TJ McConnell on Leeds United, visiting Elland Road, and THAT Timothee Chalamet photo: Switch the Play 09/11/25

32:08And calling me the Michael Jordan of the Peacock is a bit much, but I will take the tallest person to ever step foot. I think I will take that. I mean, he sticks out like a sore thumb. Obviously, he's 6 '8". That's generous. Thank you. And I heard there was a line to take a picture with him. I'm more of an under the radar type guy. I walk around there and I look like I am a certified public accountant. No one bats an eyelash when they see me. And that's the way I like it. There are privileges to being six foot one and blending in, which is exactly what I did. And then there's six, eight people asking him to start some chants and taking pictures, kissing babies.

33:11I'm sure he signed babies. I heard it was unbelievable for him. I'll put it this way. there are so many positives to being like an outward face of of you know of this club i just wouldn't trade it for the world the highs are high man you wouldn't trade it for the world but i'll tell you what being an outward face when the lows are low hits you just the same i would have loved to be there when you were there um after after after a loss maybe not so much so I'll take 6-1 every now and again. By the way, Michael Jordan of the Peacock is going to go right up on Larry Nance's Wikipedia as one of his career achievements.

33:53I'm going to get you a sweatshirt that says that for your next trip because I just adore it in every regard. We are delighted to bring you the Men in Blazers City Guides presented by Visa. A joyously assembled guide to the best places to eat, drink and explore and watch the beautiful game across the country. It's a guide aimed at helping fans experience the city as a local. It's built by you, our listeners, recommending some of the best small businesses in your communities, like the finest Viet Cajun in Houston. Yes. The best burrito in San Francisco. Yes. Where to savour lemon pepper wet in Atlanta.

34:35Yes, yes, yes. A massive shout out to our sponsor Visa, who's made this guide possible. Visa gives local business owners the tools and support to be ready for moments exactly like this one, welcoming you to enjoy the games this summer. Start planning your journey at meninblazers.com backslash cityguides. Get that Amex Gold card ready. I'm too tired to cook. We feeling Five Guys or the Cheesecake Factory? Both. Earn up to$120 a year in statement credits of participating partners. Up to$10 each month when you pay with the Amex Gold card. Learn more at americanexpress.com slash explore-gold. Enrollment required.

35:10Terms apply. A question that I've got to ask you is submitted to me by one Larry Nance Jr., which is, Larry Nance has gone over to Leeds three times. Why have you not joined any of those trips? It's a fair question. It really is. I don't know how to say this because Larry has children too. And I think for me, when our season is over, we're gone for so long. Larry can attest to that. I just want to kind of give my wife a break. She's Wonder Woman, like a superhero, and takes care of the kids alone half of the year. I mean, even when we have home games, we're not really here. And for me, I just want to give her a break and spend as much time as I can with her and the kids and let her do her thing.

36:16So I think that's why I haven't been over as much. I've literally asked her for three years straight. And I think she finally was like, you know what? I'm sick of you asking. So just, so just go. And I'm thankful, honestly, because our season ended in June. Workouts start back up, as Larry can tell you, right away. So we didn't have much of an off-season. And she is not controlling by any means. I'm trying to make it not seem like she's controlling. But she was like, you need to go. You've been asking. And it was the best trip ever, ever, ever, ever. I was there for like 48 hours. And I, I just, I'm at a loss for words at walking into Ellen road and spending time in leads at the old peacock and hearing about the legend that is our host, Larry Nance.

37:23Well, look, I just need to make sure my wife doesn't watch this episode. I'm going to be sitting here. I'm going to be like, Hey, Hey, you know, like, man, we, you know, we play Todd at home. Like it'd be a great. hmm what did what did tj say about okay so that's why i was hesitant to say that because i didn't want to i didn't want to give your wife any ammunition you just you know what you know who's you know my wife just got on the receiving receiving end of one of them one of them passes you throw that is the most that is the best lob you could have ever given i'm gonna get dunked on so hard next summer hey hey babe i know you know i know we had a man it's a long year we man we made it all the way you know we played the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals like man it was an awesome year and I really think it would be great to you know take you know do the old pilgrimage go go back to Ellen Road as a matter of fact episode 2 of Swiss to Play says you should be giving me some time off now yeah I'm going to get dunked on dude thanks for that I apologize Can we just note that in the last episode, Alex Caruso talked about how he tried to persuade his wife to spend some of their honeymoon at the Etihad to watch Manchester City.

