Crunching Tackles: Recent Episodes
Crunching Tackles
Hello and welcome to Crunching Tackles, a podcast where John Nekrasov and Chad Wylie sit down once a week to discuss the biggest cultural issues that affect the sports world. Tune in every Monday to hear our takes on the controversial topics that touch the games we watch every week (and hear us scream at each other about Star Wars). If you enjoy our content, like, follow, subscribe (all the fun stuff), and follow us on Twitter @john_nekrasov and @chadewylie!
As 2024 comes to a close, we are recapping and revisiting our top stories in sports, and our favorite movies, for the year!
4:07: We highlight 2 current sports stories from the NFL and College Football
8:00: Sports Stories—Number 5
20:00: Number 4
27:50: Number 3
34:50: Number 2
45:40: Number 1
58:15: Top Movies—Number 5
1:04:30: Number 4
1:09:30: Number 3
1:13:34: Number 2
1:18:00: Number 1
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
With more than half-a-dozen brawls and flag planting attempts in college football last week, it's fair to say that rivalry week was heated. We discuss all the drama from Saturday on today's podcast.
2:45: What happened to the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving?
5:00: General Motors—aka Cadillac—is joining Formula 1 in 2026.
10:35: Jameis Winston is the viral sensation of 2024.
19:22: Panic time at Manchester City.
33:00: College football rivalry week.
56:20: Our Wicked and Gladiator II experience!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The 2024 election happened last week, and Donald Trump will return to the White House in 2025. But if you were up at 3 a.m. on election night, you may have seen a familiar face in the sports world addressing Trump's victory party: Dana White. What does White's involvement in politics say about Trump's success?
Before that, we briefly touch on three controversies in international soccer, from a refereeing scandal in England to an investigative report in Canada to a shocking display of violence in the Netherlands.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
We got our dream matchup in the World Series: Yankees vs. Dodgers; Ohtani vs. Judge. We take stock of the first 3 games of the series and consider if the games so far have lived up to the hype.
We also check in briefly with Formula One, a sad story out of N.C. State football, and the award for best player in world soccer.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Many different sports around the world are expanding their postseason format to maximize the amount of high profile games that top teams play each year. Is this a benefit to fans, or just another desperate money grab?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Shohei Ohtani has put together one of the most impressive seasons in baseball history. After spending some time discussing the Premier League and the NFL, we turn the focus of this podcast to MLB, and try to put Ohtani's historic season into context.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Tyreek Hill was pulled over and detained by Miami police on his way to Week 1 of the NFL season. The reaction has been understandably and expectedly strong. John and Chad break down every angle of the incident and what we can learn.
10:20 - We look at Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka winning the U.S. Open and where the state of tennis is going into 2025.
27:30 - We recap Week 1 of the NFL season, focusing on the Chiefs, the Bengals, the Jets, and the 49ers.
40:30 - We examine the body cam footage from the Tyreek Hill situation, finding what Hill did wrong, what law enforcement did wrong, and who is responsible for these kinds of confrontational situations.
1:07:20 - We briefly touch on a new civil sexual assault lawsuit against Cleveland Browns QB Deshaun Watson, and why we are so angry and so unsurprised by these new allegations.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
For the first time in over 3 years, Chad and John are in person together for a podcast!
They celebrate this occasion by discussing the U.S. Open, Jannik Sinner, and Alien: Romulus.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The 2024 Olympics were incredible, and we convene one more time to go through all the final stories from the games. On today's episode, we discuss:
2:15 - Our general impressions and what we loved about this Olympics
9:30 - The closing ceremony, including Tom Cruise's stunts
214:00 - The final medal count and who won the games
29:00 - We recap the most interesting stories from the final week of events
42:15 - We discuss what will be different for L.A. 2028 and what sports we would like to see added or removed
1:02:00 - We pitch an alternative competition: The Military Olympics
1:07:30 - Lastly, we consider how and why Snoop Dogg made such a big impression on the festivities in Paris
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The Olympics have soared to an incredible level of success, and we are here to recap the most important moments we've seen this week. Simone Biles, Novak Djokovic, Scottie Scheffler, Mondo Duplantis, and Imane Khelif are just a few of the athletes we mention. On today's episode, we discuss:
10:00 - We recap the medal table and see where Team USA is stacking up
13:20 - Pole Vaulter Mondo Duplantis and the moment of the Olympics
20:50 - Simone Biles and Team USA Gymnastics
31:10 - Noah Lyles' dramatic run for the gold and the future of his Olympic campaign
37:20 - More chaos from swimming courtesy of the River Seine
42:00 - Novak Djokovic wins tennis gold
47:00 - Scottie Scheffler's comeback to win golf gold
49:20 - THE BIG STORY: Imane Khelif and the gender controversy surrounding women's boxing
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The medals are flying in Paris as we take stock of an action packed first week of the Olympic Games! From the Opening Ceremony to the tennis to the swimming, we have it all covered for you right here! On today's episode, we discuss:
3:10 - We open with some general thoughts about the games and how we feel about the experience of watching so far.
8:10 - We turn quickly to the medal count, tracking how Team USA is doing compared to our primary rivals, and share how we feel about America's performance so far.
14:10 - Turning our attention to the pool, we discuss the dominant day by France swimmer Leon Marchand and also look at the highlights from Katie Ledecky in her signature event.
24:00 - Going from the pool to the gym, we recap the amazing team gold by USA women's gymnastic and their catalyst, Simone Biles. We also look at the men's gymnastics team, and their newly coronated superstar Stephen Nedoroscik.
34:30 - Up next, we close the final chapter on the saga of the Seine, where athletes actually did swim in the bacteria infested water. Is this a signature Paris failing, or did they finally turn it into a success?
41:30 - In many ways, the career of Rafael Nadal seems to be over. He lost in singles to his fiercest rival, Novak Djokovic, and the fan favorite "Nadalcaraz" doubles team also crashed out. Is this the end? We also briefly discuss Coco Gauff and her dramatic singles loss.
53:30 - Almost before the games got underway, scandal was already present. That's because Team Canada women's soccer were discovered to be using spy drones to surveil their opponent's practices. They faced severe punishment. We also briefly look at the USWNT and how thing are going for the favorites for gold.
59:00 - Finally, we recap the Opening Ceremony, which featured one of the greatest images in Olympics history (hats off to you, LeBron), and also one of the worst and most controversial images we've ever seen.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The COPA America Final was delayed by over an hour because of a brutal crowd crush at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Fans and police officers were injured, and 27 people were arrested as Colombia fans attempted to storm the stadium. On today's episode, we discuss:
4:15 - We open with a conversation about the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump, our desire for unity, and we also briefly examine how Trump has used sports to boost his reputation.
19:10 - We recap the final of the EUROs, which saw Spain take down England. John has some strong thoughts about England—both their players and their manager.
33:00 - We talk about the continued rise of Carlos Alcaraz, as he wins Wimbledon for the second year in a row over Novak Djokovic. Is the torch now officially passed?
43:45 - THE BIG STORY: We look at Argentina's win over Colombia in the final of the COPA, and speak frankly about the riot that delayed the game by about 90 minutes.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremonies are less than a month away, and we are here to prime you for the events and athletes that you need to be paying attention to this year. On today's episode, we discuss the international soccer tournaments currently going on, the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, and an extremely controversial decision by NBC for their Olympic coverage.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
As the city of Paris and the nation of France prepares to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games, there's one area they need to focus on that previous hosts of the games haven't: cybersecurity. On today's episode, we discuss:
4:15 - We briefly consider how to choose a British soccer team as American fans and who we would support if we were doing it all over again.
13:50 - We recap the first week of the 2024 European Championship and preview who we expect to succeed.
24:00 - We dive deep into Manchester City's lawsuit that is actively ongoing against the Premier League and talk through the ramifications of either outcome of the case.
37:45 - THE BIG STORY: John leads us through a conversation about cybersecurity, how hackers will try to undermine the Olympics, and what fans and players can expect at the games.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Although college sports have been trending toward professionalization in recent years, it's still a historic day when the NCAA finally agreed to pay its athletes. On today's episode, we discuss:
1:20 - We briefly discuss Scottie Scheffler's charges being dropped and what was most strange about his situation.
4:30 - Caitlin Clark has had a very controversial rookie season, not because of her play, but because of the narratives swirling around her. We discuss what these narratives are getting right, and the many things people are getting wrong.
37:45 - Why are French Open matches ending after 3 a.m. and how can the tournament get this under control?
40:30 - The same gambling story that recently hit the NBA has now come for MLB.
44:30 - Manchester City have sued the Premier League. Is there any merit to their case?
45:40 - THE BIG STORY: The NCAA has agreed to a settlement that will involve retroactively paying former college athletes and paves the pathway to future athlete compensation. We discuss the historic nature of this moment, how it changes the landscape of sports, and also highlight the questions we still want to have answered.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The Premier League title came down to the final day, but it never really felt close. Manchester City won their fourth consecutive title, and we are here to figure out what all the other teams need to do to challenge the champs. On today's episode, we discuss:
4:26 - We take a look at the NBA Playoffs, focusing on the Denver Nuggets Game 7 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
10:20 - We react to the reports that TNT might lose the rights to the NBA, and what that would mean for Inside the NBA, the greatest tv show in sports.
15:00 - Scottie Scheffler was arrested before his second round of the PGA Championship. We react to the arrest, the cultural context behind it, and why Scheffler continues to impress us.
31:30 - THE BIG STORY: We analyze the Premier League, starting with what City did to win, why Arsenal came up short, and why there don't seem to be many top teams ready to challenge for the title.
51:20 - We end by paying tribute to Jurgen Klopp, who has left Liverpool with a historic legacy.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Scottie Scheffler won the 2024 Masters Tournament, but he wanted to talk about something different: his faith in God. So we are going to spend some time discussing the various intersections between religion and sports. On today's episode, we discuss:
2:45 - We take a brief look at the collapse of PSG in France and look ahead to a very tense week for Arsenal fans.
8:20 - We recap The Roast of Tom Brady on Netflix. We examine the cultural significance of roasts, Tom Brady agreeing to be part of it, and go through some of the highlights from the night.
27:00 - THE BIG STORY: We talk about Scottie Scheffler and how he credits his faith in God with his on-course success. We examine the role of religion in sports historically, and the various ways athletes have tried to navigate living their faiths publicly in culture.
1:10:00 - We review Shōgun, the excellent Japanese period show on Hulu.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
As sports gambling continues to dominate our culture, we take a closer look at the issues surrounding sports betting. We react to how the sports leagues and sports media have responded, as well as offer some legislative suggestions on how to fix some of the most problematic issues. On today's episode, we discuss:
1:30 - We start with a really quick look at the NBA Playoffs and the matchups that are sticking out to us in round 1.
7:00 - We dive deep into sports gambling, starting with the lifetime ban issues by the NBA to Jontay Porter. We then look at what leagues, players, and media have done to cause these problems, and what they could do to mitigate the risk. Finally, we offer some suggestions for legislation that could help control gambling.
