Episode 299: ESPN Owns Everything

[00:18–03:18] Wrexham Transfer Talk and FC 25 Obsession
Chris dives into his Wrexham fandom, celebrating new signings like Kieffer Moore and rumored additions like Nathan Broadhead and Louis Koumas. He details his FC 25 career mode, building a dominant Wrexham squad while managing transfer budgets and loan-to-buy deals.

[03:19–06:18] Cup Competitions and Europa Dreams
Chris asks Greg what winning the Carabao Cup or FA Cup earns. Greg explains the FA Cup winner gets a Europa League spot. Chris is hyped about leading a League One Wrexham team into European competition and shares challenges with player contracts and finances in FC 25.

[06:19–08:29] Wrexham’s Real-World Squad Chemistry and Odds
They discuss how Wrexham’s real-world transfers may affect team chemistry, especially ahead of the season opener against Southampton. Chris notes Wrexham is a +365 underdog and locks in the over 2.5 goals as his bet of the week, citing odds from oddsmakers.

[08:30–11:10] Cameron Young’s Shocking PGA Win
Greg recounts how fellow bettor Mark hit a +6000 bet on Cameron Young to win the PGA tournament during a week they skipped their podcast. The win gives Mark a 60-unit boost and potentially revives his struggling season.

[11:11–13:50] Oddsmaker Props, Windass Snub, and Wrexham Anger
Chris vents about the oddsmakers’ top scorer props in the Championship, noting Josh Windass—who scored 15 goals last year—is absent from the list. Sam Smith and Ryan Hardy are listed despite likely not starting. Chris sees value in capitalizing on inaccurate odds.

[13:51–16:50] Streaming Service Fatigue and ESPN Bundle Woes
Chris and Greg discuss ESPN acquiring NFL Network and Red Zone in a deal that may lead to a $30 monthly ESPN streaming service. They debate the impact on platforms like YouTube TV and express frustration over how fragmented and expensive streaming has become.

[16:51–20:20] Subscription Overload and Streaming Regrets
They break down the costs of Hulu, Peacock, Netflix, and ESPN’s new pricing. Chris admits he misses the simplicity of traditional cable. Greg fears using budgeting apps that would reveal how many services he is blindly subscribed to.

[20:21–23:30] More Wrexham Updates and Season Expectations
Chris remains glued to Kumis rumors and hopes for a permanent transfer. Both agree that Wrexham should aim for a top-12 finish in the Championship to avoid relegation and stay competitive.

[23:31–26:40] American Football Returns and Hard Knocks Talk
Chris confesses he is more excited about soccer than NFL preseason. They discuss the Bills on Hard Knocks and how the team lacks personality without Stefon Diggs. Eagles fans may find more interest in the in-season NFC East Hard Knocks.

[26:41–29:50] Eagles Draft Praise and NFC Rivals Collapse
Chris and Greg praise the Eagles for landing Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell—both ranked in the NFL Top 100 as rookies.

[29:51–33:30] Defensive Player Odds and Sneaky Trade Moves
Eagles defenders rank high in Defensive Player of the Year odds, including Jalen Carter, DeJean, and Mitchell. Chris highlights the Eagles’ under-the-radar trade for Jacorian Bennett, a cornerback with elite coverage stats.

[33:31–End] Offensive Rookie Odds and Position Bias
Chris quizzes Greg on the top candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year, including names like Ashton Jeanty, Cam Ward, and Shadour Sanders. They joke about long-shot linemen and note no offensive lineman has ever won the award.