Ballfields & Blackboards

February 2025 -- Doncic, Dodgers, & Super Bowl Feb 03, 2025

This month we consider the blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, the Dodgers hoarding most of the MLB free agents by paying Ohtani practically nothing over the next decade, and Super Bowl stuff.

January 2025 -- College Football & NFL Playoffs Jan 13, 2025

This month we discuss the outcomes for and tweaks to the College Football Playoffs, the emerging NFL playoff scenarios, whether any NBA stars will arise, and the UCLA basketball coach's media meltdowns.

December 2024 -- College Football Playoff Brackets & More Dec 09, 2024

This month we examine how the college football playoff selection and seeding panned out along with adjustments likely to occur down the line. Also, we discuss Juan Soto's new contract with the Mets and how much advantage the big money clubs have in MLB along with the most positive sports stories of the past year.

November 2024 -- Jordan & NASCAR, Pressure, CFB & NFL Outlook Nov 11, 2024

This month we talk about Michael Jordan's suit against NASCAR, why and how different athletes perform better or worse under pressure, and college and NFL playoff projections.

October 2024 -- The Dilemma of Paying Average NFL QBs & Much More Oct 18, 2024

This month we tackle the dilemma that some NFL teams face of paying their "average" QB a big percentage of their salary cap space or risking falling off a cliff. We also think about ways to stem the tide of MLB pitcher injuries, Formula 1 hype versus reality, and the ongoing NCAA payer player litigation.

September 2024 -- PAC 12, Coach Prime, Gators & Billy Napier Sep 16, 2024

This month we consider where the PAC 12 is headed, if anywhere, Deion Sanders' present and future in Colorado, and why so many coaches like Billy Napier at Florida can't transfer their lower-level coaching success to the bigger stage.

August 2024 -- Olympics + NBA Mega Deal Aug 16, 2024

We recap the fun, amazing, and weird from the Paris Olympic Games along with questions about the new $7 billion per year TV deal that the NBA signed with various networks and streaming services.

July 2024--College Football Win Predictions & MLB 2-Way Players Jul 16, 2024

We examine Vegas college football win totals betting lines, the MLB aversion to developing 2-way players like Paul Skenes, and more.

May 2024 -- We're Back with Michael Penix & The NFL Draft May 04, 2024

After a year off we're back at it and looking at the media consensus condemned the Falcons for selecting Michael Penix in the first round. Crazy or clever? Why trade up in the draft? Why take so many quarterbacks early when history says that most of them won't pan out? Plus, will the Caitlin Clark effect on women's basketball viewership last?

June 2023 -- Last Episode Jun 09, 2023

In this final installment of Ballfields & Blackboards we talk about bad behavior by parents & fans, the LIV merger with the PGA Tour, and the SEC's wrongheaded choice of an 8-game conference schedule.

April 2023 -- NCAA Basketball, MLB & More Apr 15, 2023

We discuss the growth of "mid-majors" in the Final Four in 2023 and since 2005 and whether that trend is likely to continue. Also, we look at the early results of the new MLB rules, LIV golf, and more.

March 2023 -- NCAA Basketball Tournament Mar 16, 2023

We dive into a variety of topics related to the men's NCAA basketball tournament. Why is parity increasing? Why are some of the big-name programs struggling? Why is the Big 12 the new ACC? What has happened to John Calipari's magic touch? Why does the selection committee hate Texas A&M? Who are the best bets for to make the Final Four?

February 2023 -- MLB Rules Changes & NBA Viewer Losses Feb 28, 2023

This month we consider a variety of topics including the new MLB rules, sinking NBA viewership, and a few other topics.

January 2023 -- MLB Free Agency & Future of Bowl Games Jan 23, 2023

This month we examine the sense or nonsense of the long and large free-agent contracts in MLB along with how college football bowl games may fare with an expansion of the CFB playoffs and a bit on the Brett Maher extra points drama.

December 2022 -- College Playoff Expansion & World Cup Dec 07, 2022

This month we dig into the expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams along with discussing the pros and cons of the World Cup tournament and NFL games in Europe.