38:40And he laughed at how ridiculous an idea it was and that obviously she'd never go for it. They then went on their honeymoon and ended up at the Etihad watching Manchester City. So huge respect to Alex Caruso. Good on him. I mean, if I were him and his wife, I would have spent the entire honeymoon there. what a decision good for her yeah i mean i've got to say it all goes well it all goes well that's all i'm going to say but can can you guys just talk about what that's like you're both professional athletes you both spend all of your time in huge arenas passionate fans um i mean it's where your work where your life is dedicated can you talk about for both of you um what it's like to actually go to ellen road larry you go a lot it's where i first came across you you were doing one of your many Nantes pilgrimages to multiple, multiple grounds.

39:30You're over there a ton. This was your first game, TJ, at Ellen Road. You said your favorite moment was just watching the fans, really, the atmosphere, soaking it in. What did you both experience? I've been to Ellen Road, and I've also been to Stamford Bridge as well. I watched them play in Manchester City two years ago. And when I was in Ellen Road, I caught myself looking away from the pitch, even when the ball was in play and just looking around, just taking it all in, like seeing how the supporters acted. I think the thing that's different about European football and sports over here is the songs, the chants.

40:23We have passionate fan bases in the United States, but I just think in European football, it is very, very different in a good way. It's, I mean, the clubs and their supporters, you know, they have chants dating back who knows how long. And it's, that's the stuff that I truly love. You know, when I'm sitting in Ellen Road and hearing our supporters and I'm one of them chanting and singing, I predict a riot. Like I have a video of myself singing that and it's, it's, it's just remarkable. The stuff like that. I, I just truly love. I love watching the game of soccer football so much, but when you're in Ellen road, like you kind of, you find yourself glancing away from the action and kind of just watching the people and the pride, the passion, the like, just they can't wait to erupt in celebration for this team that they've known.

41:28They've known their entire life. There have been so many inconsistent job friends, you know, relationships, all that comes and goes, but Leeds does not. Dude, marching on together. It's beautiful. It's beautiful. No one, not singing. Kids standing up at attention. Over here, we stand up at attention, do the, you know, everybody, hats off, hand over heart, national anthem. The national anthem is marching on together. That is what connects leads and that community. My friend who was with me is a Chelsea supporter, and I'm sitting there, I'm singing it. I'm singing it. And I glanced to my right he's singing it too and and i'm like this is this is what it's all about honestly like you bring people in from different clubs different cultures it's and you're all one that that to me is like the most beautiful thing about the sport is like you're all one and it's like you can feel the energy shift like when I was at the game if you have an intimidating ground and your fans are into it it changes the energy of the game and and and that's what happened and we you know we went on a little bit of a run the crowd really got into it and sorry Raj we it was a handball it was a handball no question.

42:59I asked you what was your favorite part of the whole experience and you told me you said when Everton were taking a throw in right in front of you and the Everton player kept creeping up trying to steal yards and the support behind you do you remember what what the person shouted? Roger I'll never forget it as long as I live I honestly thought it was one of the funniest things I've ever heard I almost I almost like fell out of my seat I was laughing so hard he I just had never heard something like this before and it's nothing crazy but he kept creeping up creeping up and Ellen Road was like hey hey and and a guy like two rows behind me was like where's he going yes house and i was like that is the funniest thing i've ever heard in my entire life it was like everyone in our row was like where's he going house it was it was unbelievable what is it what was it was it just like it sounds like something from the medieval ages.

44:03Just like there, brought through to the passion, anger, fear, wonder. What was it about that? Where's he going? NBA fans, take notes, start chanting that at Pacers games and then everything is guaranteed. But what was it about? Was it the accent? Was it just the passion? Was it just out of nowhere? It was the accent. It was the passion. And honestly, I don't think I could have come up with a better phrase to how far ever this Everton player was creeping up. And I went, cause everyone was like, where's he going? Like, like move back. And then it gets quiet. Where's he going? I just like lost my mind.

