Friday Four-Pack 9.6.24
I hosted a new show. Nothing good to say about the Pats. Week 1 NFL Picks. Media notes!
This one is pretty easy, isn't it?
First off, I totally believe the report. Greg Hill is friendly with current Celtics Governor Wyc Grousbeck and there’s no reason to think this did not come directly from that camp.
As far as ranking the potential new owners if you’re a Celtics fan:
Jeff Bezos - Mr. Amazon has all the money in the world: enough to finance a new basketball and concert venue that could house the Celtics and other events. Famously cared much more about growth vs. short-term profits in the earlier days of Amazon. That fact points to an owner willing to pay the penalties incurred by spending into the NBA’s newish salary cap aprons. His ego won’t allow him to skimp on the team and assuming Brad Stevens is still making the basketball decisions, #BezostoBoston is a slam dunk.
WYNN - So Bill Speros suggested via X.com that this would be billionaire Steve Wynn, not the Wynn Corp that owns Encore Boston. If so, here’s a few graphs from an AP Story from 2023.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Casino mogul Steve Wynn has ended a yearslong legal fight with Nevada gambling regulators that started with claims of workplace sexual misconduct, agreeing to pay a $10 million fine and cut ties to the industry he helped shape in Las Vegas.
The Nevada Gaming Commission accepted a settlement Thursday to end the state’s look at allegations that led to Wynn’s resignation from his corporate empire in February 2018. Wynn admitted no wrongdoing. The decision was 4-0.
He certainly has the money, but I’m guessing there is a lot for the NBA to digest before approving Wynn’s bid.Sam Kennedy and Fenway Sports Group
Third on the list but come on, nobody wants this.
The group has shown over the last half-decade with the Red Sox that they are here to make money first and win second. Why would that change with the Celtics?
That doesn't mean they don’t spend money, it just means that they’re watching every dollar carefully. As a fan, why would you want that? It’s telling that in their latest search for a general manager, multiple people rejected even taking an interview for the job. Additionally, I doubt this group has the money to privately go and build a new facility for the team - you can bet they’ll be asking for tax-payer money on that front.
As a Prime Member, Prime Music Member, and Celtics fan, Bezos or Bust.
Meanwhile, I hosted a new show on Thursday. I can’t fake excitement for the upcoming Patriots season. And coming off a winning season at MutStack.com, NFL Picks are back!
All part of today’s Four-Pack.
Join Mut Live at Mohegan Sun!
Get real-time analysis and expert predictions from Mut, Eytan Shander, and special guests live from the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook.
Be there in-person, stream it on the OddsShopper YouTube page, or listen on your favorite podcast app.
On the launch of Sportsbook Live at Mohegan Sun…
I’m flattered the biggest name in media watched the first show.
If he had reached out, I could have put him on Chiefs -3 rather than his Ravens ML bet.
Look, we have some things to work out - like me not realizing the mic was live as the show was about to start. Maybe a small typo in the overlay. And my camera work has to get better…you’re welcome for that shot of an empty chair for a full segment. I got way too caught up in the technical side of it. Lots to tighten up.
As far as the show? I had a blast.
‘The Bomber’ Brad Bryant was great, as I knew he would be. Gave out at 28-point college football dog. Eytan was obsessed with the chat. Got duped by the chat. He promised he’ll be at Mohegan at some point this season.
But talking about games and bets and ideas…I loved it. I hope people enjoyed it.
Special thanks to the Minifans who came out live to support the first show. Added some great energy to a fun night.
And those people checking out the Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook for the first time all said some version of the same thing - “This place is awesome.” That’s why we wanted to do a show live from there. They’ve built a great spot for diehard and casual sports bettors. You just have to see the place once and you’ll get it.
Come watch the show some Thursday night from 6-7 PM and see the sports betting palace at Mohegan Sun for yourself.
Look at that bald spot…you get to see that live and in person! For free! Or watch live on YouTube.
Week 1 was not perfect. We’ll get better.
Bills and Dolphins next week. Pats and Jets the Thursday after. Hope to see you there.
On my assorted Patriots thoughts for the 2024 season…
I joined Pats beat writer Andrew Callahan on his Patriots Interference podcast to try and come up with ways to enjoy a Patriots season likely to end with just a handful of wins and no playoff appearance.
I could not come up with much.
Maybe get a second TV so you can watch more RedZone. Or gamble on the games to keep them interesting. Or we can hope to see Drake Maye look good rather than get killed behind a terrible offensive line.
That’s about it.
I get it, people hate it when the media is always negative. But seriously, what is there to look forward to?
The team didn’t spend much money in the offseason. They’re staring a journeyman quarterback over the No. 3 overall pick: not because the rookie is not ready, but because the team is not ready around him.
They still lack a No. 1 receiver. Their best defensive player is probably out for the season. Before that they traded their other best defensive player because they didn’t want to pay him.
Alex Van Pelt was always a boring choice as the offensive coordinator - now beat writer Chad Graff predicts he’ll be on the hot seat!
1. Alex Van Pelt comes under pressure
This isn’t the rosiest start to these predictions. But it’s also fair to note that Van Pelt got the job after other candidates — presumably more attractive to the Pats — turned down the gig. While Van Pelt did get a rookie quarterback who has shown promise, he is also left to work with maybe the league’s worst offensive line and one of the worst wide receiver groups. The offense is probably going to struggle unless Brissett plays surprisingly well or Drake Maye takes over with C.J. Stroud-like efficiency.
Candidates are looking for two things when you’re dangling an offensive coordinator job in front of them: a good quarterback, and an offense they can showcase into a head coaching gig. The Patriots had neither this offseason when they were hiring a coordinator. But if Maye looks good when he inevitably takes over, then the New England OC job could look a lot more appealing next offseason. Given that, if the offense struggles, Van Pelt could face a lot of heat as the season winds down.
