Covino & Rich - Serious Circumventing by Clippers?

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich)

Episode: Serious Circumventing by Clippers?
Date: September 4, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

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Overview

This episode of “Covino & Rich” addresses a rapidly unfolding scandal involving the Los Angeles Clippers and star player Kawhi Leonard. Hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis, joined by guest contributors like Pablo Torre and Dan Beyer, dive deep into new revelations that team owner Steve Ballmer allegedly paid Leonard $28 million through a dubious company to skirt the NBA's salary cap. The discussion is lively, blending humor, pointed opinion, and skepticism as the story’s broader implications for the NBA unfold.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Kawhi Leonard “No-Show Job” Allegation

• Pablo Torre’s Report: Pablo Torre unveils allegations that Ballmer paid Leonard $28 million via a Ballmer-owned company tied to a “tree planting” operation (“Aspiration”) for essentially no work, in an apparent attempt to pay Leonard outside of his NBA contract ([06:00]-[07:54]).

  • Quote (Steve Covino, 06:00): “Now he's unveiled this Kawhi Leonard story where he reportedly was paid $28 million for a no show job. That's the headline… a way to get around the NBA salary cap.”

• Covino clarifies the difference between a “loophole” and actual rules violations. This is not a clever workaround but straight-up forbidden under NBA bylaws.

• Main Facts ([07:54]-[08:19]):

  • Fake “tree planting company”
  • No real work performed by Leonard
  • Ballmer is accused of using personal wealth and corporate entities to pay more than allowed.

• Potential Ramifications ([08:32]-[08:39]):

  • Large fines (up to $4.5 million)
  • Loss of first-round draft picks
  • Possible voiding of contracts

2. Ethics and Attitude Toward Rule-Breaking

• Rich frames the debate philosophically: are you a rules-follower or rule-breaker?
  • Quote (Rich Davis, 08:58): “Rule breakers. People that are like, you know, rules are, you know, a mild suggestion... and then other people that are like, I'm a rules guy.”
• Covino draws the line between “pushing the rules” and “stomping over the line,” emphasizing that this case is clearly the latter ([10:02]).
  • Quote (Steve Covino, 10:02): “This is stomping over the line. This is just straight up. You paid a guy $20 million extra to guarantee that he's on your team.”

3. Is the Risk Worth It for Ballmer/Clippers?

• The hosts theorize Ballmer might accept any fine as the cost of doing business, akin to Michael Jordan's sneaker fines being paid by Nike ([32:45]-[33:15]).
  • Quote (Steve Covino, 33:15): “That’s the business moves of a guy like Steve Ballmer... he knows what the repercussions are and he knows that, you know, maybe he could swindle his way out of this if the story breaks.”
• They debate whether any punishment (fine or draft pick loss) is a deterrent given Ballmer's fortune and the Clippers' lack of recent playoff success.

4. Comparison to Other Rule-Breaking and Scandals in Sports

• Covino raises historical precedents: Jerry Jones changing NFL economics, Deflategate, MLB’s Spider Tack soap opera, and the Knicks' rumored attempts to sign Jordan via third-party endorsements ([11:59], [41:21]).
• The line between marketing, legitimate endorsement deals, and under-the-table payments is examined by Dan Beyer ([42:13]-[43:03]).

5. Nature and Weakness of the Cover-Up

• The panel ridicules the sham “tree planting company” for being so lazily constructed that it insults the league and fans ([19:00]-[19:45]).
  • Quote (Rich Davis, 19:00): “By how simplistic it is. Like really like a half made up Tree Company. $28 million… like try harder, convince me more.”
• Pablo Torre further clarifies the two shell companies involved: “KL2 Aspire” (allegedly managed by Leonard) and “Aspiration” (Ballmer’s entity) ([20:07]), highlighting clear signs something was amiss.

6. Bigger Sports and Cultural Questions

• Would this be a bigger scandal if it involved the Lakers or Celtics? Does team prestige affect public outrage? ([21:41])
• The investigative journalism aspect is praised; Torre’s work could spark more cases and broader NBA reform ([13:39], [43:28]).

7. NBA & Clippers Statements / Next Steps

• The Clippers deny any wrongdoing, insisting their relationship with Aspiration ended in 2023 and calling allegations “false” ([34:49]).
• The investigation was reportedly sparked by a whistleblower from Aspiration’s finance department ([35:13]).
• Speculation on possible outcomes: removal of Ballmer as owner is deemed unlikely given lack of precedent and Ballmer’s reputation compared to figures like Dan Snyder ([39:09]).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steve Covino, [06:00]: “Now he's unveiled this Kawhi Leonard story where he reportedly was paid $28 million for a no show job… a way to get around the NBA salary cap.”
• Pablo Torre, [07:52]: “Tory laid out the alleged Scandal… that Leonard was paid $28 million through a company owned by Ballmer, who owns the Clippers. If you don't know, to essentially do nothing.”
• Rich Davis, [19:00]: “By how simplistic it is. Like really like a half made up Tree Company. $28 million… try harder, convince me more.”
• Steve Covino, [32:53]: “To circumvent the NBA salary cap, then he's not willing to pay up a fine to get the player he wants. That doesn't mean anything to Steve Ballmer. A fine and a draft pick. He got Kawhi Leonard, you know what.”
• Dan Beyer, [41:21]: “CBS Sports did an article off of this and they pointed to in the mid-1990s the Knicks were trying to get Michael Jordan and… pay him that way… but… that was a way that the Knicks who [had] a certain amount of money to pay… maybe try to work around.”

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Key Timestamps

• [06:00] - [08:19]: Pablo Torre and hosts explain the Kawhi “no-show job” and how it was meant to circumvent the salary cap.
• [08:32], [08:39]: Discussion of potential NBA penalties
• [10:02]: Drawing the line between bending and breaking rules
• [11:59]: Sports precedent—Jerry Jones, performance-enhancing drugs, etc.
• [13:39]: Importance of investigative journalism in sports
• [19:00]: Critique of weak cover-up (Aspiration, fake company)
• [20:07]: Explanation of “KL2 Aspire” and “Aspiration” shell companies
• [21:41]: Does it matter the Clippers aren’t a marquee franchise?
• [32:45]: Is Ballmer’s attitude “worth it to break the rules?”
• [33:15]: Parallels to Nike/Jordan and calculated “cost of doing business”
• [34:49]: Clippers’ official response
• [35:13]: Whistleblower/inside source origins
• [39:09]: Doubling down: will Ballmer be forced to sell?

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Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, humorous, and openly opinionated with a focus on both the absurdity and seriousness of the allegations.
• Covino & Rich bounce between pop-cultural riffs, Philly/NY banter, and genuine sports analysis, often interjecting with jokes and “Carl” shout-outs for their listeners.
• Pablo Torre’s contributions lend prestige and clarity to the episode’s investigative journalism angle.

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Summary for First-Time Listeners

This episode is the definitive breakdown of the explosive Kawhi Leonard/Steve Ballmer “no-show job” scandal. Covino & Rich, with input from Pablo Torre and Dan Beyer, untangle the intricate (and seemingly brazen) alleged scheme to funnel $28 million to Leonard outside the NBA’s salary cap. They parse out the broader implications for league fairness, if the Clippers’ second-rate status has muted outrage, and whether Ballmer’s business savvy makes him guilty or just ruthless. The hosts’ irreverent tone keeps it entertaining while tackling a complex, changing story that could have ripple effects across sports.

