Hour 3: Dave Rothenberg joins the show

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Hour 3: Dave Rothenberg Joins the Show

Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: Dave Rothenberg

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Episode Overview

This lively hour features sports broadcaster Dave Rothenberg joining Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg for wide-ranging, classic New York sports radio banter. The episode dives into:

• The dynamics and etiquette of sports radio ‘guest lists’
• Reflections on Antonie Walker’s post-NBA journey and athletes after retirement
• Celebrations of Lawrence Taylor’s legacy and “greatest Giants moments”
• Trade chatter and passionate breakdowns on New York Rangers and Islanders deals
• Hilarious interpersonal jabs between hosts
• Debates on what sports broadcasters owe fans in terms of criticism
• A thought-provoking discussion about Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl halftime show and whether it’s political

The hosts’ signature blend of sports insight, sharp wit, and locker-room ribbing is on full display, making this an entertaining and revealing hour for any New York sports fan.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "The List" Fiasco: Dave Rothenberg Feels Left Out

[01:14] – [06:13]

• Topic: Dave Rothenberg texts the show, playfully upset at being excluded from Rosenberg’s “Top Lawrence Taylor Plays” list.
• Exchange:
  • Peter recalls the text: “You didn’t think to have me on for this list? I’m so hurt.” [01:19]
  • Rothenberg explains to his son why he wasn’t invited:
    “Alex goes, ‘Dad, why would Don do this list without you?’ and I said, ‘Alex, I don’t know.’” [04:13]
  • Light-hearted debate ensues about whether “lists” should ever have guests. Peter: “I never have guests on the list.” [04:46]
  • Rothenberg: “But am I a guest? I mean, we’re one family.” [05:50]
• Notable Quote:
  • Dave: "If I was ever going to be invited into… your bosom for one list, that was the bosom-worthy list." [15:01]
• Tone: Warm, teasing, slightly sentimental—underscoring the camaraderie of ESPN NY personalities.

2. Antoine Walker and the Perils of Athlete Retirement

[01:33] – [03:11]

• Topic: The hosts react to recent photos of Antoine Walker from the Miami Heat 2006 reunion—concern about his health and post-NBA weight.
• Insights:
  • Don: “He might be pushing 400 pounds.” [02:06]
  • Alan: “He’s really… a great dude… but he’s had some issues.” [02:38]
  • Hosts reflect on modern athlete challenges after the spotlight; concern and empathy for Walker.
• Notable Quote:
  • Don: "I hope he pulls it together, man. He just looks really bad." [03:07]

3. Lawrence Taylor’s 67th Birthday: Giants Nostalgia

[03:47] – [08:13]

• Topic: Celebrating LT’s greatest plays and legacy, with Dave’s passionate input.
• Insights:
  • Rothenberg recalls the 1982 game: “He was very banged up…questionable to play and I think didn’t play for the first quarter. And then he came in and just dominated.” [07:01]
  • Discussion of the “one-handed sack” and other iconic plays.
  • The hosts debate which moments deserve a spot in Giants lore; Rothenberg notes the context of great plays even in losses (e.g., against Billy Sims).

4. Rangers, Islanders & Canarin Trade Dissection

[08:13] – [19:23]

• Topic: Addressing fan reactions to Artemi Panarin’s trade to the Kings and larger NY hockey news.
• Insights:
  • Rothenberg on losing Panarin: “He basically said it’s the Kings or nobody. There’s no leverage. Rather than get nothing for him, I guess it’s good... I guess I’m okay with it.” [08:30–09:16]
  • Glenn in Smithtown calls in to compare the trade to the Patrick Kane acquisition, reassuring fans: “I don’t get the disappointment…because of the scenario.” [15:34]
  • Heated discussion of Islanders’ prospects, the need for power-play help, and the value of playoff experience (Pajot, Anders Lee, etc.).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “They really do need somebody that can put the puck in the net in the top six. And especially on the power play.” – Alan [17:51]

5. Morning Show Rivalries: Attendance, Support & Birthday Parties

[09:32] – [14:25]

• **Light-hearted jabs about who listens to each other’s shows, with Peter and Alan “competing” over who’s the most loyal listener.
• Discussion:
  • Why didn’t Rick join Michael K’s birthday party despite “best friend” claims?
    • Dave: “Everybody on the sun was having a birthday…If you’re as close to Michael as you claim to be, you would have been at a big event for him.” [10:36]
  • Debate about etiquette of giving adults birthday gifts.
    • Don: “Over the age of 12, once the bar mitzvah passes, you don’t need a gift anymore for a birthday.” [13:33]
• Memorable Moment: Rothenberg describing the party food: “They had like little, little chicken parm heroes…just a big cup of bacon…it was wild.” [14:15]

6. The “Rally Bird” – Sports Superstition in Real-Time

[18:51] – [23:45]

• Topic: An actual bird on the rink at UBS Arena becomes Islanders’ rally mascot.
• Insight/Tone: Playful, proposing “Free Bird” as the Islanders’ new goal song.
  • Alan: “Every team has that rally song. Skynyrd’s ‘Free Bird’ has to be the song now for the season, right?” [19:20]
  • Peter: “It was the pass for a goal…there was a bird somehow in UBS." [18:47]

7. Broadcasting Ethics: Should Home Announcers ‘Rip’ the Team?

[27:09] – [29:53]

• Topic: Fans demanding local TV and radio broadcasters be harsher critics of the home team.
• Discussion:
  • Don: “Why do the fans always want the local commentary team…to rip them during game broadcasts?” [27:14]
  • Alan: “That’s not the place…to start tearing the franchise to shreds. That’s not how it works.” [29:18]
• Notable Quote:
  • Don: “Do these people show up to their jobs…grab a megaphone… ‘I think it’s about time we talk about some of the shortcomings here’?” [28:01]
• They highlight the difference between calling the game honestly and slamming the organization when on their payroll or working with ex-players.

