Sports With Friends

Longtime sportswriter Gary Myers has written his seventh book. “Brady vs. Belichick: The Dynasty Debate” raises one of the great NFL debates among fans of both the New England Patriots and the entire NFL. Who meant more to the Patriots’ nine Super Bowl appearances and six championships? Myers discusses the origin of both coach and player, and makes a strong argument for both with insight, interviews, and analysis.In this episode, Myers discusses how this became an idea for a book. He discusses the current situations for both Brady as a FOX commentator and minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Belichick, who is the new head coach at the University of North Carolina. He discusses controversies, Spygate, and Deflategate, and how they impact both Brady's and Belichick’s legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Art Shamsky is best known for being a member of the 1969 New York Mets, who won the World Series. Shamsky played Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1972 for the Cincinnati Reds, Mets, Chicago Cubs, and Oakland Athletics. In 1969, he hit .300 with 14 home runs, the second-highest total on the team. In the post-season, Shamsky hit .538 in both the newly created National League Championship Series and World Series vs. the Baltimore Orioles.He recently released his third book, “Mets Stories I Only Tell My Friends.” The book offers a behind-the-scenes and first-hand account of that miracle 1969 Mets season. He discusses the leadership of Tom Seaver, the steady hand of manager Gil Hodges, and what it was like to share right field with charismatic Ron Swoboda.In this episode, Shamsky explains why he wrote this third book. He details how not a day goes by that he isn’t reminded of that championship season. At the end of the episode, he explains why he has known Seth Everett for over twenty years.Get “Mets Stories I Only Tell My Friends” here: https://tinyurl.com/3puhkrhc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 US Open tennis tournament once again had record crowds and is being recapped after the final victories by men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz and women’s champion Aryna Sabalenka. The singles tournament took place over 15 days and featured the world’s best tennis players. The men’s final was marred by the appearance of Donald Trump in the crowd. The added security led to thousands of fans missing the beginning of the final waiting on lines to get in. The USTA also censored broadcasters from saying much about the President’s presence at Arthur Ashe Stadium.Russ Thaler is a broadcaster for US Open Radio and TV and is a longtime sportscaster. In this episode, Thaler explains the plight of Americans at this tournament, including Amanda Anisimova of New Jersey reaching her second major final. Thaler also discusses the resurgence of Naomi Osaka and whether anyone can challenge Alcaraz or #1 seed Jannik Sinner for a major title. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York Times best-selling author Jane Leavy has written amazing biographies of some of baseball’s all-time iconic players. She’s written books about Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle, and the legendary Babe Ruth. When looking for a fourth biography, she found that the sport she had loved and covered for decades had undergone drastic changes. Rather than profile one particular subject, she interviewed countless baseball figures to get to the root of what’s gone wrong in baseball and offer solutions to restore its former glory.“Make Me Commissioner: I Know What’s Wrong with Baseball and How to Fix It” includes interviews with such baseball luminaries as Joe Torre, Dave Roberts, Jim Palmer, Dusty Baker, and Buck Showalter. She spends equal time discussing what’s right with baseball, and how it illuminates characters, tells stories, and fires up the imagination of those who love it and everyone who could discover it anew.In this episode, Leavy explains how the genesis of this book came about and who she considered writing a biography on. She also debates the challenges baseball is facing, and offers hope on why the game is still special.Get Make Me Commissioner here: https://tinyurl.com/mrynz3cw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marks week one in the 2025 college football season. The NFL season is a week away. As football takes center stage, Yahoo Sports senior writer Jay Busbee previews both seasons and tells us the teams to watch in 2025.Busbee is an accomplished author. His latest book, “Iron in the Blood: How the Alabama vs. Auburn Rivalry Shaped the Soul of the South,” was released the week this podcast comes out.  The book is a behind-the-scenes account of the Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry, one of the fiercest in American sports, detailing its rich history, celebrating the triumphs of both teams, and showcasing the larger-than-life power of football to break down barriers and shape an entire culture. Busbee traces the perpetual impact of football in Alabama, from the days of Reconstruction, through the Civil Rights era, to the hyper-partisan climate of the 2020s.In this episode, Busbee explains Auburn’s place in the state of Alabama and how it competes with the University of Alabama. He also discusses the changing landscape of college football and how that will impact the games on the field. The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming NFL season, including a focus on the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions.Order “Iron in the Blood” here: https://tinyurl.com/fn9e8v28 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The week of this episode’s release is the same week that ESPN is launching its long-awaited streaming app, which is a direct-to-consumer product that does not require a cable subscription. Still, how many customers will pay for ESPN without bundling it with other streaming service options? On August 5th, 2025, ESPN acquired the NFL Network and other NFL media assets, including the linear rights to the league's popular RedZone channel, in a deal that will see the NFL get a 10% equity stake in