C&R - Swagger Jackin' & Politics in Locker Room

Summary

The Dan Patrick Show: C&R – Swagger Jackin' & Politics in the Locker Room

Date: December 18, 2025
Hosts: Covino & Rich with contributions from Danny G, Iowa Sam, Spot, and callers
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network

---

Episode Overview

In this lively episode of Covino and Rich (C&R), the guys blend sports news with social commentary, bouncing between the latest drama in baseball free agency, the Knicks’ NBA Cup win, and a larger conversation about how political differences are seeping into locker rooms and relationships alike. With energetic banter, analogies drawn from pop culture, and listener call-ins, Covino & Rich explore whether athletes (and the rest of us) can still unite behind a common goal when politics are front and center.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. “Swagger Jackin’”: Mets Copying the Yankees?

(06:14 – 10:12)

• Rich is frustrated the New York Mets are acquiring a string of former Yankees (e.g., Luke Weaver, Clay Holmes, Devin Williams, Juan Soto) and now even pursuing Cody Bellinger.
• The duo riff on the idea of “copycat” behavior in sports free agency:
  • Covino: “Get off our jock, bruh. What are you doing?” (07:25)
  • Rich likens the Mets’ approach to someone obsessed, chasing “sloppy seconds,” with playful and self-aware sexism thrown in for flavor.
  • The segment turns humorous as they riff on the idea of a team’s identity being diluted when it’s full of former rivals.

2. Free Agency Imitation vs. Swagger

(09:59 – 10:12)

• Covino disagrees that picking up ex-Yankees is “swagger jackin’,” emphasizing this is just how free agency works.
• Quote:
  • Covino: “Swaggers don’t work that way. Really, dude, you’re acquiring free agents.”

3. Politics in the Locker Room: Nimmo & Lindor Rift

(10:23 – 21:06)

• Rich introduces a reported rift between Mets players Brandon Nimmo (described as pro-Trump) and Francisco Lindor (not), citing this as the reason for Nimmo’s departure.
• This leads into a wider conversation about the increasing difficulty of separating sports (and relationships) from political identity.
• Key Idea:
  • Sports are supposed to unify people from all backgrounds around a single goal: winning.
  • Rich and Covino reminisce about a time when personal politics didn’t penetrate team chemistry.
• Memorable exchange:
  • Rich: “You could be friends if you have different political beliefs... Now, it’s, ‘If you disagree with me on these big issues, I don’t know how I could be your pal.’” (12:40)
• They joke about whether politics would have ever entered the dating scene when they were young, comparing then vs. now.

4. Fanaticism: Sports vs. Politics

(16:50 – 18:29)

• Covino references Barstool’s KFC:
  • Covino: “The biggest problem we ever did when it comes to politics is… we started treating politics the way we treat sports.”
• They discuss how blind allegiance to political ‘teams’ now mirrors sports fandom, emphasizing how counterproductive this is for relationships and team camaraderie.
• Gary Vee and Charles Barkley are cited as examples of sports fan enthusiasm, making the point that politics shouldn’t occupy that tribal level.

5. Listener Call-Ins & Societal Reflection

(33:11 – 38:04)

• Multiple callers share stories of relationships and friendships ending over politics—including a 20-year-old kicked out after revealing who he voted for.
• Bruno from Brooklyn points to social media as the accelerant, giving everyone a visible platform for their beliefs and thus more points of conflict.
• Hosts and callers agree:
  • “It’s impossible to line up politically with everybody, especially on a team.” (30:34)
  • “50% of the people you meet could likely be people you don’t necessarily agree with. That means you’re not gonna be friends with 50% of the people? That’s crazy.” (35:00)

6. Coaching Implications & The Future of Political Division

(35:27 – 35:55; 21:33 – 22:24)

• Rich wonders how coaches and GMs are supposed to manage these divides.
• Danny G believes the current political passion may be a historical ebb and flow but is unsure if it’s here to stay, recalling past eras of division (Vietnam, the 60s) but noting differences in cause and context.

7. Chemistry Killers: Social & Political Divides

(43:44 – 44:17; 32:26 – 32:47)

• The hosts agree politics is now just another element—like age, background, or relationship status—that threatens locker room chemistry.
• Rich: “Chemistry killer. Can’t do it.” (30:09)
• They compare modern politics to the old East LA mentality of choosing “colors”—politics now being treated like gang allegiance.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Rich (on sports and politics): “When you’re a professional, you have to put [differences] aside... It’s as simple as that. Not everyone’s gonna love each other and get along... I think it’s a shame they couldn’t put those differences aside.” (21:01)
• Covino: “The biggest problem we ever did when it comes to politics is we started treating politics the way we treat sports... You just hate them, you hate them.” (16:50 – 17:47)
• Rich: “No politics at the holiday table. No politics in the locker room. Chemistry killer. Can’t do it.” (30:09)
• Bruno, Brooklyn caller: “Now everybody has a platform and they're posting every day, every night, and it's starting fires.” (34:19-34:50)
• Cody, Fresno caller: “Great date... Went back to her place, they're hanging out. She goes, 'Oh, I forgot to ask, who did you vote for?' ... She goes, 'I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.'” (33:26-33:49)

---

NBA Cup & Knicks Coverage

8. NBA Cup – Excitement or Sarcasm?

(44:13 – 47:40)

• The guys recap the Knicks’ win in the inaugural NBA Cup, questioning whether anyone, even diehard fans, truly cares.
• Clip of Stephen A. Smith exuberantly (and perhaps sarcastically) celebrating the Knicks’ victory.
• Nicole, a friend’s wife, doesn’t even know what the NBA Cup is despite being married to a Knicks fan, underscoring the segment’s point.
• Rich: “I don't think they even know. I'm like, they know, but I don't think anyone cares.” (47:04)
• Reference to Charles Barkley calling the Cup “embarrassing.”

---

Listener Responses & Ongoing Debate

9. Team Dynamics & Personal Stories

• Listeners call in to share frustrations with political divides hurting friendships and dating opportunities.
• Hosts urge teams—and society—to get back to finding common goals and putting differences aside, especially in sports and family settings.
• Recurring message: Politics in the locker room is a “chemistry killer,” and both sports and relationships suffer when polarization trumps camaraderie.

---

Conclusion & Episode Takeaways

• The episode artfully blends sports free agency drama with social commentary, using humor and real stories to dissect growing political polarization in both locker rooms and everyday life.
• The major takeaway: Whether you’re a pro athlete, a coach, or just out dating, the rising trend of “all or nothing” political identity is making everything from team chemistry to relationships more fragile.

---

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Swagger Jackin’ Mets: 06:14 – 10:12
• Politics in the Locker Room: 10:23 – 21:06
• Treating Politics like Sports Fandom: 16:50 – 18:29
• Listener Call-Ins on Political Divides: 33:11 – 38:04
• NBA Cup/Knicks Victory React: 44:13 – 47:40

---

Final Thoughts:
Covino & Rich close out the episode urging listeners to keep politics out of places meant for unity—be it the locker room or the holiday table—and to strive for chemistry based on mutual goals and respect, not party lines.

