Overview of THE HERD - Hour 2
This hour of The Herd was centered on the Chicago Bears’ move to build a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana, which prompted a long conversation about state-to-state competition, tax policy, and public funding for sports venues with Indiana Governor Mike Braun. The show also touched on NBA Finals-related analysis with Rachel Nichols, plus several quick-hit sports topics: the Lakers’ roster decisions, Baker Mayfield’s contract situation, and Steve Sarkisian’s comments about Indiana’s scheduling approach.
Chicago Bears to Hammond, Indiana: Why the Move Makes Sense
Colin Cowherd spent much of the opening segment arguing that the Bears’ move across the border is a normal example of states competing for business and development.
Main points from Colin’s argument
- Illinois and Chicago didn’t make the deal work, so Indiana stepped in.
- Arlington Heights would have been ideal from Colin’s perspective, but Hammond is still close enough to Chicago to make sense for fans.
- He framed the move as part of a broader pattern:
- Nevada luring teams and companies from California
- Florida attracting tech talent and businesses with no state income tax
- Texas regularly outcompeting other states for companies and investment
- His larger point: states have every right to compete for jobs, tax revenue, and major sports franchises.
Indiana Governor Mike Braun Interview
Governor Mike Braun joined the show to explain why Indiana pursued the Bears and why he believes the state is well-positioned for the project.
Braun’s core message
- Indiana is being run “like a business” under his administration.
- He emphasized:
- Low unemployment
- Strong GDP growth
- Business-friendly policy
- A state government that moves “at the speed of business”
- He said the Bears’ ownership group appreciated that Indiana offered a straightforward, serious negotiation rather than political theater.
Why the Bears liked Indiana
- Braun said the Colts were not upset and actually saw the move as a win-win.
- He noted Indiana’s strengths:
- Strong sports culture
- Central location and easy logistics
- A long tradition of hosting major sporting events
- Access to rail and transportation infrastructure
On fan travel and the Hammond location
- Braun argued that for many Chicago-area fans, Hammond could actually be easier to reach than Arlington Heights or Soldier Field.
- He stressed that the site should allow for:
- More space
- Better tailgating
- More surrounding development
- A more modern stadium footprint
On timing and construction
- Braun said the deal is still in the due-diligence phase, but:
- The key decision has been made
- The lease timeline gives enough time to get it right
- The project should take a few years to complete
- He avoided giving a hard start date but said the process is moving forward responsibly.
On economic impact
- Braun said the project will be a significant financial boost for Indiana.
- He believes the state will get a strong return on investment and long-term development benefits.
Important clarification
- Braun confirmed the team would remain the Chicago Bears, not become the “Hammond Bears.”
NBA Finals / Knicks-Spurs Discussion with Rachel Nichols
Colin and Rachel Nichols discussed Game 1 of the NBA Finals matchup involving the young San Antonio team and the Knicks’ veteran composure.
What stood out in Game 1
- Rachel agreed with Colin that San Antonio looked young, scattered, and a little worn down late in the game.
- She pointed to:
- Poor shot selection
- Bad misses, including an airball by Dylan Harper
- A lack of composure in the fourth quarter
- She also noted that the team’s issues weren’t just fatigue:
- It was also inexperience
- Decision-making in pressure moments
- Not playing with enough structure
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs
- Rachel said Wemby needed to be used more at the elbow
- She pointed out a simple but telling stat:
- No offensive rebounds in the first three quarters
- Her takeaway was that the Spurs lost a lot of the “small stuff” that decides playoff games.
Jalen Brunson’s importance
- Brunson’s late-game heroics overshadowed the fact that he had some injury scares during the game.
- Rachel said his value lies in:
- Consistency
- Leadership
- Reliability in both big moments and regular games
Knicks identity
- Rachel emphasized that the Knicks are a mature, smart, and comfortable team.
- She highlighted the Villanova connection among key players and said the chemistry is obvious both on and off the court.
- Colin compared them to other “lightning in a bottle” teams that weren’t perfect but were well-connected and intelligent.
LeBron-to-Warriors, Austin Reaves, and Lakers Roster Talk
The conversation briefly shifted to NBA rumor territory.
LeBron James to the Warriors?
- Colin said the idea is not crazy, because:
- The Warriors are close to where LeBron could be
- He has publicly admired Steph Curry for years
- The personalities would fit socially
- But practical obstacles remain:
- Money
- Steph’s desire to win now
- Salary cap limitations
- The tone was that it’s a fun rumor, but not necessarily the most likely outcome.
Austin Reaves contract situation
- A report suggested Reaves wants a max contract and wants to stay in Los Angeles.
- Colin said he understands the market for him, but:
- Paying him max money could limit the Lakers’ ability to build a contender
- The Lakers may need to prioritize roster flexibility around Luka Doncic
- The broader Lakers point: they need elite defenders and fit, not just big names.
Baker Mayfield Wants an Extension
The show also covered Baker Mayfield’s contract stance in Tampa Bay.
Key details
- Baker said contract talks are underway but not close
- He made it clear he wants a long-term deal before training camp
- Colin and J-Mac discussed whether Tampa should pay him
Their takeaway
- Baker is viewed as a legitimate starter and a quarterback who can win a division.
- The discussion framed him as a player whose market value may be rising faster than Tampa wants to pay.
- Colin argued the Buccaneers need to move decisively if they want stability at quarterback.
Steve Sarkisian Takes Shots at Indiana’s Scheduling
The hour also included a clip of Texas coach Steve Sarkisian criticizing Indiana’s approach to nonconference scheduling.
What Sark said
- He suggested Indiana’s scheduling strategy reflects a broader trend:
- Prioritizing wins over strength of schedule
- Colin pushed back a bit, noting that Indiana’s schedule still includes tougher matchups, but the tone was that:
- Sark was taking an unusual shot
- The comment felt more pointed than his usual style
Bottom Line
This hour mixed big-picture sports business, NBA playoff analysis, and a handful of contract and coaching debates.
Main takeaways
- The Bears’ move to Indiana was presented as a classic example of state competition and business-minded governance.
- Governor Mike Braun used the interview to pitch Indiana as pro-growth, efficient, and ready for major development.
- Rachel Nichols helped frame the NBA Finals as a clash between a smart, veteran, composed team and a young, talented but scattered team.
- Colin also used the hour to weigh in on the futures of LeBron, Austin Reaves, Baker Mayfield, and Steve Sarkisian’s comments.