The Bob McCown Podcast

With the Tampa Bay Rays in need of major repairs to their ball diamond, is it time the team finally makes it’s move outside of FLorida? Both Bob and Steve think so on todays show as they look into re-location options for the team before spending the rest of the show discussing the Toronto Maple Leafs, their new coach and the impact he has already had on the organization. 

After Sunday night’s baseball games, it is official—Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers will play Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees in one of MLB’s highest-profile World Series matchups in recent memory.

Steve Simmons joins Bob today to preview the series and to look back on how these two teams made it to the big stage. Bob and Steve spend the majority of today’s show setting expectations for the upcoming series, questioning the broadcast schedule and more before discussing some of the bigger names the Blue Jays should target in free agency this offseason.

Richard Deitsch Is in to end the week with Bob as the two continue the trend of quick-hitting sports storylines. 

Bob and Richard start with one of Bob’s favourite topics in baseball… the ever-diminishing usage of starting pitchers in MLB. With the Dodgers pulling their starter after just over 4 innings, the two dig into whether there is any merit behind the philosophy before breaking down the two Championship series currently underway.

The two also talk some golf as Taylor Pendrith continues to excel on the tour and then end the show with a brief look into the Maple Leafs, the NBA and the greatness already being exhibeted by Victor Wembanyama.

Lots of things have happened in the sports world, which means there are lots of things for Bob and Richard Deitsch To talk about!

The two start with the movement in the NFL as they look at the two trades that could prove to be Super Bowl winning transactions for the Bills and Jets respectively. 

After the break, Bob and Richard discuss the return of Lonzo Ball and what this means for the Bulls before touching on the Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs as the hockey team has started the season looking like the team everyone hopes they will be. 

Richard Deitsch is back! Bob and Richard talk sports today, focusing on Canada’s Mens Soccer team first. The two express their optimism for the squad leading up to the 2026 World Cup before a discussion on the equally as promising Toronto Raptors and their young, developing roster. 

After the break its Football and Baseball as Bob and Richard dive into the potential new ownership group in Buffalo and the prospect of a Subway Series for MLB’s World Series.

Paul Jones is in today as he and Bob dig into the injuries suffered by both of the Philadelphia 76ers stars in Joel Embiid and Paul George, Zach Edey’s surprising (to some) domininance in NBA pre-season play, the Bills tight win against the Jets and the Championship series going on in MLB Playoff action.

Happy Thanksgiving! Paul Jones joins Bob for the holiday to give us his thoughts on the Toronto Raptors and their apparent re-build, reacts to the first few games of the Maple Leafs season and more on this Monday full of Turkey and sports. 

Bob and Steve are ending the week with another potpourri of sport topics today.

From the first two games of the Maple Leafs’ regular season to other teams in the league the gentlemen start their conversation with some hockey talk before transition to the CFL, and ending with a look at the progressions in MLB’s Post-Season.

One could argue that the Vegas Golden Knights are the most successful expansion team in pro sports history - With a Stanley Cup win to go with a couple Conference titles in under 10 years, it would be tough to argue against it. Bob and Steve talked to George about how he and other members of the organization were able to make that happen. The three also make some time to talk about present-day hockey and discuss the Knights’ season opener and the teams’ use of LTIR today before the end of the podcast.

In today’s episode, Bob McCown and Steve Simmons break down the start of the NHL regular season, diving into key storylines and early impressions. They also debate the rising salaries of NHL goalies and whether they should be earning even more. The episode wraps up with an update on the MLB playoffs, highlighting the latest matchups and surprises as the race to the World Series heats up.

In today’s episode, Bob McCown and Steve Simmons sit down with legendary coach Mike Keenan to discuss his new book, The Truth is the Only Defense. Mike offers a candid glimpse into the book’s content, emphasizing that he’s telling his unfiltered truth. The conversation covers his thoughts on why he hasn’t been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, whether he believes he deserves the honour, and his feelings about modern hockey. Keenan shares his take on today’s coaching strategies and the differences between international and pro hockey, providing insight into how the game has evolved.

It was a busy weekend of sports, and Steve Simmons joined the show to talk to Bob about it all. 

The Two briefly touch on the Toronto Raptors’ preseason opener before diving into Sunday’s thrilling matchup between the Dodgers and Padres. They break down the game, explore the rivalry between the two teams, and how it showed on Sunday. The conversation then shifts to Week 5 of the NFL, focusing on the Bengals vs. Ravens showdown and its implications for both teams. The episode wraps up with a preview of the NHL season, highlighting the Toronto Maple Leafs and Max Pacioretty’s impact on the team as they prepare for the new campaign.

Bob and Steve Simmons end the week of podcasting with a potpourri of sports topics to bring us into the weekend. The two break down what they have seen from MLB’s Wildcard games and prepare for round two of the playoffs before breaking down Kirk Cousin’s dominant Thursday Night Football showing and ending the show with a discussion on Nick RObertson’s equally dominant pre-season for the Maple Leafs.

A bunch of things ready to be discussed in the sports world as Bob and Steve go from hockey, to baseball and end the show with a bit of basketball. The two break down everything that is known so far about Boston’s contract dispute with star goaltender Jeremy Swaymen, preview the MLB Playoffs and analyze the Toronto Rapotrs’ defensive situation on the penultimate episode of the week.

