The Pat McAfee Show Live | Wednesday May 6th 2026

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1:22 USA, USA, outside.

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2:33 [music] The following program is a collection

2:45 of stooges talking about happenings in the sports world.

2:48 It is meant to be comedic informative.

2:51 The opinions expressed on this show do not necessarily

2:54 reflect the beliefs of their peers, their boss or ESPN.

2:59 There may be some cuss words because that's how humans is the real world talk.

3:04 If you are a young, please seek permission before watching any further.

3:14 Hey,

3:14 let's go.

3:16 This show sticks and the fact that you listen, we are very, very thankful for

3:20 McAfee on the line with a gorgeous assist.

3:23 The alltime leading tackler for the Green Bay Packers.

3:26 You

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3:31 Your friend, tell a friend something nice could change their life.

3:37 sports.

3:39 Hello beautiful people and welcome to our humble abode,

3:43 the Thunderdome on this big sports Wednesday, [music] May 6, 2026.

3:49 This program begins now.

3:52 sports are the greatest and playoffs are happening every single night

3:56 in the NBA and the NHL and keeping us wildly

3:58 entertained and we can't thank the athletes out there doing

4:01 it enough for everything that they're putting on the line.

4:04 Even some guys, okay, Mr.

4:06 Vanderbilt for the Lakers last night.

4:08 Four years on the team,

4:09 mostly a defensive specialist in a game one against Oklahoma City.

4:13 In Oklahoma City, getting her asses beat,

4:15 actually dislocates his pinky so much that it pops out of his skin

4:19 and the Oklahoma City team sees it and get immediately disgusted.

4:22 WHAT DO YOU GOT?

4:23 OH JEEZ.

4:25 WE GOT OH.

4:26 OH, THE BOYS, THE LADS IN THE BACK SAYING, "NO, that's disgusting." Now,

4:29 we're hearing obviously uh that he's going to have to get that stitched up.

4:33 obviously put the bone back in the skin,

4:35 but that's possible at any time that any of these players injuries obviously

4:38 could be much worse than just a pinky popping out of their skin,

4:40 but that is certainly something that is very gruesome and disgusting.

4:43 So, we appreciate what all these guys are going through every

4:46 single night for us to be entertained in the sports world.

4:48 The NHL swinging a hot bat.

4:49 And guess what?

4:50 The hottest bat of them all might be in Colorado over there.

4:53 This mile high team in the Aval,

4:55 they're bigger, stronger, tougher, and better you.

4:57 Yep.

4:57 I mean, that's just what they are.

4:58 coming into the Stanley Cup playoffs, everybody that knew hockey,

5:01 which is obviously not who we are claiming to be the super duper hockey experts,

5:05 but everybody that is deemed hockey experts go, I mean,

5:08 that's just tic-tac-toe right there in the play

5:10 that that's against a very good Minnesota Wild team.

5:12 They're just basically playing with them, playing with them.

5:14 That's goal, that's goal, everybody's a goal.

5:16 McKinnon's killing people and also scoring goals.

5:18 This team coming into the playoffs is being

5:19 talked about as maybe being one of the best

5:21 in the history of hockey with how great they

5:23 are with the run that they can go on.

5:24 And they're proving to do just that.

5:26 They are pounding teams.

5:27 And it's not just scoring more goals, height.

5:29 It's not just scoring more goals, it's beating the out of him.

5:32 Here's Quinn Hughes, obviously American legend.

5:34 We appreciate him.

5:35 S McKinnon, star of the Colorado Avalanche, obviously superstar.

5:39 Quinn Hughes lost an edge a little bit there, but let's look at this one here.

5:43 Night night.

5:43 That's down 52.

5:45 The Minnesota Wild Guy getting bodied off the thing

5:49 by the star of the other team late in the game.

5:51 It's just like uh this Avalanche team is rude.

5:54 This avalanche team is strong and this avalanche team will uh ACTUALLY

5:59 GO AHEAD AND BANG BUNCH A REF RIGHT IN THE HEAD as well.

6:03 It is a avalanche run kind of like an avalanche happening in the NHL playoffs.

6:08 It'll be exciting to see who can keep up with them.

6:09 The NBA obviously always delivering.

6:11 We have Gary Bman the NHL commissioner.

6:13 Kendrick Perkins joining us today.

6:15 Cam Young, PGA Champion multiple time now this season.

6:18 Obviously an absolute superstar.

6:20 And Pete Crow Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs joining us.

6:23 So, we have a pretty big little sports

6:25 day here and we're thank thankful for it all.

6:27 Also, junior rap sheet will be joining us here

6:29 in a matter of moments because there's big NFL news.

6:31 Let's go to the toxic table.

6:32 Have Boston Connor and toxic tone

6:34 con man playoffs delivering every single night.

6:38 Always having a little bit of controversy as well.

6:40 You know, always a little controversy.

6:43 Last night,

6:44 LeBron James was facing his biggest underdog spread

6:47 in the history of him playing the playoffs, 15 and a half points.

6:52 And I thought to myself,

6:53 as somebody that is a LeBron supporter, has been since the beginning.

6:56 LeBron's going to war right now.

6:58 The biggest he's ever, you know,

7:00 had to kind of take on, I'm going ride with him.

7:03 Okay.

7:03 I'm Why not?

7:04 I never know if this will happen again.

7:06 I'm going to ride with him.

7:07 Then the other thought was I just

7:09 watched the Knicks just absolutely pummel a team.

7:11 Oh yeah.

7:11 And this Oklahoma City team is kind of been a team

7:14 that is not scared to kind of pummel a team.

7:16 And with this Lakers team get pounded by this Oklahoma City team,

7:19 there's certainly a chance that that could happen.

7:21 Is LeBron about to lose by more than 15 and a half?

7:23 I don't care.

7:23 I'm riding with him.

7:24 So, I ride with LeBron plus 15 and a half.

7:26 I also bet on Shay to have at least 25

7:29 points cuz he scores 20 points literally in his sleep.

7:32 Every game.

7:32 Yeah.

7:33 What happens?

7:33 Shay doesn't score 20 points for the first time

7:36 since he's 12 years old or something like that.

7:38 I forget the number.

7:40 It's been forever since he's done it.

7:42 So, I lose that bet.

7:43 LeBron plus 15 and a half.

7:44 No, nowhere near.

7:46 No way.

7:47 Shay scores 18 points and they just pummel the Lakers.

7:51 LeBron was asked afterwards like, "Hey,

7:53 what how do you think you keep up with this team?" He goes,

7:55 "I mean, let's just be honest.

7:57 Luca Donic is Luca Donic because he scores more points than anybody else.

8:00 He averages like 37." We don't have 37 points.

8:03 Do you know what this game would look like if we had 37 more points out there?

8:06 That would certainly be great.

8:07 But the thought about the conversation about this Oklahoma

8:09 City team is obviously JJ Reic attempted to eliminate SGA.

8:14 Every basketball person that we talked to this morning was

8:16 like JJ Reic is a little bit of an extremist.

8:18 He's certainly going to do what he has to do

8:19 to try to eliminate the rest of the Oklahoma City team.

8:22 Absolutely dominated con man.

8:24 And you ended up picking I believe Oklahoma City minus 15 and a half

8:27 whenever you were push come to shove to Gambbo a little bit I think.

8:30 And you looked up what happened in the regular season between these two teams.

8:33 This might be a four no more Oh yeah.

8:37 Oh yeah.

8:37 type series here and I don't like that at all.

8:40 Con man.

8:40 Yeah.

8:40 You're uh referencing the 4-0.

8:42 OKC was 4-0 against the Lakers in the regular season

8:45 and their average margin of victory was like 29.9 points.

8:48 So 30 points they were basically beating

8:51 the brakes off of the Lakers uh consistently.

8:54 Luca Donic you mentioned I believe he got hurt actually against

8:58 OKC in the last game that they played against one another.

9:01 Now the whole like hey 37 points is

9:03 a difference for missing Luca Donic definitely huge.

9:06 Uh I saw yesterday they were talking about Donovan

9:08 Mitchell being number two in playoff points per game

9:11 uh you know per you know every single year

9:13 whatever all time and Luca Donic is actually fourth.

9:16 So it is a massive loss.

9:18 OKC is also dealing with their second best player Jaylen Williams being out.

9:22 That's huge.

9:23 You know you think about that.

9:24 So both teams a little banged up but yeah this is

9:26 why the NBA playoffs are just different than the NHL playoffs.

9:29 you know, the NBA playoffs,

9:31 we're talking about the greatest basketball player of all time getting

9:34 the doors blown off his team by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

9:38 Like, that doesn't really happen very often.

9:40 You put a pause there real quick.

9:42 You just said with like an exclamation point.

9:44 He did.

9:45 Did Foxy, did you hear that?

9:46 The greatest of all, basketball player of all time.

9:49 It's got a 9-year NFL vet, Darius J.

9:51 Butler, here joining us.

9:52 Uh, Dut, you look incredibly cool.

9:54 Great week.

9:55 Appreciate you traveling up here as always.

9:56 Love it.

9:57 Uh Connor just I believe kind of put a stamp on.

10:00 He did.

10:00 He kind of just put his flag down.

10:04 I don't know why we're doing this.

10:07 This is a very I've never been a Jordan or LeBron guy,

10:11 but when it comes to just basketball as a whole,

10:13 he's the only guy that's top 10 in every single category.

10:15 Da Connor is just saying the same thing that Kyle Hamilton's saying.

10:18 Baltimore, it's sad.

10:21 Some people will leave this [laughter]

10:22 earth and not think LeBron's the greatest.

10:24 Gotta be like living life in black and white.

10:27 Yeah.

10:27 You know, there's a lot of upgrades, you know, now they got 8K, 9K.

10:31 He's saying, "Hey, you're you're talking real old school if we're

10:33 not talking about this guy being the greatest." I would like

10:36 to let everybody know I do not uh participate in this particular

10:39 debate strictly because I think they're playing two different sports.

10:41 I think I think they're playing two different sports.

10:43 I think you participate a lot over the last week or so.

10:45 I think the sport that was being played,

10:47 okay, that Michael Jordan completely changed,

10:51 completely evolved, flipped on its head,

10:54 certainly by far absolute dog in the history of dogs.

10:57 I think he's the greatest in that particular game.

11:03 Okay, this guy, I do not have memories really without

11:06 this guy being the best player to ever walk.

11:08 I don't know what I'm supposed to do.

11:09 I'm 39.

11:10 I got my second child on the way.

11:12 Okay,

11:13 I'm into a second career.

11:14 Pretty deep into this thing, this guy is still doing it.

11:19 Amen.

11:19 I don't know how the most playoff games,

11:21 the most points, the most this, the most that, the most.

11:23 But he doesn't have Michael Jordan's killer instinct, they can't do what MJ did.

11:29 I haven't seen him go cradle underneath the thing.

11:32 And it's like, okay, are we nitpicking everything?

11:34 Two different sports.

11:35 LeBron would have been great back then.

11:37 Jordan would have been great now.

11:38 Greatest of each sport.

11:40 Sport that I'm alive for to watch.

11:41 LeBron's definitely the guy.

11:43 Last dance did not help.

11:44 I had a lot of people tweeting me telling me that I need to watch

11:46 Last Dance and like learn basketball a little bit about what Michael Jordan did.

11:50 And it's like really do I need to do that?

11:52 Cuz I saw some misses.

11:53 I had never seen those before from Michael Jordan.

11:55 I'd only seen the makes.

11:56 I had never seen a single miss.

11:57 And I was seeing some of the other people

11:59 that were he was playing against and they were dribbling

12:02 that ball as if they were on the Harlem Globe

12:05 Trotters as the highest dribblers in the history of dribbling basketballs.

12:09 I mean, it was just it was tough for me.

12:12 They would both be great.

12:13 They're both the greatest.

12:13 I'm on the fence.

12:14 They're both great.

12:15 There there's errors.

12:16 Like, you we can go all the way back

12:17 and I mean, I wear Jordans every why we're doing this.

12:20 This is our point.

12:22 This is not We're going to talk like we

12:25 should go all the way back to Bob Koozie.

12:26 We shouldn't just go to We should go to We should go all the way to the 50s.

12:32 Koozie, then Russell, then of course the Mike.

12:36 How can we leave out the Mike drill?

12:38 Then we can go to Dr.

12:39 and Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

12:42 But really, if if we're talking about greatest of all times, I mean,

12:45 it's hard to put anybody above Bob Koozie just because of what he

12:48 No, you already [laughter] you already said

12:51 if we're doing I'm I'm doing everything.

12:53 Usually, it's just LeBron Jordan.

12:54 If we're including everybody, Bob Koozie, baby.

12:57 And you can throw in Bill Russell there, too, cuz he won 11 titles.

13:00 Okay.

13:00 I'm surprised you didn't try to sneak in bird,

13:02 too, just because you smoke sigs in between.

13:05 Larry's saying a lot of stuff.

13:06 We learned a lot about Larry.

13:08 Larry's putting up Braun numbers before Braun.

13:10 But with that being said, 41 years old,

13:13 he still kind of kind of did his part last night.

13:15 Look, the team is overwhelmed, but it's the other guys.

13:17 We always talk about the other guys.

13:18 You talked, you saw talked about talked about JJ Re

13:21 and how he tried to take or or limit SGA,

13:24 but the other guys were hitting a bunch of shots.

13:26 That was not the case for the Lakers.

13:27 Austin Reeves didn't really show up.

13:29 Aiden had a double double, but he wasn't really impactful.

13:32 Ruy kind of did his thing.

13:33 They missed a ton of open shots.

13:35 And look, this is just a better team.

13:36 There's a reason why they were 15 and a half point dogs.

13:39 They'll win this series in in in commanding fashion.

13:42 Is SGA flopping?

13:44 I'm seeing a lot of theatrics.

13:45 Ask that question.

13:46 I'm seeing a lot of theatrics.

13:48 That ain't a question.

13:49 WHO'S A BUCKY GETTER?

13:52 512 first quarter.

13:53 Okay.

13:53 Now, Brick Center, I do believe on X

13:55 certainly took some liberties on what was a flop,

13:58 what was not a flop, what was maybe over dramatized,

14:00 but a lot of it was happening in the first quarter.

14:02 It felt like the tone was being set by SGA to maybe try to get a call.

14:05 maybe they wouldn't give him a call.

14:07 So then the internet went crazy.

14:08 I think there was maybe a few floppity flops throughout the game by SGA.

14:14 But I think there's also a lot of like

14:16 he just lets people know that a foul just happened,

14:18 you know, like he's pretty dramatic.

14:21 Yeah.

14:20 Like he is pretty kind of the league, you know, that's the league today.

14:24 He's zany with it.

14:25 He's Yeah, he's got a lot of pizzazz on his uh fouls.

14:30 I think like actual fouls, though.

14:31 Like I I after watching him live last year, and I keep saying this all the time,

14:34 and I'm just trying to put into perspective how TV verse real life works,

14:40 uh it's hard for me to act like SGA getting fouls is the reason why he's good.

14:44 Uh whenever you watch him in real life and it's just like this guy,

14:48 this guy's everywhere all the time and he's

14:49 so good at basketball and he's so smooth.

14:52 But I think he is a little bit over dramatic on the actual fouls cuz Brick

14:55 Center put one out where the guy clearly hits him clearly hits him in the elbow,

14:59 but then he does a full, you know, like a full Got to make sure they see it.

15:03 Exactly.

15:03 So I I think there is a little bit of embellishment potentially happening,

15:06 which I think is a uh soccer thing that happens as well,

15:10 but I think SGA gets uh falsely accused of being

15:14 a free throw merchant because they think all his embellishment are flops,

15:17 if that makes sense.

15:18 I think personally

15:19 and just people I think universally know how good he is and they

15:23 get more upset at the fact that he doesn't have to do that stuff.

15:26 I think like you mentioned the brick center

15:28 there's multiple in that video that were fouls

15:31 for sure but people who just watch it just it's another reason to pile on him.

