A podcast dedicated to the economics and off the field stories in the Wide World of Sports. We post a new show every two weeks. Brought to you by The Hog Sty Network. (https://www.thehogsty.com/)
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After some wistful baseball talk, we discuss:
MLB sends memo to owners, executives outlining how they should act, operate during looming lockout (https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/mlb-sends-memo-to-owners-executives-outlining-how-they-should-act-operate-during-looming-lockout-131317102.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAANn7XhO0FmE1XMYGXLdtFSlHZxlnO9tYxv8Jbb1N_XD3YVWNtgD6x5juZf4zy0Oy95X7czQCBRKW-O6RgPQZZ-w5YnYB53zbCEJ7-UTt0eKYujJ5aiXJkLTHcmLMjw9HEVeeEM5mgojB2rFmGNdInfPKqMB05tyDO6mQsNMTl0X5)
MLB sponsors mull backup plans for lockout (https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/10/07/mlb-sponsors-mull-backup-plans-for-lockout/)
MLB proposes shortening regular season to 154 games in 2029, expanding Division Series to best-of-7 (https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/mlb/mlb-proposes-shortening-regular-season-rcna602361)
NFL tells Supreme Court prediction markets are gambling and should be regulated by the states (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/10/08/nfl-tells-supreme-court-prediction-markets-are-gambling-and-should-be-regulated-by-the-states.html)
Buss siblings file claim against Jeanie Buss over Lakers sale (https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/10/08/buss-siblings-file-claim-against-jeanie-buss-over-lakers-sale/)
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29 Sept 2026
Buying Futures on the U.S. Congress Running the NCAA
Post-opening banter, we discuss:
Does your college football roster cost $8M or $50M? Here’s our report on 68 teams (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/interactive/college-football-nil-spending-budgets/)
College athletics rack up millions in deficits as Senate eyes oversight bill (https://www.highereddive.com/news/college-athletics-rack-up-millions-in-deficits-as-senate-eyes-oversight-bil/831063/)
Senate tees up college sports bill aimed at regulating NIL deals (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/28/college-sports-bill-senate-nil.html)
Polymarket countersues New York state over ‘unregulated gambling’ allegation (https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/24/new-york-sues-polymarket-us-two-months-after-filing-suit-against-kalshi-.html)
NFL Has No Plan to Follow MLB, NBA in Loosening Private Equity Rules (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nfl-no-plan-mlb-nba-183723561.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGxskcdruvUVFls53_gK5tAZwhqFBmINogQp7ZSkrvErnl7ioG6cW-xfD4BmI1Ej27XppsKteUdzicGTzCWXTkERBoFs2Zt1BMsHeR-kw7WX25DoBu-DqfQmGElp7ulLyqByoMSHqzuJpGKQlmTSMBukS6sGe0Lt92nQvGY9Yrle)
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14 Sept 2026
A Cavalcade of Ego Crash Outs: Steve Balmer, Lane Kiffin and LIV Golf
Post-opening banter, we discuss:
Report: Feds investigating Clippers' Kawhi Leonard dealings (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/49898498/report-feds-investigating-clippers-kawhi-leonard-dealings)
No sanctions for LSU after SEC meeting on expulsion (No sanctions for LSU after SEC meeting on expulsion)
Yes, the SEC really could 'terminate' LSU. Here's an inside look at the fight that could reshape college football (https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/yes-the-sec-really-could-terminate-lsu-heres-an-inside-look-at-the-fight-that-could-reshape-college-football-225242503.html)
LIV Golf files for bankruptcy protection, enters 'next phase' (https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/49872465/liv-golf-files-bankruptcy-ceo-embraces-next-stage)
Rory McIlroy predicts LIV Golf player exodus after bankruptcy protection filing (https://www.aol.com/articles/rory-mcilroy-predicts-liv-golf-130856000.html)
NFL 2026: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE NFL’S INVESTMENT ARM, 32 EQUITY? (https://www.sportico.com/business/finance/2026/nfl-venture-arm-32-equity-next-changes-1234944490/)
Show Summary:
[0:00–9:00] Intro & NFL international expansion — Small talk, then discussion of the NFL's first game in Australia. Hosts predict the long-term goal is an international division (London, Paris, Madrid, Germany), but flag brutal travel logistics (only ~25hrs recovery time) and predict Mexico City as the first international "home" team.
[9:00–24:30] LSU vs. SEC eligibility showdown — LSU wanted to sign two ex-NFL players using a COVID-era eligibility loophole; the SEC threatened expulsion, and LSU backed down. Hosts note the irony of the SEC drawing a "no real pros" line while profiting from NIL, blame Lane Kiffin's loose talk for escalating it, and predict the broader eligibility issue resurfaces in a few years.
[24:30–40:20] Clippers/Kawhi Leonard salary-cap scandal — NBA penalized the Clippers (5 draft picks, $30M fine, 5 years of audits) and suspended Steve Ballmer for a year over sham deals used to pay Kawhi Leonard around the cap. Leonard's trade to Toronto is in limbo; federal prosecutors and the SEC are now investigating, though hosts expect the federal angle to fade while the trade drama dominates NBA news.
[40:20–57:15] LIV Golf bankruptcy — LIV filed Chapter 11 in NJ, listing $100–500M assets vs. $500M–$1B liabilities, with stars like Rahm and DeChambeau as unsecured creditors. Rory McIlroy predicted a player exodus. Hosts expect LIV to survive only as a smaller international "B league" now that the Saudi PIF (which sank ~$5B since 2022) has pulled out.
[57:15–1:04:30] NFL's investment arm ("32 Equity") — Owners' ~$250M+ fund (includes a Fanatics stake) sits outside the CBA, so profits don't have to be shared with players — essentially a legal, league-wide version of the Ballmer/Kawhi trick.
[1:04:30–end] Wrap-up — Aside about a sold-out Wrigley Field women's volleyball game halted by humidity/condensation; sign-off heading into NFL Week 1.
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Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
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