SwampSwami.com - Sports Commentary and more!

Sports Commentary

SwampSwami.com - Sports Commentary and more! is a sports podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 15 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts SwampSwami.com - Sports Commentary and more!, a sports show with 15 episodes published.

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  The Big Stink-o over Cinco at LSU

  Aug 17, 202611 min

  LSU was front and center in national sports headlines in the past week. Most every day, the stories just kept on coming. “ Recent Heisman Trophy winner wants his jersey retired or his Heisman back!” How about this: “LSU Defensive back replies, “It’s My Number now – Come and Take it!” And then LSU had one of the saddest stories of the week with the headline, “Legendary LSU Baseball coach and Athletics Director Skip Bertman died Friday in Baton Rouge at age 88.” Let’s cover that serious story first. Skip Bertman was a man with a golden touch who quietly built LSU athletics into a national power J. Stanley Bertman loved baseball from an early age. After his family relocated to Miami, the young “Skip” Bertman became a top local high school baseball player. He signed to play college ball with the local Miami Hurricanes as an outfielder and catcher. Bertman earned both his Bachelors and Masters degrees at The U in the early 1960’s. Skip Bertman then began his coaching career as a high school baseball coach at Miami Beach High School. He took the team to a state championship and two runner-up finishes in 11 years. Bertman returned to his college alma mater to work with legendary college baseball coach Ron Fraser. Skip Bertman became the recruiting coordinator, pitching coach, and assistant head coach for the Miami Hurricanes from 1976-1983. The Canes won the NCAA national championship in 1982. LSU Athletics Director Bob Broadhead struck gold when he convinced Skip Bertman to leave south Florida and take over the LSU baseball team in the summer of 1983. Over the next 18 years, “The Skipper” led LSU’s baseball team to five national championships (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 2000). The team made 11 College World Series appearances to Omaha during those 18 seasons. When Bertman arrived in Baton Rouge, LSU baseball was played at the cozy confines of Alex Box Stadium. This rather unique ballpark was put in service back in 1938. It was located right across the street from LSU’s monstrous Tiger Stadium football facility. The ballpark also bordered alongside an active railroad track. It seemed that a train would rumble by the baseball park during every LSU night game. The success of Skip Bertman’s LSU baseball teams led to several expansions of Alex Box Stadium as sellouts became the norm by the late 1980’s. A larger new facility with nearly 11,000 seats replaced the old baseball stadium in 2009. This new ball park retained the original name of “Alex Box Stadium.” In 2013, the name of the stadium changed to “Skip Bertman Field at Alex Box Stadium” in honor of LSU’s most successful baseball coach. Coach Bertman coached 41 LSU players who went on to play major league baseball. Other former players have become successful coaches. Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco (a catcher at LSU under Skip Bertman) guided his team to the College World Series title in 2022. Skip Bertman became LSU’s Athletics Director from 2001-2007. His leadership and fundraising skills led to a series of major upgrades to the school’s athletics facilities. He led a number of local charity fundraisers after retiring from LSU. Bertman had been hospitalized recently with heart-related issues. He was 88. High…uh…4.999! It’s the battle for the right to wear #5 on the LSU football team In one of the most bizarre sports stories last week , former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (now playing for the NFL’s Washington Commanders) demanded that his former college not allow sophomore defensive back DJ Pickett to wear his former #5 this season. After that didn’t work, the quarterback’s family demanded that LSU must stop utilizing Daniels’ name, image, and likeness effective immediately. They may have also asked for the Heisman Trophy replica on display at LSU to be returned to the Daniels’ family. As of this writing, LSU has not obliged any of those requests. Nor should they. Daniels was a transfer student from Arizona State who played his final two college footballs seasons at LSU in 2022 and 2023. He won the 2023 Heisman Trophy following a brilliant season with the Tigers. Jayden Daniels became the #2 overall selection in the NFL Draft by the Washington Commanders in April, 2024. He is entering his third season in ol’ DC. Daniels joined running back Billy Cannon (1959) and quarterback Joe Burrow (2019) as LSU’s Heisman Trophy winners. Jayden Daniels surprised the sports world last week with a demand that LSU not allow a current football player to wear his former #5 jersey this year. For the record, Joe Burrow’s #9 has not been worn since LSU’s 15-0 perfect season culminating in the 2019 national championship. The #9 football jersey for Joe Burrow and the #5 jersey for Jayden Daniels have not been “retired” by LSU. At least not yet. Billy Cannon’s #20 is the only LSU jersey which has been retired and officially removed from circulation in the football program. LSU has “retired” the jerseys of three additional football players, though. The jerseys of #4 (Charles Alexander – running back), #21 (Jerry Stovall – running back), and #37 (Tommy Cassanova – defensive back) were ceremoniously retired by LSU football. LSU plans to retire the #7 jersey of quarterback Bert Jones in a ceremony scheduled for November 14 this fall. Those four jersey numbers may still be worn by future LSU players, though. Only Billy Cannon’s #20 is permanently out of circulation and unavailable for future football players. For the record, this year’s 2026 LSU Tigers football squad will have one player wearing Charles Alexander’s #4 jersey, two wearing Jerry Stovall’s #21, and one who will don Tommy Cassanova’s #37 in the fall. Why did LSU’s DJ Pickett persist on wanting to wear #5 this season? Many major college football teams dress more than 100 players for home games. Since teams are not allowed to utilize three digits on a football jersey, two players frequently wear the same jersey number in college games. Most of the time, one will play offense. The other is usually on defense or special teams. Jayden Daniels played offense at LSU. Cornerback DJ Pickett plays defense for the Tigers. LSU’s DJ Pickett claims to have worn a #5 jersey from youth football and all the way through high school. He said that former LSU football coach Brian Kelly had “promised” to allow him wear that number once he came to LSU. Coach Kelly has confirmed that the promise was, indeed, made to Pickett. However, Kelly also said that former player Jayden Daniels had not given the “OK” prior to Pickett’s freshman season in 2025. So, DJ Pickett settled for jersey #3 last year as a freshman at LSU as part of Brian Kelly’s Tigers. Pickett had a sensational first year at LSU and was named to the freshman All-American team. After Brian Kelly was fired and Lane Kiffin became LSU’s new coach beginning this season, DJ Pickett raised the “You guys promised me I could wear that #5 jersey” issue to his new coach again this summer. Pickett doesn’t seem to care what Jayden Daniels thinks about wearing LSU’s #5 jersey this season. DJ Pickett told the media last week , “It’s the number I was promised (by LSU). I wish Jayden the best. Good player, and he did real good here. So, that’s all.” The father of DJ Pickett was more emphatic. Papa Pickett said last week , “Considering that Jayden is a legend at LSU and it’s out that he’s not supportive of my son wearing his number is very disappointing. We wish in a perfect world that he (Daniels) would have given his blessing and, Tiger to Tiger, wish my son well.” LSU football coach Lane Kiffin (being the seasoned politician that he has become) confirmed that he checked with LSU administrators and found no reason why Pickett could not wear the #5 jersey for the Tigers this fall. LSU’s new $13 million per year football coach wants to stand up for his current group of players. DJ Pickett will play an important role within LSU’s defensive unit this season in Baton Rouge. Sports fans are having a field day making fun of this #5 kerfuffle Needless to say, people outside of Louisiana have taken note of the childish back-and-forth going on surrounding LSU’s #5 football jersey. Sports punsters around the country have been making joke s about their own possible unauthorized usage of the #5. It seems that no one wants to mess with the irate family of Jayden Daniels when it comes to the use of the fifth digit. Baseball’s New York Mets led the way. The major league baseball team won a game over the Washington Nationals last week 4-1. They declared on the team’s X.com site, “Stopped at 4 (runs) out of respect for Jayden Daniels.” Another originated from sports ticket vendor Stub Hub. On their website, tickets being sold for the Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders NFL game on September 27 will not allow bundling of five tickets together. “ Out of respect for Jayden Daniels, we’re only doing 4 or 6+.” You get the picture. One of the more interesting ideas I heard last week was for LSU to auction the replica Heisman Trophy and donate the proceeds to one or more local charities. If the family of Jayden Daniels still wants the trophy back, they can buy it back from the winner. I like it, but with one caveat. “ No bids should contain the number five out of respect for Jayden Daniels.” The post The Big Stink-o over Cinco at LSU appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com .

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  LIV Golf – Turn out the Lights – the Party’s (almost) Over

  Aug 15, 202612 min

  Those who follow my posts know that I have been a supporter of LIV Golf since Day 1 (Spring, 2022). Every PGA Tour golfer should be thankful to LIV Golf for introducing some much needed competition during the past five years. The stodgy PGA Tour’s tournament payouts have risen after LIV Golf began poaching several top golfers. The remaining stars of the PGA Tour are now pocketing significant long-term benefits after a new incentive bonus system was instituted two years ago to retain top talent. As of today, LIV Golf will need a major miracle to continue in 2027. It is officially “Hail Mary” time for the fifth year golf league. Reports continue to circulate this week that LIV Golf is canceling its $40 million season-ending tournament near Detroit, Michigan in two weeks. That would make next weekend’s (August 20-23) LIV Golf event near Indianapolis the final tournament of 2026. It also might become the final event ever for LIV Golf. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil has the most difficult job in professional sports How would you like to be in charge of an organization which just lost 100% of its funding, and your top performers are openly discussing jumping ship? Chief Executive Officer Scott O’Neil took over the top role at LIV Golf after World Golf Hall-of-Famer Greg Norman left in early 2025. O’Neil’s background included running Madison Square Garden Sports (basketball’s New York Knicks and hockey’s New York Rangers). He later became CEO for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL New Jersey Devils. O’Neil’s latest role at LIV Golf should be titled “Chief Magician” if this golf enterprise is going to survive into 2027. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has lost upwards of $6 billion after five years of bankrolling LIV Golf. They finally saw the light and are bailing out after LIV’s final event this month. Scott O’Neil has been scrambling for months trying to find new financial backers. Those interested in LIV Golf will be investing in a sports league best known for hemorrhaging massive amounts of cash. Good luck with that sales pitch! Last week, Scott O’Neil said, “Notably, our next chapter will make our players the majority equity holders in LIV Golf …and gives the league the foundation to keep the game growing worldwide. We anticipate finalizing terms in the coming weeks.” Let’s analyze that last statement a little closer LIV Golf’s CEO is saying that he wants to make the golfers the MAJORITY equity holders in the organization going forward? My Dad was not a big fan of televised golf. Though one of his sons (me) fell in love with the sport at age 8, Dad often laughed as golfers agonized over their putts. He would say, “If those guys were out there playing for their own money, this might be a lot more interesting to watch!” If LIV Golf tees it up again in 2027, my Dad (viewing golf from heaven since 2001) may get his wish with players having their own financial stake in the golf league. The LIV Golf bonus babies may determine the future of their own league LIV Golf was able to get off the ground five years ago only after the Saudi PIF generously opened their wallets to buy talent. More than $1 billion in bonus money was needed to sign a number of the top PGA golfers. Remember Phil Mickelson? The six-time major champion was one of the first top golfers to switch to LIV Golf. He received a reported $200 million signing bonus. Season One at LIV Golf featured the signings of Brooks Koepka ($130 million), Dustin Johnson ($125 million) and Bryson DeChambeau ($125 million). The other fifty LIV Golfers (the league features 54 players) received varying amounts in signing bonuses, too. Former major champions such as Patrick Reed ($100 million), Louis Oosthuizen ($50 million) and Sergio Garcia ($40 million) came aboard in 2022 to help get LIV up and running (while assuring their own long-term financial futures). Australia’s Cam Smith ($140 million) was added to begin the 2023 season. Spain’s Jon Rahm ($300 million) followed in Year #3 and became the highest paid golfer in the LIV Golf portfolio. Those nine LIV Golf signees I have mentioned required an outlay of more than $1.2 billion. Let’s say that the remaining 45 LIV golfers were signed for a “paltry” total of $300 million. That would have brought 2022’s total initial investment (before one hole of golf was even played) to more than $1.5 billion. Each golfer’s LIV contract agreement is confidential. My best guess would be most LIV golfers received a portion of their signing bonus up front (perhaps 25% or more) with the remainder being paid annually over the term of their agreement. By the way, Jon Rahm’s $300 million agreement apparently covered six years (2024-2029 golf seasons). He is now halfway through