Quite the day for Blue Jays fans as Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins had end-of-the-season press conferences - while what was said, or not said, was frustrating - Bob and Steve attempt to find some good out of today’s exit interviews and look into the future for this struggling baseball team.

Pete Rose, the all-time hits leader in Major League Baseball, has died at the age of 83 - Bob and Steve Simmons spend the first portion of today’s show remembering his legendary career and the controversy that came with it. With gambling becoming a staple in the sports world, Bob and Steve question MLB’s stance on keeping Rose out of the Hall Of Fame and wonder if and should that change before discussing the two NFL games that took place last night.

Fresh off the Raptors' media day in Toronto, Steve Simmons joins Bob to kick off the week with a preview of Canada’s only NBA team as they set their expectations for the 2024-25 regular season. Bob and Steve also react to the Buffalo Bills' big loss to the Ravens and touch on some of the key storylines coming out of Major League Baseball as we approach the postseason.

One of the only positives of the Toronto Blue Jays’ season is that they have given us lots to talk about. Expanding on previous conversations from the week, Bob and Steve theorize on off-season plans and roster moves before touching on the Presidents Cup in Montreal & ending the week of shows with an evaluation of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ pre-season output.

Does anyone care about the Presidents Cup? Bob and Steve start day 4 of Steve’s tenure as co-host by breaking down the field in Montreal, asking themselves… why do people make a big deal about this tournament? 

With golf out of the way and the Indiana Fever’s season coming to a close the two dig into  Caitlin Clark's impact on the league and wonder how the WNBA can keep this momentum going before re-capping week 4 of the NFL’s Regular season.

It’s hump day on the podcast with Bob and Steve this week and it like this recent MLSE deal is the gift that keeps on giving - Now that Rogers media has full control of the entity some are speculating that owning an NFL team could be the next venture for the media company. Bob and Steve bounce ideas and options around when it comes to where, when and even if that could happen before addressing some things the two aren’t too fond of regarding the Blue Jays and the way they seem to dismiss their failure. 

With the NHL Season right around the corner, Steve and Bob deeply dive into the Toronto Maple Leafs on today’s episode. 

From the moves they have made to the ones they didn’t…the two make predictions on how this year will play out for a team desperate for some playoff success.

It’s Simmons week as Steve joins Bob to co-host the next handful of shows. The two continue discussing one of last week’s biggest Toronto sports stories: Bell’s nearly five billion dollar exit from MLSE. Steve shares his opinion on the matter before they shift focus to the Blue Jays.

After the break, they dive into basketball, reacting to the recent news of Vince Carter’s jersey retirement in Toronto, sparking a conversation about other players who might deserve the honour before Vince.

There are many things to talk about before Bob and Richard take off for the weekend – the most significant? Shohei Ohtani’s 50 home run and 50 steal regular season. The two wonder if greatness like this has ever been seen before as they shift the conversation to TSN’s omission of Alex Ovechkin from their top 50 NHL players evaluation. They end the show with discussions on Canada’s soccer program and the Ryder Cup.

Brian Cooper joins Bob and Richard today to continue yesterday’s conversation. The three dig a little deeper into the details of Rogers’ 4.7 Billion Dollar Deal To Takeover MLSE, speculating on how it happened & what is to come regarding the future of Rogers, Bell, MLSE and Toronto Sports. 

Like many Toronto sports fans, we woke up today to the news that Rogers Media has gained full control of MLSE, ousting Bell from any ownership rights. But what does this mean for the Toronto sports landscape? Bob and this week’s co-host, Richard Deitsch, break it down on today’s show.

Historically, teams that start the NFL season with 2 straight losses only have a 10% chance of making the playoffs and after 3 weeks of football - 9 teams share that record.

With slow starts from the Bengals and Ravens, two teams who posed serious Super Bowl contending rosters to start the year the stats say only one of them will have that chance, but Richard Deitsch isn’t buying it. 

Bob and Richard again on today’s show as the two break down everything they’ve noticed so far this year - from the importance a Quarter Back has on a winning team to Tom Brady’s lacklustre TV debut Bob and Richard take a look into some of the leagues emerging storylines to start the year.

After a short break, Bob is back with Richard Deitsch in the co-pilot seat for some Blue Jays baseball talk. As mentioned in the title, the Jays have been a dissapointment this year leaving no one’s job safe come off-season. Bob and Richard theorize on the faces you shouldn’t expect to see in blue next year, discuss the team’s bullpenand more on today’s show.

Doug Armstrong certainly made some waves after sending offer sheets to not one, but two Edmonton Oiler RFA’s - now, with the dust settled and the NHL season right around the corner, Doug talks to Bob and John about those “controversial” sheets and his team, but not before addressing some tragic news that has left the hockey world shaken. 

In a post to social media early Friday morning, the Columbus Blue Jackets have confirmed the death of forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. 

One of hockey’s best, Johnny will be remembered as a great player and an even better person. Johnny is survived by his wife, Meredith, and their two children, Noa and Johnny.

As NBA training camp approaches, the Toronto Raptors are looking to bounce back from last season, but opinions are divided on how well they’ll perform. With few roster changes, the team is banking on player development under Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster. Doug Smith and Paul Jones join the show to share their thoughts on the Raptors’ strategy, discussing key players like Scottie Barnes and Grady Dick, and predicting where this team might land in the standings come playoff time.

