A podcast dedicated to the economics and off the field stories in the Wide World of Sports. We post a new show every two weeks. Brought to you by The Hog Sty Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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October 11, 202657 min
Enjoy Baseball While You Can
After some wistful baseball talk, we discuss: MLB sends memo to owners, executives outlining how they should act, operate during looming lockout MLB sponsors mull backup plans for lockout MLB proposes shortening regular season to 154 games in 2029, expanding Division Series to best-of-7 NFL tells Supreme Court prediction markets are gambling and should be regulated by the states Buss siblings file claim against Jeanie Buss over Lakers sale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 29, 20261 hr 0 min
Buying Futures on the U.S. Congress Running the NCAA
Post-opening banter, we discuss: Does your college football roster cost $8M or $50M? Here’s our report on 68 teams College athletics rack up millions in deficits as Senate eyes oversight bill Senate tees up college sports bill aimed at regulating NIL deals Polymarket countersues New York state over ‘unregulated gambling’ allegation NFL Has No Plan to Follow MLB, NBA in Loosening Private Equity Rules Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 14, 20261 hr 2 min
A Cavalcade of Ego Crash Outs: Steve Balmer, Lane Kiffin and LIV Golf
Post-opening banter, we discuss: Report: Feds investigating Clippers' Kawhi Leonard dealings No sanctions for LSU after SEC meeting on expulsion Yes, the SEC really could 'terminate' LSU. Here's an inside look at the fight that could reshape college football LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection, enters 'next phase' Rory McIlroy predicts LIV Golf player exodus after bankruptcy protection filing NFL 2026: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE NFL’S INVESTMENT ARM, 32 EQUITY? Show Summary: [0:00–9:00] Intro & NFL international expansion — Small talk, then discussion of the NFL's first game in Australia. Hosts predict the long-term goal is an international division (London, Paris, Madrid, Germany), but flag brutal travel logistics (only ~25hrs recovery time) and predict Mexico City as the first international "home" team. [9:00–24:30] LSU vs. SEC eligibility showdown — LSU wanted to sign two ex-NFL players using a COVID-era eligibility loophole; the SEC threatened expulsion, and LSU backed down. Hosts note the irony of the SEC drawing a "no real pros" line while profiting from NIL, blame Lane Kiffin's loose talk for escalating it, and predict the broader eligibility issue resurfaces in a few years. [24:30–40:20] Clippers/Kawhi Leonard salary-cap scandal — NBA penalized the Clippers (5 draft picks, $30M fine, 5 years of audits) and suspended Steve Ballmer for a year over sham deals used to pay Kawhi Leonard around the cap. Leonard's trade to Toronto is in limbo; federal prosecutors and the SEC are now investigating, though hosts expect the federal angle to fade while the trade drama dominates NBA news. [40:20–57:15] LIV Golf bankruptcy — LIV filed Chapter 11 in NJ, listing $100–500M assets vs. $500M–$1B liabilities, with stars like Rahm and DeChambeau as unsecured creditors. Rory McIlroy predicted a player exodus. Hosts expect LIV to survive only as a smaller international "B league" now that the Saudi PIF (which sank ~$5B since 2022) has pulled out. [57:15–1:04:30] NFL's investment arm ("32 Equity") — Owners' ~$250M+ fund (includes a Fanatics stake) sits outside the CBA, so profits don't have to be shared with players — essentially a legal, league-wide version of the Ballmer/Kawhi trick. [1:04:30–end] Wrap-up — Aside about a sold-out Wrigley Field women's volleyball game halted by humidity/condensation; sign-off heading into NFL Week 1. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 1, 20261 hr 0 min
Trolling for Randos in Trailer Parks and NFL Rosters
Post-opening banter, we discuss: 49ers owner Jed York responded to undercover ad on prostitution website, police say Prosecutor says he has portion of Josh Jacobs' domestic incident with ex-girlfriend on video Judge's order prohibits SEC from blocking athletes return Lakers legal saga continues: Jeanie Buss accuses siblings of 'devious behavior' in petition Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 17, 20261 hr 1 min
JD5 Steps In It
Post-opening banter, we discuss: Daniels sends cease-and-desist to LSU after Pickett given No. 5 In Sudden $12.5B Lakers Sale, Big Questions Remain Sources: Josh Kushner, Bob Iger to buy Lakers for $12.5B Private equity company Apollo agrees to finance deal with New York Yankees organization for $2.6 billion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 4, 202655 min
Romo Walks the Line
Topic Rundown: Bodycam video: Tony Romo OWI arrest in Milwaukee Andrew Marchand: CBS ‘wants to get out of the Romo business’ Washington Commanders fire coach days before training camp Embattled NFL player cut after latest arrest as he wastes career lifeline Khosla-led group agrees to buy Seahawks; sources say $9.6 billion SEC and Big Ten agree to support college sports bill after weeks of negotiations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 13, 202653 min
World Cup Madness & Goofy Lawsuits
Chris abandons Steve on Soccer Hatred Island and admits he is all in this year. Steve makes some jokes and then it's time to talk: Netflix, Disney and YouTube interested in FIFA World Cup US rights; package could reach $2 billion US World Cup exit isn't so bad for Fox- thanks to hydration breaks USMNT’s World Cup exit was most-watched American telecast since Super Bowl Equal Pay Fight Means $6M for U.S. Women From Men’s World Cup Run NIL ERA’S GOOFIEST LAWSUIT HINGES ON AGENT’S ‘EMPLOYEE’ STATUS Best Sports Business Cities: 2026 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 30, 20261 hr 5 min
the Sorsby Situation
After Chris educates Steve on Modern Mid-century Design, they discuss: Brendan Sorsby officially drops lawsuit against NCAA NFL rejects Sorsby's supplemental draft bid, lawsuit could follow Brendan Sorsby's turbulent timeline: From gambling addiction to NFL supplemental draft denial Basketball Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model Lions CB Terrion Arnold arrested, faces possibility of life in prison on kidnapping, robbery charges Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 1, 202659 min
Salary Caps and Franchise Valuation Floors
Topic Rundown: MLB Proposes Salary Cap as Part of CBA Negotiations with Players, Full Details Revealed MLBPA’s Initial Proposal Sets the Stage for High-Stakes Labor Fight Group led by Egon Durban to buy 25% of Las Vegas Raiders at $9.9 billion valuation Shedeur Sanders Banked Record $17.7M in NFLPA Group Licensing Income Bonus Jason Kelce content: Kelce on NFL Sundays CBS Sunday Morning piece on Kelce co-owned Golf course (with Bill Murray and Tom Koyne) that is half a mile from Chris in the great Western Catskills Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19, 202653 min
Can you name the Tampa Rays mascot?
Topic rundown: Baker Mayfield Headlines 'Quarterback' S3 from Netflix, Full Cast, Release Date Revealed Golden Knights lose pick, coach fined for boxing out media Yankees legend Mariano Rivera says he supports an MLB salary cap Rays' New $2.3B Stadium Tentatively Approved By Local Officials, Latest Timeline Revealed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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