Larry Smith breaks down a whirlwind of sports headlines and exclusive interviews:

• ⚾️ MLB All‑Star Break Preview

  • Tonight’s midsummer classic at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia

  • Cal Raleigh makes history as the first catcher to win the Home Run Derby, with family pitching and catching

• ⚾️ Rays Ownership Shakeup

  • Tampa Bay Rays reported for sale at a $1.7 billion price tag

  • Future of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg vs. potential move to Tampa

• 🏀 WNBA Expansion News

  • Return of the Portland Fire as the next expansion franchise (2000–2002 revival)

  • Star guard Rhyne Howard sidelined for July after knee injury

  • A’ja Wilson invests in Boston’s NWSL expansion team

• 🎾 Wimbledon Moment of Awe

  • Iga Świątek’s dominant 6–0, 6–0 victory in the women’s final

  • Only the second “double bagel” in Wimbledon women’s final history

• 🏈 SEC Media Days Recap

  • Key takeaways from Greg Sankey on playoff expansion, new era of NIL and the House settlement

  • Inside look at commissioner collaboration with Big 10’s Tony Petitti

• 🏈 College Football Outlook with Andrew Monaco

  • Evaluating Texas A &M’s culture reset under Mike Elko

  • Returning starters, quarterback Marcel Reed’s leadership, and offseason roster retention

• 🏀 NBA Summer League & Al Horford Update

  • Victor Wembanyama cleared for 2025–26 season after blood‑clot scare

  • Standout performances by Drew Timme, Tre Johnson, Terrence Shannon Jr.

  • 39‑year‑old Al Horford weighing retirement vs. potential roles with Lakers or Warriors

Tags:
MLB All‑Star Game • Cal Raleigh • Tampa Bay Rays sale • WNBA expansion • Portland Fire • Rhyne Howard injury • A’ja Wilson • Wimbledon double bagel • Iga Świątek • SEC Media Days • Greg Sankey • NIL regulations • College Football Playoff • Texas A &M Aggies • Mike Elko • Marcel Reed • NBA Summer League • Victor Wembanyama • Al Horford retirement

On today’s Sports IQ with Larry Smith, we dive into a jam-packed weekend in sports:

🎾 Wimbledon Recap & American Talent
Tennis journalist Amy Lundy joins us to break down the new champions at SW19, the rise of the “new two,” and why a surge of American men—including Ben Shelton and Francis Tiafoe—is finally poised to break through.

⚾ MLB Draft Surprises
The Nationals shock with 17-year-old shortstop Eli Willetts at No. 1, while the Mariners trade up to claim LSU lefty Cade Anderson and shell out an $8.8 million bonus. We look at what these picks mean for Washington and Seattle’s futures.

⛳ Moment of Awe: Joe Pavelski
Just one year into retirement, former NHL star Joe Pavelski sinks a walk-off eagle on 18 at Tahoe to win the American Century Championship. Drama you couldn’t script—our breakdown of the shot that stunned the celebrity field.

🏀 WNBA Rising: Mystics’ Rookie Revolution
Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post explores how Sidney Johnson’s “draft and develop” approach has DC’s youngest roster exceeding all expectations, led by standout rookies Sonja Citron and Shakira Austin.

#Wimbledon2025 #MLBDraft #JoePavelski #AmericanCenturyChampionship #WNBA #WashingtonMystics #SportsIQ

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📚 FEATURE INTERVIEW: Jane McManus on The Fast Track
Larry and Tony welcome NYU professor and sports journalist Jane McManus, author of The Fast Track: Inside the Surging Business of Women's Sports. They discuss the decades-long fight for visibility and equity, the WNBA’s surge, the economics behind rising franchise valuations, and the possibility of future co-ed pro leagues.

🏈 Coach Prime Steals the Show at Big 12 Media Days
Deion Sanders lights up the mic with gratitude, swagger, and strong words about NIL, program building, and recruiting without his sons.

🏀 Caitlin Clark’s Friday Night Spotlight + WNBA Preview
Larry sets the stage for the ION WNBA doubleheader, with Clark making her long-awaited Friday debut and Seattle looking to bounce back in Game 2.

💰 NBA's Next Dynasty? OKC’s $822M Core Locked In
Thunder ownership makes a bold statement by securing Jalen Williams, SGA, and Chet Holmgren on max deals — can they build a long-term contender?

⚾ MLB Comebacks, Collapses, and Hot Streaks
The Yankees erase a 5–0 deficit, the Red Sox and Orioles roll, and the A’s walk it off in extras. Plus, concerns mounting in Atlanta.

🎓 Will March Madness Expand Again?
The NCAA mulls new formats beyond the current 68-team bracket, with a decision likely before mid-August.

🏟️ Bears & Browns Stadium Drama
New stadium battles heat up in Chicago and Cleveland — but who pays for it all?

Jane McManus The Fast TrackWNBA Expansion 2025Deion Sanders Big 12 Media DayColorado Football 2025Caitlin Clark Friday Night GameOKC Thunder ContractsNBA Summer League Bronny JamesNCAA March Madness ExpansionNFL Stadium Chicago ClevelandSportsIQ Podcast Larry Smith