Brandon Aiyuk’s summer of discontent has apparently culminated with a request that the San Francisco 49ers let him go.

If only that made a lick of sense for the reigning NFC champions.

Entering his fifth NFL season on the heels of a breakout showing in 2023, Aiyuk has explicitly asked the Niners for a trade, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. A first-round pick in 2020, the field-flipping wide receiver is now only under contract for the 2024 campaign – the fifth-year option of his rookie contract set to pay him $14.1 million.

It’s only natural that Aiyuk would be seeing much bigger dollar signs at a point when he’s probably cracked the conversation as one of the league’s top 10 wideouts – and the positional market now dictates he’s worth double what he’s scheduled to make this year given the mega-deals recently signed by peers like Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith. All will average at least $25 million annually on their new multi-year deals.

Fortunately for the 49ers, they hold nearly all of the cards in what’s fast devolving into a training camp showdown with one of their better players. But there’s little reason for the club to blink given the leverage – and championship potential – it holds.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Much as Aiyuk might want out, here are five reasons why San Francisco shouldn’t trade him:

No team is in win-now mode more than the 49ers

GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan have spent seven years building the franchise to the point where it’s a perennial Super Bowl contender – San Francisco advancing at least as far as the NFC championship game in four of the past five seasons and twice coming up short in the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs. Five months ago, the Niners succumbed to K.C. in overtime of Super Bowl 58 or – depending on your perspective – were potentially thwarted by a blocked extra-point attempt in the fourth quarter. Regardless, tough to argue the 49ers couldn’t be much closer to snatching a sixth Lombardi Trophy – which would match the record currently held jointly by the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Coming off his best professional season (75 receptions for 1,342 yards and 7 TDs), Aiyuk certainly projects as a major component of a potential championship equation in 2024.

San Francisco must leverage its Brock Purdy financial window

One reason the 49ers are in prime position to win it all is that their quarterback, Pro Bowler Brock Purdy – “Mr. Irrelevant” as the 262nd and final selection of the 2022 draft – is due to make a meager (by NFL standards) $985,000 this season. Purdy is not eligible for the lucrative extension likely to increase his compensation fiftyfold until next year. His miniscule salary enables San Francisco to carry 10 other players – including Aiyuk – with 2024 cap hits of $8 million or more, All-Pro LT Trent Williams ($31.6 million) and WR Deebo Samuel ($28.6 million) heading that list. Six of those guys have contracts that average at least $19 million per year.

And business has been good – and should only get better – given the inextricable success of Purdy and Aiyuk. In the 20 regular-season games they’ve played together since Purdy became the team’s starter in Week 13 of the 2022 season, the duo has hooked up 94 times for 1,634 yards and nine scores in an offense replete with weapons – Aiyuk clearly overtaking Samuel as the primary pass catcher in 2023. And while Purdy and Aiyuk are both drastically underpaid relative to their positional value, replicating their success in 2024 could very well mean even bigger raises in 2025 … perhaps with a championship premium attached.

It makes little sense to deal Aiyuk now

Speculation about Aiyuk’s future with the team has run fairly rampant for months, and teams were calling Lynch around this year’s draft – when, obviously, no deal materialized. Barring a blockbuster offer that couldn’t be ignored, it’s difficult to square why the Niners would now accept (presumably) draft assets that won’t help them for more than a year given how close they seem to be – with Aiyuk in the mix – to winning their first Super Bowl in 30 years. And good as Aiyuk is, it might be hard for other teams to offer a first-rounder or multiple picks for a player who’s thrived in a loaded offense but would have to prove anew he could be the main threat amid what would invariably be a lesser supporting cast.

The 49ers can probably weather a holdout

Aiyuk has not yet signaled he plans to hold out of training camp, San Francisco veterans set to report July 23. If he does, he’d be subject to $50,000 fines for every day of his absence. A game of chicken could always seep into the regular season and missed game checks, too. Yet with Purdy surrounded by Samuel, All-Pro RB Christian McCaffrey, All-Pro TE George Kittle, first-round WR Ricky Pearsall and Super Bowl hero Jauan Jennings, this offense would hardly be crippled without Aiyuk, who might primarily hurt his bargaining power and bank account with an extended hiatus.

