Nightcap - Nightcap Hour 2: Rich Paul JOINS NIGHTCAP to TALK LeBron James + LeBron EXPECTED To MAKE DECISION SOON

Episode Date: July 13, 2026

Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Iso Joe Johnson react to LeBron reportedly making a decision this week and Rich Paul joins Nightcap to talk LeBron and MORE! Subscribe to Nightcap presented by PrizePicks so you don’t miss out on any new drops! Download the PrizePicks app today and use code SHANNON to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/NI... 0:00 - LeBron James is expected to make his decision this week11:54 - Rich Paul joins (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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I sit down each week with a special guest and we discuss the absolute best of things. It's that and then there's everything else. Dude, his whole life has sounded like the first drop of a roller coaster. I mean, I can't even tell you, Paul, how crazy it was. It was insane. Listen to Paul's best podcast on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. From daily news to dating fails, conspiracy theories to cooking with celebrities who can't actually cook, Amazon Music's got the most ad-free top podcasts ready to entertain, included with Prime. The World Cup is underway and it's been incredible.

On our podcast, The O-A-N with Danielle Alarcon and John Green, we're talking about the games that have delighted us, the teams that have inspired us, what we're loving and what surprised us, all through the lens of being massive fans of the world's most beautiful game. this tournament has been magical so far. There's so much to love and I can hardly believe the drama that the group stage brought us and now it's time for us to talk about the teams that are left as the field is whittled down to one World Cup champion on July 19th.

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Listen on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Man, as I said, Joe, don't you? People ask him all the time when they see him. Man, how much what your brother's saying is true? How much of that is real? like everything. He like that joke.

He remembers everything, even though he was small. And y'all see chat, everything that I told you. He had some of the stuff I forgot. Some of the stuff I forgot. And sometimes he'd be telling me stuff, then I can add,

I can feel it in the blank like, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, I remember that now. But you've got to realize, I mean, my memory from the time I was about five and then my grandfather died when I was eight, about to be nine. Right.

So that was, you know, you five years old, your memory is not the greatest, but I just remember him because he didn't really talk a lot, but he had such a commanding voice. He had a very, hey boy, he had one of those type voices. Yeah, yeah. He wasn't big, he's probably pop-off probably about five, seven,

maybe five, maybe five eight, probably about two 50. Damn. Yeah, he had a presence about himself. Yeah. And very matter of fact, it wasn't, no play, wasn't no key. I should have a whole story about that. We were full up to the gas stage,

and the man made jokes about my father. My grandfather had false teeth. Oh, yeah. Yeah, you said he was hot. Hey, Mr. Barney, you better catch a T for they run away. Well, my part about putting that car apart. Hey. Man, I'm a grown man.

I don't play. I'm sorry, Mr. Barney. You should be. All right, let's get back on track. LeBron James is expected to make his decision regarding free agency this upcoming week, Pershon Devaney. Joe, where is he going? Hey, man.

You know, it's a lot of speculations out there, Uncle Ocho. And, you know, it's a lot of rumlins about different parts going to different places, different players, link. I'm going to be honest with y'all. I don't know what the hell he's going right now. You know, I think I want to put, you know, you know, Philly in there. I want to put Cleveland and I want to put Miami in there

and go to state them four. I think he's going to go to one of them. But I also think he's trying to get some help, meaning like, I don't think he just want to go somewhere by himself unless it's just, unless it's Philly.

You know what I mean? You can just plug and play in Philly. But even if he goes to Miami, I think he probably wants to bring a guy too with him. Yep. I've been hearing the rum. about potential trade with Kyrie. Kyrie going to Cleveland with him.

I ain't going to lie. I would love to see that too. It's a few. Hey, man, listen. I think wherever he go, he's going to shake. He's going to shake the basketball world up, bro. Absolutely. Absolutely.

What y'all got? What y'all got? Let me hear it. I have no idea, Joe, because there are compelling arguments that can be made for every team that he's going to, but there's also a drawback for every compelling argument that you make, I can make it says, okay, this is why I don't think it makes sense.

Absolutely. Absolutely. And so that's why it's so hard for me to pinpoint one place. Like I said, for me, the easiest fit where I believe he can still be LeBron James and be first or second option, second option is Golden State. That's what for me. Everywhere else,

you got Donovan, you got James Harden, you got Janus, and you need shooting spacing. Because now the one thing we know Golden State can do is they can face the floor. Yeah. Well,

space to floor, LeBron has the ball in his hands, he can get down heel. So for me, that makes the most sense. But LeBron James is not looking to do what makes the most sense for Shannon or anybody else.

What makes the most sense for LeBron? What's going to be easiest on my family? Right. Whether I play 26, or I play 26, 27, leading into 28 and call. Do I play 24 and call him the year career, or do I play?

25 in calling the career. So it's going to have to make sense to him, not us. Yeah, I agree. I just think the Golden State thing is far-fetched because if they're saying he won't AD to come with him, I just don't see Washington giving up

80 considering what they can accomplish this year. I've already stated that I feel like they can make the biggest jump in the Eastern Conference, but the East is going to be jumping this year. And if I'm brun, just keeping it 100, it's like, damn, I think I want to get the hell about the Western Conference, bro. I mean, you would have to.

