Transcript
Leo Ernewein: Hello ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Leo and Lando show. I'm your host Leo Ernewine and alongside me is Always my co -host.
Lando: Landon Lando Seminole. How are you guys?
Leo Ernewein: Hope everybody's well. We'll get into it here. Connor Hellebuck, he's requesting a trade out of Winnipeg. Hale McCarr signed a massive new contract. The LA Lakers sold, and the guy who sold them is now the center of an FBI probe. oh He's also the majority owner of the l LA Dodgers, so that's a whole can of worms. And more college football chaos that we'll sum up briefly. All that and more coming up in today's episode number 27. But before we dive into it, quickly, Landon, how have you been, man?
Lando: I'm doing good. yeah Hard to believe that we're... Well, we're at the end of August already. Can you believe that? And...
Leo Ernewein: Summer's going fast. Yeah.
Lando: It is, and man, one whole year that since we've we've been doing this. 27 episodes. one whole year. Hard to believe, eh?
Leo Ernewein: Yes, sir. Growing fast, steady, and strong. Love to see it, right?
Lando: So, yeah, one of the things I'll be real quick is I apologize to all our viewers. We've kind of. Busy summer. Leo's been busy. I've been busy.
Lando: The sports world has been a little quiet, but now things are starting to ramp up. So Leo and I are ready to go.
Leo Ernewein: Yes sir.
Lando: For another... Now they're run at it.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. And we'll start in the national hockey league with the. Winnipeg Jets starting goaltender Connor Hellebuck says his time in Manitoba is up. He wants out. He's demanding a trade. But he's got a full no trade clause and one year left on his deal.
Leo Ernewein: So he's kind of in control of where he goes. Uh, Leonard, are you finally, like, are you surprised he finally asked out?
Lando: No, I'm not and the reason why I'm not surprised is there's hints of this at the end of this past season And with the way. A lot of his usa team of USA Olympic teammates having to...
Lando: I've asked for trades as well. I'm not surprised that he wanted out. I think this is... one of the you know i think this might be one of the last dominoes i think as far as american born superstar players wanting out.
Lando: i do not
Leo Ernewein: Out of the Canadian market, yeah.
Lando: Canadian market, yeah. i i don't see American stars staying in Canada if they get drafted. I think they'll be there for a few years for their... rookie seasons and then i think they'll be moving out i just I think with.
Lando: the way the political spectrum has gone the last few years. And since probably, I guess, the... Four Nations Championship that it's just been...
Lando: Very hard for American players to stay here. and Yeah, I mean, it's not just been since the Four Nations. This has been going on for probably... since i would say probably johnny gaudreau left calgary and then it kind of fell into you know, Math Gachuk wanting out and then Quinn Hughes. A few years later and Brady Kachuk just recently.
Lando: And, you know, there might be some. see how this year plays out austin matthews may be out of toronto so i just think The American born players are finding it very hard.
Lando: in this political spectrum. and to stay in canada and plus i think with the the way the dollar goes and you know how the taxes in states and provinces go that I just think that Connor Halbach wants his dollar to go a little bit further. And I think he wants to win because I just, I don't think Winnipeg right now.
Lando: is at the position of winning. I think they're in the position of retooling and trying to... get all the assets that they've lost over the years to try to go for a run that i think uh He wants to go somewhere where there's an up -and -coming chance for him to win it at some point in the near future. What do you think, Leo?
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, I mean, I think this was a long time coming. I heard rumors over the summer that he was asking, I think, Winnipeg GM Kevin Shevelday off.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: that he requested a trade over the summer and nothing kind of happened. So now he's going public with it. uh hoping that you know a resolution can be reached but again nothing's happened quite yet i think According to TSN's Pierre Lebrun, New Jersey Devils, l LA Kings, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators,
Leo Ernewein: and Colorado Avalanche if they can. fit them under the cap somehow. are the teams uh reportedly interested i think there's a few others as well but they uh aren't confirmed yet.
Lando: Mm hmm.
Leo Ernewein: Is there a team that makes the most sense for you? Obviously, that's got to be Colorado, right?
Lando: Well, I honestly we're gonna talk about Colorado on our next segment here because we got some big news with kale mccarr but i i don't see how they can fit him under the salary cap
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: do Could they use a goaltender of his caliber? You bet. But I don't think their problem when they lost. the lost in the west final was goaltending issues i just think they just simply ran out of gas and And I think Scott Wedgwood and Blackwood are.
Lando: are And Mackenzie Blackwood, excuse me, is is just fine.
Leo Ernewein: are serviceable. Yeah.
Lando: Yeah, they're they're fine as goaltenders. So, I mean, any team. would be willing to upgrade their goaltender to a Connor Halibut. No problem, but...
Leo Ernewein: Yes, that's a no -brainer.
Lando: I. It is a no -brainer. But I think if if I'm a teen... that i an up -and -coming team that i think has a real legitimate shot to make a porch for a playoff spot and beyond and not only this coming season but in the future i I know you need listed a few of a few of them. It will definitely not be Ottawa. I think he wants out of Canada, period.
Lando: But i think I think the team that I would... I'd be very interested. to see him go, or two teams, I should say. I think it'll be a toss -up between Buffalo. and the San Jose Sharks.
Leo Ernewein: I can see the San Jose Sharks making a move like that. They're they're starting to... you know realize their windows
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: opening and they need to to keep that open by getting quality veteran level players. to build with that young core, right?
Lando: Correct.
Leo Ernewein: I like... The New Jersey Devils as a favorite spot.
Lando: I could see that with Jack Hughes there. Yep, I could absolutely.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. and And I think there' just they still had Markstrom, right, over the past season?
Lando: No. he said He is now with the Florida Panthers.
Leo Ernewein: No.
Lando: He's back where once he came.
Leo Ernewein: Right, right. Yes, but Markstrom left over the offseason.
Lando: Yeah. Correct. Yes. Yes.
Leo Ernewein: and Yeah, okay.
Lando: Sorry. Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: So Markstrom left, so that's kind of like an and an opening spot to take the the starting goaltending. I don't think there'd be much competition is what I'm saying.
Lando: Yeah. Yeah.
Lando: But there is!
Leo Ernewein: whereas i You know what? It's Hellebuck, though. There's not going to be much competition anywhere he goes, to be honest. strength the Probably one of the best goaltenders in the league.
Leo Ernewein: but
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, I'd like to see him in New Jersey. <unk>d I'd like to see Mo playing for the Devils out there. Although their decor still needs some... some help too, right?
Lando: Oh!
Leo Ernewein: But.
Lando: Massively.
Leo Ernewein: Speaking of decor, Colorado and Kale McCarr officially signed it their new contract. Eight years, $163 .2 million. an average of $20 .4 million per year.
Leo Ernewein: So that kind of blew up. well i was estimating like 18 19 maybe 20. Elliott Friedman confirmed it this morning. It's now the highest cap hit in NHL history. this The second that number dropped, every elite defenseman in the league started recalculating their negotiations too.
Leo Ernewein: Landon does a 20. $20 .4 million dollars at AAV completely reset the defensive market now.
Lando: Yes it does. For sure. But the only difference is... is Are all the defensemen that are going to be wanting contracts or are the up -and -coming players that are going to be coming up to...
Lando: play on these teams are they going to be the same caliber as kayo makar Hard to say. I think Mikhail Makarov is one of those generational... Players that... is one of those hidden gems that just came out of nowhere and now is a superstar but uh i do think it I do think it's definitely changed the defensive market to me.
Lando: you know. You know, for any defenseman who wants to re -sign a contract, I think it definitely sets the bar because, you know, I i think in in a few years' time or in the next season or so, we're going to see names like Miro Heishkinen come up.
