The All-Star break is over and the race to the bottom is back in the spotlight. Host Omar Zahran sits down with Tone from the BME Pod to break down the NBA's latest proposals to combat tanking — from restructuring pick protections to freezing lottery odds at the trade deadline and extending the lottery to play-in teams. Are these bold solutions, or just reactionary band-aids from a league playing catch-up?

Omar and Tone dig into which proposals could actually work, how tanking is undermining the integrity of the game, and why the timing of teams like the Utah Jazz sitting their stars couldn't have come at a worse moment for the league's image. They also get into the ethics of tanking — when is it a smart rebuild strategy versus an insult to the fans paying to watch?

Plus, Tone shares highlights from his NBA All-Star Weekend experience in LA, covering players for Threads and Instagram with the now-legendary oversized mic, and what it was really like behind the scenes at one of the league's biggest events.

A special thanks to Tone for joining me this week. Make sure to check out BME Pod HERE. If you enjoyed this episode, please make sure to follow Deep Cover on your favorite podcast app of choice.

What happens to all that sports gear collecting dust in your closet? From jerseys you've outgrown to championship tees that don't fit quite right anymore, the average fan has hundreds of dollars worth of merch they'll never wear again.

In this episode, host Omar Zahran sits down with Lauren Teague, founder of FanWagn, a fan-to-fan resale marketplace transforming how we buy and sell sports apparel. Lauren shares her journey from sports social media—launching the PGA Tour's first Twitter account and Facebook page in 2008—to building a sustainable recommerce platform for sports fans.

We explore why the secondhand sports apparel market is heating up, how FanWagn is keeping textile waste out of landfills while putting money back in fans' pockets, and why buying pre-loved gear might actually get you something cooler than what's on the official store rack. Lauren also opens up about the challenges of building a startup, the vision for making recommerce the norm in sports culture, and how she's looking to scale with ambassadors, investors, and team partnerships.

Whether you're a thrift shop enthusiast, sustainability-minded sports fan, or just curious about the future of fan commerce, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on how we consume and celebrate the teams we love.

Check out FanWagn below:

Buy & Resell Fan Apparel on FanWagn - Second Fan Fashion®Instagram

If you enjoyed this podcast please consider following this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Also check out our clips on YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels.

In this episode, Omar sits down with Francis Carlota, host of Tigers Live for Bluff City Media, to dissect one of college basketball's most controversial trends: professional players returning to school.

When NBA-drafted players like James Naji and Amari Bailey—who actually played NBA games—head back to college to use remaining eligibility, it raises fundamental questions about the state of the NCAA. Is this a savvy career move or a symptom of college sports' identity crisis?

Francis and Omar explore the legal gymnastics behind preliminary injunctions that allow this to happen, why the NCAA has lost control of its own eligibility rules, and whether NIL money has effectively turned "student-athletes" into professional players. They trace this back through decades of NCAA dysfunction, dating back to under-the-table payments to the James Wiseman case at Memphis.

The conversation also covers:

• Why college basketball might offer better visibility than international leagues
• The difference between American and European basketball development models
• How NIL valuations and on-court performance intersect
• The Memphis Grizzlies' decision to hold onto Ja Morant through injury
• The Jaren Jackson Jr. trade to Utah and what it means for both franchises
• Memphis' draft positioning and the 2026 lottery outlook

A big thank you to Francis for joining me, make sure to check him out:

• Twitter/X: @SluggaSports
• Instagram: @franciscarlota
• YouTube: Bluff City Media

Subscribe to Deep Cover on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more thought-provoking sports and culture conversations.

In this episode, I have a chat with NFL insider Matt Lombardo to discuss the rapidly changing landscape of sports media and journalism. Matt, who runs the popular Substack "Between the Hashmarks," shares his journey through radio, beat reporting for the New York Giants, and various digital platforms before making the leap to independent journalism.

The conversation covers the current crisis in traditional sports media—including the recent Washington Post sports department shutdown—and why more journalists are choosing the independent path. Matt discusses his experiences with multiple layoffs and outlet closures that eventually led him to launch his own Substack, offering candid insights into building a sustainable career in an industry undergoing massive transformation.

We also dive into important NFL topics including the diversity crisis in coaching hires, the league's pivot toward young offensive coordinators, and the barriers faced by minority coaching candidates. Matt shares his perspective on covering the NFL independently versus working for traditional outlets, the importance of authentic storytelling, and why controlling your own editorial process matters more than ever.

A big thank you to Matt Lombardo for joining me this week. He is currently running a promotion at Between the Hashmarks, check it out HERE.

When former adult film actress Abella Danger appeared on screen during the college football National Championship between Miami and Indiana, it sparked a moral panic that revealed deep contradictions in how America views sex work, women's autonomy, and personal redemption.

Host Omar Zahran breaks down why a Miami alumna simply attending her school's game became a lightning rod for controversy, examining the double standards at play when society simultaneously sexualizes women while condemning those who monetize that sexualization on their own terms. From the evolution of OnlyFans as a safer alternative to traditional sex work, to the persistent puritanical undercurrents in American culture, Omar explores why we're comfortable with "celebrity row" at sporting events—until that celebrity challenges our moral assumptions.

The episode also tackles the broader implications of the "apology economy" and asks: why should anyone apologize for existing in public after making legal career choices?

Plus, Omar addresses recent ICE raids in Minneapolis and the tragic deaths of three individuals, urging listeners to reckon with the fracturing state of American society.

Check out Omar's latest Medium piece about Minneapolis and trying to find an escape in the chaos:

https://medium.com/@omarzahran/the-game-in-the-background-5c59d76717a3

In this episode of Deep Cover, we explore a pressing question: Why do sports journalists refuse to leave X (formerly Twitter) despite the platform's troubling evolution?

Sparked by recent controversies involving X's AI chatbot Grok and its lack of content safeguards, there is a complex relationship between sports media and social platforms. We trace the golden age of NBA Twitter—when the platform fostered vibrant fan communities and direct access to reporters and players—and contrast it with today's fractured landscape.

As alternatives like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon gain traction, why do beat reporters and high-profile personalities remain anchored to X? Is it the follower count? The engagement metrics? Or something deeper about how we've built our sports communities online?

From the impact of algorithmic changes and the monetization of verification to the challenges of rebuilding audiences elsewhere, this episode unpacks the prisoner's dilemma facing sports media in 2025 and whether we're simply trading one tech billionaire's platform for another—and what it would actually take for sports journalism to embrace a new digital home.

Topics Discussed:

• The rise and evolution of NBA Twitter and sports social media
• X's controversial AI chatbot Grok and content moderation issues
• The migration challenge: Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon
• Why sports journalists stay despite declining user numbers
• The future of sports journalism and fan communities online

Welcome back to the Deep Cover Podcast! As we close out 2025, today we have a special New Year's episode featuring returning guest Drew Davis, host of Too Good to Be Drew.

We reflect on personal highlights from 2025, debate the merits of New Year's resolutions versus year-round goal-setting, and tackle the instant gratification culture affecting content creators and athletes alike.

Topics covered:

• Personal milestones and goals for 2026
• The psychology behind New Year's resolutions and why most fail
• New Year's resolutions for sports fans, leagues, teams, and players
• NFL's fourth-down analytics obsession and officiating consistency
• College football's transfer portal chaos and G6 team treatment
• NBA All-Star Game woes and injury concerns
• The importance of self-care and avoiding burnout in hustle culture
• Book recommendations spanning fiction, history, and sports
• Building authentic connections in the digital age

Follow Drew Davis:Social Media: @DrewJayDavisPodcast: Too Good to Be Drew (Apple & Spotify)

Subscribe to Deep Cover on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for more thought-provoking sports and culture conversations.

This week on Deep Cover, I'm joined by Lex Mickens, a prominent voice in the NBA Threads community and founder of the nonprofit Run It Back.

Lex shares her journey from working in-game entertainment for the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden to becoming a key figure in the NBA Threads community. We covers her experiences at the NBA Emirates Cup in Las Vegas, where she both played in the Creator Cup and hosted content for Threads.

Episode Highlights:

• Growing up as a Knicks fan in New York and working for the team during the Jeremy Lin and Carmelo Anthony era
• The Knicks' current championship aspirations and their Emirates Cup victory
• How NBA Threads has evolved into a vibrant, welcoming community that rivals the old NBA Twitter
• Behind-the-scenes stories from the Emirates Cup weekend in Las Vegas
• The debate around whether the NBA Cup matters and how it's legitimizing in-season competition
• Potential NBA expansion into Europe and what it could mean for the league
• Run It Back nonprofit's mission to revolutionize communities through sports with free basketball, student athlete mentorship, and professional development services

Thank you to Lex for joining me, make sure to follow all the work she is doing below!

Connect with Lex Mickens:All platforms: @LexisMickensLearn more about Run It Back: werunback.org

Welcome to the Deep Cover Podcast. This week let's explore a fascinating contradiction in sports fandom: everyone says they want parity, but do we actually enjoy it more than dynasties? With the Kansas City Chiefs injury-plagued season and early playoff elimination, let's examine how quickly fans have turned on successful teams like the Chiefs and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tracing the history of great dynasties, from the Bulls and Cowboys of the '90s to the Patriots and Warriors, and whether our shortened attention spans and constant social media exposure are preventing new dynasties from developing the mystique that made their predecessors so captivating.

Topics discussed:

• The Chiefs' devastating injuries and what it means for the NFL landscape
• Why fans already seem tired of the Oklahoma City Thunder's dominance
• How social media and algorithm-driven content have changed our relationship with team success
• The importance of "Goliaths" in sports storytelling and why we need villains to root against
• Whether parity actually makes sports more or less interesting
• The theater of officiating and why controversy fuels engagement

Thank you for tuning into the Deep Cover Podcast, happy holidays everyone!

In this episode, I'm joined by Brandon Leopold to dissect one of college football's most shocking stories of the season: the firing of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore.

What started as a surprising coaching change quickly unraveled into a scandal involving alleged misconduct, threats, and serious criminal charges. We explore the timeline of events, the human element of the tragedy, and what it means for Michigan football moving forward.

In this episode:

• The details behind Sherrone Moore's termination for cause
• Michigan's institutional responsibility and Athletic Director Warde Manuel's role
• The pattern of scandals plaguing the program (Connor Stallions, recruiting violations, etc.)
• How this tarnishes Michigan's "leaders and best" reputation
• The complicated coaching search ahead and potential candidates
• Whether Moore can ever coach again, and comparisons to Bobby Petrino and Mel Tucker
• The toxic power dynamics in big-time college football
• Why G6 football deserves more respect and attention

Subscribe to Deep Cover Podcast for more in-depth college sports analysis and conversation.