NFL & US Open Deliver Huge Ratings | 'Cocaine Quarterback' Owen Hanson: NIL Would've Changed Path

Adam Silver spoke to media members Wednesday about a number of topics, including the ongoing investigation into the Clippers for their alleged circumvention of the salary cap to re-sign Kawhi Leonard. FOS reporter Alex Schiffer joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington with the latest from Silver, and yet another damning update from Pablo Torre. Plus, we are joined in studio by former MLS and USMNT player Jozy Altidore, who gives his thoughts on whether the USMNT is ready for the biggest stage, and whether the country is ready to host this massive event. Also a part of the Bills’ ownership group, Altidore tells us why the team is focused on developing a Canadian fan base. Also, the WNBA playoff picture is set, Kirill Kaprizov rejects what would've been the largest contract in NHL history, and tennis star Andy Murray wants to ... golf?

Description: The NFL delivered some of its best ratings ever for Week 1, despite going head-to-head against the US Open final—which also had its best TV performance in 10 years and likely its best attendance ever. FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher gives context to the big numbers in both football and tennis, and what it means for other major sports trying to go up against the NFL. Plus, Front Office Sports Today is joined by Owen Hanson, also known as the “Cocaine Quarterback,” who went from being a walk-on for Pete Carroll's champion USC team to a kingpin for the Mexican drug cartel. Hanson opens up with his story and explains how NIL could've changed everything. Also, Cllct founder Darren Rovell believes he has the greatest piece of signed memorabilia ever, NBA commissioner Adam Silver addresses the media, and Bill Belichick loses a legal battle.  Key Moments 0:35 - Adam Silver Speaks, NCAA Gambling Suspension, Unrivaled Expansion 4:52- Ratings Revival: NFL and US Open See Big Results 10:18 - USC To The Cartel: The Story of Owen Hanson 18:29 - HOF '25 Poster: "Greatest Signed Piece of All Time" 23:30 - Trademark office denies 4 applications filed by Belichick and Jordan Hudson

Week 1 of the NFL season featured four great primetime games, but ratings for Friday night's Brazil contest seriously underdelivered. FOS columnist Mike McCarthy joins Renee Washington and Ben Horney to weigh in on whether the NFL needs to stay in its Monday/Thursday/Sunday lane, and assess second-year Tom Brady, Eli and Peyton's ManningCast, and the new age of RedZone that includes commercials. Plus, longtime SportsCenter host Stan Verrett is launching a new show on Twitch with Neil Everett, his partner on the ESPN desk for the past 15 years. Verrett joins Front Office Sports Today to explain his decision to move from broadcast to live streaming, what caused the massive boom in the creator-led media landscape, and why SportsCenter is out of its heyday. Also, Backyard Football ’99 launches today, Tiger Woods is hitting golf balls again, and the Clippers scandal sees another interesting wrinkle. Key Moments 0:48 - PTI Hosts Extented, Clippers Scandal Updates, Bears' New Stadium 4:25 - Tuned In: NFL Week 1 Media Roundup 9:48 - SportsCenter To Twitch: Stan Verrett's Next Chapter 18:42 - Backyard Football '99 is Back! 23:19 - Tiger Woods taking swings

Jake Paul is ready for his next big Netflix match, this one against reigning WBA world champ Gervonta “Tank” Davis on Nov. 14 in Atlanta. How ready? "I'm more athletic and stronger, and I'm going to be able to knock him out." Paul also tells Baker Machado that Mike Tyson’s exhibition match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be “boring” and responds to claims his “Most Valuable Promotions” has saved women's boxing. Paul is joined by business partner Joey Levy, cofounder and CEO of gaming and sportsbook platform Betr, to also chat about the new updated features on the platform for the football season. Meanwhile, a wild NFL opening week saw big wins by the Packers, Bills, and Steelers. FOS reporter David Rumsey breaks down the lower-than-expected viewership numbers for the YouTube game in Brazil, the inaugural use of the NFL’s new Hawk-Eye first-down technology,, and viewers getting their first look at commercials on NFL RedZone. And the only college football program that has beaten two ranked teams, the University of South Florida, is now the only non-power conference school in the AP Top 25 poll. FOS reporter Amanda Christovich explains how USF beat a Florida Gators team with an athletic budget half the size, plus the Michigan-Oklahoma battle that featured the No. 1 transfer in John Mateer vs. the No. 1 recruit in Bryce Underwood.

The 2025 US Open concludes this weekend, and despite players complaining about crowd noise, the matches have been exceptional on both the men's and women's sides. ESPN's Pam Maldonado joins Baker Machado and Derryl Barnes to talk through the women's semifinals results, tonight's highly anticipated (and expensive) matchup between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, and the impressive runs for Amanda Anisimova and Naomi Osaka. Plus, the NFL heads back to Brazil on Friday night for Chiefs-Chargers, which will broadcast for free on YouTube. Chiefs legend Priest Holmes joins the show to give his thoughts on Kansas City becoming the "world's team," and how the NFL Players Association should handle its next chapter after being littered with scandal and corruption. Also, we get an update on Steve Ballmer's alleged secret deal with Kawhi Leonard, Caitlin Clark announces she is out for the rest of the season, and Mike Tyson is set to fight Floyd Mayweather. Key Moments: 00:28 - Dak & Carter's 'Spitgate', Catilin Clark out for season, Tyson & Mayweather to fight 04:15- ESPN's Pam Maldonado on US Open 09:56 - NFL and Chiefs legend Priest Holmes 17:43 - Ballmer scandal updates 21:41 - Most expensive ticket this weekend

