PMS 2.0 1515 - World Baseball Classic Quarterfinal Preview, Adam Schefter, Jeff Passan, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark, Quentin Richardson, Michael Pittman Jr., & AJ Hawk

Summary

The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Episode 1515

Date: March 13, 2026
Title: World Baseball Classic Quarterfinal Preview, Adam Schefter, Jeff Passan, Brett Yormark, Quentin Richardson, Michael Pittman Jr., & AJ Hawk

---

Episode Overview

In this lively Friday installment, Pat McAfee and his crew (including AJ Hawk, Boston Connor, Ty Schmidt, and Tone Digs) dive into a packed sports weekend. The main focus is the USA vs. Canada World Baseball Classic (WBC) quarterfinal, but they also cover major NFL free agency moves, NCAA basketball, innovative court technology, and bring on a lineup of expert guests. Through their trademark banter, humor, and insider connections, the crew delivers sharp analysis, memorable moments, and a fan-friendly breakdown of what’s happening across the sports landscape.

---

Main Topics & Key Segments

USA vs. Canada World Baseball Classic Quarterfinal

[00:00–07:16, 20:31–29:00, 58:12–61:14]

• Pat's Opening Monologue: Pat starts with impassioned USA hype, discussing national rivalries (“America’s about to beat Canada again”) and the must-win mindset required after a scare in pool play.
• Odds and Bets: USA heavily favored (-900). Pat and Tone discuss big bets (Pat’s $5K on the USA).
  • “Everybody in the gambling world is clowning me for my big $5,000 minus 1100 bet.” – Pat [05:30]
• Team Mentality Post-Pool Play Loss: The US squad was saved by Italy beating Mexico, keeping their hopes alive.
• Motivation & Leadership: Jack Hughes left a motivational message for the US team; Mark DeRosa’s leadership discussed.
• Jeff Passan Segment [20:31]:
  • Passan outlines the stakes and the nature of international baseball pride.
  • Reminds listeners of baseball’s high tolerance for failure and the long view.
  • Historic context: 2006 WBC upset by Canada is still a motivator for Team Canada.
  • Pitching preview: Logan Webb for USA, Michael Sirocco for Canada; approach to first-pitch fastballs and importance of jumping out early.
    • “Every other team that’s facing the US, Canada right now looks at this as its championship game.” – Jeff Passan [22:36]
  • Team USA mindset: Survived the scare, now locked in for a short three-game run to a title.
• USA Lineup & Keys to Victory [58:12]:
  • The “A” lineup expected (Witt, Harper, Judge).
  • Need for star players (Judge, Harper, Raleigh) to step up after slow starts.
  • “Aaron Judge will show up. I can guarantee it.” – Ty Schmidt [59:37]
  • Motivation from Jack Hughes and Mark DeRosa’s intense pressure as manager.

---

NFL Free Agency Madness

[07:16–19:27, 47:26–56:02, 89:12–98:22]

• Adam Schefter Interview [07:16]:
  • Record NFL spending: $5.8 billion in player compensation since Monday; $2.59B guaranteed at signing.
    • “Since Monday, NFL teams have spent a record $5.8 billion in player compensation.” – Pat [08:26]
    • "What's $2 billion, Pat? A $2 billion mistake." – Adam Schefter [08:55]
  • Factors: extensions, reworked deals, guaranteed money. Explosive growth due to TV/streaming rights, gambling, expansion.
  • NFL franchise valuations: Seahawks could sell for $12B+; long-term bullishness.
    • “The value of franchises is also greater than ever before.” – Schefter [09:47]
  • Future TV/streaming packages (Thanksgiving Eve, international games, etc.).
• NFLPA and CBA:
  • Upcoming tough negotiations over 18 games, revs split, and role of NFLPA leadership.
  • Discussion about player share of revenue (currently ~48–49%) and unique deal compared to MLB's guaranteed contracts.
• Kyler Murray to Minnesota Vikings [47:26]:
  • Kyler signs for the league minimum, Vikings get a high-upside QB at low cost; press conference made him sound like the presumed starter.
    • “When Brett Favre threw that interception against the Saints, I cried real tears, man." – Kyler Murray via Pat [47:55]
  • Division outlook and how Murray fits with Kevin O’Connell, JJ McCarthy.
  • Concerns about Murray’s size; parallels to Bryce Young.
• Other Key Free Agency Moves:
  • Titans' new logo/uniforms, positive vibes in Nashville.
  • Washington Commanders’ spending and WR target rumors (Brandon Aiyuk link to Jaden Daniels).
  • Patriots praised for savvy signings and defense upgrades.
  • Cleveland Browns overhaul entire offensive line; questions about switching defensive coordinators.

---

NCAA Basketball & Big 12 Innovations

[31:20–43:54]

• Big 12 Tournament, LED Court Debate:

  • Host Pat McAfee interviews Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark.
    • Backstory on Big 12’s use of NBA-style LED basketball court—mixed reviews from players (slippage, distractions, “squeakiness”).
    • Decision to switch back to wood for tournament semifinals and finals to keep focus on the teams.
      • “You know there’s going to be risk… [but] for us, most importantly…the conversation should be about those teams, not the court.” – Brett Yormark [32:48]
  • Women’s Tournament: West Virginia wins, transfer portal discussion.
  • Men’s Tournament: Expecting 8–9 Big 12 teams in March Madness, league claims status as “second-best league behind the NBA.”

• NIL, SCORE Act, and President’s Roundtable:

  • Yormark discusses DC meeting with college sports leaders pushing the SCORE Act—legislation for federal preemption, limits on athlete-employee status, regulation of agents, and NIL protections.
  • “Every time a student athlete gets into the portal, there’s 40% of them that don’t come out.” – Brett Yormark [39:30]

---

NBA Check-In with Quentin Richardson

[64:09–81:44]

• Luka Doncic Drops 51 Points:
  • Luka ignites after being “poked” by opponent, nearly gets a 50-pt triple double.
    • “Not to talk to him. Probably not to talk to Luka.” – Matas Buzelis on lesson learned [66:34]
  • Richardson on star motivation and “don’t poke the bear” mindset among NBA stars.
• Playoff Contenders & Player Analysis:
  • Lakers’ upside depends on matchups and bigs’ support. SGA and Thunder, Spurs with Wemby seen as Western threats.
  • “Ethical Hoopers” debate: SGA called “unethical” for drawing fouls, but Richardson defends star players historically getting foul calls.
    • “Anybody who’s an MVP, they all get fouls.” – Q. Rich [70:22]
• Magic City Night Canceled:
  • Viral Atlanta Hawks promo, popular strip club reference, and Silver’s intervention—Richardson laughs at the blend of NBA culture and Atlanta nightlife.
• Bam Adebayo’s 83-point Game:
  • Richardson defends Bam’s outburst, calls negative reaction “disappointing”—salutes his character and Miami’s promotion of its stars.
    • “I can’t see anybody having anything bad to say.” – Q. Rich [77:05]

---

Sports Odds, Gambling, and Pat’s Bet Tales

[05:30–06:56, 29:00–29:52, 130:13–131:36]

• Pat reflects on losing big “guaranteed” bets, only to be mocked as DraftKings pushes responsible gaming alerts. Fiercely pursues a WBC win for redemption.
• “Please, can you hear me out? Yeah, I was just trying to get a win.” – Pat [130:54]

---

Special Guest: Michael Pittman Jr. Joins the Steelers

[106:50–118:39]

• Pittman’s Transition:
  • Calls his move “bittersweet,” praises Indy, but says his smash-mouth style suits Pittsburgh.
  • Explains trip to Uganda during the trade (“no internet... no cell service”); found out about deal in a room with weak Wi-Fi.
• Fitting in Pittsburgh:
  • Sees opportunity with coach Mike McCarthy, plans to “put in time” before stepping into a locker-room leadership role.
  • Pittman’s farming lifestyle and search for a farm manager to handle cattle in his absence is discussed for comic relief.
    • “So I’m going to need a farm manager... to take care of the cows, horses, goats, chickens, and the grass and the hay.” – Michael Pittman Jr. [117:27]

---

Rapid-Fire Sports Roundup

NFL:

• Mike Evans speaks about being the “one piece” San Francisco needs for a Super Bowl.
• Commanders and Raiders praised for aggressive free agency.
• Browns overhaul their O-line, debate over new defensive coordinator and impact on team.
• Patriots and Browns receive props for shrewd moves, but both divisions look brutally competitive.

NCAA:

• NIL and transfer portal discussion; Small schools see less tourney magic as NIL consolidates talent at bluebloods.
• March Madness preview: deep field, favorites versus underdogs, Sister Jean's passing commemorated.

Sports Media:

• Pat talks about his surprise, meteoric entry into movie acting, learning on sets with major stars.

Tennis:

• Humorous confusion over “hindrance” calls and the quirky culture of pro tennis.

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Pat on USA-Canada Stakes:
  “We need our United States boys to hit dong shots. We need Logan to beat Dyson. We need D to be dealing and we need this team to go on a run to beat Canada tonight.” [01:00]
• Adam Schefter on NFL Money:
  “The value of franchises is also greater than ever before. We’re going to see the Seattle Seahawks potentially sold this offseason. …They’d be surprised if it came in under $12 billion.” [09:47]
• Passan on WBC Pressure:
  “Baseball players handle failure better than anyone because failure is such an inherent part of the game.” [21:41]
• Quentin Richardson on SGA Foul Controversy:
  “Anybody who’s an MVP, they all get fouls... This has been going on since forever.” [70:22]
• Brett Yormark on Innovation:
  “I am an innovator…you never expect 100% buy-in…sometimes you just gotta go back to the lab.” [34:12]

---

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:00] – USA vs. Canada WBC hype, betting, pool play recap
• [07:16] – Adam Schefter on NFL money, CBA, franchise valuations
• [20:31] – Jeff Passan previews WBC, baseball psychology & scenarios
• [31:20] – Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark on LED court, SCORE Act
• [47:26] – NFL free agency roundup, Kyler Murray to Vikings, Titans rebrand
• [58:12] – WBC betting, USA A-lineup, role of team pressure
• [64:09] – NBA deep dive with Quentin Richardson: Luka, SGA, playoff races
• [89:12] – NFL free agency insights: Commanders, Patriots, Browns, Raiders
• [106:50] – Michael Pittman Jr. joins, Steeler fit, farm manager talk, Uganda trip
• [118:39] – Pat on acting, movie industry, learning new crafts
• [129:22] – Show signoff, collective gratitude

---

Closing Tone

Pat and the team combine deep sports knowledge, humor, and irreverent camaraderie. Even as the talk jumps from March Madness to farm management to NFL contracts to acting, they keep the show energetic and accessible, making you feel like part of the sports conversation—betting losses and all. The message is clear: it’s a great time to love sports, root for your country, and enjoy the unpredictable ride.

---

Team on me. Team on three. One, two, three — team.

Transcript

[A]

Hello, beautiful people, and welcome to our humble abode. The Thunderdome on this feel good. Let's beat Canada. Friday the 13th. This sports market will be now sports. I got so excited to say America's about to beat Canada again. I almost had to take it in for a moment. I almost had to realize that today is another day where competition is going to steal the day. Today, the United States of America takes on Canada in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic. We are now favored at at -900 straight up to beat Canada. I will be placing a very hefty bet on a nice straight up dub as Logan Webb, an absolute stallion from the San Francisco Giants, will be dealing against a Canadian team that. I'll tell you what, if they beat us tonight, it's going to be very loud with how loud we were after we took hockey from them, both our women and our men. We need our United States boys to hit dong shots. We need Logan to beat Dyson. We need D to be dealing and we need this team to go on a run to beat Canada tonight. Now, they were maybe not even going to make it to the quarterfinals. Okay, that was a slight miscalculation by some things. We lose one game to Italy and then all of a sudden, wait a minute, we need Italy to win over Mexico, who's a very good team. And if Mexico wins, they just can't score five runs. And if one of these things happens, the United States of America baseball story is over. World Baseball Classic was supposed to be for US Baseball to go on and do this thing after Japan won it three years ago. Now it's Archer. We might not even get out of pool play. Who cares? That does not matter now. Now it's just the boys in three games until we can say we're world champions. And it starts tonight against Canada. So Good luck to USA. We'll talk to Jet Pass in here in about 10 minutes. For any other storylines we need to be looking at, this is a big deal. All the stars are going to be out. Hopefully they're going to be incredibly motivated. There's also NFL news happening all over the place. The sports world is alive. This weekend we'll talk about the toxic tables here at Boston Conner and at Ty Schmidt. Boys, America needs one tonight. Yeah. Okay. We need one. The hockey teams were great. Michaela Shifrin was great. Oh, yeah, Ferrero was fantastic.

[B]

That's right.

[C]

Mack Forehand got robbed, but he was fantastic.

[A]

Yeah, see? And there was figure skaters that won bobsled. Alyssa Lou, Alyssa Louis. Okay, that was fantastic. But now what's the last taste in our mouth gonna be for international competition, you know? Cause if it just ended right after the Winter Olympics ended, we would have been coming out with a sweet tooth, babe. Yeah, we would have been coming out in a fantastic way. Both the women and the men's hockey team win. We go into the final little Olympic celebration, wrap up thing as we are the champions, basically.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Paralympics, our hockey team just beat the hell out of Czech Republican semifinals.

[B]

Yeah, correct.

[A]

Six, seven, one or whatever the case. So this is going to be a good thing. Boom, bang. How you doing? Keep it moving. Goal time. These dudes are slot. They're turning that some bitch sideways hitting puck off stick lifting it up our team's dogs. I guess we got the greatest player to ever play ever. No surprise history made. Declan Farmer becomes the all time leading Paralympic sled hockey scorer. Yeah, that's what we do. Okay. Shout out deck. Unbelievable. Yeah.

[C]

Top ched.

[A]

Hey, that's, that's, that's a fun sport to watch. I went to high school with a kid named Conor McGregor. Colin McGregor. Sorry, Colin. Conor McGregor. Also pretty. Yeah, Colin McGregor. And he was in my home room, obviously. McGregor, McAfee, he was paralyzed and he played sled hockey. And I remember him winning a big tournament one time when he came in and I started looking into it. Pittsburgh has a good sled hockey. Okay, good. We got to go. I think a lot of hockey states are kind of starting to get into this and we're very thankful because we need to beat everybody's ass and everything for the good of competition. That's right. For the good of our particular program. And we need to have a good taste in our mouth as we go into this beautiful summer, in this beautiful spring as America's better than everybody in athletics. And that doesn't happen if we don't win the World Baseball Classic. So we need a big one tonight. Ty Schmidt.

[B]

Yeah, absolutely. And you know, confidence is higher than it's ever been, at least for me personally. Going into this one, you look at. Yeah, we had a blip. We had a slip up. Not great. Team was probably playing a little bit too tight. Now we have a second chance at life. Okay? And we are not going to squander that chance. I don't know if it was intentional or unintentional. I like to think it was intentional. But you talk about how important it is beating Canada, who called the boys and left kind of just a little motivational message for them. Oh, that would be Jack Hughes, the American hero who Helped us win a gold medal. So I don't know if you want to call it kismet or what, but I think that means something. And yeah, the boys know, hey, we have to win this one. Okay. All the talk coming in, you know, like you think it's bad if you choke in the playoffs, that's one thing. But you're going to have unanimous hatred from everybody in the country if you don't go through and win this D row knows that. All the boys know that. I think they're ready to go.

[A]

My D row, by the way, getting Jack, you sent a message to the boys. Maybe he is a good skipper.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Maybe he is a good leader. This guy could be a world champion.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And we need to remember that with everything that has been said over the Last couple days, 1/2 of the Hammer Cowboys AP. Tone is here. Tone. I'm going heavy on -900 USA just straight up to beat Canada and baseball should be no problem. Thanks for supporting me in this mission.

[D]

That's your God given American right. If you want to do that. Is that something I recommend? Ask for another day.

[A]

Oh, go to hell. No.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Little negativity coming from a friend over there. Everybody in the gambling world seemingly is clowning me for my big $5,000 minus 1100 bet. Okay. Is $454 worth it? First of all? Yeah. $454 would have been really cool.

[C]

Dinner you were going to.

[A]

That would have been a great time to have $454. All I was looking for was a guaranteed dub because I've been scrolling into my bet section of DraftKings and there's been no positive anything. I'm lose. Thanks, Luke. Littler.

[C]

I'm losing in darts.

[A]

I'm losing in darts right now. Luke Litler was the only guarantee I know because that guy wants to win and then he wants to go pick up and buy some.

[B]

Yeah, kebabs, vapes.

[A]

Coca Cola. Yeah, exactly. He lost for me yesterday. Some other guy had gout in his foot. What I'm saying is I have. This guy is the worst gout we've ever seen. Yeah. And it turns out I can't even get. And then he goes down and wins. What happens when all you do is

[D]

drink and eat meat and throw darts?

[B]

My bad.

[A]

It was. I'm losing on this. I'm losing on anything. That's why I did the -1100 $5000. Hammer time. Okay, sure. That's why I did that.

[D]

Go through the hoop.

[A]

Just want to see. It's all I wanted. And we lose to Italy. Now I get the chance to talk to Pasquatch, and I think maybe we had no chance at all. If that guy's on a team, I think they're winning. Okay. I don't know how they've ever lost with him on the team. Are the Royals undefeated. They got Bobby. They stink.

