Prime Time Sports

Pitchers and catchers are reporting tomorrow for Spring Training so Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi tells Bob McCown and John Shannon what to expect from the Blue Jays in 2019 (15:17); then Toronto Argonauts GM Jim Popp tells Bob and John about his club’s strategy in free agency and the offer they made for Bo Levi Mitchell (34:37). In the second hour, one of PTS’ favourites, Peter King of NBC Sports, weighed-in on the latest NFL news including the Patriots’ greatness and the drama surrounding Antonio Brown and the Pittsburgh Steelers (55:55). After Peter King, Jeff Marek of the NHL on Sportsnet joins the show and is asked if he prioritizes defence over offence when building an NHL team (1:17:21). In the final hour, Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri explains why he felt Marc Gasol and Jeremy Lin would be welcome additions to his team as they prepare for a playoff push (1:30:34), and John Paul Morosi of MLB Network discussed latest on Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and the plethora of free agents that remain unsigned (2:00:39).

Raptors' analyst Paul Jones breaks down Marc Gasol's impressive home debut for the Toronto Raptors against the Brooklyn Nets (11:30); then Bob McCown and John Shannon are joined by the Honourable Kirsty Duncan who spoke about the sexual abuse epidemic that has taken over amateur sport over the years in Canada (34:19). Is Bryce Harper bound for the Bay Area? Bob and Richard Deitsch place a call to Tim Kawakami of The Athletic to find out - Kevin Durant's relationship with the media also comes up in the conversation (56:35). At the bottom of the hour, Sports Illustrated's Michael McCann discusses tampering in the NBA - is the league trying to police a problem that is impossible to fix (1:15:13)? In the final hour, Doug Maclean of the NHL on Sportsnet chimes in on Evgeni Malkin's one-game suspension and the asking price on Artemi Panarin and other pending free agents on the trade market (1:30:43); and CBS' national football analyst Jason LaCanfora shared his thoughts on Antonio Brown's trade request and how many teams will be interested in the Steelers' prolific wide receiver (1:58:51).

On today’s show, Bob McCown and John Shannon are joined by Jim Hughson of the NHL on Sportsnet after he called both Maple Leafs games this weekend against the Canadiens and Rangers (13:20). The St. Louis Blues are hockey’s hottest team having won six straight games, so Bob and John invite GM Doug Armstrong on to discuss his club’s turnaround after a rough start (33:55). Richard Deitsch joins Bob as co-host for the rest of the show, and they place a call to The Athletic / Westwood One’s Ross Tucker who shared his thoughts on the debut of the AAF and the Browns’ controversial decision to sign free-agent running back Kareem Hunt (58:05). Following Ross, the Boston Globe’s Bob Ryan goes around the National Basketball Association – why do the Celtics appear to be in such turmoil (1:16:49)? The hoops talk continues in the final hour because LIN-SANITY has hit Toronto! Doug Smith of the Toronto Star spoke about why he likes the Raptors’ signing Jeremy Lin and what strengths Marc Gasol will bring to the Raptors’ frontcourt (1:29:45). In the final segment, ESPN’s Mark Fainaru-Wada discussed his latest story on Bob Costas, and how his relationship with NBC deteriorated after he made public comments on the detrimental effects concussions can have on football players (1:55:38).

Bob takes your calls; Richard Deitsch, John Shannon, and Arash Madani join Bob in-studio for another edition of the Friday Roundtable!

