Episode 24: ESPN’s Arda Öcal

On this episode of The 40/40 Vision podcast, host Khaled Abdallah interviews Big West Most Outstanding Player Sumayah Sugapong about her basketball journey from sunny San Diego, to UC San Diego where she won the Big West title, and now to the University of Arizona. They discuss why Sumayah chose Arizona, her basketball journey from a young age, the challenges of balancing academics and athletics, and her aspirations for the future, including playing for the Philippines national team and pursuing a professional basketball career. Sumayah speaks on fasting for Ramadan during the Big West Tournament, who she models her game after, and her excitement for the challenges of playing at a great program like Arizona. This is a must listen for fans of women's basketball and especially for fans of the Arizona Wildcats!Keywordsbasketball, Sumayah Sugapong, University of Arizona, NCAA, D1 basketball, Philippines national team, sports journey, recruitment process, women's basketball, athlete mindset

On episode 23 of The 40/40 Vision Podcast, we take a trip back to the famous 2005 NFL Draft and re-pick the top 16 selections. This was the infamous draft where Aaron Rodgers spent hours in the green room waiting to be picked and vowed revenge on everyone that passed on him, especially San Francisco. Wonder how that worked out for him? 

On episode 25 of the 4040 vision podcast, Khaled and Sulman redraft one of the worst NBA drafts in the modern era. This draft is more known for its misses than for its all pros and there are plenty of head scratching and downright bewildering picks. Find out who survives the redraft (hint: not many), and who makes the biggest leap in to our revised lottery. 

In this episode of The 40/40 Vision Podcast, hosts Khaled Abdallah and Sulman Haque engage in a detailed mock draft for the first round of the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. They discuss team needs, player evaluations, and potential picks for each team in the first round, focusing on quarterbacks, defensive players, and offensive linemen. The conversation highlights the intricacies of draft strategies and the importance of player performance and potential.In this conversation, Khaled and Sulman discuss the NFL Draft, focusing on team strategies, player selections, and the dynamics of various positions. They analyze the needs of different teams, the potential of specific players, and the overall landscape of the draft, including quarterback prospects and the depth of the wide receiver class. The discussion culminates in their final predictions for the first round of the draft, highlighting key players and their fit within the teams.

Inspired by HBO’s Winning Time series about the Showtime Lakers, episode 12 features Osama and Khaled discussing the three biggest what-ifs that shaped the NBA in the 1980s and for decades to come. They also share their favorite nuggets from the Jeff Pearlman book “Showtime” that inspired the series including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar being a grouch, Magic Johnson being a sex addict, and Spencer Haywood almost committing coachicide.As always, thanks for tuning and make sure to follow and subscribe!

On episode 22 of The 40/40 Vision Podcast, we welcome San Jose State legend Terry Cannon to talk about his journey from Crenshaw to the Bay Area. Terry lead Crenshaw High to a state title in 1989 before going on to a storied career with the Spartans where he ranks 7th on the all-time scoring list. Terry went on to play in SF and LA pro-am leagues after college where he teamed up with legends like Cedric Ceballos and Mark Jackson. In his life after basketball, Terry helps business executives streamline operational efficiency, hire talent globally, and actively trains kids and adults in basketball including NBA players and executives. 

On Episode 24 of The 40/40 Vision Podcast, we welcome ESPN host and anchor Arda Öcal to talk about his journey from public access radio in Canada to the worldwide leader in sports. We also cover his personal identity journey and his prestigious gaming world records. Arda is an NHL on ESPN host and a SportsCenter anchor who also hosts SportsCenter on Snapchat, SportsNation, and has contributed to NBA, PGA Tour, Euro soccer, esports, MLS, UFC, MLB and NFL coverage at ESPN. He has also worked for MSG Networks, WWE, and The Score as an anchor and host.

The Present and Future of The Athletics - with Ron Cook of The St. Louis Sportists PodcastWe were honored to be a guest on The St. Louis Sportists Podcast to discuss the current and future state of The Athletics. St. Louis and Oakland share a common (and unfortunate bond) - losing beloved sports franchises. In the first episode of the Sportist Conversations, Khaled Abdallah, host of the 40/40 Vision podcast, joins Ron Cook to discuss the recent developments surrounding the Athletics, including their move to Sacramento and the implications for fans and the city of Oakland. He shares insights on the new ballpark experience, the sentiment of long-time fans, and the impact of ownership decisions on the team's identity. The conversation also touches on the Coliseum's future and the Oakland Roots' emergence as a new community-focused sports team. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Khaled Abdallah and the A's03:06 The A's Move to Sacramento and Ballpark Dynamics 05:52 Fan Sentiment and Identity Crisis in Oakland 12:49 Ownership and Future Prospects for the A's 15:40 The Impact of Player Departures on Fan Attachment 18:40 Comparing Fan Reactions to Team Success 21:31 The Future of the A's in Sacramento24:30 Plans for the Oakland Coliseum and New Tenants27:28 Conclusion and Reflections on Oakland Sports

In this episode of the 40 40 Vision podcast, host Khaled Abdallah and guest Ryan Schofield delve into the world of St. Louis Cardinals fandom, exploring the emotional connections fans have with their teams and the pivotal what ifs in Cardinals history. They discuss the significance of Oscar Taveras and Albert Pujols, examining the impact of their respective careers on the franchise and the what-ifs surrounding their legacies, as well as the dramatic events of the 2011 World Series. The discussion highlights the impact of age and performance concerns, the psychological challenges faced by athletes, and the significance of key plays in determining the outcomes of games. The speakers reflect on personal experiences and the emotional connections fans have with their teams, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of sports fandom. In this conversation, Khaled Abdallah and Ryan Schofield delve into the bittersweet nature of sports fandom, particularly focusing on the St. Louis Cardinals. They explore historical what-ifs, such as the impact of Steve Carlton's trade and the implications of player contracts over the decades. The discussion also touches on the evolution of player compensation, the debate over salary caps and floors, and specific moments that have shaped their experiences as fans. The conversation concludes with insights on where to find more content related to Cardinals fandom.

This episode of The 40/40 Vision Podcast explores the history of professional football teams in St. Louis, focusing on the reasons behind their relocations, the impact on the city, and the dynamics of ownership and stadium politics. The discussion covers the Cardinals' move from Chicago, the Rams' success and struggles in St. Louis, and the eventual departure of the Rams, highlighting the challenges faced by the city in retaining its teams. This conversation delves into the complex dynamics surrounding the relocation of the St. Louis Rams to Los Angeles, exploring the roles of the NFL, team ownership, and local politics. The discussion highlights the impact of lies and misinformation on fan loyalty, the racial dynamics influencing team relocations, and the future prospects for sports in St. Louis, including the rise of the Battle Hawks in the absence of an NFL team.