There’s still time to strike a deal

According to Garafolo, San Francisco tabled negotiations with Aiyuk in May. However the 49ers have shown a pattern in recent years of hammering out extensions in the summertime – Kittle, Samuel (who also asked for a trade), LB Fred Warner and DE Nick Bosa coming to agreements in July or later, Bosa’s massive payday (five years, $170 million) landing on the eve of the 2023 season.

Purdy will be the priority next year, when some cost-cutting elsewhere will likely be unavoidable to accommodate his next contract. But, per Over The Cap, San Francisco still has more than $30 million in salary cap space at its disposal this year … and maybe a good chunk will yet go to Aiyuk, whom Lynch has consistently said he wants to keep in the Bay Area.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter, @ByNateDavis.

With a nearly month-long break for the Paris Olympics looming, Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever will travel to Texas to face the Dallas Wings on Wednesday night.

The Fever (11-14) are coming off a thrilling victory over the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup champion Minnesota Lynx on Sunday, a game during which Clark struggled for the first three quarters but ignited a furious Indiana comeback in the final period. After losing eight of nine games to start the season, the Fever have won eight of 12 since June 13.

This will be the first meeting of the season between the Fever and the last-place Wings (5-19), who are led by guard Arike Ogunbowale (22.2 points, 5.1 assists per game).

When is Indiana Fever vs. Dallas Wings game?

Date: Wednesday, July 17Time: 7:30 p.m. ETWhere: College Park Center; Arlington, Texas

How to watch Caitlin Clark and Fever vs. Wings

TV: ESPN

In addition to local TV markets and the ESPN app, the Fever-Wings game will also be available on demand upon its conclusion on WNBA League Pass. Fans can get the WNBA League Pass by downloading the WNBA app.

Caitlin Clark stats last game

Caitlin Clark tallied 17 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals on Sunday in the Fever’s 81-74 victory over the Lynx. She scored 10 of those 17 points in the fourth quarter as Indiana came from behind to win.

‘Even though we probably didn’t shoot the ball the greatest, we just found a way to win. We’re resilient,’ Clark said.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Shohei Ohtani provided the thunder. Jarren Duran stole the show. 

Ohtani’s three-run home run shook Globe Life Field out of a third-inning slumber Tuesday night, but it was Duran’s two-run shot in the fifth inning that provided the winning margin in the American League’s 5-3 victory in the 94th All-Star Game. 

Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase picked up his second All-Star Game save in three years, having nailed down the win in the AL’s 2022 triumph at Dodger Stadium. 

The victory gave the American League a 48-44-2 advantage, and re-established their dominance a year after the National claimed the 2023 game at Seattle to break an 11-year losing streak. 

‘Hanging out with all those guys in the dugout was awesome,’ said Duran, who was named the game’s MVP. ‘To see us all in the same uniform from different teams, hanging out together, cheering together, it was a surreal moment for me.’

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

– Gabe Lacques

Here’s how Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic unfolded:

Jarren Duran is 2024 All-Star Game MVP

A first-time All-Star having a career season for the Red Sox, 27-year-old Jarren Duran was named MVP of the 2024 Midsummer Classic, his two-run home run in the fifth inning breaking a 3-3 tie for an eventual American League win.

‘That’s probably the first pitch I’ve ever pimped in my life,’ Duran told Fox after the game.

FINAL: American League 5, National League 3

Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase got the final three outs for the American League and picked up the save, a 5-3 win with Jarren Duran’s two-run homer in the fifth inning proving to be the difference.

AL leads 5-3 through seven

The fifth and sixth went by without any runs as Royals teammates Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo provided the innings for the American League. Cristopher Sanchez (Phillies), Reynaldo Lopez (Braves), Robert Suarez (Padres) and Matt Strahm (Phillies) combined to toss the two frames for the NL.

Jarren Duran home run puts AL ahead

Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran hit a two-run homer off Hunter Greene to give the American League a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

Duran, 27, is a first-time All-Star and has already set career highs with 10 home runs and 41 RBI in the first half to go with 22 steals.

National League 3, American League 3 through four innings

After trading three-spots in the third inning, neither team pushed a run across in the fourth. Garrett Crochet (AL) and Shoto Imanaga (NL) were the pitchers in the frame.

