Advertise on podcast: The Sportsnaut Interview

Host Evan Groat sits down with Kansas City radio personality Bob Fescoe (host on 96.5 The Fan) to discuss the undefeated 5-0 Kansas City Chiefs.They break down whether the Chiefs have truly reclaimed their status as the premier team in the AFC or if they’ve benefited from a lighter early schedule. Plus, they dive into Kenneth Walker's massive MVP-caliber impact on the offense, Steve Spagnuolo and Dave Merritt’s lights-out defense, and look ahead to their Sunday Night Football matchup against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks.0:00 - Introduction & Chiefs 5-0 Start20:47 - Have the Chiefs Faced a Weak Schedule?1:41 - Kenneth Walker’s Impact & MVP Case5:09 - Kansas City's Wide Receiver Room & Passing Game Concerns7:17 - Is Steve Spagnuolo’s Defense the Key to 5-0?10:45 - Previewing Chiefs vs. Seahawks on Sunday Night Football#chiefs #chiefskingdom #chiefsnewstoday #nfl Follow us!📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportsnaut/📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sportsnaut➡️ X: https://x.com/Sportsnaut😀 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sportsnaut/

The 4-0 San Francisco 49ers remain one of the NFL's last undefeated teams heading into a huge Week 5 division matchup against the Seattle Seahawks! Host Evan Groat sits down with Rob Guerrera, host of The Gold Standard Podcast, to break down the 49ers’ incredible start, Brock Purdy’s strong MVP case, Christian McCaffrey’s changing workload, and how Kyle Shanahan is keeping the team winning despite a mounting injury list. Plus, a deep dive into the upcoming trade deadline and predictions for 49ers vs. Seahawks. Subscribe to Sportsnaut for more NFL news, interviews, and analysis! Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & 49ers' Undefeated 4-0 Start 00:45 - Are the 49ers the Best Team in the NFC? 01:52 - Brock Purdy’s MVP Case & Zero Sack Streak 03:14 - Christian McCaffrey’s Evolving Workload & Usage 04:49 - Injury Concerns: Wide Receivers & Nick Bosa 06:24 - Mike Evans' Status & Impact Against Seattle 07:38 - Assessing the 49ers' Pass Rush & Raheem Morris 08:59 - Trade Deadline Targets for San Francisco 11:10 - X-Factor & Key Matchups vs. Seattle Seahawks 13:50 - 49ers vs. Seahawks Week 5 Prediction 14:00 - Where to Find The Gold Standard Podcast

The Baltimore Ravens are coming off an explosive Week 1 performance! Sportsnaut sits down with Ken Weinman, radio host from 105.7 The Fan in Baltimore, to dive deep into the state of the Ravens ahead of their Week 2 matchup. We analyze new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's high-octane playbook, Lamar Jackson's MVP potential, and the wide receiver room concerns following injuries to Zay Flowers and Devontez Walker. Plus, we break down Jesse Minter's defense, Trey Hendrickson’s impact, and whether Derrick Henry can actually break Emmitt Smith’s all-time NFL rushing record! Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more weekly NFL breakdown videos and exclusive interviews!----- Chapters: 00:00 - Intro & Baltimore Ravens Week 1 Overview00:26 - Can Lamar Jackson Be Even More Dangerous in Declan Doyle’s Offense?02:02 - Zay Flowers Injury & Wide Receiver Room Concerns03:11 - Will the Ravens Lean Heavy on Derrick Henry & the Run Game?04:24 - Did Baltimore Do Enough to Get Lamar Jackson Elite Weapons?06:54 - Head Coach Jesse Minter vs. John Harbaugh’s Culture08:37 - Grading Trey Hendrickson’s Debut & Defense Upgrades10:09 - How Crucial is Pass Pressure Against the Saints in Week 2?12:09 - Fixing the Ravens' Home-Field Disadvantage13:28 - Who is the X-Factor for Baltimore to Reach 2-0?13:46 - Can Derrick Henry REALLY Break Emmitt Smith's Rushing Record?16:00 - Wrap-Up

