Phil Simms on His CBS Departure and Today’s NFL

The Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy proceedings will have a major impact on the fates of MLB, the NBA, and NHL over the rest of the decade. All three leagues have lawyers present in the courtroom, asking increasingly pointed questions regarding Diamond’s long-term viability. The Athletic’s Evan Drellich takes us inside the court proceedings and what they mean for the future of sports media. Plus, the NFL schedule will be taxing on many teams, but does accommodate the league’s most famous fan, and EA’s College Football 25 marks a new era in NIL.

The PGA Championship marks a rare moment in which LIV golfers and those that stayed with the PGA Tour will be competing side by side. The unity on the course underscores the lack thereof off of it, where negotiators between the Tour and Saudi Arabia have yet to strike a deal. ESPN analyst and golf legend Curtis Strange joins the show to give his take on the situation. Plus, Netflix secured rights to the NFL’s Christmas games, two MLB teams in the NL East could eventually be for sale, and FIFA is moving toward allowing league games overseas.

Paramount is looking for a buyer and now it is weighing very different offers between Sony and Skydance. The choice will radically impact the company’s future. CNBC media reporter Alex Sherman joins the show to detail the choice before Paramount, and delve into the many ways Disney is adapting ESPN to the streaming era. Plus, the Arena Football League lost another team and may be on the verge of collapsing less than a month into its comeback season, and Netflix and Amazon are bidding for the NFL’s Christmas games.

The WNBA begins its 2024 season with the unprecedented draw that is Caitlin Clark. The league recently committed to charter flights for all team travel and more changes could be coming. With a new media rights deal and looming CBA negotiations, the WNBA could be entering a major period of change. The Athletic’s Ben Pickman joins the show to break it all down. Plus, Great Osobor is receiving a reported $2 million in NIL deals to transfer to Washington and the NBA Draft order is set.

Tom Brady joins the show to explain why he bought in on an E1 team, a new electric boat racing series that competes in picturesque locations around Europe and the rest of the world. Team Brady, victorious in its first two races, adds to Brady’s team ownership collection, which includes a pickleball team, a minority stake in British soccer team Birmingham City, and could soon include a slice of the Las Vegas Raiders. Plus, golf is in world of uncertainty headed into the PGA Championship, Shannon Sharpe and ESPN are reportedly approaching a long-term deal, and Brad Pitt’s Formula 1 movie could be one of the most expensive films ever.

The Oakland A’s remain on the hunt for funding to build their Las Vegas stadium, but that, and many of the basic details of their plans remain elusive. Former Marlins president David Samson joins the show to explain what needs to happen for the A’s to actually get to Las Vegas and why they have made very little progress. Plus, the Rays are looking for a stadium deal of their own, the Indiana Fever have almost as many broadcasters as regular season games, and we examine the various options for the Utah hockey team’s new name.

Caitlin Clark has lived in the national spotlight for months, but now Omaha Productions is looking to tell a different side of the transcendent star. The Peyton Manning-founded production company is releasing a docuseries focused on Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice on ABC this weekend, modeled after their Quarterback series on Netflix. Omaha head of production Therese Andrews joins the show to discuss the series and Omaha’s approach to sports programming. Plus, the WNBA is finally getting charter flights and MLB amateur talent hub is receiving attention over claims that it is exploiting the earning power of its players.

The NBA has been on TNT since 1989, but NBC could be boxing out the cable network in the next set of media deals. Should that happen, Charles Barkley could become the most sought-after media free agent in a generation. Front Office Sports’ Tuned-In columnist Mike McCarthy provides the latest on the high-stakes negotiations. Plus, upfront meetings are providing a look at the growing value of sports in the media world, the Miami GP was a big win for Formula 1, and Flavor Flav graces the show for an interview unlike any we’ve ever had.

Marvin Harrison Jr. has not signed the NFLPA’s group licensing agreement, and is instead pursuing individual sponsorship and licensing deals with companies. This is not the first time the wide receiver has done things a little differently: He also passed on the NFL Combine and Pro Day, choosing to prepare for the season instead. Other players could follow in his footsteps, as they seek more empowerment. ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss joins the show to discuss how Harrison Jr. is creating new precedents. Plus, Tom Brady got roasted, and the Kentucky Derby celebrated high viewership numbers and a new media deal.

Phil Simms was a CBS football analyst for 26 years, but recently learned that his contract won’t be renewed. He joins the show with his son Matt to discuss the changing face of NFL media, why he expected his exit was coming, and why the Atlanta Falcons made the perplexing move to acquire two starting quarterbacks. Plus, the Kentucky Derby broke betting records, there is turmoil at Red Bull despite its on-track dominance, and Ipswich Town and Leicester City are returning to the Premier League.