Spork: The Sports What If Podcast

This week we dive into the storied career of Bo Jackson and explore how a football-only career could have played out for the phenom out of Auburn. How high up the all-time rankings can Bo climb with a sole-focus on the gridiron? And don't forget to tune in for part two next week as we investigate the potential of a baseball-only path for Bo. As always, let us know your thoughts by sending us a...

This week, we revisit Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS where the Chicago Cubs were 5 outs away from an elusive World Series berth when Steve Bartman found his way into infamy as he reached for a foul ball. We discuss the systemic issues that the Cubs had faced all season long, including a rabid fan base disgruntled with the ownership group, the corked bat controversy with Sammy Sosa, and questionable pitch...

On this episode of Spork, we examine the a of related pair of transfers, Joe Burrow from Ohio State to LSU and Justin Fields from Georgia to Ohio State. We discuss the subsequent trajectories had the transfers not happened and how their teams would have been impacted. As always, let us know your thoughts by sending us an email at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com.

This week, we discuss the almost commitment of Tim Tebow to the Crimson Tide. How would the fortunes changed for Urban Meyer and the Gators? Would Mike Shula stayed as Alabama's head coach, or was Nick Saban destined to take over in Tuscaloosa? As always, let us know your thoughts by sending us an email at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com.

On this episode of Spork, we discuss the 1994 Montreal Expos season, where their dominance was stopped by the MLB lockout. Having missed out on the chance for postseason glory with that team, we discuss if that campaign could have altered the trajectory of the franchise, cementing the Expos in Montreal for the long term. As always, let us know your thoughts by sending us an email at thesporkpodcas...

This week on Spork, we dive into the tragic 2005 NFL Wild Card Playoff Game where the Cincinnati Bengals fell to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Steelers, losing their star QB Carson Palmer to injury on his first pass attempt of the game. We discuss how far the Bengals make it if Palmer had avoided injury, and what impact their subsequent success that year could have had on the Bengals' futur...

In the final episode of our three-part college football primer, we do a high level look at four seasons: 2002 (Miami - Ohio State), 2004, 2006, and 2016 (our vain attempts to get a national champion for our Louisville Cardinals). Can we get redemption for the Hurricanes following the heartbreak of the BCS title game for the 2002 season? And can we convince ourselves that one of these years should...

In this second part of our three-part special exploring the possibilities of having a college football playoff system on yesteryear, we re-visit the 2008 season. Tim Tebow led his Florida Gators to the National Championship, but the Utah Utes ended undefeated asserting their claim for consideration. What would have changed in a playoff format? Would Utah find a way to prevail? As always, let us kn...

In the first episode of a three-part special to get ready for the college football season, we explore the possibilities of having a college football playoff system in place for the the 2003 season. The season famously ended with both LSU (BCS) and USC (AP Poll) claiming national championships. How would they have faired in a twelve-team tournament? As always, let us know your thoughts by sending u...

This week we wrap up our special two-part episode examining Team USA Basketball's potential pivot to an amateur model following the disappointment of the 2004 Athens games. We discuss the potential Team USA rosters over the next five Olympiads and how they stack up against the international competition. We conclude with a discussion of how the Team USA Basketball Development program might have...

This week we kick off part one of a special two-part episode examining Team USA Basketball's potential pivot to an amateur model following the disappointment of the 2004 Athens games. We discuss the potential Team USA rosters over the next five Olympiads and how they stack up against the international competition. Let us know your thoughts by sending us an email at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com.

On this episode of Spork, we go back to the potentially league-shattering deal that would have sent reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers to the San Francisco 49ers in 2021. We discuss the fallout in Green Bay and hypothesize on how many rings Rodgers racks up in the red and gold. As alway, feel free to reach out with any feedback or questions at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com.

This week, we're digging into the Milwaukee Brewers 2019 Season that ended in heartbreak with an early playoff exit in the wild card game to the eventual champion Washington Nationals. We discuss the fateful at bat where Christian Yelich, reigning NL MVP and presumed frontrunner to repeat, fractured his kneecap, ending his season with just a month left. As always, feel free to send any questio...

On this episode, we dive into the 5 biggest what if's from the 2024-25 NBA Season. We cover the blockbuster trades that did (and didn't) happen, the injuries that altered the playoff picture, and a late season coaching change. As always, if you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com

This week, we're exploring the great what if of Len Bias and his potential career with the Boston Celtics. Len Bias was a tremendously talented basketball player who was selected 2nd in the 1986 NBA Draft by the Celtics, but tragedy struck 2 days later as he passed away from an overdose. As we dig into the impact Bias could have had on the Celtics and the NBA, we speculate on his career trajec...

This week on Spork, we dig into the far-reaching impacts from David Beckham's signing with the LA Galaxy. We look at what his leaving meant, on a smaller scale, for Real Madrid, and what his arrival in the United States meant for Major League Soccer, immediately and to this day. If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com

On this Spork, we dive into the alternate reality of the famously vetoed trade of Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2011. We explore the magnitude that this one trade had for the NBA as its ripples had far-reaching implications. If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com

This week, we undo Andrew Luck's decision to hang it up early and explore the alternate paths for the Indianapolis Colts and the rest of the NFL. If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com

On this Memorial Day Edition of Spork, we look at arguably the greatest Veteran-Athlete, Ted Williams. We explore what his career could have looked like without his breaks to serve his country in World War II and the Korean Way. If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com

On this edition of Spork, we explore John Elway's potential career with the New York Yankees (yes, those Yankees), if the Baltimore Colts didn't trade him. We explore his hypothetical career trajectory and what the Broncos and the NFL lose out on from this alternate reality (spoiler alert: the Bengals win a Super Bowl). If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gma...

This week on Spork, we explore the ramifications of the signed, but vetoed, deal to send the San Francisco Giants to Tampa Bay as part of the team's sale in 1992. We look at the potential expansion markets effected and explore the alternate possibilities for Barry Bonds and his career. If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com

This week on Spork, we explore the alternate universe where LeBron goes to college. Does he lead Ohio State to an NCAA title? Do the Cavaliers take Carmelo Anthony? Dwayne Wade? Darko? And where does LeBron go in the 2004 NBA Draft? If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com

On this special Kentucky Derby Edition of Spork, we look into the different angles of the disqualification of Maximum Security in the 2019 Run for the Roses and the subsequent issues that followed. If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com

On this episode of Spork, we dive into the potential reverberations from Rich Rodriguez's almost acceptance of Alabama's head coaching job in 2006. If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com

On this episode of Spork, we explore the impacts of Eli Manning not being traded from the Chargers to the Giants, and how that alteration could have played out in the careers of Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and Ben Roethlisberger. If you want to send in your questions, email us at thesporkpodcast@gmail.com