American League ties it after Shohei Ohtani home run

Shohei Ohtani’s home run gave the National League a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning, but the American League came right back in the bottom of the frame to score three and tie the game.

Juan Soto hit a two-run double off Giants pitcher Logan Webb, and Cleveland’s David Fry evened it up with a two-out RBI single.

Shohei Ohtani home run: Three-run shot puts NL ahead

ARLINGTON, Texas – Paul Skenes was out of the All-Star Game. An eerie silence had essentially fallen over the capacity crowd at Globe Life Field, the air conditioning only doing so much to tamp down the 99-degree temperatures outside.

And then Shohei Ohtani woke everyone up.

With a tremendous swing that produced a veritable thunderclap inside the roofed stadium, Ohtani destroyed a Tanner Houck splitter and sent it 400 feet into the right field bleachers for a three-run home run in the top of the third inning. 

Oh, six innings remain, but go ahead and throw Ohtani’s name on the MVP trophy. And let’s put to rest the notion that the game’s greatest star is a rookie pitcher from Pittsburgh.

No, with his first career All-Star home run – and first by a Los Angeles Dodger since Mike Piazza in 1996 – Ohtani showed that if the sport is to produce palpable buzz, it’s likeliest to come from his bat.

Ohtani’s shot scored Jurickson Profar, who hit a leadoff single, and Ketel Marte, who reached on an error by American League and hometown second baseman Marcus Semien. Houck, the Boston Red Sox’s young ace, gave up another single, to Trea Turner, before working out of the inning. 

But the damage was done, and the game belongs, for the moment, to Ohtani.

– Gabe Lacques

Tigers’ Tarik Skubal takes over for AL

Paul Skenes gets Aaron Judge out

The first rookie to start the All-Star Game since 1995, Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes worked around a two-out walk of Juan Soto, getting Aaron Judge to ground out to third to end the inning.

‘It’s going to be electric’ Judge told Fox before the game about facing Skenes. ‘That’s what the fans want to see.’

Corbin Burnes works around first-inning trouble

In the top of the first, AL starter Corbin Burnes walked Shohei Ohtani and gave up a two-out double to Bryce Harper, – putting two runners in scoring position – but got William Contreras to hit an easy comebacker to end the threat.

Is Shohei Ohtani in the All Star Game?

Batting second in the game for the National League Shohei Ohtani walked against AL starter Corbin Burnes.

Adrián Beltré throws All-Star Game first pitch

Set to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame next weekend, former Rangers third baseman Adrián Beltré threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Globe Life Field – with fellow Arlington legend Ivan Rodriguez serving as the catcher and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan joining him on the mound.

All-Star Game national anthem singer

Cody Johnson, an award-winning country music singer, performed the national anthem at the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday.

His 2019 release hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and featured the song ‘Dear Rodeo,’ which he performed with Reba McEntire.

– Brendan Morrow

All-Star Game batting order, starting lineups

National League

Starting pitcher: Paul Skenes, Pirates

2B Ketel Marte, DiamondbacksDH Shohei Ohtani, DodgersSS Trea Turner, Phillies1B Bryce Harper, PhilliesC William Contreras, BrewersRF Christian Yelich, Brewers3B Alec Bohm, PhilliesCF Tesocar Hernandez, DodgersLF Jurickson Profar, Padres

American League

Starting pitcher: Corbin Burnes, Orioles

LF Steven Kwan, GuardiansSS Gunnar Henderson, OriolesRF Juan Soto, YankeesCF Aaron Judge, YankeesDH Yordan Alvarez, Astros3B Jose Ramirez, Guardians1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue JaysC Adley Rutschman, Orioles2B Marcus Semien, Rangers

Will Paul Skenes face Aaron Judge in All-Star Game?

The Pirates and NL All-Star manager Torey Lovullo came to an agreement that he would pitch just one inning, no matter how many pitches Skenes throws.

Judge is batting cleanup for the American League, so one of the top three batters – Steven Kwan, Gunnar Henderson and Juan Soto – must reach base for the matchup to happen.

– Bob Nightengale

Jurickson Profar back in Texas where it all began

ARLINGTON, Texas — Jurickson Profar sat at a podium set up on the outfield grass at Globe Life Field, facing the outfield bleachers and a set of windows that looked out across the street at the stadium once known as The Ballpark In Arlington.

It’s about as close as you can get to glancing at your past.

“I grew up in the baseball world, right here,” Profar said Monday afternoon.

“This was home, too.”

At 31, Profar was having a moment so full-circle it might give him whiplash. Twelve years ago, Profar made his major league debut for the Texas Rangers, a 19-year-old batting ninth and staring up at World Series-tested greats like Adrian Beltre, Josh Hamilton and Michael Young.

– Gabe Lacques

Reds’ Hunter Greene will pitch fifth inning

ARLINGTON, Texas – Cincinnati Reds fans watching tonight’s MLB All-Star Game won’t want to miss the fifth inning.

That’s when Reds ace Hunter Greene is scheduled to pitch for the National League in his first All-Star appearance, following the Chicago Cubs’ Shota Imanaga, who gets the fourth inning for the NL.

– Cincinnati Enquirer

2025 All-Star Game location

The 2025 Midsummer Classic will be played at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 15.

Livvy Dunne, Paul Skenes hit All-Star Game red carpet

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher and starter for Tuesday’s game Paul Skenes. arrived with girlfriend, LSU gymnast and social media sensation Livvy Dunne. Skenes wore a white suit and black tie while Dunne wore a ‘neutral-colored, sparkly dress’ for the occasion, she told MLB Network.

The couple were one of the most sought after pair on the red carpet, and Dunne even showed off pitch grips during an interview.

– Jordan Mendoza

College buddies Adley Rutschman, Steven Kwan reunite in AL starting lineup

ARLINGTON, Texas – The ties that bind Adley Rutschman and Steven Kwan only seem to grow more significant.

At first, it was the serendipity of adjacent stalls in the Oregon State baseball locker room. The connection of Kwan’s best friend at Oregon State having attended Rutschman’s high school. An affinity for the grind and an appreciation for ironic humor.

“I guess it was destiny,” says Kwan, “we were going to become close.”

That destiny led them this week to Globe Life Field, where Tuesday night, Kwan will lead off for a lineup that’s just about as good a squad one could find on this globe – the American League All-Stars.

– Gabe Lacques

How to watch the MLB All-Star Game

The 2024 All-Star Game will air on FOX and can be streamed on FoxSports.com or on Fubo.

MLB All-Star Game rosters

(* indicates player named as replacement)

American League

Position players

C: Adley Rutschman (BAL)1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)2B: Marcus Semien (TEX)3B: José Ramírez (CLE)SS: Gunnar Henderson (BAL)OF: Aaron Judge (NYY)OF: Juan Soto (NYY)OF: Steven Kwan (CLE)DH: Yordan Alvarez (HOU)C: Salvador Perez (KC)INF: Josh Naylor (CLE)INF: Isaac Paredes (TB)INF: Willi Castro (MIN) *INF: Corey Seager (TEX) *INF: Jordan Westburg (BAL) *INF: Bobby Witt Jr. (KC)OF: Jarren Duran (BOS)OF: Riley Greene (DET)OF: Anthony Santander (BAL) *DH: David Fry (CLE)

AL pitchers

LHP: Tyler Anderson (LAA)RHP: Corbin Burnes (BAL)LHP: Garrett Crochet (CWS)RHP: Tanner Houck (BOS)RHP: Seth Lugo (KC)LHP: Cole Ragans (KC)LHP: Tarik Skubal (DET)RHP: Emmanuel Clase (CLE)RHP: Clay Holmes (NYY)RHP: Andrés Muñoz (SEA) *RHP: Mason Miller (OAK)RHP: Kirby Yates (TEX)

Unavailable

INF: Jose Altuve (HOU)INF: Carlos Correa (MIN)INF: Rafael Devers (BOS)RHP: Logan Gilbert (SEA)OF: Kyle Tucker (HOU)

National League

Position players

C: William Contreras (MIL)1B: Bryce Harper (PHI)2B: Ketel Marte (AZ)3B: Alec Bohm (PHI)SS: Trea Turner (PHI)OF: Christian Yelich (MIL)OF: Jurickson Profar (SD)OF Teoscar Hernández (LAD) *DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAD)C: Will Smith (LAD)INF: CJ Abrams (WSH)INF: Pete Alonso (NYM)INF: Luis Arraez (SD)INF: Mookie Betts (LAD)INF: Elly De La Cruz (CIN)INF: Freddie Freeman (LAD)INF: Ryan McMahon (COL)OF: Teoscar Hernández (LAD)OF: Jackson Merrill (SD)OF: Heliot Ramos (SF)OF: Bryan Reynolds (PIT)DH: Marcell Ozuna (ATL)

NL pitchers

LHP: Max Fried (ATL) *RHP: Hunter Greene (CIN) *LHP: Shota Imanaga (CHC)RHP: Reynaldo López (ATL)LHP: Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) *RHP: Paul Skenes (PIT)RHP: Logan Webb (SF)RHP: Jeff Hoffman (PHI)LHP: Tanner Scott (MIA)LHP: Matt Strahm (PHI)RHP: Robert Suarez (SD)RHP: Kyle Finnegan (WSH) *

Unavailable:

OF: Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD)RHP: Tyler Glasnow (LAD)RHP: Ryan Helsley (STL)LHP: Chris Sale (ATL)LHP: Ranger Suárez (PHI)RHP: Zack Wheeler (PHI)

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ARLINGTON, Texas – It is almost like someone within the apparel cabal of Major League Baseball decided they, too, hated the notion of All-Stars wearing generic uniforms in the Midsummer Classic and that there was only one option to make them stop.

Sabotage.

Tuesday night, a national television audience, on arguably the biggest night of the year for the sport, got a gander at the Nike-designed, Fanatics-produced togs. This is America 2024, and we all seem to exist in alternate spheres and in this one, comprised of the small sample of My Twitter Feed and Group Texts, these uniforms are utterly putrid.

We’re looking, mostly, at the 2024 home American League fits, because they resemble a shade best described as The Morning After A Rough Night Out. Not quite creamsicle trim, not quite tan, not quite sure exactly what they were going for.

A year ago we explored this issue in Seattle, where natives bought the pretty green uniforms eagerly. More important, they were a vibe. The home greens evoked evergreen forests, rugged coastline, overpriced outdoor gear at REI, multinational coffee chains. The road navys let you know you were undoubtedly in the Pacific Northwest.

Follow every MLB game: Latest MLB scores, stats, schedules and standings.

But these 2024 AL fits? You look down on the field and see peach and cream and think, how, exactly, does this suggest we are deep in the heart of Texas?

‘I’m not sure where it came from. Last year it did seem kind of Seattle-themed,’ says Mariners right-hander and AL All-Star Logan Gilbert.

‘But this is definitely unique.’

Why, actually, are the National Leaguers decked out in black and aqua, looking not like All-Stars but rather like the eighth runner-ups in the quest to design Miami Marlins City Connects?

Where am I? Who is that on the field, the AL or the NL? Why do people buy these jerseys?

Well, we can at least get the answer to one question. Wandering the concourse of this massive revenue-generating warehouse known as Globe Life Field, a theme became clear: You could throw just about anything on the shelves and fans, attending a truly once-in-a-lifetime event, will buy them.

“That’s exactly why I bought the jersey,” says Dani Ayala, who made the six-hour drive from Laredo and clad in a Yankees cap, copped a nameless American League jersey. “It’s rare that the All-Star Game is in Texas, or any state close to home.

“So I decided to buy one because I love baseball and it’s rare I’d come to an All-Star Game.”

At this point, our most cynical instincts take over, and we imagine that MLB and the Nike-designed, Fanatics-produced (not a good sign if you have that boilerplate memorized) jersey industry says just give them the cheapest, grimmest thing possible. Because even at $175 for a jersey and $55 for a cap, they will fly off the shelves.

And then we met Rob Eitelman posted up beyond the left field fence at Globe Life.

The Longview, Texas resident and avid Rangers fan didn’t just swipe his Mastercard – at least MLB hopes he used the presenting sponsor of the All-Star Game – to take home a keepsake.

He likes the jerseys. Loves the jerseys.

“I love the design. This year’s colors were fantastic. The bright corals, the baby blues even,” says Eitelman, a beverage in his commemorative cup yet apparently totally sober.

“The scheme is something that’s never been seen before.”

