Crunching Tackles

Join us as we dive into the latest World Cup action, cultural moments, and social issues surrounding the tournament. From thrilling matches to fan interactions and political debates, this episode covers it all.Here is the CNN story Chad mentioned with some Iranian-American perspectives on the World Cup team: https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/15/sport/video/iran-world-cup-us-war-soccer-vrtc03:51 NBA Finals: Knicks' Historic Victory11:50 Celebrating the Carolina Hurricanes' Championship16:43 World Cup: Best Games So Far41:19 World Cup: Best Culture and Fan Moments47:39 World Cup: Social Issues01:00:05 World Cup: Iran at the World Cup

On this episode, Chad and John preview the US Men's National Team for the World Cup, and share their final thoughts before the games begin. They also preview the Stanley Cup and NBA Finals, recap the Champions League final, and dive into the chaos at the French Open this year.00:00 Stanley Cup Finals Ticket Costs and Preview10:15 Champions League Final Recap26:30 The Chaos of the French Open Tournament38:13 NBA Finals Matchup Is Set46:51 World Cup Beginners Primer51:59 US Men's National Team Preview01:06:48 World Cup Rules and Technology UpdatesTo join our World Cup predictions group, join here: https://pick26.com/auth?mode=signup&invite_code=CA9DPG

On today's show, Chad and John preview the 2026 World Cup. First, John celebrates a monumental Premier League Championship for Arsenal, and then the guys look ahead to the World Cup, ranking teams based on some on-the-field and off-the-field metrics.Join our World Cup Predictions group on Pick26!Join here: https://pick26.com/auth?mode=signup&invite_code=CA9DPG00:00 - Arsenal Wins the Premier League10:01 - World Cup Preview: National Anthems18:15 - World Cup Top 5 National Anthems39:39 - Top 5 World Cup Jerseys45:57 - World Cup Preview1:04:07 - Biggest World Cup Storylines1:18:57 - World Cup Host Nations Expectations

In this episode, Chad and John analyze a recent debate between Chris Christie and David French on sports gambling regulation, explore the implications of legal and illegal sports betting, and discuss the broader societal impacts of gambling. They also touch on the latest sports news, with good news for Arsenal fans, and bad news for LIV Golf.00:00 Introduction to Crunching Tackles02:52 Arsenal's Big UCL Victory08:12 March Madness Expansion Discussion16:16 LIV Golf's Funding Crisis28:26 The Debate on Sports Gambling

With the rumored collapse of LIV Golf, we reexamine whether the Saudi sportswashing program is ending. We also talk about the increased prices of transportation for the FIFA World Cup, Rory McIlroy winning another Masters, and … Coachella? All that and more on a new episode of Crunching Tackles.Link to our previous episode about Saudi Sportwashing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW14ugEJvy4&t=2175sLink to David French and Chris Christie debate about sports gambling: https://youtu.be/cAmVu4WVG7Q?si=LdWt_mzteH_ZiJ6h00:00 - Intro and Chad's 2 minutes on Coachella04:54 - Are celebrity fights on Netflix sport or spectacle?10:26 - The Premier League Title Race22:23 - Tottenham's Disastrous Season30:38 - Rory McIlroy's Masters Repeat32:50 - NBA and NHL Playoffs Storylines39:46 - The Cost of the FIFA World Cup Continues to Rise55:40 - The Decline of Saudi Sports Investments

On today's show, Chad and John dive deep into McKay Coppins' viral story about his experience as a sports better. Before that, we talk about March Madness, the USMNT, and talk briefly about Tiger Woods latest horrific car accident.Chapters00:00 March Madness Reflections03:14 Is Duke Underperforming with Jon Scheyer?09:05 The Impact of Experience in College Basketball22:19 Women's College Basketball Dynamics26:55 Puka Nacua's History of Antisemitism30:30 Tiger Woods' Car Crash and Arrest39:31 The State of American Soccer54:17 McKay Coppins' Sports-Gambling Article59:23 The Slippery Slope of Gambling Addiction01:03:52 The Illusion of Control in Sports Betting01:10:12 The Corruption of Prediction Markets01:19:22 The Integrity of Sports in the Age of Gambling resources