If you want to stay up to date on NBA controversies, the business of pro sports, or just want to laugh along as two radio vets roast a “half-assed $28 million tree company,” this episode delivers.

Transcript

[Steve Covino]

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[Rich Davis]

I'm Marcus Grant.

[Steve Covino]

And I'm Michael F. Florio and together.

[Danny G]

We host the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.

[Steve Covino]

Ready to dominate your fantasy league this season?

[Danny G]

Then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast. Your ultimate source for player news, draft tips and winning strategies.

[Steve Covino]

Whether you're a rookie manager or a.

[Danny G]

Fantasy vet, we've got the insight to.

[Steve Covino]

Help you crush your opponents.

[Pablo Torre]

Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast.

[Steve Covino]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or.

[Dan Beyer]

Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Football is back. That's right, the new NFL season is here and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 60. It's in the name NFL Daily so you'll have fresh content in your feed all season long. Join me, Greg Rosenthal in an all star cast of co host for previews and recaps of every single game. NFL Daily will keep you up to date with everything you need to know so you can sound smarter than all your friends. Listen to NFL daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Danny G]

I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the Psychology Podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you when you think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choose an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is eas. Ignoring is easier. Denial is easier. Complex problem solving takes effort. Listen to the psychology podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steve Covino]

Hey, thanks for listening to the Covino Enrich podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday from 5 to 7 Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio.

[Rich Davis]

Find your local station for Kavino [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR. Oh yeah, buddies. Can I believe it?

[Steve Covino]

It's a hump day already.

[Rich Davis]

Well, hey, you know what that means midweek Major Mike's words of wisdom. NFL a day away.

[Steve Covino]

No, that means we're getting our hump on.

[Rich Davis]

Ah, my Mets lost today.

[Steve Covino]

But hey, turning your hump day into a hump night. It's a Wednesday. That feels like a Tuesday. Gotta love the short work week. And it's not just any hump night. It's NFL Eve hump night. Ooh, and I'm NFL Steve.

[Rich Davis]

Do you leave cookies out for Roger Goodell?

[Steve Covino]

Yes.

[Rich Davis]

Is that what we do?

[Steve Covino]

We're going to talk some football. We'll talk some baseball. We'll talk some Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi Leonard. What the hell?

[Rich Davis]

Oh, scandal. Kawhi.

[Steve Covino]

But first and first, mostly on this hump day, we be rocking out live from la. Let's go.

[Rich Davis]

Come on now. Don't be laughing, Kawhi. You might be in big trouble, buddy boy.

[Steve Covino]

Thank you. Danny G. Super producing, passing us notes. Here you go. Rich Cavino and rich broadcasting live.

[Rich Davis]

P.S. i'm horny.

[Steve Covino]

P.S. i'm Horny. And broadcasting live from the Fox Sports Radio studio. For over 40 years, Tire Rack has been helping customers find the right tires for how, what and where they drive ship fast and free, backed by free road hazard protection with convenient installation options like mobile tire installation. Tirerack.com the way tire buying should be.

[Rich Davis]

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[Steve Covino]

Oh, and by the way, if you want to see us do our thang, if you want to see me looking handsome in my Travis Matthew Cloud collection V neck. If you want to see Rich Davis wearing his pajamas from last Night.

[Rich Davis]

This is my official all star coaching shirt.

[Steve Covino]

Oh, sorry. My bad. I mean, well, then check us out on our new YouTube page. YouTube.com CovinoeNrichFSR we're chatting live. We're doing it live again. You can watch what you hear on our YouTube page. Our bonus pod over promises there. YouTube @. Covino Enrich FSR. Covino Enrich FSR.

[Rich Davis]

What's up, Iowa?

[Steve Covino]

Sam? What up, Danny G. What up, Dan Beyer? What up, Fox Sports Radio Nation. Hope your day's better than Kawhi and Steve Ballmer's day. Before we get into midweek. Major and all the fun today, that is the hottest story going. And you and I were doing our Patreon show earlier today as it was developing this Pablo Torrey man.

[Rich Davis]

He closed the book on Belichick and Jordan Hudson. He's like, ooh, my next fascination is Kawhi Leonard.

[Steve Covino]

And Ballmer, well, he's doing some reporting, right?

[Rich Davis]

But he does a damn good reporter.

[Steve Covino]

Lean into certain things pretty hard. The Jordan Hudson thing, the Belichick thing. You referenced that. Who was on that harder than him? Now he's unveiled this Kawhi Leonard story where he reportedly was paid $28 million for a no show job. That's the headline. Like, what does that mean, a no show job with the Clippers?

[Rich Davis]

Wait, didn't Rendon get that same contract with the Angels?

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, but it was different. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But this was a way to get around the NBA salary cap. Now, we're gonna make this clear. We might use the word loophole, but it wasn't a loophole at all. This is not legal in the NBA. It's not like some crafty way to get paid. It's not like deferring your payment like Shohei Ohtani.

[Rich Davis]

This is not like a college donor decided to do something nice or something, right?

[Steve Covino]

No.

[Pablo Torre]

There is a fine of up to $4.5 million for a first offense.

[Steve Covino]

This was a way to circumvent. That's the fancy word to go around the NBA salary cap.

[Rich Davis]

You wrote that word. Big Mike said it. Cause I wrote it down, too.

[Steve Covino]

Oh, I got it here in the article. It's all over the place, guys.

[Rich Davis]

It's circumventing.

[Steve Covino]

Tory laid out the alleged Scandal. Scandal? Isn't that your old hairdresser?

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, Scandal.

[Steve Covino]

Scandal. Used to give Rich a nice feathered haircut. He laid out the scandal on his program. Tory finds out to buy Scandal, and it says that he has direct quotes from legal documents that made the argument that Leonard was paid 28 million through a company owned by Ballmer, who owns the Clippers. If you don't know to essentially do nothing. Now, that's a pretty sweet deal. Except it's not allowed in the NBA. Ballmer's accused of using the agreement as a way to pay Leonard more than his contract would allow, which, if true, is a violation of the NBA rules. Now, my understanding is it was for some, like, made up, bunk company where Kawhi Leonard never did anything like a tree planting.

[Rich Davis]

Tree planting.

[Pablo Torre]

Tree planting.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

You tell me you couldn't get Kawhi in front of a green screen just to say one time like, hey, it's me, Kawhi Leonard.

[Steve Covino]

So it's planned that you should follow, Right. Like there's a salary cap in the NBA. But look, I want Kawhi Leonard so bad. I'm going to figure out a way to get him on the team. Give him as much money as possible, but pay him an extra $28 million to solidify his time and place with the Clippers through a company that doesn't even really matter or exist.

[Rich Davis]

And the ramification was if he's only on the Clippers.

[Steve Covino]

Right. And Pablo Torre's all over this. And like Danny G. Just said, if this is true, major fines, suspensions, like.

[Pablo Torre]

That'S not allowed of one first round pick.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Pablo Torre]

And the possibility of voiding contracts that are involved in any circumvention.

[Steve Covino]

How do you view this? Do you view this as, hey, he's just a rule breaker. Good for him. He got what he wanted. Hey, loses a few draft picks, he still got Kawhi. How do you view something like this?

[Rich Davis]

I'm a. There's two types of people.

[Steve Covino]

Oh, players and haters.

[Rich Davis]

Thank you, Taylor Swift.

[Steve Covino]

No, you've said that before. Rule breaker.