Lando: and
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: cider and
Lando: Cider and all those guys.
Leo Ernewein: Luke Hughes. and Thank you.
Lando: Yeah
Leo Ernewein: so
Lando: Quinn Hughes.
Leo Ernewein: Owen Power.
Lando: Yeah, Owen Power, all those guys that...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: I think that definitely sets the bar for sure. But I'm happy i'm happy for Cale, though.
Leo Ernewein: so
Lando: that Good for him.
Leo Ernewein: what What does this mean for Quinn Hughes and Bill Guerin in the Minnesota Wild? Like, is Quinn Hughes now asking for 20?
Lando: Well, I think I think so. I think this is definitely gonna be up there. Yeah, i think I don't think it's a no -brainer. I think when you have Cale McCartan and Quinn Hughes at the $20 million mark, I think that... I... I don't, I don't. I don't see i don't see Quinn Hughes going any higher than Mikhail Makar. I think it'll be about this.
Lando: about the similar contract.
Leo Ernewein: And now guys like Adam Fox and McAvoy, too, are probably chomping at the bit as well. Or they' no, they were probably looking underpaid, I guess. Like, let's check out McAvoy's contract here.
Lando: I think McAvoy is like 67 -something or 70 million or 80. Between 60 and 80. And I think, who was the other one that you said? Oh, Adam Fox. i think he was it i think he was around the same mark i think he was like 60 to 80 million
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: I typed in McAvoy and it gave me Sean McVay from the LA Rams.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, eight years, 76, so that's a... Cap hit of nine for Charlie McAvoy. And he signed until when? RFA or UFA in 2030 So...
Leo Ernewein: That's a few years away, Adam. And he must have signed a recent deal. Same with Adam Fox, I bet. UFA for... ending in the 28 -29 season. so And he's got a cap hit of 9 as well.
Leo Ernewein: So those yeah those guys now look underpaid. in my opinion.
Lando: We do. They do.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, yeah. at just under 10. Because, yeah, I think guys like Mo Sider. an Owen Power probably in a command like 13, 14, 15. I'd probably go higher on the side for side air, lower on the side for Owen Power there.
Leo Ernewein: but still yeah it's gonna shatter the market after what we Thought was there. earth shattering market for the forward contracts over this. past season, right? With all the offers. and or the Offer sheet from Carlson and then Bedard's contract. and Yeah.
Lando: Well... Doesn't it? But when you look at Kale McCartman, as far as his worth. and how important he is to this team. Like, you look at what happened in the playoffs when he got hurt and how much he was missed.
Lando: on the colorado avalanche doesn't it just sit sit make you sit there and say You know, he's worth the money that they're paying him.
Leo Ernewein: Oh yeah.
Lando: because and his importance.
Leo Ernewein: oh Yeah, he's worth the money
Lando: Oh, like...
Leo Ernewein: He's worth the money. But the problem, I think the NHL. uh is now dealing with is they were feeling like they had They had to increase the cap, right? They had to increase the cap. So they increased the cap so that other teams felt like they had a bit more flexibility, which they do.
Leo Ernewein: but that flexibility is going to disappear real quick. When you're top players.
Lando: Yes.
Leo Ernewein: average just almost doubles.
Lando: While you're...
Leo Ernewein: Right?
Lando: Here's how you fix it. Here's how you fix that problem one One thing that you could fix this problem. Right now. is Yeah, you you raise the salary cap level But you also are asking all the TV markets.
Lando: a whole bunch of money for a long -term deal i .e rogers who just signed just last year
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, like a 12 year deal.
Lando: A 12 -year...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: 12 -year deal, right? so if you want If you want the contracts to be at a reasonable level and you've raised this hour cap to give teams more flexibility.
Lando: that on your end as the nhl you need to stop asking more from tv and radio contracts right like that's just what i see from the outside looking in now i could be totally off base on this i could be totally wrong but that's
Leo Ernewein: Well, can't they not ask more if they just signed a new deal?
Lando: They could. Yeah. Bye. right like i said
Leo Ernewein: No, like can't they not because the deal signed for 12 years Yeah.
Lando: Oh, they cannot?
Leo Ernewein: I think they're hooped.
Lando: I don't know
Leo Ernewein: <unk> I don't know enough about...
Lando: They're hooped.
Leo Ernewein: business to really comment on this.
Lando: Need a drawing. Neither.
Leo Ernewein: but
Lando: No, neither do I. But i like I just said, like i as an outside looking in, I'm just saying that. You know if you want you want contracts to be kind of at a reasonable level so that everybody's competitive.
Lando: Well, what you're doing as an NHL is you're raising that bar. With these TV contracts and whatever else that you have going on. That's how you That's how I think you would fix the problem, but I could be totally wrong.
Lando: There could be way more to this than I... than i
Leo Ernewein: Well, at least at least
Lando: I know.
Leo Ernewein: At least the NHL doesn't have like a second salary cap apron. like the nba does where we can see them build super teams and you know this sort of jazz
Lando: Correct, and that's true.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: I do want to mention before we jump over to our other topic here, Landon, because we should probably mention this, the NHL. Expanding. down to Houston.
Leo Ernewein: Have you seen have you seen stuff on that?
Lando: Yes, I have Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: what What are your thoughts?
Lando: I have.
Leo Ernewein: What are your thoughts?
Lando: I've... I think it's a no -brainer for Houston, for sure, because I'm... I've said this up to a lot of people, and I've said this to my parents too, that I'm surprised that you have the fourth largest city in the United States.
Lando: That you and, you know. and as far as
Leo Ernewein: Dallas Stars are pissed.
Lando: See you.
Leo Ernewein: Sorry.
Lando: Well, I think the Dallas Stars would be happy to see... Well, I think they'd be mad because the market is going to be you know shrunk a little bit.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: But do you think do you think Houston and really cares about what Dallas is doing, period, anyways, as far as sports go? Because, I mean... Dallas. Probably as far.
Leo Ernewein: Houston rivals. Yeah.
Lando: Houston rivals, right? So you got... you know, the Texas Rangers are the rivals to the Astros. You've got the Cowboys. as a rival to the Houston Texans. You've got the...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, but
Lando: Houston Rockets with the Dallas Mavericks.
Leo Ernewein: Okay.
Leo Ernewein: Cowboys are kind of more rivals with like their division, like the Giants and the Eagles.
Lando: IP. I know.
Leo Ernewein: In the road.
Lando: I know, but I'm just...
Leo Ernewein: commanders.
Lando: I'm just saying that...
Leo Ernewein: You're talking proximity. Yeah.
Lando: Yeah, I'm talking proximity.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. Yeah. I see what you're saying. Yeah.
Lando: But, like, i don't I don't think Houston really cares about too much sweat about what. I think they're more worried about what they have in their city compared to...
Leo Ernewein: Trying to.
Lando: wait Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: repeat of Vegas.
Lando: Yeah, I repeat Vegas, so...
Leo Ernewein: almost here.
Lando: But I like.
Leo Ernewein: So...
Lando: Like I said, though, I think I'm... i I'm i not shocked that Houston is going to get a team because I think there's enough ownership and people who have the money. to bring NHL franchise to Houston, and I think that i think that's good. i think I think Houston's an absolute no -brainer, being the fourth largest city in the United States.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. i'm I'm not shocked, but I'm a little disappointed that they continue to stray away from the Canadian market. I get the finances behind it.
Lando: Yeah. Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: What irks me the most, though, about the NHL expanding... Is there going to try to go to 32 or 33 or 34 teams? You're already at 32. That's the perfect number.