Join us as we delve into the latest sports headlines, including March Madness strategies, controversial soccer results, and the evolving world of Formula One. We also explore global issues like Iran's political climate and the ethics of sports sponsorships, providing insights and lively debates. And of course, we react to the 2026 Oscars and the Dune: Part Three teaser trailer.00:00 Introduction and March Madness Bracket Group02:51 Oscars Recap and Movie Discussions06:24 Timothée Chalamet Oscar Snub and Dune: Part Three Trailer10:21 Shocking AFCON Final Appeal19:58 Iranian Women’s Soccer Defections29:25 Formula One Updates and Rule Changes39:26 NBA Scoring and Bam Adebayo’s Historic Night50:17 Atlanta Hawks Magic City Controversy55:37 March Madness 2026 and the Process of Making a BracketLink to Our Bracket PoolMcKay Coppins' Sports Gambling Article

In a gripping discussion, Chad and John delve into the intricate web of war, politics, and sports in Iran, shedding light on how recent conflicts have reshaped the landscape for athletes and sporting events. This conversation uncovers the powerful role of sports as a stage for protest, the persistent challenges faced by women in Iran, and the ethical quandaries confronting international sporting organizations. As the world watches, a burning question remains: will Iran compete in the 2026 World Cup, and what ripple effects will this have on other sporting events across the Middle East? Tune in to explore these pressing issues and their far-reaching implications.00:00 Introduction02:40 USA Hockey Gold Medal Game and Controversies14:52 The War in Iran and the Future of the World Cup21:04 A Brief History of Modern-Day Iran24:09 The Uncertainty of Sports in the Middle East38:19 Iran's Pending Attendance at the 2026 World Cup39:18 Concerns Over Mexico's Political Stability as a World Cup Host45:14 Iranian Athletes Protesting the Regime50:53 The Struggles of Women Athletes in Iran55:31 The Complexities of Women's Soccer and Hijab Regulations01:00:54 The Future of Iran and the Role of Sports01:04:41 The Ethics of Sports and International Relations

In this episode, Chad Wylie and John Nekrasov discuss the highlights and controversies of the Winter Olympics. They delve into the excitement of competition, the curling cheating scandal, and the absurdity of doping in ski jumping. In this conversation, John Nekrasov and Chad Wylie discuss the impact of Russia's absence from the Olympics, the challenges faced by athletes like Lindsey Vonn, and the pressures of competing at such a high level.00:00 Introduction to the Winter Olympics Discussion00:52 Reflections on Past Winter Olympics05:51 Current Winter Olympics Highlights and Controversies08:49 The Curling Scandal: Cheating in Canada16:51 The Absurdity of Doping in Ski Jumping26:45 A Different Kind of Cheating at the Olympics35:02 Ukrainian Athlete Disqualified for "Political" Helmet47:41 Lindsey Vonn's ACL58:51 The Quad God and Figure Skating Gold01:08:50 Alysa Liu's Triumph and Joy in Skating01:15:46 Eileen Gu's Controversial Nationality Choice

In this episode of Crunching Tackles, hosts Chad Wylie and John Nekrasov dissect Super Bowl 60, focusing on the Seahawks' impressive performance and Drake Maye's struggles as a young quarterback. They discuss the halftime show, the cultural significance of the event, and the disappointing quality of commercials this year. The conversation wraps up with predictions for next year's Super Bowl and reflections on the season's highlights.00:00 - Super Bowl 60 Overview02:03 - Super Bowl LX Recap11:09 - Halftime Show Highlights and Cultural Impact20:27 - Commercials and Their DeclinePlease subscribe to the show and share with your friends!