And more, it's more logic, it's more common sense, especially where LeBron is in being, being older. Obviously, going to Golden State, a lot of people would like it. Uncle, you mentioned the spacing on the floor and him being able to dictate and do some of the things he'd like to do and being LeBron again, but also who wants to go in the West and have to deal with having to play the Spurs, none of their nuggets, which I keep saying.

Then I think about Philly. Ah, now you're third Philly. or you third fiddle again. You bet you back put in that situation where Maxie needs the ball, Jalen Brown needs the ball, then you have him beat, eh, it just makes no sense.

Now, if you're playing NBA 2K, you put LeBron on Philly. It makes sense. To me, the best fit, which is what I said from day one, is coming down here to Miami. The ball is in your hands. You can facilitate,

you can dictate, you can pick and choose when you want to insert yourself in the games. You still get your points. You got Bam and Yonis. You ain't got to do much to sit in there.

in the chair. They're going to do all the dirty work. They're going to have it on the construction hat. You got to shoot it. You got Tim Hardaway. You got Andrew Wiggins. And I'm sure they're going to bring another piece of two in. That to me makes the most sense. Cleveland is not happening. Yeah, Cleveland don't make sense to me, Joe. I understand about the reunion and to go back where it all started, Joe. But with Hardin, Donovan Mitchell, Allen. Okay, okay. Well, listen. If they get rid of it, if they trade for Kyrie and get rid of James, which I can't see Dallas doing that because I don't see Dallas won

Cooper flag and James Harden to beep. I don't really see that. But let's just say, hypothetically speaking, they trade for Kyrie and Kyrie goes back. You don't like, you still don't like the Cleveland situation. Well, I like Kyrie and LeBron wherever they are. I'm going to be one thigh with you. Wherever they are, I like Kyrie and Braun.

Hey, hey. I have a question. What's up? Joe, you would know better than me. Unk, you know too, because now is your knowledge of the game. especially with free agency and trades is as much better than I am what about the opportunity of of Kyrie going to Miami I mean being at LeBron I'm telling you all again once again ahead of time I continue to throw these hints out but nobody's really picking up what I'm putting down

what about what are the chances of Kyrie going down to Miami hey I don't know what the chances are but but Ocho I love it bro I ain't going to lie I'm a big fan of Kyrie you know he takes the game series he always in shape you know what I mean he's a savant and And he's shown that he can play with other great players, you know what I mean, and still be super effective. So I like Kyrie wherever he at. I do want him to play in meaningful basketball. Like I wouldn't mind seeing him and Brian get back together. I think that would be lit not only for the game of basketball, but for them too as well,

because both what really feel like they have something to prove considering Kyrie coming off of ACL surgery. bro and basically you know seeing how the Lakers was moving in a different direction and was like look man look all I need is one team you know what I mean I obviously be 41 by the B 42 bro and still have options

okay Ocho this is just this traded waters bro we ain't never seen this before no yeah so we uh I hate to see I hate making decisions like this I mean most people like certainty people we like routine Joe

Yeah. See, that's why LeBron has been able to play so long because he loves the routine. Yeah. He loves the monotony of getting up, working out, getting shots, doing what he does, go to sleep, get up again, go work out. He loves the monotony of that. Now he's going to have to do that just in another, you know, if he goes leaves, if the West Coast now, the East Coast, now three hours.

He hadn't been on the West, he hadn't been on the East Coast like that full time since he left Cleveland. Yeah. Yeah. But if anybody, look, you don't play this long, be this great without having adaptability. The greats can always adapt. Yes. They can play in any conditions.

They can play with no matter the defense. They probably seen every, every, you know, what you can throw out of them, they can, they can handle it. It's just a situation where, man, everybody thinks they have a chance. That's the thing to be, though, feeling like, oh, man, we got, hey, we got the bead, we got Maxi, we got J.B., we got Etcham. You know, Miami's like, hey, we got Bam and we got Janice, we got Wiggins, we got Dave Yon Mitchell. Cleveland says, it's his home.

He had two stints with us here. I honestly don't know. I have earthly, I have no earthly idea where LeBron's going to go. And there, I'm sure he knows, I'm sure Savannah knows, and probably Rich Paul. On what he's leaning toward? I mean, and Ocho knows. No, you don't know. You're speculating.

I'm not speculating. I'm not speculating. I'm telling you, Joe, and I've been telling you with confidence the past two weeks. I think y'all, y'all in the picture, Ocho. Y'all, I don't think y'all leading the race, though. Oh, I agree, Joe. Okay. So when this happens, I want to apologize you from both of you, please.

Okay. All right, all right, all right. You ain't going to go to no games, so why you care? Huh? You're not going to go to any game, so why do you care? I might go to one, maybe two. Especially now, now that I know and understand the game, you know, I can talk with you all.

Listen, I'm going to go to maybe one or two games. But I want to watch it from home so I can see exactly, you know, how the flow of the game is going. And listen. Brown, go back to Miami, they're going to be turned up to the max. Yeah. Yeah. I'm talking about what's super high expectation.

They're going to be looking to bring the trophy back to Miami, baby. Hey, listen, and we talk about bringing the trophy back in the planning of 23rd, 24th year at 42 years old. Your best chance to get one is over there with them, with them two dogs, huh? At the four and a five. But, yeah, I think the thing is that we know Spoh. and they play hard. They play hard. Now, he don't always have the pieces to go compete,

but they're going to compete. They win some games just because they're better condition and they're better coach. Oh, yeah. Not because they have the better team. No question. No question. That's why they're always in the fight

and they're always in the race. They ain't never going to be completely out of it, bro. You know, because we talk about the heat culture and how those guys operate over there, shh, man, they're always going to be in it. So we're going to find out. They said it's this week. Said it's this week and we'll see what happens.

