NBA Playoffs Preview a Future Without LeBron and Steph

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.

We continue to follow updates around the NBA's massive illegal gambling scandal with FOS deals reporter Ben Horney, including Brian Windhorst saying that the NBA knew about Terry Rozier's suspicious betting activity in 2023 and "pulled him" for the rest of the season. Ben also assesses how strong the case is against both Rozier and Chauncey Billups after each of their attorneys said they would fight the charges. Plus, ESPN's Get Up producer Paul Hembekides joins us with some great math around the World Series and why this year's matchup reflects an important spending trend in MLB. Hembo tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington that most owners are actually rooting for the superteam Dodgers ahead of intense labor negotiations next year, and he offers his prediction for what could be the highest-rated World Series ever. Also, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik talks through his team's struggles this season, politicians put pressure on the WNBA, and we say goodbye to someone very special. Key Moments: 0:30 - Main Event with Ben Horney 7:42 -Interview with Cade Klubnik 15:35 - Interview with Paul Hembekides 23:10 - NBA ratings 24:09 - WNBA Union 25:44 - Aaron Rodgers retirement 27:27 - Alex Morgan Honored

The NBA woke up to shock during its opening week as Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were among 34 people arrested as part of a pair of investigations related to illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia, according to the FBI. FOS writer Ben Horney joins from the Manhattan courthouse with the latest on the investigation, plus FOS editor-in-Chief Dan Roberts discusses the likelihood of new regulations surrounding “prop bets” and how this is yet another scandal for commissioner Adam Silver to deal with. Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants made a big splash hiring University of Tennessee's Tony Vitello as their new manager, becoming the first time a big league team has hired a manager from college without any major league experience. Giants reporter John Shea of The San Francisco Standard tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington why new team president Buster Posey had to think outside the box in hiring Vitello to compete against the Dodgers and Padres. Plus, FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher is back from the NFL’s fall owners meetings with news on the Pro Bowl moving indoors during Super Bowl week, and we discuss Lionel Messi’s new contract with Inter Miami that will keep him in MLS until 2028.

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