Empty The Bench Sports Podcast

By Empty The Bench Network

Join Nick Morgasen & Zain Bando on their crazy adventures into the sports world addressing all matters big and small with their interesting takes first hand and so much more only on Empty The Benc... more

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FAQs about Empty The Bench Sports Podcast:

How many episodes does Empty The Bench Sports Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 144 episodes available.

Empty The Bench Sports Podcast episodes:

March 25, 2026 Bracket Autopsy, NFL Mega-Deals, and Combat Chaos
The first weekend of March Madness is officially in the rearview, and the wreckage of millions of brackets is all that remains. Join Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando for Episode 310 as we perform a definitive autopsy on the opening rounds and look ahead to a high-stakes Sweet 16. From the absolute shocker of High Point taking down Wisconsin to VCU’s historic 19-point comeback against UNC, we are breaking down who proved they belong and which blue-bloods are already looking toward next season. We also dive into the off-court madness, including the growing coaching carousel rumors and the electric atmosphere at the regional sites.

The conversation shifts to the gridiron, where the Seattle Seahawks have officially reset the market. We analyze Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s historic four-year, $168.6 million extension that makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. We discuss what this means for the Seahawks' title defense and the ripple effects it sends through the league for stars like Puka Nacua. We also address the viral controversy surrounding New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo, whose recent comments calling CTE an "excuse" and asthma "fake" have sparked a massive firestorm. We react to his subsequent apology and the reality of head trauma in the modern game.

In the world of sports entertainment and combat, the headlines are just as heavy. We react to Logan Paul’s backhanded apology to Tom Brady following their clash at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, where the WWE star didn't miss a chance to troll the GOAT. We also dig into the escalating war of words between Jon Jones and Dana White. With Jones effectively asking for his UFC release after being left off the historic White House card, we ask if we have seen the last of "Bones" in the Octagon or if this is just another high-level negotiation tactic.

Finally, we head to the ballpark for our 2026 MLB Bold Predictions. With Opening Day just 48 hours away, we are putting our reputations on the line with our picks for MVP, Cy Young, and the World Series. From the fallout of Johan Rojas’ 80-game suspension to the impact of the new "robo-ump" check-swing technology in the minors, we are getting you ready for the first pitch of the season.

The Empty the Bench Network is in the final drive toward 4,000 watch hours. Help us reach the finish line by subscribing to the show and leaving a review.
Was Cam Skattebo’s "joke" a lapse in judgment or a sign of a bigger issue? And who is your lock to survive the Sweet 16?

#ETBSports #MarchMadness #JSN #Seahawks #CamSkattebo #LoganPaul #TomBrady #JonJones #UFC #MLBOpeningDay #EmptyTheBench
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1h 24min
March 19, 2026 Big Cat SLAMS Ken Rosenthal! + Ronda Rousey's UFC Call Out
The road to the Final Four is officially paved and the madness has arrived. Join Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando for Episode 309 of ETB Sports as we dive headfirst into the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket. We provide our initial gut reactions to the committee’s seeding, identify the most dangerous regions, and officially put our reputations on the line by locking in our Final Four predictions. From the dominance of top-seeded Michigan to the bracket-busting potential in the West, we are breaking down every path to the championship.

The conversation shifts to the gridiron where the Kansas City Chiefs have made a stunning move to bolster their quarterback room, acquiring Justin Fields from the New York Jets. We analyze how Fields fits into Andy Reid’s system as a high-upside insurance policy while Patrick Mahomes recovers, and what this means for the Jets as they pivot back to a familiar face in Geno Smith. We also look at the hardwood business side as the NBA prepares for a historic vote to explore expansion in Las Vegas and Seattle, a move that could permanently alter the geography of the league.

In the world of combat sports, the headlines are moving as fast as a championship flurry. Ronda Rousey has set the internet ablaze by calling out both the UFC and Hunter Campbell over the promotion's new broadcast direction, sparking a heated debate about fighter pay and the "cost-effective" era of the Octagon. We also react to the news of Nate Diaz returning to MMA to face the "King of Violence" Mike Perry on the Netflix undercard of Rousey versus Carano this May. Plus, we discuss Alex Pereira’s massive new eight-fight contract and his impending move to the heavyweight division.

