Podcast Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Joe and Jada - Rich Paul on LeBron-Jordan, Jay-Z vs. Terror Squad Rucker Blackout Game & Adele
Date: January 6, 2026
Guests: Fat Joe, Jada, and Rich Paul

Overview

This episode is a vibrant, humorous, and at times deeply introspective roundtable featuring superstar sports agent Rich Paul alongside hip-hop luminaries Fat Joe and Jadakiss (Jada). The trio banter about everything from street survival to sneaker culture, the music business, the legendary “Rucker blackout” game, what it takes to manage talent, the business of legacy, and perhaps most hotly, the LeBron vs. Jordan GOAT debate. Rich Paul opens up about his career, his relationship with LeBron James, partnerships, navigating fame, and being “unbothered” by public scrutiny.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Entering the Podcast Game (01:00–02:40)

• Rich Paul and Max Kellerman’s New Show:
  • Rich shares how he and Max Kellerman are launching a “game over” type show, bridging LA and New York perspectives with a focus on authenticity and preparation.
  • He describes himself as a rookie in the podcast/audio-visual world, excited to do something new and meaningful.
    • Quote [01:47]: “It’s Max who’s a professional, and then it’s me, who don’t exist in that world... when I focus on something, I really put the time in... you can’t play with the business like that.” — Rich Paul

2. Barbershop Banter, Business, and Grievances (03:04–05:25)

• The group exchanges playful jabs about loyalty, sharpness, and unpaid debts over music collaborations.
• Fat Joe jokes about Rich Paul’s confidence in dating icons, comparing him to Jermaine Dupri with Janet Jackson, asking how "little guys" approach superstars.
  • Quote [05:34]: “We don’t really do the choosing. You get chose.” — Rich Paul

3. LeBron James and the ‘Cannot Be Traded’ Narrative (06:35–09:32)

• Jada prompts Rich Paul to clarify LeBron's contractual situation.
• Rich explains LeBron has a no-trade clause and, beyond that, his impact on the court remains top-tier across four positions, challenging narratives that he needs to “fit in.”
  • Quote [08:24]: “You don’t play with sciatica... Now you can’t be traded—has a no-trade clause. And even if you wanted to trade, it’s just... people say the craziest things.” — Rich Paul

4. Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James: The GOAT Debate (09:34–13:54)

• Fat Joe pushes for Rich’s take: Is LeBron better than Jordan?
• Rich artfully dodges outright, framing it as “all three—Kobe, LeBron, Mike—go to the top floor,” but presses Joe on what rooms Jordan can enter that LeBron can’t.
  • Quote [11:16]: “What room can Mike go in that LeBron can’t?” — Rich Paul
  • Quote [13:54]: “I’m talking about the top floor. There’s a key that take you all—Kobe’s go there. LeBron’s go there. Mike—they all go to that floor.” — Rich Paul

5. Rich Paul's Business Evolution and New Balance Partnership (14:52–18:34)

• Rich explains his unique partnership with New Balance, starting with Darius Bazley’s million-dollar internship, disrupting traditional endorsement deals.
• “Why can’t a CEO have a shoe?” leads to his own successful sneaker line with New Balance, driven by authenticity and alignment with his personal story.
  • Quote [17:00]: "It’s all around being unbothered... Critics, opinions, naysayers, people that stay talking but never really did anything...” — Rich Paul

6. The Mechanics and Philosophy of Agency (18:48–23:27)

• Rich emphasizes gratitude to LeBron for opening doors but prides himself on building independence and scale—he now represents over 600 clients in basketball, football, baseball, and beyond.
• He outlines the critical mindset shift from chasing "the bag" (money) to focusing on market disruption and positioning as the path to lasting success.
  • Quote [20:40]: "You gotta focus on the disruption of an industry that’s gonna bring all the bags... the bag is the position." — Rich Paul

7. Lessons in Money: Flipping vs. Compounding (28:22–29:12)

• The cultural evolution from a “flip” mentality (quick profit) to a “compound” mindset (long-term growth).
• Quote [28:22]: “You come from a flip environment, not a compounding environment... it’s a totally different mentality.” — Rich Paul
• Quote [28:45]: "Flipping is: I have $10, I wanna make $20. Compounding: I have $10, I put it away for ten years, it becomes $100K." — Rich Paul

8. Navigating Friends, Loyalty, and ‘Bums’ (32:15–37:40)

• Rich and Joe candidly discuss knowing your personnel—who’s qualified and loyal, and the difficult but necessary act of cutting off “bums”: people who won’t work or squander every opportunity.
• Memorable Moment: Fat Joe’s street tales about giving people chances, learning the hard way that some will always be bums, no matter what.

