Don, Hahn & Rosenberg Podcast

ESPN New York

Episode: Hour 3: Favorite Players & Fraud Calls
Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This lively hour brings together hosts Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg for a quintessential slice of New York sports talk. The trio jump into personal sports allegiances, the emotional ties to favorite athletes (even those from rival teams), the fine line between fan “fraudulence” and authentic rooting, and take listener calls on their own confessions and dilemmas. The show also dishes takes on current hockey headlines—particularly surrounding the Hughes brothers and Olympic storylines—before wrapping up with an in-depth, candid discussion of the New York Giants’ future with insights from Eli Manning. The tone is sharp, occasionally irreverent, heavy on banter, and always rooted in the passion of the New York sports scene.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hughes Brothers & Olympic Hockey (00:46–07:09)

• The hosts discuss Jack Hughes' standout Olympic performance and the absence of Luke Hughes, fueling a spirited debate about family priorities and professional obligations.
• Don’s defense of Luke Hughes:
  "He's rehabbing his shoulder... He's got an obligation to his team. He should be skating and getting ready." (02:01)
• Peter questions family loyalty:
  "This is family blood over everything. I don't understand." (01:56)
• The talk shifts to the emotional impact of Johnny Goudreau’s tragedy and the meaningful gestures from Team USA, highlighting how athletic communities honor lost teammates. The hosts reflect on the continuing support of the Goudreau family and the power of communal remembrance.
• Peter on grief:
  "It feels like the rest of the world moves on. So the fact that the team isn't treating it that way... made me happy to see the family there." (04:19)

2. Women's Hockey & Growing Audiences (07:09–07:30)

• The hosts celebrate record viewership for the women’s Olympic hockey game.
  • “Most watched women's hockey game ever. No surprise there.” (07:17)
  • Discussion on time slot strategy and expectations for upcoming USA vs Canada gold medal game.

3. Fan Allegiances: Idols from Rival Teams (08:50–18:23)

• Callers confess to loving athletes outside their home team loyalties—from Joe Namath to Michael Jordan—sparking laughter and debate.
• Caller (Rico) on idolatry:
  “My all time favorite athlete, not football player, athlete, was Joe Namath. So I don’t see anything wrong.”
• Don pushes back:
  “It's odd... Would you at least acknowledge it's odd?” (09:26)
• Rosenberg draws a parallel:
  “It would be like a Jets fan saying... the first game I went to, Tom Brady threw a touchdown, and I’ve always loved Tom Brady. He’d be like, that’s nuts.” (10:25)
• The sneaker debate: Can Knicks fans wear Jordans—and is it fraud if they do?
• Rosenberg:
  “There’s a big difference between wearing Jordans and wearing a Jordan jersey.” (12:16)
• Peter:
  “The sneaker isn’t a Bull sneaker. It’s sneaker.” (12:12)
• The trio agree the Jordan brand has transcended sports (17:56), paralleling with Yeezys and other iconic products detached from their creators.

4. Fraud Alert Friday: Fan Identity & Loyalty (26:30–38:41)

• Carlo in Westchester: is it “fraud” to choose the next local NFL champion as your team?
  • Don: "It does come across as picking the team that wins... If you got to be asking people, how should I choose? If you did choose, it's not gonna stay. You're not interested. That's all right. ... It has to happen naturally." (28:22)
  • Peter attempts a softer touch: “If you stumble into something natural, you’ll know. If not, don’t bother.” (29:41)
• Other “fraud” scenarios debated include:
  • Rooting for both the Colorado Rockies/Devils and, later, the Colorado Avalanche after franchise relocation.
    • Don: "I'm going to say no fraud... How often do you get a team back, right?" (37:09)

5. Jack Hughes Olympic Participation—Optics & Frustration (30:01–34:45)

• Callers and hosts debate: Does it look bad that Jack Hughes didn’t play key games for the Devils but suits up for Team USA?
  • Don's nuanced take:
    "I'm going to err on the side that he just got better now. I'm not going to get mad at Rob [the caller] for being curious about it..." (34:45)
  • Rosenberg:
    “The minute you put that jersey back on, you are a difference maker and they’ll forget all about the two games you missed.” (34:07)