---

Transcript

[Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Rich]

Guaranteed Human.

[Covino]

Hey, it's Covino and Rich. Running a business is hard enough. Don't make it harder with a dozen apps that don't talk to each other. One for sales, one for inventory, a separate one for accounting. That's software overload. Odoo is the all in one platform that replaces them all.

[Rich]

CRM, Accounting, inventory, E Commerce, hr. Fully integrated, easy to use, and built to grow with your business. Thousands have already made the switch. Why not you try Odoo for free.

[Covino]

At o d o o.com that's odoo.com.

[Announcer]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don't sleep on osa.com. this information is provided by Lilly, a medicine company. This is Mandy Woodruff Santos from Brown Ambition Hey Ba fam. There's a lot to say when you're starting a new business, but only one thing to say that can help you protect it. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. And just like that, a State Farm agent will be there to help you choose the coverage that fits your needs. Whether your small business is growing or it's brand new, your State Farm agent is there to help on the phone or in person. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

[Covino]

Yo, do you know ball?

[Danny G]

We'll come prove with a free $10 from Better Picks.

[Covino]

Download the Better app, pick more or.

[Danny G]

Less on your favorite player stats, watch the games and win some cash. It's that simple.

[Covino]

Must be 21 or older.

[Danny G]

In a jurisdiction where Better Picks operates.

[Covino]

Terms and conditions apply.

[Danny G]

Better Picks Sports just got better.

[Covino]

This is Julian Edelman from Games With Names. Football is back. That means it's tailgate time and this season the only meat I'm going to grill is Dietz and Watson. I'm loving the Black Angus Dietz dogs. They're flavor packed and you can tell they are made with the highest quality ingredients. Sundays just got a whole lot better. Visit deetsandwatson.com the right way to learn more about the Deets difference.

[Rich]

Hey, thanks for listening to the Covino Enrich podcast.

[Covino]

Be sure to catch us live every.

[Rich]

Weekday from 5 to 7 Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio.

[Covino]

Find your local station for Kavito [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR. Hey, let's go.

[Rich]

It's the show. By the way, be careful grabbing the microphone. Today there was a viral clip on TMZ of this Peruvian kid in a rock band named, like, Carlos Suarez or something like that.

[Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich]

He gets on stage, grabs the microphone and lets out a primal scream, Motley Crue style.

[Covino]

Get.

[Rich]

Gets electrocuted, freezing, holding on to the mic.

[Covino]

Sparks are flying. And he falls backward.

[Rich]

And they thought he died, but luckily he survived. God, this happened to prove.

[Covino]

It's all over the place. Do this. Ratings, baby. Ratings.

[Rich]

Be careful, everybody.

[Covino]

Hey, we're Kavino.

[Rich]

Hope you had a New York Knicks store tonight.

[Covino]

Not a that.

[Rich]

We be rocking out.

[Covino]

Yeah. By the way.

[Rich]

Yeah. Look it up. It's on tmz. They thought the dude died, and luckily he survived. But once he grabbed the microphone, he couldn't let go of it.

[Covino]

Sparks were flying and he fell.

[Rich]

He fell. It was horrible.

[Covino]

Can I tell you something so cute and adorable?

[Rich]

What?

[Covino]

You know, I got little kids. My daughter's 8 and my son's 5. We're watching Home Alone, and you know when Marv gets electrocuted and for a second they go to a skeleton?

[Rich]

Yeah.

[Covino]

My daughter's like, does that really happen?

[Rich]

Wait, it doesn't.

[Covino]

It doesn't. Oh, well, anyway, hopefully you're enjoying your holidays.

[Rich]

Careful. Be safe. And yes. Happy hol holiday season from our show and our family to yours, Fox Sports Radio with Kavino and Rich, Danny G. The super producer.

[Covino]

Hey, Danny.

[Rich]

He's giving us our paperwork here. We got Iowa Sam on the ones and twos.

[Caller]

Merry Christmas, you filthy animals.

[Rich]

And right back at you. We got Spot getting ready for midweek major. It's already a hump day, which means one more sleeve to two more sleeves for the Jake Paul AJ fight. Can't wait for that.

[Covino]

You guys coming over or what?

[Rich]

Yeah, man. Spot has midweek major the biggest stories in sports and pop culture. We decided side together. Are they midweek or major stories? We got Lowen Cron hanging out today.

[Covino]

He was serious when he said he really needs to get ready for that Seahawks Rams game tomorrow.

[Danny G]

Yes.

[Rich]

And we're broadcasting live from the Fox Sports Radio studio. If you miss any of the show today or ever, remember, we're streaming live. You could watch what you [e-mail] richfsr of course, we got the podcast wherever you stream. But watch the show. See, my sweet. This is an over shirt, Rich. But when you look like a vato like me, you can't really wear a flannel. You just look like a down fool.

[Covino]

If you button that top button, you look like you're gonna start doing Cello fit.

[Rich]

East Los, homes. I look like a Vato Loco. And all it is is a nice winter shirt, man. Unbuttoned, it's just a nice winter shirt buttons.

[Covino]

Casual winter shirt buttons. You look like you're in blood and blood out.

[Rich]

Yeah, for real.

[Covino]

Well, hey, Rich, let's jump into the ruckus.

[Rich]

Let's get into it. I already said congratulations to the Knicks. We will talk about it because someone's faking it.

[Covino]

And I'll tell you who. Coming up, someone is faking it.

[Rich]

Who's faking the funk on that nasty dunk? We'll explain. But congrats. Big win over the spurs last night. And I want to kick it off with Rich's Mets. Now hear me out. It's not baseball talk because I know you guys are in your NBA Cup NFL zone. So are we. But there's two stories. If it was just one story, I wouldn't talk about your Mets. Two stories. Number one.

[Covino]

And you're not talking about Diaz and Alonzo.

[Rich]

No, no.

[Covino]

These are other. These are other Met stories.

[Rich]

Number one. I gotta say. What's the deal, brah? You want my leftovers like a dog essay? My leftovers like a dog? You want my seconds, as they say, the sloppy seconds.

[Covino]

Here we go.

[Rich]

As of today, Rich's New York Mets got Luke weaver for a three year deal. Like 22 million or something like that. Reliever Luke Weaver, he had his moment. And yes, that rhymes. Sam, I know you like that. Reliever, Luke Weaver.

[Covino]

Luke Weaver.

[Rich]

The reliever, Roe Weaver. There you go, there you go. The dream Weaver.

[Covino]

Luke.

[Rich]

The reliever Weaver. So the Yankees steal Luke Weaver. He had an off season. I'm okay with it. But now, put together the Mets current bullpen. You have our leftover in Clay Holmes. You have our leftover in Devin Williams. Now you have our leftover in Luke Weaver. Not to mention you have our leftover in Juan Soto.

