Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1: The Return of Caitlin Clark Release Date: June 16, 2025

Introduction

In the premiere hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, Colin Cowherd and co-host Jason McIntyre delve into a range of compelling sports topics, with a special focus on the electrifying return of Caitlin Clark. The episode navigates through pivotal moments in the WNBA, controversial NBA officiating, significant trades, and intriguing developments in the NFL, all while providing insightful commentary and spirited debates.

1. The Phenomenal Return of Caitlin Clark

The episode kicks off with an in-depth discussion about Caitlin Clark's remarkable performance in the WNBA, which has reignited interest and elevated league ratings significantly.

• Caitlin Clark's Impact: Colin Cowherd highlights Clark's exceptional skills, stating, "Caitlin Clark in 38 seconds. I don't know what second place is. That's the greatest 38 seconds in WNBA history" (10:15). Clark's ability to shoot consecutive 33, 31, and 27-foot three-pointers is drawing unprecedented attention to the league.

• Ratings Surge: The hosts note a 55% drop in WNBA ratings when Clark missed five games, emphasizing her role as a marquee player. Colin remarks, "She's the biggest basketball star in the world. Not named LeBron." (11:30)

• Historical Comparisons: Comparing Clark's performance to legendary sports moments, Colin draws parallels to Kobe Bryant's 81-point game and Michael Jordan's iconic plays, underscoring the historical significance of her feats.

• Fan Engagement: Jason McIntyre shares a personal anecdote, mentioning how Clark's performance captivated his daughter, a basketball player, illustrating Clark's broad appeal across different audiences.

2. NBA Officiating Controversies: Scott Foster Under Scrutiny

A significant portion of the discussion centers around recent controversial calls by NBA referee Scott Foster, particularly in high-stakes games.

• Controversial Call Analysis: Colin critiques a specific play where Scott Foster’s officiating was questioned, stating, "If you didn't have the Pacers +6, like I get, people are upset, but this whole thing about Scott Foster, the league's out to get him." (51:27). He defends Foster by comparing the call to historical NBA plays, suggesting that similar iconic moments weren't called differently.

• Historical Context: By referencing Michael Jordan's play against Brian Russell and Kevin Durant's situations, Colin argues that high-profile referees often face undue criticism during pivotal moments, emphasizing consistency in how such calls are perceived.

• Expert Opinions: Colin cites Rick Carlisle, a respected figure in basketball, who attests to Scott Foster’s professionalism, reinforcing the argument that Foster’s officiating should not be unfairly maligned.

3. Strategic NBA Trades: Orlando Magic's Bold Moves

The conversation shifts to the NBA trade landscape, particularly focusing on the Orlando Magic's recent trade with Memphis.

• Trade Details: Jason McIntyre outlines Orlando's acquisition of Desmond Bain, noting the significant exchange of multiple first-round picks for a player capable of enhancing their three-point shooting. "Desmond Bain is a good player. He's aggressive, he's big, he's strong," Jason emphasizes (23:36).

• Team Dynamics: Colin and Jason discuss how this trade signals Orlando's intent to rebuild and strengthen their roster, positioning Bain as a pivotal addition to compete at higher levels.

• Future Projections: Both hosts express optimism about Orlando's trajectory, predicting that the team will emerge as a formidable contender in the upcoming seasons, leveraging their core players and strategic acquisitions.

4. NFL Contract Dynamics: Micah Parsons and the Defensive Line Market

Shifting gears to the NFL, the hosts examine the complexities surrounding contracts for defensive players, with a spotlight on Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys.

• Contract Negotiations: Colin discusses Parsons' stance on contract extensions, highlighting the bottleneck effect where multiple high-profile players seek lucrative deals simultaneously. "Parsons says the longer it goes, the more it's going to cost Dallas," he explains (24:24).

• Market Scarcity: Both Colin and Jason analyze the scarcity of elite interior defensive linemen compared to edge rushers, arguing that the market dynamics make players like Jalen Carter and Aaron Donald exceptionally valuable.

• Strategic Insights: The discussion includes an exploration of how teams prioritize contracts based on positional scarcity and long-term strategy, suggesting that Dallas may need to navigate complex negotiations to retain top talent without compromising their financial flexibility.

5. NFL Player Developments: Travis Kelce’s Weight Loss and Shadour Sanders’ Potential

The episode also touches on notable NFL player stories, including Travis Kelce’s impressive weight loss and the rising prominence of Shadour Sanders.

• Travis Kelce’s Transformation: Colin speculates on the methods behind Kelce’s reported 25-pound weight loss, proposing that it’s a strategic move to regain speed and agility essential for his role. *"He looked at his film and thought, 'I have lost a step,'" * Colin theorizes (29:02).

• Shadour Sanders’ Emergence: Jason introduces Shadour Sanders, a fourth-string quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, noting his impressive performance in minicamps. "He was historically accurate in college," Colin comments, suggesting that Sanders' ability to translate college success to NFL potential warrants attention (30:48).

6. Major League Baseball: Red Sox’ Trade and Ownership Strategies

In the realm of Major League Baseball, the discussion focuses on the Boston Red Sox's recent trade of Rafael Devers and the broader implications of ownership strategies.

• Rafael Devers’ Trade: Colin explains the circumstances leading to Devers’ trade, citing conflicts with management and Devers' desire to play first base as key factors. "He threatened to ask for a trade in spring training," he states (45:19).

• Ownership Portfolio: The hosts analyze Owner John Henry’s diverse sports portfolio, including investments in Liverpool FC and RFK Racing, and how these assets influence team decisions. Colin remarks, "John Henry keeps building up this portfolio," highlighting the strategic prioritization of assets based on profitability and growth potential.

• Fan Loyalty and Messaging: Colin draws parallels between sports loyalty and consumer behavior, arguing that Red Sox fans continue to support the team despite trades, sending a resilient message to ownership. "The message Red Sox fans are sending is, it doesn't matter," he concludes (51:24).

Conclusion

In this inaugural episode, Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre provide a comprehensive and engaging exploration of significant sports narratives, anchored by the standout performance of Caitlin Clark. Through thoughtful analysis and spirited discussion, the hosts offer listeners valuable insights into the dynamics shaping today's sports landscape, from basketball and football to baseball.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd on Caitlin Clark: "Caitlin Clark in 38 seconds. I don't know what second place is. That's the greatest 38 seconds in WNBA history." (10:15)

• Colin Cowherd on WNBA Ratings: "She's totally unique and totally transcendent." (11:00)

• Jason McIntyre on Scott Foster's Calls: "He was 6'6, 195. This looks worse because he trips over SGA's feet." (52:28)

• Colin Cowherd on Officiating Consistency: "Let stars play. That's why they put Scott Foster in these moments." (51:24)

• Jason McIntyre on Orlando Magic's Trade: "Desmond Bain is gonna give you 19, 20, 21 points a game." (23:36)

Timestamps

• 00:00 – 12:50: Advertisements and introductory segments.
• 12:50 – 45:19: Main content covering Caitlin Clark, NBA trades, WNBA ratings, NFL contract discussions.
• 45:19 – 51:27: Major League Baseball insights focusing on the Red Sox.
• 51:27 – 52:31: Continued discussion on Scott Foster’s officiating.
• 52:31 – 45:35: Final thoughts on trades and upcoming sports events.
• Throughout: Intermittent advertisements interspersed with main content.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, and outros as per the request, focusing solely on the substantive sports discussions within the episode.