Front Office Sports Today

The Paris Olympics represent more than just a chance for Simone Biles to add to her singular career – she is looking to lead the US on a comeback after winning silver in the Tokyo Games. Journalist Ari Saperstein joins the show to discuss what’s at stake for Biles and a US gymnastics team that has been reshaped by injuries just before the Olympics begin. Plus, Paramount and Skydance struck a deal...

With the second half of the year underway, we take a look at the big stories that could shape the rest of the year. The Front Office Sports writers join the show to discuss a potential sport-defining deal in golf, local and national media rights in MLB, the NBA, and NHL, the Bronny-LeBron connection in Los Angeles, and whether ESPN can hold together its volatile duo of Stephen A. Smith and Pat McA...

With the first half of the year behind us, the Front Office Sports writers who cover the news every day join the show for a roundtable discussion on the major stories from the first half, including the NFL’s growing empire, the rise of women’s sports leagues, betting scandals, the massive changes to college sports and plenty more. Plus, there will be some new quirks to the MLB Draft and Home Run...

The U.S. is hosting major international soccer tournaments three years in a row, beginning with this year’s Copa America and culminating in the 2026 World Cup. MLS executive Camilo Durana joins the show to discuss how the league is gaining off this run of international attention. Plus, the Boston Celtics are for sale, and over $1 billion in player deals have already been given out this NBA offsea...

The $4.7 billion judgement against the NFL could have significant financial consequences for the league, but the greater impact may be in how it changes the league’s revenue model. The NFL has had a long-term practice of evenly distributing media dollars among its teams. Should the verdict against the league hold up, individual teams would be able to seek whatever the market would allow for their...

Billie Jean King is as active as ever in the fight to elevate women’s sports. The 39-time grand slam winner and activist joins the show to discuss the growth of the WNBA, NWSL, and PWHL, her involvement in Parity Week by Gainbridge and what it will take to bring women’s sports up to equal stature and pay as men’s sports. Plus, the NFL was ordered to pay $4.7 billion in its antitrust trial, the NWS...

The College World Series has gone from a niche event to one that draws impressive viewership and attendance numbers. Front Office Sports newsletter co-author David Rumsey joins the show to discuss what has led to the event’s ascent. Plus, NHL Awards Ceremony host Matt Friend discusses how he is preparing for the event, the NCAA is unbanning cannabis, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed a major stadiu...

The NBA is moving its draft to a two-day format as a new collective bargaining agreement will reshape how teams build their rosters. Both changes could stir major trades as one of the more unsettled drafts in recent memory plays out. Front Office Sports breaking news and enterprise reporter Alex Schiffer joins the show to break down the big storylines before the draft. Plus, the Coyotes’ ownershi...

Copa America and the European Championship provide contrasting international soccer tournaments as the US is seeking to assert its place in the sport’s global landscape. Men in Blazers founder Roger Bennett joins the show to discuss the simultaneous tournaments and some surprising findings from their survey of American soccer fans. Plus, TMRW Sports received a major investment months before its la...

The Arizona Coyotes’ hopes of restarting their franchise took a hit when the Arizona State Land Department canceled an auction for land the team was planning to use for a new arena and entertainment district. The move was made after the department determined that the Coyotes didn’t have the proper permit to carry out their plans. Front Office Sports senior reporter AJ Perez joins the show to discu...

US soccer star Tobin Heath saw a gap in how women’s sports were covered, specifically in how both leagues and media companies generally followed the same blueprint as men’s sports. She joins the show to discuss the state of soccer as Copa America and the Euros heat up, the NWSL’s growing pains, and how women’s sports brings in new communities. Plus, JJ Redick and Carlos Alcaraz signed major contra...

MLB had its best-attended weekend in over a decade, while its local broadcasting future gets hashed out in court. Meanwhile, a change in the minor leagues provides hints on the future of umpiring. The league is also commemorating the Negro Leagues with a game in Alabama, as it continues its series of custom-built specialty games. Front Office Sports newsletter co-author Eric Fisher joins the show...

The Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to the sports betting monopoly held by the Seminole Tribe in Florida. The decision likely secures the tribe’s domination of the sports betting market until 2051, and could set precedents that have implications in other states. Sports betting attorney Daniel Wallach joins the show to explain the decision and what could happen next. Plus, Shaun White is...

Chris Roycroft charted an unlikely path to MLB, training between shifts as a Jimmy John's delivery person, car mechanic, and other odd jobs. Now a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Roycroft joins the show to discuss the habits and determination that got him to MLB, and the challenging life of an independent league baseball player. Plus, Charles Barkley announced plans to call it quits as a TV a...

Pinehurst No. 2 is designed to be one of the more challenging, intimidating major golf courses, and it will be the stage for this weekend’s US Open. Golfer-turned-analyst Smylie Kaufman joins the show to discuss the nuances of broadcasting the tournament, and how his time as a player against many of today’s top competitors informs his approach as an analyst. Plus, Formula E has a new majority owne...

The Stanley Cup Final brings together the Florida Panthers, who have ridden a wave of recent success to build a loyal fanbase, against the Edmonton Oilers, a team with a deep history but little success in the last decade. Those different paths are on display as the series moves to Edmonton. ESPN’s Emily Kaplan joins the show to break down the narratives on and off the ice, and opine on who will be...

While cricket is usually associated with countries like India, Pakistan, and the U.K., the U.S. team is making the most of its time hosting the T20 Cricket World Cup. The team’s upset victory over Pakistan has the country eyeing a spot in the tournament’s next rounds. U.S. National Team batter Aaron Jones joins the show to discuss the sport’s big moment. Plus, Shannon Sharpe signed a multi-year wi...

The Pro League Network is carving out a unique space in the sports landscape with properties such as Slap Fight, Putt Putt, and Carjitsu. These novel sports are produced as digital-first properties to catch the attention of social media users among others. PLN founders Mike Salvaris and Bill Yucatonis join the show to discuss how they are building a sports media company for today’s fans. Plus, NBA...

The NBA is having one of its most dramatic periods in recent memory with a historic rights deal expected to be announced in the same month as its finals and draft. ESPN’s Bobby Marks joins the show to explain how each of those will shape how teams build toward a future in which the salary cap is set to reach enormous heights. Plus, bids are coming in for Everton, two non-MLB events drew huge crowd...

Sports drinks have long been closely allied with sports, but as media has changed to help athletes grow their personal brands, sports drink brands have adjusted. BodyArmor CMO Tom Gargiulo joins the show to discuss how he approaches the shifting performance-drink market. Plus, two finals broadcasts will break barriers, the NHL is looking for its Drive to Survive moment, and we explore the state of...

Harry Marino led the charge to unionize minor league baseball players, eventually securing massive pay and benefit increases. Now he is turning his attention to a larger project: organizing non-union sports workers from coaches to stadium workers. He joins the show to explain what worked with the minor leagues and how he intends to build on that success with this next project under his new organiz...

The College World Series is preparing for its 74th year in Omaha, but it has only recently asserted itself as a key part of the NCAA calendar. CWS executive director Amy Hornocker joins the show to discuss the past, present, and future of the event. Plus, MLB banned one minor league player and suspended four more for gambling on baseball, while FanDuel neared a naming rights deal for MLB’s primary...

Paramount and Skydance are reportedly closing in on a merger that would see the CBS-parent change hands. CNBC’s Alex Sherman joins the show to explain the final hurdles remaining for the deal and what it will mean for the media landscape. The long-discussed deal could lead to more among major media companies. Plus, the Stanley Cup Finals will provide one more test for the NHL’s banner year and Rea...

The ACC is working to keep FSU and Clemson from leaving, and that fight has put the conference in a legal battle with Florida’s attorney general. The other Power 4 conferences and ESPN have joined the ACC in a fight to keep media contracts private. Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich joins the show to break down the situation and its implications. Plus, FOS reporter AJ Perez digs into...

Unrivaled, the women’s basketball league founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, will use a modified court, different formats, and new ways of compensating and accommodating athletes. With each player making at least six figures and holding equity in the league, Unrivaled will boast the highest average salary of any women’s sports league. President Alex Bazzell joins the show to explain t...