt, Myron, Matt and Myron.

[Myron Metcalf]

The Podcast.

[Kaley Cuoco]

With a Venmo debit card, you can Venmo more than just your friends. You can use your balance in so many ways. You can Venm need gas. You can Venmo this. How about snacks? You can Venmo that. Your favorite band's merch. You can Venmo this or their next show. You can Venmo that. Visit Venmo Me Debit to learn more.

[Walker Hayes]

You can Venmo this or you can Venmo that. You can Venmo this or you can Venmo that. You can Venmo.

[Kaley Cuoco]

The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp bank and a pursuant to license, my MasterCard International Incorporated card may be used everywhere. MasterCard is accepted. Venmo purchase restrictions apply.

[Nordstrom]

When you're on the go and it's time to refresh your energy, grab an ice cold Celsius where zero sugar, seven essential vitamins and proven ingredients meet pure refreshment. Unlike traditional energy drinks, each sip of Celsius is a perfect balance of flavor and function. So whether you're hitting the gym, the office or your next adventure, grab a Celsius at your local retailer or visit Celsius.com to learn more.

[Myron Metcalf]

Live from CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, this is Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio.

[Matt Jones]

And on the E ESPN app, it is Matt Myron here on ESPN Radio. So I've seen some Kentucky fans running around. They tell me there's a line both sides, like hundreds of people not, not see us just like to get into this building. I mean I'm sure they're going to probably when they get in here, all want to come in here but for the moat to get in the building because you know, this is, this is where it is here at Fanfare.

[Myron Metcalf]

They may be trying to get to us. That's why we got security, man. You know, just in case. I like the security, you know.

[Matt Jones]

You know what you. I feel protected. That's what I'm, that's what I'm concerned about because it was good, it was getting a little wild. The miles crazy that we're here just a second ago. So I'm glad we have, we have some space. It is Sunday morning here at Fanfare X. Sunday night baseball and ESPN radio is tonight. Yankees Red Sox begins at 6 Eastern. We are presented by Progressive in church. Do you the Yankees and Red Sox starting Now will play 37 times between now and the season, are you ready for those games to begin?

[Myron Metcalf]

Who are the teams, like in sports that play each other the most? Like, I feel like The Rams and 49ers play each other eight times a year. Yankees, Red Sox, 37 times. But I'm excited for that.

[Matt Jones]

You know, you can meet and greet Myron and I today from 1 to 2 Central. You can. I'm looking forward to meeting you and I will do my best to greet you, but we will be. We will be here.

[Myron Metcalf]

My question about the meet and greet is, was there a situation where people were meeting people and they weren't greeting them too, and someone had to throw that in to make it a better situation?

[Matt Jones]

I think it sounds like it's. You're more friendly when you meet and greet. So you know what? If you're in Nashville, come say hello. I would like to.

[Myron Metcalf]

Come on down.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I'd like to. I'd like to say hi. All right. I'll tell you who I wouldn't like to say hi with is Aaron Rodgers. Yeah, Aaron Rodgers is back in the NFL favorite, thank goodness. Gonna play for the Steelers. He signed earlier this week, $13.6 million. Pretty good deal if he ends up being good. So I got plenty of time, including in a few minutes, to rant about it. Let's start with the. Let's be positive. What is the most positive case for bringing Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers? How does it work out, if it works out the best?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, I mean, his. His ceiling obviously is higher than the quarterbacks they've had up until this point. Post Roethlisberger. Right. Last year it was like a beaten down. Russell Wilson had some moments, Justin Field had. Fields had a few moments. But Aaron Rodgers will go down as top 10 quarterback all time. So I think there's that element of it. And, you know, you trade for DK Metcalf. I think Mike Tomlin feels pressure. And I know we'd say the thing about the Steelers, they'll never fire a coach and the way that they conduct business there. But I don't think Mike Tomlin wants to be a loser. And he's not. He made the playoffs, but I think he wants to win championships. And if he can't compete for a Super Bowl, I don't think Mike Tom is going to stick around.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think you can. So, I mean, is Aaron Rodgers good enough to make it worth the Aaron Rodgers baggage? Because we know Aaron Rodgers is a. Is a jerk and we know that Aaron Rodgers is a distraction. He's also very Talented. But is he talented enough now to make it worthwhile for all the stuff you're going to have to put up with?

[Myron Metcalf]

When people say talented, I think oftentimes they're talking about an Aaron Rodgers that doesn't exist anymore. They're talking about the guy who won Back to back MVPs, not the guy who in his last year in Green Bay was okay. Then he tears the Achilles. Then last year, he's sort of up and down. People keep talking about last year like it was this incredible season for Aaron Rodgers. I think he was 25th in QBR. Right. Like he wasn't this elite quarterback over the course of the season. So I think you're getting a version of Aaron Rodgers that doesn't play at the same level he was at three, four years ago. But now is it an even bigger distraction? I always wanted this, Matt. How do you come into a new locker room and connect when you're Aaron Rodgers? Because I think that was the jets and now it's going to be hard with the Steelers.

[Matt Jones]

When I think of the Steelers, like, if you're just talking big picture, think of the franchise. What do you think of stability? They've had, what, three coaches in 70 years? 60 years. I mean, it's an unbelievable thing. They've had Chuck. No, Bill Cower and Mike Tomlin. I think of ownership, that's like the best of what you want owners to be. I just don't understand why you would bring Aaron Rodgers. If you were to say to me, what franchise would Aaron Rodgers make the least sense on? I think I would say the Steelers.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And then they bring him in. Now, the opposite to that is you could go, well, maybe they're the one that can handle him. I kind of think nobody can handle Aaron Rodgers. But am I wrong?

[Myron Metcalf]

No. I mean, and again, I'm sure. I'm sure Aaron Rodgers said all the right things to Mike Tomlin and the Steelers organization when he had those conversations. I'm sure he said, listen, I'm all about football into my career. I'm focused on trying to compete for a championship, but I don't know if he's capable of it. Like, to me, the problem's going to be week six and you're three and three, let's say. And now he shows up on McAfee.

[Matt Jones]

Or he shows up on some podcast. I do think the McAfee piece is big because McAfee, once a week, he's going to go on there and maybe he'll talk about football, but maybe he'll Say that the president of France is an alien or something. Like he could say anything and then all of a sudden you have to deal with that.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

What do you do?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, I think with the Jets, a franchise that's so used to losing, you don't care what people say about you. If you're the jets, you're just happy that anybody's talking about you. Right. With the Steelers, a class organization, I think that's gonna be difficult to deal with in a locker room, in a.

[Matt Jones]

Fan base that will dissect everything said.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You know, I mean, when you're obsessive about something, my Kentucky. I mean, think about it. Every time a Kentucky basketball or player says something, we focus on every word. That's how Pittsburgh Steelers fans are. And then Aaron Rodgers, the kind of guy that's going to get that national attention.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I just don't understand. Unless he can win you a Super bowl, why would you do it?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

If I was Minnesota. Well, but you say that. I think they're one quarterback away.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

From having a shot. I don't know if the Steelers are not, but he's going to be at best like the seventh best quarterback in the fc.

[Myron Metcalf]

But how? Yes, that's the question. Like to me, Aaron Rodgers was always like this. He was just so good, nobody cared.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Myron Metcalf]

So now to me, when your skills aren't there to the same degree, like the organization, the Steelers organization has not had a lot of drama lately, right? Over the course, no. Their franchise, I don't think they've had.

[Matt Jones]

A lot of drama ever.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. I mean, Roethlisberger had some moments, but I mean, over the. For the most part, they have been viewed, I think, as one of the class organizations in all the sports. And now you bring it in.

[Matt Jones]

I would argue if you were to think of what a class organization is, the Steelers would have been the best example.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

What's a better example?

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, and I don't. I can't recall recently where a situation kind of affected the team and it became a headline because I think that's where Mike Tomlinson is going to get frustrated is when Aaron Rodgers is making headlines about the Steelers and it's not about football and it's not about the things you want your team to focus on.

[Matt Jones]

I totally agree. One person writes, Matt, I can't see Myron in his jeans in his boots, but I'm picturing it. Tell me it looks as amazing as I think it does.

[Myron Metcalf]

It does, man.

[Matt Jones]

Yes.

[Myron Metcalf]

Walker. Walker said it was good.

[Matt Jones]

I think Walker actually threw you under the bus when he walked away and said, all you need is new jeans.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, but he didn't say to take them out, though. He did. He said new jeans, but he didn't say take out.

[Matt Jones]

But I think it's worse to tell you that your jeans are bad.

[Myron Metcalf]

Listen, man, I didn't get a manual. I didn't get instructions. I just threw on some boots. You know what it's like to go buy boots for the first time?

[Matt Jones]

What is it?

[Myron Metcalf]

It's. It's a scene, man. Like, everyone's kind of looking at you. I don't know if I'm picking terrible boots or good boots. No one's talking to you. They just kind of let you out. And now what happens, man?

[Matt Jones]

You also brought a cowboy hat. And then on the street last night, he bought another cowboy. So I called him Myron2Hats because he had two hats. Why did you on the street last night feel like you needed a second cowboy hat?