15:35 I think the majority he's flailing.

15:37 Yeah.

15:37 Well, that stuff.

15:38 But, you know, Embiid, we see it damn near every night.

15:40 People do that.

15:41 Like, both teams argue about the other team doing it to them.

15:44 But, it's more so just like, "Hey, SGA,

15:46 we know you don't need to do this." So, that's why people get so upset about

15:50 SGA, you play your game, bub.

15:51 They're in the middle of a dynasty right now,

15:53 and they are very, very good at the basketball.

15:56 Uh, let's pivot away from the NBA,

15:58 which we'll talk to Kendrick Perkins here in about 15 minutes.

16:00 Can't wait to catch up with Big Perk.

16:01 We appreciate the fact that he's joining us today.

16:03 And the NBA has been awesome.

16:05 Like, it has been a lot of fun.

16:06 The NHL has been crushing it and the NFL always staying alive.

16:08 Big news kind of broke yesterday quietly

16:11 uh via Seafford tweet alongside Kalin Kaylor.

16:14 Um the negotiations between the NFL and the NFL

16:16 referees association have progressed far enough that the union

16:19 has scheduled a ratification vote on Thursday night

16:22 and they're not scheduling a vote for no reason.

16:24 They think this is a vote that could potentially get passed.

16:27 Now, will there be bickering amongst the ref's

16:29 association and maybe a vote does not come back?

16:31 Yes, possibly.

16:32 I guess anytime you have a vote that is certainly possible,

16:34 but I don't think this ref's association is uh one that is dissected much.

16:39 They are they are a tight bunch.

16:42 So if they are putting it to a vote,

16:43 I assume they've already made that decision.

16:45 Congratulations to all football fans if that is

16:48 the case to give us more information.

16:50 Ladies and gentlemen, joining us now,

16:52 junior NFL insider at ESPN, senior NFL insider at NFL Network.

16:59 Ladies and gentlemen, make some noise.

17:00 Reduce Ian Rapid.

17:04 What up, Junior?

17:05 I mean, I mean, come on.

17:07 I also like how last time we spoke,

17:09 you guys were debating Kobe and or uh LeBron and Jordan,

17:12 and now I come on, you're still debating

17:14 LeBron and Jordan every time before I come on.

17:17 Welcome to ESPN, baby.

17:18 Welcome to ESPN.

17:19 Welcome to the family.

17:20 Hey, great to have you.

17:21 Hey, great.

17:22 Do you have any thoughts?

17:24 Is the next segment going to be how Micah doesn't get any calls?

17:27 cuz that's really like dating back

17:29 to his Cowboys days plus Packers plus ref controversy.

17:32 I feel like that's sort of the next level of discussion debate.

17:36 We'll see whenever we get to that.

17:37 It's right around the corner for sure.

17:38 But still, but LeBron's 41 now warranted

17:41 a conversation and I think a lot of people

17:43 that have sat on these particular microphones

17:45 haven't been of the age that we are.

17:46 Like I'm 39 years old.

17:47 LeBron's older than me.

17:49 So I have uh grown up much like how a lot of other

17:52 sports media people grew up with Jordan as somebody they were a fan of.

17:56 I I do think we uh come from a different perspective.

17:59 But on that note, people do love watching it.

18:02 We've learned.

18:03 I mean, there is just watching the Jordan LeBron.

18:07 Oh, really?

18:07 Yeah.

18:08 The internet stuff, internet reactions are

18:10 just immediate number like immediate thought.

18:12 It literally happens.

18:14 I would say just speak from my group chats, it happens a lot.

18:17 Yeah, dude.

18:17 It's an immediate buzz, which is why it became the thing.

18:20 But we're not going to continue to do that.

18:22 N we're done with it.

18:23 We didn't mean to.

18:25 Both times we didn't.

18:28 No, YOU NO.

18:31 THE GREATEST BASKETBALL PLAYER ON PLANET EARTH IN THE HISTORY OF PLANET EARTH.

18:34 I mean, that's cuz I thought it was just kind of a matter of fact.

18:37 I wasn't even bringing it up.

18:38 Exactly.

18:39 Which guys become the whole thing.

18:40 And I don't want TO GET INTO IT.

18:42 RAP'S IN A CAR.

18:43 Rap's in a car.

18:44 He's got somewhere to go.

18:46 Thankfully, he is not driving.

18:47 Please tell Miss Leah we say thank you for the time here.

18:50 All right.

18:51 Let's talk about the refs.

18:52 Okay.

18:52 Thanks.

18:55 Big pop.

18:56 Hi, Miss Leah.

18:56 Good to see you.

18:57 Thank you so much for the time.

18:59 Uh I'm sure you don't feel like

19:00 you're just wasting life away right [laughter] now.

19:02 So, we will get to this as quickly as possible.

19:04 The NFL ref Association uh putting this to a vote on Thursday night.

19:09 We believe because how tight the ref's

19:10 association has proven to be over the years.

19:12 This means that this is something that is passing.

19:14 This is a huge huge piece of information as we look ahead

19:18 to the next season because with the replacement refs of the past,

19:22 it became state fair football and with how popular the game is,

19:26 where the league is trying to go and everything else we got going on, especially

19:28 with sports gambling and amount of money

19:30 being wagered and everything that's taking place, the replacement refs,

19:33 I think would have been a detrimental blow

19:35 to the NFL and its steam that it has going on.

19:38 I think it's a big deal.

19:39 Tell me how we got here, Rap, and tell me what you think this means.

19:43 Uh, I agree with you.

19:44 I think this is a a really really big

19:46 deal and you know it's it's weird because you

19:48 have some topics like we just discussed that are

19:50 hot button and people like have to get into it,

19:52 have to weigh in, have to this is sort of not one of them.

19:55 You you said you know use the word quietly

19:57 when you talk about the break of this like yesterday.

20:00 I would agree because people like okay well it's going to get done.

20:03 Yes, I do think eventually it will get done.

20:06 The real story would have been if it had not gotten done what

20:09 kind of disaster would it have been for all the reasons you mentioned.

20:12 Uh it certainly seems like it's headed toward ratification and you're right,

20:16 if the refs association is scheduling a vote,

20:19 you got to believe that they have supreme confidence that there's

20:22 going to be a deal that their members are going to ratify.

20:25 And as far as like what this all means in kind of, you know, looking forward,

20:30 I would say it represents a pretty good investment

20:34 from the NFL and from the owners in officiating,

20:37 in training, in development, in, you know,

20:40 sort of using the referees more than just like

20:43 on Sundays or Thursdays and Mondays during the season,

20:47 you know, making better use of them during mini camp,

20:51 during joint practices, during training camp, sort of, you know,

20:54 shortening the amount of dead time that they have

20:57 and just getting them on the field to work.

20:59 Um, and I think that's, you know, that's something just more reps is better.

21:03 And I think that's something that's going to help.

21:05 The other thing that I wouldn't be surprised to see is a little

21:08 more u focus on sort of accountability and less on seniority, right?

21:13 Like more of a focus on if you are good,

21:16 you will get rewarded and we will see it.

21:19 And if not, then we will not see you

21:22 as much and you will not have as many high-profile assignments.

21:25 Um, so I think those are sort of the the hot button important points

21:29 here is that this is going to lead to better officiating, which is good.

21:34 Okay, so the NFL wanted all those things.

21:36 They wanted accountability, they wanted offseason work,

21:38 they wanted a little bit more of that.

21:39 The NFL ref association, I believe they wanted more money.

21:42 I believe that was a part of the negotiation.

21:44 We can assume that both sides probably put

21:46 their swords down for a little bit of an agreement.

21:47 And do we expect the NFL Ref Association uh to come out of this very very happy

21:52 and excited about what the new day could be

21:54 alongside technology and development in the offseason or is

21:58 this going to be like a uh a process of weeding out all the old refs that are

22:02 going to hate everything about this and a newer

22:04 class of refs that are kind of coming through now?

22:06 There there is there has been some I would say over the last

22:09 like maybe four or five years there has been some weeding out of older

22:14 refs or refs that haven't been not nothing related to age but refs

22:18 that have not been performing in a way that um that they wanted.

22:22 So, we've sort of already seen that.

22:24 I would expect the referees association,

22:26 considering how much sort of drama was in this, how

22:29 much angst and frustration all the way through.

22:32 Once you get to a point where you're on the cusp of a deal,

22:35 I would expect both sides to be pretty happy.

22:38 But, you know, this has been like stressful.

22:41 Like, I started calling around yesterday when I

22:43 started hearing this before Seafford and Kayn Scoop me.

22:46 Um, and get

22:49 I know, right?

22:50 I know.

22:50 Nobody would talk about it because they were

22:52 kind of like don't want to mess it up.

22:53 Don't want to do anything to spook it or jinx it.

22:55 Like I think everyone's in a good place.

22:57 I think they just want to get it done.

22:59 And it is extremely good for the game that it will get done.

23:02 Yeah, I think it is extremely good for the game.

23:03 Shout out to the refs getting it done before the deadline.

23:05 Okay, that's them wanting the game to get better as well,

23:07 especially if they're being tasked with becoming more accountable,

23:10 which no group wants to contractually sign to.

23:12 Uh, you know, I I don't think that is something that necessarily a union wants

23:16 to sign up for, especially when they haven't really had it for a long time.

23:19 So, thank you to the refs for getting that deal done.

23:21 And also, shout out to the NFL for getting a deal done,

23:23 understanding this a big deal.

23:25 I think the money is going to have I think

23:26 there's probably going to be a little bit of a uh

23:29 if I had to guess, I think those refs probably got

23:31 a good bit about more money if I had to guess.

23:34 And uh and the good thing is none of us will

23:37 care as long as they're getting better and accountability is real.

23:41 And I think that's what the NFL

23:42 had probably realized whenever they were negotiating.

23:44 It's like, hey, if we have to tell the the owners

23:46 that we're paying the refs this amount of money,

23:48 but the game's going to get better and nobody

23:51 the fans aren't going to care either way.

23:52 Actually, kind of a good thing.

23:54 We do this.

23:55 Way to get a deal done.

23:56 That could have been a disaster.

24:00 Nightmare.

24:00 A disaster.

24:02 Yep.

24:02 Last time was not great.

24:03 Oh, AJ was on the field for that fail Mary up there.

24:06 I I mean, it is that was just one play that people remember.

24:09 That was every play, every down in the NFL because there's so many things.

24:13 Putting the ball on the right hash or the left hash or in the middle

24:17 or the yardage marker or spotting things or what balls in the game,

24:21 whose balls are in the I mean just like so many

24:24 just the logistical that is not even like a real thing.

24:28 That's every play.

24:29 And then obviously in the NFL professional football,

24:32 if the ball's on the left hash as opposed to right,

24:34 there's probably a different play call potentially.

24:36 So then ball is supposed to be on the left hash, we're calling a play in.

24:39 Well, actually the ball's now on the right hash.

24:40 Now look, how is the ball on the right hash?

24:43 Then somebody calls down.

24:44 Yeah, it should be on the left hash.

24:46 Got to stop the thing.

24:46 Hey, we're going over to the left hash.

24:48 That's second down now.

24:49 Okay, that's second play of the game.

24:51 I mean, that that's just one thing.

24:53 And with the eyes and everything, with how the league is viewed,

24:57 THANK GOD THEY GOT WAY TO GO OVER THERE, RO.

25:00 GOOD WORK, EVERYBODY.

25:01 Way to go, refs.

25:02 Great job.

25:03 All right, let's talk about some

25:04 other deals that could potentially be lingering.

25:05 Obviously, there's a lot of bigname free agents still available,

25:07 but it feels like one name of interest

25:09 uh could have got a little bit more interesting.

25:12 Yesterday, Stfan Diggs was found not guilty on all of his charges

25:15 in a very public court case that was taking place from his chef.

25:19 He uh Stfan Diggs has to feel very vindicated after

25:23 everything that we saw in this particular situation and case.

25:25 Obviously, it was very, very public.

25:27 I assume there was a lot of people watching to learn what the details

25:30 were on this around NFL teams to see where we're at, what we're at.

25:33 What does this mean for Stfan's career, you think, as free agency looms?

25:37 And I saw him back on a treadmill already on his IG story.

25:40 Always working.

25:42 Yeah.

25:42 I mean, he he [clears throat] has from the beginning maintained his innocence.

25:45 Talked to agent, lawyer, like they have been adamant to wanting

25:50 to fight this because they have firmly firmly

25:52 believed that he is not guilty for a variety of reasons like it will come out.

25:57 It will come out and then he had his day

25:58 in court and found not guilty basically exactly like they said.

26:03 Uh, I would say this, he is still he's 32 or 33,

26:07 still very good, still very productive.

26:10 There's a lot that goes into signing him,

26:12 but I think he showed last year with the Patriots with a really good team.

26:16 Now, you know, the off the- field stuff, obviously that got handled,

26:19 but as a player, it seemed like it went well.

26:23 Like, you know, there can be a lot for him, and I think there's been a couple

26:27 places where maybe he's worn out his welcome

26:30 in the right situation.

26:31 it seemed like it went well and he was good and productive and reliable.

26:35 Um, so I would imagine the teams who were waiting

26:39 for this have gotten the kind of answer that they had hoped

26:42 and I would expect him to have a pretty good market

26:44 because like you look around and how many gamechanging receivers are there?

26:50 I mean no disrespect to a lot of those players.

26:52 I mean there still can be some guys who make an impact but like

26:54 he's got to be close to the top of the list among really healthy players.

26:58 Tyreek Hill would be in the same category.

26:59 obviously not healthy yet,

27:00 but uh this was a very good day for Stfan Digs, no doubt.

27:04 And Connor uh thinks maybe he comes back to the Patriots,

27:07 especially with the June 1 trade potentially lingering with AJ Brown.

27:10 Who knows what the deal would look like for Stfan

27:11 Diggs after last year with the Patriots or elsewhere.

27:14 Uh he's always in the best shape.

27:16 He recovered from an injury like with no problem.

27:20 Let's talk.

27:20 You mentioned Tyreek Hill there.

27:22 Tyreek's been obviously a topic of conversation.

27:24 Maybe going back home for a reuniting of sorts.

27:27 Uh Debbut has a question for you.

27:28 Yeah, Diggs had a miraculous uh healing almost.

27:31 Seems like the same thing is going on with Patrick Mahomes out in Kansas City.

27:34 Any update with the Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes?

27:38 So, they're going to have OTAAS in pretty soon actually.

27:41 And I wouldn't be surprised based on the words

27:43 of Andy Reid if he's out there, right?

27:45 It's ACL, it's LCL.

27:47 The Chiefs have an excellent medical and training staff.

27:50 So, they're going to make sure that if he is on the field,

27:52 he is out of harm's way and he's okay.

27:55 The thing I would say is, you know,

27:57 rehab sucks and players hate it and it's miserable and to allow him to be

28:04 on the field is a little bit of a reward for the work he's done.

28:08 He has been he has been working like surgery immediately

28:12 in the next day for seven hours like he has been working.

28:15 So this feels to me like the team is like you know

28:17 what you have earned the right to be on the field for OTAAS.

28:21 What I would say is this does not necessarily mean

28:24 that he's going to be on the field when the season starts.

28:27 That is all very different and that's really more

28:29 like medical and training like milestones where he hits them.

28:34 If he is not on the field, I think this team will be okay.

28:37 And obviously trading for Justin feels they prepared for this.

28:40 But either way, whether he's on the field

28:42 in September or whether he's on the field in October,

28:45 he's still not going to be 100,000% like he was.

28:49 So, they're still going to have to like run

28:50 the ball and protect him for a little bit this season.

28:53 All right.

28:53 If he's not 100,000, maybe he'll be, you know, 100 would be cool.

28:58 99,000 or maybe, you know, 90,000.

29:01 And I know Justin Fields is over there.

29:03 Nmire can move and spin it.

29:05 Look out.

29:05 Okay.

29:05 Nuser can make He's seventh round draft pick.

