Brad Cesmat
Exploring options…
Sam Leavitt has every right to go into the transfer portal and seek more money. It doesn’t mean that he will land in greener pastures. Plenty of players go into the portal, only to find out they have it pretty good, so they stay put. Or, they chase more money and a bigger stage only to flop. A player like Cam Ward used the portal to his advantage and was the top pick in last April’s NFL Draft. His stops at Houston Baptist, Washington State, and Miami, Florida made sense. Leavitt can shop his wares to a new head coach at LSU, Penn State, Florida, etc, etc. He can put his name on the doorstep of Alabama, Oregon, Indiana, USC, Oklahoma, or Clemson, who will likely be in the market. He can show up at Stanford or Arizona, where a quarterback is needed for 2026. Or, he could come back to Arizona State. These things have a way of playing themselves out behind the scenes. Move the decimal point and things happen…
Bet on it…
Legalized gambling is THE only reason sports television ratings are going through the roof. The days of having a favorite team or player have gone by the wayside. If my bet hits, that is more important than having a team. I can bet seven days a week by simply opening up my phone, so why should I care if a quarterback at Arizona State wants to enter the transfer portal? Why should it matter that the Arizona Cardinals have put together yet another forgettable season, with very little hope in sight? Suns v TWolves on a Monday night can make me more money than the Eagles vs Chargers, or I can lay down money on both games and be perfectly content sitting on my phone or in front of the TV. I may not be able to pay my electric bill, but I can tell everyone how smart I am when I hit on a parlay.
You think I’m wrong?
NBC just announced it will have a Major League Baseball Sunday Night Game of the Week in 2026. I’m sure it will be filled with Yankees vs. Red Sox and Cubs vs. Dodgers, but our hometown heroes on the diamond will be the first broadcast: Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers, March 26th.
NBC now has Tuesday night NBA basketball. Nothing like a scintillating Hawks vs Magic match-up to drive an audience in prime time. But hey, more to bet on.
FOX has taken prime time on Friday nights as a landing spot for college basketball and football. This isn’t because the content is gripping; it’s just another bet to put down. Another trip to the grocery store off the table because the bet didn’t hit.
Please don’t take the bait and believe that the product being presented to us is better(it isn’t). Too long of seasons, too much punishment on players’ bodies, too little time to develop, too many owners who are not good at running a sports franchise except for their bottom line. And yet, they brag about the TV numbers going up. It’s all about covering and hitting on the bet.
I’m not wrong…
Quick hits…
I would trade Katel Marte…
I would resist making too much out of the Suns’ early success, though they are a team that plays hard and is a fun watch…
Koa Peat for Player of the Year in College Basketball…
Jacoby Brissett as the starting quarterback for your Cardinals in 2026…
