Hour 3: Mets Struggles & Linda Cohn joins the show

Summary

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Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 3: Mets Struggles & Linda Cohn Joins the Show

ESPN New York | June 22, 2026
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: Linda Cohn

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Episode Overview

This hour starts with the hosts reacting to the Mets’ ongoing struggles, delving into the ineptitudes and disappointments of their season so far, and whether changes are needed in the front office. The conversation pivots to other New York sports identities before culminating in a heartfelt, wide-ranging interview with Linda Cohn, marking her announced retirement from ESPN. Linda shares powerful reflections on her barrier-breaking career and connection to New York sports fans.

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Key Discussions & Highlights

1. Mets Struggles: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

• The State of the Mets

  • Don and Alan reflect on the Mets’ disappointing performance, particularly after failing to build on a promising series win against Atlanta ([03:32]).
  • The team is described as “just an average team,” unable to gain momentum, and seems headed for another lost season.
  • Stearns’s front-office approach—from the failed overhaul to questionable roster decisions—gets heavy scrutiny.

• On David Stearns and Philosophy

  • Alan and Don question if owner Steve Cohen is too invested to make a change at the GM spot soon, speculating that the regime will likely get another chance next season ([04:04]).
  • Don: “Everything offensively, the run prevention just is blown up in his face… They are an average baseball team.” ([03:32])
  • Peter: “Starting pitching is the Mets identity. Always starting pitching is the Mets identity…. And he did not put any priority into it.” ([06:02])

• Comparisons to the Phillies

  • Phillies’ turnaround credited mostly to improved pitching, something the Mets desperately lack. The Phillies also had more talent to begin with ([05:14], [05:27]).

• Player Moves, Missed Opportunities

  • Don is critical of Stearns’s approach to shedding core players (Nimmo, McNeil, Alonso), stating “When you make those seismic moves… it better work. And so far it has not worked.” ([08:36])
  • Polanco’s injury setbacks are called out as symbolic of the team’s woes.

• Stubbornness at the Top

  • Don draws a parallel between Stearns and Yankees’ Brian Cashman: “What he is guilty of… is the same thing Brian Cashman is guilty of: being stubborn with their philosophy.” ([10:08])
  • Emphasizes the need for leaders to pivot, using Bill Parcells as an example: “The true greatness of any coach or General manager is reading the room and saying, you know what? Maybe my philosophy doesn’t work here.” ([10:26])

Notable Quote

• Don: “These guys are not incompetent. What they are sometimes is a slave to their own beliefs instead of sometimes pivoting…” ([11:06])

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2. New York Sports Identity: Location and Loyalty

• Caller Dave in Smithtown asks: Why do teams like the Devils, Islanders, or Nets stay in a saturated New York market when they could be bigger elsewhere? ([16:27])

  • Don: Emphasizes the importance of “identity”—Devils representing New Jersey, Islanders for Long Island, even if the big city spotlight is elsewhere ([17:40]).
  • The Nets’ move to Brooklyn is discussed; Don admits some nostalgia for the Jersey days and questions whether Brooklyn has truly cultivated a sustainable fanbase ([19:54]).

• Changing Fan Dynamics Post-Knicks Title

  • Alan and Don observe Knicks’ resurgence is pulling fence-sitters and casual Nets fans back into the orange-and-blue fold ([22:26]).
  • “The Knicks fans took back people they’d lost to Brooklyn this year. That’s how it works. That’s what championships do.” — Alan ([22:26])

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3. Linda Cohn Joins: A Farewell to a Pioneer

Milestone Retirement Announcement

• Linda Cohn, sports broadcasting trailblazer, announces her retirement from ESPN after nearly three decades ([25:51]).
• Don calls Linda “one of the two people [in Bristol] who always cared about ESPN New York,” alongside Mike Greenberg ([25:56]).