1:00:17 - We review Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR, and the conversations the film has created in our culture.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
For the first time in television history, the women's NCAA basketball championship had more viewership than the men's. What does this mean for the future of the game? How important is this breakthrough in the present? On today's episode, we discuss:
8:15 - We start with the women's tournament, talking about South Carolina's dominance, Caitlin Clark's unprecedented greatness, and the breakthrough in attention the women's game has received.
29:40 - We turn to the men's tournament, talking about Dan Hurley and UConn, the changing of the guard in the sport, and if the tournament format needs to be changed.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Major League Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani has been implicated in a major sports gambling story concerning his professional interpreter. While it seems like at the moment Ohtani is unscathed, this investigation opens the door into a wider conversation about sports gambling in our culture. On today's episode, we discuss:
3:45 - March Madness Opening Weekend and previewing the Sweet 16! The basketball has been amazing, and we will be recording soon after the national championship game on April 8.
10:00 - THE BIG STORY: Shohei Ohtani's interpreter has confessed to amassing massive gambling debts and stealing from Ohtani to pay off his bookies. MLB is investigating this story, and so are we, as we discuss what we know right now, what we don't know yet, and what this story indicates about the problems when sports and gambling merge.
27:00 - We take the sports gambling story to a wider level, talking about the rise of gambling in our culture, the dangers of sports gambling, and how it makes the roles of athletes, sports leagues, and even politicians trickier to understand.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The world's most controversial sport is enmeshed in one of its biggest controversies to date. Christian Horner—the team principal of Red Bull F1 racing—has held onto his job despite a tremendous amount of scrutiny. On today's episode, we discuss:
3:45 - We briefly recap the Oscars, covering subjects like Oppenheimer, Ryan Gosling, Lily Gladstone, and the controversial acceptance speech by Jonathan Glazer.
15:30 - Sports betting has come to North Carolina, and the online platforms are using some very creative ways to get people hooked. We talk about these marketing strategies, the risk of sports gambling, and Chad wins a bet during recording.
29:00 - We check in with college basketball, starting first with the extraordinary season by Caitlin Clark. She's the biggest star in the sport and has even overshadowed the men's game—which we confess we haven't paid that much attention to this year.
37:00 - Christian Horner survived an in-depth investigation this offseason into alleged controlling behavior and inappropriate text messages on his part. Most shockingly, Red Bull has recently suspended the alleged victim of this behavior, and are at risk of losing their elite driver, Max Verstappen.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Dune 2 is finally here! After a months-long delay, the much anticipated sequel film has arrived and we are here to break it all down in this special bonus edition of Crunching Tackles.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The most recent incident of court-storming by a student section in college basketball has ignited a huge debate about the future of this behavior. So we had to way in. On today's episode, we discuss:
8:30 - Everton have been given a lifeline in their continued attempt to stay in the Premier League while facing point reductions due to financial malpractice. Will getting 4 points back be enough to keep them up?
17:15 - We've talked a lot about Saudi Arabia's investment in sports, but they have their sights set on Hollywood as well. We react to this fascinating article about the relationship between MBS and Johnny Depp: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/johnny-depp-mbs-saudi-arabia
33:30 - We discuss why fan storming happens, what makes it dangerous, and seek to find a compromise that will both keep everyone safe and allow fans to express their joy.
54:15 - Chad reviews the first 3.5 seasons of Formula 1: Drive to Survive that he is now actively binge-watching.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Super Bowl 58 featured the two longest field goals in Super Bowl history, and two historic comebacks from Patrick Mahomes. On today's episode, we discuss:
6:30 - We break down the game, including the key fourth quarter and overtime drives, and why the 49ers will be thinking about their missed opportunities.
40:00 - We reopen the conversation about where Patrick Mahomes ranks in the history of NFL players.
48:30 - The NFL has been at the forefront of American and world culture this year, and it seems more impactful than in previous years. What is causing this, and how much credit does Taylor Swift deserve?
1:00:00 - We rank the best and worst Super Bowl commercials.
1:12:15 - Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox have announced a new streaming service that will merge their live sports programs. How will this change the landscape of streaming, and is this something sports fans should be excited about?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
In 2022, the Ontario police and NHL opened investigations into sexual assault allegations against several members of Canada's 2018 Junior World Championship team. This week, 5 members of that team were ordered to surrender to the police. On today's episode, we discuss:
2:50 - The Super Bowl matchup is set, with the Kansas City Chiefs returning to face the San Francisco 49ers. We react to how each of these teams earned their spot in the big game and then preview what we expect to happen on February 11.
25:45 - We recap the 2024 Australian Open, with huge wins for Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner. Are these two the bright spots in tennis' future?
37:15 - Staying in the tennis world, we react to the episode of Netflix's Break Point that featured Alexander Zverev, and why we were uncomfortable with its silence on the abuse allegations currently pending against Zverev. Both Netflix and the ATP deserve huge blame for how this situation has been handled.
50:15 - THE BIG STORY: Carter Hart and four other former World Juniors players are surrendering to police this week to be charged with sexual assault. As we anticipate the press conference announcing the charges early next week, we discuss how these players should be dealt with in the meantime, and what the most likely outcomes are.
58:10 - We review The Zone of Interest and explain why this film is essential viewing for our time.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing more financial charges from the English Premier League, casting a shadow on the fairness of the finances of elite soccer. On today's episode, we discuss:
3:50 - THE BIG STORY: Everton and Nottingham Forest are facing charges of financial misconduct. They are not sustainably managing their money and have faced significant monetary losses, and now they are at risk of facing a points deduction as well.
19:50 - Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Australian Open with an injury and then became an ambassador for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We discuss the moral compromise of this latest move.
24:20 - Among the numerous coaching changes in college and professional football, the biggest are the retirement of Nick Saban and the firing of Bill Belichick. We reflect on the legacies of these two icons of the game.
42:10 - We recap an incredible Wild Card Weekend of the NFL playoffs, look ahead to the divisional round, and conclude the podcast with our Super Bowl predictions.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
2023 has been a consequential sports year. We've seen aging superstars cement their legacies, young phenoms announce their presence, and Saudi Arabia stage a takeover of multiple professional sports.
We also spent a lot of time this year watching and thinking about film. We've shared a lot of those thoughts on this podcast, but we decided to spend the last half of this podcast talking about the best of what we saw this year.
We hope you enjoy this year-end review of the sporting events and films of 2023!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Shohei Ohtani has signed a historic and unconventional contract to play baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm announced his departure from the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, despite having previously stated that he isn't motivated by money. On today's episode, we discuss:
1:30 - The final College Football Committee Rankings, and if Florida State University has a case to say they were snubbed.
9:15 - The president of the NCAA has announced a new financial structure to potentially compensate student athletes. Will this proposal make things better or worse?
15:00 - The first ever NBA in-season tournament has concluded, and the guys are skeptical about whether this was a successful endeavor.
21:00 - We look at the most recent slate of NFL games.
30:50 - Buffalo Bill's coach Sean McDermott has come under fire for comments he made in 2019 comparing his team to the 9/11 terrorists. How far out of bounds were these remarks?
36:30 - The Bills have also allowed Von Miller to play football despite being released on bail following a domestic violence arrest. We believe he should not be allowed to play, and finally lay out the policy we would like to see all sports teams implement.
41:40 - Jon Rahm has gone to LIV. How will this change the future of golf?
53:00 - We break down Shohei Ohtani's contract and how it might change the way athletes conduct business in the future.
1:03:00 - We review Godzilla Minus One and recommend two other pieces of content for your holiday viewing.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Everton Football Club have been hit with the largest sanctions ever given by the Premier League after they were found liable for mismanagement of funds and inability to retain a proper revenue margin. Their 10-point sanction is the largest points deduction the league has ever given. On today's episode, we discuss:
1:30 - A very brief run through the recent slate of NFL games.
5:30 - Alejandro Garnacho scored an all-time great goal for Manchester United against Everton, and Chad wants to make sure you see it!
10:00 - Josh Giddey is under investigation by the NBA for a potential relationship with an underage girl. Has the league handled this correctly so far?
15:10 - THE BIG STORY: We look at what the Premier League found Everton guilty of, if the punishment is fair, and why we continue to have the sense that the Premier League is financially unfair and potentially even rigged.
45:00 - We review Ridley Scott's NAPOLEON.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
There is no event more prestigious than the World Cup, and the 2034 edition is going to be gifted to Saudi Arabia, as they continue their expansive sportswashing project. On today's episode, we discuss:
7:00 - Jim Harbaugh has been suspended by the Big Ten following evidence that his program was illegally spying on opponents. But we aren't convinced the NCAA rules on surveillance are fair, or even achieve the objectives they are designed to.
28:30 - THE BIG STORY: FIFA have set the stage for Saudi Arabia to get the World Cup, after declaring that South America can't bid for the tournament. How blatant has the collusion with the middle east become? How can conscientious sports fans respond?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Our eyes are telling us that athletes look bigger, stronger, and faster than they ever have before, and the empirical data backs that up. On today's podcast, we're looking at the growth of the athletic body and how we can contextualize the modern day elite. We discuss:
1:00 - A few additional thoughts about the conflict between Israel and Hamas and the cultural response.
18:45 - A brief check-in on the NFL season and why all the games seem so unpredictable this year.
25:00 - We've concluded the first season in the MLB with the pitch clock and other rule changes. Did the changes work?
37:15 - THE BIG STORY: Are athletes really more talented than they ever have been, and if so, what's different? How can we compare the current elite to the greats of the past?
1:05:17 - Killers of the Flower Moon review.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
We're doing something a little different on the podcast today. We'll weave a couple sports stories into this discussion, but we are mostly focused on a frank and raw conversation about the state of the war in Israel, our connections to it, and what we can learn from the cultural response to this conflict.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
For the past two weeks, Taylor Swift has been in attendance to see the Kansas City Chiefs, and Travis Kelce, play football. Her presence has in many ways dictated not just sports media, but all of culture. We here at Crunching Tackles have been swept up in Taylor-mania as well. This week, we discuss:
2:20 - What in the world is going on with Jimmy Butler?
4:16 - Video Review in the Premier League has hit a new low. Does the whole system require an overhaul?
22:40 - Chad gives some thoughts on the Ryder Cup and the state of American golf.
27:45 - THE BIG STORY: Taylor Swift!
52:10 - A little bit of pop culture to wind down today's episode.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
The 2023 US Open saw one of the youngest female champions in Grand Slam history, and also one of the oldest mens champions. We recap the entire tournament and look at what the future for Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic might be. This week, we discuss:
1:45 - Our week 1 takeaways from the NFL season so far.
11:15 - The drama in the Spanish Football Federation in the aftermath of the Women's World Cup that resulted in the firing of head coach Jorge Vilda and the resignation of president Luis Rubiales.
24:50 - THE BIG STORY: Coco Gauff became the youngest woman to win the US Open since Serena Williams, and she accomplished the win that will justify all the hype surrounding her young career. And the next day, Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title, cementing his case as the greatest athlete of all time.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Michael Oher, the subject of the hit movie The Blind Side, has filed a lawsuit against the Tuohy family who took him in and became the heroes of the film. What is Oher alleging, and how does this taint the beloved film? On this pod, we discuss:
0:45 - John gives a full recollection of seeing Lionel Messi—in person—lift his first trophy on American soil.
