Tuned In Special Access: Adam Silver, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, Stephen A. Smith & More

Front Office Sports held its second annual Tuned In sports media summit on Tuesday, headlined by commissioners, media executives, and major talent in the business of sports. In this episode, Baker Machado and Renee Washington are joined by Adam Silver, Rob Manfred, Kim Ng, Jimmy Pitaro, Stephen A. Smith, and Maria Taylor, who all give their candid thoughts on the evolution of sports media and how it affects their leagues, companies, and jobs. Watch the full episode here.

We are less than 24 hours away from the biggest media event of the year, as Adam Silver, Rob Manfred, Stephen A. Smith, Clay Travis, and more are set to speak at Front Office Sports’s Tuned In summit. FOS media and entertainment reporter Ryan Glasspiegel joins us ahead of the event to explain which storylines he will focus on. Plus, we are joined by former Eagles and Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery on the heels of Philadelphia's victory over the Chiefs in the Super Bowl LIX rematch, in which the Birds used the controversial Tush Push seven times. Jeffery gives his thoughts on the league's decision to keep the play legal, the early struggles of the Bears, and how the NFL Players Association should move forward after its latest scandals. Also, St. Louis Cardinals legend Adam Wainwright joins the show for a September baseball check-in as the wild-card race heats up. KEY MOMENTS: 0:40 - Burrow's injury, CFB coaches fired, Crawford-Alvarez5:13- Tuned In in media summit: what to watch for10:00 - Former NFL receiver Alshon Jeffery joins the show17:50 - Former pitcher Adam Wainwright joins the show

The Wall Street Journal reported that, after finalizing its new merger, the newly formed Paramount Skydance is “preparing a majority cash bid” to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, home to TNT Sports, TBS, and the HBO Max streaming service. FOS media and entertainment reporter Ryan Glasspiegel has the latest on the merger talks and how the combined sports properties of CBS and TNT Sports could rival that of ESPN. Meanwhile, fresh off his exit from Fox Sports, former NFL player Emmanuel Acho tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington how he felt blindsided by FS1 canceling his show The Facility and having only 54 days before the start of the NFL season to build a new digital postgame show, Speakeasy, alongside former Fox colleague LeSean “Shady” McCoy. And it’s a big weekend ahead for the Premier Lacrosse League, as the 2025 U.S. Bank Championship heads to New Jersey to see the New York Atlas take on the Denver Outlaws for the title. PLL cofounder and president Paul Rabil talks about the upcoming championship, the Women's Lacrosse League expanding to a full season with the playoffs starting in 2026, and his new ESPN broadcast deal. Key Moments: 0:34 - WNBA playoffs set, Orioles search for new GM, Eagles/Chiefs could set NFL ratings record 5:18 - Rumored merger between Paramount and Warner Bros 11:14 - Emmanuel Acho joins the show 19:39 - Premier Lacrosse League Co-Founder Paul Rabil chats PLL Championship

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