Crunching Tackles

How are different sports leagues handling the COVID-19 vaccine? Is it legal and acceptable to mandate that players and staff be vaccinated? What about when an athlete's personal choice hurts their team? This week, we discuss: 1:05 — The Dune book 3:!5 — Marvel's Eternals, and public figures we want in the MCU. 9:22 — What is going on in the NFL this season? 23:27 — Mandatory vaccinations and sport...

Why are sports commissioners so unpopular these days?  Chad and John take a look at the frustrating alternate world commissioners seem to live in and ask how the position should change. We examine NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's disastrous press conference in response to sexual assault allegations, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's mishandling of the All-Star Game, and much more.  In a world where em...

On today's pod, Chad and John discuss the ways social media have changed sports, from the way fans enjoy sports content, to the way the media covers sports, to the way athletes themselves interact on Twitter and other social media accounts. We answer questions like, "Is Social Media responsible for declining TV ratings?" "Does journalism still matter if athletes can talk directly to fans?" and "Wh...

How did sports video games transform the way sports entered mainstream pop culture? What do professional athletes think about playing as themselves in video games? Can EA Sports make a good soccer game without "FIFA"? This week, we discuss: 3:37 — Squid Game, both as a show and as a cultural phenomenon. 9:42 — Our No Time To Die reviews. 12:30 — THE STORY: Sports video games, content streaming and...

In a bombshell report, the Athletic detailed numerous sexual abuse and coercion allegations against former NWSL coach Paul Riley. What is the significance of these allegations, and how can these issues be eliminated in the future? Also, breaking news on the podcast as Saudi Arabia finally get their foot into the Premier League ownership club. What does this mean for Newcastle fans? This week, we d...

What motivates a team's decisions? It is success, marketing, profit? How do athletes help both the branding and success of a team, and what's the balance between those two objectives? This week, we discuss: - Branding vs. Success - Do superteams really work? - VAR Corner with the Super Bowl halftime show, an athlete tribute, and some James Bond talk. As always, make sure to share this episode if y...

Barcelona is widely considered one of the two most successful and well-known sporting franchises in the world. That fact makes their competitive and financial collapse all the more significant. Chad and John are back to diagnose the problems Barcelona are facing, and compare that with some of the historical sporting collapses of our time. This week, we discuss: - Ted Lasso at the Emmys - A brief b...

Rarely does a US Open tournament begin with as much hype and headlines surrounding it as this years' event. Even more rarely does the competition deliver on every single expectation. The 2021 US Open was packed with stories, both on and off the court, and the boys are here to break the whole thing down. This week, we discuss: 3:37 — Two quick baseball and football stories of the week. 5:53 — Our f...

Ted Lasso has rocketed its way to the Emmy's, to the viewing charts, and into the hearts of its viewers. What makes Ted Lasso so special? This week, we discuss: - Ted Lasso season 1, - Ted Lasso's themes and best moments, - Ted Lasso's cultural impact, - Jon Meacham's "It Was Said," - and stay tuned for a shocking surprise at the very end! As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed...

2021 has been a monumental summer for NCAA football. With conference shakeups, unusual alignments and the debut of player profit, what are the stakes for the NCAA? Can the current college football system survive all the changes, or are we destined for a semi-professional, team led system? This week, we discuss: 0:55 — John's adventures with Ted Lasso, and one of the great comedies of our time. 2:5...

What is the importance of sportsmanship in sports? Is it better when athletes display mutual respect, or competitive animosity? What is the role of showboating and taunting in sports? Do they make competition fun, or violent? This week, we discuss: - A happy reunion for Chad and John - Sportsmanship, showboating and taunting in sports - The NFL's taunting rule changes - Marvel's Spider-Man trailer...

Barcelona shocked the world by announcing late last week that Lionel Messi would not return to the club. A few days later, Messi was unveiled as the newest member of PSG. What happened behind the scenes at Barcelona to cause this collapse? Have we ever seen a superstar of this magnitude leave a club under circumstances like this? This week, we discuss the entire Messi situation, with a behind the...