Linda Reflects on Her Journey

• Opens up about the emotional impact of hearing from young viewers, particularly women who saw her as proof “anything was possible” ([26:32]).
• Recalls her start on Long Island, her time at Walk Radio, and mentorship from the late Ed Ingalls; shares key advice: “You gotta make your own breaks.” ([27:51])
• Linda: “I always had a backup plan if they weren’t going to allow a woman to talk sports… But I never gave up on the hopes of talking sports.” ([27:51])

Overcoming Barriers

• Early years at ESPN involved significant pressure to not “upset the apple cart” as a woman in a man’s world ([30:43]).
• Tells a pivotal story: nearly fired two years in, not for mistakes but for not letting enough “fan personality” show on TV ([32:36]).
  • “The Linda we see around the newsroom… is not coming out on TV as much as we'd like to.” ([32:36])
• After that, Linda consciously let her passion and fandom show—ensuring longevity and growing her connection with fans.

Hockey, Fan Identity, and Legacy

• Linda’s love for hockey is rooted in playing goalie as a teen among boys: “Being a goalie… prepared me for what I faced in this business. Being a woman in a man’s world…” ([33:27])
• Takes pride in helping keep hockey in the spotlight, even before ESPN had TV rights ([35:19]).
• Don and Linda reminisce about Rangers moments, emphasizing her dedication: “Didn’t do it for the money… that’s a love for a team.” — Linda ([35:49], [36:00])
• Plans to remain visible: teases new opportunities and content on YouTube and social media.

Closing Tributes

• Don praises Linda’s authenticity and how her “work speaks for itself,” having “destroyed that stereotype” that women can’t be deeply passionate, knowledgeable sports fans ([39:58]).
• Peter: “Give her a lot of credit for how tough, mentally tough she had to be.” ([41:03])

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4. Knicks Fan Magic: Never Letting Go

• Caller Dov in Boston shares a story of Knicks championship euphoria—hugging a stranger in a Starbucks because they’re both Knicks fans ([44:47]).
• The hosts agree: the feeling of victory will fade, but “this will be a part of forever” for Knicks fans ([45:57]).
• Alan provides insight into Mitchell Robinson’s likely free agency: the Knicks’ challenge will be retaining him amidst heavy competition ([48:36]).

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Notable Quotes & Moments (by Timestamp)

• Don on Mets GM David Stearns:
  “What he is guilty of… is the same thing Brian Cashman is guilty of: being stubborn with their philosophy.” ([10:26])

• Peter on Mets Identity:
  “Starting pitching is the Mets identity. Always starting pitching is the Mets identity… And he did not put any priority into it.” ([06:02])

• Linda Cohn on Making Her Own Breaks:
  “I always had a backup plan if they weren’t going to allow a woman to talk sports… But I never gave up on the hopes of talking sports.” ([27:51])

• Linda on Fandom:
  “I connected with the fan because I am a fan... And I thought like a fan. And they saw my passion and they saw my emotion.” ([29:06])

• Linda on Early ESPN Years:
  “The Linda we see around the newsroom... is not coming out on TV as much as we'd like to... And then instead of like moaning and groaning... I said, alright, you got it. I'm gonna let out my fan personality.” ([32:36])

• Linda on Playing Hockey:
  “Being a goalie… you have that mask… I had to block out the noise, right? And that's what I learned, to block out the noise.” ([33:27])

• Don on Linda’s Legacy:
  “She destroyed that stereotype, not just on the air. Her work speaks for itself.” ([39:58])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mets Struggles & Front Office Critique: [03:32]–[14:10]
• New York Sports Identity Calls: [16:27]–[23:25]
• Linda Cohn Segment: [25:51]–[39:58]
• Knicks Fan Magic (Caller Dov): [44:18]–[47:39]
• Mitchell Robinson Free Agency Talk: [48:36]–[50:07]

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Summary

This episode is a quintessential slice of New York sports talk—blunt, passionate, and personal. The hosts cut deep into the Mets’ organizational turmoil, examine how stubborn philosophies can hamstring even the brightest executives, and meditate on the identity challenges of New York’s “other” teams. The hour’s emotional centerpiece is Linda Cohn’s call-in, an illuminating and inspiring conversation about trailblazing, resilience, and how fandom fuels great sports broadcasting—a fitting celebration of her career and place in the hearts of New York fans.

