Crunching Tackles

Several months ago, video streams starting appearing online of a seemingly authentic professional cricket league, and hundreds of people started betting on the outcomes. But the truth, we have since learned, was much more complicated. First up, Chad saw Nope and also saw a teaser trailer for Oppenheimer, which has since been released online (4:12). He thinks both of those things are worth your tim...

Major League Baseball hit their midseason point last week and paused for the All-Star game and Home Run Derby. Chad and John are here to talk about why All Star Games exist and which one is the best. First up, Christopher Nolan revealed the first poster for his upcoming movie Oppenheimer, and we discuss why we are excited about the film and why Nolan is such a successful movie director (2:50). We...

The two biggest programs in the PAC 12, UCLA and USC, announced that they will be joining the Big 10. This follows in the wake of the SEC taking Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12. John and Chad are here to discuss this topic and more on today's show. First up, the guys react to an amazing commercial by Coors Light starring Patrick Mahomes, and why this commercial is so important as a cultural mom...

Last week, FINA, the governing body for international swimming, ruled that transgender women who underwent male puberty are barred from competing in elite swimming competitions. This ruling will apply to both the world championships and the Olympics. On today's podcast, we discuss this story (2:19), the backlash to the decision, and the precedent this may set for other sports. Following the big st...

It has been three months since the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and Ukrainians have settled into their new "normal." How have sports begun to lift their spirits? And how can we advocate for a U.S. citizen who has been wrongfully detained in Russia? We start with another update about the LIV golf tour, and answer some questions we didn't get to on last week's podcast (1:15). Then we recap...

After an incredibly controversial announcement, the LIV Golf Tour, funded by the Saudi Arabian government is now officially underway. But how should we view the golfers who left the PGA Tour to join this new endeavor? There's plenty of blame to go around, and Chad and John are here to break it all down. Rafael Nadal secured his 22nd Grand Slam title, and Chad officially declares him the GOAT of hi...

Kickoff for the Champions League final was delayed by 30 minutes to allow Liverpool fans to enter the stadium. Why was there a problem with crowd control, and how has the government of France been caught in a deliberate lie? Chad and John are here to break it all down. Disney+ has blessed us with the first three episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and we discuss all the major and minor elements of the new...

Earlier this season, soccer player Idrissa Gueye chose not to play in a game that was branded and colored in support of LGBTQ+ issues. When the France Football Federation and activist groups found out about his decision, Gueye has now come under investigation and has faced calls to resign. Is this an example of activism in sports going too far? Chad and John are here to break it all down. First up...

In the aftermath of the tragic death of super-agent Mino Raiola, what is the power of sports agents in today's sports? What are some unseen ways they impact the headlines you come across, and how has their power increased over time? Chad and John look at sports agents and much more! First up is a Spark-notes breakdown of the Champions League semifinals, as we now know who will be playing for the t...

With a recent rule change, collegiate athletes are no longer punished for transferring schools during their college careers. While this move is a vital step toward player empowerment, some people involved in college sports aren't as excited for these rule changes. We open up with reviews of The Northman, a Viking epic movie that will have a complicated legacy with cinema fans (2:15). Then John inf...

The NBA is a staple of pop culture around the world and is one of the most successful leagues in American team sports. But it wasn't always this way. In light of the NBA playoffs, and recent revelations from the history of the league, Chad and John take a look at the imaging and branding of the NBA through the decades. We first discuss recent Marvel content with episodes 3-4 of Moon Knight (3:15)...

A congressional subcommittee released a 20-page letter, filled with allegations of financial misconduct by the NFL team in Washington DC. What is the significance of this report to Dan Snyder, the owner of the Commanders? How should the NFL respond to these severe allegations? This week, we discuss: POP CULTURE: Preview for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. CURRENT EVENTS: 7:04 — World...

Kansas are the 2022 NCAA Men's National Champions, but will they be allowed to compete for the title next year? How should we think about a team who win the championship in the shadow of severe recruiting violations? This week, we discuss: POP CULTURE: 2:19 — Marvel's MoonKnight episodes 1 and 2 recap. 6:39 — The release of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga video game CURRENT EVENTS: 9:00 — The 2...

