1 00:00:00,280 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: This is the business of sports where in the situation 2 00:00:03,640 --> 00:00:06,400 Speaker 1: that we haven't dealt with in modern times, pandemic here 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:10,479 Speaker 1: has really accelerated the investments that we've been advocating for 4 00:00:10,480 --> 00:00:12,880 Speaker 1: for years. From a macro standpoint, I think our sport 5 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:16,360 Speaker 1: industry is really forced to look at the business a 6 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:19,639 Speaker 1: little bit differently in depth conversations with the leaders in 7 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: the sports industry. Who wants to be the sacrificial lambs 8 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,599 Speaker 1: that shows up at the first big major sporting event, 9 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:27,640 Speaker 1: were part of something much bigger than the sport right 10 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: now and the health and rapt of our stakeholders that 11 00:00:30,160 --> 00:00:32,839 Speaker 1: looks much important every moment. I think we're all from 12 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:35,560 Speaker 1: the business respective thinking about the impact that the virus 13 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:38,479 Speaker 1: is having a across the country and Bloomberg Business of 14 00:00:38,520 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 1: Sports from Bloomberg Radio. Hello everyone, I'm Jason Kelly, and 15 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: I'm Mike Lynch and I'm Michael Barr And this is 16 00:00:44,640 --> 00:00:47,400 Speaker 1: the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast where we explore the 17 00:00:47,440 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: big money issues in the world of sports. And we're 18 00:00:49,920 --> 00:00:54,279 Speaker 1: very excited today to welcome Mike Tannanbob. He is ESPNS 19 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: front office insider, also the former general manager of the Jets, 20 00:00:58,440 --> 00:01:01,680 Speaker 1: former executive vice president of call operations for the Dolphins. 21 00:01:02,000 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 1: He was an agent at one point. He's had a 22 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:07,959 Speaker 1: fascinating career. So much to talk to you about, Mike 23 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:09,920 Speaker 1: t which I'm gonna have to call you with all 24 00:01:09,959 --> 00:01:12,640 Speaker 1: these Mikes that I've got around me, Um, I guess 25 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:15,560 Speaker 1: I would start by asking you what is the big 26 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:19,319 Speaker 1: story in football today? Because I feel like every day 27 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:22,480 Speaker 1: it's a different thing. Well, I would say, obviously, let's 28 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 1: let's we'll talk about the Super Bowl and necessarily sort 29 00:01:25,319 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: of chronologically appropriate. But beyond that, I think there's five 30 00:01:29,120 --> 00:01:35,800 Speaker 1: players guys Carson Wentz, Dak Prescott, Shaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers, 31 00:01:35,800 --> 00:01:38,360 Speaker 1: and Matt Stafford that in my mind to truly have 32 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: a transformational impact on what we see in the NFL. 33 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:44,319 Speaker 1: And I think we're moving much more towards the NBA, 34 00:01:44,360 --> 00:01:46,520 Speaker 1: and what I mean by that sort of like player 35 00:01:46,680 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: driven transactions where they simply say, hey, despite what my 36 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:53,639 Speaker 1: contract may say, I'm not interested in being with this team. 37 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:55,560 Speaker 1: We saw a little bit over the last couple of 38 00:01:55,600 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 1: years with Jalen Ramsey of Jacksonville, Jamal Adams of the 39 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 1: Jet Coale Mac with the Raiders. But these five quarterbacks 40 00:02:02,720 --> 00:02:05,560 Speaker 1: in my opinion, can really change the narrative of the offseason. 41 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:09,920 Speaker 1: You when you mentioned about Jared Golf and Matt Stafford 42 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:12,680 Speaker 1: that trade, and you're talking to a big Detroit Lions fan, 43 00:02:13,160 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 1: and I when I saw the trade, my first thought was, 44 00:02:16,360 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 1: you know what, I like this because first you get 45 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:24,960 Speaker 1: Jared Golf and then the Lions get three first round picks. 46 00:02:25,760 --> 00:02:28,920 Speaker 1: And what it tells me is that it looks like 47 00:02:29,000 --> 00:02:32,640 Speaker 1: the Lions are thinking next season of trying to go deep. 48 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: This is where we're gonna harness it up. And notice 49 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:37,079 Speaker 1: my pronown, this is where we're gonna harness it up 50 00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: and try to go deep into the season. Yeah, I'd 51 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,399 Speaker 1: like to trade a lot from Detroit because Jared Goff 52 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:45,320 Speaker 1: maybe the answer. And I think when you look at 53 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,639 Speaker 1: head coach Dan Campbell and office coordinator anthy Lynn, two 54 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:50,920 Speaker 1: guys I've worked with, they're gonna want to run the 55 00:02:50,919 --> 00:02:54,080 Speaker 1: ball DeAndre Swift. They think, um, we'll have an excellent 56 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:56,920 Speaker 1: opportunity to take the next step in his career. And 57 00:02:57,160 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 1: when you look at Jared Goss, specially your team talk 58 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:04,200 Speaker 1: earlier seventeen rushing touchdown, so a good run game, so playoffs, 59 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 1: you I think that place the golf strains and with 60 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 1: those additional first round picks, guys, it doesn't work out 61 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 1: what golf They're certainly loaded up to find their next floorback. 