Front Office Sports Today

Latest Episodes:

Twins No Longer For Sale | Could the WNBA’s Sun Move to Houston? Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

In a shocking twist, after announcing the Twins were up for sale in October 2024, the Pohlad family, who has owned the team since 1984, announced it will keep the team instead and sell a significant minority stake to two groups. FOS deals reporter and author of the Asset Class newsletter Ben Horney has the latest intel on how the new framework is intended to help the Twins pay down $425 million in debt. Also, more on the Portland Trail Blazers selling to a group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon.

Meanwhile, the future of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun remains in flux, as the state government and former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry have matched the $325 million bid made by Steve Pagliuca to keep the team in the state. However, FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington that a possible expensive relocation fee could determine the Sun’s fate—and whether the league would prefer to move the team to Boston or Houston.

Plus, we have the latest on James Cook’s new contract with the Bills, which makes him one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL, and the flood of college athlete lawsuits against the NCAA challenging eligibility requirements.

Key Moments:

0:36 - James Cook gets a new deal, Ohtani real estate scandal, Inter Miami roster shake-up

4:43 - Will the WNBA force the Suns out of Connecticut?

10:00 - Pohlads keep the Minnesota Twins, Ton Dundon purchases the Trail Blazers, Celtics front office changes

7:41 - NCAA's growing eligibility problem

21:32 - Latest NFL team valuations; Cowboys worth $12 billion

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Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

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Jon Gruden's Court Ruling Spells Trouble for NFL | James Cook's Agent on Contract Status, NFLPA Woes Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

The Supreme Court of Nevada has ruled in favor of Jon Gruden's case that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell selectively leaked his emails and forced Gruden’s resignation from the Raiders. This opens the door for other teams to be investigated, which could cause issues for the scandal-ridden NFL, sports and entertainment lawyer Dan Lust tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington. Plus, we get an update on Bills running back James Cook's contract negotiations from his rep Zac Hiller, who also has plenty of thoughts on the problems with the NFL Players Association. He thinks a certain former No. 1 pick could change things in an executive director role.

Also, we react to the AP preseason top 25 poll, Taylor Swift appears on Travis Kelce's New Heights podcast, and the Cowboys get their own docuseries.

Key Moments:

0:41 - NBA tip-off schedule, Travis & Taylor, Laura Rutledge named MNF co-sideline reporter

4:23 - Nevada Supreme Court sides with Jon Gruden against NFL

9:54 - James Cook's agent on his contract holdout, What's next for NFLPA?

17:11 - Texas leads CFB AP Poll for the first time

20:27 - Netflix drops Dallas Cowboys sports doc trailer

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Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

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TKO President Explains UFC's $7.7B Deal With Paramount | NFL Special Teams With Saints Safety Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

UFC is headed to Paramount behind a seven-year deal worth $7.7 billion. Mark Shapiro, president of UFC's holding company TKO, joins Front Office Sports Today to explain the factors that went into the decision and what comes next for UFC and combat sports as a whole as the pay-per-view model dies out. Plus, we hear from Saints special teamer J.T. Gray on what he believes is the NFL's most unsung position, the new kickoff rule, and Saints players' expectations for a season that has zero games on national TV. Also, FOS deals reporter Ben Horney tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington the ESPN-NFL deal could violate antitrust laws.

Key Moments:

0:39 - NBA Christmas, Son Heung-Min makes MLS debut, Gronk replaces Jimmy Johnson on FOX

4:40 - TKO President Mark Shapiro explains UFC's $7.7B deal with Paramount

9:54 - Understanding NFL special teams With Saints safety J.T. Gray

17:33 - Could ESPN-NFL deal violate antitrust laws?