October 2022 -- MLB Playoffs & Jimbo Fisher Oct 28, 2022

In this episode, we consider the structure of the MLB playoffs and how teams like the Braves last year and Phillies this year are excelling after fairly average seasons. We also discuss the dilemma of the $95 million guaranteed contract to Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher along with other coach compensation and selection topics.

August 2022 -- Unique Sports Venues, LIV-PGA Merger, and More Aug 16, 2022

This month we consider places where various sports might play a one-off game like the Iowa "Field of Dreams" game. We also delve into possible incentives and the shape of a LIV and PGA Tour merger down the line, big-name free agents in MLB, John Calipari, and Manchester United's struggles.

July 2022 -- Is Big Ten Expansion Good, Is LIV Golf Bad? Jul 21, 2022

This month we dive into possible implications of the Big Ten's adding USC and UCLA along with looking at LIV Golf from more angles than just the Saudi financial sponsorship.

June 2022 -- Positive Trends for MLB Jun 29, 2022

We try to find some of the positive things going on in Major League Baseball as well as exploring a few other topics such as politics in sports and Dusty Baker's managing decisions.

May 2022 -- Streaming Creating Sports Chaos May 31, 2022

We focus on the trend for MLB and other sports to move more content to exclusive streaming platforms. It may well drive existing viewers away and also fail to attract the younger demographic that they seek.

March 2022 -- Little Guy Success in NCAA Tourney Mar 26, 2022

What's going on over the past few years with the big names of college basketball like Kentucky, Duke, Carolina, and Kansas struggling to make the Final Four and more little guys making noise? We talk about the influences and why schools like Vanderbilt aren't joining in. Also, we get into a spirited discussion of whether teams like the Braves letting Freddie Freeman get away makes sense.

February 2022 -- Player Salaries & Revenue Sharing Schemes Feb 19, 2022

We engage in a lively discussion of ways that MLB and other leagues might better set up their revenue sharing to allow younger players to make more when most productive, reduce incentives for losing games and still maintain a reasonable competitive balance.

January 2022 -- College Football + Rugby Jan 21, 2022

This month we dig transfer issues in college football along with the ACC's opposition to current playoff expansion after first covering some rugby questions

December 2021 -- Coaches Behaving Badly + CFB Playoff Dec 07, 2021

It isn't just Urban Meyer. Bad behavior of some form by coaches seems the norm more than the exception. This month we discuss why that is the case along with the college football playoffs and MLB's collective bargaining issues.

November 2021 -- Regional Sports Networks Nov 19, 2021

This month we discuss the tenuous status of regional sports networks in the era of growing streaming services and declining cable subscriptions. We consider the fallout for revenue in MLB, NBA, and NHL along with implications for collective bargaining problems. We also follow up on the college football conference reshuffle and a variety of current topics.

October 2021 -- NCAA Football Realignments Oct 29, 2021

We look at the domino effect of the shifts in NCAA football conferences from the SEC and Big 12 down through the American, CUSA, and Sun Belt conferences.

Sept 21 -- Best & Worst Stadiums & Atmosphere Sep 25, 2021

This month we discuss the best and worst sports stadiums and atmospheres. Beware if you are a Red Sox fan! Also, we dig deeper into the impact of NCAA realignments.

August 2021 -- MLB Trends & Favorite MLB Announcers Aug 20, 2021

This month we discuss which teams are rising and falling in MLB along with our favorite and not-so-favorite MLB announcers. We also ponder the attendance questions for the NFL.

July 2021 -- SEC Expanding, Olympics, Aaron Rodgers Jul 29, 2021

We discuss the implications of the SEC admitting OU and Texas, perspectives on the Olympics, and the Aaron Rodgers diva show.

June 2021 -- NCAA's Bad Day In Court + Silliest Stuff in Sports Jun 25, 2021

We talk about the NCAA's hammering by the Supreme Court, silly rules or structures within sports, MLB's crackdown on doctoring baseballs, and NBA & NHL playoffs.

May 2021 -- MLB, NHL, NBA, Olympics May 19, 2021

We go less scripted and talk about MLB injuries, lack of NHL viewers, the NBA playoff structure, the Olympics, and other stuff.

