On July 4th,  one sporting event takes precedent over all others…the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island. The contest returns to its familiar location at Nathan’s Famous Restaurant after being forced to switch the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joey Chestnut, generally considered the greatest hot dog eater of all time, will defend his crown after a record-breaking performance in 2020, with an incredible 76 hot dogs and buns “eaten” in 10 minutes. Defending women’s champion Michelle Lesco will try to win for the second consecutive year when the women’s championship starts at 10 am CT.

Chestnut says this year he’s looking to reach 80 hot dogs. The contest airs on ESPN.

—

It is confirmed that Zion Williamson has signed his extension with the New Orleans Pelicans. Williamson agreed to a deal that will keep him with the Pels for another five seasons. The deal has a base value of $193 million, but could be worth as much as $231 million should he make an All-NBA team, earn MVP, or Defensive Player of the Year next season.

—

The Pelicans are also rumored to be engaged in discussions about potentially acquiring All-NBA forward Kevin Durant. Any trade for Durant would likely have to include Brandon Ingram; leaving Pelicans fans conflicted in their desires to see the team add an all-time great or stick with the team and player they have fallen in love with over the past three seasons.

—

LSU football adds another commitment to its 2023 recruiting class. Joshua Mickens, a four-star edge rusher from Indianapolis, verbally committed Sunday morning to the Tigers. He is ranked as the No. 164 overall player and 18th-best pass rusher in the country according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. His announcement comes two days after four-star edge rusher Jaxon Howard committed to LSU. The Tigers have eight recruits lined up for next year and expect more commitments to come this week.

Four-star defensive lineman Dashawn Womack, four-star defensive end Darron Reed, and three-star cornerback Ashton Stamps reveal their decisions today.

Then three-star cornerback Jeremiah Hughes announces his choice July 7.

The Pelicans and star forward Zion Williamson have reportedly reached an agreement on a five-year contract extension worth up to as much as $231 million. Zion has played in just 85 of a possible 226 games over his career so far. FOX Sports’ Rob Parker says that even with his injury history, the Pelicans’ potential reward is worth the risk.

Cut 7 (10) “…gotta sign him.”

—

The Pelicans haven’t made much noise at the start of free agency. Head Coach Willie Green’s team already has plenty of players who will be looking for minutes, a problem he says he’s glad to have.

Cut 16 (20) “…just keep rolling.”

—

Now that USC and UCLA have made the move to the Big Ten, NYU Sports Law professor Dan Lust says that he expects more dominoes to fall as other conferences scramble to remain viable against the surging juggernauts in the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference. One of the biggest could be on the national level as the notion of amateurism in collegiate athletics, which took a major hit from the emergence of NIL, will be tested by players who see billions of dollars changing hands and ask for their fair share.

Cut 15 (09) “…entitled to.”

In other conference realignment news, the Southland Conference officially welcomed Texas A-and-M-Commerce as the league’s ninth member, while the Sun Belt adds James Madison, Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss.

—

Former Louisiana Tech star and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died last week from the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, based on the results of an autopsy on the body of the 26-year-old as reported by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. Ferguson was found unresponsive in the late hours of June 21.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Pelicans and forward Zion Williamson are close to reaching agreement on a contract extension that would keep the star in New Orleans for the next six seasons. The five-year deal would be worth as much as $231 million according to the report, an average of $46.2 million per season, and includes protections for both sides. In 85 career games, Williams has posted 25.7 points per game while shooting over 60 percent and was named to the 2020 All-Star team.

—

The Pels introduced rookies Dyson Daniels and EJ Liddell to the media on Thursday. Daniels, a 6-7 guard, brings a lot of versatility to the lineup and feels like he can contribute in a number of ways.

Cut 17 (20) “…here right now.”

—

A seismic shift in college sports as USC and UCLA are leaving the PAC-12 for the Big Ten starting with the 2024 season. NYU Sports Law professor and co-host of the Conduct Detrimental podcast, Dan Lust, says this probably spells the end of the so-called “Power 5.”

