Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 1 - Another Mistake by the WNBA
Release Date: July 9, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd is a thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.

Introduction

The episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd dives deep into the recent missteps within the WNBA, explores significant NBA contract decisions, and touches upon the excitement surrounding the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Hosted by Doug Gottlieb in Colin Cowherd's stead, the discussion is both engaging and insightful, providing listeners with a comprehensive analysis of current sports narratives.

1. WNBA's Strategic Missteps and Player Marginalization

Discussion Points:

• Caitlin Clark's Dominance: The WNBA experiences a surge in popularity primarily due to Caitlin Clark's exceptional performance. However, this rise has led to unintended consequences within the league's dynamics.

• Marginalization of Other Players: Players like Sabrina Unescu and Kelsey Plum, despite their collegiate success and contributions to the WNBA, have not received comparable recognition to Clark. This imbalance raises questions about the league's promotional strategies.

• 2K Video Game Representation: The introduction of a WNBA version in the popular NBA 2K franchise, featuring Angel Reese instead of Caitlin Clark, is seen as a deliberate move to shift focus away from Clark. This decision has sparked debates about the league's intentions and the portrayal of its star players.

Notable Quotes:

• Doug Gottlieb reflects on the situation:

  "[...] the WNBA's sudden rise in popularity is because of Caitlin Clark. And we can get into the reasons why I love the people that fall on the race aspect of it." [06:00]

• On the 2K representation issue:

  "The WNBA forcing us to take on Angel Reese as some sort of rival to Caitlin Clark makes it feel icky." [08:30]

Analysis: Doug Gottlieb posits that the WNBA may be attempting to dilute Caitlin Clark's impact by promoting other players, possibly stemming from underlying tensions or feelings of being "scorned" by mainstream media and fans. This strategy, whether intentional or not, undermines the efforts to elevate the entire league by focusing on its most talented players.

2. NBA Contract Spotlight: Chet Holmgren's Max Contract with Oklahoma City Thunder

Discussion Points:

• Contract Details: Chet Holmgren, after a promising but injury-shortened season, agrees to a max contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This decision has significant implications for the team's future prospects.

• Health and Performance Concerns: Holmgren's health remains a primary concern, especially after a severe injury that sidelined him for an extended period last season.

• Team Dynamics and Future Prospects: With Holmgren's commitment, the Thunder's ability to build a competitive team around him is analyzed, alongside the potential impact of other rising stars like Jalen Williams.

Notable Quotes:

• On Holmgren's impact and health:

  "The big thing is, can he stay healthy?" [27:54]

• Discussing roster depth:

  "When you're talking 50 million or whatever, you'd want him, you know, 18, 19 per game, maybe like a 38% at least three-point shooter and more of a supplementary score." [28:00]

Analysis: The decision to secure Holmgren with a max contract reflects the Thunder's commitment to building around a young and versatile talent. However, concerns about his health and consistent performance pose risks. The conversation also touches on the broader strategy of maintaining team depth and ensuring that key players can thrive without overburdening the salary cap.

3. NBA Summer League Frenzy: Las Vegas Games and Player Highlights

Discussion Points:

• Opening Night Showdown: The Lakers' participation in the Summer League against the Dallas Mavericks, featuring Bronny James, garners significant attention due to the high-profile players and the Las Vegas setting.

• Ticketing and Fan Engagement: The Summer League in Las Vegas is highlighted as an impressive event, with record-breaking ticket prices and packed arenas, signaling growing fan interest and investment in these exhibition games.

• Player Performances: Notable performances, such as Chet Holmgren's standout game against Jokic and his subsequent injury against Andrew Wiggins, are discussed, emphasizing their implications for the players' seasons ahead.

Notable Quotes:

• On the excitement of Summer League opening night:

  "It was an impressive event for the league in general." [39:46]

• Reflecting on Holmgren's performance and injury:

  "He outplayed Jokic with like 25, 14, and five blocks. Then he breaks his hip and he's out for six weeks." [28:00]

Analysis: The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas serves as a platform for emerging talents and established players to showcase their skills. The high-profile matchups and fan engagement indicate a growing interest in these events, which could have lasting impacts on player careers and team strategies moving forward.

4. Organizational Strategies and Player Management in the NBA

Discussion Points:

• LeBron James and the Lakers' Future: Rich Paul's statement about LeBron's desire to win championships and his recent contract extension with the Lakers raises questions about the franchise's long-term plans and title aspirations.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo's Commitment to Milwaukee: Giannis's current stance suggests he may remain with the Bucks longer term, yet uncertainties persist regarding the team's ability to build a championship-contending roster around him.

• Dallas Cowboys and NFL Contract Management: Parallel discussions touch upon NFL strategies, specifically the Dallas Cowboys' handling of Micah Parsons' contract and the broader implications for team performance and salary cap management.

Notable Quotes:

• On LeBron's organizational shifts:

  "He's feeling a level of organizational, philosophical shift to a patient, longer-term, Luka Doncic related approach." [33:12]

• On Giannis's future with the Bucks:

  "For now, it seems Giannis will be in Milwaukee, but that does seem like it's a temporary thing." [38:19]

Analysis: Organizational decisions regarding star players like LeBron and Giannis play a crucial role in shaping team dynamics and championship potentials. Similarly, the Cowboys' approach to managing top talents like Micah Parsons reflects broader trends in sports management, where balancing star contracts with team performance remains a critical challenge.

5. Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up with a brief overview of ongoing sports news, including the Dodgers' performance and upcoming NBA West Coast games. Doug Gottlieb emphasizes the importance of understanding the broader context of team performances and contract decisions, urging listeners to adopt a more informed and strategic perspective as sports seasons progress.

Notable Quotes:

• On Dodgers' season outlook:

  "It's all about the bigger picture of the entire baseball season. They'll be fine." [48:11]

• Reflecting on sports management strategies:

  "What we need to do to be smarter sports fans is don't act like he's gonna go somewhere else because he wants to." [51:22]

Final Thoughts: Doug Gottlieb's nuanced discussions provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the complexities within professional sports leagues. By addressing both on-field performances and behind-the-scenes management decisions, the episode offers a comprehensive look at the current state of the WNBA and NBA, encouraging a more critical and informed fanbase.

Highlighted Quotes:

• Doug Gottlieb on WNBA Player Dynamics:

  "Hell hath no wrath like a woman scorned." [08:00]

• On Player Health Impacting Contracts:

  "Can he stay healthy and can he regain confidence in his shooting?" [27:54]

• Summer League Excitement:

  "It's an impressive event for the league in general." [39:46]

• Organizational Shifts in the Lakers:

  "He's feeling a level of organizational, philosophical shift." [33:12]

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode "Hour 1 - Another Mistake by the WNBA," providing a thorough overview for both dedicated listeners and newcomers to The Herd with Colin Cowherd.