Hey, it’s that time again. Fred and the Fantastics on BLEAV and on PodClips, with Art, with Laura, with Mark. You can email us: [email protected], sportsfredaol.com. We, of course, also do Sports Overnight America, and Art, you mentioned right before we went off the air, this week’s version about Cathy Engelbert of the WNBA perhaps not being in that position any longer. Your comments?

Well, I just think it’s really an amazing situation, or a happenstance, I don’t know. It just seems very interesting with all the things that are going on in the NBA, vis-à-vis what they’re dealing with, what a man is, what a woman is, what their league rules are going to be. I would think that would be a little tiresome after a while. I really do believe the NBA owns that league, and I’m wondering if they decided to go in a different direction, maybe bring somebody else in. I mean, I actually enjoy watching WNBA action. I think the girls play great, great basketball, compared to what I remember back 30, 40 years ago. It’s fabulous. But, I mean, it just seems as though it’s in a real quandary right now.

Laura, your thoughts about the whole situation? Obviously, of course, Caitlin Clark is in the middle of a lot of the situation as far as that is concerned. Your thoughts about Cathy Engelbert, perhaps not being the commissioner anymore?

I haven’t heard that her resignation is based on any of this current turmoil. It seems like the WNBA is kind of in a growth spurt, and often when there is a growth spurt, there’s growing pains. That seems to be a little bit of it. I think it’s all going to settle down. I mean, this whole issue with trans women, I don’t even want to get into. It’s just a minor issue to me. You know, I’ve mentioned this before: when Denise Richards played on the pro tennis tour as a transgender woman, she couldn’t beat any of the top players. So, you know, the fact is, is that we don’t know, because there are so few trans athletes. I don’t think there are any trans athletes in the WNBA at the moment. And so, I mean, it’s sort of a fluid issue, but I hadn’t heard that, that’s the reason why she’s resigning. I think she’s been around a while, like 15 years or something.

Mark, your comments?

Well, you know, I just look at the league, and it’s quite different than I used to watch, with the Celtics, the Sixers, the Lakers, and then you had the Spurs. I think the only saving grace of this whole league is, you know, if Wembanyama can keep his head on his shoulders for, you know, a couple decades there, maybe, and resurrect this poor product. Because it’s only, to me, being driven by the foreign exchange. It’s not being driven by the American money, because nobody’s sitting there watching a full NBA game unless you’re getting free tickets to go to these things.

So, my question is, do you think that Enes Kanter should go back to the NBA or play in the WNBA?

You know, I actually thought the NBA playoffs last year were great.

I did too.

I mean, I thought all these young teams – I love the way they’re playing basketball. I think there’s a lot, you know, the Lakers sell out pretty much every game. So I’m not so sure that the NBA is in trouble. The WNBA is certainly growing in popularity. And they’ve just, like I said, I think they’ve got some growing pains, and they need to kind of settle down, settle in, get the salary issues resolved, because they’re not being paid enough, the players. And I think we’ll see, but I don’t see the NBA losing popularity too much.

All right. What about, what about the Clippers about to lose five draft picks if it comes to being? Do you think Clipper fans will show up anymore? The team’s not going to go anywhere; we’re not, no draft picks, no power players. I mean, what do you, Art, what do you think?

Well, I got to tell you, I think they’re going to have big problems. I mean, they just built that new arena. They’re an aging team as it is. You know, I got to be honest with you, I think the Clippers are going to always be kind of like the Angels. Even though the Angels got a new ownership group, the Kroenke family, I think that’s going to help them. My question is this, Fred. You got Tony Romo, Mark Sanchez, and Mike Lombardi all in big trouble in the world of sports for different things. What’s with sportscasters and general managers having problems, you know, keeping themselves in line?

I just think they think that they’re above everything. That’s the bottom line. Laura, what do you think?

Well, I think that, I forget who the R&B star was that talked about I’m just a stepchild, but I think that that kind of encompasses the Clippers and the Angels. I mean, they’re just going to always be the stepchildren of the Lakers and the Dodgers. You know, I really, I think the league, I think the NBA gave Kawhi Leonard way too easy. And, you know, I actually liked Kawhi Leonard when he played for Toronto. But I really soured on him when the Clippers were finally in the Western Conference Finals, and he was injured, and he wasn’t even sitting on the bench. He was sitting in a luxury suite. And I just thought, you know what? If you’re injured, you should sit with your team, even if you’re not in uniform.