62 00:03:12,680 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 1: So I really like this tray from the lion perspective. 63 00:03:16,560 --> 00:03:18,920 Speaker 1: Hey Mike, it's Mike Lynch up in Boston, not far 64 00:03:19,040 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 1: from where you grew up over and Needham, and I'm 65 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:24,040 Speaker 1: sure all your friends are shelving the driveways up here. Um, 66 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:28,640 Speaker 1: what is the what is the biggest obstacle to making 67 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: a trade like this? Golf staff a trade? What's the 68 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:34,800 Speaker 1: biggest obstacle? Well, it's really about and I said this 69 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:37,080 Speaker 1: for years, I think the bulls I get smaller and 70 00:03:37,160 --> 00:03:41,440 Speaker 1: smaller because you have to line up the salary capitalifications 71 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:44,320 Speaker 1: of money that's been paid to the player that accelerates 72 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 1: into your cap, the cash amplications of what contracts are 73 00:03:48,240 --> 00:03:50,440 Speaker 1: we now going to be inheriting and can we pay that? 74 00:03:50,840 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 1: And then ultimately the draft choice compensation. So when you 75 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:57,160 Speaker 1: figure a cash cap and draft choices and now you 76 00:03:57,160 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 1: have two teams and you have a head coach GM 77 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: and an owner, that's six people trying to agree on 78 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:06,120 Speaker 1: three significant deal points. And if any of those things 79 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: break down anywhere there's no deal. So I think over 80 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:12,720 Speaker 1: the years, you really need to thread the needle, especially 81 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 1: given the complexities and the amounts of money we're talking about. 82 00:04:15,480 --> 00:04:18,400 Speaker 1: You know, the third highest cap charge for the Rams 83 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:21,479 Speaker 1: this season will be Jarragon, which is really remarkable. Their 84 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:23,480 Speaker 1: first is going to be Aaron Donald. The second is 85 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:26,440 Speaker 1: Jalen Ramsey, which is understandable doing how great they are. 86 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:31,599 Speaker 1: But literally their third highest cap charge is Jarrega. Wow. 87 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:35,080 Speaker 1: So it feels like, Mike, you know, one of the 88 00:04:35,120 --> 00:04:39,040 Speaker 1: things that that you're saying is that and maybe I'm 89 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: taking you too far, but but the very economics of 90 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:43,880 Speaker 1: the league seemed to be shifting around a little bit, 91 00:04:44,000 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 1: and and presumably that would be a ripple effective sorts 92 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 1: of these players, as you say, sort of thinking of 93 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:56,720 Speaker 1: themselves differently, teams thinking of themselves differently. Play that out 94 00:04:56,800 --> 00:04:59,640 Speaker 1: for us. If you're sitting in a front office, how 95 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:02,520 Speaker 1: does it make you think about your payroll? How does 96 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:04,760 Speaker 1: it make you think about sort of the broader economic 97 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,280 Speaker 1: picture of your team in the league. I think context 98 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 1: is really important, So just say once the stame in trade. 99 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 1: I think when you look at through the lines of 100 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 1: the Lions, you got a new head coach and Dan Campbell. 101 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 1: He signed a six year deal. They don't think Max 102 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 1: Stafford's gonna take him to where they want to go, 103 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 1: which is reasonable given his age, his injuries, and in 104 00:05:23,320 --> 00:05:25,560 Speaker 1: year one, let's give a shot at a much younger 105 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,960 Speaker 1: quarterbacks who may or may not be our quarterback for 106 00:05:29,000 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 1: the next ten years. We could afford it. So I 107 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:32,720 Speaker 1: think it makes a lot of sense. I think in 108 00:05:32,760 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 1: the underreported aspect of this contract of this trade, Um 109 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: is really and I believe he's really good coach Sean McVeigh, 110 00:05:40,279 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 1: but this is not his finest moment by any stretch. 