Dremont spoke about his recruits. Look who just popped up on the screen, guys. What's up, fam? I'm sports journalist Ari Chambers. Hey, what's up, y'all? It's your girl, Sam J. And we're the host of everyone watches women's sports, a new podcast from Together and I Heart Women's Sports.

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On the IHeart Radio app Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast The World Cup is underway and it's been incredible On our podcast, The Away End with Danielle Alarcon and John Green We're talking about the games that have delighted us The teams that have inspired us What we're loving and what surprised us

All to the lens of being massive fans Of the world's most beautiful game Daniel, this tournament has been magical so far. The expanded field of teams has created some incredible matchups that have already made this World Cup one to remember. And now things get even more exciting with the intensity of the knockout rounds as the field is whittled down to one World Cup champion on July 19th. When you say it like that, I get a pain in my heart that the tournament is over. But there's a lot of soccer yet to go. And if the first few games of the round of 32 are any indication, anything is possible in the lead up to the final.

We've got it covered from an ultra's perspective here on the away end. So listen to The Away End with Daniel Alricone and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Munga shit together and I'm back with a new season of the podcast Skyline Drive. This time I'm diving into a rabbit hole of peptides, organoids, blood boys, blue zones and brain replacement to try to understand what this longevity obsession is all about. and what it really means to live forever, for all of us. I learned about some rad science. I can make a brain for you, and then we can test what draw is the best for your brain,

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They say it works. I don't know. Listen to Skyline Drive How to Live Forever on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Mainstream media is full of cruel depictions of The Un-Housed, stories that shame and blame and paint the Un-Housed as a monolith. We The Un-House is the podcast that's changing that.

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The declaration, which is full of these beautifully rendered sentences and paragraphs about enlightenment ideals, does also have this darker history to it. Why is it important for the darker part of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution? Why is it important that Americans know about it? Well, if we don't understand the full context in which our nation was founded, we won't understand the full context in which our nation now finds itself. I'm Rebecca Nagel. Gohine, Dawadon, Jalaka Yatliqa, Citizen of Cherokee Nation.

Are you guys big chiefs fans? Hell yeah. This is First America, the true story of how the United States came to be, and how we got to this present moment. Listen to First America on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Who? He muted. Hey, Rich, you muted?

I'm unmuted. Hey, what's our, twin? What's good? Hey, I'm sitting here trying to educate. I'm trying to educate these two. on my excellency when it comes to talking basketball and where our brother Bronn going. Like, I know you can't say it,

but I know where you're going. I'm trying to explain to them why he's going and why it makes the most sense. You know better than me. Yeah, see, I told you. Rich, obviously, this has been something going on. When LeBron didn't have, LeBron was on an expiring contract,

and you know there was going to be some decisions that had to be made. is he going back? Is he going to retire? If he leaves it, if and when he leaves and goes somewhere else, what's he looking for? Either the championship,

either the place is, you know, I got Savannah and Zuri's enrolled and she got her volleyball going on. Savannah has us stuff. Bron is doing his thing. We got Bryce in Arizona. So as you sat down and talked to LeBron,

what became abundantly and crystal clear to you what LeBron was looking for? Oh, man. That's a good question. question. I mean, you know, I think all of our former athletes, it's just uncharted waters, you know, there's very seldom you get to year 24. And number one, you're still playing at such a high level. And, and then number two, you're still able to contribute and unlock things wherever you may end up. I think the clearest thing was that. that he wasn't staying in LA. That was probably the most clear thing. When did you realize that?

When did you realize LeBron is not going back to the Lakers? When he finally told you like, okay, you can start shopping me elsewhere? Yeah, you know, I think, you know, look, you guys know me for, the craziest thing is, all of y'all know me for a long time. So I, you know, I don't fake,

but there's nothing to fake here. It's it was, yeah, just as simple as that, you know. And all those decisions are tough. Obviously, you play somewhere for a long time and, you know, you still want to play the game, but you understand your positioning and how you want to go about things. And so when he made that clear, that was the only clear thing that I had possession of. Everything else, you know, you just have to go to work and try to set the table as best as possible. to allow him to understand what's in front of him.

And he's obviously, you guys know, Bronner's extremely smart with all this stuff. So he has a, he has an understanding of what's there. But there are some things that you have to think about that we go through. And believe it or not, you know, I know just as much as you guys know.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, what's that. You know what, Joe? Me and you got an issue, man. What we got to issue about? I ain't seen you. I ain't heard. heard from you. I used to hear from you all the time. What's going on, Joe? You know you, my guy. I come to Little Rock, don't hit it. Listen, where is Joe? Hey, hey, hey, it's going

Hey, hey, is, I keep up with you, man. I see you moving around doing your thing. I'm proud of it. You know, you had several conversations and, you know, you know the uphill battle what it is and what you got to deal with someone in my position and now being in an executive role that, and what I've been able to build along with my colleagues and things like that. You know, we're here, man. Here to stay. Hey, hey, hey. I've seen your whiteboard.