29:08 That's going to be interesting.

29:09 That's going to be really interesting.

29:11 I don't know.

29:12 I don't know how he's going to be in the NFL,

29:13 but I do know like he can spin it and he can move and he's got a lot of moxy.

29:18 Yeah.

29:18 So, I think he'll be liked over there.

29:20 Uh, but Justin Fields obviously has NFL experience

29:23 and whenever he has the ball in his hands,

29:25 he's the most electrifying guy on the field.

29:28 Yes.

29:27 Now, when he throws it, his owner comes out and says,

29:30 "We don't have a quarterback and complete a pass."

29:33 So, Andy Reid fix that.

29:35 We shall see.

29:36 Maybe.

29:36 Last question here before we have to move to the NBA

29:38 because they're in the middle of the playoffs con man.

29:40 Yeah, Rapid was just kind of floated through the rumor mill,

29:43 but uh Rogers to Arizona, does that have any legs whatsoever or is he

29:48 probably most likely going back to the Pittsburgh Steelers?

29:52 Uh no legs for that one.

29:53 Uh certainly don't expect Sorry, sorry to disappoint everyone.

29:57 I don't expect that.

29:58 Um do not expect him to sign in Arizona.

30:00 I expect if he is going to play to play for Pittsburgh and you know

30:04 you're sort of getting to that point where you'd really like an answer but we're

30:08 in the same situation we've been which is

30:10 that like it's Aaron Rogers so you don't

30:12 want to be like hey we need an answer cuz he might go no you don't

30:15 and they don't like they don't they would like one I would like one um everybody

30:20 would like one but you sort of don't so when he decides to play football if

30:25 he decides to play football I expect it to be for the Steelers I expect it

30:29 to be for the contract where they sort of figured out based on the UFA tag.

30:33 I just you'd sort of like it to be before OTA's

30:36 release mini camp and that's getting to be pretty close here.

30:39 All right, we'll see how it all goes.

30:41 We know he's busy.

30:42 Yeah, super.

30:43 And then when he's done is he getting busy again?

30:47 Yeah, he's working out.

30:49 Yeah, working.

30:50 You mean like he's doing the appre lunch that you and Leah are about to go to?

30:54 You know what I'm [laughter] saying?

30:56 You're the man.

30:56 We appreciate the hell out of you and Leah.

31:00 Thanks you guys.

31:01 See you rap sheets.

31:02 Goodbye Jun.

31:04 I did see someone yesterday say and I can't remember who it was.

31:07 It was on Twitter that you know Aaron did hate replacement ref.

31:10 So maybe who's waiting to see if they get a deal done.

31:12 Yeah.

31:12 Fail Mary was also a part of uh his legacy as well out there.

31:15 Joining us now from the NBA the association

31:17 man that got drafted straight out of high school.

31:19 15-year veteran of the NBA,

31:21 a champion and a man who obviously lights up every television that he pops on.

31:24 Formerly would say carry on.

31:28 Mhm.

31:29 After everything he's kind of buried that got everything else that's brand new,

31:32 ladies and gentlemen.

31:32 Big perk.

31:34 Big [singing]

31:35 carry on.

31:36 Hey, I got greatness behind me, baby.

31:38 I got greatness behind me.

31:40 That was I listening right?

31:41 Did I hear Connor complaining about SGAA and I wasn't complaining, Perk.

31:48 I wasn't complaining.

31:49 I was just kind of saying what everybody was thinking.

31:53 Well, well, everybody need to stop thinking that.

31:56 And that narrative need to stop because I could remember at one point in time

32:00 we used to praise Michael Jordan for his ability to get to the free throw line.

32:06 We used to praise Kobe Bryant for his ability to get to the free throw line.

32:11 I thought all greats got to the free throw line.

32:14 That's what Paul Pierce used to do when I was playing with him

32:17 when his when he wasn't able to get when his shot wasn't falling.

32:21 I'mma get to the free throw line.

32:22 And that's the truth.

32:23 Yeah.

32:23 I think it looked a little

32:24 Oh, let's not act like let's not act like selling calls just started in 2026.

32:29 Thank you, PERCH.

32:33 EVERYBODY FROM THE NBA CARRY THIS GUY'S WATER.

32:35 [screaming] I'M SICK OF IT.

32:37 THIS IS RIDICULOUS.

32:38 [laughter]

32:41 EVERYBODY JUST said Michael Jordan.

32:43 Did they all do that?

32:44 No.

32:45 They went to the bucket AND THEY GOT FOULED.

32:47 I RESPECT AND APPRECIATE PAUL PIERCE.

32:49 I love the way he operates.

32:50 Hey, everybody needs to understand that.

32:52 True.

32:52 I love everything about him.

32:55 Especially Did he GET WHEELED OUT ONE GAME?

32:56 He had to poop.

32:58 Okay, that's different.

32:58 He had to poop.

32:59 Did he have to He GOT WHEELED OUT.

33:01 LET'S NOT COMPARE.

33:02 I'M NOT SAYING IT'S A BAD THING.

33:04 HE HAD TO POOP.

33:06 LET'S THIS IS NOT THE SAME as getting wheeled out for no reason.

33:10 [laughter] It was poop.

33:12 Actually, pretty good content getting wheeled out for no reason.

33:14 Yeah, we saw Lamar do it.

33:15 Kevin Nash, he had to poop, too.

33:18 Exactly.

33:18 All right, let's move along.

33:19 Uh, carry on.

33:20 Let's talk about the Oklahoma City Thunder.

33:22 LeBron James afterwards obviously getting a lot of because

33:25 uh he didn't answer something exactly how they

33:26 wanted him to answer whenever he said Luca we

33:29 got we're missing a guy that averages 37 points.

33:31 It's going to be hard to go offensively whenever we don't have that with us.

33:34 What are your thoughts about the Lakers chances?

33:36 How do you feel about the way JJ put uh double team on SGA

33:40 and basically said everybody else has to score and they were able to do as such.

33:43 Like what are your thoughts as that as a whole there?

33:45 Is this going to be 4?

33:47 Is this going to be 4 over here?

33:49 Well, well, number one, Bronn didn't lie.

33:51 So, he didn't lie.

33:53 They are missing the Luca led the league in scoring.

33:56 They only scored 90 points last night.

33:58 So, obviously, yes, they're missing Luca and they need Luca

34:02 in order to stay alive or even be in this series.

34:05 Without Luca, I got the Lakers getting one game.

34:08 This is going to be a gentleman sweep.

34:10 But the game plan was perfect.

34:12 Like you supposed to walk into a series and saying, "You know what?

34:16 We're going to take the ball out of the best player hands in SGA.

34:20 One of the most efficient players to ever play the game.

34:23 No, somebody else is going to have to beat us." And that just

34:27 showed you how deep and the depth of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

34:31 and Chad Homegrid, way to step up.

34:34 Because what I wanted to see and what I want

34:38 to continue to see is can he be a reliable second option?

34:42 Can he be a robin to SGAA?

34:45 And he got off to a great start last night because we don't know how long Jub

34:49 is going to be out and we don't we don't know when JDub when he does return.

34:54 Is he going to be 100%?

34:56 Probably not.

34:57 We know how tricky them hamstrings are.

34:59 So again, LeBron knows what what a championship team look like.

35:04 He's just telling you, "Hey, we're going against the champs.

35:06 We're going against one of the greatest defensive teams that we've

35:11 ever seen in NBA history." Ain't nothing wrong with what he said.

35:15 Yeah, I agree.

35:15 And I'm on team LeBron, though.

35:17 And Connor actually said LeBron's greatest basketball player

35:19 of all time actually to start this entire show.

35:21 So, we kind of got into that entire convo.

35:24 What's that?

35:24 Good for Conor.

35:26 Good for [laughter]

35:27 you like that.

35:27 He took that stand there.

35:28 YEAH, IT WASN'T A STAND.

35:30 IT WAS JUST A throwaway comment.

35:32 It was not.

35:33 It was not meant to be a thing.

35:34 It became a fool thing because it's obviously

35:36 this guy's 41 years old and you know I

35:38 I think you mentioned it about the first series

35:40 like if he wins this all by himself here.

35:42 The goat conversation is over.

35:44 But what he's doing I mean he's not done right.

35:46 He's playing next year too.

35:47 We assume, right?

35:48 Uh I don't know.

35:48 Uh he's doing a retirement tour.

35:50 No, he said he's not doing a retirement tour.

35:52 Oh, did he say that?

35:53 Okay.

35:54 OKAY.

35:55 SEE HATERS THAT YOU SAID HE'S THE GREATEST PLAYER ON EARTH.

35:58 WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?

35:58 THAT DOESN'T MEAN HE'S not going to do a retirement tour.

36:00 We know LeBron Tim Duncan didn't say, "Hey,

36:03 next year I'm not doing a retirement." Tim Duncan just

36:06 all of a sudden left in the middle of the night.

36:08 Okay.

36:08 Great.

36:08 He's got

36:09 Yeah.

36:10 Right.

36:10 Yeah.

36:10 Now that is how you do it.

36:11 You don't even bring it up.

36:13 He already brought it up and honestly that's cuz we brought it up because he's

36:16 the greatest player of all time in your words.

36:17 He deserves a retirement.

36:19 Okay.

36:19 Let's move along here.

36:20 Let's talk about other basketball happening.

36:22 Perk, we appreciate you.

36:22 What do you think?

36:23 Do you think he continues to play?

36:25 I I think Braun could play till he's 45 to be honest with you.

36:29 I think I think he has another four years of this level of play.

36:34 Like real talk.

36:35 And I I'm not I'm not even BSing.

36:37 I'm dead serious when I say this.

36:39 What he did like what he's been doing in this postseason.

36:42 Last night he did his part.

36:44 Last night he was fantastic.

36:46 He just didn't have the help.

36:48 and guys in the back court like Marcus

36:50 Smart and and and and you know Austin Reeves, they didn't they didn't play well.

36:55 And one thing, let me get this off my chest.

36:58 All right.

36:58 Can people lay off of Austin Reeds for a second, please?

37:03 No.

37:02 The guy No, listen.

37:04 He just he just got back.

37:06 He's got a peg leg two games ago.

37:09 Two games ago.

37:10 You know, it usually take at least five TO 10 GAMES.

37:14 COME ON.

37:14 THIS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

37:16 WELL, YOU KNOW WHO'S attacking him, right?

37:17 shot.

37:17 Also,

37:17 you know who's attacking him, right?

37:19 Oh, LeBron fans.

37:21 No.

37:20 Well, that's why Foxy just put that up as fast as possible.

37:24 It is LeBron fans.

37:25 He does need help.

37:26 Help the King.

37:27 You just need help.

37:28 King doesn't need help.

37:30 But what I'm saying is we know when a guy come off an injury, he was thrown.

37:34 He was thrown right into the fire, man.

37:36 Like, you need wrap on his leg.

37:40 Yeah, he's got that wrap.

37:41 Caruso put him in a bag.

37:43 Ant-Man tore his knee off his leg and got back at nine days.

37:46 And let's talk about they might be they might be cheating.

37:50 I don't know what the Anthony Edwards got going on.

37:53 He should not have been back.

37:54 That thing was disgusting.

37:55 Now, on that note, that series, you've made some predictions there as well.

37:59 Go ahead, D.

37:59 Absolutely.

38:00 I know coming into the playoffs,

38:01 I believe you had the Spurs coming out of the West and maybe even winning

38:04 this whole thing and you've kind of changed

38:06 your tune lately after that first loss.

38:08 What's your expectations for Wimby and the Spurs going forward?

38:13 Well, look, Wimby, the future is bright.

38:16 It's just not this year.

38:17 They're not getting past the Minnesota Timber.

38:21 And look, Wimpby got to understand in these moments,

38:24 I want him to continue to be a big man with guard skills.

38:29 Going 0 for eight from the three-point line, that's not go get it.

38:33 And I understand he's going against a physical team.

38:36 He's going against one of the better defensive teams that we have in our league.

38:40 But this Minnesota Timberwolves team,

38:43 they're playing with a a a certain spirit, edge, and tenacity.

38:49 And it reminded me in this game one,

38:51 in that game one, that this team has a lot of experience.

38:55 We're talking about a a core group

38:57 that has been to backto back conference finals.

39:00 And when Anthony Edwards said, I get another cuss word, right?

39:06 I always get two.

39:07 Maybe three.

39:08 When Anthony Edward said, "Fuck what the doctors are talking about.

39:12 I'm playing.

39:13 I ain't trying to hear nothing.

39:14 I'm not sitting out.

39:16 I am going on the floor and I'm going to compete

39:19 with my guys." And he went out and did it in great fashion.

39:23 That told me everything I needed to know.

39:26 Uh, Coach Finch is coaching his ass off right now.

39:30 When you talk about the different lineups,

39:32 when you talk about him empowering guys, maxing out guys, dealing with injuries,

39:38 knocking off the Denver Nuggets, getting the crucial game one,

39:42 Terrence Shannon, all of a sudden he's empowered.

39:45 He got the confidence.

39:46 That is coaching.

39:48 That is coaching.

39:49 We are watching a coach that is writing

39:52 his own legacy right in front of our eyes.

39:55 And I'm telling you this now,

39:57 the Minnesota Timberwolves can win the NBA championship this year.

40:01 Oh, whoa, perk.

40:02 I like hearing that.

40:03 Especially if you're able to heal from a bone bruise

40:06 from a hyperextension in nine days and be able to tell doctors,

40:09 I don't want to hear it.

40:09 And then drop 18 off the bench and be

40:11 an absolute stallion down the stretch without even missing a hitch.

40:14 And is Go Bear going to be able to handle big big Wii?

40:18 And then we were talking to some people around the league and they're

40:20 saying if you look at the Minnesota Timberwolves outside of the 7 foot10 guy,

40:24 okay, that's saying tennywise Minnesota

40:25 Timberwolves are pretty physically imposing team.

40:28 I mean, they're going through chess.

40:29 They are they're actually kind of about it.

40:31 You're saying the big wagon that is

40:33 the Timberwagons over there in Minnesota could

40:35 potentially win the entire thing this year

40:37 because I thought this Oklahoma City's entire dance.

40:39 I thought I thought they were supposed to be

40:41 the ones that be able to walk away with this.

40:43 Well, well, here's the thing.

40:44 We don't know what Jay Dub is going to look like,

40:47 but I will say this, Jaden McDaniels has

40:52 been one of the best stories in this postseason.

40:55 If I had to give out an MVP award for the first round,

40:59 he was getting the MVP trophy.

41:01 It's not just what he did, it's how he did it, right?

41:04 To talk his noise and to back it up.

41:07 He's already, in my opinion, the best wing defender that we have in this game,

41:12 but now we're watching him get into his bag offensively.

41:16 Jay McDaniels is different, right?

41:18 and and and what he's doing right now, I'm telling you,

41:22 is just is just you got to you got to give

41:24 a lot of credit to coach Finch and that coaching staff

41:28 for the player development and the and the confidence that he

41:31 is putting into these others outside of Julius Randall and Anthony Edwards.

41:36 They are playing with an edge.

41:39 And let me tell you, Chris Fitch is petty as hell, too.

41:42 I love what he said after the game.

41:45 They chose us after the series.

41:47 They chose us.

41:49 He is playing a a a great He is doing it.

41:52 He He his game playing is on point.

41:55 And last but not least,

41:57 he is doing an outstand outstanding job playing mind games with the officials.

42:02 You heard what he said after game one, right?

42:05 Yeah.

42:05 Wimpy had a lot of blocks and a lot

42:07 of them were go like that is putting it out there.

42:11 I love this Minnesota Temple Wars team.

42:13 Yeah, it sounds like you're pretty jacked up.

42:15 I like it.

42:15 Perk might be overreacting cuz all y'all NBA guys say

42:18 every every game takes on a life of its own.

42:21 Don't overreacting.

42:22 They stole one of the road.

42:23 It feel like you overreacting right now.

42:25 Perk.