[Rich Davis]

Rule breakers. People that are like, you know, rules are, you know, a mild suggestion. And then other people that are like, I'm a rules guy.

[Steve Covino]

I thought you're gonna say pink or red Starburst, guys.

[Rich Davis]

Pink.

[Steve Covino]

By the way, both are good. Blue cheese or. Or ranch. Both are good.

[Rich Davis]

Blue cheese.

[Steve Covino]

Blood or Crip. Yeah. There's two types. Oh, I'm not answering.

[Rich Davis]

All right.

[Steve Covino]

There are two kinds of love that you ought.

[Rich Davis]

There are two kinds of love.

[Steve Covino]

There's two.

[Rich Davis]

We do that. We do that in Philadelphia, outside of garbage can once in a while.

[Steve Covino]

There's two types of people. And those people are as Rich said, rules people. Rules people. Twizzlers, people. Or Red Vines.

[Rich Davis]

No, there's two types of people. The Keith Hernandez or Don Mattingly, Rules are rule breakers.

[Steve Covino]

I'm a rules follower. I am. I believe in rules. I believe in structure. I believe that there's a set of rules in play to keep idiots in line. I'm a like Steve Ballmer.

[Rich Davis]

I'm a push the rules until you tell me why.

[Steve Covino]

Pushing the rules is not rule breaking. You push the rules, you dance on the line a little bit. This is stomping over the line. This is just straight up. You paid a guy $20 million extra to guarantee that he's on your team.

[Rich Davis]

I have a question.

[Steve Covino]

When. When in fact, there's a salary cap for a reason.

[Rich Davis]

When someone is guilty of such an offense, are you guys going to respect it? More of Bomber and choir, like, got him. Got us.

[Steve Covino]

Here's the thing. They would have won. If they win, then you're like, yeah, it was worth it. Who cares? He made it happen. Yeah, that really. That's winning. Solves everything, as they say, Right? That would happen here, too.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah. I'm saying, do you admire the. Yeah, I did it. It could be, you know, performance enhancing drugs. It could be. Remember the dude a couple years back? What is it? Juicy Smile. Yeah, but the guy's still denying it.

[Steve Covino]

He's. I saw the documentary on Netflix. He's innocent.

[Rich Davis]

He still denies all his actions. You know what it reminds me of?

[Steve Covino]

Double down on a brand new documentary. It's actually worth the watch. Let me. Can I just say something?

[Rich Davis]

Yeah. Documentary.

[Steve Covino]

I never gave a diddly squat about Juicy Smollet. I really didn't. I was like, what a pathetic story.

[Rich Davis]

What a loser.

[Steve Covino]

The documentary where he doubles down, the new one that just came out, it's actually pretty good. So it does make you think that he was bamboozled by the media a little bit.

[Rich Davis]

A guy like Juicy Smollet doubles down on lies. Yeah, I know it's a weird analogy, but you and I both watch Love is Blind. There was a dude that went on that show and he had, like, girlfriends at home. And he kept. He came to the reunion and he's like, yeah, I don't know what you want me to tell you. I lied. I got biatches. He was like, straight up, like, yo, caught. So I ask you, when someone's caught, athlete, musician, politician, whatever the case may be, do you admire the forthright? Like, hey, I tried to get away with it and I got caught. Or do you think Ballmer Kawhi are going to try to BS their way out of this and make us feel stupid?

[Steve Covino]

It's case by case, man. Because Speaking of documentaries, if you watch America's team, Jerry Jones seemed to break all the rules in the NFL, but he just paved a new path. He's like, yeah, rules are for fools. Watch me show everybody how to make real money in this league. And he changed the league forever.

[Pablo Torre]

The TV rights and things. People were short sighted on.

[Steve Covino]

People were very short sighted. He's like, I'm a businessman. He changed how the game worked and how they made money. He changed the league.

[Pablo Torre]

This is different than that.

[Steve Covino]

It is, it is. But he did break the rules. So that's what I'm saying. It's case by case. That was for the greater good of everybody. It seemed to benefit everybody. I don't see how this benefits anyone but Kawhi Leonard and his pocket, it's not even benefiting the Clippers. They're not winning with him. You know, he's not even playing all that often. And if they really wanted to create a loophole, Rich is right. Where was Kawhi with his fake bootleg local feeling advertisement of I'm Kawhi Leonard, and these are the trees that I'm planting?

[Pablo Torre]

I think that would have drew more attention to it. So this kind of thing, there should.

[Steve Covino]

Be something in his back pocket. We're like, no, here he is. We have the proof right here. He's a spokesman. They gotta have.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, but once they found out Palmer owned that supposed company, I wonder what.

[Steve Covino]

Tipped off Pablo Torrey to, like, further investigate this.

[Rich Davis]

It was the janitor from Billy Madison.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah. No, seriously. Someone had to have a scoop, and they fed him this scoop. Unless he just somehow came across these documents or he had a hunch.

[Danny G]

I don't know.

[Steve Covino]

Good for him, though. It's a. It's a big story. I'll give him credit.

[Rich Davis]

Pablo Torres becoming the Ernie and Estes now Geraldo Rivera.

[Steve Covino]

There's a lack of actual investigative reporting in today's world. Right. So you got to give him credit for that. And as this story develops, it may benefit the NBA in the future, because if anyone else is up to this, it'll put a stop. I'm sure there's a lot of people shaking in their boots right now, like, oh, man, I hope I'm not next, because maybe he's just the first of many. We don't know that.

[Pablo Torre]

The fake company, by the way, is called Aspiration.

[Rich Davis]

Oh, it's beautiful.

[Danny G]

You know, Asspiration.

[Steve Covino]

With these big hands, I grab a lot of ass berations.

[Rich Davis]

I'm always fascinated by planting trees. I'm always fascinated how we tend to give more credit to people than they deserve. Sometimes like Covino, you always say your dad will say things like, yeah, I heard it on the radio. Gotta be true. And you're like, dad, I'm on the radio.

[Steve Covino]

He still does that.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, I heard on the radio, dad again, buffoons like me are on the radio.

[Steve Covino]

That guy's no credit more credible than your goofy son.

[Rich Davis]

And I think it's interesting. Sometimes there's an investigation and you're like, was it really a good investigation if they never got to the bottom of it? I always think about Manti Teo and how until one reporter or so decided, like, you know, let me even look this Kukui girl up, he ran with that.

[Steve Covino]

And everyone just sort of cooey he wasn't the boogeyman.

[Rich Davis]

Wasn't it Lynae Kukui or something?

[Steve Covino]

Was that the name? Yeah, right.

[Dan Beyer]

No, Linnee Kakua.

[Steve Covino]

Kakua.

[Dan Beyer]

And he didn't know at first. And then when he found out, he just didn't tell anything.

[Rich Davis]

I always felt so bad for Mantay Teo. He feels like just a really genuine guy that couldn't believe someone would trick him. But there was a time period where it's like, wow, if anyone did any investigating at all, this would have blown up way sooner.

[Steve Covino]

But it seems like that's a weird story to really press and investigate, even though it became a big story, right?

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Steve Covino]

Like someone had to really have a. What's the expression?

[Rich Davis]

Give me another expression besides.

[Steve Covino]

Besides the one for your waist.

[Rich Davis]

I keep. Yeah, I keep wanting to say they got a real blank on for that.

[Steve Covino]

A real, real stiffy.

[Rich Davis]

No. A real hankering. No, they got a real, real, real joy.