In this episode of Crunching Tackles, hosts Chad Wylie and John Nekrasov dive into a variety of pressing sports issues, including the upcoming Super Bowl, Carlos Alcaraz’s latest history-making performance, and the shocking news surrounding Bill Belichick's Hall of Fame denial. They also discuss the implications of the Epstein files on the NFL, the controversy surrounding Shedeur Sanders' Pro Bowl selection, and the decline of LIV Golf amidst Saudi Arabia's sports washing efforts. 00:00 - Introduction to Crunching Tackles04:23 - Australian Open Final14:06 - Bill Belichick's Hall of Fame Snub24:33 - Shedeur Sanders' Pro Bowl Selection26:25 - Super Bowl Preview: Seahawks vs. Patriots35:43 - The Epstein Files Comes to the NFL42:22 - LIV Golf: Is Saudi Arabian Sports-washing still working?

On today's show, Chad Wylie and John Nekrasov discuss the dramatic and controversial final in the African Cup of Nations. They also discuss the latest gambling investigation, this one involving almost 40 college basketball players.The big story today is all about head coaching changes in the NFL. Why have their been so many, and is this trend going to continue?Also, we are finally on YouTube! If you want to watch our episodes as videos, you should subscribe and follow our brand new YouTube channel!

Chad and John look back on the year in film, giving their top 5 movies of 2025, along with some coverage of Stranger Things and the upcoming NFL Playoffs.0:30 - Chad reflects on the Steelers amazing regular season finale and we look ahead to the NFL Playoffs16:20 - A brief aside on Manchester United and the state of the club after another manager is fired.27:00 - We review Stranger Things season/series finale42:20 - Top 5 Films of 2025As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Chad and John reflect on the first quarter of the 21st century, as they rank five athletes who have had the biggest cultural impact of the past 25 years.2:40 - Chad recounts his freezing and fun time at the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship game7:25 - Philip Rivers comeback and a NFL update19:30 - Top Five Athletes of the Century: Number 539:30 - Number 443:30 - Number 31:01:30 - Number 21:14:50 - Number 1As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Chad and John look back on 2025 and identify our top 5 sports stories of the year. They also unveil their theme for the year, award the sports "Man of the Year" and commemorate the first ever "Benedict Arnold" designation on the podcast!As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

We are now just months away from the 2026 World Cup, and there is a lot to catch up on. From teams who have qualified, to the status of the USMNT, to the never-ending political circus circling this event, John and Chad are here to make sense of it all.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

ESPN has not just been reporting the news lately, they have been the news—and not in good ways. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:3:00 - We briefly recap a wildly entertaining World Series and that instantly classic Game 7.7:30 - The betting scandal we covered last episode has now come to MLB. We react to the news of two Cleveland Guardian pitchers who are facing significant jail time if convicted. 32:30 - ESPN has shut down its betting program, and taken a sponsorship with DraftKings. Is this significant?44:00 - The Stephen A. Smith Solitaire Scandal (you can see his horrific A.I. ad here).53:40 - The ESPN vs. YouTube TV standoff is bad for everyone, but mostly the fans.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

NBA Hall of Famer and current head coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and LeBron James insider Damon Jones were all arrested by the FBI on serious gambling charges, involving improper betting, high-stakes poker, and the Italian mafia. Do they matter culturally? On today's show, Chad and John discuss:7:30 - After Chad's solo podcast about Formula 1 and Apple TV, we briefly revisit the subject and John shares his reaction to the news.18:00 - We give a quick update after the first 3 games of the World Series27:30 - THE BIG STORY: We break down every angle of the latest NBA betting scandal, including how the mafia is involved, what this means for the integrity of the sport, and if Adam Silver is now officially on the hot seat. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

In this special, emergency episode of Crunching Tackles, Chad reacts to the breaking news about Formula One's broadcast rights going to Apple TV. What does this shift mean for the sport, and the larger streaming sports landscape?We will be back with a regularly scheduled podcast later. John is enjoying a wonderful honeymoon in Ireland with his new bride, and the Crunching Tackles family sends them our love!