Leo Ernewein: Why are we watering this down? Why are they watering this down, I should say?
Lando: I... I agree. And it and especially, I've thought of this too, especially when we have markets like Columbus really struggling. We have...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: We have, well, you know.
Leo Ernewein: And they're talking about going back to Arizona again.
Lando: Do it.
Leo Ernewein: Like, come on, and get out of here.
Lando: Atlanta, too. They're talking about Atlanta, too.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, Atlanta as well, yeah.
Lando: And so...
Leo Ernewein: and Sorry, I think it was Atlanta, not Arizona. I think you're right.
Lando: Yeah, yeah.
Leo Ernewein: It was Atlanta.
Lando: yeah
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: So my...
Leo Ernewein: And. And we've seen it fail twice down there. so Everybody's joking about. where the where in Canada the Atlanta team would move to. once they fold.
Leo Ernewein: Or not full, but once they have to relocate.
Lando: I know, so... Where you... You're 100 % right, especially when we have markets like the Columbus Blue Jackets struggling a little bit. You have Buffalo Sabres kind of struggling a little bit.
Lando: you have the new jersey devils a little bit they're kind of struggling though they've kind of you know they're starting to take get
Leo Ernewein: How are the Islanders doing? Do they have their new stadium?
Lando: Yeah, I've seen... All right. They're selling out every game almost, I think. So they're doing quite well.
Leo Ernewein: Okay.
Lando: But i I'm trying to think, while even... Like I'd even look at like a team like Carolina who just won the Stanley Cup. But yeah, they're selling out. But they're they're a small market, too. So it's just like.
Lando: So you've got markets in areas where they're not traditional hockey markets. where there's cities like houston You know... I would even argue like Austin, Texas is another one that has been rumored.
Lando: other than Houston. you're looking at all these oh bigger cities that don't have NHL markets but you look at places like Columbus and raleigh that have have and nhl teams and it's kind of like it's a really head scratcher then you want to go back to atlanta which the thrashers if everybody remembers the name The thrashers moved to Winnipeg and are rebranded named...
Lando: win a paycheck so i don't i don't get it either i do agree with you man i think it's definitely Starting to get watered down to to a point that I think I, I...
Lando: Do I want more teams in the league? For sure. but i
Leo Ernewein: You do, eh?
Lando: I do. to a point. but i get your point that it's like okay so how how many players are going to be You know, how many hockey players are going to be out there for...
Leo Ernewein: Then who's all going to make the playoffs in a 34 -team league?
Lando: you know For competitive.
Leo Ernewein: I get it. as It'll be nine. but
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: i don't I don't like it. It just feels different. It feels...
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: I shouldn't say different it just feels wrong. I don't know any other.
Lando: It's on.
Leo Ernewein: Major sports league in North America that has more than 32 teams.
Lando: I don't, everybody, no.
Leo Ernewein: Aye. I constantly want the MLB to get to 32. I want them to expand. I don't think you need to go beyond 32 in anything. 16 per conference.
Leo Ernewein: Two conferences. you're You're fine. You're laughing. What are you going to? No, stupid. Stop it. Stop it, all in the name of money, stop it.
Lando: Yeah. Well, wait.
Leo Ernewein: Anyways.
Lando: At some point, we're going have to be talking about. this whole money thing at some point whenever that time comes up.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, see, yeah I was going to use it as a transition here.
Lando: Yeah, yeah, yeah, but anyways to fish can I finish off with McKell McCart before we go on that
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Yes.
Lando: So...
Leo Ernewein: Yes.
Lando: My story, I've said this a number of times with... uh on our podcast that with Kale McCarr signing this massive contract. I'll be honest with everybody and I'll read if this is it sounds like a broken record. I apologize, but When I saw Kayla Carr playing for the Brooks Bandits in Canmore, and i I remember this.
Lando: Very. This was about 10 years ago or maybe a little bit more. I just remember how small -kill my car was with the Brooks Bannetts. He was a good hockey player in the AJHL. There was no question about it. He was breaking records. you know and But what one one of the things that shocked me when... I was sitting with the president of the Brooks Bandits, and he said, this guy's going to go top 10.
Lando: In the NHL draft, am I Kim?
Lando: And he's like, yeah, I'm like really? and he's like you're joking right and he's like no i'm like he's small he's good but he's small like he he better grow a little bit then so with him you know, leaving brooks at the time and going to Boston College and now eventually the NHL.
Lando: That, uh... I was just, I'm just blown away how how good good of a hockey player he is. and well deserved for a $20 .4 million dollars contract.
Lando: Because he he is...
Leo Ernewein: Was that... Sorry.
Lando: Say again? Say again?
Leo Ernewein: I was going to ask you if that was Ryan Papuano that was coaching him at the time.
Lando: It was. yeah
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, so of course of course you were talking to him then. cause that was go trying to connect the two you of like wait you were talking to the brooks coach and
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: And that Brooks coach must have a good eye for talent.
Lando: Yeah, Brooks.
Leo Ernewein: Oh, wait, it's Ryan, the guy out.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: and
Lando: In Abbotsford.
Leo Ernewein: Out part of the Abbotsford Canucks now.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: so
Lando: Yeah, so yeah.
Leo Ernewein: good Good for him. Good for the Canucks.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Well, hope. Hope to see some. some progress and growth in that organization. Would love to see it.
Lando: For sure for sure for sure. But then anyways, that's my story about kale McCarr. So but you know what good for kale I'm happy for him uh well deserved and uh hopefully the avalanche keep winning because i'm excited to have them Stay on the team.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, I bet you are. I'm super jealous he's not hitting the... open market because you know he'd go to toronto right now I'm just kidding.
Lando: Heh.
Leo Ernewein: would I think there was at Sportsnet, at Sportsnet 960, they had a list of...
Lando: Or Calgary.
Leo Ernewein: stuff on the wall, just like random topics that you could. kind of add to or joke about and one of the ones that was there since i started
Lando: Yeah. yep
Leo Ernewein: And then when I went over to 660, it was still there when I'd pop in to say hi. was Kale McCarr. signing in Calgary. And... I think it would be what his contract would have been up this year. So yeah, they were saying 2026 or 2027, something like that.
Lando: You know what?
Leo Ernewein: That was like that was the number one thing on their land and it probably been on there the longest
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Probably been on there for like.
Lando: Wine.
Leo Ernewein: Three or four years, dude.
Lando: Hey, I know, I know.
Leo Ernewein: Now they have to erase it. Oh. Well, they're not there anymore, I guess.
Lando: <unk>ve I've heard...
Leo Ernewein: They don't have to erase it. but
Lando: I've heard this rumor too. but also there's a guy who listens to us his name is josh he always ragged on me at work about I about all, all, all. All spring, he was like... Okay, I was going to sign in Calgary. i'm like No he's not.
Lando: and he's like oh yeah he will he's gonna come home and got a new arena and he's got a
Leo Ernewein: Ha ha!
Lando: you know we've got an up -and -coming team i said well but where is he going to fit in Where is he going to fit in, man?
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: They've got a number of different...
Leo Ernewein: That's a great point.
Lando: They've got a number of defensemen that they've drafted. And then number the the the second thing is, yeah, he's... They've got a new arena, which is great. but calgary is so far away from doing anything competitively right now that
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: Kale is looking at a number of things why he's staying in Colorado number one. He likes it in Denver Number two. He has an opportunity now to play with his brother Taylor, who also played with the Brooks Bandits.
Lando: And.
Leo Ernewein: Oh, that's cool.
Lando: to Yeah, so Taylor...