Endless amounts of stories from the Tokyo Games! John and Chad are here to highlight several of the most significant stories to come out of the Summer Olympics, and why they matter culturally. With plenty of sarcasm and laughs along the way, stay tuned for John's important promise at the end of the pod. This week, we discuss: 3:02 — Should adults wear jerseys with player names and numbers on them?...

After Simone Biles pulled out of the Olympic team all-around final, many people took to social media with a vast array of controversial takes. We break down what really happened to Biles, and why so much of the reaction to her decision was misguided. On today's episode, we discuss: — Shark bites — The NBA Draft — The biggest stories from the Olympics so far — Simone Biles and Olympic gymnastics. A...

Behind closed doors, in the midst of a Japanese national emergency, the Olympics are happening. But should they be? What are the implications for these games, and what are some of the major storylines for the next weeks of competition? On today's episode, we discuss: — A brief sports roundup:      - Jadon Sancho to Manchester United      - NBA Finals — Olympics preview As always, make sure to shar...

In this special bonus episode, John and Chad recap a significant week in Marvel cinema and television. What did we see this week—both in theaters and on Disney+—and what is the future of the MCU looking like going forward? On today's episode, we discuss: 2:10 — Loki season 1 finale and implications 20:35 — Black Widow review As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us...

What are the cultural implications of the biggest sports stories this week? How did the EURO final instigate a new wave of racist attacks? Is Shohei Ohtani the face of baseball? Will this year's tennis US Open be the biggest event in tennis history? On today's episode, we discuss: 5:50 — EURO 2020 final and cultural implications 18:10 — Lionel Messi wins his first international title in the Copa A...

When major sports news collides with a major Supreme Court ruling, you know Chad and John will be on the case! Today, the guys break down a significant legal defeat for the NCAA, and explain why Brett Kavanaugh's opinion will likely change the future of amateur sports forever On today's episode, we discuss: 2:36 — NBA conference finals 5:06 — Nearing the Stanley Cup Finals 6:01 — Knockout Rounds a...

YouTubers, singers and social media stars are entering the boxing ring, fighting elite athletes and sometimes each other. Is this good or bad for the sport of boxing? What does this trend tell us about the American consumer? Do we care about elite athletes, or just celebrities? On today's episode, we discuss: -Euro 2020 early thoughts -Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather and the issues facing boxing t...

Naomi Osaka refused to speak to the media at the 2021 French Open, and pulled out of the tournament due to the backlash she received. What were the reasons she didn't want to address the media? How will the sports world handle journalist/athlete relationships going forward? On today's episode, we discuss: 2:16 — The 2021 European Championship 10:31 — Naomi Osaka and the relationship between athlet...

Hot off his college graduation, John Nekrasov joins Chad Wylie to catch up on all the latest sporting news of the week. How significant is the White Sox clubhouse rift? Is Tim Tebow really back, or is it just a show? And a post mortem on Lionel Messi's time in Barcelona. As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!

How did a passionate group of fans destroy a multi-billion dollar sports league? Can this type of fan power be repeated in American sports? Chad and John explain the collapse of the European Super League, and the fan protests that caused this monumental shift. Stick around for a conversation about Marvel's newest Disney+ show, and some belated Star Wars holiday greetings! As always, make sure to s...

Within a 72-hour period, the European Super League was both proposed and disbanded. In a whirlwind of a story, the boys break down why this league was created, react to breaking news about its destruction, and explain why it all matters. Whether you like soccer or not, the implications of this story will change the way you view your favorite team! As always, make sure to share this episode if you...

The importance of sports revolves around the sports calendar—those events and occasions that we look forward to every year. On this episode, the boys rank the most important days on the annual sports calendar. We discuss: 4:25 — #1-3 16:24 — #4-7 24:10 — #8-10 32:24 — Looking back on 50 podcast episodes! As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our...

In the wake of recent Supreme Court decisions, proposed federal legislation, and various state laws, the issue of transgender participation in sports is at the forefront of the American political and cultural debate. On today's episode, Chad and John break down the recent news regarding this issue, explain both sides, and try to find some middle ground. As always, make sure to share this episode i...