The presidential campaign season was a wild ride. Before the outcome in November, both candidates adopted unorthodox media strategies. That’s how VP Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, was unexpectedly on the All the Smoke podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. But if things went differently, she would be across a different NBA player. Seeing how it went down for All the Smoke, Jeff Teague and his colleagues are a tad salty.

The guys at Club 520 were looking back on 2024, from the tours and viral moments to their favorite guests. The could’ve-beens also were a big discussion. One prospective guest on the show apparently was Kamala Harris. But Teague & Co. didn’t know at the time.

Bishop B. Henn told Teague, DJ Wells, and fans, “Apparently, Kamala Harris wanted to come on and Mike said we wasn’t good enough to.” That was ‘Freaky Mike,’ one of the main guys on the crew the hosts regularly tease and a producer in charge of the guests. He decided that Club 520 was not good enough for the Veep.

Jeff and his friends took Freaky Mike’s unilateral decision as well as anyone would. Wells and Henn joked they almost dropped Mike out of the show and Teague said, “We’re going through a tough time right now.” But they forgave Mike because he’s ‘their guy.’

But the revelation kind of broke the boys. They couldn’t believe the presidential candidate was interested in their show. Thanks to Freaky Mike though, that chance went to another NBA podcast.

Club 520 doesn’t want to lose any opportunity

The All the Smoke episode with Kamala Harris dropped in September with some fanfare. Matt Barnes did confirm that her campaign team took the initiative and he convinced Stephen Jackson to take it (Stak usually doesn’t get political). It wasn’t conventional for election candidates to be interviewed by non-journalists, let alone pro-athletes. In the aftermath, this interview set All The Smoke apart as not just an NBA podcast, but a cultural show.

So you can understand why Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, and Bishop Henn regret losing that opportunity. It’s not clear if Harris’ team made the offer before or after All the Smoke, or if she went to Barnes and Stak after being rejected, or if the plan was to do two sports podcasts. Either way, it’s Freaky Mike’s fault.

“That is Freaky Mike’s fault, y’all can clip that also,” Henn said. “Freak Mike had Kamala Harris offer on the table and refused.”

Mike learned his lesson before the guys dragged him for it. He’s apparently not passing up interviews anymore. Like the chance to have Charleston White on the show. That also landed the crew in some hot water and this week they blamed that on Freaky Mike too.

Teague said in this episode full of 2024 reflections that it’s an honor when their guests choose them instead of Club 520 inviting them. That’s why Derrick Rose choosing to make his first appearance after retiring from Club 520 was the most memorable moment for the Club 520 crew. They’re looking forward to returning in 2025 with significant guests and keeping it going.