The Drive with Tim Donnelly

In the Daily Checkdown, Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss the NHL Draft taking place tomorrow, as well as things to look out for, which would be the Carolina Hurricanes making trades. They also break down the Carolina Hurricanes 2023-2024 schedule, the demand for tickets to the NFL game in Germany, and the Italian national team president being irate with Paolo Banchero for wanting to play for Tea...

Chris Lea & Dennis Cox during a four-of-a-kind share what they'd like to see the Charlotte Hornets do this offseason. They also run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit It including Connor McDavid winning MVP of the NHL, the Italian national team president being irate with Paolo Banchero for playing for Team USA, Dereck Lively on why he wants to provide for his mother, ch...

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has revolutionized the college sports landscape. The most recent discussion involving NIL comes from if collectives are sustainable from donors to provide NIL opportunities to the athletes. Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss the best things for donors to do, donate to your respectful universities' athletic department or a collective to help create opportunities for...

The Carolina Panthers are one of the teams mentioned as a potential landing spot for free agent-wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss the pros and cons of the Panthers signing Hopkins and the likelihood of it happening. They also discuss what Hopkins would mean for the Panthers' wide receiver group. Also, the NHL and the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) have launched a...

In the Daily Checkdown, Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss the upcoming NBA free agency, the Durham Bulls partnering with a local Durham business to attach their name to a coffee, Steve Smith's comparison of Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback to Drew Brees, and the Philadelphia Flyers looking to trade Tony DeAngelo back to the Carolina Hurricanes and what would it mean for current defenseman Bre...

In honor of the Carolina Hurricanes re-signing captain Jordan Staal, Chris Lea & Dennis Cox during a four-of-a-kind share what they'd want to see the Carolina Panthers do this offseason. They also run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit It including Jordan Staal's contract extension with the Carolina Hurricanes, Tony DeAngelo possibly returning to Carolina, what it would...

With the rumors of the Philadelphia Flyers expecting to trade defenseman Tony DeAngelo back to the Carolina Hurricanes, how would the fans react to the trade? DeAngelo has a checkered pass but was a well-liked teammate on the Hurricanes roster during his previous season with the organization. Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss DeAngelo's past and at what point we forgive athletes.  Also, we l...

Jordan Staal has re-signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, locking up the team’s captain for four more seasons. The deal is $11.6 million, with a $2.9 million annual salary cap. Staal, 34, has been with the Hurricanes since 2012 and has helped the team reach the playoffs in each of the past five seasons. Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss the impact of re-signing on the Hurricanes. Also, the C...

In the Daily Check, Chris Lea & Paul Ihander discuss athletes from the local area who were drafted last night in the NBA Draft, Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred saying one big turnout for the Oakland A's doesn't change the decade worth of inaction, the comeback of R-Rated films, and the Tampa Bay Rays benching young shortstop Wander Franco over handling of his recent 'frustrations.' Also, Car...

To honor Tommy White, a.k.a. "Tommy Tanks" walk-off home run in the College World Series last night, Chris Lea & Paul Ihander list their favorite nicknames for current sporting athletes. They also run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit It, including the Charlotte Hornets drafting Brandon Miller with the No. 2 overall pick, two Alabama guys getting drafted to Charlotte,...

Earlier today, it was announced that the United States will host the Club World Cup in 2025, marking the first time the FIFA tournament will consist of 32 teams. We'll see a Major League Baseball game in London his weekend, as the St. Louis Cardinals will face the Chicago Cubs. Chris Lea & Paul Ihander discuss the need to bring these certain sporting events to other countries. Also, Brandon Th...

With the second pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets selected Brandon Miller, a forward from Alabama. Chris Lea & Paul Ihander discuss the Hornets' decision to draft Miller and speculate how he'll fit into the team's long-term plans. The Brotherhood continues to grow in the NBA as Dariq Whitehead and Dereck Lively II from Duke were also picked in the first round. Also, Carolina Hu...

In honor of the 2023 NBA Draft, Paul Ihander, Louis Fernandez, & Graham Hill selected a team of their own based on the top picks in the NBA Draft since 2003, when LeBron James was selected first overall. They also run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit It, including a Florida man with no prior basketball experience being NBA draft eligible, a report of another team link...

