Explore every episode of the podcast Empire Sports Talk

The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and presumptive #1 overall pick has made the unprecedented announcement that he won't be in attendance. Instead of asking your opinion on this decision, let me ask you this: If it were you in Mendoza's shoes, would you rather attend the Draft in person, or watch at home with your family and friends?

The NBA has a tanking problem…and fines clearly aren’t fixing it. In this video, I break down why tanking continues to hurt fans, damage competitive integrity, and weaken the NBA product — and I present a bold, controversial solution:

👉 If a team is caught tanking…they lose their first-round pick.

👉 That pick gets redistributed to the rest of the league.

No more fines. No more slaps on the wrist. Real consequences.

I walk through:

✅ Why tanking keeps happening

✅ Why fines don’t scare owners or GMs

✅ How a forfeited draft pick would change everything

✅ What happens if a contender wins the redistributed pick

✅ The risks, flaws, and counterarguments

Would this fix the problem? Or make things worse? Drop your thoughts in the comments: What should Adam Silver’s “or else” actually be?

MLB and its players just agreed to a MAJOR deal with an AI avatar company called Genies to develop AI player avatars to interact with fans. Not much is known about this deal yet, but what does this mean for baseball going forward? Cool feature or sign of things to come?

After a CRAZY NBA Trade Deadline, LeBron and the Lakers are headed for divorce, and the Cavs clear space by acquiring James Harden. Does this make an LBJ-Cavaliers farewell reunion possible?

Shedeur Sanders was added as a Pro Bowl replacement — and the numbers make absolutely no sense. Replacing Super Bowl quarterback Drake Maye, Sanders finished the season with more interceptions than touchdowns, one of the lowest QBRs in the NFL, and ranked near the bottom of every advanced quarterback metric. So how does a player with 7 TDs, 10 INTs, an 18.9 QBR, and a sub-70 passer rating become a Pro Bowler? The answer exposes a much bigger issue: fan voting, media narratives, and popularity contests have completely broken the credibility of All-Star selections across major sports.

In this video, Roman Janeiro breaks down the stats, compares Sanders to other qualified quarterbacks who were far more deserving, and explains why the NFL’s Pro Bowl problem goes far beyond one controversial selection. Is this overcorrection? Media influence? Or just another example of the league losing competitive integrity?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments — is this a total joke or am I overreacting?

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly expected to hire Mike McCarthy as their next head coach — and honestly, this move makes very little sense. After decades of stability under Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh suddenly appears ready to pivot toward a short-term solution with a 62-year-old coach and a 42-year-old quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.

In this video, Roman Janeiro of Empire Sports Talk breaks down why the McCarthy hire feels like a band-aid instead of a long-term plan, dives into McCarthy’s postseason struggles, stale play-calling reputation, and his mixed offensive history in New Orleans and San Francisco. We also examine how this impacts the Steelers’ quarterback future, rushing attack, aging defense, and overall organizational identity. Is this a smart win-now gamble? Or a move that sets Pittsburgh back for years?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:

- Do you like the Mike McCarthy hire?

- Is this the right direction after Mike Tomlin

- Can McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers recapture past success?

The Buffalo Bills stunned the NFL by firing head coach Sean McDermott after another playoff exit — despite years of consistency, division titles, and Josh Allen’s MVP-level play. Was this the right move… or a massive overreaction?

In this video, Roman Janeiro breaks down why the Bills made the decision, why it’s surprising, and who Buffalo should target as their next head coach. We dive into top candidates like Mike Tomlin, Brian Daboll, Vance Joseph, Brian Flores, Matt Burke, and dark horse Steve Spagnuolo — plus who the Bills will likely hire versus who they should hire. With Josh Allen entering his prime and the AFC wide open, this hire could define the franchise for the next decade.

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments: • Was firing Sean McDermott the right call? • Who should coach Josh Allen next? • Defensive coach or offensive mind?

The college football coaching carousel is in full swing - especially in the SEC. LSU and Florida have found their new coaches, and I have thoughts!

It's no wonder why Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall is a top candidate for major head coaching vacancies. He had some choice words about his team, and I LOVED it.

Yes, I know that the WWE is all for show, but who okayed that Cam Skattebo shoving stunt??? Let's talk about it...