42:25 Perk, you're not overreacting.

42:28 Uh over perk, listen.

42:31 I I am not a delusional Knicks fan, right?

42:35 Like the Knicks, they fan base, they overreact.

42:38 Like they the ones that had a parade cuz they won game one.

42:43 I'm I still think that series is going seven games.

42:46 I think that series is going seven games because what people don't understand is

42:50 when you come off a tough seven game series and you have a quick turnaround,

42:55 one, you don't have time to prepare, right?

42:58 Like you can like your scout is different mentally and physically.

43:02 You're exhausted from all the energy you had to to put

43:06 out into that series and then you have a quick turnaround.

43:09 I expect the 76ers to be better.

43:11 Here's why I'm not overreacting when it comes to the Timberwolves.

43:16 When you know, you know.

43:18 And I'm telling you, I could feel the energy through the television.

43:23 I see A-Rod sitting on the sideline.

43:26 They chest bumping.

43:27 He He fired up.

43:28 It's something that is going on through that organization

43:32 that I wish I was a part of.

43:35 Okay.

43:35 Well, you keep saying what you're saying.

43:36 It might just adopt you in there, pal.

43:37 I think the timber wagons are certainly filling up right now.

43:40 Especially Ant-Man is an easy person to get to.

43:43 I I mean that that is an easy holy hell.

43:46 I cannot believe this is happening right now.

43:47 J McDaniels as well.

43:48 If they were to win a title in Oklahoma City's league right now.

43:52 Wow.

43:52 Would be insane.

43:53 We appreciate the hell out of you, Big Perk.

43:55 Thank you for taking time.

43:57 I appreciate it.

43:58 Okay, so you got the Sixers tonight and you got the Timber Wagons.

44:01 No, no, no.

44:02 I No, no.

44:02 I didn't say I had the Sixers.

44:04 I said, I see this series going seven games.

44:07 That don't mean the Knicks are not going to win,

44:10 but I don't it's not going to be a blowout again.

44:12 We're going to see a better version of the 76ers.

44:15 Now, I will say this.

44:17 This is a must-win situation for the San Antonio Spurs.

44:21 This game two, if they don't win game two, they're going to get swept.

44:26 Oh, all right.

44:28 They're not going to You're not going into Minnesota down 02 and expecting

44:33 to get a win in that hostile

44:35 environment where they're undefeated in the postseason.

44:38 This is a must-win situation for the San Antonio Spurs.

44:43 This is not the Portland Trailblazers.

44:45 Your ass could go down 02 if you want

44:47 tonight and you going to get sent home early.

44:50 I'm telling you that now.

44:51 Ladies and gentlemen, that's 15ear vet and NBA champion Kendrick Perkins.

44:54 [applause] He's talking about maybe the Timber Wagons, becoming champion.

44:58 How about becoming a champion in golf?

45:00 Oh, how about winning the players championship earlier in the year,

45:02 telling the entire world you have arrived, and then go ahead and compound it.

45:05 Cadillac champion from this past weekend.

45:07 Winner by six strokes.

45:08 Could have been seven.

45:10 If he wasn't such a a gentleman.

45:13 Yeah,

45:13 great guy.

45:14 Stand up lad.

45:16 Absolutely.

45:16 Ladies and gentlemen, Cameo.

45:18 Yam.

45:19 How you doing, bub?

45:21 Good.

45:21 Good.

45:22 It's been a nice few weeks.

45:24 Yeah.

45:24 Hey, you've been living pretty good, huh?

45:25 How how is the mind?

45:26 Pretty clear.

45:27 Have you uh just kind of been enjoying it all?

45:29 How have you kind of handled the massive success?

45:31 Because I believe there's a stat about your first 103 events.

45:34 I'm sure you've heard about the not winning and then all of a sudden,

45:37 hey, over the last few, you've been winning a lot.

45:39 How has it been handling the success?

45:40 It seems like it's uh only benefited your game.

45:44 Yeah, I think so.

45:44 I mean, what I've said for a long time is basically that, you know,

45:48 each each good result you have is kind of proof that what you're doing works.

45:54 And, you know, as more of that stacks up,

45:56 it's easier and easier to believe in what you do.

45:59 It's it's hardest when it's not going your way

46:01 to kind of believe in what you're doing.

46:02 And right now, things going well, I feel like um it's been really nice to kind

46:07 of see the fruit of that work and, you know,

46:09 start to believe in what we're doing.

46:10 Yeah.

46:11 I don't want to get too deep here,

46:12 but probably your whole family and friends and everybody, too, right?

46:14 I I I assume everybody's like super pumped like,

46:17 "Hey, yeah, we've always said you're the guy.

46:19 You've always believed you're the guy.

46:21 Now you're getting a chance to celebrate it and the world's getting

46:23 a chance to celebrate." I bet you that's cool for the whole family.

46:25 Yes or no?

46:26 Yeah, absolutely.

46:27 I mean, there's there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes that is not me.

46:30 Between, you know, all my kids, my in-laws, my parents,

46:35 there there's a whole group of people that deserves

46:38 probably a lot more credit than they're getting.

46:39 Uh, so it's not not all me.

46:41 I just am the fortunate one that gets to do the golf thing.

46:43 All right.

46:44 Well, shout out to you remaining so humble

46:45 obviously as the bank account continues to massively grow.

46:49 Oh yeah.

46:49 Just grow through the weeks obviously.

46:51 Congrats to you all earned in the entire team.

46:54 And I mentioned your family, you know, obviously we learned your story.

46:56 Your dad like PGA Golf Pro up there,

46:58 Sleepy Hollow Club, I do believe uh lad from Scatter.

47:02 Uh Sleepy Hollow is the club.

47:03 And then I believe you went to Forom Prep down there uh in high school.

47:07 Took the train down.

47:08 We did a lot of learning about you uh New York kid becoming this golf sensation,

47:12 but your dad obviously you raised you're raised in the golf world.

47:17 When that ball rolls on Sunday with you in the lead,

47:21 it you're just your first reaction is holy I can't believe

47:24 this just happened and then now I have to say something, right?

47:27 That is kind of how it goes.

47:29 Yeah.

47:29 I just watched Scotty hit driver drive onto the first

47:32 screen and make birdie and uh my ball rolls over.

47:35 I'm like, man, here we go.

47:37 Um, so it's just one of those times.

47:39 I mean, it moved.

47:41 I don't think anyone probably could have seen it.

47:43 But, um, yeah, I mean, stuff like that, you got to think of it.

47:48 If you're doing the right thing,

47:49 good stuff's got to happen at some point because of it.

47:53 Um, and at least you can feel the good about what you do.

47:55 So, just one of those times.

47:56 It was super unfortunate, but it did move.

47:59 And, uh, I couldn't say that it wasn't me, so just had to take it and move on.

48:03 Well, I want to let you know,

48:04 everybody talks about what they would do in the moment.

48:06 what they would do to Sunday.

48:07 Okay.

48:07 Scotty lurking.

48:09 Lurking.

48:10 Lurking is the closer.

48:12 He's always lurking, you know.

48:13 And then you're s just hit a beautiful shot.

48:15 Lot of money on the line.

48:16 So much money.

48:17 Legacy.

48:17 I mean, There's so much in there.

48:19 And everybody thinks about what they would want to do.

48:21 I'd be a hero.

48:22 Yeah, I'd call it I do it.

48:24 You actually in the moment did it.

48:26 Except for that.

48:26 Hey, good on you, Kyle.

48:29 Good on you, Kyle.

48:31 And I hope a lot of people have told you that cuz

48:32 for the good of the game and and in our sport,

48:34 if something like that would have happened,

48:36 I'd say 35 to 85% of the people would not have called it.

48:41 Yeah, they would.

48:41 It's a good range.

48:42 35 85.

48:43 Yeah.

48:43 It's like uh cuz it could be a

48:45 big range.

48:46 Depends on when in the season is, what's the game for you yet this year?

48:50 You know, what is the season look like?

48:51 Yeah.

48:51 There's a lot of different things that could happen.

48:53 But what we're saying is you're uh you showcased your sport well in that moment

48:57 and uh it was a cool cool thing for all of us to witness.

49:00 Go ahead, D.

49:00 While while we're on there,

49:01 I just want to ask you because there are so many rules in golf and I feel like,

49:05 you know, we see the guy have to come over the referee.

49:07 Is there one rule that you Look,

49:08 we have a a high school golfer in our building who

49:11 has admitted to cheating in every tournament he played in pretty much.

49:14 But is there one rule that you would change uh in golf?

49:20 Um, I would change um I don't know.

49:23 I mean, golf is strange in that way because I

49:27 feel like there's so many unique scenarios that can go on.

49:30 We're just in the habit of calling

49:32 a rules official pretty much no matter what happens,

49:34 even if it's a very routine one that we all know.

49:36 Uh, just because if they're there, you basically can't be faulted for it.

49:40 Um, so I don't know.

49:41 I mean, the the ball moving one is pretty pretty relevant right now.

49:46 I mean, obviously I wasn't I wasn't trying to hit the ball.

49:48 I didn't try to give myself a better lie.

49:50 I had already, we were playing liftly in place,

49:52 so I had already put it basically up on a tee.

49:55 Um, so there was no advantage to me doing what I did to move the ball.

49:58 All I did was put my club down.

50:00 So, you know, that's one of those ones that, you know,

50:03 obviously there was no intent to do anything that was going to help me.

50:06 I already had the best line I could ask for.

50:08 Uh, it seems like maybe that one doesn't need to be a penalty,

50:12 but uh, just kind of how it's always been.

50:14 Yeah.

50:14 But now think about every single golf coach,

50:17 every dad or mom trying to teach their their kids how to golf.

50:21 They say, "Hey, on a Sunday in the middle of a tournament,

50:24 you call this this is like you you almost it's a it's a passing of a baton it

50:27 feels like of the sport to another generation whenever

50:30 something like this happens because there's been the alternate,

50:32 right, where somebody at home caught something on the internet,

50:35 then it became like a firestorm and then all of a sudden it's like,

50:38 "Oh, I thought golf was supposed to be whatever."

50:41 So like I love that you did it legit.

50:43 I would be that kid that's an that like he was up he was up six five strokes.

50:48 If he was down a stroke he do it that.

50:51 Yeah.

50:51 Well, exactly.

50:52 And also I think Scotty even said to you, "Who cares?" [laughter]

50:56 Yeah.

50:57 Basic.

50:57 Yeah.

50:57 He was he basically just said that there's no way that you moved it.

51:01 And I was like, "Well, I mean I the timing was certainly suspicious,

51:05 but I don't really think I moved it either.

51:07 Who knows?" So just kind of one

51:08 of those you just got to beat [clears throat] it.

51:09 Can Scotty like kind of testify for you there

51:12 to the rules official or is that just an automatic ruling there?

51:17 Yeah, I think it's just a ruling.

51:18 I mean, I don't think anyone was watching closely enough to really see.

51:22 I mean, you had to be kind of right on top of it.

51:25 Um Oh my god.

51:26 to notice.

51:27 You're such a good guy.

51:27 Let's move along.

51:28 Okay.

51:29 Hey, good for you.

51:29 Just Thank you for doing that for your sport.

51:32 Literally, thank you for doing that for your sport.

51:33 Now, speaking of your sport,

51:36 a lot coming about your sport and we're

51:38 not expecting you to give some political answer,

51:41 but there is certainly some things brewing amongst the PGA Tour at this point.

51:44 Go ahead, con man.

51:45 Yeah, Cameron, if you don't want to answer at all,

51:46 you can just tell me to shut up

51:47 and we can [laughter] move on to the next question.

51:49 But we had a very heated debate

51:51 this morning just about kind of the reintegration

51:54 of the live golfers with everything going on over there back into the PGA.

51:59 It felt as though the PGA live rivalry

52:02 over the last couple years has kind of gone

52:04 gone to the wayside and no one really

52:06 cares anymore and we're all just trying to golf.

52:09 As a player on the PGA tour, how do you feel about kind of everything going on?

52:14 I know Kepka is already kind of going through the process.

52:18 Is that something you think everybody should go through?

52:20 Should it be some, you know,

52:22 different separate thing we kind of threw out there?

52:24 Do they be the groundskeepers maybe [laughter] on Tuesdays and Wednesdays?

52:28 days for the tournaments.

52:29 Thursday, Friday for the tournaments.

52:30 Yeah, maybe.

52:32 Hey, we're brainstorming.

52:32 We're brainstorming.

52:33 Yeah, just just things that they should do.

52:35 Yeah.

52:36 Build the bleachers.

52:37 Build the bleachers up.

52:38 Take them down on Sunday, which is even worse sometimes.

52:41 Just if you guys We'll tell Rollap, too.

52:43 If you need any ideas, we can do all these things.

52:45 But let's turn them into construction work is

52:47 kind of that that's what I'm getting here.

52:49 Yeah.

52:49 And then once they win a tournament, you can take off the construction hat.

52:52 Then it's done.

52:53 Yeah.

52:53 Yeah, that's that's But on that note,

52:55 we assume there is a lot of different feelings

52:57 because I think at the time of Liv starting,

52:59 you were top 20 in the world.

53:00 I assume that was a conversation with you about going over there.

53:03 Massive amount of money allegedly for everybody and it

53:06 did feel like it was you're taking the money,

53:09 not going to be ever going to do business with PJ again.

53:12 At the moment, it felt like that.

53:13 Now we're at a different time.

53:14 How does kind of the locker room feel about it all?

53:16 And are you guys even being asked what your thoughts are at this point?

53:18 And if you don't have any, all good, too.

53:21 Yeah, I mean I I haven't been asked much.

53:23 Um, you know, it it's I feel like it's a little

53:27 bit tricky because I think it's been great to have Brooks back.

53:29 You know, he's a fan favorite.

53:30 He's a great golfer.

53:32 Um, you know, great major championship player.

53:35 So, I'm I'm happy to have him back.

53:37 I think it's good for the PJ tour.

53:38 I think it's good for the game to get to see him more.

53:41 Um, but I mean, the tour did have the system that they put in place for him.

53:47 they had, you know, the opportunity this January for some of those guys,

53:51 a select few to come back.

53:53 Um, and Brooks was the only one to take that opportunity.

53:55 So now, I mean, it's it's not up to me,

53:58 but I think the PJ tour, I'm sure, will have, you know,

54:03 I imagine they will find a way for some of those guys to come back,

54:06 but I don't know if it will be as simple as it was for Brooks.

54:09 You know, his relatively time-wise, you know,

54:12 he didn't have to sit out or anything like that.

54:14 So, I I really have no good information on what will happen.

54:18 Um, but all in all, I mean,

54:20 I play golf to play golf against the best players in the world.

54:23 You know, that's one of the main things that drives me is to is to compete.

54:28 Yes.

54:29 And I don't know to to me there's there's a handful

54:32 of really really good players that are over there and, you know,

54:34 seeing them four times a year, I' I'd probably rather compete against them more.

54:38 So, uh, if you're asking me,

54:39 I I'd probably like to see him back in some capacity.

54:42 however they decide that's going to work out.

54:45 Um, and you'd like it to be fair to both sides.

54:47 I think I I don't think there's any reason to unduly punish them uh coming back.

54:51 But at the same time, like you said, you know,

54:53 it felt like kind of an all or nothing decision to go.

54:57 So, um, yeah, you know, up to people smarter than me to figure out

55:02 how it all is going to work out.

55:04 I genuinely don't know if it's smarter

55:05 than definitely the people are smarter than us.

55:07 Let's say that.

55:08 But I think it is like the diplomacy diplomacy of how it's going

55:12 to be dealt is certainly an interesting it's a very because the February

55:16 2nd deadline I believe is the one you were referring to about

55:18 books entering into and I think his contract was up at the time.

55:21 Now Rambbo has come out and said like hey my contract's not until like 2032

55:25 or something like that and then well they

55:26 said well what if the league isn't around him.

55:28 It's just there's so many crazy conversations.

