Dan Bernstein Unfiltered — April 10, 2026

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This episode of Dan Bernstein Unfiltered (DBU) dives into the latest buzz surrounding the Chicago Bulls’ vacant general manager position, including a surprising frontrunner, and offers classic Chicago sports talk with feedback from listeners, plus the weekly “Top Ten” list—this week: greatest pirates (in all senses). The tone, as always, is sharp, witty, and candid—just as Chicago fans expect from Dan and longtime producer Matt Abbatacola.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chicago Bulls GM Search—An Unexpected Candidate

• [01:04–04:22] Bernstein on Bulls’ GM Chatter:
  • “People [are] coming out of the woodwork for this job...there are some names on this list that would shock and surprise.” (Dan, 01:04)
  • Bernstein reveals credible rumblings about Bulls’ President Michael Reinsdorf possibly requiring candidates to keep coach Billy Donovan. Despite this, interest is high.
  • The most intriguing name: Austin Brown, “either the head or co-head of CAA’s basketball division ... a major, major successful, well-liked agent.” With Chicago/Evanston roots (ETHS grad), legal background, and massive NBA client list, Brown’s candidacy is “a bit of an outside-the-box possibility.”
  • Brown’s transition from agent to executive would be unusual given his stature at CAA; remains unclear if he’d want “the aggravation and sleepless nights.”
  • John Paxson is still offering his expertise during the transition—draft prep is largely complete, only individual workouts remain.

Notable Quote:

• Dan Bernstein [02:19]: “He has risen to the very, very top of his business. I don’t know if he’d want all the aggravation of coming back to do this... But just keep in mind as the job is open, the name Austin Brown.”

2. Austin Brown’s NBA Client List

• [04:22–05:30]
  • Matt highlights Brown’s lengthy and high-profile client list: “Denzel Valentine ... Jaden Ivey ... but on the plus side: Cooper Flag, Dwyane Wade, Trey Young, Wiggins...” (Matt, 05:11)
  • Dan confirms, “He is listed as Jaden Ivey’s agent, in fact.”

3. Listener Feedback: White Sox ‘Pope Hat’ Promotion

• [13:08–19:35]
  • Dan and Matt asked Catholic listeners how they feel about the White Sox’s giveaway of a hat modeled after the Pope’s mitre.
  • Strong, varied feedback:
    • Mike in Schomburg: (semi-devout) Initially found it too much, but sees value in the Sox staying relevant.
      • “While I might find the Miter thing a little silly and maybe a little insensitive, it’s the White Sox. They have a history of silly marketing ... it gives them an immunity when it comes to chintz because it’s part of their history.” (15:43)
    • Mark in Evansville, IN: (devout Catholic, teacher) Loves the idea, wants the hat for his class, but thinks the timing could have been better.
    • Father Nick: (priest) Not deeply offended, but cautions about “trivializing sacred symbols,” compares it to “caricaturing ethnicities with cartoonish logos.”
      • “Trivializing what we call sacramentals with novelty hats does seem somewhat akin to caricaturing ethnicities...” (19:02)

4. Listener Story: Opening Day Solo Experience

• [19:35–22:13] Cam in Bridgeport:
  • Describes the joy and reflection of going alone to Sox Opening Day, finding hope in the everyday camaraderie and simple pleasures of the ballpark.
    • “In a world that feels pretty bleak most days, it was nice to spend an afternoon surrounded by normal, everyday people who reminded me there’s still hope out there in the exact things social media seems determined to suck out of us.” (21:39)

5. Women’s Final Four & Gino Auriemma Criticism

• [22:25–24:26] Cindy in Tacoma:
  • Raises the controversy around UConn women’s coach Gino Auriemma’s conduct during the Final Four.
    • “Everyone instead was talking about Gino Auriemma ... because an insecure man baby wasn’t getting the calls he wanted.” (23:27)
  • Notes that Gino’s apology “was more of an ‘I’m sorry I got caught lying’” than genuine remorse.

