>> Welcome back hour two of the fan morning show Matt Markezi Danieli Franceski with you here. We'll be back together on Monday as well. Yeah. We'll be here one more time. And then and Jeff as a party's like really I got to do this again with this guy. It's funny. He talks so much smack about me to he doesn't know in Jeff's defense he does say it to my face or over text. But I know he doesn't mean it. Be quiet back there Jeff. So yesterday it was announced by M. L. S. E. that bill Manning was real. He and the Argos and TFC mutually agreed to part ways. Yeah. You we can take it however we want. There's two takeaways that I had from that. And we and we are going to speak to as a reminder we're going to speak to Peter Drury from Sky Sports and NBC Sports. So don't miss that. He'll be joining us in a few minutes. But before we get there. There's two things that I thought of when this happened. One was this means that John Herman has all hands on the reins right now. Like John Herman was tasked with recruiting players to the national team with all that kind of stuff. I think that this means that John Herman is going to have a bigger say in what is going on with Toronto FC with the Argos. I don't know enough about the Toronto Argonauts to have an idea of how involved bill Manning was in the day to day with that. But I do think from the soccer perspective I think that that has a lot to do with it. Now. I know you had a thought about bill Manning. Yeah. His departure and what it means for maybe some other MLSC figureheads. Well, I think this is the first major decision and flexion point within the tenure of Keith Pelly. Like this is the first real moment where he's put his stamp on any of these teams in a major way in a significant way. We've we saw him obviously make a couple cameo appearances with the Toronto Maple Leafs. We haven't really seen him appear in and around the raptors whatsoever. But this felt predictable and almost inevitable because anybody that you talk to that has experience with Keith Pelly or is familiar with his history and the work and the track record. This is a guy that's not going to be comfortable just sitting around being a CEO. That is babysitting an organization. That's not what he's there to do. He is bold. He likes to be bold and he's going to make changes and he's not going to be afraid to do so. And it felt like if you had to sort of line up each of the franchises and say, Okay, which of these presidents who have not had anyone to answer to for the last handful of years is most likely to be potentially in a position of unpredictability or curiosity at least as it pertains to the job security. Bill Manning probably was number one. And second on the list is probably Brendan Shanahan. And I think it was significant. And there is an element of symbolism to the fact Keith Pelly chose to be present at the Maple Leafs year in press conference. And he's sitting up there with the general manager and the president of the hockey club, while the president of the team and his contractual status is upping the air beyond next season. So to me, whether it's a clean break and it's a quote unquote as they'll label it mutual. Now, is anything ever mutual when it comes to the conversation? Never mutual. It's just a it's just a very somebody had to come up with the idea versus the very delicate way of saying, yeah, we decided to fire this person, but we didn't want to publicly shame or embarrass them. In any way, like they, for instance, this is a great example. When the Raptors and Nick Nurse parted ways, the Raptors used the terminology dismissed, he was fired. That tells you everything you need to know about what where the state of that relationship was, because if it was in a great place, if they had such reverence for a guy that won a championship, they would have said mutually agree to part ways, better to go in a different direction. No, no, no, they dismissed him. I can assure you if Messiah ever had to walk out the door, it would probably be, we have mutually agreed to part ways. So it's essentially just the formality and semantics of how they decide how are we going to declare we've part of ways. But anyway, getting back to my point, I feel like it puts Brandon Shanahan next in line in terms of occupying the focus and attention, the concentration of one Keith Pelly. I think Messiah is safe for the time being because he's got a championship in his back pocket. It feels like they're progressing the Raptors that is in a positive direction with reshaping this core. They're much younger now. There's a bit of runway there. There's a leash, a rope that I think is attached to Messiah and what is left on his tenure, Shanahan, not the case. And I think if, you know, short of this Maple Leafs team going on an extensive playoff run, yeah, he's probably at the door, Matty. And that's where my head immediately went 100%. And outside of this team having even marginal playoff success, like, and I mean marginal, like you get to the, you don't even if they, if they get to the, the Stanley Cup final, that's, that, then Brandon Shanahan's probably returning. But outside of that, I just don't see the scenario in which that happens. Yeah. Because the other thing too is, is that now the general managers of both, like there's no replacement here as it, as of right now for both TFC and for the Toronto Argonauts. The GMs will report directly to Keith Pelley. Yeah. Is that maybe something that they look at structurally in all of their organizations? I don't know. Now, we're also, we can't compare TFC and the Toronto Argonauts to the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs. They're just not as big of an operation. That's, that's the obvious. But I do wonder about that conversation going forward with the other two organizations. That's, that's where I wonder how structurally that looks and how much, and how much Keith Pelley will have to do. Not with the day-to-day, but a little bit more of the day-to-day than his predecessor. How much does he want his fingerprints attached to those teams? In a