6:20 - Novak Djokovic has gotten some revenge on Carlos Alcaraz, beating him on hard court in the Cincinnati Open final. What does this match say about these two and their rivalry headed into the US Open?
9:50 - Wander Franco has been placed on administrative leave by MLB as he is investigated for inappropriate relationships. We look at the bit of information we have so far, and preview what is to come in the coming weeks.
11:30 - Manchester United and Mason Greenwood have announced that Greenwood will not return to the team after the conclusion of an investigation into a domestic abuse allegation in his relationship. While Greenwood has been cleared of all charges, United still made this decision. How is this another example of a public relations nightmare for the club, and is this decision fair to Greenwood?
33:45 - THE BIG STORY: The Blind Side opened 14 years ago to mass acclaim, but new legal filings have thrown a wrench in the story. Is this a feel good story, or an example of white saviorism? We break down the allegations and the legacy of the movie.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
It was a disappointing outing in the Woman's World Cup for the USA, and we are here to react to the worst result the American ladies have ever suffered in the history of the tournament. On this pod, we discuss:
2:30 - Lionel Messi has continued to dominate in MLS in his first four games for Inter Miami. Is this a huge success for everyone all around, or is it highlighting the issues with our domestic league?
10:10 - Kylian Mbappe has reached an impasse with his club—PSG—and is now facing the possibility of missing the entire season. How did they get to this point, and whose fault is it?
13:15 - The Premier League season returns this weekend, and we preview our expectations for our teams, as well as who we expect to finish on top.
44:40 - THE BIG STORY: The USWNT crashed out of the World Cup in the Round of 16, and have faced extensive criticism in the aftermath. How much of the criticism is justified, and what's next for the new generation of the team?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Full disclosure: there is a lot more talk about movies on this episode than there is about sports. But that doesn't mean we don't have a whole lot of important sports content for you as well. This week we discuss:
2:45 - Carlos Alcaraz is the 2023 Wimbledon champion, and we assess whether he is now the best tennis player in the world. Is it time to reflect on Novak Djokovic in the past tense, or does he still have some fight left?
10:00 - THE BIG STORY: Horrific allegations have emerged about a culture of aggressive hazing and sexual harassment at Northwestern University's football program. What is it going to take for institutions to start taking these issues seriously, and is there anything to learn from these stories?
28:10 - We participated in the cultural event of the summer: the Barbenheimer double feature. We start with Barbie, talking about the successes of the film, why it worked so well; and we also mention a few of the challenges that hold this film back from being an all-time classic.
44:40 - Finally, we make the hard pivot to Oppenheimer, one of the most significant films we've ever seen and also one of the best. What makes the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer so important right now, and how did Christopher Nolan bring his unique abilities to this film?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Elon Musk has led during a tumultuous time at Twitter HQ, and Meta have capitalized on this perceived weakness with their competitor app: Threads. Given the uncertainty around Twitter, we take this opportunity to reflect on how Twitter specifically has shaped the fan sports experience and the way entertainment comes into our lives. We also wonder if Threads, or any other social media app, can steer clear of some of the worst parts of Twitter.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
It's been the summer of Saudi Arabia, as the Middle Eastern oil giants continue to buy their way deeper and deeper into the worlds of both soccer and golf. With mostly wins, and one significant loss, the Public Investment Fund of the controversy-riddled country is now a major player in the international sports scene. This week we discuss:
1:36 - A brief mention of the French Open, Novak Djokovic making history, and if the "young guys" will ever topple the last standing member of the historic Big Three.
11:54 - Saudi Arabia made an offer to Lionel Messi they thought he couldn't refuse . . . but he did! The GOAT of soccer is headed to the United States!
21:19 - Karim Benzema IS headed to Saudi Arabia, joining his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. How is the country using its leverage in its home league and throughout European competition?
30:30 - THE BIG STORY: The PGA Tour and the PIF have reached an agreement that will essentially end LIV Golf and bring all of international golf under the investment of Saudi Arabia. How did the PGA get to this compromising position, and how do Chad and John feel about this moment?
49:00 - Amidst these bleak headlines, one shining light in the culture has emerged. SPIDER MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE is the movie of the year, and we couldn't possibly love it any more.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!
Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant will likely face a hefty suspension from the NBA after appearing in a second social media video with a firearm, not even two months after being suspended for the first one. But is that fair? Social media has been ablaze with controversy, and we try to find some answers.
2:30 - We start things off by looking at the NBA and NHL playoffs (RIP the Hurricanes).
7:23 - Rafael Nadal announced last week that he's withdrawing from the French Open, and 2024 will be his last season. Will he make it through his final tour?
14:07 - Has Manchester City broken the sport of soccer? John definitely thinks so.
27:34 - We take a serious look at the Ja Morant situation. How does the NBA's issue relate to the broader question of gun violence in the U.S.?
44:46 - Did we... both enjoy a Marvel movie?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms! And if you hated it, it's my (John's) fault.
14 different managers have been fired in during the Premier League season this year—the most in any season ever. Why are owners and management so impatient with the results of their coaches? Does the high turnover lead to improved play on the field? This week, we discuss:
1:00—Personal news for the podcast
3:30—The first round of the NBA Playoffs is absolutely full of drama, and we discuss the highlights and lowlights so far.
25:20—Why are so many coaches being fired in soccer, and how can this problem be solved?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
March Madness is over, and the NCAA men's and women's champions have been crowned. Connecticut has cemented their men's program in the top tier of basketball, and LSU women won their first national championship. This week, we discuss:
4:50—UConn defeated San Diego State in the national championship, winning their fifth title in the past 25 years. We look at the strangeness of this year's tournament, the eventual champions, and why the television ratings declined this year in the later rounds.
26:25—LSU won their first national championship, defeating Iowa in the women's game. Caitlin Clark played a tournament for the ages, but caught some heat from several LSU players, as did Jill Biden. We look at the game, and the multitude of off-court controversy that followed it.
47:45—The Masters this year is a rare reunion between PGA and LIV players, and we preview the tournament going on right now.
54:00—Ted Lasso season 3 episodes 1-4 recap.
1:01:10—The Mandalorian season 3 episodes 1-6 recap.
1:05:30—Chad and John highly recommend watching John Wick: Chapter 4.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Major League Soccer began a major deal with Apple TV this season, meaning that the majority of their games are behind a paywall. This move provoked disappointment for some fans who now view the league as inaccessible to casual supporters. But was this the right move for MLS? This week, we discuss:
3:15—Vanessa Bryant and her family received a $30 million payout for graphic photos being taken after the death of Kobe and Gigi Bryant. What does this decision mean for the Bryant family and for the privacy of victim's families?
11:15—Brandon Miller has been allowed to continue playing college basketball for Alabama after being connected to a murder. But was Miller really as involved as the early headlines indicated? We discuss if he should keep playing, or if he should be suspended.
24:10—Novak Djokovic has been denied entry to the U.S., AGAIN. But will this be the final time? Should he be admitted now?
BIG STORY: 30:45—MLS is on Apple TV. This decision will give them more money from diehard supporters, but may deter casual and potential fans from checking out the sport. Was this the right move for the league, and how does the price compare to other major sports?
54:50—We give our initial thoughts on Netflix's show Full Swing.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Shows like P.T.I., First Take, and Undisputed have dominated cable television for the better part of two decades. Watching celebrities argue about sports is a cherished tradition in sporting culture. But are these shows really just harmless entertainment? Or do they cause serious damage in our society? Why are other parts of culture starting to look more like the arguments we see on ESPN? Chad and John discuss all these issues on this week's pod.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl Champions ... again! This week, we discuss:
3:30 — How did the Chiefs pull off the victory? What are our expectations going forward for both the Chiefs and the Eagles? And yes, was the holding penalty the right call?
25:15 — Why is Chad upset about the reaction to the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and what did the guys think about Rihanna's performance?
29:30 — What were the best, and the worst, commercials and movie trailers from the Super Bowl?
44:15 — New Mexico State University has shut down their men's basketball program following multiple scandals. Was this the right decision? And what got the program to the point where they quit the season?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Last Tuesday, LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the player with the most points in NBA history. This momentous achievement gives us the chance to discuss the significance of the record for LeBron, and his complicated relationship with the man he took the record from. This week, we discuss:
2:30 — Is the European Super League back? A new proposal has revised the original Super League in a continued effort to reinvent global soccer.
15:30 — The Premier League has filed over 100 complaints of financial misconduct against Manchester City. We explain what these allegations mean and discuss the worst case scenario for the club.
21:45 — Chad's final Super Bowl notes.
25:30 — The Brooklyn Nets have offloaded their two superstars to other teams, and we discuss the exodus of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant from NYC to their new teams.
23:30: BIG STORY — LeBron James has the most points in NBA history. What does this record mean for his legacy, his relationship with Kareem, and the sport as a whole?
56:50 — We review the first installment of Break Point, the tennis documentary series on Netflix.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
In many ways, NFL head coaches operate like military generals. They delegate to subordinates, scheme and create tactical plans, and motivate the players they lead. So who are some of the NFL head coaches that resemble specific generals? This week, we discuss:
1:30 — Tom Brady retired from the NFL again, so we say anything that we want to add from the last time we discussed this retirement...exactly one year ago.
14:35 — We preview the Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.
26:00: BIG STORY — Assigning military generals for current and a few former head coaches, including Andy Reid, Bill Belichick, Dan Campbell, and many more.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
January has been filled with headlines about domestic violence allegations against prominent sports figures. Why do we keep seeing more stories like this? Do sports have a domestic violence problem? And how should leagues and organizations punish people with these allegations? This week, we discuss:
2:30 — Netflix has released a new show about tennis, Break Point, as well as the trailer for an upcoming PGA documentary, Full Swing. We discuss the insights these shows will provide and what we are looking forward to watching them.
8:00 — Australian Open 2023 preview.
11:30 — NFL playoff preview.
24:00: BIG STORY — We analyze the facts and responses for three domestic violence situations. First, Trevor Bauer was cut by the Dodgers after his suspension was shortened (25:15). Next, Dana White refused to punish himself after a video surfaced of him abusing his wife (35:00). And finally, Chris Beard was fired as head coach of Texas basketball following an arrest on domestic violence charges (46:15).
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Damar Hamlin suffered a severe and scary injury during Monday Night Football. He suffered cardiac arrest and had CPR performed on him. We are examining this story, the reaction, and the wider conversation of player health in football. This week, we discuss:
0:56: BIG STORY — Damar Hamlin's injury was scary in the moment, and in the aftermath the NFL postponed Monday Night Football. There was an outpouring of support for Hamlin and also for the coverage by ESPN. And this incident continues the ongoing conversation about the risk of playing football and if it is really worth the risk.