6. Listener Memories & Bulls Woes

• [24:55–28:50]
  • Tyler, a hitting coach, shares D-II baseball/Cubs stories and Bernstein gives Bulls fan Spencer’s feedback on the “too little, too late” nature of the Bulls’ regime change.
    • “I want to add my voice to the praise...Julia Poe called it. She didn’t do it expressly, but she walked us right up to exactly what happened.” (Spencer, 28:08)
  • Brief joke on Bulls hiring a German coach—probably not happening.

7. Friday's Top 10 List: All-Time Greatest Pirates

• [35:05–57:47] (Segment Unfolds Over ~22min)
  • Pre-list note: The list is designed not to repeat any “top Raiders” already discussed; covers real, mythical, and pop culture pirates.
  • Selected Highlights:
    • #10: Magnus Heinesen—Faroese privateer, beheaded after a sham trial, exonerated posthumously.
    • #9: Captain Feathersword—Children’s “Wiggles” character with a feather instead of a sword.
    • #8: Painty the Pirate—Portrait pirate from “SpongeBob SquarePants” who says, “Are you ready, kids?”
    • #7: John Crabb—First known pirate to use a ship-mounted catapult.
    • #6: Rock Braziliano—Dutch pirate known for extreme cruelty; used by Spanish mothers to scare children: “Rock Braziliano’s gonna come cook you.”
    • #5: Richard Worley—Credited for the Jolly Roger skull-and-crossbones design.
    • #4: Jose Gaspar—Mythical “Gasparilla” pirate, honored in the Tampa festival.
    • #3: The Dread Pirate Roberts—From “The Princess Bride”; character/title passed on through multiple people.
    • #2: Long John Silver (as played by Wallace Beery)—Established the modern “pirate voice” and mannerisms.
    • #1: Han Solo—“He’s a pirate! ... He’s wearing a pirate costume ... He was hired because they needed a ship, and he would take money to smuggle things.” (56:02)

8. Sports Betting Picks

• [57:47–60:36]
  • Presented by MyBookie; lines and picks for Bulls–Magic and several NBA games.
  • Dan’s pick: “I will give the 15 points. I’m going to take Orlando.” (58:24)
  • Matt takes Bulls +15, Boston -16.5, Indiana +15, Dallas +17.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Bernstein [01:04]: “The phrase that I’m hearing is people coming out of the woodwork for this job.”
• Matt Abbatacola [05:17]: “Dwyane Wade. Trey Young. Wiggins. Yes. Yeah. It’s a long list.”
• Father Nick via email [19:02]: “Trivializing what we call sacramentals with novelty hats does seem somewhat akin to caricaturing ethnicities with cartoonish logos.”
• Cam in Bridgeport [21:39]: “In a world that feels pretty bleak most days, it was nice to spend an afternoon surrounded by normal, everyday people who reminded me there’s still hope out there.”
• Cindy in Tacoma [23:27]: “Everyone instead was talking about Gino Auriemma ... because an insecure man baby wasn’t getting the calls he wanted.”
• Dan Bernstein [56:02]: “Han Solo ... He’s a pirate! ... He was hired because they needed a ship, and he would take money to go ahead and take things and smuggle things.”

Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Bulls’ GM Search, Austin Brown discussion | 01:04–05:30 | | Listener Feedback: White Sox Pope Hat | 13:08–19:35 | | Story: Solo at Sox Opening Day | 19:35–22:13 | | Women’s Final Four controversy | 22:25–24:26 | | Listener: Bulls’ regime change & Julia Poe praise | 28:08–28:50 | | Top Ten Pirates (deep dive, humor/fact/history) | 35:05–57:47 | | Sports Betting Picks | 57:47–60:36 |

Summary

This episode expertly blends hard sports news—Bulls executive search with an unexpected candidate and insight into front-office machinations—with the show’s signature humor, infectious camaraderie, and thoughtful listener interaction. The hosts dissect fan and insider perspectives on team promotions, dive deep into audience nostalgia and cultural critique, and keep things light with their quirky Top 10 (pirate) rankings. For Bulls fans and Chicago sports diehards, Dan’s scoop on Austin Brown is the must-hear item. For everyone else, it’s a masterclass in engaging, unfiltered sports talk.