Cut 13 (11) “…to my schools.”

Lust says that he expects more dominoes to fall as other conferences scramble to remain viable against the SEC and Big Ten superpowers.

—

In other conference realignment news, the Southland Conference officially welcomed Texas A-and-M-Commerce as the league’s ninth member today, while the Sun Belt has added James Madison, Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss, expanding its membership to 14.

—

Former Louisiana Tech star and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died last week from the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, based on the results of an autopsy on the body of the 26-year old as reported by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. Ferguson was found unresponsive in the late hours of June 21.

Hold on to your hats as we are looking at another round of realignment in college athletics. In a move that caught nearly everyone by surprise, U-S-C and U-C-L-A are heading from the Pac-12 to the Big 10 and will begin playing in the Big 10 in 2024. NYU Sports Law professor and co-host of the Conduct Deterimental podcast, Dan Lust, says the SEC’s move to poach Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12 last year certainly pushed the Big Ten to make a counter move….
cut 14 (12) “…keep pace”
Lust says he expects more dominoes to fall as other conferences scramble to remain viable against these two juggernauts.

LSU is scheduled to kick-off the 2024 season against USC in Las Vegas. That will be the Trojans first game as a member of the Big 10. In other football scheduling news, the Tigers are set to host Louisiana Tech again in 2025.

The Pelicans introduced two of their draft picks to the media yesterday. New Orleans was surprised when E-J Liddell was still available when they took him with the 41st pick. Liddell says his competitiveness is his greatest asset and New Orleans is the perfect fit…
cut 18 (13) “….do that here”
Liddell played three seasons at Ohio State and shot 37-percent from three point territory this past season.

In transfer portal news, LSU’s Drew Bianco has entered the transfer portal. Bianco has been with the Tigers for four seasons, but only had five hits this past season. Meanwhile the Ragin Cajuns are adding to their pitching staff as Charleston Southern’s Jerry Couch plans to play his senior season at U-L Lafayette. Couch was 3-and-3 with a 6.55 ERA this past season.

In a stunning move, it appears that Pac-12 royalty USC and UCLA are preparing to join the Big Ten as early as 2024. Several sources indicate that both schools have begun the process of formally applying to the Big Ten and an announcement is expected within the next 24 hours. The timing of the move coincides with the expiration of the Pac-12 television contract after the 2023 football season. The departures of these “blue bloods” seem to have been accelerated by Texas and Oklahoma leaving the Big 12 behind for the SEC. Conference revenue projections now have the SEC and Big Ten making nearly double the amount of money generated by some other Power 5 conferences by the end of this decade, and that’s before the Big Ten finalizes its television deal with Fox. NYU Sports Law professor and co-host of the Conduct Detrimental podcast, Dan Lust, says the optics are what they are…

Cut 21 (07) “…super two, right?”

—

Fans and media got their first look at new Pelicans Dyson Daniels and EJ Liddell today, as the team held an introductory press conference. The youth, depth, and potential of the roster are exciting, and Coach Willie Green says having a lot of talent is a great problem to have.

Cut 22 (09) “…deep roster.”

NBA free agency begins tomorrow, and the Pels are expected to offer Zion Williamson a five-year extension worth up to $186 million. Williamson has said that signing a new deal is a “no-brainer,” however, VP of basketball operations David Griffin has said there are details to be worked out; including just how much of the extension will be guaranteed. The Pelicans have until mid-October to finalize a deal with Williamson.

—

LSU will welcome Louisiana Tech to Tiger Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025. The Bulldogs will receive a $1.6 million guarantee for the game. It will be the first meeting between the programs since 2018, a 38-21 victory for the Tigers.

Jay Johnson wasn’t kidding when he said he was going straight to work following the conclusion of LSU’s baseball season. He continues to add talent to his roster at a dizzying rate. One of those newcomers, former Baylor shortstop Jack Pineda, told Tiger Rag Radio he chose the Tigers because he wanted to compete with and against the very best players in the nation.

Cut 17 (20) “…in that conference.”

Freshman right-hander Thatcher Hurd of UCLA confirmed that he’s transferring to LSU where he could have up to three years of eligibility. Hurd had a 1.06 ERA through 34 innings last season. Meanwhile, redshirt junior utility man Drew Bianco has entered the transfer portal, the 10^th player to do so.

—

The Pelicans will introduce rookies Dyson Daniels and EJ Liddell this afternoon during a press conference at the team’s headquarters in Metairie. Daniels was taken with the eighth pick in last week’s NBA Draft and Liddell, expected to go in the first round, fell into the Pelicans’ laps at pick 41.

NBA free agency begins tomorrow, and the Pels are expected to offer Zion Williamson a five-year extension worth up to $186 million. Williamson has said that signing a new deal is a “no-brainer,” however, VP of basketball operations David Griffin has said there are details to be worked out; including just how much of the extension will be guaranteed.

Since being taken with the number one overall selection in the 2019 draft, Zion has played in just 85 of a possible 226 games in his career. The Pelicans have until mid-October to finalize a deal with Williamson.

—

LSU will welcome Louisiana Tech to Tiger Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025. The Bulldogs will receive a $1.6 million guarantee for the game. It will be the first meeting between the programs since 2018, a 38-21 victory for the Tigers.

LSU Baseball continues to add talent to its roster with the help of the transfer portal. Freshman right-hander Thatcher Hurd of UCLA confirmed that he’s transferring to LSU where he could have up to three years of eligibility. Hurd had a 1.06 ERA through 34 innings last season. His freshman campaign ended prematurely because of a stress fracture in his lower back.

LSU has also recently added North Carolina State slugger Tommy White and Baylor starting shortstop Jack Pineda. They will join Dylan Crews and Tre Morgan to help produce a formidable lineup. Pineda was a guest on Tiger Rag Radio….
cut 18 (16) “….of the time”

Saints defensive end Payton Turner announced on Twitter that he’s been cleared for training camp after missing most of his rookie season because of a shoulder injury that required surgery. In five games last season, Turner had 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, and one sack.

Starting tomorrow, the Pelicans can offer forward Zion Williamson a contract extension. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has predicted Williamson would sign a max contract which would be 186-million dollars over five years. But Zion has only played in 85 games during his three seasons in New Orleans.

Dates and times will be announced at a later time, but LSU men’s basketball knows they will have home-and-home matchups with Alabama, Arkansas, Texas A-and-M, Florida and Missouri. The Tigers will also host Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt and travel to Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

LSU has added another arm to its arsenal with the announcement that former UCLA pitcher Thatcher Hurd has given his verbal commitment to join Jay Johnson’s Tigers. Hurd, a freshman right-hander, was the ninth-ranked righty in the 2022 recruiting class. His season was cut short due to a stress fracture in his lower back, but when he was on the field he was impressive, posting a 1.06 ERA over 34 innings pitched, including six starts for the Bruins. Hurd becomes the third potential starter to join the roster through the transfer portal, joining fellow right-handers Dylan Tebrake and Christian Little.

Texas A-and-M pitcher Rawley Hector has announced he’s heading to Ruston to play for Louisiana Tech next season. Coach Lane Burroughs has also named Cooper Fouts to his staff as the team’s recruiting coordinator as well as pitching and catching coordinator.

Tulane loses sophomore closer, Zach DeVito, to Georgia. DeVito was 4-1 with nine saves for the Green Wave last season. However freshman outfielder Jackson Linn confirmed he has withdrawn his name from the portal and will stay with the team.

—

The New Orleans Pelicans have announced their roster for the upcoming NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Aside from new draftees Dyson Daniels, EJ Liddell, and Karlo Matkovic, veterans Jose Alvarado, Trey Murphy III, Naji Marshall, and Jared Harper will be among those competing in the desert from July 7-17. Last summer, the Pels went a perfect 5-0, outscoring opponents by an average of nearly 15 points per game. Their performance was seen as a springboard for a rookie class that went on to be major contributors during the season.