Lane Kiffin has been linked to both LSU and Florida in their coaching searches. It may make sense on paper for those schools to pursue Kiffin, but it feels like it would be a step back for the Ole Miss coach. Let's talk about it...

Brian Snitker has stepped down at the helm at the Atlanta Braves, and long-time bench coach Walt Weiss will officially take over. Do you like the safe choice, or were you hoping for a fresh face? Let's talk about it...

Nico Harrison has been fired as Dallas Mavericks GM. When you're the architect of the worst trade in NBA history and have a history of incompetence, it's only a matter of time...

Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are facing 20-65 years in prison for their role in the ongoing gambling scandal. A 27-year-old at the top of his game threw it all away for a few thousand dollars in kickbacks. I have thoughts...

Brian Daboll becomes the first coach firing of 2025, after a 20-40-1 tenure with the Giants. This move was long overdue, but will Jaxson Dart suffer from the early coaching change? Let's talk about it...

The Arizona Cardinals have announced that Jacoby Brissett will be the starting QB for the foreseeable future. Does this signify the end of Kyler Murray's time in the NFL? Let's talk about it...

The Panthers won 5 games all of last season. They've already equaled that total in 2025, and in the thick of the NFC playoff hunt. Dave Canales deserves Coach of the Year consideration. Let's talk about it...

The Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Toronto Blue Jays to win an incredible 2025 World Series, but two things stuck out to me as the difference - experience and missed opportunities. Let's talk about it...

Did the Steelers defense expose Indianapolis? Did they give up too much for Sauce Gardner? Let's talk about it...

The NFL regular season is finally here, and Week 1 is in the books. So many observations and questions after the first set of games. Let's get into it!

The 49ers return in 2025 mostly healthy and with the easiest schedule in the NFL, thanks to a last place finish in 2024. Will this help them return to dominance? Or are the Rams as good as everyone says?

Michael Penix Jr. has the Falcons emerging as a contender in the South, but will Baker Mayfield put up another resurgent season to lead the Buccaneers to their 5th consecutive division crown?

With Saturday's loss to unranked Florida State, Kalen DeBoer is now 9-5 at Alabama, and things aren't trending in the right direction. It has media and fans using the word 'buyout'. Is time running out for DeBoer in Tuscaloosa?

Detroit has the second toughest schedule in 2025. Does this open the door for Green Bay (with the new edition of MICAH PARSONS) to grab their first division crown since 2021?

The Dallas Cowboys have traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for DT Kenny Clark and two 1st round picks - and Parsons immediately signed a 4-year extension.

Jerry Jones can make all the excuses he wants, but this was a massive failure on his part. They are not better without Parsons, and this is a sign that he needs to step aside...

On paper, the NFC East is a two-horse race: Philadelphia and Washington. The real question is: How bad WILL this season be for Dallas? A new coach, contract drama, players falling asleep on tables during preseason games, this offseason has been a disaster for the Cowboys - and that's apparently the way Jerry Jones likes it...

The AFC West is the most intriguing division in football. The number of championship rings on the head coach roster alone is mind-boggling! Is it possible that 3 AFC West teams will reach the playoffs? Could the Las Vegas Raiders be this year's surprise team? Let us know in the comments!

The 2025 AFC South seems to be the division with the most potential parity. Can the Houston O-Line keep Stroud upright? Will Cam Ward immediately change the culture in Tennessee? Will Trevor Lawrence FINALLY take the next step? Are we underestimating Daniel Jones, or could rookie Riley Leonard be the dark horse in the Colts QB room? Let's talk about it...

Of all the teams in the AFC North, Baltimore remains the one with the fewest questions headed into the season. Does that make them the class of the North, or does Trey Hendrickson finally reaching a deal with the Bengals move the needle in the division?

With the NFL season just over a week away, we break down each division, starting with the AFC East.

The East has belonged to the Buffalo Bills ever since Brady left for Tampa, but is this FINALLY the year that Buffalo reaches the big game?

On Saturday morning, Lee Corso will appear on College Gameday for the final time.

His legacy as the face of college football will live on forever, and there will only ever be one Lee Corso.

Thank you for everything, Coach!

🚨 College World Series SHOCKER! LSU wins their 8th national title, but all anyone is talking about is the wild ejection of Coastal Carolina head coach Kevin Schnall in the first inning of Game 2.