44:52I might use that. My daughter runs away with a cookie. Where are you going?

45:00that's the only question in life really isn't it the it's the question we all ask ourselves every day where are we all going in a way it's the question that will answer the meaning of life are you surprised both of you by how much it affects you this thing 3 000 miles away why leads what is it for you both that is giving you these highs these lows these profound connections I think for me, getting into football the way I did and following the Premier League, you end up going down rabbit holes, whether you want to or not, about clubs and their history and their supporters. and you know along along this journey you know before leads ever became a thing for me and larry i went down a leads rabbit hole and you know i saw documentaries i saw movies the damned united a great movie um and i've heard about their supporters how amazing ellen road is so when it was brought to my attention like I said it was seriously a no-brainer I just I I like Larry said there was something missing about it all and to immerse myself into this and be a supporter like everyone else is in Leeds I'm one of them and the highs that I'm really high and the low is low.

46:34It just affects me so much because I love the club so much. It's beautiful. It's beautiful. Was I rambling? I could go on for days. I just, I... No, I'm clapping at that answer. I have no notes. He's spot on. You're also kind of like, you've got the passion, but you're also very much like an amateur data analyst. You're like a budding, footballing Daryl Morey. Like in the transfer window, the two of you are like digging deep. It is, for me, I would do deep dives in Football Manager. It's, you know, it's a video game. FIFA, I would do deep dives into, like, teams and leagues and nations. And so when some of these names start coming up that we're interested in the transfer window, I'll go, oh, he plays for Strasburg's U19 in my 2014 save.

47:28It's, you know, I'm a nerd, you know, I'm a nerd to the highest degree. So it's not analytics, but it's more so just a massive database of player names and people. But no, we get into the weeds about Okafor and Goodmanson and DCL, which is – I'm so sorry to take your eye candy. Bigger and better things, Rog. much yeah you know what about dcl who's the sweetest human being can you just can you please get him firing he can be so good he can also be a little bit like charuki parks when he's not feeling it can you get him back up that well he's gotten himself into some really good positions uh early and all you need like look you just need to see one go in and some confidence starts firing and now you you know you guys saw it a few seasons ago he's capable he's certainly capable who's your favorite leads player right now who gives you both the most hope i mean easy answer is al tanaka big 22 guys um big 22 guys but my favorite player jaden bogle right now is is is wearing that crown for me he's been outstanding the leap he's taken since he's gotten the leads you know he came in and you know obviously thrilled about the signing but had no idea that like hey you know when you guys go up this is still going to be one of your better players um he's just been his work rate's so high he seems like you know i haven't even had any real interaction with him he just he just seems like somebody that that that i resonate with as a player um in terms of both you know his attacking output but you know really taking the challenge on these early games of taking on some of the premier least best wingers i'm with larry like his work rate especially when you see it in person it it's just i'm like you're like this guy plays hard he's a workhorse i i love watching him ethan ampidoo el capitan obviously and he got hurt in that game that i was at um but he played through it i just love the presence that he brings to the club and and into the into the guys i just i don't obviously don't know him but seems like a great guy and um he just does everything for us I love them.

49:51You feel things. There's no doubt you feel things. And you've written a lot about the emotions that you experience on the basketball court. You wrote after the NBA finals loss, you wrote, that's not how it goes for us. Sorry, that's not how the story ends. TJ, tell us, how do you believe it's going to be quite a journey this season, a new team back in the Premier League, which is where they belong, but back? It's the hardest jump for any team from the second tier to the first tier, or it has been the last two seasons. How will the lead story unfurl this season? I obviously think the Premier League is the hardest league in the world.

50:31And staying up for the teams that get promoted is, like you said, it's incredibly difficult. But I think with the supporters that we have and the players we have, here and now, we can. And I think we will stay up and we will stay up for years to come. That's truly what I believe. If there's a club that can do it, it's us. It's us. Like you said, the Premier League is better when Leeds is in it. And it's where we belong. And I know together, you know, marching on together, we can do this together and stay up. And it takes a village. Man, we need to get TJ in the locker room pregame. We need to get TJ in the locker room pregame.