111 00:05:43,440 --> 00:05:46,799 Speaker 1: Back in September, he's part of a decision to pay 112 00:05:47,040 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 1: jarreedf over a hundred million dollars and guaranteed money, and 113 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:53,000 Speaker 1: eighteen short months later he's saying we can't win with him. 114 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:56,040 Speaker 1: In fact, they started John Woolford in a playoff game. 115 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:59,320 Speaker 1: So when you look at the economics, guys, you're saying 116 00:05:59,360 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 1: that keep this guy is so bad that we're gonna 117 00:06:02,920 --> 00:06:06,040 Speaker 1: further handcuff ourselves to improve our team by having to 118 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:08,880 Speaker 1: make a quarterback switch. So I think that's a situation 119 00:06:08,880 --> 00:06:11,039 Speaker 1: where there Gerald manager Let's need has to sit there 120 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 1: and say, from a big picture economic standpoint, how can 121 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:18,240 Speaker 1: we still acquire enough good players over the next two 122 00:06:18,320 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: to three years without a first round pick to make 123 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 1: ourselves competitive. I want to talk about the Super Bowl 124 00:06:24,040 --> 00:06:27,440 Speaker 1: for a second, and more importantly for Tampa Bay. Uh. 125 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:32,520 Speaker 1: They are the first city to host a Super Bowl 126 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 1: bound team, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are gonna play in 127 00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:38,600 Speaker 1: their home stadium. You put that on top of they 128 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:42,359 Speaker 1: won the World Series and they also won the Stanley Cup. 129 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: You would think that in a normal time, the bars 130 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 1: and restaurants around out there would be like, hey, we're 131 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:51,520 Speaker 1: gonna give two for one sales. We're just making money 132 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: and over fist. But COVID just put a slam to 133 00:06:55,160 --> 00:07:00,880 Speaker 1: all of that. I hope in in normal times, uh, 134 00:07:01,120 --> 00:07:04,720 Speaker 1: people are able to recover, in businesses are able to recover. 135 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:07,480 Speaker 1: Bar Before my answers, I I just want to make 136 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:09,520 Speaker 1: sure because I don't want you getting hate mail from 137 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:12,880 Speaker 1: Dodgers fans. They didn't quite win the World Yeah, I know, 138 00:07:13,160 --> 00:07:15,960 Speaker 1: I know they all they got there, they got they 139 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:18,640 Speaker 1: got there. I know. I just don't want you know, 140 00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 1: I don't want Mike Lynch's you know, pal Mookie BET's 141 00:07:21,480 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: calling you up and being like, come on, I get it, 142 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: I get it, but it's like they were there. They 143 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 1: were there, they were there. You know, it's not like 144 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:35,360 Speaker 1: the Tiers they were the new title tap. Look, Tampa's 145 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 1: has an incredible string going. And I would tell you too, 146 00:07:38,680 --> 00:07:42,360 Speaker 1: the hour of attraction for professional athletes in the South 147 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:44,480 Speaker 1: is you know, it's real. You know, I worked for 148 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:46,480 Speaker 1: the Dolphins for a number of years, and you know 149 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:49,920 Speaker 1: when you can end every sentence by hey, we practice 150 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:53,000 Speaker 1: and play on natural grass, we have great weather, and oh, 151 00:07:53,080 --> 00:07:55,120 Speaker 1: by the way, we don't have any state income taxes. 152 00:07:55,440 --> 00:07:58,880 Speaker 1: That gives you a seven to ten competitive advantage over 153 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 1: some of these higher tech streat states. So um. Obviously, 154 00:08:02,480 --> 00:08:05,120 Speaker 1: the pandemic is gonna hurt businesses short term, but from 155 00:08:05,120 --> 00:08:08,840 Speaker 1: an athlete's standpoint, it's real about the difference between playing 156 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,520 Speaker 1: in certain states your ticket and your breakthrough moment would be, 157 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:14,920 Speaker 1: and then getting into job in the National Football League 158 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 1: was your h handle and grasp on the salary cap? 159 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:23,040 Speaker 1: I know you sent the proposals out to every single team. 160 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:25,520 Speaker 1: What did you find? So I went to an accredited 161 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 1: college and I cannot figure out the salary salary cap 162 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:30,320 Speaker 1: at all? What did you find so intriguing about it, 163 00:08:30,600 --> 00:08:33,080 Speaker 1: and and that would be your vehicle to get into 164 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:36,640 Speaker 1: the National Football League. I was really lucky, guys, just 165 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:38,200 Speaker 1: to the right place at the right time. You know. 166 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: For seventy five years there was basically no free agency 167 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:45,880 Speaker 1: in terms of a player was picked by a team. 168 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:48,560 Speaker 1: They had certain reserve clauses. Now there was a little 169 00:08:48,559 --> 00:08:51,240 Speaker 1: bit of Plan B, and then there was litigation in 170 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 1: seven and the following there was a big class action 171 00:08:56,640 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 1: settlement where players got free agency and the owners got 172 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 1: cost sertiny in the form of salary cap. I happen 173 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:04,600 Speaker 1: to be at loss in law school at the time. 174 00:09:04,600 --> 00:09:06,920 Speaker 1: At two Lane Law School, they had a program for 175 00:09:07,000 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 1: sports law, and literally there was only one team in 176 00:09:10,520 --> 00:09:13,280 Speaker 1: town and I was the saint. So I started as 177 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:16,880 Speaker 1: a literally unpaid intern driving players to the airport and 178 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:20,000 Speaker 1: then studying the salary cap. And I was fascinated that 179 00:09:20,120 --> 00:09:21,840 Speaker 1: in the first year and a half there were teams 180 00:09:21,880 --> 00:09:25,280 Speaker 1: that had a massive competitive advantage to understand who to 181 00:09:25,360 --> 00:09:29,520 Speaker 1: pay what positions. Um too soon, too late, And when 182 00:09:29,520 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: I graduated law school, I put a book together. I 183 00:09:31,520 --> 00:09:34,120 Speaker 1: sent it out to every team I got at the time. 184 00:09:34,160 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 1: Twenty nine rejections and Coach Belichick hired me in Cleveland, 185 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 1: and my job basically for him was to help him 186 00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:45,239 Speaker 1: understand the CAP really start the whole idea of strategic 187 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:48,359 Speaker 1: planning again, of who to pay, who to let graduate, 188 00:09:48,960 --> 00:09:50,600 Speaker 1: and you know, to kind of earn my keep. I 189 00:09:50,679 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: was a very low person in the personnel department, but 190 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:56,280 Speaker 1: I just felt like there was a competitive advantage if 191 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:59,959 Speaker 1: you understood from a strategic planning standpoint how to allecy 192 00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: resources and so, Mike, as you think about how the 193 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 1: role of the GM has changed and and evolved and 194 00:10:11,640 --> 00:10:14,760 Speaker 1: relationships with coaches, relationships with owners, I mean, you know 195 00:10:14,840 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: the GM sits in uh, you know better than anyone 196 00:10:17,880 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 1: sort of a precarious position, but a very powerful position 197 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:25,080 Speaker 1: depending on the on the situation. What's the right formula 198 00:10:25,320 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 1: in in your estimation for success and sort of balancing 199 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 1: all of those interests. Well, that's a great question. I've 200 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: been Fortunately my career whereatched that a few different seats. 201 00:10:35,679 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: So I sat at the Jets for years where Coach 202 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:41,480 Speaker 1: Parcels was the head coach and GM and we had success. 203 00:10:42,080 --> 00:10:43,960 Speaker 1: Um I was the general manager of the Jets for 204 00:10:44,040 --> 00:10:47,600 Speaker 1: seven years. We had a very fair amount of success 205 00:10:47,600 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: and I had final say on everything. Um I was 206 00:10:50,400 --> 00:10:53,400 Speaker 1: the executive vice president football Operations at the Dolphins and 207 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 1: didn't have final say. And I think you could distill 208 00:10:56,679 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 1: all those dynamics downs from one really fundamental concept, which is, 209 00:11:00,640 --> 00:11:02,840 Speaker 1: when you have the privilege of any of those jobs, 210 00:11:03,080 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 1: all you really are, in my opinion, is you are 211 00:11:05,559 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 1: the point guard of information. And what I mean by 212 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:10,520 Speaker 1: that is, let's go back to the goth example. To me, 213 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:14,240 Speaker 1: it doesn't really matter if Less Need or Sean McVeigh 214 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:20,800 Speaker 1: have final say. What's really important, guys, is the understanding that, hey, 215 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,440 Speaker 1: if we signed Jared Goff in September of to this 216 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:28,199 