[B]

No, they don't stink. But, you know, hey, a lot of guys, you know, but. Exactly. You would think these guys go 162,

[A]

you know, every year. Moxie, right? Canada ain't got that gumpy. Good luck to your team. That I Hope you lose. Minus 900, Johnny.

[E]

Easy win.

[C]

Easy win. I'm willing to wager everything I have.

[A]

Good news for me. I just redeposited into my account so I can. Boom, boom. Joining us now is a man who I assume thinks America is going to win, but we never know these days. You know, I'm assuming he's gonna look a little different today than he has over the last couple days. Maybe. Looks like he lost a few pounds in his head. Ladies and gentlemen, college football national champion, super bowl champion, Ryder cup winner, A.J.

[C]

hawk. Yeah, Hawk.

[A]

Told you.

[C]

Wow.

[F]

Couple pounds in my head.

[C]

Couple pounds.

[A]

Okay. I think you got your talk back turned on because you're speaking directly into my right ear as well as the other one. Yeah, I do not.

[F]

I do not have my talk back on my end.

[A]

Okay. Sick. You're talking twice into my right ear. That is good. This will be a fun time throughout the entirety of all this, but I do think you set up the. In a fantastic way, A.J. we're wrapping up free agency frenzy week here, and Schefter put out a new tweet that really has me in a little bit of an alarming state because it feels like our Excel spreadsheet might have missed a couple billion. Since Monday, NFL teams have spent a record 5.8 billion in player compensation, including 2.59 billion guaranteed at signing. This is up from last year's 4.88 and 2.19 billion over the same time period. We had 3.2 and 3.6 billion. I think we are projecting to the world. We don't know where we got it wrong, so. Joining us now, senior NFL insider for ESPN, Adam Schefter, We're 2 billion off on our calculate. What did we miss? What? What else was added into your total number? That's extensions. It's rework deals. It's what? All that.

[G]

It's all my numbers have been at least confirmed by people like they confirmed them for me. I went to a couple of different people like that's what it supposedly is. And I think they're factoring in exactly what you talked about, extensions and other situations, other deals. Look, it's a lot of money, but what's 2 billion, Pat? 2 billion mistake. I mean, thank God you're doing what you're doing and not being an accountant.

[A]

Yeah, well, I think, yeah, I think what your accountant would be doing is potentially for American greed. I think it's potentially a cook of the books is what I think is potentially happening as opposed to what's happening on our Excel spreadsheet. But on that note, reworked contracts probably in that as well, because we got a lot of reworked contracts at big positions. So that money being reallocated, probably being added to it, which we certainly didn't have added to it. Appreciate the fact that the NFL is like, look how much money is moving right now. We got a lot of money moving over here and a lot of it is going directly into players pockets right now. Over $2 billion in guarantees. That's a healthy league. Schefter. This is obviously only going up and to the right as the money continues to pile in, especially with Thanksgiving eve games coming out now with more streaming

[G]

deals Thanksgiving eve international, the move toward 18 games, even though nobody wants to acknowledge it now and the NFLPA is on the verge of picking its new executive director this weekend. Perhaps we'll see if they have a new person in position of power because that's going to be a huge, hugely important position as we come up to the end of the CBA and all the money that's pouring into the National Football League right now through all these alternative means beyond what they're used to seeing, obviously, additional streaming networks, all the gambling money Thanksgiving Eve, you mean they could, they could break off any package they want and sell it anywhere and people are willing to pay whatever it takes to get in. And by the way, the value of franchises is also greater than ever before. We're going to see the Seattle Seahawks potentially sold this off season. And I had one initially, remember I said to you, I thought it would be. Somebody said to me 10 billion. Somebody else said to me this week again, and we'll see what it comes in at. They'd be surprised if it came in under 12 billion. Now I don't know what's right or wrong. I don't know.

[A]

Lin Bin changes things. Lin Bin came in down in Miami Dolphin and he actually put what, 175 million or something for a 1%. So that would be 11.75 billion valuation for the dolphins. But that also adds F1 and something else. But the Dolphins haven't won a Super bowl since 1973. So Seattle Seahawks up for sale in that area with a lot of money up there, fresh off of a Super bowl and young talent seemingly in the building. Yeah, I thought there was a chance that that was going to be big just because there's only 32 of them. And it feels like it's maybe the only guarantee in all of business right now is an NFL franchise is going to go up to the right. And my last question for you would be, I guess like how much higher can it go? Like, what is the. Is there a breaking point? Because we.

[G]

There has to be. There has to be. But there never seems to be one, does there?

[E]

Right.

[A]

That's what I'm saying. I don't know, A.J. like I'm actually, I've tried to think about this during the week because all this money is so outrageous. We're up over $300 million salary cap. We got the MLB about to go into a full negotiation about salary cap and floor and everything like that. They're trying to figure it out. And obviously every player that has ever played in the NFL wants the MLB's deal. You know, we only. Guaranteed deal, guaranteed deal, guaranteed deal, guaranteed deal. But if you start looking at the deal that we have with the amount of money that is going to be spent to players every single year and it's only going up, it jumped 20 million this year as opposed to the normal like five or seven that it normally is. It jumped 20 and all the other things in the 18th game. That's going to a tough negotiation. But JC Treader is going to get in there. We all think we X player going to be hopefully be the one leading the nflpa. But there's not been a lot of good leadership over there for a long time. But if they're able to negotiate another deal here for the next CBA that continues to benefit off the revenue that comes in from these streaming platforms, everything it's like which the deal already is. This should be good for a lot of people for a very long time. Good for the league. Good for us. Good for you. Schefter. That's great for you actually because. Yeah, what's that?

[G]

Why is that? Why is it great for me?

[A]

Those thumbs get a chance to send out a new deal. How many commas are in this shit? You know? Hey, you ever get a message this is a real Question. Okay, this is a real question because it is real. As an insider, we all assume you guys copy paste messages that you're getting from your sources.

[G]

Okay, well, yeah, take the information. I try not to copy and paste, but, you know, you rework it, polish it up. But yes, go ahead.

[H]

Yep.

[B]

Pros.

[E]

Pro.

[A]

I put it in my words. But yes, I am certainly working off a copy paste method. What if something in there is left in there and it gets put onto the Internet? And it's not like that devastating of line, but it certainly kind of gives away the game a little bit. And like, Holly Rowe got caught up in a situation where I think she. Yeah, I heard about that. Yeah, she got.

[B]

But it was.

[A]

I didn't think it was that bad. Like, when I read it, I'm like,

[B]

it's not a big deal.

[A]

You're basically saying you got a source, like a really good source. Like I. But she felt, I think, obligated not to. Do you ever get caught in that situation where it feels like you've given away too much about who potentially gave you the info? If that makes sense.

[G]

I. I just think that the best thing you could do, you know, here's the thing. Social media came into be in like 2009, so I'm sure early in my career, like, maybe you're cutting and pasting and then like cleaning it up and then maybe something that, that, that definitely could happen. It's something that everybody was adjusting to. But like, I don't, I don't want to jinx myself, but I think you just go and take as many precautions as you can to make sure that what you're doing is going to be right, accurate, and clean. That's the one thing I get to say. Like, everybody makes mistakes. Everybody's human. But when these tweets go out, sometimes the mistakes are a little bit more public than other people's mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes in their job. Everybody.

[A]

Yes.

[G]

But sometimes, you know, some people's mistakes are just more publicized, and that's sort of how it goes when you do these jobs.

[A]

Well, that's how you get here. Yeah. Magnified. When you get to a level, you get to an expectation and then everything you are being, you are in a fishbowl. Like, that is how it works. We've had to kind of realize that, like, everything that we say, we have to make sure because our shit's gonna get taken out of context anyways, so we can't get provide more of that. So you are getting watched because of who you are. You've earned that right. But you also have to manage it. I think the only mistake Kali made was she deleted it. I think she should. It just in the sentence, it says basically, like, don't. This is not attributed to me or the league. It's like, okay, nobody knows who the me was there. And it didn't. I didn't see.

[I]

I didn't see it.

[G]

I just heard something about it, but, you know, I could just.

[A]

She probably got heat from the person that sent it to her, but nobody knows who that person is. Nobody knows who that person is, But. And also, we wouldn't have. I don't think anybody would have even. No, Holly, you keep doing your thing. Holly, you keep doing your thing is what we're saying. And Shefter, we appreciate the hell out of you guys.

[G]

Have a great weekend. It was lovely spending the week with you, truly being part of the fraternity.

[A]

Hey, it was a dream come true for us, actually.

[G]

For us, too. It was awesome. Like, it was a great week. I expect to be back there for free agency next year, too.

[A]

All right, mouse in your pocket. You're the man. Ladies and gentlemen, Adam Schiffer.

[B]

Classic. That is a classic. That was good.

[A]

Yeah, I felt good. He said us speaking about himself, so. Yeah, no, he's right. He's probably talking about Daniel and Schrager.

[C]

I bet on the.

[A]

Oh, he was speaking.

[C]

Yeah. I bet on the plane ride home, there were like, wow, I love that. Those guys are so nice.

[A]

AJ we got to figure out a way to get you in here next year for that. What did you hear from what he said there about the NFL and league as a whole? You asked the same question I did. They might never stop. Actually, I.

[F]

20 years ago, they probably. When. When a team sold for 500 million, didn't they say, hey, what's. Like, where's the ceiling? This has to stop at some point, right? Like, why? I don't know. I think with Roger Goodell, too, like, he is continuing to try to find ways to expand the league, play all over the world, eventually, possibly have teams overseas. Like, yeah, it's not slowing down anytime soon.

[A]

The streaming platform Mega Money Havers is the game changer because players get 49.5% of revenue. I forget which particular revenue. There's some revenue that players can't touch that the owners are able to get. But then everything else and a lot of it is the distribution, the rights, the TV rights and everything. Like that jersey sale, all that in that world. And it's like, as that continues, just go up. Just One deal, just one deal for two games with one platform can bump the salary cap up. It's like, it's a pretty good little. Pretty good little spot the league has found themselves in. That. Yeah, we're thinking about doing Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas Eve and then there's also that random Tuesday in December Eve we're thinking about doing.

[B]

That's coming.

[A]

That's happening Friday Night Lights.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Oh, we got a good one brewing for you. Middle of October, around Halloween. Friday Night Lights coming to you live from one of these. Green Bay or Pittsburgh or something like that. Like, it's only a matter of time, you know, and the players are going to hate it all. And I would like to say, as somebody that got to witness, you know, the dudes who battle in the locker room, like Thursday night games are tough for dudes, like, especially later in the season at certain positions. It's like some guys aren't really able to like walk until Wednesday after a game on Sunday, you know, because the amount of shit that they have going on with their body, the amount of things that have happened to their body throughout their entire career. Some of these guys, 11, 12 years in offensive linemen, they have like what, two hips, a knee back, let alone the back and then obviously the head and shoulder, like literally everything. So Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday is almost just like, let's get out of the recovery of this.

[F]

Become a human, like become a human again, honestly, and be able to walk down the stairs.

[A]

Yeah. So then those Thursday games come in. It's like every team's got one and you're gonna like it. And the guys were like, I could barely. I. Thursday's like the first day I'm back moving. And then the sell from all the coaches to the players are like, boys, we got a three day buy right after this game. And that's kind of how everybody got through it. And now just Thursday is just like kind of a natural thing that has to happen. And everybody views it as a celebration on the backside. Like, we'll get a three day break on the backside of this thing. And Thursday Night Football is beloved. It's launched Amazon prime to the moon, I think is the numbers that they said and everything like that. So they're only gonna make money. They're only gonna make more money. Sorry. 48% of all revenue is what the players make a share that can be moved up to 48.8% based on the additional of a 17th game. Oh yeah. And then I think that's up to 49 something. But players are pissed yeah, we lost. We can't even get 50% of this thing. It's like, man, I don't know if anybody's gonna be able to beat the billionaire lawyers. Okay. We got an NFL PA that's a bunch of, you know, lawyers. And we really appreciate those lawyers that are in there, the billionaires that are buying these things for $12 billion.

[B]

Yeah, they got good guys.

[A]

You should see lawyers that they have. And these guys have been around a long time and they got ideas for every single clause and how they could sell it. It's a fleet of lawyers. We have learned. We have learned this. It's a good thing to have.

[E]

Yes.

[A]

Especially whenever those other lawyers. It's like Battleship, basically.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You're sitting behind, they're on the other side. And you just got to have good launchers for their lawyers. Shit that's coming back at you on this side. And that's the CBA for the NFL. MLB is going to have one. I think MLB and baseball are about to have a huge ride into relevancy after this wbc. And I'm only saying that strictly because I am an average sports doofus and I'm falling in love with baseball every single game that I'm watching here. And I assume that's going to continue into MLB season, which is so long. Joining us now is the baseball authority for the next generation of baseball fans. You go ahead and fire up the jet when you need to talk ball. Ladies and gentlemen, Jeff Pass. Yeah. What up, dude?

[I]

Gentlemen, it is a good day for baseball. It's a good week for baseball. And you know what, Pat? I'm glad that we, like, rescued you from the edge there. Like you were. It was getting close, man. You were almost out, but we just sucked you right back in the Italian.

[A]

We got United States, Canada tonight, and

[I]

we might have United States doctor with Paul Skeens on the mound against the Platinum Power. Like, things are looking up. Patrick, Things are looking up.

[A]

Things certainly are. And I'm not going to make an official declaration on what happens with me in baseball if we lose to Canada tonight. I think I know, but I don't. I don't want to make an official declaration. Shout to the Italians getting us to the quarterfinals. Can you tell me about Team USA tonight and how do baseball players respond to everybody mocking and ridiculing them? Can they just, like, lock in? Is that something that happens in baseball or how you're playing now is how you're playing. And we're going to have to hold on to. We're Going to have to hold on to our shit tonight against Canada, even though we're supposed to beat the hell out of them. Is that kind of how baseball goes, Pat?

[I]

This is. This is no offense intended to any other sport, but I think baseball players handle failure better than anyone because failure is such an inherent part of the game. You know, like the old saying goes, you fail seven out of every 10 times and you're a Hall of Famer. And so you have games like the one where the US Lost eight to six to Italy. It's not like there were a bunch of jabronis out there for the Italian team either. Like, these are good players. They absolutely carved through pool B. And they're gonna have a fantastic game tomorrow against Puerto Rico. But the main attraction tonight, United States, Canada, a few weeks after both of the gold medal Olympic hockey, and for Canada, they are approaching this the same way I think that the Italians did back in the original WBC, Pat. In 2006, Canada beat the United States. And this wasn't a Canadian team like the one now where you have big leaguers up and down the roster. They had like four or five big league guys. And Michael Sirocco, who's going to be starting for Team Canada tonight, goes to a Baseball Canada event every year. And every year, he said yesterday, they play highlights from that 2006 WBC game. So in the same way that every other team that's facing the United States approaches them, Canada right now looks at this as its championship game.

[A]

Canada, of course you guys are running those highlights.

[B]

Feeling like 06 a bit in here.

[A]

No, it is not right?

[B]

Hey, Jason Bay ain't walking through that.

[D]

No, he's not.

[A]

What's a funny, Jet? I don't like those. Those highlights need to stay 20 years ago. We need to blank them. Okay. We don't need that first pitch. Fastball right down the middle just to see if they can catch up to it or not.

[F]

Let's hit him. Let's hit him with the first pitch.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Bingo. We need to do fastball. Let's make it a middle finger one. Put them right on first base. Okay. I'm learning about, you know, your sport, Jet, as it continues to go, how the pitchers basically have. And I guess I should have known this because they're dogs, but there is like a lot of pride and ego and everything that's going on up there.

[H]

Oh, yes.

[A]

So that first bit, because remember our first, what, three games, the only hit we really gave up was the first pitch. Boom, bang. So I'm wondering What are we doing? Are we telling them what the first pitch is? They're like, yeah, first pitch normally going to be fastball, like that with an ace. First pitch is normally going to be fastball. And it's like, can we change that? They're like, you go tell the pitcher that. And I'm like, hey, can we not fucking throw fastball? And then it's always like, oh, yeah, maybe not, or whatever. They really take that personal, though, I guess that that is like a. A tone setter, I guess, as a pitch, and that the first pitch you get is going to be the best pitch normally. So if we can get past that first pitch tonight, we're in a good spot. Is that how I should feel?

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, I think so. I. I don't know if I would suggest plunking him and putting him on first base. That's typically not how you want to start a game.

[D]

I think we want.

[A]

What's better than a home run?

[B]

Well, right. We want. We need to get out of the first inning unscathed tonight. I think the biggest thing, Jet, I don't know if you agree with Blake, like, and maybe if you're down there and you've been around the team a little bit, like, we need to jump on them early because if, if this is another one of those games where it's like, you know, we're down two nothing in the fourth inning and we're starting to count how many at bats we have left, like, these guys will get tight because they understand the enormous amount of pressure that's on them piggybacking on top of what just happened against team Italy. So, like, what, what is the demeanor been of the team if you've been around them, Jeff, and what do you think, what do you think DeRosa is going to do lineup wise tonight?