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Transcript

[Don Hahn]

Are all batteries the same? That's like asking if all soccer players are the same. Take Messi, the most decorated player ever. Is there any other player who has achieved that? No, just him. Now take Duracell. Is there any other battery with powerboost ingredients inside?

[Alan]

No, just Duracell.

[Don Hahn]

Remember, goats only trust goats because they're built different. And Messi only trusts Duracell.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is the Don Han and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

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.

[Alan]

Oh yeah, fastball, no problem, but would

[Don Hahn]

have fit just as perfect, right?

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know, that's how we said it.

[Alan]

It's not like DiMaggio and Mantle.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We used to say speedball back in the day.

[Don Hahn]

If you wanted to do cocaine. Sorry, right.

[Alan]

What do you mean?

[Don Hahn]

Like an eight ball, maybe? You called it a speedball.

[Alan]

Right, right. Yeah. Speedball is some sort of mix of drugs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. That was a thing in the 80s

[Don Hahn]

that then make you look like a fool because, you know, now you're addicted to drugs. You got no money and you're hanging out at the bar, you're running to Bruce Springsteen. Bruce, can you spot me a hundred dollar? What, are you kidding me? Let's go out and have a couple of drinks. I'm not gonna lend you any money. Why not? Bruce, you're a millionaire. Don't you remember when I was throwing all that speed your way? Alright, you didn't get addicted, but I did. What are you gonna do? Why don't you help me out? Help a brother out.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That was all in that one lyric.

[Don Hahn]

All right, it's all. Listen, it's all about how you feel about a song, right? They write it, but this is what I take from it. I think there's a whole backstory of like drugs and money not being money being lent out, not paid back. And the mobs involved. It's a whole thing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Glory Days is a.

[Don Hahn]

You know what? If the Sopranos were around in the 80s, I think they would have done a whole episode about it. It would have replaced the Pine Baron

[Peter Rosenberg]

episode about the friend who was a big baseball player back in high school, then he got in with a bookie.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And now all of a sudden he's

[Don Hahn]

owing money and he got into drugs and. But. But the one thing he was trying to hold on to is his childhood friend, Bruce Springsteen, bailing him out. And Bruce said, you know, all I could do for you is I'll write a song about you. How about that?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I'll Write a song.

[Alan]

Not a dime.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Remember when you peaked in high school? I'll write about that. Right.

[Don Hahn]

This song is going to be so big that 40 years from now they're going to talk about it on a sports radio station and it's gonna be at my expense. But don't worry about it. It's all about you.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's all right.

[Don Hahn]

Am I gonna make any money? Not a dime.

[Alan]

Not a dime.

[Don Hahn]

Nothing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But that's all right.

[Alan]

We love you.

[Don Hahn]

Game time is brought to you by Tullamore. Do Irish whiskey. Because when it's game time,

[Linda Cohen]

It's tolerated.

[Don Hahn]

It's Tully time. Well, the Mets start a series with the Cubs coverage immediately following us on 880 at 6 30. But if you looked out the window, there's rain. There's a lot of rain in the forecast. But the Cubs are only coming here once so I'm sure they're going to try to make this work instead of having a doubleheader tomorrow or Wednesday. We'll have to see. But right now it's still being played and coverage will begin at 6:30. And the Yankees are out in Detroit taking on The Tigers at 605 Tullamore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew. Honey, during today's action, glasses up to enjoying Tullamore do responsibly. You know, we started the day talking about the Knicks and their chances of repeating, but now we kind of pivot to baseball and where the locals stand. Mets are a mess. I mean, they take two out of three from Atlanta, get you excited and then they lose the next two series and they're giving up runs early. And I don't know any other answer.