This week, Ousmane Dembélé won the Ballon D'or—the award for the best men's soccer player. This choice was surprising, and underwhelming, and led us to a conversation about the importance of individual awards. Are they measured correctly? Do they matter culturally? On today's show, Chad and John discuss:25:00 - A quick update on the Pablo Torre investigation into Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers.36:15 - THE BIG STORY: The importance of individual awards.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

A bombshell investigation by Pablo Torre alleges that Los Angeles Clippers owner Steve Ballmer funneled money through a shadow company to Kawhi Leonard to compensate him above the salary cap. If true, this is one of the most shocking frauds in NBA history. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:10:00 - U.S. Open recap and the amazing rivalry of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz that is not slowing down!27:45 - The USMNT have had mixed but largely disappointing results. As the countdown continues until the World Cup, what should our expectations for the team be?43:20 - THE BIG STORY: Steve Ballmer, Kawhi Leonard, and AspirationAs always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The NFL and ESPN have announced a merger that gives ESPN control of NFL Media and gives the NFL an ownership stake in ESPN. This arrangement comes with huge conflicts of interest and moral implications. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:5:45 - Chad recaps his recent trip, including some amazing sporting experiences that he brings back to the pod.19:00 - Cadillac Formula 1 team have announced their driver lineup for 2026, and it is a huge sign of confidence in the team.22:50 - The U.S. Open is underway, and we share what we are most excited about for the next two weeks.30:50 - How are we feeling about our respective teams as the Premier League gets underway?49:15 - THE BIG STORY: The NFL/ESPN Merger1:12:30 - Eddington is scary, funny, and bold.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Pablo Torre has unearthed a shocking scandal taking place with the NFL and the NFL Player's Association in recent weeks. This scandal has caused major embarrassment for the league, and has led to the resignation of several prominent player's union executives. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:1:00 - We discuss how Nikola Jokic has finally found a sport he cares about9:00 - We react to the horrific shooting that took place this week in Manhattan and was specifically targeting the NFL headquarters. How does the decades-long study into CTE continue to impact players today?37:50 - For our main story, we break down all the details of the drama happening with the NFLPA, and also take scope of the changing landscape of journalism that led to this story being broken on a podcast.You can find Pablo Torre Finds Out on Apple Podcasts.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

One of the biggest summer blockbusters is also a fascinating artifact of sports and culture. In other words, all our various passions and interests collide in this high octane episode! On today's show, Chad and John discuss:3:40 - Wimbledon 2025 Recap25:50 - Club World Cup Final and President Trump's viral moment37:50 - F1 The Movie Review and Cultural AnalysisAs always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

A recent study examined the cost of being a sports fan to the American consumer, and the results are shocking! On today's show, Chad and John discuss:4:20 - How the Club World Cup is going this summer.13:20 - A strange confrontation between ICE and the Los Angeles Dodgers.18:30 - The Senegal Women's Basketball team being denied entry to the US for their summer camp.25:00 - The increasing cost of sports and the impact of greed on the average fan.You can read Joon Lee's article in The New York Times here.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

A fog of uncertainty surrounds America as we host two major international tournaments this summer. The Club World Cup and the Gold Cup are intense dress rehearsals for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics. The question is: are we ready? On today's show, Chad and John discuss:5:30 - The 2025 French Open. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner put on a performance for the ages, while Aryna Sabalenka imploded against Coco Gauff.26:15 - The House vs. NCAA settlement, which paves the way for direct compensation for student athletes from their universities.38:30 - America's soccer summer. We start with a disappointing start for the USMNT, and our increasing concerns about the team. Next, we look at the seeming lack of interest in the 2025 Club World Cup, and discuss why blatant money-grabs don't create good drama. Finally, we preview both the Gold Cup and the Club World Cup in the context of the political and social turmoil taking place here at home. What is it going to take for these events to be successful?As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

For decades, Bill Belichick built his brand on stoicism, silence, and excellence. In recent years, his relationship with Jordan Hudson has seemingly changed his entire persona. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:2:00 - The New York Knicks and their super fan Timothee Chalamet7:00 - John Haliburton being banned and subsequently reinstated by the NBA following his altercation with Giannis13:30 - Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark have renewed their rivalry in 2025, but the discourse surrounding their latest matchup has been shockingly toxic29:20 - The French Open pays tribute to their GOAT—Rafael Nadal35:00 - Bill Belichick is under the spotlight for his relationship with Jordan Hudson. Does anything about this story actually matter?1:02:40 - We review Mission Impossible: The Final ReckoningAs always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The pope is American, he's a certified baseball fan, and the Catholic Church has a detailed and rich theology of sports that we want to talk about! On today's show, Chad and John discuss:4:00 - NBA Draft Lottery and Playoff check-in.11:15 - Barcelona and Inter Milan played one of the greatest soccer ties of all time.16:05 - Major League Baseball unbanned Pete Rose, Joe Jackson, and others. Why is this happening now? Should Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame?25:30 - Pope Leo XIV35:00 - The theology of sports. To read the Holy See's bulletin, click here.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