Leo Ernewein: Didn't know that.
Lando: So Taylor McCarr went to the same school that Cale went to in Boston College.
Leo Ernewein: Okay?
Lando: so And then Taylor also set set a personal best last season with the Colorado Eagles. So now with all the players that they've disbanded.
Lando: to free agency via trade. like valerie nachushkin it gives taylor mccarr a chance to play now on the big club And I think that's where Cale is thinking, too. I want to play with my brother for for a good number of seasons going forward. and Why won't you stay and play with Nathan McKinnon too?
Lando: Ha!
Leo Ernewein: I mean, if if you're having success, why?
Lando: Right.
Leo Ernewein: The grass isn't always greener kind of thing, right?
Lando: No.
Leo Ernewein: And if they're going to pay you.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: upwards of $20 million. It's a no -brainer to stay, in my opinion.
Lando: Yeah, and then number three i His wife. His wife is a teacher in Denver. one of the bed one of the
Leo Ernewein: Cool.
Lando: And so why would you uproot... your grassroots. in denver to go somewhere else even though i think he would love to be to go play a home in calgary but you know i I just think, I don't think it's, I think this is all has to do with, you know. him being comfortable where he's at, he's winning. His wife is comfortable there. he She's got a job there. it's not far for for both taylor and kale's parents to fly from calgary to denver
Lando: and vice versa you know, and for Kel and her and their his and his wife to go to Calgary to meet. to be with both their families. It's only a two -hour flight. So I think i think they're settled where they are, and I think that's why KL is staying in Colorado.
Leo Ernewein: I like that you mentioned his brother there because I didn't really know. a lot about taylor so i'm just kind of bringing him up for the listeners here he's a
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: 25 year old, left shot, left wing. Center, six foot four.
Lando: He's a big guy and he was
Leo Ernewein: He's huge man
Lando: he's He was a big boy and junior, too. I remember watching him.
Leo Ernewein: That's awesome. So, yeah, two years younger than Cale there. uh four or four inches over roman height though as younger brothers tip.
Lando: Yep.
Leo Ernewein: typically tend to go right to
Lando: Yep.
Leo Ernewein: usually a little bit bigger. or taller.
Lando: Colton, Colton's...
Leo Ernewein: That's cool, though. I didn't know that.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: So i' I'm glad you mentioned that.
Lando: Yeah. Yeah, no, I...
Leo Ernewein: oh
Lando: Colton's taller than me too, so I know how KO feels.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. I was lucky that my younger sibling was a sister a girl, I guess, yeah.
Lando: Yeah. You're lucky man.
Leo Ernewein: But.
Lando: Heh heh heh.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, somebody that's probably, I don't know if we'll call it unlucky, but we'll jump over here to the LA Lakers in La La Land. Sold for $12 .5 billion dollars a couple weeks ago. And right after that, news came out that federal investigators are looking into Mark Walters Insurance Company.
Leo Ernewein: Mark Walter was the owner. of the or majority owner of the Lakers at the time when he sold. And I think he leveraged. something like a buyout or something like that from his insurance companies to to buy the Lakers.
Leo Ernewein: And the FBI has reason to believe that those companies may have moved around a lot more money than they reported. So they're looking at where it went. of the Security Exchange Commission seized Mark Walters' phone and laptop.
Leo Ernewein: He also owns the LA Dodgers, or he's the majority owner there as well. So the MLB is also keeping a close eye. on that investigation no charges have been laid Landon, what was your reaction to hearing, A, the sale of the Lakers, and B, finding out that the...
Leo Ernewein: the former owners now and center of an sb FBI probe.
Lando: So my first reaction to your first question is I had no idea that LA Lakers were even. on even for sale. I like if I was if I'm that owner who who just sold them why why would you sell i guess if you want to sell it and make it make a profit
Leo Ernewein: Or he. You gotta... Yeah, he made a profit.
Lando: by he
Leo Ernewein: He made like $2 billion in profit or something like that.
Lando: He made a profit. Yeah. Yeah, so he made a profit, but I'm just looking at it as from a perspective as a human level. you know the alley lakers are one of the most popular franchises in sports history the one of the most winning franchises in sports history. why wouldn't you want to hang on to this team but i get if you want to try to make a profit
Lando: Go for it, but I my show I was shocked at that a number one they were even up for sale and they got sold and then i was also shocked at how much it did get sold I didn't think it was worth $12 .5 billion.
Lando: I don't need five.
Leo Ernewein: Nothing's worth $12 .5 billion.
Lando: No.
Leo Ernewein: dollars
Lando: I thought I thought maybe around the 1 billion mark would have been probably the you know the closest that I would have thought.
Leo Ernewein: I guess if you look at other what other. sports franchises or they're valued out here, I think. people will want to know. so Let's just pull up a list. franchises because I want to just see after they were sold it might be i agree with you that it's i don't think it's worth that But the market value.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, has Dallas Cowboys at 15. They're worth 15. L .A. Lakers number two at 12. Golden State Warriors at 11. LA Rams have jumped up to number four.
Leo Ernewein: with 10 point. five the other team in the 10 is the new york giants and right below them the new york knicks at 9 .75 Patriots, they're 9, so you're... Your second team isn't far off. Denver Broncos tied for 18th at 6 .8.
Lando: Interesting, so, but it...
Leo Ernewein: I wanna see the nearest hockey team. Hold on.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: It's probably going to be the Maple Leafs is my guess.
Lando: Yeah, or the Rangers, one of the two.
Leo Ernewein: me.
Leo Ernewein: Okay, there's the Raptors at 5 .4.
Leo Ernewein: Basketball, basketball, basketball. That's cool. Well, according to Wikipedia The Raptors are more valuable than... The Maple Leafs.
Lando: That's funny. That's really funny.
Leo Ernewein: I don't know how old that article is I was reading.
Lando: Ha!
Leo Ernewein: Uh,
Lando: That's funny.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. it's It's according to Forbes. And it looks like it's...
Leo Ernewein: latest ranking december 18th 2025 so it could be a little bit outdated especially after the Maple Leafs were fully acquired by Rogers, but...
Lando: But nevertheless...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: But it also...
Leo Ernewein: They're all exceeding a billion dollars, Landon. It's insane.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: even though even the
Lando: It's insane.
Leo Ernewein: The. Nope. Portland Trailblazers are... Or Sacramento Kings. or exceeding a billion. which is. unfathomable for me to count and most of us to count. but Yeah, I did also want to ask you a little bit about.
Leo Ernewein: so
Leo Ernewein: Oh, where was I going with this? Hold on.
Lando: Oh, you wanted out I think I know where you're going with this. before I don't mean to put words in your mouth, but you asked me the second question about the whole security.
Leo Ernewein: No, go ahead.
Lando: thing with the FBI. I don't know much about this because I don't know much about this Mark Walter. But if... You know what? Nothing would surprise me.
Lando: to see people laundering a whole bunch of money without
Leo Ernewein: a
Lando: reporting it so let's just leave it at that that i don't know much about i i don't know much about this owner so i can't even comment drop his
Leo Ernewein: that's that No, that's totally fair.
Lando: What what he's done, but yeah
Leo Ernewein: I was going to... Yeah. I was going to say more on the and the lines of... Like... So I think he sold.
Leo Ernewein: the Lakers because he got tipped off. that he was under investigation, or maybe he thought... And the reason why he hasn't sold his majority share of the Dodgers.
Leo Ernewein: the money that he used to buy the Lakers. may have been. if you will, compromised or something in that sense. that So he figured if he gets rid of the asset now...
Leo Ernewein: he sort of wipes his hands of the bad doings, if you will.
