After some wistful baseball talk, we discuss:

• MLB sends memo to owners, executives outlining how they should act, operate during looming lockout
• MLB sponsors mull backup plans for lockout
• MLB proposes shortening regular season to 154 games in 2029, expanding Division Series to best-of-7
• NFL tells Supreme Court prediction markets are gambling and should be regulated by the states
• Buss siblings file claim against Jeanie Buss over Lakers sale

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Post-opening banter, we discuss:

• Does your college football roster cost $8M or $50M? Here’s our report on 68 teams
• College athletics rack up millions in deficits as Senate eyes oversight bill
• Senate tees up college sports bill aimed at regulating NIL deals
• Polymarket countersues New York state over ‘unregulated gambling’ allegation
• NFL Has No Plan to Follow MLB, NBA in Loosening Private Equity Rules

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Post-opening banter, we discuss:

1. Report: Feds investigating Clippers' Kawhi Leonard dealings
2. No sanctions for LSU after SEC meeting on expulsion
3. Yes, the SEC really could 'terminate' LSU. Here's an inside look at the fight that could reshape college football
4. LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection, enters 'next phase'
5. Rory McIlroy predicts LIV Golf player exodus after bankruptcy protection filing
6. NFL 2026: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE NFL’S INVESTMENT ARM, 32 EQUITY?

Show Summary:

[0:00–9:00] Intro & NFL international expansion — Small talk, then discussion of the NFL's first game in Australia. Hosts predict the long-term goal is an international division (London, Paris, Madrid, Germany), but flag brutal travel logistics (only ~25hrs recovery time) and predict Mexico City as the first international "home" team.

[9:00–24:30] LSU vs. SEC eligibility showdown — LSU wanted to sign two ex-NFL players using a COVID-era eligibility loophole; the SEC threatened expulsion, and LSU backed down. Hosts note the irony of the SEC drawing a "no real pros" line while profiting from NIL, blame Lane Kiffin's loose talk for escalating it, and predict the broader eligibility issue resurfaces in a few years.

[24:30–40:20] Clippers/Kawhi Leonard salary-cap scandal — NBA penalized the Clippers (5 draft picks, $30M fine, 5 years of audits) and suspended Steve Ballmer for a year over sham deals used to pay Kawhi Leonard around the cap. Leonard's trade to Toronto is in limbo; federal prosecutors and the SEC are now investigating, though hosts expect the federal angle to fade while the trade drama dominates NBA news.

[40:20–57:15] LIV Golf bankruptcy — LIV filed Chapter 11 in NJ, listing $100–500M assets vs. $500M–$1B liabilities, with stars like Rahm and DeChambeau as unsecured creditors. Rory McIlroy predicted a player exodus. Hosts expect LIV to survive only as a smaller international "B league" now that the Saudi PIF (which sank ~$5B since 2022) has pulled out.

[57:15–1:04:30] NFL's investment arm ("32 Equity") — Owners' ~$250M+ fund (includes a Fanatics stake) sits outside the CBA, so profits don't have to be shared with players — essentially a legal, league-wide version of the Ballmer/Kawhi trick.

[1:04:30–end] Wrap-up — Aside about a sold-out Wrigley Field women's volleyball game halted by humidity/condensation; sign-off heading into NFL Week 1.

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Post-opening banter, we discuss:

1. 49ers owner Jed York responded to undercover ad on prostitution website, police say
2. Prosecutor says he has portion of Josh Jacobs' domestic incident with ex-girlfriend on video
3. Judge's order prohibits SEC from blocking athletes return
4. Lakers legal saga continues: Jeanie Buss accuses siblings of 'devious behavior' in petition

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Post-opening banter, we discuss:

• Daniels sends cease-and-desist to LSU after Pickett given No. 5
• In Sudden $12.5B Lakers Sale, Big Questions Remain
• Sources: Josh Kushner, Bob Iger to buy Lakers for $12.5B
• Private equity company Apollo agrees to finance deal with New York Yankees organization for $2.6 billion

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• Bodycam video: Tony Romo OWI arrest in Milwaukee
• Andrew Marchand: CBS ‘wants to get out of the Romo business’
• Washington Commanders fire coach days before training camp
• Embattled NFL player cut after latest arrest as he wastes career lifeline
• Khosla-led group agrees to buy Seahawks; sources say $9.6 billion
• SEC and Big Ten agree to support college sports bill after weeks of negotiations

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Chris abandons Steve on Soccer Hatred Island and admits he is all in this year. Steve makes some jokes and then it's time to talk:

• Netflix, Disney and YouTube interested in FIFA World Cup US rights; package could reach $2 billion
• US World Cup exit isn't so bad for Fox- thanks to hydration breaks
• USMNT’s World Cup exit was most-watched American telecast since Super Bowl
• Equal Pay Fight Means $6M for U.S. Women From Men’s World Cup Run
• NIL ERA’S GOOFIEST LAWSUIT HINGES ON AGENT’S ‘EMPLOYEE’ STATUS
• Best Sports Business Cities: 2026

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After Chris educates Steve on Modern Mid-century Design, they discuss:

• Brendan Sorsby officially drops lawsuit against NCAA
• NFL rejects Sorsby's supplemental draft bid, lawsuit could follow
• Brendan Sorsby's turbulent timeline: From gambling addiction to NFL supplemental draft denial
• Basketball Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model
• Lions CB Terrion Arnold arrested, faces possibility of life in prison on kidnapping, robbery charges

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