Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron: Episode Summary – Hour 3: CMA Fest!

Release Date: June 8, 2025

Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf

1. Setting the Scene at CMA Fest

Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf kick off this episode live from Nashville's vibrant CMA Fest, immersing listeners in the festival's lively atmosphere. They invite local fans to interact, creating an engaging and personable start to the show.

• Matt Jones [00:34]: "It is Matt and Myron the podcast... If you're in the area 1 to 2 Central Time, you can come by and say hello."

2. The Origin of the Cowboy Hat

A spirited discussion unfolds about the history of the iconic cowboy hat. Myron delves into the origins, attributing the creation of the Stetson hat to John Stetson, a New Jersey hat maker who moved west to improve hat quality amidst his battle with tuberculosis.

• Myron Metcalf [01:20]: "John Stetson was a hat maker in New Jersey... the Stetson came from. He moved west from Jersey and created."

Matt expresses skepticism, prompting a fact-checking segment that confirms Myron's historical insights.

• Matt Jones [01:57]: "You're telling me the cowboy hat was created by a tuberculosis patient from New Jersey?"

3. Evaluating Pickleball

The hosts transition to a lighthearted critique of pickleball, with Matt humorously branding it as "the worst thing invented in America." They debate its effectiveness as a sport, especially for younger players seeking meaningful exercise.

• Matt Jones [02:45]: "I think pickleball is literally the worst. It's tennis for people... We're going to make it sound awful."

4. Knicks Coaching Strategy and Future Prospects

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the New York Knicks' coaching decisions. Myron advocates for hiring Mike Malone, citing his championship experience with the Denver Nuggets, while Matt weighs in on the complexities of trading key players and the potential impact on team dynamics.

• Myron Metcalf [05:08]: "Mike Malone won a championship with Jokic and Jamal Murray... he’s done that, who’s still out there."

• Matt Jones [07:15]: "Kentucky against all y' all... Mike Malone is the only person that I've seen that would make some sense."

5. Universally Liked Personalities in America

The duo explores the rarity of universally beloved figures, highlighting Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson as paragons of universal approval. They debate other personalities like Shaquille O'Neal and Matthew McConaughey, pondering who else might fit this exclusive category.

• Matt Jones [14:20]: "I always say this on my morning show... Dolly Parton probably has the most universal approval of any person in America."

• Myron Metcalf [15:31]: "Shaq may have it. Shaq endorses literally anything they put in front of Shaq."

6. Highlights from the Belmont Stakes and Horse Racing

Shifting to horse racing, Matt and Myron discuss the Belmont Stakes, reminiscing about memorable races and the financial aspects of stud fees. They reflect on how marquee matchups like Journalism vs. Sovereignty can rejuvenate interest in the sport.

• Matt Jones [17:07]: "Belmont Stakes was yesterday... Sovereignty wins the Belmont."

• Myron Metcalf [19:26]: "They sold those stud rights... $200,000 I think."

7. Women's College World Series and NIL Settlement

The conversation turns to the Women's College World Series, celebrating its growing popularity and significant payouts. They also delve into the recent NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) settlement, discussing its implications for current and future college athletes.

• Myron Metcalf [20:31]: "Starting July 1st, your deals have to go through the clearinghouse... it's gonna be interesting to see what happens next couple years."

• Matt Jones [21:49]: "It's odd that in this world of payment in sports, the sport that seems to be the most balanced playing field is baseball."

8. Evolution of College Baseball Scholarships

Matt highlights transformative changes in college baseball scholarship rules, which now allow teams to offer up to 34 full scholarships. He emphasizes how this shift exponentially increases opportunities for high school players.

• Matt Jones [22:22]: "Starting July 1, they can give 34 full scholarships... scholarship opportunities just exponentially went up."

9. Marketing Challenges at CMA Fest

An amusing anecdote arises when Matt and Myron observe a relentless brand representative at their booth, offering water and karaoke despite little interest. They commend her perseverance and draw parallels to marketing challenges.

• Matt Jones [24:36]: "This woman back here at the booth... that's a woman I admire because it's got to be hard to just sit there and for six hours."

• Myron Metcalf [25:49]: "It takes a lot of energy. It also makes you realize that I could never do marketing."

10. Sports Predictions: NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, and MLB Showdowns

The hosts engage listeners with their predictions for major sporting events:

• NBA Finals Game Two: Pacers vs. Thunder

  • Matt Jones [26:54]: "But I say this about the Thunder... Tonight's a blowout. They win by 20 plus."
  • Myron Metcalf [27:17]: "Chet Holmgren, it'd be nice of him to show up to the game tonight. I think the Thunder win this."

• Stanley Cup Final Game Three: Panthers vs. Oilers

  • Matt Jones [28:05]: "I'm going to take Edmonton to win game three... I think the series going to go seven."
  • Myron Metcalf [28:17]: "I think Florida wins game three. I think they're going to win the series."

• MLB: Red Sox vs. Yankees

  • Matt Jones [29:08]: "Why not? They are at home. Let's pick the Yankees and Carlos Rendon throws a nice game."
  • Myron Metcalf [29:41]: "I would completely believe that."

11. Special Guest Interview: Golden Tate

The highlight of the episode is an engaging interview with Golden Tate, a Super Bowl champion and former NFL receiver. Tate shares insights into his love for country music, friendships with artists like Cole Swindell and Rascal Flats, and memorable NFL experiences, including encounters with legends like Kobe Bryant and Toby Keith.

• Matt Jones [32:13]: "Golden Tate, a man who can sing a little Taylor Swift if it needs to happen. Am I right about that?"

• Golden Tate [35:08]: "Are we talking like, from a cornerback perspective or just... not sure."

The conversation delves into Tate's experiences playing under Pete Carroll, his thoughts on Aaron Rodgers joining the Steelers, and his pride in his teammates' successes.

• Golden Tate [40:29]: "I think he'll relate to them incredibly... He's just a big kid in a six-year-old body."

12. Embracing the Cowboy Persona

In a playful segment, Matt and Golden Tate humorously critique Matt's cowboy attire, offering constructive feedback on enhancing his look. They blend humor with camaraderie, showcasing the hosts' chemistry.

• Matt Jones [43:09]: "Does my man need to do some work on his cowboy Persona?"

• Golden Tate [44:20]: "Look, there's a lot of room for improvement. However, before you can run, you gotta walk."

13. Closing Remarks

Matt and Myron wrap up the episode by thanking CMA Fest for hosting them, acknowledging their listeners, and expressing gratitude to their sponsors. They highlight the enjoyable interactions and promise more engaging content in future episodes.

• Matt Jones [45:25]: "Thank you to CMA Fest for having Matt Myron here... This has been Matt Myron on ESPN Radio."

• Myron Metcalf [45:42]: "Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast."

Notable Quotes:

• Myron Metcalf [01:20]: "John Stetson was a hat maker in New Jersey... the Stetson came from. He moved west from Jersey and created."

• Matt Jones [14:20]: "I always say this on my morning show... Dolly Parton probably has the most universal approval of any person in America."

• Matt Jones [22:22]: "Starting July 1, they can give 34 full scholarships... scholarship opportunities just exponentially went up."

This episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" offers a blend of sports analysis, personal anecdotes, and lively discussions, all set against the backdrop of Nashville's CMA Fest. From the origins of the cowboy hat to in-depth sports predictions and a candid interview with Golden Tate, Matt and Myron deliver a comprehensive and entertaining listen for sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike.