Get ready for NFL dog and pony show

Get ready for NFL dog and pony show

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been summoned to appear before the U.S. House Judiciary committee next week to explain why the NFL is funneling more of its games to streaming services. As I explain in the video/audio podcast, expect a dog and pony show. Here are some other thoughts on this first hump day of June: * The NBA Finals start tonight in San Antonio between the Spurs and New York Knicks. San Antonio is the overwhelming favorite but that’s why they play the games. We shall see. * The Stanley Cup Finals started last night with the Vegas Golden Knights taking on the Carolina Hurricanes. * Yesterday I wrote how the media downplayed the passing of Lou Gehrig, when news of his death broke. I posted some pictures of the New York Daily News. Well, upon further research, I cannot say the same about the Chicago Tribune, which was all over the story the day after Gehrig’s death: * Meanwhile, Yankees TV broadcaster Michael Kay told an interesting story, during last night’s Yankees game against Cleveland that still has be scratching my head. Kay said he heard that the day Gehrig pulled himself out of the lineup in Detroit, ending his then record 2,136 consecutive game playing streak, Gehrig and the “Voice of the Yankees,” Mel Allen, took a long walk around Detroit later in the day. How could this be? The Yankees broadcasters did not travel with the club back then. Road games were recreated back at a New York radio station. Allen broadcast the home games of the Yankees and the New York Giants in 1939. Cannot see how he was in Detroit that day, but hey, it makes for a great story. * Here’s another great story that, using one of Mel’s favorite phrases, “Is a matter of actual fact.” Entering last night’s game against the Minnesota Twins, the Chicago White Sox had already won 32 games. Two years ago, they did not win their 32nd game of the season, until September, when their record was 32-109. A team can rebuild, making the right moves. * Somehow you knew the New England Patriots were going to get A.J. Brown, didn’t you? * The Yankees are famous for downplaying major injuries, but somehow I am thinking Aaron Judge could be out a long time, now that he has been sidelined with a bone bruise near his right shoulder. The Yankees are saying Judge is “day-to-day.” In the words of the great Vin Scully: “Aren’t we all.” That is going to do it for today newsletter. Thank you for subscribing and have wonderful Wednesday! DAN This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danonsports.com/subscribe [https://www.danonsports.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

What the NBA needs to do

Good morning, all and happy Sunday! The NBA Finals start on Wednesday and with the New York Knicks as participants ratings should be good. But the NBA needs to undertake some changes, as I outline in my commentary. Some other thoughts for the last Sunday in May: * I do not believe it’s the last Sunday of the fifth month. Last night, broadcasting the Yard Goats game, I was bundled up like it was March. Wind chills were in the 30s. Ridiculous. * You are lying if you had the Chicago White Sox 10 games better than the Detroit Tigers at the end of May. * I don’t know which team is in more trouble, the San Francisco Giants or the Boston Red Sox. What is going on here? That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. Thank you for subscribing! DAN This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danonsports.com/subscribe [https://www.danonsports.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

It's not in my book

Good morning, all and happy Saturday! I have not been posting that much content this week, as I have been busy broadcasting Hartford Yard Goats games, but here goes: my take on the Houston Astros no-hitter against the Texas Rangers. Here are some other thoughts on the last Saturday in May: * Nothing like a deciding seventh game, and that is what’s on tap for the NBA Western Conference finals tonight between defending champion Oklahoma City and San Antonio. The winner advances to the championship series against the New York Knicks, starting next Wednesday night. I had OKC beating the Knicks in the finals, when I made my prediction on January 1 so I will stick with the Thunder for tonight’s contest. * Plenty of NFL news this week with OTA’s etal, but IMHO the media is pounding the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini and Jaxson Dart-Abdul Carter stories to death. This is nothing more than being bereft of original ideas and an attempt at more clickbait. * So much on my Yankees diatribe. * Now Sacramento is making a big push for an MLB expansion franchise. Do not rule the city out, but Nashville and Salt Lake City seem to have a leg up in the race for two more teams, which is expected to happen once the labor situation is settled. * The “insiders” all but have Tarik Skubal wearing Dodger blue, once he proves he has recovered from his elbow surgery. Put it this way, I’m not an insider and can tell you the Dodgers are the favorites to land him. Never has a franchise wanted so badly to bury the storied Yankees and become the next team to win three straight World Series. The Yanks were the last to do it, winning the Series in 1998, 1999 and 2000. That is going to do it for today’s newsletter! Thank you so much for being a subscriber and have a terrific weekend! DAN This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danonsports.com/subscribe [https://www.danonsports.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Yankees need to change