the all-sports network.Those titanic stories are the backdrop for Michael McCarthy’s return to the show. McCarthy is an award-winning Senior Writer for Front Office Sports. McCarthy has won both Best News Story and Best Project reporting from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE). His stories have appeared in The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, USA TODAY, Sporting News, Newsday, and Adweek. He’s also written for the official publications of the NFL and Major League Baseball. McCarthy has appeared on everything from CBS This Morning, NBC’s Today show, Fox & Friends, and Access Hollywood to CNBC, CNN, NPR, and the BBC. McCarthy has also served as a journalism professor at Rutgers University since 2015. He’s based in New Jersey.In this episode, McCarthy discusses the ESPN NFL deal, the streaming app, and the network’s dropping of Major League Baseball. He also covers the NBA, NHL, and NCAA in this episode.Front Office Sports is having its 2nd annual “Tuned In” seminar in Midtown Manhattan. On September 16th, 2025, leaders within the sports media space—ranging from athletes and on-air talent to media moguls and league executives who are instrumental in shaping the future of how fans view sports. Registration includes a full day of programming with leading names in sports media. For more information: https://events.frontofficesports.com/tunedin2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hall of Fame baseball writer Bill Madden has covered the Yankees and Major League Baseball for over 50 years, including more than four decades with the New York Daily News. He is a bestselling author and the 2010 recipient of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s BBWAA Career Excellence Award. His new memoir is entitled Yankees, Typewriters, Scandals, and Cooperstown: A Baseball Memoir. Tracing through the timeline of Madden’s exceptional career, this book tells amazing stories of some wild times in the history of the New York Yankees and their bombastic owner, George Steinbrenner.In this episode, Madden discusses the origin of the book idea. He tells incredible stories about covering the Yankees, specifically in the early 1980s at the height of the Steinbrenner circus. He comments on what newspapers were like in the past compared to online journalism today. He talked about the inner workings of the Yankees and the differences in player relationships today vs. when he traveled on team charters with the team.Check out Yankees, Typewriters, Scandals, and Cooperstown: A Baseball Memoir by Bill Madden here: https://bit.ly/4lntjsY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Longtime ESPN New York host Don La Greca is making his second appearance on the podcast. His first, Episode 336, came when he had two totally different jobs. In July 2025, La Greca was named the new television voice of the New Jersey Devils on MSG Network. He is also currently the host of afternoon drive on ESPN New York with Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg. In his first appearance, Don was a co-host on the Michael Kay Show on the YES Network and ESPN New York, and a backup radio play-by-play announcer for the New York Rangers.La Greca has been a mainstay in New York sports for nearly two decades. He has always publicly revealed that he is a longtime fan of the Devils and that this is a dream job for him.In this episode, La Greca tells the story of how this new Devils job came to be. He explains his lifelong fandom of the franchise and discusses the reactions he received from many broadcasting and sports dignitaries since the announcement was made. He also commented on the Devils' chances in 2025-2026, and what it means for him to have this opportunity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On July 31, 2025, for one night only in theaters, there is a new documentary entitled “Nothing But a Winner – The Alabama Football Story.” It chronicles the incredible history of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide Football Team. Alabama has dominated college football in the last century: 18 national championships, 30 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships, and 447 players drafted into the NFL. Well known for the greatest run in modern memory under legendary Coach Nick Saban, the origin story of this culture of winning was pioneered by Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.Caleb Castille, an acclaimed actor, joined this episode to discuss being a producer for Nothing But a Winner. Castille played defensive back under Saban at Alabama. His father Jeremiah, who played defensive back under Bryant and later served as team chaplain for more than two decades, is a key feature in the film.In this episode, Castille discusses the seminal moment at the beginning of the film, which describes the integration of Black players during the Civil Rights era into Alabama football. He also talks about Nick Saban’s unique legacy with the Crimson Tide, including his 2024 departure. Castille also discusses the changes in the college sports landscape and how Alabama needs to adapt to maintain its level of excellence.Nothing But a Winner releases in theatres for a one-night showing on July 31, 2025. Go to http://www.nothingbutawinner.com/ for tickets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Longtime New England Patriots fullback James Develin is taking part in a fascinating swim challenge in the Hudson River. On Saturday, August 16, 2025, more than 350 participants will participate in the seventh annual New York City SEAL Swim, a demanding multi-sport challenge that spans 3.5 miles across the Hudson River. Starting at Liberty State Park in New Jersey and ending at the World Trade Center, this signature event honors fallen heroes and supports the mission of The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF). The Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) provides critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare (NSW).The course includes three swim legs with stops at some of America’s most iconic landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. At each stop, participants will complete 100 push-ups and 22 pull-ups before continuing. The event concludes with each swimmer running with an American flag from Battery Park City to the World Trade Center, paying tribute to the lives lost on 9/11, the warriors of EXTORTION 17, and all Americans who serve our country in uniform.In this episode, Develin explains how, in his post-football career, he is participating in the ultimate physical challenge and compares the training to when he played for the Patriots. He also offers a unique perspective on his former coach Bill Belichick’s new coaching job at North Carolina. He also offers insight on his former quarterback Tom Brady’s new role with FOX Television.For more information on the New York City SEAL Swim, click here: https://impact.navysealfoundation.org/event/2025-nyc-seal-swim/e650865. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Saturday, July 19, 2025, the WNBA will hold its All-Star Game. The sport has seen exponential growth in audience and popularity since the emergence of second-year star Caitlin Clark. Still, when Clark missed time due to injury, ratings fell.Dr. Tywanna Smith is a former pro basketball player and President of The Athletes’ Nexus. She, along with retired NBA star Sonny Weems, co-founded the Athletes Abroad Summit, a platform that empowers American athletes playing overseas to build sustainable success beyond the game.They held a summit in Las Vegas during the NBA Summer League and will be in Indianapolis for WNBA All-Star Weekend. The activation brings together pro athletes, coaches, and executives to lead global conversations around business, branding, and legacy in sports.Dr. Smith was a guest previously on Sports with Friends Episode 102.In this episode, Smith details the Athletes Abroad Summit and what athletes need to know if they want to pursue playing outside the USA. She also discusses the impact of Clark on the WNBA ratings and discusses whether the league is too reliant on her for its success and whether the increased ratings are sustainable. She also discusses the overall appeal of Clark and the role race plays in it.For more info: https://www.athletesabroadsummit.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the biggest sporting event ever — three Host Countries, 16 Host Cities, 48 teams, and 104 matches will unite an entire continent to showcase a momentous new tournament format. The event will culminate with the Final at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) on July 19, 2026, complemented by unprecedented fan experiences throughout the NYNJ region. Co-host City Manager Bruce Revman joined the show to discuss both the ongoing Club World Cup and next year’s international tournament. Revman oversees all aspects of the Host Committee. Prior roles include Managing Director at NYC & Company, where he contributed to marketing and partnership strategies, and Commissioner for the USA TODAY Sports Media Group.In this episode, Revman discusses how NY/NJ was awarded the Final and what fans can expect. He commented on the sheer enormity of the World Cup and how both New York and New Jersey will embrace it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One hundred episodes after his first appearance, former Oakland A’s and St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Mark Mulder returns to the show. He previously appeared in Episode 410. Mulder pitched for the A’s from 2000-2004. He was then traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he pitched through 2008. In the early 2000s, Mark Mulder was part of the “Big 3” with Barry Zito and Tim Hudson. He is a two-time all-star, the AL wins leader in 2001. He finished with a record of 103-60.After his playing career, Mulder began pursuing golf. He won the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, a celebrity golf tournament, three times from 2015-2017.In this episode, Mulder offers poignant commentary on the A’s recent move from Oakland to Sacramento, where they are playing in a AAA stadium. He talked about the A’s breaking ground on a stadium in Las Vegas and gets emotional about saying goodbye to people in Oakland last season as part of their final season there. He also discusses the current state of baseball and other sports and the challenges that face them all.Follow Mark on social media at @markmulder20. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the sports business, there are a slew of headlines that get covered in this episode. The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics were recently sold. Is this a trend where other legacy sports owners will try to get out of owning franchises? In baseball, the Rays and A’s have untenable stadium situations. How big an issue is this for baseball?Baseball is also trying to do new media deals and has a collective bargaining agreement expiring. Is NBA expansion on the horizon? Will Seattle get the Supersonics back? Scott Rosner rejoins the podcast. He previously appeared on Episode 344 (about St. Peter’s NCAA tournament run). He is the Program Director and Professor of Professional Practice, M.S. in Sports Management at Columbia SPS School of Professional Studies. Rosner is the lead author of The Business of Sports, a leading textbook in its second edition that synthesizes a collection of the leading scholarly sports business articles, the first such volume in the field. He is also the principal of Hudson Sports Consulting, a sports advisory firm that provides a wide range of services in the business and legal aspects of the sports industry.This episode covers a wide range of sports business topics and touches on most major sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former NFL quarterback and broadcaster Joe Theismann returns to the podcast for the third time. His previous appearances were Episodes 306 & 461. In 306, he spoke about his incredible football career and the catastrophic leg injury that ended it. In 461, he discussed helping Alex Smith recover from his own terrible, similar injury. This appearance references those moments but tells different stories.Theismann is competing in the upcoming American Century Championship, an