his contractual commitment. SOS – There’s an iceberg dead ahead for the S.S. LIV Golf The biggest problem with LIV Golf (in addition to their lousy TV contract with FOX Sports) is that the tournament payouts greatly exceed the revenues generated. The cost of tournaments and operations has been unsustainable from Day 1. Some reports estimate LIV Golf has lost upwards of $1 billion annually (excluding the money spent on those signing bonuses). What is likely to happen to each of the highest paid LIV golf stars in 2027? (Note – All signing bonuses and contract terms mentioned here are my own best guesses after reviewing a number of online resources). Jon Rahm ($300 mm) – The most expensive golfer for LIV Golf appears ready to walk the plank and take a financial write-off soon. Rahm is just 31 years of age. He has at least a decade of top level golf still ahead of him. Rahm is under contract with LIV Golf for another three years. If LIV Golf should survive into 2027, they must pay Rahm the fourth year portion of his contract/signing bonus. Should LIV Golf file for bankruptcy at some point, Rahm would be fortunate to receive a dime once the Saudi’s bail out later this month. My best guesses? I predict that Jon Rahm will voluntarily walk away from LIV Golf soon. He would keep whatever bonus money he has already been paid by LIV Golf. Rahm would also forfeit the remainder of his contract and join the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour) beginning in early 2027. The talented Jon Rahm will eventually make his way back to the PGA Tour. Phil Mickelson ($200 mm) – Lefty’s signing bonus/contract with LIV Golf was rumored to be for a four year period. That means that Mickelson had received 100% of his signing bonus money after the 2025 LIV season ended. Phil is now 56 years of age. He was a non-factor in the majority of LIV Golf events since the league’s initial season in 2022. Mickelson has been dealing with family-related issues in 2026 and did not participate in any LIV Golf events this year. There are a lot of rumors flying about Phil’s family situation. Regardless, Phil Mickelson’s competitive playing days appear to be over. Cameron Smith ($140 mm) – The 32-year old Australian golfer won the 2022 Open Championship. He was the #2 ranked player in the world at the time he signed with LIV Golf prior to the 2023 season. Cam Smith is captain of the popular LIV Golf Australian team called the Rippers. Smith likely has one or more years remaining on his LIV Golf contract. I expect him (and his Aussie team) to stick together in 2027 should the league somehow survive. If LIV Golf goes under, Smith (like many non-US golfers in the league) may attempt to enter the DP World Tour in 2027. Brooks Koepka ($130 mm) – Koepka quietly negotiated an exit deal from his LIV Golf agreement at the end of the 2025 season. After meeting conditions set by the PGA Tour, Brooks Koepka rejoined the traditional golf tour this year. He is ranked #82 on the PGA’s money list this year with earnings of $1.7 million. Dustin Johnson ($125 mm) – Surprisingly, DJ signed a contract extension to remain with LIV Golf through the 2029 golf season. Johnson is captain of the successful 4Aces golf team and seems to enjoy his role within LIV Golf. Bryson DeChambeau ($125 mm) – Unlike Dustin Johnson, DeChambeau rejected a contract extension request by LIV Golf after the 2025 season. His initial agreement will expire at the end of the 2026 season (less than two weeks from now). The 32-year old DeChambeau has been the most vocal supporter of LIV Golf since the league began. He might be negotiating to become part of the new ownership team if the league survives into 2027. Bryson DeChambeau has nearly three million subscribers to his popular YouTube channel. He is already one of the world’s most popular golfers. DeChambeau will be fine. Patrick Reed ($100 mm) – Like Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed pulled the plug on LIV Golf once his contract ended at the end of 2025. He then reapplied for entry to the PGA Tour and, after meeting the Tour’s requirements, will become eligible to play again during September’s fall schedule. All the remaining LIV Golfers – Most of the initial group of LIV Golf signees will have collected their entire bonus by the end of August, 2026. Others who were added since Year #1 (2022 season) will likely remain with LIV Golf – should the league continue in 2027. Summary Keep your eye on any news involving Jon Rahm and LIV Golf. If Rahm decides to walk away soon (and I think he will), the future of LIV Golf becomes even more doubtful. Fewer top stars will mean that LIV Golf’s tournament payouts will take an even bigger cut in 2027. The iceberg is in full view for LIV Golf. It’s time to brace for impact! The post LIV Golf – Turn out the Lights – the Party’s (almost) Over appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com .

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  Let’s Catch up!

  Aug 10, 202611 min

  I’m ba-a-a-ck! Being a grandfather isn’t something that you train for. It was quite challenging last week to go outside and shoot basketball for an hour in the summer heat with an 8-year old intent on dispatching his creeky ol’ Grandpa in morning games of one-on-one. He took the overall 3-game series, but Grandpa held his own (at least for this year). Now, where did I put that tube of SportsCreme? In fact, the past month has found my lovely wife and I spending a full week with each set of our five young (10 and under) grandsons. We have enjoyed a total summer blast! Now, the house is quiet again. Our eight-year old rescued Old English Sheepdog (Molly) seems to be mourning the loss of our fine young gentleman visitors and their very patient Dad. Molly enjoyed extra company during her morning and evening dog walks every day. It has been difficult to keep close tabs on sports while traveling to visit or hosting our very sharp and fun-loving grandsons over the past month. Some things appear to have changed a lot. Others didn’t. It’s time to catch-up. Good news! Saints legend Drew Brees was inducted into the Pro Football Hall-of-Fame! New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees led the Black and Gold to their only Super Bowl appearance and title in February, 2010. He set numerous NFL passing records during his stellar 20-year pro football career. The Texas-born Brees was an excellent student as well. He majored in Industrial Management at Purdue University. Drew Brees quarterbacked the Boilermakers football team to the Rose Bowl in 2001 as the team won a share of the Big Ten title. The San Diego Chargers selected Brees with the first pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL draft. It’s hard to believe that he played in San Diego for the first five years of his pro football career. A trade to the New Orleans Saints in 2006 also paired Drew Brees with new head coach Sean Payton. It would be a match made in WhoDat Heaven for us Saints fans. Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in August, 2005. The Louisiana Superdome was painstakingly repaired and refurbished the following year as New Orleans welcomed home its beloved football team along with a new quarterback and head coach. Drew Brees’ infectious positive attitude and leadership skills helped the Saints improve every season leading up to that Super Bowl victory. More importantly, the Saints’ rise served to boost the spirits of the entire Gulf South region during recovery efforts from both Hurricane Katrina and, a month later, Rita in southwestern Louisiana. Sorry, Archie Manning supporters. The true GOAT (greatest of all time) for the majority of New Orleans Saints fans is Hall-of-Fame quarterback Drew Brees. Congratulations! Red-hot Red Sox are blazing in baseball’s American League! The Boston Red Sox have won 27 of their last 32 baseball games through Sunday, August 9. Boston was at the bottom of the American League East standings earlier in the season. The BoSox are still seven games behind the Tampa Bay Rays with 45 games left to play in baseball’s seemingly never-ending 162-game regular season. Late inning comebacks have been the rule during Boston’s recent hot streak during July and into early August. Will the Boston Red Sox remain hot during this hottest month of the year? Stay tuned! The eight team UFL recently packed-up and left Houston and Birmingham. Why? Spring pro football’s United Football League (UFL) quietly exited two of its long-time markets less than two weeks ago. The Birmingham Stallions won three straight spring football titles from 2022 through 2024. A brand new college football stadium for UAB featuring nearly 40,000 seats played host for Stallions home games in each of the past five seasons. The UFL’s billionaire owner and apparent league spokesman, Mike Repole, jousted with Birmingham football fans earlier this season about their lack of support for the team. It’s no surprise that Repole just pulled the plug after attendance declined this year. His excuse for leaving Birmingham is what has raised eyebrows in Alabama. He said , “With Birmingham, this decision was 100% about the wrong sized venue. Even on opening day, when 16,000 Stallions fans showed up, the energy, passion, and game atmosphere was not felt due to the size of the venue.” Here’s a question for you, Mr. Repole. Doing just as you requested, the Houston UFL franchise vacated its college football stadium at the University of Houston. The Houston Gamblers moved into the city’s downtown soccer venue with 20,000 seats this season. How do you explain why less than 7,000 fans attended Houston Gamblers football games this spring? The team did exactly what you asked for and had even less success. Houston’s UFL franchise is now defunct. Perhaps Mr. Repole might consider that the UFL’s on-field product is simply not very good. It is also played during increasingly hot spring weather – especially in the league’s southern markets. UFL games – which are (generally speaking) low scoring and not very exciting to watch – have trouble attracting local fans when tickets were priced as low as $20 apiece. The market, sir, has been and continues to speak to you quite loudly. Golf – Welcome to the winner’s circle, Jackson Koivun and Asterisk Talley! Two weeks ago, former Auburn All-American golfer Jackson Koivun picked-up his first PGA win at the 3M Open in Minnesota. It was only his third professional start! After Sunday’s middle-of-the-pack finish in his fourth PGA start at Greensboro, NC, the 21-year old Koivun has earned enough FedEx points to qualify for this week’s first round of PGA playoffs beginning Thursday in Memphis. Let’s also welcome a 17-year old upcoming high school senior golfer to the winner’s circle. Asterisk Talley (yes, that’s her real name) easily won her first USGA championship by taking the US Women’s Amateur title in Tennessee with an 8-up victory. She had previously finished runner-up in the 2024 US Junior Girls Amateur and the US Women’s Amateur. Congratulations to Ms. Talley! Yes, there will forever be an Asterisk next to her last name on the US Women’s Amateur trophy. LIV Golf remains on life support but wants to tee it up again in 2027 In this continuing soap opera, LIV Golf (completing its fifth season in late August) will lose its Sugar Daddy financial backers. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (with over $1 trillion in assets) has lost more than $5 billion to start, fund, and prop-up this worldwide golf venture. They are skedaddling by no later than the end of August. Last week, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neal announced that a new lead investor has been secured . Before you say, “Hooray!”, the golf league’s boss did not reveal a lot of specifics. We don’t know who the investor is, how much money was actually being injected, or any other details which translate into a viable 2027 LIV Golf campaign. Golfers expecting to participate in LIV Golf during 2027 (assuming there is a season) will be playing for smaller prize money and will likely be asked to share in the risk (and, if possible, the rewards) of the revamped league. The future still looks shaky for LIV Golf. The US Senate punted on 4 th down to go on vacation and leave the future of college athletics hanging in the balance When you woke up on Saturday morning, the United States Senate had adjourned to take a well-earned (sarcasm intended) full month of vacation. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) were finally able to bring their college sports bill to the floor of the US Senate over the past few weeks. It showed some encouraging signs of passage. The SEC and Big Ten finally jumped aboard to support the Senate’s “Protect College Sports Act” last week. That was the equivalent to a two-minute drill in hopes of getting this bill across the Senate’s goal line prior to the legislative body’s annual August recess. College sports conferences have been unable to get their primary rule maker and enforcement arm (the NCAA) to take consequential actions in recent years. Guidelines and enforcement of rules in today’s transfer portal and NIL high dollar environment have many mid-sized and smaller universities considering dropping sports altogether. The SEC recently suggested it was willing to break away from the NCAA and establish its own set of rules if something doesn’t change soon. With the proverbial play clock running, some Senators (as they are prone to do) tried to add amendments to the college sports bill last week. They wasted too much time and failed to bring it to a full Senate vote prior the month-long adjournment. However, the Senators are promising to bring this college sports bill to a vote when they return in early September. If that occurs, the sports bill must still be approved by the House of Representatives and then obtain the President’s signature to become law. Sounds like a Hail Mary could be needed to complete this legislation with the mid-term elections coming up in November! The post Let’s Catch up! appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com .

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  It’s a LIV Takeover at the Open Championship!

