Front Office Sports Today

Latest Episodes:

Ohtani's Historic World Series Continues | Rome Odunze Opens Up About Bears Season, Caleb Williams Relationship Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Shohei Ohtani is set to take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 4 on Tuesday night, looking to continue his historic postseason run after the longest World Series game by innings in MLB history Monday. FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher joins live from Dodger Stadium to set the scene and put Ohtani's greatness in the same context as a certain Chicago Bulls star from the 1990s. Meanwhile, FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile gets us up to speed on the latest with WNBA collective bargaining talks as the Oct. 31 deadline rapidly approaches.

Plus, Bears receiver Rome Odunze joins Baker Machado to unpack Chicago’s newfound success under head coach Ben Johnson. He explains what it's like playing in one of football's toughest divisions, his relationship with Caleb Williams, and spending summers on his grandparents' dairy farm.

Also, Lionel Messi wants MLS to get rid of its salary cap, the Lakers’ new ownership group adds another member, and the NHL Frozen Frenzy hits ESPN on Tuesday night.

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Brian Kelly Firing Pushes Buyouts to $169M | NBA's Great Start Overshadowed by Gambling Scandal Oct 27, 2025

Show notes

Brian Kelly is out at LSU with a buyout of roughly $53 million, although he may not get that entire amount, says FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich, who joins Baker Machado to explain. Meanwhile, newsletter writer David Rumsey explains why he expects total buyouts to climb to more than $200 million this season, already at $169 million after the Kelly news. He also explains why he doesn't see Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin as a likely candidate for vacant coaching positions around the Power 4.

Plus, additional former pro athletes are reportedly connected to the NBA's illegal poker game, including Kevin Garnett, Antonio Gates, and current Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. FOS deals reporter Ben Horney explains how strong the feds' case really is, while reporter Colin Salao gets us caught up on some of the early-season storylines that have been overshadowed by this scandal.

Also, Justin Fields has a revenge game against his own team, the Orioles find their new manager, and why Monday is a very special night in the sports world.

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Did NBA Try to Sweep Terry Rozier Bets Under the Rug? | World Series Math With Paul ‘Hembo’ Hembekides Oct 24, 2025

Show notes

We continue to follow updates around the NBA's massive illegal gambling scandal with FOS deals reporter Ben Horney, including Brian Windhorst saying that the NBA knew about Terry Rozier's suspicious betting activity in 2023 and "pulled him" for the rest of the season. Ben also assesses how strong the case is against both Rozier and Chauncey Billups after each of their attorneys said they would fight the charges. Plus, ESPN's Get Up producer Paul Hembekides joins us with some great math around the World Series and why this year's matchup reflects an important spending trend in MLB. Hembo tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington that most owners are actually rooting for the superteam Dodgers ahead of intense labor negotiations next year, and he offers his prediction for what could be the highest-rated World Series ever. Also, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik talks through his team's struggles this season, politicians put pressure on the WNBA, and we say goodbye to someone very special.

Key Moments:

0:30 - Main Event with Ben Horney

7:42 -Interview with Cade Klubnik

15:35 - Interview with Paul Hembekides

23:10 - NBA ratings

24:09 - WNBA Union

25:44 - Aaron Rodgers retirement

27:27 - Alex Morgan Honored

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Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier Arrested in FBI NBA Gambling Probe | Why the S.F. Giants Hired Tony Vitello Straight From College Oct 23, 2025

Show notes

The NBA woke up to shock during its opening week as Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were among 34 people arrested as part of a pair of investigations related to illegal sports betting and rigged poker games backed by the Mafia, according to the FBI. FOS writer Ben Horney joins from the Manhattan courthouse with the latest on the investigation, plus FOS editor-in-Chief Dan Roberts discusses the likelihood of new regulations surrounding “prop bets” and how this is yet another scandal for commissioner Adam Silver to deal with.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants made a big splash hiring University of Tennessee's Tony Vitello as their new manager, becoming the first time a big league team has hired a manager from college without any major league experience. Giants reporter John Shea of The San Francisco Standard tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington why new team president Buster Posey had to think outside the box in hiring Vitello to compete against the Dodgers and Padres.

Plus, FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher is back from the NFL’s fall owners meetings with news on the Pro Bowl moving indoors during Super Bowl week, and we discuss Lionel Messi’s new contract with Inter Miami that will keep him in MLS until 2028.

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Breaking Down NBC's Return to Basketball | Brian Windhorst's NBA Season Watchlist Oct 22, 2025

Show notes

NBC brought back its NBA coverage in a big way, but with some kinks that still need to be ironed out, according to FOS media reporter Ryan Glasspiegel. He joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to evaluate the debut of NBC, including its highly anticipated "MJ: Insights to Excellence" series with Michael Jordan.

Also, Brian Windhorst joins to take us through the biggest stories he's watching for this season, including LeBron's new role with the Lakers, Giannis Antetokounmpo's trade request status with the Bucks, and how teams will navigate the second apron of the CBA. Windhorst also weighs in on the WNBA labor negotiation and Adam Silver's role within that, and he takes us through the details of his flight's emergency landing from earlier this week.

Plus, the NHL cancels its pre-Olympic event, LaLiga pulls the plug on its Miami game, and the Ravens punish their players in a pretty hilarious way.