[I]

I think they are appreciative of the fact that they're still in this tournament. And I think they are completely locked in now. You know, they, they got lucky. Frankly, things could have gone so much worse. Could have gone sideways in a. In a catastrophic way. And they didn't. And Italy came through. Italy picked him up as Vinny Pasco and Tino said, you're welcome, usa. And. And he was right. And I think. I think you're going to see the A lineup tonight and you're going to see the A lineup the rest of the tournament. Ty, we asked Mark derosa about this yesterday. Like, is Paul Goldschmidt essentially going to be getting any at bats? And he said he's under no restrictions when it comes to sitting guys who are position players down on the bench. And now that there are only three games left, the pitching is going to be laid out in a very particular way. Logan Webb, starting for Team USA tonight, an absolute workhorse dog. Three plus pitches. You're going to see sinkers, change ups and sliders tonight. He can locate them and land them both sides of the plate, up and down in the zone. Really the kind of guy you want. With only 80 pitches being allowed, he can be very efficient. He gets a lot of ground balls. You know, Team USA is favored in this game and significant favorites for good reasons, because despite what happened in the Italy game, they remain the most talented team in this tournament. And if they win this game and the Dominican Republic beats Korea tonight, let me tell you, boys, we got Paul Skeens versus the Doctor for a trip to the finals on Sunday night. It does not get any better than that. And that's the beauty of this tournament. That's why people are falling in love with the World Baseball Classic, because we're seeing the kind of emotion, we're seeing the sorts of things that we just don't typically see in a Major League Baseball game. And I love that the United States, every time this tournament comes around, gets exposed more and more to the passion that the Dominicans have, that the Japanese have, that countries around the rest of the world have toward this great game.

[A]

Let's do the baseball.

[B]

Let's do it.

[A]

Come on, boys. Hey, let's freaking do it. Let's do the baseball for the season.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

There's a couple ways that can happen. There's one way it can't.

[F]

When's opening day, jet?

[A]

Good question.

[I]

March 25th. Giants versus Yankees.

[A]

And when's. When's final day?

[C]

October. November 10th.

[A]

Yeah. All right.

[I]

I don't know what the hell I'm doing in 10 minutes. The fact that I was able to pull March 25th right there was a freaking miracle.

[A]

Yeah, we're pretty proud of you.

[D]

I got.

[A]

I got evaluation of a team wrong. In an earlier conversation, I spent some. I said, wrong number. Another time. There's a lot of numbers floating around, so we'll certainly excuse you. What we do appreciate is the fact you've been pushing for baseball for us for a long time. Without you, none of this happens for us. And we're very excited to watch us continue in the World Baseball Classic after tonight. Okay? That is what we're excited for. Thank you, Jet. I know you got something in two minutes. You're the man.

[I]

Appreciate you, boys. Have a great time watching tonight. And Pat, just one thing. Are you betting?

[A]

Yeah. Big one. Hammering it.

[I]

Oh, yeah, you are. Hell yeah, you are. You chased that, you can make it up. Patrick, I'm not chasing it.

[A]

It's not a chat. I'm not chasing anything.

[I]

Yes, you are.

[A]

No, I'm not. Degenerate. I'm not chasing anything.

[C]

He doesn't know.

[A]

I'm just saying it wasn't me in my bet that made us lose to Italy. That's what I'm trying. I'm trying to sleep.

[F]

Yeah, obviously sleep.

[A]

Yeah.

[D]

Are you doubling it or keeping the same? How bad are you chasing?

[C]

I'd triple.

[A]

I'm just doing the same. And mostly because my bank will let me deposit any more.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

Problem gambling, get me at a low restriction, you know, because I didn't gamble for a long time. I didn't gamble at all for a long time. Now that we're getting into all these different sports, I would like to continue to be into them. So what I've realized is I'm probably going to have to sprinkle a little something on some of these teams.

[E]

Sure.

[A]

Baseball. I had a bunch of Ls. Okay. I'm talking home runs. This guy's supposed to. Hey, he certainly does. He hits his warren track. That's cute. This guy. This guy went pulling through the fucking outfield wall. That's cool. Can you put one over it? Can we have him put one over it? So it was just L's. L's. L's. But I was watching baseball because of him. So then I was like, I'm done with this. I'm gonna win a baseball bet. And then this happens. And now I have to. Because at night when I lay my head down, I think to myself, maybe I did piss off the gambling God so much that they let Italy just kind of have their way with the United States of America and baseball and kind of put some position. We're in.

[B]

Not chance.

[A]

Tonight we're going to win and I'm be able to sleep. Clearly.

[D]

I don't think Italy was on you.

[A]

No, that's. We're going to find out tonight for sure. I'm going to have to clear that

[D]

with Italy was on the boys. Okay. They need to take this a little more seriously.

[C]

Losing.

[B]

They will.

[A]

Now they need a real chest. Baseball, obviously gigantic right now. Hockey happening the pwhl. How are the Boston fleet doing?

[C]

Fleet are rolling. They're still at the top. I believe Vancouver is coming in at second. Still very tight. Meghan Keller kind of mentioned it because there's only a certain amount of teams. Like the race to the number one seed for the playoffs is about as close as you can get, strictly because two weeks from now, the Fleet could be in last. They won't be because Meghan Keller is still kind of at the top. Excuse me, Montreal. There they are, Minnesota Frost. But still getting back into things post Olympics. I think they've only played three or four games, Pop, but we'll see how it kind of progresses here.

[A]

And.

[C]

And I still expect the Fleet and big Megan. Megan to kind of dominate.

[A]

Yeah. Irisa Keller. Yes, I understand who you're trying to talk about. Olympic gold medal hero Megyn Keller, friend of the program, absolute stud there for the Boston Fleet. That's pwhl. NHL also happening. Who's winning the NHL, Nick? The Pittsburgh Penguins are about to win it all. Is that what we need to keep an eye on for? They're going to win it all as soon as Sidney Crosby comes back from the injury. Oh, yeah. Some guy tried to run him off the ice in the Olympics. Don't love that. And also this weekend, college hoops all over the place. Championship week here. Conference championship week. March Madness is right around the corner.

[B]

Literally.

[A]

I don't know if you caught story or not, but Big 12 had their tournament in the Big 12. Some national champions hopefuls, some absolute studs from over there. They're playing on an led board. They're playing on an LED board. This thing was sick, you know, and obviously you're just watching a tv, you don't have sound on, and all of a sudden the court starts talking to you. You're like, wow, is this 2095? Is this year 3000? What are we doing? Well, it for a majority of pool play now for the championship, they are going to change it back to wood. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, the commissioner of the Big 12, Brett Yormar.

[J]

Yeah, Brett.

[A]

How you doing, Brett?

[H]

I'm doing great, Pat. How are you?

[A]

I'm fantastic. Thank you for joining us. That's AJ Raw. Big fans here.

[H]

Yeah, we're all big, aj how are you? But Pat, I got a question for you. The last time I saw you, I was in Lubbock and you were there for that big game versus byu. You were wearing a pair of cowboy boots. You had those on today.

[A]

No, no cowboy boots on today. Just shoes. I don't want to be too much of a badass here. And I have the belt buckle on either. But I'll tell you what, when you go down to Texas Tech, you get a shovel, you start digging for oil, you start feeling like a real cowboy. And the Big 12 has a lot of that great culture you guys have in the Big 12. And I think you love your conference immensely. It does feel like you're one of the most forward thinking commissioners we have in all of sport. Tell me about the led floor and then tell me about people immediately bitching about it. I would assume. Is that kind of how we got to this point or how did we land on the led board floor? And then why are we going back to Wood right now? Brad Rhett.

[H]

So, Pat, great question. First of all, anytime you innovate, you know there's going to be risk and you know that going in. And I think it's fair to say that you never expect 100% buy in. That being said, there were mixed reviews. Some players liked it, some players didn't. There was discussion about making adjustments, there was discussion about potential slippage. And following the games yesterday, I met with, you know, the four semifinal coaches and I had been encouraging feedback all week, in fact, for the last two weeks, starting with the women's and into the men's. And I was very intentional about that. And we decided last night that it must, that for us, most importantly, is that you've got four of the biggest brands in men's college basketball competing tonight and the conversation should be about those teams and not the court. And I made that decision ultimately following the feedback I had received some from the, some of the key stakeholders and I feel good about it. I think it was the right thing to do. And I often tell my staff, listen, we're in the good judgment business. It's critically important to make good judgment. And I made a judgment call last night and I stand by.

[A]

Okay, I like the judgment call. I appreciate you looking out for your conference. It's much bigger than just the court. I also appreciate you getting some sample research here for this led court. And how far away do you think we are from actually having that as a potential option for teams, whether colleges or professionals? Professional.

[H]

Listen, I, I, I'm still a lover of the led court based on what it can do and, and it was brought to life certainly throughout the women's and men's. That being said, I, I said to the owner last night and his staff, you got to go back to the lab, you know, you got to refine some, some things and let's keep the conversation.

[A]

Hey, we need better squeaks when the shoot, when we get a, we need to Squeak, like the old Nike and one commercial. We need the squeaks. We need.

[H]

Listen there, Pat. There was a lot of squeakage for sure, but candidly, they got to go back to the lab and they got to figure out and nothing's perfect in life. They got to refine it, and we're going to stay in touch with them. But, you know, listen, I am an innovator and I, I believe in trying to be different and lean into that point of differentiation. And that's what we did.

[A]

You said you have four teams playing tonight that could be in the national championship conversation. You feel good about where Big 12 is right now in hoops? Who's your women's Big 12 champ? Just. If you could talk about that quickly.

[H]

Hey, listen, let's start with the. You know, I, I love women's basketball and I was in Kansas City all last week. So every women's game, with the exception of going to the President's Roundtable, which I know we're going to discuss here in a little bit. West Virginia won the championship of our tournament. They did a great job, and I'm really proud of them. It was the first time they had won it in nine years. Jordan Harrison, who was the MVP of the tournament, was a transfer student and she came in with Mark Kellogg a couple of years ago, and it shows that the transfer can portal can work. And she started at Stephen F. Austin. She, she honed her skills there, moved on to West Virginia and obviously led them to the championship. And, and congratulations to the entire West Virginia community. Just a great win by them, and we expect big things out of them in the tournament. But it's not just West Virginia.

[A]

You.

[H]

My expectations is we should get eight, maybe nine. I'm being, you know, probably a little ambitious here in, in the big tournament, and I'll be going to some women's games and excited about, you know, what we're building on the women's side for sure.

[A]

Okay, and tell me about the men's side now, the Big 12. West Virginia obviously going to. Not even in it. Okay. So, Jason.

[H]

So, so, so, Pat, this is. I coined this phrase. We are the second best league. League behind the NBA, and I firmly believe it. Okay. Second best league. Here in Kansas City alone, we have three of the top seven teams in America. And I was kidding with Charlie Baker this morning. He, he and I chat often and in fact, he's coming to our games tonight. And I said, charlie, you'd love to have our Final Four in your Final Four. And he agreed. So we're Expecting big things tonight and then into our championship game tomorrow and then Selection Sunday on. On. Should be great for us. I mean, my expectation is a minimum of eight, but hopefully nine. And I do believe that we're well positioned to win a national championship this year. We've got big brands. They're performing at a high level. Now, listen, anything can happen, and it's all about the matchups, but I'm fairly confident.

[A]

Okay, so you mentioned Charlie Baker and you mentioned the Big 12 and where it stands amongst every other league. There was a meeting that happened just a few days ago that could change it all. AJ Has a question for you. Brett.

[H]

Yeah, Brett, you mentioned AJ how are you today?

[F]

I'm doing.

[E]

I'm doing great.

[F]

I appreciate what you're doing, too, for the Big 12. It's. We can tell you're passionate, but we mentioned the President's roundtable first, I guess. What was that experience like? And is anything actually going to come of that? I know you had a bunch of great minds in the room speaking, but do you think something can actually happen from this?

[H]

Well, let me start off by saying I was honored to be there. There. And there was an esteemed group of people, industry leaders and thought leaders that were present, as well as some elected officials. And candidly, when I was told about the meeting, I wasn't sure what direction it was going to go in, but it became very constructive. And we were there for about two hours, and many of us spoke about our concerns around collegiate athletics. And it was a very thoughtful conversation. And I do think coming out of there, we're going to see some momentum. I think it's critically important that we get the SCORE act done through the House and then move it to the Senate. And I think there's momentum for the SCORE ACT more so now than ever before. And I expect something to happen in the next couple of weeks. The SCORE act provides some of the guiding principles that we need, and you've probably heard it before, but federal preemption, limited liability protection, so we can enforce the rules that hopefully govern collegiate athletics. There's also a declaration that student athletes are not employees. And I can tell you this. In my visits to campus and my time spending with student athletes, no one wants to be an employee. They want to be a student first. They want to enjoy that collegiate experience. And then lastly, it does provide student athlete protections. And one of the things that I spoke up about when I was on the Hill in that meeting was agents and. And being protected from some of the ruthless agents out there. Now There are many good agents out there, I want you to know that, and many of my friends. But some of these newcomers to the industry, if you will.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[H]

Are preying on our student athletes and their families. They're pushing them into the portal. They're asking for 20% plus commission, where you don't even find, you know, a third of that in the pros. And we've got to put a stop to it because every time a student athlete gets into the portal, there's 40% of them that don't come out. And every time they transfer, they lose credits. And what I love about this industry is that it's purpose driven. And at the end of the day, it's incumbent upon me and the leaders in this industry to make sure that we provide the opportunity to student athletes so they can become the best version of themselves. And a big part of that is getting a degree. And we are compromising that. And it's been. It's being driven in part, not entirely, but in part by some of these agents. Yeah, that's why we need to score act.

[A]

Bad business. Yeah. Happening all over the place. There's contracts not being fulfilled on both sides. Schools have no say in anything. But if the schools had say in things, maybe they would undercut some stuff. So it's like having some sort of guardrails. I think everybody on both political sides feels as if it's a necessity to keep college sports where it's headed, which is up and to the right, but also to save women's sports, Olympic sports, sports that are non revenue generating. That's a big deal. So did you guys know you guys were going in there to push the score Act? Because I didn't know what the meeting was. I knew I obviously had some friends in the room. I'm not gonna say whether or not I thought I could get into the room. I'm not gonna say whether or not I thought that was. But on that note, thought that was a very.

[H]

You should have been on the list. You should have been on the list. The. You should have been on the list.

[A]

I assume I could, like, if I really wanted to. I assume I could have, you know, Ooh, ra. Remember we did the whole thing. I assume I could have done that, but that felt like a thing that I should not have been a part of. Any TV people should have been a part of. Now, granted, presidents have networks, I think certainly should have been there because they're a big part of the money and the scheduling and kind of making things go forward, especially with what the TV deals are for the different conferences, how they don't line up. So like getting money kind of in it all. So I don't think. But listening to the room talk, did you guys know it was gonna turn into. Yeah, we all like the score. We all, everybody in this room kind of likes the score act. I didn't know that's what you guys. Was that the agenda? How in do you think President Trump was? Cuz I think he said a couple times, I can make an executive order to make this thing go through. And then we just gotta figure out the courts. Like, do you think he was like, did you guys know it was gonna be a very pro Score ACT meeting? Cause it felt like you all were very proud with where the score ACT was. And then it got turned down, I guess by a judge. If I'm reading this accurate or got

[H]

to, the score ACT is in the house and we need the score act done. And I will tell you that in speaking to my colleagues, you know, the power four commissioners, we're all rallying around the Score Act. We certainly feel it's something that needs to get done. And I think it was going to be a topic of conversation. We did not receive an agenda in advance, but we knew it would be a topic of conversation.

[A]

Got it. I thought it was, I thought it was well done. As people started talking, they were actually in the sport, you know, because I was watching it live and I heard the beginning statements. Okay, here we go. We're setting the tone for the meeting. The Yankees guy did a lot of talking. Okay. I don't know how much time we have. You're doing a lot of talking right now. Sweet. Appreciate you being invested, I guess, and interested in helping, especially if you're able to run such a good business. But then as the people around college sports started talking, it was like, oh, we want the score act. It sounded like everybody wanted the score act. And that was kind of what. That's good though, because that means there's an answer, seemingly pretty potentially, if we need it.

[H]

Well, listen, I've often said progress over perfection. The Score act is progress. It's not perfect. Okay. And there's a lot of other things we need to be working on. And I'm spending an enormous amount of time with my commissioner colleagues and Charlie Baker and the CEO of the csc, Brian Seely, on making sure that to your point earlier, we have rules, we can enforce those rules, and there are guardrails in all the right places. But the SCORE act is the first step forward and we need it and it'll give us some momentum.

[A]

It felt like both political parties were in on. It felt like from that meeting, it felt like everybody was kind of in on it. So good luck over there. We appreciate you being a part.

[H]

Thank you guys.

[A]

The change and thank you for representing the Big 12, man.

[H]

Thank you so much, guys. Thrilled to be with you today.

[A]

We need to give easier schedules to West Virginia. All sports.

[C]

You're the man.

[A]

Ladies and gentlemen, Bray your. Yeah, Bray. Brett's a thinker. He's a thinker.

[B]

He's a doer.

[F]

Innovator. I like. He says he's an innovator.

[C]

I like that.

[A]

Yeah. Like you said, I'm gonna listen. The resume showed you just go back and look, I'm an innovator. I don't like status quo. I want to change some things. I do want to do that. When I saw him down in Texas Tech, it was for, I think what was happening in that presidential meeting. I mean he was shaking a lot. There was a lot of powerful people at that Texas Tech game. There was a lot of powerful people right behind the game day set. There was just a line. I don't know how many billions of dollars were there, but there was is a lot of money there. And Brett was like, this is what we need to do. He was kind of like linking it all together. He does seem like he's a doer. That's why him being the Big 12 commissioner is so interesting. Because nobody really, you know, like the Big 12. West Virginia obviously runs that shit. But like, you know. Yeah, you know, like. Yeah, that's how. How about this is the year I decide that Audi Crooks is going to be my favorite basketball player in the Big 12.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

You know that West Virginia wins the first time in 90 years. Hey, I don't know any of you. Bob. Hey, thank you for doing that for Morgan Town. Are they in the tournament?

