Sports
‘New York Sack Exchange’: New ESPN doc takes on ferocity, fame, forgiveness
“I never could convince anyone … that I was anything more than a crazy Jets fan stuck in the 1980s wanting to do this film.”
Some men dream of walking on the moon, building a Fortune 500 company, or starring in a Hollywood blockbuster.
James Weiner had a more esoteric aspiration: He wanted to direct a film about the famed defensive line of the 1980s New York Jets — “The New York Sack Exchange.”
Weiner is an award-winning senior producer for NFL Films with “The Brady 6” and “SEC Storied: Saturday Night Lights” among his credits, but growing up in the 1980s in Port Washington, New York, a 20-minute drive from Shea Stadium, his lifelong professional passion was to direct a film about the formidable defensive line of the 1980s Jets that featured Marty Lyons, Abdul Salaam, Joe Klecko and Mark Gastineau.
“I’ve been trying to do this film for at least 20 years,” Weiner said. “But I never could convince anyone.”
The dream was deferred but not unrealized. Weiner and co-director Ken Rodgers (who has been profiled on this site before and is the director of many terrific NFL documentaries, including “Belichick & Saban: The Art of Coaching,” “The Two Bills” and “Four Falls of Buffalo”) have produced a breezy and captivating look at one of the most talked-about defensive units in the history of the NFL.
“The New York Sack Exchange” premieres on Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and will be available to stream on ESPN+ following its linear premiere. The film is narrated by musician, actor and lifelong Jets fan Method Man.
Weiner said he met with Gastineau and his family in 2013 to take the temperature of doing a film treatment on the Sack Exchange, but the meeting went nowhere. The project looked dead until the fall of 2022, when Weiner took a bike ride to Rodgers’ home, and the two discussed projects that they always wanted to do. Rodgers, in an encouraging mode, told Weiner that no good idea never dies.
Then came a news catalyst: Klecko entering the Hall of Fame in 2023. Finally, a big break. Last year, Rodgers was giving Marsha Cooke, the vice president and executive producer of ESPN Films and 30 for 30, a tour of NFL Films, and the two got to talking about Joe Namath. Cooke, who started in her current role in 2021, said she was a born-and-bred Jets fan from the Bronx. Rodgers pitched her during the tour about a documentary on the New York Sack Exchange, and Cooke loved it. The filmmakers later made a more formal pitch, and eventually, ESPN Films was in.
“Joe Klecko getting into the Hall of Fame changed things,” Rodgers said. “Our first shoot with the collective group was at the Hall of Fame. We followed Joe behind the scenes and had all of them wired during his speech and backstage. I’m not sure any of the four of them would have necessarily wanted a film made about just them. They wanted a film about the Sack Exchange. I think Mark understood once Joe got into the Hall of Fame that that was somewhat of a validation for his own career, though as you see in the film he wonders if he’ll ever get in.”
Once they got the go-ahead from ESPN Films, they needed to interview Salaam because of his declining health — he died in early October at age 71. The filmmakers knew they had to shoot the quartet at the New York Stock Exchange, replicating the famous photo of the foursome (seen atop this story) when they posed in uniform on the floor of the financial hub. So, as part of the making of the film, they hired a private car to drive Salaam 10 hours from his home in Cincinnati to New York City in April 2024.
Gastineau is the central figure of the documentary and remains an exhausting figure, though compelling too. The filmmakers, to their credit, do not sugarcoat Gastineau’s career, his decisions and how infuriating his behavior was for his teammates. You will rarely see someone on film more unsparing about a teammate as Lyons is about Gastineau. They also highlight where Gastineau was ahead of his time (his sack dance today is quaint compared to some celebrations).
The New York Jets’ Mark Gastineau (99) was known for his flamboyance after making defensive plays. (T.G. Higgins / Getty Images)
“There’s empathy there for Mark’s arguments, if not for him,” Weiner said. “His arguments have some real merit and allowed us to present them as he argued them.”
(The Athletic’s Dan Pompei wrote a terrific profile of Gastineau last June that is worth reading if you missed it.)
“I was always attracted to this project that James had such passion for, because of the disagreements these four guys had together,” Rodgers said. “Back in the day, it was Klecko and Gastineau disagreeing, and now it’s more Lyons and Gastineau. I feel like the question the film asks is: ‘Do you have to get along with others in order to be great together?’ They were great together, there’s no doubt. But you can ask the question: If they got along better, could they have reached even greater heights? I don’t know the answer to that. But the theme of the film ends up being about forgiveness and accepting.”