51:24I'm ready to run through the wall already. Together. Together. Man, it's true. It's true. It's the hardest league in the world. but look, our defense has looked sound. Again, we're off to, I would say, we're exceeding expectations early on. Obviously, we've got to keep that pace, but see if we can get a few of this, keep our attacking threats healthy and make some noise here. It's going to take time, and we're going to do it. I feel it. You get the six points from Everton, you've got to find a toddler of this, the other 34 yourself. By the way, get TJ in that locker room. He'll look around at all the players.

51:59They'll all be looking at him. He'll look at them. They'll look at him, and they'll just say, Come on, you!

52:08I know this is going to be my nickname from here on out and I'm all for it. I'm going to switch onto this year. You're going to be dribbling along the baseline. You're going to try to do that little Nash dribble. You do it. Go back for the layup. You're going to do it. And I'm going to say, where are you going? You're going to smoke the layup. I'm telling you right now, right there in the field house, when you try to do that little Nash dribble, you like, uh, uh, If you do that, I'm calling a timeout because I won't be able to play. I'll be laughing way too hard, bro. So please don't do that. You're going to do it in your accent, in TJ's English accent.

52:47Come on, you folks. It's amazing. So good. Bank on it. Bank on it. So when TJ gets taken out for calling an ill-advised timeout this year, just know what happened. Chalamet, get on it. Chalamet, when you're next watching him, Just scream that or throw him off his game completely. When you do play each other, Larry said to us, TJ, you bring the football trash talk. You said you're both a polite trash talker, which is great credit to you. But you bring together the football trash talk into the game. Is it true? It's subtle. Like, oh, almost got there. Oh, man, I know what you're going to do. Like, stop talking to me, man.

53:25I look like I'm, like, having a, like, a fun conversation with people, especially Larry, but I'm really just talking shit. And I think that's subtle. Like you said, it's subtle. I'm smiling about it, but it's really like where you go in your shit house type thing. I am talking shit. TJ, I just love you to make the case to new fans watching this who have not yet chosen their Premier League team. Why Leeds United? Why should they support that team? And what would that journey, joining that journey, bring to their lives? If you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself and truly experience something special, both on the pitch and off when it comes to supporters, because we're everywhere.

54:16We are absolutely everywhere. And it is a special journey to be a Leeds United supporter. and it has been, it's given me the utmost fulfillment. So if you want to be on this amazing ride, there are highs, there are lows, sure. But this is Leeds United and we're massive. So that to me is why you should be picking us as your Premier League club. Obviously having been there and having experienced Leeds fans, you know, there's supporters pubs everywhere. where I truly, I don't think there's many supporters like what we have. It is, I come from a town in Pittsburgh, you know, we've won a lot. And the fans, you go to an NFL game playing against the Steelers and they're on the road, there's more Steelers fans than home fans.

55:18and I remember hearing about um you know when we played in Ireland this year and you know the players from Milan were looking around and said this is a friendly and and it was all Leeds United fans there am I am I I'm right on that am I not yeah I mean our new sign and Noah Okafor, who came from Milan. That was his first quote. He said, like, why are you all against a friendly? What are you doing here in Dublin? I think there are clubs that are like that, obviously, but this club is special. It truly is, and it starts with the supporters, obviously. May we all just one day raise a pint at the Peacock together?

56:06Please. If Larry is like, if he's not taking pictures or anything, Raj, me and you can definitely do it. I don't know if Larry will have time. Well, look, while you guys are having pints, I'll be having some of that, the spicy peacock and that Thai food. But the biggest thing I just want to make sure it gets across here is like, look, Leeds has taken over. Obviously, it's you guys. I've spoken about it time and time again. You'll get tired of me speaking about it and telling you about it and updating. but it has truly taken over as a further than a passion and obsession. It is in my blood. Now it's, it's, it's everywhere.

56:48And one of the biggest things that I'm most proud of about, about being on the ownership side of, of leads is, is, is the people that are the people that are making the project happen. You know, the 49ers group are incredible people. The people were bringing the locker room, Daniel Fark, good, good, good people. And I just, I just would be remiss without mentioning the, the, the good people, the awesome human that allowed me, that introduced me and, and made this become, allow this to become an obsession and a passion in my life. And, um, I wouldn't be, I wouldn't be Michael Jordan of the Peacock.