[B]

I think they're going to get in by the skin of their teeth.

[A]

Yeah, that's all that matters because you're not trying to be a monster in January.

[B]

No, you're not.

[A]

It is March and it is March.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

And West Virginia is tough team.

[B]

Sounds like they're the monster in March.

[A]

What's that?

[B]

Sounds like they're the monster in March.

[A]

Well, they're certain. Yes.

[B]

Not so much I would say though.

[A]

I mean, there's a chance you're about to get shook by all crooks. I mean, walking talking bucket as you shook. There's Audi crooks. Yeah. There's a chance. I would say wasn't even the champion West Virginia Mountaineers. They played on the led court, by the way, had no problem with it. No, it's good, he said. No big deal. Yeah, the court's dancing. I could see people.

[D]

I mean, I get my feet on it.

[C]

Feel distracting.

[A]

Just as an athlete though, or a coach, if you were to lose again on that court, you certainly are provided an excuse immediately. Yes, we're playing on some Mickey Mouse glass court. Never done it before, ever. And now we're doing it. Like you're just giving an opportunity for somebody to whine and bet. You bet. Like that is literally what you are. Providing he knew that. He said like anytime you're trying something new, you're doing it. And he said it shouldn't be about enough with the court. Okay, let's put the wood back out here. We got the boys. They could potentially go win. And Addie, I respect it, but I do appreciate that he's trying things. I. You're automatically going to be pissing losers off though. Like losers of games are going to have an excuse to be mad at you for why you did it. And then you can immediately say, well, both teams are playing on it. Let's move to the NFL. Kyler Murray officially signs a one year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. It was a cool thing to watch yesterday. I had no idea he was a Minnesota Viking fan growing up. All of a sudden it feels like a much more beautiful story as Kyler Murray, former number one overall to the Arizona Cardinals, ends up leaving there giving that them a bit of a cap hit while also getting paid. And in a situation where he could join any team for the vet men, which would be $1.3 million. We saw Russell Wilson do this with the Pittsburgh Steelers as he was still getting paid by the Denver Broncos. Similar situations here. Will Kyler Murray be able to go somewhere and take off? Then he start piecing them together with Kevin o' Connell and before he was even released from the Cardinals, the dreams were kind of coming together in Minnesota that Kyler Murray was going to lead them back to maybe an NFC title title, maybe a Super Bowl. He signs a one year deal with them age. How do you feel about Kyler Murray to Minnesota now that you know that he said that when Brett Favre threw that interception against the Saints, he cried real tears, man. Somebody asked him, how long you been a fan? When does it go back to? He goes a long time. I mean, I'm going to say something at some point. I'll Say it right now. I guess I cried real tears from Brett Favre, threw that interception. And then Minnesota Vikings fans I saw on the Internet were like, us too, man. Us too, bro. In this entire. It sounds even better and it looked even better than I thought it could. And now the football stuff, it's just all fantasy land for what's possible over

[F]

there, AJ Yeah, especially for the Vikings. It's all reward and not really much risk at all. You're only paying your quarterback of $1.3 million getting paid from his previous team. Like you said, the. The Russell Wilson situation. So I think it's a huge positive for all of Minnesota. But what does that quarterback room look like? Like with he and JJ like, what do you think spring ball or LTAs look like training camp? I don't know. Are they going to. Are they saying they're competing? What are we doing?

[A]

I don't know. Yesterday's press conference sure felt like Kyler was the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings.

[F]

Felt like they were introducing the starting QB for the new starting qb. He is here.

[A]

Yes. Ladies and gentlemen, we'd like to present to you the guy that's going to be taking us and we're paying him less money than our still first contract quarterback that we drafted in the first round, J.J. mcCarthy. And he'll be our starter. This guy is going to do it is what it felt like yesterday. I guess they haven't said that. Yeah. Adam Schefter in his tweet said he officially joins quarterback room with J.J. mcCarthy and it's like, well, Schefter's a Michigan man too, so trying to. What's the angle there? We don't know, but it sure felt like Kyler Murray was starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. And I guess now it just all comes down to whether or not he can learn the offense, operate the offense and if he can, Justin Jefferson, Tyler Murray on the same offense, Kevin o' Connell pulling the strings. Beef law on the defensive side. That fan base.

[B]

Yep.

[C]

Scoling.

[F]

It could be a scary team. They could be a scary matchup.

[B]

They could be. They could be.

[A]

This ain't the Spurs. Although I do love it. I do love it. I do love it.

[C]

I got it.

[A]

They could be a very scary team. This could be a problematic situation for you as Green Bay Packer owner. You know that the Bears are good all of a sudden. Great all of a sudden, I'd say, you know, the Detroit Lions are going to be good all of a sudden. Great all of a sudden. I'd Say, and now you got the Minnesota Vikings coming back into what they were just a couple years ago, and they maybe punched the football gods right in the sack by kicking Sam Donald out of the building and Daniel Jones out of the building. Does that worry you a little bit, Ty Schmidt, about the Minnesota Vikings?

[B]

Yeah, I think so. I mean, when you. But I also think it's kind of just status quo of the division. When all this stuff happened, you know, it was like, like I, I like the idea of Kyler getting a new opportunity somewhere else. And then of course it was going to be in Minnesota, you know, with a guy who everyone respects like Kevin OConnell, but every other team in that division's good. And I wonder, do you think they play, like, will they bring in, you know, like a Josh Dos or, you know, not him, but someone who KOC has had there before to kind of help Kyler throughout the process? Because that is kind of the one thing that everyone, you know, has been talking about about is, well, you know, for Kevin o' Connell's system, like a big part of Kyler Murray's game is playing outside of that. He wants to run all that kind of stuff. Like, it's very similar to what people were saying about Caleb Williams, it seems like, and is he going to be able to fit in with Ben Johnson's system? And obviously that, that was, you know, people jumped on that the first couple weeks of the season when he wasn't playing well, but we saw how that ends. So I think, yeah, if you're a Vikings fan, you're thinking like. Because that is, as a Packers fan, you didn't know early on, but what once JJ was the starting quarterback last year was like, this team is not beating, you know, the packers. And, and I'm sure every other team in the division felt like that.

[A]

I didn't like that they were saying mini soda.

[C]

Yeah, that was messed up.

[A]

I didn't like that they were saying

[D]

a lot, a lot of that.

[A]

Yeah, there was a lot of that immediate reaction to Kyler because he is shorter than any quarterback that's ever had success in the NFL pro.

[B]

I mean, yeah, probably what, 5, 7, 5 8, 8.

[C]

I think, I think he is.

[A]

No, he's got to be 5 9, 5 10.

[B]

5 9, 510 in cleats maybe.

[A]

No, cuz that's not how.

[D]

He's definitely shorter than, than Drew, but

[A]

he's been able to have what, 2510. Okay, he's 5 10. That was rude. That's what people on the Internet are saying.

[B]

No, but you watch, you watch the videos and it's like behind the lineman, like, he does. He looks like he's.

[F]

Well, they're 6 foot 10.

[C]

Those guys are.

[B]

Well, I'm just saying. Say it's, you know, I mean, that's what it looks like.

[A]

Yeah. In the comps. You know, whenever you see him on tv, he's with Giants.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Okay. That's like, for me, even I think a lot of the photos people see me with, I'm with like very tall people. So whenever they see me in play, like you're. People tell me that I'm taller than they think I am and it's like, well, that's because I think you've only seen me around super tall people. Like, Orlovsky was in here the other day. He's so tall.

[B]

He's very so tall.

[A]

He's so tall. Like people in sports normally. So tall, so athletic. So, Kyler, it does get amplified. It's just like Bryce Young with that back.

[B]

Yeah, exactly.

[A]

When he walked onto our set at Radio Row, I had no idea.

[B]

Oh, shit. Normal size.

[A]

You are not a. You are not a shrimp. That's what people are describing you as, basically. So I think that's all kind of, you know, talked about because in the history of the game, there hasn't been a lot. But Kyler's had success. Koc knows that that's a potential thing and he'll get it going. But I didn't like how the Internet just automatically started saying that I didn't like any of that. Con man. And that's where you live.

[C]

Yeah, no doubt about it. And he's a very easy target. You know, the whole video game things and his size. It is very fun to make fun of that type of thing in the NFL, but I think he's much smarter than he actually, you know, people think he is. Like, this feels like a situation where he's going to finally go to a, you know, a team, a coach, and not that Cliff Kingsbury wasn't, but like an offensive genius. Like, that's what we all think Koch is. Not to mention the best wide receiver in the NFL with Justin Jefferson. Like, it feels as though that entire building is one behind Kyler Murray and like, he is still a number one overall pick talent. Like, this isn't a guy who hasn't proven he can't do it. He's won 11 games in a season before. Like, he is very capable to go out there and completely change the trajectory of the career. And just the Minnesota Vikings, not just

[A]

this year he could stay there and you say building. Remember what Arizona Cardinals building was?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, and now Minnesota. Vastly different cities. Okay. And surroundings, but the building concept of it all. Arizona got all Fs. All Fs.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Just across the board.

[B]

Across the board.

[A]

Carpeting,

[C]

wallpaper, chairs, bathrooms, sinks, plates, forks, soap dispensers, toilet paper, toilets, parking spots,

[A]

team meeting lamps, whistles. Everything got Fs.

[C]

Footballs.

[A]

Those are Dukes. I don't know. I think they bought Wilson, don't you? I. It was hard. Don't you bring the NFL in this.

[B]

They bought Wilson's.

[A]

Don't you do that. Anyways, that whole building was. That's literally what that building was. So maybe Kyler, being who he is, you know, top 10 draft pick in MLB and NFL, was a little underwhelmed with everything that was going on in Arizona. You know, maybe he was just a little bit like, how is this what it is? And now he gets a chance to kind of refresh, rewrite his entire story. It's like, I. I like anybody going to koc's offense. I could throw a football. I really like somebody that's super motivated and loved the team as a kid. Like, that is huge bonus.

[F]

Huge bonus. I think especially with Kyler, like, learning that maybe. Oh, my gosh. Like, this is. This is how it was meant to be legit.

[A]

Titans had a huge party last night debuting their new logo and patches. Love the effort they put in.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Into the celebration, we had confetti, we had music, we had lights. We had an entire celebration. A little bit of a party. The boys were out there. It looks like, like Borgons and Bob are kind of doing their thing over there for the Tennessee Titans down in the absolutely electrifying city of Nashville. The whole world is at their disposal down there in Nashville. Hopefully they're able to win some games as Everett gets a shot on the stage. Good for the Gram. I appreciate him doing that PR guy for the Tennessee Titans, formerly of the Houston Texans. Good to us legend. This guy is very good to us. He had to make sure he got a shot for the Gram there for himself up on top, as he should respect that. But I like how much positive momentum there is seemingly behind the Titans. And their logo was leaked by the fanatics hat release. And everybody kind of shit on them. It's gonna look good.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

It's gonna look really good. I think it does look good. And good for the city having some positive shit. Aj.

[F]

Yeah. I mean, Nashville is awesome. We know that. Where was that Was that at the Bridgestone Arena? Is that what that whole celebration is?

[A]

I'm not sure. I saw it.

[F]

Looks like it's almost that big. But how isn't it? Wouldn't it be weird to be the guys have to wear the full uniform and pack and show up at like on a stage with a symphony playing next to you? Like, it looks great, but that's kind of an awkward situation to be in.

[A]

All right, let me go ahead and put on my costume. Ain't that what you're doing on game day?

[F]

H. Yeah, yeah, it is. And then you got all your buddies and you're running your heads into each other. This one, you're taking a mic and you're. You're chatting with running shoes on.

[A]

Is that the Pinnacle downtown Nashville? And I'll tell you what, this might have been the Pinnacle Jersey release that we have seen. Good celebration over there for the Tennessee Titans. Good positive vibes. As we wrap up here on espn. We'll head over to do the news on on ESPN news.

[C]

Nice.

[A]

And then we'll go into the greatest weekend of all time. Then we're back on Monday. We will obviously have another hour of spectacular. Oh my God.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

We got Q Rich joining us. Obviously talk a little NBA because the NBA is happening. First take. Get up. All NBA.

[B]

That's it.

[C]

Two hours normally is big night.

[A]

We were missing stuff. Luca won

[F]

every time after every bucket

[A]

of love it female ref. What was that camera person doing?

[B]

That camera?

[A]

Get off the floor. All right. Have an incredible weekend. We appreciate you all. Good luck to all the athletes doing their thing this weekend. Goodbye. Partner with Amazon Hub Delivery to earn

[B]

extra income for your business.

[A]

With your business, assist with local Amazon deliveries and get paid for each package you deliver. When you become a partner, you and your staff will deliver packages to customers

[B]

in your area on a schedule that works for you, gain extra income, increase exposure for your business, and connect with neighbors.

[A]

It's easy to get started with no

[B]

delivery experience, long term contracts or startup costs required. Interested in Learning more? Visit Amazon.com hubdelivery that's Amazon.com hubdelivery as

[A]

you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back. From professional grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery. They're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your partner in protecting Both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by. Sports are amazing. We gotta do it tonight.

[C]

H. We will.

[F]

What do you mean? There's no question.

[E]

We got it.

[A]

You're right.

[F]

So I'm place your bet. Did you bet already in there?

[A]

Yep. Hammer absolute and on. USA minus 900 to beat Canada tonight in World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. That's AJ Hawk. The toxic tables here at Boston. Connor at Ty Schmidt. One half of the hammer done Cowboys AP Tone is out here now. Tone, who's our lineup that we know? Who's. Who's going to be hitting Boston Bombs tonight? Do we know what can we bet on right now? Especially because I have this blind optimism that everybody's going to do good and we're going to kill them.

[D]

Okay, I have that optimism as well as you should. The lineup is not out yet so we don't know who is going to be in there obviously. USA minus 900. They are minus four and a half on the run line. Jet said they thought they were going to get the A lineup which you know, which was, was Wit and Harper and, and, and Judgy and all the boys that you've seen in the first three games before. They thought they didn't have to win the one against Italy. So they'll all be out there. They'll all be out there in the home run possibilities. The over under for the game is nine and a half.

[C]

Oh, cover that ourselves.

[D]

Yeah, I mean, I mean Logie's going to shut the boys out. Michael Soka is going for Canada. He's a, he's a good MLB picture pitcher. So we'll see what goes on there. But no, as of right now, we do not know what the lineup is. But you could still buy it on all the, all the normal guys that hit a home run.

[A]

Okay, I appreciate that. Going to bet on all the normal guys that hit home runs and Aaron Judge is going to show up for us tonight, right?

[B]

Yes. Tonight Aaron Judge will show up. I can, I guarantee it. Guarantee it. As some of these other guys who have kind of been limping along who are, you know, quote unquote in the A lineup. Those are the guys that we need to kind of make their presence known and let people know like hey, I, I actually am on the team. I am here to play.

[A]

Who is that?

[B]

Love the guy. He's one of my favorites. Bryce Harper has not been great, great so far. And Cal Raleigh is hitless. We need both. Both of those. Yeah, hitless, exactly. And again, part of that is because Early. Which side of the plate early doesn't matter. Yeah. He hasn't got a hit yet in the tournament. Part of that is because early on we were playing these rum dum teams with pitchers who can't throw strikes. You know, our teams are walking 18 times. He probably hasn't had something like that happen since sixth grade. But no more excuses, okay? You hit 60 homers last year.

[A]

Big dump.

[B]

Please don't take a big dump in your pants tonight. Let's fucking put one over the. Over the right field wall, please.

[C]

Did derosa tell him he has to hit, or did he say you just have to catch? You know, I'm just hoping that we have all kind of wheels forward here. All right, let's make sure everybody gets motivated. Jack Hughes, sure. We can motivate him.

[A]

Yeah. What's he saying, A.J. jack Hughes sent a message before the tournament, by the way.

[B]

He did?

[A]

The Canadians got all upset at Jack Hughes, and that's what I guess is, is. Why'd you send. That was before. That was before I sent a message.

[E]

Yeah.

[A]

I like baseball. Following along. Motivation. No. So it wasn't. Yeah, it wasn't before this game. It was before the tournament, allegedly. And maybe they run that whole thing back in this tire thing. But, AJ Why are all fingers going to potential world champion skipper D. RO There's a chance tonight he comes out with his best stuff, and I'm expecting it out of him as well.

[C]

Better.

[F]

I can't. It's going to be the ultimate, like, redemption situation that he is living in right now. He has to. Every interview he does, they claim that he misspeaks again or whatever going on. Like, leave the guy alone. Let him. Let him manage his ball club.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

He's allowed to say whatever he wants. He's allowed to say whatever he wants to motivate the boys. We were both two zero. So what neither of us had lost is what he was trying to say.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Let Dino do it.

[A]

And then all.

[C]

Dino needs to be standing up. Dino should be in front of the boys. Should be him and Matt Holiday.

[A]

All right, let's get some more news, shall we? Mike Evans did a press conference as he was introduced for the San Francisco 49ers. He's obviously so mature, such a veteran. But listening to him speak about what he thinks he can be for The San Francisco 49ers was cool to hear. Hey, Mike. Nick. Nick Wagner from ESPN here.

