The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss if the Big 10 is the best college football conference, today's Raleigh American Red Cross Blood Drive and they look at North Carolina A&T's football schedule this upcoming season.

The Sports Shop crew is broadcasting live in Raleigh, North Carolina at 100 N Peartree Ln to promote and support the Raleigh American Red Cross Blood Drive. The Drive is from 9am-2pm today.

The college football season is almost here! What does North Carolina A&T's football schedule look like? Is the Big 10 the best of the college football conferences?

Reese, Kmac, Pam, and Alex discuss criticism of the Alabama Crimson Tide football program and whether the program has truly fallen from its former glory. Is this just Alabama hate, or is the criticism justified?

With the college football season rapidly approaching, the crew also previews what to expect from HBCU football programs this year and debates whether too many HBCU athletes are choosing to transfer to or attend PWIs instead.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the expectations for UNC and NC State this upcoming football season.

Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels are projected to finish 15th in the ACC. Will Belichick finish last in the ACC? The NC State Wolfpack are projected to finish 7th in the ACC. Do we expect anything new from NC State or will it be the same old thing? What has NC State done to hurt Kmac?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Baker Mayfield's contract dispute and today's American Red Cross Blood Drive.

The Sports Shop crew is broadcasting live in Raleigh, North Carolina at 100 N Peartree Ln to promote and support the Raleigh American Red Cross Blood Drive. The Drive is from 9am-2pm today.

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently at odds over a contract extension. Mayfield said he feels disrespected after the two sides failed to reach a new deal before training camp. Entering the final year of his three-year, $100M contract, he has said he won't negotiate during the season and will instead focus on helping the Buccaneers win. Tampa Bay is also facing stalled contract talks with defensive tackle Vita Vea, leaving the long-term futures of both players uncertain. Is Baker being reasonable? Is Mayfield worth what he's asking for? Is Tampa Bay in trouble?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the UNC Tar Heels Football program, Mike Lombardi being placed on administrative leave and they revisit yesterday's conversation on Tuskegee University's controversial updated student dress code.

Tuskegee University updated its student dress code for the Fall 2026 semester to prohibit bonnets, du-rags, bedroom slippers and revealing clothing in academic and dining areas. Announced by President Dr. Mark A. Brown, the policy also requires students to bring a professional business suit and proper shoes for professional events. Is this fair?

The University of North Carolina has placed football general manager Mike Lombardi on paid administrative leave while it investigates a human resources complaint filed by a former football staff member. The university has not disclosed the nature of the complaint, citing personnel policies, and said it will not comment further while the investigation is ongoing. Lombardi, a longtime NFL executive and one of head coach Bill Belichick's closest advisers, has played a key role in helping build an NFL-style football operation at UNC since Belichick's arrival. His leave comes as the Tar Heels prepare for the 2026 season following a disappointing 4-8 campaign in Belichick's first year, adding another layer of uncertainty and scrutiny to the football program. What happened? How bad of a look is this for the Tar Heels? Bill Belichick will speak to the media today. What will he say?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the UNC Tar Heels Football program, Mike Lombardi being placed on administrative leave and they revisit yesterday's conversation on Tuskegee University's controversial updated student dress code.

Tuskegee University updated its student dress code for the Fall 2026 semester to prohibit bonnets, du-rags, bedroom slippers and revealing clothing in academic and dining areas. Announced by President Dr. Mark A. Brown, the policy also requires students to bring a professional business suit and proper shoes for professional events. Is this fair?

The University of North Carolina has placed football general manager Mike Lombardi on paid administrative leave while it investigates a human resources complaint filed by a former football staff member. The university has not disclosed the nature of the complaint, citing personnel policies, and said it will not comment further while the investigation is ongoing. Lombardi, a longtime NFL executive and one of head coach Bill Belichick's closest advisers, has played a key role in helping build an NFL-style football operation at UNC since Belichick's arrival. His leave comes as the Tar Heels prepare for the 2026 season following a disappointing 4-8 campaign in Belichick's first year, adding another layer of uncertainty and scrutiny to the football program. What happened? How bad of a look is this for the Tar Heels? Bill Belichick will speak to the media today. What will he say?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss the latest headlines from around the sports world.

LeBron James made one of the biggest moves of the 2026 NBA offseason by leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to sign a two-year veteran-minimum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. After years of waiting for LeBron to leave Los Angeles, is Kmac really switching up...... like Reese?

The crew also reacts to Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs holding in at training camp as they negotiate contract extensions that could exceed $20M per season, potentially making one of them the NFL's highest-paid running back. Plus, they weigh in on the Washington Commanders, the Atlanta Falcons' quarterback situation, the Las Vegas Raiders and Ohio State superstar Jeremiah Smith.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss preseason ACC rankings and how Miami is seemingly the best team in the ACC.

Miami has been picked as the preseason favorite to win the 2026 ACC football championship after receiving the most votes from more than 185 media members at this year's ACC Football Kickoff. Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah was also named the 2026 ACC Preseason Player of the Year, while Miami led all conference programs with nine selections to the Preseason All-ACC Team, showcasing the team's depth and lofty expectations entering the season. Is Miami really that good, or is the hype getting ahead of reality?

Reese, Pam and Alex speak with Dr. Deborah Stroman.

Dr. Stroman discusses the University of North Carolina placing football general manager Mike Lombardi on paid administrative leave while the school investigates a human resources complaint filed by a former football staff member. She also weighs in on Tuskegee University's updated Fall 2026 student dress code, which bans bonnets, du-rags, bedroom slippers and revealing clothing in academic and dining areas while requiring students to own professional business attire for certain events. Plus, with LeBron James leaving the Los Angeles Lakers to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, Dr. Stroman shares whether he is the most accomplished athlete ever to play in Philadelphia and offers her perspective on what his arrival means for the city, the franchise and the NBA. What does she think about all this?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss and debate Tuskegee University's new dress code banning bonnets, du-rags, bedroom slippers and other casual attire in academic and dining spaces, whether the policy promotes professionalism or unfairly targets students' personal expression and if colleges should have the authority to enforce dress standards on campus.

Tuskegee University updated its student dress code for the Fall 2026 semester to prohibit bonnets, du-rags, bedroom slippers and revealing clothing in academic and dining areas. Announced by President Dr. Mark A. Brown, the policy also requires students to bring a professional business suit and proper shoes for professional events. Is this fair?