8. Super Bowl Halftime, Bad Bunny & Sports/Politics

[33:27] – [50:32]

• Callers express concern that choosing Bad Bunny for the halftime show is a political statement.
  • Peter: “Why is having Bad Bunny a political statement by the NFL?…he’s one of the hottest acts out there.” [33:53]
  • Dave: “They just want to make the most money possible.” [34:46]
  • Don: “The NFL wants to be in South America, in Spain…he’s probably the biggest international artist in the world." [37:06]
• Second caller asks if this is a “make good” after the NFL’s handling of Kaepernick.
  • Don: “When they made the call…it wasn't timely to the point that it is now…But things have now gotten so ramped up where Bad Bunny’s presence means even more.” [46:47]
  • Peter: "We're in a different world than we were when Colin Kaepernick took a knee. I think the NFL has grown and understands things a little differently now." [47:13]
  • Don: “Bad Bunny…is going to be much more palatable for people who don’t know his music…It's really fun, up tempo dancing, fun music” [48:48]
  • Both hosts agree: If politics comes up, it will be post-show discussion; for now it’s all about ratings and business.
• Notable Quote:
  • Don, sarcastic about “boycotts”: “You wait and see what the protest looks like and…the way that people turn off the TVs. Okay, pal, I’ll be waiting.” [49:35]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (W/Timestamps)

• Dave on family and lists:
  “But am I a guest? I mean, we're one family.” [05:53]
• On Antoine Walker:
  “I hope he pulls it together, man. He just looks really bad.” – Don [03:07]
• On giving adult birthday gifts:
  “Over the age of 12, once the bar mitzvah passes, you don’t need a gift anymore for a birthday.” – Don [13:33]
• Party food at Michael K’s birthday:
  “There was a woman walking around with a, like just a big cup of bacon. It was wild.” – Dave [14:25]
• Rally bird:
  “That’s going to become a thing, the rally bird.” – Alan [18:51]
• On broadcaster criticism:
  “Why do the fans…want the local commentary team…to rip them during game broadcasts?” – Don [27:14]
• On Bad Bunny & business:
  “The NFL wants to be in South America, in Spain…he's probably the biggest international artist in the world.” – Don [37:06]

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Time-Stamped Key Segments

• [01:14 – 06:13] Dave Rothenberg confronts Rosenberg over “The List” and guest etiquette
• [01:33 – 03:11] Athlete afterlife: Antoine Walker’s health and career
• [03:47 – 08:13] Lawrence Taylor’s legacy and Giants memories
• [08:13 – 19:23] New York hockey trade talk: Panarin, Islander prospects, callers weigh in
• [10:36 – 14:25] Inside Michael K’s birthday bash and “adult gift” etiquette
• [18:47 – 23:45] The Islanders Rally Bird and sports superstitions
• [27:09 – 29:53] Should home broadcasters “call out” the home team?
• [33:53 – 37:06] Super Bowl halftime, Bad Bunny, and “sports and politics”
• [46:01 – 50:32] NFL, Kaepernick, and choosing Bad Bunny: politics or business?

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Final Thoughts & Tone

This episode showcases the warmth, wit, and authenticity of Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg—blending serious sports insight with the personal, the absurd, and the thoroughly New York. Their extended riffing on who “makes the lists,” who “attends the parties,” and the etiquette of on-air criticism is as revealing about sports radio culture as any box score.

For sports fans, the hour is a perfect dose of laughs, nostalgia, meaningful analysis, and the kind of brotherly arguing that’s at the heart of any true New York sports show.

Transcript

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

This is the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

Listen live weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New.

[Alan Hahn]

York app, and your smart speakers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Game time is brought to you by Tullamore Do Irish Whiskey Bees when it's game time, guys. Knicks are back at home facing the Nuggets with coverage immediately following us on 880 at 6:30. And that's it. Tullimore, do the original triple distill, triple blended and triple cast matured iris whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Do Honey during today's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore do responsibly. I got a nasty text message from Dave Rothenberg.

[Don Hahn]

What do you say? SOB oh, boy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm like. I see the Dave text and I'm like, all right. Something must have been.

[Don Hahn]

What is it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

He said, you didn't think to have me on for this list? I'm so hurt.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, well, that's not at. That's not nasty.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, it's nasty in the sense that, like, why would I. Why would I want to. It's my list.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but he.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do we have guests on the list?

[Don Hahn]

Never, but that just shows he wants to be included. I thought it was gonna be. I thought it was gonna be lashing out more. I'm. I'm troubled, Alan, because I don't know if you've seen this. You're in the NBA world. You've probably seen it moving around. Did you see any videos or pictures, alan, from the heat 06 celebration?

[Alan Hahn]

I saw some.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What?

[Don Hahn]

Didn't you like the visual of Antoine Walker?

[Alan Hahn]

Oh.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, my God, Dude, Don, I looked it up. He's 49.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, you thought he was like 58, right?

[Don Hahn]

I thought it was maybe in his 50s. He's 49 years old, Alan. He might be pushing £400.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, well, that's been a thing. He's really. He's a great dude, by the way.

[Don Hahn]

And a hell of a player. A player who is a player in this era.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Antoine is a guy who could always pull up from about 35ft in this area. He would have been such a baller.

[Alan Hahn]

He's been battling it. He did some. He was doing. He was broadcasting for a while. I haven't seen what he's done lately, but I do know that, like, you know. Yeah, he's.

[Don Hahn]

It's very worrisome.

[Alan Hahn]

I mean, putting on the pounds, he's had some, you know, he's had some issues.

[Don Hahn]

He had some money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Is he repug Antoine, is what you're saying?

[Don Hahn]

It's way beyond that. It's beyond repug. I mean, and I saw Eric.

[Alan Hahn]

No, not great either. Yeah. If you saw him and I asked you, is he a former NFL or NBA player?

[Dave Rothenberg]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

NFL.

[Alan Hahn]

You'd straight up think he was probably like a left tackle or something. Like he.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, a left tackle. I loved him as a player and I.

[Alan Hahn]

Maybe a D tackle.

[Don Hahn]

I. I hope he pulls it together, man. He just looks really bad.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. I'm sorry.

[Alan Hahn]

The guys have been trying with him. They've been trying to help him. Like, it's. It's. It's tough. And he's. He's such a great dude. Everybody loves him.

[Don Hahn]

Really.

[Alan Hahn]

That's terrible. It's not. Yeah, but I. I. Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Forgot he got that ring, though, in Miami.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Dave Rothenberg is on the phone.

[Don Hahn]

Oh.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he's nice enough to join us here after his text message where he said he was hurt that I did not include him in in the LT Top plays on Lawrence Taylor 67.

[Alan Hahn]

It is his favorite player, Dom.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it's my favorite player, too.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm sorry. My. My apologies, Dave.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Hi, Don. How are you?

[Alan Hahn]

Good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

New cell.

[Dave Rothenberg]

I'm a little upset.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm.

[Dave Rothenberg]

I'm driving Alex back from a lacrosse training. Hi, guys, by the way.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, buddy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

How you doing?

[Dave Rothenberg]

And Alan is.

[Don Hahn]

Hey, Alex.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Great. So I'm in the car driving Alex back from lacrosse, and, you know, It's Mars Taylor's 67th birthday. And I explained to you, Alex, I said, this is. You can't even imagine what this guy was like. Just beyond. Beyond imagination. Just almost like an action hero, right? So he says, start going through the list. And Alan's like, I don't want to play this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm not doing this.