Finally, we address the viral friction in sports media. We react to Barstool’s Big Cat launching a scathing critique of Ken Rosenthal’s role in FOX Sports’ baseball coverage, calling for the veteran reporter’s exit after a series of polarizing on-air moments. We also take a look at the "Selection Sunday Villain" Bruce Pearl, whose blatant Auburn bias and defense of his son’s program have turned the CBS studio into a lightning rod for nepotism and conflict-of-interest discussions following the Tigers' tournament miss.
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1h 21min
March 11, 2026 Dolphins Cut Tua | UFC White House Card | Bruce Pearl forgets Caitlin Clark
On this week’s high-octane Episode 308 of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando break down a seismic week across the sports landscape, starting with the total teardown in South Beach as the Dolphins stun the league by trading Minkah Fitzpatrick to the rival Jets and officially releasing Tua Tagovailoa. The guys analyze the financial ripple effects of Trent McDuffie’s historic four-year, $124 million extension with the Rams before shifting gears to the AFC, where Kenneth Walker joins a loaded Chiefs backfield and DJ Moore heads to Buffalo in a blockbuster trade with the Bears. The conversation moves from the gridiron to the cage as Francis Ngannou’s clash with Philipe Lins becomes official for the May 16 MVP card on Netflix, followed by a heated reaction to the unprecedented UFC White House card. In the media world, they discuss the massive talent drain at the Washington Post as several top writers depart for ESPN, and they wrap things up with a look at Bruce Pearl’s bizarre memory lapse regarding superstar Caitlin Clark, plus plenty of other headlines you won't want to miss.
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1h 16min
March 03, 2026 David Montgomery receives biohacking advice from Dana White | Empty The Bench EP 307
In Episode 307 of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando dive headfirst into a chaotic week across the sports landscape, beginning with the fallout of Chad Baker-Mazara being cut from the USC roster. The conversation takes a bizarre turn as the guys dissect the unsettling report that an NFL team asked Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza about his lack of a criminal record as if it were a character flaw, sparking a larger debate on the league's evaluation tactics. Shifting to the gridiron, the duo analyzes the impact of David Montgomery’s trade to the Houston Texans and whether he is the missing piece for their championship aspirations. Combat sports fans are in for a treat as Nick and Zain discuss Jon Jones’ bold callout of Alex Pereira during a White House visit and provide an in-depth preview of the legendary rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira at UFC 326. The episode rounds out with a look at the business side of sports through the lens of a potential Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger, plus a breakdown of the viral controversy surrounding Sherrone Moore’s questionable Snapchat activity. From locker room drama to boardroom power plays, this episode leaves no stone unturned.
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1h 10min
February 25, 2026 Scott Van Pelt sends message to Sean Strickland
In Episode 306 of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando return to break down an emotionally charged and action-packed week across the sports landscape, beginning with the tragic passing of Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Rondale Moore and the significant backlash facing Scott Van Pelt and ESPN for a major on-screen graphic error during his tribute.The duo then shifts gears to a historic achievement on the ice as Team USA secures a dual Olympic Gold sweep in both men’s and women’s hockey at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, marking the first men’s gold since the 1980 Miracle on Ice.The conversation turns to the Octagon to dissect Sean Strickland’s victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Fight Night 267, a win overshadowed by Strickland’s controversial social media antics, before looking ahead to the massive announcement from Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix regarding a blockbuster May 16th clash between pioneers Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.The guys also recap Ryan Garcia’s masterclass performance against Mario Barrios to claim the WBC welterweight title and head to Los Angeles to discuss the Lakers honoring legendary coach Pat Riley with a statue unveiling during a heated matchup against the Boston Celtics. Finally, they dive into the NFL offseason rumors swirling around the Pittsburgh Steelers as Aaron Rodgers weighs retirement against a potential return under Mike McCarthy, plus even more news from across the world of sports.
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1h 15min
February 18, 2026 Tyreek Hill tanks at NBA All-Star Game
Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando return to the airwaves for a jam-packed Episode 305 of Empty the Bench. The guys dive straight into the fallout of a historic NFL move as the Miami Dolphins officially release Tyreek Hill, sparking a massive debate on the "Cheetah’s" next destination and what his departure means for the AFC East landscape in 2026. Shifting gears to the hardwood, the duo breaks down the chaos in the Big East following the intense Providence and St. John’s brawl, while also examining the "for cause" firing of Jerome Tang at Kansas State. The conversation continues with a look at the state of the NBA, specifically addressing the growing concerns around tanking and whether the All-Star Weekend festivities can still mask the league's competitive issues. Finally, the show explores a landmark moment for combat sports as UFC 326 prepares for a partial broadcast on CBS, signaling a major shift in how the promotion reaches the masses. From coaching carousels to the road to March Madness, Nick and Zain cover it all in this high-energy installment.
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1h 23min
February 11, 2026 Bad Bunny gets invited to Seahawks Super Bowl parade
In Episode 304 of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando take a victory lap through the aftermath of Super Bowl LX, breaking down how the Seattle Seahawks’ "Dark Side" defense secured a 29-13 win over the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium. The duo dives into the cultural spectacle of the halftime show, reviewing Bad Bunny’s historic headline performance and those high-profile cameos from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin that brought a Puerto Rican celebration to the global stage. After recapping the championship fallout, the guys pivot to the future with their way-too-early predictions for the 2026-27 season, debating whether Seattle is poised for a repeat or if a new contender will emerge from a shifting NFL landscape.
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1h
February 04, 2026 Jeffrey Epstein takes down Giants at Super Bowl LX
Welcome to Episode 303 of Empty The Bench with Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando. This week, we dive deep into the journey to Santa Clara for Super Bowl LX, analyzing exactly how the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots emerged from the pack to secure their spots in this historic 60th championship game. We take a hard look at the "Epstein Files" to uncover what is really happening within the front offices of the New York Jets and Giants, while also grading the latest moves in the NFL coaching carousel following the major hires of John Harbaugh and Robert Saleh. The conversation shifts to the collegiate ranks to discuss Arthur Smith’s surprising move to Ohio State and what his offensive philosophy means for the Buckeyes' future, followed by an NBA breakdown of the Knicks' recent victory over LeBron James and the Lakers at the Garden. We wrap things up with a full recap of the high-octane action from UFC 325 in Sydney—highlighted by Alexander Volkanovski’s dominant performance—before finally locking in our official picks and best bets for the Super Bowl.

