Pablo Torre Finds Out The Sporting Class: Corrupt Union Bosses, the Dark Arts of Ownership & NBA Draft Abolition
Feb 20, 2026
David Samson, former MLB executive and podcaster, offers owner-side strategy and labor analysis. John Skipper, ex-ESPN president and sports-business authority, explains league economics and valuation. They dive into union scandals, conflicts in licensing deals, owners’ war chests and payroll tactics, the debate over salary caps, tanking in the NBA, and whether the draft should exist.
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Fighting Insurers For Critical Medicine
- David Samson recounts rushing to a specialty pharmacy for his daughter's medicine and battling insurance pre-approvals.
- He describes arguing with the insurer and being unable to pay cash to bypass approvals.
Owners Prefer Manageable Union Leadership
- Owners prefer negotiating with weaker or amenable union leadership to secure long-term advantages.
- John Skipper argues Tony Clark's player-focused style made bargaining easier for players than a combative litigator would have.
Paychecks, Not Deadlines, Decide Labor Wars
- Union war chests matter because missing paychecks decide labor outcomes more than calendar threats.
- John Skipper and David Samson stress owners' longer horizon and players' short careers shape leverage.