Nothing Personal with David Samson

MLB has done a deal with Polymarket. A prediction market. Wow. (17:05) Let’s talk about Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins. He loves to give interviews. (25:50) Cam Skatebo had an apology ready within 24 hours. The Giants rookie star had to walkback his comments on CTE so quick you could have missed it. (30:50) Trump put an executive order on the Army-Navy. Nice. Why? (35:15) Athletic departments at universities are now full businesses with media departments. It’s big business. CEOs. No longer school being school. (43:45) LeBron James has now played the most games all-time. What a career.

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Today’s word of the day is ‘cinderella’ as in NCAA as in March Madness as in mid-major as in high-major as in power conference. This March Madness is full of no upsets. That’s right. The Cinderella is gone. Sweet 16 is full of all major conference schools. Is Texas a Cinderella? No shot! The upsets that took place? All power conference schools. So what caused this? NIL? Transfer portal? All the above? (9:45) The NCAA is suing Draftkings. Okay. (20:20) We are at Opening Day week! It is here! The final days of Spring Training means it’s time to set some rosters. That also means top prospects are being sent to the minors. (35:20) Christopher Sanchez was given an extension by the Phillies. They didn’t need to do it! (43:00) Review: Project Hail Mary. (46:36) NPPOD.

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Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Coca hour. Today's episode starts with David's trip to the WBC. Not a breakdown of the tournament, but how he felt watching the tournament play out in the stadium he built. Cool stuff!

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Today’s word of the day is ‘culture’ as in Venezuela as in America as in Puerto Rico as in Dominican Republic as in Japan as in Korea as in Italy as in World Baseball Classic! It’s all over. Venezuela won the damn thing. United States finishes as the bridesmaid for the second consecutive tournament. Woof. Let’s talk about the tournament, Miami, the future of the WBC, and the impact on MLB. (22:35) The WNBA has a new agreement. How fun! Let’s break it all down. (33:50) Review: Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die. (37:40) The NFLPA has a new executive director. It’s former player president JC Tretter. How did that happen? (46:00) Is the NFL going to replace the refs? It could happen! (50:30) NPPOD.

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Dan Le Batard joins the show! Hurray! (33:30) What is going on in Pittsburgh? Are the Penguins for sale again? It as only five years ago that Fenway Sports Group purchased the franchise! (42:50) David Zaslav is rich. And now he is about to be super rich. Failed CEO is the best job to have if you can sell. (46:35) Mat Ishbia is back in the news. Today is a rundown of all of our favorites!

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Today’s word of the day is ‘gold’ as in WBC as in World Baseball Classic as in Miami as in USA as in Venezuela as in Ronald Acuna Jr as in Aaron Judge. What a tournament it has been. Venezuela battled back again to beat Italy. A classic. The crowd is so loud. The vibes are so high. The tournament has been a resounding success! (20:30) Every time the MLBPA says something we have to discuss it. Bruce Meyer was back in the news again, and he will be for the rest of this year. (29:10) NBA expansion is here. Las Vegas? Seattle? Billions and billions! (38:30) Review: War Machine. (40:45) New rules coming to baseball? It must be a Tuesday! 

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More and more and more and more and more WNBA negotiations are ongoing. It’s been all night meetings after all night meetings. And there is still no deal done. (11:00) Adam Silver had to schlep up to Portland to speak with more government officials. More politicking to try and get money for arenas. And it looks like it worked for the Moda Center for the Trail Blazers. Nice! (21:30) Paramount and the NFL are about to get into some big business. The negotiating window could be opening up. The NFL wants HUGE money. (32:40) F1 was canceled in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. How big of a deal is this? (40:00) Is Washington state going to have some issues with recruiting athlete talent because of its new “millionaire tax”? That’s what the Seahawks’ GM thinks!

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Today’s word of the day is ‘pitching and defense’ as in WBC as in World Baseball Classic as in Team USA as in Team Dominican Republic as in incredible. What a weekend it has been for baseball. Between upsets and home runs and defense and pitching and top players in the world, it has been incredible. (19:20) I went back to Marlins Park. Back in the building. Went to go see Venezuela vs Japan. Let me walk you through my night and the emotions of it all. (29:30) 2026 Oscars recap! It was all about ‘One Battle After Another’ and ‘Sinners’ … that’s it! (45:29) NPPOD (46:30) It’s March Madness, baybeeee! 

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So much Coca this week you all must be tired of me! Sorry!

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Today’s word of the day is ‘relief’ as in Team USA as in World Baseball Classic as in Team Italy as in thank you. With Team Italy’s big win over Mexico on Wednesday night, USA is through to the quarterfinals. Now we have it all set: USA vs Canada, Dominican Republic vs Korea, Japan vs Venezuela, Italy vs Puerto Rico! Let me try and better explain the plan with the USA, why Mark DeRosa said the things he did, why the lineup was set like it was. How about Tarik Skubal? It was preplanned! Did you watch Sandy pitch? Expectations low? (23:50) What’s the latest on the New York Giants co-owner who was in the Epstein Files? He’s trying to move his shares to a trust for his children. Interesting. (30:40) The Browns stadium build has hit a snag! Let me explain this one. (38:20) It’s Oscar time! I cannot wait! Here are my predictions! (44:40) There still isn’t a new deal in WNBA. Deadline has passed. No deal. (49:40) NPPOD.

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