[Myron Metcalf]

I realized that I had a Minnesota cowboy hat. And the more I walked around, I realized that I was the only one. Like, I felt like at one point I look more like a 1970s detective, I think, more than a cowboy. Right.

[Matt Jones]

You did have. I mean, you did have black hat, black sunglasses.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. Looks like I was trying to, like, you know, solve the murder or something like that a little bit. So I wanted something that was more cowboy.

[Matt Jones]

I will say, though, I learned a lesson from him last night. If you. Rocco, you're a young fella. If you want to. This is good advice for you for the future when it comes to women, you know.

[Myron Metcalf]

Okay.

[Matt Jones]

When you have a second hat, they want to wear the second.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, yeah, that did happen.

[Matt Jones]

And it leads to conversation. Yeah. So there were women who'd be like, hey, can I wear that hat? And it was like, so. So Myron, as much as I was making fun of him for being myron2hats, I do think he was able to engage. We were able to engage conversation because he had the second hat to be able to hand out for temporary wear.

[Myron Metcalf]

People, people wanted. I just want to make sure you. You were. I wasn't engaging, you know, but I was. You know, people did want to wear.

[Matt Jones]

That's true. His girlfriend is on the way.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, yeah. What I meant to say was happen. You know what I mean?

[Matt Jones]

Byron would hand the hat out, and then other people could have, like, Evan away Evansman.

[Myron Metcalf]

I gotta go home.

[Matt Jones]

You know, there were. There were other people that, in theory, could have begun conversations.

[Myron Metcalf]

People did look at the hat a lot. Like, there Were I got a lot of looks of people wondering, who's the second hat for? Did his friend bail on him and he just left him with his hat? There was a. There are a lot of people, I think, talking about that second hat right now throughout Nashville.

[Matt Jones]

Tell my One person writes on the text machine, remember 772-774-5254. Matt, maybe Myron didn't want his jeans to get caught up in the spokes of his bicycle that he's riding around town. That is why they tell children not to not to put wear jeans. They might get. You might get stuck in the vice.

[Myron Metcalf]

I got an idea. Why don't you all create a cowboy manual then, right? So that people can do what they're supposed to do. You literally in the first segment said, do you know how to break in boots? I'm like, no, you're like, you put two socks and get a blow dryer in three plastic bags and call your best friend. Nobody knows that stuff, man. Yeah, nobody knows that stuff, man. All right.

[Matt Jones]

And it ain't say espn. If you have a cowboy manual, what would you tell my man Myron Metcalf to put in the cowboy manual? Have you, in 888, say ESPN. Have you enjoyed Nashville? Do you feel welcome here? You were talking yesterday about how it does have a disproportionate amount of white people. Have you felt war? Have you felt welcome here?

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't think I said that. I think you did say that. No, I think Nashville's been cool, man. And this. It's actually been more diverse than. Than I realized.

[Matt Jones]

So I was expecting it to be.

[Myron Metcalf]

This is my first CMA Fest, so I didn't know what to expect. It's been fun. It's been a good time. And like I told you before, like, once you meet me, I think I'm pretty likable. So I think that's also helped the experience as well.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know that you have to tell people that you are likable.

[Myron Metcalf]

I know my strengths and weaknesses, and I think that's one of my strengths.

[Matt Jones]

Well, the New York Knicks had a weakness, which is they can't keep a coach. They ended up firing Tom Thibodeau in a move that was surprising to me. Maybe it wasn't surprising to anybody else. We'll talk about whether that was the right move. Who should be the next coach? Plus, Golden Tate will join us and more. We are here at CMA Fest in Nashville at Fanfare X. This is ESPN Radio.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

Foreign.

[Nordstrom]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Knowing you could be saving money for the things you really want is a great feeling. Talk to a State Farm agent today to learn how you can choose to bundle and save with the personal price plan. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state. Coverage options are selected by the customer. Availability, amount of discounts and savings and eligibility vary by state.

[Kaley Cuoco]

Hey there, travelers. Kaley Cuoco here. Sorry to interrupt your music. Great artist, BT Dubs, but wouldn't you rather be there to hear it live? With Priceline, you can get out of your dreams and into your dream concert. They've got millions of travel deals to get you to that festival, gig, rave, sound bath, or sonic experience you've been dreaming of. Download the Priceline app today and you can save up to 60% off hotels and up to 50% off flights. So don't just dream about that trip. Book it with Priceline.

[Nordstrom]

Go to your happy price. Priceline.

