Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Fraud Alert Friday (Hour 3)

Date: December 12, 2025
Podcast: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg (ESPN New York)
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Episode Theme: “Fraud Alert Friday”—Live from ESPN New York’s holiday party, the hosts take on listener confessions and live cases about “fraudulent” fandoms in sports, followed by NFL analysis and their weekly picks.

Episode Overview

This lively hour revolves around the perennial sports fan debate: What makes someone a “fraud” as a fan? In the recurring segment, “Fraud Alert Friday,” the trio reads emails and takes calls from listeners confessing to or accusing others of dubious sports loyalty. The show alternates uproarious judgments and playful banter before closing the hour with sharp NFL analysis and on-air picks for the weekend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rod Strickland Appearance & LIU Basketball (01:33 – 02:49)

• Rod Strickland made a guest appearance, impressing the crew with his quick commitment to join the event and his involvement with LIU’s basketball program.
• Alan Hahn shares his LIU connection:
  “He’s a legend, and that's obviously my school… I just said, let me see who I can get here. The Islanders played last night... But Rod Strickland… within seconds of me sending it [text], 'yes, tell me when.' That's what he's about." (01:49–02:18)

2. Fraud Alert Friday – “Are you a Fraud?” Segment

(02:56 – 15:01)

• The Baylor/Washington dilemma (03:06–04:24):
  Listener Daniel confesses he played football at Baylor but would root for hometown Washington Huskies over his alma mater.

  • Rosenberg’s ruling:
    “He played. He played along RG3. They played in big games together… and he just happened to grow up in Washington, so he's rooting for the Huskies. Fraud.” (04:06–04:12)
  • Group consensus: Clear case of fraud.

• Ohio State grad, Maryland degree-holder (05:19–07:09): Listener’s wife grew up rooting for Ohio State but attended Maryland; she remains a devoted Buckeye.

  • Rosenberg: “No, but she is a fraud because, first of all, rooting for Ohio State before you even went to school… but then you went to Maryland, and now they're a division rival. I mean, I get it... but it's fraudulent.” (06:42–07:09)

• Jets Fan Adopts Lions as Backup Team (07:23–08:45): Gary from Hop Hog wants to declare himself “done with the Jets” and become a Lions fan.

  • Rosenberg: “That’s a fraud… He gave up on his team to go root for the Lions.” (08:43–08:45)
  • Gary’s confession—live on air—gets a unanimous “fraud” verdict.

• Giants Fan Raising Child as Eagles Fan (09:01–11:23): Isaac from Sunnyside presents his girlfriend’s best friend, a Giants fan, now raising her child as an Eagles fan due to her spouse.

  • Rosenberg’s nuanced ruling:
    “If you’re staying at home and your family’s going to Eagles games… I say no fraud. I think family stunning, guys. She still roots for the team.” (10:30–10:57)
  • The hosts debate but Rosenberg sticks to his “family first” verdict here.

• Trauma & Team Loyalty—Washington Capitals Listener (12:15–15:01): Listener wonders if it’s fraud to drop the Capitals due to family trauma and root for another hockey team.

  • Rosenberg:
    “If she decides to root for another team, even under those very unique circumstances, it would be fraud. If she decides to drop the sport, then it’s not fraud.” (13:41–13:53)
  • Don: “She can pick a new team in a different sport, but not the same one.” (14:19–14:30)

Notable Quotes

• “If a fraud had a stink, I'd smell him from a mile away.” – Peter Rosenberg, (03:50)
• “Happy wife, happy life”—as justification for sticking with family teams (11:26)

3. Fraud on the Panel: Don Called Out (15:07–18:44)

• Alan from Unendale accuses Don La Greca of being a “fraud” for switching between being a Devils fan (even has the tattoo), supporting the Rangers as a broadcaster, and later returning to the Devils.

