Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Colin Cowherd Podcast Prime Cuts - Is Scheffler The Next Tiger? Caitlin Clark Will Get WNBA Players PAID, Saban To The NFL? Release Date: July 26, 2025

In this engaging episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," host Colin Cowherd delves into three major sports narratives: the rise of golfer Scotty Scheffler and his comparison to Tiger Woods, the advocacy for increased pay for WNBA players spotlighted by Caitlin Clark, and the speculation surrounding Nick Saban's potential move from college football to the NFL. The discussion features insightful commentary from guest Danny Parkins, providing listeners with a comprehensive analysis of these pivotal topics.

1. The WNBA and Caitlin Clark's Impact

Overview: Colin Cowherd and guest Danny Parkins explore the evolving landscape of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), emphasizing the league's growth, increasing investment, and the influential role of star player Caitlin Clark in driving ratings and visibility.

Key Points:

• Investment and Valuation: Parkins highlights the significant financial commitments being made into the WNBA, including a "$2 billion media rights deal" and substantial expansion fees. He notes, "The Golden State Valkyries already have a $500 million valuation and they don't exist yet" (05:49).

• Star Power and Ratings: The emergence of Caitlin Clark is credited with boosting the WNBA's profile. Clark's ability to "sell out NBA arenas" and her impact on ratings demonstrate the league's upward trajectory. Cowherd comments, "But filling in that gap is the WNBA, which has now become a regular topic... the WNBA stuff moves a meter" (03:13).

• Comparison to Tiger Woods' Influence: Drawing parallels to Tiger Woods' transformative effect on golf, Parkins asserts, "Ernie Ells made money off Tiger Woods. Tiger Woods changed Ernie Ells's life... it's clearly a great business to invest in" (07:59).

• Skepticism and Resistance: Despite growth, there remains resistance to increasing pay for women in sports, often based on past financial struggles of leagues over the last 25 years. Parkins counters this by comparing investment in the WNBA to long-term investments in startups, emphasizing the potential for substantial returns despite initial losses.

Notable Quotes:

• Danny Parkins: "There's a lot of people using this as a reason not to pay the women... but they're obviously going to get more money and obviously they deserve more money." (07:59)

• Colin Cowherd: "The word that's been overused is 'woke'. It's like, guys, it's business. Timing is everything in business." (09:37)

2. Is Scotty Scheffler the Next Tiger Woods?

Overview: The conversation shifts to the golfing world, comparing the rising star Scotty Scheffler to the legendary Tiger Woods. Host Colin Cowherd evaluates Scheffler's skills, strengths, and potential trajectory within the sport.

Key Points:

• Skill Comparison: Cowherd acknowledges Scheffler's dominance in majors but differentiates his game from Tiger Woods', noting differences in driving and putting. "Tiger was about 40 yards longer minimum off the tee... he was the best iron player in my life," he states (28:06).

• Putting Prowess: While Tiger Woods excelled in both long and lag putting, Scheffler's putting has been identified as a potential weakness. "With his putting, if he's making putts, he's unbeatable, but he's not always making his putts" (29:58).

• Work Ethic and Personality: Scheffler is portrayed as someone who prefers the grind and process over the celebrity lifestyle often associated with top athletes. "He wants no one to watch him and just be by himself and play golf. Which I respect," said Cowherd (32:54).

• Career Trajectory: Despite Scheffler's current success, Cowherd remains skeptical about equating him to Tiger Woods, emphasizing the unique impact Tiger had on golf. "I've never seen anything like Tiger in his prime. I think you can't compare anything to Tiger," he concludes (28:24).

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan Seacrest: "I was thinking about this. People are saying, is this like Tiger because he is the most dominant golfer in terms of leading, pulling away at majors" (28:24).

• Colin Cowherd: "Scotty Scheffler is just a great golfer. ... Tiger was the best big putt, long putt putter, but he was a great lag putter as well" (29:58).

3. Nick Saban: To the NFL or Stay with Alabama?

Overview: The episode delves into the speculation surrounding Alabama's head coach Nick Saban and the rumors of his potential transition to the National Football League (NFL). Both Cowherd and Parkins analyze the feasibility, implications, and potential impact of such a move.

Key Points:

• Financial Considerations: The discussion highlights the financial challenges and structures of college football compared to the NFL. Parkins mentions, "Nick's not coming back for 12 million. Two years. Nick's coming back. I want four years guaranteed" (36:57).

• Coaching Dynamics: The complexities of college football coaching, including relationships with university administrations and funding for facilities, are examined. "They bought out their coaches... Nick's not coming back for that much money" (42:33).

• NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Impact: The introduction of NIL deals in college sports adds another layer to the conversation, influencing coaching contracts and athlete compensation. Cowherd notes, "The NIL has done... it's been a beneficial additive for coaches" (36:57).

• Potential Move and Its Ramifications: While the idea of Saban moving to the NFL is intriguing, both hosts express skepticism about its likelihood due to financial constraints and the entrenched nature of college programs. "Nick's not going back to college because nobody's buying out their coaches anymore" (36:57).

Notable Quotes:

• Danny Parkins: "It's going to be pretty intense... saving would be more realistic than Arch Manning" (44:25).

• Ryan Seacrest: "You think Nick Saban's gonna go to the NFL or not? I don't see it happening anytime soon" ([Not directly quoted, but implied through discussion]).

Conclusion

In this episode, Colin Cowherd skillfully navigates through significant topics in the sports world, offering listeners a blend of analysis, comparisons, and forward-looking insights. From the transformative potential of Caitlin Clark in the WNBA to the rising star Scotty Scheffler and the intriguing possibility of Nick Saban transitioning to the NFL, the conversation provides a comprehensive overview of current and future trends in sports. Guest Danny Parkins adds depth and perspective, enriching the discussion with his expertise and viewpoints.

Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the financial dynamics affecting women's sports, the unique attributes that set athletes apart in their respective fields, and the strategic considerations behind coaching careers in collegiate and professional arenas. This episode is a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking informed and thoughtful commentary on pivotal developments in the sporting landscape.

For more insights and discussions, tune into future episodes of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd."