NBA and TNT Want to Make It Work

Entering a pivotal Week 12, the Big Ten and SEC occupy eight of the twelve spots in the College Football Playoff rankings. Front Office Sports newsletter writer David Rumsey joins the show discuss why these conferences hold the keys to a successful 12-team CFP, especially as it relates to TV audiences. Plus, we hear from CFB analyst Adam Breneman on the evolutions of the transfer portal, revenue sharing model, and coaching expectations.

The NBA and TNT could be approaching a legal settlement, according to Front Office Sports senior reporters A.J. Perez and Michael McCarthy. Perez joins the show with the latest in this rights saga and an expected timeline for its resolution. Plus, we speak with Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau ahead of the anticipated matchup against the unbeaten Chiefs this Sunday. Also, Diamond Sports Group emerges from bankruptcy, the Rays have a new home, and there's a billion-dollar lifeline for Houston’s iconic Astrodome.

Drew Brees hadn't called an NFL game since 2022, until Monday night when he joined as a guest analyst. Is his second stint in the booth imminent? “Tuned In” columnist Michael McCarthy spoke to sources about Brees's potential return and joins the show to discuss what he knows. Plus, we hear from ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks about the second iteration of the NBA in-season tournament, the new media-rights landscape, and how the new CBA is helping small market teams like the Cavaliers thrive. Also, the PLL launches the Women's Lacrosse League and Unrivaled announces a new arena in Miami.

Jerry Jones says Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is unlikely to get fired during the season, despite the team's 3–6 record so far. But according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the problems with Dallas start with its notorious owner. Schultz joins the show with the latest with the Cowboys, the Chiefs, and more. Plus, we speak with Annika Sörenstam ahead of the celebrity pro-am LPGA event in her namesake, The Annika driven by Gainbridge.

The second edition of the NBA’s in-season tournament begins Tuesday, now branded as the NBA Emirates Cup. We sit down with longtime league executive Scott Perry to discuss the process of the tournament coming together and how the NBA can continue building on last year's major success. Plus, we discuss how SMU's move to the ACC has been wildly profitable, Jerry Jones’s comments about Mike McCarthy, and we hear the story of a boxing promoter turned baseball executive.

Roger Goodell announced there will be eight international NFL games next year, the most ever for a single season. We assess the game's rapid globalization with former Giants receiver Victor Cruz. Plus, FC Dallas forward Bernard Kamungo joins the show to discuss his journey from a refusee of the Democratic Republic of Congo to the American soccer pitch as well as the rapid rise of MLS. Also, Vanderbilt's QB is suing the NCAA, Bronny sells out his G League debut, and Diamond Sports loses another MLB team.

The first ever 12-team College Football Playoff rankings were released earlier this week, but they are noticeably different than the AP Top 25. Front Office Sports newsletter writer David Rumsey explains the different factors behind each list and which is more important more than halfway through the season. Plus, FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich joins with insight on the election’s impact on the NCAA landscape.

Ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series Championship this Sunday, Joey Logano, one of four drivers competing for this season’s title, joins the show to discuss his preparation for the race, recent fines issued by NASCAR, and the sport's evolution. Plus, we hear from Front Office Sports reporter Colin Salao about why the NBA's ratings continue to decline and how much they actually matter. Also, Florida addresses Billy Napier's future, the Browns give a Deshaun Watson update, and Raygun retires.

The election will have a slew of implications on the sports world, which could even include owners joining Donald Trump's cabinet. Front Office Sports breaking news reporter Margaret Fleming joins to discuss the connections between billionaire sports owners and the GOP. Also, Justin Pugh, who played in 11 NFL seasons, joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation on what locker rooms are like before the trade deadline, negotiating contracts with teams, and how different front offices treat players.

Saints center Connor McGovern may actually be losing money by playing in the NFL instead of pursuing a career in the family business. The McGoverns own R.D. Offutt, the largest potato producer in the U.S. Front Office Sports reporter Alex Schiffer joins the show to peel back his reporting on McGovern and his family. Plus, longtime NBA executive Scott Perry discusses the Philadelphia 76ers, who are off to a rocky start and are now handling the fallout from Joel Embiid pushing a reporter. We also look at the NFL trade deadline, the beef between Kevin Durant and Stephen A. Smith, and how college football is providing a lifeline to the movie theater industry.