Max Strus, Training Camp Updates, The Dodgers Situation Gets Weirder, Mt Rushmore of Things We Could Master Overnight + Fyre Fest

August 21, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

"Jerry O'Connell is now officially back in the fantasy group for the draft planning," PFT announced, noting that the actor's return to the group chat immediately turned the conversation from blue bubbles to green ones, signaling a return to Android chaos. This was just one thread in a sprawling, late-summer episode of Pardon My Take that wove together NBA trade rumors, NFL training camp anxieties, the implosion of a baseball ownership empire, and a philosophical debate about which skills a person could realistically master in a single night.

The Dodgers' Financial House of Cards

The most consequential segment of the episode centered on the deepening financial scandal surrounding Mark Walter, the primary owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The hosts broke down what they called a "crazy" situation, alleging that Walter had been systematically taking out loans from his own businesses—specifically using insurance company premiums to make loans to companies he owned—without proper disclosure. The Department of Justice is now investigating, and the hosts speculated that Walter may need to sell off his sports empire, including the Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the LA Sparks, to cover what could be a $20 billion shortfall by year's end.

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What you'll learn

1 (03:06) **Show Open & Labor Day Gripes** - The hosts open with banter about the late Labor Day, the Little League World Series, and say goodbye to Max for his two-week vacation.
2 (10:04) **Hank Ruins the NFL with International Expansion** - The crew reacts to Roger Goodell's plans for a permanent international team and Mike Florio's 40-team league fantasy.
3 (16:00) **The Dodgers' Mark Walter Situation Gets Weirder** - Big Cat breaks down the alleged financial fraud involving Dodgers owner Mark Walter, comparing it to the Astros' cheating scandal.
4 (24:36) **Fourth Down: Akron OC Finalist & The Cocaine Ring** - The hosts discuss PFT being named a finalist for Akron's "fan play-caller" contest and a wild Penn State cocaine ring story.
5 (37:26) **Training Camp Updates & Disgruntled Player Flow Chart** - The crew discusses the Falcons' QB struggles, Vita Vea's new contract after demanding a trade, and the proper etiquette for demanding a trade.
6 (41:20) **Mount Rushmore of Skills You Could Master Overnight** - The guys draft skills they believe they could become an expert at in a single night, with some respectful and disrespectful picks.
7 (56:28) **Disrespectful Picks & Zach's State Capital Trauma** - The hosts reveal the disrespectful picks they left off their boards, and Zach explains his deep-seated trauma over state capitals.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Show Notes

Max is on his way to his 2 week honeymoon and we’re going to miss him (00:00:00-00:04:08). Training camp updates, including stats from Hank (00:04:08-00:15:17). The Mark Walter’s thing is getting weirder and the Dodgers may be in trouble soon (00:15:17-00:24:54). Big Cat is now a finalist for Akron OC and more (00:24:54-00:39:54). Mt Rushmore of things we could master overnight (00:39:54-01:01:29). Max Strus joins the show (taped Tuesday before he was traded) to talk ball, his career, possible headbutts, Bball Paul, and his upcoming charity event on Sunday in Chicago (01:01:29-01:33:53). We finish with Fyre fest of the week.

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