The storylines abound as Duke will meet North Carolina in the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, their first meeting in the tournament. Chad and John break down every angle of this game, including the revenge factor for Duke, the final chapter for Coach K, and the TarHeels trying to spoil his ride into the sunset. The boys also discuss some recent news in pop culture and sports, and of course, give...

Roman Abramovich is one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in Russia. He is also the current owner of Chelsea, the giant Premier League club. On March 10, the UK Government imposed sanctions on Abramovich, including freezing Chelsea—one of his assets. How does this decision impact Chelsea, and how should sports fans feel when their teams are used for political purposes. This week, we discuss: 4:...

The U.S. Women's Soccer Team reached a significant settlement of their equal pay lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation. Chad and John break down the results and implications of that decision. But first, we react to the invasion of Ukraine and it's impacts, both in and out of sports. This week, we discuss: 4:29 — How has the sports world reacted to war in Ukraine, and what impact does the conf...

The 2022 Winter Olympics had the lowest primetime viewership of any Olympics in America, as the Games were overshadowed by both Chinese and Russian scandal. Chad and John get specific about the human rights abuses taking place in China and how they taint the entire existence of these games. This week, we discuss: 3:11 — THE SUPER BOWL: Commercials 10:05 — THE SUPER BOWL: Game recap 14:47 — THE SUP...

Super Bowl LVI is just around the corner, and Chad and John are here to break down all the matchup details and predict the winner of the big game. What variables do the game hinge on, and will the boys agree or disagree on the champion this year? This week, we discuss: 3:45 — The Book of Boba Fett season review and rating. 23:49 — Peng Shuai speaks again, and the 2022 Winter Olympics aren't as cap...

Can you believe what we just saw? John and Chad take a break from social issues to dive into an incredible weekend of NFL playoff action. After a brief aside for The Book of Boba Fett, the boys take each of the four divisional games, breaking down the important moments, action-packed drama, and implications as we near the Super Bowl. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, an...

Continuing from last week's conversation about John Madden, we look at the success of ESPN's ManningCast broadcast for Monday Night Football. What made this telecast such a huge success, and what ways do broadcasts need to adapt with the times? This week, we discuss: 3:36 — Netflix's hit show Arcane 14:21 — The ManningCast, why it worked and how it can be replicated 24:04 — THE BIG ISSUE: The hist...

John Madden stopped coaching football long before Gen Z started watching the game. Most people only know his name from the football video game franchise Madden. So why does this legendary figure have such a significant impact on the way American culture views football? This week, we discuss: 2:45 — The Book of Boba Fett episodes 1 and 2 12:30 — The Novak Djokovic saga in Australia 16:09 — NFL stor...

Spider-Man: No Way Home has demolished all expectations for box office success, and is being considered one of the best Marvel movies in history. What do Chad and John think about the hype around this film, and the film itself. This week, we discuss: 5:12 — Spider-Man: No Way Home recap  28:30 — The newest developments in the story of Peng Shuai 36:09 — A review of sports in 2021 As always, make s...

When Major League Baseball turned off the lights and locked out the MLB Player's Union, the future of the 2022 season was thrown into jeopardy. How does a document called the Collective Bargaining Agreement have so much impact on sports, and when is the next time we will see a first pitch? John and Chad discuss the ongoing human rights abuses in China in the wake of the US diplomatic boycott of th...

What makes a great coach? If you were designing the ideal head coach or manager, what would the blueprint look like? That's exactly what John and Chad figure out this week, as they identify the best coaches in sports and what makes them that way. This week, we discuss: 3:10 — The podcast's King Richard review (available to stream on HBO Max) 7:30 — Why John should watch Hawkeye 8:38 — A look at th...

You have probably heard about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the disappearance of tennis superstar Peng Shuai, following her accusation of sexual assault against a high-ranking Chinese government official. What do we know so far about Shuai's situation, and how should the sports community deal with regimes like China? This week, we discuss: 1:00 — Pop culture roundup 7:37 — Where is Peng...