Ha!
Of course, we’ll all be locked in once Drake Maye plays. I think your young wide receivers might not suck. And Antonio Gibson will help us cash some player props and win some DraftKings DFS money at some point. And I guess Christian Gonzalez being back will be worth watching.
After that? You’re on your own for positives.
4-13. Fewest wins in the NFL (still about +325 in some places).
Your 2024 Patriots.
On your Friday MutStack media notes…
I’m surprised it hasn’t happened more, but it was only a matter of time before 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Fred Toucher started taking more on-air shots at his former co-host Rich Shertenlieb. The Rich Shertenlieb Show has struggled to grab hold of ratings and or buzz since it launched in May. The show started as a straight talk show on rock music station WZLX but in the last few weeks has added 3-4 songs per hour - something program director Chris Tyler confirmed to MutStack.com would continue going forward. Add to that a few weekly ratings books that saw the show in the 2s and yeah, it’s been a struggle.
Fast forward to Tuesday morning on Toucher and Hardy. Mike Giardi’s name came up in a conversation…something about Giradi being in great shape. Giardi is a weekly guest on Shertenlieb’s show. Fred saw the opening and fired away.
“I don’t know if you know what he’s (Giardi) doing for a career but I can imagine it’s affecting his appetite…stress can. A sinking ship does not have its buffet out.”
Fred and Rich had a massive falling-out at the end. Fred has been honest about it. Rich’s biggest gripe on-air was losing his Twitter account when he left the station: he’s been hesitant to talk about the messy breakup at all. If he did, it might help his show. Meanwhile, Fred’s show has been #1 with M25-54 since Rich left. I expect more shots from Fred going forward.
My Facebook-active brother sent me this on Tuesday -
Switch to Rich. Catchy!
Mentioned this on the Kirk Minihane Show Tuesday, but a new name has emerged as a potential co-host for Andy Hart on WEEI 2-6 PM: Chris Gasper. Well, sort of.
Gasper writes for the Globe, does a weekend show on 98.5 The Sports Hub with Jim Murray, and is a weekly guest of Felger and Mazz. In addition, he’s part of the Patriots pregame radio show with Marc Bertrand.
My moles tell me this is fairly one-sided: Audacy Boston Market Manager Mike Thomas would like to bring him aboard but Gasper is unlikely to make the move.
I get the idea from Thomas, but I can’t imagine the money is appealing enough for Gasper to jump to WEEI full-time to compete with Felger and Mazz. How much does Audacy have to spend as they come out of bankruptcy with new owners?
I don’t think it will be Gasper, but it’s clear Thomas is trying to find someone to pair with Hart in afternoon drive.One more local sports radio note -
Pretty wild that Boston’s #1 morning show (M25-54) has to axe its lead producer. And then the guy who once had his salary paid by an on-air host turns down the job. Says a lot about the state of radio in 2024.
I want to go on record before he calls his first game this weekend: I think Tom Brady will be good in the booth. What we don’t need is some huge Romo-like hype job early. Romo started believing all those premature accolades and now he just does sound effects “ewwww” and “aaahhhh” and “Jimmmmmmmmmmm.” It’s tough. Brady will be better.
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On our Week 1 NFL Picks…
Pumped to have Sharp Hunter aboard to sponsor our NFL Picks this year. We went a documented 33-22-1 (59.821%) in the 2023 regular season. Not bad, but it does not make me a “sharp,” that’s for sure.
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Like last year - one side, one total, and one player prop. Three bets every week. Maybe an occasional bonus bet.
The Side
Panthers +4 at Saints (-110)
Might as well start our 2024 picks with an ugly divisional game. And when we get these low-total, divisional games, I’m almost always going to be on the dog. Over the last 10 years, divisional dogs have covered at about a 71% clip in Week 1. The Saints are not very good. Dennis Allen and Derek Carr are both candidates to be replaced at some point this season. The New Orleans O-line is bad, ranked 25th in Brandon Thorn’s preseason rankings. The Panthers added some actual weapons for Bryce Young in the off-season and are better than the market suggests. Add in the fact that on Sharp Hunter, Carolina +4 has a three-bag Sharp Score and yeah, I’m all in on the Panthers this week.
The Total
Steelers at Falcons UNDER 42 (-110)
There is a juiced-up 42.5 (-120) out there, I’m fine at 42. Steelers were 26th in pace a year ago - they want to play slow: they’re built to play slow. Falcons probably play faster with Cousins but I want to see it first. How about this trend from The Action Network: Mike Tomlin unders on the road last 80 games - 55-25 - almost 70%! Would not blame you for backing Tomlin as a dog here too, but I prefer the UNDER.
The Player Prop
Brock Purdy O.6.5 rushing yards (FanDuel -114)
Purdy cleared this number 10 times last season, including in all three playoff games. Kyle Shanahan will scheme up a run or two for Purdy against an aggressive Jets defensive, and we should get a few scrambles to get us home. I bet a bunch of these QB-rushing props last year and they were okay. Was all set to fire up Antonio Gibson receiving props (he’s going to catch 50+ passes this season) but he’s dealing with some sort of hip issue.
And with that, we have for sure said it all.
Good luck with all your bets this weekend. And to my fellow flag football coaches and parents, good luck on opening day.
Thanks for reading.
Good weekend.
Imagine turning down barstool for this
I’m sorry but if the “bidding” is down to 3 finalists, the story will come from Shams or Woj. Listening to Coco “break” that news sounded like she was reading something scripted.