MLB Lockout, ESPN-NFL Merger, Trump’s World Cup—2026 Sports Predictions

In our last show of 2025, FOS editor-in-chief Dan Roberts and senior editor Dennis Young talk through the biggest storylines to watch for in 2026, including a potential lockout in both MLB and the WNBA. They also discuss the megadeal between ESPN and the NFL that has yet to clear regulatory hurdles and could still be blocked by President Donald Trump, who is also trying to assert his influence on the first United States–hosted World Cup in more than 30 years. 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.

2026 has a packed sports schedule, including the Winter Olympics, FIFA men’s World Cup, World Baseball Classic, and more—plus big expectations around the Super Bowl, expanded College Football Playoff, and a potential UFC fight on the White House lawn. FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher takes us through his expectations for the 2026 tentpoles across sports and what could boom or bust. Plus, FOS women’s sports reporter Annie Costabile previews what could be the biggest year ever for women’s sports. She and Baker Machado discuss the potential for a WNBA labor stoppage, the second year of Unrivaled, and expectations for other women’s sports leagues that have blossomed in 2025. 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 165 episodes in 2025, Front Office Sports Today takes you back through some of the best conversations throughout this year, from hard-hitting journalism with Pablo Torre, to dildo tossing with Diana Taurasi and plenty more. We chat with MLB Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., Tony Reali from ESPN's Around the Horn, and an inside look at what to expect from Caitlin Clark's new Nike signature shoe with sneaker insider Nick DePaula. 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.

2025 saw major shifts in the sports media and broadcasting landscapes, including ESPN acquiring NFL RedZone, the NBA returning to NBC, and Barstool Sports moving its top shows to Netflix. FOS Tuned In writers Michael McCarthy and Ryan Glasspiegel join Baker Machado to discuss the biggest changes around the media world and their winners and losers of 2025. They also discuss their biggest questions that could be answered in 2026. 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.

2025 had massive impacts on the fabric of sports, with pivotal moments around athlete gambling, President Donald Trump's unprecedented engagement with numerous teams and leagues, and the status of college athletes. FOS editor-in-chief Dan Roberts and senior editor Dennis Young join Baker Machado to discuss the biggest stories from this year and what questions still remain. 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.

2025 was the year of coaches on the move, as buyouts reached almost $200 million thanks to big-name firings like Brian Kelly and James Franklin. Not to mention Lane Kiffin's big jump to LSU and Bill Belichick's dramatic struggles in his first year with North Carolina. Meanwhile, major legislative questions loom about the employment status for college athletes, as that congressional decision now pushes into 2026. FOS reporter Amanda Christovich and newsletter writer David Rumsey join Baker Machado to explain why this year was so important for the NCAA and what questions will be answered in 2026.

The College Football Playoff is finally here, as Friday night’s first round gives us a prime SEC rematch between Oklahoma and Alabama. Yet with constant rumors of him fleeing to Michigan, could this be head coach Kalen DeBoer's last game at Alabama? FOS reporter David Rumsey joins host Baker Machado to break down the first-round matchups and talk about whether the ratings for the games on Saturday could be dampened once again as they go-head to-head against an NFL Saturday doubleheader. Meanwhile, in their biggest step yet toward a potential work stoppage, WNBA players voted for their union to authorize a strike if necessary as the current deadline to come to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement with the league expires Jan. 9. FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile has the latest on the negotiations plus insights into reports that the Connecticut Sun could be headed to Houston. 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.

Kalshi has begun its self-certification process for launching markets around the collegiate transfer portal, and the NCAA is not happy. FOS reporter Ben Horney and editor-in-chief Dan Roberts join Baker Machado to explain how these markets will work ... if they ever get posted to begin with. Plus, FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich talks through the latest around Michigan's scandal, after the university president said more firings could be coming as the investigation continues. Also, the Knicks send a message to commissioner Adam Silver after their NBA Cup victory, the Bears could move to a different state, and the NFL's broken playoff seeding system rears its head. 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.

Barstool has made the decision to move three of its largest podcasts, including Pardon My Take, off YouTube and exclusively to Netflix. Jack Settleman, founder of Snapback Sports, joins Baker Machado to break down why this makes sense from a business perspective, why it hurts from a fan perspective, and what the deal tells us about the direction of sports media. Plus, NBA commissioner Adam Silver confirmed that the league will make a decision about expansion in 2026, with Las Vegas and Seattle as the top markets under consideration at the moment. FOS reporters Colin Salao and Alex Schiffer talk through the NBA's future plans, including the upcoming launch of its European league. They also discuss Chris Paul's Clippers exit, Terry Rozier's status, and the Knicks winning the NBA Cup. Also, the ACC is changing its schedule and tiebreaker criteria after a controversial end to the regular season. FOS newsletter writer David Rumsey explains. 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.

College football enters a pivotal stretch as numerous quarterbacks hit the transfer portal, but Arch Manning is not one of them. FOS writer David Rumsey joins to assess Manning's decision to run it back with Steve Sarkisian and talk through the first weekend of the College Football Playoff. Plus, the NBA Cup reaches its season finale with Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs facing the Knicks, but although ratings show promise, the league is evaluating if the neutral site final in Las Vegas is the right format for the future. Also, in Asset Class presented by Invesco QQQ, Ben Horney explains why investors are turning towards minor league teams to warm up their sports portfolios. He also discusses a French court ruling that will require Paris Saint-Germain to pay Kylian Mbappé $70 million. 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.