  Jul 18, 20269 min

  Raise your hand if you saw this one coming. LIV Golf has been downright invisible for more than a month. The last action featuring the upstart golf league took place on June 7 in Spain. The next LIV Golf event (perhaps) is expected to take place next Thursday, July 23 in the United Kingdom. August will feature three tournaments in New York, Indianapolis, and Michigan to end the 2026 season. In case you missed it, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has already told the LIV Golf players that Daddy Big Bucks won’t be around to lose another billion or more next year to support the league. There has been chatter during this one month LIV Golf lull that the Saudis might even pull the plug prior to next week’s golf tournament in Staffordshire, England. Stay tuned! This week, the fourth major golf tournament of the year is being held at The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale (located 50 miles northwest of Liverpool, England). After two rounds, nine members of the LIV Golf contingent have made their presence known at The Open – loud and clear Leading the Open after two rounds was none other than LIV Golf’s Lucas Herbert at eight under par. Who dat, you ask? The unassuming Herbert is an Australian golfer who participates as a member of the LIV Golf’s popular “Ripper GC” team. Lucas Herbert is only 30 years old. He won a single PGA Tour event in October, 2021 in Bermuda against a less-than-stellar field. Herbert then moved over to LIV Golf in January, 2024 to team up with fellow Aussies Cam Smith, Marc Leishman, and Elvis (Smiley, that is). Herbert (whose caddie looks like a guitar player for ZZ Top) won the May, 2026 LIV Golf tournament in northern Virginia. His blazing 24-under par total produced a four-shot victory. Lucas Herbert tied the Open record on Friday with a second round 8-under par 62. He missed a three foot birdie putt on the 18 th hole which would have given him a new record with a sizzling 61. He told the assembled press afterwards, “It’s a pretty good problem to have – to be disappointed you shot a 62!” When the second round ended, Herbert took a one shot lead into the weekend over fellow LIV Golf star and team captain of the “Crushers” team, Bryson DeChambeau. Well, at least for a few minutes… Bryson DeChambeau rolled in a 16-foot birdie putt on the 18 th hole on Friday to post a 7-under par total and take solo second place. He was expecting to be paired with LIV Golf’s Lucas Herbert on Saturday as he walked off the 18 th green following Round 2. Royal & Ancient tournament officials visited with Bryson DeChambeau as soon as he walked toward the clubhouse to sign his scorecard. They wanted to discuss a possible rules infraction which happened way back on Hole #5 of the second round Friday. Bryson DeChambeau bombed a long tee shot, but it was far off line to the right side of the fairway. His golf ball landed in a marshy area surrounded by knee-high fescue grass. As DeChambeau walked around and then behind the ball to line-up his second shot, he accidentally stepped onto some of the fescue behind the ball. The rules officials deemed the temporarily depressed grass to give the golfer an unfair advantage. DeChambeau gave a passionate explanation of his version of the story. He pleaded with the officials that the shot he played was not affected by the squished-down nearby grass. No matter. He was still assessed a two shot penalty to balloon his bogey 5 into a triple bogey 7 on Hole #5. Those extra two shots changed his second round total score from -7 to -5. It dropped DeChambeau from solo second place into a three way tie for fifth place. Afterwards, he said , “Obviously disappointed with the ruling. I don’t agree with it, but it is what it is. This fires me up. Onto the weekend. Let’s get it!” It wasn’t the only time that DeChambeau was in the news this week at The Open Bryson DeChambeau is a former US Amateur champion and has won two US Opens. His unusual golfing style (extremely long drives, a set of irons which are all the same length, and a wonky upright putting stance) make him easy to notice on the golf course. His bright smile and affable personality have added to his popularity – especially with younger golf fans. One former golfer who isn’t enthralled with DeChambeau’s golf style is former champion Nick Faldo. Earlier in the week, Faldo took to the microphone to say that Bryson DeChambeau had little or no chance of winning the Claret Jug trophy which goes to the winner. The six-time major champion commented , “I’d say it to his face. DeChambeau has zero clue of strategy.” He added, “He (DeChambeau) said last year, ‘I’m going to go out and attack the links.’ Well, I’ve never attacked the links. You thread it…feed it down the fairway.” To his credit, Bryson DeChambeau didn’t directly respond to Nick Faldo’s barbed remarks. LIV Golf’s “Hot Temper Twins” haven’t disappointed, either What’s the first thing you think of when I say, “Terrell Hatton?” Some might say, “Who?” Golf fans like me think of “Hot Head Hatton.” The club-flinging, four-letter-word-hurling Hatton found himself at -3 heading into Saturday’s third round. The LIV Golf competitor was paired with Scottie Scheffler (-4) and Bryson DeChambeau during the first two rounds at this year’s Open. The cameras found Hatton on the verge of club-chunking a few different times during Thursday’s opening round. Then there’s LIV Golf’s $300 million bonus man, Jon Rahm. Like Hatton, the intense Spaniard has a long history of temper eruptions on the golf course. Friday’s second round featured Jon Rahm (-4 for the tournament) flinging an iron which bounced off the tee box on the par-3 15 th hole. Rules officials handed Rahm an official warning afterwards. The four major golf championships are (yeah, right) cracking down on bad behavior on the course. Rules officials now have the option of issuing a warning, a two shot penalty, or, if warranted, a disqualification. With Rahm being a two-time major golf champion, he was fortunate not to be assessed a two-shot penalty after Friday’s latest temper outburst. A LIV golfer may not hoist the Claret Jug on Sunday, but they’ve stolen the show The other five LIV Golf players who made the cut at The Open were Thomas Detry, Josele Ballester, Victor Perez, Peter Uihlein, and Laurie Canter. You can say a lot about LIV Golf, but several of the nine players who made the cut at this year’s Open Championship have definitely spiced-up this week’s competition. A perilous financial future lies ahead for LIV Golf at the end of August (assuming they are still in business at that point). The economics of the league are not sustainable. Saudi’s fat wallet (now more than $5 billion lighter) will be unavailable soon after enduring four years of massive losses. Defections by Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed this season have also hurt LIV Golf. Don’t forget that Bryson DeChambeau’s contract expires at the end of 2026. All signs point to a rough landing ahead for LIV Golf. Let’s enjoy their contingent of talented and spicy golfers this weekend at The Open – while we still have time. The post It’s a LIV Takeover at the Open Championship! appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com .

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  Grading the Mid-Major Conference expansions – Part 2

  Jul 13, 202613 min

  The previous post covered my grades on how the strength of today’s four largest college athletic conferences compare with their previous versions twenty years ago in 2006. Here’s a brief recap. In my estimation, only the SEC (which expanded from 12 to 16 teams over that 20 year period) has shown an upgrade in competition levels since 2006. I awarded the SEC a “B” grade. The Big 12 (which lost four of its prominent members to the SEC) received a C+ for their nimble addition of several relevant regional sports schools. A “D” grade was handed down to the Atlantic Coast Conference. Their nonsensical addition of West Coast newcomers Cal (Berkeley) and Stanford in 2024 crashed the ACC’s overall score. Speaking of lousy grades, I awarded a D- to the Big Ten Conference as its recently-annexed properties have resulted in a BIG thud. From the east (Maryland and Rutgers) to the west (Nebraska, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington), the Big Ten’s new coast-to-coast configuration has failed to improve this conference for either sports fans or student/athletes. How have the five mid-major conferences fared with recent expansion issues? These other conferences (nicknamed the “Group of Five”) can be quite entertaining but rarely win national championships. They must compete against the “Big Four” major conferences featuring the wealthiest college sports programs. American Athletic Conference (AAC) The AAC has only been around since the year 2013. There were 10 initial AAC members and now 14 in 2026. Only Memphis, South Florida, and Temple remain from 2013. The ACC raided Conference USA to obtain several of its new members. Army and Navy – What’s not to like about these two additions? They bring the focus of the entire college football world to their annual game played in early December. Grades – A Charlotte – The 49ers have been perpetual cellar dwellers in most sports. Charlotte, North Carolina sports fans are more likely to follow UNC, Duke, and Clemson. Yawn. Grade – D- East Carolina – The Pirates have made the NCAA baseball playoffs ten times since 2013 and have occasionally contended for the AAC title in football. A hearty fan base makes ECU a fun place to watch sports. Grade – B Florida Atlantic – A member of the AAC since 2023, this school is best known for its men’s basketball team and having a great beach nearby. Sadly, most local sports fans don’t give a hoot about the FAU Owls yet. Grade – C- North Texas – The Mean Green had a brilliant 12-2 football season in 2025 in the school’s third year as part of the AAC. The other sports are lagging behind. Grade – C Rice – Another third year AAC member, the Houston-based Owls have been an athletics flop in their new conference. Grade – D Tulane – Green Wave football program has rejuvenated Tulane athletics down in the Crescent City. Unfortunately, the remainder of the school’s sports teams rarely lead the AAC. Grade – C Tulsa – Golden Hurricane football and men’s basketball programs have been on the decline in the past decade. That’s a shame, because Tulsa fans desperately want to get behind the city’s lone major college athletics team. Grade – C- UAB – Try as I might, I’m having trouble remembering any recent sports successes for the Blazers. Grade – D- UTSA – Like Tulsa, the Roadrunners have the entire San Antonio market ready for their athletics programs to take off. Other than some recent success in football, UTSA sports still appear to be taking a siesta. Grade – C- AAC overall grade for expansion: C- Conference USA (C-USA) I am not going to provide individual grades to Conference USA member schools. It is not their fault that C-USA management has done such a lousy job of keeping this conference together and relevant in major college sports. The conference has seen a 100% turnover in the past 20 years. Schools being added have generally been former FCS top teams such as Delaware, Sam Houston, and Jacksonville (AL) State. Things have declined so badly in Conference USA (“How badly have they declined?”) that longtime member Louisiana Tech recently agreed to pay a reported $8 million to buy its way out of C-USA. The Bulldogs’ jubilant athletic department and fans are rejoining the Sun Belt Conference this fall. Louisiana Tech will save more than $1 million annually in travel costs formerly required to travel to schools within the far-flung Conference USA. Longtime C-USA holdovers Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State deserve a better fate. Save your money and call the Sun Belt in a couple of years! C-USA overall grade for expansion – F- Mid-American Conference (MAC) In contrast to Conference USA, the MAC has remained remarkably stable for the past 20 years. Eleven of the dozen MAC members in 2006 remain a part of the conference today. Northern Illinois (which had been part of the MAC for 30 years) is leaving this fall to become part of the Mountain West Conference. In a couple of curious moves, the Mid-American Conference has added two new members recently. UMass – The 2025 addition of the University of Massachusetts (which is at least in regional proximity to longtime MAC member Buffalo) was rather questionable. Athletic success at Umass has been nearly invisible over the past decade. After just one year in the MAC, the Minutemen have been a net negative in sports for the Mid-American Conference. Grade: D- Sacramento State – Seriously? Yes, the Mid-American Conference will add this longtime FCS member from California to its football schedules this fall. Sacramento (the #20 TV market) is 