The 2025 NFL season has finally arrived as the Eagles defend their Super Bowl title against the Cowboys. ESPN Eagles reporter Tim McManus joins the show to explain how the Eagles have been able to construct a roster full of superstars like Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley by using smart accounting practices, plus their chances of repeating as champions. Meanwhile, Stan Smith might be known to tennis fans for his wins at Wimbledon and the US Open, but to many, he’s a fashion icon for his famous Adidas shoe that was created back in 1965 and is still a hot commodity today. Smith tells Baker Machado and Derryl Barnes why his sneaker has stood the test of time, how to build a successful brand deal, and his new documentary Who Is Stan Smith? streaming on Hulu and ESPN+. Plus, FOS reporter Colin Salao has the latest on the Clippers denying accusations in a Pablo Torre report that they circumvented the NBA’s salary cap by paying star forward Kawhi Leonard $28 million for a “no-show job,” and NFL RedZone will officially add commercials to its broadcast.

It’s good to be Ohio State, as the defending national champions are back at the top of the polls after beating then-top-ranked Texas in Week 1. As head of one of the most valuable athletic departments in the country, Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork has a lot of sway over the future of college athletics. Bjork tells Baker Machado and Dan Roberts how the Buckeyes have successfully navigated the current NIL (name, image, and likeness) environment and if the College Football Playoff could include more than 20 teams in the future. Bjork also addresses reports that Dave Portnoy was not allowed inside Ohio Stadium during Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show, and whether the Barstool Sports founder will be allowed inside in the future. Meanwhile, after winning his third consecutive NTT IndyCar Series championship and fourth IndyCar title since 2021, driver Alex Palou joins FOS Today to show off the Astor Challenge Cup and chats about whether a playoff could ever happen in IndyCar as well as rumors he could join F1’s Red Bull racing team. Plus, FOS reporter Colin Salao has the latest on Pablo Torre’s bombshell report alleging a company funded by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer paid star Kawhi Leonard $28 million for a "no-show job" as a way to circumvent the NBA salary cap, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell saying Taylor Swift is a “maybe” for the Super Bowl LX halftime show. Key Moments 0:41 - STREAMEAST GOES DOWN, SKIP BAYLESS LAWSUIT SETTLED, TAYLOR SWIFT COULD PLAY AT SUPER BOWL 4:50- TORRE: CLIPPERS CIRCUMVENTED SALARY CAP FOR KAWHI 9:33 - THE KEYS TO OHIO STATE'S SUCCESS IN NIL ERA 17:28 - ALEX PALOU TALKS STATE OF INDYCAR FOLLOWING THREE-PEAT 23:28 - DRAKE CURSE

College football's first full weekend saw a slew of upsets, but the real story was five of the 10 highest-paid coaches losing outright. FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich joins Baker Machado and editor-in-chief Dan Roberts to discuss the first-week flops, including Bill Belichick, Kalen DeBoer, and Deion Sanders. Plus, Caitlin Clark's first signature shoe is set to be released in 2026 as she becomes just the fifth active WNBA player with her own shoe deal. Sneaker insider Nick DePaula gives us a peek behind the curtain of this extensive process and explains what is at stake for Nike to get this right as they prepare for their biggest brand addition since LeBron James. Also, we get a breakdown of what football positions get the most NIL dollars among power conferences, the ACC cracks down on Florida State after their big win over Alabama, and Alexander Isak sets a Premier League transfer fee record.

Micah Parsons is heading to Green Bay, but the saga around his trade request and Jerry Jones's comments throughout the process may be indicative of a larger problem in the NFL around the dynamics between ownership and players. Plus, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace joins us to preview the Cup Series playoffs, which start this weekend. He also talks about his relationship with 23XI team owner Michael Jordan, the status of the team’s ongoing lawsuit against NASCAR, and how he's balancing being a new parent and a top driver. Also, we hear from former NBA player Chase Budinger, who now is one of volleyball's biggest stars. Budinger joins us ahead of the AVP League Championships this weekend, where his team will look to bring home the hardware for the second straight season.

Doris Burke is out from ESPN's NBA Finals crew, with Tim Legler replacing her on the first team. FOS Tuned In reporter Ryan Glasspiegel gives us the latest on that, plus his scoop on Ryen Russillo going to Barstool and more. Plus, Darren Rovell joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to chat the highest selling piece of sports memorabilia ever, a Jordan-Kobe dual logoman card that sold for nearly $13M earlier this week to Kevin O'Leary of 'Shark Tank' and two other buyers. Also, we hear from A's first baseman Tyler Soderstrom on playing through the Sacramento era, his success this season, and a partnership that was too perfect to pass up. Key Moments: 0:39 - Dawn Staley & Knicks, Ishbia being sued, Medvedev fined 4:45 - Doris Burke, Ryen Russillo, other media stories 10:01 - A's first baseman Tyler Soderstrom 17:57 - Darren Rovell on MJ/Kobe card 22:29 - Skip Bayless and Gilbert Arenas team up