In the Daily Checkdown, Paul Ihander & Louis Fernandez discuss the Baseball Hall of Fame collecting the Oakland A's fan's protest t-shirts, former LSU basketball coach Will Wade being hit with a ten-game suspension for recruiting violations, Wake Forest baseball looking to avoid back-to-back losses against LSU in the College World Series, and Mike Trout thinking Shohei Ohtani will get more tha...

With the 2023 NBA Draft taking place tonight, who will be the first player from Duke to be selected to keep their active NBA draft picks streak alive? Brendan Marks of The Athletic joined Paul Ihander & Louis Fernandez to share who he thinks will be drafted first between Dereck Lively II and Dariq Whitehead. He also discussed the factors NBA teams will be looking at between the two. Also, the...

With the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Charlotte Hornets have a big decision to make. Should they draft Alabama forward Brandon Miller or NBA G League star Scoot Henderson? Paul Ihander & Louis Fernandez discuss the two prospects and make a case for who the Hornets should draft. Also, the player they call Victor Wembayama is being called a generational player, but why don't ot...

In the Daily Checkdown, Dennis Cox & Louis Fernandez discuss Utah Jazz head coach Mike Malone getting a tattoo to celebrate the NBA Finals, Wake Forest vs. LSU in the College World Series, the United States Women's national team roster being announced, and the Charlotte Hornets potentially drafting Brandon Miller with their second overall pick in the draft. Also, Carolina Hurricanes head coach...

In honor of Dennis Cox's birthday tomorrow, he and Louis Fernandez discuss birthday gifts for four-of-a-kind. They also run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit It including Rod Brind'Amour being left out of the Hockey Hall of Fame again, Brandon Miller being the top prospect for the Charlotte Hornets, a potential blockbuster trade in the NBA, and Paul George being the greate...

Charley Pereira is the captain & owner of Sushi Sportfishing and the winner of the 65th annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Fishing Tournament. He joined Dennis Cox & Louis Fernandez to respond to the allegations made by Donnie White, captain of 'Sea Wolf' on Monday that Charley's boat left 'April Mae' strained after they were struck by lightning out at sea. He shares communications that he had wi...

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour was left out of the Hockey Hall of Fame again. The former member of the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes '06 Stanley Cup Final roster has been left out of the past previous inductions as well. Dennis Cox & Louis Fernandez discuss the reasons why he should've gotten in and the issues they have with the voting itself.  

In the Daily Checkdown, Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss Wake Forest defeating LSU 3-2 in the College World Series, Chris Paul being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, MLB players not wanting to play in North Carolina, and what the Carolina Hurricanes need to do this off-season in regards to trades. Also, UNC head football coach Mack Brown spoke with the media today about the team's progress du...

Chris Lea & Dennis Cox run through the latest sports headlines with Hit It & Quit It such as the Portland Trail Blazers going after Bam Adebayo, what the Charlotte Hornets do with the second overall pick in the draft, Zion Williamson being traded is unlikely, Chris Paul calling out Isiah Thomas' role with the suns, and Mack Brown's media availability.  Also, it was discussed yesterday...

Chris Paul was traded from the Phoenix Suns on Monday and has highlighted Isiah Thomas' unofficial role in the Bradley Beal trade. Chris Paul suggested that Thomas was in the ear of Suns' owner Mat Ishbia regarding the deal. Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss how Isiah Thomas despite being a great basketball player, is the last person you should seek advice from if you're a front office worker.&nb...

North Carolina head football coach Mack Brown spoke with the media this morning ahead of their summer workouts. Some of the things discussed were what was great about the new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and how excited he is for quarterback Drake Maye in his sophomore season. Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss how UNC's football program has the opportunity to be known as the school that pro...

In the Daily Checkdown, Chris Lea & Dennis Cox discuss Dariq Whitehead's 2023 NBA draft stock potentially going down, Wake Forest advancing in the College World Series, Brett Pesce trade rumors, and Chris Paul being traded by the Phoenix Suns. Also, Donnie White, captain of 'Sea Wolf' discussed his crew assisting 'April Mae' after the ship was struck by lightning earlier in the week during the...