meaningful way, in terms of the legacy thing, man, operationally, sure, how the team looks, like how much, how much say does he want? That's a real question. And that's something only he knows. But clearly in the past, it's varied depending on who's been in charge. Over the last, prior to his appointment, there was a period here where those three individuals, Bill Manning, Messiah, and Brennan Shanahan had free reign. Nobody was going to stop them because there's nobody above them. They had no boss, effectively, right? They were just reporting to the board. Now, there's somebody that is going to be holding them individually accountable and that you have to actually report to. And it is interesting. I, I think your point about the structure is fascinating and it's well-made. I just wonder if that's where we're going to end up. It's going to be interested in the TFC season. It's been an absolute nightmare. That we know, the R goes losing in the gray cup after such an incredible season. That's right. That's right. So, I mean, that shows how much I watch the NFL. But I do, yes. And they did win the gray cup two years ago. But yeah, last year was, didn't go over, over, overly well for them. Here's one thing that has gone well. And that has been this Euro cup. The European championships have been absolutely fantastic. And someone who's had a front seat for a lot of it joins us on the line now. Peter Drury from Sky Sports and NBC Sports, joining Matt Marchese, Indian Yelly Francesca on the program. Peter, how are you today? Well, thank you. How are you? Good to hear from you. I'm, I'm excellent and good to hear from you too. I mean, this is, this is a treat for my co-host and I would get to talk to you as I, and I said this before you were on the air with us. So, I'm not saying it just because you're on the phone. One of the greatest commentators, play-by-play voices that we have ever seen in the history of broadcasting. So, this is a treat for us. Listen, the Euro, the Euro championship goes Sunday, England against Spain, one looking for their first major trophy since 1960, the other for their first since 2012. It's been a, it's been, it's probably as good of a matchup as you could have hoped for. But when you look at this final, who's been more impressive? Because in, in, I look at both of these seems to say they've been impressive but in different ways. Well, I think that's fair, Matt. I also think though, and I, I speak as a, as an Englishman who is obliged nevertheless to be impartial, come this final, that, that if you were watching from Mars as a, as a complete outsider, you would have to observe Spain have been the best team in the tournament. They've played some beautiful football. They've won all of their games. They've scored almost twice as many goals as England. And they, they have provided some of the standout moments and obviously the semi-final goal that the 16 year old boy, Yamin Lamal, who actually turned 17 tomorrow, scored was probably the goal of the tournament. And so if, if we are stripping away all parties and ship and feelings of the heart and dealing only with our head, I think, I think we have to say that Spain are the favourites. But as you rightly imply England have been a stubborn lot. They've taken it to the edge two, three, four times. They've played with jeopardy like nobody else has. And somehow pulled it out of the fire every time. They, they found some of their best form in the semi-final against the Netherlands where certainly in the first half they've played really well. So they're going to be a robust opponent. And, and what England have on their side is this sense in a way of invincibility because they've come so close to going out so many times and found the way not to that there might be a part of their psyche, which, which refuses to be down-prodden, if you know what I mean. And so, you know, however hard or bad it becomes on Sunday, they'll believe there's a way out of it. I really like your description of this England team, Peter, in saying that they're quote-unquote stubborn. Like they've been on the knife-sedge the whole way through. It's, it's truly remarkable how, how much adversity they've faced and how close they've come to bowing out of this tournament only to now be in a position where they are competing for a trophy in this final. You also referenced LaMina Mall, who, of course, by far has been the biggest darling of this tournament as a young man that is going to be turning 17 years old tomorrow on the eve of a major international final. You know, we always like to, you know, certainly in this business, we're always, we're always looking 10 years ahead. Like we're trying to always think, what does this mean? What does it mean? So I guess, Peter, when we're watching LaMina Mall in the grand scheme of things, as we project forward here, what does it mean to soccer, to this young man in particular in his career? What does it mean what he's accomplished in this tournament so far? Well, to me, what, what it, what it says something about is that is the beauty of a fresh human spirit, you know, a guy who is unencumbered by baggage, who's playing the game because he loves the game, who feels as though he's almost still in the school yard, and who has that innocence about him, and a real human beauty about him. And I mean, that in the broadest sense, the smile that he conjures and the, and the deathness and the grace of his body, you know, he, he's a remarkable young athlete. And, and you, you sort of have to wonder how good he'll be when he grows up. I mean, it's, it's, it's crazy what he's capable of doing. Of course, the trouble is, and we're all in this business together, you know, we, we are inclined as a sports loving world to, to out of admiration largely, create a pressure for these young stars, which, which is hard for them to deal with, potentially over time, and, and raise a bar that it's maybe hard for them to reach. Bill mowed out be times ahead for your me and Lamar where it doesn't go well. He might have a bad tournament. He might get dropped by