42:03 — The USMNT is in crisis, as Giovani Reyna's family publicly feud with Gregg Berhalter, the head coach of the team. We discuss both sides of this story, the personal confessions by Berhalter, and why this is such a bad look for the Reyna family.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
On Sunday, France and Argentina will face off in the World Cup Final. The knockout rounds of the tournament were filmed with drama, and controversy, and we look back on the previous week's games, and then project forward to the upcoming final. This week, we discuss:
4:54: Brittany Griner has returned to America as part of a prisoner exchange. We discuss Griner's return to the states, who America left behind, and what the cost was to secure her return.
18:03: Jerry Jones, the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, was caught up a recent controversy when a picture of him in the 1950s emerged showing him at a desegregation of a school in Arkansas. Is this a real controversy, and has any damage been done to Jones' reputation?
32:40: BIG STORY—World Cup Headlines. First, we reflect on the life and career of Grant Wahl, who tragically passed away while covering the World Cup in Qatar. Next, we look back on the previous rounds of action and preview the upcoming final between France and Argentina (37:37).
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
It wasn't easy, and it certainly wasn't stress-free, but the USA have advanced to the knockout rounds of the World Cup. Chad and John discuss what we can be confident about the team, and where we should be nervous. This week, we discuss:
4:05: The USA navigated their group stage and advanced. We look at the best games, the standout players, and how we match up against our next opponent: the Netherlands.
21:30: We look at the rest of the tournament and see who has impressed us, and who has let us down. We grade our own previous expectations, talk about some teams who have surprised us, and amend our favorites to win the whole tournament.
30:30: BIG STORY—World Cup Headlines. First, we look at the shocking decision by Qatar to ban beer from the stadium just 2 days before the first game. Then, we examine FIFA's response to LGBTQ+ protests, specifically how they stopped players from wearing rainbow colored armbands (35:54). And lastly, we look at Iran, who played a very controversial game against the USA in the wake of mass protests back home (44:00).
54:45: Andor season finale and season review!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The 2022 World Cup starts in just a few short days, and Chad and John are here to prepare you for the biggest event in the world. Before talking about the games themselves, we first look at the controversies surrounding this World Cup, and the issues fans might face in Qatar. This week, we discuss:
2:40: Reacting to Brittany Griner and the beginning of her prison sentence in a Russian penal colony.
10:38: Kyrie Irving gets suspended and lost his partnership with Nike. Was this punishment enough? And why don't some sports figures think he should have been punished at all?
22:22: The NFL plays in Germany
24:26: BIG STORY—First, we look at the corruption that allowed Qatar to host the World Cup, and the human rights issues that have been part of the building process. We also look at what fans should expect who travel to watch in person. Then (39:44), we break down the groups, the contenders, the underdogs, and how well we should expect the USA to do!
1:01:07: Andor Episode 10 recap and endorsement.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Kyrie Irving posted a dangerous, antisemitic "documentary" on his Twitter account, and defiantly stood behind his decision for several days. When punishment finally came, he offered an apology, but the damage was already done. What should the Brooklyn Nets do about this situation, and has player empowerment finally gone too far? This week, we discuss:
4:20: Recap of the first four games of the World Series
7:03: Dan Snyder is pursuing new ownership for the Washington Commanders. Is this finally going to solve the image problem for the league? And also, how much is the team really worth?
12:21: BIG STORY—Kyrie Irving promoted antisemitic resources on his social media, and this happened in the wake of a larger conversation about anti-Jewish hatred spewed by Ye (formerly Kanye West), and violence against Jews being at an all-time high in America. We factcheck the baseless claims Irving promoted, and examine what consequences he should face.
56:00: Andor Episode 9 recap and endorsement.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The NFL season is only seven weeks in, but there have already been plenty of drama and controversy. Three teams have risen to the top of the power rankings, while both teams from New York have exceeded expectations. But speaking of expectations, both the Packers and the Buccaneers have underperformed so far. This week, we discuss:
3:45: Chad previews the 2022 World Series between the Astros and the Phillies, and gives his series predictions.
8:06: BIG STORY—What has been going on in the NFL season so far? We discuss the highlights and the lowlights, and debate who have emerged as early contenders for the Super Bowl.
42:30: Andor discussion of the first seven episodes and our overall impression of the show so far.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The National Women's Soccer League published a 300-page investigation into sexual abuse allegations throughout the league. The document accuses owners, managers, and coaches or abusing or enabling the abuse of soccer players for a decade. This week, we discuss:
4:14: We open with a conversation about why the NFL's primetime games aren't living up to the hype, and speak again about the league's concussion protocol after there were some agreed-upon changes.
23:10: BIG STORY—The NWSL Report. What are the most important parts of this investigation? How has the league and players responded? And how can we move forward from these discoveries?
47:22: The Rings of Power Season 1 Finale Recap!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Aaron Judge recently tied Roger Maris for fifth on the MLB single-season home run record. But his accomplishment has sparked a wider debate about how we should view this record? Should we think of Judge as fighting for fifth, or fighting for first? This week, we discuss:
2:20: Tua Tagovailoa suffered a scary injury on Thursday Night Football, which brought into question the health and safety protocols in the NFL around head injuries and concussions. Was there any misconduct on the part of the Dolphins or the NFL, and what should happen next?
13:33: BIG STORY—Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run in 2022, placing him in the top five single-season home run hitters. But all the players above him used illegal performing enhancing drugs, and their records have been brought into question. Should we recognize Judge as the true home run king?
33:14: John reviews Morbius eight months late!
38:40: The Rings of Power episode 6 recap!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
After a year-long investigation into racist, sexist, and toxic workplace behavior, the NBA has suspended Phoenix Suns' owner Robert Sarver for one year and have fined him $10 million. But for many people inside and outside of the league, this punishment hasn't gone far enough. This week, we discuss:
3:02: Roger Federer has retired from men's tennis. We reflect on his career and the timing of his decision.
13:35: The College Football Playoff has announced an expansion from four teams to 12 teams for the college football postseason. We discuss whether this is a good decision, and how it will impact the conference realignments we have been seeing in the past two years.
24:52: The American owner of Chelsea came under fire for comments he made wanting the English Premier League to more closely resemble American sports. We debate whether the backlash against him was fair, and if his points had any merit.
33:53: BIG STORY—Robert Sarver has been suspended by the NBA. We look at the reaction to the announcement of the suspension, and see how this situation is similar and different to Donald Sterling, the owner that received a much harsher punishment for similar behavior.
58:29: The Rings of Power episode 4 was a bit slower paced, but provided some excellent setup for the remainder of the season. We look back on the episode and what we can learn about the characters who seem the most important to the story so far.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
VAR, or Video Assistant Referee, has been a controversial subject since its introduction to world football, and other sports have a version of video replay as well. Why is video replay such a controversial thing? What does it make better? And is there anything video replay makes worse? This week, we discuss:
The US Open has been an amazing tennis tournament, and Chad and John catch up on all the headlines from New York (9:40). In many ways, this tournament has been a passing of the torch, and we look at the players who will carry tennis forward to the next generation.
For the big story this week, we look at video replay (21:48). From the beginning of its implementation, to its effectiveness at getting decisions right, to how fans feel about its use, we look at the topic from every angle.
Finally, we recap and review Episode 3 of The Rings of Power, our favorite of the three episodes so far (48:45). What are we starting to learn about the state of the world at this time in Middle Earth? We also suggest who we think will emerge as the primary protagonist in the story.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
After some technical difficulties, we are finally able to release what was supposed to be our 100th episode of Crunching Tackles. To celebrate, we are talking about the most entertaining athletes in sports—the ones you should be watching every chance you get.
We begin with a reaction to the Deshaun Watson settlement (2:45), that will force him to miss 11 games of the 2022 regular season. Was this final punishment fair, or still inadequate? Next, we react to the changes the PGA Tour announced for upcoming seasons (14:30). Have they fixed their entertainment problems?
For the big story, we talk about the most entertaining athletes in sports (25:18). What makes an athlete entertaining on and off the field? Who are the best examples and what do they get right? And how do some athletes take this issue too far?
Serena's legendary tennis career has come to an end. Chad and John recorded an episode before Williams' third-round loss (please forgive Chad for predicting she would make it to the semi-finals), but there still are a lot of insights to be gained from the way she went out and competed in this final US Open of her career. On today's show:
John talks a bit about the new face of world soccer, and why he is so dominant in the Premier League (4:00). Then the guys discuss Serena's Williams first two matches in the US Open, both wins, and reflect on how she was able to raise her game to a level nobody thought she could (7:20).
Then, we discuss the first two episodes of The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime (29:40). What did we love about the show so far, what can we expect going forward, and we hand out a few awards from this stunning premiere.
In the buildup to the U.S. Open this year, Serena Williams announced that her career is soon coming to an end. That gives us an opportunity to reflect on her life and legacy, and discuss if she has the chance to leave the sport with a final triumphant win. This week, we discuss:
Chad recommends Light & Magic, the documentary telling the story of the visual effects team behind Star Wars and others of your favorite movies (5:02). Chad also recommends Thirteen Lives, a groundbreaking retelling of the story of the youth soccer team stuck in a flooded cave in Thailand (7:20).
Up next, the LIV golf tour lost a lawsuit against the PGA Tour right before the FedEx Cup playoffs started. Some interesting insights about LIV came up during the hearing, and we talk about all the things we learned from the evidence presented and the ruling.
For the big story this week, we reflect on the life and career or Serena Williams. We examine the timing of her announcement, as well as the chance of success she has at the upcoming U.S. Open. We also discuss her early career, the impact she's had on younger athletes, and why her controversies are part of her story, but ultimately don't diminish her greatness.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
On Monday, the independent arbiter for the NFL suspended Deshaun Watson for 6 games for violating the league's personal conduct policy. The NFL has appealed, demanding he get a much more severe punishment. This week, we discuss:
First up, John recently watched the hit Netflix film Hustle on Chad's recommendation (2:00). Starring Adam Sandler, Hustle is one of the more pure and delightful films of the year, and it gets the Crunching Tackles recommendation.
Taking a trip around the headlines, we discuss the LIV golf players who are suing the PGA Tour for anti-trust (8:30), and why we don't think their lawsuit will have any merit. Brittany Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison by a Russian court (12:02), so will this have any impact on the prisoner exchange process? And after Deshaun Watson's suspension was handed down, the Miami Dolphins were also suspended in connection to the allegations made by former head coach Brian Flores (14:40). What does this mean for the team and for the lawsuit Flores has against the NFL?
For the big story, we dive deep into the six-game suspension handed down to Deshaun Watson (28:31). What was the rationale for the decision? Is the punishment severe enough? And what blame do the Texans and Browns have in all this as well? We answer these questions and more in the big story this week.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Several months ago, video streams starting appearing online of a seemingly authentic professional cricket league, and hundreds of people started betting on the outcomes. But the truth, we have since learned, was much more complicated.
First up, Chad saw Nope and also saw a teaser trailer for Oppenheimer, which has since been released online (4:12). He thinks both of those things are worth your time!
We revisit the financial issues at Barcelona and why they have seemingly recovered from the brink of economic collapse. But has their recovery been ethical? We both have our doubts (8:00). The American government has given Russia a prisoner-exchange offer to bring Brittany Griner home, but is the cost too great (13:47)? And the LIV golf tour came to former president Trump's course, so what did he have to say about the upstart, dubiously-funded league (18:00)?
