Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams discuss a host of issues related to the business of sports, including the New York Yankees preparing a record $250 million-plus contract offer to free-agent pitcher Gerrit Cole. The Yankees have reportedly made signing Cole, who spent last season with the Houston Astros, their top offseason priority. Also discussed is the college football playoff, which features the top four teams in the nation. The matchups are: LSU-Oklahoma and Clemson-Ohio State. The brand name matchups ensure a good television audience for the championship game. Also talked about is Russia’s four-year ban from the Olympics and other international competitions over a persistent doping scandal. The World Anti-Doping Agency banned Russia’s national team after officials in Moscow were accused of fabricating evidence to cover up the use of banned substances.