[F]

You mentioned that this, from a football

[A]

standpoint, this was the place that that

[H]

mattered the Most to you or fit

[A]

the best for you. Can you just expound on that? What specifically you mean from. From a football standpoint, why this was the right landing spot.

[J]

A team that always, they always compete,

[A]

even with the injuries last year, year,

[J]

I think they went 13 and 4. I mean, I feel like they were one piece away. And I think that I'm that piece

[A]

and I look forward to coming here and improving that. A.J. there are Ms. Love hearing that.

[F]

I love hearing that about my receiver.

[A]

Yeah, me too, dude. Absolutely. Especially if that's a conversation he was having with John lynch, you know, because it came out that Tampa Bay made a very good offer. Now it's like he's all in on what they can become out there. And San Fran and watching from afar. I, and I believe him age. I do think he's the piece that's potentially done multiple colors, weird shape, boom. Shove that thing in there. He. He's. He's a weapon, aj.

[F]

He is. Especially with Kyle Shanahan. I'm sure he and Brock Purdy will get on the same page very, very early on in the spring whenever they connect. But also with the presser. Do you think they said anything to these people? Hey, no more stupid questions about the substation. Don't be asking this guy. He hasn't even been here yet. You think they. They preempted him at all?

[A]

We didn't see the entire press conference. We assume he was asked about that.

[C]

That's the biggest worry for me by far.

[E]

I don't know.

[F]

I think they'd run it. I think they'd run it if he had to answer about it.

[A]

Yeah, you're right. And who would they be? Us or the Internet? Yep, the Internet would run the same. I just kind of want to say, which is part of the problem sometimes, but go ahead.

[C]

I mean, that's the biggest worry, without a doubt at this point is a substation. And George Kittle, I don't know where he said it, but he mentioned like, hey, the only thing weird about the substation is all the plants that surround it are just dead year round. So, yeah, I, I am genuinely worried.

[F]

Did he really say that?

[C]

Yes, he did.

[F]

Yeah.

[C]

That was like his.

[D]

He said the trees have slowly died.

[C]

Yeah. He said a veteran pointed it out to him that the only thing when it comes to the substation is all the plants around it are. Are just dead year round. It's California. There's supposed to be a lot year round. I mean, that is the. That's a real thing, I think. And this Will be the ultimate test. And lynch said, I mean, those plants

[A]

are living a thousand years in just one year because they're just getting volted the entire time.

[C]

That's what I mean.

[A]

They kind of give up a little bit. Call them electro magnet plant years, you know, dog, like seven years. Those plants, the whole time they're at attention. How long can a lily last? You know, whenever that thing's going to bloom, I guess not that thing's going to go out. Joining us now is a man who knows more about basketball than we'll ever learn. And I'm sure he will realize quickly that maybe we haven't been following along with what's going on in the association at all. And he is being brought here to tell us what the hell we need to care about. Ladies and gentlemen, friend of the program, 13 year NBA vet, one of the knuckleheads on the Knuckleheads podcast. Ladies and gentlemen, curate. I see you do. Good to see you, dude.

[E]

What's good? What's good, fellas?

[A]

Good to see you, dude. Thank you for joining us. We saw you on ESPN the other day. You looked clean. We're hoping there's more of that for you because we think you're great for basketball. Now let's talk about it. Los Angeles Lakers. Luka goes crazy last night. 51 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists. Subs himself out. I guess with a minute and a half left. Could add a 50 point triple double. Was seen on the sideline saying, I don't care, I don't care. He sits down and does not care. He then came out afterwards and talked about his motivation a little bit. Q. Rich, I don't know if you heard this or here's Luca talking about the night that was against the Bulls. I mean, in the second quarter, I

[J]

kind of felt it, you know, somebody

[A]

started talking to me. So kind of wake me up. Matas Vercellis. I was surprised. I was shocked.

[C]

So I guess what was it that was.

[J]

Care to share?

[C]

What was that?

[J]

The dialogue between you two and I

[C]

guess what about what he was saying?

[A]

Wookie up. I'm not gonna say what he said, but, you know, if I would say that, I would definitely get attacked. But really, you know, kind of, you know, these games, you know, sometimes you're going easy. And we kind of went easy in the first quarter. So then he woke me up. Okay, so Bou zealous, this guy. He's an American. Bouzelis. He was asked about the entire thing afterwards in the locker room is what he had to say. What do you hope to take away from the experience? Probably not to talk to him. So he learned not to talk to Luca. Is this something in the NBA where it is well known like, hey, we don't poke the bear here. We don't poke the bear. Is Luka always been that guy and he's taking it easy in the first quarter. Do we need to worry about Luka not trying all four quarters now all of a sudden, how should we view everything last night? And how normal is this type of thing?

[E]

No, this, this can be normal. I mean, you, a lot of the great players, you know, use different things to get themselves going. You know, you hear stories about MJ or Shaq creating things with guys or sometimes actually using real things to get them going. But I mean, like you say, it's a. The season can be long every game you just don't come out and just feel that energy every single game. That's why I have such a respect for guys like a Russell Westbrook or Kevin Garnett that channel that, that super, super high level of energy every single night. And I think Luke is like everybody else, you know, you, you know, and he has it, I mean, not like everybody else with his ability to go and get 50, 10 and 9 after you say something to him. Because that's a different level. You know, you said something, you poked a bear and now you gotta pay big time.

[A]

Okay, so are the Lakers gonna win? I saw the third in the west and then there was some narrative I saw and once again we're not following. I saw that how they were doing when LeBron wasn't playing was good. And then LeBron comes back and maybe they took him a little bit to catch up. Third in the West. Do they have a chance really win this? Or are all eyes on OKC as SGA goes for 127 game regular season game straights with at least 20 plus points last night. They're running the west or is there real. Do the Lakers really have a chance? Whenever it all is said and done,

[E]

I think the Lakers, depending on who they draw in the playoffs, they do have a legit chance because of what Luca's capable of doing. Then you look at AR and also obviously they got LeBron, but they gonna need help with their bigs in the middle with, with Hayes and Aiden. They need big games from those type of guys and then a big series from Rui. But I think, you know, when you got this type of explosiveness and this superstar power, they, they definitely have a chance. But like you Said, I think right now all eyes are definitely on SGA and the Thunder and you know, a little. It's a little side eye going over there to the spurs because they. They not playing around either. The spurs are definitely threatening and they have a chance as well.

[A]

Well, certainly ask about the Spurs. They have an alien in a matter of moments. But back to okc. Go ahead, con man.

[C]

Yeah, Kirich. I don't think anyone's doubting how great SGA is. Like, he is an unbelievable basketball player. You don't just walk in to 127 straight games, 20 plus points. But when it comes to the NBA community, the term ethical Hooper has been thrown around and typically, I love it, by the way. Yeah, typically not with sga. He's been. He's been kind of deemed an unethical Hooper. When you watch it as a former NBA superstar, like, how do you feel about just the way he plays now? He's smart and he draws fouls, no doubt about it. But is it a little too much with how much skill he has, the way he goes about the game?

[I]

No, I don't.

[E]

I think the difference is just right now in this time, you got the generation where everybody has a voice. So you got Twitter, you got social media, and you got everybody screaming different things. And most of the people are. Are. Are people that are fans of the team that he's destroying every night. So you got to put that in the context. The man didn't score. He. He hasn't scored less than 20 points since 2024. Fellas, this is the NBA. I'm talking about. No off days, no nuts. He giving whoever whenever buckets. And the thing that I hate when I hear all of this slander about, he's a foul baiter. He's this today, anybody who's a. Who watch hoop and watch the basketball at any level level, the guys that lead the league and scoring, the guys that are MVPs, the guys that are all NBA, they all get fouls. Whether it's Luca, whether it's Shay, whether it was KD, whether it was Russell, whether it was LeBron, whether it was D. Wade, Paul Pierce, any of these guys, you go back to MJ Allen, Iris, and they all shot a ton of free throws and more than anybody else in the league. So I don't get why. I do get that. It's just this, this era that like I say, the social media era where they can. Everybody can say something. Everybody got that voice. But like, like, this is not nothing new. This has been going on since forever.

[A]

Okay, so when did the term ethical buckets come? Because DBUT dropped it the other day. I love that this is a thing. Has this always been a thing in the basketball world, or is this new? Like, how people are starting to describe whether he's an ethical player? This guy pounded, pain a little bit, gets good, jumper doesn't flop. This guy unethical Hooper taking advantage of the rules. I don't like. How long has this been the way that it's been described? And the reason why I said I love it is just because somebody very innovative had to come up with that.

[B]

Certainly.

[A]

And I don't know if it's been always or just now. They've certainly changed the way people are being described on the court.

[E]

I mean, to me, like, I say, it's a. It's a. It's a. When you use that as far as a. Talking about SGA is disrespectful. The real Hoopers know.

[A]

Yeah, but has that been a thing? Have people been saying that for a long time in the basketball world?

[E]

I mean, unethical, that actual term, that.

[A]

That's.

[E]

That's more recent than anything.

[A]

Okay, so it is.

[E]

I haven't heard that in my. In my era or my generation. That's newer to me, because what were

[A]

they calling a foul merchant? So somebody got sick of saying foul merchant was like, we need something new, right?

[E]

We heard foul bait. Foul merchant. Yeah, unethical.

[B]

Yeah, down right on that.

[A]

It's unethical. That is. That's phenomenal that we're in a good time to be alive. People are, you know, very creative in this entire thing. Let's stay in the west here. Wrap up here. Go ahead, Tone.

[I]

Yeah, Q.

[D]

Rich, obviously we talked about the spurs and. And Wemby, you know, but it's not just Wemby. It's Darren Fox, it's Vassal, it's Castle. They are so young and talented, but are they too young? Like, are they. Do they need more experience to. To compete for a championship this year? Or is just Wemby such an alien that you think they could potentially win a championship this year? And every year that he's in that he's healthy?

[E]

Yeah, in my opinion. I'm not one of the guys or people to say, hey, they need to lose or need to feel this pain. I mean, I think that's just an excuse that everybody gives a great team if they don't do it. And they this young. I mean, to me, they got everything they need to. To go and win it. I mean, like you said, Wimby is, is, is incredible and phenomenal. But when you look at what, what Steph Castle brings to the table as a two way guard and he's a, he can be a lockdown defender. When you look at Fox, like you say Vassel and you know, all of the, the, the, the, the, the, the complimentary part. The Luke Cornett where he comes in and does and, and contributes to Kelden Johnson's, the. They got a full team of guys that can really play. And Dylan Harper as a rookie already.

[A]

How do you feel about Magic City Night being canceled in Atlanta as we move to the East?

[E]

I mean, I mean, I. First of all, let me say, when I first ever saw it, I was like, you know, all of this AI stuff going on, you don't know what's really real or fake. I was like, no way. I was like, I was like, this cannot be real. I was like, no way, this is real. But I mean, you know, as somebody who frequented Atlanta a lot, I have family in Atlanta. I have been to that fine establishment on an occasion or two, or maybe more than two. But I couldn't believe it was actually happening. When I saw it and I saw somebody speak out about it, I was like, oh yeah, they definitely gonna get this out of there. I'm like, they are not gonna let this go. Like, I've been in and around the NBA too long. That's why I was like, I definitely thought it was fake when it first happened. But I mean, being in Atlanta and knowing what Atlanta is about, I understand what it was going to be and what it was going to mean to them. And I also understand the other side of how, how it came to the point to where it got taken, you know, taken away.

[A]

As basketball is starting to come into our full focus, I only get the headlines, you know, through my algo. That one popping up. I had the same reaction as you, Magic. I love that that's happened. That was my first reaction, was like, oh, this is hilarious. Then I saw what the full diatribe.

[B]

Oh yeah.

[A]

Basically about, let me tell you why this is disgusting, okay? And it's like, that's a valid point. I don't know how, I don't know how. I don't know how Silver's gonna handle this entire thing. And then lo and behold, the NBA had to cancel. Steve Kunin down there in Atlanta was like, I don't know what you want me to do. We made an announcement.

[E]

It was gonna happen.

[A]

People love this place. Silver's like, I'm Canceling. He's like, I don't think that's the right move, but you got it. We'll swing the balls. They, they take a lot of shots down there in Atlanta, like every night. They are trying to make it an event. Like they're trying to make it a live event event, you know, and I,

[E]

I think they do have one of the, one of the great atmospheres though. They like, I, I always enjoy playing in Atlanta in that, in that building.

[A]

Well, that's because they take a lot of shots. Like they, they are cameraman on the

[C]

court trying to play.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Last night with a cameraman on the court. I mean there's, there's an email going to Steve Kunin from Adam Silver. Can you please a tighten up down there? Can you please? Steve's like, we're just trying to get good shots, man. Trying. They are putting on, they are putting on a live event down there every single night. Like they are trying to entertain not just their fans, but all of Atlanta. Like, hey, if you city you come to a game, you're gonna have a good time like that. Cheap prices for stuff always like they're taking a lot of shots on things. So when I saw the Magic City tonight, I was like, all right, we're going for it here. We really are. And then Silver saying, no, you're gonna have to go back to the drawing board if you want to pay respects to Magic City. We're gonna need Cheetah get a little respect as well. You're gonna have to go to some other. All right, let's move on. Let's move on. In the east. It's not just about Magic City and Atlanta and the Atlantic Atlanta Hawks being forward thinking marketing people. It's also about a record breaking evening down in Miami. Go ahead, Ty.

[B]

Yeah, Q. Rich. Going back to the ethical, you know, nonethical, unethical Hooper conversation. This kind of all started when Bam out of bio scored 83 points the other night. And for whatever reason people, boy, were they pissed off. Just not happy about this. Someone asked Eric Spoelstro the other, I think yesterday, you know his thoughts on it. He basically went the Conor McGregor route and said, I'm gonna apologize to absolutely no one. Like, this is a non story. As someone who played in the league though, and maybe part of this is all the reverence everyone has for Kobe. Like what was your take on Bam scoring 83 and how he got those 83 points first?

[E]

I absolutely loved him scoring 83. I, I was, I was first watching it, then I Wasn't watching it. Then somebody said he had 30 in the first quarter. So I went back to watching it and for to me see like you say the reverence for Kobe. If you truly have reverence for Kobe, you would know did Kobe himself would have did this. I mean very same thing. I don't know that he would have had to go, you know, go about it the way that Bam did because they different type of players. And we saw how Kobe got his 81 which was different in fact. But I mean Kobe, Kobe was that dude. Like MJ in 2003 hit the game winning an all star game and everybody wanted it to be MJ's moment. And Kobe said bump that and he came down and he won up that game winner. And he game winnered him and said I don't care about that. This is, that was the mama mentality. So if Mambu. I feel like if Kobe was here he would absolutely salute Bam for doing it. And, and he's actually said it before his passing that you know you supposed to appreciate and, and show respect to these guys when records are broken and things like that. For me it was disappointing to see all of the negative talk towards Bam and towards what happened because I mean anybody who knows Bam, he's one of the best human beings, best teammates, best guys you're gonna probably come across in this. And it's in the sports world, period. And I couldn't find anything anyone more deserving to do it than him. I mean as far as like he came out of nowhere, no one expected it and, and then just to know Bam and his story and the type of person, everything he's about, I can't see anybody having anything bad to say. But I mean that's the, that's the world we live in today. To me, I just, I just celebrate him and salute him for doing something that's gonna be there forever. No matter if somebody come and break it, he's still going to be in that, in that top upper echelon for doing it. So you know, I love spoke for doing what he did as a coach and for facilitating his guy to get that done.

[A]

Yeah, I appreciate that. I to your point, it came out of nowhere. I don't think most people, myself included, would have expected Bam Adebayo to go for 83.

[E]

Right.

[A]

I think like if SGA, sure, yeah. Jokic one for 83. If Harden somehow Kevin Durant one night, one absolutely crazy. Wemby went 480. Joker. Yes. These types of guys, I don't think Anybody expected Bam. So I think the initial reaction from people that aren't like super ball knowers was like, yeah, right. I think that is the, the initial thing. And then all you need is a couple people from the basketball world to be like, yeah, it is kinda. And then all of a sudden, boom. That whole entire narrative can kind of go because people are looking for an opinion to justify their thoughts. Right. From somebody that has some sort of. Of resume that says they know what they're thinking. So the negative thought we knew were gonna be real because of the world we're in. But he'll be able to forever say when him and miss Asia have kids. Yeah, dad won for 83. And also he's the second player to go for 10,000 right. In Miami Heat history. Is that accurate? Yeah, he just had that the other night. Hey, we need West Virginia University would like to offer scholarships right now. Yeah, we are the first ones in. Okay. This also goes to Travis and Taylor. If you guys, West Virginia would like to offer your kids full scholarships for whatever they want to do. Okay. They want to be lawyers, we got you. They want to play basketball, we got you. Volleyball, rifle, shit, whatever they want to do. We like to offer scholarship. I think that was cool for Bam. It was cool for basketball. Now let's stay in the east. Go ahead, A.J.

[F]

yeah, Q. Rich, obviously Jason Tatum comes back early from this Achilles injury, seems to be playing well and it doesn't really. I mean, he looks very, very good, I guess. What do you think their chances are of making a run at winning another championship this year? I know Luca Garza is averaging almost 8 points a game as well. He's really. Come on. What do you think about the Celtics as a whole?

