On this episode of Deals & Deadlines, Matt Chernoff and super agent Hadley Engelhardt break down everything happening behind the scenes of the NFL Draft — from agent strategy to war room decisions and last-minute chaos. Former NFL executive Jim Monos joins the show to reveal what really happens inside team draft rooms, how trades come together, and why mock drafts don’t tell the full story. Plus: The emotional rollercoaster for players leading up to draft night How teams evaluate talent vs. need Undrafted free agent strategy NIL chaos and the future of college athletics NFL media moves and league expansion If you love the NFL Draft, this is the insider perspective you won’t hear anywhere else. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Intro & Welcome to Deals & Deadlines 01:00 Final 48 Hours Before the NFL Draft 04:30 Managing Player Expectations & Draft Anxiety 08:00 NFL Draft Clock Change (10 → 8 Minutes) 10:30 Rookie Contracts & Salary Scale Explained 14:30 Undrafted Free Agent Strategy 18:00 Zachariah Branch Situation & Draft Impact 21:30 Jim Monos Joins – Inside NFL War Rooms 24:00 Do Teams Actually Use Mock Drafts? 27:30 Draft Day Trades & Smokescreens 31:00 Best Player vs Team Need Debate 35:30 Day 3 Picks & Scouting Importance 40:00 Undrafted Gems & Player Development 44:00 Patrick Mahomes Draft Story (Behind the Scenes) 50:00 NIL, NCAA Lawsuits & College Football Chaos 58:00 Mike Vrabel Situation & NFL PR Strategy 1:03:00 Mike Tomlin Lands NBC Role 1:07:00 Vegas Expansion & Sports Growth 1:11:00 NWSL Expansion & ROI Debate 1:15:00 Outro 🔖 Hashtags #NFLDraft #NFL #Football #NFLNews #DraftDay #SportsBusiness #CollegeFootball #NIL #NFLScouting #FootballTalk

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Welcome to Deals & Deadlines with Hadley Engelhardt and Matt Chernoff—your go-to podcast for the business side of sports.

This week, we break down everything from NFL owners meetings and the push for an 18-game schedule, to media rights battles, NIL impact on March Madness, and the latest on Kirk Cousins finding a new home. Plus, what’s really driving decisions in pro sports—money, player safety, or both?

We also dive into the future of Super Bowl host cities, the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix in live sports, and why college basketball is THRIVING in the NIL era.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
0:00 – Intro to Deals & Deadlines
0:35 – NFL Owners Meetings: What Really Happens Behind Closed Doors
1:12 – 18-Game Season & International Expansion Talks
1:36 – Short Weeks vs Player Safety Debate
3:43 – Potential Referee Lockout & Replacement Officials
5:29 – NFL Expands Mental Health Services: Genuine or PR?
7:49 – Netflix “Make Goods” After NFL Christmas Ratings Miss
9:09 – Future Super Bowl Cities & Nashville Buzz

11:12 – Kirk Cousins Lands with the Raiders: Smart Move or Done Deal?
15:36 – March Madness Ratings BOOM & NIL Impact
19:15 – Georgia Basketball NIL Concerns

22:00 – MLB Opening Week & Streaming Success
25:02 – Michael Jordan’s $4.5 BILLION Empire & NASCAR Success

26:50 – Puka Nacua, Rehab, and Off-Field Responsibility
28:46 – Tiger Woods, Legacy, and Tough Conversations

💰 From billion-dollar TV deals to player contracts and league decisions—this is the business of sports explained.

📺 Watch on the 680 The Fan YouTube channel
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March Madness is breaking records, the NFL Draft is getting a major TV-friendly tweak, and Major League Baseball is heading to Netflix 👀 — this week’s Deals & Deadlines is LOADED with sports business storylines. Matt Chernoff and Hadley Engelhardt break down why the NCAA Tournament is seeing record-setting viewership, how NIL and the transfer portal are actually HELPING the product, and what it all means for the future of college sports. Plus, the NFL is speeding up the Draft — and it’s all about maximizing TV and ad revenue. What does that mean for teams, trades, and fans? We also dive into MLB’s streaming push with Netflix, the chaos around local TV deals (including the Braves), new tech like the ABS challenge system, and how teams are finding new ways to make money — even selling game-used bases. And that’s just the start… 🔥 Other topics include: Bijan Robinson extension buzz and RB market strategy NBA salary cap changes tied to local TV struggles Mike Tomlin heading to TV and what that means for networks Frank Thomas lawsuit over jersey sales Masters + Thomas Rhett marketing play 📺 Watch on the 680 The Fan YouTube channel 🎧 New episodes drop every Wednesday 📻 Listen to Matt Chernoff on Chuck & Chernoff weekdays 2–6pm ET

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