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1h 31min
January 28, 2026 Jemele Hill’s controversial take on Kevin Stefanski
Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando return to the airwaves for Episode 302 of Empty the Bench to break down a massive week in sports news, starting with a deep dive into the finalized Super Bowl 60 matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. The guys analyze the seismic shifts across the NFL coaching carousel following major hires in Atlanta, New York, and Pittsburgh, while also tackling the social media firestorm surrounding Jemele Hill’s comments on the Atlanta Falcons hiring Kevin Stefanski and her claims regarding the fan base's reaction to the move. Beyond the gridiron, the duo discusses the logistical chaos as a historic winter storm forces a wave of postponements across College Basketball and the NBA, plus a full recap of the high-octane action from UFC 324 featuring the war between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. It is a jam-packed episode covering everything from the championship hunt to the headlines shaping the sports world today, so be sure to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite platform to support the show.
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1h 16min
January 14, 2026 Matt LeFleur tells Ben Johnson to shake on it
On this episode of Empty The Bench, Nick Morgasen and Zain Bando discuss the "WILD" NFL Wildcard Weekend, predictions for the College Football National Championship,
Conor McGregor wants to fight Floyd Mayweather, Angel Reese at it again AND SO MUCH MORE!
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1h 23min

FAQs about Empty The Bench Sports Podcast:

How many episodes does Empty The Bench Sports Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 144 episodes available.