[Steve Covino]

A real joy of getting to the bottom of this. This one is like, it's cheating kind of, right? It's.

[Pablo Torre]

It's kind of.

[Steve Covino]

Is that how you look at it? Is that. That's just cheating? This is.

[Pablo Torre]

I mean, there's no gray area.

[Rich Davis]

It's not Kite. It's not like, yo, did I cheat? I kept my socks on.

[Pablo Torre]

And the more you find out too, it says here Tory's investigation also uncovered that Leonard was supposed to be paid 7 million by Aspire, a company that lists Leonard as its manager.

[Steve Covino]

He manages.

[Rich Davis]

Manager. What is he, Bobby the Brain Heenan?

[Steve Covino]

So I think that's the difference here. Like, yeah, we see a lot of these random stories uncovered. I don't know the motive behind a lot of these stories. Just, I guess investigative journalism and breaking a story is fun in that world. And in that Game. But this is just straight up cheating. This is the NBA. You know, you have to nip it in the bud. This is one of importance and significance. And, man, I bet you Kawhi Leonard is playing real dumb right now. Here's a guy who never talks as it is. He's definitely keeping his mouth shut about this.

[Rich Davis]

I'll be honest. My instinct is like, who cares to go that deep into? But you know, when people do, I'm always fascinated. I'll be honest. The documentaries, the stories breaking are great. Last night I watched the one you guys recommended about the catfish.

[Steve Covino]

Unknown number, unknown number. The high school catfish.

[Rich Davis]

You got to start thinking if no one really dove into it, you would never find out. And then when you do find out, you're like, man, people are wild. Now, Kawhi has been a Clipper for years now. So if Pablo Torre or someone didn't say this seems a little odd, let me dig a little deeper.

[Steve Covino]

You know what it also reminds me? Too rich.

[Rich Davis]

Like, how would I got away with it if it wasn't for you? Pablo Torre?

[Steve Covino]

Yeah. What you could find if you're digging deep enough. You know, I'm not saying everyone has skeletons, but as my dad always said, if you're looking, if you look hard enough, you'll find something on everybody.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, you know, it's.

[Steve Covino]

Then you wonder why I keep my phone private. Because if you look far enough, you'll probably see something that's a little sketchy.

[Rich Davis]

You know what the crazy part is? Someone runs for office, it could be a local politician or big time national figure. They have done stuff in their past that would never have even been touched. But the minute you're under the microscope, someone is there waiting to try to find some.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, and Denny G's right. The difference here and these other salacious stories that we're bringing up is that this is actually cheating in the NBA. This is doing everything you can because you're a rich guy with deep pockets to get that superstar you had your eye on. And you thought you found the loophole, but it's not a loophole. You just went around the salary cap, which is not legal in the NBA, and you just cheated. So I honestly, I think repercussions should be stronger than that. Danny Garrett, to set a precedence, dare.

[Rich Davis]

I say, and I'm not a. Again, I said I'm not a big rules guy. But I think this is if this is true. And it's straight up a careless. I even feel, you know what I'm insulted by.

[Steve Covino]

This is the first of many rules.

[Rich Davis]

You know what I'm insulted by?

[Steve Covino]

I think Bomber's the only guy who's not who's used to getting what he wants. I'm insulting so he'll find a way.

[Rich Davis]

By how simplistic it is. Like really like a half made up Tree Company. $28 million. Like try harder, convince me more. Make a product, make him the spokesperson inspired. It just seems like it seems so half assed done that I almost feel like suspensions should be in place.

[Dan Beyer]

Do you think they got or tried to get it passed because he's a Clipper, they were like, okay, we could do hairstylist or something with trees.

[Steve Covino]

For.

[Dan Beyer]

$28 million, he's the best that there is around and nobody will notice.

[Rich Davis]

But I just think it was so half assed. Like if you were to be like rich try to hide $28 million for this player. I feel like if you put a team of marketing people on the case, they could have easily figured it out to manipulate it.

[Steve Covino]

They could have invested a million dollars to make it look completely real and cove to and gave the guy 27.

[Pablo Torre]

To clear up the two names of the companies. Because what they did here, it's two companies funneling money together. Okay, so the KL2 Aspire, that's a company that Leonard was supposedly the manager of Aspiration is the supposed tree company from Clippers owner Steve Ballmer.

[Steve Covino]

Maybe the spelling of the company tipped off Tory A s.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, like the similarities between the names of the two companies.

[Rich Davis]

But to me, guys, I'm even more fascinated by again the simple fact that it seems like the effort level put in for this cover up. Because I feel like there could be really, there could be IRS implications, tax implications. I mean you talk about companies that are sort of faking money to a guy. Like I'm sure this keeps going deeper.

[Dan Beyer]

I think their best excuse is that Kawhi was hurt. That's why he couldn't show up for work like at all, period. That's why he did none because he.

[Rich Davis]

Wasn'T injured, couldn't plant trees, couldn't do.

[Dan Beyer]

Anything him to do work. But he was always hurt and there was nothing that we could do about it.

[Pablo Torre]

Tree management.

[Steve Covino]

Man. So Pablo Tori and get no Christmas card from Quine Leonard. I can tell you that. So interesting story. But again, watch like I don't know. There's a random example that just popped in my head when Garrett Cole got in trouble for Spider Tank, right?

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Steve Covino]

He's like, look, hey man, I'm the guy everybody's coming down on. But everybody knows that this is what goes on in the league. I'm not the only guy. I really believe these rich dudes. There's more than one rich dude pulling shady moves like this to get who they want.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, I was going to say, I.

[Steve Covino]

Bet you there's a lot of other players in these situations, like, oh, snap, you know, it's about to drop.

[Pablo Torre]

As you see, it's hard to hide these sort of shenanigans.

[Steve Covino]

Well, look, I mean, they hit it this long, but you're right. But I think this is the first of many. So I think. I think Tori exposed or blew the lid on something that's about to explode.

[Dan Beyer]

I have a question, because if this were the Lakers or the Celtics, I think we'd be losing our mind. Do we look at the Clippers as the have nots of always being the Clippers, or do we look at them as a Kawhi Leonard?

[Rich Davis]

You know what? It's almost like they can't even get this right.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah, that's. That's pretty. Yeah, that's accurate.

[Rich Davis]

Like, man, Paul, look at these Clippers. They can't. They go out, they go out of their way, cheat, try to manipulate the system, and they still can't even make a playoff run.

[Steve Covino]

No, you're right, Dan. It does matter who it is. Because if it was like Oklahoma City or Celtics or the team that's won in the past few years, you'd be like, whoa.

[Rich Davis]

And you know what? Look at that. Look at football. I think if Deflategate is not Tom Brady and the Patriots, if it was like, if Kyler Murray and the Cardinals were doing Deflategate, I think they'd be like, come on, man, dude, fix the football. Next story, it's who does it. And hold on, you're right off. You're right on. By the way, as far as it can't be the only guy, it's like, I doubt it. It's like if you see such a guy first, you know, when you see some guy getting caught doing some scandalous stuff in Vegas or something, you think he's the only guy? He's just the guy that got caught.

[Steve Covino]

He's the guy that got caught. And they're going to do further investigations now to put a stop to that. It is cheating. And man, as far as a businessman, I can't criticize Steve Palmer, right? I'm Steve Covino. Barely a thousand there paying child support, but to pay $28 million for that dude and Kawhi extra, like, I'm like, why, why, why? Kawhi Leonard, like, he was.

[Rich Davis]

He was great at the time.

