The Best of Covino and Rich
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This episode of Covino & Rich features a lively Friday wrap-up of sports news, with hosts Dan Byer and Monsi Bolaños discussing the ongoing expansion of the NFL regular season, the growing fatigue around long sports seasons, and the potential consequences of extending the NFL to 18, 20, or even 22 games. The conversation draws parallels with MLB and the NBA, highlighting how extended seasons may dilute quality, player health, and fan engagement. The hosts express concern that the NFL’s incremental expansion—like adding one game at a time—could eventually lead to fan burnout, especially as fantasy football and gambling drive league popularity. They also analyze the recent public breakup of Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird, linking it to the WNBA’s controversial handling of a press conference question about their relationship, suggesting the announcement was a deliberate act of accountability. The episode closes with a humorous 'Newlywed Game' segment previewing the NBA playoffs, where the hosts test their compatibility by guessing each other’s predictions. Throughout, the tone is conversational, witty, and sharply critical of institutional overreach in sports.
The NFL’s incremental expansion of the regular season risks fan and player burnout, with 18+ games potentially being unsustainable.
Fantasy football and gambling are key drivers of NFL popularity, but overexpansion could erode their appeal.
The WNBA’s suppression of a personal question about Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird’s relationship likely prompted their public breakup announcement.
Long sports seasons may reduce game quality and fan engagement, especially when teams start resting players mid-season.
Small, incremental changes (like adding one game) can accumulate into major systemic shifts without immediate backlash.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Intro and Sponsor Ads
The episode opens with promotional segments for several iHeartRadio podcasts including 2%, The Clifford Show, Look Back At It, and Learn the Hard Way, each highlighting their unique focus and platforms.
NFL Season Expansion Debate
“Once the NFL starts taking over your life too much maybe than you would have expected, and I think by expanding the season, like right now where it is in the amount of games, and it's why I bring up baseball and the NBA because it's just a lot to be that passionate about for that long.”
Joe Flacco’s Warning and Fan Fatigue
“It reminds me of those TikTok videos where people have the glass filled to the rim and you try to turn on the faucet because, you know, the water's just above the level. But at some point it's going to tip over.”
Fantasy Football, Gambling, and the NFL’s Motive
“I just wonder at one point what is the line for the NFL? When does the gambler say, hey, is there too much?”
The Rapinoe-Bird Breakup and WNBA Backlash
“This is not a coincidence. They were probably just like, we're going to have to handle this ourselves.”
“It reminds me of those TikTok videos where people have the glass filled to the rim and you try to turn on the faucet because, you know, the water's just above the level. But at some point it's going to tip over.”
“This is not a coincidence. They were probably just like, we're going to have to handle this ourselves.”
“Once the NFL starts taking over your life too much maybe than you would have expected, and I think by expanding the season, like right now where it is in the amount of games, and it's why I bring up baseball and the NBA because it's just a lot to be that passionate about for that long.”
Hosts
NFL
organization
NBA
organization
Monsi Bolaños
person
Dan Byer
person
WNBA
organization
Sue Bird
person
Megan Rapinoe
person
Jason Stewart
person
MLB
organization
Clifford Taylor IV
person
The Best Of Covino & Rich
Covino & Rich • 1h 2m • 4/1/2026
Hour 2 - Taco Sauce, NFL Travel Debate, Iron Mike
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Hour 1 - ABSolutely the Future of Baseball?
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The Best Of Covino & Rich
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Hour 2 - Frank Caliendo in Studio!
Covino & Rich • 43m • 4/2/2026
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