Yahoo Sports senior NFL writer Frank Schwab joins the show two weeks before the 2026 season to sound off on the Cleveland Browns naming Deshaun Watson their Week 1 starter, calling it a new low for a franchise that hasn't won a division since 1989. Frank also breaks down Cam Ward's rocky start to Year 2 in Tennessee under new coordinator Brian Daboll, weighs in on whether the Dallas Cowboys are contenders or pretenders, names his top bounce-back candidates for 2026, and explains why the Los Angeles Rams are his pick to be the team to beat this season, including whether Aaron Donald suits up again. Chapters: 0:00 – Intro, welcome to Sports Night Interview 0:19 – Frank Schwab joins to talk 2026 NFL storylines 0:39 – Browns starting Deshaun Watson: "a new low" 6:54 – Cam Ward's uneven start to Year 2 in Tennessee 9:51 – Cowboys hype: contender or pretender? 11:36 – Bounce-back candidates: Ravens, Bengals, Chiefs, Lions 13:39 – Frank's top storyline for 2026: the Rams 16:12 – Will Aaron Donald suit up for the Rams?

89% of parents say sports change their kids' lives — so why are so many still priced out? Volo Kids' Jen Rifkin joins Scott Gulbransen to explain. More than half of parents with school-age kids have a child in organized sports — but a new AP-Ipsos poll finds 73% call fees a major or minor challenge, and 72% say the same about travel costs. Even so, 89% of sports parents say the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. On this episode of the Sportsnaut Interview, host Scott Gulbransen sits down with Jen Rifkin, executive director of the Volo Kids Foundation, to unpack why so many kids are still getting priced and pushed out of the game. Jen breaks down the "domino effect" of privatized youth sports and early specialization, where private equity fits into the picture, and what her organization has learned running free sports programs across 11 markets — growing from 10,000 kids served a year to nearly 30,000. Scott shares his own story from 24 years of coaching, including the time a coach told his son he was "already behind" after two years away from baseball. Jen also tells the story of Volo Kids' first post-COVID soccer relaunch in Baltimore — a reminder of what kids actually get out of sports beyond the scoreboard. Chapters: 00:00 — Intro: the AP-Ipsos poll and the access gap in youth sports 00:59 — Guest intro: Jen Rifkin, Volo Kids Foundation 01:58 — How bad is the problem, and who gets squeezed out first 02:24 — The "domino effect": privatization and early specialization 04:10 — Scott's story: told his son was "already behind" at 9 05:03 — How did we get here? Supply, demand, and the new normal 06:55 — Is private equity's role in youth sports here to stay? 07:18 — The counter-movement: nonprofits fighting for access 08:25 — What sports actually give a kid beyond the scoreboard 09:35 — Mission moment: relaunching soccer in Baltimore after COVID 12:48 — What youth sports taught Jen (and Scott) about failure 13:19 — What actually works: Volo Kids' playbook for closing the gap 13:45 — Meeting communities where they are — money, language, and gender barriers 15:57 — A nod to pro and college programs already doing this 16:28 — How to get involved with Volo Kids and Volo Sports 18:47 — Wrap-up and thanks

With the August 3rd trade deadline bearing down, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale joins the Sportsnaut Interview to break down baseball's biggest domino: Tarik Skubal. Nightengale names the Dodgers and Brewers as the front-runners for the ace, explains why an in-season extension is off the table, and predicts a jaw-dropping $400-500 million free-agent payday this winter. He also weighs in on Mason Miller's trade odds, whether the Yankees prioritize a catcher or bullpen help, why this year's wide-open American League could produce an "adult deadline," and two under-the-radar names — Hunter Greene and Oneil Cruz — who could surprise everyone before the deadline hits.