It’s all about Canadian Football as Bob and John welcome Jim Barker to the show to dive into the CFL's biggest storylines. They start with the B.C. Lions, who are spiraling down the standings, and discuss the challenges posed by Nathan Rourke’s underwhelming return and the impending comeback of Vernon Adams Jr. After addressing the Lions' dilemma, the conversation shifts to Chad Kelly, the Toronto Argonauts, and the excitement building around the Labour Day Classic. Jim shares his insights on these key developments as the CFL season heats up.

It’s been a tough year for the Toronto Blue Jays, falling short of high expectations. While most guests have shared their concerns, former Jays President Paul Beeston isn’t ready to hit the panic button. Joining Bob and John, Paul discusses the latest drama surrounding Joey Votto's retirement and dives into a broader conversation about the team. With insights on Bo Bichette, Vladdy Guerrero Jr., and the team’s recent 5-game win streak, Paul reminds us that the future of the Blue Jays might not be as bleak as it seems.

We are staying close to home today as Bob, John, and Richard focus on Toronto’s two active professional sports teams this time of the year: the Blue Jays and the Argonauts.

It’s been a tough year for baseball fans, but are there any positives that can be taken from the Blue Jays' season? The three try their best to do exactly that, discussing the future of some of the team’s biggest stars and most promising prospects before ending the show with some Canadian Football talk, looking into the Argos’ attempt to get themselves into the CFL playoffs.

Not much has happened this offseason for the Toronto Maple Leafs - yes they got a new coach, named a new captain, re-signed a few players and made some minor additions - But many thought a big trade was coming… a trade that did not happen. Now, with roughly a month to go before the start of the NHL’s training camp, major changes do not seem likely. 

Mike Zeisberger comes on the show today to talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs and more stories that have popped up throughout the league as the three ends the week off with some hockey talk on today’s show. 

Have the Toronto Blue Jays gotten anything right this year? As we near the end of a disappointing season, on a night that should have been a bright spot in an otherwise dark year, the Jays have once again dropped the ball.

Joey Votto, one of the best baseball players this country has ever produced, has decided to call it a career. With the Cincinnati Reds in town (the team Votto played with for 17 years), and a lifelong dream to wear a Blue Jays jersey, it seemed like the perfect storm for a proper Canadian sendoff. That’s why many, including Steve Simmons, were confused as to why the MLB slugger made his announcement from a parking lot in Buffalo. Steve joins us today to discuss the blatant disrespect shown by the organization and why he isn’t surprised in the slightest before making room for Brad May to talk about his time competing with his daughter on The Amazing Race Canada.

There are plenty of things to talk about when it comes to the Toronto Blue Jays, none of which involve the playoffs.

Dave Hodge joins Bob and the returning John Shannon today as the three discuss the rather awkward case that is the Toronto Blue Jays. Do you trade Bo Bichette this offseason? How much are you willing to pay Vladimir Guerrero Jr.? Is it even worth it to try to win games for the rest of the year? The three try their best to answer all of those questions and more on today’s episode.

The Toronto Raptors are betting on themselves heading into the 2024/25 NBA season. With virtually no significant upgrades to their roster, it will be up to Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett & co. to improve on their performance from last year, and at least one member of the podcast doesn’t think it can happen.

Jack Armstrong joins Bob and Richard Deitsch for some Raptors talk today as the three break down Toronto’s roster and their hopes for a playoff berth at the end of the year.

Is it too early to bring Shohei Ohtani into the conversation of the greatest baseball players of all time? The LA Times’ own Bill Shaikin doesn’t think so.

On track to win his third MVP award in four years, Shohei Ohtani is putting up another historic season—doing half of what he usually does. Bob, Richard, and Bill talk about the greatness that is Ohtani and discuss the Dodgers’ plans for their star before broadening their scope to the rest of the team and others that stand out as World Series favorites.

We’re starting to get a picture of what NFL teams will look like as we approach the start of the 2024 regular season. Joe Buscaglia, writer for The Athletic covering the Buffalo Bills, joins Bob and Richard Deitsch today to assess the Bills’ offseason and set expectations for the team’s success this year while fitting in some more general NFL talk as the three look into some other favourites heading into the new season.

With it looking like no team will hit 100 wins in Major League Baseball this year, that begs the question: Where have all the great teams gone?

Adnan Virk joins Bob and Richard Deitsch to talk about it today as the three try to figure out why the competition in baseball looks to be as tight as ever.

Mike Futa, a man who knows a thing or two about the intricacies of Offer sheets AND captaincy changes joins the show today to talk about exactly that.

With Auston Matthews replacing John Tavares as the Captain Of The Toronto Maple Leafs, we talk to Mike about his experience dealing with a very similar matter in LA with Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. Mike shares his insight on what he learned before the three spend the rest of the show breaking down The St. Louis Blues and the offer sheets sent to two players on the Edmonton Oilers. 

With the Toronto Blue Jays struggling to bring any positive news, Bob and John welcome Sports Broadcasting Extraordinaire, Kenny Albert, to discuss some of the tightest playoff races in MLB.

But Kenny’s expertise isn’t limited to baseball. In the latter half of the show, the conversation shifts to football, covering key topics like Aaron Rodgers’ return to the field, Saquon Barkley’s move to Philadelphia, and much more.