In one of the most anticipated and widely covered NFL Drafts, Shedeur Sanders slid all the way to the fifth round. This prompted a flurry of broadcast and social media reactions. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:8:15 - Liverpool win the Premier League and is Mohamed Salah the best player in the world right now?24:00 - The NBA Playoffs are underway and the Lakers are in serious trouble. Why does LeBron James seem uninterested in winning in his age-40 season?44:10 - Cam Ward was drafted number one overall; Shedeur Sanders slid all the way to the fifth round; Mel Kiper and Stephen A. Smith had televised meltdowns. We break down all the biggest headlines from the 2025 NFL draft.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

In the most dramatic Masters in recent memory, Rory McIlroy exorcized his demons, and wrote his name in the history books. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:0:30 - Arsenal's convincing win over Real Madrid in the Champions League Quarterfinals. Where does John's club sit now in the hierarchy of European soccer?14:20 - The NCAA Basketball National Championship. All four 1-seeds advanced to the Final Four, the National Championship ended on a strange sequence, and the overall vibe of the tournament was muted. What did we like? What are we hoping changes?24:20 - We recap the 2025 Masters, focusing on Rory McIlroy and the amazing experience of watching him complete the Grand Slam. This felt like a huge cultural moment in America, so what does it take for golf to break through in the mainstream?As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The first two rounds of the 2025 NCAA tournament featured some amazing basketball, but few upsets and even less drama. What is the state of the tournament given the recent changes to the transfer portal and NIL? On today's show, Chad and John discuss:4:00 - We briefly fill out the list of Stephen A. Smith's potential cabinet secretaries.13:30 - We recap the disastrous weekend for the U.S. Men's National Team, which saw them place fourth in the Nations League. How concerned should soccer fans be just one year before we host the World Cup?25:40 - We recap the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, focusing on the important games on the court and the important cultural issues from the first weekend.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Television and sports personality Stephen A. Smith has been venturing into a new media space: politics. Now, he's one of the most talked about potential candidates for the Democratic nominee for president. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:2:30 - We recap the 2025 Oscars, talking about the success of the show, the biggest winners and losers, and the general state of movies in culture right now.18:50 - We transition to a conversation about the first episode of the newest season of Drive to Survive, and particularly how the show covered the scandal involving Christian Horner last year. 30:40 - March Madness is just around the corner, and we discuss the quiet of the college basketball season so far, as well as discuss some of the biggest stories on our minds going into the tournament.52:00 - THE BIG STORY: Stephen A. Smith is now being discussed as a legitimate presidential candidate. How did this happen? What would it mean for politics and sports? Do we think he has a real chance?As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Early into his presidency, Donald Trump signed an executive order preventing transgender women from competing in women's sports in public schools and under the NCAA. Charlie Baker—president of the NCAA—responded with immediate compliance. On today's show, Chad and John discuss:2:50 - The remarkable Four Nations NHL tournament, the USA v. Canada hockey rivalry fueled by politics, and the state of All-Star games across sports.17:50 - Jannik Sinner settles his ongoing charges of PED use, and agrees to serve a 3 month suspension. What does this mean for Sinner and for the future of doping cases?32:40 - THE BIG STORY: The Transgender Sports ban, the national reaction, and what's next in this hugely significant cultural story.54:50 - Some brief final thoughts about the state of the Oscars and our frustrations with the voting Academy. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The big game in New Orleans is in the books, and the Philadelphia Eagles came out on top! On today's podcast, we discuss the game and the broader implications. We also recap Kendrick Lamar's halftime show, Donald Trump's surprise appearance, and the abysmal state of Super Bowl commercials.As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