[E]

I think it's. I think their chances for a championship are very real. I think the guys, Joe Missoula as a coach and the staff, everybody there did a great job coming into this season knowing that everybody was counting them out, out. And obviously you gotta salute Jalen Brown and that whole team, all of the player, the actual players, for doing what they did for, for going at it and looking at the opportunity, knowing that no one was expecting them to do that. And everybody counted them out and they, they put themselves in position to where, whether Jason came back or not, they were going to be a competitive team in these playoffs and no one knows what they were going to be able to do. And now when you add, you know, all NBA type guy like Jason Tatum is one of the top players in the league. Back to that. And he comes Back looking as good as he did in those first early few games game. You only think that it's only going to continue to, you know, get better for them as he gets more, you know, back to them, back to himself with his body and back to how he, you know, feeling better. And right now, I mean, the sky's the limit for them, man, because they, they look really, really good defensively and they, they shoot the ball really well. So, I mean, those, those two things there pair really well in the playoffs.

[A]

What's in that chest on the Nike box behind, over your left shoulder there, there's a little bit of a sweet, brief metal briefcase.

[E]

Those are, those, those are you guys. Those are the throwbacks, man.

[B]

Yeah.

[E]

16s where they came back with. With. When they came with the briefcase, man. You know, I know a lot of people in my neighborhood, man, they still got that old school briefcase for, you know, it might be for the, you know, the carry they, they, they haircut and clipper blades in or, you know, or various different things can. They can be used for.

[A]

Is it also utilized the same way? Like the crown royal bag was kind of used for a while. Is there. Is there.

[E]

Very similar. Very similar. Yeah. Like that type of vibe right there. Like you, you might have anything in the briefcase.

[B]

Yeah, I still have that briefcase. Briefcase got in seventh grade.

[A]

And I still have my crown roll.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Yeah. We had good times. Okay. All right. Sweet. Q. Rich, we appreciate you joining us, man.

[E]

Yes, sir. Anytime, fellas. Y' all already know.

[A]

What's your plan? Are you on. How much are you on? Espn. I saw you the other day on there. You getting more dates? How's this work?

[E]

Yeah, yeah, it'll be for the weekends. For the. Throughout the rest of the finals, all the way up to the finals and everything on the weekends. So I get to kick it with the legends like Hannah and Jay and Gary and Ryan and all those guys. So it'd be cool.

[A]

Yeah, but that's the only time we really get to watch weekends. Yeah, you're gonna be on our. You're gonna be doing shit for us. So we appreciate the hell out of you, man. We appreciate that.

[E]

No doubt, no doubt.

[A]

You're the man. Ladies and gentlemen, 13 year NBA vet. You Rich.

[J]

Yeah.

[A]

Like him?

[D]

Misy Rich?

[A]

Oh, yeah, yeah, he was good. He traveled all the way up to Indianapolis for the finals. It's almost.

[D]

It's almost NBA season.

[A]

Yeah, almost. He was saying a lot of stuff and I was like, okay, we're in. And then pulled the schedule up here and it Was like, ah, we still

[D]

got a little bit NBA season, six

[C]

weeks and then final or playoffs are really here.

[A]

March Madness seems like it's going to be good.

[B]

Oh, I think so.

[F]

Right. Election Sunday is coming, right? This Sunday.

[A]

Yeah. Right. That's.

[D]

We're here to practice draft picks who are going to be coming out are going to be in the tournament, which I feel like hasn't happened in a long time.

[B]

So.

[D]

And then you have really, really. You have four or five of the best teams that they've in the last decade this year. So it's something that. It'll be very, very fun.

[A]

And I is helping basketball quality. Yeah.

[D]

Because they're staying the top.

[C]

If we remember last year, the big thing last year is about how like the favorites basically they didn't clean sweep but they won most places where like those lower schools for nil. So if you're a person who bets on every single underdog in March, that's

[A]

kind of been your thing.

[C]

It kind of murdered it last year because. Because all those guys from the small schools, you know, they end up going to the bigger schools to play. But it did make the competition from you know, sweet 16 on amazing. Like those games were incredible. But those smaller schools like Florida, Gulf Coast. Remember when you know Dunk City. Dunk City was started. There were 15 seed like stories like that. St. Peter's was it? Yes, it was from New Jersey. Like those types places fa you a few years ago. Yeah. Doug. Yeah. Bingo. 100 year old lady, loyal sister Jean.

[A]

She.

[C]

No, she's still bringing it. She. I think she's playing point guard this year.

[A]

Pretty sure she might be playing.

[F]

Yeah, she might be playing three. Not. Not point guard. But I don't know. We might want to check on her. Dim.

[C]

I thought Sister Jean was.

[B]

She did pass away.

[A]

She passed away in October.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Rip.

[C]

I'm sorry.

[A]

Sorry.

[C]

I'm sorry. I didn't.

[A]

I didn't know either. That's why we're doing this right now. She had to be a hundred and something though, right? 106.

[B]

What a run.

[A]

Sister Jeannie beat the game. Oh my God. She beat the game. They said the human you were was the greatest that anybody had ever encountered. So much so that whenever you showed up at basketball games, a team that was talked about his ass actually became. Became magical.

[D]

It's okay.

[A]

We thank you for your service to sport. We thank you for your service to society. And I think even you would agree. 106. You did.

[E]

You.

[A]

You did it. You beat the game. Rest in peace, Sister Jean and I assume that their basketball team is now ass because she's not there.

[B]

They lost their coach too after they

[A]

went to the funnel 4 love you said. I think they were that school is basketball conversation is real. Anything to say super Catholic stuff right now that you would say for this?

[B]

Your watch is ended, Sister Jean. Thank you.

[A]

And anemone. Yeah.

[B]

Espirit Santo.

[A]

Rest in peace, Sister Jean. All right.

[E]

Done good.

[F]

106.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

That's a winner.

[C]

It's a hell of a life ship.

[A]

Never mind.

[C]

What's that she What?

[D]

What was that age.

[C]

That's all I got.

[F]

That's all I got. Sometimes questions pop my head and then I just stop.

[A]

Yeah, we know. And usually because the question is not supposed to be asked at the moment in which it was going to be asked. You didn't forget the question halfway through it. You realize shouldn't let this one out of my mouth right now. And on that note, thank you for doing that. Cuz we're paying respects right now to 106 year old sister G. Yeah, Potty.

[F]

It was not going to be a disrespectful question, but I just, I've matured and so I just sometimes I stop myself.

[A]

Okay. Thank you for doing that.

[C]

Remember when they forgot to, you know, give her high fives coming off the court that one time?

[A]

Yeah. And that's why the coach left.

[C]

That was crazy that that might have done it.

[A]

Speaking of rest in peace and legends passing away, Jim Merce passed away his Jim Merce collection. The guitars were sold I believe last night for auction for a lot of money. And he obviously had a traveling museum that he was trying to showcase to the world. Things that he loved, things that he thought should be preserved and showed for people to see forever from. I think he has the original AA book that is kind of like the guiding principles all the way to a Jimi Hendrix guitar to like a piece of Shinzu's actual like he just loved history. He loved showcasing his stuff, did full shows and since he has passed, they are going to send them to new ownership, you know, who would take care of them and treat them well. And also to the tune of 30 plus million, maybe even 80 plus million for maybe even 100 plus million dollars in collectively. Yeah, he had it all. Yeah. And he did showcase it and he did showcase it a lot. And he was a billionaire who, you know, wanted to go to a show. I'm going to show. Should I get. I should get the Beatles drum set from Johnny Carson, Right?

[B]

Duh.

[A]

Who else is bidding for it. That guy don't even like music. That guy doesn't even. And I'm not. Yeah, I. I'll do that. What's your number? What's your number, boss? Do you see who else is thinking about buying it? We'll never see those drums again. Do not. Let's go ahead and get it. That's literally how he felt. And, yeah, it's turning of a page. You know, good luck with all these things. Everybody that ends up with him and the Ursay family. This has to be an interesting thing to go through.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Every new item is a new story in a memory and nostalgia that you kind of have to go through during your mourning process, while also your profession is an everyday reminder of. That's a crazy thing for the three daughters to kind of have to go through. I assume every day is just a constant reminder of somebody that isn't there anymore. So good luck to them as they process it all while trying to navigate an NFL team, NFL waters, and actual, like, human grieving process. That's a. That's an insane kind of process happening

[B]

right now, especially, like, with this kind of stuff, because we talked about this little bit before the show. Like, that. That's not like an exaggeration that says, like, he basically could, like, operate a museum. Like, he had that. You know, I. I imagine going through that house, like, there is stuff that they probably haven't seen in a long time, and it's just like, oh, wow, you know, is it. This may be the. The time to get rid of this. And then, like you said, like, that brings on just, like, all these memories and stuff like that. But at the very least, you know, at least that stuff's not just gonna be sitting around and collecting dust like they're doing the right thing. That's probably what Jim would have wanted to do is, you know, hey, let's let somebody else enjoy this now.

[A]

Yeah. You know, he felt like he was just kind of the carrier of the baton for those things, and I'm excited to learn what all he has. I think that's going to start rolling out because it's going to be a Nice little reminder, A.J. it'll be a nice reminder of a man who wanted to preserve a lot of things. Let's talk about this free agency frenzy. Obviously, the commanders had a lot of money. Still have a lot of money.

[F]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Commanders can make a lot of moves. Right now. They have a league high, $65 million in million, a available cap. They can make a lot of plays. What are people leaning towards for them to do so.

[D]

What they're originally addressed and had to address in the free agency was their defense. They had to get a lot younger and a lot better on defense. Their defense was horrendous last year, so they did that with Adafe Owe who's the edge, who came over from the Chargers, who's really good. Then they got Clayvon Chase on the edge from the Patriots, so now they have a pass rush in that situation. They got Leos, who we've been told many times is the linebacker from Kansas City is the strongest human ox that exists on planet Earth. Nick Cross, the safety from the Colts. So they addressed the defensive side of the ball early and often to get better and younger on that side. They got Chiga and Conquo for the tight ends for a weapon to go with the weapons that they currently have, which aren't much. So they still need to address wide receiver. A lot of people are talking about their only wide receiver of note, to be honest, is Terry McLaurin. So they need maybe a second now they people are tying the relationship between Jalen and then Brandon Iuk because they played in college together. Sorry, Jaden. Jaden Daniels, they played in college together, Arizona State. So maybe once he gets released by the 49ers, maybe IU comes over the to the commanders, but they're still going to need maybe a couple more defensive pieces and some offensive weapons at the wide receiver position.

[A]

They spent a lot of money AJ still have a lot of money left. The brand and Iuk situation is fascinating. Obviously just turned down like $30 million guaranteed. Just didn't go to work there for a while with the San Francisco 49ers. Fascinating situation, but obviously an incredible football player. And if he and Jaden get along, they obviously have the money to be able to afford him. But they could also make other moves. Age I love the position that the commanders are in. And this comes after we just complimented the Raiders who might have had the greatest free agency frenzy of all time.

[F]

Yeah, you're right. When I look at this and I say, hey, we need wide receiver help, is there any chance that Debo goes back there on a discounted deal? Like he goes and tests the waters and hey, because I'm surprised he hasn't signed with anybody else yet.

[C]

Yeah, Debo Diggs, you know, Stefan Diggs has got released by the Patriots and he has impending court case coming up in April. But like teams are still, you know, at least rumored to be interested in him. Juwan Jennings, another guy like who knows if him and I, you go from Niners to Commanders. But you, you could also see that type of situation just because Jaden Daniels is such an appeal at quarterback. Like you would want to play with a guy like that. Without a doubt. And they got a new stadium. Like, things are looking up in Washington at least in the next five years or so.

[A]

Hollywood Brown also available. John, ooh, Smith available. So they got $65 million to be able to play with. And this like third wave of free agencies. So the deals should be pretty easy to kind of get done at this case. Hey, Commanders did great. Raiders did great. We love what the Titans did. We love what the Carolina Panthers did. Love what the Colts did. Love that Patriots, though. Con man said nobody's talk about the Patriots. Patriots were in the Super Bowl. We did good and we showed them no respect during free agency is kind of what you were saying.

[C]

Well, a lot of the deals just weren't massive deals. Romeo Dobbs was the only one. Four years, 80 million. It really ended up being like a four year, $68 million deal. I feel like Elliot Wolf has done that better than anybody when it comes to those terms. You know, Elijah, Vera, Tucker, everyone kind of buried about, hey, this guy's been hurt. He missed all last season with triceps. He has a 250k roster bonus for every single game. Draymond Jones, another guy. But the two really, for me that stood out were Reggie Gilliam, the fullback, which you're not just going to get juiced up when you see it, and then Kevin Byard, the safety. He led the league in interceptions last year. You could argue the Patriots weren't great at actually turning the ball over when it came to interceptions and forced fumbles. I reached out to debut dbut was like, this was one of my favorite signings of the entire free agency. Just because when you pair him with a Christian Gonzalez with a Carlton Davis, that opens up him even more. And not to mention, you know, Craig Woodson going into his second year. One of the bright spots in the super bowl for New England was massive to get that knowledge transferred from one to the other.

[A]

Did he have five straight weeks of pitch or something like that?

[B]

I think he did.

[C]

He had a couple multiple interception games too. Like, he went bananas and, you know.

[A]

And now he's going to be targeted.

[C]

Yeah, now, exactly. Now he's free to roam a little more even, you know, like for the Bears. Him and Brisker were great and Brisker went to Pittsburgh, but they didn't have the lockdown corners that New England had like New England has two bonafide suds, one that's going to be an all pro, probably highest paid in the history of the NFL. Christian Gonzalez and then the fullback. I think the biggest thing is when you look at what happened with the resurgence of James Cook, a lot of those yards, a lot of those kind of schemes they, they had and granted the duo was the big thing. Two times he was on the field doing those things. And when it comes to Treveon Henderson, I expect him to make a huge jump because of the inclusion of the fullback.

[A]

The Patriots are back. It sucks. And they're making all the right decisions and it seems like the mass holes are loving every second of them.

[C]

Hell yeah.

[A]

They already made it to a Super Bowl. They lose, okay, so we don't have to deal with the mass holes saying wow, this is such an easy sport. You guys, you guys make it so difficult. This is what it is. But then they reload in the offseason. They got a lot to kind of grow off of and Drake May is only going to get better, we assume. Good for the Patriots and Tone as soon as Connor said, you know, we didn't really talk about the Patriots free agency. Tone goes, there's a team that I wouldn't mind talking about with what they did in free agency that I kind of like it. I would never compliment them on any other day. So let's go ahead and get that under control. Ton said, maybe not the mistake by the lake up there.

[J]

Oh wow.

[A]

Is that what you were saying, Tom?

[D]

I mean there's still. Let's lock it around. There's still a mistake by the lake. They still have a long way to go. But they did what kind of the Bears kind of did last year. The Bears needed a turnaround big time and they needed that offensive line line coming into free agency. The Browns had zero offensive linemen for next season so they had to go out and address it and they did. They went and got Titus Howard before free agency started. They traded him and gave him a huge extension. He's been good at the right tackle position so that'll be good there. Elton Jenkins from the packers, they got him. He's going to move back to his natural center spot where he was a two time Pro Bowler. So maybe they'll be good there. Zion Johnson was the highest ranked guard on the market. Connor and I were very interested in him coming to our teams. Was designed disappointed to see him go to the Browns and then Tevin Jenkins. Jenkins is a solid guard too. So they went and got better at every single position on the offensive line. And then they sit there at number six, which a lot of people are projecting. They may take a left tackle at six so that their entire, entire offensive line will be new, but it'll be much improved. And that's where it all starts. That's what the Bears did last year. That's what the Raiders addressed with Linderbaum. So I think it's just.

[E]

I did.

[D]

I wanted to highlight the Browns. It was weird, but I. It felt right.

[A]

Yeah. Todd Monkin's coming here in jeans saying, hey, we can kind of turn this place around if we really want to. Andrew Barry, who's the GM formerly of the Indianapolis Colts, now he's with Cleveland. He kind of got his name dragged a little bit because of the hiring process of the head coaching position and how the quarterback thing has all kind of landed. He. They might have better days ahead. Is Shador their starting quarterback? AJ Is Shador Sanders starting quarterback for the Browns? Where's Dylan Gabriel in all this? Desean Watson's back doing drills. What are the Ohio people think about the Browns next year? Because I assume the Miz thinks they're winning a Super Bowl. Is that how everybody else thinks?

[F]

Yeah, I mean, the Miz is his own unique kind of Browns fan. He's very. He's much more positive and optimistic than the Browns fans. I am usually around, but yeah, I think people want. People are willing to give Shador a shot as a starter now. It is weird. Desean could be out there taking snaps. Dylan Gabriel is still there, but I think Monkin kind of kind of being under the radar, doing this, like you say, shoring up the. The offensive line and the fact that Tone is even talking in a positive light about the Cleveland Browns, that's all we need to. To know, like they are doing the right thing.

[A]

How about that, Tone?

[D]

How about it?

[A]

Yeah, we don't know if they're doing the right thing. Tone could be wrong. He is an AP voter for all the NFL.

[F]

I should say they're trying. I guess they're attempting. They're trying to build their team, which we like.

[A]

And they've been really hamstrung the last couple years with contracts, though. Not that they're still not with desean Watson, but at least they're kind of getting into a later version of that whole thing.