Spain. He might, who knows what's going to happen to him over the next 15 years. So I suppose the best thing we can all do is just rejoice in him, because as you rightly say, we love it when a new star emerges and he's a fantastic new star. Peter, I will say this. I'm watching this 16 year old play this game at this level. And it's not, there have been 16 year olds who have, you know, they play in the, in the Premier League and they get a start here and they get some minutes here. This is an impact player for this Spain team, one that starts games and, and plays a lot of minutes for them. It's also a stark reminder to what I was doing at 16 years old was certainly not playing for Spain at the Euros. Very far from it. I was playing, I was playing youth soccer over here at a high level, but it certainly was not that and never would have been. But you know, you look at it and say, if everything goes right, if, if, if, for the most part of his career over the next 10 years, he stays on this trajectory. It is unbelievable to imagine where this young man will be in 10 years where at 26 or 27 years old, he is at the peak of his powers. Like he's doing this at this age. We haven't even hit the tip of the iceberg at this point for this young man. Well, that is also true. That is so true. But and listen, I don't want to be a wet blanket. I, I, I have all the same hopes and aspirations for him that any sports scholar would, but, but the longest word in the English language has only two letters and that is it. You know, it's, it's, it's such a mighty word if and as so many young starlets have, have sadly proven down the years, um, you know, stuff can happen between the age of six and 20, 16 and 26. And, and we, but as many have proved, it doesn't have to happen. You know, you can continue on the trajectory. And, and all of the great stars have. Messi was brilliant at 16 and 17 and he continues to be brilliant at whatever he is now 36 or 37 or whatever it is. Um, and, and if your moral remains fit, um, if he stays on the straight and narrow road, you know, he's not, he's not affected by the fame and fortune, which is coming his way in absolute space. Um, he, he can go on to be one of the greats, perhaps the greatest of his generation. But because it is, as you rightly say, just the tip of the iceberg, you know, we, we don't know how big the iceberg is going to be. Um, and, and we must all just get that on our knees and pray that he gets a clear road and that, and that he is, that he is safe from injury and he is well advised that he has good people around him who, who will protect him because there'll be a lot of temptation thrown in his way. There'll be a lot of people who want a piece of him. Um, you know, they'll be, who knows what sort of commercial offers and so on and so forth. And on the football field, he'll be a marked man. They'll be players kicking in. And he's got to come through all of that. And, and, and we all hope he does. Peter Drury from Sky Sports and NBC Sports, joining Matt Marquesi and Danielle Franceschi here on The Fan Morning Show. Peter, when it comes to England in this matchup, um, obviously there's expectations for both sides and pressure on both sides because it is, of course, an international final and they don't come around all that often. It's hard to get there. It's a difficult road and there's a lot of adversity that you encounter on the way. But for England, given the history that this, this federation has as it relates to coming up short in some of these moments, failing to bring home a trophy. Heck it's, I mean, everybody talks about, is it coming home? Um, how much like can you, how somebody who obviously is, is fully immersed in this? Can you help us quantify sort of what the pressure actually looks like for this England side on Sunday as they step into this final? Well, the pressure is immense. You know, that's the truth of it. I think it helps. Maybe not. I could be wrong. I think it helps that so many of them did go through it three years ago. You're a 2020, which of course became 21 because of COVID. Um, and got to that final and lost it by a penalty shootout and although they will have been bruised by that, they will also have been enhanced by the experience of it. Um, but it sort of goes beyond the individuals who are going to play the game. I mean, the, the, the pressure is a national pressure. Um, we, we, I shouldn't say we, England won the World Cup in 1966. Uh, and that's all England have won as a proud sporting nation who thinks it gave football to the world and so on. And we sing this song, which I think possibly irritates a lot of our opponents about football coming home as if we own football. Um, well, we haven't won very much as a nation who thinks it's own, his own football. Um, and so there's six decades of history on it, really. Um, you know, I, I speak of someone who was born in 1967 and who's kind of, you know, in my mid fifties now thinking, is this a week? Are we going to win something whilst I'm walking the earth? And, and here's a chance and there are millions and millions and millions like me. Um, and so yes, it's a, it's a massive pressure. Um, on those who have to kind of execute the day. Um, what I would say is that they are part of a cohort which has been demonstrably England's best since the glorious day in July 1966. You know, Gareth Southgate has taken England to a World Cup semi-final and now two European championship finals. And there's, there's no other England coach who's come close to that. Uh, so we, we must remember whatever the outcome on Sunday to admire that. It's been an absolutely fantastic achievement. Um, and, and the result of one football match, which is what it now becomes shouldn't detract from what a fantastic achievement it's been. But, but now they're looking for that crowning glory. And, you know, this is their chance to be on an open top bus in Preciaga Square on Monday morning or Tuesday or whatever it is that they get home and, and have millions of people out on the streets saluting them. It's, you know, this is it. This is the moment. 