57:35We wouldn't be laughing about the spicy Peacock or any of that stuff without, um, without, without Mr. TJ McConnell. And I just, dude, I just genuinely cannot, I can't even thank, I can't thank you enough for what, for, for getting me involved, bringing this opportunity and allowing me to, to tag along this, this, uh, this, this journey, dude, it's, it's been incredible. And I just cannot wait. I cannot wait to keep texting every Saturday, every Sunday, every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday about what's going on, what's going on with this baby of ours overseas. I love it. I love it.

58:12Larry, while I was saying yes to the opportunity, I was also texting you on the side because it's a no-brainer. You have elevated this obsession of mine to passion. And I know that we are technically minority owners, but I think we need, we don't treat it as such. It is like we are, we are supporters. We are one of the people and that's the way we treat it. We try to spread the good word, like he said, on social media. But I knew helping you get involved would take this thing to another level and take our obsession to another level. So I have to say thank you to you as well, my friend. I appreciate you for coming on.

59:06I appreciate you for getting me involved. This is has been just a joy of my life, a joy of my career. And again, long after basketball is over, my favorite title will still remain. Larry Nance, lead supporter. TJ McConnell, lead supporter. Retweet. And Raj, I love you, my friend. You are a special person. I can't have nice things being said about me. But I thought we were leading to an incredible close. where Larry Nance Jr. was going to say, TJ McConnell, lead supporter, and then in the third person refer himself to as Larry Nance Jr., Michael Jordan of the Peacock. You know what? My writing's not that good yet.

59:53This is only episode two. Give me one or two more and it's in the bag. It's in the bag. TJ, big love. Thank you, man. TJ, thanks so much, Jordan. I appreciate you. Get that Amex gold card ready. I'm too tired to cook. We feeling five guys or the Cheesecake Factory? Both. Earn up to$120 a year in statement credits of participating partners. Up to$10 each month when you pay with the Amex Gold Card. Learn more at americanexpress.com slash explore-gold. Enrollment required. Terms apply. TJ McConnell, what an incredible human being, Larry Nent. Oh, man, you can say that again. That guy, I mean, you guys literally just got a view into our FaceTimes, into our text conversations.

1:00:36Like this is no joke in everyday occurrence. When the squad comes out, injury news, anything that happens, we are blowing up each other's phone. And again, just another one of the good guys, good humans of the NBA. I'm so happy you guys got to hear that. And so thankful for him for being on. One of my goals for this season is to find a time, a crevice, when we can all get over to Leeds together. It will be to see you both in your element will be magic. To see just TJ at the wrong times getting up and shouting, come on, you sh** house! Completely, it would just be... Oh, I mean, if you think I'm not writing that, I'm writing that down and setting an alarm for the morning we play the Pacers.

1:01:26I'm just going to refresh it right to the top of memory. He's shooting free throws. Bet on him missing those free throws because I got some words that... I got some words that are going to make him miss. When I say I want to go over with you to Ellen Road, it's a great segue. You are fresh off your most recent trip. You were at the Leeds-Newcastle. Not the greatest game in the world. Felt like end of season football come early. But you took your wife for the first time to the wonders of Ellen Road. What was that like? Oh, man. First of all, any match is a good match that we get a result from. So I'm pretty pleased.

1:02:07But second, no, I mean, it's just pretty special when you get to bring your favorite person in the world to your favorite place in the world. It was just a very, very special moment for me and her. And we had some of our friends that came with us and enjoyed it. It was just, I mean, getting to walk her through Trinity, which is a mall in Leeds. And we had a beautiful day. And just it was somewhere, it was so special that I got to show her why I'm just so utterly infatuated with this place. I'm really, really pleased she came over with me. My wife is a New York human being, and it's just like through quirk of fate that she's been to Liverpool over 80 times in her life, meeting me, and has been to Goodison Park.

1:03:01And now the new place, I mean, Goodison Park probably 50 times, the new place been to once. The quirk of fate, the randomness of it all, Larry, makes it even feel all the more powerful. Oh, I mean, you can say that again. You can say that again. My wife grew up in Wyoming with a graduating class of 20 people. And here she is in three, like you said, four thousand miles away from her sitting in the sitting in the chairman's box of an English football game. What in how did life take us here? How did we get here? But I'll tell you what, I just wouldn't trade it for the world. Harness mayhem, baby.