6. Weather Chat: Winter’s Relentless Grip (39:22–41:25)

• Lamenting the endless snow:
  • “When was the last time we had this level of winter? ... This is no mas. No mas.” (41:19)
  • Banter about city snow piles and attempts at optimism with the rain’s brief melting powers.
• Sets the mood for hunkering down Sunday morning for the gold medal game.

7. Eli Manning Interview: NY Giants’ Future & QB Talk (44:45–52:07)

• Eli Manning’s positive endorsement of the Jim Harbaugh hire:
  • "You could not have asked for a better situation... He's the coach we needed but usually, you know, the coach that's unavailable." (45:13)
• Discussion about new quarterback Jackson Dart’s leadership, his growth, but also the patience required for true, consistent greatness.
  • Eli: "As a young quarterback, you're always trying to do that... Now I got to take the next level." (46:28)
  • On Dart’s development: “He has the ability to make plays... Now it's kind of taking that next step to getting the ball out on time and getting through your progressions quicker." (48:09)
• The hosts underscore that potential is evident, but the "quarterback box" is not yet checked.
  • Don: "Anybody that has checked the quarterback box a little too quick, I think we'll eventually get there. But let's let it happen first." (51:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don Le Greca on sports loyalty:
  “It's okay not to hate him if you want to hate him. Yeah, for sure. Probably based on jealousy, but that's how a lot of hatred is based on. But I don't see liking him, rooting for him. No, if you're a Knicks fan, that's a tough sell for me.” (13:25)
• Peter Rosenberg, summarizing Knicks fans’ feelings on Jordan:
  "You feared him, but you didn't hate him." (13:08)
• On sports brands transcending players:
  “That shoe now has even transcended Michael Jordan. Yes, it's got his logo on it, but it is the brand that you wear.” – Anthony (17:56)
• On caller indecision:
  “If you’re asking me, what should I do? You’re not in. It’s almost like you’re being forced at gunpoint, for Christ’s sake. It doesn’t matter... Don’t be a football fan. Do us all a favor.” – Don (29:25)
• Fraud Friday verdicts:
  “This is one of the best fraud questions we’ve ever gotten.” – Don, on the Colorado Rockies/Avalanche fan dilemma (37:02) “This isn’t fraud. This is just luck.” – Rosenberg (38:38)
• On the Giants' QB situation (Eli Manning):
  "I think he's moving in the right direction. I think he's going to be a good quarterback. But anybody that has checked the quarterback box a little too quick, I think we'll eventually get there. But let's let it happen first." – Don (51:30)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Luke Hughes debate & context on Olympic absences: 01:11–03:52
• Johnny Goudreau tribute: 04:01–06:20
• Women’s hockey ratings & Olympic hype: 07:09–07:47
• Caller Rico’s Joe Namath confession: 08:58–11:36
• Jordan sneaker/brand fandom debate: 11:55–18:23
• Callers seeking team loyalty/fraud dilemmas: 26:30–38:41
• Jack Hughes, Devils & Olympics criticism: 30:01–34:45
• Eli Manning on Harbaugh & Dart: 44:45–52:07

Episode Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a friendly, sharp-witted, and passionate New York voice, holding each other accountable through spirited debates, teasing, and audience engagement. Whether settling "fan fraud" verdicts or commiserating over brutal winters, their banter mirrors the emotional highs, lows, and quirks of loyal sports fandom in the city.

For anyone who missed it:
This episode is a quintessential ride through contemporary New York sports culture, full of honest takes, warm nostalgia, and an ongoing search for what makes a “true” fan. The discussions, especially around impostor fandom and the human side of rooting interests, are as relatable as they are revealing—whether you bleed blue and orange or simply love a good sports argument.