Kamara (l) is approached by the fictional GM of the Rams about potentially leaving the SaintsHBO
In last night’s episode of “BALLERS” on HBO, the media begins to criticize the Chiefs for signing a fictional running back that was involved in a shooting. MARK SCHLERETH makes a cameo as himself, appearing on a sports network comparing the situation of Kisan Teague, played by KRIS D. LOFTON, to that of RAY RICE, GREG HARDY, KAREEM HUNT and TYREEK HILL. Chiefs Owner Spencer Strasmore, played by DWAYNE JOHNSON, discusses Teague’s situation with the rest of the ownership group and bargains with a fictional NFL exec about the length of a suspension. However, after watching a video of the scene, Strasmore announces the release of Teague, saying he “will not condone the criminal use of firearms.” Later in the episode, Teague is fatally shot at a strip club by a man presumably seeking revenge for Teague’s role in the prior shooting.
UNDER THE TABLE: The fictional owner of the Rams is putting pressure on fictional GM Charles Greane, played by OMAR BENSON MILLER, who claims he is working on a trade for Saints RB ALVIN KAMARA. In reality, talks with Kamara’s agent are not moving forward. Kamara makes a cameo as himself when Greane approaches him at a coffeeshop in L.A. Kamara references the Saints’ loss to the Rams in the NFC Championship, and Greane brings up the idea of Kamara on the Rams, which would constitute a tampering violation. Meanwhile, real-life Rams GM LES SNEAD made a cameo as himself at the Rams' facility in a short interaction with Greane. Snead in the show was removed as Rams GM in a previous season.
AROUND THE LEAGUE: Fictional Cowboys DT Vernon Littlefield, played by DONOVAN CARTER, pursues a career in esports and tours Riot Games’ L.A. offices with his management team. Agency boss Joe Krutel, played by ROB CORDDRY, is unimpressed with the prospect of starting an esports team, saying, “I’m not paying a few million for some nerds to stare at a screen and maybe win something while we hemorrhage financially.” Meanwhile, the Chiefs and the fictional agent of PATRICK MAHOMES discuss terms of a contract extension. The Chiefs offer $130M, but the agent asks for $175M and an escalator tied to the new salary cap, saying that Mahomes is the “future face of the league.”
FAMILIAR FACES: Chargers RB MELVIN GORDON makes his second cameo of the season, along with Texans WR DEANDRE HOPKINS and Rams DE DANTE FOWLER, who also make cameos as themselves. The trio appear at JAY GLAZER’s gym in L.A. and confront fictional Rams WR Ricky Jerret, played by JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON, about comments he made on a radio show in the previous episode.