For a moment, Eitelman seems like MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s vision of an ideal customer. And then we glance down at his feet – and he’s got on a pair of coral Reeboks.

Big coral guy.

“I’ve had these for years,” he says. “I’ve always loved these colors. As much as I love the Rangers, as much as I love the American League and the red, white and blues, these color schemes are different.

“That’s what compelled me to buy this jersey. I bought the hat the day they were released. The color schemes is what sold it for me.”

Sigh.

If someone truly wanted to see how low they can go with jersey design, and how direly to test the whims of consumers, consider this the apparel version of The Producers. They’re a big hit?

Maybe we’re just old, or stuck in a long-gone past, or wish that streaming services would unite to create something like cable television, the great world in which we grew up. Alas.

Still, we could opt for a better world. On the concourse, a fan was rocking a 2016 Padres All-Star Game jersey, back when the world was reversed and they wore the localized jerseys on Home Run Derby Day and a fancified version of their regular jerseys in the game.

And that was back when the jerseys were better, period, with nice round numbers and thick lettering and didn’t look like a player’s road jersey was carrying 12 ounces of sweat after one inning on a slightly warm day. Nothing like the current Nike-designed, Fanatics-produced threads we see every day of the regular season.

But this train has probably left the station for good. The consumer has spoken, and it loves to consume, regardless of what the brand to which it is so loyal tosses on the shelf for $230 for a simple jersey and cap set.

Tuesday, Manfred indicated the league might revisit the concept of All-Stars wearing their own jerseys in the game. Perhaps it will revert back, as the Mariners’ Gilbert remembers from his childhood, to players wearing their own jerseys. Maybe not. ‘It’s all good, either way,’ says Gilbert.

And sure to make the cash registers ring – regardless of what’s on the shelves for consumers.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Even if we come here every year, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” says Fort Worth’s Samantha Laing, at the game with her husband, Garrett.

“Orange kind of clashes with me a bit. But I’d say nine times out of 10, sure, I’d buy it.”

Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving recently underwent surgery to repair a broken left hand suffered earlier this month while he was training, the club announced Tuesday.

No timetable for the 32-year-old’s return was given, but ESPN reported the Mavericks are optimistic Irving will be ready for the start of training camp in a couple of months.

The eight-time All-Star teamed with Luka Doncic to key Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals, where the Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in five games last month. Irving averaged 22.1 points and 5.1 assists in 22 playoff games after putting up 25.6 points and 5.2 assists during the regular season. He was seeking his second NBA championship after winning one with Cleveland in 2016. The Cavaliers selected him No. 1 overall in 2011.

In 13 seasons, Irving has averaged 23.6 points and 5.7 assists with Cleveland, Boston, the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas. He joined the Mavericks in a trade with the Nets in February 2023. He signed an extension with Dallas the following offseason.

He also reportedly played a key role in luring free agent Klay Thompson to Dallas earlier this month; Thompson had spent his entire career with Golden State.

By Rowdy Gaines’ count, he and Dan Hicks have called 1,200 swimming races together – and that’s not counting the roughly 1,000 more they have broadcasted at US Olympic trials and world championships. 

The broadcasting duo are entering their eighth consecutive Summer Olympics calling swimming for NBC, a pairing that dates to the 1996 Atlanta Games. That streak is believed to be a record for an Olympic broadcast pair, according to NBC. And over 28 years, Hicks and Gaines have become synonymous with the soundtrack of the Summer Games. 

“I have not had nearly as many reps with any of the analysts I’ve worked with, or come close to, the amount of races I’ve called with Rowdy,” Hicks told USA TODAY Sports. 

The comfort-level is reassuring. 

Although they work together far less than nearly all other broadcasting partnerships, the friendship – and the reps in the booth – serve as the basis for the chemistry that is evident from whichever swimming domicile they inhabit for more than a week every four years.

Meet Team USA: See which athletes made the U.S. Olympic team and where they are from

“He’s one of the dearest friends that I know,” Gaines told USA TODAY Sports, “that I have.” 

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Rowdy Gaines, Dan Hicks broadcasting partnership ‘built on a level of trust’

Hicks and Gaines will use occasional visual cues with one another, but they know each other’s tendencies enough to anticipate the start and stop of the other’s sentences. It’s the result of countless hours “sitting next to someone you truly love hanging out with,” Hicks said.

