Crunching Tackles

It was a disappointing outing in the Woman's World Cup for the USA, and we are here to react to the worst result the American ladies have ever suffered in the history of the tournament. On this pod, we discuss:

2:30 - Lionel Messi has continued to dominate in MLS in his first four games for Inter Miami. Is this a huge success for everyone all around, or is it highlighting the issues with our domestic league?

10:10 - Kylian Mbappe has reached an impasse with his club—PSG—and is now facing the possibility of missing the entire season. How did they get to this point, and whose fault is it?

13:15 - The Premier League season returns this weekend, and we preview our expectations for our teams, as well as who we expect to finish on top.

44:40 - THE BIG STORY: The USWNT crashed out of the World Cup in the Round of 16, and have faced extensive criticism in the aftermath. How much of the criticism is justified, and what's next for the new generation of the team?

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Full disclosure: there is a lot more talk about movies on this episode than there is about sports. But that doesn't mean we don't have a whole lot of important sports content for you as well. This week we discuss:

2:45 - Carlos Alcaraz is the 2023 Wimbledon champion, and we assess whether he is now the best tennis player in the world. Is it time to reflect on Novak Djokovic in the past tense, or does he still have some fight left?

10:00 - THE BIG STORY: Horrific allegations have emerged about a culture of aggressive hazing and sexual harassment at Northwestern University's football program. What is it going to take for institutions to start taking these issues seriously, and is there anything to learn from these stories?

28:10 - We participated in the cultural event of the summer: the Barbenheimer double feature. We start with Barbie, talking about the successes of the film, why it worked so well; and we also mention a few of the challenges that hold this film back from being an all-time classic.

44:40 - Finally, we make the hard pivot to Oppenheimer, one of the most significant films we've ever seen and also one of the best. What makes the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer so important right now, and how did Christopher Nolan bring his unique abilities to this film?

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Elon Musk has led during a tumultuous time at Twitter HQ, and Meta have capitalized on this perceived weakness with their competitor app: Threads. Given the uncertainty around Twitter, we take this opportunity to reflect on how Twitter specifically has shaped the fan sports experience and the way entertainment comes into our lives. We also wonder if Threads, or any other social media app, can steer clear of some of the worst parts of Twitter.

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

It's been the summer of Saudi Arabia, as the Middle Eastern oil giants continue to buy their way deeper and deeper into the worlds of both soccer and golf. With mostly wins, and one significant loss, the Public Investment Fund of the controversy-riddled country is now a major player in the international sports scene. This week we discuss:

1:36 - A brief mention of the French Open, Novak Djokovic making history, and if the "young guys" will ever topple the last standing member of the historic Big Three.

11:54 - Saudi Arabia made an offer to Lionel Messi they thought he couldn't refuse . . . but he did! The GOAT of soccer is headed to the United States!

21:19 - Karim Benzema IS headed to Saudi Arabia, joining his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo. How is the country using its leverage in its home league and throughout European competition?

30:30 - THE BIG STORY: The PGA Tour and the PIF have reached an agreement that will essentially end LIV Golf and bring all of international golf under the investment of Saudi Arabia. How did the PGA get to this compromising position, and how do Chad and John feel about this moment?

49:00 - Amidst these bleak headlines, one shining light in the culture has emerged. SPIDER MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE is the movie of the year, and we couldn't possibly love it any more.

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms!

Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant will likely face a hefty suspension from the NBA after appearing in a second social media video with a firearm, not even two months after being suspended for the first one. But is that fair? Social media has been ablaze with controversy, and we try to find some answers.

2:30 - We start things off by looking at the NBA and NHL playoffs (RIP the Hurricanes).

7:23 - Rafael Nadal announced last week that he's withdrawing from the French Open, and 2024 will be his last season. Will he make it through his final tour?

14:07 - Has Manchester City broken the sport of soccer? John definitely thinks so.

27:34 - We take a serious look at the Ja Morant situation. How does the NBA's issue relate to the broader question of gun violence in the U.S.?

44:46 - Did we... both enjoy a Marvel movie?

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all your social media platforms! And if you hated it, it's my (John's) fault.

14 different managers have been fired in during the Premier League season this year—the most in any season ever. Why are owners and management so impatient with the results of their coaches? Does the high turnover lead to improved play on the field? This week, we discuss:

1:00—Personal news for the podcast

3:30—The first round of the NBA Playoffs is absolutely full of drama, and we discuss the highlights and lowlights so far.

25:20—Why are so many coaches being fired in soccer, and how can this problem be solved?

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!

March Madness is over, and the NCAA men's and women's champions have been crowned. Connecticut has cemented their men's program in the top tier of basketball, and LSU women won their first national championship. This week, we discuss:

4:50—UConn defeated San Diego State in the national championship, winning their fifth title in the past 25 years. We look at the strangeness of this year's tournament, the eventual champions, and why the television ratings declined this year in the later rounds.

26:25—LSU won their first national championship, defeating Iowa in the women's game. Caitlin Clark played a tournament for the ages, but caught some heat from several LSU players, as did Jill Biden. We look at the game, and the multitude of off-court controversy that followed it.

47:45—The Masters this year is a rare reunion between PGA and LIV players, and we preview the tournament going on right now.

54:00—Ted Lasso season 3 episodes 1-4 recap.

1:01:10—The Mandalorian season 3 episodes 1-6 recap.

1:05:30—Chad and John highly recommend watching John Wick: Chapter 4.

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!

Major League Soccer began a major deal with Apple TV this season, meaning that the majority of their games are behind a paywall. This move provoked disappointment for some fans who now view the league as inaccessible to casual supporters. But was this the right move for MLS? This week, we discuss:

3:15—Vanessa Bryant and her family received a $30 million payout for graphic photos being taken after the death of Kobe and Gigi Bryant. What does this decision mean for the Bryant family and for the privacy of victim's families?

11:15—Brandon Miller has been allowed to continue playing college basketball for Alabama after being connected to a murder. But was Miller really as involved as the early headlines indicated? We discuss if he should keep playing, or if he should be suspended.

24:10—Novak Djokovic has been denied entry to the U.S., AGAIN. But will this be the final time? Should he be admitted now?

BIG STORY: 30:45—MLS is on Apple TV. This decision will give them more money from diehard supporters, but may deter casual and potential fans from checking out the sport. Was this the right move for the league, and how does the price compare to other major sports?

54:50—We give our initial thoughts on Netflix's show Full Swing.

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!

Shows like P.T.I., First Take, and Undisputed have dominated cable television for the better part of two decades. Watching celebrities argue about sports is a cherished tradition in sporting culture. But are these shows really just harmless entertainment? Or do they cause serious damage in our society? Why are other parts of culture starting to look more like the arguments we see on ESPN? Chad and John discuss all these issues on this week's pod.

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!

The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl Champions ... again! This week, we discuss:

3:30 — How did the Chiefs pull off the victory? What are our expectations going forward for both the Chiefs and the Eagles? And yes, was the holding penalty the right call?

25:15 — Why is Chad upset about the reaction to the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and what did the guys think about Rihanna's performance?

29:30 — What were the best, and the worst, commercials and movie trailers from the Super Bowl?

44:15 — New Mexico State University has shut down their men's basketball program following multiple scandals. Was this the right decision? And what got the program to the point where they quit the season?

As always, make sure to share this episode if you enjoyed it, and give us a follow on all our social media platforms!