NHL on Offense as Playoffs Heat Up

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.

Red Bull has carved out a unique place in the sports world as a beverage business that has a growing presence in the sports world. The company has become the dominant force in Formula One, as this weekend's Miami Grand Prix will again reveal, and also owns five soccer teams around the globe. Red Bull commercial director Nick Stocker joins the show to discuss how the team has parlayed wins on the grid into profits off of it.  Plus, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office called the Chicago Bears’ initial ask for public funds a “non-starter” and the Seattle Mariners added to their ownership group.

The Kentucky Derby will become the rare event that has run annually for 150 years with Saturday’s race. Churchill Downs underwent a $200 million renovation prior to the event, which leans into its history as much as anything in sports. FanDuel TV anchor Todd Schrupp joins the show to discuss the significance of this race, recent issues in horse safety, and the controversial figure of Bob Baffert. Plus, an NFL team owner turned down a $10 billion offer and Fox plans to seek record prices for ad space during the Super Bowl LIX broadcast.

The NBA is nearing a massive media rights deal, as a dramatic playoffs featuring a new cast of characters unfolds. The New Yorker’s Louisa Thomas joins the show to discuss how these playoffs represent a changing of the guard and the enigmatic figure of Jimmy Butler. Plus, the Premier League could implement a spending cap and LeBron James is leaving his options open with his son, Bronny, entering the NBA Draft.

The Florida Panthers are chasing a Stanley Cup while still feeling the reverberations of last year’s run to the finals. Team president and CEO Matt Caldwell joins the show to discuss how the Panthers’ success boosted the franchise in the short and long-term. Plus, MLB is fixing its uniforms – eventually, and Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are buying into a Liga MX team that already has numerous celebrity owners.

The MLB season has been dominated by headlines of star pitchers going down with significant injuries. Is this a particularly rough year or simply the new reality for MLB? The Score’s Travis Sawchik joins the show to delve into his research on pitchers, the state of MLB labor relations, and plenty more. Plus, the NFL Draft set a new attendance record, Roger Goodell pitched an 18-game season, and the newly relaunched Arena Football League is already in serious trouble.

The NHL is entering the playoffs coming off the best-attended regular season in its history. That will only further stoke the league’s desire to expand to new markets, with the Phoenix area remaining the NHL’s top priority. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan joins the show to discuss how these playoffs are a dream come true for NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, where the league could expand next, and why Ryan Smith’s “energy” is just what the NHL needs. Plus, NFL draftees could see record salaries, the league is expanding its international efforts in Australia, and Utah is set to claim the 2034 Winter Olympics.

The NFL Draft begins today with the forecast calling for surprises and trades. ESPN’s NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller joins the show with a look at how the Cardinals, Commanders, Patriots, and other teams with top picks might leverage their position for long-term future gains. Plus, Reggie Bush got his Heisman Trophy back 14 years later, Tiger Woods is set to receive $100 million in equity for staying loyal to the PGA Tour, and the Bears are expected to ask for $2.3 billion in public funds for a new domed stadium.

Austin Ekeler’s free agent market developed over the course of a few hours. He joins the show to take us inside that chaotic day and offer his thoughts on the NFL’s new rules, where he would like to see the league expand, what he expects from his new team, the Washington Commanders, and his athlete fan connection platform, Eksperience. Plus, Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore are entering mediation over their attempted purchase of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, the Kansas City Current are building a new neighborhood around their stadium, and the Utah NHL team name will be decided by a fan vote.