The Lead

The NFL Offseason is in full swing. There have been draft disrupting trades, big money signings, and some moves that left people scratching their heads. Today, The Athletic's Mike Sando joins us to talk about some of the key storylines from the free agency period and if anyone has done enough to unseat the defending champs.You can read Mike Sando's NFL coverage here: https://theathletic.com/author/mike-sando/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Thursday, a couple of the Lakers’ top rivals made notable moves at the NBA trade deadline, with the Nuggets picking up Aaron Gordon, and the Clippers adding former Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo. Meanwhile, the defending champs — who are currently without LeBron James and Anthony Davis — did nothing. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Bill Oram to look at why the Lakers didn’t make changes, how they’re trying to stay afloat without their two top stars, and why they could still be poised for another championship run. Follow Bill Oram’s coverage of the Lakers: https://theathletic.com/author/bill-oram/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Tuesday, UConn Women's Basketball coasted past Syracuse into its 27th consecutive Sweet Sixteen. One of the key drivers of the Huskies success this season is Freshman star Paige Bueckers. And the 19-year-old guard is more than just a basketball prodigy, she's also a social media sensation who has more Instagram follower than people like Justin Fields and Jalen Suggs. Today, The Athletic’s Charlotte Carroll tells us why Bueckers resonates so much with fans -- and just how bright her future appears.Read Charlotte Carroll's UConn basketball coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/charlotte-carroll/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper won his first hockey championship more than two decades ago, and far from the spotlight of the NHL. At the time, he was an underpaid, 32-year-old public defender and first-year head coach with the Lansing Catholic High School Cougars -- a position that the former college lacrosse player was arguably not even qualified for at the time. The Athletic's Joe Smith tracked down players from that high school team, and the judge who recruited Cooper to coach them, and he joins us to discuss Cooper's journey from the courtroom to the local ice arena to the NHL.Read Joe Smith's story about Jon Cooper's remarkable journey:https://theathletic.com/2435916/2021/03/10/jon-coopers-first-title-hint-it-wasnt-the-lightnings-stanley-cup/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Three years after their remarkable run to the Final Four, the Loyola Chicago Ramblers are at it again, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament after knocking off No. 1-seeded Illinois over the weekend. Today, we’re joined by The Athletic’s Brian Hamilton to discuss the return of 101-year-old team chaplain Sister Jean, star player Cameron Krutwig and his lucky mustache, and why this team continues to be far more dangerous than expected.Read Brian Hamilton’s story about Cameron Krutwig and Loyola Chicago: https://theathletic.com/2457466/2021/03/21/loyola-chicago-cam-krutwig-mustache/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The New York Mets had an eventful off-season. First, the team was purchased by billionaire Steve Cohen who made big promises about a new day for Mets baseball. Cohen initially appeared to be living up to that pledge when the team traded for Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor — one of the brightest young stars in baseball. But shortly after that blockbuster acquisition, the Mets found themselves mired in scandals that cast a pall over the bright future ownership had promised. Today, The Athletic's Tim Britton joins us to talk about the state of the Mets and what management is doing to rebuild the organization both on and off the field.Read all of Tim Britton's Mets coverage: https://theathletic.com/author/tim-britton/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A third lawsuit has been filed against Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, and the NFL announced on Thursday that it is launching its own investigation into the matter. The Athletic's Aaron Reiss, who covers the Texans, joins us to discuss the latest, including the colorful lawyers on both sides, and how the lawsuits could impact the future of a man who has been the subject of endless trade speculation.More from Aaron Reiss:https://theathletic.com/author/aaron-reiss/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A few weeks ago at the Golden Globes, Jason Sudeikis won the award for Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy for his performance as Ted Lasso, the American football coach who goes to England to coach professional soccer. It turns out that character is based, in part, on a real-life coach from Sudeikis’s past. The Athletic’s Rustin Dodd recently tracked down that coach, and Rustin joins us today to talk about how the relationship between him and Sudeikis helped inspire an iconic character all these years later. Read Rustin Dodd’s story about Jason Sudeikis, Donnie Campbell and Ted Lasso: https://theathletic.com/2430910/2021/03/15/ted-lasso-jason-sudeikis-coach-kansas/?source=theleadpodcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It was one of the strangest moments in hockey history. During a nationally-televised NHL playoff game in 2018, Boston Bruins star Brad Marchand leaned in close to a Tampa Bay Lightning opponent...and licked his face. And it was the second time Marchand had done this in two weeks. But since then, the frequently suspended and widely loathed winger has not faced disciplinary action by the NHL a single time. The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa wondered how this remarkable transformation came about, and discovered that it started with a conversation at a backyard barbecue. Three years later, Marchand is aiming to rewrite his legacy and lead the Bruins to the Stanley Cup.Read Fluto Shinzawa's full story about Brad Marchand's transformation:https://theathletic.com/2377748/2021/03/04/after-the-lick-how-the-bruins-brad-marchand-eliminated-the-rat-from-his-game/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Need a little help on your office pool bracket? Or are you just really excited to watch the drama of the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament unfold? Either way, The Athletic's Seth Davis, who also covers the tournament for CBS Sports, has you covered. Seth joins us to explain who he thinks will win it all, who might self-implode, and who could become the feel-good stories of the year.Check out Seth Davis's complete March Madness bracket:https://theathletic.com/2446936/2021/03/15/2021-ncaa-tournament-seth-davis-picks-his-entire-march-madness-bracket/?source=theleadpodcastSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.