55:30 I think all of us just WANT TO SEE WE JUST WANT THE leaderboard to be packed.

55:34 But on that note, yeah, maybe build the bleachers, boys.

55:38 Yeah.

55:39 Maybe have to hammer and nail.

55:40 Can't do what you did and just come back scotfree.

55:42 Okay.

55:43 Maybe hammer and nail.

55:44 You know, stacking them barrels out there to get

55:46 back into the good graces of the bartend.

55:49 Yeah.

55:49 Maybe bartender.

55:50 Yeah.

55:50 You get cut on Friday.

55:51 Guess what?

55:52 You got to work the bar Saturday, Sunday.

55:54 8 hour shift.

55:55 Maybe Caddy.

55:56 Yes.

55:56 Caddy.

55:57 Maybe Caddy.

55:58 Nobody.

55:58 Just you walk.

55:59 You just have to walk and stop.

56:00 You want to walk over and over again.

56:02 First, you are the opening tea, too.

56:04 Yeah.

56:04 in the opening uh throw your ball.

56:08 Yeah,

56:08 things is just something to think about.

56:09 But I don't think they want I don't think they got they want you in charge.

56:12 I feel like you GUYS ARE

56:13 WHY WOULD WE MAKE THIS A LOT WORSE IF THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?

56:18 [laughter] We would like to see the leaderboard pack though.

56:21 And you talked about the four times a year.

56:22 Go ahead, Tone.

56:23 Yeah, Cam.

56:23 Uh we talk a lot about here like when there's a young and upand

56:27 cominging team like they have to lose first before they can win a championship.

56:31 You've obviously have top fours now in every single major.

56:35 Uh coming off third at the Masters.

56:37 Is that similar in the golf world where you

56:39 like have to learn how to play at a Masters?

56:41 Maybe learn how to

56:43 not get the top spot at the Masters.

56:45 Learn how to have heartbreak at a major major

56:48 before you can go and finally get a major.

56:50 Is that just a stupid thing for me to say?

56:52 I like that.

56:53 No, I think experience can help.

56:55 I mean, I think it can go both ways.

56:58 you know, you build up kind of too much scar

57:00 tissue and it it stays kind of in your head negatively, then it can hurt you.

57:05 But I think for me, I mean,

57:07 the main thing is just continuing to build belief and, you know,

57:12 continue stacking results just so you have so much more to look back on.

57:15 And um, you know, I've played played golf in majors well

57:18 enough to win and just haven't quite gotten over the finish line,

57:21 you know, and I don't I don't think generally much fault of my own.

57:24 this year at the Masters was was a really nice

57:27 chance and I just didn't make anything on the back nine.

57:29 I didn't I didn't feel out of place.

57:31 I didn't do anything wrong.

57:32 I just didn't make anything.

57:33 Um so I think in a lot of cases, yes, having some high finishes and, you know,

57:38 getting some experience playing late on Sunday in the majors is great,

57:42 but uh it it doesn't stop, you know,

57:44 young guys from coming out and having chances to win, too.

57:46 So there there's going to be plenty of instances with, you know,

57:49 young relatively inexperienced players winning majors, too.

57:52 I mean, I'm sure there'll be more of that in the future.

57:55 So, um, yeah, it can be a mixed bag and kind of depends how you're treated.

57:58 I think situations are situational.

58:00 Obviously, ignorance can be bliss.

58:02 You don't know what you don't know,

58:03 especially whenever you're just blindly in there.

58:04 You have no idea how big it actually all is.

58:06 And then once you get too many of those and it doesn't work out,

58:09 then it's like, oh no,

58:10 now it's becoming a thing, which obviously everybody hates.

58:13 But golf feels like that is a constant kind of conversation with everybody.

58:17 Um, Cam, I have a quick question for you.

58:20 Nelly told me Nelly Corda.

58:22 Okay, Nelly.

58:23 Pretty good player.

58:23 Pretty good player.

58:26 Yes.

58:26 Came off back to back.

58:27 Her and you winning.

58:28 That's what she should do.

58:29 There you go.

58:31 She told me to go CocaCola.

58:33 Okay.

58:33 With my golf swing.

58:34 Okay.

58:34 That's what she told me to do.

58:36 Maybe a little slower.

58:38 Yeah.

58:39 Coca-Cola.

58:39 You were still watching every time.

58:41 Yeah.

58:43 COCA-COLA.

58:48 OKAY.

58:49 UM, I can do that with my golf swing.

58:51 Can I technically take that thing

58:54 up to here, over to here to where you are, and then swing from there?

59:00 Yeah.

59:01 Yeah.

59:01 I mean, the back swing is basically, you know, lift, hinge, and turn.

59:05 So, you could do them all in whatever order you want as long

59:08 as you get up there and you can do it over and over again.

59:11 Oh, I can do it over and over again.

59:13 There you go.

59:14 Boom.

59:14 Bang.

59:14 [laughter] Boom.

59:16 Yeah.

59:16 Easy.

59:17 Cola.

59:17 you know, and I'm not even doing the cocoa at the beginning.

59:21 Sure.

59:21 Hey, um, can we get on a course at some point in your guys' off seasonason,

59:24 which I don't know what it is.

59:25 And, uh, can we just see the difference of you

59:28 golfing for us cuz I watched you at 12 at Augusta.

59:32 You didn't say anything.

59:33 Thanks for that.

59:34 Left me hanging in front of all my new friends.

59:35 Kind of doubted.

59:37 Yeah, you're kind of focused there.

59:38 I was busy.

59:39 That hole was so hard.

59:40 So hard.

59:41 So hot, too.

59:41 It was so hot.

59:42 Yeah, it was a thousand degrees at that hole potentially.

59:45 But like watching how locked in you guys are with everything,

59:48 I would love to be able to do a round.

59:50 I don't think I've ever done a Can I make that happen?

59:52 This is kind of me putting you on a spot publicly here,

59:54 but I would like to experience that.

59:55 I think it would make me a better conversator about golf.

59:58 There you go.

59:58 Yeah, we'll get we'll get a group together in Florida then.

1:00:01 You guys looking at that green was insane.

1:00:03 Like the amount of that was happening with all the thing.

1:00:05 It was like these guys are killers out here.

1:00:07 And I've never even thought of any of this.

1:00:09 Yeah.

1:00:10 I would love to see

1:00:10 Well, you you you get that whole It's like

1:00:12 six yards between the front bunker and the back bunker.

1:00:15 It feels like it anyway.

1:00:16 And you get the 11th flag stick and the 12th flag stick

1:00:18 blow in opposite directions and you're sitting there like what do I do?

1:00:21 And it, you know, that's why we're not looking up there in the crowd.

1:00:24 I think I was third row back.

1:00:26 I almost got hit with a ball at one point.

1:00:28 Hear the man, ladies and gentlemen.

1:00:30 An absolute sensation.

1:00:31 PGA Chomp.

1:00:33 Cameron Young.

1:00:33 Thank you.

1:00:34 [applause]

1:00:35 We're back on the other side.

1:00:36 Be a friend.

1:00:37 Tell a friend something nice.

1:00:38 It might change their life.

1:00:39 I think we're going to get beat at the golf course.

1:00:42 Yep.

1:00:43 and the commissioner Roger Goodell making his way

1:00:46 to open night two of the 2026 NFL draft.

1:00:56 Go.

1:00:56 Come on, Pittsburgh.

1:00:59 And here's a familiar face and voice to make the announcement.

1:01:05 Wow.

1:01:04 Look out, everybody.

1:01:05 Here comes McAfee.

1:01:07 [cheering] They said YINS ARE GETTING SOFT.

1:01:13 YINS ARE GETTING TIRED.

1:01:16 ARE YOU YINSZERS GETTING EXHAUSTED FROM SO MUCH FOOTBALL CELEBRATION or no?

1:01:23 [cheering] Zero arrest last night in the NFL draft compound.

1:01:30 PITTSBURGH ENZORS.

1:01:31 CONGRATULATIONS.

1:01:33 [cheering] NOW, the Indianapolis COLTS FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICK WAS SAUCE GARDNER,

1:01:42 AND HE'S BETTER THAN ALL OF YOUR FIRST ROUND PICKS for sure.

1:01:49 THE INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HAVE NOT WON THE AFC SOUTH IN 12 YEARS.

1:01:55 THAT CHANGES THIS YEAR.

1:01:57 JIM ERSE FROM THE FOOTBALL HEAVENS CURED DANIEL JONES'S TORN ACHILLES.

1:02:04 MICHAEL PITMAN GOT SENT TO THE STEELERS AND IN RETURN WE

1:02:09 GOT FOOTBALL GODS WITH THE 53RD PICK IN THE 2026 NFL DRAFT.

1:02:17 THE AFC SOUTH Kings Indianapolis Colts select CJ ALLEN, LINEBACKER FROM GEORGIA.

1:02:31 Go dogs.

1:02:32 Listen, there's a LOT OF NEGATIVITY ABOUT THE Indianapolis Colts.

1:02:39 What you NEED TO DO TO ALL THAT NEGATIVITY IS YOU CRUSH IT UP.

1:02:43 YOU PUT IT INTO YOUR PALM AND YOU THINK TO YOURSELF,

1:02:47 "DOES ANY OF THIS MATTER ANYMORE?" NO.

1:02:54 THE FUTURE IS THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS.

1:02:57 THE COLTS ARE GOING TO WIN THE SUPER BOWL THIS YEAR.

1:03:06 WAY BETTER THAN YOU BUM ASS CHARGERS FANS DOWN HERE.

1:03:12 [cheering] I'm joking.

1:03:13 I like your team.

1:03:14 I LIKE THE COLTS MORE.

1:03:16 I ALSO LIKE WITH THE 78TH PICK IN THE 2026 NFL DRAFT LIVE FROM PITTSBURGH,

1:03:24 PENNSYLVANIA, the Indianapolis Colts select AJ Hulsey DB OUT OF LSU.

1:03:36 See you AT THE SUPER BOWL, BUMS.

1:03:38 CHEERS.

1:03:40 The following program is a collection of stooges

1:03:43 talking about happenings in the sports world.

1:03:46 It is meant to be comedic, informative.

1:03:48 The opinions expressed on this show do

1:03:50 not necessarily reflect the beliefs of their peers,

1:03:54 their boss, or ESPN.

1:03:56 There may be some cuss words because that's how humans in the real world talk.

1:04:01 If you are a young, please seek permission before watching any further.

1:04:08 Hey, let's go.

1:04:13 This show sticks [cheering] and the fact that you listen,

1:04:15 we are very, very thankful for.

1:04:17 McAfee on the line with a gorgeous assist.

1:04:20 [music] The alltime leading tackler for the Green Bay Packers.

1:04:23 You stop.

1:04:27 Damn it.

1:04:28 Your friend, tell a friend something nice could change their life.

1:04:36 Hello, beautiful people.

1:04:38 and welcome back to our humble abode.

1:04:40 The Thunderdome on this big sports Wednesday, [music] May 6th,

1:04:44 2026, hour two of the program begins now.

1:04:51 Sports are the absolute greatest.

1:04:52 Uh we got some breaking news out of the NBA.

1:04:54 Ladies and gentlemen, Sixers Knicks tonight.

1:04:59 Ben Stiller in attendance.

1:05:02 Maybe.

1:05:03 Sure.

1:05:03 That's toxic table at boss of Connor and toxic tone.

1:05:05 Nine-year NFL vet Darius J.

1:05:06 Butler is right over yonder sitting in tone seat as Tai is celebrating life

1:05:12 for uh the foreseeable future.

1:05:15 Yeah.

1:05:16 Yeah.

1:05:16 Hey Ty, we love you guys.

1:05:17 Hell yeah.

1:05:18 How you doing?

1:05:19 Congratulations.

1:05:19 So happy for you.

1:05:20 Live from Manatak in Ohio, ladies and gentlemen,

1:05:21 a college football national champion, Super Bowl champion.

1:05:25 I just got shown a tweet by a man, Ryder Cup winner, ladies and gentlemen.

1:05:28 AJ Hawker, like a funny tweet or Hawker, how you doing, pal?

1:05:32 I'm doing good.

1:05:33 I'm curious about what this tweet is you just read.

1:05:34 Well, the tweet was uh Joel Embiid at tonight, okay, for Sixers Knicks.

1:05:40 And then I said Stiller was going to be in attendance

1:05:43 obviously because he'll be there for the Knicks game per huge.

1:05:47 And then Bruce Brown just dropped into this uh little monitor and he said,

1:05:50 "Just want to remind Ben Stiller,

1:05:52 remember?" My man, seriously, I thought we were good.

1:05:55 Ben Stiller put me out to obviously his followers.

1:05:58 Uh Ben, we are good.

1:06:00 But but but I do have to say what I saw Timothy Shalomé do, he was there

1:06:06 was something that I will hold in high regards.

1:06:09 Now Timothy Shalomé came through college game day.

1:06:12 Mhm.

1:06:12 New ball.

1:06:13 Parking Navaro absolutely crushed it.

1:06:15 I mean just absolutely killed.

1:06:16 So I had him and you know Timothy Shalomé also Dune I mean Timothy Shalamé you

1:06:21 know Michael Phelps uh Tom Brady that was

1:06:25 the speech he gave after winning an award.

1:06:26 Yeah the SAG awards super sports super sports guy.

1:06:29 Okay.

1:06:29 face while I was holding him high regard.

1:06:31 He could have certainly went to the to the mech.

1:06:33 He said, "I'm going to the Knicks game." So,

1:06:34 we immediately had to judge his Knicks father, Ben Stiller, for not going.

1:06:42 Yeah.

1:06:41 But then we heard obviously it's a family affair.

1:06:46 We found some tape from before the Met Gala that I

1:06:49 think will justify everything that Ben Still are saying to us.

1:06:54 Let's go, Nick.

1:06:55 All right.

1:06:55 Yeah.

1:06:56 I wish I was [laughter] I wish I was there.

1:07:00 Oh, quick, too.

1:07:01 In the car.

1:07:03 Quiet.

1:07:04 Mhm.

1:07:03 Veteran in the game.

1:07:04 So, we know he'll be back.

1:07:06 Yeah, he does.

1:07:07 Grow up.

1:07:07 Go to the game if you want to go.

1:07:09 Ben.

1:07:10 Ben's a good man.

1:07:12 Tim, it's our fourth year in the second round.

1:07:13 Happy life.

1:07:15 Okay.

1:07:16 Listen, Bruce.

1:07:17 Oh, they don't care anymore cuz we're in the playoffs a lot.

1:07:20 Are you going to watch the game tonight or No,

1:07:21 cuz it's the fourth time in a row we've been in second round.

1:07:23 I'm going to watch the game tonight.

1:07:24 It's not like I've been in Madison Square Garden a ton.

1:07:26 I live here.

1:07:27 Um but yeah, you know, he'll be there for all the finals games.

1:07:30 Listen, lunch has been cancelled due

1:07:32 to lack due to lack of attending basketball.

1:07:35 No, lunch is not cancelled because of this.

1:07:37 Okay, we ain't we ain't doing none of that.

1:07:40 Okay, he's no average Joe.

1:07:42 He's allowed to do whatever the hell he wants to do.

1:07:44 He's a Knicks heavyweight this guy.

1:07:46 And he's not simple.

1:07:47 Not anymore.

1:07:47 He's a middleweight now.

1:07:49 No disrespect.

1:07:50 He missed the game.

1:07:51 What are we talking about?

1:07:52 We made him bleed his die hard fan.

1:07:54 We called him.

1:07:56 who took his seat though.

1:07:58 Uh Jimmy Fallon, I think it was Jimmy Fallon was there.

1:08:01 Um now granted his show immediately followed the game.

1:08:03 So I think that was probably Tracy Morgan.

1:08:05 I don't know if you Tracy Morgan obviously in the building.

1:08:07 He could have went to the Met Galla.

1:08:08 Peter Shrager was at the game.

1:08:10 He could have went to the Met Gala.