And for the big story, we talk about the fake Indian Premier League, and the wider world of match-fixing (25:42).
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Major League Baseball hit their midseason point last week and paused for the All-Star game and Home Run Derby. Chad and John are here to talk about why All Star Games exist and which one is the best.
First up, Christopher Nolan revealed the first poster for his upcoming movie Oppenheimer, and we discuss why we are excited about the film and why Nolan is such a successful movie director (2:50). We also continue to build up toward The Rings of Power tv show on Amazon Prime and why we can't wait to see this project air (8:53).
Recent sports stories include the ESPY Awards, where athletes who continue standing with Ukraine were honored (12:20), and John tells us about an interesting headline from the world of chess (15:47).
And for the big story, we talk about the MLB All Star game (23:10), and compare the exhibitions from the four major American sports.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The two biggest programs in the PAC 12, UCLA and USC, announced that they will be joining the Big 10. This follows in the wake of the SEC taking Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12. John and Chad are here to discuss this topic and more on today's show.
First up, the guys react to an amazing commercial by Coors Light starring Patrick Mahomes, and why this commercial is so important as a cultural moment (2:11). There is also some new information in the Brittany Griner case in Russia, and we have reactions to that as well (6:14).
The Big Story this week is about the continued conference realignment in college football. Are we headed away from a Power 5 system and into a Power 2 system (16:35)? What can the ACC and other conferences do to compete with the SEC and the Big 10? And we wrap up with some discussion about the fourth season of Netflix's phenomenon show Stranger Things (40:40).
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Last week, FINA, the governing body for international swimming, ruled that transgender women who underwent male puberty are barred from competing in elite swimming competitions. This ruling will apply to both the world championships and the Olympics. On today's podcast, we discuss this story (2:19), the backlash to the decision, and the precedent this may set for other sports.
Following the big story, John and Chad recap the final episode of Obi-Wan Kenobi (19:00). They discuss what was successful about both the episode and the show, as well as where it fell short and why the fan reaction was so polarized.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
It has been three months since the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and Ukrainians have settled into their new "normal." How have sports begun to lift their spirits? And how can we advocate for a U.S. citizen who has been wrongfully detained in Russia?
We start with another update about the LIV golf tour, and answer some questions we didn't get to on last week's podcast (1:15). Then we recap the NBA finals, as the Golden State Warriors secured their fourth championship in eight years (13:35).
The big story this week is about Brittany Griner's unlawful detention in Russia and the fallout of the war in Ukraine. We take a look at life on the ground in Ukraine, how sports have helped lift the spirits of the people, and what the latest news is about Griner and when she might be coming home (17:53).
Finally, we hit on Obi-Wan Kenobi leading up to the finale (40:55), John caught up on Stranger Things season 4 (49:18), Chad finally gets to talk about Top Gun Maverick (51:22), and Chad also gives two animated recommendations (53:51).
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
After an incredibly controversial announcement, the LIV Golf Tour, funded by the Saudi Arabian government is now officially underway. But how should we view the golfers who left the PGA Tour to join this new endeavor? There's plenty of blame to go around, and Chad and John are here to break it all down.
Rafael Nadal secured his 22nd Grand Slam title, and Chad officially declares him the GOAT of his sport (2:31). The NBA Finals are 3 games in, and the Boston Celtics have the upper hand, but there is one statistic that tells the story of the series so far (7:40). Last in current events, the Tampa Bay Rays pride night became a matter of controversy after several players opted out of wearing patches. Was the backlash against them fair, and how did the team handle the situation (11:15)?
For our big story, we discuss the LIV Golf Tour and the comments of the athletes who are participating. How can we all respond to these obvious examples of sports-washing, and how outraged should we be (19:54)?
Finally, Chad is boycotting the conversation surrounding Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 4, but we do tackle one question surrounding the underwhelming series and tell you what can happen to make this show stick the landing (45:12).
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Kickoff for the Champions League final was delayed by 30 minutes to allow Liverpool fans to enter the stadium. Why was there a problem with crowd control, and how has the government of France been caught in a deliberate lie? Chad and John are here to break it all down.
Disney+ has blessed us with the first three episodes of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and we discuss all the major and minor elements of the new Star Wars show (3:00). What is working about the show, are there any shortcomings, and what do we want to see in the second half? After that, we preview the NBA finals (17:18), with John breaking down the resurgent Warriors and Chad describing the brilliance of the Celtics defense. We also make our picks for the 2022 NBA Champion.
For our big story, we return to France for the second week in a row with a soccer story that erupted in reporting and videos on Twitter in the buildup to the Champions League Final (24:30). Why couldn't Liverpool fans get into the stadium? Why did stadium security seem so unprepared to meet the moment? And how does reporting from the scene contradict the official story from the France government?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Earlier this season, soccer player Idrissa Gueye chose not to play in a game that was branded and colored in support of LGBTQ+ issues. When the France Football Federation and activist groups found out about his decision, Gueye has now come under investigation and has faced calls to resign. Is this an example of activism in sports going too far? Chad and John are here to break it all down.
First up, we will be covering Kenobi and Stranger Things in the upcoming weeks right here on the podcast (8:54). Then each of the guys bring one current event in sports to discuss, with John talking about Kylian Mbappe signing an extension with Paris Saint-Germaine (12:55), and Chad talking about the ban of Russian and Belarus players from Wimbledon, and if that changes the way we should view that Grand Slam this year (18:00).
For our big story, was France Football wrong to force athletes to engage in political expression (31:10)? How should sports leagues respect freedom of speech and freedom of religion in an increasingly secular Western culture? Chad and John explain why Gueye handled himself well, and how France Football failed him.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
In the aftermath of the tragic death of super-agent Mino Raiola, what is the power of sports agents in today's sports? What are some unseen ways they impact the headlines you come across, and how has their power increased over time? Chad and John look at sports agents and much more!
First up is a Spark-notes breakdown of the Champions League semifinals, as we now know who will be playing for the title in Paris on May 28 (1:00). Chad saw Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness and had mixed reviews on its success as a film (3:19), and then the guys break down the excellent finale of Moon Knight and tell you where this show ranks in the MCU Disney+ offerings (5:53).
As we move to sports, Chad tells John why he needs to become a Memphis Grizzles fan (13:00) and then they react to middle-finger-gate in the NBA Playoffs (14:50).
For our big story, we explore the purpose, power, and implications of sports agents (23:40) and end by asking the question "Are agents good or bad for sports?".
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
With a recent rule change, collegiate athletes are no longer punished for transferring schools during their college careers. While this move is a vital step toward player empowerment, some people involved in college sports aren't as excited for these rule changes.
We open up with reviews of The Northman, a Viking epic movie that will have a complicated legacy with cinema fans (2:15). Then John informs us which hit television show he is finally getting around to watching, six years late (13:10). As we get into sports, we start with the breaking news of Trevor Bauer's suspension by Major League Baseball, and why our lack of information is complicating our opinions (13:50). We wrap up part one by revisiting our episode about super-teams, and why they have all fallen short this season.
For our big story, we explore the NCAA transfer portal (33:00). How has it benefited collegiate athletes, and why are the majority of coaches against it?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The NBA is a staple of pop culture around the world and is one of the most successful leagues in American team sports. But it wasn't always this way. In light of the NBA playoffs, and recent revelations from the history of the league, Chad and John take a look at the imaging and branding of the NBA through the decades.
We first discuss recent Marvel content with episodes 3-4 of Moon Knight (3:15) and Chad confesses to watching Morbius, which he recaps so you don't have to watch it (10:50). Then we discuss some current events in sports, including the Washington Commander's response to the congressional report (17:45) and the controversy surrounding HBO's hit show Winning Time (18:52).
For our big story, we dive into the history of the NBA. After getting off to a sluggish start in the 1960s (29:00), the NBA begins a rise into stardom in the 70s (30:07). Magic Johnson and Larry Bird elevate the NBA into an even greater status (31:00), and then Michael Jordan rockets the league into the very heights of American culture (36:10). But when Jordan retired, the NBA struggled for several years (41:20), until LeBron James ushered in the golden age of basketball, the modern NBA (45:36).
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
A congressional subcommittee released a 20-page letter, filled with allegations of financial misconduct by the NFL team in Washington DC. What is the significance of this report to Dan Snyder, the owner of the Commanders? How should the NFL respond to these severe allegations? This week, we discuss:
POP CULTURE:
Preview for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
CURRENT EVENTS:
7:04 — World Soccer Update
13:21 — NBA Play-in tournament format
18:44 — 2022 Masters Recap
THE BIG STORY:
22:18 — Bombshell Investigation by Congress into the Washington Commander's Financial misconduct.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Kansas are the 2022 NCAA Men's National Champions, but will they be allowed to compete for the title next year? How should we think about a team who win the championship in the shadow of severe recruiting violations? This week, we discuss:
POP CULTURE:
2:19 — Marvel's MoonKnight episodes 1 and 2 recap.
6:39 — The release of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga video game
CURRENT EVENTS:
9:00 — The 2022 Masters and Tiger Woods' comeback
12:49 — Phil Mickelson and the Saudi Golf League
21:08 — 2022 MLB Opening Day
THE BIG STORY:
23:25 — March Madness Final Four and Championship recap
41:11 — 5 Level-1 recruiting violations against Kansas, the national champions
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The storylines abound as Duke will meet North Carolina in the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four, their first meeting in the tournament. Chad and John break down every angle of this game, including the revenge factor for Duke, the final chapter for Coach K, and the TarHeels trying to spoil his ride into the sunset.
The boys also discuss some recent news in pop culture and sports, and of course, give their reaction to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscar's.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Roman Abramovich is one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in Russia. He is also the current owner of Chelsea, the giant Premier League club. On March 10, the UK Government imposed sanctions on Abramovich, including freezing Chelsea—one of his assets. How does this decision impact Chelsea, and how should sports fans feel when their teams are used for political purposes. This week, we discuss:
4:30 — A tribute to Duke men's basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski after his final regular season game.
7:57 — The NFL took a harsh stance against Calvin Ridley after he was caught betting on football games, but was his year-long suspension fair?
21:42 — THE BIG ISSUE: Roman Abramovich, Chelsea, and the UK sanctions against Russia.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The U.S. Women's Soccer Team reached a significant settlement of their equal pay lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation. Chad and John break down the results and implications of that decision. But first, we react to the invasion of Ukraine and it's impacts, both in and out of sports. This week, we discuss:
4:29 — How has the sports world reacted to war in Ukraine, and what impact does the conflict have on teams, players, and sporting events?
15:22 — Juwan Howard suspended by Michigan; should handshake lines still exist in sports?