April 2021 -- MLB & NHL Rules, Soccer Super League Apr 21, 2021

We discuss rule changes in MLB that might increase balls in play and other improvements, hockey's icing rule, and the idea of a Super League of top European soccer teams to replace the Champions League

March 2021 -- Final Four, MLB Predictions, NCAA in Supreme Court Mar 31, 2021

This month we discuss the current Final Four along with memorable NCAA tournament games, make predictions for the upcoming MLB season, and ponder the future of college sports if the Supreme Court blows up the compensation restrictions of the NCAA.

February 2021 -- Indiana, Sports We Like, Billionaire Owners, Tiger's Endorsements Feb 26, 2021

This month we explore why Indiana basketball isn't elite anymore, our current sports interests, impacts of billionaire owners, and how a golfer can become the top endorsement draw

January 2021 -- College Football Playoff Monopoly Jan 14, 2021

We examine the paradox in college football of 4 teams dominating the playoffs while underneath that there is a lot of competition. We also look at the problem of "tanking" in sports leagues, the struggles of John Calipari and Kentucky Wildcat basketball, and take guesses as to whether Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens make it into the Hall of Fame.

December 2020 -- College Football Playoffs, Coach Buyouts, and Best & Worst of 2020 Dec 18, 2020

We discuss the college football playoff structure and teams, the sense and nonsense of big buyouts for college coaches, and identify our favorite and least favorite sports-related events for 2020 along with the NFL no-bubble decision and a new name for the Cleveland Indians.

November 2020 -- Minor Leagues & TV Viewership Decline Nov 24, 2020

We talk about the pending restructuring and takeover of minor league affiliations, locations, and operations by MLB along with reasons for the decline in viewership across sports since the restarts during the pandemic.

October 2020 -- Steroids, Risk-Sharing, & World Series Oct 26, 2020

In this episode, we discuss whether bans against the use of performance-enhancing drugs make sense along with minor-league risk sharing plans, and our views on the home run surge in MLB playoffs.

September 2020 -- Politics in Sports, Best Moments, MLB Playoffs Sep 25, 2020

This month we discuss the dilemma facing sports leagues in dealing with politicized topics like racial discrimination. We also pick out some of the best moments in sports over the last few months and debate the expansion of MLB's playoffs and 2 out of 3 structure of the first round.

August 2020 -- College Football Chaos, Evaluating Restarts, Long Term Impacts Aug 17, 2020

We discuss the current turmoil surrounding the decision of the SEC, Big 12, and ACC to continue on track to play college football in the fall in spite of the Big 10 and Pac 12 calling off their fall season. In addition, discuss restarts in MLB and other sports -- which ones got it right and which rule changes we like and don't like. Finally, we consider how much of a long term impact the year's disruption may cause.

July 2020 -- MLB Predictions, Redskins Branding, NCAA Football Jul 23, 2020

This month we make predictions for playoff berths and the World Series for the shortened Major League Baseball season along with discussing directions for the re-naming of the Washington Redskins, and whether and how the college football season will and should take place.

June 2020 -- Return of MLB, MLS, NBA, and NASCAR Jun 17, 2020

We discuss the state of MLB's season and the sticking points between owners and players in negotiations. We also look at MLS' very cool World-Cup style tournament, the NBA's resumption, and short and long term issues in NASCAR

May 2020 -- High Schoolers to NBA G-League, MLB's Most Overrated and Underrated May 19, 2020

We discuss the potential impact on NCAA basketball of a big increase in salary structure for star 18-year olds in the NBA's G-League. We also throw out names of MLB's current and all-time most overrated and underrated players, including some names likely to surprise like Rivera and Jeter.

April 2020 -- Restarting Sports & Cuts in NCAA Sports Apr 21, 2020

We discuss the options and complexities of possible restarts of MLB, NBA, PGA, and other sports along with proposals by commissioners of major college conferences to suspend low-revenue sports because of the revenue impact of COVD.