1:08:11 Shabuzzi certainly could have went to the Met Gala.

1:08:14 He ended up at the game.

1:08:14 Not the next fan.

1:08:17 Yeah.

1:08:19 One day.

1:08:21 [singing] I know.

1:08:24 Yeah.

1:08:24 Yeah, he was there last year during the ECF as well.

1:08:27 I think all Shabuzzi really does is make bangers.

1:08:28 By the way, every song I've heard from Shabuzzi is an absolute smash.

1:08:32 So, I certainly appreciate him doing that.

1:08:34 But Ben, you knew we were going to have to point this out in sports world.

1:08:36 Knew it was going to have to happen.

1:08:38 Now,

1:08:39 orange tie.

1:08:40 He wanted us to just sweep it under the rug, didn't he?

1:08:43 Ben did that.

1:08:43 And what were his lady has a blue dress on as well, too, right?

1:08:47 They were on this.

1:08:48 See, she was there.

1:08:48 He felt like he had to represent.

1:08:50 Obviously, blue steel.

1:08:51 It's fashion night.

1:08:52 Had to do his thing.

1:08:53 Actually, he kind of halfassed.

1:08:55 That That's not That That fit isn't goofball enough for the Mecca.

1:08:58 Yeah, it's cuz he was not there.

1:08:59 His body was there.

1:09:00 His soul was at the Mecca.

1:09:03 His soul was watching the Knicks do their thing to the 76ers.

1:09:06 So, you can go to that and not be a goofball, I guess.

1:09:08 So, I don't like that.

1:09:09 No.

1:09:09 If you do that, when you get in there,

1:09:11 they make fun of you a ton and then they basically force you to go home.

1:09:14 No, I don't think that's the case.

1:09:16 Yeah.

1:09:16 If you dress normal, they basically make you a dunce for the whole night.

1:09:19 Whatever the case, we know Ben Stiller will be back and we'd like to let

1:09:22 them know with Joel Embiid out and him back in the building and they lose.

1:09:28 They're going to say it's him.

1:09:29 Oh no.

1:09:30 They're going to say it's him.

1:09:31 And I don't like that cuz we like Ben Stiller.

1:09:34 We are big fans of Benance.

1:09:37 His super serious stuff.

1:09:38 We even like we think he's very very special talent for society.

1:09:42 We want the bat for him.

1:09:43 Obviously we would certainly do that because he's a sports fan.

1:09:46 On that note, you missed first game.

1:09:47 They kill him.

1:09:49 They kill him.

1:09:50 Yeah, maybe you should stay away.

1:09:51 Oh, which he has mentioned.

1:09:53 He has said maybe I don't go to the next one.

1:09:54 It's like, oh, fascinating.

1:09:56 This guy doesn't want to go to games anymore.

1:09:58 That's what I'm That's the read I'm getting.

1:10:01 Yeah, he wants the Knicks to win.

1:10:02 Sure.

1:10:03 No doubt about it.

1:10:04 He doesn't want to do the whole song

1:10:05 and dance and he doesn't want to go anymore.

1:10:06 All right.

1:10:06 Well, that feels like big news.

1:10:08 Uh joining us now, ladies and gentlemen,

1:10:09 to kind of tell us anything else that we need to know for tonight's games.

1:10:13 Little bit later than I potentially thought,

1:10:15 but certainly can hit a driveby if we need it.

1:10:17 Ladies and gentlemen, Sham Shiranya, [music] just need a hot five.

1:10:23 What's going on in hoops?

1:10:25 We don't need a deep dive.

1:10:27 Sh.

1:10:30 What's going on in hoops?

1:10:32 We don't need a deep dive.

1:10:34 Ladies and gentlemen, Sean Shiran here.

1:10:37 Sean's okay.

1:10:37 Joel Embiid out.

1:10:38 This feels like a very big deal uh for the entirety of the NBA,

1:10:42 especially with how Embiid had been playing against the Celtics.

1:10:45 He was back all the way to being who we thought and hoped he could be.

1:10:49 What happened and how long is this going to last?

1:10:52 Yeah, it's going to be at least this game.

1:10:54 But I mean, so this is what you know, I was on a call right before right

1:10:58 as you guys are facetiming me because I wanted

1:11:00 to figure out what exactly is going on with Joel

1:11:02 Embiid and he's dealing with a hip injury.

1:11:05 He's dealing with an ankle injury and he was hoping

1:11:08 in the leadup to tonight's game that he would be able to get

1:11:10 both of those things to loosen up to get both

1:11:12 of those in in in in the right place to be able to play.

1:11:16 And I I was told he spent all morning on the training table.

1:11:19 They had shoot around this morning.

1:11:21 They had other team meetings.

1:11:23 He literally was stuck on the training table trying to get treatment,

1:11:27 trying to get his ankle and his hip ready to the point where he could

1:11:30 try to play and it just did not give and the team ruled him out.

1:11:34 uh just literally about 10 minutes ago for tonight's game.

1:11:38 They they the the the Sixers made the decision to rule him out here tonight.

1:11:43 Uh we know Joel Embiid's history.

1:11:45 He's played through ligament issues in his knee, uh damage in his thumb.

1:11:50 He's dealt with facial fractures, Bell's palsy in his face,

1:11:54 and now this this postseason,

1:11:56 he came back after appendicitis after just over two weeks.

1:11:59 And we saw him get hit in that area.

1:12:01 I think it was Muel Bridges who knocked him right in the stomach area.

1:12:05 Whether you want to call it a stomach, a hip,

1:12:06 he's dealing with pain in that hip area now as well as an ankle.

1:12:11 Okay.

1:12:11 The spread goes from 7 and 1/2 to 10

1:12:13 and a half immediately for the Knicks to be favored.

1:12:15 They've obviously at one point in the last

1:12:18 three games have been up 30 over their opponents.

1:12:20 First time that has ever happened in playoffs.

1:12:22 Feels like blowouts are happening even though it won't

1:12:25 take place for the second game that's happening tonight.

1:12:27 Uh Ant-Man, can you tell us a little bit about him?

1:12:29 Obviously last game it was a miracle seemingly

1:12:32 him coming back after nine days of the hyperextension.

1:12:34 Where's he at now after playing a full game?

1:12:36 Are we just expecting the same thing from him coming off the bench?

1:12:39 What what should we This guy's unbelievable.

1:12:42 It's it's it's [snorts] insane.

1:12:44 How often in football does it happen where a team is like,

1:12:47 "No, no, you're not playing.

1:12:49 No, no, you got to play it safe." And a player is just like, "No,

1:12:52 I'm playing and I'm good and I'm going to show you

1:12:54 I'm good." And that's literally the process that happens all the time.

1:12:58 All the time every damn week.

1:13:00 All the time.

1:13:01 Sean, brother, thanks for asking.

1:13:03 Except for Zion.

1:13:05 Thank you.

1:13:05 Well, I I think in the NBA,

1:13:07 we're accustomed to seeing oneon-one, two on two, three on three.

1:13:13 Anthony Edwards, Anthony Edwards didn't go through any of that.

1:13:15 He didn't go through any practice.

1:13:17 He did a couple individual workouts and he told the team,

1:13:20 "I'm ready to play and I'm going to prove to you I'm

1:13:22 ready to play." He passed all the medical testing that they had.

1:13:26 They weren't expecting to evaluate him at all to play until after game two.

1:13:30 They thought game three, game four at the earliest.

1:13:32 But Anthony Edwards, he went through multiple different treatment options.

1:13:36 I I heard he spent multiple sessions in the hyperaric chamber.

1:13:40 Reminds me of the hyperbolic time chamber.

1:13:42 Shout out to Dragon Ball Z fans.

1:13:44 But he went through everything to try to see if he

1:13:46 could play and he was able to get get on the court.

1:13:49 And I I I do think his knee's feeling better.

1:13:52 And I think the hope is in game two tonight,

1:13:54 bump his minutes up just a little bit more and and see what he can do.

1:13:57 And another in other injury news, IO Dumo, uh who missed game one,

1:14:01 he scored, I think it was 43 points in that game against Denver,

1:14:05 uh last week in game five, uh he is set to uh to to play tonight.

1:14:11 All right, IO.

1:14:12 Way to go, IO.

1:14:14 So Goku is the from the thing you were talking about.

1:14:17 Yeah.

1:14:17 Yeah, he went super scan on that There you go.

1:14:20 There you go, BC.

1:14:22 Which one is that?

1:14:22 The one that IS A LITTLE BALL.

1:14:25 YEAH.

1:14:26 Come here.

1:14:27 And what do you do?

1:14:27 You guys do cards.

1:14:28 Is that what it was?

1:14:29 Don't Don't you guys me?

1:14:31 Don't you guys me?

1:14:32 What was the one you said?

1:14:33 You said Dragon Ball Z.

1:14:35 Dragon Ball Z.

1:14:36 Is that the one where they run like this?

1:14:38 Was the card?

1:14:39 That's the one that runs like this.

1:14:40 That's Naruto.

1:14:41 Is that from this one?

1:14:43 No, different one.

1:14:44 What's this one from?

1:14:45 That was Naruto.

1:14:46 No, I'm not an eager eagle.

1:14:49 That's the Gary Vee monster.

1:14:50 Which one did he just mention there?

1:14:52 Dragon Ball Z.

1:14:53 Dragon Ball Z.

1:14:53 But Naruto is that one.

1:14:55 The run.

1:14:57 Mhm.

1:14:57 They did.

1:14:58 He knows all about Dragon Ball Z.

1:14:59 He's holding out on us right now.

1:15:00 I don't know [laughter]

1:15:05 It was pretty It was pretty I mean, Dragon Ball Z took over there for a while.

1:15:08 AD didn't let me get into it.

1:15:09 There is actually a video game coming out that I am rather excited about.

1:15:12 I'd play it for sure.

1:15:13 Dragon Balls.

1:15:14 Yeah, Dragon Balls.

1:15:16 God, that's going to be a good game.

1:15:18 Hopefully, it should be.

1:15:19 A lot of hype.

1:15:19 A lot of hype.

1:15:20 All right, Shams, we appreciate you, man.

1:15:22 Thank you for bringing that nerd.

1:15:23 Hey, May the 4th been with you, too, the other day.

1:15:25 We know that was probably a big day for you.

1:15:26 We appreciate the hell out of you joining us here.

1:15:28 Happy Cinco de Mayo, late belated Cinco de Mayo as well.

1:15:32 Okay, you like to celebrate the battle of Puebla in 1862 down

1:15:36 there when the French uh got uh knocked on by the Mexican forces.

1:15:40 Uh that that is something we like to celebrate as well.

1:15:42 Shams,

1:15:43 you didn't know that.

1:15:44 You thought it was Mexican Independence Day and that's how I know Yep.

1:15:47 that you need to stop spreading that lie.

1:15:49 Wake up.

1:15:50 That's not what it is.

1:15:51 You're the best.

1:15:51 Ladies and gentlemen, Sean Shan

1:15:54 AJ, I I said that yesterday because people that we know, not us.

1:16:01 No,

1:16:00 not us.

1:16:01 AJ, no.

1:16:02 Nobody here.

1:16:04 No, none of us thought Cinco de Mayo was Mexican independence day.

1:16:07 None of us thought that.

1:16:09 No, that's much different.

1:16:10 Much different.

1:16:11 Yeah.

1:16:11 We didn't go like, "Okay, July 4th, but for Mexico,

1:16:14 let's go ahead and have a good time." We didn't do that.

1:16:16 People we knew did that because on May 5th, 2025,

1:16:18 you actually explained the battle of Playbo last year, too.

1:16:21 Exactly.

1:16:22 That that's kind of our mission at this point.

1:16:23 It's like, "Hey, something Independence Day also very cool.

1:16:27 It's a huge deal." Yeah.

1:16:28 You should have seen this 300 story that happened with the battle of Pueba.

1:16:32 And that's what Cinco de Mayo is.

1:16:33 AJ, you knew that.

1:16:34 I did know that.

1:16:35 I tell you what, my second grader knew that.

1:16:36 He came home and explained it all to me as well.

1:16:39 Watch the program.

1:16:40 No, not from the program.

1:16:41 They actually I guess at school they were trying

1:16:43 to teach them like the hey, this is what it is

1:16:45 in Ohio.

1:16:46 Yeah, that's crazy.

1:16:46 I didn't know you guys taught stuff over there in Ohio.

1:16:49 They do.

1:16:49 Well, actually, this isn't actually very impressive.

1:16:52 It was against the French, so that was kind of what they taught.

1:16:54 Yeah, you might be right.

1:16:55 I don't know exactly how they presented it, but that's the Ohio narrative.

1:16:57 Okay, we won't [laughter] talk about the opponent.

1:16:59 We'll just talk about what they had.

1:17:01 It's about us.

1:17:02 It was a really weak strength to schedule.

1:17:04 It's about us.

1:17:05 Just like the bunker.

1:17:06 No, it wasn't French.

1:17:07 Obviously, I don't want to get into it.

1:17:08 A lot of good things.

1:17:09 We talked about it the other day.

1:17:10 Talked about it the other day.

1:17:11 There's a lot of good

1:17:12 French onion dip.

1:17:13 We forgot.

1:17:13 Oh, so good.

1:17:14 French toast.

1:17:15 So good.

1:17:16 You don't like French onion dip?

1:17:17 No.

1:17:17 All right, let's move along, please.

1:17:20 Oh, I forgot about that.

1:17:25 Ces says Christine Aguilera, noted French Pittsburgger.

1:17:30 Yes.

1:17:30 Okay.

1:17:30 So, noted French.

1:17:31 She's from the

1:17:33 Yeah, she is.

1:17:34 She wasn't part of the no all hits only bangers

1:17:37 freaking let's have a good time hell of a time tailgate.

1:17:40 I was bummed out about that as well.

1:17:42 And Christine Aguilera could have definitely been out there crushing something.

1:17:45 Yes, she'll be able to sing forever.

1:17:47 She's the Enzer obviously.

1:17:48 No problems at all there.

1:17:49 Joining us now, ladies and gentlemen,

1:17:51 is a man that I actually uh saw in Pittsburgh in just an open lobby.

1:17:56 Just just an open lobby.

1:17:58 This man might be the most uh humble would be

1:18:02 um just like too basic of a term to say.

1:18:05 Relatable commissioner I've ever seen.

1:18:07 Okay.

1:18:07 Just walking around the arena like a dawn.

1:18:10 Just literally just walking around the arena.

1:18:12 I I it was mindblowing to me.

1:18:14 I I did not expect this.

1:18:16 Sit down right next to a nachos and in

1:18:20 Jack and Diet literally right there.

1:18:23 Have a ch sitting there talking to people walking out.

1:18:25 Go sit a seat.

1:18:26 Watch the game.

1:18:27 most casual, but also a man who's in the middle of quite a bump

1:18:31 in popularity and obviously action for the league

1:18:34 in which he is the commission uh commissioner.

1:18:36 Ladies and gentlemen, the NHL commission, Gary Bman, [applause and cheering]

1:18:41 Gary, how are you, man?

1:18:43 I'm doing great.

1:18:44 How are you?

1:18:45 Cool.

1:18:45 I'm good.

1:18:45 Last time we saw each other, my neck was a little bit uh

1:18:49 what?

1:18:49 But everybody wanted to see you.

1:18:51 They could have cared less about me.

1:18:53 You're the most relatable star.

1:18:55 Oh, well, thank you for that.

1:18:56 It was in Pittsburgh, so a lot of people know me.

1:18:58 I'll tell you, I did not expect for us to be meeting where we were meeting.

1:19:00 I I I thought for sure that was a that was an aggressive decision as I

1:19:04 was getting walked in there and I'm like

1:19:05 the commission as you're literally walking through there.

1:19:08 Hey, how you doing?

1:19:09 Are you enjoying you actually like boots on the ground commissioner

1:19:12 was so cool to see strictly because you love your sport.

1:19:16 You love your league.

1:19:17 It was very obvious and right now we're in an up into the right time.