[Steve Covino]

We're talking quadruple doink. When Jeremy Lin was still playing in the NBA before he retired. That was six years ago.

[Rich Davis]

Why?

[Pablo Torre]

The reason is. You think back to the major announcement and the un covering of him finally deciding to go to the Clippers. So many teams wanted him, and it came down to the Lakers and the Clippers.

[Steve Covino]

In retrospect, he got ripped off.

[Rich Davis]

Well, that's what I think about it. You forget spurs championship, went to the Raptors championship.

[Steve Covino]

Kawhi hasn't been the same.

[Rich Davis]

And then, remember, it was. It was a battle of what LA team.

[Steve Covino]

You're lucky if he's playing. Palmer got the raw deal here. $28 million. Kawhi got to do nothing.

[Rich Davis]

What was it?

[Danny G]

He was supposed to be out planting trees.

[Steve Covino]

He was. It was just a. I can't say loophole. Because it wasn't loophole. It's just straight up wrong. It's just breaking the rules. It was just a made up thing where they used that as a reason to give him 28 million extra dollars.

[Danny G]

Where do trees come into play, though?

[Steve Covino]

Like, it's a tree company because.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, the company that Ballmer funded was a tree planting company.

[Danny G]

Let me just say that you'll never find $28 million in a tree planting company. Okay? You get what you pay for when you hire landscapers. People. I've worked in that industry. And you're not gonna be like, oh, this is a $1 million tree. You're planting the trees that cost, you know, a couple hundred bucks. Maybe a thousand bucks.

[Rich Davis]

I just had a tree pulled out of my yard. An old dead tree.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Couple hundred bucks.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Danny G]

It's not a lucrative business. It's a hard work business to make ends.

[Pablo Torre]

Tree trimming is lucrative, though.

[Steve Covino]

I don't know. What about those tree burial pods that they do?

[Pablo Torre]

Tory found out that bomber funded $50 million into this tree planting company.

[Danny G]

Was money growing on these trees?

[Rich Davis]

Apparently it was.

[Pablo Torre]

Sam, play the rimshot.

[Danny G]

I wasn't even trying to be a joke.

[Rich Davis]

I just.

[Steve Covino]

Sam, you know what?

[Rich Davis]

Usually I mock your jokes. Well done. All right. Hey, your thoughts on Kawhi, your thoughts on Bomber, and we're going to talk about humanizing athletes next. That's something else we're going to get to. When athletes do something where you're like, you know what? I never thought about it, but now I like that guy. I like that woman. When. When athletes do things that humanize them, we'll get to that. Plus we're a day away from the NFL. We'll go over some of some of the big games coming up this weekend and of course Mike's words Wisdom midweek major action packed show. So hang tight. Buckle up Buttercup.

[Steve Covino]

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[Rich Davis]

You take a look at some of those point spreads they say week one could be could be a big week to win because they haven't really figured out these teams yet. There's a couple of point spreads I love. Week one. Take a look yourself. New customers here's what we got going on for you. You bet five bucks you're going to get 300 in bonus bets instantly. And here's the bonus plus you grab $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV.

[Steve Covino]

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[Rich Davis]

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[Steve Covino]

Get $300 in bonus bets instantly when you place of five dollars or more plus $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket from YouTube and YouTube TV.

[Rich Davis]

See our show in partnership with DraftKings. The crown is yours.

[Danny G]

Gambling problem. Call 1-800- gambler in New York, call 877-8-HOPE NY or text hopeny 467-369-in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas. Fees May apply in Illinois 21 + agent eligibility varies by jurisdiction.

[Rich Davis]

Void.

[Danny G]

In Ontario, bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. See SP DraftKings.com promos NFL Sunday Ticket offer for new subscribers only and auto renews until canceled. Digital games and commercial use excluded restrictions. Apply additional NFL Sunday Ticket [e-mail] Go NFLSundayTicket terms Limited time offer.

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[Greg Rosenthal]

Football is back. That's right, the new NFL season is here and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 60. This is a show for sickos like me. NFL Daily is your kind of show. It's in the name NFL Daily. You'll have fresh content in your feed all season long. Myself, Greg Rosenthal and an all star cast of co hosts will preview and recap every game all season long. Josh Allen coming off an MVP season.

[Rich Davis]

And now lateral to Allen and reaching for the pylon. Are you you kidding me? It's a touchdown. Have you ever seen that one before?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Rookies making a name for themselves.

[Rich Davis]

A bulldozer he is bouncing off defenders and dragged down.

[Greg Rosenthal]

And of course the Eagles trying to win another Lombardi.

[Rich Davis]

What a game. What a season. What a team. Eagles fans savor it and rejoice.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Listen to NFL daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Rich Davis]

I'm Dan, he's Ty. Hello. And we're the Solid Verbal College Football Podcast.

[Danny G]

College football season is here and you know what that means.

[Rich Davis]

Your team is going to break your heart three times probably before Halloween.

[Steve Covino]

Uh huh.

[Danny G]

But fear not, the solid verbal will be right there with you through every soul crushing loss and impossible comeback.

[Rich Davis]

Join us all season long, all year long as we ride the rollercoaster of this ridiculous sport.

[Danny G]

Whether you're a die hard fan or a casual observer, we'll help you make sense of all the chaos and of course celebrate the madness. Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan.

[Rich Davis]

We don't just love college football, Ty, we live it.

[Danny G]

Listen to the Solid Verbal college football podcasts on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Honey German]

Hola, it's honey German and my podcast Gracias. Come Again is back. This season, we're going even deeper into the world of music and entertainment with raw and honest conversations with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities. You didn't have to audition?

[Rich Davis]

No, I didn't audition.

[Steve Covino]

I haven't auditioned in, like, over 25 years.

[Honey German]

Oh, wow. That's a real G talk right there.

[Steve Covino]

Oh, yeah.

[Honey German]

We've got some of the big actors, musicians, content creators, and culture shifters sharing their real stories of failure and success. You are destined to be a star. We talk all about what's viral and trending with a little bit of chisme, a lot of laughs, and those amazing vivas you've come to expect. And, of course, we'll explore deeper topics dealing with identity struggles and all the issues affecting our Latin community. You feel like you get a little whitewashed because you have to do the code switching.

[Steve Covino]

I won't say whitewashed, because at the end of the day, you know, I'm me. But the whole pretending and co. You.

[Rich Davis]

Know, it takes a toll on you.

[Honey German]

Listen to the new season of Gracias. Come again as part of Michael Tura Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

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Betrayal Weekly is back for season two with brand new stories. The detective comes driving up fast and just, like, screeches right in the parking lot. I swear I'm not crazy, but I.

[Steve Covino]

Think he poisoned me. I feel trapped. My breathing changes.

[Danny G]

More money, more money, more money.

[Steve Covino]

And I went white.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

I realized, wow, like, he is not a mentor. He's pretty much a monster. New stories, new voices, and shocking manipulations.

[Steve Covino]

This didn't just happen to me. It happened to hundreds of other people.

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But these aren't just stories of destruction. They're stories of survival, of people picking up the pieces and daring to tell the truth.

[Rich Davis]

I'm gonna tell my story, and I'm gonna hold my head up.

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Listen to Betrayal Weekly on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steve Covino]

Man, this Kawhi story has my mind racing in a million different directions.

[Rich Davis]

Because now. Now we're thinking other angles. Like, what if Bomber is okay getting caught?