9. On Giving Advice & Managing Talent (39:30–44:14)

• Joe and Rich get into when—and whether—you can intervene in a friend or client’s personal relationships.
• They agree it's hard for even trusted mentors to steer young superstars, and sometimes wisdom only lands years later.
  • Quote [41:40]: “If you see your friend’s wife doing something you don’t like—stay out of that. They’re gonna make up. Now you’re the bad guy.” — Fat Joe

10. The Realities of the Rap Game & Survival (44:14–46:22)

• Commentary on today's rap landscape: illusion of success, survival rate, and advice for aspiring artists.
• Joe notes how many chase rap or hoop dreams with little chance of making it, and why he tries to keep it real with young hopefuls.

11. Jay-Z vs. Terror Squad at the Rucker Blackout Game (46:38–51:59)

• Spirited recounting of the legendary blackout at the Rucker Park showdown, with Rich, Joe, and Jada reliving who was actually present, the mythical LeBron drop-50 performance that never happened, and Jay-Z’s team vs. Fat Joe’s squad.
• Memorable Moment [47:40+]: Both sides playfully argue about who would’ve really won, with Rich Paul claiming, “I was there, the blackout. We flew in, Bron’s gonna drop 50 on your team.”
• References to the party scene in Cancun and loyalty to DJ SNS and other figures from that era.

12. Giving Back & Community Roots (53:43–56:48)

• Rich speaks earnestly about giving back through education and opportunity, not just charity.
  • Quote [53:47]: “There’s helpful and there’s impactful. Passing out turkeys, that’s helpful... Impactful is creating opportunities." — Rich Paul
• Fat Joe shares a personal story about his father’s only compliment coming from community service, highlighting the broader meaning of legacy.

13. Closing Reflections — Staying "Unbothered" and Non-Traditional (57:25–end)

• The hosts and Rich reflect on being authentic, disruptive, and "shooting from the hip." Rich notes their format is nothing like the generic, scripted podcasters.
• Multiple inside jokes about sneakers, fashion choices ("quarter zippers"), generational style, and even physical ailments.
• End-of-show camaraderie about gift-giving, their triumphant impacts on music, sports, and media.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Rich Paul on dating icons:
  “We don’t really do the choosing. You get chose.” [05:34]
• On LeBron’s status:
  “You don’t play with sciatica... He can’t be traded, has a no-trade clause. Even if wanted to trade—it’s just... people say the craziest things.” [08:24]
• Joe on street-level leadership:
  “A bum is a bum. If you gave ’em the most money in the world, they’ll still be a bum. There's nothing you can do to change them.” [36:31]
• On money and wealth:
  “Compounding is, I have $10. I put that $10 away—don’t touch it for ten years—and that $10 becomes, let’s say, $100 grand.” [28:45]
• On giving back:
  “Impactfulness is being able to create things that provide opportunities. You also give back through education, too.” [53:47]
• Rucker Park Blackout Myth:
  “I was there, the blackout. We flew in, Bron’s gonna drop 50 on your team.” — Rich Paul [46:40]

Timestamp Guide for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------|-------------| | Rich on Podcast Launch | 01:00–02:40 | | LeBron No-Trade & Legacy | 06:35–09:32 | | MJ vs. LeBron (GOAT Debate) | 09:34–13:54 | | New Balance, Darius Bazley Story | 14:52–18:34 | | The Agency Philosophy & Client Roster | 18:48–23:27 | | Money: Flip vs. Compound | 28:22–29:12 | | Friends, Loyalty, and "Bums" | 32:15–37:40 | | Mentoring Talent Do's and Don'ts | 39:30–44:14 | | Rucker Park "Blackout" Revisited | 46:38–51:59 | | Giving Back | 53:43–56:48 | | Non-traditional Podcasting | 57:25–end |

Tone and Style

Brash, unfiltered, deeply personal, and loaded with both streetwise wisdom and high-level business insight. Joe, Jada, and Rich Paul mix laughter, teasing, and realness—giving listeners a seat at the table where hip-hop, sports, fame, and community intersect.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the mindsets behind sports moguls, hip-hop survival, or the ongoing LeBron/Jordan debate. Rich Paul’s perspective ties the whole show together: success is about disruption, self-awareness, opportunity, and giving back—always “unbothered” by what others have to say. The dialogue is both entertaining and full of lessons for those navigating fame, fortune, or the streets.