Franchises, Fortunes & Football: Miami’s Rise, Virginia’s Surge, and the Cost of Winning Big

It’s a full-throttle Friday on Sports IQ with Larry Smith — big games, big money, and even bigger conversations about what sports are becoming in 2024.Larry kicks things off with a nostalgic trip back to backyard baseball — then fast-forwards to the staggering price tags of modern franchises. From $2.5 billion NHL expansion fees to college coaches pulling eight-figure salaries, he and producer Tony Cordaro break down how money is changing sports at every level — and why the Big Ten’s latest private equity deal just got iced.Then it’s game time:Adam Lichtenstein (Sun Sentinel) previews #10 Miami vs. Louisville, exploring how the Hurricanes’ physical dominance in the trenches has turned them into a legit ACC powerhouse. He breaks down Carson Beck’s steady hand, Mario Cristobal’s rebuild, and why complacency could be Miami’s biggest opponent.Ryan Weiner (Cavalier Daily) explains how #19 Virginia became one of college football’s surprise stories. From Tony Elliott’s trust rebuild to transfer quarterback Chandler Morris’s poise, Virginia’s quietly playing its best football in a decade — with homecoming hype and playoff whispers in Charlottesville.Michelle Gardner (Arizona Republic) gives the inside story on Arizona State’s rocky start after last year’s Big 12 title run — injuries, expectations, and whether QB Sam Leavitt will be ready to face red-hot #7 Texas Tech.The show closes with Larry and Tony unpacking the week’s money headlines:NHL commissioner Gary Bettman sets a jaw-dropping $2 billion minimum expansion priceIndiana’s Curt Cignetti lands an $11.6 million-a-year extension — the third highest in college footballBig Ten’s $2B private equity deal stalls as Michigan and USC hit pauseAnd a Moment of “Ah” celebrating the Chicago Bears’ first-ever game, 104 years ago today — back when football dreams started for just seven bucks a ticket.Topics Discussed:Miami’s dominance and Louisville’s upset hopesVirginia’s shocking turnaround and playoff potentialArizona State’s injuries and Texas Tech’s riseThe billion-dollar business of sports ownershipCoaching salaries and private equity in college athleticsThe historic roots of pro footballGuests:🎙️ Adam Lichtenstein – Sun Sentinel🎙️ Ryan Weiner – The Cavalier Daily🎙️ Michelle Gardner – Arizona RepublicConnect:Follow Sports IQ with Larry Smith for smart, fast-moving sports storytelling — where headlines meet hindsight, Monday through Friday, wherever you get your podcasts.