The NFL’s Rust Belt Renaissance

Summary of The NFL’s Rust Belt Renaissance

by Puck | Audacy

20m•November 5, 2026
Listen to Episode

Overview of The NFL’s Rust Belt Renaissance

This episode of The Powers That Be takes a business-and-media look at pro sports heading into the second half of the season. Peter Hamby and John Ourand break down why the NFL is seeing a ratings boost from successful Midwest teams, what the Joe Buck/Troy Aikman split and the Sunday Ticket lawsuit could mean for the league’s media future, and why the WNBA’s next commissioner will need to balance business growth with player trust. They also look ahead to the near-certain MLB lockout and the owners’ push for a salary cap.

NFL Midseason Takeaways

Why the ratings are up

  • The NFL is benefiting from several strong teams in the Midwest:
    • Chicago
    • Detroit
    • Green Bay
    • Minnesota
  • Networks like having more than just the Cowboys or Chiefs carry the league’s ratings.
  • Midwestern fan bases are described as especially loyal and highly responsive on TV when their teams are good.

Media storyline: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman

  • The hosts highlight the ongoing separation of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman as a major NFL media story.
  • Their split is expected to continue through the Super Bowl, after which they will part ways.
  • The situation is seen as a notable storyline for ESPN/Disney’s first Super Bowl broadcast.

Teams and markets driving interest

  • The Chiefs remain the league’s biggest TV draw.
  • Dallas is still important, but the NFL is less dependent on the Cowboys than it used to be.
  • The Rams are emerging as a stronger presence in Los Angeles, and the 49ers continue to be a major draw in a big market.

The downside: weak teams and legal risk

  • Several teams are described as historically bad or hopeless this year, including:
    • Chargers
    • Dolphins
  • The Sunday Ticket litigation remains a major wildcard.
  • If the NFL loses or settles badly, it could lead to a more fragmented media market, where broadcasters focus only on the most valuable teams or divisions.

WNBA: Engelbert’s Legacy and the Next Commissioner

Mixed evaluation of Kathy Engelbert

  • Engelbert’s tenure is portrayed as commercially successful but politically rocky.
  • Major positives:
    • Helped stabilize the league during COVID
    • Drove growth in franchise value, attendance, ratings, and sponsorships
    • Benefited from the rise of stars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese
  • Major criticism:
    • She did not build strong trust with players
    • She was seen as too corporate and not sufficiently present at games or connected to stars

Why the league is at a turning point

  • The WNBA has become more visible, more profitable, and more culturally relevant.
  • But the next commissioner must do two things at once:
    • Keep the business momentum going
    • Earn credibility with players
  • The episode frames this as a difficult but essential balance for the league’s future.

MLB: A Likely Lockout and a Hard-Line Labor Fight

What’s coming

  • The current collective bargaining agreement expires December 1.
  • The expectation is that a lockout is extremely likely.

The central issue: salary cap

  • Owners are unified and appear aligned behind Rob Manfred’s position.
  • Players are equally unified in opposing a salary cap.
  • Players believe a cap would mainly increase franchise values, not player compensation.

Where the battle may break

  • The discussion suggests the real question is not whether there will be conflict, but where the cracks will form.
  • Historically:
    • Baseball owners have often blinked first
    • In other leagues, players often do
  • The hosts suggest that eventually lower-tier players may question whether they should sacrifice earnings to help stars.

Key Themes and Takeaways

  • Media value follows winning teams: Especially in strong football regions with deeply loyal fan bases.
  • The WNBA is growing fast, but governance matters: The league’s next leader must be both business-savvy and player-friendly.
  • Baseball is headed for labor tension: The salary cap debate is the core fault line, and a lockout appears imminent.
  • Pro sports are increasingly about power dynamics off the field: Ownership, labor, media rights, and league leadership drive as much of the story as the games themselves.