Lando: Maybe. I have no idea. Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: it's It's a stretch in my opinion. but
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: and Just a theory. But yeah, we'll we'll jump over here quick to college football because it's been a mess all week there too. ncaa's they released kind of a five -year edge eligibility rule And it's already kind of blowing up in their face.
Leo Ernewein: So here's what's happened recently. There was a guy from... who's now playing for lsu his name he's a tight end his name is trit is green He went undrafted last year. I can't remember which college he was on last year, but he signed an NFL training camp contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Leo Ernewein: He went through rookie camp with them. He dressed in only two games out of four during the preseason because he told them he had a medical issue. Then he got cut. The Browns coach head coach, Todd Munkin, was...
Leo Ernewein: you know, in the media talking about how he was wondering why he was getting a call from college head coach of of the Louisiana State Tigers, Lane Kiffin. And he didn't pick up. And now he knows why. It's because that tight end. who they cut.
Leo Ernewein: Wet back. to play for college football. The NCAA tried to block him. but the the guy's lawyers argued under your own five -year rule he's eligible and if you deny him You're interfering with his right to earn. through aim image and likeness. So now it's become like a...
Leo Ernewein: sort of a workplace issue. A judge has agreed and issued an injunction allowing him to play. Now you've got a guy who is in the NFL. essentially. this month going right back to college to play against kids and not only does it take away opportunities from other kids who could have gotten a scholarship or could have gotten a spot on the team.
Leo Ernewein: But it's also, I see it as kind of a hazard. Because the game of football is already pretty dangerous as it is for an 18, 19 -year -old coming out of high school. to compete with guys who are as old as 23, 24. Now you combine that with somebody who's.
Leo Ernewein: essentially flopped out of the pro leagues. To me, it's just insane and probably the most hectic enroll week. enrollment week we've ever seen. Landon, I wanted to ask you, do you think it's fair that if you... were to get cut from an NFL team.
Leo Ernewein: But you got an offer to go back and play in college. like I don't even know if he's going to cult like to school. I don't even know if he's enrolled in classes. I don't think he is Like do you think that's fair?
Leo Ernewein: Or do you think it should?
Lando: No.
Leo Ernewein: put Put the fries in the bag like the rest of us.
Lando: You know, as soon as you tried to explore the NFL. I mean, unless unless he was originally, like, here here's what I think of when I hear this story.
Lando: unless he Unless he was going to school. or was planning on going to school. and his agent said you have an opportunity to go to the NFL and try and make a roster spot in the NFL. I think you're that good.
Lando: And you can put your school on the back burner right now and go make get a spot in the NFL. I don't know. I'm just I'm I'm just I have no idea. I can't put words in people's mouths, but I'm just.
Lando: I'm just looking at it. you know from the outside looking in that maybe that's what happened why he wanted why he went the nfl route But now that he got cut.
Lando: I personally do not believe unless he is taking classes. or was going to be taking classes.
Leo Ernewein: So.
Lando: to go play in the college league again. I think he is he's allowed to, but if he wasn't and he just wants to go back to college. so he can play football and try to get another chance for being drafted i think that's totally and make them make a little bit of money that's totally wrong
Leo Ernewein: For some money. Yeah.
Lando: And no, he should...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, well... So I did look it up here.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: He is a major in sports administration for the 2026 years. So he will be in classes. Bye.
Lando: Okay.
Leo Ernewein: So essentially. he Came into the college football. three years ago. He redshirted. And... did his freshman and then his sophomore a year. he decided i'm gonna try to go pro And because he didn't get drafted.
Leo Ernewein: He's still eligible to come back essentially The worst part is, in my opinion, is that he's a junior. So if he doesn't get drafted this year... or if he doesn't make an NFL team this year, he could come back and do it again next year.
Leo Ernewein: as a senior.
Lando: Correct. Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: It's just like... At what point does the NFL and in college and the NCAA go, okay, we... Like, it's it's essentially now it looks like the minor leagues to me. Because you have guys that are going.
Lando: It does.
Leo Ernewein: on the fringe of an NFL roster. Going back to college. I get it. They'll get better and they'll probably be an NFL prospect next year. Maybe, maybe not. The NFL does like.
Leo Ernewein: Something to do, like they like younger talent when they're drafting. as well. so if you're get if you're coming out of college at 24 and you've got the skill set They might pick a 21 -year -old who's got a similar skill set because of the age, right?
Leo Ernewein: so it's it's a It's a double edged sword.
Lando: a
Leo Ernewein: But i just I don't agree with it because I think it takes away... so spots It's a huge... Like, listen, if every college did this. There'd be so many little spots.
Leo Ernewein: for actual kids to go and and Try to.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: get that privilege to play for the university of wherever right and Yeah, it's just disheartening to me to see. all that going on and and college coaches doing whatever they take to win. One other thing before we jump over to the next topic as well.
Leo Ernewein: there was This is still to do with LSU in college. So they've got kind of a three -headed snake when it comes to like what people are calling the worst coaches. in college sports. They've got Lane Kiffin who poached this guy from the Cleveland Browns, right?
Leo Ernewein: They've got Will Wade. who's a basketball coach, and I'm just going to pull up what he did recently. I'll get back to Will Wade in a second. They've got Kim Mulkey, who is the... basketball coach for the women's team.
Leo Ernewein: And what she's in the news for recently is she signed a player out of Russia. And she has a player. on our team that i think is ukrainian born or either from Ukraine.
Leo Ernewein: and her father is currently fighting in the war. in Ukraine. And so she left the team once she found out her teammates. One of her teammates was going to be coming over from Russia.
Leo Ernewein: And the coach, I don't know if Kim Mulkey has said anything on it. But it's just like I guess whatever it takes to win a the script scripting chemistry
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: controversy one second i'm just gonna see if she's made a statement on it at all. Because I think she was told... Yeah, the most recent controversy involves her decision to recruit Anna Minerva. A 17 -year -old prospect from Russia. while ukrainian center on their own team kate coval was already a star piece on the LSU.
Leo Ernewein: Koval's father is actively serving as a drone operator in the Ukrainian military. And her childhood basketball gym in Kiev was previously destroyed by Russian bombs. So, of course, she's going to feel some type of way.
Lando: Meh.
Leo Ernewein: Uh... Yeah. kim And then they've got, let's see what Will Wade did recently. because i pretty Oh, Will Wade was... the guy bringing back NBA players back to the... back to college.
Leo Ernewein: so There was some stuff. with him as it's very similar stuff to link given, but overall just. Kind of. bending the rules. down there in Louisiana.
Leo Ernewein: and saying what are you going to do about it. And so far, we ain't doing nothing. Well, I shouldn't say nothing because there's stuff in the works, but...
Lando: you know
Leo Ernewein: Nothing out there yet. We'll jump over here to a a bit of a... More of a somber. thought here. Landon.
Lando: Mm hmm.
Leo Ernewein: A quick note, Peter Maher passed away. And that one kind of hits Calgary in the local area here pretty hard. Nobody kind of... Nobody called game cleaner than him, right? Nobody had a goal call. that stuck to a city the way his did.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, baby, that's never getting replaced. Landon, what do you think of Flames hockey? Isn't Peter Maher basically the voice that defined it?
Lando: Correct. Yep, I think it does. and And I'll be honest with you, when I heard the news that Peter Amara passed away, I was shocked because... I just... Recently heard him on the radio the day before.
Lando: that. seven with course entertainment. On the radio side, going to be, yeah, 770 is going to be taking over for the...
Leo Ernewein: 770. you know
Leo Ernewein: The flames, yeah.
Lando: for the flames for radio side
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: that he was on there with Jock Wilson on the day before and talked about you know how excited he he is to see 770 stepping up.
Lando: after what happened in July. And so... He uh... Yeah, so he was just kind of talking about how... You know, 770 was the last radio station to... so to call the the Stanley Cup final that the Calgary Flames won in 89, and Peter Amar was the voice of that. and so When you think like to your question, when you think of the Calgary Flames.
Lando: you know, any type of call. you have to thank Peter Maher. And so... i am deeply sad to hear him passing away all of a sudden and he will definitely be missed. And I guess just for for me personally, I think it just shows you that.
Lando: We're all getting older. You know, our...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: right we're all all of us are getting older and that uh all these legendary
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: you know people That have called games. It doesn't matter who it is on TV or radio that you know, we're all we're all aging and we're all gonna be leaving the earth some days so He's no different than I'm i'm sad sad for his friends and family, and I'm i'm sad for the Calgary Flames and the...
Lando: you know, that whole group that because they lost a legend. How did you feel, man, when you heard this?
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. i was Pretty devastated. I mean that guy's a staple in the city here, right?
Lando: Mm hmm.
Leo Ernewein: and He became the Flames play -by -play announcer when the franchise relocated from Atlanta in the 80s.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: And he called 33 consecutive seasons, nearly 3 ,000 games, without missing a single broadcast. before you retired in 2014. So that's an Iron Man for me.
Leo Ernewein: He's got a couple catchphrases that are iconic that will always stick around. Of course, we mentioned, yeah, baby. which I don't know if I can use as a play -by -play guy myself.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: And then I always love this one. You can put that one in the win column. or i like to use you can chalk it up and chalk that to another w in the wind column or Yeah, I love that. you know. You can put it in the win column was another staple from him.
Leo Ernewein: And. Of course, him calling the 89 Stanley Cup Championship in the 04 Underdog Finals run was pretty... pretty big as well. So those are some
Lando: yeah
Leo Ernewein: some stuff that I'll I'll be remembering them by, I of course wasn't alive in the 89 one, but the 04 one.
Lando: You know.
Leo Ernewein: who We all watched it on my driveway.
Lando: I was a year...
Leo Ernewein: so
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: i was I was a year old when the Flames won their first at when they won their first and only Stanley Cup.
Leo Ernewein: First and only. yeah
Lando: And then yeah, I remember that Flames. run very Very, very big of a leap because I was in grade eight at the time. And so that was.
Leo Ernewein: I just...
Lando: That was out. Quite a... Or no, what grade was I in? No, grade 9 going to grade 10. Sorry. so
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, I think I was grade four or five. so here
Lando: Yeah. Yeah, so it
Leo Ernewein: I just... Uh... I figure forgot what I was going to say there.
Lando: can i Can I say a quick quick story quick quick story about Peter Marr?
Leo Ernewein: okay Yeah, keep going, keep going. Yeah.
Lando: So this is something I heard on... on the radio, or I can't remember if it was on the radio or if it was a tweet from somebody. But anyway, somebody was saying, oh, it was on the Stan Peters broadcast.
Lando: that Drock Wilson said that, or it was Mark Stevens on the Stan Peters broadcast that was doing a tribute to him because he passed away just a couple days after. or before the
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, I think it was August. 13.
Lando: Yeah, so the Stampeders...
Leo Ernewein: the day he passed away at the age of 79.
Lando: Yeah, so the Stampeders were playing the BC Lions that night. And they, you know, attributed to. you know peter mark one of the things mark stevens said before uh marks before mark stevens took over i Think he was either away or sicker that time. I can't remember. But anyways, Mark Stevens said that The... the flames and the stampeters were playing
Lando: on the same day And I think this was back me maybe this was back in the 80s. And so anyways. Peter Maher was calling a game in the afternoon for football for the Stampeders at that time.
Lando: And... He wants to stand. Peter's game was. done. I can't remember if Calgary was playing. I can't remember where. Oh, was it Winnipeg that he had to go to? yeah so Yeah, so Calgary is playing Toronto at rogers at what is now called Rogers Centre, which at back then was called Sky Dome.
Lando: So the Stampeders play the Argonauts. Once the game is over He had to quickly run, get off, get... End of broadcast. He had to run to the airport in Toronto at McCarran, or whatever it was called back then.
Lando: fly to winnipeg he just got to winnipeg just in time to to get into the old winnipeg arena or whatever there was called back then. and the flames were playing the Jets.
Lando: And he got there just in the nick of time. I think he got there with 45 minutes to go before the broadcast started. And he called the Calgary Flames. And that was... That's how dedicated to sports he was in in that in the city at that time. And now I can't remember if this was in the 80s or early 90s.
Lando: This was way before Mark Stevens took over. Officially to be the Stamps play -by -play on 770, but that's just how dedicated Pierre Maher was to the sport to the sports world in Calgary.
Lando: Quite a story.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. no that's pretty cool man i like that Do you want to jump over to a... The Stampeders here.
Lando: Sure man.
Leo Ernewein: Sure. So we'll take a quick look at tomorrow's game stamps. First Thai cats. And... Is it at Homeland in here? I forgot to put put that part in.
Lando: Yeah, it's not home.
Leo Ernewein: Gotcha. And then they do a home and home so that i think they're away next week against uh the elks and then home. the following week.
Lando: The other way around.
Leo Ernewein: Other way around. Thank you. Appreciate that. i have it i had it up here i just couldn't read it properly i guess But, yeah, they'll be without their starting quarterback, Ferdinand Adams Jr., big play VA, out with a concussion.
Leo Ernewein: So that kind of changes a lot. You lose your starter. You lose your vertical game. Suddenly it's all about timing, run game, and not screwing up. Landon, how different. Does this offense look to you without Vernon Adams Jr.?
Lando: Well, we guys I got a small tidbit of that two weeks ago when the Stampeders were playing the BC Lions. And the guy who's going to be starting, Josh Love.
Leo Ernewein: Right.
Lando: is. going to be doing his first start now did he handle his own in the fourth quarter when our third fourth quarter when va went out for sure but i you know i I think that... you know This is...
Lando: A pivotal game for the Calgary Stampeders to get back into the playoff race because Saskatchewan is starting to fall apart. Winnipeg is starting to fall apart. BC is starting to turn it around. And we all know what Edmonton is doing right now.
Lando: just surprising the CFL period. So Calgary's in last place. This is a very important game for the Stampeders right now to try to get back. into the playoff race. And now without their starting quarterback, I...
Lando: I'm... I'm really grinding my teeth because I... I'm starting to see the window starting to shrink and shrink a little bit more. for the Stampeders as far as trying to get back in the playoffs. race but The good news is they are playing against Hamilton, and Hamilton's also having...
Leo Ernewein: A tough year.
Lando: quarterback issues. of it They're having a tough year too since mit bo Levi Mitchell is pretty much done for the season.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: So they've had their own quarterbacking issues. so It'll be a very interesting game tomorrow afternoon to see, it but I'm... I'm happy to to see that. Rene Paredes is back healthy and going to be back playing.
Lando: So that's all.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, they'll have some some help on the special teams with starting kicker Rene Paredes back in.
Lando: which is great.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: So that'll help for sure.
Lando: So.
Leo Ernewein: I'm glad you mentioned that too. Now the stamps are at Four and six on the year, I believe. Tiger Cats, four and seven. Uh, to...
Leo Ernewein: Teams in the bottom half of the standings, we won't talk about the Red Blacks because they're just atrocious.
