Across the Board Episode 1 breaks down the Stephen A. Smith controversy, Caitlin Clark’s WNBA impact, and Dave Portnoy
Past The Wire TV
In the debut episode of Across The Board, Sarah Strackhouse, Jon Stettin, and Frank Zaccanelli discuss Stephen A. Smith’s comments about the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster, the USMNT’s 4-1 loss to Belgium in the World Cup, the ongoing conversation around Caitlin Clark and the WNBA, and whether Dave Portnoy is good for horse racing. Frank Zaccanelli, former President, GM, and minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks, and Jon Stettin, horse racing handicapper and Past The Wire founder, bring their combined perspective to each topic.
Chapters:
00:00 — Welcome to Across The Board
00:33 — Introducing the show and the team
01:14 — Past The Wire’s launch press release
02:27 — Today’s topics
03:08 — Stephen A. Smith’s comments on the Lakers
03:23 — Jon’s article: the case against calling it basketball analysis
05:10 — Frank on Stephen A. Smith’s basketball background
06:52 — Frank on Walker Kessler’s actual role on the roster
09:17 — Frank on Stephen A.’s responsibility with his platform
11:06 — Jon on the Jimmy the Greek comparison
16:16 — Frank and Jon invite Stephen A. Smith on the show
16:33 — USMNT’s 4-1 loss to Belgium
20:55 — Jon on the World Cup’s growing reach in the US
24:13 — Frank and Jon preview France vs. Morocco
26:40 — Caitlin Clark and the WNBA
27:20 — Jon breaks down the numbers: viewership, sellouts, revenue
29:54 — Frank on WNBA officiating and league leadership
31:08 — Frank’s Tiger Woods analogy
38:30 — Jon: “She’s elevating every player in that league”
39:26 — Frank on reaching out to the WNBA Players Association
41:42 — Dave Portnoy and horse racing
42:04 — Jon’s article: “The Illusion of Exposure”
45:30 — Frank on Portnoy’s business record
46:27 — Frank on the Bob Baffert suspension and its impact on racing’s reputation
48:39 — Defining “good for the game”: viewership vs. handle
51:43 — Final takes and what’s next for Past The Wire
🏇 ABOUT PAST THE WIRE TV
Past The Wire TV is the home of serious horse racing analysis, sports betting strategy, and the sharpest voices in the wagering world. Founded by Jon Stettin, the Pick 6 King, Past The Wire has built one of the most loyal audiences in racing media. Now, with Frank Zaccanelli on board, we are taking the platform to the next level.
Subscribe for new episodes every week across four shows:
🔹 The Sharp Edge — Multi-sport betting analysis and picks
🔹 High Level Handicapping — Deep dive horse racing for the serious player
🔹 Across The Board — Hot takes and sports commentary
🔹 Champions and Connections — The people behind the biggest moments in sports and racing
🔗 FOLLOW PAST THE WIRE TV
🌐 Website: pastthewire.com
📺 YouTube: / pastthewire
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📸 Instagram: / pastthewire
