Empty The Bench Sports Podcast

On this edition of ETB Sports, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando dive into a pivotal stretch of the postseason and a somber week for the broadcasting world. The show leads with an intensive breakdown of the NBA Playoffs as the Conference Semifinals take center stage. The guys analyze the strategic adjustments and star performances defining the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and Western Conference Semi-...

It’s Episode 315 of Empty the Bench with Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando, and the sports world is currently in a state of total upheaval. From a historic draft weekend in Pittsburgh to a seismic shift in the NFL’s international strategy and a shocking vacancy at Fenway Park, we are breaking down the headlines that moved the needle this weekend. We lead off with a full NFL Draft Recap . Now that the d...

It’s Episode 314 of Empty the Bench with Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando, and the sports world is currently a whirlwind of blockbuster trades and media-room meltdowns. We lead off with the seismic shift in the AFC as the Philadelphia Eagles reportedly prepare to send star wideout A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots . We break down the financial "June 1st" deadline that’s holding up the official pa...

On Episode 313 of ETB Sports, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando recap a weekend for the history books as Rory McIlroy secures back-to-back Masters titles. We explore the composure required to dominate Augusta in consecutive years and how this victory alters the narrative of McIlroy’s career. The show then pivots to the NFL "rumor mill" as we analyze the latest updates involving Dianna Russini and Mike...

On this high-stakes Episode 311 of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando break down a whirlwind of sports news that feels like a prank but carries heavy consequences for the biggest names in the game. We lead with the shocking news out of Jupiter Island where Tiger Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI following a rollover crash, marking yet another turbulent chapter for the golf legend a...

The first weekend of March Madness is officially in the rearview, and the wreckage of millions of brackets is all that remains. Join Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando for Episode 310 as we perform a definitive autopsy on the opening rounds and look ahead to a high-stakes Sweet 16. From the absolute shocker of High Point taking down Wisconsin to VCU’s historic 19-point comeback against UNC, we are break...

The road to the Final Four is officially paved and the madness has arrived. Join Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando for Episode 309 of ETB Sports as we dive headfirst into the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket. We provide our initial gut reactions to the committee’s seeding, identify the most dangerous regions, and officially put our reputations on the line by locking in our Final Four predictions. From the...

On this week’s high-octane Episode 308 of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando break down a seismic week across the sports landscape, starting with the total teardown in South Beach as the Dolphins stun the league by trading Minkah Fitzpatrick to the rival Jets and officially releasing Tua Tagovailoa. The guys analyze the financial ripple effects of Trent McDuffie’s historic four-year, $1...

In Episode 307 of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando dive headfirst into a chaotic week across the sports landscape, beginning with the fallout of Chad Baker-Mazara being cut from the USC roster. The conversation takes a bizarre turn as the guys dissect the unsettling report that an NFL team asked Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza about his lack of a criminal record as if it were a chara...

In Episode 306 of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando return to break down an emotionally charged and action-packed week across the sports landscape, beginning with the tragic passing of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore and the significant backlash facing Scott Van Pelt and ESPN for a major on-screen graphic error during his tribute. The duo then shifts gears to a historic a...

Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando return to the airwaves for a jam-packed Episode 305 of Empty the Bench. The guys dive straight into the fallout of a historic NFL move as the Miami Dolphins officially release Tyreek Hill, sparking a massive debate on the "Cheetah’s" next destination and what his departure means for the AFC East landscape in 2026. Shifting gears to the hardwood, the duo breaks down the...

In Episode 304 of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando take a victory lap through the aftermath of Super Bowl LX, breaking down how the Seattle Seahawks’ "Dark Side" defense secured a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. The duo dives into the cultural spectacle of the halftime show, reviewing Bad Bunny’s historic headline performance and those high-profile cameos fr...

Welcome to Episode 303 of Empty The Bench with Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando. This week, we dive deep into the journey to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX, analyzing exactly how the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots emerged from the pack to secure their spots in this historic 60th championship game. We take a hard look at the "Epstein Files" to uncover what is really happening within the front...

Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando return to the airwaves for Episode 302 of Empty the Bench to break down a massive week in sports news, starting with a deep dive into the finalized Super Bowl 60 matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. The guys analyze the seismic shifts across the NFL coaching carousel following major hires in Atlanta, New York, and Pittsburgh, while also tackli...

On this episode of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando discuss the "WILD" NFL Wildcard Weekend, predictions for the College Football National Championship, Conor McGregor wants to fight Floyd Mayweather, Angel Reese at it again AND SO MUCH MORE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A massive milestone has arrived! For our 300th episode, we’re taking a trip down memory lane while breaking down the biggest headlines in sports. Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando are joined by a very special guest: the man who helped start it all, former host Tom Albano. Tom returns to the mic to pull back the curtain on the origin story of Empty The Bench, sharing never-before-told stories about how...

On the FINAL episode of Empty The Bench for 2025, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando discuss Fernando Mendoza winning the Heisman, Diego Pavia says "F the voters", Torn ACL's for Patrick Mahomes & Micah Parsons, Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua preview AND SO MUCH MORE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando discuss the College Football Playoff Top 12, College Football Teams opting out of Bowl Games, NFL Week 14 recap AND SO MUCH MORE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando discuss the twists and turns of Lane Kiffin ending up at LSU, Major College Football coaching moves, NFL Week 14 Thursday Night Football predictions, UFC drops first two Paramount cards AND SO MUCH MORE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando talk about NY Jets CB Kris Boyd getting shot outside "Sei Less" in NYC, James Franklin inking a deal with Virginia Tech, Shane Beamer mocks Texas A&M, Dana White responds to Jon Jones AND SO MUCH MORE Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Empty The Bench Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando talk about the Cleveland Guardians betting scandal, the College Football Playoff picture heading into Week 12, Brian Daboll fired by the Giants plus Joe Burrow returns around Thanksgiving AND SO MUCH MORE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Empty The Bench Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando talk about Hugh Freeze being fired from Auburn, Back-to-Back World Series Champions as the Los Angeles Dodgers are once again on top, The world of combat sports is rocking after a major betting scandal AND SO MUCH MORE! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Empty The Bench Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando talk about LSU parting ways with head football coach Brian Kelly and discuss who the top candidates are to take over, the latest details on the deepening federal investigation that has rocked the NBA, the highly anticipated UFC 321 heavyweight title bout that ended abruptly and after an accidental eye-poke to Tom Aspinall resulted in...

Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando are emptying the bench for episode 292. They dive into the recent wave of College Football coaching firings and break down the major headlines from NFL Week 7 . Plus, another tough loss for Chapel Bill, a look at Indiana's surge to #2 in the College Football Top 25 and give you an early look at the upcoming NBA season ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

On this episode of Empty The Bench Sports Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando talk about James Franklin getting fired from Penn State and was Adidas involved, Dana White calling "total bs" on Alex Pereira vs Jon Jones White House card fight, Bill Belichick drama and so much more! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.