The most remarkable moment of the film — and it will likely go viral when it comes out — was footage the producers procured of Gastineau last fall going up to longtime NFL quarterback Brett Favre at a memorabilia show in Chicago and laying into a bewildered-looking Favre about letting New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan break Gastineau’s 1984 single-season sack record of 22 (Strahan holds the current record with 22.5 on a gifted sack from Favre in 2001). The footage has never aired publicly.
“It is the real-time moment of the film, and it has never been seen before,” Rodgers said. “We found out that they were going to be together at a card show in Chicago signing autographs, though Abdul ended up not making it. Our goal was to just capture the three of them together. When we got there, Mark was discussing with Klecko and Lyons the fact that Brett Favre was there and how he’s finally going to go talk to him because he had never had a chance to confront him. We were following Mark and when it happened, and it’s as genuine as it looks. He was 100 percent expressing that hurt. I think Farve was 100 percent bewildered at the response and the vehemence of it.
“It got serious very quickly,” Rodgers continued. “Everyone in the room realized it was serious. I don’t know that there was a thought that they would come to blows, but there was true emotion. It really does still stick with Mark. He feels it’s an unfair breaking of his record. I think if he were to blame anybody, he might blame the NFL for letting it happen second to Favre first. I don’t want to speak for him, but I think he feels robbed by that moment.”
GO DEEPER
Mark Gastineau doesn’t need your attention anymore
(Top photo: Ronald C. Modra / Getty Images)
Sports
James Harden arrested in Houston on misdemeanor weapons charge after NBA playoff exit: report
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Two weeks after being eliminated from the NBA playoffs, James Harden was reportedly arrested in Houston, where he used to play, early Saturday morning.
The California Post, citing court records, said the 11-time All-Star was placed in custody on a misdemeanor charge of unlawful carrying of weapons.
Harden allegedly “unlawfully, intentionally and knowingly” had a handgun in his vehicle, the records said, according to the outlet.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland on May 24, 2027. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
The firearm “was in plain view” and “not carried in a holster.”
The outlet reported that Harden was at a local hookah lounge with friends before his arrest.
Harden’s Cleveland Cavaliers were recently swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks are one win away from their first NBA title since 1973.
“The Cleveland Cavaliers are aware of the arrest of James Harden this morning and are in the process of gathering additional information,” the Cavs said in a statement. “We are in contact with James and his representation and will continue to monitor developments as they become available. At this time, we will have no further comment.”
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden disputes a call during the second half of Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks in Cleveland on May 24, 2027. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
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The Cavs acquired Harden in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to boost their playoff push, and they earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Harden averaged 20.5 points per game after the trade, understandably taking a back seat to Donovan Mitchell. He averaged 25.4 points per game in L.A., but the Clippers failed to make the playoffs, as they scored the sixth-fewest points per game in the NBA.
The Post said Harden is due back in court on June 22 for arraignment.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden reacts to a call during the first half of Game 4 in the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks in Cleveland on May 25, 2026. (Sue Ogrocki/AP)
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Harden played for the Houston Rockets from 2012 until 2021, when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He was named the MVP of the 2017-18 season and led the NBA in scoring each season from that year through 2019-20. In that span, he averaged nearly 34 points per contest.
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The U.S. men’s soccer team chose an incredible day to have an incredible day.
Crucially, the United States aced its only chance to make a first impression, kicking off this colossal World Cup it’s co-hosting with Mexico and Canada with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay.
Consider it a save for the tournament, three points for soccer in America and maybe even a win for uniting the States.
The Americans on the pitch did all that, including making sure a sellout crowd of 70,492 fans got their money’s worth for their exorbitantly high-priced seats to watch football under Friday Night Lights at SoFi Stadium.
U.S. forward Folarin Balogun, right, celebrates with Sergino Dest and Chris Richards after scoring during a World Cup win over Paraguay on Friday at SoFi Stadium.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
It was not a clean sheet. And it wasn’t an elixir for all the issues — visas, tickets, transportation — that ailed the tournament in its buildup.
But the opening statement by the United States confirmed what we thought might be true. Only one thing could save this soccer tournament: soccer.
The U.S. delivered a performance to change the conversation — for the next few weeks and maybe longer.
Making history to alter history.
The United States scored multiple goals in a World Cup first half for the first time since 2002.
It got two of them from Folarin Balogun, the Brooklyn-born, England-raised forward of Nigerian descent who became just the second USMNT player to score two goals in a World Cup game and the first since 1930.
Got a perfect match from Chris Richards, the afro-rocking defender with the long, loping strides, who was 83 for 83 on his passes. That’s better than any player at a World Cup since 1966.
And if possession is nine-tenths of the law of attraction, know that the Americans possessed the ball 71% of the first half, most in the first half of a World Cup game in the modern era.
