Front Office Sports Today

The NFL is having one of its strongest seasons in decades as ratings hit historic highs in the United States and abroad. From massive viewership for Chiefs-Bills to the league’s London, Germany, and Madrid expansion push, the NFL continues to build global momentum. Front Office Sports writer David Rumsey breaks down why this season is rewriting the record books and how the Cowboys-Chiefs Thanksgiving matchup could challenge all-time regular-season viewership. Meanwhile, Front Office Sports reporter Colin Salao details the relationship and actions between US congress and Adam Silver over the betting scandal. Plus, college football is entering one of the wildest coaching cycles in years, with buyouts soaring past $1 billion since the CFP era began. Former Penn State assistant coach and current trustee Jay Paterno joins us to explain why the transfer portal, NIL era, fan impatience, and massive contracts are reshaping the sport. He also shares insight into Penn State’s coaching future, the challenge of defining success in modern college football, and how potential congressional action could change the NCAA’s future. There are risks when investing in ETFs, including possible loss of money. ETFs’ risks are similar to those of stocks. Investments in the tech sector are subject to greater risk and more volatility than more diversified investments. The Nasdaq-100 Index® includes the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq. An investment cannot be made directly into an index. Consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. Visit Invesco.com for a prospectus with this information. Read it carefully before investing. Invesco Distributors, Inc.

ESPN is folding ESPN Bet and "winding down" its partnership with Penn Entertainment after failing to pace their lofty market-share goals. FOS media and entertainment reporter Ryan Glasspiegel has the latest on this failed experiment and what it means for the sports betting industry. Plus, women's sports reporter Annie Costabile talks through former WNBA MVP and current union president Nneka Ogwumike signing with the Project B women's basketball league, and what this says about the W's ongoing labor discussions. Also, Stephen A. Smith gets ripped for his sketchy solitaire partnership, Rico Dowdle starts a hilarious GoFundMe campaign, and a college basketball team loses by 90 points to avoid a big fine.

YouTube TV continues its standoff against Disney with no end in sight, according to FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher. He joins Baker Machado to explain why this saga is dragging out far longer than previous disputes between YouTube and other major providers like Fox and NBC. Meanwhile, FOS reporter Alex Schiffer joins to discuss the NFL trade deadline and how some hungry owners capitalized on it, including Jerry Jones and new Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon. Plus, FGCU college basketball player Brandon Dwyer talks about his "Road to 1 Point" social media campaign and what's next after scoring his first six points at the college level for his social media audience of nearly 2 million. Pelicans rookie Derik Queen also tells us what it's like to guard Victor Wembanyama. Also, Tom Brady clones his dog, LIV Golf gets a format refresh, and Venus Williams is back. There are risks when investing in ETFs, including possible loss of money. ETFs’ risks are similar to those of stocks. Investments in the tech sector are subject to greater risk and more volatility than more diversified investments. The Nasdaq-100 Index® includes the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq. An investment cannot be made directly into an index. Consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. Visit Invesco.com for a prospectus with this information. Read it carefully before investing. Invesco Distributors, Inc.

Steve Ballmer was added to a 133-page lawsuit that claims Ballmer used the company to pay Kawhi Leonard and circumvent the NBA’s salary cap. Front Office Sports's Colin Salao explains what's next. Meanwhile, reporter Margaret Fleming takes us inside another NBA financial scandal in which a former Atlanta Hawks employee embezzled $3.8 million of the team's money for personal use, including the purchase of a Porsche. Plus, the college basketball season has begun, but faces an uphill battle without a clear-cut "face of the season" like Cooper Flagg was last year, says FOS writer David Rumsey. Meanwhile, gambling concerns loom in the background. Amanda Christovich has the latest there. Also, Ja Morant and the Grizzlies could be headed for divorce, the Stars are set to play a Stadium Series game in AT&T Stadium, and we look for answers about Michael Jordan's role with NBC. Watch the full episode here.There are risks when investing in ETFs, including possible loss of money. ETFs’ risks are similar to those of stocks. Investments in the tech sector are subject to greater risk and more volatility than more diversified investments. The Nasdaq-100 Index® includes the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq. An investment cannot be made directly into an index. Consider the fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. Visit Invesco.com for a prospectus with this information. Read it carefully before investing. Invesco Distributors, Inc.

