the nail in the coffin | A Cleveland sports podcast

Bill Bender of the Sporting News is back on The Nail to talk about the new college football season, Texas and Oklahoma eying a jump to the SEC, and the implications of an alliance between the Big Ten, Pac-12 and ACC. Plus: Will anybody challenge Ohio State in the Big Ten? (Probably not.) Can anyone other than the perennial playoff programs finally break through and get a berth this year? (Also not likely!) Later, the guys discuss how the Bishop Sycamore story quickly went from an amusing tale of an unqualified prep team scheming its way into a game on ESPN to something much, much worse. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Support The Nail on PatreonCatch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo from The Ohio State University Buckeyes | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

The long, highly publicized search for a new host of Jeopardy was over…and now it’s not. On Friday, news broke that Mike Richards, the show’s embattled executive producer who had taken the job as Alex Trebek’s successor, was backing away from the podium amid heavy backlash. Before Richards announced his resignation as host, the guys discussed the highly dubious process the resulted in him getting the spot and the issues that we now know ultimately led to his undoing. Plus: MLB’s Field of Dreams game was a home run for everyone involved, and with WWE’s SummerSlam on Saturday night in Las Vegas and AEW rumored to be debuting a certain famous Chicago-made star on Friday, it’s shaping up to be a huge weekend for wrestling. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Support The Nail on PatreonCatch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo from Jeopardy Productions | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

The Cleveland Indians on Friday announced that they will take the field as the Guardians starting in 2022. Even if the name changing process formally began seven months ago, it was a decision years in the making. But did the Indians get it right with their new identity? The guys discuss the new moniker, as well as whether it was a good idea to create a new visual identity that, while no longer controversial, certainly looks similar to the old one in a lot of ways. Plus: The Browns have unveiled a 75th anniversary throwback uniform, and college football is being turned on its head this summer. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Support The Nail on PatreonCatch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo from @Indians on Twitter | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Ahead of WWE SmackDown coming to Cleveland on Friday, superstar Otis joins The Nail to discuss the company’s return to live touring after spending the better part of 16 months performing in closed venues. The Alpha Academy’s “No. 1 Guy” talks about the challenges of wrestling in front of empty arenas and virtual fans, the difference getting back to having a live crowd in attendance has made, and what he and tag team partner Chad Gable will be up to this Friday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. *** Read more about WWE returning to the road and its stop in Cleveland for SmackDown on News-Herald.com. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Support The Nail on PatreonCatch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Strikeouts are at a record high, batting averages are at a record low, and MLB is at a crossroads as teams continue to swing for the fences even as the ball has been tweaked to cut down on home runs. Three teams—yes, including the Indians—have been no-hit twice this season, and it’s still only mid-May. The guys discuss how teams’ analytics-driven pursuit of success is at odds with putting on an entertaining product for fans, and how it’s not just a problem for baseball. Plus: The NBA’s play-in games are a literal overnight success, the NFL schedule makers believe in the Browns, and the Columbus Crew does a fast U-turn on an ill-fated rebrand. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Support The Nail on PatreonCatch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Kevin Kleps of Crain’s Cleveland Business joins the Nail to give a preview of what fans can expect to see downtown this weekend as the NFL Draft takes center stage in the city. Also covered: An update on COVID-related attendance limits for Cleveland’s teams The odds of a policy requiring COVID-19 vaccination for entry into sports venues (similar to what was recently announced in Buffalo) being implemented by the Browns, Cavs and/or Indians Kevin Love is agitated againA look at the sports betting legislation that could be coming soon in Ohio ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Support The Nail on PatreonCatch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo from @NFLprguy on Twitter | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

With the Ohio State Buckeyes set to open their NCAA tournament run against Oral Roberts on Friday afternoon, sports reporter/anchor Whitney Harding of NBC4 in Columbus joins The Nail to talk March Madness, how OSU has built its program and thrived this season without a surefire future NBA draft pick on its roster, and why some of college basketball’s bluebloods have struggled to adjust to the changing landscape of college basketball. Plus: The turning point that put Cleveland State on the path to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2009, catching Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma State, and other teams to watch this weekend. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Support The Nail on PatreonCatch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo by USA Today Sports | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

The Mid-American Conference men’s and women’s tournaments are back at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse this week, one year after COVID-19 brought the sports world to a halt. Ohio University beat writer Jason Arkley was in Cleveland to cover the tournaments for the Athens Messenger last year when the plug was pulled. This year, he's working independently—and from home—as the MAC is back, but full arenas and press rows are not just yet. Arkley joins The Nail to discuss the challenges universities have faced in trying to get through their sports seasons, a year of change in how college sports are covered, and the players and teams to watch this weekend in Cleveland.Read Arkley's OU coverage: SUACBobcats.com ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Support The Nail on PatreonCatch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo by USA Today Sports | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Waiting For Next Year’s Craig Lyndall joins the guys to talk about the Cavs digging out of a hole after a miserable February, setting fair expectations three years into a rebuild, Jarrett Allen being awesome since joining the team, and why NBA Top Shot has become a phenomenon in recent weeks (and whether it can last). ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Support The Nail on PatreonCatch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo from Getty Images | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

For the better part of a generation, the Cavs have existed in two states: With LeBron James, an NBA championship contender, or without LeBron, one of the worst teams in the league. Times are changing. The Cavs are fun and more than holding their own this year. The guys discuss the leap of Collin Sexton (and his pairing with Darius Garland), the heist that brought Jarrett Allen to town (and will eventually send Andre Drummond out), and the experience of having a team that's out of the cellar but not yet facing championship-or-bust expectations. Plus: EA Sports is bringing back its college football video game, Tampa is having the “best sports year that nobody can be present for” of all time, and a tribute to Cleveland sports media legend Les Levine. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | StitcherSupport The Nail on Patreon Catch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo from USA Today | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

The most fun Browns season in decades is over after the team came up one score short of doing the unthinkable and knocking out the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Kansas City. The guys dig into the controversial no-call on the hit that caused Rashard Higgins to fumble away a potential score late in the second quarter, the Browns finding new life after being on the verge of getting KO’d early in the second half, Kevin Stefanski’s decision to punt the ball away late in the fourth, and how Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s aggressive playcalling (and … *sigh* … a 13-yard run by Chad Henne) ultimately sealed the Browns’ fate. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Catch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo from USA Today | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

Before the Browns head off to Kansas City for a divisional round matchup with the Chiefs, the guys look back on an unforgettable night in Pittsburgh that started with an avalanche—four first-quarter touchdowns!—and ended with the Browns winning their first playoff game since 1994. With coach Kevin Stefanski, cornerback Denzel Ward and others returning from the COVID-19 list, can the Browns keep up the magic in K.C.? Even if they don’t set records again, another fast start will probably be needed. Plus: Nickelodeon’s slime-filled broadcast of Bears-Saints, a postmortem on Ohio State-Alabama and a lackluster college football season, and Ken Jennings’ start as “Jeopardy!” guest host (and the others scheduled to follow). ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Catch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo from NFL.com | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

The Browns are going to the playoffs! The Buckeyes are playing for a national championship! This is all supposed to be exciting…right? The guys discuss COVID-19 taking the air out of Northeast Ohio football fans’ balloon at the worst possible time, whether the Browns can overcome not having Kevin Stefanski and multiple starters, and the possibility that Monday’s national championship game between Ohio State and Alabama might not end up being on Monday after all. Plus: Justin Fields was incredible leading OSU over Clemson in one of the Buckeyes’ most satisfying wins in years, and the Indians’ trade of Francisco Lindor is the latest painful reminder that Major League Baseball is a broken institution. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Catch us on: WaitingForNextYear.com | EvergreenPodcasts.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast  Email us: thenailpodcast [at] gmail.com Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photos from USA Today | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

As of Monday afternoon, subscribers of YouTube TV, Hulu and Sling in Northeast Ohio were blocked out from watching Cavs games on Fox Sports Ohio. Local DIRECTV and AT&T Uverse subscribers are keeping their fingers crossed that they don’t have to watch the Browns’ Sunday Night Football game on a Spanish network because they are currently blocked from receiving WKYC. With disputes between cable providers and network operators on the rise, Awful Announcing owner and editor Ben Koo joins The Nail to explain why losing access to big games is becoming a more frequent problem and how soon we can expect deals in these latest fights to be reached. Plus: Sinclair betting big on a reimagined regional sports network model, how much teams and leagues get involved in negotiations between cable companies and networks to ensure their games are available as widely as possible, and other sports broadcasting trends to watch in 2021. On Awful Announcing: Sports fans are hostages in carriage disputes and we often pay the ransom On WFNY: Waiting all day for Sunday night no more: Browns flexed to SNF ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Catch us on WaitingForNextYear.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin

An NFL game between Baltimore and Pittsburgh that was supposed to be played on Thanksgiving night is now scheduled for a Wednesday afternoon in December so as not to conflict with the lighting of a Christmas tree in New York. The Ohio State Buckeyes have played four games and are currently in position to make the College Football Playoff, but are also on the verge of not qualifying for the Big Ten championship game. And yet it’s the NBA, which earned praise for the safety of its bubble over the summer, that is now getting ready for what might be the riskiest plan of all for its new season. Welcome to winter sports in the pandemic! The guys discuss the COVID chaos engulfing the NFL and college football, the Browns somehow being in position to finally make the playoffs, the Cavs’ iffy Rock Hall-inspired City edition uniforms, Cleveland’s regional sports networks still not being available on many Northeast Ohio TVs and more. ... Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | Stitcher Catch us on WaitingForNextYear.com Like us on Facebook: Facebook.com/TheNailPodcast Follow us on Twitter: @TheNailPodcast Intro/outro music: "The 3rd" by Anitek Image from Freepik.com | Photo illustration by The Nail in the Coffin