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, if he's willing to pay over $28 million to. What's that fancy word again? Circumvent. Circumvent.

[Rich Davis]

Circumvent.

[Steve Covino]

To circumvent the NBA salary cap, then he's not willing to pay up a fine to get the player he wants. That doesn't mean anything to Steve Ballmer. A fine and a draft pick. He got quiet Leonard, you know what.

[Rich Davis]

It'S like when Nike said, wait, how much are you going to find Michael Jordan if he wears multiple multicolor shoes? And like, yeah, fine, we'll pay the fine.

[Steve Covino]

Exactly. I think it's probably worth it. And that's the business moves of a guy like Steve Ballmer. So never thinking steps ahead. He knows what the repercussions are and he knows that, you know, maybe he could swindle his way out of this if the story breaks. For all we know, he leaked the story.

[Rich Davis]

There are times, there are times where an athlete or celebrity or people get fined for things.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

And the fine is so minuscule that they'll do it on purpose to prove a point. Like if you, if you find someone that makes tens of millions of dollars or a billionaire like Bomber thousands of dollars, it's almost laughable.

[Steve Covino]

It would be like a slap on the wrist cheating the league.

[Rich Davis]

It would be like fining a regular person like 2 bucks.

[Steve Covino]

If you had just joined us. Kawhi Leonard was paid as a no show employee or whatever from for a tree planting company. He was paid $28 million and again to avoid a salary just to be a part of the Clippers. Bomber wanted them that bad that he paid him$28.28 million dollars on top of his contract. We're Covino Enriched live from the Fox Sports Radio studio. Business fluctuations make running your manufacturing business complex. But staffing your business doesn't have to be. Let Express employment pros provide the workforce you need. Go to expresspros.com to find the location near you. That's expresspros.com I'm Steve Covino. That is Rich Davis.

[Rich Davis]

Hey, Express, I'm looking for a face for my tree planting company.

[Steve Covino]

By the way, $28 million. Must be nice. Must be nice. What about Steve Ballmer on your side?

[Rich Davis]

What did the Clipper said? Danny G said the Clippers have commented.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, they told the LA Times in a statement. Neither Mr. Ballmer nor the Clippers circumvented the salary cap were engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration. Any contrary assertion is false. The team ended its relationship with Aspiration years ago during the 2223 season when aspiration defaulted on its oblig.

[Steve Covino]

Follow the money. Where did Pablo Torre gets Bomber's company though?

[Pablo Torre]

It says this is how this came out. It says a former Aspiration Finance department employee had his voice heard on Torre's podcast and that's when it started being investigated.

[Steve Covino]

Okay, so this is a breaking and developing story from Pablo Torre's Podcast about Kawhine Leonard and Steve Ballmer. And again, it's not something that's allowed in the NBA.

[Rich Davis]

So as of now, it's all alleged. Let's keep that in mind. But.

[Steve Covino]

Well, these are big accusations.

[Rich Davis]

You know, you and Danny G. Were having.

[Steve Covino]

There's gotta be. He said he saw the documents.

[Rich Davis]

You and Danny G. Were having some good conversation off the air. Why don't you tell everyone what you guys were talking about? You were making some analogies with the Sopranos, and I thought it was actually a really clever analogy.

[Steve Covino]

It's really hard to explain. It was the story of Artie Bucco and how he called out Tony for sort of Sopranoing him as a friend. And Tony's like, well, what do you mean? Basically, Tony was thinking way ahead of Artie Bucco. He's a businessman. So he knew that if Artie Buco's restaurant deal fell through and the money didn't come through, that, hey, he had Buco in his back pocket and he ate for free at his restaurant the rest of his life. The point is, Tony Soprano was always thinking a step ahead. And we got to give credit to businessmen like Steve Ballmer for always thinking a step ahead. There might be a reason that this story came out, and there might be a reason he did it. And that step ahead is, hey, if I ever get caught, I get slapped on the wrist. Who cares?

[Rich Davis]

And maybe I get out of this deal in the NBA. Unless it's the NBA. Winners are not built on draft picks. You could argue with me, but it's really based on free agency. Right. Who gets what, big guy? I think Steve Ballmer and the Clippers were thinking getting Kawhi in that moment. Yeah, it didn't work out. But think about in that moment when it was like, all right, it's us versus The Lakers. How are we going to make a splash in Los Angeles? We have a new arena coming. The Clippers may have a little momentum.

[Steve Covino]

Make it happen at all costs.

[Rich Davis]

At all costs.

[Steve Covino]

We need a star player. We need to get this done. And the whole Tony Soprano thing we were talking about off the air is people are in that power position for a reason. They see the. Again, not loopholes. They see the ways to circumvent. They see the step ahead. They see things that you're not thinking about, and they could envision these things and how they pan out now if, God forbid, things go wrong. And Steve Ballmer knew probably way in advance that this is what would happen, and he was okay with that.

[Rich Davis]

And, you know, What? I know I'm speaking of fiction, but think of any movie or drama you watch. What do they always do? It's like the plot line of everything. Follow the money. And they'll always call up some foreign accounts or something, and it links to a company, and that's how they find the bad guy. So, I mean, follow the money. Steve Ballmers connected. Shocking.

[Pablo Torre]

By the way, that former Aspiration Finance department employee said other celebrities were paid to endorse Aspiration and its supposed tree planting operation. Robert Downey Jr. Leonardo DiCaprio and Drake. He says every other celebrity endorsement, though, combined, would have not met even a quarter of Kawhi Leonard's endorsement.

[Rich Davis]

But you think those were done for other things, like maybe a concert, maybe an appearance? Maybe something like, dude, rich people find ways.

[Steve Covino]

Maybe that's his weird way of laundering money to people.

[Rich Davis]

I mean, that's. You know, you got to assume that rich people try to stay within the legal loopholes and not accuse embalmer or doing anything illegal. But hey, man, it's like, if you don't think he's thinking a step ahead of guys like you and I, you don't become a billionaire by being a putz.

[Steve Covino]

That was the point. And the Sopranos analogy was when Artie Bucco realized, man, Tony Soprano was just thinking one step ahead of me, he realized, well, that's why he's Tony Soprano.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Steve Covino]

And this is why he's Steve Ballmer. So I'm not saying he's a mafia guy, but I'm saying he's a businessman.

[Rich Davis]

And whether or not this is true or confirmed down the line, it's an interesting story. Doug, you're on in Maryland. What's up, buddy? Hey, guys. Yeah, but there's no salary caps for. For actors. Okay. Yeah, well, this is a quintessential example of bribery. Okay? And I told Danny G. That more than likely, because I'm assuming that the commissioner hasn't completed his investigation yet. This is. This is Daniel Schneider territory. Okay. I honestly believe that after everything's done and if this is all true, that he's gonna be forced to sell that team.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah. There could be bigger, I think, repercussions here.

[Pablo Torre]

I don't think the NBA would go that far.

[Steve Covino]

Maybe not that far, because he's got.

[Rich Davis]

Deep pockets, and he's also like, snetter is an unlikable guy, Bomber's a likable guy. There's factors.

[Dan Beyer]

There's also the point of, I think that there's equity, and we know that the NBA isn't always on the up and out. But when he bought the clippers of the hole that they were in one of them so bad that he extremely paid way more than market value so he could get them. But that name was so tainted that yeah this may. But there's. I don't think there's any way. I would be beyond shocked.

[Rich Davis]

Me too.

[Dan Beyer]

If they were to remove.