Bob and John start the week with Richard Deitsch as the three focus on the Toronto Blue Jays and the team’s grocery list of problems before ending the show with an Olympic wrap-up now that the Games are officially over.

Paul Jones checks back into the show a little earlier than expected, as he, Bob, and John react to the disappointing loss to France in men’s Olympic basketball action.

With expectations of at least competing for a medal, what does this loss mean for Canada Basketball and its future? Bob, John, and Paul try to answer that question and more on today’s show, taking a look at how the tournament’s format did not lend Canada any favors in their return to the Olympic Games after 24 years.

Mary Ormsby, sports journalist and frequent guest on Prime Time Sports, is on the show, and there are plenty of things to talk about.

With the 2024 Summer Olympic Games wrapping up in a few days, many storylines have arisen, some of them not too good for Canada. From the disappointment on the basketball court to the drama surrounding our women’s soccer team, the three break down everything they have seen so far—leading to a deeper conversation about Canada and its history of cheating in the Olympic Games.

Is Canada just an easy target, or do things need to change? The three break it down while also learning a bit about Mary’s new book, World's Fastest Man: The Incredible Life of Ben Johnson.

Last time Bob and John spoke with Mike, the Stanley Cup-winning coach was getting ready to take over the Italian Men’s Hockey Program, but sometimes life gets in the way. With open-heart surgery and other health issues in his rearview mirror, Mike Keenan is ready to get back into the thick of things. He joins Bob and John today as the three talk about Mike’s recovery, his take on international hockey, and his time as a head coach and GM in the National Hockey League.

The Toronto Blue Jays have not lived up to expectations. The “movie” promised to fans by their players has been a dud, and the patience upper management has benefited from is running out. With a farm system full of question marks and a front office with years of experience but not much to show for it, the Toronto Blue Jays are in a hole that might take years to get out of. Richard Griffin joins Bob and John for the first half of the show to talk about the team and theorize about what will happen to them going forward.

From one disappointing team to another, Bob and John try to look on the bright side by bringing George Ofman on the show as the pair get to hear firsthand about a team worse than the Jays: the Chicago White Sox. With the team on track to have the worst record in MLB history, George talks to Bob and John about where it has all gone wrong for this storied franchise, dedicating the day to some of MLB's worst.

It is just over a week into the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France, with just under a week to go as we bring Richard Deitsch to recap much of what has happened and more of what is to come.

With Richard covering the Games for the United States through the eyes of NBC & Peacock, Bob and John start the conversation by comparing Canada’s Olympic coverage with that of the United States. The three discuss the significance of the Olympic Games for both countries, pointing out the variance in impact winning a medal has on them both.

Before they say goodbye, among other things, the three touch on the absence of Russian athletes, the diminishing quality of color commentating, and the lack of focus Canadian media is putting on their athletes as Bob, John, and Richard get ready for the final week of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

With boots on the ground in France, Paul Jones joins the show after Canada’s win over Spain, and the gentlemen end the week with an Olympic basketball update.

Paul shares his thoughts after 3 games and 3 wins from the Canadians as the three look at what is to come and debate where they think the team could finish now that they have entered the knockout rounds of the tournament.

There are many things the Toronto Blue Jays need, so where do they start? Gregor Chisholm joins Bob and Jay for some Jays talk.

The three set expectations for the rest of the year and assess all of the moves made by Toronto at MLB’s trade deadline a few days ago. It is becoming more and more clear: the Toronto Blue Jays are entering a rebuild.

One of the busiest general managers in the NHL is on the show today as Barry Trotz joins Bob and John for some hockey talk as he and the Nashville Predators get ready for the 2024/25 NHL season.

With many new faces added to the organization over the summer, the two talked to Barry about the moves and his expectations for the team after a surprising playoff run last year. Barry also shares his experience as a general manager after so many years of coaching and much more on today’s episode.

A good friend and voice of Canada Basketball on TSN Radio, Rod Black, joins the show today.

Having been a part of his fair share of Olympic broadcasts, we get to hear Rod’s unique perspective on the games themselves before shifting focus to some basketball talk as our Canadian men’s basketball team looks to medal for the first time ever in the Olympics.

After the break, it’s more Olympic basketball before we spend some time talking to Rod about his son Tyler, who made his MLB debut for the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this year in April.

Leading up to the Canadian Women’s Olympic opening game against New Zealand in the 2024 Paris Olympics, fans and players alike were focused on one thing - defending their gold medal won in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Unfortunately, a fast-developing investigation into Canada Soccer’s use of a drone to spy on opponents’ closed practices, and the punishment that has come with it, has diverted all attention from the games and even put the validity of the gold they are defending into question.

James Sharman joins the show today to talk about it and to share his perspective on the matter to start the week of podcasting with Bob and John.

On Wednesday’s episode with Warren Sawkiw, it was decided that we have officially entered “Rock Bottom” when it comes to the Toronto Blue Jays. Now, just two days later, Dave Hodge & Dave Perkins are on the show as the foursome entertain the idea that the future for the Toronto Blue Jays is a lot bleaker than originally thought.

10…15, even 20 years? How long will it take for Toronto to have a competent baseball team again? With a scarcity of prospects or any real trade bait, all signs point to a rebuild, and not just for their ballpark. With tickets still selling and fans continuing to watch, the gentlemen question the motives of Jays upper management on today’s show and wonder if winning is a priority for this group as they take an even deeper look into the dumpster fire that is the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

Not too long ago, Canada and Olympic basketball did not mix. Twenty-four years after their last appearance at the Games, the same cannot be said about our hoopers north of the border.

