Chuck Todd unpacks the troubling patterns that emerge after every mass shooting, from how the public rushes to confirm their priors to how culture wars are inflamed when a shooter’s identity becomes politicized. With the FBI investigating the latest tragedy as a possible hate crime, trust in law enforcement once again splits along partisan lines, reflecting the deeper polarization running through government agencies and public perception alike. Then, Todd previews his conversation with DeMaurice Smith as he turns to the looming era of labor strife in professional sports—examining how the NFL operates as a “socialist experiment,” how name-image-likeness deals and the transfer portal are shifting the mindset of athletes, and why collective bargaining disputes will be on the horizon.
Then, Chuck Todd is joined by former NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith to discuss his new book Turf Wars and the untold battles behind the modern NFL. Smith reflects on how he—despite never playing the game—won the trust of star athletes, navigated intense resistance from owners, and fought for free agency and labor protections. He shares candid stories of his uphill battle to lead the NFLPA, from owners attempting to block his election to risking his career to stand with players.
Smith also offers a rare look inside the billionaire owners’ club, likening it to a feudal kingdom where prestige and profit outweigh fairness. He reveals how Roger Goodell consolidated power, why Jerry Jones remains a polarizing force, and how owners exploit their franchises like personal toys. From hidden revenues to weak contract protections, Smith explains why the NFL has thrived financially while leaving players vulnerable. And with college athletes gaining leverage and younger NFL players more empowered, Smith warns that a seismic labor showdown between players and owners may be on the horizon.
Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.
Timeline:
(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)
00:00 Chuck Todd’s Introduction
01:00 There’s a pattern to every mass/school shooting
02:15 People always look to confirm their priors with every shooting
03:30 The shooter being trans could inflame the culture wars
04:30 Shooting could be politicized in all the wrong ways
06:00 FBI announces it will be investigated as terrorism/hate crime
07:00 Trust and favorability of law enforcement is polarized
10:00 Agencies are being run by partisans acting partisanly
12:45 The public & Trump view everything through a partisan lens
14:45 DeMaurice Smith TEASE
18:00 We’re about to enter an era of labor strife in professional sports
19:45 The NFL is one of the great socialist experiments in America
22:30 The attitude of future NFL players will change due to NIL/Xfer portal
23:45 We’ll likely see collective bargaining amongst college players
26:45 DeMaurice Smith joins the Chuck ToddCast
29:45 Why write Turf Wars? Why did the story need to be told?
31:45 Similarities between political oligarchs & NFL owners
33:15 Why did you get the NFLPA job despite never playing?
35:00 Players voted to strike in 80's then crossed picket line
36:45 Players went through years of litigation to get free agency
38:15 NFL tried to stop NFLPA from hiring DeMaurice
41:15 DeMaurice forced to risk his job to run for NFLPA job
43:15 Was it hard to connect with the players?
45:15 Star players vouched for DeMaurice to their teammates
46:00 Goodell visited with multiple teams and it went BADLY
51:15 DeMaurice was warned, NFL owners are the worst people
51:45 NFL owners view their team as a toy, vehicle for prestige
53:45 Owners try to pull equity out of their team without selling it
55:00 Relationship with Robert Kraft 57:00 Tension between younger and older owners
57:30 The good and bad of Jerry Jones
58:15 Jerry Jones frustrated with "freeloading" owners
1:00:00 The NFL is a feudal kingdom
1:00:30 Pete Rozelle vs Roger Goodell
1:03:00 Goodell has done an incredible job generating revenue
1:04:00 Mike Brown isn't a billionaire without Goodell
1:04:30 What would the league look like without owners, Packers model?
1:06:00 Packers requirement to publicly report gives insight into league
1:08:00 The only rule NFL placed on itself was Rooney Rule, don't follow it
1:08:45 The NFL is comfortable knowing it's basically above the law
1:09:45 How much revenue was the NFL hiding under its nonprofit status?
1:10:45 The league gave up nonprofit status to hide salaries, legal issues
1:12:00 NFL contract protections weaker than other sports
1:12:45 NFL culture is "psychologically militaristic"
1:14:15 Players/owners showing solidarity over kneeling for anthem
1:15:30 NFLPA is a microcosm for labor standing up to capital.
1:17:00 College players have more leverage than NFL players
1:18:15 Newer generation of players will change relationship with owners
1:20:30 NFL owners fear educated and empowered players
1:22:15 School should mandate financial literacy courses for players
1:23:30 Are players concerned about the mess at the NFLPA?
1:24:45 Players need to understand owners aren't their friends
1:25:30 There's a war coming between players and ownership
1:27:30 Chuck's thoughts on interview with DeMaurice Smith
1:29:30 Ask Chuck
1:29:45 Could local sports coverage change the local news landscape?
1:41:15 Friendly trash talk of Chuck's Miami Hurricanes and Green Bay Packers
1:43:45 Is Marco Rubio having any regrets or second thoughts?
1:49:00 What publication details generational voting records?
1:54:30 Artificial chocolate + coffee flavoring?
The Chuck ToddCast 