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Can ‘International’ World Series Deliver? | NBA Tip Off: Biggest Questions This Season Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

The World Series is set, with the Dodgers heading to Toronto for Game 1 against the Blue Jays. This series will bring out international audiences from both Japan and Canada, which FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher sees as a big positive for MLB. He joins to talk through the intrigue around this heavy-hitting matchup and give his prediction.

Plus, the NBA season tips off tonight on NBC, one of two new partners under the new media-rights deal worth $76 billion. FOS reporter Colin Salao tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington which storylines he's watching most closely this year, including the fragmentation of media rights and the ongoing Clippers scandal ahead of their first time hosting the All-Star Game.

Also, Lakers reporter Yaron Weitzman talks us through discoveries from his new book, A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers,that details everything from Russell Westbrook's beef with LeBron to the draft process around Bronny James.

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Ohtani Economics With Joon Lee | Billy Napier Fired As CFB Buyouts Reach $116M Oct 20, 2025

Show notes

Billy Napier is out at Florida after more than a year of speculation, and the Gators owe him more than $21 Million for the buyout. Why is this becoming the norm in college football and could Lane Kiffin replace him? FOS writer David Rumsey explains.

Plus, the Dodgers have already seen a full return on their $700 million deal with Shohei Ohtani—reportedly offset by first-year merchandise and ticket sales, according to baseball reporter and analyst Joon Lee. He joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to explain Ohtani's economic impact and evaluate how a potential "international" World Series between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays would position MLB in the global marketplace.

Also, FOS Asset Class author Ben Horney talks through expansion in the NHL and MLB, the Savannah Bananas could be worth $100 Billion some day, and the Colts and Broncos fight for the top spot as the NFL's must-watch team.

Key Moments

0:28 - DURANT’S $30M DISCOUNT, LA LIGA PROTEST, MESSI WINS MLS GOLDEN BOOT
4:24 - THE MAIN EVENT WITH DAVID RUMSEY | MAKING SENSE OF ANOTHER WILD WEEKEND IN CFB
9:57 - OHTANI ECONOMICS: GLOBAL STAR IS PAYING FOR HIMSELF
18:49 - ASSET CLASS: THE PRICE FOR EXPANSION TEAMS
23:04 - NFL'S MUST-WATCH TEAM?

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Apple TV's $700M F1 Deal Crosses Finish Line | Is College Football's Dynasty Era Over? Oct 17, 2025

Show notes

Formula One and Apple agreed to a five-year, $700 million deal for Apple TV to stream F1 races in the U.S. The league has had a broadcast deal with ESPN since 2018. FOS newsletter writer David Rumsey explains why this move made sense for the world's most popular racing league, and how this positions Apple TV in the arms race for live sports rights.

Plus, former Alabama running back Damien Harris joins to preview the “Third Saturday in October” game between Alabama and Tennessee, and explain why the days of a clear top dog in college football could be behind us.

Also, FOS reporter Colin Salao preps us for the upcoming NBA season, Curt Cignetti gets a big payday from the Indiana Hoosiers, and Joe Flacco does it again.

Key Moments:

0:32 - Cignetti's big extension, Myers leaving ESPN, UNC's Saudi visit
5:22 - F1 rights heading to Apple, leaving ESPN
10:30 - Is college football's dynasty era ending?
18:30 - Court Vision: making sense of an insane Western conference
23:04 - Joe Flacco gives Cincinnati a spark

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‘First Take’ Names New Host | Inside ESPN’s NFL Coverage with Laura Rutledge Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

ESPN's First Take has a new host to replace Molly Qerim: Shae Cornette. FOS Tuned In writer Michael McCarthy had the scoop on this and joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to discuss the big change. He also weighs in on Bruce Pearl heading to TNT Sports and Clay Travis potentially leaving OutKick, the media organization he founded and sold to Fox.

Plus, Monday Night Football sideline reporter Laura Rutledge joins the show to peel back the curtain of what goes into making these ESPN broadcasts happen, especially during the four weeks of this season that have two MNF games. She also tells us about the strange way Dan Orlovsky eats Mentos.

Also, with the NBA season just days away, FOS reporter Colin Salao joins to talk through some of the biggest questions we have around the Eastern Conference heading into the season. Meanwhile, FIFA walks back its comments directed at U.S. President Donald Trump, Real Madrid is changing its ownership structure, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is upset.

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Dodgers Dominance Shows MLB Payroll Matters | Shift Change: New Era in NHL Oct 15, 2025

Show notes

The Dodgers lead the Cinderella-story Brewers 2–0 in the NLCS and have looked completely dominant thanks to their big investments in pitching. FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to revisit the payroll discrepancy in MLB, give his predictions for both championship series, and look ahead to the offseason. Plus, Los Angeles Kings all-time leading scorer and team president Luc Robitaille joins with insights on the NHL's new CBA, pros playing in the Olympics, and league expansion. He also addresses the direction of the Kings this year and going forward after franchise player Anže Kopitar retires at the end of the season. Also, we see resolutions for numerous lawsuits in the NBA, Giannis wants to spend his final playing years in Greece, and U.S. President Donald Trump threatens the World Cup again.

Key Moments: 0:30 - Trump threatens FIFA, Big Ten private equity opposition, Portland Fire blunder

4:32 - MLB postseason latest

10:03 - LA Kings president Luc Robitaille

20:26 - NBA lawsuits updates

25:02 - Giannis back to Greece?

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