After a disappointing home loss to Kentucky over the weekend, Auburn fired head coach Hugh Freeze, buying out the remaining $15.8 million on his contract and raising the total buyouts in college football this season to nearly $186 million. FOS reporter David Rumsey explains why 25% of the head coaching jobs in the SEC are currently open and how dominant the conference will be in the first CFP rankings released this week. Meanwhile, the Dodgers' Game 7 win in the World Series didn't just give MLB its first repeat winner in 25 years, but also delivered the league its highest-rated World Series game since 2017. FOS writer Eric Fisher breaks down the historic numbers and previews the upcoming MLB offseason, which has plenty of big names entering free agency. Plus, it’s yet another season of drama for the Grizzlies and star Ja Morant, who was suspended one game for conduct detrimental to the team. FOS reporter Colin Salao discusses whether the Grizzlies attempt to move on from their star, plus joins host Baker Machado to chat about the other big headlines in the FOS Watercolor.

As the deadline to come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement was about to expire Friday, the WNBA and the players agreed to a 30-day extension to continue negotiations, pushing the new deadline to Nov. 30. FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile breaks down the current state of talks and whether there is still a real chance of a lockout or strike if negotiations break down. Meanwhile, after being publicly told by the state’s governor he would not be hiring LSU’s next football coach, athletic director Scott Woodward announced he would be leaving the school just days after the university dismissed Brian Kelly with the second-largest contract buyout. FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich tells Baker Machado how the situation at the school has unraveled to the point that they now will need to hire a new coach, AD, and university president. Plus, the latest on how long YouTube TV subscribers might be without ESPN and ABC after the carriage dispute between Google and Disney, and the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 tips off tonight for its third year with even more prize money at stake for players

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry says LSU athletic director Scott Woodward won't be picking the successor for football coach Brian Kelly, and that he'd let "Donald Trump select it before I let [Woodward] do it." FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich explains why the state governor is so involved in this process and what it means for Woodward's future. Speaking of LSU, former Tigers star Angel Reese is trademarking her own name, a sign of her growing brand power—a trend for numerous WNBA players across the league, says FOS reporter Annie Costabile. It coincides with collective bargaining negotiations, which is especially telling after commissioner Cathy Engelbert allegedly said players like Caitlin Clark should be "grateful" for the platform the league provides them. Also, the World Series heads back to Toronto for the most expensive Canadian sports event in history, Pacquiao vs. Mayweather could happen again, and Jaylen Brown calls LeBron James for advice on saving his hairline.

Terry Rozier's lawyer says the Heat guard would not have compromised earnings from his shoe deal by missing NBA games intentionally, and claims that Rozier faked his injury are "absurd." This comes as a new ESPN report says the FBI is looking to withhold pay for Rozier and Chauncey Billups during their leaves of absence. FOS reporter Colin Salao joins to discuss. Meanwhile, FOS reporter Amanda Christovich explains why the NCAA is delaying plans to let its athletes gamble, and why the SEC is fighting against this new allowance. Plus, Cllct Media founder Darren Rovell joins Baker Machado to discuss a changing tide in the collectibles industry, and why big buyers and billionaires are artificially inflating the market for the worse. Also, the WNBA proposes a collective bargaining extension, Michael Jordan rips load management, and Americans want a new national holiday.

Shohei Ohtani is set to take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 4 on Tuesday night, looking to continue his historic postseason run after the longest World Series game by innings in MLB history Monday. FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher joins live from Dodger Stadium to set the scene and put Ohtani's greatness in the same context as a certain Chicago Bulls star from the 1990s. Meanwhile, FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile gets us up to speed on the latest with WNBA collective bargaining talks as the Oct. 31 deadline rapidly approaches. Plus, Bears receiver Rome Odunze joins Baker Machado to unpack Chicago’s newfound success under head coach Ben Johnson. He explains what it's like playing in one of football's toughest divisions, his relationship with Caleb Williams, and spending summers on his grandparents' dairy farm. Also, Lionel Messi wants MLS to get rid of its salary cap, the Lakers’ new ownership group adds another member, and the NHL Frozen Frenzy hits ESPN on Tuesday night.

Brian Kelly is out at LSU with a buyout of roughly $53 million, although he may not get that entire amount, says FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich, who joins Baker Machado to explain. Meanwhile, newsletter writer David Rumsey explains why he expects total buyouts to climb to more than $200 million this season, already at $169 million after the Kelly news. He also explains why he doesn't see Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin as a likely candidate for vacant coaching positions around the Power 4. Plus, additional former pro athletes are reportedly connected to the NBA's illegal poker game, including Kevin Garnett, Antonio Gates, and current Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. FOS deals reporter Ben Horney explains how strong the feds' case really is, while reporter Colin Salao gets us caught up on some of the early-season storylines that have been overshadowed by this scandal. Also, Justin Fields has a revenge game against his own team, the Orioles find their new manager, and why Monday is a very special night in the sports world.