Lando: yeah
Leo Ernewein: But so you mentioned, yeah, the Stamps are playing the Tiger Cats this weekend, and then they have a home -and -home. against the Elks, who are 8 -3. This is probably one of the most important three -week stretches of Stampeders football this season, right?
Lando: Yep.
Leo Ernewein: so hopefully If... you know If the game doesn't go their way this time. uh this against the target cats that big player that Vernon Adams Jr. will be able to return.
Leo Ernewein: to the starting under center. next week. We're hoping so.
Lando: Yes, because Because Labor Day. The Labor Day game against Edmonton, that's a big, big game.
Leo Ernewein: Oh yeah.
Lando: For anybody. for It doesn't matter. what you time it It doesn't matter where the teams are sitting in the standings. The Labor Day game is always the one of the biggest games of the year. so
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. Yeah, no, that's good. I just want to mention a quick National Lacrosse League note as well. The Ottawa Black Bears are done. They're folded just after two years in the nation's capital here. They came over from New York, I believe.
Leo Ernewein: I had the name here, New York Firebirds.
Lando: Something like that.
Leo Ernewein: no
Lando: Yeah
Leo Ernewein: Nope, it's.
Lando: Yeah, so...
Leo Ernewein: happening Hold on.
Lando: It was something like that.
Leo Ernewein: Ottawa. Blackberries.
Leo Ernewein: I had it up here and I accidentally deleted it. And I'm on a hot streak today.
Lando: Whoops. okay
Leo Ernewein: bird where do they move from History. Canadian Tire. New York Riptide. That's what it is.
Lando: Okay.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. New York Riptide. so yeah they've unfortunately folded after two years which is kind of disappointing Ownership just couldn't make the numbers work and I guess the league pulled the plug.
Leo Ernewein: So Lando, doesn't this surprise you at all?
Lando: I... When you told me about this today, I had no idea that the that the Ottawa Black Bears were even in trouble. but then you While we were trying to get ourselves ready to go for this podcast, I looked it up and I'm like, yeah, sure enough, back in June, they folded. so
Lando: But one of the things that I'm going to say about the National Lacrosse League that a lot of people probably don't know about, that there was a lot of teams in this league at once upon a time, and and it's starting to get really watered down. There's a lot of teams that are moving to different cities because of ownership and stuff. I'll give you an example.
Lando: The Edmonton Rush moved over to Saskatoon to become the sasca or Saskatchewan Rush. San Jose used to have a team. Now they're the Vancouver Warriors.
Lando: Just stuff like that. so There used to be a lot of teams. I can't remember. i think there I don't know how many there are now. I think, what is there, like 16? something like that and i think at this
Leo Ernewein: I'll find out. Hold on.
Lando: Yeah, I think i think there's 16 teams or something like that. I could be wrong. but i i knew there i know know that they're used 14 now.
Leo Ernewein: 14.
Lando: So I do remember that it almost was up into the 20s when the...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: win this week. Connor was at the heyday. And so, yeah, it's it's too bad. like i I think, look, if anybody's gone to a lacrosse game. They are so much fun to go see.
Lando: Leo, I really encourage you because I know you said in the past that you've never gone to a lacrosse game.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, we're still trying to. To line that up, we really want to go to...
Lando: We're going to line that up.
Leo Ernewein: a Roughnecks.
Lando: and my My goodness, man, it is so much fun to go to a lacrosse game. but i get that you know lacrosse right now and as far as sports in north america is really at the backburn to football basketball hockey and baseball but anybody gets a chance to go watch this it's really a lot of fun and watch it on tv too because tsn has a lot of uh lacrosse games on on Friday nights.
Leo Ernewein: Sorry, the Philadelphia Wings have ceased operations now. There's only 13 teams. that's
Lando: Yikes!
Leo Ernewein: They're dropping like flies, man. So I read that they...
Lando: They are.
Leo Ernewein: that Their peak was at 15.
Lando: Okay.
Leo Ernewein: But get this, Landon. Over the course of their history, I want to find out how long that is. How long? as the MLL.
Leo Ernewein: So over the course of their history, 40 years. 30 teams have folded. And they've only reached a a peak of 15. So that just goes to show you how much turnover or turnover and turmoil there is in that league.
Leo Ernewein: Great sport.
Lando: Yeah, no kidding.
Leo Ernewein: terrible ownership, it sounds like, which is unfortunate.
Lando: Yeah. Well, and... But you know what? It's funny, though. When you when you think about all the teams that are still have stayed in one spot. there's there's only been There's only a handful.
Lando: Uh... or even not even the roughnecks have stayed The Mammoth, who are in Colorado, they've stayed there for a long time. The Buffalo Bandits have been there in Buffalo for...
Lando: a good number of years Natron.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, only four of them land in.
Lando: Yeah. Have stayed.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, Buffalo, Calgary, San Diego.
Lando: Toronto.
Leo Ernewein: And... Hold on.
Lando: San Diego is one of them. Yes. So San Diego, Colorado.
Leo Ernewein: No, Toronto originally started as the Ontario Raiders in Hamilton before before moving to Toronto. So they too have rebranded and moved.
Lando: Oh, so they did move too. Okay, so then it's it's definitely the Roughnecks.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. colorado avalanche they're sorry Colorado Mammoth originally started as the Baltimore Thunder. There's only four.
Lando: hu
Leo Ernewein: The Desert Dogs out of Las Vegas. The San Diego Seals. who joined in 2018, so they haven't had a chance to really move yet. The Roughnecks and the Buffalo Bandits seem to be like the two staples.
Lando: yeah
Leo Ernewein: Bandits in 91, Roughnecks in 01. Those are the only two that haven't rebranded or or moved. Or relocated, I should say.
Lando: So there's only two teams. That's hilarious.
Leo Ernewein: yeah and i shouldn't say terrible ownership i should say poorly executed
Lando: Yes.
Leo Ernewein: on the on the ownership side.
Lando: Yeah.
Lando: Oh, interesting.
Leo Ernewein: And i think it's I think it's a tough gig too, right? like If you were the owner of the Calgary Roughnecks. How do you go about increasing ticket sales?
Lando: Well, I don't think they have a problem because when I went there a lot when I went there two years ago. They sold out. So I don't think...
Leo Ernewein: Oh really?
Lando: Oh yeah, there's there's a lot of people that go to these Roughnecks games.
Leo Ernewein: i guess I guess that's a bad example because I used one of the two teams who have never relocated.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Calgary Roughnecks, they're an outlier. I shouldn't have used them. But...
Lando: Why eat?
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: And you you know why the Roughnecks do so well for as far as you know attendance and all that? Because the flame the Flames own them. Plus, they get advertised like crazy. And, you know, everybody knows about them in Calgary. They're one of the big five.
Lando: in Calgary as far as entertainment goes.
Leo Ernewein: I love their name. I love their name and their or like their branding and stuff.
Lando: The Roughnecks are cool. Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: like I love the logo. Because to me, when I see a logo like that, that screams American sports. Or not American sport, but... North American sports.
Lando: Yeah. Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Right?
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: I would hate to see them kind of. simplify that logo. for it for branding purposes. it's like like other teams are doing these days in major sports. I guess it's not really a...
Leo Ernewein: a thing in the lacrosse but Maybe it will be one day. I don't know.
Lando: i hate I hate saying this, man, but the next...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: Coolest Jersey. or colors as far as you know, in that league. The Saskatchewan rushes. They've got this really nice bright lime green.
Lando: Oh, it's cool. Because that's actually the team I saw at my first lacrosse game. It was Calgary against Saskatchewan.
Leo Ernewein: oh Yeah.
Lando: Sweet. And...
