BLEAV Sports with Fred and The Fantastics

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark chime in about who was the most important athlete of the last century. Muhammad Ali, for his stand against the Vietnam War? Michael Jordan, with his global business brand? Billie Jean King? Jackie Robinson? Wayne Gretzky? Who truly changed sports forever? Is Caitlin Clark being protected enough from the continuing rough treatment on the court? Are crowds letting gambling...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark contemplate the outcome of the upcoming Dodgers-Padres series. Will they retain their considerable lead? Can Walker Buehler silence his former Dodger teammates in San Diego? After a flagrant throat punch that initially went uncalled, is the WNBA finally motivated to protect Caitlin Clark, its most valuable and marketable star? Can Darryn Peterson thrive in Salt Lake City...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark marvel at the politically-tinged UFC extravaganza staged at the White House. Did Dana White really pay for the whole thing, or will taxpayers somehow foot the bill? How is an injured Dodgers squad somehow leading their division? Does money truly buy baseball immortality, and can Andy Pages help the team survive through the injuries? Is college baseball's bracket system p...

Fred, Art, and Mark are amazed at how the Knicks erased a 29-point deficit to take a 3-1 series lead over the Spurs, drawing 25 million viewers despite concerns about physical play and officiating. Can they close it out Saturday in San Antonio, or will it head to Game 6? In a pivotal court battle with yet untold ramifications, Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby won a key ruling amid his $6 million NIL de...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark are puzzled about the Knicks entering Game 2 as five-and-a-half-point underdogs against San Antonio after a 12-game playoff win streak. How does a team that swept Philadelphia and Cleveland get laid that kind of number? The Rams have acquired Myles Garrett, with the Super Bowl returning to SoFi, and if Aaron Donald comes out of retirement to join him, is any offensive li...

Fred, Art, and Laura Fred, Art, and Laura are eagerly anticipating the outcome of Saturday's NBA Western Conference Game 7. Has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lost his championship magic? Can Victor Wembanyama silence Oklahoma City and send San Antonio to the Finals? While the Knicks' 11-game winning streak is historic, will double-digit days of rest make them stale against a red-hot Western Conference s...

Fred, Art, and Laura are glued to the NBA playoffs as Victor Wembanyama's Spurs and Oklahoma City are deadlocked, while Jalen Brunson engineered a breathtaking 22-point comeback to stun Cleveland. Is Wembanyama already an all-time great in the making? Is James Harden's statue defense finally catching up with New York? Football surprises abound, with Aaron Rodgers joining the Steelers, and Joe Burr...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark mourn the loss of several sports legends this week, including NBA pioneer Jason Collins, who passed away at 47 from glioblastoma. With no other openly gay active players remaining, who will carry on his legacy? After bouncing back from surprising losses to San Francisco, can Dodger pitching survive a Padres’ rotation that is otherwise firing on all cylinders, but feature...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark wonder if the injury-depleted Lakers, minus Luka Dončić and Jarred Vanderbilt, can find a way to outplay the Oklahoma City Thunder. Are fans and J.J. Redick justified for being skeptical of the officiating? Did longshot Golden Tempo's breathtaking Kentucky Derby victory expose deeper concerns about horse racing's safety? Is the Triple Crown schedule too grueling for toda...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark make their predictions as the 152nd Kentucky Derby heads into Saturday with favorite Renegade facing the dreaded No. 1 post. Could this be the horse to reverse the 135-year jinx? Will Victor Wembanyama's unchecked footwork be the new normal in the chaotic NBA postseason? With the Dodgers sweating Freddie Freeman's brutal 2-for-30 slump after a disputed managing decision...