21:50 - Caitlin Clark's rookie card breaks a new record sale

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Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

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Yet Another Dildo Tossing Incident | HOFer Lindsay Davenport Wants to Make Tennis Cool Again Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Thursday night saw another dildo thrown onto the court at a WNBA game, with another landing in the stands. Now, a group has claimed responsibility for some of the incidents. FOS reporter Colin Salao was at the game last night and gives his firsthand account of the toss and what followed. Plus, tennis legend Lindsay Davenport joins Front Office Sports Today to offer her thoughts on the state of tennis as it pertains to technology integration, preserving tradition, and the new generation of stars. Also, Tom Brady gets a statue, Shedeur Sanders gets his opportunity, and the Celtics sale gets a big update.

Key Moments:

0:35 - Celtics Sale, Canadian Open, Shedeur Sanders

4:22 - Another WNBA dildo incident

9:41 - Tennis HOFer Lindsay Davenport

17:15 - Prediction Markets on the rise

21:25 - Tom Brady statue

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Why the WNBA Trade Deadline Was So Quiet | Next Beckham? MLS Signs International Superstar Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

The WNBA trade deadline was at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, but there were only a few substantial trades made this week—a function of the CBA and roster limits, says FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile. Plus, LAFC has made official the largest MLS transfer in history, paying $26.5 million for Korean superstar Son Heung-min. MLS insider Tom Bogert explains why this moment is so massive for the league and how Lionel Messi factors into it all. Also, FOS media reporter Michael McCarthy spoke to the leads at ESPN and NFL about the new RedZone mega-deal worth at least $2.5 billion, and shares his takeaways with Renee Washington and FOS editor-in-chief Dan Roberts on Front Office Sports Today. Key Moments: 0:45 - First female ump, record US Open purse, smelling salts NFL ban update 3:54 - WNBA trade deadline 9:23 - MLS Insider Tom Bogert talks Son Heung-min signing 17:13 - New RedZone explained by ESPN and NFL execs 21:16 - Arch Manning draft status update

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NFL and ESPN Finalize RedZone Mega-Deal | WNBA Legend Diana Taurasi on Pay Equity and Dildo Tossing Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

The NFL and ESPN finalized their merger, with the RedZone brand and other NFL properties heading to the network in exchange for a 10% stake worth at least $2.5 billion. FOS senior reporter Michael McCarthy joins the show to explain the details of the acquisition and how this impacts Scott Hanson, ESPN's journalistic integrity, and the streaming landscape as a whole. WWE is also joining the Disney family, which we get into with FOS media reporter Ryan Glasspiegel.

Plus, we are joined in studio by WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, who has thoughts on the players' fight for pay equity, expansion of the league, and the recent incidents of sex toys being thrown onto the court during games. She also discusses her new documentary on Amazon Prime Video that showcases her career—the good and bad.

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NFL Insider Dianna Russini Talks Holdouts, Offseason | What's Next in Sun Sale Saga? Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

The NFL season is just weeks away, but there are still a handful of stars holding out for new deals, including Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic weighs in on Parsons and other negotiations around the league, the NFLPA's ongoing controversy, and the NFL's response to the NYC shooting that targeted the league office.

Plus, the Connecticut Sun have a buyer, but WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has not presented the offer to the league's board of governors, according to FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile. She joins Renee Washington and Dan Roberts to explain the status of this sale and what's next.

Also, we check on the trade status of NBA stars LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo with FOS reporter Colin Salao.

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What Happens To RedZone on ESPN? | Inside Jerry Jones vs. Micah Parsons | Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

NFL RedZone is heading to ESPN ... unless President Donald Trump blocks the deal, says Tuned In columnist Michael McCarthy. He joins Derryl Barnes and Renee Washington to discuss the president's potential involvement in this deal and what the acquisition means for Scott Hanson and the commercial-free football we've come to love.

Plus, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones continues to throw shade at Micah Parsons, telling fans "don't lose sleep" over the star linebacker's hold-in that has now turned into a trade request. FOS newsletter editor Matthew Tabeek joins the show to explain the reason for Jones’s confidence and what comes next in this ugly saga.

