8/31/26 - US Open Pay Fight, NFL's Olympic Push, Aaron Donald Returns

Western Michigan questions the Big Ten's replay process after Michigan's controversial finish Bill Belichick stays quiet on UNC's ongoing staff conduct investigation NFL owners extend commissioner Roger Goodell's contract for four more years LeBron James signs a new football focused deal with prediction market Polymarket Kirk Herbstreit's dog Peter gets his own merchandise line Make sure to subscribe and follow Front Office Sports across socials to stay up-to-date on the latest conversations around the business and culture of sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Louisiana judge clears 42 players to return to college, including ex-pros headed to LSU Good Good Golf CEO and president resign after Callaway ad backlash NFL RedZone’s Scott Hanson promises fewer commercials this season Dianna Russini “absolutely” planning a sports media return, Barstool the front-runner FOS Tonight host Matt Iseman chats with Lane Kiffin and the current state of college football Hugh Jackman in talks to buy a stake in Norwich City Make sure to subscribe and follow Front Office Sports across socials to stay up-to-date on the latest conversations around the business and culture of sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NBA fines the Clippers $30 million and strips five draft picks over Kawhi Leonard’s deals Tiger Woods pleads no contest, loses his driver’s license for five years Stan Kroenke closes in on $4 billion deal to buy the Angels ESPN hands Peter Schrager a daily 2 p.m. show starting Sept. 10 Pat McAfee lands his Hollywood debut in Netflix’s “The Mosquito Bowl” Make sure to subscribe and follow Front Office Sports across socials to stay up-to-date on the latest conversations around the business and culture of sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FOS editor-in-chief Dan Roberts joins Baker to discuss the breaking news from the NBA. The NBA released its findings in the Clippers–Kawhi Leonard case Wednesday afternoon, saying the team illegally circumvented the league’s salary cap by funneling millions of dollars to Leonard through third parties. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer has been banned from the league for a year, and the team has been stripped of five first-round picks and fined $30 million. The draft penalties begin in 2029. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stan Kroenke agrees to buy the Angels in a deal that could break MLB’s sale record LSU and the SEC head to court Thursday over ex-NFL players’ eligibility UCLA fires AD after record deficits for seven consecutive years Tony Romo pleads no contest to OWI, hints at eventual CBS return Cubs launch scripted TikTok rom-com series “Nine Innings to Love” Make sure to subscribe and follow Front Office Sports across socials to stay up-to-date on the latest conversations around the business and culture of sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LIV Golf may file for bankruptcy protection as soon as next week Lionel Messi announces his retirement from Argentina’s national team First at FOS: Seahawks runners-up offered ownership stake in $9.6 billion sale Scottie Scheffler breaks Tiger Woods’s PGA Tour career earnings record Good Good Golf looks to recover after controversial ad with Callaway Venus Williams sets record for latest start time in US Open history at 12:13 a.m. Make sure to subscribe and follow Front Office Sports across socials to stay up-to-date on the latest conversations around the business and culture of sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hall of Fame Coach Geno Auriemma joins Baker Machado of Front Office Sports to discuss: • The new Apple TV docuseries on UConn's 40 year dynasty • How his coaching style has evolved over four decades • Managing stars like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Paige Bueckers • Watching former players reshape the WNBA and its new CBA • Why he thinks NIL and the transfer portal are killing mid-majors Chapters 00:00 Intro and the new UConn dynasty documentary 00:38 Why he agreed to do the docuseries 01:42 How his coaching style has evolved 02:47 Managing stars with different personalities 04:03 Former players reshaping the WNBA 05:27 Moments he considered leaving UConn 06:45 Why NIL and the portal are killing mid-majors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US Open sets record player pay, but sidesteps the revenue share players are demanding NFL and NFLPA finalizing terms for players to compete in flag football at LA 28 Olympics Natasha Cloud calls the WNBA culture war an "intentional distraction" and asks the league to ban Enes Kanter Freedom A federal court ruling puts a chunk of Kalshi's sports betting business in jeopardy Aaron Donald comes out of retirement on a $20 million deal with the Rams Make sure to subscribe and follow Front Office Sports across socials to stay up-to-date on the latest conversations around the business and culture of sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tee Higgins joins Baker Machado of Front Office Sports to discuss: • What it was like playing a full season on the franchise tag before his four year, $150 million extension with the Bengals • Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the Bengals 2026 playoff chances • His new Express fall campaign alongside Tinashe • College football and NIL • Debate around grass vs. Turf and 18th NFL game Chapters 00:37 Inside the Express "Too Easy to Look Good" campaign with Tinashe 01:16 Why tunnel fits matter in the NFL 01:31 Bengals 2026 season expectations and playoff outlook 01:54 Playing on the franchise tag before his $150M extension 02:33 Looking back on the negotiation process 03:21 What the new deals mean with Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow 03:51 Advice for young players entering contract negotiations 04:18 Clemson NIL involvement and the transfer portal debate 07:31 18th NFL game and the turf versus grass debate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBPA Executive Director David Kelly joins Baker Machado of Front Office Sports to discuss: • Launching PLYRS UNTD to manage NBA players' collective NIL rights and a new centralized training facility for players in LA • Why the union opposes the second apron in the current CBA • Concerns over players not sharing revenue from a potential NBA Europe league • His take on the WNBA's off court controversies overshadowing its season Chapters 00:00 Intro and launching Players United 02:05 The Own the Game ad campaign at Cannes Lions 02:56 The new NBA players training facility in LA 04:10 Where CBA talks currently stand 05:32 Why the union opposes the second apron 06:53 Players taking pay cuts under the new CBA 07:53 Fewer games and player rest concerns 08:59 Concerns over a potential NBA Europe league 11:02 New anti tanking measures in the NBA draft 12:33 His take on the WNBA's off court controversies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices