The Sports Reporters

Compass Media Networks

About

Before "PTI" or "First Take" or any of today's popular sports debate programs on TV, there was The Sports Reporters on ESPN. For nearly 30 years, every Sunday morning, top sportswriters exchanged in passionate, intelligent conversation about the major sports issues and personalities today. Now, anchored by Mitch Albom and Mike Lupica - two of The Sports Reporters longest-standing members - the magic of the show is in podcast form, enabling the hosts to continue their highly popular tradition with the benefit of twice-a-week perspectives. In addition to Albom, of the Detroit Free Press, one of the most decorated sportswriters in history, and Lupica, perhaps the country's most recognized and opinionated sports scribe, a third voice will join each program, ranging from former Sports Reporters panelists like Bob Ryan, Bill Rhoden and Christine Brennan, to new and fresh voices in the industry. Join the best conversation in sports every Monday and Thursday.

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332 episodes

The Sports Reporters - Episode 474 - More NFL Flux. Final Four Hype. NBA East Getting Tight

The NFL continues to stay top of mind as Bruce Arians steps down as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and heads for a front office position. Exploring what this means for all parties impacted. Plus, a deep dive into the Final Four. Who you like to win it all? The NBA is heading toward the playoffs and the East is extremely tight. Who should we be keeping an eye on as we enter the last few weeks of the regular season? The demise of the LA Lakers continues. Will they make it to the playoffs? And could Tiger Woods actually play in the Masters this year?!

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Mar 31, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 473 - A Blue Blood Final 4. NFL QB Decisions Still to be Made. Oscars Slap

The Final Four is set and you'll probably recognize the participants! The guys break down the "Blue Bloodiest" Final Four. Can Duke send Coach K off into the sunset with a National Title? Will their rival, UNC, ride their hot play to a title for first year head coach Hubert Davis? Can Villanova overcome another crucial injury to earn a title? And Kansas, the loan #1 seed left, is it theirs to lose? Plus, QB musical chairs is heading toward the end and the music is about to stop... Some important QB decisions still to be made. Where will Jimmy G and Baker Mayfield land? And oh what a night at the Oscars! The guys break down all the drama between Chris Rock and Will Smith. Don't miss an entertaining episode of the Sports Reporters Podcast!

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Mar 28, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 472 - NCAA Tournament Set to Come Alive. Major Movement in the NFL not Involving a QB

The NCAA Tournament is set to come alive as we head toward some great matchups in the Sweet 16! Number 1 seeds in danger of being bounced? Who can continue their wild ride in March? Plus, another big trade in the NFL has the league buzzing! Tyreek Hill moves from KC to Miami and promptly receives a new, unprecedented, deal from the Dolphins. Discussing how this bold move impacts the WR market and QB's Tua Tagovailoa and Patrick Mahomes. And a Tennis star retires young... Don't miss this episode of the Sports Reporters Podcast!

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Mar 24, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 471 - Big Dance Usual Suspects. Stomach Turning Trade in the NFL. MLB Deals

How's your bracket looking? The guys discuss the NCAA Tournament and breakdown some of the big storylines coming out of the big dance. Plus, the Cleveland Browns strike a massive trade with the Houston Texans for Deshaun Watson... The Browns then sign Watson to a massive contract! But will Watson be able to play this season? How does this whole situation sit with you? And some big time money and deals being thrown around in MLB. Where are some of the top free agents heading? Don't miss this episode of the Sports Reporters Podcast!

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Mar 21, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 470 - Bracket Breakdown. The Next QB Domino. MLB Vax Issues In NYC

The guys breakdown the NCAA Basketball Tournament bracket. Why it's time to deliver for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. And the importance of a star player at this time of year. Deshaun Watson has a ton of interest around the NFL. Where will he play next season? And why a New York City vaccine mandate may hamper the Yankees and Mets home games.

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Mar 16, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 469 - Tom Brady Unretires. NCAA Hoops Bracket Released. MLB is Back!

Tom Brady says hold my avocado tequila, I'm coming back! The guys react to Tom Brady announcing his return to the NFL. How it shapes the free agent landscape. And what do you think his motivation to come back was? Plus, let the madness begin! The NCAA Tournament field is set and it seems wide open this year. And MLB ended its labor dispute with a deal and all is right in the world. Why the focus switches to Covid and the teams who have to travel to Canada.

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Mar 14, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 468 - NFL Quarterback Revolving Door

The NFL remains top of mind with Quarterbacks changing teams all over the place! Why it's exciting for the league. Was the NFL changed forever when the Rams went all in for a QB? Why don't draft picks mean as much to teams anymore? Can Russell Wilson deliver a championship in Denver? Will Carson Wentz rebound in Washington? Who is the next domino to fall? But it all might run through Green Bay as Aaron Rodgers decides to remain a Packer. Don't miss a fun episode of the Sports Reports Podcast!

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Mar 10, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 467 - Basketball Headliners: Coach K's Career in Perspective. LeBron Drops 56 Points

The guys put Coach K's career in perspective. The NBA postseason is setting up to be a rich one! LeBron drops 56 points, but are the Lakers a threat? Whose on the rise at the right time in the NBA? And are we any closer to a labor deal being reach in MLB?

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Mar 07, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 466 - QB's Make the NFL World Go Round. New Blood in the NBA MVP Discussion

The Quarterback remains the most important position on the football field and it continues to dominate our off-season discussions. The guys sort through the speculation and get you up to speed with all the current possibilities. Plus, the NBA MVP race has two fresh faces stealing the show. Can Ja Morant continue his amazing play? How about DeMar DeRozan... Will his dominance continue? And oh yeah, baseball has regular season postponements!

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Mar 03, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 465 - A Dynamic Duo in Philly Puts the NBA on Notice. MLB Big Picture

The James Harden show has arrived in Philadelphia and the pairing of Harden and Joel Embiid makes the 76ers formidable. What to make of their sensational play in a limited sample size? Why the East is wide open for the taking. The Suns stumble without CP3... And the Lakers troubles continue as they get clobbered by New Orleans... How can they turn it around in LA? Will the MLB owners and players come to an agreement and end the lock out? A self-imposed deadline is here... What will come of it? And looking at global changes the game can make to stay relevant. Plus, a quick examination of a historic Saturday in college basketball as the top 6 teams ranked in the AP all lost!

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Feb 28, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 464 - MLB Deadline. QB Flux. PGA Rival League Forming?

There is no such thing as an off-season in sports! Major League Baseball imposes a deadline to get a labor dispute settled but the sides seem far apart. Are regular season games in jeopardy of being missed? What are some of the sticking points? So many interesting scenarios involving QB's this NFL off season. Which one interests you the most? Also, discussing possible NFL broadcast booth shake ups. Could there be a rival golf league forming to compete with the PGA? Don't miss the wide variety of topics discussed on this episode of the Sports Reporters Podcast!

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Feb 24, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 463 - NCAA Basketball Suspension. NBA All-Star Weekend

An ugly incident in college basketball ends with suspensions and fines. Does it go far enough? Did the NBA All-Star weekend work for you this year? Is Deshaun Watson untradeable at this point?

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Feb 22, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 462 - Retired QB Dominates the NFL Dialogue. NBA Heads Into the All-Star Break

Would it surprise you if Tom Brady comes back to play in the NFL? What is Aaron Rodgers' play? Will he leave Green Bay? How two #12's are dominating the current NFL dialogue. Plus, discussing current storylines in the NBA at the All-Star break. The Winter Olympics continue to be an afterthought... How can they become relevant again? And an ugly story unfolding in MLB.

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Feb 17, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 461 - Super Bowl 56 Debrief

An ending fit for Hollywood as The Los Angeles Rams win Super Bowl 56 in dramatic fashion! The guys discuss all the storylines from the big game. Plus, where does Joe Burrow and Cincinnati go from here? James Harden is on his way to Philadelphia and Ben Simmons to Brooklyn... What the big NBA trade does for both teams. And another Russian drug scandal casts a shadow over an already abysmal Winter Olympics.

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Feb 14, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 460 - Super Bowl 56 Preview

The Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals are set to meet in Super Bowl 56! The guys discuss all the storylines ahead of the big game!

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Feb 10, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 459 - NFL Coaching Young Bloods. NBA Storylines. Winter Olympics Aren't What They Used To Be

The one trend that is noticeable in the NFL is that all the new coaching hires seem to be young, relatively unknown names. But why aren't there more black head coaches in the NFL getting a chance? The NBA seems to have no issues... Can you believe the NBA season is approaching the All-Star break?! Catching up on NBA storylines... Will the Russell Westbrook experiment in LA be the death nail to the super team concept? And why is no one watching this year's Winter Olympics? Is the "x-games" model to blame?

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Feb 07, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 458 - Examining the Brian Flores Lawsuit Against the NFL. Brady Officially Retires. Olympics

The guys discuss the Brian Flores lawsuit against the NFL alleging racial discrimination in the hiring of coaches. Will the lawsuit force change? How it exposes the Rooney Rule as a shame. And will Brian Flores coach again in the NFL? Plus, Tom Brady officially announces his retirement but fails to mention the New England Patriots? What is Brady's legacy moment? And did you realize the winter Olympics have started?!

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Feb 03, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 457 - Super Bowl 56 Set! Brady Confusion. Nadal Legacy

What a sports weekend!? Dissecting the big moments that led to the Rams and Bengals clinching spots in Super Bowl 56. Is Tom Brady retired or not? What led to all this confusion? And Rafael Nadal provided one of the all time great sports moments when he came from behind to win his 21st Major Tennis tournament... Discussing his legacy.

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Jan 31, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 456 - NFL Conference Championship Games Should Be Very Interesting! MLB HOF Debate

Who will play in Super Bowl 56? The time to find out has finally come! The guys set up an exciting conference championship weekend in the NFL. Rams v 49ers and Chiefs v Bengals. Plus, discussing the many elements to the baseball Hall of Fame debate. Should players who got caught using steroids be allowed in?

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Jan 27, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 455 - Best Weekend of Football Ever? NFL Playoffs Take Center Stage

What an epic weekend of NFL football! The AFC and NFC Championship games are set after the greatest weekend of football the guys' have ever seen. Breaking down the surprising victories by the Bengals and 49ers. Discussing how the Rams were able to hang on and knock off the defending champs in Tampa. And some of the purest QB play we have witnessed was played in Kansas City, as the Chiefs defeat the Bills in an OT thriller. Get caught up with the all the exciting NFL action right here on the legendary Sports Reporter Podcast!

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Jan 24, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 454 - NFL Divisional Playoff Preview. Murky NCAA Ruling. Westbrook Benched in LA

The NFL playoffs are heating up and the guys preview the exciting weekend of action. How to beat Tom Brady? Can San Francisco stay hot? Is this the Bills' year? Plus, the NCAA adopts a new transgender policy. Is this a problem without a solution? Making sense of the ruling. And is the Russell Westbrook, LA Lakers experiment over? What led to the stars benching? And who's really running things in LA?

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Jan 20, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 453 - NFL Wildcard Results. Tennis Star Barred from Australian Open

The NFL playoffs are off and running and the guys react to the early results. A disastrous ending for the Cowboys in Dallas. Brady and the Bucs make it look easy. Cincy swag! Chiefs take a minute, but finally get it going. Buffalo dominates New England. And the QB's take center stage for LA and Arizona. A Rams-Cards preview. Plus, Novak Djokovic has is visa revoked by the Australian government and must leave the country. How this complicates his tennis future... Will his covid vax status continue to be an issue moving forward?

