World Cup With Roger Bennett, 2X National Champ Alex Karaban, Knicks Parade, Ronaldo vs Messi And Fyre Fest Of The Week

Episode of Pardon My Take · June 19, 2026 · 2 h 32 min

Pardon My Take hosts recap the Knicks parade and Trae Young's opt-out, talk World Cup with Roger Bennett, and interview UConn champion Alex Karaban before the NBA draft.

Summary

Dan Katz and PFT Commenter opened by recapping the New York Knicks championship parade, including Jalen Brunson's speech, a mistaken banner, and Tyler Kolek being stopped by police, and called producer Memes at the celebration. PFT Commenter insisted Trae Young's decision to decline his player option was a prelude to re-signing with the Washington Wizards on a longer, cheaper deal, while Max Delente argued it would be funnier if Young left. The group also discussed the U.S. Open at Shinnecock, Hank Lockwood's complaints about performative soccer fandom in the office, and Lionel Messi's opening hat trick versus Cristiano Ronaldo's struggles.

Roger Bennett joined to discuss the 2026 FIFA World Cup, praising the U.S. men's national team's opening performance as its best ever and gassing up upcoming opponent Australia. He celebrated the welcoming fan culture, especially Scotland's Tartan Army, argued that Portugal's greatest obstacle to winning for Ronaldo was Ronaldo himself, and explained England's omission of Cole Palmer as a squad-chemistry decision.

Alex Karaban discussed preparing for the NBA draft, his recruitment by Dan Hurley including an all-day academic tour arranged for his mother, Hurley's relentless coaching, Luke Murray's play designs, and Stephon Castle's rise. The show closed with a lottery draw for Mount Rushmore season teams, resulting in PFT Commenter versus the world, and Fyre Fest of the week segments covering robot toilets, birthday season, Zach's Ronaldo fandom, and Max's wedding seating chart stress.

Chapters

  1. 2:56

    Knicks parade recap

    The hosts recap the chaotic, euphoric Knicks championship parade and Jalen Brunson's speech.

  2. 7:40

    Call to Memes

    The hosts call producer Memes, who had prime spots at the parade.

  3. 16:27

    Trae Young opts out

    PFT Commenter insists Trae Young will re-sign with the Wizards while Max roots for a funny departure.

  4. 27:26

    U.S. Open and Hank vs. soccer

    The group discusses the brutal Shinnecock setup and Hank's complaints about performative World Cup fandom.

  5. 32:43

    Messi vs. Ronaldo

    The hosts celebrate Messi's hat trick, mock Ronaldo's struggles, and share all-time top-five lists.

  6. 43:01

    Roger Bennett on USMNT and Australia

    Bennett discusses the U.S. team's breakout opener and the upcoming Australia match.

  7. 54:11

    Tartan Army and World Cup fan culture

    Bennett and the hosts praise welcoming fan bases and how visitors see America.

  8. 1:02:23

    Ronaldo's legacy and contenders

    Bennett analyzes Portugal's Ronaldo dilemma, standout teams, Pulisic's injury and England's Cole Palmer omission.

  9. 1:26:06

    Alex Karaban on draft prep

    Karaban describes the draft process, his development focus, and the Duke comeback.

  10. 1:34:22

    Recruitment and playing for Hurley

    Karaban recounts Dan Hurley's recruiting pitch, the academic visit for his mother, and Hurley's coaching style.

  11. 1:39:13

    Combine, UConn memories and mock drafts

    Karaban discusses combine interviews, Stephon Castle, IMG, rivalries and projected landing spots.

  12. Linked moment · 2:00:53Skip to 2:00:53 using a listen link in the info box.

    2:00:53

    Mount Rushmore team draw

    A convoluted lottery produces PFT Commenter versus the world for Mount Rushmore season.

  13. 2:12:04

    Fyre Fest of the week

    Hosts share gripes including robot toilets, birthday season, Ronaldo fandom and wedding planning.

Key points

What was said, by whom, with the exact words. Timestamps jump to the moment.

People

In the conversation

  • Dan KatzBarstool Sports personality known as Big Cat, co-host of Pardon My Take
  • PFT CommenterBarstool Sports writer and co-host of Pardon My Take
  • Max DelentePardon My Take producer and Philadelphia 76ers fan whose bachelor party is referenced
  • Hank LockwoodPardon My Take contributor and Boston Celtics fan
  • ZachNewest Pardon My Take staff member, Knicks fan
  • MemesPardon My Take staffer and New York Knicks fan
  • Roger BennettMen in Blazers co-host married to Kroll's sister Vanessa
  • Alex KarabanUConn forward pursuing a third national championship

Discussed

Topics

More from Pardon My Take

From the publisher

The Knicks parade took over Manhattan and we recap a wild day with a call to Memes who had the best day ever (00:00:00-00:15:35). Trae Young has opted out. US Open, World Cup and Ronaldo vs Messi (00:15:35-00:41:39). Roger Bennett joins the show to talk about the World Cup, fans around the country, USMNT, Tartan Army and more (00:41:39-01:23:55). Alex Karaban joins the show to talk about the upcoming draft, playing for Dan Hurley, winning 2 titles and more (01:23:55-01:57:43). We finish with a selection of the Mt Rushmore teams and Fyre Fest of the week You can find every episode of this show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Netflix. Prime Members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music. For more, visit barstool.link/pardon-my-take

Summary, chapters and key points were generated from the episode transcript on September 29, 2026. Quotes are checked word for word against the transcript.

Categories: Soccer·Basketball·Comedy