Speaker 1: hundred million dollar plus contract, here's what we can't do. 217 00:11:28,440 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 1: Our left guard is gonna be the third round pick, 218 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:33,320 Speaker 1: our starting corner has to be a fourth rounder all over, 219 00:11:33,679 --> 00:11:37,400 Speaker 1: because we simply can't afford to pay those positions competitively 220 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 1: in the free agent market. So if we collectively Mr Cronky, 221 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:43,960 Speaker 1: the owner, Coach McVeigh, if we believe that Jared Goff 222 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 1: take us to where we want to go, we gotta 223 00:11:46,000 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 1: keep them. That's a non negotiable. But here's what we 224 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 1: can't do. And I think that's what being an effective 225 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: leader is you have to communicate. You have to put 226 00:11:53,800 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 1: down what we're getting, what's the befits, and what the 227 00:11:56,600 --> 00:11:59,680 Speaker 1: concerns are. And UH, in any of those positions that 228 00:11:59,720 --> 00:12:01,920 Speaker 1: I have at or saw first hand, I think it 229 00:12:02,040 --> 00:12:05,160 Speaker 1: always comes back down to a leader of someone that 230 00:12:05,200 --> 00:12:08,000 Speaker 1: can communicate and put all the information on paper. And 231 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:12,319 Speaker 1: oftentimes not every time, but oftentimes you could build consensus 232 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:14,040 Speaker 1: because the information is going to lead you to the 233 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:18,680 Speaker 1: right decision. Is the lead doing enough for diversity? When 234 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:23,200 Speaker 1: it comes to head coaches and in the front office, 235 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 1: what do they need to do more to address that? 236 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,360 Speaker 1: So I had the privileged last semester of teaching a 237 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 1: class at Columbius UH who was in their master's program 238 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:35,040 Speaker 1: was the business of the NFL. We spent a fair 239 00:12:35,080 --> 00:12:37,080 Speaker 1: amount of time looking at the Rooney rule, and I 240 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:39,800 Speaker 1: think the short answer is they certainly could do a 241 00:12:39,840 --> 00:12:42,680 Speaker 1: better job, because when we look at even this week's game, 242 00:12:42,960 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 1: Eric the Enemy, the talented offensive coordinator of the Chiefs, 243 00:12:45,880 --> 00:12:49,280 Speaker 1: Todd Bowles the defensive coordinator of the Buccaneers, they should 244 00:12:49,280 --> 00:12:51,800 Speaker 1: be head coaches by any objective metrics, and the league 245 00:12:51,840 --> 00:12:54,559 Speaker 1: needs to do a better job there. But going back 246 00:12:54,600 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 1: to Columbia. What we studied and what we came up with, 247 00:12:57,320 --> 00:12:59,440 Speaker 1: and I give our students a ton of credit, is 248 00:12:59,840 --> 00:13:04,040 Speaker 1: I think a much more impactful and sustainable change our 249 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:06,720 Speaker 1: system is looking at the entry level position. And what 250 00:13:06,800 --> 00:13:09,120 Speaker 1: I mean by that if there was a much greater 251 00:13:09,160 --> 00:13:14,720 Speaker 1: emphasis on gender racial diversity on internships entry level jobs, 252 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 1: hopefully in three or four years, none of this discussion 253 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:21,240 Speaker 1: is going to be happening because more people, the playing 254 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:23,800 Speaker 1: field would be equal at the entry level position. So 255 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:26,319 Speaker 1: as we they work their way up in the system, 256 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:30,040 Speaker 1: these other opportunities will be very organic. And I think 257 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:31,840 Speaker 1: what we're talking about with the Rooney rule right now 258 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:33,280 Speaker 1: is we're trying to put a band aid at the 259 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:36,079 Speaker 1: very top. But I think there's a much more effective 260 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 1: systemic way to solve it long term. Mike, Before Bill 261 00:13:40,920 --> 00:13:43,960 Speaker 1: Parcel's left the Foxbrow for the New York Jets, he 262 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:46,560 Speaker 1: had one of the great lines that his exit press conference, 263 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,880 Speaker 1: if they want you to cook the meal, they at 264 00:13:48,920 --> 00:13:51,960 Speaker 1: least ought to let you buy the groceries, which means 265 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 1: the head coach should have a really strong say in 266 00:13:56,280 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: who in the personnel decisions. And then you wand up 267 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 1: working with Bill Parcels who self admittedly had no clue 268 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: about the salary cap at all, which is kind of funny. 269 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:08,440 Speaker 1: But uh so, how how do you how do you 270 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: make a happy marriage between the general manager and the 271 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 1: head coach? Well, you know, and that was really like 272 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: the big break in my career. You know, I got 273 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:18,360 Speaker 1: to spend four years every single day with the coach 274 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 1: and he taught me way more about life and how 275 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 1: to treat people and lead and manage and scout and everything. Um. 276 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:28,360 Speaker 1: I was very lucky, Mike. I was just the right 277 00:14:28,400 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: place at the right time. And you know, I still 278 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,520 Speaker 1: speak to coach very regularly and he has more wisdom 279 00:14:33,520 --> 00:14:35,960 Speaker 1: than I think I'll ever share with others sometimes, which 280 00:14:36,280 --> 00:14:39,040 Speaker 1: I always talked to him about. But um again, it 281 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 1: really came back to he was very clear what he wanted. 282 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 1: And I'll never forget this. We had a meeting at 283 00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:49,360 Speaker 1: the end of the season and our eighth need was 284 00:14:49,440 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 1: running back, our number one. He was quarterback. He wasn't 285 00:14:51,520 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 1: sold on o'donnald. We had this running back, Adrian Morrell, 286 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:56,760 Speaker 1: who was a solid be not great, but good enough. 287 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:00,360 Speaker 1: And literally a week later, Curtis Martin's agent hauled up 288 00:15:00,400 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 1: and said, Hey, Curtis is a restrictive free agent. He 289 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,880 Speaker 1: wants to play for coach, and I remember telling Curtis 290 00:15:06,920 --> 00:15:10,480 Speaker 1: is Asian, well thanks, but no thanks. We have running 291 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:12,120 Speaker 1: back is our eighth need. We have so many of 292 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:14,080 Speaker 1: the things we've got to get done. I can't imagine 293 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:15,720 Speaker 1: we would get up a first and third round pick 294 00:15:15,760 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 1: for a running back when there's so many other holes 295 00:15:18,120 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 1: to fill. So I go back to Coach's office at 296 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 1: the end of the day, which was our routine. I said, Coach, 297 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 1: here we are with Curtis Martin. I know we're not 298 00:15:25,040 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: gonna be interested, but I just want to make sure 299 00:15:26,560 --> 00:15:28,880 Speaker 1: you know about the call. He said, absolutely not, We're 300 00:15:28,880 --> 00:15:30,480 Speaker 1: going to go get him. And I'm like, well, why 301 00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:32,200 Speaker 1: is that we have all these other holes to fill? 302 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:35,360 Speaker 1: He said, because when your best player is your best 303 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:39,000 Speaker 1: person and best teammate and best worker, he'll make everybody 304 00:15:39,040 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 1: else around here better. As called being a forced multiplier, 305 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: And for me, like that was wisdom that I stayed 306 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:49,320 Speaker 1: with me for the rest of my career. And so, Mike, 307 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:51,160 Speaker 1: I want to go back to something you said at 308 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 1: the top and and dig in just a little bit more, 309 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 1: because we talk a lot about um the NBA on 310 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:01,400 Speaker 1: on this program. And I know that you had the 311 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 1: experience of repping some very well known coaches, including Steve 312 00:16:05,480 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: kirk Um, you know, back in the day, so you 313 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:14,000 Speaker 1: understand the mechanics of that league, of the NBA versus 314 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: the NFL, and and those comparisons. I'm just fascinated by 315 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:21,560 Speaker 1: them because the NBA does continue to be so ascended. 316 00:16:21,600 --> 00:16:24,400 Speaker 1: It seems to be so player driven in many ways, 317 00:16:24,440 --> 00:16:27,960 Speaker 1: as you alluded to earlier. So play that out for 318 00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 1: for the NFL if you will, And you know, if 319 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 1: we do continue to see more empowered athletes, if we 320 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:37,600 Speaker 1: start to see the sorts of moves that that you've described, 321 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:41,080 Speaker 1: how does it change the game of football in your estimation, 322 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: how does it change the way teams are run and 323 00:16:43,520 --> 00:16:47,000 Speaker 1: the way teams are owned and how they're coached. Well, 324 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 1: it's it's such a simple question and a complicated answer. 