Hour 3: CBS NFL Analyst Trent Green, Suzy Shusters talks the retirement of WNBA Commisioner Cathy Engelbert, Clippers Fandom talk

21:35Rich Eisen:A bad hire costs time and money, but the right one helps your business grow. The challenge is finding that person without sorting through resumes. That's where LinkedIn Hiring Pro comes in. It screens candidates so you can focus on conversations with qualified talent. With Hiring Pro, you can hire with confidence and build the team you need. Join the 2.7 million small businesses using LinkedIn to hire. Get started by posting your job for free at linkedin.com slash eyes and terms and conditions apply. Your phone calls. Suze, TJ, Coop's on the clock, but we paused it because he's in class. It's coming up.

22:16Rich Eisen:the rich eyes and show podcast back on the rich eyes and show 844204 rich number to dial all right uh kathy engelbert's retiring at the ripe retirement age of 61 go figure that uh joining us now to talk about it is one of the squad of uh women's sports now suzy schuster how are you suz oh you're wearing the shirt look what you're wearing the shirt okay wait what what shirt nice good one i like it good to see you how are you thank you you want to talk about the retirement well i mean i know we're using air quotes and that that that's um slightly if not thoroughly disrespect retiring and quotes was trending on twitter oh is that right is that what that is okay is that right yeah i'll give you the floor what are your thoughts it's saturday kickoff's getting close and your weekend project just hit a wall.

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23:34Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here with some advice. If high interest credit card debt is grinding you down, it might be time to call an audible with a SoFi personal loan. It consolidates your debt into one low monthly payment with no fees required. And with as soon as the same day funding, you can make the right play fast. Call an audible on your debt today at SoFi.com slash debt play loans originated by SoFi bank, NA member FDIC terms and conditions apply NMLS 696891 fast funds terms apply at SoFi.com slash debt play Rich Eisen here. We talk We talk a lot about battles in sports, teams battling through adversity, athletes fighting for every yard.

24:10Rich Eisen:The toughest warriors I've ever seen, though, aren't on the field. They're kids fighting cancer, their families standing beside them, doctors, nurses, caregivers. That's why I'm proud to support Hyundai Hope on Wheels. For over 28 years, they've helped fund pediatric cancer research, raising more than$303 million and supporting over 40 ,000 children. Learn more and donate at HyundaiUSA.com backslash Hope on Wheels. Look, I think that she oversaw incredible growth in the seven years that she was there. She thought she would be there for three and a half. When she came in, she was the first commissioner.

24:45She got them through the bubble phase very successfully. And she was part of this, obviously, the other side of this collective bargaining agreement that paid these women what they deserve to be paid, finally. But the one thing about Adam Silver, and I've known him for 30 years, is he is the most personable human being. He made such an effort to not only be the commissioner, but to get to know his players. And I think we see that a lot in Roger Goodell. And I think that Kathy kept that separation between the players far too greatly. I think there's such resentment from the last year of how things went down, not only with officiating, but on social issues that have taken over so many aspects of the league.

25:30And I think whoever comes in next is going to have to make a concerted effort to get to know these players more where they are as human beings. And look, she had an incredible background at Deloitte and she did oversee incredible growth in 2019. The average price for a franchise was$10 million. It's$460 million now. And they're expanding the league as they are, as you know, it seems like every two years, there's two more teams. but there has to be a relationship. And that was why two weeks ago, I officially launched Nneka Ogumike's presidency. I feel like I may actually run her campaign. I want to go out there.

26:11And I actually announced on Women's Sports Now that she will be the next commissioner. And I know it sounds tricky. Obviously, the board of governors has to say it's okay. Would he want somebody who came, would Adam Silver want somebody who came from the player's side? But maybe that's just what this league needs.

26:26Rich Eisen:Yeah, I mean, again, a great way to put it, separation between commissionership and players, that there has to be some sort of a bridge. And there also has to be something that that that I would think the next commissioner will have to do is that when the narratives outside of the the association take over the association and do it in a way that overshadows the play of the association, Something needs to be done by the association to take control of the narrative. And that has not happened this year. No, week in and week out on our show on Women's Sports Now on ESPN, wherever you find your Women's Sports Now.

