The Best of the Sports Shop

Reese, Kmac and Alex discuss last night’s Hall of Fame Game and if Bryce Young will be an MVP candidate this coming season.

The 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Game saw the Los Angeles Chargers dominate the Detroit Lions with a decisive 34-7 victory, officially kicking off the preseason. The Chargers' defense set the tone early, forcing five turnovers.These takeaways provided a steady stream of scoring opportunities, allowing Los Angeles to build momentum quickly. Quarterback Trey Lance, in his Chargers debut, impressed with a poised performance—completing 13 of 20 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. Reese says Lance is legit. Is he right?

After a shaky start, Bryce Young, Dave Canales and the Carolina Panthers finished strong last season. If the Panthers build on last year’s momentum, is Bryce Young a dark horse candiate for NFL MVP? Would Dave Canales be a dark horse candidate for Coach of the Year?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Shannon Sharpe being fired by ESPN just before his brother's HOF induction.

Yesterday, Shannon Sharpe officially parted ways with ESPN, just weeks after settling a $50M sexual assault lawsuit. The lawsuit accused Sharpe of assaulting her during their relationship. Sharpe denied the allegations and had hoped to return to ESPN in time for the NFL season. Sharpe's last appearance on the network was in late April, shortly after the lawsuit was filed.

In yesterday’s episode of his podcast "Nightcap" with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, Sharpe addressed his exit from ESPN. He explained that he had anticipated the news would emerge but requested a brief delay in the announcement due to a significant personal event: his brother, Sterling Sharpe, was being honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame that week (August 2). Sharpe wanted to avoid overshadowing the moment with controversy related to his professional situation. Was ESPN wrong to announce Shannon Sharpe's firing before his brother Sterling Sharpe's Hall of Fame ceremony? Why didn’t they wait? Should they have?

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

Dr. Stroman discusses Gilbert Arenas being arrested.

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was recently arrested and charged in connection with an alleged high-stakes illegal poker ring run out of his Encino, California mansion. Federal authorities unsealed an indictment accusing Arenas of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, running that business, and making false statements to investigators. 

Arenas pleaded not guilty and was released on a $50,000 bond. His trial is scheduled to begin on September 23, 2025, in federal court in Los Angeles. Each felony charge carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison. This new legal trouble adds to Arenas’ history of controversy, including the well-known 2009 locker-room gun incident that derailed his NBA career.

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss tonight's NFL Hall Of Fame Game.

Tonight, the NFL preseason officially kicks off with the Hall of Fame Game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Detroit Lions, set to begin at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. While preseason games don't count toward the regular season, they're a chance to see rookies and backups in action—particularly relevant tonight, as Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert is expected to sit out. Instead, Trey Lance will start, followed by rookie DJ Uiagalelei, giving fans a look at the team’s quarterback depth. The Lions are also expected to rest most of their starters.

This year's Hall of Fame Game will also showcase some of the NFL’s new rule changes, including a reworked onside-kick alternative that's being tested during the preseason. While the game is mostly ceremonial, it's a fun and symbolic start to the 2025 NFL season, offering a first glimpse at new players, strategies, and league innovations.

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Gilbert Arenas' arrest.

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas was recently arrested and charged in connection with an alleged high-stakes illegal poker ring run out of his Encino, California mansion. Federal authorities unsealed an indictment accusing Arenas of conspiracy to operate an illegal gambling business, running that business, and making false statements to investigators. 

Arenas pleaded not guilty and was released on a $50,000 bond. His trial is scheduled to begin on September 23, 2025, in federal court in Los Angeles. Each felony charge carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison. This new legal trouble adds to Arenas’ history of controversy, including the well-known 2009 locker-room gun incident that derailed his NBA career.

Yesterday, Shannon Sharpe officially parted ways with ESPN, just weeks after settling a $50M sexual assault lawsuit. In yesterday’s episode of his podcast "Nightcap" with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, Sharpe addressed his exit from ESPN. He explained that he had anticipated the news would emerge but requested a brief delay in the announcement due to a significant personal event: his brother, Sterling Sharpe, was being honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame that week (August 2). Sharpe wanted to avoid overshadowing the moment with controversy related to his professional situation. Was ESPN wrong to announce Shannon Sharpe's firing before his brother Sterling Sharpe's Hall of Fame ceremony? Why didn’t they wait? Should they have?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss Shannon Sharpe being fired by ESPN.

Yesterday, Shannon Sharpe officially parted ways with ESPN, just weeks after settling a $50M sexual assault lawsuit. The lawsuit accused Sharpe of assaulting her during their relationship. Sharpe denied the allegations and had hoped to return to ESPN in time for the NFL season. Sharpe's last appearance on the network was in late April, shortly after the lawsuit was filed.

In yesterday’s episode of his podcast "Nightcap" with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, Sharpe addressed his exit from ESPN. He explained that he had anticipated the news would emerge but requested a brief delay in the announcement due to a significant personal event: his brother, Sterling Sharpe, was being honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame that week (August 2). Sharpe wanted to avoid overshadowing the moment with controversy related to his professional situation. Was ESPN wrong to announce Shannon Sharpe's firing before his brother Sterling Sharpe's Hall of Fame ceremony? Why didn’t they wait? Should they have?

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex speak with Jimmy Jenkins.

Jimmy Jenkins joins The Sports Shop to discuss the documentary that he directed titled, “Nothing But A Winner.” The documentary releases tomorrow, July 31, 2025, with a running time of 1h 55m. The film weaves together the legacies of Paul "Bear" Bryant (1958–1982) and Nick Saban (2007–2023), each winning six national championships. It features interviews with former players from both eras—names like Ozzie Newsome, Jonathan Allen, CJ Mosley, Wilbur Jackson, DeVonta Smith, Jalen Hurts, and others—sharing how football shaped them both on the field and in life.

Jenkins chose a specific narrative focus: telling the story through the lens of Black players who integrated the program under Bryant, exploring Alabama’s broader impact during the Civil Rights era.

For more information visit: https://nothingbutawinner.com/

Reese, Kmac, Pam and Alex discuss Jimmy Haslam's comments about Shedeur Sanders and the NFL-related shooting in New York on Monday. 

At training camp, Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam firmly stated the selection of rookie QB Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round was GM Andrew Berry’s decision, distancing himself from the controversial pick. Sanders, a highly hyped prospect, fell to the fifth round, and Browns fans questioned the move.

On Monday, a tragic shooting rocked Midtown Manhattan. The attack took place at 345 Park Avenue, where Shane Devon Tamura, a 27-year-old former high school football player from Las Vegas, opened fire in a building housing major corporate tenants, including the NFL headquarters. The rampage left four civilians dead—including an off-duty NYPD officer—and ended with Tamura’s suicide on the 33rd floor. Tamura left behind a suicide note expressing grievances about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) linked to football and suggested the NFL was a specific target. What’s happening now?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss their favorite sports movies and sports documentaries.

Jimmy Jenkins is the director of a sports documentary titled, "Nothing But A Winner.” Jenkins’ documentary is about Reese and Kmac’s favorite college football program, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Jenkins will be a guest on the Sports Shop today. In the spirit of today’s guest, what are some of your favorite sports movies and sports documentaries?

Reese, Pam and Alex discuss their favorite sports movies and sports documentaries.

Jimmy Jenkins is the director of a sports documentary titled, "Nothing But A Winner.” Jenkins’ documentary is about Reese and Kmac’s favorite college football program, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Jenkins will be a guest on the Sports Shop today. In the spirit of today’s guest, what are some of your favorite sports movies and sports documentaries?