🔥Upside Video Chat: Dr Ron Dick, Duquesne University, on The NFL's OTA, Favre, MLB Standings, NBA/NHL Playoffs, Rafael Nadal, NIL, TNT's Inside the NBA and More

This week we have the honor to interview again Dr. Ron Dick, associate professor of sports marketing at Duquesne University in the school of business. Ron also worked for 20 years in sports, including 15 years in the NBA with the Sixers and the Nets, and then five years in the NCAA. You can watch the full video interview by clicking on the link above or by listen to the audio podcast link above.

You can also read the full transcript of the podcast interview with Ron located at the top of this blog post.

📝Show Notes: Through this interview, we touched on the following topics:

1. The NFL, OTA’s official team activities

2. The passing of Jim Irsay

3. Netflix documentary “The Fall of Favre”

4. The MLB standings

5. The NBA playoffs, NBA draft,

6. The NHL playoffs

7. The MLB’s plan to invest in a pro softball league.

8. Rafael Nadal gets a grand slam tribute at the French Open

9. The NIL.

10. TNT’s last show with Charles Barkley, Shaq. Kenny & Ernie.

Here are the best quotes from our interview with Ron:

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Q1. The NFL’s OTA (Organized Team Activities)

“Right now in the NFL off-season, all the teams are in the midst of OTAs—Organized Team Activities. These sessions are voluntary, but many players show up, even if they’re not in pads or going full contact. It's a chance for new draft picks and free agents to integrate, and for coaching staff to lay foundational work. Here in Pittsburgh, for example, there’s a lot of talk on local sports radio about Aaron Rodgers. There’s this ongoing discussion—if he’s going to be part of the team, why hasn’t he signed yet? So there’s anticipation, but also excitement, especially because Pittsburgh is set to host the 2026 NFL Draft. The city is gearing up to break the attendance record set by Detroit in 2024, where over 775,000 people attended and the city brought in more than $213 million in revenue. These events bring real economic value—hotels are full, restaurants are packed—it’s fresh money into the local economy. If we can top that, it’s going to be a major win for the city.”

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Q2. The Passing of Jim Irsay

“The passing of Jim Irsay really resonated throughout the NFL community. He was only 65, which is young by today’s standards. A lot of people remember his father, Robert Irsay, who infamously moved the Colts from Baltimore to Indianapolis in the middle of the night back in 1984—literally packing up in Mayflower trucks. That move earned him nicknames like ‘The Mayflower Guy’ or ‘Midnight Cowboy.’ Jim inherited the team and built his own legacy, but he also carried that history. His passing is not just a loss for Indianapolis, it’s a loss for the league. The Irsay name has been tied to one of the most memorable franchise moves in NFL history, and Jim played a central role in continuing that story.”

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Q3. Netflix Documentary “The Fall of Favre”

“The new Netflix documentary ‘The Fall of Favre’ is shedding light on a really unfortunate but important story. Brett Favre, who many once idolized as a blue-collar icon and legendary quarterback, has been tied to multiple controversies—including allegations of sexual harassment during his stint with the Jets and now this welfare fraud case in Mississippi. The documentary goes deep, showing texts, financial records, and public silence from Favre. It’s especially troubling considering that this involved money being siphoned away from low-income residents in one of the poorest states in the country. It’s a reminder that fame and legacy don’t give you immunity, and in today’s climate, accountability is finally catching up with stories that might’ve been brushed aside a generation ago.”

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Q4. The MLB Standings

“The MLB season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years. Here in Philadelphia, the Phillies are red hot in the NL East, while the Mets are also playing solid ball. The Cubs look great in the Central, and St. Louis is overperforming expectations. Out west, the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants are all stacked—it’s a three-way race. Over in the American League, the Yankees are leading the AL East, Detroit is unexpectedly strong, and Cleveland is holding steady. In the AL West, Seattle and Houston are neck and neck, and while the Rangers are a bit behind, they’ve got the roster to turn it around. It’s a deep field with a lot of parity, which makes for great baseball.”

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Q5. The NBA Playoffs and NBA Draft

“This year’s NBA playoffs have been incredibly exciting because, for the first time in a while, it feels like nearly any of the remaining teams could win the title. OKC is making a deep run and showing that their rebuild strategy—trading away stars like Harden, Westbrook, and Durant for draft picks—has paid off. They hit on those picks and developed the talent. Look at SGA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Originally drafted 11th overall by the Charlotte Hornets, he was traded to the Clippers and then to OKC. Now he’s the league MVP and considered one of the most efficient and selfless leaders in the NBA. That says a lot about their development system and team culture. On the Eastern side, the Knicks and Pacers are in a gritty series. The Knicks have nothing to lose, while all the pressure is on Indiana. As for the draft, it looks strong—deep with real contributors. Cooper Flagg is expected to go number one to the Mavericks, who miraculously landed that pick. He’s a generational player, and this draft could have long-term impact for several franchises.”

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Q6. The NHL Playoffs

“We’ve got a thrilling rematch in this year’s Stanley Cup Final—Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers have made it to the Finals for the third consecutive year, which is a testament to their consistency in the Eastern Conference. But I think this time around, Edmonton has the upper hand. They learned a lot from last year’s loss, and they have the firepower and depth to take it. If they can stay disciplined and get solid goaltending, I believe they’ll finally hoist the Cup. It’s going to be a hard-fought series either way, but I’d put my money on the Oilers.”

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Q7. MLB’s Plan to Invest in a Pro Softball League

“The MLB’s investment in professional women’s softball, through the new A-USL league, is a really exciting development. It reminds me of how the WNBA got off the ground in 1997. The NBA’s backing made all the difference—shared facilities, access to marketing and ticketing infrastructure, experienced coaches. That foundation helped the WNBA survive those tough early years and grow into what it is today. The A-USL could follow the same path, especially since there’s already a strong fanbase for NCAA women’s softball. MLB is planning to put real money behind this—investing in facilities, helping with television deals, leveraging their own sales and marketing staff. That kind of ecosystem can make this league sustainable. And with stars like Caitlin Clark proving the commercial viability of women’s sports, this is a smart move. If done right, A-USL could be the next big success story in women’s pro sports.”

Q8. TNT’s last show with Charles Barkley, Shaq. Kenny & Ernie.

“It is the end of an era for Inside the NBA on TNT. The chemistry of Charles, Shaq, Kenny, & Ernie is undeniable. After 35 years the NBA is making a change. The interaction between Shaq and Charles is sport TV at its best”.

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