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Big Cat

Big Cat

Host
2016 — Present
2,824W·2,257L·552P·291 open
@barstoolbigcat
footballbasketballlife5,633 scored

All Takes

Void
Big CatBig Cat

Miami (Ohio) deserves a tournament bid for finishing 31-0, regardless of schedule

Miami, Ohio is so simple to me in that they should a hundred percent be in now that they've run the table and won. They're 31 and oh and they won every conference game. If you win every game in your conference and your 31 and oh on the last weekend of regular season, you should be in, no matter what happens in the conference tournament.

The committee eventually decides, but this is a stance on tournament philosophy.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

The 8/9 seed line is the worst possible spot in the NCAA tournament bracket

I saw someone saying that like it was novel and being like, wow, I've, I've just found this crazy thing. You don't wanna be on the eight nine line. No you don't. Nine line eight line is terrible.

Historically, 8 and 9 seeds have the lowest probability of reaching the Sweet 16 compared to even 10 or 11 seeds.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Florida is a Final Four team if they hit 35% of their three-pointers

They've gotten significantly better as the months have gone along... all they have to do is hit. I know it's not all yet, but like 35 percent's not crazy. If they hit 35%, I think they'll be in the final four. I really do.

Florida's tournament run will determine this.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Phil Mickelson will win a LIV Golf event this year

Phil's gonna win one this year. Phil's gonna win one this year. They're getting him ready to... if you just say you want leave, they'll just give you a win.

PredictionGolfMediumSarcastic
Depends on the 2026 LIV Golf results.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Winning a Thunder NBA championship and appearing on the Pardon My Take book cover are more significant than winning the NBA Cup or the 2020 Bubble title

I think it goes: Thunder championship, book cover, NBA Cup second place, NBA Cup third place, and then the bubble championship. [74 in Tahoe] is up above the cup games. People gotta talk about it more.

This is a satirical ranking based on podcast bits.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

The half marathon is a joke of a race that isn't a 'real' accomplishment

Half marathon's gotta be the lamest thing to break. Call it a 10,000, what is it? 10,000 meters. Half marathon is bullshit. Make it a full marathon or make it a 10K. It's just a joke. It is a joke of a race. In principle it is a joke.

Inherently subjective and contrarian.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

I love the DJ Moore trade for the Bears because it clears cap space for Max Crosby or Tyler Linderbaum

I love this trade because you clear up money. [DJ Moore's] got a big pretty hefty contract so you clear up money to maybe go get a Max Crosby or a Linderbaum. You get a pick and you make the bet that Luther Burden and Rome Odunze are gonna be taking leaps forward.

The trade is real in this transcript's timeline. The outcome of the cap space usage depends on free agency results.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

DJ Moore would not have had a 1,000-yard season if he stayed in the Bears' offense

He could have a thousand yards [with the Bills] and be like, wow. How, how could you trade him? He wouldn't have had a thousand yards in this Bear's offense.

Moore finished the 2023 season with 1,364 yards for the Bears, so this retrospective hypothetical is likely incorrect as he had already proven he could do it.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Malik Willis is the #1 free agent backup quarterback

Top quarterback free agents... Is it also Malik Willis? Malik Willis is, yes. So he's number one. Malik Willis one.

Willis was traded to the Packers in 2024 and performed well as a backup, but ranking him #1 over established vets is a subjective value judgment.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Mac Jones is the definitive 'Next Sam Darnold'

I think Mac Jones is the next Sam Darnold... I like Mac Jones [as] one.

Pending seeing if Mac Jones revitalizes his career as a starter elsewhere.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

I will commit to soccer if the USA wins the World Cup

If we win the World Cup, I will, I will commit to soccer... If we win the World Cup, I'll get a cat with [Hank]. We'll both get cats. If we win the World Cup.

Depends on USMNT performance in 2026.
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Big CatBig Cat

The US Men's National Team is soft and needs to play with more 'grit' to win the World Cup

We need more grit. Like that was the thing when watching the Gold Cup... we were soft. So if we suck at soccer, that's fine. We can't be soft and suck. And that was what I hated... Little grit. Little little push 'em around a little.

Subjective sports philosophy on team culture.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Duke is the best team in the country and it would be an all-time failure if they don't win the title

This is the best team in the country. It would be an all time epic failure if Duke doesn't win the national title. They are the first time I believe that a team has reached plus 40 in Ken Palm since 1999. Duke... This team has it all.

