Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Show Me Something"
Episode: Sophie Cunningham warns of WNBA LOCKOUT & REACTS to Bad Bunny's NFL halftime show
Date: February 13, 2026
Guests/Hosts: Sophie Cunningham, Wes, Guest producer Kev
Main Theme and Purpose
This episode of The Herd (Show Me Something edition) centers around major developments in the WNBA – specifically the looming threat of a lockout as described by Sophie Cunningham, alongside recaps of recent sports media events, culture moments like Bad Bunny's NFL halftime show, and personal anecdotes from Sophie and Wes. The hosts bring a candid, irreverent, and insider perspective to the intersection of sports, business, and entertainment, with the focus squarely on issues of investment, labor negotiations, and the evolving landscape of professional women’s basketball.
Key Discussions and Highlights
1. Catching Up / Media Appearances (01:18 - 06:34)
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Wes’ Recap:
- Hosted NBC’s Super Bowl pregame show on a boat. Felt honored and recognized the high intensity and complexity of live TV.
- "There’s just so many different variables into like, making live TV good" (08:53, Wes)
- Attended Jimmy Fallon, shared backstage stories, admiration for Jimmy’s style, handwritten cue cards. Felt pressure but also excitement (03:57, Wes).
- Reflected on the importance of being comfortable and keeping “good energy” under pressure in live sports and TV segments.
- Hosted NBC’s Super Bowl pregame show on a boat. Felt honored and recognized the high intensity and complexity of live TV.
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Sophie’s Side:
- Sideline reporting experience, similarities and differences vs. pregame show format.
- Emphasis on chaos and adrenaline in sports media production:
- "There should be a like, behind the scenes of all what people are hearing..." (08:53, Sophie)
2. Meeting Colin Cowherd (09:49 - 11:54)
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Fan Moment:
- Wes met Colin at a party, felt validated but also joked about Colin being more interested in Sophie.
- "I didn't want to be like a fanboy... but I’ve religiously watched you every day of my life since I was 21" (10:31, Wes)
- Bonded over shared roots in Big Sky Conference schools.
- Wes met Colin at a party, felt validated but also joked about Colin being more interested in Sophie.
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Colin Sends Regards:
- Colin complimented both hosts’ success, sends regards to Sophie. Idea pitched: get Colin to a WNBA game.
3. WNBA CBA Drama & Lockout Threat (18:10 - 24:43)
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Sophie’s Breakdown:
- The WNBA is facing major division among owners during CBA negotiations.
- Half of owners want to invest and improve facilities, others do "the most bare minimum."
- Positive examples: Indiana, New York, Seattle, Phoenix, San Francisco Valkyries, Toronto.
- Blistering critique: "sell your team and let other people who want to be a part of something great..." (19:01-19:12, Sophie)
- Urgency is high: if no agreement in a month, lockout or strike is possible.
- "If we're going to have a season, it has to happen within this next month... Otherwise, it’s going to be a lockout or a strike." (20:50-21:00, Sophie)
- Owners’ perspectives are too different; fears that progressive owners may be pressured to scale back rather than raise standards.
- CBA meeting is imminent; Sophie estimates a "70% chance" of a season but acknowledges uncertainty.
- "I want to think good thoughts... but I think we're 70% going to have a season." (23:36-23:38, Sophie)
- The WNBA is facing major division among owners during CBA negotiations.
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Context:
- Connection to wider sports labor stories: MLB may face its own strike.
- WNBA does operate with a salary cap ("fuck yeah" – 22:37, Sophie).
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Wes’ Perspective:
- Expressed concern about the potential economic impact and fragmentation among team owners.
- Notes that a missed season would be catastrophic for the league's momentum.
4. Recent Sports & Culture Highlights
Waste Management Open/Super Bowl Vibes (13:08 - 16:25)
- Sophie admits over-doing the Phoenix golf party, “rehab” gave way to fun:
- "Friday was probably one of the most fun days I’ve had in a hot minute." (14:05, Sophie)
- Both found this year’s Super Bowl low-energy without their favorite teams involved.
- "There was no, like, super big draw... I was so wiped out." (15:39-16:09, Wes)
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show (36:38 - 40:42)
- Listener from PR asks for hosts’ take:
- Wes—emphatically political and inclusive:
- "America is a fucking diverse country and there are people here who fucking speak Spanish... If that fucking bugs you, fucking just please fuck all the way off." (37:25-37:39, Wes)
- Both defend the inclusion of Spanish-language music.
