The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Title: Hour 1 - The Paul's Elevate & The Gains Stifle
Release Date: January 29, 2025

1. Introduction to Key Topics

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosts Kavino and Rich Davis dive into a range of hot topics dominating the sports landscape. From high-profile fights to NFL controversies and the significant influence of celebrities like Taylor Swift on major sporting events, the duo provides a comprehensive analysis enriched with personal anecdotes and listener feedback.

2. The Paul Brothers Fight Announcement

Timestamp: [11:55] - [22:46]

One of the standout discussions centers around the highly anticipated fight between Jake Paul and Logan Paul, scheduled to take place on March 27th on HBO Max. Kavino emphasizes the positive impact of this event on the boxing and fighting world:

Kavino [12:15]: "The biggest criticism about fighting and boxing especially is that you don't get the matchups that you want... Honestly, I think it lights a fire under other promoters and lights a fire under other boxers to be like, 'Yo, we're willing to fight each other.'"

Rich adds to the conversation by drawing parallels between influencer-driven fights and traditional boxing matchups:

Rich Davis [13:05]: "Logan Paul, Jake Paul… It's going to be significantly bigger and huge. It's embarrassing to say this, but far bigger than Usyk Fury, far bigger than Canelo or whoever he's fighting next."

The hosts argue that the willingness of the Paul brothers to engage in such spectacles might inspire real fighters and promoters to organize more genuine and competitive matches, potentially revitalizing the sport.

3. NFL Referee Bias Discussion

Timestamp: [08:35] - [10:42]

Kavino and Rich delve into the ongoing debate about potential favoritism of NFL referees towards the Kansas City Chiefs. Rich criticizes the notion of referees being biased:

Rich Davis [09:21]: "I very rarely think conspiracies are real because I think if there was any truth behind it, people are such, honestly, sleuths, such big mouths that you want to be able to keep big secrets."

Kavino weighs in by acknowledging the possibility but remains skeptical:

Kavino [09:35]: "So I don't think games are rigged. Do I think people could be paid off and it's possible that calls are going their way? Yeah, I do think it's possible because we saw it on a very high level already."

The discussion touches upon the Tim Donaghy scandal in the NBA as a reference point, exploring the implications of potential biases in officiating and their broader impact on the integrity of the games.

4. Taylor Swift's Influence on the NFL

Timestamp: [32:17] - [38:58]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to analyzing Taylor Swift's role in elevating the Kansas City Chiefs' brand value. Kavino highlights the staggering financial impact Swift has had:

Kavino [33:05]: "Front Office Sports recently reported Swift has created a brand value of $331.5 million for the Chiefs in the NFL."

Rich humorously critiques the NFL's relationship with Swift, pondering whether she should pay for premium seating given her substantial contribution:

Rich Davis [34:27]: "Should Taylor Swift have to pay for her suite? Because if she really is generating hundreds of millions of dollars, then shouldn't it be like, Ms. Swift, right this way."

The hosts debate the fairness and business logic behind celebrity perks, especially when such figures significantly boost the financial and popular appeal of sporting events like the Super Bowl. They also discuss the broader implications of celebrity influence on sports marketing and fan engagement.

5. Super Bowl Preparations and Hosting

Timestamp: [30:42] - [37:26]

As the Super Bowl approaches, Kavino and Rich discuss live fight coverage from Vegas and upcoming events leading into the Super Bowl week in New Orleans. They express excitement about covering the Benavidez vs. Moral fight and Pitbull Cruz's defense against Stephen Fulton:

Kavino [30:53]: "We're going to be there bringing it to you live interviews on Friday. So join us Friday from Vegas leading into the fight and then we head straight to New Orleans for a week of Super Bowl fun here on Fox Sports Radio."

The hosts also touch upon the logistics and expectations surrounding the Super Bowl, including ticket pricing and potential halftime show performers, setting the stage for their live coverage and analysis.

6. Sports Updates and News

Timestamp: [39:03] - [41:37]

Kavino and Rich provide a roundup of recent sports news, covering updates from the NFL, NBA, and MLB. Highlights include:

• NFL: The New Orleans Saints continue their search for a head coach, the Cowboys hire former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus as their defensive coordinator, and the Patriots release Brian Belichick.

• NBA: Discussion about De'Aaron Fox's trade rumors involving the San Antonio Spurs and speculation about future free agency movements.