[Covino]

And the Mets are going to make a pretty generous offer, apparently to Cody Bellinger.

[Rich]

Yeah, exactly. And you're after Bellinger. Let me say this respectfully and let me use sports terms. Get off our jock, bruh.

[Covino]

What are you doing? What's the deal?

[Rich]

This sounds like a desperate you know, like a dude that's obsessed with you or a woman. This is more of a woman tactic where a woman is so obsessed. And I say this respectfully, ladies, but it's more likely to be a woman in this case, from my experience.

[Covino]

Sexist.

[Rich]

Very sexist. But hear me out. You know how certain women are so vengeful and catty and petty sometimes, or maybe even obsessed with other women? Like, they just copy their style. They steal their man.

[Covino]

Is that the whole narrative of Bieber's wife? Like, didn't she, like, copy everything Selena?

[Danny G]

Right?

[Rich]

It's less of a. Of a man quality. I'm not saying man or men are above it, but I mean, the Mets are really on the Yankees jock here. Am I wrong in saying that? Am I. Am I losing my mind? I have the entire Yankees bullpen.

[Covino]

I walked into work today.

[Rich]

Now they want the Yankees out for you.

[Covino]

I walked into work today and Kavito goes, yo, tell your team to get off my nuts. I'm like, what? Like, what are you talking about, yo?

[Rich]

And. And come on. And what a Mets thing to do. On a side note.

[Covino]

Oh, here we go.

[Rich]

I believe Jason Smith said this, not Mike Harmon.

[Covino]

Jason Smith, I can never tell him apart.

[Rich]

No, no, no. Smith sleeves. Harmon hat. Jason Smith wears no sleeves. Mike Harmon wears a hat.

[Covino]

I'm an ass man. He should wear. He should wear sleeves.

[Rich]

Jason Smith is also a Mets fan like you. And he goes, what a Mets thing to do. We no longer have the guy that hit the home run in Pete Alonso. We have the guy that led up the home run in Devin Wins trips. Right? Like, what a mess thing to do. But not only that, they have all of the Yankees, like, bullpen and now outfield. And it didn't work for the Yankees. So why are the Mets doing that? That's story number one.

[Covino]

Well, I. And it has nothing to do with the Mets. Yankees. I think that there are sometimes. Danny, have you ever noticed that there's a team in the NBA n Major League Baseball where there's a handful of guys that used to be on your team and you almost look at it like, oh, look at them. They're like, it's our.

[Rich]

My. Oh yeah.

[Covino]

Like my team Light in a way, Rich.

[Rich]

It's like how the packers have Josh Jacobs, Nate Hobbs, a couple other Raiders. I'm like, man, I should just start rocking the G hat. But you want to know why this is happening too? And this is part two of the story. This is kind of wild. So again, this is not about baseball. This is an update. It's like you see something you like and you just try to emulate it and copy and basically rip it off. Like, I like that dude's jacket, I like that dude's sneakers, that dude's hat. And then you steal his whole style and swagger.

[Covino]

Swaggers don't work that way. Really, dude, you're acquiring free agents.

[Rich]

You got Clay Holmes, Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Juan Soto. You're going after Bellinger. My goodness. Dude.

[Covino]

Part two of this. Part two is if you don't care about the Mets or Yankees. Good, because part two of this could do with football, baseball, basketball, anything. It's more of just a. A 2025 general sentiment.

[Rich]

Let's, let's explain to what makes sports beautiful, makes sports great. All different walks of life come to one place with one purpose. And that purpose is to win, right? Different ideology, different people, different cultures from all different walks of life, different lands.

[Covino]

International game now, and this is on full display. If and when you do watch like the World Baseball Classic or you're starting to see in the NBA when they do the international players versus the American born players. Yeah, it's. It's beautiful when you see, hey, my team's got Japanese players, black players, white players, Latino players. It's all difference. It really is.

[Rich]

All differences aside, and it doesn't matter what names on the back because they're all playing for the name that's on the front, right? All differences aside, when you're in between those lines, you got one goal, one common goal together, and that's to win. So nothing else matters once the buzzer hits, once the game starts.

[Covino]

You could have went with tip off, first pitch or kickoff. You went with buzzer hits.

[Rich]

No, I went with the. Yeah, I saw you saw me scrambling, man.

[Covino]

How does the game start off.

[Rich]

Once the game starts? All those things are out the window. Differences don't matter. One common goal is to win. And would you believe it, that word on the streets is, as of today, that your boy Brandon Nimmo and Lynn Dorr never saw eye to eye and they got rid of Nimmo because of political differences. I'm not saying this hasn't existed before. I'm sure it has. But I've never really heard it like this before in sports. It infiltrated relationships where it never has before, and now it's infiltrating sports in a way that it really hasn't before. They couldn't put that aside, I'm assuming, and it's a pretty good assumption it's what I read and Nimmo was a Trump guy, Lindor was not. They couldn't put their political differences aside for the sole sake of winning in New York. That's just so lame to me because that sort of defeats what sports is all about. You're letting your political differences get in the way of winning here.

[Covino]

Listen, I'm, call me old fashioned.

[Rich]

I.

[Covino]

Still believe in the idea of, hey, we could be friends if we have different political beliefs. But that is not a sentiment that is popular among younger people because their mindset is, yo, if you disagree with me on these big issues, then I don't know how I could be your pal. It's a very different mindset.

[Rich]

You could say, well, that's the problem. You should care. And I get all that. And here's another example. You could say, well, that's the caveman, knuckle dragging mentality of our generation. Right? Have you ever Danny G, Iowa, Sam Spot, Loincron. I say this respectfully. Fox Sports Radio Nation, please. I say this respectfully. Have you ever kicked someone out of the bedroom because they didn't line up with you politically?

[Covino]

Have you ever had a hot woman laying in your bedroom and said, wait a minute, before we do this, hold on. Who do you support?

[Rich]

Yeah, because guess what? In today's world, and I've seen it.

[Covino]

Firsthand, imagine in your ass getting days in the 2000s, you're like, some girl's like unrobing in your bedroom. You're like, hold on. Before this proceeds McCain or Obama.

[Announcer]

Oh, what?

[Rich]

Even worse, what if she asks you, right? Hold on, trick question. Like, do you lie just to make it happen? What I'm saying, I don't vote. Right? Exactly.

[Covino]

I'm an independent.

[Rich]

If you what I'm noticing.

[Covino]

Oh, no. Then it becomes you don't vote.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Oh my God.

[Covino]

You don't care about the process. I'm neutral. Not that neutral is even worse because then you're, quote, wishy washy. Oh, no, I screwed this up. Let me tell you. I would say my brother is single again. He recently got divorced, unfortunately.

[Rich]

Yeah, meeting someone is hard enough.

[Covino]

My brother, my brother has had to fake the funk so many times because girls on dating profiles would be like, unless you, like, hate President Trump, don't respond. And my brother's like, I don't hate President Trump, but she has a fine ass. Like, you know, you're like, it's right.