[Dave Rothenberg]

And Peter, like, he kind of bows out as well.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't bow.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Well, you weren't as involved as fair, so no knock on you guys. Is that your guy? And he goes, dad, why would. Would Don do this list without you? And I said, alex, I don't know. And I sent off that text. And listen, Don, I think we're great. I think you and I are in a really good spot. But to say it didn't hurt a little bit would be untrue now.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, a little bit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Guys, help me out here, because I could see if I did a weekly list and had a guest on there was a fan of the list and not include Dave. I never have guests on the list. You guys can.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Bobby Mercer's greatest moments. You'd probably have Michael on.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't think so. I mean, I would never do Bobby Mercer's top moments. No offense, just that's not my guy.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Understood.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But I don't think I would have anybody on, like, listen, if I.

[Dave Rothenberg]

But if you did, like, great moments in Redskins, I will tell you this. Think of Peter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Full disclosure, I got a text earlier today from Anthony Pusick, who said, by the way, it's Alice Cooper's birthday. He's giving me some ideas for the list. And I toyed with, you know, top five Alice Cooper songs, and I'm like, the guys aren't going to be interested in that. And then I saw that it was Lawrence Taylor's birthday, and I completely pivoted. If I had gone with the Alice Cooper. There's no bigger fan of Alice Cooper than my brother. If I did that list, I wouldn't have my brother on because I don't think they have guests. So if I didn't have my brother on for Alice Cooper, I wouldn't have you on for guest.

[Dave Rothenberg]

But am I a guest? I mean, we're one family.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I understand.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Like having Thanksgiving with a cousin. I don't know. I was. Listen, I love you guys. I think Alan's coming on our show in the morning. It's where we're one happy family. And I was a little bit hurt. I'll get over it. I still love all that hurt.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Not to show off, but I think I listen to your show more than anybody else at the stage.

[Alan Hahn]

That is completely false.

[Don Hahn]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Really.

[Don Hahn]

You're a big listener.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Do tell.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I. I drive Gracie to school every single morning, and we listen on the way and on the way home, so. And I text Rick regularly during the show.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh.

[Don Hahn]

But not Dave. That's interesting.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, Dave's busy hosting.

[Don Hahn]

Ah.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to bother a host.

[Don Hahn]

And Rick's playing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Rick is. Is completely free to text.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Like, whether he. Whether he makes it, makes it back for a segment or not.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, I didn't say let's for the record.

[Dave Rothenberg]

I'll say it again. It's fine.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, listen, a bunch of things to get to before we let you go because I know you're a very, very busy person. So first off, since you listen to.

[Dave Rothenberg]

The list of time, by the way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you good with.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Course I listen to the list.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you good with.

[Dave Rothenberg]

I'm great with the list. I'm great with the list. Number one.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I remember that.

[Dave Rothenberg]

If you remember also that game in 82, he was very banged up and was questionable to play or not and I think didn't play for the first quarter.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Dave Rothenberg]

And then he came in and he just dominated secondarily. Is the one handed sack that same game?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Dave Rothenberg]

That's so two of the top fivers from. From his, his.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's crazy, right? His second season.

[Dave Rothenberg]

That's amazing. That was Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And that was a season to forget. But that was an amazing, amazing game there. The only one that I thought about putting it. But it actually came in a loss and there's, there's nuance.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Cowboys interception.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Cowboy interception was great. But I was thinking because it was a big deal at the time, the fastest player. I don't know if you don't remember this player because he was a great player, but he was on a lousy team. Was Billy Sims. Billy Sims at the time was the fastest player in the NFL and 1983. Yeah. Oh yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Darren came in and ruined it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Lawrence Taylor caught him from behind. Wow. So I just didn't know how to put it in the list because it was, you know, it was a great play but it was in a loss and you know, I don't know if everybody would understand the context of it, but that was the only one that I debated to put in that I didn't. All right.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Now I think the list is amazing. Amazing. I just wish I would have been part.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, now you're a part of it now we're well in the 5 o' clock hour, so it's even better now before, before we let you go. You're a big Ranger fan. How did you feel about Panarin to the Kings?

[Dave Rothenberg]

So listen, I really love Panarin. I mean if you look at him over the last. The decade plus, he's got to be the best. One of the better free agent acquisitions that any of the New York teams has made. You know, when you look at from the Rangers perspective, I was reading that he basically said it's the Kings or nobody.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. So there's no leverage there.

[Dave Rothenberg]

That kind Of Right. So that kind of sucks, right? I don't know much about. I start to do my Google research on the kid that they acquired. It sounds like he's a big scorer, but I don't know as a first round pick.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Dave Rothenberg]

I mean rather than get nothing for him, I guess it's good. I don't like what's happening with this team right now. Yeah, but, but overall, I mean he was done. He was going to leave. You got a potential legitimate player and a mid round pick. I, I guess I'm okay with it. I don't know. I don't know anything more than that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To be honest with you. Well, you guys are killing it in the morning. And just to one up Allen, I have to take Marco to school at 8:10, Jalen to school at 9:30. So I'm in the car twice taking school and I'm listening full time, so.

[Don Hahn]

Well I.

[Alan Hahn]

Do you have them on the YouTube every morning, Don, while you're working out?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I do not.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay, so why don't we. Tell you what, why don't we just take a knee right here, okay?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, because I was just taking. I work out with Kimball. I'm not, I'm not pretending in a base.

[Don Hahn]

Why don't you guys take both knees.

[Alan Hahn]

Pretending in a basement. Okay.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Maybe I should step, step out here, let you guys know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I.

[Don Hahn]

Well, and, and, and, and Dave, the troubling part is God forbid he check out my new YouTube venture while he's working out. You know what I mean? Little support, you know, that's a great light. Like, I mean there's teammates and there's teammates, you know what I mean?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because he can't listen in the car anymore.

[Don Hahn]

Well, he could.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I mean in the terrestrial way.

[Don Hahn]

In the traditional terrestrial way. Now let me ask you a question.

[Alan Hahn]

Life's about choices, Peter. I'm sorry.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, you, man, you make a bad one every morning. Now Dave, no offense, Dave.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Now Dave, I don't understand. It's my.

[Don Hahn]

Wait, Dave, hold on. Did, did anything cross your mind, did it cross your mind to ask your partner Rick that with his faka to friendship supposed friendship with Michael K. He didn't, he didn't make the trip for the birthday party. Oh yeah, what do you say?

[Dave Rothenberg]

It was his wife's birthday. It was his mom's birthday. Everybody on the son was having a birthday. And I even responded, said I don't understand. If you're as close to Michael as you claim to be.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Dave Rothenberg]

You would have been at a big event for him. And I Wouldn't miss my wife's birthday for anybody, for anything.

[Don Hahn]

She was invited.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We did get a plus one.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Yeah, he was invited. And that's. Listen, it's not like it was a big birthday for her. You could have easily gone out on Monday night and celebrated her birthday for your best friend. Or done brunch on Sunday or dinner on Saturday. I think he was way off base. By the way, how about a little thank you from any of you guys? The only person from the station that was at the 65th extravaganza for Michael K was me.

[Don Hahn]

I. The reason you didn't hear, I'm sad about it. I'm legitimately upset. I couldn't do it. I. My. I got back from Saudi Arabia too close to it. I tried. It just didn't happen. So I felt jealous. Now, how was it? Can you take us inside? How was the event?

[Dave Rothenberg]

It was.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was.

[Dave Rothenberg]

It was fun. Listen, it wasn't like a big fancy party. It was a relaxed, you know, socialization with people who were very nice. That's what it was. Except with Aaron Boone.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, a little bit, yeah.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Chatted with David Cohen a little bit. Met Mike Breen. Never met Mike Breen before.

[Don Hahn]

Never met the brainster.

[Dave Rothenberg]

No, I never met Breen because I.

[Alan Hahn]

I don't want to.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Like, I've seen him around the garden and everyone's like, hey, Mike, Mike, what about me?

[Don Hahn]

Paulie o'. Neill? Was I there?

[Dave Rothenberg]

Paul o' Neill was not there.

[Don Hahn]

That's unfortunate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He was.

[Dave Rothenberg]

He was not there.

[Alan Hahn]

He wasn't there either.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Whatever.

[Don Hahn]

You're all right. Well, thank you for that information, Davey, and I appreciate you representing the station. I think it's wrong. What happened that there wasn't more representation with Rick, Particularly with.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Specifically with Rick.

[Don Hahn]

Right.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Because if you're gonna claim best friendship with someone.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Dave Rothenberg]

I think you. You have. You have to go.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's the thing.

[Don Hahn]

I mean, Don. Don has a built in excuse. He's.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He.

[Don Hahn]

He's. He's far away. And we know Don and parties. No, no, don't spin it.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Don would have been great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

On my flight to Ottawa, I was texting with Dave. Did you take up any of my ideas for a gift?

[Dave Rothenberg]

Not only did I pick up any of your ideas, I picked up that very idea.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, cool.

[Dave Rothenberg]

He gave me a idea for a bottle of wine, which I went to the liquor store, asked for that specific bottle of wine, brought it to Michael.

[Peter Rosenberg]

For his birthday, and he was happy.

[Don Hahn]

I don't know.

[Dave Rothenberg]

You left it on the gift table.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You know, I gotta tell you, I gotta tell you, I got real issues with the adult gift thing. Because it's kind of like, let's be honest, Dave. It's kind of like you're just throwing money in the garbage. Like you're buying it so you can say that you did it and you did the polite thing. He doesn't care. You're not getting a note. There's no thought about it that way. Well, that's, that's whatever.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Choose what he wants to do. I. I did what I thought was the right thing.

[Don Hahn]

Over the age of 12, once the bar Mitzvah passes, you don't need a gift anymore for a birthday.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Peter, if you, if you were to have a 50th birthday in a couple of years, Right?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Dave Rothenberg]

And you invited me and I was there, I would get you a gift.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, I appreciate that, but I think I would say no gift.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think that was nice of Dave to do that, so. But I wish I could have gone. Unfortunately, I had plans that day and I wasn't able to make it. And we had nobody to watch the kids, so. I understand. Hopefully he understands. I don't need you to understand. I need Michael.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, what did he, did he tell you?

[Dave Rothenberg]

Did you talk to him?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I text him the day of his birthday. I said, happy birthday. Sorry I couldn't make the party. And he said, thanks, you missed a good party.

[Don Hahn]

That's it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Yeah, I think that's all true. Yeah, it was, it was a fun time. And they had all like childlike foods that Michael eats. They had like little, little chicken parm heroes.

[Don Hahn]

Beautiful.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Like pizza.

[Don Hahn]

And.

[Dave Rothenberg]

And there was, there was a woman walking around with a, like just a big cup of bacon. It was wild, like little, little mini burgers. And there was crab cakes. Yeah, it was rice.

[Don Hahn]

The crab cake's the one thing he wouldn't eat. But it's nice that they had it like a five year old. It's like a Chuck E. Cheese menu for Michael.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Yes, it's exactly like that. Yeah, it was like. It was like an arcade kind of a party. Yes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, Dave, thank you. I apologize again for not including you. And I'll make sure if I have any other giant lists, dear, I will have you on it. Okay.

[Dave Rothenberg]

That was the one, Don. No, I don't need no more.

[Don Hahn]

That was it.

[Dave Rothenberg]

All of the Giants list. That was the one. If I was ever going to be invited into. Into your bosom for one list, that was the bosom worthy list.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Maybe for a 68th birthday, we'll do top five arrests.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Oh, I don't want to be involved.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, take care.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Bye.

[Alan Hahn]

Bye, guys.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That is the grade. And I'm not exaggerating when I say grade.

[Don Hahn]

For pound, the best.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Dave Rothenberg, pound for pound, the best host on this radio station. Let's get back to the phone calls. Glenn in Smithtown. You're on ESPN New York. Hi, Glenn.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Hey, guys. Hey, Don. Hey, Alan, how are you?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's up?

[Dave Rothenberg]

Let's talk about the Islanders, but I want to give my take on the Rangers.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Three years ago, the New York Rangers traded for the greatest American hockey player in the NHL history, Patrick Kane. And they gave up a second and a fourth round pick. And that was because Patrick Kane said, I only want to go to the Rangers. So when Artemi Perrin says, I'm only going to sign with the Kings and they get back a number one, the top prospect in la, who was a former number one pick and a third pick, they actually did better than the Blackhawks did for Patrick Payne. So I don't get the disappointment, the anger at Chris Jury on this particular trade because of the scenario and what was going on in Canarin's mind because.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They'Re just mad and they have right to be mad because it's all falling apart. But they want to put a face to their anger and they're blaming Crisp. But I'm with you now. What was your Islander point? Because that's a great story, man. It was 16 goals now for Schaefer. That was a great win against the penguins last night.

[Alan Hahn]

17.

[Dave Rothenberg]

It was just. It was an incredible game. They are resilient. My couple questions on him would be, first of all, JG Pageau and Anders Lee. I think Andersley is going to come back on a team friendly deal next year. What do you do about Pageau? Because he is a free agent, he will bring some value at the deadline. The way he plays center, the way he kills penalties, the way he wins face offs and then two. I don't want to go out and getting a guy like Stamkos because of how much you have to give up. And I don't want to give up my prospects. What kind of player can we get? Some guy that can play on the power play, they can put the puck in the net because that's what really the only thing this team is missing is a power play guy. I mean, they are losing games because their power play is just so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, the power play has been completely anemic. But I listen, I know Paul can get a return, but Allen, a guy that wins face offs, he's experienced. I, I, I think I can find a way to have him fit on a team that can really, I'm not going to say make a run, but, you know, if they match up with Pittsburgh in the first round, they can get out of the second round and dance with Carolina in round two. I don't. Listen, you want to try to find somebody to help on the power play, but I don't know if I'm trading Pajo. Even if I lose him as a free agent, I still, I think I want him on this team.

[Alan Hahn]

I completely agree. You want to have a play. I mean, especially as, you know, Don in the playoffs, how important it is to win face off. So. And Pasaul has been a big goal scorer, he's been a big moment guy. So, yeah, I'm, I'm not big on that, but they are, they really do need somebody that can put the puck in the net in the top six. And especially on the power play. They, they really don't have a killer. They, they look palmeri. They, what a huge loss as we know that is. They gotta find somebody. But I, I wouldn't do it at the expense of that. And are they a team that can make a run this year or they may be a year away. That's another decision you have to make. Look around the league and where do you think you measure up? Because, you know, in Washington, they didn't look like they had it, but last night they looked like they, they could be that kind of a team. Because that game felt over for a minute and they made that comeback was pretty special.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was good.

[Alan Hahn]

See the bird, by the way, this is gonna become a thing, the rally bird.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, it's always something.

[Alan Hahn]

Horvat scores a goal or actually makes a pass. I think it was the pass for a goal goes behind the net. And there was a bird somehow in ubs. Yeah, right. And it was on the glass and I think he like, almost hit the bird and the bird, like was on the ice for a minute. They flew, they capture the bird, they get him outside, they send them, set him free. So I'm thinking that's, you know, every team has that rally song. Skynyrd's free Bird has to be the song now for the season. Right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Or something with bird. Yeah, that makes sense because that kind.

[Alan Hahn]

Of was when the turning, when the, when the rally happened.

[Don Hahn]

So there's a bird now loose. There's a bird loose in the mall. Super bowl week.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, but I'm not messed. No Josh Hart tonight for the Knicks.

[Alan Hahn]

That sucks.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Second to back to backs too.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, he hurt, he hurt his ankle last night which again, when you play in the Wizards and you're just trying to get through a 30 point win, you don't want to, you don't want anybody to get damaged at all. That didn't look too serious, but it is a back to back. They're holding them out tonight. You got two big games this weekend to Detroit and Boston, so. But you know they're going to miss him tonight. He's played very well during this stretch, during this winning streak, so that's not great tonight, taking on a team like the Denver Nuggets.

[Don Hahn]

Rich Eisen here. You know that feeling of handing off your taxes and then hearing nothing? Total radio silence. Well, not anymore. Now your taxes are done for you by a TurboTax full service expert who checks for every deduction and keeps you in the loop with real time updates on your phone. Just match with your dedicated expert, upload your docs and go live your life confident you're getting every dollar you deserve. This is how taxes should be. Visit TurboTax.com today to learn more. Real time updates only in iOS mobile app only available with TurboTax full service.

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[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, there you go, Alan.

[Alan Hahn]

I like it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You hear this blaring after a big goal to UBS in the postseason.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, that sounds good.

[Alan Hahn]

I made the Maxine Nightingale song work. That was something Rick and I talked about. Rick hated it. I would keep playing it because it was from Slap Shot. It was years ago. The Islanders went on like a little run. Nothing crazy, but they went a little run. And I would have. I would have them play that. And Rick was like, stop, stop, stop. No, no. Don't make this a thing. And it became a thing that the Islanders play that song.

[Peter Rosenberg]

After Wind and Team USA picked it up, they're going to be using it.

[Alan Hahn]

And the Free Bird was something that they used in the four nations last year. Team usa. But I just think you got the bird. They call it a rally bird. It just happened last night. It led to a big two points. I know you still gave the Pens one, but still. Let's see if that becomes the new song there at ubs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Looks like Peter's mic didn't enjoy the conversation about Free Bird.

[Don Hahn]

Cuz doesn't hate Freebird.

[Alan Hahn]

That's not good.

[Don Hahn]

But the mic, the mic. I move. I change where I feel like sitting. So then you move the mic. And then.

[Alan Hahn]

That was like my mic in the last segment.

[Don Hahn]

Did you have that happening?

[Alan Hahn]

No, but it was like that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. You laid out, huh? Is everything all right?

[Alan Hahn]

Everything's great.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was almost like Michael called. You know, when Michael's in. All of a sudden Allen gets conspicuously silent. It was almost the same with David.

[Don Hahn]

It was a conversation about Michael, though, at the end.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's when he checked. No, he was out from the very beginning. He was not on board with Dave calling it.

[Don Hahn]

It.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It just.

[Alan Hahn]

It was a lot. My opinion, a lot. It was like. It was like Don with Booger early in the season. I'm good.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, this is unfortunately a revealing moment fell.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It.

[Alan Hahn]

It did. Come on. It didn't feel like a lot like he called in, he wasn't happy not being part of. Okay, like that's great. But it's five o'. Clock. We got stuff to get to. You know what I mean?

[Don Hahn]

Oh, I see.

[Dave Rothenberg]

We're playing that game he's playing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Just saying.

[Alan Hahn]

What am I doing?

[Don Hahn]

Top story of the day.

[Alan Hahn]

What am I doing? What am I doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Mr. Program Director, what exactly were you chomping at the bit to talk about?

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, no, no, no. It was, it was, it was very entertaining. Just. It wasn't for me.

[Dave Rothenberg]

If you'd like to hear Alan give Dave the cold shoulder at nine tomorrow, tune in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Wow.

[Alan Hahn]

This is going to give Dave the cold shoulder. That was not his control. It just was, you know.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're good.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, you're good on Dave.

[Don Hahn]

He's all set. No, no, no.

[Alan Hahn]

I didn't say I'm. I'm good on Dave. It's just. It was. It was a lot.

[Don Hahn]

We have yo yos who could be screaming about the Panarin trade. For God's sake.

[Alan Hahn]

See again, now you're. You play the game of what's better.

[Don Hahn]

Better than this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Saying what? What exactly.

[Alan Hahn]

He said that's what you're doing.

[Don Hahn]

What.

[Alan Hahn]

What you're going to do the whole. Well, what else is better than this? And I'm. My answer would be pretty much anything. O.

[Don Hahn]

He said, let's get our morning guy off the air to talk about an interpersonal thing. We got to talk about this bird at UBS right now.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, that the birds are very important. You know what?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I would not be nearly as shocked. Yeah. If I didn't think that Alan was dead serious.

[Don Hahn]

Oh no, he is. You could hear.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He could never have been more serious.

[Don Hahn]

The silence was deafening.

[Alan Hahn]

The devil's made a trade there, don't he, uh.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, buick's dad from St. Louis. It looks like they're going to try to hang in.