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Jan 17, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 452 - Setting Up a Historic NFL Playoff Weekend. Georgia the College Football Champs

More NFL playoff games equals more excitement! The guys set up a massive weekend of NFL playoff football. Plus, discussing the Georgia victory over Alabama for the College Football National Championship. Football early and often on the legendary Sports Reporters Podcast! Don't miss it.

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Jan 13, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 451 - Week 18 in the NFL Doesn't Disappoint. College National Title Game. Klay is Back!

The NFL playoffs are set and we couldn't be more thrilled with how the regular season ended. The guys discuss the wild finishes and set up the playoff picture. Plus, Alabama and Georgia are set to square off for a College Football National Championship. The guys discuss the game and preview some of the keys to look for. Klay Thompson was silky smooth in his return for the Warriors. Are they favorites again? And did Novack Djokovic get the "star treatment" down under? He can stay in Australia but the saga is far from over.

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Jan 10, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 450 - Covid-19 Still Overshadowing Sports. AB's Side of the Story. Final Weekend in the NFL

The world's #1 tennis player, Novak Djokovic, won't be participating in this year's Australian Open because of his vaccination status and it has turned into an international incident! Plus, Antonio Brown gives his side of the story in his dramatic exit last Sunday. What to make of that situation? Kyrie Irving makes his Nets debut with mixed fanfare. Should he be celebrated? Why do the Nets put up with his situation? And don't forget about Week 18 in the NFL! There's still a ton to play for in the last weekend of the regular season. The guys sort it all out. Don't miss a loaded Sports Reporters Podcast!

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Jan 06, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 449 - NFC Goes Through Lambeau. Wide Open AFC. SEC and Everyone Else

A New Year Packed with Football! The guys unpack the weekend in College Football. Plus, all the storylines out of the NFL discussed as we head for the playoffs! Don't miss this episode of the Sports Reporters Podcast!

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Jan 03, 2022
The Sports Reporters - Episode 448 - Remembering The Great John Madden. College Football Playoff Discussion. NFL Week 17

The entire sports world mourns the loss of the great John Madden. The guys take a look at his legacy and share some fun stories. Plus, the College Football Playoff takes center stage as the semifinal games kick off. Is Cincinnati in prime position to pull off the upset of Alabama? Is it Michigan's time to shine? And some interesting Week 17 matchups in the NFL as the playoffs are in sight. Happy New Year's from the Sports Reporters Podcast!

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Dec 30, 2021
The Sports Reporters - Episode 447 - Assessing the Top NFL Teams As We Head Down the Stretch

Another fun and wild NFL Weekend! We assess the top NFL teams in the AFC and NFC. Who has the best chance of being the top seed and earning a bye? Plus, why Seattle and Pittsburgh are at a crossroads. Can Baker Mayfield be a franchise quarterback? And who is the MVP of the league right now?

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Dec 27, 2021
The Sports Reporters - Episode 446 - NFL Separation Sunday. Covid Sports Impact. NBA Loyalty

Covid continues to impact the sports world. Why it's a separation Sunday in the NFL. And discussing if "super teams" hurt the game of basketball. Happy Holidays from the Sports Reporters Podcast!

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Dec 23, 2021
The Sports Reporters - Episode 445 - More Covid-19 Disruptions Across the Sports World. NFL Bunch Up. Tiger Back?

The Covid-19 virus is becoming a major issue for the Sports World once again. Where's it all going? It was another one of "those" Sunday's in the NFL! Top NFC players struggle while Dallas sneaks into top seed contention. Who is the class of the AFC? Plus, Tiger Woods and his son Charlie had a great showing at the PNC Championship... How should we feel about Tiger Woods? Anthony Davis suffers another injury. How big of a deal is it that he continues to be hurt? And the Phoenix Suns keep winning. Is this the new norm in the West?

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Dec 20, 2021