EPISODE · Feb 13, 2026 · 51 MIN
Olympic Ratings Surge, NCAA Chaos & The ABA’s Lasting Legacy
from SportsIQ with Larry Smith · host Rise Above Productions & Revision Sound
Spotify Title:Olympic Ratings Surge, NCAA Chaos & The ABA’s Lasting LegacyShow Notes:The sports calendar is overflowing — NBA All-Star Weekend, the Daytona 500, Olympic headlines, and major college basketball storylines all colliding at once. Larry and Tony break down why this might be one of the best stretches of the sports year — and why the momentum just keeps building.The Winter Olympics are delivering in more ways than expected. Ratings are up a staggering 93% from 2022, proving NBC may have found the right formula. We discuss Team USA’s early hockey dominance, Chloe Kim’s heartbreaking bid for a third straight gold, Breezy Johnson’s golden moment (and proposal!), and the financial realities behind the Milan–Cortina dual-host format.In the NBA, LeBron James reminds everyone he’s not done yet, becoming the oldest player in league history to record a triple-double. Meanwhile, the league cracks down on “tanking” with fines to Utah and Indiana — raising bigger questions about competitive integrity.College sports chaos continues as Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss sues the NCAA over eligibility — and wins. Is the NCAA losing control? We debate the inconsistency, the transfer portal, academic priorities, and whether college athletics needs a complete rulebook reset.Plus, we revisit the legacy of the American Basketball Association as a new Netflix documentary, Soul of the Game, drops this week. From the three-point shot to Dr. J’s flair and the wild financial deal of the Spirits of St. Louis, the ABA’s fingerprints are all over today’s NBA.We close with a powerful Moment of Awe honoring Olympic legend Eric Heiden — five gold medals in 1980 and now saving lives as an orthopedic surgeon.It’s a packed show. Let’s get smarter about sports.
What this episode covers
Spotify Title:Olympic Ratings Surge, NCAA Chaos & The ABA’s Lasting LegacyShow Notes:The sports calendar is overflowing — NBA All-Star Weekend, the Daytona 500, Olympic headlines, and major college basketball storylines all colliding at once. Larry and Tony break down why this might be one of the best stretches of the sports year — and why the momentum just keeps building.The Winter Olympics are delivering in more ways than expected. Ratings are up a staggering 93% from 2022, proving NBC may have found the right formula. We discuss Team USA’s early hockey dominance, Chloe Kim’s heartbreaking bid for a third straight gold, Breezy Johnson’s golden moment (and proposal!), and the financial realities behind the Milan–Cortina dual-host format.In the NBA, LeBron James reminds everyone he’s not done yet, becoming the oldest player in league history to record a triple-double. Meanwhile, the league cracks down on “tanking” with fines to Utah and Indiana — raising bigger questions about competitive integrity.College sports chaos continues as Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss sues the NCAA over eligibility — and wins. Is the NCAA losing control? We debate the inconsistency, the transfer portal, academic priorities, and whether college athletics needs a complete rulebook reset.Plus, we revisit the legacy of the American Basketball Association as a new Netflix documentary, Soul of the Game, drops this week. From the three-point shot to Dr. J’s flair and the wild financial deal of the Spirits of St. Louis, the ABA’s fingerprints are all over today’s NBA.We close with a powerful Moment of Awe honoring Olympic legend Eric Heiden — five gold medals in 1980 and now saving lives as an orthopedic surgeon.It’s a packed show. Let’s get smarter about sports.
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Olympic Ratings Surge, NCAA Chaos & The ABA’s Lasting Legacy
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