The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Pam and Alex speak with Joel Bryant.

Joel Bryant is a senior editor for HighSchoolOT. Bryant joins the Sports Shop to discuss tonight's Southeast Raleigh High School Bulldog Bash and college football in North Carolina. 

The Southeast Raleigh Bulldog Bash, powered by HighSchoolOT, is set to take place tonight, Friday, August 15, 2025, at Southeast Raleigh High School. This preseason football jamboree will feature eight high school teams: Southeast Raleigh (the host), Knightdale, Sanderson, Cary, Jordan, Garner, Wilson Prep, and Wake Forest. Although this is the first edition of the Bulldog Bash, HighSchoolOT previously hosted its football jamboree at Southeast Raleigh from 2009–2013, before moving it to Cardinal Gibbons and then Wake Forest High School in more recent years.

The event begins at 6:00 PM, with games played at the top of each hour. Matchups include Knightdale vs. Cary at 6:00, Sanderson vs. Wilson Prep at 7:00, Wake Forest vs. Garner at 8:00, and Southeast Raleigh vs. Jordan at 9:00. Admission is $10 per person, parking is free, and concessions will be available on site. The Bulldog Bash not only serves as a preseason warm-up but also highlights rising talent and community excitement heading into the fall football season.

For more information on NC HS sports follow Joel on X: @joelbryanthsot

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss how Shedeur Sanders' injury affects the Browns.

Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders suffered an oblique strain during joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles just days ago. Sanders is officially listed as day-to-day, and he has been ruled out for today's practice. He is also considered unlikely to play in tomorrow's preseason game against the Eagles. What did Jalen Hurts say to Sanders? Will Dillon Gabriel play tonight? How good is Dillon Gabriel? Is Sanders' injury a blessing in disguise?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss signing with TLS Agency and NFL preseason football.

The Sports Shop Radio Team recently signed with TLS Agency. For more information visit: https://www.urbaninsite.com/news/tls-agency-signs-the-sports-shop-radio-team/

There are two NFL preseason games tonight. The Tennessee Titans will play the Atlanta Falcons at 7:00 p.m. ET and the Kansas City Chiefs will play the Seattle Seahawks at 10:00 p.m. ET. Will you be watching?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Will Abeles.

Will Abeles is a comedian performing tonight, August 14, 2025, at Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh, NC (Room 861). Show starts at 7:30 PM. He also performs tomorrow night, August 15, at Local 506 at 8 PM.

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

Dr. Stroman discusses if sports and politics should be separated.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Tom Dundon buying the Portland Trail Blazers.

Tom Dundon, owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, has reached a tentative agreement to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers from the estate of the late Paul Allen. The reported deal is valued at around $4B and includes additional investors such as Sheel Tyle, a Portland-based entrepreneur, and Marc Zahr, co-president of Blue Owl Capital. Dundon confirmed the agreement to the Associated Press, and the deal now awaits approval from the NBA Board of Governors. Crucially, Dundon's group plans to keep the franchise in Portland, easing concerns about a potential relocation.

Paul Allen originally bought the team in 1988 for $70M and passed away in 2018. Since then, his sister, Jody Allen, has overseen the franchise as part of his estate. Allen’s will directed that sports assets like the Trail Blazers be sold, with proceeds supporting philanthropic efforts. The Trail Blazers are coming off their fourth consecutive season without a playoff appearance, finishing the 2024-25 season with a 36-46 record. The acquisition signals a potential fresh start for the franchise, with local fans likely reassured by the ownership group’s commitment to keeping the team in Portland. Will the Trail Blazers really stay in Portland? Does the sale of the Portland Trail Blazers to Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon open the door for a MLB team to move to Raleigh?

Reese, Pam and Alex speak with Jatovi McDuffie.

McDuffie joins the Sports Shop to discuss the Defending Durham Community Fundraiser on October 19.

For more information visit: https://defendingdurham.org/

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Shedeur Sanders getting hurt at practice yesterday.

Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders suffered an oblique strain during joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles. This injury occurred early in the session while he was throwing, prompting his removal from the rest of practice. Sanders is officially listed as day-to-day, and he has been ruled out for today's practice. He is also considered unlikely to play in Saturday’s preseason game against the Eagles.

His injury further strains the Browns’ quarterback depth. Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel are both nursing hamstring injuries, and with Joe Flacco being rested, the competition has shifted to include Tyler Huntley as a potential starter.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Travis Kelce's comments about his production slippinh.

Travis Kelce is one of the greatest tight ends in NFL History. Kelce suggested that during his relationship with Taylor Swift, his on field performance took a hit. Has Kelce slowed down? Can Kelce still play at a high level?

Reese is excited about Taylor Swift’s new album. Why? Is Reese really a Swiftie?

Developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto have filed a lawsuit in Hawaii Circuit Court against baseball star Shohei Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo. The lawsuit alleges that Ohtani and Balelo improperly influenced their removal from "The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort," a $240 million luxury housing project on Hawaii’s Hapuna Coast. Is Ohtani guilty?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Alabama announcing Ty Simpson as their starting quarterback.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has officially named Ty Simpson as the starting quarterback for the 2025 season. The announcement was made on August 11, 2025, confirming reports that had circulated earlier in the week. Simpson, a redshirt junior and former five-star recruit, secured the position after competing with sophomore Austin Mack and freshman Keelon Russell. He previously served as the backup to Jalen Milroe during the Crimson Tide's 2024 season under new head coach Kalen DeBoer. Simpson played in six games last season, completing 14 of 25 passes for 167 yards, while also rushing for 44 yards and one touchdown. He will start when No. 8 Alabama opens its season against Florida State on August 30, 2025. How good is Simpson? Will Reese and Kmac's Roll Tide be good this coming season?