  • Don: Explains the difference between professional detachment and authentic fandom:

    “Because how would it look if I was banging on the glass when the Devils eliminated the Rangers in the conference final? And oh, by the way, where’s my check? No, that doesn't work.” (17:13–17:22)

  • Panel consensus: Working in sports sometimes demands professional detachment—not fraud if roles require neutrality; resumes authentic fandom after job changes.

  • Alan Hahn: Shares similar experience, becoming neutral when covering the Islanders even though he grew up a fan, arguing that journalistic integrity trumps cheerleading (19:28–20:41).

4. NFL Weekend Preview & Key Game Analysis

(26:07 – 34:05 and following)

• Big games on tap:

  • Lions vs. Rams:
    Stakes high for the Lions who are on the playoff bubble—“if they lose, [Lions] playoff percentage drops to 44% going into Week 16” (Peter, 26:55–27:12).
  • Bills vs. Patriots:
    “...if the Bills lose to the Patriots, they still have a 94% chance of making playoffs…” but winning is critical for any hope at the division (Peter, 29:54–30:06).
    • Don and Alan debate whether this is the biggest game, considering the implications for the Bills’ coaching staff and franchise direction.

• Jets & Giants: The Local Malaise

  • Both teams eliminated.
    “To do a whole holiday party on a Friday football and not mention the Jets and Giants… just shows how far we've fallen.” – Peter Rosenberg (32:28–32:55)
  • Discussion of the agony of being a Jets/Giants fan, with comic relief comparing the misery of attending MetLife to sitting “in your own filth.”

5. Weekly NFL Pro Picks

(40:34 – 50:23)

• Standings Update:
  Don in first (21–21, 40 points), Hahn second, Rosenberg trailing but mathematically in the running.
• Notable Picks:
  • Peter: Giants over Commanders (1 pt), Niners to cover vs. Titans (2 pt), Eagles to cover vs. Raiders (3 pt).
  • Allen Hahn: Packers over Broncos (1 pt), Steelers over Dolphins on MNF (2 pt), Patriots over Bills (3 pt, “snow globe” potential).
  • Rosenberg (pivots his picks to avoid duplicates): Chargers to cover vs. Chiefs (1 pt), Lions to cover vs. Rams (2 pt), Cowboys to cover vs. Vikings (3 pt).

Memorable Moments

• “If a fraud had a stink, I’d smell him from a mile away.” (Peter Rosenberg, 03:50)
• Listener live “conversion” from Jets to Lions fandom, judged as fraud on air.
• The panel’s “on trial” sessions, particularly Don’s defense of professional neutrality versus fandom.
• Alan’s “strap off the shoulder,” lightheartedly describing a “sexy game” matchup (Bills-Patriots).
• Colorful metaphors about MetLife Stadium:
  • “MetLife isn't a cool place to go... sitting in your own filth is all part of the experience.” (36:44–36:52)
• Hosts openly debating and joking over rules for making picks, showcasing their friendly competitiveness.

Important Timestamps

• 01:33–02:49: Rod Strickland and LIU basketball discussion
• 03:06–08:45: Fraud Alert Friday emails—college football/loyalty cases
• 09:01–15:01: Live fraud cases from callers (backup teams, family allegiance, trauma and sport switches)
• 15:07–18:44: “Fraud” call-out on Don’s fandom; hosts discuss professional neutrality
• 26:07–34:05: Lions/Rams and Bills/Patriots game previews; state of Jets/Giants
• 40:34–50:23: On-air weekly NFL pick segment

Summary

This episode of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg epitomizes the high-energy spirit and camaraderie of New York sports talk. “Fraud Alert Friday” delivers engaging, sometimes riotous debates on what it means to be a “real” fan—in a city, for a team, in your own family, and even as a professional broadcaster. The hosts let listeners into their world with an unfiltered, often hilarious take on sports loyalty, New York fandom, and the heartbreak (and fleeting hope) of Jets and Giants fans—capped by cheeky, sharp analysis of the week’s NFL matchups.