1:03:39Harness mayhem. Four points after the first three games. I do want to ask you, what have the first three weeks of the season taught you about all that is to come for Leeds United? Well, they've taught me that we've made some pretty shrewd signings, at least to start. Obviously, Anton Stack, if I'm not mistaken, I think he's leading the Premier League in big chances created. He's just been unbelievable in midfield. Gabriel Goodmanson down the left has been incredible. Well, Jaden Bogle, as I spoke about earlier, he's been, our defense has just been rock solid. You know, obviously we got to start, we got to find a way to find some goals here and there.

1:04:15But if you were to offer me four points while playing two Champions League clubs and Raj's club, pretty pleased. You're very controlled, I must say, not to mention that only four or five times in this show. But we're now going to ask you the questions that listeners want you to give us the truth to. We asked Switch the Play listeners to email in their Larry Nance Jr. questions at switchtheplay at meninblazers.com. We were flooded by some juicy ones. Are you ready for this, Larry Nance? Bring them on. This one comes in from Zach in Santa Monica. Good one, this, seeing as TJ and his father, you, Larry Nance Sr.

1:04:53This is really the sons and fathers episode. Who's your favorite father-son duo ever to play in the NBA? I'm gonna make this our Olipop gut check of the week presented by our great friends here at Olipop oh my favorite father-son duo well first of all I got it obviously I got to take me and my dad out of it um but that's a clear gold medal there it's because you're objective journalist now I'm no biased absolutely no bias it's just a fact um honestly I would have to say I think LeBron and Bronny is just really, really cool. One, because, again, Akron guys, really, really special. Something born in Akron that's two of us now.

1:05:45So I think they're probably my favorite behind us just because, one, I've gotten to play with Bron and I got to see Bronny, you know, develop and progress from such a young age. I reckon Jalen Brunson, big shout out to you two beauties. Yes. Dolph and Danny Shays get a merit award too here. Next question coming in hot from Columbus. Rhett asking, Larry, do you have any aspirations to grow the soccer scene in Cleveland? Will we see leads in the land in a future summer series? Oh, man, I'll tell you what. If it were up to me, absolutely. But here's the deal. Cleveland isn't the biggest market, but I'll tell you what.

1:06:27But I've got my eye on a few Leeds United supporters bars ideas here in Cleveland. And you're in Columbus. It's an hour and a half away. You'll get the update. Come on and join us for a game. God bless. And I genuinely this season, if you're going to do something in a bar in Cleveland, I will be there by your side. Third and final question from the legendary Freddie from our Discord. Oh, I love that place. wants to know Larry Nance's best food you've ever eaten at an NBA or Premier League game? Oh, this is a great question, by the way. But this is also pretty easy, and this is just going to flow right into my bias.

1:07:08You know, me and my dad are my favorite duo. You know, Leeds is the best place to play. Yeah, it's going to have to be Leeds again. You know, the first time I was at the old Peacock, I had some Thai food. And I'll tell you what, my first and only time having it, and the only time I'll have it is at the Peacock. It was fantastic, and you'll be seeing me there again soon. God bless. Remember, Larry Nance is to that place when MJ was to the United Centre. I actually went to Burnley with JJ Watt. I'll just say, once you've tasted a Hafner's pie, a Balty pie in particular, you can die and go to heaven a happy human being it's that life changing this was Switch to Play the next episode is going to be literally massive send us in your questions for Larry at switch to play at menandblazers.com we'll answer some more next time around follow the Instagram account switch to play underscore MIB sign up for the Discord link in our chat and Larry Nance Jr huge huge love to you you incredible human being talk soon guys thank you for listening big love courage get a free can of olipop buy any two cans of olipop in store and olipop will pay you back for one works on any flavor any retailer visit drinkolipop.com slash switch thanks to our friends at olipop for making this all possible

1:08:48Get that Amex Gold card ready. I'm too tired to cook. We feeling five guys or the Cheesecake Factory? Both. Earn up to$120 a year in statement credits of participating partners. Up to$10 each month when you pay with the Amex Gold card. Learn more at americanexpress.com slash explore-gold. Enrollment required. Terms apply.