Hour 2: RSNs and Rodgers

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast Summary
Episode: Hour 2: RSNs and Rodgers
Release Date: March 28, 2025

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1. The Evolution and Decline of Regional Sports Networks (RSNs)

Peter Rosenberg initiates the discussion by addressing the shifting landscape of sports broadcasting, particularly focusing on the Mets' recent move to Apple TV and the implications for traditional RSNs like SNY. He expresses concern over the diminishing presence of beloved local voices, questioning whether fans still value the personalized commentary that RSNs have historically provided.

"Imagine a world where there is no Sam Rosen doing it for 40 years as the voice you grew up with. Imagine that world."
— Peter Rosenberg [03:15]

Don La Greca agrees, attributing the decline of RSNs to dwindling viewership and exorbitant costs associated with broadcasting rights. He highlights that RSNs initially thrived by securing comprehensive programming but are now struggling to justify their expenses as fan engagement decreases.

"There are other ways to consume sports. And these regionals are going out because they overpaid for the product."
— Don La Greca [03:15]

Alan Hahn adds that while national broadcasts offer high-profile game coverage, they often lack the depth and personal connection that local RSNs provide. He contrasts this with platforms like WWE, which successfully manage multiple global broadcasts without losing their unique voices.

"There's a lot of places that you're going to consume your sport... But you can't lose the voices."
— Peter Rosenberg [08:42]

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2. Listener Interactions and Community Concerns

The hosts engage with listener calls, addressing various opinions and concerns. Adam from California shares his pride in certain Yankees moments, while expressing indifference towards Juan Soto's move to the Mets, reflecting a nuanced fan perspective.

"I could see the look on my own face. It was like... I'm just indifferent about that whole thing."
— Adam [20:12]

Don La Greca responds by debunking narratives created by fans, emphasizing that Juan Soto's decision was financially motivated rather than influenced by fabricated loyalty.

"Juan Soto's dream was to make more money. And that's... he's never going to leave because of a narrative you created."
— Don La Greca [21:11]

Additionally, a call from Mike in Hawthorne addresses internal station drama, revealing tension between hosts and underscoring the importance of accountability within their team dynamics.

"I never thought I'd get on to talk about this... But you know what? It was wrong, bro."
— Mike [23:02]

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3. The Rise of New Sports Media Personalities

A significant portion of the episode delves into the emergence of new figures in sports media, particularly focusing on Pat McAfee's meteoric rise. The hosts speculate on McAfee's upcoming event in Pittsburgh and the potential surprise appearance of Aaron Rodgers, drawing parallels to WWE-style promotions.

"This is going to happen... Maybe he signs the day before, but his first official appearance in front of anybody will be on that show as a Steeler."
— Don La Greca [30:50]

Peter Rosenberg praises McAfee's ability to captivate audiences without a traditional media background, likening his approach to entertainment-focused models that prioritize opinion and engagement over journalistic integrity.

"This is basically taking the WWE model and bringing it into sports media. It is loud. It is entertaining. It is drama-based."
— Peter Rosenberg [33:12]

Alan Hahn concurs, highlighting McAfee's strategic departure from platforms like Barstool to cultivate his unique brand without inherited negative associations.

"He took the people, but he did not take the Barstool brand. People probably forget he was even at Barstool."
— Alan Hahn [34:15]

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4. Speculations on Pat McAfee's Event and Aaron Rodgers' Involvement

The hosts delve deeper into their theory regarding Pat McAfee's upcoming sold-out event in Pittsburgh, anticipating it as the platform for Aaron Rodgers to announce his move to the Steelers. They discuss the strategic timing and media impact of such an announcement within an entertainment-centric environment.

"And the only thing I'll say is that maybe he signs the day before, but his first official appearance... that's the bare minimum."
— Don La Greca [31:03]

Peter Rosenberg emphasizes the transformative effect McAfee is having on sports media, noting his unconventional rise and the significant following he's amassed in a short period.

"He's taking it for himself. He's relentless in a pursuit of greatness, always pushing to one up himself."
— Peter Rosenberg [32:09]

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5. Changing Dynamics in Sports Journalism

Don La Greca reflects on the historical context of sports journalism, noting the shift from traditional writers and broadcasters to athletes and personalities without conventional media training. He credits this evolution to the growing distrust in traditional media sources and the public's desire for more relatable and opinion-driven content.

