Podcast Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode: Hour 1 - LeBron James Took the Money
Release Date: July 22, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Colin delves into a variety of hot topics centered around sports, with a particular focus on LeBron James's career decisions, comparisons between LeBron and Michael Jordan, NFL team management, college football program valuations, and highlights from Major League Baseball. The discussion is enriched with insights from co-host Jason McIntyre, creating a dynamic and engaging conversation for sports enthusiasts.

LeBron James and the Lakers-Dallas Scenario

Timestamp: 07:45

Colin kicks off the main discussion by addressing rumors and speculations surrounding LeBron James's contract negotiations and potential team moves. According to The Athletic and analytical commentator John Hollinger, there were whispers that LeBron was considering a move to the Dallas Lakers but ultimately decided against it due to financial and contractual disagreements.

Colin Cowherd [07:45]: "LeBron wasn't willing to leave $52 million on the table for a mid-level exemption. So don't think about that. LeBron's a billionaire."

Key Points:

• Financial Decisions: LeBron chose not to accept a mid-level exception, opting to remain with the Lakers despite the lucrative offer.

• Comparison with Michael Jordan: Colin argues that while LeBron is immensely successful, Michael Jordan remains a more influential and memorable figure in basketball.

  Colin Cowherd [10:15]: "Michael's richer, more memorable, bigger brand, and he makes you feel something while LeBron doesn't."

• Impact on Team Dynamics: The potential move to Dallas was seen as a strategic decision, potentially offering a better team structure and championship opportunities compared to the current state of the Lakers.

Comparing LeBron James and Michael Jordan

Timestamp: 12:30

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to comparing LeBron James with Michael Jordan, emphasizing the enduring legacy and brand power of Jordan over LeBron's current standing.

Colin Cowherd [13:00]: "MJ is six for six...MJ is more romanticized."

Key Points:

• Brand and Memorability: Michael Jordan's brand, symbolized by the iconic Jordan logo, continues to surpass LeBron's in terms of global recognition and emotional impact.

  Colin Cowherd [16:45]: "MJ still sells more shoes than LeBron."

• Performance Under Pressure: While LeBron is praised for his consistent performance, Jordan's legendary plays and clutch moments are highlighted as unparalleled.

  Colin Cowherd [18:30]: "There are a dozen plays to this day that you close your eyes and think about and you can see Michael Jordan do it... LeBron, at this point, he's never going to catch him."

• Net Worth and Business Ventures: Although both are billionaires, Jordan's net worth ($3.5 billion) dwarfs LeBron's ($1 billion), reinforcing the argument of Jordan's superior business acumen and brand legacy.

NFL Team Management: The Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals

Timestamp: 23:00

Colin shifts focus to NFL team management, specifically critiquing the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals' strategic decisions and organizational efficiency.

Dallas Cowboys:

• Drafting and Free Agency Issues: The Cowboys have struggled with drafting effectively and have been criticized for overpaying for good players while failing to secure key free agents.

  Colin Cowherd [26:10]: "The Cowboys have had bad drafts and worse trades. They gave D-Hop away for a bag of Doritos. It was brutal."

• Lack of Conference Appearances: The Cowboys haven't reached a conference championship game since 1995, highlighting ongoing organizational issues.

  Colin Cowherd [26:45]: "The Cowboys haven't been to a conference championship game since 1995."

Cincinnati Bengals:

• Contract Negotiations: The Bengals' protracted negotiations with Trey Hendrickson have raised concerns about the franchise's management and financial strategies.

  Colin Cowherd [25:44]: "Joe Burrow last year was consistently unhappy with the franchise... the Bengals cheapness."

• Impact on Team Morale: The handling of contracts and organizational decisions has negatively affected key players like Joe Burrow, potentially limiting the team's competitiveness.

College Football Program Valuations

Timestamp: 28:00

The discussion pivots to college football, where Colin examines The Athletic's ranking of the top 25 most valuable college football programs, spotlighting the Texas Longhorns and criticizing the University of Southern California (USC) for underperforming relative to its market size.

Colin Cowherd [30:00]: "Texas drives $183 million in football revenue, while USC, located in a $19 trillion economy, drives less football revenue than Utah, Iowa, and Minnesota."