Yes, sir. I've seen your whiteboard. I've seen it. I want to know. You saw one of my white boards. I saw one of you, okay, one of your white boards. Do y'all, do y'all got to narrow down to about four or five teams or everybody kind of still wide open? I don't know nothing about no narrowing down, Joe.

What they say, he's about to make a decision? We just talked about this since, uh, hold on. You know this. Sean Devaney. A pair of lips will say anything, man. See, I like coming a nightcap, but I can have a little fun. I want to come out here. I've been trying to come on here and just to hang with you guys, man.

But yeah, don't listen to that stuff. Don't nobody knows. If I don't know, who know? See? And I'm the only one is the only way. Ojo and R.J. No. Oh, Joe.

Hey. Hey. I'm telling you I know. Listen, let me say. I'm going to say what Rich King say. Obviously, rich is in the place. position. He's in a, he's in a great position that he's, that he says, is a gift and a curse to be in a position that he's in, being the executive that he is. So he has to keep it hush. You have to

stand LeBron and Rich and their team in general, how they always been. They've always been two or three steps ahead of everybody else. Huh? And what I like to call, I like to call it playing the waiting game. LeBron is methodical. They're very strategic and they're always ahead of the game. They're always ahead of the curve and everything that they do. His next move has to be his best move. that's what they're thinking. So I'm going to the spinal way. Stay with me. I'm going to do with you.

Look at the landscape of the NBA right now. What is the best thing for LeBron to do? Okay. Do I want to go play in the West? In the West? Absolutely not. Listen, go to state and look good on paper. Does he want to play with Steph?

Yes. He's always loved to play with Steph. But at this point in his career, do you want to go to the West and deal with them with them jugginots? No, you don't want to deal with Denver. You don't want to deal with Demble. You don't want to deal with them. So what's the best fit for him?

The East, over there in Philly, why? You got Maxie need the ball. You got Jalen Brunson. Again, I started making the earlier. I mean, excuse me, Jalen Brown, you got Embed sort of clogging up the hole a little bit. He and the Wade. That don't make no sense.

Down here, the 305 in the county, we already been. Why not bring another trip down here? You can facilitate, you can dictate. Well. You told the place of the games. Well, hey, do I got to worry about my cookies? getting taken again. Now we're good.

We're good. I mean, you're telling me that now, but when I get there, what is it gonna be like? It's like a recruiter trip, Joe. They tell you all the good stuff until they get you the side and then all of a sudden, ah, no, it ain't nothing like that.

We're gonna be good. Man, y'all funny, man. But let me ask you this, okay, hey, listen, go ahead, Joe. Rich, damn, can we, I mean, what coasts are gonna be on, we're gonna be on, man.

We're gonna be on. We're gonna be on. Hey, Joe, I just, Joe, I just explained everything to you. He's in a tough spot. Yeah. I'm, I'm rich representation right now. I'm his voice. I'm his platform.

I'm telling y'all what's going to happen. It just kind of hard to believe. You have another client. And he got traded from the Lakers, went to Dallas. He got injured right there, and he really didn't get an opportunity to fulfill. Because the way they looked at it, they thought if we got Kyrie, we got AD, and they ended up getting Cooper flag. I would have loved to have seen how that would have panned out. It didn't happen.

But if AD can give them somewhere between 60 and 65 games with Trey with something to prove after being traded from Atlanta and A.J. DeBonsa, can the Wizards be a problem? I think the Wizards are the top 16 in the East. I think the Wizards are the top 16 in the East, man. I really believe that because, you know, say what you want about Trey. Look, it's very difficult to play.

one-on-one basketball defensively in the NBA. I don't care who you. Nobody could guard Joe Johnson, nobody. The best of them. And we had some great defenders. Tony Allen was the, was Numeruono off night. He was the original off-night. You had a lot of great defenders back then.

It's just hard to defend a guy one-on-one. So now you've got to have great team defensive guys, guys that help side defense. Your rotations have to be right. When it comes to being a great team, I think understanding and getting guys to buy in and play a role has a major factor. The younger the team, you got to think all these guys are coming from, it was my situation. They picked the school they wanted to go to. They picked the AAU team they wanted to play on.

They picked the high school team they wanted to play on. So now I get to the league, I don't have that. So now who's willing to actually buy in? Who's willing to play a role, right? Because you're not getting 25 shot attempts every night, not when you got all stars and all NBA type guys in the team, right? And then someone has to sacrifice. So I think if the Wizards, the organization is not of what people would think perceived just because they had losing record. They're actually doing some really great things there in Washington.

They went out and got Will Dawkins and Michael Winger. the leadership group had already been great. So that's never been an issue. You know, Ted and then son, Zach, are tremendous people. I just believe that they're going to be a really strong team and a shop to the east this year, given that all-sillism clicking. I know AJ's coming in as the number one pick,

but he's going to have to fit in and play a role. Now, that would be something nice where he get off and do his thing. No question about it. and he's talented enough to do so. But it's just all about the buy-in. And that happens in training camp. That happens in the film room. That happens on a Tuesday night against Sacramento

or against Milwaukee or the young teams that you may see on look and see on paper and say, oh, we should beat them. But then you have to actually beat them because this is the NBA. So you go in there and you're playing me basketball, you won't win. The one thing AD brings to the table is he's a champion, right? He's been to the finals and won. in the Western Conference Finals, when he came to L.A., I think six out of the seven years or whatever, he was there. They made the playoffs, maybe five out of the seven, but play high-level basketball the entire time.