"I think we're even opening it wider to not only other people, but I think there's almost a feel among the fans... that it's a refreshing take."
— Don La Greca [37:08]

Alan Hahn and Peter Rosenberg further discuss how this shift caters to a broader audience seeking entertainment and authentic opinions rather than polished journalistic narratives.

"The media, Allen, for some reason over the last few years, has become the enemy."
— Don La Greca [37:08]

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Conclusion

The episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg provides an insightful exploration into the evolving world of sports broadcasting, the decline of traditional RSNs, and the rise of new media personalities who resonate with modern audiences. Through engaging dialogue and listener interactions, the hosts highlight the challenges and opportunities facing sports media, emphasizing the importance of authentic voices in maintaining fan engagement.

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Notable Quotes:

• "Pat's brilliance started with. He stayed at Barstool long enough to get their audience, but short enough to not have any of the negative stink that can come from."
  — Alan Hahn [34:15]

• "They want opinion. They want hot takes."
  — Don La Greca [33:14]

• "I never felt Juan Soto had blood in the ground."
  — Peter Rosenberg [20:47]

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Timestamp Highlights:

• 03:15 – Discussion on RSNs' decline and the importance of local voices.
• 08:42 – Peter emphasizes the necessity of maintaining local announcers.
• 21:11 – Don addresses fan narratives surrounding Juan Soto.
• 30:50 – Speculation on Pat McAfee's event and Aaron Rodgers.
• 37:08 – Reflection on the changing landscape of sports journalism.

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For those interested in the intricate dynamics of sports media and the future of broadcasting, this episode offers a comprehensive and engaging analysis, capturing the essence of the ongoing transformation within the industry.

Transcript

[Don La Greca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Don La Greca]

That sounds like heaven to me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app and your smart speakers right into the 4:00 hour. We go with Don McGregor and Peter Rosenberg. I'm Alan Hahn. 800-919-3776 is the number. We'll get to your calls here. Back to the calls and in just a moment. Guys, I wanted to bring this up because it caught my attention and it's been catching my attention is something I'm watching closely for obvious reasons. Don, I'm sure you are too because of our connections to this, but the Mets play tonight, but not on sny. They will play tonight on Apple tv. So again, this is the new world. They also will not play on SNY tomorrow. Yeah, they'll be on FOX now, next week you'll see them back in Gary, Keith and Ron and everybody that you love there, Galbz, the whole group. But it's immediately you start your season and right away it's not your people. And this is nothing new. We have talked enough about streaming services and new media that has come into sports. The NBA is going to be doing this next year introducing more people and more companies. NBC stepping in Apple, Amazon, all that we know football's already gone this way Thursday night. You got to have Amazon. Now there's going to be another. It's just there's a lot now of places that you're going to consume your sport. But in baseball, there is an intimacy I've always felt with the regional sports networks. They are your voices. They're your people. You like to watch, watch a ball game and listen to Gary, Keith and Ron. You love to listen to Michael k. And Paul O'Neill and David Cohn and Jeff Nelson. You know what I mean? Like, it's just these are your people. How much of a concern, I'm wondering people in this market especially how much they are having in watching what's going on with the regional sports networks to a point where it does Feel like in some sports, it's slowly getting phased out. Imagine a world where there is no Sam Rosen doing it for 40 years as the voice you grew up with. Imagine that world. Because there are some of these leagues, when you talk to them internally, they're almost warning you ahead of time when you look around at other markets, that a lot of the regional sports networks are starting to be phased out, and it's becoming more and more national broadcasts to the point where it could end up being a broadcast shared by the two teams that are playing. And you don't get those hometown voices anymore. Do people care that much anymore like we did growing up? Don?

[Don La Greca]

Peter, I listen. I think the reason the regionals are going out in certain markets, people are just not watching games like they used to. Right? We're seeing it here locally, too. There's. There's other ways to consume sports. And these regionals are going out because they overpaid for the product. Why? Because it supplies programs. That's why baseball is in a little bit more trouble than the other sports is because these regionals paid through the nose because they're like, we can get 130 games. We've got ourselves programmed. We can build around that programming. And then it just ended up not being worth the juice, wasn't worth the squeeze. You know, some of these teams weren't good. Pittsburgh, I'm sure when they struck their deal, they were a perennial playoff team. Now they haven't been. They're not getting the ratings, they're hemorrhaging money. And it's one of, like, I think five local networks that are being propped up by Major League Baseball. Like, how close are we to. Of them doing something, Alan, to what MLS did with Apple or Amazon? I forget which one it is where.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just it was Apple.

[Don La Greca]

And I was telling over everything. The same thing happening with Rogers up in Canada, right? I mean, they're all under the same umbrella of Rogers. They, the local teams get their own broadcasters, but it's all under the same network locally. Are we getting to the point where MLB is just going to say we're just going to take it all in and it's all going to be the same? Now, listen. Yes, we'll fight that because yes does very well. SNY does very well. There's certain markets that do well, but overwhelmingly, we're seeing a lot of markets don't. But can that still be the best of both worlds, Alan, where you still have the ability to watch with your own guys? Because if they do that, what do they do? They'll hire the local guys to call the games. But the national stuff, listen, I grew up with it as a kid, I used to get excited when the Mets were on NBC game of the week, because it meant my team was important. I don't think people are moved by national television anymore.

[Peter Rosenberg]

See, I disagree. I disagree. Now, first of all, you asked me a question. I'll answer it. The MLS model was something. I talked to Gary Bettman about this privately one time. We were just kicking around, like, what's going on with. You know, I guess it was.

[Alan Hahn]

I'm gonna need the name drop off.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, come on. Stop it. I'm telling the. Knock it off. Because it's just an NHL.

[Alan Hahn]

Privately, Don, you heard it privately. We're kicking things around. Come on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because this wasn't like, in a public forum, right?

[Don La Greca]

He wasn't. It wasn't interviewing him on a show. What he's saying.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that's what makes it a good name drop. Continue.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not a name drop. It's like. Well, there's no. There's no credibility. If I tell you I was just talking to this guy named Gary, right?

[Don La Greca]

If he was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what I mean?

[Don La Greca]

Like, listen, I had the same conversation with Artie from Farallon.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly which one?

[Don La Greca]

Hit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm talking to a guy who's a commissioner of a sports league, and Don asked a question about the. The model that MLS was doing, and I presented that to him because of the stuff going on in Colorado.

[Don La Greca]

I do. Like, he went after you, but it was wrong.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what, though? It.

[Unknown]

It's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So. This is, again, why he's so lucky that we're not in the studio together, because I'd smack you. I would literally give you a fresh one right now.

[Alan Hahn]

Freshy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Absolutely. You'd get. Oh, you'd definitely. Back of the hand, too. Not even if. Not even a pause on that note.

[Don La Greca]

That'S just like, ring finger.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Definitely ring thing. I do have it on.

[Don La Greca]

All right.

[Alan Hahn]

When you were talking. When you were talking back, you're talking to Gary.

[Don La Greca]

Gary, what did he say?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but he was talking to gb. I threw at him the idea of what. What they do, what they're doing at mls. And he said, it is very interesting that it is something like. And how would you do it? And even he said, it's not that easy because of what you said. Don, what game do you decide? Like, is it regional? Guys that stuck. When I say regional, I mean Northeast, you know, the west, where all the teams are and you have, like, your handful of announcers. And it's. They're the ones that do those games. So like tonight, you know, the Knicks are in Milwaukee, in New York, you would get Milwaukee's broadcast and that's just, you know, maybe one person from New York would be involved to add a little bit of the flavor. But you know, it takes away from it. The once in a while national broadcast was nice because like you said, Don, it always feels like it's a bigger deal. But the problem is you don't get the depth of coverage. You don't get that comfortability of this is. I know this team. They're talking about my team. They know them.

[Alan Hahn]

You're not getting that eight times, eight times a year which would. Which would only be for like a Yankee or a Dodger. So like realistically for another higher Bob. I mean for the. What I was going to say. Hold on, hear me out. What I meant was on a regular year before all this mishigas happened, 8 to 10 for the really big teams that you might end up on Sunday night baseball, that means a lot. Like Yankees, Red Sox on a Sunday. I actually believe there are Yankee and Red Sox fans out there who are happy to not have their announcers for that night. Especially in a big meaningful time of the year. Because it's Sunday night, it's 8 o'clock and it feels like something. There's a big difference between that and a random national game on a Friday on Apple TV with announcers you don't care about. It's not the same thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

And by the way, WWE manages every week when Raw airs. It's, it's. They have like 22 different broadcasts around the world happen. Like there are ways to do this. I refuse to believe that the tech would be a major issue. There has to be a better voices.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think you can't lose the voices. You might have to share the truck, you might have to share the production, whatever it is, but you can't lose the voices. But I've had people like look when Ms. We. The Knicks play a ton national games because they're a popular team now. And what happens in the NBA, there's a certain number that when the Nationals take certain amount, you're allowed to go side by side on the other amount. That's why we do a lot of side by sides on national games. And I always check to see are fans in New York tuning in to the national game or with us. And you wouldn't believe how many fans will say, oh, I just want to hear what they're saying I'm curious about what they're saying and I'm telling them you are contributing to the death of the regional sports network if you aren't supporting the regional sports. And you know, not getting Gary Keith around tonight, to me is, is, is frustrating. If you're a Mets fan, it should be. It's too early in the season for me to already lose these guys for the night.