100%. It's, oh, I mean, it's obviously a big moment and it's their second kick at the can and as many, uh, major international tournaments as far as the European championship is concerned. Um, I got to ask this question. I'm curious. Have you sort of recited in your head what you think you would say in the moment? If it is England, that does prevail. Have you, have you thought about it? Cause we all know that's going to be played and not to put any pressure here, Peter, but it's going to be replayed many times if indeed Sunday is the day where this comes to an end and they're able to, as you put it, achieve this crowning, uh, this moment of crowning glory for an entire nation. Yeah, I, well, um, honestly, I don't know what I'm going to say. I think, um, I think the best policy is probably simplicity because if England have won it, what more can you say? But that England have won it. Um, you know, there's plenty to follow on 58 years on and all of that and all of the residents of 1966 and so on. Although even there, we have to remember 1966 was a different competition. This is the first time England would have won this if they do go on and win it. So I think, um, I haven't got that yet. My preparation, but I, I think, I think in all honesty, it would be foolish to try and get too clever about it. But we'll, we'll see what comes out in the moment. Peter, when you, when we talk about, you know, you mentioned Garrett Southgate in there and there, the discourse surrounding him is such a fascinating one because you mentioned getting to a World Cup semi final and now back to back European championship finals. It really does feel like it outside of winning. This man is just going to be criticized for every little decision that he makes. And, and I, I understand that it comes with the territory of being the manager of, of the English national team. Like I get that, but at the same time, it's like, sometimes do we need to take a step back and say, look what this man has accomplished. This team has grown leaps and bounds under him while having an older guard and introducing a fresh, some fresh faces into this lineup, whether it be Jude Bellingham or Ollie Watkins or, or Colby Maynew, whoever that is. But it really does feel like this team has really grown under Garrett, Garrett Southgate. And it doesn't really feel like he gets that appreciation for doing so. Well, it's, it's, it's, it's been a bit of a split, to be honest. You know, over the course of this tournament, certainly he's got an awful lot of criticism in the early rounds and the reality is England didn't play especially well. But, but my goodness me, as I, I don't know what the Canadians sport, two publics like, but, but ours, you know, it's, it's, it's a situation of, of extremes. It, you know, it goes vastly one way and then it all goes well again and it goes vastly the other way. But, I mean, my feeling is the same as the one you articulated there. I'm a massive admirer of the man himself. He's, he's a remarkably, emotionally intelligent man. For all the criticism he has taken, he's shown immense dignity. He never bites back. He just smiles and gets on with it and knows what he's doing. His players absolutely love him. And, you know, he, he came into an England set up, which was characterized before him very often by players who felt the weight of the national shirt was too heavy on their shoulders. And, and he made it a pleasure for them to come and play for England again. And his results very largely illustrate that. And, and, you know, we can only list again, his accomplishments, which are huge. And I, I feel personally that he, he personally deserves the crowning moment. He really does. But if he doesn't get the crowning moment, it wouldn't for one moment reduce my opinion of him as just a terrific human being. You mentioned how the Canadian sports public is here. Here's what I will tell you, Peter, in this city in Toronto, there is a hockey team that has not won a championship since 1967. And you know, I always come, it's funny because you mentioned England and not having won. I compare the Toronto Maple Leafs, the hockey team here to the English men's soccer team because it is the same. We believe as fans that we invented the sport and that we are God's gift to the sport, it's the exact same thing. So I totally, I totally understand where you're coming from there. I, I, I did want to, I did want to ask about some of the younger players making an impact, because for the longest time, we, you know, it was, it was England, I wouldn't say they were an older squad, but they were certainly a more veteran squad. This one really does feel like it has a nice little mix. And I mentioned jute Belling on my mentioned Ollie Watkins, both of those young men have had their moments in the sun in this tournament. And jute Belling them is just a fantastic soccer player. Like he is just, you, as a, as a Liverpool fan, I was very disappointed that he was not able to, to join my Reds. And he ended up with Real Madrid. That's fine. But I look at the impact that those guys are having. Does it feel almost like there is a little bit of a changing of the guard here where you look at that next generation, even Phil Foden's in that conversation as well, where you look at this next generation and say, this looks sustainable. Absolutely. I, I think that's one of the things Gareth has done well. He's always kept the England team fresh. He's not been afraid over the course of his tenure to make big calls and leave out big name players. You know, he was the coach. It was just a matter of timing. He was the coach who in his very early years was the one who had to say to Wayne Rooney, times up. And he's always had the courage to refresh. And he has lent on the young players and trusted them and given them a chance and freed them as well. He's freed the coyote soccer to be the, the player that we all love. He's allowed jute Bellingham just to, to, to be himself. Now, there'd be some people listening to me saying this who, who would observe that actually the