So he brings that into the locker room. And in addition to they got those wings, they got great. They got really young guards. And I think they're going to do things the right way. So if there was a sleeper in the east, it's Washington for me. Now, could they be six? could they be eight whatever you know a couple games off would dictate that but you know staying healthy i think they'll be the surprise the league this year absolutely you look at wimby

wimby has an opportunity to sign of a supermax contract 303 million he takes 250 don't do this to me and you hear a lot of agents don't do this to me man i know but see i know how you feeling but the thing is that second apron and we hear brand Stevenson said that's why we you know we had to move on from Jalen Brown I don't whatever the case may be but I I thought winning was the most important and if we're going to win okay we have to go to the first apron the second apron hell if we got to get an apron apron you got to get anjama's apron man for all that much listen here's the thing I think I think I think there's certain decisions that can be made by

certain people and you know if you know Wembe if you know it's representation both Jeremy and Boone are really great guys. I think he's one of those guys that can actually do it and justify it down there in San Antonio for different reasons. But I do think that may, I don't know if it sets a trend, but it depends on your situation, and it depends on what's important to you. The way I look at things has always been,

you guys aren't going to play forever. I don't know if you're going to play five years, seven years, 10 years, 14, and at some point, you know, you know, your, your value doesn't stay consistent or doesn't increase. Most people's value decreased, especially after the year five or six, sometimes seven. And I think that's one of those things that is very, it's misleading for the fans and for people that watch our sport and watch athletes. They think, oh, they make money and they make that level of money all the time. No.

The other thing, too, is athletes have to make their most important decisions at their youngest age. See, you guys just like, unlike executives, we keep getting bites at the apple. You know, you can go and do something else. You know, reposition yourself. I work over here for this corporate company. Now I go over here and, you know, the mistakes I made at 35, now I'm making my money at 45, and then I really hit at 55. You guys don't get that.

That hardwood don't give. That grid iron don't give. that ice rink don't give that baseball diamond don't get you can't and you know you can't play forever and so you say well you can make it up not really and the other thing is

well most people can't and the other thing is you know when you I always say the more years you play in college just take those years at your highest earning potential and knock it off your career earnings

and so it's tough, right? And so I don't necessarily recommend things, but also I don't represent everybody, but if my client was in a position to where he can do that, like right now, LJ's not making it about the money. He's not making about the money. We didn't, we didn't sit back and tell nobody to hold nothing

to do, you know, there was conversations, but at the end of the day, you know people got to do what they need to do, but it's not about that. And so that actually makes a decision harder, because as you guys as former athletes, when have you ever made a decision that wasn't about the money? As an athlete, that always trumps your decision because you can say, man, you know what?

I really like that team over there, but they got a dollar. This team over here offering 10. Hey, I got to go get this $10. Just because of the position, I don't know how long I'm going to be able to get that team. Is that what makes it so difficult? Yeah.

It's because everybody seemed to have the damn same amount of money. Well, here's the thing. When you remove the money, money now you actually have clarity you've never seen an athlete be in this position uh where not have you ever seen an athlete being this position where he can sit there and say oh don't worry about the money how i've never seen it i don't know i've been around a long time it's my 25th season it's his 24 i count 25 i don't know i've never seen that before and so but that's not the only thing that makes it difficult there's a number of things that makes it

difficult. Obviously, being in year 24, you're not in 12 or 14. And so you really have to evaluate things a lot differently. And, you know, look, we've never going to be rushed to do anything. And we damn sure don't care about what nobody has to say or think. Not at this point. We don't work too hard to get here now. We can't be worried about that. I think it's more so just, you know, when a man's ready to make his decision, he makes a decision. But I say all that to say, when you're talking about from from from from from from from situation I tip my hat you know he's showing leadership with his group of people and you know that spurs organization man they

you know they they are first class and and you know I think I don't know how much I don't see how much was like a 30 million dollar difference or whatever the case may be 50 million dollar difference over five so that's 10 Texas eight yeah you know It's real money. But, heck, everybody's situation is different. Everybody's situation is different.

What about the criticism, Rich? They say you're an active agent and you have a pod and you're speaking on, you don't only just speak on things that might impact you and your clients, but potentially speaking on things that impact other clients and other agents and other teams. What do you say to that? Everybody's speaking on everything, huh? What's up, fam? I'm sports journalist Ari Chambers.

Hey, what's up, y'all? girl Sam Jay. And we're the host of everyone watches women's sports, a new podcast from Together and I Heart Women's Sports. Because let's be real. Women's sports is giving us way too much to talk about these days. The highlights, the rivalries, the breakout stars, the moments to take over your

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The World Cup is underway and it's been incredible. On our podcast, The Away End with Danielle Alarcon and John Green, We're talking about the games that have delighted us, the teams that have inspired us, what we're loving and what surprised us, all to the lens of being massive fans of the world's most beautiful game. Daniel, this tournament has been magical so far. The expanded field of teams has created some incredible matchups that have already made this World Cup one to remember. And now things get even more exciting with the intensity of the knockout rounds as the field is whittled down to one World Cup champion on July 19th. When you say it like that, I got a pain in my heart.

the tournament is over. But there's a lot of soccer yet to go. And if the first few games of the round of 32 are any indication, anything is possible in the lead up to the final. We've got it covered from an ultra's perspective here on the away end. So listen to the away end with Daniel Alricone and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Munga shit together and I'm back with a new season of the podcast, Skyline Drive. This time I'm diving into a rabbit hole of peptides, organoids, blood boys, blood, bloods, blood, Loo zones and brain replacement to try to understand what this longevity obsession is all about and what it really means to live forever for all of us.

