The episode opens with a recap of the first two games of the Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals and examining how the narrative has shifted. Plus, what Pat McAfee's NBA Finals altcast and new DraftKings partnership mean as he negotiates an extension with ESPN. Additionally, President Trump's busy sports calendar. Also, the NFL and College Football Playoff butt heads once more. Then, why the Browns trading Myles Garrett to the Rams shouldn't have been that surprising and the significance of the Eagles receiving a 2028 1st round draft pick from the Patriots for A. J. Brown. After that, Serena Williams' long-expected return to tennis. Then, sizing up the new NFL main studio additions, Russell Wilson and Kyle Long for CBS and Mike Tomlin for NBC. Finally, Caleb Wilson being named the Madden 27 cover athlete despite his low completion percentage and Hugh Laurie's affinity for John le Carré projects.

In Jake’s Takes, why it’s high time ESPN show college tennis some love. Plus, dissecting NBA commissioner Adam Silver's comments to Pat McAfee on the league's planned technological innovations, what it could mean for other sports, and what's wrong with MLB's current ABS system.

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The Sport Profile's Dylan Manfre joins the pod to help preview the 2026 Sports Emmys. What follows is an extensive breakdown of the major categories: Studio Shows, Studio Host, Studio Analyst, Play-By-Play, Event Analyst, Sideline Reporter, and Emerging On-Air Talent. Also, which sports media personalities got snubbed? The conversation concludes with a discussion about the Sports Emmys at long last securing a broadcast partner. Then, in Jake's Takes, why the cities of Denver and Seattle would make for good NFL Draft hosts. Plus, as the number of international games per season increases, what new locations best align with the league's goals.

Dylan Manfre is the host of The Sport Profile, a podcast that highlights the stories of sports journalists, broadcasters, and other media professionals. Dylan is also a former writer for Sportico. You can follow him on Twitter / X @Dylan_Manfre11, on Instagram @bydylanmanfre and @thesportprofile and on TikTok @thesportprofile.

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CBS Sports NFL Analyst JP Acosta joins the pod to discuss a variety of offseason storylines including: the remaining free agents available at wide receiver, the best fits between team and player from the 2026 NFL Draft, and a preview of the 2027 NFL Draft QB class. Additionally, a look at the Vikings, Falcons, and Raiders QB battles heading into the '26 season. Plus, between the AFC finalists, are the Patriots or Broncos the better team? Should the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks be favored over their NFC West rival the Rams? What are this season's under-the-radar teams? Then, in Jake's Takes, an examination of Nielsen's increasingly opaque viewership metrics. The episode concludes with a tribute to Ted Turner, highlighting his creation of the Goodwill Games and why its founding principle of prioritizing athlete participation regardless of the actions of each athlete's nation should be a policy other international sporting governing bodies follow.

JP Acosta is an NFL Analyst for CBS Sports and a writer for the CBS Sports website. He is the co-host of the podcast Pushing The Pile and can be seen on CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ. You can follow him on Twitter / X acosta32_jp and on Instagram jpacosta32.

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F1 commentator Nelson Valkenburg gives the inside scoop on everything that goes into a Formula 1 broadcast. Additionally, a conversation on Max Verstappen’s F1 future, the new rules regime and subsequent tweaks, whether the canceled Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will be made up this year, the upcoming return of the Turkish Grand Prix, plus other season storylines. In Jake’s Takes, a look at the early days of the ESPN-NFL Network marriage and what the future entails for top NFLN talent. Additionally, how media rightsholders could be impacted by the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini fallout.

Nelson Valkenburg is a commentator for Viaplay Netherlands, where he calls Formula 1 races alongside Melroy Heemskerk. Nelson also covers other motorsports including NLS and has been a commentator for multiple Olympic events. He is a frequent guest of The Race F1 Podcast and Nailing The Apex.

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Benjamin Robinson of Grinding The Mocks comes on to preview the upcoming NFL Draft. Ben explains the methodology behind his draft data and insights company. Then, a thorough analysis of the top wide receiver and edge/linebacker prospects. Plus, does Ty Simpson project to be a Day 1 or Day 2 pick? In Jake's Takes, why golf's proposed rollback needs to happen and why Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley should lead the charge.

Benjamin Robinson is the creator of Grinding The Mocks (www.grindingthemocks.com), which uses mock drafts, the wisdom of crowds, and data science to predict the NFL Draft. You can read his substack: @grindingthemocks. You can follow him on Twitter / X: @benj_robinson & @GrindingMocks.

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Ticket Talk Network's Scott Friedman joins this episode of Pathway To The Podium to discuss the ticket market for numerous sports, including this weekend's Men's and Women's Final Four and The Masters. We compare the ticket demand for the 2026 Men's and Women's Final Four to last year's and highlight several key differences. Scott also lifts the veil on the methods Augusta National uses to curb the secondary ticket market for The Masters. Also included: how tickets for the Super Bowl work and why the 2026 FIFA World Cup breaks typical ticketing trends for soccer tournaments. Scott also previews the next Ticket Con. In Jake's Takes, a frank conversation on Tiger Woods and his decision to step away from golf and why it's in the sport's best business interests that he does.

Scott Friedman is the co-founder of Ticket Talk Network, where he provides insights into the primary and secondary ticketing markets for live events including concerts, sports, and theater shows. You can follow him on Twitter / X: @ScottFriedman3.

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Sports journalist Caroline Price joins this episode of Pathway To The Podium to discuss all things figure skating and gymnastics. We recap Winter Olympics Figure Skating, including the performances of Ilia Malinin, Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito, and other international stars. Plus, an analysis of the Ice Dance scoring controversy that resulted in Madison Chock and Evan Bates getting Silver. Also included: a preview of the Figure Skating World Championships. Turning to gymnastics, Jake and Caroline examine the legal quagmire of Jordan Chiles' Paris 2024 Olympics women's floor exercise final and then review the NCAA Gymnastics conference championships. We wrap with a look back on the enormous obstacles Suni Lee had to overcome to return to the Olympic stage. Finally, in Jake's Takes, why ABC missed an opportunity to turn a negative into the positive when they pulled The Bachelorette off the air.

Caroline Price is a contributor to Forbes Sports Money and has authored 'Flipping The Script: The 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Team’s Journey to Olympic Gold'. You can follow her on TikTok: @carolineoprice.

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In this second episode of Pathway To The Podium, a full recap of the Oscars where it was one award after another for Warner Bros. and why the signs pointed to One Battle After Another winning Best Picture over Sinners. Plus, the NFL is considering adding a Thanksgiving Eve game - how might that work? Additionally, exploring the impetus behind the new Family Guy spinoff, Stewie. Stick around for Jake's Takes on the need to reform how outdoor marathons and cycling races are conducted. Finally, what the F1 calendar looks like now that April's Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix have been called off.

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The very first episode of Pathway To The Podium! Join host Jake Kline for in-depth discussion on Formula 1's new rules regime, a recap of the Australian Grand Prix, and speculation over whether a complete season will be held. Plus, why the F1-Apple TV deal is a game changer and potential trendsetter. Finally, what's different with the UFC now that Paramount has US media rights.

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