[Rich]

Just like, you got to put differences aside between the lines for, for the greater good of winning. Sometimes you got to put your differences aside. To make a relationship work, right? And you connect on other things and it's okay to disagree. That's how we were brought up, at least to think. Now I'm seeing younger people and younger relationships, they don't deal with it. Dude, I have a teenage daughter and I was like, whatever happened to Kirby? I don't know the kid's name. I can't give away the kid's name. Anyway, weird, weird millennial name, weaneal name. Larynth. Whatever happened to Larynth Kaden?

[Covino]

Because kids don't have normal names.

[Rich]

What happened to Kaden? Nice kid. They didn't line up politically. Or he said some off the wall sort of views that he. That didn't agree with my daughters. So they're like, they called it dunzo. I'm like, what? Why are you guys worrying about that?

[Covino]

You're 16 years old. You could say that we're. You could say, hey, Kavina, Rich, you guys are dummies. That's been said before.

[Rich]

That's possible.

[Covino]

But think about it. If you were a single guy in the 90s, 2000s, if you're an older school dude, 70s or 80s, did you ever one time when you were in high school even know, care or think about the political thoughts of a girl you had a crush on?

[Rich]

No. Never once.

[Covino]

Danny, when you were on your come up, did you ever think of a girl who you asked out on a date?

[Rich]

A high school girl asked me what my thoughts of the Gaza Strip were. I would be thinking, is that a steak?

[Ryan Seacrest]

I wouldn't know.

[Covino]

I wouldn't have filmed.

[Rich]

I wouldn't have known what she was talking about because I was a teenage idiot.

[Covino]

These kids thought the Gaza Strip was a style she had going on somewhere.

[Rich]

Kids today. And you could say, well, then that's better for them because you should line up. I don't know about that. It's infiltrating relationships. How many young single people are out there because of all the differences. It's hard enough to find someone. Now you're adding another layer and now it's infiltrating sports.

[Covino]

The old adage of opposites attract opposite. I think people have sort of poo pooed that idea. And you know what?

[Rich]

Don't tell MC Scat Cat.

[Covino]

The let Paula Abdul not know. I feel like it's very almost counterproductive and old school. When Covino and I genuinely say something like, yeah, man, I'm sort of a down the middle guy. Because you know what happens then? Every Republican friend you have is like, what are you Some liberal wimp. And then every liberal friend you have is like, yeah, what are you, some Trumper?

[Ryan Seacrest]

You're on an island.

[Covino]

You can't win. Like when you're, when you're a middle guy where you're like, yeah, you know what? I don't, I don't love or hate this. You're considered wishy washy. Everyone rejects you. Can I tell you, I saw our buddy KFC from Barstool point out something great. He's a good dude. He was on our bonus pod recently over promised. KFC from Barstool said, the biggest problem we ever did when it comes to politics is we started treating politics the way we treat sports. How you will. Oh, like fanatically. Like, Kavino, you're a Yankees fan. Danny G, You're a Dodgers fan. You will hate the Padres no matter what. Undeniably. Covino, the Red Sox could do no right in your mind.

[Rich]

Right.

[Covino]

That is fanatical. That's fanatical. Ridiculous behavior. You hate your rival if you're a Lakers fan. The Celtics, by the way, I hope they.

[Rich]

Even if they do something good is the point.

[Covino]

Yeah, yeah. You just hate them. You hate them.

[Rich]

You have to.

[Covino]

Gary Vaynerchuk talks about this. Our pal, motivational speaker and influencer, Gary Vee talks about how he knows as a Jets fan, he's illogical. And that's what it is. He's a fanatic.

[Rich]

Right? Because of sports, whatever.

[Covino]

But when you take politics and you, you treat the same guy uncontrollably and undeniably agree with 100% of something someone does or says because you're treating politics like you're a fan. No offense. Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, they're not the Raiders or the Padres or the Patriots or the Cardinals. It's a politician. So it really upset me to see that Nimmo and Lindor, whether the rumors are true or not, the fact that the Mets clubhouse was divided politically.

[Rich]

Oh, dude. Just sort of weak.

[Covino]

With the holidays coming up, you go into Hanukkah dinners or, you know, my family's coming in town for Christmas. You're telling me you think your family all aligns politically? Get out of here. You have some family members that love or hate the same guy, Right?

[Rich]

And by the way, think of polarizing figures in sports, like in history, like a Curt Schilling, right? Yeah. You think everyone in the locker room lined up with that guy? Absolutely not. But they put it aside to win. How did they not do that? This sort of thing needs to stop. Because you'll never line up with everybody. You think everyone here at Fox Sports Radio lines up the same way? No, but we want to do great radio and we want to have fun. Fun throughout the day. We want to connect and put all that aside. Your Mets can do that. I hope it stops there because your boy Lindor is part of two weak ass stories. Him and Nimmo couldn't line up politically. They fought about it, they got rid of Nimmo and then the side story, total side note, him and Soto didn't vibe. And that was part of the problem this year, too.

[Covino]

Well, you know what, let me take it to my football team since I'm only going to talk about my team's Danny. But you've heard the story too, where 49ers injured. Unfortunately, Edge rusher and one of the best defensive players in the league, Nick Bosa, is very openly a Donald Trump supporter.

[Rich]

Yeah.

[Covino]

And they made it very clear that his teammates are like, yeah, dude, I might not agree with you, but you're my boy. The Niners and other athletes have overcome what, what has been around forever. Political differences. But now we seem to think, well, I can't hang with that person. We don't see eye to eye in everything when you could see that.

[Rich]

Because what happens is Lindor then says, and again, I'm painting in broad strokes here. I don't know this to be fact. Yeah, this is automatically doesn't like Nimmo because we treat it in a fanatical way. Like, hold on. I don't care if you're a good guy. I don't care if you're a nice family man. I don't care if you're a great baseball player.

[Covino]

If you like that guy, you're against Trump.

[Rich]

You don't like me. I hate you. Therefore, no chemistry. So if this is. This might not be the first time this has happened.

[Covino]

You don't think in the NFL. You don't think.

[Rich]

You don't think, bro.

[Covino]

You don't think in the NFL when people were kneeling during the anthem.

[Rich]

Oh, yeah.

[Covino]

You don't think that that divided different races and cultures and southern people, east coast, northern people. You don't think there was divide during that?

[Rich]

Oh, there had to be there.

[Covino]

There were, there were definitely locker room conversations.

[Rich]

But I'm sorry, when you're getting paid that kind of money as a professional, you have to put it aside.

[Covino]

I don't know.

[Rich]

For the fans, dude, it's not. You don't have to hang out and like the guy. You have to Win together. It's as simple as that. You're on the team. Not everyone's gonna love each other and get along and line up in life and in sports. I think it's a shame they couldn't put those differences aside.

[Covino]

I have a question for the single.

[Rich]

And I hope it doesn't continue to be like a, like a trend because politic politics is now like an everyday mainstream conversation.