325 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:52,800 Speaker 1: I think a good example really talk about is, uh, 326 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:55,000 Speaker 1: let's look at what's going on with Shaun Watson, Like 327 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 1: that's to me just completely uh inexcusable. Six months ago 328 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 1: signed a contract. What happened, Like, what did you do 329 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:08,240 Speaker 1: systemically within that organization that uh, he's even thinking about leaving. 330 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:12,120 Speaker 1: He is too good, too talented, too young, too high 331 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: character that he should be there, you know, for the 332 00:17:14,880 --> 00:17:17,840 Speaker 1: foreseeable future. So I want to know what happened in 333 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:21,720 Speaker 1: that building that would make him want to leave, And that, 334 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:24,360 Speaker 1: to me is really the conversation that needs to be had, 335 00:17:24,400 --> 00:17:27,480 Speaker 1: because Deshaun Watson is exactly what you're looking for, is 336 00:17:27,520 --> 00:17:30,159 Speaker 1: a top ten player in the league, and he's a 337 00:17:30,160 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 1: great person, he's a great leader. So that's a question 338 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:35,560 Speaker 1: that needs to be asked, is like, organizationally, what happened 339 00:17:35,880 --> 00:17:38,560 Speaker 1: and fix that right away because you may go another 340 00:17:38,600 --> 00:17:41,160 Speaker 1: ten or fifteen years and not find that player well. 341 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 1: And it's funny just to jump into here for for 342 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: a second, bike, I mean, its distinct to think about that, 343 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:48,600 Speaker 1: and maybe it's a total coincidence, and you know, the 344 00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:50,600 Speaker 1: life is full of them, but you think about what 345 00:17:50,600 --> 00:17:52,920 Speaker 1: happened with DeShawn Watson. You just look across town and 346 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:55,600 Speaker 1: see what happened with James Harden and his ownership and 347 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:59,119 Speaker 1: his relationship, you know, with his team at the Rockets, 348 00:17:59,160 --> 00:18:01,360 Speaker 1: and you know he gets out. I mean that that's 349 00:18:01,400 --> 00:18:05,280 Speaker 1: a fascinating case study. There again, thinking about sort of 350 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 1: NBA versus NFL, and and maybe them sort of blending 351 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,399 Speaker 1: a little bit in terms of this sort of power 352 00:18:12,440 --> 00:18:16,080 Speaker 1: to the players movement. Yeah, and again I think what 353 00:18:16,119 --> 00:18:18,320 Speaker 1: it does is it puts a much greater emphasis on 354 00:18:18,359 --> 00:18:22,480 Speaker 1: your organization has to be. It holds the whole organization accountable, 355 00:18:22,480 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: like you want to have a place where and look 356 00:18:24,960 --> 00:18:26,600 Speaker 1: at what Tom Brady has done in Tampa Bay. You 357 00:18:26,720 --> 00:18:29,600 Speaker 1: call look at it as an hour of association, meaning 358 00:18:30,080 --> 00:18:33,520 Speaker 1: players want to go there. Lennon Fournette, Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, 359 00:18:33,920 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 1: And it's about giving players a chance to be fulfilled 360 00:18:36,240 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 1: obviously on the field, but big picture, guys, it's about 361 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:41,400 Speaker 1: helping them get to where they want to go off 362 00:18:41,440 --> 00:18:43,880 Speaker 1: the field. And again going back to Watson, that guy 363 00:18:43,920 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 1: can never leave your building, Like that's what you're trying 364 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:49,879 Speaker 1: to build upon. So I would be really concerned if 365 00:18:49,920 --> 00:18:52,000 Speaker 1: I was in that building and having to look in 366 00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:55,359 Speaker 1: the mirror and asking really hard and sober questions of like, 367 00:18:55,680 --> 00:18:57,960 Speaker 1: what in the world did we do here? Because the 368 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 1: Shawn Watson is everything we want our team in the 369 00:19:01,119 --> 00:19:04,359 Speaker 1: league to be about. The NFL, you have to salute 370 00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:08,040 Speaker 1: them because they got to the end game, which is 371 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:10,480 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl here coming up in just a few days. 372 00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:14,480 Speaker 1: They went through all seventeen weeks with COVID hanging over 373 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,360 Speaker 1: their head. Did you think that the league would get 374 00:19:17,400 --> 00:19:20,560 Speaker 1: all the way through to this point. They deserve a 375 00:19:20,600 --> 00:19:22,480 Speaker 1: ton of credit, and so is the NFL p A. 376 00:19:23,119 --> 00:19:26,560 Speaker 1: And it's really remarkable what they were able to do. 377 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 1: And I thought maybe we would be looking at a 378 00:19:29,640 --> 00:19:32,760 Speaker 1: you know, March or April one Super Bowl and a 379 00:19:32,840 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: draft on June one, But somehow, some way they were 380 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:37,840 Speaker 1: able to pull it off. It wasn't perfect. I know, 381 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:40,760 Speaker 1: a lot of the joy and joyment wasn't there for 382 00:19:40,800 --> 00:19:43,600 Speaker 1: players and coaches, But given what you know, society as 383 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 1: a whole has had to deal with, that's obviously very minor. 