Also, the Connecticut Sun have a buyer in place, but the WNBA doesn't approve yet; the Lakers commit to their franchise cornerstone; and the first NFL preseason game turns heads with massive viewership. Key Moments:

0:43 - Speedway Classic sets MLB record, Messi injured, Luka gets paid

3:56 - Micah Parsons requests trade from Dallas Cowboys

9:50 - NFL RedZone heading to ESPN?

17:30 - Celtics minority owners place a bid for the Connecticut Sun

22:06 - NFL Hall of Fame game viewership

📈 Don’t miss tomorrow’s top stories in the business and culture of sports — Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontOfficeSports/subscribe

Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the Twins Close to Being Sold? | Details of the New, Drug-Test-Free, Enhanced Games Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

An aggressive trade deadline concludes for the Phillies, Padres, Mariners, and Major League Baseball. One of the biggest sellers, the Twins, not only moved on from 40% of their roster, but they are also in the process of selling the franchise. FOS deals reporter and Asset Class newsletter writer Ben Horney breaks down the details as the longtime owner, the Pohlad family, tries to sell the team.

Meanwhile, a new multisports event known as the Enhanced Games is expected to debut in May 2026 in Las Vegas, featuring swimming, track and field, and weightlifting. It also allows athletes to use performance-enhancing substances without being subject to drug tests. American swimmer Megan Romano has been announced as one of its featured athletes, and she joins to discuss details of the league, the impact of PEDs on recovery, and how she got involved in the new venture.

And with the start of the NFL preseason, we are also getting deeper into NFL contract discussions for key players. NFL insider Lake Lewis Jr. weighs in on the latest around Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin and his trade request.

Key Moments:

0:53 - NFL pilots Hawkeye tech, Mikal Bridges gets paid, GST payments

4:27 - MLB preps for playoffs, Minnesota Twins nearing sale

9:34 - Enhanced games allow for PEDs

17:14 - Terry McLaurin requests trade from Washington Commanders

21:15 - Game, Set, Matchmaker rolls out dating show

📈 Don’t miss tomorrow’s top stories in the business and culture of sports — Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontOfficeSports/subscribe Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind the Picture of LeBron, Maverick Carter, and Jokić’s Agent | Mike Repole on Buying Into UFL Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

We now know more about that mysterious boat meeting last week in France between LeBron James, his business partner Maverick Carter, and Nikola Jokić’s European agent, as multiple sources tell Front Office Sports it was about the planned international basketball league being spearheaded by Carter. FOS deals reporter and Asset Class newsletter writer Ben Horney breaks down what we’re hearing about the encounter, plus the implications in relation to the NBA’s international expansion aspirations. Meanwhile, big news in the world of UFL, as Mike Repole, the billionaire cofounder of Vitaminwater and Body Armor, has made a major investment in the spring football league, making him a new co-owner. He will join an ownership group including Fox, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia, and RedBird Capital Partners. Repole tells Baker Machado and Renee Washington why he decided to purchase a stake in the challenger football league stating, “I think today is the first day of the United Football League.” And with the MLB trade deadline ticking down to its final hours, the Padres and Mariners made blockbuster moves to bolster their final playoff pushes, with Mason Miller and Eugenio Suárez both moving to the respective contenders. FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher has the latest trade chatter, plus previews the MLB Speedway Classic over the weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway that will break the MLB single-game attendance record originally set in 1954 with more than 85,000 tickets sold. Key Moments:

0:42 - Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN, WNBA ratings up, Gilbert Arenas gambling arrest

4:48 - Maverick Carter's global basketball league

9:32 - Billionaire Mike Repole on UFL investment

17:06 - MLB trade deadline, speedway classic set to break records

21:21 - Michael Phelps teaches Ravens team how to swim 📈 Don’t miss tomorrow’s top stories in the business and culture of sports — Subscribe now: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontOfficeSports/subscribe Front Office Sports Today is your daily guide on all things sports, business and culture, with insightful commentary and appearances from athletes, executives, and more.

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