21:29 — MLB lockout deadline and update
24:15 — THE BIG ISSUE: What did we learn from the equal pay settlement, and what does it mean for women's sports going forward?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The 2022 Winter Olympics had the lowest primetime viewership of any Olympics in America, as the Games were overshadowed by both Chinese and Russian scandal. Chad and John get specific about the human rights abuses taking place in China and how they taint the entire existence of these games. This week, we discuss:
3:11 — THE SUPER BOWL: Commercials
10:05 — THE SUPER BOWL: Game recap
14:47 — THE SUPER BOWL: Halftime show
18:00 — 2022 Winter Olympic Games recap
33:15 — THE BIG ISSUE: What should we do when nations with significant human right's abuses are elevated in the international sporting community?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Super Bowl LVI is just around the corner, and Chad and John are here to break down all the matchup details and predict the winner of the big game. What variables do the game hinge on, and will the boys agree or disagree on the champion this year? This week, we discuss:
3:45 — The Book of Boba Fett season review and rating.
23:49 — Peng Shuai speaks again, and the 2022 Winter Olympics aren't as captivating as we may have thought.
32:09 — Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL.
39:20 — THE BIG ISSUE: A Super Bowl preview conversation.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Can you believe what we just saw? John and Chad take a break from social issues to dive into an incredible weekend of NFL playoff action. After a brief aside for The Book of Boba Fett, the boys take each of the four divisional games, breaking down the important moments, action-packed drama, and implications as we near the Super Bowl.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Continuing from last week's conversation about John Madden, we look at the success of ESPN's ManningCast broadcast for Monday Night Football. What made this telecast such a huge success, and what ways do broadcasts need to adapt with the times? This week, we discuss:
3:36 — Netflix's hit show Arcane
14:21 — The ManningCast, why it worked and how it can be replicated
24:04 — THE BIG ISSUE: The history of broadcasting, and how it should change today.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
John Madden stopped coaching football long before Gen Z started watching the game. Most people only know his name from the football video game franchise Madden. So why does this legendary figure have such a significant impact on the way American culture views football? This week, we discuss:
2:45 — The Book of Boba Fett episodes 1 and 2
12:30 — The Novak Djokovic saga in Australia
16:09 — NFL storylines from the end of the regular season
34:40 — THE BIG ISSUE: The life and legacy of John Madden
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Spider-Man: No Way Home has demolished all expectations for box office success, and is being considered one of the best Marvel movies in history. What do Chad and John think about the hype around this film, and the film itself. This week, we discuss:
5:12 — Spider-Man: No Way Home recap
28:30 — The newest developments in the story of Peng Shuai
36:09 — A review of sports in 2021
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
When Major League Baseball turned off the lights and locked out the MLB Player's Union, the future of the 2022 season was thrown into jeopardy. How does a document called the Collective Bargaining Agreement have so much impact on sports, and when is the next time we will see a first pitch?
John and Chad discuss the ongoing human rights abuses in China in the wake of the US diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics, and then dive into the main topic.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
What makes a great coach? If you were designing the ideal head coach or manager, what would the blueprint look like? That's exactly what John and Chad figure out this week, as they identify the best coaches in sports and what makes them that way. This week, we discuss:
3:10 — The podcast's King Richard review (available to stream on HBO Max)
7:30 — Why John should watch Hawkeye
8:38 — A look at the college football playoff contenders, and two big name coaches make a team change.
21:55 — THE BIG ISSUE: The blueprints of a great head coach.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
You have probably heard about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the disappearance of tennis superstar Peng Shuai, following her accusation of sexual assault against a high-ranking Chinese government official. What do we know so far about Shuai's situation, and how should the sports community deal with regimes like China? This week, we discuss:
1:00 — Pop culture roundup
7:37 — Where is Peng Shuai, why is she missing, and what has the WTA done about it?
18:26 — What is the moral and acceptable way for sporting bodies to deal with powerful regimes like China? Can sports be an avenue for change in China, or should sports cut ties with countries with a pattern of abuse?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
How are different sports leagues handling the COVID-19 vaccine? Is it legal and acceptable to mandate that players and staff be vaccinated? What about when an athlete's personal choice hurts their team? This week, we discuss:
1:05 — The Dune book
3:!5 — Marvel's Eternals, and public figures we want in the MCU.
9:22 — What is going on in the NFL this season?
23:27 — Mandatory vaccinations and sports.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Why are sports commissioners so unpopular these days?
Chad and John take a look at the frustrating alternate world commissioners seem to live in and ask how the position should change. We examine NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman's disastrous press conference in response to sexual assault allegations, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's mishandling of the All-Star Game, and much more.
In a world where empathy and compassion seem to be the best PR strategy, are our sports commissioners getting it all horribly wrong?
Find out (and hear our thoughts on the World Series) in this week's episode!
On today's pod, Chad and John discuss the ways social media have changed sports, from the way fans enjoy sports content, to the way the media covers sports, to the way athletes themselves interact on Twitter and other social media accounts. We answer questions like, "Is Social Media responsible for declining TV ratings?" "Does journalism still matter if athletes can talk directly to fans?" and "Why do athletes respond to Twitter trolls?" Before this conversation, Chad gives a spoiler-free review of Dune!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
How did sports video games transform the way sports entered mainstream pop culture? What do professional athletes think about playing as themselves in video games? Can EA Sports make a good soccer game without "FIFA"? This week, we discuss:
3:37 — Squid Game, both as a show and as a cultural phenomenon.
9:42 — Our No Time To Die reviews.
12:30 — THE STORY: Sports video games, content streaming and FIFA.
36:30 — JOHN'S VAR CORNER: COVID-19 vaccine mandates for athletes and coaches.
46:15 — CHAD'S VAR CORNER: Jon Gruden leaving the Las Vegas Raiders because of his email scandal.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
In a bombshell report, the Athletic detailed numerous sexual abuse and coercion allegations against former NWSL coach Paul Riley. What is the significance of these allegations, and how can these issues be eliminated in the future? Also, breaking news on the podcast as Saudi Arabia finally get their foot into the Premier League ownership club. What does this mean for Newcastle fans? This week, we discuss:
0:57 — Our excitement levels for Daniel Craig's final James Bond performance in No Time To Die.
4:50 — Newcastle United and the takeover by Saudi Arabia.
14:37 — THE STORY: The National Woman's Soccer League and sexual abuse allegations.
40:06 — Part 2: The boys take the role of the Watcher, and correct some historic injustices.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
What motivates a team's decisions? It is success, marketing, profit? How do athletes help both the branding and success of a team, and what's the balance between those two objectives? This week, we discuss:
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Branding vs. Success
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Do superteams really work?
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VAR Corner with the Super Bowl halftime show, an athlete tribute, and some James Bond talk.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Barcelona is widely considered one of the two most successful and well-known sporting franchises in the world. That fact makes their competitive and financial collapse all the more significant. Chad and John are back to diagnose the problems Barcelona are facing, and compare that with some of the historical sporting collapses of our time. This week, we discuss:
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Ted Lasso at the Emmys
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A brief book report
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The symptoms and signs of sporting collapse.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Rarely does a US Open tournament begin with as much hype and headlines surrounding it as this years' event. Even more rarely does the competition deliver on every single expectation. The 2021 US Open was packed with stories, both on and off the court, and the boys are here to break the whole thing down. This week, we discuss:
3:37 — Two quick baseball and football stories of the week.
5:53 — Our four minute review of Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings.
9:58 — THE STORY Pt. 1: The US Open Men's Tournament.
21:49 — THE STORY Pt. 2: The US Open Women's Tournament.
37:44 — John's VAR Corner: Danill Medvedev—Gaming King.
39:45 — Chad's VAR Corner: The Manning Brothers take the airwaves.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Ted Lasso has rocketed its way to the Emmy's, to the viewing charts, and into the hearts of its viewers. What makes Ted Lasso so special?
This week, we discuss:
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Ted Lasso season 1,
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Ted Lasso's themes and best moments,
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Ted Lasso's cultural impact,
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Jon Meacham's "It Was Said,"
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and stay tuned for a shocking surprise at the very end!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
2021 has been a monumental summer for NCAA football. With conference shakeups, unusual alignments and the debut of player profit, what are the stakes for the NCAA? Can the current college football system survive all the changes, or are we destined for a semi-professional, team led system? This week, we discuss:
0:55 — John's adventures with Ted Lasso, and one of the great comedies of our time.
2:50 — Chad's pop culture roundup with music and Marvel.
7:50 — THE STORY: What has changed in college football, and what will change in the future?
29:34 — Chad's VAR Corner: A feud in NYC.
38:09 — John's VAR Corner: Bishop Sycamore and the greatest hoax on ESPN.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
What is the importance of sportsmanship in sports? Is it better when athletes display mutual respect, or competitive animosity? What is the role of showboating and taunting in sports? Do they make competition fun, or violent? This week, we discuss:
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A happy reunion for Chad and John
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Sportsmanship, showboating and taunting in sports
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The NFL's taunting rule changes
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Marvel's Spider-Man trailer and the first three episodes of What If...
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Barcelona shocked the world by announcing late last week that Lionel Messi would not return to the club. A few days later, Messi was unveiled as the newest member of PSG. What happened behind the scenes at Barcelona to cause this collapse? Have we ever seen a superstar of this magnitude leave a club under circumstances like this? This week, we discuss the entire Messi situation, with a behind the scenes look at Barcelona, some examination of Messi's legacy, and what his move to PSG means for the sport.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Endless amounts of stories from the Tokyo Games! John and Chad are here to highlight several of the most significant stories to come out of the Summer Olympics, and why they matter culturally. With plenty of sarcasm and laughs along the way, stay tuned for John's important promise at the end of the pod. This week, we discuss:
3:02 — Should adults wear jerseys with player names and numbers on them?
5:21 — An update on the Simone Biles story, including her stunning return to win bronze on the beam.
10:49 — The shocking story of an Olympic athlete fleeing her home nation.
15:33 — A brief medal recap, including some blatant Israeli patriotism on John's part.
19:50 — A wild week of disappointment—and headlines—for Novak Djokovic
23:27 — Laurel Hubbard's Olympic failures complicate the debate around transgender athletes
27:44 — The Norway handball team was fined for WHAT?!?
