Major League Baseball is undergoing a broadcasting metamorphosis in 2026. 22 of 30 teams have in-market, blackout-free streaming subscriptions available, while 8 remain broadcasting with traditional regional sports networks (RSNs). RSNs such as Sportsnet LA, Sportsnet NY, YES Network, and NESN pay their respective clubs' rights fees that dwarf the revenue from the 22 streaming teams. This revenue inequality will greatly impact competition on the baseball field, the only major American sport without a salary cap.

Two highly regarded former baseball executives join the show to give their perspective on the current media landscape. David Samson is a former President of the Miami Marlins and was executive vice president of the Montreal Expos. Jim Duquette is a former general manager of the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets.

In this episode, both explain the current changes in club revenues. They discuss the 2-time World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, who have the highest payroll, and the signings of free agents Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz in the off-season. They also comment on the upcoming labor negotiations as the sport faces the end of its current collective bargaining agreement.

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Longtime Pittsburgh sportscaster and Syracuse alum Tim Benz discusses his career and issues facing the Steel City. Benz has been covering Pittsburgh sports since 2001. In addition to writing for TribLIVE, he is a Steelers radio host on FOX Sports Radio Pittsburgh 970 AM and a contributor to WTAE-TV, WDVE, and WXDX-FM. He is a part of the Class of 1996 at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School and WAER Radio.

In this episode, Benz explains what it is like to cover the team he grew up rooting for as a kid. He also discusses his various roles in Pittsburgh media. Sports topics include Mike McCarthy as the new Steelers coach and Aaron Rodgers’s potential return as the Steelers' QB. He also compares Penguins greats Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux and discusses the Pirates' optimism amid the changing MLB media landscape.

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On February 8th, 2026, the Seattle Seahawks face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California. This preview features two special guests. Dave Wyman is a former NFL linebacker and the radio analyst for the Seattle Seahawks. He also hosts 2 pm-7 pm PT on Seattle Sports 710 and SeattleSports.com. Whyman played nine seasons for the Seahawks and Denver Broncos.

Pete Kendall also joined the show. The veteran offensive lineman played twelve seasons for the Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, and Washington then-Redskins. He played college football at Boston College. He also grew up and currently lives in Massachusetts. His son, Drew, has played for the Philadelphia Eagles since 2025.

In this episode, both Wyman and Kendall discuss the upcoming game, which is expected to be close. Wyman discusses his transition to the broadcast booth. Kendall discusses the game from both Seattle and New England's perspective.

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Kevin Falness is the executive producer and pre/post-game host of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. He joined the Wild as exec producer before their inaugural season in 2000-2001. Before joining the Wild, Falness worked as the executive producer of KKFN The Fan radio in Denver, Colorado. There, he oversaw talk shows and broadcasts of both the Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets.

The Wild recently made a blockbuster trade in the NHL, acquiring former Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes, and is poised for a long playoff run. Falness discussed the impact the Wild have had on the Twin Cities.

In this episode, Falness discussed his unique path to the Wild Radio Network. He also talked a lot about the old days in Denver and the trials and tribulations of starting an all-sports station in Denver in the 1990s.

He also discusses the upcoming Olympic hockey tournament, the possibility of reuniting brothers Quinn, Jack, and Luke Hughes in Minnesota, and his thoughts on franchises wearing old logos from cities the team’s abandoned.

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As 2026 began, a new sports media controversy emerged. Main Street Sports Group, formerly Diamond Sports, missed a payment to the St. Louis Cardinals for their local TV rights. Days later, they missed payments to numerous NBA teams. Reports indicate that the streaming service DAZN wants to buy these embattled regional sports networks. If a deal to sell to DAZN does not go through, there is a strong possibility that Main Street folds, leaving dozens of NBA, NHL, and MLB teams in jeopardy.

Tom Friend reported this story for Sports Business Journal. He is a Feature Writer at Sports Business Journal, focusing primarily on the NBA. In this episode, Friend explains that the leagues want to create their own streaming packages using existing services such as Amazon, Peacock, Apple, and ESPN. He discusses both the short-term impact and the long-term future of regional broadcasts, acknowledging that some large markets find their RSN profitable and will not want to join any league-organized venture.

Friend also discusses the proposed NBA in Europe and the chances of expansion, specifically in Seattle and/or Las Vegas.

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This episode continues a long tradition that began eight years ago. Scott Seidenberg appeared on episode 177, which was released on Christmas. The following year, it continued with episode 229 and has continued every Christmas week since. The whole origin story of this tradition is explained in the first few minutes of the show. The rest of these episodes’ numbers are as follows:

Vol. 3Episode 280

Vol. 4Episode 332

Vol. 5Episode 383

Vol. 6Episode 435

Vol. 7Episode 485

Scott Seidenberg has launched a new gambling website and accompanying podcast, “Bettor Day.” Check out www.bettorday.com

Topics in this episode include the NFL on Christmas, the College Football Playoff, the NBA Cup, and sports documentaries.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Sports with Friends! See you in 2026.

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Daryl Ruiter has been covering Cleveland sports for a quarter-century. Since 2011, he’s been the beat reporter for the Cleveland Browns on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. The Ohio native also covers select Cavaliers and Guardians games.

Ruiter was a regular guest on the MLB Radio Stayin’ Hot with Seth & Bone as the “AL Central Correspondent” in the mid-2000s.

In this episode, Ruiter explains how it is covering the teams he grew up with. He describes how big the Browns are despite success in both baseball and basketball, with the Cavs winning the championship in 2016. He discusses the legacy of LeBron James in Ohio and the name change for the Guardians.

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Longtime college football reporter Matt Baker has been with the Athletic since 2024. Before that, he was with the Tampa Bay Times, focusing on both the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles. In December 2025, the 12-team college football playoff was revealed. This episode comes out after the regular season and before the bowl season and subsequent playoff.

In this episode, Baker explains why Notre Dame was passed over for the playoff in favor of Alabama and Miami. He discusses the rise of Indiana as a national power and why college postseasons are determined by a committee rather than by all pro team sports. He also discusses the potential of a super league and whether the Big 10/SEC are on a level playing field as the ACC/Big 12.

He also engages our host and discusses Syracuse football and whether this season or last was an anomaly.

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