The 2026 NCAA tournament has not occurred yet as of the episode date.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Duke not winning the national title would be the most consequential sports story of all time

I think it would be the biggest sports story of all time. If Duke did not win the national title this year. All time. I think all time story... Duke not winning at all this year would be the biggest, the most consequential sports story of all time. Not our lifetimes of all time.

The outcome is pending, but the scale of the claim is subjective and satirical.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Arizona's Tommy Lloyd is a candidate to choke in March because he is a Mark Few disciple

Tommy Lloyd being a Mark Few disciple, even though Arizona is really, really, really good. Yeah. I'm just like, that guy's getting choke in March.

Dependent on Arizona's 2026 tournament performance.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

The Eagles will draft a quarterback in the early rounds

I think they might draft a quarterback. ... What if you fell it to the second, what if you fell to the second max? Like there's been a history in Philadelphia of drafting guys in the second round when you don't really necessarily think that they're in the market for a quarterback

Will be resolved during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Max Crosby would instantly make the Bears a really good defense

I would be pumped if it was [Max Crosby] to the Bears, I'd be very, very pumped. Yeah. He's amazing. Really, really good at football and would be instantly make the Bears a really, really good defense.

Subjective evaluation of defensive performance, though the trade hasn't happened.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Team USA would have lost the gold medal game if they listened to Aaron Judge's speech

That was one of the worst speeches of all time. If they're, why don't put that out. If you're world ba baseball classic, don't put that out. I think they're trying to get a little bit of the buzz from the Olympics team. USA would've lost the gold medal game if, if if someone stood up and gave Aaron Judge's speech.

Subjective counterfactual comparison between baseball and hockey.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Drew Dalman's retirement is a massive blow to the Bears' offensive line

The first instant reaction was fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Then you have to be a human about it and realize like, hey, the guy's able to walk away while he still feels healthy. That's awesome for Drew Dalman. And then it's right back to fuck, fuck, fuck. Because... the offensive line was a significant strength... and now they go into the draft and it's like, fuck.

Subjective fan assessment of team strength.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Floyd Mayweather is running out of money

My Hot Seat is Floyd Mayweather. 'cause I'm starting to think Floyd Mayweather might not have a lot of money left. ... It feels like Floyd Mayweather shouldn't be fighting this much at his age.

Difficult to verify private finances, but based on visible behavior.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Pardon My Take has likely had a negative sociological effect on the intelligence of sports fans over the last 10 years

Our final boss should be some detailed researched article that is like the effective, Pardon My Take on sports fans. Like a negative thing. ... they can trace it back to all these kids that were listening when they were 12 and now they're fucking idiots as grown adults and they're going to games.

The sociological impact of a podcast is inherently subjective.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

College basketball has five absolutely dominant teams this year

We have five, you could even maybe go to six, just absolutely dominant teams. Michigan, UConn, Duke, Arizona, and Florida that are playing at such an insane level.

The dominance of these teams will be tested in the upcoming NCAA tournament in March 2026.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Florida can win the national championship because they can shoot threes now

Florida though, I've been talking about Florida for three weeks. They could shoot threes now. They absolutely kicked [Arkansas's]... They just throttle teams. All four of [Duke, Michigan, Arizona, Florida] would be the best team in the previous five years.

Whether Florida wins the title or performs as an elite team will be decided by the end of March Madness.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Miami of Ohio will make the tournament even if they lose in the conference tournament

I'm saying right now, winning every... If they go undefeated in the conference, that is so hard to do. I think if they go undefeated in the conference and then lose in the conference tournament, I think they will be in.

This will be resolved on Selection Sunday, March 15th, 2026.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

It would be a shock and the biggest disappointment ever if Duke doesn't win the title

If they [Duke] don't win it this year, it would be a shock. I think it'll be the biggest disappointment since last year. Every single year is the biggest disappointment.

This is subjective but depends on Duke's tournament performance.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

It is literal torture that the Steelers locker room only has five bathroom stalls for the whole team.

The Steelers locker room only has five bathroom stalls for the entire team. That's egregious. That's insane. Five bathroom stalls for 53 large men that have to take shits all the time. That's actually torture. Your favorite player is oftentimes awkwardly trying to like silence his shit, which no man should have to do. Sucks.

While the stall count is a fact, the label of 'torture' is a subjective comedic exaggeration.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

I will do 10 more years of Pardon My Take followed by another 10 after that

Here's to 10 more and then probably 10 more after that. Because what the... am I gonna do, this is the best thing in the world. We're going to ride it until we are the biggest old losers that everyone makes fun of.