• MLB: Deliberation over Pete Alonso's potential move and the dynamics between MLB owners and player agents.

Rich humorously brings up NBA retirements, mentioning Andre Iguodala's jersey retirement by the Golden State Warriors:

Rich Davis [40:33]: "Golden State Warriors will retire Andre Iguodala's number nine jersey on February 23rd when they host the Warriors."

These updates provide listeners with a concise overview of the latest happenings across major sports leagues, ensuring they are well-informed ahead of key events like the Super Bowl and spring training.

7. Personal Anecdotes and Humor

Timestamp: [49:13] - [53:58]

The hosts engage in light-hearted banter, sharing humorous personal stories and creating inside jokes. Notable moments include:

• M&M’s Joke: Rich brings M&M's to the show, leading to a running joke about "green M&M’s" being an aphrodisiac, which Kavino and Rich playfully debate.

Kavino [49:18]: "That's got to be racist."
Rich Davis [50:04]: "But that is the question. And if you want to talk good business, the way Rich broke it down, it seems unfair, but that's how the world works."

• Charity Boxing Match: Rich recounts almost organizing a charity boxing match with Spot, which he humorously reflects on after Spot's serious health scare.

Rich Davis [50:23]: "Imagine if we would have had, like, a charity boxing match, and I'd be laughing down... that would have been awful."

These segments add a personal and relatable touch to the episode, balancing the serious discussions with moments of levity and camaraderie between the hosts.

8. Upcoming Show Features

Timestamp: [53:34] - [55:03]

As the episode progresses, Kavino and Rich announce upcoming segments and interactive features for their listeners:

• Mahomes Showtime Trivia: Listeners have the opportunity to participate in trivia games with prizes such as stainless steel water bottles and Swiggy gift cards.

Rich Davis [53:34]: "Coming up, we got Mahomes Showtime trivia. We're going to give away a Kavino enrich Fox Sports Radio stainless steel water bottle, a Swiggy."

• Listener Engagement: The hosts encourage audience participation through phone calls and feedback, fostering a community-oriented atmosphere.

9. Study on Sports Viewership

Timestamp: [50:10] - [51:52]

Kavino introduces a study exploring how different demographics engage with sports compared to other forms of entertainment like movies and TV shows. The discussion highlights:

Rich Davis [51:52]: "A new study about how we are all watching sports. And it's interesting because I subscribe to this when I'm watching movies and shows, but sports? I'm going to say, no way."

The hosts examine the evolving landscape of sports consumption, considering factors like digital streaming and the increasing overlap between sports and entertainment sectors.

10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [50:10] - [53:58]

In wrapping up the episode, Kavino and Rich reflect on the interplay between celebrity influence, sports marketing, and the integrity of sporting events. They emphasize the importance of embracing new trends while maintaining the authenticity of sports competitions.

Kavino [52:58]: "So that's the update. Is it going to happen? Esther saying. March 27, HBO Max. Jake Paul versus Rand Paul."

Rich Davis [53:34]: "Coming up, we got Mahomes Showtime trivia. We're going to give away a Kavino enrich Fox Sports Radio stainless steel water bottle, a Swiggy."

The hosts reiterate their commitment to delivering insightful and entertaining content, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for future episodes filled with in-depth analysis and engaging discussions.

Notable Quotes

• Kavino [12:15]: "The biggest criticism about fighting and boxing especially is that you don't get the matchups that you want... Honestly, I think it lights a fire under other promoters and lights a fire under other boxers to be like, 'Yo, we're willing to fight each other.'"

• Rich Davis [13:05]: "Logan Paul, Jake Paul… It's going to be significantly bigger and huge. It's embarrassing to say this, but far bigger than Usyk Fury, far bigger than Canelo or whoever he's fighting next."

• Rich Davis [34:27]: "Should Taylor Swift have to pay for her suite? Because if she really is generating hundreds of millions of dollars, then shouldn't it be like, Ms. Swift, right this way."

• Kavino [33:05]: "Front Office Sports recently reported Swift has created a brand value of $331.5 million for the Chiefs in the NFL."

Conclusion

In Hour 1 - The Paul's Elevate & The Gains Stifle, Kavino and Rich Davis adeptly navigate through a myriad of sports topics, delivering a blend of serious analysis and entertaining banter. From the impactful Paul brothers' fight to the intricate dynamics of NFL officiating and celebrity influence, this episode offers listeners a thorough and engaging exploration of current sports narratives.