Le Batard & Friends Network

Today’s word of the day is ‘certainty’ as in tariffs as in money as in salary as in players as in Jackson Merrill as in Kristian Campbell as in many others. (7:30) The Padres gave Jackson Merrill a massive deal. They didn’t need to! They’ve been trying to shed payroll and now they are adding and now they have a core locked through 2033! Can they sustain that payroll? (17:20) The Red Sox gave Kristian Campbell a longterm deal. 5 games into his big league career. They did the same thing last year! (24:00) The Arizona Diamondbacks did something that I’m not sure why they did it. Ketel Marte got another extension. He was under contract for 2 more years and the team extended him! (34:15) Review: The Princess Bride. (38:40) Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night ended with a bang! Walk off homer! Let’s talk bobbles! (43:15) Timberwolves sale is now complete. Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore are now the owners. Just waiting on a vote. $1.5 billion and lawyers later, we have a deal. (50:00) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s not an underdog in sight this Final Four, but never fear! Jordan and Peter are joined by The Field of 68 founder Rob Dauster to diagnose the symptoms of “vulnerable giants.” Can Auburn take down Florida? Can Duke and Cooper Flagg get their chance at a title? Come for the Tournament analysis, stay for Peter’s epic NBA tanking rant! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Franchise valuations are going up, up, up — and the first $10 billion team can't be far away. But inside the owners' meetings, though, generational warfare is underway: Can A-Rod snag the Timberwolves from the iron grip of an 83-year-old billionaire? Will the Celtics make private equity sexy? And how long until every NBA game is on national TV? Pablo Torre & The Expiring Assets (aka John Skipper and David Samson with a cold) are back to appraise Gollum's ring and stare into James Dolan's all-seeing Eye of Seventh Avenue. • Previously: How the Billion-Dollar War to Own the Timberwolves Went Nuclear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmOkcQwZ-s8 • Subscribe to Nothing Personal with David Samson https://www.youtube.com/@NPDS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steph and Jokic gave us so much to talk about last night, Amin and Izzy don't even know where to start! Steph Curry is single-handedly carrying the Warriors to the five seed, where they're likely to face LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. Can Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green or ANYBODY give Steph some help?!? Meanwhile up North, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves survived a 61-point triple-double from the reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic-- but they had a little help from a double agent. Does Russell Westbrook's latest gaffe spell doom for Denver, or will Brodie have his redemption in the playoffs? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘diligently’ as in Rays as in St. Pete as in pursue as in the Trop as in relocation? What is happening with the Tampa Bay Rays? Right now the team is playing at the Yankees Spring Training facility. It’s a one year deal. And then what? Well a major deadline just passed and the Rays let it pass. (11:40) Randy Levine of the Yankees had a statement that is hard to believe. It wasn’t a normal statement. It was a Thank You letter to politicians. (18:08) Jerry Jones has found himself in another situation due to no one other than Jerry Jones. Micah Parsons wants a new deal. Jerry Jones went out of his way to disrespect Parsons agent. Fun! (32:24) Review: Adult Best Friends. (37:40) So You Wanna Talk to Samson!? Someone asked me about Roki Sasaki and his body language after struggling through 2 starts. Hmm. (46:00) NPPOD. (49:00) The St. Louis Cardinals continue to head in the wrong direction. The team underperformed, but the fans showed up. Now the team is just bad, and the fans aren’t showing up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Amin and Izzy delve into the NBA’s Most Improved Player race, wondering if a former #1 pick like Cade Cunningham can ever win the award, even after an impressive season with the Detroit Pistons. Plus, we look at other contenders like Dyson Daniels, Tyler Herro, and Christian Braun, and the broader implications of the Most Improved Player award. We also talk about the NBA and FIBA exploring the creation of a new 16-team basketball league in Europe set to rival the Euroleague. Is an NBA expansion coming? Click play to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ‘fool’ as in April Fool as in Jurickson Profar as in the Atlanta Braves as in disaster. That’s right we have our first PED suspension of the big league season and Profar is done for 80 games. Fool! Can the Braves rebound from this dreadful start? (13:00 ) Rafael Devers still can’t hit. Still can’t make contact. Historically bad start. But the team did sign Garrett Crochet for a record deal! Happy! (21:25) Athletics played in Sacramento. Minor league ballpark. And they got crushed. And a drone stopped the game. And the media center is a tent. (33:00) Review: The Room Next Door. (35:13) Browns owner Jimmy Haslam finally admitted what we all know… the Deshaun Watson trade as a disaster. (42:40) Woody Johnson met the media and said the Jets moved on from Aaron Rodgers but wasn’t his choice! Also talked about buyouts for employees. Also mentioned the NFLPA being a joke. What a guy! (50:08) NPPOD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hank Azaria created more than 100 voices for The Simpsons, including Moe the Bartender, Chief Wiggum and (formerly) Apu. So why is the single most talented voice actor of his generation, at 60 years old, suddenly the lead singer of a Springsteen tribute band? Because — in recovery from the fear that helped originate his superpower, the failure that forced him to embrace "character acting," the cancellation that became a case study, and the threat of A.I. — he was overtaken by Bruce Juice. And today, inside PTFO's studio, he takes the stage. • Catch Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band on Tour https://www.ezstreetnyc.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’damn’ as in Damn the Torpedos are is Yankees as in baseball as in new bats. What do you think about these new bats? Aaron Judge doesn’t use them. A bunch of other Yankees who homered did. Is MLB going to get rid of these? (18:20) Max Scherzer is hurt. Max Scherzer told us he was going to get hurt. (24:40) Rafael Devers has been historically bad to start the season. Strike outs everywhere. Can’t hit. Can’t make contact. (34:21) Review: Reacher Season 3. (36:00) Let’s talk about what MLB did about Opening Day. They gave customers who missed out due to some tech issues a discount on merch. (42:40) NPPOD. (45:00) The Final Four on the men’s side is set. It’s all top seeds. (48:00) The Memphis Grizzlies fired its head coach with 10 games left. A 4/5 seed in the NBA. Why now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did the late George Foreman's merchandising millions almost go to Chuck Norris instead? What aren't influencers selling to men these days? And is this season of The White Lotus actually good? (Spoiler alert for later in this episode: If you've seen through Episode 6, you're good.) And more from Pablo's trip to L.A.: the neck hammock, erect rods, and OnlyEyes. Further content: George Foreman Turned a Home Grill Into a Culinary Heavyweight (Kim Severson) https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/22/dining/george-foreman-grill.html It's Bait (Rebecca Jennings) https://www.vulture.com/article/ashton-hall-morning-routine.html Let's Talk About the [Spoiler Alert] on The White Lotus, with Help From Some Experts (Eliana Dockterman) https://time.com/7269550/the-white-lotus-incest-lochlan-saxon/ Subscribe to The Mina Kimes Show (featuring Lenny) podcast https://www.youtube.com/@minakimes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’undefeated’ as in who is rooting for a team that won yesterday? (Except the Cubs) Dodgers win again. Yankees started with a win. Juan Soto had a chance for the Mets and didn’t get it done. The Orioles looked hot. Baseball is back! (10:43) Vladdy Jr reportedly got a new deal offered to him by the Blue Jays. (18:20) MLB had a problem. Streaming was down. App was down. Uh oh. (23:30) The media problems never end! What about the Yankees and Comcast? More problems! (35:00) Review: Last Breath. (38:20) NPPOD. (43:00) Adam Silver had to meet the media yesterday and he had a lot to say. All Star Game problems. Expansion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We've reached the Odds of March, that mythical time on the NBA calendar when truth is put on hold and chaos reigns. The Bulls, Suns, and Clippers are among the hottest teams in the league, while Nikola Jokic and Jayson Tatum are on the bench. Bronny is putting up star numbers (don't ask who he's playing) and Anthony Davis' return has given the Mavericks new hope. Plus, Amin and Izzy share some highlights from their trip to Miami with Akbar Domestique. Does Jimmy Butler deserve a statue? Which design is your favorite? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter or Threads @oddbalhoops. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A full house on Mystery Crate this week as the crew discusses commercials driving them crazy during March Madness. Later, they examine the rise of Amir 'Aura' Kahn and the dramatic fall of Hawk Tuah as Amin claims that she stepped out of her box. Izzy has trouble deciding what to eat for dinner every night, Billy regrets not learning how to play the piano during COVID, and Jessica relives a terrible take out moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Billy, Mikey A and Fuentes run through the latest headlines including; Russell Wilson signing with the New York Giants and Stefon Diggs getting a three year contract with the New England Patriots. Bracket Bonanza is back and bigger than ever as the Selection Committee seeded all 32 NFL teams. More Mikely's hit on AFC East wide receivers, comeback players and huge 2025 seasons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thirty years ago this month, Michael Jordan shocked the world with a two-word transmission: "I'm back." But the rise and fall of this especially nostalgic technology is inextricably hard-wired to the sports world, from frantic prodigies to foul-mouthed coaches and fans glued to FaxCam. Pablo communes with a relic between himself and J.A. Adande — the Hall-of-Fame sportswriter and long-suffering fax-sender — for a jam session on innovation and increasingly epic fails that plunges PTFO into the literal depths of modern communication. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’holiday’ as in Opening Day as in baseball is back as in let’s go! There are so many great games today! Keep your hopes up! Your team has a chance! (9:08) Rob Manfred made his media rounds yesterday and had a lot to say about a lot. He commented on Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers, ESPN, and more! (17:20) MLB win totals! Let’s make some magic! (24:10) So You Wanna Talk to Samson!? Someone asked me about Rafael Devers, Alex Bregman, and the Red Sox decision making. (34:23) Review: The Killing Fields. (39:00) The Boston Celtics sale has hit a snag. Can Bill Chisholm not afford it? Is there too much private equity involved? (45:40) NPPOD. (47:20) LeBron went on the Pat McAfee show and let everyone have it. He spoke about MJ, his son, Stephen A, reporters. Everyone! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can No. 6 BYU Take Down No. 2 Alabama? Can Michigan upset Auburn? Is Houston that good? Jordan and Peter have you covered on which teams to look at going into the Sweet 16! Plus, some early MLB opening day picks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’predictions’ as in Major League Baseball as in baseball as in Opening Day as in World Series as in MVP as in baseball! Let’s jump right into the biggest storylines! (16:00) What are the biggest storylines I’m following this year!? (27:25) Review: The Brutalist. (32:20) NPPOD. (37:30) Let’s talk division winners! (45:40) Wild Card time! (48:00) World Series time! (49:40) Award time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy Butler makes his highly anticipated return to Miami as the Golden State Warriors take on the struggling Miami Heat. Amin and guest cohost Jeremy Tache reflect on Butler's time in South Beach, and analyze Draymond Green and Butler' differing takes on how much this game means. With the Heat struggling this year, should Erik Spoelstra or Pat Riley should be feeling the pressure? We close the show with the first-ever edition of Shot Clock, an NBA trivia tic-tac-toe game show from the mind of Jeremy Tache! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’bar’ as in raise the bar as in set the bar as in expectations as in Paul Skenes. He’s entering Year 2. Opening Day starter. Cy Young favorite. He spoke with a reporter about what he thinks of the Pirates. What he means to the team. (9:20) Andrew Miller spoke yesterday about salary caps and dynasties in baseball. He now works for the MLBPA. (18:40) The Minnesota Twins want to sell. The Twins owners want $1.7 billion. The Twins hold a ton of debt. The Twins will still sell. (26:01) So You Wanna Talk to Samson!? Someone asked me about the Giants and Red Sox approaches to the game and spending. Who will be right? (37:00) A national security failure already. What a world we live in. (43:55) NPPOD. (46:15) The college basketball transfer portal has opened up. A record number of players in there. The system is broken. It’s all broken! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices