The Big Suey: What Is Your Spaghetti Policy? (feat. The 65-Inch Jewish Texan)

David Samson is here from Nothing Personal. I keep telling people to listen because your show on sports business is sharper than most. How often do you hear TV folks talk like experts and think to yourself, this person doesn’t know what they’re saying?

It’s wild how often confident takes have no grounding. I spent too much time correcting that. And for the record, having a journalism degree doesn’t make you a journalist, just like a law degree doesn’t make you a practicing lawyer.

All right, sports business. The Bears flirting with Indiana—what’s actually happening?

Relax, they’re not moving. This is page one of the stadium playbook: threaten relocation when you don’t get enough public money. Saying “Northwest Indiana” is leverage, not a destination. The funny part is Indiana’s governor jumped in like it was real. That only helps the Bears’ bargaining position.

How effective is that, especially with teams like the Chiefs playing Missouri against Kansas?

Teams want governments bidding against each other. Two legislatures are better than one if you’re chasing subsidies. Kansas did it for the Chiefs. Indiana is the same idea for the Bears. More competition means more dollars.

You once wore a cowboy hat and boots to sell a move. Quick one: Oklahoma City. When the Sonics left Seattle, what did you think?

Back then OKC felt minor league. The Sonics sale made the move inevitable, and it turned out to be a hit. Now the league is working hard to get back to Seattle, and the city will end up paying more to regain a team than it would have to keep one. If you have a big league team, by definition your city becomes big league.

Speaking of big spectacles, Jake Paul’s fight is pushing two‑for‑one deals and “low ticket alerts.” Trouble?

Promoters manufacture urgency all the time. When demand softens, they discount. That’s normal. Jake Paul is an entertainment product. Not every show is an A, but he controls enough of the business that C‑plus nights can still make money. He’s a diversified operator, not just a boxer.

World Cup pricing in the U.S. looks off. Did FIFA overestimate demand, or is European consumer pushback just stronger?

I don’t think it’s about the economy. World Cups rely on travel. Given what’s being discussed around entry screening and social media history, a lot of international fans may stay away. Local interest alone won’t fill every stadium. Shortfall in travelers matters.

Let’s have some fun. We played the Miracle in Miami radio call. Thoughts?

If you’re on radio, describe the action. “I can’t believe what I just saw” doesn’t help listeners. From that call, I couldn’t tell what happened.

For clarity: it was a short pass to Kenny Stills, lateraled to DeVante Parker, then to Kenyan Drake, and Gronk—on defense for a deep heave that never came—couldn’t make the tackle. Touchdown. Ballgame.

WNBA CBA time. You’ve been forceful about the revenue split issue. Where’s this headed?

The NBA doesn’t want to peg WNBA salaries to a revenue share the way the NBA does. They’ve extended deadlines to avoid an immediate work stoppage, but the core fight remains. Owners prefer predictable costs—raise minimums, set caps—rather than a percentage of revenue that doesn’t reflect required profitability.

Reports say there’s a 15 percent number with higher maxes but fewer benefits like housing. Is that a classic “appease the stars, trim the base” move?

We price everything on a sheet. Housing has a cost. Benefits have a cost. Minimums and maxes have a cost. You trade across columns until the totals work. Nothing settles alone; it all settles together, usually at the end, with owners aiming to give less than they get.

Big picture, the players called this their moment, which raises expectations. If asks get too aggressive, a well‑funded rival like Project B could lure talent. If that happens at scale, the WNBA is at risk. Owners will be fine either way. I don’t see a deal before the new year, and this could drag for months. Players should build options, but don’t assume Adam Silver will cave.

A‑Rod’s new doc. Worth it?

It’s an image rebuild executed step by step. In baseball circles he was despised, and now he’s a marquee TV face and a team owner. The climb is fascinating, and yes, there’s plenty of Miami. As for Jeter on those Fox sets, their faux chumminess cracks me up.

You smiled saying Jeter shouldn’t have been there in the first place. That was… gleeful.

People around him know he’s not what the public thinks. Fans don’t really know athletes off the field. That’s true of everyone unless you’re close friends.

Last topic. The Oscars moving to YouTube. Why is that a big deal?

YouTube is now a major network. Broadcast TV matters mostly for live sports. Streaming gives the Academy flexibility on length, format, and audience. It’s evolution, not demotion. The deal starts later, but I wouldn’t be shocked if it happens sooner.

Before you go, while you were hunting for the cowboy‑hat photo, Zazlow found the tape. You did say “everyone” about Jeter. Consider yourself Jernoed.

Then I’ll own it. Nothing Personal is the podcast. We love you. We’ve got you. Let’s go.