Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 2 - Ryan Day
Release Date: July 22, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the discussion delves deep into various facets of professional and collegiate sports. Host Colin Cowherd, along with guest Nick Wright and co-host J. Mac, navigates through topics ranging from NFL contract strategies to NBA trade speculations, and from Ohio State's football dynamics to the WNBA's ongoing negotiations. The conversation is rich with insights, expert opinions, and notable quotes that provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the current sports landscape.

1. NFL Draft Strategies and Contract Negotiations

Timestamp: 02:34 – 08:15

The episode kicks off with a critical analysis of the NFL draft and contract signing strategies, focusing primarily on the Cincinnati Bengals and their handling of star defensive end Micah Parsons.

• Colin Cowherd criticizes the Bengals' approach to contract negotiations, highlighting Jerry Jones' tendency to delay signing top draft picks. “The first rounders are all signed except guess what, the Cincinnati Bengals,” (02:34) Colin remarks, emphasizing the potential salary cap implications of such delays.

• He compares Parsons to other elite edge rushers like Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt, questioning whether Parsons' performance justifies the lucrative contracts they command. “Micah Parsons is an interesting one because I think he's really good, but I don't think he's T.J. Watt,” (04:50) Colin asserts, underscoring concerns about budget allocations.

• Nick Wright adds to the discussion by suggesting that teams should proactively identify and secure top talents early to maintain competitive advantage. He remarks, “You can identify them very early and just sign them like Jamar Chase,” (05:20) advocating for a more aggressive signing strategy to prevent budget inflation caused by market competition.

• The conversation also touches upon the broader implications for teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, who are managing high-profile players such as Saquon Barkley. Colin notes, “How do the Eagles afford Saquon Barkley? They're paying everybody,” (06:30), pointing out the financial strains of accommodating superstar contracts.

2. NBA Trade Speculations: LeBron James and the Dallas Mavericks

Timestamp: 08:15 – 19:52

Shifting gears to the NBA, Colin introduces a hot topic: the potential trade of LeBron James to the Dallas Mavericks. This segment features a robust exchange between Colin and Nick Wright.

• Colin Cowherd speculates on LeBron's possible move to Dallas, citing the team's depth and competitiveness. “I think Dallas competes for the championship,” (08:45) he states, suggesting that acquiring LeBron would require the Mavericks to part with significant assets.

• Nick Wright challenges Colin's perspective, expressing skepticism about the feasibility and wisdom of such a trade. “I think LeBron money thing to me is so wildly unfair,” (10:10) Nick argues, emphasizing LeBron's unparalleled status and the complexities of fitting him into a new team dynamic.

• The dialogue delves into player comparisons and the potential impact on team chemistry. Nick counters with concerns about Dallas's supporting cast and coaching strategies, questioning whether the Mavericks can effectively integrate a star of LeBron's caliber without disrupting their current framework.

• Further, Nick Wright critiques the notion that LeBron's presence alone could overshadow defensive deficiencies in teams like the Lakers. “So it's Lakers have a very mediocre defensive roster,” (14:25) he points out, arguing that LeBron's addition wouldn't compensate for existing team weaknesses.

3. College Football Focus: Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Team Dynamics

Timestamp: 25:09 – 42:43

The conversation transitions to collegiate sports, with a spotlight on Ohio State University's football program under Coach Ryan Day.

• Colin Cowherd commends Ryan Day's leadership, especially in the wake of losing 16 starters to the pros. “But ownership feels pretty hollow if you're not accomplishing in any industry what the standard you've set for yourself,” (26:57) Colin reflects on the pressures Day faces in maintaining team excellence.

• Ryan Day, presumably as a guest, discusses the challenges of integrating new players and building a cohesive team culture amidst significant turnover. “One of the biggest challenges this offseason was our team has to grow up,” (35:09) he shares, highlighting the necessity of fostering maturity and resilience among the new recruits.

• The discussion emphasizes the impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) on recruiting and team chemistry. Ryan Day elaborates on the strategies Ohio State employs to retain and develop talent, ensuring that new players adapt quickly to the team’s culture and performance standards.

• Colin Cowherd further explores the implications of NIL on team dynamics, questioning the balance between high school recruiting and the financial aspects introduced by third-party NIL deals. “What is the perfect balance to you on that?” (39:19) he asks, seeking insights into managing talent acquisition without compromising team unity.

4. WNBA Negotiations and Revenue Sharing

Timestamp: 28:17 – 42:43

Addressing professional women's sports, the episode delves into the WNBA's ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiations, focusing on revenue sharing and player compensation.

• J. Mac highlights the scale of the negotiations, noting that “reportedly 40 players went to a big meeting over the All-Star weekend to discuss the CBA and negotiations are at a standstill,” (28:25). The primary contention revolves around equitable revenue sharing comparable to other pro leagues.

• Colin Cowherd advocates for increased revenue shares, arguing that the WNBA, despite having fewer superstar players, sustains a strong fan base and merchandise sales driven by stars like Caitlin Clark. “They have a revenue share with the WNBA much more than I would give them like 30% of revenues, but they’re only getting 9%,” (31:09) Colin suggests, emphasizing the value players bring to the league.

• J. Mac expresses concerns about the feasibility of revenue sharing agreements, particularly in leagues where individual player contributions can fluctuate significantly. He compares it to other industries, stating, “A lot of people don't understand in the podcast space there's a lot of revenue sharing deals, but it's like, hey, I'm doing numbers,” (31:31), questioning the sustainability of such models in the WNBA.

• The dialogue underscores the leverage that high-performing players hold in negotiations, with Colin noting Caitlin Clark's influence on merchandise and viewership. “Caitlin Clark will never be a worse player and less recognized than now,” (32:39) he asserts, highlighting her pivotal role in the league's revenue streams.

5. Additional Insights and Closing Remarks

Timestamp: 42:43 – End

In the concluding segment, Colin wraps up the discussions by reflecting on the interconnectedness of various sports leagues and the overarching themes of talent management, financial strategies, and organizational adaptability.

• Colin Cowherd revisits the earlier topics, tying together insights from the NFL, NBA, college football, and WNBA discussions. He emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in contracts, the balance between talent acquisition and financial constraints, and the evolving landscape of sports negotiations influenced by factors like NIL.

• The episode concludes with a reflection on the dynamic nature of sports management, encouraging listeners to stay informed and engaged with the ever-changing facets of their favorite leagues and teams.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd (02:34): “The first rounders are all signed except guess what, the Cincinnati Bengals.”

• Colin Cowherd (04:50): “Micah Parsons is an interesting one because I think he's really good, but I don't think he's T.J. Watt.”

• Nick Wright (05:20): “You can identify them very early and just sign them like Jamar Chase.”

• Colin Cowherd (14:25): “So it's Lakers have a very mediocre defensive roster.”

• Colin Cowherd (26:57): “But ownership feels pretty hollow if you're not accomplishing in any industry what the standard you've set for yourself.”

• Colin Cowherd (31:09): “They have a revenue share with the WNBA much more than I would give them like 30% of revenues, but they’re only getting 9%.”

• Colin Cowherd (32:39): “Caitlin Clark will never be a worse player and less recognized than now.”

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a comprehensive exploration of current issues in professional and collegiate sports. From strategic contract negotiations in the NFL to speculative NBA trades, the challenges of building a resilient college football team, and the intricacies of WNBA negotiations, the discussion provides valuable insights for sports enthusiasts. Notable contributions from guest Nick Wright and co-host J. Mac enrich the conversation, making it a must-listen for those seeking an in-depth analysis of today's sports dynamics.