[Myron Metcalf]

Live from CMA Fest in Nashville, Tennessee, this is Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio. And on the ESPN app, it's Matt.

[Matt Jones]

Myron here on ESPN Radio. CMA Fanfare X Got some. Got a Kentucky fan here that lives in Brooklyn. You got one here in Nashville. You got one. Well, two here for the. Live in Nashville. Had some foot woman just came up here a minute ago from Northern Kentucky. So Kentucky fans showing up here.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, no, that's. It's cool, man, to see all the fans out here, but I got some breaking.

[Matt Jones]

Hang on a second.

[Myron Metcalf]

ESPN Radio breaking news. I got some breaking news. You have been on me for the last 24 hours about this sweet thing, this tickets that you claimed I got and forgot about you, which you forgot.

[Matt Jones]

You forgot to give me.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's not what happened at all. It was a misunderstanding, miscommunication. But check your email. Matt Jones, you have a sweet ticket for tonight.

[Matt Jones]

Yes, I do. Thank you very much.

[Myron Metcalf]

Shout out Patricia at Synergy and all the people there at espn.

[Matt Jones]

So thank you very much. Well, we're gonna go see. Yeah, Gonna go see Zach Topp tonight.

[Myron Metcalf]

I told you I'd make it happen.

[Matt Jones]

All right, thank you very much. I do appreciate that. We were asking what Myron needs to be a cowboy. One person says he needs to have a dip container in his back pocket that then makes itself into a little white circle. Do you know what that means?

[Myron Metcalf]

No, I don't know. I don't. That's.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, he knows. That cop knows there. Oh, he's got it. So You. If you. If you wear tight jeans and you put dip. And by the way, I'm not encouraging people to dip. You should not do that. It's bad for your health. Make it be gum or something like that. Put it in your jeans and you sit down enough and it'll create a little circle in it that'll kind of make you look country.

[Myron Metcalf]

I'm not trying to be level seven cowboy. I just want to be in the intro class. That's all I need. I just want the class credit like you try to give me. Get a master's in this, and I don't need that.

[Matt Jones]

One person writes, myron, superpower is likeability.

[Myron Metcalf]

It is.

[Matt Jones]

While Matt superpower is being punched in the face. That is not very much.

[Myron Metcalf]

What. What. What is that on the box?

[Matt Jones]

I.

[Myron Metcalf]

What is that? Oh, I want these people.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know. You write me. You should be at least a little bit nice.

[Myron Metcalf]

Why don't you read that comment?

[Matt Jones]

You know, I got to make sure they don't all seem positive. Eight, eight, eight, say ESPN here in. In Nashville, by the way, sports teams in Nashville, you got the. You got the Titans.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

What do you think's going to happen with the quarterback? You like Cam Warren this year?

[Myron Metcalf]

I think he could be a special quarterback. I don't think this is the greatest quarterback class that we've seen in NFL history, but I like Cam and his strengths. Big arm.

[Matt Jones]

And what are they going to do with my guy, Will Levis? Is it over for Will? I like him. You know, he's a Kentucky guy, had high hopes. Hasn't gone exactly right so far, but.

[Myron Metcalf]

Maybe it depends on what you mean by over. I mean, I think he's going to be in the league, and I think he'll get his chance, but it just may not come right now. It's just hard to play that position, man.

[Matt Jones]

Do you know who the most popular quarterback is in the city of Nashville? Anybody here, like Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt is probably the most popular one. He was here yesterday. Apparently they had to have a police escort to walk around. When do you think the last time the Vanderbilt quarterback has been this highly praised going into the year?

[Myron Metcalf]

Probably been. Probably been a while, man. But, you know, you go beat Alabama, though.

[Matt Jones]

It'll do it. Thankful.

[Myron Metcalf]

Be thankful for the transfer portal, man.

[Matt Jones]

Yes. Do you think? And then the Nashville Predators also down here. Do you care about that?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I care.

[Matt Jones]

Tell me your favorite Nashville Predators moment.

[Myron Metcalf]

That one time they did that one thing.

[Matt Jones]

No, it's a good moment. All right, Tom Thibodeau.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

Tips let go by the Knicks, gets to the Knicks, the conference finals for the first time since 1999, and then they just say, get out. First of all, do you agree with the decision?

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't agree with the decision. I mean, they also did it before his $30 million extension kicks in. They own $30 million, so James Dolan never makes sense. I just don't know who they think they're going to get. That's going to change things. Now, I will take all that back. If they hire Jason Kidd and also make a trade for Giannis, which. Those are the rumors right now.

[Matt Jones]

Why is Jason Kidd better?