[Alan Hahn]

That's not nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, anything. They can't score no142 goals. That's tied for 29th. Only another.

[Don Hahn]

Another reminder that in these, in these sports, basically everything but football. The season is just a decade long. We were living in a time where the Devils were. Dom was the good luck charm and the Devils, all they did was win, win, win, no matter what.

[Alan Hahn]

Yep.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now that felt like two years ago.

[Alan Hahn]

That feels Don's first season.

[Don Hahn]

It's Exactly. And now we're in a whole different season altogether, and they're fighting to stay above.500.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it was the first, I shouldn't say first time that they were, you know, the game was over and there were still like six minutes left. But like, we're kind of doing a talk show at the end of the game. Just about. It's not good, you know, and the fans all want us to tear him apart and all that. No, just be fair. Like, you can't be talking about the playoffs when you can't score goals. They've got to fix the glitch here.

[Alan Hahn]

Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Fix it. And then we can have a conversation about what needs to happen for them to be able to make the playoffs.

[Don Hahn]

Why do the fans always. And let me speak on this, because you guys are a little bit compromised because why do the fans always want the local commentary team, who is working in, in conjunction with, if not directly, for the franchise, to rip them during game broadcasts? Now, I understand if you. I understand they don't want you jumping up waving pom poms.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sure.

[Don Hahn]

But why do they always. It's like, I want to know, do these people show up to their jobs? Those same people do they walk into work every day and just grab a megaphone and go. I think it's about time we talk about some of the shortcomings here. Everyone, come on in. Come on in. I'm not pleased with some of the ways this business is operating. I don't understand it.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, that's what I always wondered too.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Are you the type of person that when you go to work each morning, you're calling out the boss?

[Commercial Announcer]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You don't just do your best, Alan. You don't just do your best to try to do your job and control what you can control.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

You want to call out everything. Like, I just don't understand why there's this disconnect. And again, I see why they don't want a play by play or color commentator guy who literally makes it sound like the team is great even when they're getting killed. I am sure that's not what you guys are doing with the Devil's broadcast. I'm sure you're.

[Alan Hahn]

But by the way, and I'll speak for you, Don, because I consume a lot of Devil's broadcast thanks to Gracie and her fandom. But like, you hear it. I think that. I think that Dano and Bryce do a great job pointing out things and giving that type of constructive criticism that is proper of former players who know what they're looking at. It's very fair. You Hear the disappointment and disdain in the voice. And Don, that. You know, that's not your job. Your job is to call what you see and what's happening. Their job is to let you know what worked, what didn't work, and why. All that's where it's supposed to be. That is not the place for the commentary of. To start tearing the franchise to shreds. That's not how it works.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but there is. Pointing out the flaws. But which.

[Alan Hahn]

Which I think everyone. I don't. I never. I would tell you, Don, like, I don't hear the sugarcoating. And by the way, those. There's a lot of people. You're in New York and you only listen to the local broadcast of your team. And I understand it, but a lot of us do get exposed to the regional broadcasts of several other teams. And I'm telling you, there are times I listen to a game if I'm watching one back, whether it's on, you know, league pass or any of these other center ice. And you listen to the Brock, he's like, oh, my God. Like, I. I can't. But you know what I mean?

[Commercial Announcer]

It's like just.

[Alan Hahn]

Just like it. It's. It's a little too. It's a. It's a bit much.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, I just think you just be fair.

[Alan Hahn]

It feels like a gentle massage all the time.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The fact is, they lost the game three. Nothing that. That Ken Danico said was a must win before the game started.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So we can't hide that. We brought it back and say, oh.

[Don Hahn]

Where do we go from here?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Because they didn't win. And I even said it to Kenny in the beginning of the game. I'm like, when you throw out must win. It's always difficult to throw that out, because where do you go when you don't win the game? And they not only didn't win the game, they didn't score. So now it's about a conversation of now we have to fix this. It's not about, hey, the Islanders. You know, we get. If they do this or the Devils win this amount of games. No, no, no. It's one game at a time and fix it. And they got a game tomorrow against those Islanders, and. And then it'll be three weeks off to kind of just assess exactly what the Devils are gonna do moving forward. Now Jimmy and Montclair's got a bit of a dilemma. All right, Jimmy, let's help you out, man. What do you got?

[Dave Rothenberg]

Alrighty.

[Don Hahn]

So love the show as always.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you.

[Dave Rothenberg]

My sister's a diehard Seahawks fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Okay.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Girlfriend's a die hard Patriots fan. Where do I. What I do when it comes to Sunday? Where do I watch the game?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it's a very, very obvious answer, right, guys? You got to go with the girlfriend. No.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I think so.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I mean, are you serious with this girl?

[Dave Rothenberg]

Yeah, yeah, of course. It's been over three years already.

[Don Hahn]

What is she into it?

[Dave Rothenberg]

Oh, yeah, absolutely. I mean, I'm a die hard Giants fan, season ticket holder. We went last year to the game in Germany. We went to the game in London, you know? Yeah, of course. And what do you call it? But at the same time, it's family, you know?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And.

[Alan Hahn]

Hang on. But here's the question, though. Three years, right? Three years.

[Don Hahn]

She's got blood.

[Alan Hahn]

She's got blood in the ground. That's three years. All right? Now, sometimes that kind of relationship can become family. Are we trying to nurture this?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, Right.

[Alan Hahn]

Trying to make this to a point where she's family now, too.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Oh, I already brought the engagement ring.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, well, what are we doing, Jimmy? I'm actually concerned. Yes.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'm a little concerned. Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Come on.

[Alan Hahn]

If I were in your family, I would tell you. Get out. Take her. Get out of here.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Sister, immediate family. That's unconditional love, right? He's gonna love you forever because you are connected by blood, unending. But your girlfriend, who you are now engaged to, you bought the ring.

[Alan Hahn]

Bought the ring.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's conditional love, man. That has to be nurtured. That has to be taken care of. That may not be forever. If you grew up and decided to go root for the Seahawks and hang out with your sister instead of her.

[Alan Hahn]

What are you doing?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What are you doing?

[Dave Rothenberg]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

I think we fixed this problem.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think we saved a relationship. I think Jimmy the Yo yo was going to go hang with his sister.

[Alan Hahn]

Here we go. She. You call. You call Monday. Want to hear from her.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, my God. How is it even a thought?

[Alan Hahn]

I don't think it was even.

[Peter Rosenberg]

His sister would be like, what the hell are you doing here?

[Alan Hahn]

That's what I'm saying. Look, like, what are you doing? Get out of here.

[Don Hahn]

Where she and you can't. They can't. There's no combination option.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, I was.

