First Call: Pa. governor on prospect of state funds for Steelers' and Eagles' stadiums; T.J. McConnell's ups and downs in Game 7

Monday’s “First Call” recaps T.J. McConnell’s ups and downs from last night’s Game 7 of the NBA Finals. We remember the life of Arthur Smith’s father, Fred Smith, and his NFL influence.

Plus, we get into Jaire Alexander’s arrival in Baltimore and the prospect of public funds for new football stadiums in Pennsylvania.

Thunderclap

The Oklahoma City Thunder won the NBA title 103-91 over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the Finals on Sunday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — who was named Finals MVP — scored a game-high 29 points for the Thunder.

It’s the first NBA title for Oklahoma City.

Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton scored nine points in the first seven minutes but left the game with an injury. According to his father via ESPN, it was an Achilles injury.

In his absence, Chartiers Valley product T.J. McConnell played 28 minutes, scoring 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the floor.

T.J. MCCONNELL IS PUTTING THE PACERS ON HIS BACK IN THE THIRD ???? pic.twitter.com/XBeeXXwR2J

— ESPN (@espn) June 23, 2025

The one-time Duquesne Duke also added six rebounds, a steal and three assists. But he was tagged for seven turnovers as well. Benedict Mathurin topped Indy with 24 points.

This is the seventh straight year with a different NBA title winner dating back to the 2019 Toronto Raptors.

Don’t expect much

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro was asked about the prospect of state funding to potentially plan for new football stadiums in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Speaking Sunday before the NASCAR event at Pocono Raceway, the governor didn’t sound too keen on that idea.

“I’m very worried about the overall budget,” Shapiro said via the Associated Press. “I’m very worried about the overall economic situation given the federal cuts. You want to balance investing in tourism, investing in sports, investing in great arenas and facilities, with making sure that you’re also investing those dollars in things that Pennsylvanians need most.”

But Shapiro said he’d maintain conversations with both franchises.

“We want to make sure the Steelers, we want to make sure the Eagles and all of our pro teams have outstanding places to play,” Shapiro said. “(Places) that are welcoming for fans, that generate revenue. We’re going to continue to dialogue with them about what they need and what’s possible.”

The Steelers’ lease ends at Acrisure Stadium in 2030. The Eagles’ lease ends at Lincoln Financial Field in 2032.

More sports

• New Steelers ILB coach Scott McCurley planning to make most of unplanned homecoming
• Pirates GM Ben Cherington previews approach with trade deadline on horizon
• Mark Madden's Hot Take: T.J. McConnell has shown guts on, off the court

No mention

The Steelers were not brought up as a club that may have been in the mix to land former Green Bay cornerback Jaire Alexander. Last week, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Pittsburgh was not among the franchises trying to sign Alexander after he was released by Green Bay on June 9.

“There were some other teams involved. The Atlanta Falcons, where he had some relationships with the coaching staff. The Miami Dolphins, although they hadn’t traded Jalen Ramsey. So there just wasn’t an opening financially yet. But he went on a visit this week to the Ravens without any promises,” Fowler said on Saturday’s SportsCenter. “He was there a couple of hours. He said, ‘I’m good. I’m signing.’”

I found it pic.twitter.com/BL37cPnYzE

— Andreas (@Andreas30221) June 20, 2025

Alexander’s contract is worth up to $6 million, including incentives.

Steelers coach’s family loss

Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is dealing with the loss of his father.

Fred Smith died over the weekend at the age of 80. He was a long-time minority owner of the Washington Commanders. Smith also was the founder of FedEx.

Smith’s company, which had naming rights to Washington’s stadium back in 2020, pressured owner Daniel Snyder into changing the franchise’s name from the Redskins. Snyder eventually bought Smith’s shares and those of Robert Rothman and Dwight Schar.

As chronicled at ProFootballTalk, it was Smith who attempted to secure an expansion franchise in Memphis in the 1990s. But Carolina and Jacksonville got the bids. Elvis Presley’s estate was involved. The franchise would have been known as the Memphis Hound Dogs.