The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Date: October 23, 2025
Hour 1 Theme:
A wild day in sports headlines, dominated by the FBI arrest of NBA figures Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier in a nationwide gambling probe, alongside Damon Jones and mafia members; a discussion of Victor Wembanyama’s historic NBA performance; and Nick Saban’s comments on NIL and coaching firings in college football.

Main Story: FBI Busts NBA Gambling Ring (01:55-18:17, 23:26-23:56, 43:32)

Overview:
Colin opens the show with reactions to a bombshell FBI operation resulting in the arrests of NBA coach Chauncey Billups, player Terry Rozier, Damon Jones, and numerous mafia members, spanning 11 states in a multi-year illegal gambling and sports rigging scheme. The episode analyzes the implications for the NBA, discusses historical precedents, and emphasizes the need for transparency in sports gambling.

Key Points & Timeline

• FBI Sting Details (01:55-04:00, 09:12-09:49)

  • Four-year FBI investigation.
  • $7 million lost by victims.
  • Two separate yet related indictments:
    1. NBA Prop Betting Scheme: Six defendants including Rozier and Jones, with Rozier allegedly feigning injury in a March game to cash unders on prop bets.
    2. Poker Fraud Ring: High-tech cheating involving x-ray poker tables, marked cards, and sophisticated communication.
  • Participants: 30 individuals arrested, 13 identified as La Cosa Nostra mafia members, with active and former NBA personnel.

• Colin’s Perspective:

  • “Gambling and sports have been intertwined forever, and the Mafia is often part of it.” (04:25)
  • Sees the headlines as the necessary cost of rooting out corruption:

  “I want to protect our sports. I want to protect the sanctity of these sports. So when stories like this come out and they're uncovered...I look at it as a good thing.” (05:12)

• NBA’s Crisis (07:50, 17:14)

  • Colin calls this an “awful day for Adam Silver,” underlining the importance of upholding integrity.
  • NBA and teams have placed Billups and Rozier on immediate leave; the investigation is ongoing.

• On the Poker Fraud (06:20-09:00)

  • Tech used: “Contact lenses, glasses that could read marked cards, x-ray poker tables...people off site feeding information to people in the games.” (06:30)
  • “It literally reads like Casino meets Uncut Gems meets Ocean’s 11.” (16:55)

• Context—History Repeats (05:42, 16:57)

  • Colin references Henry Hill, Boston College, Tim Donaghy, and other historic gambling scandals to remind listeners that betting-related corruption is not new but must be confronted openly.
  • “The NBA stuff is the stuff we all worry about primarily, right? Tim Donaghy, Henry Hill, Boston College...” (05:53)

• On Athlete Involvement:

  • “I’ve always worried more about officials than athletes.” (08:10)

• Notable Quote:

  “Vegas doesn’t want cheaters. Vegas wants to get this stuff out...Vegas, their margins are thin. Sports bettors are smarter than ever.” (06:52)

• Dialog with Jason McIntyre (16:04-18:17):

  • Both hosts express measured skepticism, urging listeners not to jump to conclusions based on allegations alone.
  • “I'm going to give these guys the benefit of the doubt. We'll see the evidence, and then if you want to come in off the top rope, go for it.” – Colin Cowherd (18:07)

• On Legalization and Exposure (43:32)

  • Colin emphasizes that legal gambling didn’t create the problem, it exposes what was already occurring:

  “Legalization of gambling didn’t create this. It exposes it...Transparency is not a flaw. We want this stuff.” (43:32)

NBA Spotlight: Wembanyama’s Night & League Trends (11:20–16:00)

Victor Wembanyama’s Breakout Performance:

• 40 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks, no turnovers, 70% shooting in only 30 minutes (“That’s Wilt numbers. Except Wilt couldn’t hoist and hit threes and didn’t have a crossover dribble.” – Colin, 14:35)
• “Starting last night, the second most dominating player in the league...Wemby’s putting up historically significant numbers.” (13:52)

International Stars & Changing NBA:

• “There are five great players in the NBA and they’re all international right now: Jokic, Wemby, Luka, Giannis, and SGA.” (13:10)
• “No more dynasties. Adam Silver doesn’t want dynasty...it’s so punitive to owners to stack rosters.” (13:32)
• Emerging players highlighted: Alperen Sengun “notably better than Durant right now.” (13:45)