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't know if he's better, but Giannis likes him, so it doesn't matter if he's better. But if it encourages Giannis to say, send me to New York.

[Matt Jones]

But why would. Why would Milwaukee make that trade?

[Myron Metcalf]

Because they have no power anymore in this era when the NBA, no doubt, if your superstar says, I'm out, you have to trade.

[Matt Jones]

But you don't have to trade him to New York. He could trade him to San Antonio or Houston. I mean, first of all, the Knicks don't have anything to give them. They've got Carl Towns, who. I love Carl, but you don't want to build your whole franchise around Carl. He needs to be your number two guy. They're not going to have high picks. If they get Giannis, what can they give them that Milwaukee would want? Where? San Antonio and Houston have multiple first round picks. Yeah, Houston's got a ton of young guys they could give them. San Antonio could give them a couple players and they've got a ton of first round picks. Why would they want to do that with New York?

[Myron Metcalf]

You can't do that to Giannis. Giannis won a championship in Milwaukee, my hometown. If he says, I want to go to New York, that's better for me and my career. You send him to New York, you owe that to Giannis.

[Matt Jones]

You ruin your franchise.

[Myron Metcalf]

You owe it to Giannis to send him to where he want. Why not? He won a championship for you.

[Matt Jones]

But you don't like. You can't say, I'm going to make my team terrible for the next 10 years because I owe it to Giannis. You owe it to Giannis to trade him, but you don't owe it to Giannis to make a trade that's going to ruin your franchise.

[Myron Metcalf]

He got you a ring in Milwaukee, but in Milwaukee, I think Giannis has been one of the most upstanding guys in the Entire NBA. He's been a great ambassador.

[Matt Jones]

But I can send you to Houston or San Antonio. You could still win a title with them, and I can have a franchise where I get some stuff for the future. If I send them to New York, I'm getting Carl Towns. Love Carl Towns. Kentucky guy. But you can't build the whole team around Carl Towns.

[Myron Metcalf]

So if you own the Bucks and Giannis just brought you an NBA championship, and he sits down with you and.

[Matt Jones]

Says, listen, I say, I love you.

[Myron Metcalf]

It's been great. I want to go to New York. No, you can't do that.

[Matt Jones]

I'm not sending him to New York. Unless you have to. Unless you can get me guys that can build me.

[Myron Metcalf]

You don't have to do anything. What's the message you send to the next superstar? I think you have to do.

[Matt Jones]

You send them to the next franchise that, hey, you can come to Milwaukee. We'll love you, we'll help you win the title, and we'll send you to a place where you can win a title, but we might not send you to the one place. We'll send you to one. It's not like sending him to Portland. If you send him to Houston or San Antonio, you get to play, oh, I don't know, with wimby, which they would be unstoppable, or you get to play with a Rockets team that was the number two seed.

[Myron Metcalf]

But if that's not what he wants, then you're ignoring a guy who has been incredible for you and your entire franchise, who's won you a championship, who's won mvp.

[Matt Jones]

So you're telling me, if I'm married to a woman and she always take.

[Myron Metcalf]

A left turn when I'm just talking.

[Matt Jones]

Sports, tell me, if I'm married to a woman and she wants to go with some other man, I have to do it for her? Like, I can't just say, okay, but you don't get that. You don't get that house. You get that house.

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't know.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know. That analogy fell apart when I started talking about basketball.

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't know where you going?

[Matt Jones]

When I started it, I felt good about it, and then it kind of fell apart. But my. I just think you cannot screw up your franchise for the next 10 years just to be nice. You can't do that. If you do that, you owe it to your fans. What about your fans?

[Myron Metcalf]

Your fans just want a championship and they're happy about it.

[Matt Jones]

So you're telling me, your fans, if.

[Myron Metcalf]

You do that to Giannis no superstar will ever want to play there, ever.

[Matt Jones]

They don't want to play there now.

[Myron Metcalf]

Okay, but you're treating a great guy like that when he wants to go to New York and he won you.

[Matt Jones]

A championship, wants to go to Milwaukee. I know you're from there, but nobody wants to go to Milwaukee.

[Myron Metcalf]

But you don't have a chance to keep a guy like that in the future if you treat him that way.

[Matt Jones]

First of all, everybody always says that. Nobody ever remembers, like when's the last time you heard a player go, you know, I was going to go to Milwaukee, but 30 years ago they were mean to Lou Alcindor. Like people don't think like that. They go where the money is.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's what they'll it'll matter.

[Matt Jones]

It's Matt Myron here at CMA Fest in Nashville. Our number three coming up right after this.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron, the podcast.