27:10Look, every week we'd be talking about that. And Don Bowie, who's sitting in the chair today, we'd sit there saying, oh, we have so much good play to talk about, but we have to address a dildo being thrown on the court. And, you know, that happening across sports, we'd have to talk about trans rights. And again, and we finally said, Renee Montgomery and I said, let's not talk about this. Let's talk about the players. Let's talk about the fever. Let's talk about my favorite human being, Olivia Miles, aside from our family, of course. Let's talk about the fact that Ryan Howard is balling. We're really not talking about what's happening on the court.

27:49We're constantly caught up in this social media vortex. and she should have stepped in front of the cameras and said enough is enough. I thought about this from a PR perspective week in and week out. Why isn't she putting herself out there? And you mentioned earlier in the first hour about her blowing off Dan Patrick. She could have gone on and he would have grilled her and he would have argued. But for her to have day in and day out said, I'm going to do it, or having her people day in and day out say, I'm going to be there. And we saw her there. She could have made the time. It's just bad PR.

28:22And this league is at such an inflection and we've never seen such interest in the WNBA as we do right now. But all people wanted to talk about were the social issues and the fact that she was abdicating responsibility or so it seemed.

28:36Rich Eisen:That can't be the headline. I'm absolutely with you. So you mentioned Nneka Ogumike. You said you wanted to run her candidacy. Yes, I'd like to run her candidacy. She was the MVP in 2016. She has been the president of the WNBPA for the last decade. I always mix up the acronyms. I have to make sure I did that right, but whatever. You know me. I like to mix metaphors and acronyms. You nailed it. But the fact of the matter is that she's beloved by the players but respected by the owners, and that's that perfect blend that you need. They call her Madam President for a reason. She is a leader. She's a leader amongst the women of the league and so well respected by owners across.

29:22So she'd be a really interesting choice. Boy, that Ogwumake family, Sine, of course, her sister, who's a major ESPN analyst, they're the brightest group. And I just see the fact that she could have longevity there. She could grow it out. Mark Tatum, who's the NBA deputy commissioner and the COO, he's a possibility. We remember that Adam took over for David Stern. So there's a legacy there, a play within the NBA of somebody who was growing up within it taking over. But I like, you know, like I'm thinking like Andrea Brimmer from Ally Financial. She's invested equal amount of money in NWSL, NWNBA, et cetera.

30:01She put the equal amount of money that she invests into men's and women's sports. She could be somebody that would be a really great leader as well. But I like NECA. I just think they need a big out of the box, exciting play here. And that seems like putting NECA there with longevity would be the perfect play. I argued with Renee about this, like she'd love to see her go into ownership. But I don't know. This seems pretty exciting.

30:24Rich Eisen:Well, I think as everybody's surmising, Susie Schuster multitasking is only she can. And I always will sing your praises, Suze. You are the greatest multitasker I've ever known, ever met, ever loved. And you delivered an outstanding breakdown of the top story in the W today while holding the leash of our new puppy. Oh, you can hear her. That is to your left. Yep. So, yep, that was going down. That's why. There she is. There's Summer. Okay. She's a rescue golden from retrievers and friends in Medefee, California. There you go. And so that was going down the entire time while you were delivering and including a dog toy getting squeaked at the name of Mark Tatum being invoked, which is only since he's the he's the smilingest deputy commissioner in the history of deputy commissioners.

31:22Rich Eisen:Right. Yeah. Look at Summer getting some time. He's got a squeaky clean background, Rich. Look at you. Look at you turn in the phrase. All right. Before I let you go, crucial information. Coop is on the clock in not one but two fantasy guillotine leagues right now on a draft. We made – well, I did. I suggested we pause it because he's in high school right now. They do not let him have his phone, right? Like he's not even during lunch? Not even during lunch? Not even – no. Harvard-Westlake in the upper school. Oh, sorry. Listen. Well, anyway, it's – whatever. They have a very strict no-phone policy.

31:58Chris, I heard you earlier saying he should switch schools. I think Sarah's planning on sending him there. So maybe not a good idea.