Now, with all exhibition games complete and a game against Greece scheduled on Saturday to kick off their Olympic competition, Canada finds itself as a favorite to medal in Paris. Doug Smith joins Bob and John today to talk about it as the three dig into everything we need to know about the squad ahead of an exciting few weeks of international competition.

A common theme lately is that the Toronto Blue Jays are in trouble. With seemingly no present or future to look forward to, Warren Sawkiw joins the show today to give his opinion on the mess that is the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

Jim Rutherford returns to the podcast for a conversation with Bob and John.

The three discuss the surprising success the Vancouver Canucks had last season and hear Jim’s thoughts on their second-round playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

After the break, Bob and John learn more about the role a President plays within a hockey organization and get insights into the Canucks' plans for the upcoming NHL season.

Richard Deitsch is back on the podcast today, this time as a guest as he joins Bob and John to discuss some of the more relevant stories during an otherwise slow time for sports.

The three start with The Open Championship and share their thoughts on the tournament before previewing the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. To end the show, it’s Blue Jays talk as Bob, John, and Richard try to figure out what’s happening with Toronto’s baseball team.

With the MLB Playoffs out of the question for the Toronto Blue Jays, what should they do now? Richard Griffin joins Bob and Richard Deitsch to try to answer that question as they wrap up the week with some Jays talk.

Rich, Richard, and Bob pull no punches today as they take a deep dive into what Toronto needs to do to improve for next year. They examine the security of jobs in the front office, if any, before shifting their focus to the team’s roster. With the trade deadline fast approaching, should the Blue Jays make a move now or wait until the off-season?

The NFL season is fast approaching, with its first pre-season game scheduled to kick off on August 1st. With Richard Deitsch filling in for John, and Trey Wingo joining him and Bob, the three start to set expectations for what is to come.

Bob, Richard, and Trey discuss the seemingly bad idea of adding yet another game to the regular season schedule before taking a look at some of the early storylines to come up so far, potential contenders for next year, and much more.

The major season concludes this week in Scotland with the start of the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon. Richard Zokol and Ian Leggatt joined Bob and John today to preview the tournament.

The gentlemen assess the field of play, course conditions, and more with an in-depth look into all the golf we will see over the weekend.

With a year under his belt as the CEO of the Edmonton Oilers, Jeff Jackson returns to the show to chat with Bob and John.

The three discuss the near Stanley Cup win against the Florida Panthers, the team's search for a new General Manager, and how his relationship with the players he represented as an agent has changed with his new role.

When describing Paul Godfrey's career, it’s easier to ask the question - what hasn’t he done?

A prominent Canadian businessman and former politician, Paul became the publisher and CEO of the Toronto Sun in 1984 and played a pivotal role in the development of Toronto's SkyDome, which opened in 1989. Throughout his career, Godfrey has been influential in both the media and sports industries in Canada, with many saying he was the driving force in bringing MLB to Toronto.

Now, in 2024, Paul joins Bob and John to talk about his recent induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, his outstanding bet with the Bobcat himself, and much more to start another week of podcasting.

For a long time, it was a win for a Canadian Athlete to even qualify for the Summer Olympics… now as we approach the Games in Paris, expectations are much higher for the Canadian competitors. Scott Russel joins the show today to preview the games with Bob and John & to share with them all the info they need to know regarding our country’s medal favourites, new additions and the athletes to watch.

One of Bob’s favourite CFL guys from back in the day joins the podcast today, as Jim Barker shares his thoughts on the Canadian Football League.

From how to get more fans in the stands to how to keep players in the country, the three go over it all today as they take a look at everything they think needs to be changed if we are going to see some real growth in the popularity of the Canadian Football League.

With the playoffs becoming more and more realistic for the Blue Jays, what’s next? JP Morosi joins Bob and John today, sharing his insight on what he thinks Toronto should do before season’s end. With question marks surrounding the future of pretty much every member of the organization, the three try to determine the best course of action for this struggling team.

It wouldn’t be a show with JP if we didn’t give him a chance to scratch his hockey itch as he also shares his experience at the 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas.

Daren Millard is filling in for Bob today as he and John welcome Dave Hodge and James Sharman for a two-for-one podcast special.

The two speak with Hodge first, digging into the Toronto Blue Jays and the overall state of professional sports in Toronto, followed by a preview of Team Canada’s semi-final match against Argentina tonight in the Copa America.

Best known for his tenure as the general manager and coach of the Edmonton Oilers, Glen Sather led the team to five Stanley Cup championships in the 1980s. He later served as the president and general manager of the New York Rangers, significantly impacting the team's development and success while cementing himself as one of the NHL’s greatest contributors. Now, at the age of 81, Glen is leaving the NHL for good.

Bob and John welcome Glen to the show today to take a look back at his legendary career in the National Hockey League.

Despite the fact that baseball fans in Canada are losing interest in the Blue Jays faster than they can win games, Adnan Virk joins the show to end the week with some baseball talk with Bob and John.

What is going on with the Toronto Blue Jays? Are they trading Bo? Vladdy? Is Ross Atkins still going to have his job in the summer? There are more questions than answers when it comes to this team, as Bob, John, and Adnan do their best to make sense of this underperforming and underwhelming baseball team.

We’ve got a couple of Americans celebrating the 4th of July with some Canada soccer talk on the show today as Richard Deitsch joins Bob for a conversation with Craig Forrest to preview Canada’s quarterfinal matchup against Venezuela tomorrow in Texas in Copa America action.

The three set expectations for tomorrow's match and evaluate the Canadians' performance so far. As the conversation continues, the gentlemen deliberate on a few things, with the main questions being: win or lose against Venezuela, was this tournament a success? And is this team ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Richard Deitsch is filling in for John as he joins Bob for a conversation with the voice of the Toronto Raptors, Matt Devlin.

From a draft recap to a refresher on the Raptors' plans for the off-season, Bob and Richard get the inside scoop on what the Toronto Raptors have planned for next year. The three also touch on some other deals that have transpired early on in NBA free agency before ending the show with an update on Canada’s Men’s Basketball team and their road to the Olympic Games in Paris at the end of the month.

NHL Free Agency opened up on July 1st, and already the amount of money and term being handed out is shocking. Doug MacLean joins the show today to talk about it with Bob and John, among many other NHL-related topics.

A friend to both & Bob’s favourite Program Director to work with, Nelson Millman joins today’s show to catch up with Bob and John on Canada Day. 

There are two things that Nelson has a grasp on better than anyone else… Radio and how to work with Bob McCown. Both are put on display today as the three take a look through the lens of a Sports Talk Radio Program Director and analyze the growing trends of AM radio, why it works and why it doesn’t while sharing stories of their time working together at Sportsnet. 

Steve Simmons, a man who’s never afraid to share his opinion and a staple in Toronto Sports reporting joins the podcast today. Building off of his article calling for change in the Blue Jays front office - the three start the conversation today with Toronto’s baseball team. Bob and John get to hear Steve’s opinion on their performance this year.

After the break, we get into the process of selecting inductees to the Hockey Hall Of Fame & end the show with a passionate conversation about the direction the CFL is heading in.

Our un-official Official Sports Business Expert Brian Cooper is on the show today.

A man who has had many fingers in many different pies over his career, we start with his role as Chairman of Canada Basketball. With Zach Edey being drafted to the Memphis Grizzlies 9th overall last night the question is now - Will he play for Canada at the Olympics? With inside knowledge on the matter, Brian gives Bob and John his opinion, expressing his thoughts as to why having the 7’4” Rookie Centre could help the team in Paris. The three spend a bit more time on Canada Basketball before the break as Bob and John get caught up to speed with the teams selection process leading up to the games along with developments from the women’s side of things as well as Canada’s 3x3 teams.

After the break, focus shifts to the business side of sports. After learning about the increase in American viewership for the Stanley Cup Final, the three get into where the league is trending when it comes to streaming and sponsorships as they try to anticipate what direction sports, sponsorship and viewership is going in for the future. 

Do consumers have too many options when it comes to watching sports? That's the question Bob, John, and Richard Deitsch ask on today's show as the discussion begins with the Stanley Cup Final and the NHL’s attempt to grow more fans in the United States.

Building off their initial conversation, the focus turns to Copa America and soccer’s attempt to grow in popularity in North America. From there, the three transition into talks about the Toronto Blue Jays and the team’s glaring need for change from the front office down to their roster.

After the break, it's all NBA draft talk as the league prepares for its draft tonight. Bob, Richard, and John look into who they think the Toronto Raptors should draft at 19 before noting the lack of talent in this year’s draft pool.

Carter Verhaeghe notched a goal and an assist, Sam Reinhart found the back of the net, and Sergei Bobrovsky recorded 23 saves as the Panthers triumphed over the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on Monday.

The Panthers, who have been part of the NHL since the 1993-94 season, secured their first Stanley Cup championship after three previous unsuccessful attempts in this series. After taking a commanding 3-0 lead, they dropped the next three games and were on the brink of becoming the first team since 1942 to lose four consecutive potential clinching games in the Stanley Cup Final.

Eric Duhatschek and Scott Burnside join the show today to talk about it all with Bob and John.

Much to John’s dismay, and to Bob's amusement, the suspension of one of the Blue Jays’ top prospects has forced the two to dedicate the first half of today’s show to baseball talk.

Rob Longley joins the podcast first to give Bob and John his analysis of Orelvis Martinez’s 80-game suspension after recording his first MLB hit over the weekend. Rob gives them an idea of how this will impact the Blue Jays going forward and what to expect from the team as they try to get over yet another hump in their tumultuous season.

After the break, Mike Futa joins the two for some hockey talk as we prepare for one of the league's most anticipated Game 7s in recent history, with Edmonton in Florida to play the Panthers.

With both the Euro and Copa America taking over summer sports, if you turn on your TV,there’s a good chance soccer is going to be on.

Reacting to Canada’s 2-0 loss to Argentina last night, James Sharman comes on the show to give his thoughts on Copa America’s opening match and what to expect from our Canadian men. During the second half of the show, James shifts focus to the Euros as we get a breakdown of everything happening in the soccer world to end the week.

Paul Jones joins Bob and John for some hoops talk. The three begin by sharing their reactions to the Boston Celtics' convincing 4-1 series win over the Dallas Mavericks to take home the franchise's 18th NBA Championship. 