USA Today's MLB reporter, Gabe Lacques, joins the show to break down a bizarre first half for the American League. With only a handful of teams playing above .500, the discussion dives into whether the league is experiencing unprecedented parity or a significant down cycle. Key topics include the shocking rise of the Chicago White Sox, the struggles of "super teams" like the Mets, and how a muddled standings board will impact the upcoming August 3rd trade deadline. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction of guest Gabe Lacques, MLB reporter for USA Today 00:44 – Discussion on the lopsided American League standings and interleague play impact 03:22 – Analyzing league-wide parity vs. a "down" year in MLB 04:00 – The failure of high-spending "super teams" like the Mets 05:44 – The surprise of the Chicago White Sox leading their division 07:04 – Breakthrough players: Tristan Peters and Miguel Vargas 08:56 – Underperforming teams: Can the Blue Jays, Mariners, or Astros make a run? 11:46 – How the crowded standings will affect the August 3rd trade deadline 13:59 – Closing remarks and where to follow Gabe Lacques' work

Is Caitlin Clark being unfairly targeted by the WNBA? Join host Evan Gro and guest James Boyd from The Athletic as they dive deep into the most controversial topics surrounding the Indiana Fever’s star point guard. From the recent flagrant foul incident involving Alyssa Thomas to the league's handling of officiating and landing zone calls, we break down what’s really happening on the court. We also explore: The "Tiger Woods" Effect: How Caitlin Clark’s marketability and impact are changing the WNBA.Fever Mid-Season Status: Why a team with three top scorers is struggling to find consistency.Injury Updates: The latest on Clark's back injury and whether she should sit out to recover.Internal Dynamics: The truth behind the sideline interactions between Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark.Subscribe for more in-depth sports interviews and WNBA analysis! Follow James Boyd on X: @RomeovilleKid Chapters: 0:00 – Intro: WNBA Controversy and the Indiana Fever 0:33 – Guest Intro: James Boyd from The Athletic 0:56 – Alyssa Thomas Flagrant Foul and One-Game Suspension 2:24 – Is Caitlin Clark Being Targeted? Physicality vs. Dirty Plays 4:06 – WNBA Officiating: Protecting Stars and "Landing Zone" Fouls 6:17 – Caitlin Clark Injury Update: Managing Her Back Injury 7:57 – Should the Fever Sit Clark for 10 Days? 9:06 – WNBA Marketing Blunder? The 30th Season Commemorative Poster 11:32 – The Caitlin Clark Impact: TV Ratings and Sold-Out Arenas 12:20 – Comparing Caitlin Clark to Tiger Woods and LeBron James 13:07 – The Relationship Between Stephanie White and Caitlin Clark 16:01 – Indiana Fever Mid-Season Analysis: High Scoring, No Defense 17:17 – Is Stephanie White on the Hot Seat? 18:16 – Record-Breaking Defense: The Fever's Historical Struggle 19:01 – Outro and Where to Follow James Boyd

The NBA offseason is heating up! Fresh off the New York Knicks' historic championship win, we sit down with NBA expert Mark Medina to break down the biggest storylines of the summer. We dive deep into: The Knicks' Repeat Chances: Can New York defend the title, or will the league's parody continue?Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Watch: Is a move to the Heat or Celtics inevitable? Mark explains the risks of trading for a "generational star" with an injury history.LeBron James & The Lakers: Will LeBron stay in LA, or is a sentimental return to Cleveland or a splashy move to the Warriors on the horizon?NBA Draft & Expansion: A look at the top prospects like AJ Dybantsa and Cameron Boozer, plus the latest on Seattle and Las Vegas expansion.Follow Mark Medina on X: @MarkG_Medina Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction00:43 – Can the New York Knicks repeat as champions?02:55 – Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors: Heat vs. Celtics04:52 – How Giannis would fit in the Celtics' offense06:31 – Lakers offseason priorities: Austin Reaves & LeBron James08:35 – Lakers' roster needs: Center and wing depth09:50 – LeBron’s future: Staying with the Lakers or moving on?11:47 – 2026 NBA Draft: Top picks and Wizards' #1 choice14:03 – NBA Expansion: Seattle and Las Vegas update15:23 – Closing remarks#nba #lebronjames #nbaanalysis #sportsnautinterview #basketball #knicks