March 2020 -- Baseball With Everything On Hold Mar 22, 2020

With baseball and all other sports on hold, we discuss a variety of baseball topics including possible restarts to the season, which teams would benefit from a shortened season, not-too-longshots to win league pennants, favorite games of all-time, and most painful games

February 2020 -- Mookie Betts Trade, Volatility in College Basketball, & Pro Sports Profit Estimates Feb 10, 2020

We debate the sense or nonsense of the Mookie Betts trade from the Red Sox to the Dodgers, reasons behind the growing number of upsets and struggles of big teams in college basketball, and the accuracy of media estimates of pro sports profits

January 2020 -- Astros Scandal, Paying NCAA Players, MLB Free Agency Jan 14, 2020

We discuss the cheating scandal involving the Houston Astros and likely other teams along with the obstacles to paying college players and the MLB free agent signings.

December 2019 -- Sports Sponsors, Viewer Trends, and Analytics Blindspots Dec 11, 2019

We discuss the reasons for sports sponsorships, trends in television viewership and what they mean for leagues, and the blindspots in the application of sports analytics

Episode 11 -- NBA & China, College Finances, & Rugby Nov 01, 2019

We discuss the NBA-China blowup and widen out to the broader topic of tradeoffs between making money and upholding various ethical principles whether for the NBA, MLB in the Astros-Osuna situation, or various NFL cases. We also take a brief look at the Rugby World Cup and why big money college athletics programs can't seem to make money.

Episode 10 -- MLB Playoffs & Income for NCAA Players Oct 04, 2019

We examine the setup of the MLB Wild Card playoffs with suggestions for improvement, make projections for the playoffs, and discuss the implications and broader context of the California legislation permitting NCAA athletes to generate income.

Sept 2019: College Football Attendance, Andrew Luck, Ezekiel Elliott Sep 06, 2019

A discussion of the decline in college football attendance, causes, and remedies. The new NFL season, viewership trends, Andrew Luck's retirement, and Cowboys big contract to Ezekiel Elliott. Why the Astros hit homers but don't strike out much.

Episode 8 -- Likable and Unlikable Sports Figures, Limits of Analytics, MLB Shifts Aug 06, 2019

Who are our most liked and disliked sports figures? What are the limits of the use of analytics for managerial decisions in sports? Are extreme shifts for defensive purposes bad for baseball and should they be limited?

Episode 7 --NBA Free Agency, MLB Home Run Problem, and Equal Pay for Women's Soccer Jul 12, 2019

We examine the forces behind the moves in the recent big moves in the NBA free agency and trade market. Then we discuss whether MLB has a crisis on its hands with the explosion of home runs and what they might do about it. Last, we look at the issue of whether the difference in pay for the US National Women's and Men's soccer teams is about discrimination or economic fundamentals

Episode 6 -- Issues Facing MLB Jun 13, 2019

We discuss the ongoing pace of play and length of game problems for MLB, automation of calling balls and strikes, Rougned Odor, Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel, and player pay

Episode 5 -- NHL Playoffs, NBA Playoffs, MLB Expansion May 08, 2019

We consider the NHL's strengths and weaknesses, the revival of scoring in the NBA over the past 20 years, and the cities on MLB's short list for possible expansion sites.

Episode 4 -- Tiger Woods' Popularity, NBA Playoff Format, MLB Strikeouts Apr 10, 2019

We examine how the dominance of some superstars like Tiger Woods and some teams boost the popularity of a sport rather than diminishing it. We at the best of 7 playoff format for the NBA, and possible fixes for the high rate of strikeouts in MLB. We finish with a little bit on Bruce Pearl.

Episode 3 -- Harper & Machado Contracts, NCAA Basketball Tournament, Fan Experiences Mar 06, 2019

We address whether the new contracts for Manny Machado and Bryce Harper make sense, the positives and negatives of NCAA men's basketball, and differences in "fan experiences" particularly for teams we have followed such as the Mets or Kentucky basketball.

Episode 2 -- NFL Viewership, MLB Pace of Play, and Atlanta as Soccer Central Feb 08, 2019

We consider the decline in the 2019 Super Bowl viewership in context with the uptick in viewers for the NFL regular season and playoffs. We examine pace of play proposals for MLB along with how Atlanta has become a soccer center in the U.S.

Episode 1 -- MLB Free Agent & NFL Coaching Markets Jan 16, 2019

Looking at questions of whether mega contracts for free agents like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado make sense for clubs and why picking good NFL or college coaches is so difficult.

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