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
After Simone Biles pulled out of the Olympic team all-around final, many people took to social media with a vast array of controversial takes. We break down what really happened to Biles, and why so much of the reaction to her decision was misguided. On today's episode, we discuss:
— Shark bites
— The NBA Draft
— The biggest stories from the Olympics so far
— Simone Biles and Olympic gymnastics.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Behind closed doors, in the midst of a Japanese national emergency, the Olympics are happening. But should they be? What are the implications for these games, and what are some of the major storylines for the next weeks of competition? On today's episode, we discuss:
— A brief sports roundup:
- Jadon Sancho to Manchester United
- NBA Finals
— Olympics preview
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
In this special bonus episode, John and Chad recap a significant week in Marvel cinema and television. What did we see this week—both in theaters and on Disney+—and what is the future of the MCU looking like going forward? On today's episode, we discuss:
2:10 — Loki season 1 finale and implications
20:35 — Black Widow review
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
What are the cultural implications of the biggest sports stories this week? How did the EURO final instigate a new wave of racist attacks? Is Shohei Ohtani the face of baseball? Will this year's tennis US Open be the biggest event in tennis history? On today's episode, we discuss:
5:50 — EURO 2020 final and cultural implications
18:10 — Lionel Messi wins his first international title in the Copa America
19:00 — Shohei Ohtani is unprecedented and what the state of baseball is
27:36 — Men's tennis is the greatest era in sports right now.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
When major sports news collides with a major Supreme Court ruling, you know Chad and John will be on the case! Today, the guys break down a significant legal defeat for the NCAA, and explain why Brett Kavanaugh's opinion will likely change the future of amateur sports forever On today's episode, we discuss:
2:36 — NBA conference finals
5:06 — Nearing the Stanley Cup Finals
6:01 — Knockout Rounds at the EUROs
12:49 — Why MLB pitchers are so upset
14:16 — NCAA vs. Alston
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
YouTubers, singers and social media stars are entering the boxing ring, fighting elite athletes and sometimes each other. Is this good or bad for the sport of boxing? What does this trend tell us about the American consumer? Do we care about elite athletes, or just celebrities? On today's episode, we discuss:
-Euro 2020 early thoughts
-Logan Paul vs. Floyd Mayweather and the issues facing boxing today.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Naomi Osaka refused to speak to the media at the 2021 French Open, and pulled out of the tournament due to the backlash she received. What were the reasons she didn't want to address the media? How will the sports world handle journalist/athlete relationships going forward? On today's episode, we discuss:
2:16 — The 2021 European Championship
10:31 — Naomi Osaka and the relationship between athletes and journalists
38:37 — Loki episode one recap!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Hot off his college graduation, John Nekrasov joins Chad Wylie to catch up on all the latest sporting news of the week.
How significant is the White Sox clubhouse rift? Is Tim Tebow really back, or is it just a show? And a post mortem on Lionel Messi's time in Barcelona.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
How did a passionate group of fans destroy a multi-billion dollar sports league? Can this type of fan power be repeated in American sports?
Chad and John explain the collapse of the European Super League, and the fan protests that caused this monumental shift. Stick around for a conversation about Marvel's newest Disney+ show, and some belated Star Wars holiday greetings!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Within a 72-hour period, the European Super League was both proposed and disbanded. In a whirlwind of a story, the boys break down why this league was created, react to breaking news about its destruction, and explain why it all matters.
Whether you like soccer or not, the implications of this story will change the way you view your favorite team!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
The importance of sports revolves around the sports calendar—those events and occasions that we look forward to every year. On this episode, the boys rank the most important days on the annual sports calendar. We discuss:
4:25 — #1-3
16:24 — #4-7
24:10 — #8-10
32:24 — Looking back on 50 podcast episodes!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
In the wake of recent Supreme Court decisions, proposed federal legislation, and various state laws, the issue of transgender participation in sports is at the forefront of the American political and cultural debate. On today's episode, Chad and John break down the recent news regarding this issue, explain both sides, and try to find some middle ground.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
After being canceled in 2020, the NCAA tournament is back in 2021! John was in Indianapolis covering the first round, and Chad is leading the Crunching Tackles bracket group, so both of the guys have plenty to say about the tournament.
On this week's episode we discuss:
2:00 — John describes his experience in the tournament bubble for a weekend.
6:24 — What happens when a tournament team gets a COVID-19 outbreak?
9:44 — The unusual and shocking amount of upsets and chaos in 2021
19:55 — Chad gives a viewing guide with the best storylines for this weekend's Sweet 16.
29:45 — The guys react to more shocking evidence of gender inequality in college sports.
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
John is headed to March Madness! Follow crunching_tackles on Instagram for behind the scenes looks at the NCAA Tournament, ask John questions about what it is like to cover the tournament.
Also, join our ESPN Tournament Challenge bracket group, using this link. Compete against John and Chad, see their bracket analysis, and compare how you stack up against the boys.
As always, make sure to subscribe, and share this podcast with your friends!
When is it time for an athlete to end their career? In what ways can the athlete control how we tell their story?
On this week's episode we discuss:
1:00 — Harry, Meghan, and the royal drama
5:02 — The one-year anniversary of COVID-19, and what we've learned this year
21:41 — The end of the story for athletes/how should they retire/pop culture and stories
39:58 — Women's History and Naomi Osaka
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
Zlatan told LeBron to stay away from politics. LeBron said he wouldn't dream of it. We talk about the great 2021 athlete feud - and ask who's right.
On this week's episode we discuss:
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Impending March Madness
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Whether Manchester City will win the quadruple
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Should LeBron "shut up and dribble?" Is Zlatan just a self-centered egotist?
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What's the place of political statements in a divided country's sports?
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And a brand-new Women's History Month segment, featuring the great Simone Biles this week!
As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!
When you understand how good Mike Trout is, it makes you wonder why he gets so little media and fan attention. Today, the boys try to unpack why Mike Trout is the most under-covered athlete in America. We discuss:
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If the Hobbit movies ruined The Lord of the Rings franchise
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Why we are at peace about Tiger Woods' career
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What Mike Trout need to change about his personality
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If baseball still create superstars
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Why John is obsessed with soccer manager's fashion choices
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And what the future for Russell Wilson is.
As always, make sure to follow us on social media, and share this episode with your friends!
After a surprising Super Bowl result down in Tampa, the boys are here for a full recap of all the sporting and cultural events. On today's pod, we discuss:
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Why Tampa's defense deserved Super Bowl MVP
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Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady
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How did the pandemic affect our enjoyment of the game?
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What were our favorite and least favorite commercials?
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And a special shoutout to the Bucs coaching staff.
As always, make sure to follow us on social media, and share this episode with your friends!
How does free agency impact sports? What happens when a player demands a trade? Are transfers good or bad for the sporting cultures of teams and fans? On today's episode, the boys discuss:
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A very unique Star Wars x Sports crossover
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The latest on the Deshaun Watson trade saga
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Is free agency ruining the legacies of athletes?
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The Drew Robinson Documentary
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And the newest announcement from EA Sports
As always, make sure to follow us on social media, and share this episode with your friends!
As the NHL and NBA battle positive COVID cases and are forced to postpone several games, some inside the leagues are open to the idea of going back to playing in isolated bubbles, like they did to end the 2020 season. What is the best way to combat coronavirus in sports leagues? On today's show, the boys discuss:
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Star Wars and MARVEL villains
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Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl
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How COVID is impacting the start of fall sports seasons
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The Packers coaching blunders in the NFC Championship
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And the Tiger Woods HBO documentary
As always, make sure to follow us on social media, and share this episode with your friends!
Five NFL playoff quarterbacks in 2021 took the field at over 37 years old. On this episode, John and Chad unpack the trend of athletes playing later into their careers. Is there a benefit to being an older player? Can the best athletes in the world really be in their late 30s? We discuss:
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NFL Quarterbacks and the trend of age
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Some of the oldest successful athletes to play at the top level
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The science behind longevity and mental fortitude in athletes
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The Nickelodeon football playoff broadcast
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And Bill Belichick rejecting the Presidential Medal of Freedom
As always, make sure to follow us on social media, and share this episode with your friends!
What would it be like to be the child of a legendary athlete who also pursues the same sport? What kind of pressure and expectations come with being a famous child-athlete? On today's episode, we discuss:
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Charlie Woods at the PNC Championship golf tournament
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The expectations that come with being named "LeBron James Jr."
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How the Williams sisters defied the odds
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The College Football Playoffs
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And say a not-so-fond farewell to the year 2020
As always, make sure to follow us on social media, and share this episode with your friends!
A tale of two podcasts, as the boys convene on Thursday to discuss some of the biggest stories in sports, and reconvene again on Monday to cap off a fantastic Mandalorian Season 2 finale. We discuss:
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The newest announcement of Disney+ and Star Wars shows
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The long-overdue recognition of the Negro Baseball league
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Why Russian sports are in serious international trouble
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Our favorite moments from the Mandalorian Chapter 16
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And what the future of Star Wars will look like next year.
As always, make sure to follow us on social media, and tell your friends about us if you enjoy our content!
We finish up our series traveling around the world with a stop in Brazil for a deep dive into some soccer history (to much rejoicing from John)! Players like Pele and Ronaldinho have shaped the image of the game in our minds - and we examine why. We discuss:
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Diego Maradona's legacy after passing away last week
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Pele's impact on world soccer
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Brazil's development into a soccer superpower
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The origins of jogo bonito, "the beautiful game"
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And, of course, break down Chapter 13 of the Mandalorian to talk about all the important reveals you've been waiting for.
As always, make sure to follow us on social media, and tell your friends about us if you enjoy our content!
John and Chad return to their journey around the world. Now in Ireland, we discuss:
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The Gaelic Athletic Association and the culture of historic sports
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The intense political and sports rivalry between Ireland and England
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The greatest golf moment in the history of the country
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Moving to the Mandalorian, we discuss how Chapter 12 fits into the whole of the story
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And will we ever see Boba Fett again?
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
John and Chad reunite IN PERSON for this very special episode of Crunching Tackles. Taking a break from the around the world theme, we discuss:
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How the shortened offseason has hurt soccer and may hurt the NBA
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Kim Ng and the first female GM hire across the four major American sports
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A mid-round Masters update
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If Baby Yoda should be canceled for genocide
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And Chad recommends the Apple TV original show, Ted Lasso.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
Crunching Tackles takes a visit to our next-door neighbors Canada on this week's episode! We've been looking to uncover the unique aspects of sporting culture around the world - and this week's episode takes a look at the land of ice hockey and maple leaves.
We discuss:
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The fascinating origins of lacrosse
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Canada's love for winter sports (for obvious reasons)
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The role Canada played in forging hockey culture
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Curling!
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And we wrap things up by breaking down the Mandalorian episodes to date.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
John and Chad are continuing their mini-series, taking the Crunching Tackles podcast around the world, to uncover the unique aspects of sporting culture in various parts of the world. Today, they visit South Africa, and have a very deep discussion about the blending of race and sports in that country's culture.
On this week's podcast, we discuss:
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The Mandalorian Season 2
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Rugby and the end of apartheid in South Africa
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Why Africa struggles in international soccer
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Invictus
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And even more Jose Mourinho conversation.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
John and Chad are continuing their mini-series, taking the Crunching Tackles podcast around the world, to uncover the unique aspects of sporting culture in various parts of the world. Today, they arrive in India, discussing curling, polo, and the impact of British imperialism on sporting culture around the world.
On this week's podcast, we discuss:
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If John really understands Japanese cartoons as much as he thinks he does
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The greatest international rivalry in the history of sports
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What is Kabiddi?
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Why Senator Ben Sasse should be the next MLB commissioner
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And how far would you go to harass an opposing team?
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
John and Chad start a new miniseries, taking the Crunching Tackles podcast around the world, to uncover the unique aspects of sporting culture in various parts of the world. Today, they start in Japan, talking about sumo wrestling, baseball, soccer and the heritage of Japanese sports.
On this week's podcast, we discuss:
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What Star Wars character should be the theme of the next trilogy
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What kind of sport can a 600 lb. man play
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How Japan was introduced to baseball
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Does reverse cheating make up for cheating
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And why Tom Brady is starting to show his age
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
With John out of quarantine and catching up on all the work he missed, he gets together with Chad to go on a brief journey through the sports world this weekend. From the NBA Finals, to Liverpool and Manchester United, with a bit of baseball and football too, the boys tackle all the biggest stories from a packed weekend.
