Cleats and Cufflinks: Recent Episodes
Cleats & Cufflinks
Members of the MLU team give an inside look into Major League Ultimate and ultimate frisbee in general.
Dusty and Nic talk about the 2016 Championship from a variety of angles including the work that goes into promoting an event, the challenges of unpredictable weather and the actual excitement of the game on the field.
Cody Bjorklund tells us about the Stags approach to the Championship matchup with the Spinners.
Chris of the Portland Stags talks with us about fortune cookies, Friction Gloves and the MLU Championship.
Riley tells us about the Stags approach to the Championship Game and his impressions of the MLU office.
Nic and Dusty talk red-eyes and getting weird at the Championship Game with Portland Stag scoring star Timmy Perston.
Jaime Rhodes joins Nic and Dusty to discuss the referee role in the MLU, the upcoming MLU Championship Game, exciting broadcast news and more in an extra long episode.
Dusty and Nic visit Weyerbacher Brewing Company to talk with brewer Zane Miller about pairing beer with ultimate positions. They also discuss the John Doe of the MLU and the outliers above him, and identify the Brunicorn in our midst.
Nic and Dusty talk about this past weekend's conference finals, the upcoming Championship weekend and the importance of "shooting percentage" in understanding outcomes.
Dusty and Nic talk about Week 10 action, review the incredible Boston Area Women's All-Star game and discuss the upcoming 2016 Championship.
Dusty and Nic talk about the playoff picture and the race for home field advantage on both coasts. They also highlight the Boston Area Women's All-Star Game and reflect on the passage of 50 episodes.
David joins Nic and Dusty in the studio to discuss this past weekends MLU games, the playoff picture and the joys of coaching.
Nic and Dusty talk about some new video technology, the cross-country surprise in San Francisco, Boston's amazing comeback and this weekend's Stags visit to the Whitecaps.
Dusty and Nic talk about the challenges of balancing the negative and positive in commentary, the jarring nature of a dropped disc and the importance of the catch to throw transition.
Dusty and Nic share their amazement at Leicester City's Championship, talk through various league formats and do a short team-by-team review of the MLU as some of the teams hit the halfway point.
Dusty and Nic talk about the logistics and challenges of live streaming, discuss the updated MLU time out rules and clarify the role of intent and video in bands.
Nic and Dusty talk about calling games ahead of their MLU Live debut this coming weekend. They also discuss the virtues of jersey sponsorship and the phenomenon of the point run in ultimate.
Nic and Dusty talk about the opening weekend for the MLU, the importance of a SportsCenter Top 10 appearance and how the league is trying to make it easier to cover ultimate.
Nic and Dusty discuss the MLU's 2016 live streaming strategy, Dusty's Fools Fest experience with Calvin Ball and how the "coach's clause" essentially makes any sport ultimate (or ultimate any sport).
Dusty and Nic talk about the virtues of indoor ultimate, share the story of our new friends at Ultimatum Gdansk and talk about the role of cursing in sports.
Dusty and Nic talk about legendary soccer player Johan Cruyff and how his embodiment of total football applies to ultimate. This leads to a conversation about the different roles players fill with the disc in their hands.
Nic and Dusty talk about visiting the Pacific Northwest, running from pub to pub and the coach's role in identifying and developing talent.
Dusty and Nic spend some time thinking about how the best players solve problems on the field. Throwing with both hands takes the spotlight and the concept of sphere of catchability is briefly discussed.
Dusty and Nic talk about the difficulties in covering tournament ultimate, the importance of safe sidelines and one of the many rules of Brokian Ultra Cricket.
Nic and Dusty discuss all-star games and their side-shows. They also somehow get involved in a conversation over fouls and intent.
Nic and Greg talk about all the new content the MLU is producing and how it is helping the league fulfill one of its responsibilities to its players.
Nic and Dusty talk about the oddities of pre-game rituals and the methods of warming up. Also on tap . . . Dusty's statistics obsession applied to club ultimate.
Nic talks to Tim about his role in the new MLU website designs, the addition of stats like "hockey assists" and "throws into blocks" and Slovakia, Tim's favorite subject.
Nic talks to Luke about recent player signings, the new statistics interface and the way the MLU defines the elements of its statistics.
Nic talks to Billy Sickles about the recent Philadelphia Spinner's tryouts, the experience of transitioning from college to pro and the importance of coaching.
Nic and Dusty discuss the potential impact of the MLU statistical effort and start to dig into what makes ultimate special.
Nic catches up with MLU Sales Associate Bert Katzen on working on the sales team and the Pro Gear Program.
Nic talks to Dusty about Kevin Garnett, maturing as player, coaching and other assorted miscellany.
Nic talks to Will Smolinski about his new role as solo head coach of the Washington DC Current, his views on player development and the upcoming season schedule.
Nic talks to Kelsey about her work at MLU managing partner accounts, her experience in ultimate and the parallels between tennis and frisbee.
Nic Darling talks to the MLU's Head Statistician about ultimate statistics and fantasy ultimate.
Creative Director Scott Helm joins Executive VP Nic Darling to discuss the securing of another round of funding and how that has effected the MLU strategy, employment environment and development projects.
Jeff and Nic talk about the value of a single game format in high school ultimate, the business case for MLU Fantasy and list improvements and places to improve for the 2015 Season.
Nic and Jeff discuss the deflated football controversy, the show Friday Night Tykes and the Philosophy of Jordan Belfort from the spacious new MLU Office.
Jeff and Nic discuss the MLU Investor meeting, the benefits MLU players receive and the start of varsity ultimate in Vermont with special guest Anne Watson.
Nic and Jeff discuss Tiina Booth's excellent article on the MLU/USAU relationship, keys to starting a business and the origins of the MLU.
Nic and Jeff discuss newly developed partnerships, what makes the best player and a new timeout rule that is being proposed.
Nic and Jeff talk about the formation of a MLU Player Advisory Committee, the work behind the creation of a 2015 budget and spend a moment answering a question about the AUDL and asking one about referees in youth ultimate. They also take a moment to sit down with David Kucherlapati and discuss his move to VP of Operations for the league.
Nic and Jeff talk about taking the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, discuss the composure of Johnny Football and interview Sean Carpenter of Ultiphotos.
Nic and Jeff talk about Misty Copeland and what defines a sport, the positives and negatives of worlds and the business insights of a guy named Randy.
Jeff and Nic take a look back at the 2014 MLU Championship Game and the Wildwood Beach Ultimate Tournament. They also briefly look at the future with a brief discussion of the off-season.
Jeff and Nic discuss the playoffs and the current implications. They pontificate on the fate of Washington DC's football team and they wonder whether MLU teams are warming up incorrectly.
Nic and Jeff talk about PPL Park, the appeals process for disciplined players, ultimate's ambition in the 70's and Jeff's outspoken opinion on our players' abilities. They also speak to Alex Wittchen, Director of Social Media and spend an awkward amount of time talking about how they can't believe this is episode 11 . . . even though it's episode 13.
Jeff and Nic discuss the 2014 Championship Game, how to discipline players, and they interview Head Referee James Kulinski
Nic and Jeff give a quick update on USAU relations, discuss the Sterling situation in the NBA and look into Without Limits survey of women Ultimate players.
Jeff and Nic, after many technical difficulties, talk about week 2 games, brand consistency for sponsors and an upcoming MLU tournament. Jonathan MacQueen joins to talk about sales and working at the MLU, and Jeff has a handful of questions for Nic.
Nic and Jeff recap opening weekend, discuss the joys of travel in a growing sport and indulge Jeff's long lost love for coaching.
Nic and Jeff discuss hats, short shorts and the importance of uniformity. They also explore the MLU metrics for testing players and talk a bit about this year's MLU Fantasy.
Special guest Tom Levy weighs in with some Roosevelt expertise and PGP insights.
Nic and Jeff talk about the origins of sport names including Ultimate. They also dig into the idea of sponsorship and activation and talk about the buildup to the 2014 season. Special guest Greg Fallon comes on to plug the John and Greg Show and the reveal the size of his ego.
Jeff and Nic discuss Jeff's West Coast travels, 3 seemingly good ideas teams should avoid and broadcast deals. They also interview Matt Lowenthal, Director of Operations for the MLU.
Jeff and Nic discuss their view on expansion, women in the MLU and a variety of other questions. Antoine Johnson of House of Talent sits down for a talk about star making.
Jeff and Nic discuss the USAU critique from last week's episode and present a possible solution to the impasse with the national organization.
New rules are revealed and discussed in part 2.
Jeff and Nic answer the unanswerable, discuss the barriers to partnering with USA Ultimate and interview Bryan Flaherty.
Jeff and Nic talk about the origins of the podcast name, the chances of seeing Ultimate Frisbee at the Olympics and a few of our players to watch for the 2014 MLU Season.