annual celebrity golf tournament held in Lake Tahoe. Among the 80-plus participants in the field are: Travis Kelce, Jason Kelce, Charles Barkley, Josh Allen, Colin Jost, Annika Sorenstam, and actor Miles Teller. This year marks the 36th year of celebrity golf and will be televised with coverage on GOLF Channel, Peacock, and NBC from July 11th through the 13th, 2025.In this episode, Theismann discusses the Tua Tagovailoa concussions and if he had advice for the Dolphins’ quarterback. He also discussed the lasting effects of his injury in his day-to-day life and the medical challenges that such an injury created both then and now. He also discussed a fantasy option for the golf classic, where fans can engage to win trips to the event in Lake Tahoe. He also had an interesting perspective on all the international games and a potential 18th game for the NFL.For more info on the American Century Championship, https://americancenturychampionship.com/.For more info on the Fantasy Golf opportunity, https://www.accfantasygolf.com/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anish Shroff is a play-by-play commentator for various sports on ESPN and its partner networks, including college football, college basketball, college baseball, and lacrosse. He is also a proud alumnus of Syracuse University. Shroff is the current radio play-by-play announcer for the Carolina Panthers NFL team, joining in March 2022. Shroff also worked the NFL preseason in the summer of 2021. Shroff has covered several bowl games and FCS championship games, as well as matchups across the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12. Since 2017, Shroff has been ESPN’s lead voice for men’s college lacrosse.In this episode, Anish discusses his incredible career path, especially how his play-by-play roles evolved. He also explains how he became the 3rd ever radio voice of the Carolina Panthers. He also explains the inner workings of the Syracuse experience and how it helped mold him into the broadcaster he is today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ethan Cooperman has worked for over 25 years doing stats for various sports television broadcasts. He rose to fame in the industry when he paired with the late Greg Gumbel on CBS NFL broadcasts.  Since 2004, he has worked on the #1 CBS team with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo. He also does college football for FOX and Monday Night Football on the radio for Westwood One. There isn’t a network that Ethan hasn’t worked on. Part of his success is clearly due to his incredible sports knowledge and research capabilities. He’s also a master networker and literally knows everyone.In this episode, Ethan explains his various roles and how he acquired them. He tells amazing stories about the late Greg Gumbel. He also details the intricacies of working with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo. He answers the question, Do Romo’s predictions often come true or is that a myth? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2000, New York City was at the center of the baseball world as the New York Mets faced off against the New York Yankees in the 2000 World Series. Author Chris Donnelly has penned a new book that chronicles both the Mets and Yankees in the late 90s, leading up to that Fall Classic. “Get Your Tokens Ready: The Late 1990s Road to the Subway Series” chronicles both teams from 1997, the dawn of interleague play, to the end of the 2000 Subway Series.The Yankees were amid a dynasty, while the Mets were up and coming.  This era chronicled the Roger Clemens/Mike Piazza bat incident and the Bobby Valentine fake mustache.In this episode, Donnelly explains this pivotal time for both the teams and their passionate fan bases. He explains how this book does not have a Met or Yankee slant and how it covers both teams objectively. There is also a lot of conversation about the stadiums that they played in during this time, the original Yankee Stadium and Shea Stadium… “Get Your Tokens Ready” is available here: https://bit.ly/3Z2bYxs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat Kirwan is currently co-host of SiriusXM NFL Radio's Movin' the Chains with Jim Miller. His broadcast career followed a successful career in the NFL coaching and front office ranks. He also works on the CBS NFL pregame show “The NFL Today,” and has for decades.Pat started his career in coaching at the high school and college levels. After stints with the Phoenix Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he spent eight years with the New York Jets in various positions. He started broadcasting for CNNSI and eventually moved to Sirius/XM NFL Radio.In this episode, Kirwan describes his journey into pro football. He also tackles issues of the day, including Brock Purdy, Kirk Cousins, Shadeur Sanders, and Saquon Barkley. He also discusses his issues with international NFL games and his love for minor league hockey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Longtime baseball writer Scott Miller returns to the show to discuss his new book, “Skipper: Why Baseball Managers Matter and Always Will.” Miller’s book is a deep dive into the ongoing struggle for control that often takes place behind the scenes between Major League Baseball managers and the ownership groups, and now, their data analysts. Through stories about managers past and present, Miller explains what managers used to be and what they are in today’s baseball.Scott Miller is an award-winning veteran national MLB writer who has been a contributor to the New York Times, the national baseball columnist at Bleacher Report and CBSSports.com, and covered baseball extensively for the Los Angeles Times and St. Paul Pioneer Press before that. He has been honored several times as one of the top baseball writers in the nation by the Associated Press Sports Editors.Managers mentioned in this episode include but are not limited to Sparky Anderson, Dave Roberts, Lou Piniella, Jim Leyland, Dusty Baker, Earl Weaver, Bruce Bochy, Aaron Boone, Ned Yost, Bud Black, and countless others.Buy Skipper here: https://amzn.to/3Zji9gC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.