Breaking Down NBC's Return to Basketball | Brian Windhorst's NBA Season Watchlist

NBC brought back its NBA coverage in a big way, but with some kinks that still need to be ironed out, according to FOS media reporter Ryan Glasspiegel. He joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to evaluate the debut of NBC, including its highly anticipated "MJ: Insights to Excellence" series with Michael Jordan. Also, Brian Windhorst joins to take us through the biggest stories he's watching for this season, including LeBron's new role with the Lakers, Giannis Antetokounmpo's trade request status with the Bucks, and how teams will navigate the second apron of the CBA. Windhorst also weighs in on the WNBA labor negotiation and Adam Silver's role within that, and he takes us through the details of his flight's emergency landing from earlier this week. Plus, the NHL cancels its pre-Olympic event, LaLiga pulls the plug on its Miami game, and the Ravens punish their players in a pretty hilarious way.

The World Series is set, with the Dodgers heading to Toronto for Game 1 against the Blue Jays. This series will bring out international audiences from both Japan and Canada, which FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher sees as a big positive for MLB. He joins to talk through the intrigue around this heavy-hitting matchup and give his prediction. Plus, the NBA season tips off tonight on NBC, one of two new partners under the new media-rights deal worth $76 billion. FOS reporter Colin Salao tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington which storylines he's watching most closely this year, including the fragmentation of media rights and the ongoing Clippers scandal ahead of their first time hosting the All-Star Game. Also, Lakers reporter Yaron Weitzman talks us through discoveries from his new book, A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers, that details everything from Russell Westbrook's beef with LeBron to the draft process around Bronny James.

Billy Napier is out at Florida after more than a year of speculation, and the Gators owe him more than $21 Million for the buyout. Why is this becoming the norm in college football and could Lane Kiffin replace him? FOS writer David Rumsey explains. Plus, the Dodgers have already seen a full return on their $700 million deal with Shohei Ohtani—reportedly offset by first-year merchandise and ticket sales, according to baseball reporter and analyst Joon Lee. He joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to explain Ohtani's economic impact and evaluate how a potential "international" World Series between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays would position MLB in the global marketplace. Also, FOS Asset Class author Ben Horney talks through expansion in the NHL and MLB, the Savannah Bananas could be worth $100 Billion some day, and the Colts and Broncos fight for the top spot as the NFL's must-watch team. Key Moments 0:28 - DURANT’S $30M DISCOUNT, LA LIGA PROTEST, MESSI WINS MLS GOLDEN BOOT4:24 - THE MAIN EVENT WITH DAVID RUMSEY | MAKING SENSE OF ANOTHER WILD WEEKEND IN CFB9:57 - OHTANI ECONOMICS: GLOBAL STAR IS PAYING FOR HIMSELF18:49 - ASSET CLASS: THE PRICE FOR EXPANSION TEAMS23:04 - NFL'S MUST-WATCH TEAM?

Formula One and Apple agreed to a five-year, $700 million deal for Apple TV to stream F1 races in the U.S. The league has had a broadcast deal with ESPN since 2018. FOS newsletter writer David Rumsey explains why this move made sense for the world's most popular racing league, and how this positions Apple TV in the arms race for live sports rights. Plus, former Alabama running back Damien Harris joins to preview the “Third Saturday in October” game between Alabama and Tennessee, and explain why the days of a clear top dog in college football could be behind us. Also, FOS reporter Colin Salao preps us for the upcoming NBA season, Curt Cignetti gets a big payday from the Indiana Hoosiers, and Joe Flacco does it again. Key Moments: 0:32 - Cignetti's big extension, Myers leaving ESPN, UNC's Saudi visit5:22 - F1 rights heading to Apple, leaving ESPN10:30 - Is college football's dynasty era ending?18:30 - Court Vision: making sense of an insane Western conference23:04 - Joe Flacco gives Cincinnati a spark

ESPN's First Take has a new host to replace Molly Qerim: Shae Cornette. FOS Tuned In writer Michael McCarthy had the scoop on this and joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to discuss the big change. He also weighs in on Bruce Pearl heading to TNT Sports and Clay Travis potentially leaving OutKick, the media organization he founded and sold to Fox. Plus, Monday Night Football sideline reporter Laura Rutledge joins the show to peel back the curtain of what goes into making these ESPN broadcasts happen, especially during the four weeks of this season that have two MNF games. She also tells us about the strange way Dan Orlovsky eats Mentos. Also, with the NBA season just days away, FOS reporter Colin Salao joins to talk through some of the biggest questions we have around the Eastern Conference heading into the season. Meanwhile, FIFA walks back its comments directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, Real Madrid is changing its ownership structure, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is upset.

