BLEAV Sports with Fred and The Fantastics

Fred and Art handicap this week’s big-ticket sporting events, with the inaugural LIV League tournament kicking off the Saudi-funded pro golfing tour in London. What impact will this have on Phil Mickelson’s career? Will Tiger Woods be the next pro to join up? Were the Phillies right to let Joe Girardi go? And which horse will claim the third jewel in the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes?

Fred and Art debate the pros and cons of professional golfers opting to play outside the country and independently of the PGA tour. Should players like Dustin Johnson be able to compete anywhere in the world? The Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics are poised to battle it out for the NBA title as the Finals begin – will Steph Curry or Jaylen Brown score the most points? And what NBA team is P...

Fred and Art reflect on the tragedy of a horrific school shooting in Texas where 21 children and teachers lost their lives, with several others injured. They also mourn the sudden passing of Ray Liotta, remembered for his roles in Goodfellas and Field of Dreams. What advertising deal did Bronny James just land? Will Chip Kelly make good on his contract extension? And should the NFL keep the Pro Bo...

Fred and Art delve into who is playing in - and who is notably absent from - the PGA Tournament in Tulsa. Is the media being unfair to Phil Mickelson? What is causing the major rift between college football coaching giants Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher? And which horses have a better chance in The Preakness with Rich Strike passing on the middle jewel of the Triple Crown?

Fred and Art were shocked at Rich Strike’s incredible win at the 2022 Kentucky Derby. The long-shot eleventh-hour entry in the Run for the Roses blew by the favorites to an unexpected victory. Does he have a shot at the Triple Crown? Will Phil Mickelson defend his PGA Championship title amid his recent controversy? And is anyone surprised at Tom Brady’s announcement?

Fred and Art place their bets as the Kentucky Derby commences on Saturday. Banned trainer Bob Baffert won’t be in attendance but still has ties to the legendary race. Could there be an upset? What are the ramifications of the NCAA’s NIL policy, how has MLB changed under Rob Manfred, which team snapped up QB Kenny Pickett in the NFL Draft, and why was Wayne Player dismissed from Augusta?

Fred prognosticates about the upcoming NFL draft with a look at the talented Drake London. Does he have a good chance of being an early pick? What’s up with Chip Kelly and the transfer portal? Who will be running the NCAA when Mark Emmert steps down, and where could Kyrie Irving be going?

Fred and Art lament the current dramatic shift of on-air sports announcing from the solo style of legends Vin Scully and Chick Hearn to an “everyone’s an expert” free-for-all. Is HBO's Winning Times doing the ‘80s Lakers justice? What do Cooper Kupp and Drake London have in Common? And how is 2022 shaping up for Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers?

Fred delves into the questions surrounding the latest happenings in baseball, basketball, and college sports. Why did Dave Roberts pull Clayton Kershaw so early in his first game of the season? Are critics underestimating the Dodgers, with four MVP hitters in their primary lineup? And which of Mick Cronin’s Bruins is making an early exit for the NBA?

Fred and Art are thrilled that golfing legend Tiger Woods is playing in the Masters once more, reminding fans of his incredible talent and ability to overcome obstacles. Does he have a shot at winning the tournament? Why is Laker Anthony Davis injured, how did Mick Cronin’s decisions affect UCLA’s chances in the NCAA tourney, and what is the transfer portal doing to college sports?

Fred and Art compare the commentating styles of on-air personalities, pondering whether or not their contributions to sporting events merit the recent gigantic paydays. Do they bring in more viewers or detract from the quality of the broadcast? Is Mick Cronin of UCLA using his players to the team’s best advantage, when can we see LeBron James back on the court, and how will the newest Ram, Bobby W...

Fred and Art marvel over the new deal for the NFL’s Thursday Night Football franchise. How many billions (with a capital B) did Amazon Prime Video spend? UCLA is still in the NCAA tournament, the Lakers are squeaking by while the Clippers have a star-studded injured list, and the Rams may have put together one of the most formidable foursomes in football.