[Covino]

Hey, let me, let me put you guys on the spot. Isaac, Danny G. I was saying, do you think politics will remain a focal point or you think we're just going through one of the ebbs and flows in history where it's a, where it's a out in front of you thing? Do you think we've just had some polarizing politicians or do you think, hey, we went through the Vietnam era, that the country was divided then? You know, do you think it's an ebb and flow or do you think moving forward every generation will be this politically motivated?

[Danny G]

I'll answer first cuz I have balls.

[Covino]

Please do I.

[Danny G]

The most accurate answer I can give is I honestly don't know. I hope it's an ebb and flow because I honestly don't know.

[Covino]

You hear people say we're more divided than ever and then like your dad might be like, well, you weren't around sun during Vietnam something.

[Danny G]

The 60s were pretty interesting, but in a different way than it is now because of different issues.

[Rich]

Tell us about the 60s.

[Danny G]

I did a lot of LDS or LSD. Sorry.

[Covino]

Let me just say it's wild because again, it's a weird take in 2025 where I could genuinely tell you I have friends that think Trump is the greatest guy in the world and I have friends that think Trump is the worst guy in the world. And I've never been like, you know, I don't think we could be friends because of your political take. I just, I may say, yeah, I don't agree with you on that. In fact, I may.

[Rich]

Or maybe we don't vibe socially, right? Like, hey, we don't have to go out and chop it up and be best friends or besties having drinks and high five. And you think, but when you're, when you're professionals, you have to put, put that aside.

[Covino]

Do you think, let's just be real here. Do you think like a 40 year old nerdy punter is socially hanging out with some 22 year old draft pick who, who just entered the NFL and is like, you know, chasing ass?

[Rich]

No.

[Covino]

Do you think, do you think, you know we talked about that with Matthew Stafford. Matthew Stafford, you know, the possible MVP this year. Remember, like, a year ago, his beautiful wife was doing her podcast and said that, hey, it's a little tricky because it's hard to relate to everyone in a locker room because some guys are in there close to 40 and married, other guys are chasing ass. You know, political differences everyone's gonna have.

[Rich]

And here's the shame of it.

[Covino]

Rick, different thoughts?

[Rich]

Absolutely. The biggest shame of it, too, is in the world of dating and relationships and friendships, it's hard enough to find people to relate to. And you're adding one more layer to it, Right? The same in sports. It's so hard to build chemistry. We see it, right? It's so hard to build that winning team and that magic and that chemistry. And now you're adding one annoying layer that doesn't even belong there anyway. This is sports. This isn't politics. Keep it out of the locker room. It used to be, keep it out of the Thanksgiving or Christmas or Hanukkah table. Keep it off the table. Keep it out of the holiday. Now you got to keep it out of the locker room. It's just one more layer that. That interferes with the chemistry and winning of a team.

[Covino]

I mean, who's great at making serious issues very light. The great Larry David. Right? Are you guys fans of Curb?

[Rich]

I was going to say us.

[Covino]

I mean, we. Us, too, but maybe close to Larry David, but not Larry David. There's a great episode where he's hooking up with this beautiful girl, but she hates Jewish people. And he's like, but it's like. But. But it's, you know, so satirical.

[Rich]

Right.

[Covino]

But I mean, we are, you know, that's a humorous, you know, TV show.

[Danny G]

But you didn't have a problem with it. Marty had the problem with it.

[Covino]

Yeah. Funkhouser. Funkhouser was like, larry, what do you do? The late, great Funkhouser. But your thoughts? Hey, let's open it up.

[Rich]

Let's.

[Covino]

Let's have some real talk here on a Rando, Cavino and Rich Wednesday. We are going to get to midweek.

[Rich]

Major and the NBA Cup.

[Covino]

Yo, NBA Cup. Someone's. Someone's full of. Someone's full of it. Someone's faking the funk. I'm going to call someone out today. And also, we talked about there being, like, five games this weekend where the stakes are so high. I want to go over those games with you guys and really break them down. Ooh, stakes.

[Rich]

I'll have the Gaza Strip.

[Covino]

All right.

[Rich]

With that. Said.

[Covino]

Danny G. Keep everyone on hold. I see the phones are hot. Thank you, buddy. We got more CNR next, right here on Fox Sports Radio.

[Rich]

All right, well, quick timeout, Rich. Time out from all the political talk I know. Please, holiday upgrade check. Are you still watching the games on an old small tv? If you are, you're only seen about half the game.

[Covino]

Yeah, your TV shouldn't tap out in the red zone. Don't embarrass yourself, guys. Get a good TV TCL. The QM8K QD mini LED is the real MVP. Ultimate Brightness Black levels for the ultimate experience. Picture so clear you could taste the turf.

[Rich]

And it's not just football. Movies look cinematic. You know I was watching yesterday. Stand By Me, Rob Reiner.

[Covino]

Dude, classic. Rest in peace.

[Rich]

Cinematic games feel smoother. We'll be watching the fight on Friday and yes, everybody notices. All your company's like, yo, dude, is that a TCL?

[Covino]

So here's the holiday play. TCL TVs go premium with the QM8K. That's the ultimate choice. Or the versatile QM6K which has an elevated game day experience.

[Rich]

Overthink it. Lock in the ultimate experiences with epic savings and undeniable bragging rights all season long. Get it while supplies last.

[Covino]

Tcl Official TV partner of the NFL. Find TCL at all major retailers.

[Rich]

TCL Bigger, Brighter, Better holidays. Select models, limited time. See all major retailers for details. TCL.com.

[Announcer]

Did you know Tide has been upgraded to provide an even better clean in cold water. Tide is specifically designed to fight any stain you throw at it. Even in cold butter. Yep. Chocolate ice cream. Sure thing. Barbecue sauce. Tide's got you covered. You don't need to use warm water. Additionally, Tide pods let you confidently fight tough stains with new coldzyme technology. Just remember, if it's gotta be clean, it's gotta be Tide.

[Better Picks Announcer]

Not everybody can be good at fantasy football and at Better. We understand that. That's why we're giving away a free $10 just for signing up. Download the Better app, pick more or less on player stats, watch the games and win some cash. It's that simple. Better Picks is available in 33 states, including Texas, California and Georgia. Download the Better app today. That's Better B E T R and get a free $10. No deposit necessary. Must be 21 or older in a jurisdiction where Better Picks operates. Terms and conditions apply. Better Picks Sports just got better.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Flu season is here and the in store pharmacy has you covered with a free flu shot with most insurance plans. And as a thank you, get up to $20 off your grocery purchase. Plus it's cough and cold season. Stock up on all the season's essentials and get ready for relief with discounts on items like Hall's Menthol Cough Drops, Tylenol Cold and Flu and Mucinex Fast Max products offer ends December 30th. Restrictions apply and offers may vary by location. Visit Albertsons or Safeway.com for more details.

[Announcer]

Ten athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fit. Only one of you will leave here with an IFIT contract worth $250,000.

[Covino]

This is where mindset comes in.

[Announcer]

Someone will be eliminated. Pressure is coming down.

[Covino]

Trainer games on Prime Video January 8th. Watch the trailer on trainergames.com Season 2.

[Announcer]

Of Unrivaled Basketball is here, and the talent is unreal. The best women's players on the planet are running it back with even bigger moments and bigger stakes. Don't miss as Paige Beckers, Nafiza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Briana Stewart and more take the court and redefine the game. This isn't your regular season. This is unrivaled, where the pace is faster, the energy is higher and every athlete shines. Unrivaled basketball season two, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy, tips off January 5 on TNT, TruTV and HBO. Max.

[Rich]

Other shows stink, stank, stunk. Not the ones here on Fox Sports Radio. We're happy to be part of it. Thanks for being part of our family. Covino and Rich live from the Fox Sports Radio studios. And Sesame street helped raise all of us except for Rich. He was raised by wolves and and the Grouch. Oscar the Grouch. But yeah, props to Sesame street because now it's our turn. Donate this holiday [e-mail] because the world needs Sesame and Sesame needs you. So word on the streets rumors, allegedly, is that Nimmo and Lindor couldn't put aside their political differences. And I'm here to say that political differences in sports is a chemistry killer. No bueno. No. No politics at the holiday table. No politics in the locker room in the clubhouse. Can't happen. Chemistry killer. Can't do it.

[Danny G]

I can't.

[Covino]

I can't understand how we've slid to the mindset of don't agree with me, can't hang with you. Like. Like our buddy Jeff hit us up. He goes, guys, when I met my wife, I'm very picky about lining politically with someone. I get that when you're dating. But he did go on to say, I can remain friends with people who don't all agree with me if I know they're good people. But, I mean, still, I. I don't know. I find it tricky.

[Danny G]

It's.

[Rich]

It's.

[Covino]

It's tricky territory.

[Rich]

It's tricky to rock a rhyme, and it's tricky to line up politically with everybody. It's impossible, especially on a team. And when you're looking for.

[Covino]

Especially, it's not the 80s where Ronald Reagan won 49 of the 50 states in an election we're talking about. The last three elections are down the middle.

[Rich]

Well, let me.

[Covino]

Let me prove it to, you know, almost 50. 50.

[Rich]

Fernando Mendoza.

[Announcer]

Right.

[Rich]

I don't know where he lines up politically. I have no idea. But I hear how his teammates talk about him. You could see how likable he is. Right. Everything he's saying, especially for Hispanic players and everything, I'm like, this guy is amazing. He's the best. I love this guy. He's lovable. I want to give him a hug. A lot of his teammates are like, I would run through a wall for this guy because he's such a good dude. I love him this and that. And you could see the chemistry. You could see they play for that dude. They're protecting that dude. You want to protect the guy you don't like. You know what I mean? It's hard to like somebody if you're leading with politics and you disagree all the time. That chemistry is not there. It's not going to be the same chemistry killer. And it's a shame that we're letting politics infiltrate our relationships in this way. And again, our buddy Jeff, who hit us up and said that, also a little younger than us.

[Covino]

Yep.

[Rich]

I never was sizing up a woman. And you could say I'm wrong for that. And I understand where you're coming from, and maybe that is the problem, but I never was sizing up a woman, and I don't think she was sizing up me thinking, oh, I wonder what party he belongs to. Because I'll tell you which one. Taco party of one. You know, like, it wasn't that deep for me.

[Covino]

Cavino's biggest.

[Rich]

Did we get along?

[Covino]

Covino's biggest choice was not Republican or Democrat. It was soft shell or hard shell, flour or corn.

[Rich]

And it's just a shame because political differences shouldn't infiltrate. Yeah, your sports team either.

[Covino]

Just add it to the list of things that can mess with Chemistry inside a locker room.

[Rich]

Yeah. When I was a little kid here in east la, my mom was really.

[Covino]

Cautious about colors that she put on.

[Rich]

Me and my brother. Yeah.

[Covino]

And that's what we were thinking about.

[Rich]

And some people treat politics like that now. Yeah. Like gang colors. You're absolutely right. And that's a shame. You know who I blame, though? Your boy Lindor. I do. Because I think he's a really likable guy. And I'm surprised. That's why I'm harping on him.

[Covino]

This is all speculation from Mike, Francesca. Speculation, speculation.

[Rich]

But the story is Lindor was not vibing with Soto and politically different with Nimmo, and that's why he's not there again, allegedly. Whatever. But I'm sure this happens. I'm sure it happens, and people don't want to talk about it. Moving forward, what happens between lines, you know, politics should not infiltrate that.

[Covino]

Let's go to your feedback. Danny G. Who do we got the phones of?

[Rich]

The phones of cnr, phones of C.

[Covino]

And R are lit. And I can't log in here.

[Rich]

No, the phones have been on fire. Let's start in Fresno, California, with Cody. Cody.

[Caller]

Hey, guys. This just happened to my brother two weeks ago. He's 20 years old, younger than us. Went on a date with a girl. Great date. Went back to her place, they're hanging out. She goes, oh, I forgot to ask, who did you vote for? And then he said it. And she goes, I'm gonna have to.

[Announcer]

Ask you to leave.

[Caller]

Kicked him out, locked him on Instagram. Then she went to the T app and said that he's a fascist and make sure not to date this guy.

[Rich]

Dude, I'm not surprised to hear that.

[Covino]

It's a trap.

[Rich]

It's not stuff we had to deal with. And it makes it more difficult for young people, and that's why they're all single. Yeah, but I'm not surprised to hear that is my point. I was more surprised that it's happening in sports, but thanks for sharing. Yeah.

[Covino]

Let's go to Bruno in Brooklyn.

[Rich]

What's up?

[Covino]

Hey, Bruno.

[Caller]

Gentlemen, good afternoon or good morning.

[Danny G]

Hey, what's up, bro?

[Covino]

How are you?

[Caller]

Listen, guys, I'm well. Hey, listen, I just want to say, first and foremost, happy holidays to all the crew at C and R. I love you guys.

[Covino]

Thank you, man.

[Caller]

Last of the year and it's been fantastic. Hey, back to the point here. One thing I think that changed with you guys, with myself, was there was no social media, man. Now, let me just say this. You didn't have. You didn't know what everybody thought that you hung out with. Now everybody has a platform and they're posting every day, every night, and it's starting fires. People are getting fired up and they're saying, I can't hang with this guy because he agrees with this or that. We didn't have that.

[Covino]

I never, one time. But you're right, social media may propel kids into politics earlier. And then again, we have had some divisive candidates more so than ever.

[Rich]

Right.

[Covino]

But like Esteban, I don't, I'm not following him. I'm looking at the feedback. He goes 50. 50. Really? And I'm like, yeah, we've had the last few elections. People that have won the electoral have lost the popular and vice versa. Like we're talking about a country that's very divided. So by that theory, 50% of the people you meet could likely be people you don't necessarily agree with. That means you're not gonna be friends with 50% of the people you meet. That's crazy. Let's go to Long island and Kristen.

[Rich]

By the way, this is also, if you want to think a little deeper too, this falls hard on coaching staffs and managers and things like that. Oh, no doubt. Keep the piece like it's just one added layer again. Cuz you have to deal with different personalities and different people. That's harder.

[Covino]

These younger players also now they're political differences to back up what Bruno said. They also have to deal with social. Another layer like you said.

[Rich]

Imagine GM trying to create a team based on like their political affiliations just to keep the chemistry alive.

[Covino]

Let's go to Long Island. Hi, Kristen.

[Caller]

Hello. I like your show by the way.

[Rich]

Thank you.

[Announcer]

And happy holidays to you guys.

[Rich]

Oh, you too.

[Caller]

I just want to say on here that I have a friend named Eric. I also call him E. Yeah, and he's the best friend I've always had. But I also love your music. And I do not like Polly.

[Rich]

How about my shirt? Are you watching this?

[Covino]

Great shirt. And great shirt. I appreciate the feedback, Greg.

[Rich]

You know what?

[Covino]

She made the most sense of anyone, by the way.

[Announcer]

Anything else?

[Covino]

I don't like politics. Greg in Pennsylvania. Greg wraps us up. Thank you.

[Caller]

Merry Christmas, gentlemen, and I hope you have a happy new year.

[Covino]

Hey Becky.

[Caller]

I'd like to bring this facts over feelings junk and I'll use that because it's the afternoon and the sports. The whole iPad thing is for the intellectually weak who either have an agenda to push or they just want to piss people off with what they say. Because where this came to a head for me, like a giant zit that pops up overnight that you didn't know you had was the whole Notre Dame bitching and the whole Shador Sanders thing. It's either like you're on one camp or another, and no matter how you try to tell them the facts, it's just like a matter of fact. This morning I was watching the other channel.

[Covino]

I never. By the way. Yeah. I never believe him. By the way, Greg, great call. Thank you, buddy. I can never understand when someone. And this goes for politics, as I said, we treat politics like sports. Now. We're fanatical. I can never understand if you said, here's 20 issues. I can't imagine. I can't believe the people that are like, well, I'm just gonna click every check on the left or right because that's. That's my party. I could never blindly follow something like that. I feel like you go down a checklist of 20 things, you might be like, yeah, I got, you know, 13 checks on this side, seven on this side. I can't fathom how. And that's like voting in Congress and all this stuff. Like, they just vote on party lines. Like, I can't imagine being like, here's the issues, and being like, well, just check down the left, check down the right.

[Rich]

That there's not a lot more to this. Right. I hope it sort of stops here because you don't want this to change how we watch sports and how sports teams are run and how they get along. Like, sports should be a safe space from that sort of thing. So that's why I didn't like the story. And again, this is all legend from Mike Francesa and some of the things I read online about Nimmo and Lindor. And I just hope that there's not more of this in the future.

[Covino]

Yeah, let's hope. With that said, we got a lot to get through. We're going to talk a lot of NFL today, but it was a good story. Camino, I'm glad you brought it up. Let's go to our buddy, Isaac Loewencron.

[Danny G]

Thank you, fellas. The Athletic reported a short time ago that the lawyer for the Michigan football staffer who had a relationship with former head coach Sharon Moore, told police that Moore had a, quote, long history of domestic violence against the Stafford during their relationship. The staffer told police that when Moore barged into her apartment last Wednesday, he grabbed knives and pointed them at her, then pointed the knives at himself and backed up when the woman put her lawyer on speakerphone. Moore not charged with assault, but prosecutors told the Athletic that the case remains under active investigation and the charges could be added or amended. In the NFL, the Miami Dolphins today bench quarterback Tua Tungavailoa. Rookie Quinn Ewers will start on Sunday against the Bengals. Zach Wilson will be the backup. Tungavailoa will be the emergency number three quarterback. Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson was kept at home today because of the flu. The NBA fined Houston Texans had coach Ime Udoka $25,000 today for publicly criticizing the officials after Monday's overtime loss to Denver. Every Olympic dream starts with a first glide through Learn to Skate USA kids build confidence, strength and joy on the ice. Learn to Skate USA offers programs for skaters of all ages and abilities. Find a program near you@ learntoskateusa.com Guys.

[Covino]

I picture you ice skating Isaac in spandex. Would that be your choice of material?

[Danny G]

I used to be quite a jock back in the day. I actually used to play hockey, by the way.

[Covino]

For real? Wow.

[Danny G]

What do you mean, for real?

[Covino]

Blades of steel doesn't count.

[Rich]

Blades of steel doesn't count.

[Covino]

He was a skinny, fast guy.

[Rich]

Yeah, Blades of steel.

[Covino]

All right, well, listen, we're going to talk. We're going to talk some NFL and someone's full of crap when it comes to the NBA Cup. We'll get to all that and more. Next on Cavino and Richard.

[Better Picks Announcer]

Want to score? When your favorite player does well, you can't unless you download Better Picks. Who is giving away a free $10? Download the Better app, pick more or less on player stats, watch the games and win some cash. It's that simple. Must be 21 or older in a jurisdiction where Better Picks operates. Terms and conditions apply. Better Picks Sports just got better.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. The holiday season can be exhausting with all the parties and the end of year celebrations. But don't forget to take care of yourself by stocking up on your favorite nutritional products now through December 30th. Shop in store and online and save on items like Cliff Snack Bars, Luna Bars, Boost Nutritional Energy Drinks, Premier Protein Shakes, Z Bar Variety Packs, Open Nature Powder and Body Fortress Protein powder offers end Dec. 30. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Announcer]

Ten athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fit. Only one of you will leave here with an IFIT contract worth $250,000.

[Covino]

This is where mindset comes in.

[Announcer]

Someone will be eliminated. Pressure is coming down.

[Covino]

Trainer games on Prime Video January 8th. Watch the trailer on trainergames.com Season 2.

[Announcer]

Of Unrivaled Basketball is here and the talent is unreal. Paige Beckers, Nafiza Collier, Kelsey Plumb, Brianna Stewart and more are back. Back to redefine the game. Unrivaled basketball season two, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy Tips off January 5th on TNT, TruTV and HBO. Max, ever wish you could try the Washington Post and see what all the talk is about? Right now you can, with a one week pass for just $7. No commitment, no strings attached. Just $7 for one week of unlimited access to the Post. It's the perfect way to explore our award winning journalism and experience what subscribers already know. There's nothing else quite like it. So why not give us a try? Go to washingtonpost.com week and start your $7 one week pass today. That's washingtonpost.com week.

[Covino]

Your dad probably thinks his name is Mike Bubble. Yeah, Mike Bubble.

[Rich]

I like when he sings the standards. Are we busting? It's Buble, dad.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Are we busting out that buble at.

[Rich]

The for the fight? Yeah, we are. Little bubbly. Some holiday Buble.

[Covino]

Some holiday Michael Bubbly. Yeah.

[Rich]

Fight night on Friday. Who's coming? By the way, we're having a bros night. I think. So. Don't be bringing your wifeies.

[Covino]

Yeah, I made it official. It's a bros night. We talked about that yesterday. Isaac. It's an interesting thought, right? When you get older and you have, you know, friends with kids and wives, when you have people over your house, you have to specify. Is it like a guy's night? Are you bringing kids and wives? It's not.

[Rich]

Some families roll like five deep. Now you got to feed the entire family.

[Danny G]

Important delineations have to be made. By the way, apparently my invitation got lost in the mail.

[Covino]

Huh? It was a casual. We decided yesterday. But more than welcome.

[Danny G]

I can't. I can't make it.

[Covino]

Mikasa S Su casa or something like that.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Max Brosmer is taking your spot because it's bros night. So from the Vikings, Max Brosmer.

[Rich]

Yeah.

[Covino]

Bros night.

[Rich]

I like that one. Oh boy.

[Covino]

Out his material.

[Ryan Seacrest]

He'll be terrible stuff.

[Covino]

He'll be a flappers in Burbank this weekend. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

[Rich]

Is he going to party? Where Kavino and Rich is Fox Sports Radio with Danny G. Iowa Sam spot getting ready for midweek. Major low and Crown is here and we have our tire rack play of the day. New York sports has something to celebrate. Or do they? So Sam has all these bad puns and jokes prepared over here, but he doesn't have the play of the day. Ready? Come on. Is the play of the day Josh Hart and Brunson, by the way?

[Covino]

No, Sam has a. Sam has a bro pun. But no play of the day until now.

[Rich]

And hit it.

[Ryan Seacrest]

There we go.

[Covino]

The Knicks have much bigger goals at the end of the year, but by beating San Antonio, they're leaving Las Vegas with a brand new trophy, the 2025 NBA cup champions.

[Caller]

Your New York Knicks.

[Covino]

Courtesy of Knicks Radio Network. That was your tire rack play of the day. And for over 40 years, tire rack. They've been helping people find the right tires for how, what and where they drive ship fast and free. Free road hazard protection, convenient installation options.

[Rich]

Like mobile tire installation, tire rack.com retire buying should be.

[Covino]

And I want to say that you see Hart pull that move last night?

[Rich]

Yeah, I thought that was the play of the day.

[Covino]

That's. But that's how we warm up for every show, by the way. So that's not new. That's how. That's how we're so amped up every day.

[Rich]

Josh Brown heart. Brown thumb heart. He did a celebration maneuver that I've never seen before in the NBA.

[Covino]

You've done it.

[Rich]

No, I have not. Truthfully.

[Covino]

Just not in public.

[Rich]

He. He did. Let's just say he did something with his thumb to Jalen Brunson. And Jalen Brunson's like, ye. And it was caught on tv.

[Covino]

I think he was more like, hey, we just won the cup. Thumbs up.

[Rich]

Yeah, thumbs up. The wrong spot. It was all playful, for sure, but, you know, it's kind of funny to see on television. You know, we should talk about the NBA Cup, Rich. It was last night again. The Knicks beat the Spurs.

[Covino]

Do you want to talk about it honestly or do you want to sound like Stephen A. Smith before first take this morning? Listen to this. I love everybody. And I mean everybody. I love espn. I love all the networks. I love everybody. You don't know why.

[Rich]

Because.

[Covino]

Orange and blue sky, baby Orange and blue skies it's the NBA cup this morning. Did you see the Knicks? Did you see the Knicks? Now, here's what I did.

[Rich]

We saw him beat the Spurs. 124, 113.

[Covino]

I love the excitement, but how much of that is Stephen A. Being sarcastic? How much of that is ESPN's In Bed with the NBA and like you know, it's their biggest partner versus, like, is anyone really excited? Here's my litmus test.

[Rich]

On the flip side, did you see what Charles Barkley said? You know what?

[Covino]

Get that queued up. Let me give you my litmus test. My friend Nicole, who I do a parenting podcast with every week that really is more smutty than parenting. I was talking to her earlier today and her husband's a big Knicks fan. And I go, yo, is Matt really pumped about the cup last night? And she's like, what cup? And I go, last night, the Knicks. Like your husband and son, your nine year old son and your husband. Big Knicks fans. She goes, yeah, like they went to the NBA playoffs last year at the Garden. Those tickets were expensive. I go, yeah, not last year. Now last night she goes, what's the NBA Cup? She's like, they. I don't think they even know. I'm like, they know, but I don't think anyone cares.

[Rich]

Yeah, again, we're from the east coast. A lot of our friends, Knicks fans, family members, Knicks fans. So always chopping up.

[Covino]

Knicks fan friends say like, yeah, bro.

[Rich]

My uncle Bill hit me up this morning like, yo, man, the Knicks, bro. And I'm like, you serious? Is like, no. But, you know, at least they want something better than nothing. Better than nothing for sure. Charles Barkley says NBA cup is embarrassing. I'm disappointed that we have to make an in season tournament to make these guys more money. We'll play it for you. But do you think that Stephen A. Was being serious there? Or is this showmanship at its height, at its worst? And your thoughts on the NBA Cup? We'll share ours.

[Covino]

All that and a bunch of NFL. I'm pumped about NFL week 16, so hang tight.

[Announcer]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea or OSA in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration issues, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don't sleep on OSA.com this information is provided by Lily, a medicine company.

[Better Picks Announcer]

Have you ever turned $1 into $10,000? I doubt it, but now you can. On better picks, download the better app, pick more or less on player stats, watch the games and win some cash. It's that simple. Better Picks is available in 33 states, including including Texas, California and Georgia. Download the Better app today. That's Better B E T R and get a free $10. No deposit necessary. Must be 21 or older. In a jurisdiction where Better Picks operates, terms and conditions apply. Better Picks Sports just got better.

[Announcer]

Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap. You're almost at the finish line. But first, There the last one. Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. The holiday season can be exhausting with all the parties and the end of year celebrations, but don't forget to take care of yourself by stocking up on your favorite nutrition nutritional products now through December 30th. Shop in store and online and save on items like Cliff Snack Bars, Luna Bars, Boost Nutritional Energy Drinks, Premier Protein Shakes, Z Bar Variety Packs, Open Nature Powder and Body Fortress Protein powder offers end Dec. 30. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Announcer]

Ten athletes will face the toughest job interview in fitness that will push past physical and and mental breaking points. You are the fittest of the fit. Only one of you will leave here with an IFIT contract worth $250,000.

[Covino]

This is where mindset comes in.

[Announcer]

Someone will be eliminated. Pressure is coming down.

[Covino]

Trainer Games on Prime Video January 8th.

[Rich]

Watch the trailer on trainergames.com this is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.