[Rich Davis]

And you know why? Because even though this seems scandalous Ballmer for the most part's reputation is solid. Right. Like Dan to compare him to Dan Snyder who people hated in Washington.

[Dan Beyer]

And as you guys have been saying like they have penalties in place for this. So it's not like this is. What do we do here? This is unfounded. Like there are fines for this. There are things that happen if you violate these sort of things. I don't think it's enough for removal of team.

[Steve Covino]

Agreed. Thank you for the phone call. Thank you. Dan BEYER. The numbers 877-99-FOX. That's the big story of the day and we'll keep you posted as it develops.

[Pablo Torre]

You guys do think the penalty should be greater though?

[Steve Covino]

Definitely. Was it again the draft pick up.

[Pablo Torre]

To $5.5 million in fines. I think it said one first round pick and then you could. They could void the contract that's involved.

[Steve Covino]

We're talk about dude like billionaires for the most part.

[Rich Davis]

Oh, and he has to wear Crocs. He has to wear Crocs for a week.

[Steve Covino]

Oh yeah, you didn't mention that. Yeah, that's pretty steep. Crocs for a week.

[Dan Beyer]

CBS Sports did an article off of this and they pointed to in the mid-1990s the Knicks were trying to get Michael Jordan and we're going to try to do a sort of deal to give him money through Sheridan the hotel and pay him that way. Now ultimately NBA rules the Bulls could pay him whatever they wanted to pay him and could pay more than anybody else. But that was a way that the Knicks who a certain amount of money to pay. We're going to maybe try to work around.

[Rich Davis]

Interesting.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Michael Jordan could they have. That would have been a gift.

[Steve Covino]

If that was let's say it was legit though that wouldn't be any breaking of the rules. Right. If the Knicks were to work a deal with the Sheridan but it really did come from the Sheridan would that be okay if it was just contingent on him signing with the Knicks?

[Dan Beyer]

Well, I think it's. I mean I. I don't want to say we're getting into a gray area.

[Rich Davis]

But I Think sort of. Right. Yeah.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Dan Beyer]

To the point of. I'm just, I'm trying to think of a company that is Coca Cola in Atlanta.

[Steve Covino]

Okay.

[Dan Beyer]

Let's just say that way, like if you were to sign with the Hawks and Coca Cola is like, all right, we're going to sign you to an endorsement deal, you know, is that, Are you like, not going to get a Coca Cola deal if you sign with the Hornets or is it. I just, I just, I don't think that that would necessarily be illegal as opposed to what this sounds like is just a, a fraud of a company.

[Steve Covino]

Because I believe that probably happens all the time. Like, yeah, you're gonna get this deal, but it's contingent with you signing with this deal.

[Pablo Torre]

This is the city to come to because you can get sponsored by the companies that are here.

[Dan Beyer]

Yes, yes.

[Steve Covino]

And that's something we don't think about that often. And this story, again, it's a BS tree company. Was there any validity to the actual company, though?

[Rich Davis]

People don't realize Micah Parsons has a cheese curds deal in place.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, yeah. But it's.

[Pablo Torre]

Yeah, that's what people are to find out is if there's any validity at all to this tree planting company. Torre says he investigated and can't find any evidence that it was a real thing, this deal with Kawhi. So that's what we're hearing so far, but I'm sure more is going to come out in the next few days.

[Steve Covino]

You know, I don't want to sound like gossipy little schoolgirls, but it's an interesting story. Really cool, interesting story. We'll keep you posted. And that being said, Said, speaking of updates, let's go to our guy, Dan.

[Dan Beyer]

Byrne and just add a little bit more context. The Knicks and Sheridan were owned by the same company at the time. Okay, so there's where some of that would have been a little. Not on the up and up. Not that, hey, you know, advertise this. Times Square Sheridan, if you will. Michael Jordan. Anyway, in other NBA news, Dallas Mavericks and forward PJ Washington agreed to a four year extension now onto the NFL. Speaking of Micah Parsons, the Packers edge rusher limited in practice today in advance of their showdown with the Lions on Sunday to open up the season. Tomorrow, it's the Cowboys and Eagles. Trayvon Diggs off the injury report for Dallas as his tackle Tyler Guyton, both expected to start tomorrow in Philadelphia. Jets tackle Elijah Vera Tucker could miss the entire season, suffered a triceps injury in practice yesterday. NFL Network says the initial report was that he would be lost for the season, but he is getting a second opinion by doctors and Ohio State's win over Texas on Saturday on Fox was the most watched Week 1 college football game on any network in 16.6 million viewers. For Foxes and network, it was the third most watched game on the network. Day Baseball orioles lead the Padres 7 nothing in the sixth. Diamondbacks lead the Rangers 2 nothing in the eighth. You mentioned it earlier. Rich your Metsfeld of the Tigers 6 two Shohei Ohtani not going to make his next start. It's going to be pushed to the weekend because of an illness for the Dodgers. Red Sox place Roman Anthony on the injured list with a title. Bleak Back to you guys.

[Steve Covino]

By the way, Roman Anthony four to six weeks and I don't wish anyone any harm. I'm not rooting for anyone to get hurt. But as a Yankees fan I'm like, all right, all right, all right. And speaking of ratings, I heard K Pop Demon Hunters is sweeping the nation.

[Rich Davis]

Is that true? That ties into one of our next stories. We're going to talk about when players and athletes humanize themselves. We'll get to that. Plus a lot of NFL coming up. CNR on FSR.

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[Honey German]

Hola, it's honey German and my podcast Gracias Come Again is back. This season we're going even deeper into the world of music and entertainment with raw and honest conversations with some of your favorite Latin artists and celebrities. You didn't have to audition?

[Rich Davis]

No, I didn't audition.

[Steve Covino]

I haven't auditioned like over 25 years.

[Honey German]

Oh wow, that's a real G talk right there.

[Steve Covino]

Oh yeah.

[Honey German]

We've got some of the biggest actors, musicians, content creators and culture shifters sharing their real stories of failure and success. You were destined to be a star. We talk all about what's viral and trending with a little bit of cheeseme, a lot of laughs and those amazing vivas you've come to expect. And of course we'll explore deeper topics dealing with identity struggles and all the issues affecting our Latin community. You feel like you get a little whitewashed because cause you have to do the code switching.

[Steve Covino]

I won't say whitewash cause at the end of the day you know I'm me. But the whole pretending and co, you.

[Rich Davis]

Know, it takes a toll on you.

[Honey German]

Listen to the new season of Grass has come again as part of Michael Tura Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Rich Davis]

I'm Dan, he's Ty.

[Danny G]

Hello.

[Rich Davis]

And we're the solid verbal college football podcast.

[Danny G]

College football season is here and you know what that means.

[Rich Davis]

Your team is going to break your heart three times probably before Halloween.

[Steve Covino]

Uh huh.

[Danny G]

But fear not, the solid verbal will be right there with you through every soul crushing loss and impossible comeback.

[Rich Davis]

Join us all season long, all year long, as we ride the rollercoaster of this ridiculous sport.

[Danny G]

Whether you're a die hard fan or a casual observer, we'll help you. You make sense of all the chaos and of course celebrate the madness. Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan.

[Rich Davis]

We don't just love college football, Ty, we live it.

[Danny G]

Listen to the solid verbal college football podcasts on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Football is back. That's right, the new NFL season is here and you should be listening to NFL Daily Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 60. This is a show for sickos like me. NFL Daily is your kind of show. It's in the name NFL Daily. You'll have fresh content in your feed all season long. Myself, Greg Rosenthal and an all star cast of co hosts will preview and recap every game all season long. Josh Allen coming off an MVP season.