Fred and Art discuss the shifting players in the NFL, MLB, and broadcasting arenas. Is former Ram Von Miller heading to colder climes? The Dodgers have a new first baseman in Freddie Freeman, but will some veteran players continue wearing Dodger Blue? More sports commentators are switching seats, and the college basketball tournament is heating up under coaches Mick Cronin and Tommy Lloyd. What’s...

Fred and Art are excited that baseball negotiations are over and the season will start on schedule. They aren’t too sure about some of the new rules and think that a lot still needs to be done to make things more fan-friendly. Did Rob Manfred base the decisions on money and not for the good of the game? The NFL is shuffling quarterbacks, so where are Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz heading next?

Fred and Art wonder if the MLB is considering the legions of fans during the seemingly endless rounds of disagreements between the owners and players. Will fans even be able to afford games and then have to deal with a shorter season as well? There’s a new Laker in town, UCLA and USC face off as the NCAA basketball tournament draws near, and why aren’t the Rams checking out new talent at the Combi...

Fred’s on his own this week as he looks into the latest happenings with LeBron James and the Lakers, Andy Enfield's possible departure from USC, and the network shuffle of football commentators Troy Aikman, Tony Romo, and Al Michaels. Who’s going where, and for how much? And can everyone in the MLB just get along so that the season can get rolling?

Fred and Art break down the different ways the very close Super Bowl could have ended during the nail-biting finish. Could Cincinnati’s kicker Evan McPherson have turned the game around? Does Rams’ coach Sean McVay plan to stay with the team after their win? And will Anthony Davis be well enough to get back on the court for the Lakers before the end of the season?

Fred flies solo as he ponders the looming NBA trade deadline. Will Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and coach Frank Vogel of the Lakers still be wearing purple and gold tomorrow? Mick Cronin's UCLA Bruins are playing cross-town rivals USC on Saturday, and there just might be something big happening on Sunday (hint: it’s the second biggest food holiday in America) – are you ready?

Fred and Art are shocked at the astronomical rates the NFL is charging for even the cheapest Super Bowl seats at SoFi Stadium. Are fans priced out of the game? And Brian Flores isn’t happy with the NFL either. Tom Brady has officially retired, the multitalented Terry Bradshaw is the focus of a new documentary, and UCLA’s Mick Cronin is giving his players time to shine.

Fred and Art have a lot to say about Aaron Rodgers, Anthony Davis, Antonio Brown, and Bruce Arians, but the question uppermost in their minds is – who’s going to Super Bowl LVI? The NFC and AFC Championships are this weekend, with San Francisco, LA, Cincinnati, and Kansas City all just a step away from the biggest game of the year. There’s some exciting gridiron action ahead on Sunday!

Fred and Art weigh in on watching the UCLA vs. Utah basketball game without Bill Walton’s commentary, Chip Kelly’s job status, and the latest ruling on the NCAA transfer portal. Have more problems been created rather than solved? What exactly is LeBron James’ role with the Lakers, and why did Russell Westbrook make an early exit from a recent game?

With Omicron dominating the scene, Fred and Art are trying to figure out why pandemic protocols differ for college and pro indoor sports, as UCLA’s Pauley Pavillion and USC’s Galen Center are now restricting live attendance to family only for their basketball games. Will Russell Westbrook say goodbye to the Lakers, and what was the reason behind Brandon Staley’s call in the Chargers/Raiders game?

Fred and Art examine the difficulties faced in sports as we continue to battle through this pandemic, questioning whether indoor sports should even be played at this time. Where does that leave the Super Bowl in LA and March Madness? Why is Novak Djokovic at odds with Australia, what happened between Antonio Brown and Tampa Bay, and should Aaron Rodgers be considered for MVP?

Fred and Art discuss what they feel is becoming more prevalent in the world of sports - the attitude of entitlement. What happened to the love of the game and duty to the fans? The guys have a lot to say about Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, the almost Holiday Bowl, and bid a sad farewell to a true NFL legend.

Fred and Art comment on how decisions made one week are called into question the next when it comes to players and Covid. Will Kyrie Irving be allowed to play amid restrictions? Did Adam Silver and Bruce Arians make the safest decisions for their teams? And how about more field time for JT Daniels?