This isn’t just a college baseball problem. From the majors to Omaha, umpires continue to wield unchecked power — ejecting players and coaches with no consequences. This video sets the stage for a deeper discussion coming soon on EmpireSportsTalk.com!

🚨 BLOCKBUSTER NBA TRADE!

Kevin Durant is heading to the Houston Rockets in a massive deal that shakes up the Western Conference! The Phoenix Suns traded KD in exchange for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the #10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and five second-rounders. Did Houston give up too much for the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer?

🏆 The Oklahoma City Thunder are your 2025 NBA Champions! 🏆

Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) — who became just the 4th player in NBA history to win MVP, Finals MVP, and the scoring title in the same season — the Thunder claimed their first championship in the OKC era and only their second in franchise history.

In a heartwarming moment during the Pirates vs. Mets series, Isiah Kiner-Falefa met his extended family for the very first time—including Scott Kiner, the son of Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner. IKF grew up knowing he was related to the Pirates legend, but until this week, had never met anyone from that side of his family.

The emotional reunion took place at Citi Field, where the Pirates and Mets—two teams closely tied to Ralph Kiner’s storied legacy—helped bring the family together. Scott Kiner, who was promoting a book about the Kiner family, met IKF for the first time in a long-overdue moment that IKF described as “something I’ve always dreamed about.”

Let us know in the comments what this moment meant to you.

For the first time in franchise history, the Tampa Bay Rays experienced a rain delay—and they celebrated it like a milestone! 😆

On Saturday, May 10th, during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Steinbrenner Field, the skies opened up and the Rays officially had their first weather delay since the team was founded in 1998.

Because Tropicana Field’s roof was damaged in a hurricane during the offseason, the Rays have been temporarily playing at the New York Yankees' spring training stadium, which is open-air—a big change from their usual domed home. And when the rain came, the team leaned into the moment, giving fans free commemorative ponchos labeled: “First Rays Rain Delay.” Even the scoreboard made a joke out of it!

🏟️ Should the Rays tear down Tropicana Field and build something new?

🌦️ Would a retractable roof change the fan experience in Tampa?

💬 Let us know in the comments!

Rafael Devers is frustrated—and for good reason. After losing his third base spot to Alex Bregman and reluctantly becoming the Red Sox’s designated hitter, the Boston front office is now asking Devers to shift again, this time to first base. But after a brutal start to 2025 and a red-hot May, is it fair to ask Boston’s best bat to become a full-time utility man?

In this video, we dive into the Rafael Devers position controversy, unpacking his recent comments about the Red Sox's handling of his role. Is Boston GM Craig Breslow overstepping by asking Devers to move positions mid-season? Or is Devers being too stubborn for a player who claims to be “a ballplayer”?

We’ll break down:

- Devers’ brutal start and bounce-back in May

- Why he lost third base to Alex Bregman

- The injury to Triston Casas that triggered this move

- MLB history of stars switching positions

- Whether Devers’ defensive metrics justify the pushback

Let us know in the comments: Are the Red Sox being unfair to Devers… or is he just not living up to his team-first mantra?

The Dallas Mavericks just won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery with only a 1.8% chance—and the timing couldn’t be crazier.

After pulling off one of the most puzzling trades in NBA history—sending franchise icon Luka Dončić to the Lakers—the Mavs land the #1 overall pick, and the Cooper Flagg era is officially underway.

In this video, we break down:

🏀 The shocking results of the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery

🤯 The wild Luka Dončić–Anthony Davis trade fallout

📉 Why the Mavericks may not have come out ahead, even with Cooper Flagg

🧠 Whether this move sets up Dallas for future dominance—or disaster

🌟 Is Cooper Flagg truly a generational star, or just more draft hype?

Would you rather build around Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving—or roll the dice with Anthony Davis, Kyrie, and Cooper Flagg? Let’s talk about it.

👇 Sound off in the comments! Do you believe the Mavericks made the right move? Was this lottery win pure luck—or something more?

🚨 Pete Rose is OFFICIALLY off MLB's banned list.

Rob Manfred just reinstated Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson, and 17 others — opening the door to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Let's talk about it.

In this video, we break down:

• Why Pete Rose was banned from baseball Rob Manfred's shocking decision to lift the lifetime ban

• What this means for Cooperstown

• How Rose’s gambling compares to steroid-era stars like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens

• Why “Charlie Hustle” might finally get the Hall of Fame recognition many fans believe he deserves ⚾

Whether you love or hate the decision — Pete Rose’s legacy just took a major turn.