players didn't look particularly free over the first two, three games of this tournament. And I understand that. I'm talking in, in broad terms. And he's, he's shown trust. And again, they trust him. You know, he will always protect them. And that's a great environment to be in. And as you also rightly say, it's an environment wherein there remains a senior core. You know, I mean, Harry Kane has been his captain throughout. And, and with Harry Kane's form being not quite so sharp over the course of this tournament, some people have said, you know, Kane could be dropped and replaced by Watkins. But that's, that simply won't happen because he's the sort of father figure of the team. And those young lads want him in the team. They look up to him. They perform for him. That's, that, that is the merit of a, of a really top class captain. So, um, yeah, I, I think he's got the mix absolutely right. He really does. And it's going to be a fascinating final to watch these two teams go head to head and very much looking forward to the outcome between these two. Peter, this has been an absolute treat for both of us here. Thank you so much for taking some time and have a wonderful call. We will be watching. And I cannot wait to see if England wins what the, what the call is that will be replayed forever. I can't wait for that. Thank you so much for taking some time for us today. Thank you so much. Really go to chat to your fellows. Take care. Thanks Peter. Peter Drury from Sky Sports and NBC Sports. I, I do not say that that I don't say this with any sort of like, I'm not trying to be bombastic. I'm not trying to be, you know, suck up to the guy because he was just on literally one of the greatest play by play men we have ever seen commentators as it, as it were in England that we've ever seen. His calls are just, they give me chills. They're electric. They are, and it, and it doesn't even have to be for international events. Nope. For Premier League games. Yep. It is just next level. It's so much fun to hear Peter call a game. It makes it as, I mean, it makes it infinitely more enjoyable as a fan. When I know he is on the call, honestly, like, there was a game in this tournament. Italy played. Was it the round of 16 game? It might have been the round of 16 game. But anyway, there was a portion of that game. That wasn't the world feed broadcast. And then once it flipped, I felt like I was at home. I feel like I was more comfort. Yeah. I'm like, where's my, where's my Peter Drury? Yeah. Where is my Peter Drury? And then he showed up. And I was like, okay, this is good. Now we're safe. Him and Martin Tyler. Yeah. They're just legends. And as producer, Jeff, as a party point, so one of the nicest men. He genuinely is. Yeah, I can't remember. I know I've dealt with Martin Tyler and I've had the, it's been a wonderful experience. I don't know if I've dealt with Peter personally. But I mean, we've had him on shows here and everything. And he's always gracious with his time. That final is going to be a lot of fun. It's going to be terrific. I think it's two amazing teams, you know, flush with storylines and stylistically very different. Yeah, very different. I think even just the youth and you mentioned that in particular with Spain, I mean, with England, but with Spain on the opposite and on the special what we didn't talk about. He's been amazing. He's been my favorite player to watch out in the entire tournament. Yeah, is sort of now be, you know, him blossoming into a major star and having that platform to showcase how great he actually is. It's been a joy to watch. And I think we got to a point where Spain has been the best team throughout the entire tournament. England has had their moments. And obviously they've been through a lot here. But I do think we've got a final that is appropriate and fitting for what this competition has represented. And the talent, the quality of the sides, just the overall storyline and the historical significance of what it means for both teams. I'm very much looking forward to it. And I think we've got a terrific match up on our hands on Sunday. The growth that we've seen from England in this tournament, like you talked about being on the knife's edge. Yeah, they haven't been able to overcome that like they've they've always been it feels like when it's been tight like that, always been on the losing end. I mean, it helps. You know, okay, so I think back to, well, is it the round of 16 game they played where they were trailing one nil? Was it the round of 16? I think it was where Jude Bellingham scored. Yes, to save them to salvage their their run. I mean, that's where your talent has to bail you out. And they and they have frankly, it helps. That's where that's where your best players. Yeah, just produce those brilliant moments that you can't explain that you can't forecast that you can't diagram really. You just have to rely on them using their instincts and their talent to produce those moments. And in that spot where England needed somebody to rescue them. It was a 21 year old Jude Bellingham and his his world class ability was on full display. And I think the, you know, the reality is you're going to need those and this applies to Canada. This applies to any team that has aspirations of doing something meaningful in an international tournament. Your best players at some point or another are going to have to do something to bail you out because you're not always going to be at your best. You might not be the most tactically proficient. There might be a matchup that doesn't suit you great, but how do you make it through? How do you find a way to still get a result? And England's biggest test was indeed that first knockout stage game where they didn't look great, but they got a moment of magic from their best player and then Harry Kane, their captain scores in extra time. And boom, the rest is history here. They are playing for a trophy. Yeah, it's going to be fascinating to watch. Like Peter said, this is probably the best team that that England has put together since 1966. Yeah, he's