32:04Rich Eisen:But the whole point of this is, though, is he could. So we have to pause it until he's out of school. Correct. That's what we got to do. OK. Yeah. There we go. So we're all going to do that. I mean, yeah. I mean, how do you put him on auto pick? He'll lose his mind. He'll be so upset. Like the entire and the entire season. He will. He would bring it up the entire season. So eight. Like even if he even if he gets through like the first half of the season perfectly. week nine. You put me on autopick, Dad. So 17 of us have to suffer? Huh? So 17 of us have to suffer? By the way, do we have Vinny Pasquantino's response on our text chain?

32:40Rich Eisen:First baseman of the Kansas City Royals after we pause the draft? Careful, Summer. Even Summer knows this is wrong. Can I propose a pause if I'm on the clock between 7, 10 and 10 o 'clock central? I'll make my pick shortly after 10. By the way, I thumbs up. That's me thumbs up. I acquiesced. Okay, good. I mean, that's what we'll do. He's got a job. Major League Baseball You know, Cooper did say, Mom, it's pretty cool that I'm on a fantasy with Vinny Pasquettino, isn't it, Mom? I'm like, oh, yeah, Cooper. Because Vinny loves engaging with him, too. All right, Suze, thanks for the time. Cooper should have took the day off today.

33:14Rich Eisen:There you go. There's Suzy Schuster and Summer. Thank God. Bye, Summer. There we go. The greats don't shy away from change. They attack it head on with confidence, preparation, and a clear strategy. KPMG LLP and their transformation professionals work with organizations across industries, using their advanced AI to help them move faster, work smarter, and adapt with purpose. Because in today's business environment, winning teams don't react to change, they shape it. Learn more at visit.kpmg.us. Rich Eisen here for gusto. After all these years talking to athletes, coaches, entertainers, and people at the top of what they do, one thing is pretty clear.

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34:52Rich Eisen:That's three months of free payroll at gusto.com slash rich. One more time, gusto.com slash rich. Coop's getting a lot off the hook, by the way. I think he should be taking more grief for this. Well, for what? For going to school? Yes. Yes. Okay. He knew he had a draft today. Yeah, priorities. Yeah, so are you serious? Retirement in quotes was trending? Retirement in quotes was trending on Twitter today. Yeah, I mean. Yeah. This has been expected, assumed, that some graceful exit would be delivered. They've been talking about it on Women's Sports Now for a while. You know what I mean? Like some commissioner that would step up and say, hey, Ennis, stay in your lane.

35:40Rich Eisen:Right. Or some commissioner that would step up and go, this is why this is happening. or step up and talk about the officiating and tell everyone to back off or get something on the books about the officiating for everyone to know about in a better way. I mean, they may have been doing this behind the scenes, but it certainly has not landed in many ways, shapes, or forms now. And I feel bad of just laying it all at the feet of one person, but that's what you are when you're a commissioner. And as Susie pointed out, I mean, the explosion of revenues and things of that nature, you do tip a cap to a commissioner.

36:25Rich Eisen:But a lot of that is born of the outstanding players that have come into the association. It's just it's been like everything but the play. You know, it's too bad. Wasn't that wasn't that used to be who's got next? Right. Wasn't that the phrase? we've got next or something like that how about we've got next for somebody else's narrative and by the way that's the first time I've ever heard Susie talk about a certain object while holding the leash of a puppy

37:07nothing to say

37:08Rich Eisen:TJ you always fell out of your chair I didn't expect to hear it Women's Sports Now, you can watch the episode that aired yesterday, 6 p.m. Eastern, on all Disney platforms. Disney plus Hulu. Hulu. There's their Women's Sports Now YouTube channel. There's also WSN on ESPN on Instagram. And so many different ways that you can follow the exploits and thoughts of the squad. Susie says Sarah got a troll hat from the team yesterday. Oh, it was hilarious. Yeah, they made her a troll hat. so you have to start wearing that on stage okay well we're all about you know you got married to sarah right um and i i just recently it's all about obviously your your marriage uh you were talking about your your stepkid you've been married how long now uh just over two years 23 years and counting for me and suzy there's about to be a divorce settlement apparently i have a document with tga's name on it with the los angeles clippers name on it as well When we come back, we'll see.

38:14Rich Eisen:Divorce court. Maybe. On the Rich Eisen Show, everybody, to wrap up an otherwise harmonious week.

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39:06Rich Eisen:NMLS 696891. AJ in San Antonio, you still there? Yes, sir, I'm still here. All right, you wanted to play the win-loss game for the Houston Texans? Sure do. All right, go for it. Here we go. Hit it. Buffalo is the first home game. What happens? I think they continue that streak against Buffalo, and I think they win. Oh, man. By the way, what a sneaky week one game that we're not talking about. Fact. Bengals or Texans? I think they win that one. 2-0. Now you're in Indianapolis. They get snakebitten a lot in Indianapolis, I feel like. So I think that they could get bitten. All right, two and one now, home for the Cowboys.

39:49I think that's a Super Bowl preview, and I think the winner of that is going to inspire the winner of the Super Bowl. I don't think the winner of this game is going to win the Super Bowl, but I think this one goes to the Cowboys.

40:02Rich Eisen:Okay, two and two now at the Titans. Win. 3-2 home in Wembley against the Jaguars. The Jags win all the time in Wembley, but I think they end the streak there. All right, so it's 4-2. By the way, they got smoked in Wembley last year. I know I was calling the game. Texans hosting the Giants, 4-2. I think they win that one. 5-2 at the Chargers. They win. 6-2 at the Browns. They smoke them. home for the Colts on a Thursday night. They win that one. That's now six wins in a row. You're 8-2 home for the Ravens. I think they win that one. 9-2 at the Steelers.

40:48Rich Eisen:Hello? I'm sorry. I think that they could lose that one, but I'm going to call that a win. Sounds good. You now have 8 wins in a row, 10-2 at the Commanders. I think they win that one. 11-2 home for the Jaguars. They crash against the Jags. They crash or they win? Is it a win or a loss? They lose. Okay, sorry about that. That's a win streak that's gone now. Now you're at the Eagles on Christmas Eve. I think they lose that one. That's two in a row at the Packers on a Monday night, Week 17. Bounce back and win it. 13-3, home for the Titans. I think they win that one, and I think they win the division.

41:32Rich Eisen:14-3. You win the conference for that, pal. That's AJ in San Antonio. Thanks again, and happy birthday to your son. One seat. There you go. Let's go to Terzo in Iowa, line two. All rise, everybody. Terzo! What's going on, Terzo? Hey, what's up, fellas? Hey, I had depositions this morning, and then I popped into here. TJ might be getting a divorce, so I wanted to lend my legal expertise just to make sure that he's making the right decision. Hold on a second. And real quick, is this pro bono or are we on the clock? For you guys, it's always pro bono. There you go. Pro bono, as in free legal advice from our resident lawyer.

42:14Rich Eisen:Doesn't come easy. Terzo in Iowa, TJ. Look at you. Look at you. What? I'm waiting for the advice. Okay.

42:26So TJ, if I understand this right, you're about ready to sign over your fandom for the Clippers. And I understand that that's probably, you know, right at the forethought of where a lot of Clippers fans are, given everything that's gone on. But you also got to remember why you became a Clippers fan in the first place. And has this necessarily or inevitably changed your guys' relationship forever? So if the Philadelphia 76ers fall short and they revert back to kind of not being the team that they are right now, you know, you're still always going to have that little missing piece of what the Clippers always kind of filled in there for you.

43:08Rich Eisen:Well, I don't know if this changes anything. Before you make that drastic change, just think about it. I don't know if this changes anything, Terzo, but hang on for a second. The language isn't you breaking up with the Clippers. Am I correct on that front, T.J. Jefferson? I mean, I haven't even said what I was going to do yet. Okay, go for it. What are you going to do? Because you have the floor. What do you got? Your legal counsel is staying on the line, sort of like a congressional hearing where you can just put your hand over the microphone and get some legal advice. Yeah, all due respect, no legal advice needed.

43:40This was a journey that I started on September the 11th, 1999, the day I moved to Los Angeles. I got here as a lifelong Sixers fan. I love basketball. Basketball is my favorite game. I love football, but basketball, like Curtis Blow, is my favorite sport. And I knew we didn't have streaming. We didn't have stuff like that. I couldn't really watch the Sixers, so I needed to adopt a new West Coast team. I didn't want to root for the Lakers, Rich. That's understandable. I get it. Just because I didn't want people to look at me as a bandwagon jumper. Understood. Right? But I loved Shaquille. I loved Kobe.

44:12I loved Ron Harper. I loved Rick Fox. But I said, no, I'm going to take a chance on the little brothers here. And it was fun. I became a Clippers fan and we had some good times. We had some good Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, you know, Q Richardson, Darius Miles, Days Brockman, and then Lob City came. And that was awesome. And then, you know, we shipped off Blake Griffin and that sucked. And then here comes Kawhi. And I thought maybe we got a new billionaire owner who wasn't a racist piece of crap like the last one. Maybe this would change everything. Good point. But I really messed up, guys, because I do love basketball so much.

44:45my pride made me not become a Laker fan. And because of that, I missed out on six championships. There's six parades I could have been a part of. But I'm like, no, I'm going to make a stand here. I'm going to stand for something. Well, after everything that has just gone down, it's just not worth standing for it anymore, man. It really just isn't. I love the Clippers. I spent 26 years giving everything to them. Bought the jerseys, went to the games, took a lot of crap. But after what happened now, I think it's time, man. I think it's time to move on. And I got less time ahead of me than I got behind me.

45:22I want to have happiness. I'm going to concentrate on LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers. And to the Los Angeles Clippers, I say thank you, but it's time for me to go.

45:34Rich Eisen:Wow. Well stated, sir. Well done. All right. Now can we have Terzo back on the phone? He's there. You there, Terzo? Yeah, I'm here. And TJ, I heard exactly what you said. And as your legal counsel, I ain't going to stand in your way when it comes to that. That was a well thought out. Beautiful and emotional. And that and that and that and that I get where you're coming from. So kudos, my man. And sometimes you just got to rip that bandaid off. You know, Terzo, the other thing is, like, let's be honest, most of us realize in this world, billionaires are playing a game that the rest of us aren't even supposed to know about.

46:10I'm not going to vilify Kawhi Leonard for being a pawn who gamed the system. I'm not even mad about what happened with him because the owners and people have been doing stuff like this for years. So I'm not going to knock Kawhi for winning a game he should never have been a part of, should never have won. Good for him, you know?

46:27Rich Eisen:Listen, I'm as a Jet fan. Thanks, Terzo. Appreciate it. We have the release of fandom presented to the Los Angeles Clippers. Now, my problem is forever because you've seen many instances where people are they get married. They date in high school. So you're not signing this? No, I'm going to sign it. But I'm saying forever is a mighty long time. Who knows? Maybe 10 years from now, we'll be on the dating app. We'll both swipe right. Maybe we'll come back together and, you know, maybe we can work something out. But as for right now, Los Angeles Clippers, I appreciate you guys and all the fandom, but it's time for TJ Jefferson to hop off that bandwagon.

47:02Says forever. I take this fake notary stuff very seriously.

47:05Rich Eisen:Well, I mean, we could cross out the forever. All right. There went my series. You just cross out the forever part. That's not a problem. And as a Jet fan, I file an amicus brief on your behalf. Amicus? Yes. That means I support your... Oh. I think it's only fitting that you should use... Definitely. And always first environment pen. Yep, absolutely. Well done. Look at TJ.

47:33Wow.

47:34Rich Eisen:TJ. Unbelievable. Well done. Hug it out. We're back to wrap it on Disney Plus in a second. Thanks for listening to the Rich Eisen Show podcast. You can watch and listen to the Rich Eisen Show live weekdays from noon to 3 Eastern on ESPN Radio, Disney Plus, and on the ESPN app. The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast.

48:03This episode is brought to you by State Farm. No two football players are exactly alike, and the same is true off the field. That's why State Farm gets to know you so they can help personalize coverage for your life and budget. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.