📣 What do YOU think? Should MLB legends like Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe finally be in the Hall of Fame? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Shedeur Sanders — the son of NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — was once projected to go top 10 in the 2025 NFL Draft… so how did he fall all the way to Round 5 (Pick 144)?

In this video, we break down the wild and unexpected freefall of one of college football's most talked-about quarterbacks. Was it his tape? Was it Deion’s shadow? Was it cockiness, conference strength, or something deeper going on behind the scenes? We also look at past NFL Draft slides from stars like Aaron Rodgers and Geno Smith, and compare how Shedeur’s situation stacks up.

➡️ Is Shedeur a victim of NFL politics?

➡️ Or was the hype just bigger than the production?

➡️ And what does this say about “nepo babies” in pro sports like Shedeur and Bronny James?

📊 With over 4,100 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and a standout season at Colorado, Sanders has the numbers — but now he has to prove he belongs. Will he silence the critics and make the NFL regret passing on him?

📣 Sound off in the comments: Was this slide justified, or was Shedeur blackballed?

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. just signed a MASSIVE 14-year, $500 million contract extension with the Toronto Blue Jays — the largest in franchise history. But while Vladdy Jr. clearly wanted to stay in Toronto, the real question is: What are the Blue Jays actually doing?

In this episode of Empire Sports Talk, Roman Janero breaks down:

- The details of Vlad Jr.’s $500M contract

- Why this might be a hometown discount

- How it compares to Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Kyle Tucker

- The Blue Jays’ confusing team direction

- What this means for Bo Bichette, Santander, and Toronto’s future

Is this the start of a new dynasty in Canada… or another 4th-place AL East finish?

TJ Watt shook up the NFL world with a cryptic tweet — just a peace sign emoji and a photo in a Steelers jersey. Was it a farewell message? A contract shot at the Steelers after Myles Garrett’s massive payday?

In this episode of Empire Sports Talk, Roman Janero breaks down the meaning behind Watt's tweet, why the Steelers may be in trouble, and which NFL teams make the most sense if a blockbuster trade happens. From Detroit to Cincinnati, we’re diving into every possibility.

🟡 Was this about the contract or something bigger?

🟠 Should the Steelers pay up or prepare for life without Watt?

🔵 Which team is the best fit if he’s traded?

Nico Iamaleava’s NIL demands just flipped the college football world upside down.

In this episode of Empire Sports Talk, we break down the full story behind Nico’s shocking departure from Tennessee after reportedly demanding $4 million in NIL money — mid-deal. When the Vols said no, the former 5-star quarterback hit the transfer portal, and hours after this video was recorded... he committed to UCLA — for LESS money.

We dig into how Oregon’s Dan Lanning may have blown the whistle, the ripple effects this drama is having on other programs, and what this means for the future of NIL regulation in college football. Is this the most egregious NIL move yet? Should student-athletes have more restrictions? And is this exactly what Nick Saban was trying to avoid?

Drop your thoughts in the comments and hit subscribe for more deep dives into the stories changing college football.

Up 10-5 in the 8th inning, the Kentucky Wildcats faked an issue with their pitch comm device to take advantage of an NCAA travel rule. The opposing manager claimed it was 'bush league'. Does he have a point?

Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryson Stott helped his friend Ryan Stevens and his wife by revealing the gender of their baby during the game!

The 76ers are riddled with injuries and have one of the worst records in the NBA. Joel Embiid is obviously one of the best players in the NBA when healthy but really struggles to stay that way - and the self-proclaimed "Process" has never yielded any real results. Is it time to tear it down and start over?

The Athletics had their "home" opener on March 31st against the Cubs and it went...terribly. The media was forced to operate in a shed that looked like it was bought from Home Depot...

Ja Morant was fined 75k by the NBA after celebrating with a finger gun gesture - twice. Under normal circumstances, this would be a non-issue. But with Morant's history with firearms, is the NBA right to be concerned?

The Florida Gators defeated the Houston Cougars 65-63 to win their third title in school history! The Gators become the only team in NCAA history to win 3 championships in both football and basketball.

Alexander Ovechkin scored his 895th career goal on Sunday afternoon against the New York Islanders, breaking a tie with the great Wayne Gretsky to become the NHL's all-time leading scorer!