Fred, Art, and Laura are astounded that Ohio State landed four top-seven NFL Draft picks, but was the Rams' selection of Ty Simpson at 13th — with GM Les Snead's personal ties to his family — a stroke of genius or pure nepotism? The Raiders grabbed the No. 1 pick, with Tom Brady mentoring their future quarterback, but does that dual role cross an ethical line? Can the Jerry West documentary Logo b...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark are afraid that the "cursed" Los Angeles Clippers are doomed in the NBA playoffs. Can they escape Donald Sterling's shadow? Stephen Curry's Warriors face Phoenix in a marquee first-round clash. Do the points make Phoenix the smart play, or will Curry carry the day? Do the Lakers have a chance as they enter Houston dangerously shorthanded with Luka Dončić and Austin Reave...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark are watching closely as Rory McIlroy takes the lead at the 90th Masters. Is that elusive major finally within his grasp? UConn's Dan Hurley claimed the men's national championship with a defensive gem, defeating Michigan 69–63, but is NIL spending making college basketball ungovernable? UCLA's Cori Close coached the Bruins to a stellar national championship - what could...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark are ready for NCAA Championship weekend, with UConn's men's and women's teams both reaching their respective Final Fours and surprisingly triggering a reported $50 million payout for a Connecticut furniture retailer. Could UCLA's women finally end the Husky dynasty? Is Michigan the dark horse nobody saw coming? The Jets are targeting Alabama's Ty Simpson, but is New York...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark are very impressed with Duke's Cam Boozer, who is already playing like a seasoned NBA pro. Can a freshman really carry a team to a national title? Will Rick Pitino have another March miracle with St. John’s? MLB's opening week exposed the glaring payroll disparities in what organizations spend on salaries, comparing the Yankees' $357 million payroll at the top to Clevela...

Fred, Art, and Mark are excited about basketball as the NCAA Tournament delivers stunning upsets and breakout freshmen performances. North Carolina's epic collapse has left fans questioning the program's future. Is Hubert Davis’s job on the line? The NBA sees the Lakers surging with eight straight wins, thanks in part to 60 points by Luka Dončić, but will Cade Cunningham's collapsed lung derail De...

Fred, Art, and Mark believe that UCLA's Donovan Dent has transformed into a legitimate March Madness weapon. But can the Bruins shock Michigan State as 10.5-point underdogs? Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy highlight the quarterback dilemma that leaves many scratching their heads. Is anyone actually ready to lead a franchise? And as streaming services continue fracturing sports broadcasting and send...

Fred, Art, and Laura are amazed at Shohei Ohtani’s dazzling performance in the World Baseball Classic with a grand slam and five RBIs in a single inning. Will playing limited innings keep him healthy for the upcoming season? Is baseball losing its soul as the expanding rule changes continue to cause disruptions? Has NBC found a winning formula for Sunday Night Baseball by featuring local color com...

Fred, Art, and Laura examine the ramifications of Major League Baseball's new Automated Ball-Strike system, which pitcher Paul Skenes experienced firsthand in four strike losses to ABS challenges during Spring Training. Can technological accuracy truly replace a veteran umpire's instincts? UCLA's Donovan Dent is dazzling college basketball with historic performances, but is this the year Gonzaga's...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark wonder if the running back market is being devalued after Kenneth Walker may have to accept several million dollars less than he was hoping for - or are teams just being smart? Cowboys receiver George Pickens faces questions about his effort and his next contract. What’s causing his inconsistent performance? Who's writing the $8 billion check to acquire the Seattle Seaha...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Matthew are frustrated with the streaming problem in sports broadcasting, exemplified by the NBA All-Star Weekend games being split between ESPN and Peacock, while subscription costs are nearing $600 monthly. Is this accessibility crisis pushing fans away from traditional sports? Does UCLA basketball have any hope of a National Championship under Mick Cronin? Are there chemis...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark anticipate an exciting weekend with the Winter Olympics opening on Friday as 40-year-old Lindsey Vonn prepares her downhill comeback despite ACL recovery. Can she defy age and injury to medal again? Sunday's Super Bowl LX features New England against Seattle in a classic showdown of East vs. West. Could the Seahawks bring home a second trophy, or will the Patriots chalk...

Fred and Art lament the news that legendary coach Lou Holtz has entered hospice care this week. How will his extraordinary legacy be honored? Amid news that actor Eric Dane, who famously played a football player onscreen, has been diagnosed with ALS, the same devastating disease that has claimed a disproportionate number of former football players, will the NFL and broader medical community ever u...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark are ready to tailgate as the NFL's pivotal conference championships are set for Sunday, with the Rams up against Seattle's dual-threat backfield led by Kenneth Walker III. Buffalo's heartbreaking exit ignited controversy over a disputed non-catch ruling that denied Josh Allen's squad a potential game-winning field goal attempt. Should officials have ruled the receiver do...

Fred, Art, Laura, and Mark question the direction of sports as college basketball confronts an integrity crisis involving 17 schools and 20 players in a game-fixing scandal. How did casinos accept $300,000 wagers on obscure games without triggering alarms? When leagues profit from gambling advertisements, can they credibly punish athletes for participating? The NFL playoffs are down to the final e...