Landon Donovan, star of the 2002 team that reached the World Cup quarterfinals — a record that still stands — posted on X: “From start to finish, that was the most enjoyable day of soccer I’ve ever experienced.”
That’s the stuff that will get the American people going. Get us invested, get us behind them. That could convert even devout casuals.
Americans love a good underdog story. We also want the best, the finest, the biggest — and this, with its expanded field of 48, is the biggest version of the biggest and best tournament in the world.
And the only thing we love more than winning is dominating. The United States did that Friday against a Paraguayan team that had allowed only 10 goals in 18 World Cup qualifying matches, and whom the United States beat 2-1 in a tense match in November.
Fans cheer during the U.S. win over Paraguay in their World Cup opener Saturday at SoFi Stadium.
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)
That was Mauricio Pochettino and his players helping us help them.
“The fans, amazing,” said Pochettino, the team’s accomplished Argentine coach. “On behalf of the whole team, a massive thank you to the fans. Because the energy that they [gave] to the team was amazing. We can do amazing things if the fans are in this as well.”
Friday was so good for soccer in America.
And so good for America. The kind of butt-kicking that’s chicken soup for a nation’s soul.
Maybe it’s idealistic and naive, or apple-pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking, but I believe that they can win. (And by win, I mean make the quarterfinals again.)
There’s no removing politics from this World Cup, but wouldn’t it be fun to all rally behind a team together? Can’t you see the country coalescing behind the right wingers and left wingers on the pitch? Picture people celebrating the freedom inherent in Pochettino’s system? Cheering the all-for-one and one-for-all of this team of dual nationals and Americans raised abroad — or in Alabama?
Postmatch, Pochettino refused to single out any one player, instead giving reporters a recitation of his roster: “[Christian Pulisic] was amazing [setting up two goals]. Balogun was amazing, of course. Tim Ream was amazing, of course. Chris Richards was amazing, yes. Weston McKennie, he was amazing, amazing. Antonee Robinson, Alex Freeman, amazing. Sergiño Dest, amazing …”
Like they put it on the @USMNT Instagram account: “Together as Won.”
U.S. soccer, amazing.
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The wait is over. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to 16 different cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer, and you’ll be able to catch all the action with FOX Sports, America’s English-language home for the 48-team soccer bonanza.
Here is the full broadcast schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and how you can watch every game:
How to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX and FS1 with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps.
JUMP TO: Group Stage | Knockout Rounds | World Cup Final
2026 World Cup Group Stage Schedule:
June 11, 2026
June 12
June 13
June 14
June 15
June 16
June 17
June 18
June 19
June 20
June 21
June 22
June 23
June 24
- Group B: Watch Switzerland vs Canada — BC Place Vancouver (3 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group B: Watch Bosnia vs Qatar — Seattle Stadium (3 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group C: Watch Brazil vs Scotland — Miami Stadium (6 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group C: Watch Morocco vs Haiti — Atlanta Stadium (6 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group A: Watch Mexico vs Czechia — Mexico City Stadium (9 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group A: Watch South Korea vs South Africa — Monterrey Stadium (9 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
June 25
- Group E: Watch Ecuador vs Germany — New York New Jersey Stadium (4 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group E: Watch Curaçao vs Ivory Coastt — Philadelphia Stadium (4 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group F: Watch Tunisia vs Netherlands — Kansas City Stadium (7 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group F: Watch Japan vs Sweden— Dallas Stadium (7 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group D: USA vs Türkiye – Los Angeles Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group D: Watch Paraguay vs Australia — San Francisco Bay Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
June 26
- Group I: Watch Norway vs France — Boston Stadium (3 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group I: Watch Senegal vs Iraq — Toronto Stadium (3 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group H: Watch Uruguay vs Spain — Guadalajara Stadium (8 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group H: Watch Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia — Houston Stadium (8 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group G: Watch New Zealand vs Belgium — BC Place Vancouver (11 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group G: Watch Egypt vs Iran — Seattle Stadium (11 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
June 27
- Group L: Watch Panama vs England —New York New Jersey Stadium (5 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group L: Watch Croatia vs Ghana — Philadelphia Stadium (5 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group K: Watch Colombia vs Portugal — Miami Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group K: Watch DR Congo vs Uzbekistan — Atlanta Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
- Group J: Watch Argentina vs Jordan — Dallas Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One)
- Group J: Watch Algeria vs Austria — Kansas City Stadium (10 p.m. ET, FS1, FOX One)
2026 World Cup Schedule: Knockout Round
Round of 32
June 28
June 29
June 30
July 1
July 2
July 3
Round of 16
July 4
July 5
July 6
July 7
Quarterfinals
July 9
July 10
July 11
Semifinals
July 14
July 15
World Cup Final
July 19
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The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX and FS1 with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps.
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