“Rowdy is the heart and soul of what we do,” Hicks said. “I think he has turned on, now, multiple generations of people to the sport.”

What makes Gaines popular during the Olympics among viewers, Hicks said, is that people are reminded “how damn good he is.” They are excited by the energy that rips through the TV. 

“He grabs a hold of you,” said Hicks, who joined NBC Sports in 1992.

People who watch every four years are their primary audience. They have to be educated about all aspects of the sport.  

“He weaves this whole tapestry of passion, educating, teaching and luring you into his world every four years like nobody has ever done in the history of the Olympics,” Hicks said. 

Hicks doesn’t say that lightly. He thinks Gaines is the best Olympic analyst – not broadcaster, that title belongs to somebody with the resume of a Jim McKay or Bob Costas – ever. 

And Gaines is equally effusive in the praise of his partner. 

“He is the consummate professional,” said Gaines, who is working his ninth straight Olympics calling swimming. “You cannot believe how much this guy prepares, it is unbelievable.”

In Paris, Gaines and Hicks won’t be calling preliminary heats together, a change from the past. They would spend 18 hours per day at the pool for nine or 10 straight days at other Games. “It’s a really fine-tuned machine and I hope that shows on the broadcast,” Gaines said. 

He added: “It is all built on a level of trust that we have.”

How Gaines, Hicks handle Olympic swimming’s biggest broadcast calls

At every Olympics since 1996, Hicks and Gaines have had a version of the same conversation. “I say, ‘Rowdy, love you pal, but you got to leave me the last five meters,’” Hicks said. 

The excitable Gaines sometimes can’t help himself, as he did in Beijing 16 years ago as Michael Phelps chased history. But Hicks lives with it. The authenticity is what matters. 

“Those are some of my favorite calls, when it’s just him and I going crazy at the final touch,” Hicks said. “He cannot contain himself … he’s so excited, it’s natural.” 

Gaines understands the assignment, at least.

“My job is to shut up with five meters left to go,” he said. 

And Gaines wants Hicks to shine at the end because that’s when he excels.

“He’s so masterful,” Gaines said. “I’ve learned to shut up and let the master take control.” 

Hicks has been the lead host of NBC Sports’ PGA TOUR coverage since 2000 and the Paris Olympics mark his 14th Games. He’s called either alpine skiing and speed skating at the Winter Olympics dating to 2002.

“I’m not a broadcaster. I call swimming races. But I love swimming,” said Gaines, a three-time Olympic gold medalist at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. “He’s mentored me in so many ways to understand what that profession is all about.” 

What Michael Phelps brings to NBC’s swimming broadcast

For the second straight Olympics, Michael Phelps will contribute to NBC’s Olympic coverage, and that includes some time spent in the booth with Hicks and Gaines calling races. The duo called every one of Phelps’ 28 medal swims during his illustrious career that included 23 golds.

Having the “GOAT” – both Hicks and Gaines referred to Phelps as such separately – join them enhances the broadcast positively, Gaines said.

“He adds a wealth of knowledge,” the US Olympic Hall of Famer said. “He knows so much about the tactical parts of races – a lot more than I do. He’s so good at the analysis of the races. And that’s what we need. I’m not as good at that anymore as I might have been in the old days.” Hicks sets the complexion of the race: who’s in first, which Americans are in medal contention, and the other logistics. At the recent US Olympic swimming trials in Indianapolis, Phelps joined them for the necessary reps to also learn Gaines’ rhythm and cadence. 

“To have him sitting next to you, these are pinch-me moments as we go down the back-nine of our careers,” Hicks said.

Trials represented Phelps’ best showing, Hicks thought. He’s expected to join them for the 200- and 400-meter individual medley races and other longer events that allow for more conversation.

“He started off great in Tokyo but he’s gotten even better and really was at the top of his game in (Indianapolis) and trials,” Gaines said. “I think he’s going to be wonderful in Paris.” 

Having an existing relationship as the broadcasters who covered him for two decades also helps when the duo becomes a trio. 

“I think it really helps to have a friendship with somebody that you’re spending so much time with,” Gaines said.

As Gaines and Hicks would know.