Good morning, all. It is Memorial Day. Remember those who died for our freedom! The New York Yankees are once again spinning their wheels. Baseball’s signature franchise has not won a World Series since 2009 and only one this century, if you are among those who count the 21st Century as starting in 2001. The franchise which used to change managers the way people change clothes, is now hesitant to make a change, when one is needed. I know they beat the Rays, 2-0, yesterday on the Aaron Judge walk-off homer and good for them. Including yesterday, however, the team has scored five runs in their last four games. That is not going to cut it. And they are still six down in the loss column to the Rays. I break it down in the video/commentary. Never forget In 2018 I made a trip I will remember forever, visiting Omaha Beach in Normandy. It was a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made to preserve our freedom. Never forget. Other notes: * Wyndham Clark certainly made a statement winning the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. * Wow! Closest finish ever in the Indianapolis 500. * Mets swept by Marlins. How does Mendoza last as manager? * There used to be a time, when opposing teams feared going into Fenway Park. Now they welcome it. The Twins just completed a three-game sweep against the Red Sox this weekend in Boston, their first sweep there since 1994. The Red Sox have played eight series at home this season and lost seven of them. SEVEN! There is a reason for that “interim” tag in front of manager Chad Tracy’s title. The question is will there be an “interim” tag in front of the replacement for baseball boss Craig Breslow, because it is not working out in Beantown. * Make that eight straight losses for the Cubs. They are crashing faster than the 1929 stock market. That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. Thank you for being a subscriber! DAN This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danonsports.com/subscribe [https://www.danonsports.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Kudos to the football Giants

Good morning, all and happy Saturday! The critics are out there saying the New York Giants made the wrong move giving GM Joe Schoen a contract extension. I disagree and explain why in my video/podcast commentary. Here are some other thoughts on this Saturday of Memorial Day weekend: * I love these so called influencers. One of them, a huge NY Mets cheerleader, is out there posting on social media, “The Mets should contact the Astros about catcher Christian Vasquez.” With injuries, the Mets have catching issues. My question to the influencer would be, “How do you know the Mets haven’t contacted the Astros about Vasquez?” If you have been around baseball executives - and I have - they are wedded to their phones. They are almost always on them. “The Mets should?” I guarantee you the Mets already have. * The 2026 Yankees are right up there with the 1967 Yankees of Jake Gibbs, Dooley Womack, Horace Clarke, Dick Howser, John Kennedy, Steve Whitaker, Charley Smith and, of course, Mickey Mantle, Elston Howard, Tom Tresh and Joe Pepitone. #OTD in 1967, just as they are now, they were seven down in the loss column to the first place team. Those Yankees crashed and burned. These Yankees are hitting about the same as that crew. Their only savior? They now play under a contrived system where even a club as bad as the Red Sox are still in the thick of the playoff race. What a game! * So how is my World Series pick of the Cubs vs. Tigers looking? * If Jacob deGrom, with a 99-68 2.58 ERA lifetime record is a Hall of Fame candidate, as many suggest, then Ron Guidry, with a 170-91 3.29 ERA lifetime record belongs. BTW, deGrom’s winning percentage is .592, while Guidry finished with a .651 winning percentage. * I would say Mike Elias, the head of the Baltimore Orioles baseball operations, is in big trouble. He was hired in 2019 to turn around this once glorious franchise. After early success - the Birds made the playoffs twice and won the AL East twice - the team has been a flop. His firing of manager Brandon Hyde a year ago failed to spark the franchise, and they are currently in last place under new manager Craig Albernaz. At some point it comes down to the head honcho and that’s Elias, who has failed to bring the magic to Baltimore that he brought to Houston. * The Chicago Bears have ruled out building a new stadium near Soldier Field. The team announced yesterday that they will build a new stadium in Arlington Heights, IL or northwest Indiana. Stay tuned. * Which leads me to the governor of New Jersey, who said this week she wants to convince the Brooklyn Nets to move back to New Jersey. The author of the story stated New Jersey currently has only one major league sports team, the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. I could be wrong, but the last time I checked both the NFL’s Giants and Jets were based in New Jersey. Just sayin.’ That is going to do it for today’s newsletter. Please don’t wish someone a happy Memorial Day. It is a day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our country. Never forget. Thank you for reading and being a subscriber. DAN This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.danonsports.com/subscribe [https://www.danonsports.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]