The NBA Finals just witnessed a historic shift. After blowing a 29-point lead at the Garden in Game 4, the San Antonio Spurs find themselves in a 3-1 hole against the New York Knicks. Is this young core ready to fight back, or has the pressure of the big stage finally reached its limit?In this episode of Sportsnaut, Evan Groat is joined by NBA reporter Paul Garcia from spotupshot.com to break down the "gut-wrenching" collapse and what it means for the remainder of the series. We dive into:🏀 The Mental Toll: Can a young team led by Victor Wembanyama bounce back from a loss of this magnitude?🏀 Coaching Under Fire: Did Mitch Johnson miss key opportunities to stop the Knicks' momentum?🏀 The "Closer" Problem: Analyzing why the Spurs struggle in crunch time compared to Jalen Brunson and the Knicks.🏀 Game 5 Adjustments: What San Antonio must do to force the series back to New York.Follow Paul Garcia on X: @PaulGarciaRead more at: spotupshot.comChapters:00:00 – Introduction: A historic Game 4 at the Garden00:36 – The mood in San Antonio after the 29-point collapse01:33 – Mental resilience: Can the young Spurs respond in Game 5?02:35 – Evaluating rookie head coach Mitch Johnson’s decisions03:49 – Does San Antonio lack a true "closer" in crunch time?05:40 – Assessing Victor Wembanyama’s first NBA Finals performance07:23 – Keys to a Spurs victory: Defensive foundations and paint pressure09:04 – Pro-Knicks environment in San Antonio?09:25 – Potential rotation adjustments for the elimination game10:27 – Fans react: Comparing this loss to the 2013 Ray Allen shot11:24 – Final Predictions: Will we see a Game 7?#NBAFinals #Spurs #Knicks #Wembanyama #SanAntonioSpurs #NewYorkKnicks #NBA #Basketball #Sportsnaut

The third leg of the Triple Crown is here! Join host Evan Groat as he talks with Daily Racing Form correspondent Dave Grening to break down the upcoming Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Racetrack.In this interview, we dive deep into the nine-horse field, analyzing the biggest storylines and the horses you need to watch this Saturday.#belmontstakes #belmont #triplecrown #horsebetting #horseracing In this video:🐎 The Rivalry: Can Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo hold off the favorite, Renegade, in their highly anticipated rematch?🐎 Field Breakdown: A comprehensive look at the contenders, including Chief Wallaby, Commandment, and Emerging Market.🐎 Pace Analysis: How the smaller field and Saratoga’s unique track layout will impact the race's early speed.🐎 Expert Picks: Dave Grening reveals his top choice to win and his favorite value plays for your tickets.🐎 Celebrity Connection: Why Lil Wayne and other rappers are keeping a close eye on Vuvian Man.Timecodes:0:00 - Introduction to Belmont at Saratoga0:49 - The Pace Factor: Golden Tempo vs. Renegade2:01 - Full Field Preview & Trainer Insights7:22 - Training Standouts: Who looks best at the track?9:09 - Predicted Race Flow & Strategy12:31 - Final Picks: Best Bet and Longshots

The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, entering on a dominant 11-game winning streak. Join host Evan Gro and Knicks expert Kris Pursiainen (Locked on Knicks, ClutchPoints) as they break down the team's historic postseason performance, including their record-breaking 30-point closeout victories. We dive deep into Jalen Brunson’s growing legacy, the impact of head coach Mike Brown’s strategic shifts, and how this roster matches up against potential Western Conference foes like the San Antonio Spurs or Oklahoma City Thunder. Can the Knicks finally end their 53-year championship drought? Timecodes 0:00 – Introduction: The Knicks return to the NBA Finals1:22 – Historic dominance: Breaking down the 11-game win streak2:31 – Record-breaking numbers: Three 30+ point closeout wins5:21 – Debunking the "cakewalk" narrative and Eastern Conference competition9:02 – Finals Matchups: Spurs vs. Thunder12:30 – Jalen Brunson’s legacy and the Knicks' "Mount Rushmore"16:36 – The Mike Brown Effect: Coaching the Knicks to the next level18:51 – Offensive evolution: Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns' pick-and-roll21:55 – Closing thoughts: Ending the 53-year title drought