Key Points:

• Market Size vs. Passion: Contrary to popular belief, large market size does not always correlate with higher revenue; passion and program focus often trump sheer market size.

  Colin Cowherd [31:15]: "Passion trumps market size. Utah drives more revenue than USC despite being in a smaller market."

• Distractions and Political Environment: USC's highly political and distracted environment hampers its ability to generate substantial football revenue, despite being in Los Angeles, a major economic hub.

  Colin Cowherd [32:45]: "Donors and boosters with agendas and egos create a distracted environment that limits revenue generation."

• Comparative Performance: Other programs like the University of Texas and Alabama demonstrate how cohesive focus and strong organizational strategies lead to higher revenues and successful programs.

Major League Baseball Highlight: Shohei Ohtani's Historic Performance

Timestamp: 36:00

Shifting gears, Colin and Jason celebrate Shohei Ohtani's remarkable feat in Major League Baseball, where he became the first player since 1979 to give up a home run and hit a home run in the same inning.

Jason McIntyre [28:11]: "Shohei Ohtani leads the Dodgers against the Red Sox, making history with his unique dual-threat capability."

Key Points:

• Historic Achievement: Ohtani's ability to both pitch and hit at such a high level showcases his extraordinary talent and versatility.
• Team Impact: His performance was pivotal in securing a win for the Dodgers against the Minnesota Twins, highlighting his influence on the game's outcome.

Discussion on NFL Quarterback Drafting

Timestamp: 36:30

Colin offers his expertise on NFL quarterback drafting, expressing skepticism about the success rate of first-round wide receiver picks and emphasizing the critical nature of quarterback selections.

Colin Cowherd [36:49]: "Every time you try to validate your draft pick like the Jags with Blake Bortles or the Giants with Daniel Jones, that is when you get into trouble."

Key Points:

• Wide Receiver Busts: Over the past two decades, first-round wide receiver picks have resulted in more busts than any other position, leading Colin to advise against selecting them in the first round.

  Colin Cowherd [36:35]: "Wide receiver is an ego position. I'd almost never draft a wide receiver in the first round. Very few exceptions."

• Quarterback Importance: Quarterbacks hold immense value in the NFL, and selecting the wrong quarterback can severely impact a team's success, as illustrated by examples like Anthony Richardson and J.J. McCarthy.

  Colin Cowherd [36:55]: "If you're wrong at quarterback, shouldn't you just bail? Anthony Richardson is a great example... I just don't think it works."

Tom Brady's Reflection on Peyton Manning

Timestamp: 23:20

In a segment towards the end, Colin and Jason discuss Tom Brady's recent newsletter where Brady reflects on Peyton Manning as a significant influence and competitor throughout his career.

Jason McIntyre [23:17]: "Brady said, 'Now whenever I see him, all I can say is thank you.'"

Key Points:

• Inspirational Rivalry: Brady acknowledges how Peyton Manning inspired him to excel, highlighting the importance of rivalries in shaping athletic success.
• Missed Emotional Connection with LeBron: Colin contrasts Jordan's emotional impact with LeBron, suggesting that contemporary athletes like LeBron lack the same emotive resonance with fans.

Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with lighter advertisements and a brief recap of key segments, reinforcing the main discussions about sports management, athlete comparisons, and historic sports achievements.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd [10:15]: “MJ is six for six. MJ is more romanticized Michael Jordan.”
• Colin Cowherd [13:00]: “Michael's richer, more memorable, bigger brand, and he makes you feel something and LeBron doesn't.”
• Jason McIntyre [23:17]: “Brady referred to Peyton Manning as his enemy, adding, now whenever I see him, all I can say is thank you.”
• Colin Cowherd [36:35]: “Wide receiver is an ego position. I'd almost never draft a wide receiver in the first round. Very few exceptions.”

Conclusion

In this episode, Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre provide an in-depth analysis of high-profile sports topics, blending personal opinions with industry insights. From the intricacies of LeBron James's career choices to the strategic challenges facing NFL teams, and the unparalleled legacy of Michael Jordan, the discussion offers a comprehensive look into the current state and future of various sports landscapes.

Connect with The Herd:

• Live Broadcast: Weekdays on Fox Sports Radio, noon to 3 PM Eastern
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• Contact: herd@foxsportsradio.com