Laura, is the problem really there’s too much money in sports?

There’s too much money everywhere at the top level in sports.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m starting to see that, and I’m starting to believe it. And I think these guys start reading their press clippings, as my dad used to say years ago. And like Fred said earlier, in both shows, they think they’re above all the discourse and all the laws. And I think anybody that starts to think that way, I think society slaps you down. And I got to believe that the old guys, the old stars that I used to love, that had integrity, and they were classy. And they played for the love of the game. There’s a statement right there, you guys. The love of the game. We need sports to get back to the love of the game.

Fred, I found out the number one Halloween costume this year is the San Francisco 49ers. If you can dress up as a couple of 49ers and bilk people out of 1.4 million, like a couple of clowns did this past week, that is the number one thing: how you can pay for everything. I don’t know if you heard that news, but two guys dressed up as San Francisco 49ers.

We’re taping Fred and the Fantastics about 1 o’clock on Friday afternoon. At 6 p.m. this evening, Friday night, USC’s home at the Coliseum against Fresno State. Now, last week, USC beat San Jose State 42 to 26, but San Jose State outscored them by a lot in the fourth quarter. And, of course, nobody showed up. It was 95, 98 degrees at that point. Art, give me an attendance possibility tonight. Above or below 50,000?

Tickets sold or actually fannies in seats?

How many?

I said, tickets sold or fannies in seats?

Fannies in seats.

I think there’ll be probably 44,000 people, of which 20,000 will probably be coming down from the Great Valley, Fresno. And I’m going to tell you, folks, watch out for Fresno State tonight. This is a much better ball club that people are giving credit for, and 24 points is too many. If you really want to stay away, just take the over in both Miami-Stanford and the Trojans against the Bulldogs.

Laura, tomorrow night, your Bruins of UCLA up at Cal against Berkeley. Cal-UCLA. I think UCLA’s about a one- to one-and-a-half-point favorite. Who do you like?

Doesn’t UCLA have to pay them, like $50 million or something, Fred?

A lot of money, but they owe $51 million, so it’s nothing to them at this point. Thank you, Martin Jarmond. Laura, who’s going to win tomorrow night, Saturday night?

I think UCLA’s going to win, but I think it’s going to be a close game. I think it’s going to be a test for UCLA, because they should win. They should win relatively easily, if you believe the preseason hype. But we’ll see. I think they’ll pull it out, though. I’m not so sure about SC, though. I agree with Art. They should not have given up 26 points.

Mark, are you going to go to the Coliseum tonight?

Well, me and 10 others, probably, if it was free. And we were sitting on the field and we had a helicopter to get out of there.

Mark, I’ve got a trivia question for you. Can you pronounce the quarterback of Cal’s name?

Or UCLA’s name, for that matter.

Yeah, Iamaleava, and the guy’s name is Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. And he’s supposed to be a heck of a left-handed quarterback for Cal. I’m taking Cal in this game, Laura.

This is a spoiler. It’s not a prediction. But the Pitt Panthers, who open their season tomorrow, will have a better record than the UCLA Bruins.

They’re playing the right Miami team, though.

With that note, we’ll take a break, come back for more on Fred and the Fantastics.

Hey, we’re back, everybody. Fred and the Fantastics on BLEAV and on PodClips. All right. Next week, next Thursday night in Australia, the 49ers against the Rams. It’s the Rams’ home game. 49ers showed up Wednesday of this week, and the Rams aren’t going to show up until next week. Art, what’s smarter, what’s brighter? Do you have any thoughts going into the game?

You know what? I’ve done a lot of traveling in my golf career, Fred. And that’s the longest flight in history from the West Coast to Australia. It’s 14 hours. I think San Francisco did the right thing, getting there a little early, getting acclimatized. The jet lag is going to be crazy. I’m telling you, I’m going to take the 49ers to the point. Because if the Rams leave on a Friday – excuse me, the game, I believe, is on Wednesday, correct?

No, it’s Friday.

Thursday night.

Okay, Thursday in Australia, Friday here or whatever, however, that works. Thursday here, Wednesday there. But I’m just telling you, I think the 49ers are going to have an edge if they get to spend a couple extra days Down Under.