[Don La Greca]

And then let's not even add to the whole fact that it's an app that just drives people even more crazy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, there's that too.

[Don La Greca]

But, but I, I, I know you said you disagree. I, I believe that the majority of it, with the exception of football, because all the games are de facto nationally televised games anyway. So there is maybe something getting, getting your team on Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football or Thursday Night Football. But I believe that whenever, like the Rangers are on ESPN or tnt, whenever the Knicks are, whenever you see it happen with the baseball, the fans, 75% of them complain because they're not getting their announcers. They hate the guys. They're getting, these guys are biased against our teams. They also hate the time. Like I honestly, I think if, if a Yankee or Met games move to Sunday night baseball fans want to throw up because it's a Sunday at 8 o'clock and they'd rather get the game in the afternoon and they want their guy. I don't think, I don't think most fans, like the little Don legreca got excited when Joe Graziola and Vin Scully was calling his games on, on NBC. Yeah, I think there's a generation of fans they would just rather get their guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm telling you, the side by side, we, we lose the side by side and it pisses me off. And I hear fans tell me all the time that it just becomes like a thing where I'm just curious of what the national guys have to say about my team.

[Don La Greca]

Let me ask.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They'll watch, they'll complain about Chuck and Shaq and all them. Right. They'll complain that they always disrespect us, but they have to tune into it.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, respectfully though, that's about the greatness of the guys who do the NBA nationally and the notoriety they have versus the current slate that do national baseball these days. We can't pretend as if the national baseball people have the same relationship with their fan base that the NBA people do at their point. If you're getting a national game on espn, you're getting Mike Breen, right? This, you're getting Doris Burke, people that they know and love. If it's tnt, obviously the studio show's great. But even the Kevin Harlins and the Reggie Millers, these are people that they have relationships with.

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[Don La Greca]

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[Don La Greca]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Yep.

[Don La Greca]

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[Unknown]

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[Don La Greca]

Oh, okay. So the first room we're looking at is for guests. Shop blinds.com now and save up to 40% sitewide. Blinds.com rules and restrictions may apply. I still think the majority of fans hate it. I think the people that you lose, Alan. Yeah, there's the curiosity. I want to see what they're saying. But that doesn't mean you're gone the whole game. You might parachute in and out. But also tells you that the power in New York that when MSG gets a rating on a Knick game, it's not only Nick fans that are watching it. Now, if a net fan might be watching it, just a general NBA fan might be watching that game. But when it's on national television, they might be more inclined to watch it on TNT or ESPN or ABC because of the fact that they're not a Knick fan. I think that speaks to the amount of non Knick fans that watch the MSG broadcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Basketball fans in the city. Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

Because I do not hear that with the Rangers. Anytime the Rangers are on national and there's some respected people, you know, back when it was Doc Emmerich or, you know, right now I think you'll get people like Bob Washoesen who used to call games, or even Ken, who's the Ranger announcer calling games on tnt. They hate it because they want Sam. They want Sam and Joe, they want their guys. And it's not as national as the NBA is. So I would say that probably 99% of the audience tonight for Rangers, Ducks are going to be Ranger fans. What's the percentage of Knick fans watching on MSG? Maybe 75%, 65%. Because basketball is big in New York. Hockey's more regional. So Devil fans are watching Devil games. Islander fans are watching Islander games. So you don't have that face off problem that you do in the NBA.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I just wonder again, like what. Because this is, it's, it's slowly heading in this direction. We're seeing some of the, you know, out of this area. Like the one thing about New York is that it's very strong when it comes to the regional sports networks. All three of them are strong. They all do well. And so that's, that's not a concern. But it's everyone else that you're seeing it fail, that you're wondering, when do these made? When did the major leagues just decide. We can't keep propping up these other regionals just because we have three markets, whether it's Boston, Chicago, New York, that, you know, that can handle it. La, that can handle it. But everybody else, they, you know, they're crumbling. And that's, that's, that's your concern. That's something like I said, I just, I saw it. I saw the fact that the Mets right out of the gate, you're not getting your guys right out of the gate. I know as a Yankee fan that would bother me and I just thought.

