Which team — Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, or Wild — is closest to ending to a 34-year (and ticking) major pro men's league championship drought in Minnesota?

It's a provocative topic to spring forth discussion on the hottest topics surrounding all of these teams, which Happy Hour John Gaskins does with 25-year Minnesota Star Tribune columnnist veteran and now-podcaster Michael Rand for 40 minutes.

Before playing "Randball," Gaskins addresses a couple of recent local coaching moves — one shocking and the other not.

Shocking: West Central's school board not renewing the contract of head boys basketball coach Jacob Sittig after he led the Trojans to a 21-4 record and their first state tournament appearance in 24 years. 

Not shocking: One of the all-time legends of the all-time most successful minor league sports franchise in South Dakota history has resigned as head coach.

Andre Fields is leaving the Sioux Falls Storm, he confirmed to Gaskins. The University of South Dakota alumnus was a defensive back on the Storm's first four (consecutive) indoor professional league championship teams from 2005-08, then part of five more titles as an assistant coach. 

Shortly after 20-year head coach Kurtiss Riggs resigned following the Storm's loss in the 2023 Indoor Football League championship game, Fields, then the defensive coordinator, was named head coach. After his first season, the team decided to not compete this season. 

"I have heard nothing, nor do I know anything about whether or not they are coming back," Fields told Gaskins. "I have no news on that front, but I did share with them that I was going to be done regardless."

In the guest segment with Michael Rand on Twin Cities sports, you'll hear answers to the following (and plenty more):

• What should we make of a recent report from NFL TV/radio analyst Ross Tucker that the Vikings aren't as gung-ho about J.J. McCarthy as they would have us believe, not to mention another from Adam Schefter saying the Vikings weren't bullish on Aaron Rodgers even though they sat down with him?
• Should the Timberwovles go after two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo? Which free agents-to-be should they try hardest to keep — Randle, Reid, Alexander-Walker? All?
• How should the Twins navigate the July 31 MLB trade deadline, and what are the best reasons to stay engaged with this .500-straddling squad? 
• Why is there actual hope for the Minnesota Wild to emerge from mediocrity and compete for a Stanley Cup?
• Will the recent NCAA-House Settlement that allows colleges to pay players directly help or hurt the Gophers' football and basketball programs?