1:19:20 Can you tell me about the league success that we're having?

1:19:23 Ratings obviously through the roof.

1:19:24 Obviously, the new media deal has boded well,

1:19:27 but why do you think the league and the sport

1:19:28 right now is as hot as it is from your perspective?

1:19:32 That's a great question.

1:19:33 So, let let me start a little bit further back.

1:19:36 I think in the US, round one was the most

1:19:40 watched opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs ever.

1:19:44 Uh, and we were up something like 68% uh over the last year.

1:19:50 And round two is off to an incredible start.

1:19:54 Uh, Saturday's game one on ABC between

1:19:58 the Flyers and Carolina was the most watched.

1:20:01 Round two, game one on record.

1:20:04 And Sunday's game one on TNT was the most viewed.

1:20:08 Game one uh in the second round on cable.

1:20:12 We were up in the regular season somewhere between

1:20:15 25 and 30% on our ratings in the US.

1:20:19 uh and and you know it it's a really good time

1:20:24 and it and it we don't even have the biggest markets.

1:20:27 This is really about how good the hockey is.

1:20:29 So to begin to answer your question,

1:20:31 what's going on on the ice in terms of our competitiveness,

1:20:35 how exciting and entertaining the games are.

1:20:38 Check that box.

1:20:39 Secondly, I think Four Nations a year ago and the Olympics this year, oh yeah,

1:20:45 had an impact in bringing people to the game.

1:20:47 check that box.

1:20:49 I think that heated rivalry for some people introduced

1:20:54 a whole new group of people to the game as well.

1:20:58 And so when you mush it all together, uh cuz it's never one thing,

1:21:04 I think that's how you can account for it.

1:21:06 But I've always said,

1:21:07 and I say it to my people here when we're marketing and promoting,

1:21:11 authenticity, how good the game is, that's more important than anything else.

1:21:16 And I think that's what's driving us right now.

1:21:18 And we've got a lot of great players doing amazing things.

1:21:22 Yeah.

1:21:22 I think the sport is obviously spectacular.

1:21:24 The US Olympics and United States winning will obviously

1:21:27 bring a lot of uh patriotic meattheads to the table.

1:21:30 Hey.

1:21:31 Yeah.

1:21:31 Our sport, women and men, we're better than you,

1:21:35 especially with, you know, Canada always being able to do that.

1:21:38 Uh, I also believe the deal that you guys made media-wise to have everything

1:21:42 so accessible as opposed to how hard

1:21:44 it potentially was before is also brilliant.

1:21:47 I think the rules that you guys implemented after the lockout or the hold out

1:21:51 that you guys had way back in the day has made the game more exciting.

1:21:54 I think you relaxing on the the wanting to ban fighting there for a bit,

1:21:59 but then you kind of relax on it.

1:22:00 We don't want staged fighting if fighting is still going to happen.

1:22:03 Like I think you have kind of I think you've done a good job, Gary.

1:22:06 I just want to let you know that.

1:22:07 I think you've done a good job kind of finding the right content,

1:22:09 product, and placement of your league.

1:22:11 I think you've done you guys have navigated it very well.

1:22:14 And I think you're only up and to the right from here.

1:22:15 Don't you think the more people that see the game,

1:22:17 the more people that love the game?

1:22:19 Well, first of all, thank you.

1:22:20 Um,

1:22:23 uh, yes, we we want the game to be accessible.

1:22:26 Our relationships with ESPN, the Walt Disney Company, wi with ABC as well,

1:22:31 and with Turner on TNT and their networks has been great for us.

1:22:36 easy to find the games.

1:22:38 You're not searching.

1:22:39 We're generally in one of two places.

1:22:41 Uh it's worked very well and both entities have done a great

1:22:45 job of producing the games and promoting the games and scheduling the games.

1:22:49 So yeah, but it all starts with the game fighting.

1:22:52 We haven't changed the rules a lot.

1:22:54 What's really happened and and you alluded to the rule

1:22:57 changes 20 years ago after we lost the season.

1:23:00 The fact is we have because of our system extraordinary competitive balance.

1:23:05 I think it's the best in sports.

1:23:07 And so as a result, every team can compete and can afford to compete because

1:23:12 we have a salary cap and revenue

1:23:14 sharing because the competitive balance is so good.

1:23:18 You need to have skilled players.

1:23:20 You can't have players who just fight.

1:23:23 Even if you're a tough guy and you're defending

1:23:25 your teammate and in the heat of the moment you

1:23:28 engage in a fight which kind of acts as a thermostat

1:23:31 on the game because you know it's pretty emotional,

1:23:34 pretty physical and the guys are carrying sticks.

1:23:36 But the fact is you're all your players have

1:23:39 to be able to play or you really can't compete.

1:23:42 Yeah, you can get exposed if you have a weak link out there.

1:23:44 Obviously everybody's bigger, stronger, faster than they've ever been,

1:23:46 more talented than they've ever been, but I like the business will get handled.

1:23:49 Last night, a ref caught a punch right to the face.

1:23:52 On that note, AJ has a question for you, Kamish.

1:23:55 Yeah, Kamish, obviously NFL is going through some situations right

1:23:58 now with their NFL or the the ref union and everything.

1:24:00 We hope they get a deal worked out.

1:24:01 But when it comes to NHL hockey, I feel like you guys, you do a great job.

1:24:05 We don't talk about the referees or the linesmen.

1:24:07 We don't we're not really focused on them.

1:24:09 They don't seem to get into the, you know,

1:24:10 the talking points unless something like this happens and it's awesome.

1:24:13 He just continues to do his job.

1:24:15 But what do you guys do, I guess, to train these referees?

1:24:18 Obviously, they have to be super talented, be able to skate,

1:24:20 be in shape, but what is your program?

1:24:22 I guess finding new refs and keeping them.

1:24:24 That That's a great question.

1:24:25 Steven Walk runs our officiating program.

1:24:28 We do combines over the summer.

1:24:30 We recruit from all around the world.

1:24:32 He looks for for players who, you know,

1:24:37 played in the Canadian Hockey League or in college who couldn't quite

1:24:41 make it but have a feel for the game and can skate.

1:24:44 Uh, and we do clinics and we recruit from all

1:24:48 over the place and then we work the officials,

1:24:52 the young officials through the EA,

1:24:54 the ECHL and then the AHL and then the good ones work their way up.

1:24:59 Uh, you've got to be knowledgeable about the game.

1:25:02 You've got to have a feel for the game.

1:25:03 You've got to be passionate about the game and you have to have

1:25:07 the commitment to go through the rigors of being an official at the NHL.

1:25:11 I don't think there's a harder job to officiate

1:25:15 and our guys don't get the credit they deserve.

1:25:18 I mean, they are moving with the flow of the game.

1:25:21 They've got to skate like the players.

1:25:23 It's physical.

1:25:24 They got to stay out of the way.

1:25:25 There's a lot going on really fast.

1:25:28 And it is remarkable how good a job they do and how much they get right.

1:25:33 And video replay for us has really vindicated their performance even more.

1:25:39 Yeah.

1:25:39 Yeah.

1:25:39 And I like that they've adapted with the video

1:25:41 replay as opposed to fight against it.

1:25:43 It feels like for And it makes sense that it's ex players,

1:25:46 a lot of them that are kind of getting in there cuz that's the chirps.

1:25:48 The refs chirp.

1:25:49 They're like, uh, they do makeup calls, too.

1:25:52 Like, hey, had to get you for one.

1:25:54 Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.

1:25:56 They call they, you know, they used to Yeah.

1:25:59 Sorry.

1:25:59 Yeah, they definitely don't do that.

1:26:01 But if there is a mistake,

1:26:02 it does feel like the refs and the players are all on the same page on like,

1:26:06 hey, this is how this has to kind of go.

1:26:09 We love the synergy it feels like that the refs

1:26:11 have with the players because obviously they're all sharing it.

1:26:14 And I'll say this, uh, the refs are in incredible shape.

1:26:17 I mean, we're talking massive quads.

1:26:18 They're skating.

1:26:19 They have to be.

1:26:21 You know, it's interesting.

1:26:22 When I took over the league, you know, in the Stone Age,

1:26:25 the fact is that we had two linesmen and one referee.

1:26:29 I mean, and to think that one guy could have called it all was nuts.

1:26:33 And one of the first things we did was say,

1:26:35 we we need to do to go to a twoman system.

1:26:38 one to have more eyeballs, twice as many,

1:26:41 but also it kept our guys in the game longer because they didn't

1:26:47 have to skate quite as much and didn't have quite the same responsibility.

1:26:50 Uh, but again, our officials are are trained

1:26:53 and recruited and critiqued on an ongoing basis.

1:26:57 They're held accountable the amount of video that they get

1:27:00 after each game and it's circulated among all of them.

1:27:04 if there's a particularly interesting or difficult call.

1:27:07 Um, I'm really proud of our officiating department.

1:27:11 Yeah, you should be.

1:27:12 Sounds like everybody's trying to aim for it.

1:27:14 I think the NFL have a vote on Thursday

1:27:16 to ratify a new deal with the refs association.

1:27:19 Hopefully, it models a lot of what you guys have going on.

1:27:21 Now, let's talk about the future of your game last night.

1:27:24 Hey, you were Sinatra out there hosting this entire thing.

1:27:28 Go ahead, Con man.

1:27:30 Yeah, Gary, fantastic work last night with the uh lottery.

1:27:34 It was very fun to watch.

1:27:35 It's very entertaining.

1:27:36 Hopefully, this is something that the even the NBA considers doing as a whole.

1:27:40 But the Toronto Maple Leafs end up getting the first overall pick.

1:27:44 Of course, people on the internet aren't happy,

1:27:46 but specifically Bruins fans and Flyers fans weren't too happy about it.

1:27:50 Uh, was there a thought going into it about the fallout with the next couple

1:27:54 drafts um between the with the unprotected

1:27:57 pick and this being technically the Bruins pick,

1:28:00 but but it was protected, so now it's, you know, moved forward.

1:28:02 How is that whole thing going to work out?

1:28:04 Those are the terms of the trades and and because

1:28:07 we have a lottery system and teams can move up.

1:28:10 Uh frequently the terms of the trade have

1:28:12 a protection in there under certain circumstances because I'm I'm

1:28:17 not sure anybody wants to feel like they've traded

1:28:19 away the number one pick if that wasn't their intention.

1:28:22 What was interesting about last night and ultimately we don't care who wins.

1:28:27 We want the system to be pure uh and have integrity which it does.

1:28:32 U but the when you see the result last night there's

1:28:36 no incentive in our game to lose to get a better pick.

1:28:40 Um the fifth team moved up to the first slot.

1:28:44 The ninth team ranked in terms of inverse order of the standings

1:28:49 from the regular season moved up to the second slot.

1:28:52 And so if you lose more, it doesn't necessarily assure you of anything.

1:28:57 Yeah, it may increase your odds a little,

1:28:59 but not enough that anybody's perceived to have an incentive to lose.

1:29:03 And I think that's the most important thing both for the draft

1:29:07 and leading up to it at the end of the regular season.

1:29:11 Yeah, I think uh with your sport,

1:29:13 it feels like your culture is not of one

1:29:16 to ever give up or try to lose in anything.

1:29:18 So to have a system to benefit that is I think a good thing.

1:29:22 The Toronto uh Maple Leafs obviously are

1:29:24 in the middle of a big change right now.

1:29:26 Uh he's hired a new GM.

1:29:28 People are really pumped about it.

1:29:29 Sounds like that press conference went great.

1:29:31 But the Toronto Maple Leafs for American people that aren't like hockey fans.

1:29:35 I think they're viewed as like the Dallas Cowboys in Canada.

1:29:38 Lot of hype, lot of fans.

1:29:40 Lot of fans everywhere.

1:29:41 Not as many cups though, you know, as the entire thing.

1:29:44 So everything Toronto does highly scrutinized.

1:29:46 Is that accurate, Gary?

1:29:47 everything they do.

1:29:48 And now Gavin McKenna going in to the the mixer up there with Austin Matthews.

1:29:53 Maybe takes them maybe Toronto, maybe a Canadian club wins a Stanley Cup.

1:29:59 That's all possible now because of the NFL draft lottery last night.

1:30:02 Uh, you know, I think that that even in the United States,

1:30:06 the original six clubs,

1:30:08 of which Toronto and Montreal are a third of the original six,

1:30:13 they carry a cache not just throughout

1:30:16 our league and and particularly in Canada,

1:30:18 but they also carry cache in the United States.

1:30:22 And I think that that hockey fans in the US,

1:30:26 while they pay attention to all of our teams,

1:30:28 I think they particularly pay attention to Toronto

1:30:31 and Montreal because of the histories that they have.

1:30:34 Yeah.

1:30:34 I like watching uh Biz just kind of crash out.

1:30:36 You know, it feels like there's uh there's a lot of them.

1:30:39 There's a lot of Canadians that ride,

1:30:41 public Canadians that ride with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

1:30:44 And uh listen, the passion for the game, particularly in Canada, is great.

1:30:48 I mean, in Canada, we're like the NFL is here, but on steroids.

1:30:53 Yeah.

1:30:54 Second best in the world, too.

1:30:55 Women and men's hockey.

1:30:56 It's pretty good.

1:30:57 Mhm.

1:30:57 Not bad.

1:30:58 Canada's top three.

1:30:58 [laughter] That was a subtle jab, but that's subtle.

1:31:02 Yeah.

1:31:02 Poor Canada.

1:31:03 Now, Canada certainly taking a couple with me as well.

1:31:05 But on that note, we love the sport.

1:31:07 We love hockey.

1:31:08 We are very appreciative of it.

1:31:09 Let's talk about what's happening right now.

1:31:10 Not only numbers up, obviously the style of play,

1:31:13 you name it, everything's great.

1:31:15 How we got to this point, certainly a conversation piece.

1:31:17 Go ahead, Tone.

1:31:18 Yeah, Commissioner, obviously you changed the play

1:31:20 playoff format about a decade ago.

1:31:22 Uh going away from the one through eight

1:31:24 and focusing more on the divisions and division matchups.

1:31:27 I know it's a hot button topic every playoff uh every playoff season.

1:31:31 Are you guys happy with the current playoff format or is

1:31:34 there any thought of ever going back to the one through eight?

1:31:37 Well, some people have that thought.

1:31:38 I personally don't.

1:31:40 What we have has worked really well in terms of the series that develop,

1:31:45 in terms of how the playoffs play out,

1:31:48 in terms of the races to get into the playoffs with the wild card.

1:31:52 Our regular season goes down to the wire for virtually all of our clubs.

1:31:57 Maybe we had a handful of less teams

1:31:59 that weren't in it for the last couple of weeks.

1:32:02 Uh, and we get longer series as a general rule.

1:32:05 We had six of our eight first round series win at least six games.

1:32:09 Uh that's extraordinary.

1:32:11 You get more games.

1:32:12 You get more compelling seasons.

1:32:14 I mean, yes, there are people who are

1:32:16 always going to have preferences for other things.

1:32:19 One of the great thing about sports and particularly sports fans

1:32:23 is their passion and they're wanting to con constantly debate things.

1:32:27 Uh, but from our standpoint, mine at least,

1:32:30 I think it's working well and I don't see the need for a change.

1:32:33 But we always talk about everything because if there are things

1:32:36 we can do to tweak what we have and make it better,

1:32:39 we're not adverse to at least considering it if we don't do it.

1:32:42 Do you think the Avalanche should have to play

1:32:44 with somebody in the penalty box the entire [laughter] game?

1:32:47 They're they're playing awfully well, as is Carolina, by the way.

1:32:51 Oh, yeah.

1:32:51 So, you know, but but the playoffs are off to a great start,

1:32:56 which is why the ratings is where we started

1:32:58 this conversation are as strong as we they are.

1:33:01 It all starts with what takes place on the ice

1:33:04 and how terrific our game and our players are.

1:33:06 Yeah, we're big fans of the Kaniacs down there.