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Getting a racist statue removed. And here's something that should be a whole lot easier than it is. Getting a new one put up in its place. As long as there's a politics of race in America, there's going to be a politics of remembering the Civil War. To get to school, I had to go down Robert Lee Boulevard. Get to the grocery store, I had to go down Jefferson Davis Parkway. If you're an historian and you leave out half of what the history is, you're not doing your job. I'm Akila Hughes.

In Rebel Spirit, Season 2 goes deep on both of those things. The fights, the politics, the people who won, and my personal campaign to add something to the Kentucky State House that's actually worth the wall space. We are more than our bodies. We contain essence. We contain spirit. How do you represent that? They are just fueling a fire that is really catching. You'll see what I mean.

Listen to Rebel Spirit Season 2 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The Declaration, which is full of these beautifully rendered sentences and paragraphs about enlightenment ideals, does also have this darker history to it. Why is it important for the darker part of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution? Why is it important that Americans know about it? Well, if we don't understand the full context in which our nation was founded, we won't understand the full context in which our nation now finds itself. I'm Rebecca Nagel.

Gohyn, Taoadol, Jalike Yatli-Ga-Lan, citizen of Cherokee Nation. Are you guys big Chiefs fans? Hell yeah. This is First America, the true story of how the United States came to be, and how we got to this present moment. Listen to First America on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm saying, everybody's speaking on everything. What I say is, you know, I'm not turning down an opportunity to influence the youth,

to give the youth confidence that they're going to. can do anything because guess what all these people are the main ones talking they're also the main ones wasn't going to ever give somebody that look like me that come from what i come from the lack there of a higher education opportunity so why should i care what they have to say when i'm continued to just look at the blaze that's being trailed don't don't worry about what i'm saying just just look at the blaze that's being trailed and the opportunities that's given i have 230 229 include myself 30 young people that that work. You know,

when I, when I first started my business, nobody believed, you know how hard it was for me to get an opportunity. Not many meetings I had to be, to drive runs I had to make and be turned down. And so I think

it's not necessarily what's being said. It's the package that the words is coming in. You know, it's me. And I understand that. And that's okay. But just because it hadn't been done before, don't mean the right thing to do.

And look, there is a responsibility that comes with things, and I know that, but if you really listen and don't, don't focus on the clipping, even early on this year, I just gave a scenario based upon what my colleague was saying, and I gave a scenario breaking down what could be. And if you dissect it, what was sought after? a big. All I said is if it was me, the way I look at it, because as you know, this is what I do. I do this every day all day, evaluate talent, and it's not just, people say, oh, you're just an agent. Well, actually, that's not true. I'm actually the CEO of the company that happens to be an agent.

And so, you know, trying to put somebody in a box is the worst thing, especially for me. I mean, it's just tough to put me in a box because, you know, I know how hard it is. and once somebody turn that water, that faucet off, and you go there and you try to turn that faucet on, there's no more water. You still thirst, you got to drink. So you got to create other pipelines, you know, because you know how this thing goes.

And so I don't get discouraged. No, discouragement has killed more people than guns. And, you know, I just can't, I can't focus there, man. It's just too tough, hopefully, especially when I know how hard it is to get an opportunity. And, you know, players, have podcasts, you know, the moment that it distracts of getting away of my day job,

then that's a different story. But it doesn't at all. You know, I haven't missed the beat. We're growing and we having a lot of fun. And, you know, again, they talked about Jesus, man. So I don't take myself too serious. Hello. Would you leave your current role

to become, to run, a team say like a Rob, like a Leon Rose. Would that something you would consider? No, not right now. Not right now. We're rolling, huh? Do you see the draft? Hey, hey, hey, hey, speaking of the draft.

I mean, you got one of my favorite players to watch. I watched them at high school. Caleb. Hey, hey, hey, hey, I've been random raving to Armin'Ocho about how nice he is. And I thought he showed great flashing, college, obviously him getting hurt. But when you think about it, Rich, that he made seven threes in college, bro.

He went seven for 11 other night. Yeah. From three. And they talk about, oh, man, he reminds me a KG. He reminds me a KG. Hell, I seen a lot of KD the other night. Yeah. You know what I mean?

I think, I've always said it. I thought he had the most upside in the entire draft. And just a tremendous kid, a great family. And he's serious about his approach. He's serious about his profession. You know, when you see the post-game interview, you had 35, he's like, yeah, but we lost.

Focus on that. We lost. And then he talked about how he was emotional going into the game and, you know, being vulnerable and being able to state that, hey, I was emotional. I actually cried because this is my first time playing since I got hurt. The game means that much to me. That's not an act. Yeah.

