Le Batard & Friends Network

Sure, fewer people are watching basketball games these days. But the NBA has 76 billion reasons why that doesn't matter. John Skipper, David Samson and Pablo do the math on Adam Silver's real State of the Union — and why a rival, LIV-style league would never succeed. Plus: the goosing of Super Bowl numbers, the ballad of Monty the Giant Schnauzer... and the untold origin story of a certain award-winning sports business podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is a far-fetched innovation floated by American hoops heads for years: the four-point shot. But as our far-flung correspondent Rafe Bartholomew reports, there is a real-life pilot program afoot — half a world away, in a galaxy-brained league with a half-century's worth of swag: the Philippine Basketball Association. And it's working. We meet the new king of long distance; watch film with a Filipino coaching legend; and then heat-check this cultural exchange with the NBA's preeminent philosopher of the four-pointer.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Major League Baseball just opted out of its $550 million contract with the Worldwide Leader. But are we still underestimating the fundamental value of the game? Why would a network sign a broadcast-rights deal in the first place, if you can just put crap on TV? And is Kyle Kuzma actually more popular than Aaron Judge? Plus: Netflix, Victor Wemminyamma, David Samson in union-boss mode, John Skipper's Chocolate-Chip Cookie Theory — and the fan of this show who is consuming it on mushrooms.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will Duke be able to overcome their lack of experience? Does Houston have what it takes to make a deep run? Jordan and Peter are joined by ESPN’s Jay Bilas to break down all their early picks for March Madness – from the heavy-hitters (Auburn, Alabama) to the sleepers (we’re looking at you, Iowa State and Texas Tech). 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luka Doncic emerged victorious from his first matchup against his former team, with a little help from LeBron James. Even after watching Luka go head to head with Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks, we still can't believe the trade actually happened. Is it possible for Nico Harrison to ever be redeemed? Plus, our picks for game of the week were both hits! Amen Thompson is developing a reputation, and the Grizzlies took advantage of the setting Suns. On this week's edition of Prop-a-Slot: IT'S YOU, PAUL GEORGE! YOU'RE THE ONE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’humans’ as in robots as in umpires as in pitchers as in baseball as in MLB. What am I talking about? The new automated balls-strikes system in baseball is here in Spring Training. And Max Scherzer hates it. (11:00) FOX did the anti-ESPN this week. FOX announced its plan for 2025. And it’s packed with big games and big moments. (15:45) Spring Training is here and some legends have returned. Sammy Sosa is with the Cubs! (34:30) Review: The Seed of the Sacred Fig. (37:20) Today is my birthday! (43:40) NPPOD. (46:40) The GM for the Browns still says that Myles Garrett is not being traded. Not taking calls. Not moving him. Hmm.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the NBA season hits the home stretch, we’re breaking down what top contenders need to prove before the playoffs. The New York Knicks continue to struggle against elite competition—can they fix their defensive issues? Are the Boston Celtics primed for another easy path to the Finals? Plus, we dive into the Cleveland Cavaliers’ legitimacy, the surging Golden State Warriors, and whether the Oklahoma City Thunder are truly ready for a deep playoff run. Also, what do Nikola Jokić and Ja Morant need to show to be considered true Western Conference threats? 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’Spring Pain-ing’ as in Spring Training as in pain as in injuries as in the Mets as in the Yankees as in every team. This is the time of year. Players show up. Players get hurt. Teams scramble. Lovely! (10:00) Giancarlo Stanton is dealing with a double elbow problem. WOOF! But on the bright side they are now allowing beards! Yay! (22:10) So You Wanna Talk to Samson!? Someone asked me about Tony Clark’s comments to Rob Manfred about a lockout in baseball. Hmmmmm. (36:50) Review: Nickel Boys. (38:30) Is it the end of the Tush Push? The talk is back. The Packers want it gone. The Eagles run it to great success. (44:40) NPPOD. (45:45) The Sixers are falling apart again. Joel Embiid might be done. His knees are cooked. The Sixers keep losing. The Big 3 didn’t work. (50:00) Suns owner Mat Ishbia’s brother, Justin, has moved on from the Minnesota Twins. Uh oh.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Luka Dončić responded to JJ Redick’s challenge with a dominant performance, while the Lakers found a way to slow down Nikola Jokić. Did Redick crack the Nuggets’ code, or was it just a one-off? And are the Lakers legitimate title contenders? Plus, Amin and Izzy react to the news that Joel Embiid’s season may be over and discuss how Kevin Garnett’s potential front-office role could shape the Timberwolves’ future. And on Hot Streak, Amin and Izzy reveal their pick for Luka’s first game against his former team as the Lakers take on the Mavericks Tuesday night.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’prudent’ as in ESPN as in MLB as in Rob Manfred as in TV as in broadcast rights as in $550 million. Here we go. It looks like ESPN and MLB are headed for a divorce and we’ve got issues. Where will MLB games be? Will they get more money from somewhere else? Is this the end of baseball on cable? IS this going to impact player salaries? (17:20) Our dear friend Scott Boras is back. He is on a mission to make MLB ownership mad. He called teams out for poor spending. He called the league out for TV rights deals. (32:20) Review: SAG Awards. (35:40) Mets owner Steve Cohen gave a warning about his spending. Said it isn’t going to happen for long. He can do it, but he’s losing money. Most owners are! (43:31) The NHL had a hit with the 4 Nations Cup. Canada got the win. The NHL got a win. But, what now? (52:45) NPPOD.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices