Takeline

Welcome to another episode of Takeline! On this week's podcast, Jordan Ligons and Jamel Johnson hold the fort down for Jason Concepcion as he continues to enjoy some well-deserved R&R. The duo discuss the WNBA Finals match up between the Las Vegas Aces and the Connecticut Sun. Then, Ben Rothenberg of Racquet Magazine helps recount events of the U.S. Open, which came to a close on Sunday and finally, and the show wraps up with a fantasy football discussion with Chris Towers of CBS Sports. 

Welcome to a special post Labor Day edition of Takeline. Jamel Johnson, host of the "Air Buds" and "Sorry We Love Football" podcasts, and Zach Harper of the Athletic host this week's episode while Jason Concepcion enjoys a well deserved week off.  The Donovan Mitchell Saga ended with the Utah Jazz trading the Spyda to the Cleveland instead of the New York Knicks as widely expected, and Eric Walden of the Salt Lake City Tribune joins Takeline to help make sense of it all. Jamel and Zach then preview the upcoming NFL season with Jamel's "Sorry We Love Football" co-host, Dan Hartigan.

In OKC, it looks like we’re heading back to tank town after Chet Holmgren was been ruled out for the season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. Thunder reporter with The Athletic Andrew Schlecht joins us with the latest. Then, college football national reporter Nicole Auerbach helps explain The Big Ten’s titanic new TV rights deal & what might happen as conferences continue to realign.

On this week's episode of Takeline. Jason Concepcion is joined by Jordan Ligons, host of the Spinsters podcast.  Jamel Johnson joins the duo to recount the WNBA playoff games from over the weekend and share their postseason expectations. Then, Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal will joins the podcast to react to Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson’s 11 game suspension from the league stemming from his sexual assault cases. 

On this week's Takeline, Jason Concepcion is joined by Zach Harper of the Athletic. Together, they discuss the Detroit Lion's edition of "NFL: Hard Knocks" and the English Premier League's equivalent, "All or Nothing,"  which is focused on Jason's EPL team Arsenal this season. Then, the duo take a deep dive into the Brooklyn Nets' drama filled postseason with Kristian Winfield, Nets beat writer for the New York Daily News.

Joshua Robinson (Wall Street Journal) joins Takeline to help break down every match from Premier League’s opening weekend, with discussions on Arteta’s future with Arsenal, Tottenham’s statement win & a sputtering Chelsea team. Josh’s new book (Messi vs. Ronaldo), written with Jonathan Clegg, is out November 1st, 2022. Then, Trevor Lane (Lakers Nation) joins the show to explain the Lakers’ ideal deadline to trade Russell Westbrook, expectations for Anthony Davis & what contract makes the most sense for LeBron James.

On this episode of Takeline, Jason Concepcion talks to Myles Simmons — a reporter with NBC Sports & Pro Football Talk — about Deshaun Watson’s six-game suspension, handed down to him Monday by independent arbitrator Sue L. Robinson, in a punishment that can still be upended by commissioner Roger Goodell. Jason also talks to New Orleans Pelicans reporter Will Guillory of The Athletic about Zion Williamson’s curious weight clause in his new extension with the team. In this week's edition of Buzzer Beater, Jason looks back on the Women’s Euro Final and how the English women finally brought the trophy home.

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Jason is joined by Jamel Johnson (Air Buds podcast) to help explain what it’s like to hang with celebrities at the ESPYs in Hollywood. Later, Jason & Jamel talk to Max Bretos — play-by-play announcer for LAFC — to unpack the state of Major League Soccer (with a look towards the 2022 World Cup) after Gareth Bale & Giogio Chellini made their debuts in LA.

Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated joins Takeline to unpack the awkward appeal of LIV Golf, Ian Poulter’s 160-foot putt, Rory’s duel with Cameron Smith and Tiger Woods’ long walk off The Open. Then, Penn State law professor William E. Butler explains Brittney Griner’s recent acknowledgement of guilt, Russia’s narcotic substance punishments, “prisoner swaps,” and the likelihood of an acquittal. 

Jason Concepcion, refreshed and recharged for the Summer, makes his triumphant return on this week's episode of Takeline.  Alongside co-host Jamel Johnson, Concepcion chats with another great friend of the pod, Zach Harper of the Athletic, who joined from deep within the thick of NBA summer league in Las Vegas, Nevada to talk the summer league experience as well as offseason storylines, rumors, trades and signings. Then Tumaini Carayol, a sports reporter for the Guardian who covered Wimbledon first hand, returns to Takeline to recap the illustrious tennis tournament, which just ended on Sunday.