Laura, do you like traveling? Do you want to go to Australia?

You know, I’ve thought about it, but it really is a grueling trip. I mean, I do personally get really affected by jet lag.

You’ve got to go to New Zealand, you guys. That’s the most gorgeous place in the world. Really and truly.

Laura, who’s going to win, the 49ers or the Rams?

I kind of agree with Art. I think it’s going to be a wake-up call for the Rams. I don’t think they’re giving the time difference enough.

I get really affected, even when I was young. They say that if you get there right away and you do a workout and go right to sleep, it helps offset it. But I’ve got to tell you, it’s the second and third day that you’re there that you feel like, wow, what time is it? Your whole rhythms are off, your body mechanism. It’s really a bizarre thing.

Let me make a case here, and I’m going to stand on this. Before the game takes place next week in Australia, Puka Nacua will be suspended by the National Football League. Art, agree or disagree?

You know, that’s one of those things that, you know, I think that’s a 50-50 call, Fred. I happen to agree with you. I think he should be, based on what he’s been doing. But I don’t know. I just wonder if they might wait until, like, game two or game three and then throw a four-game suspension out there.

Art, I mean, Mark, what do you think?

Well, I’m never going to bet against Sean McVay. He knows what he’s doing, bringing that team in 17 hours before kickoff. Get them well-rested out here. Get all their training in. He’s seen enough kangaroos, Tasmanian devils. He’s enjoyed Down Under. Just going to go beat the 49ers, come back home and get ready for the New York Giants.

Marky, what’s the longest flight you’ve taken in your lifetime?

Well, I don’t know about the longest flight, but the longest drive was driving from Cleveland to Philadelphia. And that was eight hours, and I was tired.

I’m going to tell you, and I think Laura will agree with me; there is such a thing as jet lag. Swear to God.

The professional tennis tour starts their major season in Australia in January. And most of the players, certainly the top players, they arrive three weeks ahead, at least. And they play, usually, a couple of tournaments before the Australian Open. So they get acclimated. They don’t wait four days or a week. I mean, they’re there for three weeks before, so they get acclimated to the time change. So that should be a lesson for these football teams.

Laura, do you think Nacua should be suspended by the league?

I think he should. But I don’t know that he’s going to be, because he’s such a big star. There seems to be a little bit of a bias against suspending the star players.

By the way, is Aaron Donald going to Australia with the Rams?

I don’t think they’ve announced that yet.

I think Laura’s correct. I don’t think they’ve announced it.

I’m just getting excited, Fred, for this weekend. We’ve whacked the Halos all over the place in Pittsburgh. And Mike Trout, the only team he hasn’t homered against is the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I’m going to bet him tonight to hit a home run.

You know what? I hate to burst your bubble, Mark. But the rumors around are that Paul Skenes is going to go back to the Angels. Or going to go to the Angels, because he grew up as an Angel fan.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful, Mark?

Well, we’ve got a lot of money in Pittsburgh. We’ll try to keep them there.

Oh, do you?

You do?

You’ve got billions, like Stan Kroenke?

I’m going to tell Don Kelly I’ll throw in the bullpen.

More than Kroenke. Kroenke has more money than the entire city of Pittsburgh.

And the other thing is, his wife might have more money than any of them.

Before we go. Before we go. I’m going to ask one trivia question. You ready?

Okay.

This guy hit seven home runs in three consecutive games for the all-time Major League Baseball record. Seven home runs in three consecutive games.

He’s captain, too.

Ralph Kiner.

Ralph Kiner?

Fine ballplayer. For the Mets.

I think it was Sammy Sosa.

Sammy Sosa? Laura, do you have any thoughts?

I need hints. You know, I’m the worst trivia player.

Well, throw McGuire or Bonds in there.

What if I told you this? Jewish player.

Oh, the great Detroit Tiger.

That’s it.

Hank Greenberg, you’re saying?

Yeah, Hank Greenberg.

Sean Green?

Sean Green’s the answer. All right, for Mark, for Mario, for Laura, for Art.

Oh, you are the Sean Green man today.

Thank you very much for listening to Fred and the Fantastics on BLEAV and PodClips. Bye, everybody.