Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Sharp or Square - Milan Cortina Winter Games Update - Curling, USA Hockey, Eileen Gu and more
Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Chad Millman
Co-host: Simon Hunter
Guest: Matt Mitchell
Presented by: Hard Rock Bet

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the biggest stories, controversies, and betting angles from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, with a special focus on curling, Olympic hockey, and the cultural narratives captivating audiences worldwide. Chad Millman, Simon Hunter, and Matt Mitchell blend sharp betting analysis with genuinely entertaining Olympic chatter, dissecting why these games have become such a cultural and gambling phenomenon.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Olympic Viewership & Betting Buzz

[02:43–05:58]

• Chad notes nearly 30 million daily viewers across NBC platforms, with live and narrative coverage pulling in new fans.
• Betting on the Winter Olympics is historically niche, but this year there’s “so many freaking narratives going on” (Chad Millman, 04:43) that it’s attracting wider attention, even from non-bettors.
• The trio agree the stories driving these Olympics have made it must-watch viewing, even more than usual.

2. Olympic Hockey: Pure Joys and Betting Angles

[05:58–11:04]

• Matt Mitchell on women’s hockey:
  “These American ladies are a collection of complete savages. I really look forward to watching them in the gold medal match... It has been such a joy.” (06:24)
• He shares the joy of watching elite hockey “end-to-end” (05:58–07:03), especially as an escape from “the doldrums of mid and late February.”
• Simon Hunter highlights the unique thrill:
  “You could tell this USA team gels, like these guys hang out. They actually like each other...as someone that's betting, looking for angles, and it's shown up.” (09:19)
• The men’s team stands out for chemistry and surprising cohesion, an X-factor in betting outcomes.
• USA women’s team described as so dominant that Hunter bet against their massive spreads; “It was just way too much” (10:08).

3. The Olympic Village Condom Story

[11:04–13:34]

• Chad tells the now-infamous “10,000 condoms” story, revealing most were taken as Olympic souvenirs, not for use.
• Simon: “They put the... Olympic symbol on... why would you not grab a thousand?” (11:23)
• Chad references an ESPN Magazine piece about Olympic villages being “massive orgies... You've got good looking people in great shape... hyper competitive” (12:11)
• Sophie and Matt joke about missing out on the chance to flip Olympic condoms for profit.

4. Curling Controversy: Canadians Accused of Cheating

[15:00–19:03]

• Chad tees it up: “Curling has a controversy and it has turned the world against Canada for being foul mouthed and poor sports. That's amazing to me.” (15:10)
• Sophie explains curling culture as “incredible sportsmanship and self regulation,” so Swedes setting up a “sting” video to catch Canada was a big deal.
  • “It's low stakes because it's curling, but it's also high stakes because it's the Olympics—10 out of 10 scandal.” (17:11, Sophie Cunningham)
• Simon likens it to “dash cam accident videos”—Canada is indignant until the Swedes calmly show footage.
• Consensus: the scandal’s drama is what makes the Olympics great television and conversation fodder.

5. Viral Athlete Moments & Human Stories

[18:20–20:24]

• A medal-winning athlete admitted to cheating—on his girlfriend, not at sports—in a live post-event interview.
• Panel laughs at misleading headlines (“athlete admits cheating”), and the bizarre reality of how these Olympic moments instantly go viral.
• Simon: “As much as they think we're crazy Americans, there's nothing better than a crazy European.” (20:10)
• Chad: “You get stuff like that where it's just these crazy Europeans.”

6. American Stars: Triumphs and Vulnerability

[25:21–29:48]

• Chad explores the media “narrative of presence and openness” as American stars discuss pressure and failure:
  • “The quad God falling and openly admitting... pressure getting to him, which I think is wonderful...” (25:21)
  • Michaela Shiffrin’s redemption: after missing gold until her last attempt, she becomes “the winningest skier for gold in American history now ... obviously the greatest skier, downhill skier in history, man or woman.” (25:50)
• Simon and Sophie marvel at Norway’s ski dynasty, especially Johan Husflat Klebo:
  • “He has created a new technique that makes him so dominant people can't see him when they are like in second place.” (26:45, Chad Millman)
  • Sophie: “He was running at over 11 miles an hour at one point ... that was absolutely the most impressive part.” (27:24)

7. Eileen Gu: Nationality, Money & Moscow Gold

[30:34–35:42]

• Chad critiques NBC’s constant focus on Eileen Gu’s American roots and her decision to ski for China.
• Chad:
  “The number of times I have heard announcers say, ‘Eileen Gu ... skiing for China to honor her mother’ — if I got a dollar, I would be as rich as Eileen Gu for all the money she has gotten from China.” (30:45)
• Wall Street Journal reports Gu is now the fourth highest-paid female athlete globally, thanks largely to Chinese endorsements.
• Simon: “To me, China ... this is a smart little cheat code... using all the institutions that America has, all the great coaching, and you're just paying the back end.” (32:13)
• Philosophical discussion:
  • Chad: “Isn’t part of the joy of the Olympics competing for your country? ... At the end of the day, it’s not just about being a mercenary.”
  • Simon: “I could never ... I'd rather be great under the American flag than China's flag.” (35:00)
  • Matt: “The idea of two countries ... competing for my athletic services on the world stage is as insane a hypothetical as if I had wings.” (35:57)

8. Why These Olympics Stand Out

[36:15–End]

• Chad: “I think we can all agree ... this Olympics has been a conversation starter ... In our seven years together, that's how big the Olympics have been.” (36:15)
• All hosts marvel at the cultural resonance and buzz the Milan Cortina games have generated: “Thirty million people a day watching these things. And now we're talking about it.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Matt Mitchell (on women’s hockey):
  “These American ladies are a collection of complete savages. I really look forward to watching them in the gold medal match...” (06:24)
• Simon Hunter (on team chemistry and betting hockey):
  “You could tell this USA team gels, like these guys hang out. They actually like each other...as someone that's betting, looking for angles, and it's shown up.” (09:19)
• Chad Millman (on stories driving the Olympics):
  “There’s so many freaking narratives going on. That to me have been amazing.” (04:43)
• Sophie Cunningham (curling scandal):
  “It was a perfect scandal. There was a good guy, there’s bad guys, there’s a sting ... it’s the Olympics—10 out of 10 scandal.” (17:11)
• Simon Hunter (on Eileen Gu and nationality):
  “...if I was great at sport ... I'd rather be great under the American flag than China's flag. But these other people, I get it ... especially if you're a west coaster and the money is just that big like that, that's an insane...amount of money.” (35:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Olympic betting and audience growth: [02:43–05:58]
• Hockey deep-dive (US teams, betting): [05:58–11:04]
• Condom “shortage” story & Olympic Village: [11:04–13:34]
• Curling cheating scandal: [15:00–19:03]
• Athlete admits “cheating” on girlfriend: [18:20–20:24]
• US stars under pressure/Shiffrin tribute/Norway’s Klebo: [25:21–29:48]
• Eileen Gu, nationality, money & athlete allegiance: [30:34–35:42]
• Olympics as cultural moment/closing thoughts: [36:15–End]

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Lively, sharp, and irreverent, the hosts bring a blend of serious sports insight, betting smarts, and cultural humor to their Olympics discussion. This episode not only delivers practical takeaways for sports bettors but also celebrates the truly wild, human stories that make the Olympics far more compelling than just medal counts. From betting angles in hockey and curling to philosophical debates about national allegiance, it’s a vibrant, accessible look at why these Winter Games are striking such a chord in 2026.