In a whirlwind podcast, Chad and John discuss the 2025 Australian Open, briefly revisit the Champions League Group Stage, and preview the Super Bowl between the Chiefs and the Eagles. 7:30 - 2025 Australian Open Review 25:20 - Champions League Group Stage Review 30:30 - The Super Bowl talk 56:40 - A brief discussion of The Brutalist and the Oscar nominations. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The NFL and NCAA Football playoffs are in full swing, and we are locked into all the action. Plus, tennis has gotten underway in Australia. Chad and John make sure you are aware of all the exciting action coming in the first month of 2025. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

As 2024 comes to a close, we are recapping and revisiting our top stories in sports, and our favorite movies, for the year! 4:07: We highlight 2 current sports stories from the NFL and College Football 8:00: Sports Stories—Number 5 20:00: Number 4 27:50: Number 3 34:50: Number 2 45:40: Number 1 58:15: Top Movies—Number 5 1:04:30: Number 4 1:09:30: Number 3 1:13:34: Number 2 1:18:00: Number 1 As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

With more than half-a-dozen brawls and flag planting attempts in college football last week, it's fair to say that rivalry week was heated. We discuss all the drama from Saturday on today's podcast. 2:45: What happened to the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving? 5:00: General Motors—aka Cadillac—is joining Formula 1 in 2026. 10:35: Jameis Winston is the viral sensation of 2024. 19:22: Panic time at Manchester City. 33:00: College football rivalry week. 56:20: Our Wicked and Gladiator II experience! As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The 2024 election happened last week, and Donald Trump will return to the White House in 2025. But if you were up at 3 a.m. on election night, you may have seen a familiar face in the sports world addressing Trump's victory party: Dana White. What does White's involvement in politics say about Trump's success? Before that, we briefly touch on three controversies in international soccer, from a refereeing scandal in England to an investigative report in Canada to a shocking display of violence in the Netherlands. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

We got our dream matchup in the World Series: Yankees vs. Dodgers; Ohtani vs. Judge. We take stock of the first 3 games of the series and consider if the games so far have lived up to the hype. We also check in briefly with Formula One, a sad story out of N.C. State football, and the award for best player in world soccer. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Many different sports around the world are expanding their postseason format to maximize the amount of high profile games that top teams play each year. Is this a benefit to fans, or just another desperate money grab? As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Shohei Ohtani has put together one of the most impressive seasons in baseball history. After spending some time discussing the Premier League and the NFL, we turn the focus of this podcast to MLB, and try to put Ohtani's historic season into context. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Tyreek Hill was pulled over and detained by Miami police on his way to Week 1 of the NFL season. The reaction has been understandably and expectedly strong. John and Chad break down every angle of the incident and what we can learn. 10:20 - We look at Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka winning the U.S. Open and where the state of tennis is going into 2025. 27:30 - We recap Week 1 of the NFL season, focusing on the Chiefs, the Bengals, the Jets, and the 49ers. 40:30 - We examine the body cam footage from the Tyreek Hill situation, finding what Hill did wrong, what law enforcement did wrong, and who is responsible for these kinds of confrontational situations. 1:07:20 - We briefly touch on a new civil sexual assault lawsuit against Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson, and why we are so angry and so unsurprised by these new allegations. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

