A flu-hit Matthew reveals the true villain of the Luka trade, why All-Star Games can never be what they're supposed to be, how the Yankees beard policy is just another beard and more. Then it's a conversation with soccer coach Mike Idland about sharing live sports with your kids and what a coach gets up to during their alleged "off-season."

Seth Rosenthal (The Secret Base) and Matthew talk about the ways working in sports media has changed over the years, how it hasn't, some of the behind-the-scenes truths of that world and what it's like caring about sports as all the world crashes and burns. We also talk about the greatness of this year's Knicks!

In this episode, how Sacramento's firing of Mike Brown pretty much bounces off him while reflecting poorly on owner Vivek Ranadive; how Minnesota put Julius Randle in position not only to fail, but to be scapegoated; why James McAllister was right to slur Spurs fans; why Aaron Rodgers isn't merely a bad QB; and the intersection of chess, pantaloons and sex toys.

Women's college gymnastics coach Diana Gallagher joins the show to talk about the marvel and the madness that was infamous Olympic coach Béla Károlyi. Plus when is your favorite team signing an icon still problematic , how are college football coaches pissing away millions of dollars in salary, why might Paige Bueckers want anything but to be the 1st pick of next year's WNBA draft, and more!

Myles Ehrlich (Winsidr) joins the pod to talk about the Liberty's WNBA championship (17:00) & what issues the W players may prioritize after opting out of their CBA with the league. Then in part 2 of our GOAT series, how were Kobe Bryant & Mozart's genius distinct from MJ/LeBron/Bach/Beethoven? (1:36:00)

The Ringer's Howard Beck on the KAT/Julius Randle trade, is the new CBA is more restrictive for players than its priors, whether the Bulls or Pistons are sadder, more NBA questions & what instrument he used to play. And in part 1 of a new series, we explore some of the similarities between Michael Jordan & J.S. Bach.

The WNBA owners & players are at a critical point in the league's evolution; how can the workers make sure their demands for dignity are enshrined and ensured? Plus: a 34-year playing career nears its end, Yankees talk with Joe Flynn & Dominick Duthel on growing up a Black baseball player during the time Black players are rarer and rarer.

Japanese baseballers push for more rights. The National Women's Soccer League implements the most humane CBA in all of sports. Caitlin Clark is the most impactful rookie since?? And Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea . . .

From Imane Khelif's joyful light to Simone Biles' endless exceptionality to Manizha Talash's selfless sacrifice, there are Olympic stories worth celebrating . . . and castigating. Also, Dearica Hamby's calls out the WNBA as unjust -- will its media do the same? Finally, a few days after a gay baseball icon dies, bigotry in Boston.

This episode features all things Kings hoops with Sacramento icon Jrue. How do fans there feel after two turnaround regular seasons without playoff success? What key offseason issues does the team face? How is it that the "small-town" Kings and the big-city Knicks are such perfect spiritual cousins? This was a fun one!