This will take two decades to fully verify.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

The show will perform a group porn if they make it to a 20-year anniversary

If we make it to 20, we will do a porn. A soft-core nine-way gang bang. Okie cookie.

PredictionMediaScorchingSarcastic
It is highly unlikely they will follow through on this literal claim.
Push
Big CatBig Cat

Betting the over on Alabama basketball is a cheat code

Alabama by the way is a cheat code if you want to get in on it. It's just betting their overs. They just never stopped missing. This has been like, oh, two weeks now they're over under for the first half was 45 and a half points last night. They scored 69 in the first half.

The 'cheat code' status of a team's over is based on a specific run of games; eventually, Vegas adjusts the lines.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Arkansas is playing great basketball and John Calipari making the Final Four would be a fantastic tournament storyline

Arkansas has been playing some really good basketball. They lost that game in double overtime to Alabama where they basically ran out of guys. But since then, they've won five of six now... Cal [Calipari] in the Final Four would be great. Fucking great.

Arkansas finished the 2025-26 season strongly but the Final Four result depends on the upcoming 2026 tournament.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

I am offering a $10,000 bounty to find the UNC staffer who punched a Duke staffer

I will not sleep until we find this UNC staffer who punched one of your guys... Let's put a bounty on it. I will offer $5,000. [PFT]: I'll match. [Big Cat]: $10,000 if anyone can find the UNC person who punched a Duke staffer after the game. $10,000 cash. Give us the footage leading to their arrest.

The bounty itself is a factual offer made by the hosts.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Tua Tagovailoa's market value is non-existent relative to his contract

Everything's on the table for the Dolphins. Tua could be a fullback. What would you... What do you think the Dolphins would say yes to for a trade for Tua? Like a sixth round pick for Tua? A jugs machine? I don't know what the hell would Tua's market be?

The Dolphins' internal view on 'everything being on the table' is a subjective claim about team strategy.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

E11even is a club with strippers, not a strip club

The national anthem at E11even last night... E11even is not a strip club, it is a club with strippers. So let's just get that clear. Because a lot of people were upset about it and I'm not gonna stand for it. Put some respect on E11even. It's a club with strippers.

This is a semi-factual claim about the establishment's business model which is often debated by the show.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Mayweather and Pacquiao fighting at the Sphere is the coolest possible sporting event

Mayweather and Pacquiao were fighting again. Mayweather's 49, Pacquiao is 47. Why? This sucks. [PFT says it's at the Sphere]. Sphere? Oh fuck. I'm in. I'm so in. I'm so fucking in. That's awesome. The first sporting event. Sick.

This is an opinion about the appeal of an event venue.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Silver or Bronze in figure skating is more impressive than in a race

I think getting silver or bronze in figure skating is more impressive than silver or bronze in a race. Because silver and bronze in a race is like, yeah, you just weren't the fastest. Like there's only one fastest. But if someone walked in like, I got silver in the 100 meter dash, you're not the fastest. Silver in figure skating? Holy shit, that's impressive.

This is a subjective comparison of athletic achievements.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Hockey is only America's fourth most important sport and we still beat Canada

I choose to win with class. Does it hurt for Canada that I graciously said hockey is our fourth like the fourth sport we're best at? We're football, baseball, basketball... and then hockey. I love hockey, but it's our fourth most important sport. And Canada, Canada's everything. And we fucking beat you. And we have the gold.

Subjective ranking of sport importance, though commonly cited in US TV ratings and participation.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

Olympic coaches should receive medals along with the athletes

Did you know that the coaches don't get medals? That's bullshit. Bizarre. [PFT: They get the stuffed animal though.] Oh man. [Big Cat:] Could you imagine being a Canadian and that is your sport and it's everything... and then afterwards they're like, 'Hey, here's a Labu Booo.'

It is a factual rule of the IOC that only athletes receive medals, not coaches.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Three-on-three overtime is better than five-on-five because it guarantees a sick goal

Three-on-three is beautiful because you know you're gonna get an awesome goal. When you get to overtime and playoff hockey [five-on-five], it could be the bounce off of a stick or a deflected pass from 40 feet out. Three-on-three hockey, you're gonna get a sick, sick goal.

This is a subjective aesthetic preference for one style of hockey over another.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

The Michigan loss to Duke was not that bad

I actually walked away being like, I don't think that was that bad of a loss for Michigan. And the fact that they shot absolute dog shit. And if they just shoot a little bit better, they probably win that game.