I'm just letting you know. That's not an act. That is very authentic and true to the core. And, you know, we had, you know, Caleb and Co-Apeat and Brain Burry, just an unbelievable drive class this year, man. And, you know, just unbelievable young men and family still. That's the thing. And so, you know, when you talk about going to do something else, you know,

obviously, you know, people talk about that. And there's been rumors and, you know, every competitive agent meeting, they tell families, oh, rich. going to run a team and things like that, I think that's part of the game. But the reality of it is, no, you know, I've booked a real, see, it's a difference between building the business and building the book of business. I built a business. And so it's not that easy to go away from. And I don't even want to do that, but it's not that easy to go away from. I enjoy what I do, getting up every day. I'm in that office every day if I'm not in the golf course, obviously.

And, you know, I think it's, I'll say this. I'm honored when people say that, because as you guys know, I come a long way, man. But at the same time, I really enjoy what I do. The moment I stop enjoying it, I won't do it. But right now, I really enjoy what I do. I have great clients, have great families. We built a tremendous business that stretches far beyond. representation and you know every day I get up I'm still thinking how to get better I'm

still trying to perfect my craft man and find different ways of processing and and you know different verticals that's that's not representation uh just a representation adjacent I'm learning a lot every day and so you know you've learned from young people get a lot of young people around you they these kids are smart man very smart so yeah I'm learning a lot of So no, not right now, man. Not right now. I'm still a young man. You know what you're trying to,

why are you trying to get me out of the game? Hey, you were there? Are you trying to get you out of the game? You're with me? Okay, okay. Hey, hey, hey, hey, Rick. Go ahead, Ocho. Go ahead.

No, I got a question. With everything you accomplished, being a CEO, building a business, if you didn't go this route. Yeah. If you didn't go this by, hell, if I didn't play football and football, then work out,

I want to be a marine biologist. I want to be a veterinarian because I love animals and I love killer whales. Yeah. What would you put up in your other route if you could be in your That's a good question.

You know, I was always a people's person, Ocho, you know that. Hell, me and you became, Fran, I ain't played football. Wasn't ever in the bank was blocking room or nothing. We just, you just had it like it for me, you know? And the same way with me and Joe. You know,

that's a good question. Look, again, I threw so many things at the wall hoping one stick, man. And then obviously, you know, I think people get it misconstrued when I talk about my journey and people try to make it that as if I'm not appreciative of the opportunity at LeBron forgave me. I would tremendously appreciative so much so much so that I couldn't wait to, to, to do what I've been able to do and not be dependent up because I think when an athlete give you an opportunity as a friend, as a brother, as a cousin,

distant cousin, you know, whatever the case may be, that's not something that you should rest on, you know, that's not to, you know, to make a bed. That's more of like a pallet, you know. And it's just one of those boosters. But then I think the most respect that we can show you guys, is to go on and build something. And then you can look back and say,

hey, man, you know what? I'm with that. And I try to say that to all the young guys that surround my clients. I tell them, you know, it's on you. There's no way that you should be asleep when your guy go to practice and come back from practice.

There's no way. There's no way them cars should be on E or not wash. There's no way the cleaners shouldn't be there. the Amazon boxes shouldn't be by them doors, that garage door, that front door, that snow removal should be on time, you know, that refrigerator,

them cleaning crews, all of that because it's, it's just a proper way of doing things. And as you know, I try to get a game and as best as I can, man. I'm extremely appreciative of the opportunity that was given to me. But at the same time,

I know I, I knew I couldn't lean on that, you know, and the last thing I ever wanted to do was be that guy in the section, and then when it's all over, then people ain't picking up your phone calls. You know, when you, I had to build something. They're not picking up your call. They don't care who you used to hang around with. That don't mean nothing. That's not going to pay the bills. And so I try to express that as best as possible because, you know, I've seen a lot, man. I've seen a whole lot, a whole lot had to deal with a whole lot. And so, um, I don't, No, Ocho, I probably would have been in the music, probably in music or fashion, you know,

music or fashion. I could, I could, you know, vice president of global, global marketing at one of these shoe companies or, you know, a manager, music manager, I can manage talent all day long. I'm an NR, too, now. I can pick a lot of records and find writers and get songs made and find the producers. You know, I had a record deal at 25, 24 years old. Oh, what you did be? Come on, man.

Listen. You can sing? I didn't pick singles. I didn't done it all, Ocho. That's just what, again, that's just me. Well, we know you can pick a single. No, no, no, no. I pick singles.

Come on, there you go. Oh, singles. Okay. No, no, no. I think. Oh, my head, my man. Yeah. Hey, you know, I'm glad.

I'm glad you said that, man. You know, LeBron, LeBron gave you an opportunity. You know, he threw your layup. And, you know, I sing, too. So I can see you my demo Hey listen Ochoo I don't know about no layup

May have been a past I had to make the layer myself Right right right right I don't know about no layer You know I've been trying to get in the music industry For a little minute

You know I can sing now I can see you This is what we need to do for you Because one thing about you You got it You're a star I know you'll start Listen we got to surround you

With the right writers Yeah We got it You know, we got to get you the right reference. We're going to have to put that auto tone on you, man, because I know you, you got to put that auto tune on you old joke. But we're going to do all the other stuff for theatrical, man. Right.

We got to get to, you know, you're going to might need to put auto zone. That doesn't need these car parts. Hey, um, come on. Hey, um, I could, I could, I'm, I ain't invite you to my show when I perform. No, let me ask you, boy, to the show. Rich, let me ask you. I'm going to get you out on this. Rich, you know what?