LSU basketball coach Matt McMahon has received his first SEC basketball schedule, with the 18-game slate released Wednesday. Six of those games come against permanent home-and-home foes Alabama, Arkansas, and Texas A-and-M. The Tigers also play series against Florida and Missouri this season. Their home schedule rounds out with Auburn, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. LSU goes on the road to face Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State. Dates and times will be announced later this summer.

And Former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has been nominated for the ESPY for Best Comeback Athlete.

LSU’s Jay Johnson has earned a reputation as one of the most relentless and successful recruiters in the country. He already has the nation’s top recruiting class, with 12 players rated 4-stars or better. He’s been just as solid utilizing the transfer portal to address the Tigers’ needs heading into next season. One player who should make a big impact is Baylor transfer shortstop Jack Pineda. LSU fans got to see him up close back in March when he went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and three runs scored when the Bears topped the Tigers 9-6 in Houston. During an appearance on Tiger Rag radio, Pineda said his choice to come to Baton Rouge is about the opportunity to be a champion.

Cut 21 (16) “…attractive for me.”

In two seasons at Baylor, Pineda batted .313 with 135 hits in 105 games.

—

Kim Mulkey is no stranger to high expectations. It’s the price that comes with winning more than 85 percent of your games and three national championships. After leading the Tigers to the greatest single-season turnaround in SEC history and being named AP College Coach of the Year for the third time after her first season at LSU, fans will be expecting the team to pick up right where it left off. Coach Mulkey told Tiger Rag Radio that isn’t as easy as it might look. The Tigers have added talent but lost a lot of experience.

Cut 22 (20) “…is definitely there.”

—

Texas A-and-M pitcher Rawley Hector has announced he’s heading to Ruston to play for Louisiana Tech next season. Coach Lane Burroughs has also named Cooper Fouts to his staff as the team’s recruiting coordinator as well as pitching and catching coordinator.

—

I’m Kevin Gallagher and this Louisiana Radio Network Sportscast is brought to you be tele-leaf-dot-com, Louisiana’s access to medical marijuana from the comfort of your home.

Is LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson done plucking players out of the transfer portal. So far three position players have made the announcement they are transferring to LSU. And two pitchers have also committed to the Tigers.

It all started when Creighton Pitcher Dylan Tebrake announced his plans to transfer to LSU in mid-June. Tebrake has been the top pitcher in the Big East the last two seasons and could still decide to play professional baseball if a Major League team offers him enough money.

Vanderbilt right-hander Christian Little is also heading to LSU after appearing in 18 games for the Commodores this past season.

LSU is also re-tooling its infield with the help of the transfer portal. North Carolina State’s Tommy White blasted 27 home runs as a freshman for the Wolfpack, Baylor starting shortstop Jake Pineda is also heading to BAton Rouge after hitting three-hundred last season. And Vanderbilt shortstop Carter Young is also on his way to LSU.

_________________________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech baseball is getting some players out of the transfer portal. Texas A-and-M pitcher Rawley Hector has announced he’s heading to Ruston to play for the Bulldogs next season. Hector appeared in just nine games for the Aggies last season and had an E-R-A close to eight.

And Baseball Coach Lane Burroughs has named Cooper Fouts to his staff. He’ll serve as the team’s recruiting coordinator and pitching and catching coordinator. Fouts was formerly at Purdue and has 16 seasons of collegiate coaching experience including two stints at Pepperdine.

U-N-O second baseman Amani Larry is transferring to Mississippi State. The former Parkway star finished third in the Southland this past season in batting average and runs driven in. He led the league in runs scored with 67.

Former LSU Tiger and most recently a Rams Super Bowl Champion, Andrew Whitworth, will serve as a studio analyst for Amazon’s broadcasts of Thursday night football. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is up for an ESPY for comeback player of the year.