Front Office Sports Today

ESPN analyst Jay Williams opens up about ESPN, the NIL era, and his desire to buy 49% of Duke basketball in a conversation with Front Office Sports editor-in-chief Dan Roberts at the Tuned-In summit.Plus, Matt Schwimmer, CEO of Playmaker HQ and GM of Action Network, joins to discuss the new era of high-profile athlete-led podcasts in light of the Kelce brothers signing a reported $100 million deal with Amazon.Also, the weekend put a number of high-profile quarterbacks in the spotlight for very different reasons, namely Tua Tagovailoa, Deshaun Watson, and Arch Manning.

The Pac-12 is adding four teams, and seems likely to survive conference realignment as an FBS school. Front Office Sports reporter Amanda Christovich provides the latest on what’s happening, and what it means for college football.Plus, we hear about what it’s like to start a sports league with Premier Lacrosse League CEO Paul Rabil, and we get a live report from the Solheim Cup.Also, not all is well with the A’s and White Sox, and superstar players encourage fans to vote.

Stephen A. Smith joined Front Office Sports TunedIn summit and was very candid about his negotiations with ESPN. The “First Take” host wants the biggest contract in sports media. We also hear from ESPN reporter Marty Smith on the uncertain future of college football as schools scramble for more funds and donors feel maxed out.Plus, Steph Curry wants to own an NBA team, Chelsea could leave its home of 120 years, and the Manningcast was a low point in an otherwise stellar first NFL week.

ESPN president of content Burke Magnus admitted that he has hopes of signing Charles Barkley after TNT loses NBA media rights. He joined Front Office Sports’ Tuned-In event to discuss the network’s approach in the shifting world of sports media.Plus, Brian Murphy, CEO of Athletes First, joins to explain how his agency secured the highest average annual value with Dak Prescott’s new deal, and what it is like representing Jordan Love, Tua Tagovailoa, and Aaron Rodgers.We also have bodycam footage from Tyreek Hill’s detainment and the latest mishap from the Oakland A’s.

Dak Prescott’s record-breaking four-year, $240 million deal underscored a recent trend: star contracts are getting shorter. Doug Hendrickson, executive vice president of Wasserman Football joins the show to discuss how player and team desires have shifted, the evolving role of the agency, the dynamics of contract holdouts, and how he ended up starting a podcast with Gavin Newsom and Marshawn Lynch.Plus, we have the latest on Tyreek Hill’s detainment, ESPN’s AI recap generator fell down on the job, and the PWHL picked team names.

The NFL saw its big opening week clouded by the detention of Dolphins’ star receiver Tyreek Hill on the way to his game. Prior to that the league broke records for its kickoff game between the Chiefs and Ravens, with major returns as well for the Friday matchup in Brazil.Plus, we get a look inside the 49ers front office with chief revenue officer Brent Shoeb and a perspective on the ticketing market amid threats to Ticketmaster’s dominance with Sports Illustrated Tickets CEO David Lane. Also, the Mavericks have a new broadcaster, the NFL is cracking down on safety violations, and we may see Bill Belichick back on the sidelines before too long.

The NFL is rolling out big changes this season, including a revamped kickoff and a ban on the “hip drop” tackle. New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II and New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees join the show to discuss how the league is shifting and what keeps them busy off the field.Plus, Memphis dismissed four staff members from its basketball team, the Big 12 is putting its talks with UConn on hold, Alex Morgan is retiring, and Tom Brady has his highly anticipated broadcasting debut on Sunday.

The defending champion Kansas City Chiefs will kick off the NFL season amid talks of relocation and the constant buzz around their generational quarterback and tight end who is half of one of America’s most famous couples. Front Office Sports newsletter writer David Rumsey spoke to Chiefs president Mark Donovan about life inside one of the NFL’s most intriguing teams.Plus, Action Network chief content officer Chad Millman joins to discuss the state of sports betting, Deion Sanders and Caitlin Clark continue to have huge effects, and an NFL executive was suspended over controversial statements made to a controversial source.

Roger Federer changed tennis on the court, and now he’s looking to make his mark off it. His agent, and the chairman of the Laver Cup, Tony Godsick sits down with Front Office Sports editor-in-chief Dan Roberts to discuss his and Federer’s vision for tennis.Plus, we delve into college football’s big first weekend, the uncertain future of the Pac-12 with following its failure to reach a new deal with the Mountain West, and we hear from Cheta Emba, a rugby player working to improve girls’ access to the sport with her Gainbridge Parity Week grant.

The NFL is implementing new rules and also preparing for a Super Bowl that seeks to include everyone. Disability advocate Mark Raymond Jr. explains how he is working with New Orleans to improve access to the Big Game and discusses how stadiums and arenas are doing these days when it comes to inclusion.Plus, some college programs are struggling to adapt to the modern era, Scottie Scheffler adds to his unprecedented season, the Seine is causing problems at the Paralympics, and we hear from TOCA founder Eddie Lewis on why he’s leaning into the women’s game.