The Raptors and Grizzlies make a deal and Marc Gasol is headed to Toronto! Bob McCown and John Shannon ask Sportsnet's Michael Grange about his thoughts on the trade; before speaking to CBS / Sportsnet's Jonah Keri who discussed the Padres' interest in both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado. Brian Burke of the NHL on Sportsnet stops by for his weekly appearance and discussed a variety of topics with Bob and Richard Deitsch including what Mitch Marner and Patrik Laine's next deals could look like. Then, Bob and Richard take a few minutes to discuss the career of Frank Robinson, as the Hall of Famer passed away today at the age of 83. In the final hour, ESPN's NBA front office insider Bobby Marks recapped today's NBA trade deadline; and Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim discusses his disturbing story about Gabe Kapler and Nick Francona when both men were employees of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Bob McCown and John Shannon are joined by Auston Matthews’ agent Judd Moldaver after Matthews inked his new five-year deal with Toronto (12:49); and Ron Maclean ahead of Hockey Day in Canada(28:23). In the second hour, Bob and Richard Deitsch are joined by Toronto Blue Jays President Emeritus Paul Beeston(47:31), and former Maple Leafs’ goaltender Curtis Joseph who are both attending tonight’s Conn Smythe Dinner in Toronto(1:16:15). Will the Toronto Raptors make a significant move ahead of tomorrow’s NBA trade deadline? Bob and Richard place a call to Eric Smith to get the latest as he travels with the team to Atlanta(1:33:49). To conclude the show, one of the best baseball insiders in the business Jeff Passan of ESPN outlines the changes that could be coming to the game including a universal designated hitter.

Today’s show starts off with live coverage of Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas and center Auston Matthews after the latter agreed to a new five-year contract extension with the organization. Then, Bob McCown and John Shannon place a call to Don Cherry to wish him a happy 85th birthday and get his thoughts on the Matthews’ deal(31:04). In the second hour, Richard Deitsch slides-in as co-host and Kyle Dubas himself joins the show to comment on Matthews’ new contract and future negotiations with Mitch Marner(56:35 ) . After Dubas, ESPN’s national NBA reporter Tim Bontemps chimes-in on trade rumours involving the Raptors and Grizzlies; and why it would be foolish for the Pelicans to deal Anthony Davis to the Lakers (or anyone else) before the offseason (1:17:25). Elliotte Friedman of the NHL on Sportsnet analyzes Matthews’ contract, wonders if it will kickstart contract talks with Marner, and discusses what teams on the playoff bubble like Philadelphia and St. Louis might be thinking ahead of the trade deadline(1:33:37). And the Super Bowl ratings are in! John Ourand of Sports Business Journal breaks down CBS’ coverage of the big game.

The Patriots are crowned Super Bowl Champions once again, and Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe joins Bob McCown and John Shannon to discuss the big game(13:30). Just how interested are the Toronto Raptors in trading for Anthony Davis?(33:31) The Toronto Star’s Doug Smith informs Bob and John at the end of the hour. In the second hour, a familiar face stops by in-studio as former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons spends the hour with Bob and co-host Richard Deitsch(43:30). Don Banks of The Athletic and Patriots.com goes more in-depth on Super Bowl 53 after covering it in Atlanta(1:26:31), and Jim Hughson of the NHL on Sportsnet recaps the weekend that was in the NHL after calling the Maple Leafs and Penguins on Saturday Night to close out the show.

Bob takes your calls, and John Shannon, Stephen Brunt, and Richard Deitsch join him in the second half for some Raptors-Bucks recap, before talking the Super Bowl!

Kristaps Porzingis gets dealt to the Dallas Mavericks and Paul Jones jumps on to discuss the deal with Bob McCown and John Shannon (15:44); then New York Islanders’ President and GM Lou Lamoriello comments on his club’s strong showing this year after it underwent many changes in the offseason (31:38). Brian Burke slides-in for his weekly appearance with Bob and Stephen Brunt (45:16), and after, Toronto FC President Bill Manning breaks down Sebastian Giovinco’s transfer to Saudi Arabia (1:16:05). In the final hour, national NFL writer Don Banks talks to Bob and Stephen from Atlanta ahead of Super Bowl 53 (1:30:49); and 2019 Order of Hockey in Canada recipient and CWHL Commissioner Jayna Hefford discusses her latest honour and how the job has been as commissioner so far (2:12:00).