Being in this business, like you say, quarter century, and you've seen some players have some up and down, you're right well with LeBron in 2011. Darren Fox had a very similar situation this year. He didn't play his best ball. We know Darren Fox is an all-star. He's a phenomenal talent.

What was some of the things that you relayed to him, that you talked to him about after the series? Yeah, I talked to a lot. Series over during the series, you know, after games and things like that. You know, anytime you play a sport, We got to have short memory. You got to have short memory.

I think people, it's hard to place a one season on a not-so-use series. I think we've all seen that from the best of athletes. You know, you don't look like yourself for a series for whatever reason. Shots not falling. Don't have your same quickness or your shift or the timing is off or anything like that. And sometimes it's just, you know, you said that blackjack table, that blackjack table, long enough, you don't get a bad shoot, maybe one or two of them. You just got a day.

Yeah, you got a weather the storm, you know, a new edition made the best song ever. Can you stand in the rain? So I think it's, I think during that time, we was just having conversations about short memory, keeping the confidence, you know, understanding that the social media is, especially with all the things that's going on with gambling, things like that now. I think the comments and things like that is out of control. when it comes to things like that. So you have to block those things out.

But also do other things. Having, you know, not being on scoring don't mean you can affect the game in a different way. And, you know, so just trying to keep any time in that situation, you're just trying to keep guys positive. But at the same time, there's a balancing act. Like, you can talk about it,

but then you can't talk too much about it, right? Because at the end of the day, you don't want to be drowned out. And when I say you, and the athlete don't want to be drowned out with it. You got to, you got to, yeah, get there, go by the house, had a conversation, have a little meal. You may have five, six conversations,

we need a conversation within that conversation about it, and then you move on. But Deer is a professional. I have no doubt that he'll have a good year this year. We don't make excuses. And so, you know, you got to have accountability in situations like that. and he said it himself, you know. Obviously, you know, he needed to do a better job,

and I think given the opportunity the next time, he will. Yeah. Appreciate that, man. Hey, Rich, thanks for stopping by, man. Yeah, no problem. I know I've been trying to get on. Hey, tell LeBron, tell, hey, tell, go, when you want to have that big reveal,

we take me on nightcap, club, she, she, you know, whatever. You know, y'all, y'all get on me, man. I don't, listen, I don't know anything. I know just as much as y'all know. You know. Hey, hey, hey, typically, typically I hit him, Rich. I hit him in the DM.

He hit me right back. Hell, I hit him. I said, hey, man, I said, I need you to come on nightcap, but I still ain't hearing from. Typically, he hit me right back. Didn't he tell you he was going to do this? He said, I thought y'all was going to do the show. Well, he's going to do it now.

But I thought, I don't know, I thought they had a conversation. Hey, look, hey, his face card good anytime. Yeah, yeah, I know that. Yeah, he got interests. He got interest to the club. He got interested to the club any time. I watched the show, man. I just, I enjoy the show.

And, you know, y'all my guys, man. So I said, I've been trying to come on and it's tough. So this happened to be the right time. I hit Ash. I said, y'all, I hit you. I said, y'all on? You said, yeah, I'm on. So I appreciate, appreciate you guys having me on, man.

Enjoy the rest of the show. Thank you. Appreciate it. Tell the wife we said. I will do. When she performed again, is she toured anytime soon? Not to my knowledge. Yeah, not to my dad.

Man, get out of my part, man. You're not to my knock. I got blinders on, man. You know. One thing for sure, I'm like this. Hey, they don't know nothing about that, Rich. They don't know how I'm like that. Yeah, a horse in the Kentucky Derby.

All he sees the finish line, man. I don't know who on the map or who's right. I'm just like this. All right, man. All right, man. All right, man. Tell everybody to see what you all right. All right, bro.

Dang. Rich fall, ladies and gentlemen. 150 years ago, they were hunting us down to kill us, and now they're hunting down immigrants to deport them. This is First America, the true story of how the United States came to be, and how we got to this present moment. Listen to First America on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Paul Verzi here, and I want to talk to you about Paul's best podcast. I'm Wilfiro's Big Money Players Network and I Heart Radio. I sit down each week with a special guest, and we discuss the absolute best of things. It's that, and then there's everything else. Dude, his whole life has sounded like the first drop of a roller coaster. I mean, I can't even tell you, Paul, how crazy he was. It was insane.

Listen to Paul's best podcast on the IHeart Radio app, podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. From daily news to dating fails, conspiracy theories to cooking with celebrities who can't actually cook, Amazon Music's got the most ad-free top podcasts ready to entertain, included with Prime. The World Cup is underway and it's been incredible. On our podcast, The O-A-N with Danielle Alarcon and John Green, we're talking about the games that have delighted us, the teams that have inspired us, what we're loving and what surprised

us, all through the lens of being massive fans. of the world's most beautiful game. Daniel, this tournament has been magical so far. There's so much to love and I can hardly believe the drama that the group stage brought us. And now it's time for us to talk about the teams that are left as the field is whittled down

to one World Cup champion on July 19th. Listen to the Way Inn with Danielle Alarcon and John Green on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I've been hearing for decades that the markets can solve climate change. Today, we have more incentives for market solutions than ever, and emissions are rising. On this season of drilled, Carbon Cowboys, the story of three market solutions colliding in one multinational boondoggle.

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