[Don La Greca]

I'd bring it up and listen a lot of these things too. I don't want to, I don't think I'm blowing the whistle on anything. Is that, listen, Fox, there's an obligation to broadcast a certain amount of regular season games because they want the postseason in the World Series. I don't think they particularly care about having this game. I don't know what the number would do against what they normally would put on. So a lot of these networks are airing these games kind of have an obligation because they, they want the bigger picture later on in the postseason. So I just feel like you're excited and listen, Randazzo, Wayne Randazzo does a great job on Apple and, but it just, and he was a man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's not about this. Yeah, it's not about that.

[Don La Greca]

But it's not about any of all those guys do a great job. But baseball, like you said, those guys are important. They're just part of your life. And you know Nancy, when, you know the Giants, when she doesn't get Kruken Kuipe, she's annoyed because they're part of the family more so than anything any other sport. So.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, and that's, and that's the thing to just cap off the point I was making earlier, Don, if you're a basketball fan here in New York, everyone who's a part of the local MSG broadcast is a part of your life. But so are the TNT guys. They're all a part of your life. It doesn't feel like the same level of drop off with. It's not about Wayne Randazzo or whoever being good. It's just about the sort of cultural connection that the national people have.

[Don La Greca]

I think only, only Peter, because most national games on ABC or espn, you get brain. So I think that helps. But, but yeah, I don't, I don't know, do they do Nick for Kevin Harlan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't get Kevin Harlan does a lot of the West Coast.

[Don La Greca]

So, so what do you get on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

TNT for, For Ian Eagle? A lot of times people love Iron.

[Don La Greca]

I know he's a net guy, but people love.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, he's, he's fantastic.

[Don La Greca]

But God, the vitriol you get and be like, Joe Buck hates our team. I'm sorry. Joe Buck is amazing, man. Like, I think he's a great. I'd rather have my own announcers. But like I, but you get into it and it happened with, with, you know, back in the day with Miller and Morgan when they were on ESP all. They hate the Yankees. They hate the man just Joe Morgan hated the Yankees. It gets. It gets. It gets a little silly. But. But baseball, other than hockey and basketball, where you do hear it, it's not the day in, day out. The baseball is. As much as you love Sam Rosen, as much as you love Mike Breen, they're not in your. They're not there every single day. Like with baseball, like, if you're a Met fan, Gary, Keith, and Ron, they're always there. Maybe not 162 games because of the national, and sometimes they'll take off, but for, like, 125 games. That's the team you're getting every single day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, let's get back to calls. 800-919-3776. A lot of people want to talk to us here today, so let's get to them. How about Adam in California? Adam, you're next.

[Unknown]

Hey, guys, thanks for taking the call, as always. First of all, before I get to my main point, Alan, the evidence is really piling up that you're not a true P1. How is it possible you never heard the term schnurr?

[Don La Greca]

Wow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. I throw myself at the mercy of the court. I mean, again, I do. P1 is a real thing. I could show you on my car, but it's not as if there were days that I had things going on or, you know, that I, you know, I missed some shows.

[Unknown]

That is fair.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not Cal Ripken Jr. I do. I did miss some games.

[Unknown]

Okay, fair enough. I really wanted to call and just say that I could not be more proud that judges are captain for the Yankees. That moment with Jonathan and his son, man, it was. It was a thing of beauty. I was getting choked up just thinking about it. It reminds me of that great quote Brad Pitt said in Moneyball. How can you not be romantic about baseball? And, you know, that's just one of the thousands of reasons why when Soto signed with the Mets, I was just indifferent. I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. It was just like, I could see the look on my own face. It was like when rolls Chapman gave up the home run in the AFCs, the Altuve, like that smirk, like, okay, yeah. You're gonna choose our crosstime rivals, Yankees. We're gonna mess you up next year. Okay. All right. So, you know, I'm not gonna blow everything out of proportion. It was one game with his, you know, bad swing, but, you know, I'm just indifferent about that whole thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I agree, Adam. Thanks for the call. I like guys again, I'm the resident Yankee fan here. Right. So for me, I'm going to use a phrase that Chris can. He uses, and I've stolen it and use it a million times. I never felt Juan Soto had blood in the ground. So it doesn't. It didn't affect me as much as it would have affected me if I had to see Derek Jeter go somewhere else because the Yankees wouldn't pay him or somebody outbid him. You know what I mean? Like, it just. The blood in the ground thing to me means a lot. I just don't think Soto had. It had any in the ground here.