Join host Evan Groat as he sits down with Byron King, news editor for Bloodhorse.com, to preview the 151st running of the Preakness Stakes. In a unique year where the Kentucky Derby winner is not competing, King discusses the potential for a Triple Crown scheduling change and how the lack of star power has created a deep, 14-horse field with high betting value This episode breaks down: The Field: Why favorites like Iron Honor (9-2) and Taj Mahal (5-1) are at the top of the morning line.The Venue: The impact of moving the race from Pimlico to Laurel Park and how it might provide a "home track edge".Top Picks: Byron King’s best value plays, including his insights on Iron Honor and the sleeper pick, "The Hell We Did".Chapters: 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction to Byron King00:15 – The Trend: Why the Kentucky Derby winner is missing the Preakness01:28 – Is it time for a Triple Crown scheduling change?03:03 – Breakdown of the 14-horse field and "New Shooters."03:52 – Analyzing the Derby returnees: Oelli, Robusta, and Incredible05:51 – Why Iron Honor is the morning line favorite08:11 – Can Britney Russell make history with Taj Mahal?10:11 – Betting value and finding angles in an open race12:35 – The "Home Track Edge" at Laurel Park13:32 – Byron King’s top picks: Iron Honor and "The Hell We Did."15:02 – Closing remarks and where to find more expert analysis

Join Evan Groat for an in-depth Sportsnaut Interview with veteran Yankees beat writer Randy Miller. As the Yankees surge to one of the best records in Major League Baseball, Miller breaks down why this roster is the class of the American League. They discuss the team's incredible depth in starting pitching, Aaron Boone's leadership, and the surprising offensive contributions from young stars like Ben Rice. Miller also provides exclusive insight into the future of Anthony Volpi and the emergence of top prospect George Lombard as the potential shortstop of the future. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction and Yankees' hot start to the season. 01:31 – "Running it back": Comparing this roster to last year. 03:11 – The MLB "Superpowers": Yankees, Dodgers, and Braves. 04:02 – Evaluating Aaron Boone's management and clubhouse leadership. 05:35 – Recent roster moves: Sending Volpi and Dominguez to the minors. 07:22 – Starting pitching "embarrassment of riches" and injury updates. 10:21 – Ben Rice: Early AL MVP candidate? 11:47 – Addressing the lineup's slow starts: McMahon, Chisholm, and Wells. 14:00 – Defensive value vs. batting average in the analytics era. 18:58 – The future of Anthony Volpi and George Lombard in New York. 22:15 – Closing remarks and where to follow Randy Miller. #Yankees #MLB #NewYorkYankees #AaronBoone #AaronJudge #RandyMiller #Sportsnaut #Baseball #ALEast #WorldSeries #BenRice #AnthonyVolpe #GeorgeLombard #YankeesNews #NJdotcom

Join host Evan Groat and horse racing expert Steve Byk, host of "At the Races" on SiriusXM, for an in-depth breakdown of the 152nd Kentucky Derby. This edition of The Sportsnaut Interview dives into the 20-horse field, offering strategic analysis on favorites and long shots for the Run for the Roses. Steve shares his insights on key contenders like Renegade and Further Ado, while revealing his top 15-to-1 "irresistible" pick for your betting tickets. Whether you are a seasoned bettor or a casual fan, get the professional perspective you need before the big race at Churchill Downs. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to the 152nd Kentucky Derby00:44 – The Spectacle of "Americana": Why the Derby is Global01:31 – Evaluating the 20-Horse Field: Chaos and Opportunities04:01 – Breaking Down the Favorite: Renegade and the Rail Post Risk07:28 – Further Ado: Why This Contender Is a "Must-Use" on Tickets09:50 – Jockey Pressure: Irad Ortiz Jr.’s Search for His First Derby Win12:29 – The "Irresistible" 15-to-1 Pick: Deep Dive into Emerging Market18:20 – Horse Maturity: How Mental Attitude Wins at Churchill Downs21:03 – The Great Debate: Does the Horse or the Jockey Matter More?24:12 – Where to Catch Steve Byk on Derby Day and Closing Advice