The Beat of Sports

Although it seems like the season just ended but the NBA is fast approaching and nothing is more proof than the schedule getting released yesterday. Fresh off of making the playoffs for the first time in many years will the Orlando Magic continue the momentum? Philip Rossman-Reich of Orlando Magic Daily joins the show to preview how the season might look for the Magic. He and Tuck discuss why the start of the season could set the ton because of how many games they will play at the Amway Center, which will be toughest portion of the season, and why the last few weeks could help team continue momentum for another post season run.

Melvin Gordon and Ezekiel Elliott are both in the midst of training camp holdouts, but what is to stop a player like Patrick Mahomes from deciding 3 years into his career that he wants a new contract? Marc talks about how the NFL might not be as prepared to handle the empowerment era like the NBA has been.

Everyone on social media (when it comes to college football Twitter) has been demanding that Alabama squares off with UCF, preferably sooner rather than later. Marc talks about how if you look at the way the Crimson Tide schedules games with other Power 5 teams, there isn't really a potential opening for the Knights.

Nathan Kalman-Lamb is a professor at Duke and joins the show to talk about how maybe the student-athletes should be getting paid. He talks about how other members of the faculty should be advocates for the athletes because they are being exploited for their labor.

It's back! The Premier League returns to our lives this weekend! Will it be the same Top 4 teams this year just like in past years or with we get some surprises? We get you all set for the action with a preview of this years seasons.

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot has dug in his heels and is holding out until he gets a new contract. Many will say that Elliot is being selfish and only caring about himself and that maybe true but as Marc brings up that Elliot should be taking his opportunity to challenge the NFL on their stigma of not paying running backs.

This time of year the biggest talking point involving college football fans is preseason rankings and why their team isn't rated properly, unless they cheer for Alabama or Clemson. But what are these rankings based on when no games have been played? Is it just based on the previous seasons results or how a recruiting class projects?

When the NCAA announced new rules about who can advise players entering the NBA Draft many screamed that it was the "Rich Paul Rule" but are they just working to get rid of the street agent? Richard Hale joins the show to talk the latest in sports law news, he and Marc discuss the new rule and how it will affect the sport. Plus do the Raiders have any legal recourse after Antonio Brown suffered extreme frostbite from a cryro-freeze session won't let him see any preseason action.

The XFL is on the verge of sending out invitations to football players all across the to take part in the league. The league plans to hold its first draft in October and has already held eight showcases this summer to scout potential players. Marc talks about how if the XFL can corner the market on talented players that aren't yet able to be in the NFL Draft then that can help the league stay relevant and achieve stability.

The NCAA recently announced new requirements for agents that wish to represent potential draft picks in the NBA Draft. Many have criticized this rule because it requires people to have a college degree but one prominent agent, Rich Paul would be deemed unable to represent a student-athlete. Mike O'Donnell joins the show to give his thoughts on this new rule and he and Marc discuss whether or not this is a good thing for basketball players or if it is just a PR move.