[Don La Greca]

Well, because you, you're, you're logical. But the fans that hate Juan Soto are the ones that were convinced he was staying. Oh, he's gonna see the Bleacher Creatures, he's gonna walk in Yankee Stadium, and he's gonna be so overwhelmed by the history and the winning, he's never gonna leave. And he left. So you hate him, but you created a narrative that never existed. Allen read it the right way. He's gonna go to the highest bidder.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

You know, and I know the whole stuff with the sweets and that's all still monetized in a way. He wanted to be schmooze. The Yankees played it the way they wanted to play it, and he decided to go to the Mets. Hate him if you want, fine. But don't hate him because of a narrative you created. I get you, as a die hard Yankee fan, would play for the Yankees for free. I'd play for the Mets for free. It'd be my dream to be a major league baseball player. But Juan Soto's dream was to make more money. And that's. And it's not necessarily a bad thing. He never lied to you, right? He did he ever once give you an indication that this was where he was going to be?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, he didn't. Yeah. That's fair too, is that it never was like he led you along all the way to think that he was all in. And then the minute he could, he got more money, he just walked away and the loyalty was gone. That part is true. Mike in Hawthorne. Mike wants to set the record straight.

[Don La Greca]

Yeah, straight. What is going on between us and Michael K. You heard it. Tell me.

[Unknown]

Yeah, well, first of all, I am a fan of Don and Michael for. Since. Since day one. So for me to even send that text to Don was not something that was very pleasant for me to do.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got out of work, I was.

[Unknown]

On my way home, was in Jersey City, and turned on the Case show for the last 10 minutes as I was getting. Getting out of there. And he was absolutely livid at you guys. That Peter not. Not Allen. He actually made a point to say, Alan and I have been friends. This has nothing to do with Alan at all. This has to do with the other two as so. And the gentleman who screened my call. I hope he understands. We do. We do agree to disagree. But the only reason I texted Don was because I could not believe what was coming out of Michael's head because he was saying stuff about you guys that. As if a friend who, like, I have friends in Hawthorne I grew up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

With my whole life.

[Unknown]

If one of my friends said that to me, I'd be really pissed. And what he was saying about you guys. And I actually tried to call, but it was too late to get through. That's why I texted Don. So he basically said, you know, this just exposes these two guys to what they're all about. That's what pissed me off. That's why I texted you, Don, because I don't know what he was saying, and I don't know if the gentleman who screened the calls who said came on and said he listened to it and it wasn't bad. That's fine. But again, I don't want you guys to think that I would just haphazardly say something to Don knows me my whole life. And what he said and how he said it, I couldn't believe it. I was like. I thought he was kidding at first. I thought he was absolutely.

[Don La Greca]

Now, this is about the Schnur stuff, right?

[Unknown]

No, I. I don't. Again, I don't know what the. What it was about. Oh, because he didn't say. He didn't say what it was about. He didn't say specifically that Peter said this and Don said that he said it was something that. That hurt his feelings or whatever, but basically called you guys out for being. I hate the term that you guys use. But for being frauds and not. And not doing what you did. So again, I would. I never thought I'd get on to talk about this. This was between Don and I because, you know, Don and Michael have done so much and they're great guys and with the no, don't feel bad foundational that stuff. But you know what? It was wrong, bro. It was wrong.

[Don La Greca]

Well, you know what? You know what? Mike Enn is going to be a very interesting one today, guys, because not only are we going to get to the bottom of it, exactly what Michael said, but apparently I was called out by Ray Santiago this morning.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What?

[Don La Greca]

So this ENN is going to be very, very interesting because I think there's a lot of people that are going to be held accountable for the things that they say. Things aren't said in the back.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not change the channel ENN coming up next. And it's a must. Listen, we have drama here at the station and Peter, we also have a message.

[Alan Hahn]

We do. And I'll probably need a moment to find it, but I have it here. Brackets busted. New customers at FanDuel can get $200 in bonus bets. When your first five dollar bet wins. That's 200 extra bucks. That is not buts 200 butts. I mean there's a lot of things. You know what? Let me move on. That's 200 extra bucks to bet on everything from clutch shots to last second heartbreaks. I had heartbreak yesterday. And even who's going to cut down the net? If you've been waiting to join, there's no better time. Come on. The sweet sixteen, the elite eight. The tourney action day and amazing bet types, spreads, totals, game props and so much more. All right. I'm still rooting against Duke, so I got that going for me. Visit FanDuel.com Peter and get in on the college hoops action. All torny long. 21 and over and physically present in New York. First online real money wager only. $5. First deposit required. Bonus issued as non withdrawable bonus bets which expire seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See [e-mail] for help with a gambling problem. Call 877-8-HOPE NY or text openy467369.

[Don La Greca]

Make your next move with American Express Business Platinum. You'll get five times membership rewards points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com plus enjoy access to the American Express global lounge collection. And with a welcome offer of 150,000 points, your business can soar to all new heights. Terms apply. Learn [e-mail] Business Platinum AmEx Business Platinum Built for business by American Express this episode is brought to you by Universal Pictures. Today's the day. From Universal Pictures in Blumhouse come a storm of terror from the director of the shallows. The woman in the yard. Don't let her in. Where does she come from? What does she want? When will she leave?

[Unknown]

The Woman in the Yard in theaters now.

[Don La Greca]

You don't wake up dreaming of McDonald's fries. You wake up dreaming of McDonald's hash browns. McDonald's breakfast comes first.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. All right, don Hunt Rosenberg. 880, ESPN, the ESPN New York app. Let's give you a game time brought to you by Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time, it's Tully time, boys. Mets, Astros in Houston continue that series tonight. Coverage starts right here on 880 at 7:30. Not the start time. It's a later start time on tv. It's on Apple. So keep that in mind. Knicks and the Bucs. I'm here in Milwaukee with that. We have coverage beginning on 1050. Now remember, the Mets are on 880 for you Knick fans. You go to 1050 for the game and that starts at 7:30 local time. 8:00 tip in New York. Rangers are in Anaheim. So late night for Donnie. They face the Ducks now. Coverage begins at 9:30. Keep in mind, write it down. WBBR, Don Lagreca and then also the ESPNY app, which way you can get everything. Don't worry about the dial if you have the app. The Nets host the Clippers at 7:30. The Devils and Hurricanes game is in Carolina. That starts at eight. That is game time brought to you by Telemore. Due the original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey because be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during tonight's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. This is the time of year, guys, where we have a very busy schedule with all these teams we have on this on this station, there's a lot of maneuvering. So Don, WBBR tonight.

[Don La Greca]

It's gotta go somewhere. So we thank the people over at 11:30 for giving us.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the ability.

[Don La Greca]

But say we got Mets, we got Knicks, we got Rangers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. It's a place to be and get the app. And you have no problem finding anything you need to find. Just have the app. All right. It's Peter. So again, I wasn't there yesterday. So there was a discussion that you want to bring back and I'm very curious about this.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes. So I had a theory that I suggested to Don. Don loved the theory so much. He went from not only does he agree with it, he thinks it's a conspiracy to not agree with my theory. The theory is the following. The week after next, a Week from Wednesday, a gentleman named Pat McAfee is having a sold out event at the arena in Pittsburgh called A Night out, spelled I believe a H T Pittsburgh accent. You know Pat's from Pittsburgh, of course.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And he's gonna have a bunch of different cool like artists and celebrities and Pittsburgh legends and it's a big celebration for in Pat's world. Are you telling me we're not currently sitting with the Steelers roster having only Mason Rudolph? Because this is essentially a done deal that will either be announced at the event or the day before. So it could be celebrated there.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm all in. I'm lockstep with you on. This is a WWE type situation where I could see pm there'd be smoke going on in a tunnel somewhere and him coming out and getting everybody fired up and then all of a sudden out comes Aaron Rodgers.

[Alan Hahn]

What do you think?

[Don La Greca]

Like I said, I had said to Peter that this is beyond conspiracy. This is going to happen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don La Greca]

And the only thing I'll say is that maybe he signs the day before, but his first official appearance in front of anybody will be on that show as a Steeler. That's the bare minimum.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, good point.

[Don La Greca]

Otherwise the announcement will be at that show. It just makes perfect sense. It also explains why it's taking so long for it to be official.

[Alan Hahn]

Right. Because what else is going on right now? And by the way, what's happening, Let.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Me just add, I mean it is a bit of a Captain Obvious statement here, but this, if it does go down like that or something close to it. Right. This just continues this incredible ascension of somebody that is not like has really no media background, no media training, no nothing. But yet, and especially after what happened this week, has literally elbowed his way to the top when it comes to media personality. Like it's, it's just like think all the things that, that this guy has been able to pull off and do at an epic level and the following that he has developed like it is, it's remarkable in a two year span what has happened here.

[Alan Hahn]

You mean Pat?

