Shaq's New GM Role; Nate Burleson on Future of Football

For the first time since 2014, the defending AFC champion Chiefs will miss the playoffs, a run that included three Super Bowl wins, two conference titles, and seven straight trips to the AFC championship game. And to make matters worse, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, leaving some of next season in doubt. FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher explains how the Chiefs’ remaining primetime games, including Amazon Prime Video’s first Christmas Day game against the Broncos, could lose its shine and whether this is the end of the legendary dynasty. Meanwhile, Dec. 15 marks the unofficial start of the NBA trade season, where players who signed contracts over the summer can be officially dealt. FOS reporter Colin Salao breaks down whether we will get a flurry of activity this week and whether we will get answers to where players like Chris Paul or even Giannis Antetokounmpo could be headed. And the Big 12 is approaching a potential $500 million private-capital agreement with RedBird Capital Partners and Weatherford Capital, just days after conference member the University of Utah’s own private-equity deal opened the door for other schools to mimic. Asset Class author Ben Horney has the latest. (Editors’ note: RedBird IMI, of which RedBird Capital Partners is a joint venture partner, is the primary owner of Front Office Sports.) 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.

In the aftermath of Sherrone Moore’s dismissal as head football coach at the University of Michigan, Barstool Sports CEO and infamous school alum Dave Portnoy has become the face of Michigan fandom, utilizing his mega-platform to discuss the scandal that has engulfed the school while pitching current Barstool employee and former NFL head coach Jon Gruden for the head coach position. In a world where rich donors and personalities influence NIL (name, image, and likeness) collectives and athletic budgets, just how powerful and influential is Portnoy at Michigan? FOS media and entertainment reporter Ryan Glasspiegel joins Baker Machado to discuss. Meanwhile, the Emirates NBA Cup heads to Las Vegas to crown a new champion as the Knicks, Magic, Thunder, and Spurs all advanced to the semifinals set for this weekend. FOS reporter Colin Salao breaks down the matchups and whether the in-season tournament has met Adam Silver’s lofty expectations and whether the inclusion of NBA European league teams could be in its future. Plus, the youngest mentalist, Nevo Abutbul, tells us if he’s a sports betting ace and if he can beat the sportsbooks by predicting the biggest sporting events in 2026.Plus, the youngest mentalist, Nevo Abutbul, tells us if he’s a sports betting ace and if he can beat the sportsbooks by predicting the biggest sporting events 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.

Sherrone Moore is in police custody and out of a job at Michigan after an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press joins Front Office Sports Today live from a Michigan courthouse ahead of Moore's arraignment, answering all of our questions and sifting through some of the misinformation going around social media. Meanwhile, FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich adds details from her own reporting as she and editor-in-chief Dan Roberts join Baker Machado to discuss how Michigan should move forward in the wake of yet another scandal. Plus, FOS deals reporter Ben Horney joins for Asset Class, presented by Invesco QQQ, to discuss the controversy around the University of Utah's $500 million private-equity deal, and a huge investment from NFL owners into a new flag football league. 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.

The MLB offseason is rapidly heating up, with numerous key free-agent moves this week, including Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz leaving the Mets. ESPN's Paul Hembekides joins the show to explain how the Dodgers have likely already won the offseason, and how they could be in the mix for Kyle Tucker and/or Tarik Skubal in the coming weeks. Plus, FOS editor-in-chief Dan Roberts joins to discuss the latest with Notre Dame, including Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark ripping the Irish for claiming the ACC ran an unfair campaign for Miami to make the College Football Playoff. Also, the Colts have signed a grandpa as their potential new quarterback, Chris Paul speaks up after being cut, and A'ja Wilson gets another big victory this year. 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.

Notre Dame went scorched earth after missing the 2026 College Football Playoff, slamming the selection committee, the ACC, and ESPN in light of the Irish's snub. FOS writers Michael McCarthy and Eric Fisher join to explain what could happen as a result of Notre Dame's tirade and how the school can use its independent status to retaliate. Plus, collector and auctioneer Ken Goldin of Netflix's King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch joins Baker Machado to explain what goes into valuations behind premium memorabilia. He also shows us some of the most valuable items going up for sale in the upcoming third season of his show. Also, University of Utah has potentially opened a new era for college sports by approving an investment from private-equity firm Otro Capital. FOS deals reporter Ben Horney joins for Asset Class, brought to you by Invesco QQQ, to explain the significance of this moment. 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.

The first official 12-team College Football Playoff field is set. College football analyst Ben Stevens joins to evaluate the committee's selections and Notre Dame's controversial decision to opt out of its bowl game after missing the College Football Playoff, which could become more normalized in the era of playoff expansion. Plus, FOS editor-in-chief Dan Roberts discusses the difficult situation surrounding ESPN's College Football Playoff rankings shows leading up to the official reveal.Also, Olympic snowboarder Scotty James joins to discuss the new X Games League, how he's preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics as he pushes for his first gold medal, and his documentary "Scotty James: Pipe Dream" premiering Dec. 19 on Netflix. 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.

The Patriots are the best team in the NFL this year with an 11–2 record, returning to familiar territory at the top of the league. Former Pats quarterback and Tom Brady backup Brian Hoyer joins Baker Machado to put this new success into context and explain the mentality behind New England’s magic on the field. He also discusses the Pat Fitzgerald era for his alma mater, Michigan State. Plus, with college football conference championships kicking off Saturday, FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich explains the biggest implications for this weekend on the College Football Playoff picture. 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.

Netflix has reached an $82.7 billion agreement to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of TNT Sports, beating out bids from Paramount and Comcast. FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher and editor-in-chief Dan Roberts join to explain the parameters of this deal and what it signifies about Netflix's sports ambitions, as this latest deal does not include sports programming from TNT or TBS.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is reportedly reevaluating his future with the Bucks and has expressed interest in joining the Knicks. But does New York have the assets and financial flexibility to pull this off? Keith Smith of Spotrac joins Baker Machado to assess. He also talks through the Clippers' impending roster decision with Chris Paul after their ugly breakup, and whether he expects Los Angeles to sell off its big pieces at the trade deadline. Plus, Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated's "The Takedown" joins the show to discuss the latest media-rights deal in the wrestling world: James Dolan's AMC Networks is acquiring rights for TNA Wrestling, formerly known as Impact Wrestling. Alba offers exclusive insights from his interview with TNA CEO Carlos Silva and explains what this means for combat sports deal valuations as media companies vie for live sports real estate. Also, in Asset Class presented by Invesco QQQ, FOS deals reporter Ben Horney joins to discuss the interesting move of incoming Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon selling his stake in the NHL’s Hurricanes to fund his Blazers purchase. 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.

Prediction markets are suddenly everywhere, and Baker Machado sits down with Dan Roberts to break down why platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi are exploding. With huge valuations, bold marketing tactics, and league partnerships, these companies are reshaping how fans interact with sports outcomes, political events, and cultural moments. Plus, the team discusses the social media strategies that have made these platforms impossible to ignore, from edgy AI-generated memes to viral trolling campaigns. They explore how these tactics attract a younger online audience, why investors are pouring in, and what the growth of prediction markets means for traditional sportsbooks trying to catch up. Also, we look at Chris Paul’s surprising overnight departure from the Clippers and what it signals for his future, as well as how shifting league policies, state regulations, and major tech investors are influencing the next phase of sports betting. It’s a wide-ranging conversation that blends business, culture, tech, and the evolving fan experience. 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.