Duke won 81-73 on February 21, 2026. Michigan's shooting performance being the reason is a subjective analysis.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Florida is a great value bet at 12-to-1 to win the national championship

I just think Florida, they have been just awesome... I think they're still about 13 to one. If you wanna hop on just saying Florida, 12 to one.

Outcome depends on the 2026 NCAA Tournament results.
Win
Big CatBig Cat

Connor McDavid's specialty is winning individual MVPs while losing championships

Connor McDavid winning MVP of the entire Olympics in another losing effort. That's just what he does now. It is funny that this is now twice McDavid has won MVP in a losing effort. That's his thing. That is officially his thing. Anytime I play in a big game, I'm gonna be the best player. Not that I'm gonna win it, but the best player out there.

McDavid won the Conn Smythe in the 2024 Cup loss and the Olympic MVP in this 2026 loss. The 'thing' part is a subjective narrative.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

The Bears will likely end up in Arlington Heights despite the Indiana stadium news

The Indiana has voted to go forward with taking the bears. Having the Bears, holding the Bears in Hammond. While it doesn't actually mean anything, because I still think they're gonna be in Arlington Heights. It is the closest they've ever been to potentially finding a place.

The Bears' stadium saga is ongoing as of early 2026, but the Indiana move remains a secondary possibility to Illinois options.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

In 20 years, everyone will regret the decision to put every NFL stadium indoors

I firmly have, have come around to the idea that in 20 years from now, we are all going to regret the fact that we put every single stadium indoors.

This is a subjective long-term cultural prediction that cannot be definitively proven but reflects a common sentiment among purists.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

The Olympics should have a permanent home in Hammond, Indiana, to avoid wasting money and time zone issues

Just build a permanent Olympics in Hammond, Indiana... every time they do the Olympics, if you look at, you know, Rio and all these places, it just becomes a waste of money... I don't like the Olympics when it's not in our time zone.

The Olympics continues to rotate cities; no permanent site has been established in Hammond.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

I will be genuinely disappointed if Team USA doesn't win the gold medal in hockey

I'm gonna give a good honest, like I'm, I'm gonna be disappointed if we, we don't win the gold medal. And I will, I will not. I will not skate out of it by saying it wasn't real and all that stuff.

This is a statement of personal emotional stakes.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

Mick Cronin screaming at a reporter is great for the college basketball brand

I fucking love Mick Cronin... But I, we've had this take, whether it be with Danny Hurley or any coach that freaks out, this is what college basketball is, is the best at. Is these guys are the most maladjusted adults possible.

Subjective opinion on entertainment value.
Void
Big CatBig Cat

The NIL situation at Kansas shows you can't just throw money at a roster and expect the pieces to fit

It's nice to know that you can't just throw money at like a roster and expect it to be awesome and have every piece fit... You gotta have guys who actually wanna play, who wanna buy in. And Kansas still could go very far... but it is nice to know that you have to actually like get culture.

This is a philosophical observation on team building in sports.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Tyreek Hill is still fast but on the 'wrong side' of his career, making him a risky but likely target for the Chiefs or Raiders

He can still run... eventually he will be able to run again. I don't know. Chiefs... Raiders or classic Antonio Brown arc Raiders for like a month... He is on the wrong side. He's like 32. So, but he still is fast... A team that is going to trade for him has to have a pretty good locker room to be like, 'Hey Tyreek, we're happy to have you on the team knowing everything.'

The outcome depends on where Hill signs after his release/trade from the Dolphins.
Loss
Big CatBig Cat

Andrew Hill will win Olympic gold in short track speed skating because everyone else will crash

We got one American left in the competition. Eagles fan, Bucks County. Andrew Hill. ... We're gonna be rooting for Andrew Hill. He's 18 to one. ... Survive the crashes. But yeah, this sport is awesome because they just wipe out so hard.

Andrew Heo (referred to as Andrew Hill on the show) did not win gold in short track speed skating at the 2026 Milan Olympics. He finished 11th in the 1500m and 13th in the 500m. He did not medal in any individual event.
Open
Big CatBig Cat

Tiger Woods will play in the Masters this year

Tiger Woods and the Masters. 'cause he has said that he has not ruled out playing in the masters this year. ... The way that he said it makes me think it's on, he's right. It's on. He's loading.

Outcome depends on whether Tiger tees off at Augusta in April 2026.

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