Tidal League

“Be Ready for Life after the Final Whistle”.  This is the philosophy of TBH Sports and today we welcome Phil Reynolds, partner and financial advisor, who talks about the meaning behind the words.  Many sports fans imagine once you’ve signed that pro league contract you are set for life.  For most athletes the reality may be very different.

Today we hear Phil’s story and how he was able to merge his love of sports with his profession as a financial planner as well as his strategies on how he ensures success for the athletes he represents. 

In an area not much talked about, Phil gives us a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of working with young athletes who tend to live in the moment and not think about tomorrow when it comes to money management.  Phil tells our listeners how the world of athletic contracts work versus the image most fans have of instant millions once that contract is signed.

Our show ends with Phil’s advice on how to plan in an uncertain future and he shares some great financial tips for both athletes and non-athletes alike! 

Today we welcome WNBA star Kia Nurse, guard with the New York Liberty. At just 24 years old she is already a 2 time WNBL champion, 2 time NCAA champion and WNBA All Star and in this episode we hear her story.

She first began playing at age 4 and Kia tells us how basketball changed for her from a hobby, to a way to get an education, to believing she could make it in the WNBA. Playing at the most successful women’s basketball college, UCONN, Kia talks about what it was like, and how fate landed her there.

Coming from an athletic family with strong female athletes we hear about the pressures she felt early in her career and how as she’s gotten older, she’s realized the positive impact this has had on her success.

We explore with her the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and hear her take on how that could change the face of women’s basketball. She also shares some fun stories about recently signing with the Jordan Brand and what it felt like to meet “The Goat” for the first time.

She gives us her opinions on the trailblazers in today’s game, walks us through the NBA finals last year and the excitement of cheering the Raptors to the championship and her expectations to make the podium at next year’s Olympics.

As a role model for women in sports, Kia shares what she’s learned from her role models and how that has shaped who she is and helped her to establish her own platform and find her own voice. She is one of the brightest stars in the WNBA, and you don’t want to miss this engaging and entertaining episode.

Austin Eastman, Co-founder of the Odyssey Sports Group, is our guest on today’s episode.  His story is the stuff of movies. While he didn’t make his high school basketball team the stars aligned and while at the University of Utah, he was added to the walk on list playing for three years.  His life-long passion for the game led him away from a career in Mechanical Engineering towards Sports Management and on the road to achieving his dream.   

Austin shares his views on being an agent in the NBA, the stigma sometimes attached to it and what sets his company apart from others. He talks about what it takes to make it in this business, how he gained the respect of his peers at such a young age, the value of relationships and his take on the business of NBA players beyond playing basketball.

We hear his advice to young people wanting to enter the industry, the importance of having luck on your side but also being ready when the breaks go your way.  “Pay the price today so you can pay any price tomorrow”. Tune in to hear more about this exciting start up and the man who leads it.

Today we hear from 10-year NBA guard and current BIG 3 player CJ Watson. CJ takes us through his journey and along with the highs and lows, we hear about his time at Golden State where he talks about the culture and what makes Oakland special. As the Baron Davis years wound down and side by side with a young Steph Curry, CJ was there for the rebuild and early days of the dynasty that would come to be. After 3 great years in Oakland he made his way to Chicago, a franchise he watched as a child and where his idol, Michael Jordan, was the star. Playing in the United Centre was surreal, and more importantly he was part of a franchise that was relevant again due to the 60-game win season headed by the then youngest MVP ever Derrick Rose. Our interview concludes with a conversation about his Foundation, how important it is for him to give back, and where he has found meaning as an author, a mentor and entrepreneur. Tune in to hear the whole story.

In this special edition of The Tidal League Podcast, we have the incredible pleasure of welcoming two time NBA champion, Coach Phil Handy. Blessed with talent and drive, we hear how he got to where he is today. Phil shares what it was like training one of the best players of all time, Kobe Bryant, with entertaining stories as to how their relationship evolved and his thoughts on Kobe’s legacy. We hear his recount of the 2016 NBA championship series and how he was able to inspire his Cleveland Cavaliers to rally and fight back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors, then his second NBA championship in 2019, once again facing Golden State, only this time with the Toronto Raptors. The blockbuster trade that brought Kawhi Leonard​ to the team, his long relationship with Head Coach Nick Nurse and how he helped lead the team on their incredible ride to making NBA history. Phil shares with us his passion for the game, for all of those he has worked with and leaves us with what legacy he hopes to leave behind. Relive some of the most exciting moments in the game through the eyes of one of the greatest coaches in the League.

Most know and love him as the analyst and sportscaster for the Toronto Raptors. Leo Rautins, also the first Canadian to be drafted in the first round of the NBA draft and former player and head coach of the Canadian Men’s National team joins host Trish on today’s podcast.  Sit back and have fun listening to him talk about his love of the game and his experiences as a player, a coach, and a sportscaster.   When the NBA came to Canada in 1995 it changed the way a Country saw the game, and Leo talks about how the Raptors and their success have helped basketball reach levels of popularity never imagined as well as his predictions on how the season ends. As the voice of the Raptors he’s been there since the beginning and we hear about the incredible ride he’s been on and what it was like to be in the arena on June 13 2019 when the Raptors brought the championship home.

For many professional athletes, the game defines who they are. Not so with this week’s guest Brooklyn Nets Forward Taurean Prince a man of diverse interests and immense talent. From his time at Baylor to draft night and beyond Taurean talks of the struggles he faced and how he got to where he is today. We hear what motivates him, his love of music, his fashion sense, the story of the naming of his clothing line “Loyalty Is Everything - L.I.E.” and his inspiration for writing “The Pursuit”

He’s known as the “Athlete Defender” and in our newest episode, Jason Setchen talks to Trish about why he’s earned this title. We hear how he navigates the intricate relationships with NCAA athletes and their families, giving a voice to those who feel they are being treated unjustly. He shares his thoughts on the Fair Pay to Play Act and the impact it will have on college athletes and the game as a whole. Our podcast wraps up with a discussion on the impact of COVID-19 not just on the NCAA but other sports we love and miss. He’s a straight shooter who tells it like it is and he reflects on his career and how his philosophy in business and life have shaped the person he has become. It’s a great episode with an articulate and witty guest and we hope you tune in.

This week we sit down with Baylor star and basketball pro Isaiah Austin who takes us through his journey to play basketball professionally amid all the challenges that have been thrown his way. Listen to Isaiah talk about the struggle and heartbreak he has faced and how the game of basketball will not be what defines him.

Today, we welcome award winning sports journalist and voice of the Toronto Raptors, Michael Grange to the pod. Michael shares his insights on the tragic losses in the NBA community and the impact on basketball and beyond.  He also talks about the leadership of the NBA during the current COVID-19 crisis,  shares his perspective on Raptors President Masai Ujiri and his future with the Raptors organization and gives us the answer - MJ or Lebron? Tune in to find out!