Front Office Sports Today

Shohei Ohtani is a free agent, bringing the baseball world to a moment it has been anticipating for years. The two-way star could set the record for highest playing contract in U.S. history. We look at which teams could sign the star.Plus, New York Mets owner Steve Cohen is looking to develop the area around Citi Field with an $8 billion project, which could be contingent on him landing a coveted casino license.

Billie Jean King, who is being honored at Gainbridge’s Parity Week, has made a seismic impact on sports, civil rights, and culture in the U.S. and the world. This week, she’s joining golf and racing legends Annika Sörenstam and Lyn St. James to celebrate and further the causes of creating space and careers for women in sports.We also look at issues with the courts designed for the NBA’s midseason tournament and a slew of MLB managers changing teams.

The WNBA’s move to Portland seemed like a foregone conclusion. So why did it reverse course? The league’s stated reasons don’t necessarily hold water, and Bill Oram of the Oregonian joins to provide an alternate theory, based on his reporting.Plus, we look at a women’s soccer move that will be felt on both sides of the Atlantic, the owner of the Washington Capitals and Wizards seeking $600 million in public funds, and a broken curse in Japanese baseball.

The Breeders Cup, which begins on Friday, offers the largest U.S. prize pool in horse racing. The signature race at the tournament carries a prize of $6 million, but millions more will be won throughout the weekend. Fanduel TV’s Dave Weaver joins us to discuss the race and the state of horse racing amid concerns about equine safety.Plus, we hear from barrier-breaking racing legend Lyn St. James, who was among the first women to break through in the racing world and has continued to advocate for women in a male-dominated sport.

LSU unveiled its lavish women’s basketball locker room, the latest example of how the program has invested in its top-tier program. The school is defending its NCAA tournament title while asserting itself as a top target for recruits and transfers.Plus, we hear from F2 driver Juan Manuel Correa, who had to leave his home country and overcome long odds to make it to his current position, one step away from Formula 1.

After a summer of speculation, James Harden is finally on his way to the Los Angeles Clippers. We look into how the NBA’s new rules around load management for star players may have helped bring the deal to fruition — and how they might give players leverage going forward.Plus, we take a deep dive into the record-low viewership numbers for the World Series, which present a mix of systemic and circumstantial issues for MLB.

No sanctions have been issued in the sign-stealing investigation of undefeated Michigan, but it’s reportedly already affecting head coach Jim Harbaugh. Michigan reportedly rescinded an offer that would have made him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten and fourth among all college coaches — and the NFL will carry over any suspensions he gets from the NCAA, should he return to that league.We also check in on the latest news regarding the Oakland A’s move to Las Vegas and hear from Hall of Fame MLB catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez. A special advisor to the Texas Rangers, Pudge discusses their World Series run and what makes the organization different off the field.

The Texas Rangers accelerated their timeline to putting a contender on the field, and they are being rewarded for it. We dive into certain unique features of the organization that brought them to where they are today.Plus, we hear from Mexican National Flag Football Team quarterback and NFL global ambassador Diana Flores on the growth of flag football and how she and the NFL are seeing green shoots for the sport among women and international fans.

The Texas Rangers host the Arizona Diamondbacks, beginning a World Series matchup few could have predicted. We look into how these two clubs got here — and how they’ll impact viewership and ticket demand.Plus, we hear from The Athletic’s senior MLB writer Evan Drellich on the Fall Classic, how incentivized MLB teams are to win, and an ongoing attempt to remove the league’s century-old antitrust exemption.

Former NFL player and NFL Network analyst Gerald McCoy discusses FIFA's consideration of AT&T Stadium and MetLife Stadium as potential hosts for the World Cup final. The podcast also covers the shifting approach to positions in the NFL and the decline of offense this season. McCoy shares insights on his transition to NFL media and the evolution of offenses, as well as the push towards flag football and efforts to support single-parent homes through the Patricia Diane Foundation.