probably not wrong about that because there is some elite talent. Like there's one thing, you know, and we do got to take a break, but there is one thing I made that I only meant it half jokingly, the comparisons between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the English men's soccer team. But when it comes to England, and the same thing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there is an overvaluation of players. Players, it's all they play for the least are great. Like there's an there's an overvaluation among the fan base. And I felt like in England, there was that for a long time. Look no further than David Beckham, fine player, but he's never one of the best midfielders in the world at that particular moment. He was his free kicks looked great. He was a very excellent passer, but he wasn't the difference maker that Zinedane Zidane was. Sure, but he was all often put in the same type of category because he played for England. Yeah, Wayne Rooney is another one that always comes to mind. I know because he played for big clubs, obviously Manchester United and most notably. So you're you're there's an elevated sense of importance because of the fact that there's a prestige to the club that he plays for and and where they're playing. And then obviously on top of that, that's your best player for the for the national team. Of course, there's there that is a thing. I'm reminded of this regularly because there's a friend of mine that I went school with who has, you know, English lineage. And he always and he's the least fan too. So he reminds us routinely about all the parallels that exist between being an English soccer supporter and a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's like the most Spider-Man meme. Yeah, and now I will say the only difference, and this is where I'm like, stop whining a little bit. At least England in recent memory has made it to finals. Yeah, they get places. They've won games. They've advanced deep into tournaments. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been out of the first round once in the last 20 something years. So that's a bit of a different story. Yeah, you know, 100%. Okay, we're going to take a break. When we come back, I have a gripe. Yep. It's it's one of it's a thing and people are going to be like, ah, that's so petty. But to me, it is one of the most rude is probably not the word, but inconsiderate things that you can do as it pertains to a certain fake sport as it were. We're going to talk about that when we come back. Matt Marquesi, Danieli Franceski, this is The Fan Morning Show on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. Unrivaled insight, analysis, and opinions on all things Blue Jays. Blair and Barker. Be sure to subscribe and download the show on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Flashbacks to the NHL '06 video game soundtrack. Very well done. Those six. But you were like, what? 10. 10. 10. He was 10 in 2006. Jeff Azzler, he was 44. No, Jeff wasn't 44 or 2006. How was I? I was in 2006. I was 17. I wasn't that old. I feel old today. I definitely feel old today. After a night of hockey and three and a half hours of sleep. Nailed it. My wife was right. Shouldn't have gone. Shouldn't have gone. That was a mistake. By the way, we also lost to a team that hadn't won all a year. So that just compounding the fact that I really shouldn't have gone. Cherry on top. Okay. So I talked about a gripe that I had before the break and I did want to bring this up. People are going to say, well, you're very petty and I really don't care. So it was Tom and he did a very good job with it. Now. Fantasy football. People are like, what do you hold on a second? Fantasy football is July. Well, I'm in a league and I'm not going to say what league it is because anyway, but in this league, it is there are multiple leagues within this league. It's a big thing. And so there are people from different walks of life. There are people in in sports media. There are fans. There are celebrities. It's all sorts of different people. And so people are probably like, I could think I could figure out what it is fairly quickly. But anyway, so we use a platform called sleeper for these drafts and for this particular league, all of the leagues, there's an eight hour clock to draft the player. It's so that people don't time out. It is so that people people have things to do. This is not happening in the league that I'm currently in, but I have a friend who has been griping with me for like a week now because people take up a full eight hours to make a pick. Here is my gripe with this. And I feel like you and I are on the same page. I understand life happens. It happens for all of us. People work. People have kids. They have family members that they have to do. Whatever the case may be. You cannot tell me that you have not gone to the washroom. You have not stepped aside for two minutes. You have not whatever to make a pick. Can I tell you what my biggest gripe is? Is the people that who are online, you can see that they're online about to make a pick. And then they start commenting in the chat and do not make a pick. My eyes bulge out of my head when this happens. And again, I know this sounds really petty, but this is just it's rude. Like your time is worth more than my time. Which is not a fair, like all of our time is worth the same. It's all valuable. And some people sit and wait for picks to be made. That's fine. But to do it, comment and then take the allotted time is an absolute like that's a fireable offense in my opinion. Like you should be booted out of the league for that. Again, I know it sounds really petty, but this kind of stuff drives me nuts because it's all about all encompassing. Your time is more valuable than mine. I have lots of things that I have to do as well. And you know, I take my minute, not even a minute. It takes literally 15 seconds to make a pick. That's fine. But you don't need eight hours to pick Michael Pittman in the fifth round. Yes, like you just you even if you're not a big