[Alan Hahn]

I was going there next. I'm wondering, was that awkward to, like, say, why can't she just, like, why can't everybody all be three years? I'm sure they've met her.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah. This seems like there's a Maybe they don't like her. A multitude of scenarios.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what, I hate to say this, but it doesn't sound like it's got. It's gonna work.

[Don Hahn]

Well, you're out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Let's go to Dave in Nyack. You're on ESPN New York. Hi, Dave.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Hey, Harry. Love the show.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, man.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's up?

[Dave Rothenberg]

So my question was just not getting to either side politically, just this halftime show this year. I think it's just causing crazy uproar with all the meaning political stuff going down, whether whatever side you hold, why can't. Meaning. My personal opinion is that sports and politics just shouldn't mix. Meaning it's great, like keep politics as sports. Where is the NFL getting all into this?

[Peter Rosenberg]

But why is having Bad Bunny a political statement by the NFL? He's one of the hottest acts out there, just, you know, won a Grammy. Why is it political? Because he has political leanings. Everybody has political leanings. Is it a political statement that Bunny's performing at halftime?

[Dave Rothenberg]

They're saying that he's gonna maybe be doing stuff. And I don't want to get into all details.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, but that hasn't. But I think that's probably a more relevant conversation after the fact.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Now, we don't know he's gonna say anything.

[Don Hahn]

Like, if he makes it very political, then I think it's a conversation. Until then, I don't think it's actually a political issue. I just think people are making it that because you have people who are closer to one side saying, we don't want him. And you have people closer to another side saying, why not?

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you know what? And Dave, let me ask you, the 32 owners, where do you think they lean?

[Don Hahn]

Right. Right. That's a good point.

[Dave Rothenberg]

They just want to make the most money possible.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's the end. But politically, they're probably more right leaning. I don't think any of them even know who Bad Bunny is. But the NFL's like, he's hot. He's going to get a lot of attention. Now, if he makes some sort of statement like he did during the Grammys, maybe people might get in an uproar about it. But on the surface, it's just the NFL making a business decision, going out and getting one of the hottest acts. I don't think it had anything to.

[Alan Hahn]

Do with one of the biggest names with a huge following. All those things. I mean, it's.

[Don Hahn]

His numbers are astounding.

[Alan Hahn]

You can't deny that. That's all.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And let's face it, I don't think.

[Alan Hahn]

I Don't know if we were like, again, that was Booger. You know, Booger was the one that kind of sparked that. Right. None of us were surprised by it.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Alan Hahn]

Was the one that sort of like. I don't know. I'm not gonna know what he's saying. Like. Like, Burger was just being honest. And as a lot of us, again, and I try to tell people this, not everything is geared for you in the world. You have to understand that there's going to be some things that aren't for you. You. And you just have to accept it.

[Don Hahn]

It's a great point, Alan, because walk.

[Alan Hahn]

Away, move on if you don't like it.

[Don Hahn]

And the fact of the matter is this, no matter what your liking of music is, like, Don loves Metallica. If they trotted out Metallica, my guess is Metallica might be even more niche than Bad Bunny. It wouldn't garner the same conversation because they speak English.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But.

[Don Hahn]

But in terms of. In terms of gigantic audience reached, it probably would be more niche. To Alan's point. Someone's going to be disinterested every time.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, every year.

[Don Hahn]

It's just how it is.

[Alan Hahn]

So not even someone. There's a large group of people will say, I don't want this. Why are we doing this? It's because not everything is for you. Not everything is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

If you're going to take the political angle, there has to be a motivation.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So if the NFL decided to have a conservative artist that's a known Republican, then you could say, well, there must be some agenda behind this, because most of the owners are probably leaning that way. The fact that they went with an artist that isn't their political belief tells you that this is all about the attention and the money and the ratings that it's gonna garner. Actually, I wish we'd see more of that in the world where it's like.

[Don Hahn]

That's a good point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's not exactly my cup of tea. He doesn't believe what I believe, but you know what? I want him at my halftime show.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, and by the way, the NFL wants to be in South America, in Spain. They want to be international. And he's probably the biggest international artist in the world. So it's kind of easy to figure out in that way.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Exactly. It's all about the business. It's not political. Well, Alan, we're going to say goodbye to you. I know you've got work to do. Nick's Nuggets on MSG tonight, so have a great broadcast.

[Alan Hahn]

Thank you, boys. See you tomorrow.

[Peter Rosenberg]

All right, that's Alan Hahn, Peter and I the rest of the way. 1-800-91937.

[Don Hahn]

Maybe bring in Dave Rothenberg to close out, fill in for Allen.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, it depends on what we're talking about. Right. So if we talk Islanders hockey with Alan gone, should we include Rick? If we talk Yankees for some reason, should we bring Michael into the conversation?

[Don Hahn]

I just meant to troll Allen because there's obviously an issue there that was very troubling. That was revealing, like it was. It was. It spoke volumes.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll tell you what. I think there's more there than between you and K. That was completely fabricated. Right. This, this seems genuine.

[Don Hahn]

There might be something, some meat in that bun.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think people at the Rock tomorrow, when I'm doing Devil's Islander should be coming up to me and asking me what's going on with, with Rick and Alan.

[Don Hahn]

Exactly. No beautiful birthday tribute coming between them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a, it's a thang.

[Don Hahn]

A lot to get into.

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[Peter Rosenberg]

All right.

[Don Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Alan Hahn]

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[Commercial Announcer]

Brought to you by Argenics thanks for.

[Alan Hahn]

Listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[Alan Hahn]

Catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What is this Speeder? You're like you said. Hell yeah.

[Don Hahn]

No, for your ace.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I feel like I should know this. Oh, it's Alice.

[Dave Rothenberg]

You're hurting me.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Please. I don't know how much of a deep dive you've taken into Alice Cooper's music.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Don Hahn]

No.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Do yourself a favor. Yeah, yeah, get like.

[Don Hahn]

Like.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Welcome to my Nightmare is a nice place to start.

[Dave Rothenberg]

I love you.

[Don Hahn]

It doesn't sound like a nice place.

[Peter Rosenberg]

To start the albums.

[Don Hahn]

It's no just name wise.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know the song, right?

[Don Hahn]

Welcome to My Nightmare.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's one of his bigger songs. Well, you and me is probably his biggest song. You know that song, right? You and me ain't no movie star. What we are is what we are.

[Don Hahn]

Do you think I know it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, because I'm sure you've been in a pharmacy.

[Don Hahn]

I love pharmacy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, looking for some mucinex. And then you heard that. No, because that's what's crazy. Like he's. He's A hard rock guy. He's Alice Cooper and it's go punch it up. I'm sorry for the YouTube people. What am I going to tell you? You and me, Alice Cooper, you've heard it's like on light fm. You've heard it on an elevator.

[Don Hahn]

I confirmed, no, school's out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't like School's out?