The Dodgers lead the Cinderella-story Brewers 2–0 in the NLCS and have looked completely dominant thanks to their big investments in pitching. FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to revisit the payroll discrepancy in MLB, give his predictions for both championship series, and look ahead to the offseason. Plus, Los Angeles Kings all-time leading scorer and team president Luc Robitaille joins with insights on the NHL's new CBA, pros playing in the Olympics, and league expansion. He also addresses the direction of the Kings this year and going forward after franchise player Anže Kopitar retires at the end of the season. Also, we see resolutions for numerous lawsuits in the NBA, Giannis wants to spend his final playing years in Greece, and U.S. President Donald Trump threatens the World Cup again. Key Moments: 0:30 - Trump threatens FIFA, Big Ten private equity opposition, Portland Fire blunder 4:32 - MLB postseason latest 10:03 - LA Kings president Luc Robitaille 20:26 - NBA lawsuits updates 25:02 - Giannis back to Greece?

The Titans became the first NFL team to fire a head coach this season, parting ways with Brian Callahan, who was just 4–19 with the team. Now Tennessee is searching for its third head coach in the last four seasons, with offensive assistant Mike McCoy getting the interim title. ESPN Titans reporter Turron Davenport joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to explain what went wrong for Tennessee and what's next. Plus, there’s a chance that James Franklin may not get his $50 million buyout after all, according to his contract, which was acquired by Front Office Sports. FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich explains this interesting loophole that could save Penn State millions of dollars. Meanwhile, the school's controversial switch from Nike to Adidas has board members frustrated and feeling out of the loop, according to reporting from FOS editor-in-chief Dan Roberts. He explains the details behind the drama. Also, the NBA reportedly approved the Clippers-Aspiration deal in 2021, the NFL’s Browns are heading to the suburbs, and the fan-favorite Scorigami bot is broken. Key Moments: 0:32 - Clippers/Aspiration latest, MLB manager updates, Browns leaving Cleveland 4:32 - Inside the Titans' dysfunction 10:02 - Penn State's loophole to avoid paying James Franklin 17:55 - Penn State's controversial Adidas deal 23:37 - 'Scorigami' bot busted

Penn State fired James Franklin over the weekend, granting him the second-largest buyout in college football history at nearly $50 million. Former Penn State tight end and college football analyst Adam Breneman joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington with his reaction to the news about his former coach, and why this made sense despite Franklin's success. Meanwhile, FOS newsletter writer David Rumsey explains why buyouts are becoming more common in college football. Plus, the Las Vegas Aces are champions once again, but the conversation around the WNBA quickly shifts to collective bargaining talks, says FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile. She joins with exclusive reporting around the details of the latest proposal, which the WNBA calls "very compelling." Also, Mark Sanchez speaks, the NBA takes a big step toward games in China, and Tiger Woods is getting another surgery. Key Moments: 0:28 - Sanchez speaks, Jess Berman extension, NBA in China 5:00 - James Franklin out at Penn State with ~$50M buyout 17:04 - Buyout Season: the costs to cut coaches 21:33 - Aces complete WNBA finals sweep as focus shifts to CBA 26:15 - Tiger Woods Injury

The Las Vegas Aces are close to clinching their third WNBA title in four seasons, as they lead the Phoenix Mercury 3–0 with a chance to close it out on the road. As the Aces blow through the WNBA's first best-of-seven Finals, FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile joins from Phoenix to explain the historical dominance of Las Vegas and where things stand with collective bargaining discussions. Plus, former college basketball star Deja Kelly joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to offer a player perspective of the tension between WNBA athletes and commissioner Cathy Engelbert. Kelly also spent training camp with the Aces and explains what makes them so successful. Also, we hear from NWSL player Jess Carter on the postseason push, the Pro Bowl is getting reimagined, and Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show has competition. Key Moments: 0:37 - New Pro Bowl, SB Halftime competition, Inside the NBA schedule 6:13 - NBA Finals check in 11:00 - What do WNBA players want most in CBA negotiations? 19:45 - NWSL player Jess Carter 25:26 - NBA GM poll takeaways

North Carolina and Bill Belichick say they are still both “fully committed” to each other after a report that the two sides are discussing a potential exit for the Hall of Fame coach from the school after a disastrous 2–3 start to the season. Belichick’s first three years of his five-year, $50 million contract are fully guaranteed, so FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich explains what the buyout options for the Tar Heels are if they decide to move on. Also, you’ve probably seen his ads during college football games on Saturdays, but Texas Tech booster and oil billionaire Cody Campbell says he is on a mission to save college athletics by lobbying Congress against the NCAA-backed SCORE Act that would create a standardized, national framework for NIL (name, image, and likeness) rights. Campbell tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington why he believes a new governing body should replace the NCAA and that the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 should be amended to allow all college football media rights to be pooled and sold together, which could help pay for women’s and Olympic sports. Plus, Zach Berman, senior writer at The Athletic and author of the book, Leap Year: The Philadelphia Eagles' Ascent to Super Bowl Champions, chats about how the Eagles built a Super Bowl roster for years to come and whether fans are reading too much into the private meeting among Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and A.J. Brown following the team’s offensive struggles. Key Moments: 1:22 - Yankees eliminated from playoffs, Connecticut Sun staying put, Browns QB carousel 5:37 - Can North Carolina Buyout Bill Belichick’s $50 Million Contract? 10:42 - Texas Tech mega booster Cody Campbell joins FOST 20:43 - Eagles' tension in offense