fantasy football person, just make a pick. There's a ranking system there for a reason. Yeah, there's ADP values you can sort by points, you can sort by this, you could sort by that like figure your bleep out. I don't know about you, but this is such a big pet peeve of mine. I mean, it's a pet peeve. I'm on board with you there. Now, in the past, this is actually the first year that I've ever experienced one of these drafts, the slow draft. Yeah, it's because, you know, it's instead of the it's it's all remote. You're not able to do it in person. It's a draft that, you know, is is more elaborate and requires more time given what maybe it's a dynasty format. Maybe it's a, you know, it's a super flex format, all these different things. So I'm with you. It is a big pet peeve because I think first off, if you're in this league, hopefully it's somewhat of a priority enough to the to the point where you're able to carve out a minute of your time at some point during your day to make a pick. Fortunately, in my experience in doing that and going through this, it moved pretty efficiently, I felt. But we did have a couple instances where, you know, folks decided, ah, we're going to elapse the close to the full eight hours. And it's a little annoying when you're just sitting there and you're like, come on, come on. Well, you made a commitment to doing it, right? Yeah, so you know, it's happened. I don't think research plays a part in it, really, because I think, you know, you have ample time in between your picks, even as you're waiting before you're officially on the clock, to maybe try and research or plan out chart what the the next sort of flurry of picks might be and where that leaves you. So no, I think that's a fair gripe. I'm not going to like, I think it's fair. Is it a little extremist? Well, I've been called maybe I've been called the worst. So I'll take that as a compliment, especially when it comes to fantasy football. Yeah, it's petty. I'm a nut. It is petty. But I understand it. I understand it. Yeah, it just again, it's it's the big picture is is that while my time it's just my time is worth more than yours. And I think that's such a ridiculous, ridiculous crap. Yeah. And that's not the only walk of life in which that occurs, by the way. Oh, no kidding. Yeah. So you mean in this business? No, no, just everywhere. I think it's business it also. Yeah, I know. But everywhere, every walk of life is like that. Pretty apparent. Yeah, that is a that that happens. Okay, so there is a couple things that I wanted to get to here. So do we have the Joe Burrow clip handy guys? Okay. So Joe, the 18, the idea of an 18 game schedule, it's going to happen. Eventually, it's going to happen. Yeah. Joe Burrow commented on this earlier this week. And he basically was doing the negotiating for the players for the NFL as well. Here's Joe Burrow. 18 got to have two bi-weeks. I like that. And I think it'd be cool to do a normal bi-week schedule that it is now like have it spread out. But then like week 13, do like the Pro Bowl break where you're doing like the seven on seven and all the skills challenges like the like the NBA does because I think that would get more ratings for the Pro Bowl. Yes. And then it would also give everybody that bi-week going into like the last six games. Then you have guys that are injured that would be able to potentially come back and you want your best players. Yes. Out there as a league, you want them in the last six weeks of the season, you want your best players on the field. So I think that would be a smart idea. Like Thanos, an 18 game schedule is inevitable. Yes. But if I'm here's my biggest issue with the NFL players right now, don't just hand the owners what they want. You need to get significant concessions. And the way I look at it is you need to get some form of guaranteed contract system. It's never going to be fully guaranteed. Although with all the money in the system, it certainly allows for it. I do wonder if you could get some sort of like every contract is 80% guaranteed. Something along those lines because you are handing the NFL billions more dollars by adding a regular season game to the schedule. Yeah, that's it. But the players union because of the discrepancy between the highest paid guys and the lowest paid guys. So a guy making 65 or $70 million. How do you how do you justify comparing yourself to somebody that makes even league average? Let's say it's $4 million. There's a massive discrepancy between the best and league average. There's a massive golf there. I do like the structurally, I like the proposal that borough kind of table there. It makes the most about us and makes a lot of sense. It and it seems like it would appease a lot of people. And it would give a nice little break for teams because at times, certainly in the 17 game schedule, the one by week system, it's tricky for teams to kind of have time to recover. And you have some teams that depending on where you're by lands, it might be more favorable to you. It might not. To buy seems fair. I like it. It's almost necessary. It feels necessary. Presumably, if you're adding a extra regular season game, you're subtracting the preseason game. So it becomes two preseason games, 18 regular season games. I think that's more than enough in terms of preparation. Like we don't need, you know, frankly, we see too much preseason football. It's too many. It's kind of painful by the end of it. And you're just ready to move on. My biggest question then is, when would that happen? Would it require some sort of CBA impasse or in order for this to occur? When is the CBA do like I don't even know that I'm not familiar. I think it's 2030. Okay. So the wheels are already in motion. I know. Yeah, it is. But are they would would the NFL bend on something as significant to them as guaranteed contracts to make this happen? If on the players, I'm saying, that's the only one I know. But what is the incentive for them to bend on this right at this particular money? The money. If it's if it's that and the next and the next TV