Next, they delve into the Toronto Raptors' offseason, discussing the team's goals and expectations for the upcoming season, including insights on Gary Trent Jr. Finally, the trio wraps up with a look at Canada Basketball, analyzing their training camp roster and setting expectations for their performance in the 2024 Olympic Games.

Baseball is on the agenda today as Bob and John welcome Dave Hodge and Gregor Chisholm onto the show.

At the age of 93, one of baseball’s legends has passed away. Bob, John, Dave, and Gregor start today's show by remembering the Hall of Famer in a tribute to one of the game's greatest to ever do it.

After the break, it’s all Blue Jays. The four discuss the inconsistent play that has essentially been the only consistent trend with this team over the last year. There seems to be more bad than good with this team as the four take a look at their long list of things to improve and try to decide where this organization should start first, as one thing is clear: this is not the team the front office wants fans to believe it is.

Ted Leonsis, CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, owner of the Washington Capitals, Wizards, Mystics, and more, is now a guest on the Bob McCown Podcast.

A tech guru turned sports owner, not many have shared the same success Ted has had in the business. Always at the forefront of innovation, he shares his approach to running multiple franchises and what he does to provide fans with the best possible product.

With the acquisition of CapFriendly taking over the hockey world and frustrating the majority of its fans, Bob and John talk to Ted about the decision to buy the stats website and why he thinks it can add a competitive advantage as the sports world delves deeper into the world of analytics.

It’s Deitsch Monday as Richard joins Bob and John to react to a “weird” weekend of sports.

With both the NBA Finals and the Stanley Cup Final taking a backseat to Pinehurst and the US Open, the three start their conversation with some golf talk. A self-proclaimed “casual” golf fan, Richard weighs in on Rory McIlroy’s collapse, leaving room for a Bryson DeChambeau win before they turn to baseball and the Toronto Blue Jays.

It’s not too often that Bob looks forward to having a “Hockey Puck” on the show… but it’s not too often that Bruce Boudreau shows up either.

The former coach joins Bob and John to end the week of podcasting with some hockey talk. With Florida leading the Oilers 3-0 in the series, the three touch on the Stanley Cup Final before they get into the thick of things. From the teams he’s talked to regarding a potential coaching position to his thoughts on his former team, the Vancouver Canucks, playoff performance, Bruce gives us an update on where his head is at when it comes to making a return to the game of hockey.

Doug Smith joins Bob and John today as the three react to Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics.

From the mouth of Mr. Smith himself, this series couldn’t be done fast enough. From the lack of depth on the Mavericks' roster to the detrimental behavior coming from the team's star, Luka Doncic, the argument has shifted from “Can the Dallas Mavericks manage to win this whole thing?” to “Can the Mavs win even one game?” Bob, John, and Doug share their thoughts on the series so far before shifting to the Raptors and what's new… if anything, in Toronto.

Sports Broadcaster & Announcer for PGA Tour Radio, Kevin Sylvester, joins Bob and John for some golf talk ahead of the US Open to preview the field and set expectations for the weekend.

From how the course will impact the field to who is primed for a breakout tournament, Kevin breaks down what he thinks could and will happen this weekend as Bob, John, and Kevin spend most of their time focusing on Pinehurst and the tournament to come, with tee-off set for Thursday morning.

Despite the loss in game one, you could argue that the Edmonton Oilers looked like the better hockey team. But after two games? It’s a different story. Having been outshot, outmuscled, and outscored by the Florida Panthers last night, the Oilers are heading back to Edmonton down 2 games in the Stanley Cup Final. If you ask their head coach Kris Knoblauch, there is no reason to panic. But if you ask Bob McCown, the Oilers are done for. Sharing a similar sentiment, Darren Pang is, at the very least, not as fatalistic.

From the team’s defensive schemes to their physical style of play, the Florida Panthers look primed to take home the Cup. Not much can be said about the Oilers as Bob, John, and Darren spend today’s episode sharing their thoughts on what they have seen from both teams after the first two games in Sunrise.

It’s Monday, meaning unless a bigger name says yes, Richard Deitsch joins Bob and John to recap a weekend of sports.

With both the NBA Finals and the Stanley Cup Final underway, the three don’t have to think too hard about what to talk about. Bob, John, and Richard start with the NBA Finals. The Mavericks aren't looking good when heading back to Dallas down 2 games to the Boston Celtics sparking the gentlemen to debate whether Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have what it takes to make this a series, let alone win against a stacked Boston Celtics team.

After the break, it’s hockey talk as Bob, John, and Richard break down game one of the Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers, after what appeared to be a solid game from the Oilers everywhere but the scoresheet, the three wonder if Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky can maintain the same level of dominance that stopped all 33 Oiler shots on Saturday for the rest of the series.

What else needs to be said that isn’t in the title? Scott Burnside & Eric Duhatschek check into the podcast a day before the Edmonton Oilers play the Panthers in Florida for Game One of The Stanley Cup Final to break down all the things hockey fans have been overthinking after nearly a week of no hockey.

Brian Lawton returns to the show today for some hockey talk with Bob and John as we approach Game 1 of the Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers.

Being at the forefront of the NHL’s integration of analytics into everyday hockey operations, and having a Stanley Cup preview scheduled for the end of the week, the three take a different approach to the conversation by focusing on the use of analytics and why it shouldn’t be a surprise to see the Oilers and Panthers in the Final. Brian shares why he thinks there aren’t nearly enough teams taking advantage of the number crunching and gives Bob and John his opinion on how to use them, what to pay attention to, and when it gets to be too much.

After the break, with Bob’s distaste towards the effect a head coach has on a professional sports team, the three get into the overall impact one has, with Brian expressing the importance and influence the man behind the bench has on the team, especially in the playoffs.

Finally! The NBA Finals tip off tomorrow with the Dallas Mavericks in Boston to play the Celtics.

Bob Ryan joins us today for a Finals preview, focusing primarily on the Celtics and why it is their series to lose as they search for their first title since 2008, and their 18th in league history.

You can only “preview” a championship series for so long before you run out of things to actually preview… And that’s where Bob, John, and Richard find themselves today as Deitsch joins the show on a Tuesday.

After briefly sharing their thoughts on the matchup between the Oilers & Panthers in this year’s Stanley Cup final, set to begin on Saturday, the three take advantage of the lack of action in the sports world by leading the discussion into the world of NHL Expansion.

Noting the smaller number of U.S.-based teams compared to the other North American leagues, it is clear that the NHL has not yet tapped into some of the major southern sports markets. The possibility of a 36-team league is becoming more and more realistic, and the expansion into more “non-traditional” hockey cities is inevitable… but should it be? Bob, John, and Richard spend most of their time wondering why Canada seems to be stuck with 7 NHL teams, and if they were to get an 8th, where would it go?

Robert MacIntyre held on to win the RBC Canadian Open on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title. Bob and John have former Tour member and one of the podcast’s resident golf experts, Ian Leggatt, on the show to talk about it.

The three break down the play seen in Hamilton over the weekend and discuss the relevance of the Canadian Open, which consistently features an underwhelming pool of competitors. From the quality of its holes to the timing of the event, Bob, John, and Ian look at the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes from the Canadian Open each year before changing subjects to more general golf talk. They finish the show by looking ahead to some of the bigger tournaments on the PGA’s horizon.

After 38 seasons as a coach in the NHL, Rick Bowness has retired from the game of hockey… or at least from coaching the game of hockey. 

With his future in the game, Rick’s future is undecided. As he joins the show to end the week of podcasting today, the three take a look back on his career, figure out what went wrong with the Winnipeg Jets in the playoffs and discuss his other former team, the Dallas Stars, as they try to take down the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final to reach the Stanley Cup Final for the second time in four years.

Announced just a few days ago by the Columbus Blue Jackets, longtime NHL executive Don Waddell has agreed to a multi-year contract to serve as the club’s president of hockey operations, general manager, and alternate governor.

Bob and John speak with Don today and learn about his expectations and those set upon him with his new hockey team. As the conversation continues, Don reflects on his time in Carolina with owner Tom Dundon and, with multiple teams sending him job offers, why he chose Columbus as his next challenge.

Jon Paul Morosi joins the show today to talk about the Blue Jays with Bob and John.

From the team's management to their players' performance, J.P., Bob, and John assess the job that this organization has done over the last five years and try to see where they went wrong. With a depleted farm system and a tendency to draft poorly, the Toronto Blue Jays are in a tough spot when it comes to the future. Bob, John, and J.P. try to figure out where the team should go from here on today's show.

Bill Walton, a National Basketball Association Hall of Famer and one of the sport's biggest broadcasters, has died at age 71.

Richard Deitsch joins the show today as the three reflect on Walton’s career in both basketball and broadcasting.

Given Bill’s involvement in social justice issues, Bob, John, and Richard spend some time discussing the social impact an athlete can have. The three wonder whether or not the influence professional athletes have should be used to tackle the world’s issues, and if so, how much weight should these opinions hold?

It’s the beginning of the week, and McCown and Shannon are joined by Arash Madani for some general sports talk.

John Shannon said it best - Arash is the type of guy who can hit any curveball you throw at him, and he puts it on full display today. The three bounce from conversation to conversation, starting with the upcoming Summer Olympics and the details behind Canada’s men's basketball team, their roster, and their hopes for gold at the games.

International basketball shifts to NBA action as the three break down Dallas’ win over the Timberwolves last night. After the break, the three get into some baseball talk, with the Toronto Blue Jays dropping yet another series, this time to the Detroit Tigers.

When there's lots to talk about, who better to do it with than Richard Deitsch?

Bob, John, and Richard bounce from topic to topic on today’s episode, starting with the WNBA. Having not spoken with Richard since the news of a new WNBA franchise making its way to Toronto in 2026, Bob and John get his opinion on what it means for the city and the sport. The three also debate the merit of women’s pro sports and wonder: Is this just a fad? Or will this rise in popularity last?

After the break, the three break down the Oilers' double OT win against the Dallas Stars in the NHL’s Western Conference Final. Bob, John, and Richard talk about the significance of winning the Stanley Cup and question what it would do for Connor McDavid’s legacy before we end the show with a conversation about the future of the NBA on TNT.

The Toronto Blue Jays actually won a series! Albeit, it was against the Chicago White Sox, but a win is a win! The team was hitting, the Home Run Jacket is back, and all is well in Toronto, right?

If we have learned anything about this team, the answer is a resounding no. Rob Longley joins the show today to pick apart this baseball team as Bob, John, and Rob take a look at their inconsistent offense, unreliable batting, and ultimately, the mismanagement over the last few years from the front office.