[B]

Do you think it's that big of a deal that Jim Schwartz isn't going to be coming back as their defensive coordinator? Because that's something that no one's really talking about how they basically hired Todd Monk. And we're like, I'm sorry, Jim, get the hell out of here. We know your defense has been the best in the NFL pretty much for the last five years, but you're not getting the head coaching job. Take a hike. Like, how big of a deal do you think that is? Because it seems like they're doing things right on the offensive side of the ball. But now like what their strength was is, you know, they're g. Have a

[A]

new coordinator and Miles put out a right at some point a post about something.

[D]

Probably it's just off season. So that's.

[A]

Yeah, I hope, I hope he breaks

[D]

you in half when he could for sure.

[A]

Yes, he certainly.

[B]

Good.

[A]

And you just kind of popped off at the mouth a little bit.

[D]

I was speaking facts.

[A]

He was over there at the Winter Olympics supporting.

[B]

He was.

[A]

Okay, so maybe he is in a much better position in a Zen wise with Todd Monkin getting the job over Jim Schwartz. We were kind of confused why you would do that. If you're going to do an older coach who's successful at their respective jobs, why not just keep the guy who was led to a historic defense and is probably beloved in the building? And they said, oh, we want something fresh. We want something new. New. We'll see if the defense responds in the same way. We assume Miles Garrett's going to get to the quarterback.

[C]

No doubt. We assume he's Jason Graham.

[A]

And I saw Jerry Judy trading with Mr. Golden Feet.

[C]

Yeah. Route God.

[A]

Yeah, Route God. There it is. About that. Yeah. And he. What tweet did you see? I'm sure you saw something for somebody that knows what explosivity looks like.

[D]

Yeah. They said, oh, great, he's traded with R.A. maybe she'd be training with hands.

[B]

God, that's ridiculous.

[A]

Jerry Judy has unbelievable hands and unbelievable, unbelievable aura.

[C]

Unbelievable hair and chains and clothes.

[A]

As we continue to try our best to fill in the AFC north because we might be joined by somebody who just joined the AFC north team that

[D]

won the AFC north free agency.

[A]

We have audio issues.

[H]

Again.

[A]

This is starting to become our problem. This is starting to become our problem. I feel. Feels like. No, all fingers in the back are heading right to the other side. Okay. I don't like us throwing everybody under the bus like this, but I do like that we're doing the news. Hey, we got some news. We have somebody connected that we're going to talk about. Talk to and about for the AFC North. But the news is it's on their end. Is what everybody say on.

[C]

Man, that's tough.

[A]

Before we get to more AFC north conversation, let's go to the tennis world. This isn't a fucking hindrance, man. Okay? Run it. It. Foxy, please. You're mad with me. I'm sorry.

[D]

No, I'm not.

[A]

I'm not at all. But I don't think it. No, but I would understand. I don't think it distracted you enough. That's what I'm saying. Did you see a hindrance?

[F]

He's not the first player this tournament

[A]

to feel like there's a call be missed. And mez probably saying hindrance, is he?

[C]

Yep. Well, this is a big moment because he might actually have a case here.

[A]

Medvedev. Well, if he, if he asked for it, it means that he saw it, right? There's no way it distracted him enough

[J]

in the rule book.

[A]

If he misses the next ball. Yes, then I understand, but we played two more.

[E]

Two more shots.

[A]

This is something different now. If he asked for it, it means he saw it, right? So if he saw it, the only thing I can say is that it was different than normal. There's no way it was enough to distract him, though.

[H]

There's no way.

[A]

Well, this is the benefit of. Of the doubt. It's the benefits of the doubt.

[E]

Players do that all the time.

[A]

All the time.

[B]

All the time.

[A]

Like we, like players do this all the time, where they're like this gesture with his hand. His gesture with his hand was a hindrance. We're finally getting to it. I was sick of waiting for it. But that whole thing happens in tennis. Bruce, you're supposed to be our tennis guy. That happens. I hate sport. This guy can't do this whenever it's out of bounds, and then the other guy can say, they interrupted me in the way I'm thinking. And it sounded like the female ref there. I don't know what that rule. The judge, the.

[E]

The line judge.

[A]

The. The judge what the. Super ref in these things.

[C]

Super.

[A]

It felt like they were trying to say in front of him, like, hey, are you sure that this was a hind. He could have at any moment said it wasn't an actual hindrance. I was making it up. And this was like game winning point situation. Right, too, Bruce.

[F]

Yes.

[A]

It was the second set and it was tied 55.

[E]

So that was a pivotal game, a pivotal, you know, moment in the match. And Medvedev, he, He. He's kind of a salty, sawed off prick. He's not giving away any points. He's not conceding any, you Know, chivalry,

[A]

you know, given, given points away ever.

[E]

So, yeah, just kind of a classic.

[A]

Tennis. I hate tennis.

[F]

I've decided I've never seen it though. Why is that a rule? If anyone has played racquetball? In racquetball, you can call hinder if you get in the guy's way.

[A]

Sure.

[F]

And they're, you're in their way. That's like a legit thing. But when you're on opposite sides of the court, I don't care if the dude sits there and helicopters his meat. I'm still finishing the point.

[A]

Now, unless he helicoptered his meat on every hit. I guess if it's a little bit different than the other, they could call it a hindrance. And I'm learning that. So if he helicoptered every time, I think that would be the normal. But what she was trying to say is the rules are you did something out of the normal. He said it hindered his brain power capacity.

[F]

You got to still keep playing.

[A]

That's. He did though. That's, that's kind of what old buddy was saying. That was a great point. We did four more points after his. What are we even talking about? Medvedev goes, I know st. I saw it. You can't do it. I guess it's also called whenever there's loud. So I guess if, I guess.

[F]

Do they actually call it for that?

[E]

Do they call it for that?

[F]

Because what was. One more time.

[A]

Okay. So that's actually a big part of it. I, I, I was doing some research. So if every time I go. And then I go, that's hindrance. That one would be the hindrance. Oh. Cuz it was different than normal 100 times. And then I go. They would say that's, that's a hindrance right there.

[F]

You're just finishing. Yeah. You're just finishing the point.

[A]

Exactly. And I don't know why they do all the grunting. I appreciate that they have more energy going through their hands than anybody in any other sport. But it is not just like socially acceptable in every other sport to be grunting as loud as you possibly can while doing your job. And I think that's why I like tennis. Okay. Now I'm back on it. These people screaming in the middle of an arena and then now if you don't scream so they kind of set themselves, they have to do the most scream they would ever do.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because if they get to the point of having to do that, it can't be called a hindrance. So now it makes a lot more sense. Yeah. I just want to let tennis know I. I'll never watch it again

[F]

here.

[A]

I'm out.

[F]

You're out. I didn't know hinders was a call.

[A]

It's a call. Yet near the, near the taped up fingers guy.

[C]

Yeah.

[F]

Bruce grew up playing tennis. Did he know hindrance was a thing?

[A]

I didn't. I was doing a lot of hindering against the kids playing all year, spiking my racket in the parent parent child tournament, all that. I like that. Rich Eisen here. You know that feeling of handing off your taxes and then hearing no, nothing. Total radio silence. Well, not anymore. Now your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full service expert who checks for every deduction and keeps you in the loop with real time updates on your phone. Just match with your dedicated expert, upload your docs and go live your life confident you're getting every dollar you deserve. This is how taxes should be. Visit turbotax.com today to learn more. Real time updates only in iOS mobile app only available with TurboTax full service

[B]

experts Shot clocks, big shots, upsets, aces,

[A]

TGL playoffs are here. First Atlanta drive starts their repeat run

[B]

against Los Angeles Golf Club.

[A]

Then Rory's Boston Common golf and Tigers Jupiter Lynx face off in their playoff debuts. Who will advance?

[B]

Keep up its playoffs.

[A]

Tune in Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30pm and 9pm only on ESPN and the ESPN app. What's going on here? Can we not talk to these people over in the AFC north or what's coming?

[F]

They.

[A]

They're trying again to their phone. So it was a wi fi issue over there. Also Bristol.

[E]

Bristol was talking to us about losing, losing the feed for a bit and then they had me pinned so they

[F]

were just screaming in my ear while

[A]

I was trying to talk about Dennis.

[C]

I mean, if Bristol's losing the feed, it's, it's hard to be pointing the

[A]

finger at the other team. Yeah, it feels like it's probably back room issue over there.

[E]

Good point.

[C]

100 mile an hour winds outside. Are all our satellites up out there?

[A]

Hao's okay though. Yeah, Hako is okay. He looks better than ever.

[B]

Look at that haircut he does.

[F]

I've seen like pretty windy out here.

[D]

Eight cows fly by during the show.

[A]

Well, if you can feel it, you can chase. That is what it felt like earlier. We, you know how we have that camera shooting out at the gate and then out in the front? I don't think a lot of people know that. People should know that if you're around our property we do see you. So if you walk in with a see through onesie on with your cheeks, out with a guitar. Yep, we are going to see you.

[C]

Gotcha.

[A]

And we are going to investigate. Now we are in Indiana, you know, so the things that we have inside of here potentially, you know, whatever, but cameras outside shaking and then we saw just leaves and just flying like it looked like a movie. Bags were flying through there today. We hope everybody's safe. Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen, is a man who used to call this place home. Now he's a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, ladies and gentlemen. Wide receiver for the Steelers, a man who the Yinzers are going to absolutely love. He'd literally break his back on a football field if it meant he could get a reception. A dog in the purest of forms. Also a farmer, I think. Ladies and gentlemen, Michael Pittman Jr.

[J]

Thank you. Thank you, guys, Guys, thank you.

[A]

Thank you.

[J]

Appreciate you guys having me.

[A]

Hey, congratulations on being a Pittsburgh Steeler. We're all very excited for you. Yada, yada yada. Can you please tell me your energy as you go into that Steelers building? Because obviously I'm from Pittsburgh. I've watched your entire career here in Indianapolis. I'm very appreciative of the culture in which I think you operate by. I think it's going to be great for that city. How do you feel as a Pittsburgh Steeler and everything that that city kind of represents?

[J]

Absolutely. I mean, I would just like to start out with saying that Indy. I mean, like, I've loved my time in indie so much. I mean, everybody there, like, it's so hard to leave such a special place and everybody there that made it like so great. So shout out to the training room, shout out to the equipment room and obviously all of my teammates and stuff too, but, but you know, like, looking forward, just, just. Yeah, I mean, I just feel like my style of football just, just like fits in here. Just like that Smash mouth football and everything. Like, you know, like I feel like that's the way that I play football and, and that I'm going to fit in well here. So excited about it. Fired up. I talked to coach Mike and, and everything that he has planned for me and it just sounds great.

[A]

So.

[J]

So I'm stinking fired up to be here.

[A]

Hey, I'm stinking fired up for you too. It's going to work out perfectly. AJ has a question for you.

[H]

Yeah.

[F]

You mentioned Big Mike McCarthy. What was your first impression speaking with him? And what, what about his personality and his passion about Football made you want to become a Steeler?

[J]

Absolutely. I mean, just like his passion and. And like, just like the thing or the stuff that he was talking about or just like, talking about with. With being more diversified because, you know, like, when I was with the Colts, like, you saw a lot of intermediate to short stuff, like, just work on opening that back up to more of the things I did in my first three years. Right. And like, just getting back to that well rounded receiver that I am.

[A]

So.

[J]

And. And then obviously, like, we know that. That, like, that. That Aaron is still thinking about playing or not playing. And then, like, we're fortunate that we got two really good quarterbacks on Ro. In Mason or in Mason. Like, and Will. And like, you guys might have a better sense of Aaron coming back to play. Like, then, like, I do. So you guys would probably know something before me.

[A]

So now AJ Definitely will. And I think if he was to come back, you would be one of the first people he would probably tell, brother. He. You are a person that. He is going to be good friends. He is going to. He's going to like who you are, not only as a wide receiver, but just as a human. He. He's gonna. This guy's a farmer. Like, the way you and his relationship are gonna go, I think if it was to happen, would be spectacular. But on that note, Connor has a question about contact.

[C]

Yeah, Michael, because of that thought right there, have you reached out to Aaron maybe to inquire about either living in his house or, you know, just about the area in general? Cause that might be a good way to gauge it. Hey, Aaron, can I, you know, maybe buy your house off you if he says no? Oh, okay. So you're gonna throw the ball to me or is there. Has there been any contact in that sense?

[A]

Yeah. Do it for all of us.

[C]

As far as what you'll be. Yeah, because we'd like to know, too, because we'd like to talk about that.

[J]

Yep, absolutely. So I haven't reached out to him yet. I'm trying to give him his space to think and. Yeah, I mean, like, I, you know, like, just like, Alec would love to move in with him, but. But, you know, after what he said about him or him and. Or him and his wife, like, just like, I don't want to get. He's working, like, in, like, the way. Way true. Way of them doing their stuff.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[C]

We have Beats by Dre.

[A]

It is smart. Yeah. We need noise canceling if you're gonna head out there, because I think there's Gonna chance you're gonna be hearing a lot of different stuff. Guys in great shape. Great shape.

[C]

A lot of push ups.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah,

[C]

he's doing a lot of push ups.

[A]

Michael Pippen, you know what we're talking about? We're talking to brand new Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver. Ty has a question for you.

[B]

Yeah, Michael, we heard that you were in Uganda maybe when all this went down. Did this catch you by surprise, being traded? I imagine that would potentially suck, being halfway across the world and then realizing, like, oh, boy, I just got. Now I got to figure all this stuff out or did you know that this could potentially happen and this was maybe kind of an expectation once Alec Pierce signed his new big deal with the Colts.

[J]

Yeah. So going back, I actually booked this trip like last year, so obviously I didn't have the complete foresight to see this happening, but as it kind of progressed, I kind of planned for having to potentially make a early trip back. So I actually ended up cutting the trip short by. By six days. But obviously, like, I was happy to do it because, you know, this is like, important stuff. Stuff.

[A]

But, yeah, so, yeah.

[F]

Yeah.

[J]

So I was out there for about seven, seven to eight days. Like, it's a complete blur because there's no Internet, there's no cell service, and we were doing like a safari and fishing thing, and we got to go to a villages and drop off some food and like, stuff like that. So it was great.

[A]

Did they fly a pigeon in? How exactly did they let you know, hey, you're a Pittsburgh Steeler now, and Big Mike McCarthy would like to say. Yeah, what's up? Yeah.

[C]

Omar Khan running through the safari with a machete.

[J]

So there's this one room that has WI fi, and you have to be in that room to 3G.

[C]

Yeah, like.

[J]

Like your 3G. Like, with band WI fi. So that's how I found out. And then I got in there, and then everybody's calling me, texting me. I'm like. But obviously, like, as it got closer, like, I obviously knew, knew, like, knew which direction that we were headed.

[A]

So did you find any perspective in a place with no WI fi, knowing that you're potentially about to have a new home? Seriously, was there any. Because I. I think you were with. Obviously, I don't know who you're with. I. I don't know exactly the dynamics, but I assume that was very close. People in the. Your life that you're traveling, what, 48 hours to get to the middle of nowhere, spending time with nothing else. Did you have perspective conversations about Life while you're out there trying to pull, what, Godzilla out of there. I don't know what you're doing. And Uganda.

[E]

Yeah.

[J]

I mean, I mean, it, like. Like, it definitely puts, like, perspective, like, on life, you know, like, being out there and being with the local people like, that live there and just see how they live with so much less. And, like, it just. Just really makes you put your. Your problems into, like, perspective. Be like, I'm worried about this. And these people are struggling every single day to just. Just live the way that they're living right now. And it just puts, like, perspective. And just being out there is just, like, eye opening and just being able to help them out and do the little things I could do, like, while, like, I was there.

[A]

So you put up. This is a river monster. I don't know what the hell this thing. What is it? Oh, yeah.

[C]

So.

[J]

So that's actually the fish that my brother caught. So I caught a much smaller one. That's why, like, I didn't.

[A]

Definitely positive.

[J]

Right, Right.

[A]

Change your shirt. Pose with another one. Yeah. Did it on a different day. You got to do what you got to do. Congrats on an incredible trip, I guess to Uganda, and we're very thankful that you're a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. We'll continue our conversation with Michael Pittman Jr. As this hour wraps up on doing the news. ESPN News will continue digitally on YouTube, ESPN plus Disney plus TikTok Live and X. This man's a Pittsburgh Steeler. Now, Tone, before we go off air, is there any message you want the world to hear you telling Michael Pittman?

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Mr. Pittman, everyone is very, very excited. I'm not sure if you saw the Twitter reaction. I know you did because I saw you change your Twitter profile. But anything you need in the city, anything, you let me know. We'll get it done. We'll kill someone for you.

[A]

Okay?

[E]

Thank you. Thank you.

[J]

I appreciate that.

[A]

Hold on. Okay, we're back. Oh, man. That's had to be. All right, so we're still live, Michael. We're still live. Still live. We're just on ESPN News anymore. We're just only digitally.

[D]

That's true.

[A]

Feel good Friday.

[D]

He wanted me to tell him what the city was reaction was and what they would do for him. And I was telling the truth.

[A]

And the thing about it is, when I talked about you going to another team, I actually said, this guy's willing to die on the football field. You are all in. Whenever we were having issues or hearing issues about the culture and the buy in at the Indianapolis Colts and was like, you were the one that I. And we talked about as like, this guy will always show up. I even said when Jonathan Taylor did the holdout and got paid for it, it was like, Michael Pitman Jr. Should be the next one. Just put a hoodie on, sunglasses on, and do it. You held us together, bro, for a long time. And we all have a lot of respect. And the Pittsburgh Steelers fans that are on this show were forced to watch it. So it's like, I. I think our messaging to people back in Pittsburgh, not that we know a lot of people, we know a good amount of people, is like, this guy, it's in his name, Pittman. Like, he is supposed to be a Steeler now. On that note, Tony has a question about the Pittsburgh Steeler journey.