2,500 miles from the middle of Ohio. The Hornets will be a football-only member of the Mid-American Conference. For the usually stable MAC, this is a rather bizarre expansion move. Grade: F MAC overall grade for expansion: D- Mountain West Conference (Mountain West) The Mountain West has survived a few departure tremors in recent years. Of the nine Mountain West members 20 years ago, only Air Force, New Mexico, UNLV, and Wyoming remain. Let’s review the teams which have come aboard since 2006. Hawaii – The Rainbow Warriors (2012) have posted winning football records in just four of their 14 seasons in the Mountain West. The other athletic squads are nearly invisible in the post-season tournaments. Hawaii remains a dream road trip destination for visiting teams and their fans, though. Grade: C- Nevada – At least the men’s basketball team has appeared in the NCAA March Madness event five times over the past nine seasons. Otherwise, fans of the Nevada Wolfpack (which joined the Mountain West in 2012) haven’t had much to howl about lately. Grade: C- North Dakota State – This former FCS division powerhouse football program is stepping-up to play against the big boys beginning this fall. The move is for football only. The Bison are a terrific geographic fit for the Mountain West Conference, too. This makes sense. Grade: A Northern Illinois – The Huskies will join the Mountain West this fall after 30 years in the Mid-American Conference. Northern Illinois’ sports resume has weakened in recent years. Other than bringing the #3 TV market (Chicago) to the Mountain West, this move makes little sense. Grade: D San Jose State – The Spartans (members since 2013) have appeared in four bowl games over the past decade. On the other hand, the men’s basketball team has won just 33% of its conference games over the past 13 years. Grade: C- UTEP – This longtime Conference USA member joins the Mountain West this fall. UTEP’s football team has been downright awful in recent years. Despite a sports slump, UTEP bring strong fan support from the El Paso area. They should be a fine geographic fit for the Mountain West. Grade: C Mountain West overall grade for expansion: C Sun Belt Conference (Sun Belt) The Sun Belt has been nicknamed the “Junior SEC”. This conference has grown from 10 members in 2006 to 14 today. Only Arkansas State, Louisiana-Lafayette, South Alabama, Troy, and UL-Monroe remain from 2006. Appalachian State – The Mountaineers (members since 2014) have been a top football contender in the Sun Belt. Their enthusiastic fans make road trips to Boone, North Carolina a fun stop. Grade: B Coastal Carolina – Speaking of fun stops, how about a visit to Myrtle Beach to play Coastal Carolina? The 2017 Sun Belt addition of the Chanticleers has been a terrific addition for the conference. Coastal’s football team has played in six straight bowl games. The baseball team won the men’s College World Series in 2016. Grade: A Georgia Southern – Would it surprise you to learn that the Golden Eagles from Statesboro, Georgia have played in seven bowl games over the past eight seasons? The other sports programs at Georgia Southern need to step it up. Grade: B Georgia State – The 2013 addition of the Panthers from Atlanta has not added a lot of sports notoriety. However, the men’s basketball program has earned four invitations to March Madness in the past 11 seasons. Grade: C Louisiana Tech – The Bulldogs paid dearly ($8 million) to escape Conference USA beginning this fall. Louisiana Tech brings several highly competitive sports teams. They are a perfect geographic addition to the Sun Belt Conference Western division. Grade: A Marshall – This begins Marshall’s fourth year in the Sun Belt Conference. The Thundering Herd has been a top football competitor and competes well in other major sports. Grade: B Old Dominion – ODU came into the Sun Belt in 2022. The Monarchs from Norfolk, VA posted a nifty 10-3 football record in 2025. Old Dominion has been relatively quiet in its other sports, though. Grade: C Southern Miss – The Golden Eagles (Sun Belt members since 2022) have been a dominant team in recent NCAA college baseball post-season tournaments. Last season’s 2025 football team improved from a miserable 1-11 record in 2024 to a hopeful 7-6 mark. Grade: B Sun Belt overall grade for expansion: B+ Bonus Conference! The newly revived Pac-12 Conference “states” its case in 2026 The most prominent names of the long-time Pac-12 Conference bolted for better TV money into the Big Ten and ACC in 2024. That left holdovers Oregon State and Washington State “homeless”. The Beavers and Cougars have bagged a few top teams from the Mountain West Conference to help them rebuild the Pac-12 starting this fall. Boise State is the biggest name coming to the new Pac-12. The Broncos have fielded a nationally ranked football program several times in the past few decades. Other Mountain West migrants include Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Washington State. Texas State (formerly of the Sun Belt Conference) will also join the Pac-12 this fall. In case you didn’t notice, each of the eight new Pac-12 schools has the last name of “State”! Summary Only the Sun Belt Conference has earned a positive score (B+) from SwampSwami among the “Group of Five” mid-major conferences. The Sun Belt is the only major college athletic conference opting to maintain two divisions (East and West) to minimize travel expenses for its member schools and lessen the travel impact on their student/athletes. Bravo! The post Grading the Mid-Major Conference expansions – Part 2 appeared first on SwampSwamiSports.com .

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