For the first time in over 3 years, Chad and John are in person together for a podcast! They celebrate this occasion by discussing the U.S. Open, Jannik Sinner, and Alien: Romulus. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The 2024 Olympics were incredible, and we convene one more time to go through all the final stories from the games. On today's episode, we discuss: 2:15 - Our general impressions and what we loved about this Olympics 9:30 - The closing ceremony, including Tom Cruise's stunts 214:00 - The final medal count and who won the games 29:00 - We recap the most interesting stories from the final week of events 42:15 - We discuss what will be different for L.A. 2028 and what sports we would like to see added or removed 1:02:00 - We pitch an alternative competition: The Military Olympics 1:07:30 - Lastly, we consider how and why Snoop Dogg made such a big impression on the festivities in Paris As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The Olympics have soared to an incredible level of success, and we are here to recap the most important moments we've seen this week. Simone Biles, Novak Djokovic, Scottie Scheffler, Mondo Duplantis, and Imane Khelif are just a few of the athletes we mention. On today's episode, we discuss: 10:00 - We recap the medal table and see where Team USA is stacking up 13:20 - Pole Vaulter Mondo Duplantis and the moment of the Olympics 20:50 - Simone Biles and Team USA Gymnastics 31:10 - Noah Lyles' dramatic run for the gold and the future of his Olympic campaign 37:20 - More chaos from swimming courtesy of the River Seine 42:00 - Novak Djokovic wins tennis gold 47:00 - Scottie Scheffler's comeback to win golf gold 49:20 - THE BIG STORY: Imane Khelif and the gender controversy surrounding women's boxing As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The medals are flying in Paris as we take stock of an action packed first week of the Olympic Games! From the Opening Ceremony to the tennis to the swimming, we have it all covered for you right here! On today's episode, we discuss: 3:10 - We open with some general thoughts about the games and how we feel about the experience of watching so far. 8:10 - We turn quickly to the medal count, tracking how Team USA is doing compared to our primary rivals, and share how we feel about America's performance so far. 14:10 - Turning our attention to the pool, we discuss the dominant day by France swimmer Leon Marchand and also look at the highlights from Katie Ledecky in her signature event. 24:00 - Going from the pool to the gym, we recap the amazing team gold by USA women's gymnastic and their catalyst, Simone Biles. We also look at the men's gymnastics team, and their newly coronated superstar Stephen Nedoroscik. 34:30 - Up next, we close the final chapter on the saga of the Seine, where athletes actually did swim in the bacteria infested water. Is this a signature Paris failing, or did they finally turn it into a success? 41:30 - In many ways, the career of Rafael Nadal seems to be over. He lost in singles to his fiercest rival, Novak Djokovic, and the fan favorite "Nadalcaraz" doubles team also crashed out. Is this the end? We also briefly discuss Coco Gauff and her dramatic singles loss. 53:30 - Almost before the games got underway, scandal was already present. That's because Team Canada women's soccer were discovered to be using spy drones to surveil their opponent's practices. They faced severe punishment. We also briefly look at the USWNT and how thing are going for the favorites for gold. 59:00 - Finally, we recap the Opening Ceremony, which featured one of the greatest images in Olympics history (hats off to you, LeBron), and also one of the worst and most controversial images we've ever seen. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The COPA America Final was delayed by over an hour because of a brutal crowd crush at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Fans and police officers were injured, and 27 people were arrested as Colombia fans attempted to storm the stadium. On today's episode, we discuss: 4:15 - We open with a conversation about the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, our desire for unity, and we also briefly examine how Trump has used sports to boost his reputation. 19:10 - We recap the final of the EUROs, which saw Spain take down England. John has some strong thoughts about England—both their players and their manager. 33:00 - We talk about the continued rise of Carlos Alcaraz, as he wins Wimbledon for the second year in a row over Novak Djokovic. Is the torch now officially passed? 43:45 - THE BIG STORY: We look at Argentina's win over Colombia in the final of the COPA, and speak frankly about the riot that delayed the game by about 90 minutes. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremonies are less than a month away, and we are here to prime you for the events and athletes that you need to be paying attention to this year. On today's episode, we discuss the international soccer tournaments currently going on, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, and an extremely controversial decision by NBC for their Olympic coverage. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

As the city of Paris and the nation of France prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, there's one area they need to focus on that previous hosts of the games haven't: cybersecurity. On today's episode, we discuss: 4:15 - We briefly consider how to choose a British soccer team as American fans and who we would support if we were doing it all over again. 13:50 - We recap the first week of the 2024 European Championship and preview who we expect to succeed. 24:00 - We dive deep into Manchester City's lawsuit that is actively ongoing against the Premier League and talk through the ramifications of either outcome of the case. 37:45 - THE BIG STORY: John leads us through a conversation about cybersecurity, how hackers will try to undermine the Olympics, and what fans and players can expect at the games. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!