On this week's podcast, we discuss: - If Jimmy Butler or LeBron James are going to win the NBA Finals - What the heck is happening in soccer?!?!? - How COVID-19 is impacting the NFL season so far - Who will win the World Series? - And why Chad misses movie theaters, with a bit of a dating confession.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
Why is John furious about having to pay for Peacock TV to watch Arsenal, and what does that tell us about sports entertainment? Are the growing number of streaming services good or bad for sports tv? What do they mean for the sports fan?
On this week's podcast, we discuss: - If referees are ever responsible for the outcome of a game - Why John is furious about having to pay for soccer - If streaming services are ruining the fan experience - Lowering the goalposts (literally) - And why athletes need to be more careful before responding to the death of Breonna Taylor.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
After diving into polling data and demographic information, Chad and John break down what an average sports fan looks like. Is it different for different sports? How does age come into account? What about political beliefs?
On this week's podcast, we discuss: - Baby Yoda's heritage - How demographics impact sports, and what it means for the future - Should sports be concerned about declining ratings? - Giannis winning NBA league MVP over LeBron - And Kanye West's latest Twitter-storm pit two sports apparel giants against each other.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
With the abundance of sports documentaries currently available on-demand, what are the best ones? What makes for an excellent sports documentary? And what do these documentaries do to the way fans view sports?
On this week's podcast, we discuss: - Which sports documentaries are the best - What makes for a good sports documentary - Skip Bayless and his comments about Dak Prescott - Kansas City Chiefs fans booing unity - And what lightsaber color we would both have if we were Jedi.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
Major league baseball has experimented with several rule changes this season, including the designated hitter and runners on second base. What do the guys think about these rules, and what other rules would they like to see sports try?
On this week's podcast, we discuss: - Star Wars and Batman (somehow at the same time) - If MLB rule changes are good for baseball - What rule changes we would like to see sports try - The US Open COVID protocol - And John heaps praise on Tottenham Hotspur: All Or Nothing documentary.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
When the NBA shut down for the second time in 2020, the reason was very different. What did the NBA players gain by staging a boycott of games for a few days? Was this helpful to their cause? Should they finish this season?
On this week's podcast, we discuss: - Why the NBA players chose to boycott - What the increase in politics mean for sports - Why some athletes may feel left out of the conversation - What Barcelona got wrong with Lionel Messi - And why we are Anakin Skywalker but want to be Obi-Wan Kenobi.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
Everyone likes to debate who the G.O.A.T. is, but what is the criteria to determine it? On this episode, John and Chad break down the different ways to define greatness, and explain which method is the best.
On this week's podcast, we: - Answer your Star Wars questions - Debate statistics vs. achievements as a way to define greatness - Theorize about athletes who would excel in multiple sports - Argue about a suit, and whether or not trends are good in fashion - And Chad returns to last weeks episode about college football with a stern reminder to UNC.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
The Big 10 and Pac-12 have suspended their fall football seasons, but what will the rest of college sports do? Will we have a season? What will that look like?
On this week's podcast, we discuss: - Which city is the best sports town - Why did two major conferences cancel their fall football seasons? - Will this lead to a collegiate player's union? - Plus Chad and John rant to each other about Star Wars. - And Chad resorts to reckless and inappropriate ad hominem attacks!
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
What have we learned from the return to sports since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic? Where are sports at now, and what will they look like in the future?
On this week's podcast, we discuss: - Tiger King vs. The Last Dance for best documentary - How different sports leagues are planning their return - Will there be fans in 2020? - Nike's new advertisement - And praise athletes using the anthem to promote their beliefs
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
What makes an elite rivalry? Why are some games more important to a team than all the others? What is the best rivalry in sports?
We discuss: - The future of Major League Baseball's season after positive COVID-19 tests. - Rank our all-time favorite sports rivalries - Discuss the moral implications of fan violence in a rivalry - Explain why Joe Kelly has been unfairly punished by MLB - And Chad rants about how good Patrick Mahomes is...again.
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
The world has been crazy recently, so this week we take a break from it all to look at some athletes who are making a difference in the world for the better. (And it's under 45 minutes this time!!!)
On today's episode: - We introduce a brand-new listener question segment (name TBD). - We share the inspirational stories of athletes like soccer player Marcus Rashford, who has helped provide millions of British children with meals. - We discuss whether sports make as much of an impact on their communities as we say they do. - And finally in VAR Corner, John calls out the NBA on the China situation, Chad loves the Seattle Kraken, and we discuss whether Chad's refusal to become a Charlotte FC fan is disloyal to his homeland.
As always, make sure to give us a rating and subscribe if you enjoy this episode!
We're back this week with a quick look at the background of the Washington NFL franchise's decision to drop the name "Redskins" after almost 50 years of protest.
We discuss: - The history of the term and the franchise's decision - List our favorite and least favorite sports team names on the market - Argue about whether the Oakland Athletics is a legitimate team name - Touch on the most recent instances of anti-Semitism in sports - And break down the Man. City ruling and the future of Financial Fair Play
As always, make sure to subscribe and follow us on Twitter at @crunch_tackles and on Instagram at @crunching_tackles!
After a vacation, the boys are back (with a guest) to discuss the place of the National Anthem in sports? Should they continue to be part of the pregame sports tradition? Or is it time to retire the song from sports?
As always, make sure to subscribe, rate and review, and follow us on Twitter: @Crunch_Tackles and Instagram: @crunching_tackles
We go toe-to-toe this week to debate one question: are fighting sports immoral? We discuss:
- Injury concerns
- Crowd bloodlust
- The Roman gladiators
- Conor McGregor's bad behavior
We finish off the conversation as John bemoans the sad state of his team and we make some bad puns. As always, if you enjoy our content, please subscribe and leave us a review!
The Rooney Rule has been in place in leagues like the NFL since the early 2000s. On this week's episode, we discuss changes to the rule that have been made over the years, break down a recent NFL suggestion to incentivize minority hires, and talk through some potential solutions to the issue of minority representation in elite coaching.
On our VAR Corner segment, we take some time to talk about Drew Brees, cancel culture, and the importance of dialogue in solving society's problems.
As always, thanks for listening, and we'd love to hear your feedback!
Throughout the last century, athletes like Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens and Colin Kaepernick have challenged the status quo and stood up to racism in their own unique ways. Today, the Black Lives Matter movement has sent shockwaves around the world after the murder of George Floyd. We look at how the last week has impacted the sports world, discuss the history of racism within sports, and finish by asking what role sports can play in helping fight racism. As always, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue - we're always open to feedback.
Esports are a relative newcomer to the sports world - but with other sports gone, COVID-19 has thrown them into the spotlight over the past few months. We talk about the rise of esports, discuss the ways digital sports might change the rest of sports culture, and answer the question you're dying to hear - are esports really sports? (The answer: we're still not sure.)
Mental health awareness has skyrocketed over the past few years - but sports has often lagged behind. We talk about how the culture of sports surrounding mental illness has shifted, and discuss why the stigma of mental health issues still exists and how we can stop it. Make sure and give it a listen!
The Bundesliga is returning to play this Saturday, so we look at their safety measures and give you a guide to becoming a German soccer fan (for at least the rest of the summer). Expanding on last week's podcast, we also break down why the Equal Pay lawsuit was rejected in court, asking how the USWNT and the USSF should proceed. Let us know your thoughts on the topic, and as always, make sure to subscribe if you enjoy our content!
(Zoom gave us some trouble this week, so we apologize in advance for any fuzzy audio.)
With the news of the dismissal of a key part of the USWNT's equal pay lawsuit, women's sports may be at a crossroads. We talk about the deeper cultural issues surrounding women's sports, and look at some ways that they can establish equality with men's sports, not just financially, but in their role within broader sports culture. We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions on this issue!
The world of soccer can be a little intimidating. So many clubs, so many countries. If you're looking for a guide to picking your team and becoming a die-hard fan, look no further than our expert guide!
We tell you our soccer origin stories and mix them in with some (hopefully) helpful tips on choosing a team. Give it a listen and take a dive into the beautiful game!
As sports leagues across the world continue to wrestle with the issue of paying players during COVID-19, Chad and John take a break from the pandemic to talk about the existence of salary caps in American sports. Are they an effective way to maintain competitive balance? Or do they unfairly limit the earning opportunities of the best players?
Make sure to subscribe to the podcast and share it with anyone else who might be interested in this intersection of sports and cultural issues!
With the COVID-19 crisis, many English soccer clubs are in bad financial shape. As clubs cut staff and players are asked to take pay cuts, wealthy players have come under attack from many sectors of society. Are they being unfairly criticized, and do clubs even have the right to demand these pay cuts from their players?
We break down this (disclaimer: somewhat complex) financial issue on this episode and discuss some more sports recommendations for surviving quarantine. As always, make sure to share and subscribe!
In another week without sports, we take a look at the strangest sports out there on this week's episode. Why limit ourselves to talking about basketball when we can talk about underwater rugby? Experience some bizarre new sports, and hear our recommendations on ways to enjoy sports content in quarantine.
After a long hiatus, Crunching Tackles returns with your favorite podcasters recording together from a very safe and socially distant 500 miles apart. We round up some of the recent sports news, talk about how we're coping with the total lack of sports in our lives, and look forward to what might be coming in the next few months.
With the coronavirus spreading across the planet, it's shaking everything from Italian soccer to the Summer Olympics. We take some time to talk about the epidemic's impact and tell some stories on other times that world emergencies have changed the sports world.
Sports fans around the world idolize athletes from Lionel Messi to Kobe Bryant. Kids put posters on their walls and adults follow their favorite athletes on social media. But what makes an athlete into a role model in our eyes - and should athletes even be our role models? We sit down to talk about some of our sporting heroes and ask those big questions on today's episode.
Colleges across America rake in millions of dollars every year through athletics, but not a cent of that money goes to their athletes. But California has forced the NCAA's hand, and Congress held a subcommittee hearing last week to demand changes. We discuss the current situation and consider some ways the NCAA could make the system fairer for student-athletes.
Editor's note: Maurizio Sarri's comments we reference were in relation to a recent Juventus loss in Serie A, not the Coppa Italia.
In Episode 3, we take a look at the CTE crisis in the NFL. What is the situation, how is it affecting players, and how is the NFL responding? We finish by asking some big questions about the future of football. We've had the NFL for 100 years - what will football look like in 2120?
For more about CTE, here are a few links to some sources and issues we discuss in this episode: - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/07/25/sports/football/nfl-cte.html - https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/sports/football/football-cte-study-risk.html - https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/15667689/congressional-report-finds-nfl-improperly-intervened-brain-research-cost-taxpayers-16-million
In our second episode, we sit down to talk about the life and impact of Kobe Bryant. We discuss how sports fans should view his legacy in light of his controversial past, and take a closer look at how we should deal with the death of imperfect celebrities like Kobe who literally changed the world.
Welcome to the very first episode of Crunching Tackles! We break down the human rights and corruption issues surrounding the World Cup in Qatar and discuss the effects corrupt countries are having on the sports world.