Front Office Sports Today

The 2025 US Open concludes this weekend, and despite players complaining about crowd noise, the matches have been exceptional on both the men's and women's sides. ESPN's Pam Maldonado joins Baker Machado and Derryl Barnes to talk through the women's semifinals results, tonight's highly anticipated (and expensive) matchup between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, and the impressive runs for Amanda Anisimova and Naomi Osaka. Plus, the NFL heads back to Brazil on Friday night for Chiefs-Chargers, which will broadcast for free on YouTube. Chiefs legend Priest Holmes joins the show to give his thoughts on Kansas City becoming the "world's team," and how the NFL Players Association should handle its next chapter after being littered with scandal and corruption. Also, we get an update on Steve Ballmer's alleged secret deal with Kawhi Leonard, Caitlin Clark announces she is out for the rest of the season, and Mike Tyson is set to fight Floyd Mayweather. Key Moments: 00:28 - Dak & Carter's 'Spitgate', Catilin Clark out for season, Tyson & Mayweather to fight 04:15- ESPN's Pam Maldonado on US Open 09:56 - NFL and Chiefs legend Priest Holmes 17:43 - Ballmer scandal updates 21:41 - Most expensive ticket this weekend

The 2025 NFL season has finally arrived as the Eagles defend their Super Bowl title against the Cowboys. ESPN Eagles reporter Tim McManus joins the show to explain how the Eagles have been able to construct a roster full of superstars like Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley by using smart accounting practices, plus their chances of repeating as champions. Meanwhile, Stan Smith might be known to tennis fans for his wins at Wimbledon and the US Open, but to many, he’s a fashion icon for his famous Adidas shoe that was created back in 1965 and is still a hot commodity today. Smith tells Baker Machado and Derryl Barnes why his sneaker has stood the test of time, how to build a successful brand deal, and his new documentary Who Is Stan Smith? streaming on Hulu and ESPN+. Plus, FOS reporter Colin Salao has the latest on the Clippers denying accusations in a Pablo Torre report that they circumvented the NBA’s salary cap by paying star forward Kawhi Leonard $28 million for a “no-show job,” and NFL RedZone will officially add commercials to its broadcast.

It’s good to be Ohio State, as the defending national champions are back at the top of the polls after beating then-top-ranked Texas in Week 1. As head of one of the most valuable athletic departments in the country, Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork has a lot of sway over the future of college athletics. Bjork tells Baker Machado and Dan Roberts how the Buckeyes have successfully navigated the current NIL (name, image, and likeness) environment and if the College Football Playoff could include more than 20 teams in the future. Bjork also addresses reports that Dave Portnoy was not allowed inside Ohio Stadium during Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff pregame show, and whether the Barstool Sports founder will be allowed inside in the future. Meanwhile, after winning his third consecutive NTT IndyCar Series championship and fourth IndyCar title since 2021, driver Alex Palou joins FOS Today to show off the Astor Challenge Cup and chats about whether a playoff could ever happen in IndyCar as well as rumors he could join F1’s Red Bull racing team. Plus, FOS reporter Colin Salao has the latest on Pablo Torre’s bombshell report alleging a company funded by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer paid star Kawhi Leonard $28 million for a "no-show job" as a way to circumvent the NBA salary cap, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell saying Taylor Swift is a “maybe” for the Super Bowl LX halftime show. Key Moments 0:41 - STREAMEAST GOES DOWN, SKIP BAYLESS LAWSUIT SETTLED, TAYLOR SWIFT COULD PLAY AT SUPER BOWL 4:50- TORRE: CLIPPERS CIRCUMVENTED SALARY CAP FOR KAWHI 9:33 - THE KEYS TO OHIO STATE'S SUCCESS IN NIL ERA 17:28 - ALEX PALOU TALKS STATE OF INDYCAR FOLLOWING THREE-PEAT 23:28 - DRAKE CURSE

College football's first full weekend saw a slew of upsets, but the real story was five of the 10 highest-paid coaches losing outright. FOS college sports reporter Amanda Christovich joins Baker Machado and editor-in-chief Dan Roberts to discuss the first-week flops, including Bill Belichick, Kalen DeBoer, and Deion Sanders. Plus, Caitlin Clark's first signature shoe is set to be released in 2026 as she becomes just the fifth active WNBA player with her own shoe deal. Sneaker insider Nick DePaula gives us a peek behind the curtain of this extensive process and explains what is at stake for Nike to get this right as they prepare for their biggest brand addition since LeBron James. Also, we get a breakdown of what football positions get the most NIL dollars among power conferences, the ACC cracks down on Florida State after their big win over Alabama, and Alexander Isak sets a Premier League transfer fee record.

Micah Parsons is heading to Green Bay, but the saga around his trade request and Jerry Jones's comments throughout the process may be indicative of a larger problem in the NFL around the dynamics between ownership and players. Plus, NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace joins us to preview the Cup Series playoffs, which start this weekend. He also talks about his relationship with 23XI team owner Michael Jordan, the status of the team’s ongoing lawsuit against NASCAR, and how he's balancing being a new parent and a top driver. Also, we hear from former NBA player Chase Budinger, who now is one of volleyball's biggest stars. Budinger joins us ahead of the AVP League Championships this weekend, where his team will look to bring home the hardware for the second straight season.

Doris Burke is out from ESPN's NBA Finals crew, with Tim Legler replacing her on the first team. FOS Tuned In reporter Ryan Glasspiegel gives us the latest on that, plus his scoop on Ryen Russillo going to Barstool and more. Plus, Darren Rovell joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to chat the highest selling piece of sports memorabilia ever, a Jordan-Kobe dual logoman card that sold for nearly $13M earlier this week to Kevin O'Leary of 'Shark Tank' and two other buyers. Also, we hear from A's first baseman Tyler Soderstrom on playing through the Sacramento era, his success this season, and a partnership that was too perfect to pass up. Key Moments: 0:39 - Dawn Staley & Knicks, Ishbia being sued, Medvedev fined 4:45 - Doris Burke, Ryen Russillo, other media stories 10:01 - A's first baseman Tyler Soderstrom 17:57 - Darren Rovell on MJ/Kobe card 22:29 - Skip Bayless and Gilbert Arenas team up

The ”Brady Rules” could be no more, as the NFL has lifted a major restriction placed on Tom Brady and will allow him to join production meetings with teams, sources tell FOS. Editor-in-chief Dan Roberts joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to explain the new rules and the precedent they set for other broadcasters around the NFL. Plus, the feud between Christian Pulisic and former USMNT players has been ugly, but head coach Mauricio Pochettino wants to put it all behind them. Soccer analyst and Yanks Abroad host Will Balsam takes us through this saga and assesses how the U.S. will fare against the rest of the globe during the FIFA men’s World Cup next year. We also check in with Esports Nations Cup CEO Ralf Reichert, Keegan Bradley makes his Ryder Cup captain's choices, and the sports world reacts to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement.

Dave Portnoy will not be allowed inside the Horseshoe during Fox's Big Noon Kickoff for Ohio State vs. Texas this weekend, but nobody wants to take responsibility for the ban. Ohio State says it was Fox's decision, Portnoy says it was the Buckeyes. FOS media reporter Ryan Glasspiegel had the scoop on this and explains what it means for Portnoy and Barstool during this upcoming CFB season. Plus, the WNBA seems to be headed for a lockout, with CBA talks stalling ahead of the October 31st deadline. FOS women's sports reporter Annie Costabile reports that a work stoppage is likely, but not certain. She joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to explain where things stand. Also, Darelle Revis calls out Jerry Jones for violating the CBA, Caitlin Clark drops a new logo, and 'Babe Ruth' is getting sued. Key Moments: 0:36 - Caitlin Clark's new logo, Venmo-NCAA partnership, YouTube-Fox standoff 5:00- Dave Portnoy banned from Ohio State this weekend 9:53 - WNBA lockout loading? 17:50 - NFL roster deadline day 21:29 - "Babe Ruth" accused of fraud

The US Open changed to its first 15-day schedule, but players are not happy about it, says FOS reporter Colin Salao. He joins Baker Machado and Renee Washington to explain the scheduling situation and the brutal moment in Daniil Medvedev's opener where a photographer mistakenly walked onto the court and caused an uproar in the crowd that delayed the match. Plus, former Patriots cornerback and NBC football analyst Devin McCourty gives his thoughts on Micah Parsons's holdout, Travis Hunter's NFL position, and Shedeur Sanders's outlook with the Cleveland Browns. He also speaks about the media feud between his former head coach Bill Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, which only seems to be getting worse. Also, Tommy Fleetwood has his moment, Terry McLaurin ends his holdout, and the NFL makes a surprising choice as its first official fashion sponsor. Key Moments: 0:37 - Terry McLaurin new deal, Michigan's QB, Bay FC attendance record 4:52 - US Open controversial start 9:56 - Devin McCourty joins 17:09 - Tommy Fleetwood's magic moment 21:04 - NFL official "fashion partner"

Victor Cruz shares his insights on the upcoming Big 12 season and the widening gap in college football competitiveness. In the NFL, a dramatic contract dispute unfolds between Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons’ agent, stirring controversy. The MLB’s fragmented media deals are projected to net over $550 million. The chat also touches on the Giants' defense and quarterback dynamics as they gear up for the season, alongside the SEC’s conference changes and the NFL's crackdown on celebrations. The atmosphere is charged with excitement and uncertainty!