1:33:08 They've been riding down there for a long time.

1:33:10 Now, they get a chance to potentially ride.

1:33:12 That Colorado team though looks I mean, they're rude.

1:33:16 They're rude, too.

1:33:17 Physical.

1:33:17 [laughter] Love physicality.

1:33:20 So,

1:33:19 I mean, they are rude.

1:33:20 They they 52 they're up at the end still pounding

1:33:23 like hey listen we're still playing here this is a I mean the f the first game

1:33:28 you know 15 goals I mean it it was crazy in a good way it was fun to watch

1:33:33 14 goal scorers 14 goal scorers Gary that that is yeah I'd say that's

1:33:38 an okay night for just a casual hockey fan to turn it on.

1:33:41 Holy does everybody on the ice score is this how this thing goes?

1:33:45 And then the inverse of that, I was in Tampa on Sunday night and that series,

1:33:51 every game was decided by one goal.

1:33:54 It was incredible to see.

1:33:56 Yeah, it's been a great playoff.

1:33:57 Now, on that note, go ahead Debut.

1:33:59 Yeah, Kamish Pat mentioned seeing you in Pittsburgh last round.

1:34:02 Uh, what's the travel schedule like now and how do you decide which games to go?

1:34:06 You kind that Lulu hoodie might be hopping on the plane here soon.

1:34:09 [laughter] And how do you decide?

1:34:11 I like that, huh?

1:34:13 Very, very clean.

1:34:14 super chill.

1:34:14 I I try to get to places I haven't been.

1:34:17 When when I saw uh Pat in Pittsburgh that week,

1:34:21 I was in five games in five nights and I was back

1:34:25 in the office every day because we're in the middle of doing budgets.

1:34:28 So, I have to do my day job as well.

1:34:31 Uh so, so I bounce around and I try to get to places when

1:34:36 I don't have other commitments that I have to take care of in the office.

1:34:39 How's the budgets going?

1:34:40 We're doing pretty good, huh?

1:34:41 Yeah, things are going well.

1:34:43 Yeah, we're working on it.

1:34:44 Work in progress.

1:34:45 Everybody always, all the department heads always want

1:34:48 to hire more people and spend more money,

1:34:50 [laughter] which is good.

1:34:51 Yeah, bureaucracy is great.

1:34:52 Remember, meritocracy is the champ, though.

1:34:55 And uh you guys certainly have all the talent in the world.

1:34:58 Tell Pyano, we appreciate the connection here

1:35:00 and thank you for taking the time, Mr.

1:35:02 Kamish.

1:35:03 Pat, it's always great to be with you and your guys.

1:35:06 So, thank you for having me and enjoy the playoffs.

1:35:08 You're the man.

1:35:09 He does look cool in that.

1:35:10 It's a great hoodie.

1:35:11 Let me go back to this uh let me get back

1:35:14 to this P&L sheet here for [laughter] got going on here.

1:35:17 The man, ladies and gentlemen, Gary Bman.

1:35:18 [applause] Yary.

1:35:21 He's in it.

1:35:21 Oh yeah.

1:35:22 Every day he's in it.

1:35:23 Anytime we talk to him, he's doing something for hockey.

1:35:26 Like anytime.

1:35:27 There's never a time where I've accidentally

1:35:30 interacted with Gary and he's not doing something.

1:35:32 He is always in there.

1:35:33 And that's like um you know, super growing leak.

1:35:36 Not saying the NFL doesn't have the hungry dog kind of motive,

1:35:41 but you listen to Jesse Cole with Savannah Bananas.

1:35:43 They sold 102,000 tickets uh down there in Texas A&M.

1:35:48 It's like he's he's thinking about still so much

1:35:50 growth like trying to become it's like Gary Bman

1:35:53 in the NHL are still thinking like how can

1:35:54 we get this game to more people all the time.

1:35:56 Like all the time.

1:35:57 Not that the NFL isn't thinking that, but I'm

1:35:58 just saying the NHL knows that it can still

1:36:01 grow immensely and their sport is certainly only getting

1:36:04 better and they already have the business in place.

1:36:06 They're already making money.

1:36:07 It's like the NHL is in a great spot

1:36:09 and I think the more people that watch hockey,

1:36:10 the more people love hockey.

1:36:12 Yeah.

1:36:12 And it's hard to argue that they there's

1:36:14 other sports that can do what they can do.

1:36:16 You know, it's probably the last sport where the lowest

1:36:20 seated team can go on and win the entire thing.

1:36:23 Like even in the NFL,

1:36:24 if you're talking about seven seed in the wild card making a run,

1:36:26 sure that can happen.

1:36:27 Hasn't happened for a very, very long time,

1:36:29 at least since they've gone to 14 teams, seven in each conference.

1:36:32 Baseball typically not the thing because of the spending.

1:36:34 NBA, we've seen it really.

1:36:36 Seven and eight seeds, can't get the job done in the end.

1:36:39 NHL, literally any team can have a hot goalie or someone who just,

1:36:44 you know, catches fire.

1:36:45 McKinnon who's hitting everybody, scoring three points a night,

1:36:49 that can happen in hockey.

1:36:50 And it is one of those things.

1:36:51 Hey, the more eyes we we get on this thing,

1:36:53 the more people are going to love it.

1:36:55 Really bright.

1:36:56 It's on like day mode.

1:37:00 I don't know what your phone is.

1:37:01 It day mode or night mode.

1:37:02 Need lights on to watch it.

1:37:04 Hockey is very bright.

1:37:07 Yeah,

1:37:06 that 10:00 game, you might as well just have a flashlight on in the bedroom.

1:37:09 Lot of white.

1:37:10 You know what I mean?

1:37:11 That thing is just

1:37:11 that p if you follow the pup.

1:37:13 No.

1:37:13 Yeah, certainly.

1:37:14 I'm just saying it's a really bright game.

1:37:16 That that's what I'm realizing with these super late hockey games

1:37:20 and it gets loud sometimes.

1:37:22 Exactly.

1:37:22 The Barnes get really rockus which we love.

1:37:25 And sometimes I'll have them fall asleep maybe and I miss

1:37:27 the whole second period and then middle of third period something goes crazy.

1:37:30 I open my eyes.

1:37:31 It's like I'm walking out of a casino in Vegas at 6:00 a.m.

1:37:35 The sun is just blinding me.

1:37:36 That is what the ice is doing from the TV.

1:37:38 So if we could somehow figure that out, I'd appreciate that.

1:37:41 That help.

1:37:42 If we could just I could have

1:37:43 a setting on my television that'll basically say like,

1:37:45 "Hey, if you think I've fallen asleep, you know me pretty good at this point.

1:37:48 Maybe we dial that down a little bit because

1:37:50 that thing is on phone flashlight all the way up." Yep.

1:37:55 That's not a dial.

1:37:56 That thing is really white.

1:37:58 Just

1:38:00 thousand%.

1:37:59 Maybe get some Boise State type rinks.

1:38:02 You know, the Colorado Avalanche.

1:38:04 Let's get some blue ice.

1:38:05 Now we're talking.

1:38:05 We need to do the Savannah bananas of hockey.

1:38:08 Yeah.

1:38:10 Yes.

1:38:10 Dark ice.

1:38:10 Yeah.

1:38:10 Put Lay a black tarp under the ice.

1:38:13 Leave my sport.

1:38:14 Cosmic hockey.

1:38:16 Fans will love that.

1:38:17 The traditional fans will love this.

1:38:20 Hockey but louder.

1:38:21 Bring the globe.

1:38:23 That worked out.

1:38:24 Hockey but louder.

1:38:25 I'll tell you, Liv was an ass execution of an idea that had a $5 billion budget.

1:38:31 You say it was.

1:38:32 What do you mean was?

1:38:33 They're getting They're getting infusion of cash, aren't they?

1:38:35 I saw Louis Vuitton, Travis Scott.

1:38:37 Okay.

1:38:38 I have faith in him.

1:38:39 That was a good city.

1:38:40 I thought he looked cool.

1:38:41 The guy who's the new CEO of Liv.

1:38:43 I hope he does a great job.

1:38:44 They've already used $5 billion.

1:38:46 I don't know if they have access to another 5 billion,

1:38:49 but maybe they won't need it because it's

1:38:51 a completely different direction and maybe he has great ideas.

1:38:54 Feels like Liv is dead.

1:38:56 Yeah, it does feel like that's the case.

1:38:58 People's contracts are for another few years.

1:38:59 Rom's gone in there and say, "Hey, they're really good contracts." Yeah.

1:39:03 So, I don't know how I'm getting out

1:39:04 of this thing unless the entire thing folds,

1:39:06 which I guess could happen in the future.

1:39:08 But the PGA community obviously now has to live

1:39:11 with how who do we let Cam Young had interesting answers.

1:39:14 I won't play against the best man.

1:39:15 That's what I do.

1:39:16 I just Let's go ahead and

1:39:17 he did but he also No,

1:39:18 he didn't say just let also said it did feel like you were going all in or not.

1:39:23 There's a handful of them over there that he wants to play against every week.

1:39:27 Yeah.

1:39:27 But

1:39:28 and that's the only ones we really care about too as spectators.

1:39:32 Yeah.

1:39:32 And I think we are kind of pitching

1:39:34 this entire conversation just for a few people.

1:39:36 Oh yeah.

1:39:36 Two to three.

1:39:37 Now, those people though were the ones that were poached to go take on.

1:39:41 Yeah.

1:39:41 Oh, yeah.

1:39:42 So, that's why

1:39:42 they were the biggest defactors.

1:39:44 Did you see us groundskeepers maybe for the tournaments?

1:39:46 A couple of those AJ.

1:39:47 Did you see that?

1:39:48 Yeah.

1:39:48 The old construction worker angle like Yeah.

1:39:51 Make them work their way back into a tournament.

1:39:52 Yeah.

1:39:53 I I guess it's not the worst idea.

1:39:55 What if they were tea box?

1:39:56 We've seen John Daly do it before.

1:39:58 What do you mean?

1:39:59 Put a te Put a tea between your butt cheeks.

1:40:01 Okay.

1:40:02 Yeah.

1:40:02 I don't know.

1:40:03 Maybe roll will do that.

1:40:04 What?

1:40:05 Another idea was they come back to the PGA.

1:40:08 They have to play all the events.

1:40:10 Every single one of them.

1:40:11 They have to play all the event.

1:40:12 Yeah.

1:40:13 For like for two or three years, you play every single possible event.

1:40:16 All the events until you win one.

1:40:17 And then if you win one, you kind of test your way out of there.

1:40:20 Okay.

1:40:20 Yeah.

1:40:20 I like that.

1:40:21 Yeah.

1:40:21 But you got to play at all of them.

1:40:22 And for me as fan, I'll turn on some golf tournament on a Sunday

1:40:26 and I'll see two names that I know and it'll be good for the PGA.

1:40:30 Be good for me as a golf fan.

1:40:31 Good idea.

1:40:31 You're back in the PGA.

1:40:33 Okay.

1:40:34 Congratulations.

1:40:35 You're playing in Wyoming at the who gives a damn thing.

1:40:39 Whatever.

1:40:40 Whatever it is, but it's on my TV cuz it's PGA tournament

1:40:43 and now you have to play this because you're back in the PJ.

1:40:46 Could also start with strokes.

1:40:47 Like, oh, you got $150 million from, you know, live.

1:40:51 Boom.

1:40:51 You're plus 15 to start this weekend.

1:40:53 Oh, because they do that with the FedEx Cup.

1:40:55 So, they already have precedent on giving strokes.

1:40:57 Bingo.

1:40:57 So, this would be no different.

1:40:59 Nope.

1:40:59 Same exact thing.

1:41:00 It's just kind of a PIF tax.

1:41:02 That's what we're saying though.

1:41:02 We we can think of so many ideas.

1:41:04 I I felt like we were kind of just shoot away on the

1:41:07 roll out the red carpet,

1:41:08 let him back in and tell them thank you on the way back.

1:41:12 Those fat checks, those elevated events.

1:41:14 Yeah, those other players better thank this weekend the no cut signature event.

1:41:19 Ton of money.

1:41:19 You're welcome.

1:41:20 Thank you, Liv.

1:41:21 The 150 flat rates.

1:41:22 You're not just wasting 40 grand just in case you

1:41:25 don't make the cut on Friday and then you have

1:41:27 to get back to it on Monday or Tuesday and do

1:41:30 all that BS with the sponsors that they used to have.

1:41:33 Participation talk going on right now.

1:41:35 You're welcome.

1:41:35 Well, I like what you guys are are

1:41:38 I agree that it certainly made the PGA um better to its players,

1:41:42 treated the players better.

1:41:43 I think that is very true and real and I think they would admit that as well.

1:41:46 But when it happened, it was very clearly like,

1:41:48 oh yeah, it was a war.

1:41:49 I'm going to kill you.

1:41:50 It was a war.

1:41:51 Now

1:41:52 it's messed up.

1:41:53 That dissipated.

1:41:54 They lost.

1:41:55 It's messed up.

1:41:55 And it kind of did it fizzle out.

1:41:57 But there's gonna have to be something, you know,

1:41:59 especially whenever they say, "Hey, if you come by February 2nd,

1:42:02 yeah, you're back." Is there a path now though?

1:42:04 Is there a path for anyone to come back?

1:42:06 Now they Somebody's gone through a year suspension or something.

1:42:09 And then Brooksie was an alternative, I think,

1:42:11 for a couple or something like that.

1:42:12 Yeah, he's uh at the elevated events the last two of them.

1:42:15 He had to he went there as an alternate.

1:42:17 Did not No one No one dropped out of the field.

1:42:19 So, he had to he left on Thursday.

1:42:21 So, uh he has not played an elevated event yet.

1:42:23 But yeah, Brooks $5 million to charity or whatever.

1:42:27 Uh but he was like they had an option.

1:42:29 Cam said it like all these guys had an option.

1:42:31 Brooks was the only one that took that option.

1:42:33 And now now that Liv is folding, they're like,

1:42:35 "Oh shoot, I want to jump on that trade." Brooks was never all in.

1:42:38 Let's talk about he had Nike.

1:42:39 He stuck with Nike the whole time.

1:42:41 Feels like he kind of We watched the Super Swing series, the full swing.

1:42:45 Yep.

1:42:45 There it is.

1:42:46 And Brooks in a bad spot.

1:42:48 Felt like watching Brooks when he made that decision to go to live,

1:42:51 he thought he was never going to be able to hit

1:42:52 a golf ball to where he was aiming it again.

1:42:55 That's what I learned from Super Swing.

1:42:56 Yeah.

1:42:57 So, when he gets offered $200 million for golf, I think he thought, "This is it.

1:43:01 This is all I got." Then he found his game again.

1:43:03 He was like, "200 million, but who am I playing against?

1:43:08 Let's see." Hey, everybody else had to give up their Nike deal.

1:43:12 I'm not doing that.

1:43:13 I'm keeping my Nike deal.

1:43:15 Okay.

1:43:15 You're gonna wear your range goats hat.

1:43:17 No, I'm wearing a Nike.

1:43:18 Smashmouth GC.

1:43:20 No, I'm wearing a Nike.

1:43:21 That's a sick name.

1:43:23 Smashmouth.

1:43:24 Smash GC.

1:43:24 Do they still own these teams?

1:43:26 Remember, they're talking about how you get equity in the teams and all that.

1:43:28 Are they worth anything?

1:43:29 Yeah, they're making a ton.

1:43:32 Investors, possibly.

1:43:34 The team owners, Phil and Bryson and Bob, they're making a ton.

1:43:37 I was pumped to see the amount of money go to the athletes.

1:43:39 I don't want to continue to just say that.

1:43:41 That's why I stuck up for live because so much money was going

1:43:43 to athletes and everybody was grandstanding

1:43:45 about where the money was coming from.

1:43:46 It's like, well, there's a lot of that money everywhere, okay?

1:43:49 So, let's not get mad about and now we all know that.