[Don Hahn]

Sure, I like School's out. Okay, I have the 45 according to.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're going up an elevator at a hill. You don't know it.

[Don Hahn]

I'm listening. Hold on, you two people. I'm listening. No, not ringing about monster hit.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think it was his best.

[Don Hahn]

It is interesting that he makes songs that sound like this, you know, because.

[Peter Rosenberg]

There was a time.

[Don Hahn]

Because I think of more Feed My friggin dad. But I only think of that because of Wayne's World.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I got you under my wheels. He's got a lot of great, great tunes. But the thing about Alice and even music back in the day is why.

[Don Hahn]

Is his name Alice?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You could be. Well, it was the name of the band. It was Alice Cooper was Alice Cooper. And then he just became Alice Cooper.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, wow. I didn't know that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But like he didn't think like he just. He played whatever he felt like. We didn't get into that whole, I'm a metal band, so everything's got rock and everything's got to sound a certain way. Like he just was very eclectic. He did a lot of different things. 1-800-919-3776. Let's go to Paul and Flushing. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Paul?

[Dave Rothenberg]

Hey guys, thank you for taking the call. Listen, I just wanted to talk about the Canarian trade.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Dave Rothenberg]

I asked my fellow Ranger fans. Take a deep breath, Let it out. This kid is really good. Donnie. I'm a big, big hockey fan. I remembered his draft year and hoping that the Rangers would take him okay before the bid. But he was plucked out at 26, so we settled for EJ Emory, who's a really good defenseman. Anyway, this kid is going to grow into, if he's not already grown into the man. Strength on him is going to be amazing. He's 6 3, he's 210 pounds. He's putting up nice numbers. I get it in the Ohl. So long way from Tipperary, you know. But I think there's a lot of promise there. And I'm thinking about the fact we don't have really a power forward along the lines of like what Chris Kreider used to give us. I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but I think this kid could probably fill those states at some point.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think that people don't know him. But you're right. That's a, that's a, that's a first round pick that's tearing it up in the O. But again, OHL numbers, were they going to translate to the NHL? I get the anger from Ranger fans, Paul, but I like your attitude because they didn't get nothing. They got something that can turn out to be a big player. Like I mentioned, when the devil. When the Rangers traded Scott Gomez, they got Ryan McDonnell. He was a prospect at the time in the Montreal organization. He ends up being the captain of the Rangers and becomes a significant piece to a team that made a run at a championship, hit the Post in Game 5 at the Stanley Cup Final, remember? So let's just see how this all works itself out. Let's go to CJ in Parsippany. You're on ESPN New York.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Hey, what's up, guys?

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's up?

[Dave Rothenberg]

So I, I know you're not a political show, so I'm not going to get too much into that. And I did get into my car as you guys are ending the conversation about Bad Bunny.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Dave Rothenberg]

But I think it's interesting they chose him considering everything that's going on in society. And I also think it's interesting how the NFL treated Kaepernick when he was trying to speak out on things going on in society. And I'm curious if Bad Bunny was chosen for that reason or if he was literally just because the famous person.

[Don Hahn]

Do you mean, do you mean sort of like you wonder if it's a make good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

A make good, Right.

[Dave Rothenberg]

Or just like a, oh, wow, we kind of recognize what's going on in the world and maybe we want to be on the right side of it this time.

[Don Hahn]

Well, remember though, when they, when they. I love the idea that you're suggesting. However, when they made the call, while it was still, it's a few months, several months back now, three, four months ago.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

While it was still certainly timely, it wasn't timely to the point that it is now. So it's kind of like, it's interesting how things have gone now to your point, what's the name? Cj CJ CJ it's interesting to your point, though, that things have now gotten so ramped up where Bad Bunny's presence means even more than it meant previously.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, and this is, this is coming this is coming off the Grammys where he made, you know, statements about immigration and all that. But I think it's. I. We're in a different world than we were when Colin Kaepernick took a knee. And I think the NFL has grown and understands things a little differently now than maybe they did. You know, that was 12 years ago. That was a while ago. Right.

[Don Hahn]

And it didn't age great for them.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Didn't age great for them. So I just think they're going with somebody that's gonna, you know, that's gonna move the needle.

[Don Hahn]

Now, I will tell you this.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And he will move the needle.

[Don Hahn]

There's a couple of things. Number one, I really wholeheartedly feel strongly about this part of it. Bad Bunny, if you are not a fan of the music, like I feel many people probably weren't a fan, say of Kendrick last year. Bad Bunny, to me, with the exception of the language part, is going to be much more palatable for people who don't know his music. Meaning it's not sort of hardcore rap records. It's really fun, up tempo dancing, fun music. It's going to be very palatable. On the flip side of that coin, knowing what I know about him, I will be very surprised if he doesn't make some sort of strong statement. So while I think we should wait and see what happens, I'm just telling you, Don, as Peter, who knows you and who saw Bad Bunny in San Juan this past summer, I'll be shocked if he doesn't push the envelope.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is a guy who Kendrick certainly did last year, but Kendrick certainly did.

[Don Hahn]

Too, you know, and guess what? The main thing the NFL likes and the main thing most of these billionaires who own the teams like is attention and money and eyeballs. The reason most of them align the way they do politically is not even because of some deep belief system guys. It's because of tax brackets. So if this leads to dollars, they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don'T really even care what he's saying. And where they're getting is the. What does the rating matter to the owners? It matters to the network. It's the sponsor. And that they were always gonna be a slave to the sponsor, right? Like what the sponsor wants, the sponsor gets. And this is what it's always sponsored by. Pepsi. Right?

[Don Hahn]

Now, no, no, now it's Apple Music.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Apple Music. All right. Apple Music.

[Don Hahn]

They're paying a lot, and they're paying a lot. They're paying a lot of money.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you know what? Apple Music probably, you know, is gonna have a say on something. I just. That's the way it works.

[Don Hahn]

I do love. I will say, though, I'm very amused by the tweets that I see that get shown to me in the algorithm of people being like, you wait and see what the protest looks like and the way that people turn off the TVs. Okay, pal, I'll be waiting. I can't. Monday, let's break it down. I want to see that big number drop off.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And you know what? If that were to happen.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Then the only one that would complain is the network.

[Don Hahn]

Correct.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The NFL's already cashed Apple Music's check, right?

[Don Hahn]

Correct.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The tickets were already sold. Nobody's gonna walk in.

[Don Hahn]

What's. And what's the number? What we've talked about forever, the level of juggernaut that this thing is. There's just no chance. So I just. I'm very amused by the people who are so excited to go turn it off and watch something else. Go watch In Living Color. Go watch something else. You let me know how it turns out.

[Alan Hahn]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I don't want to know how the.

[Alan Hahn]

Sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good. Hear more.

[Don Hahn]

More of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80.

[Alan Hahn]

ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.