- Noted the surprise Lady Gaga appearance, impressive stage production, and Adidas-branding.
- Loved the show’s message: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." (39:20, Sophie)
- Wes—emphatically political and inclusive:
Olympic Shoutouts & Dangerous Winter Sports (27:14 - 34:33)
- Hot Girl of the Week:
- Wes: Ty Okada’s mom, Michelle, for support and family values.
- Sophie: USA Women’s National Hockey Team for their dominance and toughness.
- "They could also put you on your ass. That is a great combo in that sport." (28:27, Sophie)
- Discussion pivots to Olympic triumphs and mishaps, including:
- Breezy Johnson (alpine skier), Lindsey Vonn’s comeback and re-injury, "the quad god" in men’s figure skating.
- "I really do think that the Winter Olympics is so much more dangerous than the Summer Olympics." (33:37, Sophie)
NBA Fights & Grit (29:01 - 30:47)
- Kev sets up: Pistons vs. Hornets “big brawl.”
- Wes: NBA would benefit from more emotional rivalries and less “buddy-buddy” culture.
- "Give me more fights in the NBA... to show that they have each other's backs." (29:52, Wes)
- Both agree physicality and sticking up for teammates is good for the sport’s spirit.
Dave & Buster’s $15,000 Diamond Ring Promo (31:08 - 31:57)
- Lighthearted riff on potential marriage proposals at arcade chains. Sophie: hard pass if a date brought her there.
5. Listener Questions & Sophie's (Possible) Music Career (40:42 - 42:19)
- Listener "Barb" asks about Sophie’s viral singing:
- Sophie hints at a collaboration with a country artist, details to come.
- Discussion of Jesse Solomon, songwriting, and music as “Plan B.”
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
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On Live TV Production:
"Your job is to say something original and thoughtful and, like, have good energy, but you're also... Someone's talking to you. They're telling you a camera to go to..." (08:19, Wes) -
On WNBA Ownership Divide:
"It is just blows my mind that like these other owners are doing the most bare minimum. Sell your team and let other people who want to be a part of something great..." (19:01-19:12, Sophie) -
On CBA Tension:
"If we're going to have a season, it has to happen within this next month of coming to an agreement. Otherwise, it's going to be a lockout or strike..." (20:50 - 21:00, Sophie) -
On Super Bowl Halftime Show, Inclusion:
"America is a fucking diverse country and there are people here who fucking speak Spanish... If that fucking bugs you, fucking just please fuck all the way off." (37:25-37:39, Wes) -
On NBA Rivalries:
"Give me more fights in the NBA... that's to show that they have each other's backs." (29:52, Wes)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Kickoff/Catching Up: 01:18 – Scene set, career updates, and Fallon stories
- Super Bowl Hosting/Live TV Real Talk: 05:57 – 08:53
- Meeting Colin Cowherd: 09:49 – 11:54
- WNBA CBA & Lockout Threat: 18:10 – 24:43
- Waste Management/Super Bowl Vibes: 13:08 – 16:25
- Olympic “Hot Girl of the Week”/Danger in Winter Sports: 27:14 – 34:33
- NBA Brawl Commentary: 29:01 – 30:47
- Bad Bunny Halftime Show Reaction: 36:38 – 40:42
- Listener Questions + Sophie’s Song Tease: 40:42 – 42:19
Tone & Structure
- Conversational, brash, and honest with heavy use of humor and profanity for emphasis.
- Hosts are candid, self-aware, and make room for both personal experiences and listener questions.
- Immediacy and inside-baseball feel, especially in the WNBA labor and sports production sections.
- The camaraderie and mutual teasing between hosts is a strong throughline.
In Conclusion
This episode provides a raw, insider perspective on both the tensions threatening to disrupt the upcoming WNBA season—and broader issues in professional sports—while also serving up banter, event recaps, and cultural commentary. Sophie's warnings about an imminent WNBA lockout are the central headline, but the rapport between hosts and their willingness to tackle listener questions (and even tease upcoming side careers) is what makes the conversation memorable for fans of both sports and personality-driven talk.
For additional information:
- WNBA CBA developments, keep an eye out for updates within the next month.
- Possible guest appearance by Colin Cowherd at a WNBA game in the future.
- Curious about Sophie’s music plans? Stay tuned—country collab teased!