[Rich Davis]

And now lateral to Allen and reaching for the pylon on the. You kidding me? It's a touchdown. Have you ever seen that one before?

[Greg Rosenthal]

Rookies making a name for themselves.

[Rich Davis]

Bulldozer. He is bouncing off defenders and dragged down.

[Greg Rosenthal]

And of course the Eagles trying to win another Lombardi.

[Rich Davis]

What a game. What a season. What a team. Eagles fans savor it and rejoice.

[Greg Rosenthal]

Listen to NFL Daily on the iHeartRadio at Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

Betrayal Weekly is back for season two with brand new stories. The detective comes driving up fast and just like screeches right in the parking lot. I swear I'm not crazy, but I think he poisoned me.

[Steve Covino]

I feel trapped. My breathing changes.

[Danny G]

More money, more money, more money.

[Steve Covino]

And I went white.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

I realized, wow, like, he is not a mentor. He's pretty much a monster. New stories, new voices, and shocking manipulations.

[Steve Covino]

This didn't just happen to me. It happened to hundreds of other people.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

But these aren't just stories of destruction. They're stories of survival, of people picking up the pieces and daring to tell the truth.

[Rich Davis]

I'm going to tell my story and I'm going to hold my head up.

[Washable Sofas Advertiser]

Listen to Betrayal Weekly on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Rich Davis]

Rock on. Whoa.

[Steve Covino]

Covino and Rich sweeping the nation. Shout out to all the Carl's. You know the Carl's are the Covino and Rich listeners.

[Rich Davis]

Oh, hey, Carl's.

[Steve Covino]

And everybody chiming in live on our YouTube chat. Lisa and Cliff, Tammy, Mitch, Robin. Thank you, guys. Martin. We're streaming live on YouTube. It's YouTube.comoenrich FSR. If you're on YouTube already, Covinoenrich FSR. Subscribe. Thank you. Tell your friends about it. You could watch what you hear. We appreciate it. Again, I'm Steve Covino. We got Rich Davis and Danny G and Sam and Byron. Spot on the videos. Thanks for being part of this. We're live from the fox sports radio studio and it's time for our tire rack play of the day. Oh, yes. A grand salami for the Yankees.

[Rich Davis]

High fly ball. Altube back on the track, looking up. See ya. Grand slam for Grisham. His magical season continues. It's six nothing Yanks. Can the Yankees start losing, please?

[Steve Covino]

You see that?

[Rich Davis]

I'm falling behind. I'm falling behind.

[Steve Covino]

It's not Grisham. It's Grish. Him. Swaggy T. He is him.

[Danny G]

You guys were so down on your.

[Steve Covino]

Teams a few weeks ago. Oh, man, Grisham's the guy who needs Soto. We got Grisham. That's courtesy of Michael K in the S network. And that was our tire rack plate of the day. For over 40 years, Tire Rack has been helping customers find the right tires for how, what and where they drive shift fast and free. Back by free. Road hazard protection with convenient installation options like mobile tire installation, tire rack.com, the way tire buying should be.

[Rich Davis]

Now that Grisham.

[Steve Covino]

Grisham, Grisham.

[Rich Davis]

That Grish.

[Steve Covino]

Him, he's him.

[Rich Davis]

The grand salami he hit. Did you see the controversy on the next pitch?

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, man.

[Rich Davis]

So this is just a. It's more of a visual. But the pitcher for the Astros, Please remind me the name. Do you mind looking it up real.

[Steve Covino]

Quick while it's Framber Valdez.

[Rich Davis]

Framber Valdez.

[Steve Covino]

Okay, so Valdez. Valdez is shaken off. The catcher is like, yo, step off the mound. Step off. And Valdez doesn't. And he lets up the grand salami to Grisham. Change the whole game around. Yeah, the very next pitch, he's so mad that he just throws a 95 mile per hour heater into the chest of his catcher.

[Rich Davis]

And because the catcher got, quote, crossed up and was expecting a breaking ball or a change up. And there's a lot of speculation that it was like a spiteful, like, like he denied it. Like a hole type of move, like. So you get what we're saying. The catcher shook off, the pitcher, told them, hey, step off. And they had a miscommunication, gives up a grand slam, mad at the catcher because of it. And on the next pitch, drills the catcher.

[Steve Covino]

I believe it. I believe the story. Because you see how fired up he was. So again, he's accused of intentionally, Intentionally crossing up his catcher because he was mad at him because of the grand slam.

[Rich Davis]

I mean, trash behavior was displayed, you might say.

[Steve Covino]

And the catcher, by the way, Caesar Salazar, was catching, you might say, how.

[Rich Davis]

Could a major league catcher get mixed up? But if you're expecting, you know, a 78, 82 mile an hour breaking ball away or change or change up, and then all of a sudden you get inside high heat or something. Then it caught him. It hit.

[Steve Covino]

It hit the catcher right in the chest. And by the way, Salazar, the catcher, looked at him like, what's up, up? Valdez turned around like he was pissed even. I think Volpe was at bet. Volpe was like, yo, damn. Did that just happen? They're denying it and they're saying it was a mix up, but it seemed pretty evident to me that there was some spike going on.

[Rich Davis]

You ever see, like a high school game where they do this to the umpire?

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, yeah.

[Rich Davis]

You ever see those, like, odd clips where, like, it could be women softball?

[Steve Covino]

It's dangerous, dude. You're throwing high heat like that.

[Rich Davis]

I've seen women's softball where These women are mad at the umpire and the catcher just sort of doesn't go for the ball and the pitcher whips in a ball right at the umpire's head. So hey listen, we're going to get to a bunch coming up midweek. Major and Mike's words of wisdom going to give away a prize next time.

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[Greg Rosenthal]

That's right, the new NFL season is here and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 60. It's in the name NFL Daily so you'll have fresh content in your feed all season long. Join me, Greg Rosenthal, in an all star cast of co hosts for previews and recaps of every single game. NFL Daily will keep you up to date with everything you need to know so you can sound smarter than all your friends. Listen to NFL daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Rich Davis]

I'm Dan, he's Ty. Hello and we're the Solid Verbal College Football Podcast.

[Danny G]

Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan.

[Rich Davis]

Join us all season long as we ride the roller coaster of this ridiculous sport.

[Danny G]

Listen to the Solid Verbal College Football podcasts on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Rich Davis]

We don't just love college football, Ty. We live it. I'm Marcus Grant.

[Steve Covino]

And I'm Michael F. Florio and together.

[Danny G]

We host the NFL NFL Fantasy Football Podcast.

[Steve Covino]

Ready to dominate your fantasy league this.

[Danny G]

Season, then you need the NFL Fantasy Football Podcast, your ultimate source for player news, draft tips, and winning strategies.

[Steve Covino]

Whether you're a rookie manager or a.

[Danny G]

Fantasy vet, we've got the insight to.

[Steve Covino]

Help you crush your opponents.

[Pablo Torre]

Listen to the NFL Fantasy Football podcast.

[Steve Covino]

On the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or.

[Dan Beyer]

Wherever you get your podcasts.

[Danny G]

I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the Psychology Podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you when you think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choose an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use, unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is easier. Ignoring is easier. Denial is easier. Complex problem solving takes effort. Listen to the Psychology podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steve Covino]

This is an iHeart podcast.