Sports video games pride themselves on their simulation of reality. But the most popular ones that Americans know and love — Madden, FIFA, NBA 2K, MLB: The Show — cannot compete with an intensely specific and uniquely important game called Football Manager. Which got so good at simulating soccer that it converted a worldwide army of real-life players, coaches, and executives into genuine obsessives — changing the multi-billion dollar soccer industry itself. PTFO’s London correspondent, Kieran Morris, embarks on a global quest to explain the Football Manager revolution… and jeopardizes his impending marriage in the process.
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PTFO - How a Video Game You’ve Never Played Changed the Biggest Sport on Earth

Your one-stop feed for Dan, Stu, and all of the original podcasts from the LeBatard & Friends network. You won't miss a show here.

Sports

Liverpool dropping more points means Arsenal and Manchester City are the final contenders standing for the Premier League title! 

Despite having almost a full season of a three-team EPL title race, we're right back where we started last year! Arsenal and Manchester City are the last two sides in contention to win the Premier League, so Christian and Alexis are back to break down how they think the season will end. The guys predict who they think will hoist the trophy, debate if Spurs fans would rather have Arsenal or City win the title, and give their thoughts on a salary cap coming to the Premier League. The also recap a thrilling Matchweek 11 in MLS and touch on Gotham FC's early season struggles.

Exclusive content:
https://www.patreon.com/SoccerCooligans
This is where we put everything we shouldn't say 

COOLIGANS - And then there were 2 (Premier League title contenders)!

Today’s word of the day is ’consensus loser’ as in mock drafts as real drafts as NFL draft as in Atlanta Falcons as in Kirk Cousins as in Michael Penix. What were the Falcons thinking? Let’s try and break down this selection of Penix Jr and why Atlanta would do this after giving Cousins $180 million. (12:00) David Tepper showed up to a Charlotte bar that had a sign that was critical of him outside it. Looks as if it was a friendly encounter, but was it necessary? (17:20) We have an update on the MLBPA fight against Nike’s uniforms. They blasted Nike over it. Not Fantatics! Wonder why… MLB did not comment. (24:35) Jackson Holliday was sent down to the Minors after 10 games. He hasn’t been good at the MLB level. (29:20) The Kansas City Chiefs & Royals are no longer working together on stadiums. Public voted against them. Now they’re against one another. (36:48) Review: Half Baked 2. (40:00) NPPOD. (43:00) The Phoenix Suns got swept in the first round. See ya. $260 million roster and they get nothing. Perfect. (47:20) Joel Embiid said he’s not calling out Philly fans but then called out Philly fans for all the Knicks fans that showed up.
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NPDS - Why did the Falcons draft Penix and pay Kirk Cousin!? MLBPA BLASTS Nike over uniforms! Orioles send Holliday back down! (Episode 1040)

Charlotte and Amin react to Joel Embiid's 50-point game against the Knicks last night as the 76ers earned their first win in the series. They also offer takes on post-game comments Lebron James and Anthony Davis after they fell to 3-0 in their series against the Denver Nuggets. Then they play Sweep Check, where they rank playoff series on the likelihood that either the Lakers, Suns, and Pelicans will be swept. 

Charlotte and Amin put on high-tech equipment to play Lie Detector, where they judge if Devin Booker, Joe Mazzulla, or Rudy Gobert were fibbing when speaking to the media this week. They also comment on the Frenchmen in this year's draft class and JJ Redick reportedly interviewing for head coach of the Charlotte Hornets. 
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ODDBALL - Are The Sixers Pulling Our Leg?

How are so many people still falling in love with fake people online? What happened to all the sh*thead kids? And is cable TV somehow making a comeback? Plus: poopy, boobies, Billy Koch and flipping the puck to the fat kid.
Further reading:
The TV Show That Predicted America's Lonely, Disorienting Digital Future (Maya Salam)
The Undertaker: A Seven-Year-Old Named Bjorn Threatened to Shoot Me in the Face and Called Me a Democrat (Jeremy Lambert)
Americans' New TV Habit: Subscribe. Watch. Cancel. Repeat. (John Koblin/Goblin)
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PTFO - Share & Catfish & Tell with Kevin Clark, Katie Nolan & Pablo

The Mystery Craters discuss who would be the most aggressive driver in the office, how no one cares what you're doing in the gym, the Jokic brother punching fans, how Chris plans to decorate his new office and Billy's bird feeder experience.
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PTFO - How a Video Game You’ve Never Played Changed the Biggest Sport on Earth

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