Notable Wemby Quote (15:25):

“I’m not taking this for granted anymore...I’m having more fun now that I’m not struggling to move as much...I know I still need to get better.” (Wembanyama)

NFL: Key Team & Player Updates (27:48–34:58)

Kansas City Chiefs & Patrick Mahomes (27:48-30:57):

• Return to efficient offense: 52% scoring rate per possession, best since Mahomes’ first starting year.
• “Mahomes is not throwing as deep, taking what the defense gives him. These are twitchy, smaller guys – go high percentage and let them run after the catch.” – Colin (28:37)
• Offensive line concerns raised with the mysterious absence of Josh Simmons (29:45).

Lamar Jackson’s Status (31:21–32:11):

• John Harbaugh is evasive: “I really don’t have any shareable injury intelligence for you guys.” (31:39)
• Hosts believe Lamar will play; Ravens are “very healthy off the bye.” (32:11)

A.J. Brown Injury & NFC East Race (32:40–34:58):

• Brown missed practice, casting doubt on the Eagles’ upcoming matchup.
• Dallas Cowboys could challenge the Eagles if the Giants upset Philly, tightening the division race.

College Football: Saban’s NIL Comments and Coaching Pressure (43:32–50:34)

Nick Saban on NIL and Coaching Firings (43:32-46:45):

• Saban defends James Franklin and Billy Napier, blaming NIL for “unfair” coach firings.
• Colin’s take: “The coaches are also making $9, $10, $11 million a year...the bigger the money, the bigger the expectations. More is more. You get more money, players get more money, there’s more pressure. You got to win more games.” (44:40)

Chris Simms’ Analysis (46:45–50:34):

• Texas & Steve Sarkisian:
  • “He’s feeling the heat because of expectations, but not job security.” (46:53)
• USC & Lincoln Riley:
  • “I never really understood that marriage there...They’re just not capable of playing Big Ten football.” (47:29)
• Ohio State:
  • “I think Ohio State’s the best team in college football. I don’t really think it’s close.” (48:45)
  • Praises Matt Patricia’s NFL-style defense and explosive offense.
• Best College QB Right Now:
  • “The best quarterback I’ve seen this year is Ty Simpson of Alabama.” (49:50)

Quick Hitters (35:06–43:32)

Caleb Williams & The Bears (35:06-39:04):

• Significant improvement over previous seasons – fewer sacks, higher passer rating, NFL-leading in big plays.
• “Fit is such an important part of all this...There’s great growth, absolutely. We’re just watching this.” (38:45)

Notable Quotes

• On Gambling’s Role in Sports:

  “Chariot races, the Romans, gambling Mafia, uncut gems. It's live in living color. And here we are today with it once again in my life. I feel like this about the 15th time.” – Colin Cowherd (10:12)

• On NBA Trends:

  “You want to hate the Dodgers—my take is, you hate yourself. You want to be the Dodgers. Smart, ahead of the curve, use your money wisely, classy, successful.” – Colin Cowherd (25:46)

• On Athlete Accountability:

  “You make big money, people want big results.” – Colin Cowherd (39:00)

Segment Timestamps

• 01:55 — FBI operation background, NBA & mafia ties
• 09:12 — Cash Patel, FBI spokesperson press conference snippet
• 13:00 — Wembanyama: Statistics & significance
• 14:35 — Wembanyama compares with historic greats
• 16:04 — Conversation with Jason McIntyre on caution, presumption of innocence
• 23:26 — NBA’s immediate response: Billups & Rozier on leave
• 27:48 — NFL news: Chiefs, Mahomes, O-line, Lamar Jackson, Eagles, NFC East
• 35:06 — Caleb Williams, Bears offense analysis
• 43:32 — Gambling exposure, Saban NIL/coach firing discussion and Chris Simms interview

Episode Tone

• Direct, opinionated, occasionally irreverent (“Don’t get precious!”)
• Emphasizes historical context, realism, and measured response over outrage
• Mixture of concern (NBA integrity), awe (Wemby’s talent), and classic Cowherd wit

In summary:
A lively, headline-grabbing show dissecting an unprecedented NBA gambling scandal, celebrating an ascendant NBA star, and exploring the realities of modern college football pressure, all delivered with Colin Cowherd's signature mix of skepticism, insight, and humor.