deal or streaming deal like those are going to look at what the NBA just did. Well, that's $78 billion. That's crazy. It's nuts. That's a lot of that's a lot of money and it's split across multiple networks. Yeah, that's insane. Yeah, it's it's a it's a as they would say with TFC. It's a bloody big deal. Yeah, okay. A couple more things before we move on here. So John Smith, he's already embraced the rivalry with the Buffalo Bills. He's now with the Miami Dolphins. Here's his quote going from anywhere in the country moving to Buffalo. It's the worst place you could be in the world. I might push back on the worst place in the world. There are lots of places that are worse than that, John. And the Buffalo wings ain't even good. Here's my response to John who Smith. When was the last time that you were relevant? Because I can almost promise you you are not going to be relevant in this matchup between these two teams? 100%. Are we going to notice you? Are we going to know it was relevant is because last year is because Arthur Smith forgot that he had Kyle Pitts on the Atlanta Falcons. He just likes sabotaging his best players. That's that was a hit and be John Robinson. That's my point. Yeah, it's a strategy. And here's the other. Here's the other one. Tyree kill, not listing. I know this is going to sound like a lot of Buffalo Miami hate here, but Tyree killed not listing Josh Allen among the five best quarterbacks in the NFL. Because he didn't he also realizes that Josh Allen is the owner of the Miami Dolphins and not just a quarterback. Let's not forget that Tyree kill who by the way, congratulations Tyree kill a father again. What's that? Is he has he passed and I believe he has passed Phillip Rivers and he is working on passing Antonio Chrome as a say seen Chrome already territory. How many? Yeah, how many kids are you couldn't even name all his kids. Gosh. Listen, I have one and that feels like too many right now. I'm also makes a lot more money than I do for four different baby mama's. Jeez, I just like, I want to hit my head against the after a table here and and he's already got eight kids. Sorry, seven. Now he's expecting an eighth child. Oh my God. Tyree, I hate to. I don't know if you need a reminder, but there is something that can be done about this. Actually, there's multiple things that can be done about this. There's not a one size fits all approach. And I didn't mean that pun intended either. But anyway, oh man, come on. I actually didn't. And now that I thought about it, boy, oh boy, that rivalry is going to be something everybody's down on our bills, buddy. That's okay. That's okay. That's fine. I actually think it's probably the best. So do I. Yeah, I think they're in a great position. In fact, less pressure time now for wake and rake presented by sports interaction, your homegrown sports book, 19 plus bet responsibly. We're looking at the soccer games this weekend. The Copa America, the third place game, of course, featuring Canada, Canada to win plus four 75. Now that is to win in regulation to a draw paying plus three 20. You're a guy to win minus 182. Canada to win third, just outright, whatever the result, plus 225. You're a guy to win third minus 325. Yeah. My heart says Canada, obviously, but my head is sort of leaning in the direction of regulation. Yeah, because, well, I think especially with the changes that are going to be made. That's one. Another factor after that brawl that transpired between the Colombian fans. Yeah, they're, they're juiced and Darwin Nunez, who was at the center of it, is going to still be able to play in this match and kind of feel like he's, if you don't think he's going to be amped, then then there's something you're missing something there. Because I think he's going to be ready to go. Okay. Let's roll through these other two. The Copa America final Argentina to win plus 110. Draw plus 195 Columbia to win plus 310 Argentina to lift the trophy minus 189 Columbia to lift the trophy plus 137. Yeah. Feels like Argentina's just on a roll right now. Columbia's been really good though. Columbia has been great, but I would be in agreement with you on that. It feels like it's Argentina. I could see this one going to penalties though. Sure. I 100% could see this one being, you know, a one one draw and we end up in penalty kicks. And you know, that's Argentina as a way of, of, of hoisting the trophy and making a three big wins in a row for them on the international stage. And then finally the Euro. And if you missed Peter Drury earlier on in the show, make sure you check it out. Cause he was fantastic. Spain to win plus 145, a draw plus 185 England to win plus 240 Spain to lift the trophy minus 152 England to lift the trophy plus 120. I hate to say this because I do not root for England say it, but it does feel like this because like you said, they've been on the nice edge and they've beaten teams when maybe they probably shouldn't. It feels like a tournament of growth for this group plus the influx of young talent. Feels like it's England's time, man. It feels like Spain is the better team. But England is meant to be in a weird way, man. Like Spain on paper, even if you watch them, they are, they more technically sound side and the more talented side overall, not to take any, then it's not denigrating. Yeah. But for whatever reason, it feels like England after, it's, it's about redemption here. And this is a massive opportunity. I, I'm more tempted to, to go England in this matchup in terms of what the result end up looking, ends up looking like, I kind of feel the same way. That was Wakenryk presented by sports interaction, your homegrown sports book 19 plus bet responsibly. When we come back, Craig Forrest, Canadian national team goalkeeper, he is also a member of the footy prime podcast. He will join us. We're going to talk about Canada ahead of their game against Uruguay, the third place game at the Copa America tomorrow. That's all coming up right here on the fan morning show, Matt Marquesi Danieli Francesca, you're listening on Sportsnet 590 the fan.