[D]

Yeah, dude. Michael, there's a lot of leaders in the locker room. A lot of them on the defensive side of the ball, though. Cam, tj, Patrick Queen, Jalen Ramsey on the offset offensive side of the ball. If Aaron doesn't come back, it's you and DK pretty much who are the vets, though. Everyone else has been there for a while, but they're still younger. Have you thought of about your role in the locker room yet, which is. Is loaded with a ton of leaders in there?

[J]

Absolutely, yeah. I mean, I mean, like, I definitely have to put in, like, my, like, time here first, and I got to learn from them, you know, like, I got to learn from T.J. i got to learn from Cam. I got to learn from Aaron, like, if he decides to come back the way that they do things here. Because that's one thing that I don't want to do is coming here stepping on toes and trying to do something that, that, like, they don't do. You know, like, I. I am a part of their team now and. And I have to be assimilated, like, into that and. And. And like, I have to earn that from them first.

[A]

Nick Moraldo in the back, also a Steelers fan, said, you come in and step on some tough.

[E]

Yeah, sure.

[A]

Okay, you go. That's also a injur in the back. So, I mean, that's just one particular Italian injury. Who is saying that? But the city's pumped for you and good luck. I heard. I just got a message in my ear from the back room. You said something about needing to find a farmer to till the land as you're going over to Pittsburgh. Is that accurate?

[J]

Yes. So I'm going to need a farm manager to take care to Take care of the cows, horses, goats, chickens, and the grass and the hay.

[A]

Okay.

[J]

Yep. So that. Yep. That's iron, right? Tip the alongside horn.

[A]

What's the tip to tip? What's the inches there? Tip to tip.

[E]

I don't.

[J]

I don't know, but she's definitely our widest.

[A]

I was told by Texas people, you're supposed to know tip to tip. That was a question that I was supposed to get an answer for right there. I want to let from my understanding of how this conversation was supposed to go. I only have one longhorn conversation, and it's me coming in saying tip to tip. What is that thing? Do we got titles or not? So that you just kind of ruined everything I had going for my life there. But iron is beautiful. At least that's a tip to tip if I've ever seen one. Geez Louise Pitman Jr.

[J]

Tip to tip. It's at least bigger than four inches. So there you go.

[A]

That's good for Pittsburgh, too, brother. I'll let you know. You're going to. You're going to be impressed with that. We'll see you soon. We hope you're around during the draft. We'll be around Pittsburgh, and we can't wait to watch all of it. Good luck, man. Hopefully you find a farm manager for your tip to tips all around there.

[J]

All right, thanks, guys. I appreciate it.

[A]

Good luck, Mike. You're the man. Ladies and gentlemen, former Indianapolis Colt. We appreciate your service. Now, Pittsburgh Steeler, Michael Pittman.

[F]

Yeah, Michael.

[A]

Supposed to know tip to tip.

[C]

Yeah, that is. That is baseline.

[D]

He just knows that. He loves iron with all his heart.

[A]

Yeah, I know, but what it.

[D]

Oh, iron. That kind of.

[E]

Kind of.

[C]

Yeah. I'm pretty sure the other bull is called city,

[A]

and then the other one's called light, and then the other one is mango. Oh, man. This might be too good to be true for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Who's throwing them the ball? Will Macy? I don't know, Aaron. You guys know. I don't know.

[D]

Is that guy ever going to make up his goddamn mind?

[F]

Have there been an offer to him? Do we know that?

[A]

That's a good question.

[J]

Okay.

[A]

That was. What I learned from the conversation, is that Steelers haven't been. What? Oh, okay, sure. What. That's what it weighed on. I did. I didn't love that. He did deflect my question of him working out and staying in shape directly to, you know, like.

[C]

Yeah, that's just the reality. It's a good little.

[F]

Good little detour to get.

[A]

Knock you off because I had him, you know, like, Connor doing the. Hey, can I buy your house? That's a good way to, you know. Yeah. I need an answer. So, like, oh, you're working out. What are you working out for? Still playing, or is this just going to be who you are as a person? He then quickly had to be like, I guess I'm telling the truth here. I'm working out the. Nah, bro. I'm, you know, and I, I respect that so much. That might have been the, that might have been my favorite moment from all Aaron Rodgers's appearances.

[J]

Yeah.

[A]

Is that he said a lot. He was an hour and a half in there. Talked a lot. Complimented a lot of people. Complimented everybody.

[D]

Second favorite.

[A]

Loved it. And then the only takeaway immediately afterwards was, like, a picture of, of him. Love the way graphics departments are working now. Boning, you know, like, picture of Aaron Wood, you know, like, sexually active. Yeah. I was like, yeah, it's good journalism. I mean, people are wondering why the guy looks better than ever. It's not because he wants to continue to spin the pill. He doesn't know that yet.

[B]

Right.

[C]

Spinning his pill.

[A]

Boom. He's spitting pills out. All right.

[F]

Ropes.

[A]

Huh? You tell us you heard that, what you're thinking.

[F]

I said he was throwing ropes is what I said.

[A]

Yeah.

[F]

So shooting ropes.

[C]

There it is now.

[A]

And also throwing them. We don't know, actually. We don't.

[F]

You know, you can do both, probably.

[A]

Yeah. Didn't they bend a bullet one time?

[J]

Yeah, they did.

[C]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

Who, Angelina Jolie.

[A]

Yep. She threw that thing.

[F]

Has she been acting in the last 10 years?

[A]

I don't think she has to, but I, I, I do know.

[B]

Certainly doesn't have to. She's probably been in a thing or two. But, yeah, you know, I mean, she's got, like, 40 kids.

[A]

Acting's a good time. Acting's a good mental test. That is a. That. That's what I have realized. It's a good, fun mental test. Can you remember the words?

[F]

Well, you. And can you be good, too? You got to be able to be good. We know. We've seen people that are terrible on camera.

[C]

Yeah. Can you be the word?

[A]

I have yet to see myself do anything, which is kind of interesting. Okay, I've seen a little bit of me. That was a good clip. I've seen a little tiny bit of me.

[B]

Brief clip, but it was good.

[A]

But it's interesting. I'm getting a chance to do things because. Because, you know, there is a. Hey, should try to learn about this particular industry, you know, Especially with who we know and opportunities that are taking place. Especially with Ahri. I mean, ahrii Emanuel. Just come. Hey, you're gonna be an actor? It's like. I don't think that's the case. Nope. You wanna be a principal in a Super bowl commercial? When is it? This weekend. Where? San Diego. No, I can't do that. Oh, not. Thank you. You're in a Super bowl commercial. That's how this whole thing started with Ari. Okay. That's literally how this is whole thing started. And then I go do the principal commercial. So much fun. Peter Berg's working that thing. So much fun. I mean, it was. It was. I'd never done anything like that before. I got cast as a tree in a high school play.

[B]

Nice. Okay.

[A]

I cast as a tree. I think it was Christmas. Lahrman got Santa Claus. Nice. Love that. He got Santa Claus.

[D]

I know. We did that.

[A]

Yeah. It was Ms. Something. She was a reading teacher. She was not a big fan. Fan. She purposely put me as a tree. I'd stand there for an hour and a half and the door in practice. Hour and a half. Stand as a tree. I had one word. I think it was like, hello, you know? So that was like, the most I did in acting as a whole. Never done it before. So that whole principal thing was awesome. I had a lot of fun. And then all of a sudden, it's like, hey, could you be a drill instructor? And it's like, what's that? That's like the baddest guy on earth. I don't think so. They're like, we would like to see if you could do this, please. So then I go down Paris island, learn how to be a drill instructor, watch them do a thing. And it's like, hey, you're in the Greatest Generation. And also you're a drill instructor, which is complete opposite of kind of my personality. Okay. I was a fat principal that was in. Then all of a sudden, I'm a fucking drill instructor in World War II. From the Greatest Generation. World War I vet. Being a drill instructor for the Marines at Parris Island. It's like, that seems like a big responsibility. They're like, well, yeah, don't fuck it up. Then it's like, okay. So I give that up a full go, fly to Australia to do that. So that's my second time acting. I'm in Australia filming a movie around people that are like, Shakespearean train doing their whole lives.

[F]

Yeah. Been doing that their whole lives.

[A]

Yeah. So, like, the. It was like a really cool feeling before things are about to start, I don't know how many millions worth of everything that's in there. You got trucks and kings everywhere. And then you got these actors who are phenomenal here. And it's like, hey, we're wasting all this time right now because of you. And it's like the feeling. Feeling I got before that was like, sick. Like, that was like. That was like a cool. That was like a cool feeling right there. And then doing it, it's like, wow, okay. It's fun to, like, take on the personality of somebody that I'm not. Fat principal, then a drill instructor. And then I guess they watch like the dailies is what it's called, but kind of learn about this business. They watch like the dailies, which is the. Every single shot basically, is being sent to executives at places to kind of watch it. I didn't know that, obviously, at the time. I don't know how many people know that, but they're watching dailies and they're like, hey, Tallis, the King's filming right now. They need somebody that's kind of similar to your age and build. Could you be a potential. I don't know, for giving away what I am in that particular thing. But that's completely different. None of these things have been like any character that is me, you know, so I've actually had to, like, portray things that are vastly different than who I am. And I've been loving learning about it. I've been loving the person process. They put a report out that I'm trying to be the next Stallone or something. It's like, thank you for trying to make everybody hate me, thinking that I'm going to be. There's never going to be another Sylvester Stallone. But I am certainly watching and learning and getting an incredible opportunity to work alongside of him. And it's like, there will never be another Sylvester Stallone ever. I'm watching this guy rewrite things by hand and then, like, doing it all. So it's like I'm trying to learn as much as I can. And we have an interest certainly in the Thunder. Thunderdome, in getting into that world. And I've just been very grateful that I've gotten a chance to see it at a very high end, kind of thrown into the deep end. And I know I don't deserve these shots. And there's gonna be other actors that are gonna be upset about me getting these opportunities. And I agree. This is the first time that we've ever had somebody actually like, you know, kinda kind of speed up everything. I think. I think that would be a good way to.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We've never had an aria manual.

[B]

No, right?

[A]

No, no, no.

[B]

But you have to earn them after the first one. Like, the first one you probably get because of who you are. But then if people see your dailies and they suck like you're not. Someone is not going to put their reputation on the line. And a movie on the line for, hey, yeah, you know, let's. Let's give. It's Pat McAfee. Let's give him, like, you actually have to prove, like, oh, no, this guy can do this. He can do this.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

I just wanted to let people know that we. I am not under the guise that I think I'm going to be a movie star. Okay. That is weird. Are just learning about the process right now. And I didn't call Ari and be like, hey, make me a fucking.

[B]

I'm a fucking movie star.

[A]

Let's go. That is not how kind of how I was being put. Like, I was very thankful that people were talking about. It was very cool. And Ari, like, the only people he reps at this point because he just. He's. He might be one of the greatest American dream business stories of all time whenever it's all said and done with what he's been able to do and accomplish and everything like that. But it's like they wrote an article. Article about me being the next Alone from some. What was it, Variety?

[B]

I think so, yeah.

[A]

Friday or something like that. And they're like, ari reps. And they listed off who he reps or whatever. And it's just like, so ridiculous that my name was next to any of those people. And I'm very thankful for the opportunities that Ari is presenting because this guy's a weapon. He's everything he was in Entourage, okay, as Ari Gold. But, yeah, I'm trying to enjoy it all, man. I really am. And I'm trying to learn as much as possible about it while I'm doing. And also respect. Respect the craft as much as possible. Reading books about it, watching YouTube videos about it, things to think about. The other actors on set, Goody from Tulsa King, Cash Flow, who plays Bigfoot on Tulsa King. These people have a little bit. A lot more experience than I do. Like them being so welcoming and, like, teaching and coaching.

[D]

It's like the drill instructor cast you're with is very good.

[C]

Sick.

[A]

Yeah, they're all, like, incredible actors, all of them.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

And they had to spend an entire day getting yelled at by me. That's the business. Entire day. Entire day. Oh, isn't it nice? Look at you. You fifi fo f big. This guy's from a family of things. You got me just in his grill, you know, like this. And, yeah, it's been cool. It's been fun. But there is no illusion where I think I am going to be Sylvester Stallone. Nobody will be the next Sylvester Stallone. And I don't think I covered that enough because of how much of a run we've been on. So I just want to make sure before we get into the weekend, everybody knows that I do not think I am a movie star. I am just trying to learn about said business because of how awesome it has been to us as a society. And, yeah, it's been really cool. Scott Stone down there at Tulsa king this guy. OG legend. Been around class, doing his thing out there. A lot of good people, man, have been trying to give me opportunities, and they have had to tell me what you told me, too, though, because I'm like, as soon as I get there, I'm like, thank you so much for the opportunity.

[B]

They're like, hey, yeah, if you sucked, you wouldn't be here.

[A]

We're not doing favors here, right? This whole thing, I'm like, all right. I mean, we'll see. I haven't seen any of it, but I saw one picture, live picture. Somebody sent me a live picture of the edit, so I held it.

[F]

Oh, oh. So you could see the second half.

[A]

So I could see. Yeah, I got half a second. Second of me acting.

[B]

Got a little bit of dialogue in

[A]

there because I've never seen myself. So people are like, how are you? I'm like, I have no idea. And then I show up at, like, a scene, and I don't have, like, the fundamentals to fall back on, you know, because I'm like, I have no idea if what I was doing was right. So just. All right, I'm just gonna just see how it goes. So we really won't know until all this comes out how it is. That's an interesting guy.

[B]

Yeah, I can imagine.

[A]

That's an interesting mental. Be fun. Hey, is this going good? I have no idea. Special delivery. Me just going right into a scene with picking people who are multi millionaires from acting. It's like, it's been fun. It's been fun. On that note, let's have the greatest weekend of all time.

[B]

Hell. Hell, yeah.

[A]

Good work this week, boys.

[C]

You, too.

[A]

Great work this week.

[D]

You too, brother.

[A]

Toxic table. Great work this week. You too, brother. Boys in the back. Good work this week. Good work, boys. Graphic design boys, good work. This way, Tim and Zeno, good work this week. Shetty Shrag Zorlovsky, good work. This way, boys. Aj, it's been great to see you. Nice haircut. See you next week. On Monday you're going to show up ready to go. And I can't wait for that. Yeah. And baseball.

[F]

Can't wait.

[A]

Still going to.

[F]

I was just going to say us. I mean, you shouldn't guarantee a win, but you can pretty much guarantee.

[B]

You can guarantee.

[C]

You can guarantee.

[A]

You're right. Let me go ahead and put 5,000 down on them. Right, Right now. Gumpy, enough with your minus 900. Yeah. Minus nine. It's not as big of a favorite, obviously against Italy or minus 1100, which is why. Yeah.

[B]

A little bit more return on your investment.

[C]

Yeah, it's huge.

[D]

It's actually really good.

[A]

Yeah. And now they're sending me, now they're sending me responsible gaming videos again. The darts got you again. Yeah. So I, I haven't had this happen to me ever. After losing a five thousand dollar bet on a minus eleven hundred favorite and getting mocked and ridiculed across the entire Internet world, DraftKings just launched his responsible gaming thing. As soon as I log in there going, hey, you want to fucking shut this down for me?

[C]

Double checkpoint.

[A]

You're allowed to breathe. You don't have to chase this thing. You can exclude yourself actually for up to five years if you would like to ban yourself from the platform. It's like. Okay, so I understand it was a bad bet. Please, can you hear me out? Yeah, I was just trying to get away.

[B]

The boys are gonna win.

[F]

You gotta plead your case on there

[A]

to the air for America. That's the only thing. I got a problem. Okay, let me. I'm gonna put this bed in while we're live, just so it can be real.

[B]

Still no lineup. I'd like to know who's gonna be in the line.

[C]

Does he know what time the game is?

[B]

I think D Rose locked in for this.

[C]

Just double checking.

[A]

Boys, I want to let you know I'm now winning $555. Let's go, boys. And on Monday, baseball still exists. We'll see you then. Have an incredible weekend. Be a friend. Tell a friend something nice. It might change your life. We're in this thing together. Team on me. Team on three. Thank you all for allowing us to do this for a living. We are eternally grateful and the luckiest dudes on earth. We understand that. We're gonna try to respect that forever. And we hope you will continue to love sports alongside all of us. Team on me. Team on three. One, two, three, team. Goodbye, Monster Energy. Everybody knows White Monster Zero Ultra, that's the og it kicked off this whole Zero Sugar energy drink thing, but Ultra is a whole lineup now. You've got Strawberry Dreams, Blue Hawaiian Sunrise, and Vice Guava. And they all bring the Monster Energy punch. So if you've been living in the White can branch out. Ultra's got a flavor for every vibe, and every Single one is zero sugar. Tap the banner to learn more from 30 for 30 podcasts.

[H]

Did you say someone got shot?

[D]

Brian Pata, senior defensive lineman for Miami, gunned down the key to this case.

[A]

It's Brian.

[F]

An hour before he died, he was

[A]

on the phone arguing with somebody. This might be a hit. You want the truth? They just want a conviction. Being placed under arrest. We had a killer amongst us. Murder at the U. Listen now.