A New Network for ChiTown Teams?
Fred, Art, and Mark wonder about the future of televised sports as several of Jerry Reinsdorf’s Chicago teams leave NBC behind for the Stadium app, also partly owned by – guess who? Will more organizations follow his example? How is former Dodger Michael Busch settling in with the Cubs? Is Jon Scheyer losing players through the transfer portal? And which legendary baseball players have recently departed with Carl Erskine to play on the Field of Dreams?
A Report Card on Racism and Diversity Representation in Sports
Fred, Art, and guest human rights activist and sportswriter Richard Lapchick explore the issue of racism and minority representation in sports. Have there been many improvements in recent years? Why does Kareem Abdul-Jabbar disagree with women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley? Has Johnny Dawkins zeroed in on the concern some coaches have with the transfer portal? And how many Kentucky basketball players will follow coach John Calipari through the portal to Arkansas?
Basketball, Basketball, Basketball
Fred, Art, and guest Laura Snoke are excited to see who will emerge triumphant in the NCAA Final Four. With the women drawing more viewers than the men, has Caitlin Clark been the compelling reason? Is it really almost 50 years since the Wizard of Westwood retired and nearly 20 since the Bruins last took home the title? Could Matt Painter give a nod to Coach Wooden’s roots with a Boilermaker win? And what is the controversy surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s first Dodger home run ball?
Tournament Predictions and Betting Woes for the Pros
Fred, Art, and Mark prognosticate which teams have the best chances to go all the way in the NCAA Tournament. Will Tommy Lloyd and his Arizona Wildcats give the Pac-12 a big win in the final year of the conference or will Mark Few and Gonzaga finally bring home the trophy after years just missing the title? How will the investigation into Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter affect the Dodgers as the season gets underway? And why is Jontay Porter under scrutiny from the NBA?
The Madness That is March
Fred, Art, and sports historian Mark Dibiase break down some early results from the first week of March Madness. Greg Kampe’s Golden Grizzlies bested John Calipari’s Wildcats in the first round of the Tournament, and Calipari blames the loss on too many teams being eligible. Does his complaint have merit? What accolade has Caitlin Clark earned? And would John Wooden, the GOAT of college coaches, be able to duplicate his winning record amid all the changes to the sport?
The NCAA and Transgender Athletes
Fred, Art, and Mark contemplate the ramifications of the NCAA’s legal issues surrounding the inclusion of Lia Thomas, an openly transgender swimmer, in women’s swimming competitions. What is the best solution, and will it satisfy all involved? Why are some NFL coaches being accused of legal tampering? Did Jim Harbaugh’s exit open the door for Michigan to do some coaching spring cleaning, starting with Juwan Howard? And why is the college basketball transfer portal opening while teams are still playing?
Did the Chiefs’ Super Bowl Win Influence a Political Decision?
Fred and Art are surprised to learn that the DUI sentence of Andy Reid’s son, which resulted in a life-threatening impairment for a young girl, has been commuted by Governor Mike Parson of Missouri. Was this a political move by Parson? Which teams are considering free agents Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson? Are the Dodgers off base with Max Muncy’s position? And has the whole sports wagering phenomenon taken on an unexpected life of its own?
Expect the Unexpected in the NFL Combine
Fred and Art break down the NFL Scouting Combine, and how many QBs are up in the first round. Will Bo Nix be one of the first or relegated to a later round? How did Bill Belichick and Steven Ross stack up in the NFLPA player’s poll? Which team ended up at the bottom? Where is Kike Hernandez heading? Hint: he’s a huge fan-favorite with this organization! And who are the Yankees looking at to help revive their pitching staff?
Too Hot to Handle in the MLB?
Fred, Art, and Mark consider which options lie ahead for Trevor Bauer and Blake Snell. Are most teams not willing to hire them because of their accompanying issues? What is behind the lack of diversity in the NFL in the hiring of offensive coordinators? Is Eric Bieniemy experiencing the same difficulty as he searches for a head coaching job? And could Steve Garvey finally be inducted into the Hall of Fame AND become a California Senator?
Tragedy Overshadows Super Bowl Celebrations
Fred, Art, Mark, and guest Matt DiBiase break down the unfortunate events unfolding in the aftermath of the Super Bowl. How did the shooting tragedy unfold at the victory parade for the Chiefs, leaving local DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan dead and nearly two dozen injured? Was Kyle Shanahan worried about his job being in jeopardy when he fired Steve Wilks? Is Rob Manfred leaving baseball? And could LeBron James be heading up north?