Leo Ernewein: It's lime green, man. It looks like Monster Energy with the Buffalo logo.
Lando: What? Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: or not
Lando: Yeah. Oh, it...
Leo Ernewein: with the rest. Oh yeah.
Lando: Yeah, the rush, yeah. So if anybody doesn't know where Saskatchewan actually plays, I did mention it, but I'll say it again. They play in Saskatoon. So they were in Edmonton, but because... Like Edmonton, the rush used to play at Rexall. When the Oilers moved...
Lando: There was no, the oilers actually didn't really want. I don't. I don't want to...
Leo Ernewein: You don't think they wanted to share the space?
Lando: I don't think they wanted to share the space. I think they were quite comfortable with sharing it with the oil kings. But I don't think they want to.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: So anyways, the rush had to move. to uh relocating. I mean, They're doing well in Saskatoon for attendance -wise, so yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Mm -hmm.
Lando: And he shared it with the Blades. So, yeah, I mean. but that as far as far as colors go they are
Leo Ernewein: So.
Lando: They are the next coolest.
Leo Ernewein: Were they called the Edmonton Rush before?
Lando: Yep. Edmonton rush. Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: And it seems like their color scheme was more like the LA Kings style. that the edmonton rush yeah black and
Lando: They were yeah Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Black and... silver or black and white.
Lando: Yep. Yeah. And then the next.
Leo Ernewein: I liked it, though. like The jerseys look kind of slick.
Lando: Yeah. They are cool. Look up at look look up on your Wikipedia or Google.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: Look up the Colorado Mammoth and their colors and their jerseys because you're going to be really neat too.
Leo Ernewein: Whoa!
Leo Ernewein: Yeah! These are deadly man. I like these
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: I would wear one of these to stone my own.
Lando: I know.
Leo Ernewein: You know?
Lando: The mammoth? Yeah. And so...
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, the jersey?
Lando: So you want you want to know something about the mammoth. So they are on... They are owned by the LA Rams.
Leo Ernewein: By Stan Kroenke.
Lando: Yeah, they are owned by the LA Rams.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, surprised.
Lando: Yeah. They're owned by the LA Rams. ownership And.
Leo Ernewein: and the Denver Broncos
Lando: The Broncos are a separate owner. I think.
Leo Ernewein: i thought that I thought Stan Kroenke owned the Denver Broncos.
Lando: so No, that the the Mammoth and the Avalanche are owned by the LA Rams.
Leo Ernewein: Sand Crocky. middle bit of bit Oh. No, he owns it. Sorry, Stan, Stan. Stan Kroenke owns the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche and the Colorado Rapids and the Mammoth, but not... you're right Not the...
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: he He owned the Rams when they were in St. Louis, I believe, and helped facilitate that.
Lando: Right. Yes, yeah, so.
Leo Ernewein: could be wrong, but...
Lando: Yeah. but anyways i just know that the avalanche and that mammoth and then yeah the denver nuggets are all owned by the same owner. So.
Lando: I want you to look up, before we call our quits here, I want you to look up on look up the jerseys of the... Las Vegas Desert Dogs.
Leo Ernewein: Sure. One second. I just want to mention one other thing on Stan Kroenke.
Lando: Sure.
Leo Ernewein: He's married to the heiress of the Walmart. family. so
Lando: Yes.
Leo Ernewein: But they got money, man.
Lando: yeah
Leo Ernewein: between all the teams he owns and then you have married to the heirs to the waller family so we were going to do the las vegas desert dogs is that what you said
Lando: Yes. And while we're why I'm saying this to Leo, everybody who listens to are listening to this podcast. Also look up these jerseys because they are cool.
Leo Ernewein: I don't mind the desert dogs. But it's too plain. Like it's just either all black or all white with some decals and stuff.
Lando: Yeah. I mean, it's not horrible.
Leo Ernewein: I don't.
Lando: It's not horrible, but it's...
Leo Ernewein: It's not horrible. I like the logo.
Lando: Yeah, the logo's cool
Leo Ernewein: That was cool. I love the the the sticks in the background. with It kind of looks like. reminds me of an homage to the phoenix coyotes a little bit or the arizona coyotes
Lando: Yep, very, very similar.
Leo Ernewein: But the color scheme is just black and white.
Leo Ernewein: And...
Lando: I thought they had more than that.
Leo Ernewein: I missed.
Lando: Okay, maybe I'm mixing up the Vancouver Warriors.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah, their shorts aren't bad. I like like the kind of like the... Design on the shorts, but... As far as jersey design goes, i'd I'd almost put either Mammoth at number one out of the list that we've seen.
Leo Ernewein: And then I really like the Edmonton Rush jerseys. I almost like the more Saskatchewan rushes.
Lando: are that Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: current
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Just because of the colorway.
Lando: Yeah. yeahp
Leo Ernewein: Like, I don't mind the Saskatchewan kush. rust colorway the lime green But it's it's in your face.
Lando: Yes.
Leo Ernewein: it's really It's loud.
Lando: It's... It's very bright.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: Yeah.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah.
Lando: yeah So.
Leo Ernewein: Right on. Well, that seems to be all we have for episode 27 today. Thanks for tuning in, folks. Thanks for hanging out with us for another hour of us rambling. Any shout outs that you want to wrap up the show with here, Lando?
Lando: Yeah, so Real quickly, I know we don't have we're having trouble with music. So I guess I i don't really have to rush
Leo Ernewein: I was going to mention that too.
Lando: Yeah, we're having a technical difficulties. Boy, oh boy, Leo was a little... He was a little flustered before we started this, but anyways.
Leo Ernewein: They took away my music and now I gotta pay for it.
Lando: we weren't They took Yeah, we got they took away our music. Leo's got it. Him and I are going to chip in and pay for it, but we'll get that sorted. next episode but anyways my shout out is i i met uh two another couple from the united states they are from the Connecticut area.
Lando: went golfing with them, met them at the Banff Springs. I told them about our podcast. I do know that they're going to try to listen to us. regularly from now on so we've got to again Be careful what we say about the Americans.
Leo Ernewein: It ought to be, though, Landon, growing our fan base.
Lando: but
Leo Ernewein: one one one one guy One listener at a time, man.
Lando: Exactly. Exactly.
Leo Ernewein: I appreciate it.
Lando: So anyways, I...
Leo Ernewein: putting Putting boots on the ground there.
Lando: i Correct. so The woman of the their couple the woman her her name is s Sable she's a Patriots fan like I me so that's already a two thumbs up right there And then.
Leo Ernewein: Amen. amen
Lando: And then Callum. he's a new york giants fan which will try to We'll just ignore that right there and then.
Leo Ernewein: Hey, man, they got some promising stuff coming up.
Lando: They do but
Leo Ernewein: Yes. I like Scataboo and I'm not a... I don't hate Jackson Dart. I like him. he's It's promising, yeah. And. then
Lando: But... But as a Patriots fan, I hate the Giants, so...
Leo Ernewein: I hope. that Yes. yes i understand that
Lando: Yeah, yes
Leo Ernewein: I hope that, oh, who was that whiteout from LSU that came out? Malik Nabors, I hope he recovers.
Lando: Yeah. Yeah, me too.
Leo Ernewein: Nicely.
Lando: for listening to us whenever you get a chance to. listen to us and uh thanks for being awesome golf partners and getting to know you guys and Yeah. Thanks for listening.
Leo Ernewein: Yeah. Thanks Callum and Sable. And thank you everybody else. And you know where to find us. Enjoy the rest of the summer. We'll talk soon. Take care guys. No music.
Lando: Take care, everybody.
Leo Ernewein: A lot, a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot. That's my music.