[Don La Greca]

Yes, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's crazy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I literally elbowed his way to the top. Literally elbow.

[Don La Greca]

But I think he came at a perfect time where I think there's an audience of people who kind of just had it with the whole like journalism or media. How many conversations have we had over the years, Peter, where it's like nobody defends the media, the media is bad, the media is evil. Here's a former player Here's a guy that has access to players, doesn't have a media background, fans kind of trust him a little bit. So I think you're kind of giving the public what they want. I think that's what people are looking for now. The old days of, you know, journalistic integrity, doing the work, that stuff is still important to some people, but to a lot of the wham, bam, thank you, ma'am crowd, where they just want to be able to get access to athletes and an opinion, I think they're just kind of looking forward to hearing it from somebody that isn't going to be preachy or trying to give you an angle of education, I guess I'm not knocking it. I'm just saying. And I'm not saying that he's uneducated. I'm just saying that, like, I don't think people want to be explained things. I think they just want opinion. They want hot takes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They want to be entertained.

[Don La Greca]

And they want to be entertained if.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You want it to be entertained. And I'm telling you and Peter, this. This is. This is basically taking the WWE model and bringing it into sports media. It is loud. It is. It is. It is entertaining. It is drama based. Like, there's just so much that I think that he has leaned into. You know, there's a lot of, like, you know, just making the little guy feel like a big guy making the average Joe. So, like, look at just the setup alone of their show. Nobody, no, like, nobody's wearing ties. Like, I'm gonna be on get up next week. I have to put tie, suit, the whole thing. Like, you have to look the part of what you would think they're supposed to, but they don't do any of that. He spends the whole show standing. I even sit like other guys just sitting around. It just seems more regular guy stuff that regular guys are more comfortable with than.

[Alan Hahn]

But it was. It was all very tactical. His entire approach over the last really goes back like eight years to when he first was doing Barstool while still in the league.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

And he stayed at Barstool. I've always said this. Pat's brilliance started with. He stayed at Barstool long enough to get their audience, but short enough to not have any of the negative stink that can come from.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They took him with him and he.

[Alan Hahn]

Took the people, but he did not take the Barstool brand. People probably forget he was even at Barstool. He just kept moving in a way that was really smart.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He.

[Alan Hahn]

He doesn't say super controversial things himself. But he allows a forum for other people to say controversial.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He leads you to it. It's. It's very Howard Stern, is it not?

[Alan Hahn]

No, I disagree, because Howard. But Howard always said crazy things himself.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Pat, I mean. I mean, the interviewing part, first of all, being able to get the people is one thing, right? Get to get the guests is huge. But then to know how to lead them to something that they're saying, things that make news now, I don't have to. And I think that's. There's a brilliance to that. But the LeBron thing, man, I'm telling you, that is going to resonate for a long time. And it's a good look for Pat, and I don't know how good of a look that was for LeBron. I gotta be honest with you. I don't think that was a good look for LeBron at all.

[Alan Hahn]

I gotta watch more of it and to have a real feel of it.

[Don La Greca]

But. But what's. Just to freshen up my point a bit. Just thinking more about it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's.

[Don La Greca]

It. Listen, when I started in this business, Alan, you know, it just seemed like everybody that got a talk show was. Had some journalistic background. They were a writer. They were on television. Like, that's what they were looking for. And then you started to see more professional athletes move in to do it. Even you, Peter, I mean, 20, 30 years ago, you would not have the background to do this. Like, that just wasn't done. You know, we didn't take somebody from another world and make them a sports talk show. I. I had a program director literally come up to me when we needed hosts. When we first started this radio station, Kevin Graham was our program director. He's like, don, do you know any writers? We need a host. And I'm thinking, why do they have to be riders, you know, and. And in order. Like, I broke in just because I just hung around long enough where they finally gave me a chance. I was doing updates and everything else, and that's kind of how you kind of broke through. Otherwise, if you were going to do it, you had some sort of journalistic background. Now we see players do it. Now we see hosts, you know, Joe Benningo able to make a career as a caller and then becomes a talk show host. Like, I think we've opened the doors to a lot of different people, and I think now we're even opening it wider to not only other people, but I think there's almost a feel among the fans and the listeners and the viewers that it's a refreshing take rather than hearing it from the talking heads or the journalists of the world. Because I think the media, Allen, for some reason over the last few years, has become the enemy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It certainly has. And it's, it's definitely changing. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good. Here, more of Don Allen and Peter.

[Unknown]

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