384 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:48,480 Speaker 1: So again, I give a lot of credits of the 385 00:19:48,520 --> 00:19:51,280 Speaker 1: leadership of both the league and the Union. Mike, There's 386 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:53,720 Speaker 1: not going to be a combine in Indianapolis. I guess 387 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:55,440 Speaker 1: that the players are gonna work out at their own 388 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: pro days on campus. So basically the Senior Bowl was 389 00:19:58,840 --> 00:20:02,439 Speaker 1: it where U guys are on the country congregated. Is 390 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:04,280 Speaker 1: this going to be one of those years where somebody 391 00:20:04,400 --> 00:20:06,440 Speaker 1: is going to slip through the cracks or fall through 392 00:20:06,480 --> 00:20:08,840 Speaker 1: the cracks, or rise to the cracks when the draft 393 00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:13,000 Speaker 1: finally comes. I think maybe a little bit of both. 394 00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:15,400 Speaker 1: And I think fundamentally, like in talking to teams around 395 00:20:15,400 --> 00:20:18,120 Speaker 1: the league, I think there's just a general concerned about 396 00:20:18,160 --> 00:20:20,840 Speaker 1: we don't know nearly as much as what we usually do. 397 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,399 Speaker 1: So I know some teams are saying, I really have 398 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:27,359 Speaker 1: a pick in when we get to know more about 399 00:20:27,359 --> 00:20:30,280 Speaker 1: these prospects, and you know, draft in such a speculative 400 00:20:30,320 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 1: way this year because there's opt outs, Like one of 401 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:35,680 Speaker 1: the top five players this year is gonna be Jamaar Chiefs, 402 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:39,679 Speaker 1: a very talented wide receiver for L s U and 403 00:20:40,640 --> 00:20:43,000 Speaker 1: he didn't play this year, so you know, how can 404 00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 1: you possibly, um, you know, what do you do with him? 405 00:20:46,359 --> 00:20:48,199 Speaker 1: And I think there's a lot of those sort of 406 00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:52,000 Speaker 1: like conversations about, you know, is a pick worth more 407 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:55,120 Speaker 1: next year than this year? Well, Mike, we could talk 408 00:20:55,160 --> 00:20:57,679 Speaker 1: to you all day. This is fascinating before we let 409 00:20:57,680 --> 00:21:01,719 Speaker 1: you go. What's your pick for the super who's gonna win? Well, 410 00:21:01,720 --> 00:21:05,480 Speaker 1: that's also a simple question and complicated answer. I got 411 00:21:05,480 --> 00:21:10,240 Speaker 1: money on this. Yeah, this is Bloomberg. It's about an investment, right, 412 00:21:10,760 --> 00:21:14,480 Speaker 1: all right, that's right. I would say that it's um, 413 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:18,160 Speaker 1: it's Kansas City and Tampa played ten times. Kansas City 414 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:22,879 Speaker 1: win seven UM without Eric Fisher, the talented left tackle 415 00:21:23,080 --> 00:21:25,879 Speaker 1: of Kansas City. I think the past rush is a 416 00:21:25,880 --> 00:21:28,479 Speaker 1: great equalizer. But with that said, I'm gonna go Kansas 417 00:21:28,520 --> 00:21:35,639 Speaker 1: City twenty seven Tampa Bay. Wow. Alright, interesting, interesting. I 418 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:37,200 Speaker 1: think it's gonna be a good game. I think it's 419 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:39,520 Speaker 1: gonna be a good game. We know you'll be watching, 420 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:41,399 Speaker 1: and we love catching up and you come back and 421 00:21:41,480 --> 00:21:43,840 Speaker 1: visit with us before too long. We really appreciate Mike Tannenbaum. 422 00:21:44,200 --> 00:21:47,360 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. I really appreciate guys. Thanks a lot, 423 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:49,719 Speaker 1: and I hope you guys stay safe and healthy and 424 00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,919 Speaker 1: appreciate you having me. Thank you a lot. This is 425 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:55,720 Speaker 1: the Bloomberg Business of Sports podcast on Michael Barr. You 426 00:21:55,760 --> 00:21:58,399 Speaker 1: can follow me on Twitter at Big Bar Sports. And 427 00:21:58,440 --> 00:22:01,359 Speaker 1: I'm Mike Lynch and I worked in Mike Tannebaum's hometown 428 00:22:01,359 --> 00:22:03,879 Speaker 1: of Needham, Massachusetts for forty years, and you can follow 429 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:07,560 Speaker 1: me at Lynch w CVB, and I'm Jason Kelly. Follow 430 00:22:07,640 --> 00:22:10,520 Speaker 1: me at Jason Kelly News. We're here each and every Monday, 431 00:22:10,520 --> 00:22:13,320 Speaker 1: Wednesday and Thursday exploring the world of money and sports. 432 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:15,080 Speaker 1: Trains Again At the end of the week, we're gonna 433 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:17,479 Speaker 1: catch up with Rob Higgins. He is the executive director 434 00:22:17,560 --> 00:22:21,200 Speaker 1: of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. The new title town 435 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 1: I Got a big game going money this weekend. You're 436 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:27,000 Speaker 1: listening to Bloomberg Business of Sports on Bloomberg Radio around 437 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:30,000 Speaker 1: the world and online wherever you get your podcasts.