[Guest Alan]

Alan.

[Don Hahn]

I'll give Alan credit for it. When we were having our meeting today and we touched on baseball, it's like David Stearns is good at what he does. He's not. Everything has been a failure, basically everything. The only thing that hasn't been a fail for him was getting away from Diaz because you know, Diaz with his issues and hasn't been able to pitch and he has done a good job. As much as you may not like it being a Yankee fan, but you know, Devin Williams has done his job. Weaver's been really good. But otherwise everything offensively, the run prevention just is blown up in his face. And tonight I think is game 78. So game 81 will be literally the halfway point of the season and they're One of the worst teams in baseball. Now do I think they're the worst team in baseball? No. But you know what I think they are, Alan? They're average. They're just an average team. They'll take two out of three from the Braves and give it right back by losing two out of three to the Reds and to the Phillies. They'll surprise people. Maybe they'll take two out of three from the Cubs. Oh, it's coming together and then fall apart again. They are an average baseball team. And last year jobs were lost on this team, player wise because they had the audacity to win just 83 games. They'd be lucky to win 83 games this year. Epic fail. Is it enough to make a change at the GM position or is Cohen completely married to this regime because of how long he waited for Stearns to get out of his contract with Milwaukee? I feel it's the latter. I feel he's going to stick with this and then we'll see what happens during the off season. But don't look to him to get fired now. And at this point, why not just keep Mendoza? I mean, you had a chance to fire him to turn things around. Look what Philadelphia did. Thompson goes in, comes Mattingly. All of a sudden the Phillies are a playoff team.

[Peter Rosenberg]

They also had a lot more talent. They just were playing under the expectations.

[Don Hahn]

You know what's interesting?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Didn't have Zach Wheeler, but fine.

[Don Hahn]

And the pitching is really what's turned around for Philadelphia.

[Alan]

Although

[Don Hahn]

they can hit better than they have been hitting. They. This turnaround for Philadelphia has mainly been about their pitching. But Kyle Schwaber's a beast, man. Of course, 29 home runs. He. Oh my God, he's a really, really good player.

[Peter Rosenberg]

We knew that though.

[Alan]

That's not.

[Don Hahn]

And I don't have anybody like that. I mean, Soto is like that, but without any protection in the lineup. And I know what you're going to say. Lindor's hurt. It's always some excuse, always some reason. The Yankees just lost the best player on the planet and they're still finding a way to keep their head above water. Yes, they lost two out of three to the Reds, but overall they have a winning record and also won like seven out of eight in that span without Judge in the lineup.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. And again you just, you know this is going to be the toughest time for the Yankees, but if they can get themselves right. I feel like this is the typical. We always go through the regular season and live and die by. And I'm saying Don't bother. They're going to make the playoffs. The Yankees. Right. And to me, all I care about is can judge give me an August and September that gets him back in rhythm in time for October because I feel like that's the only thing that matters is October. But on the Met side of things, I'm going to go back to something I said a long time ago about when you're building your teams and I this is the part I'm shocked that David Stearns doesn't have this in his. How is this not in his hard drive? Because he grew up with this. He was a fan of the Mets. He should know this. Starting pitching is the Mets identity. Always starting pitching is the Mets identity. Don, you know, I don't have to tell you this, but that's when they're at their best. They have three quality starters and their starting pitching is the strength. That's the Mets when they're at the best. And he did not put any priority into it. And the Freddie Peralta thing has not worked out. You thought maybe that would be the move of bringing in a key starter. Could he be an ace? Big answer is no. I think with Nolan McClain they've gotten lucky finding somebody that has turned into a quality, capable starter. But mania was somebody that they thought found something that has failed miserably. We know that. I just feel like to me the Tarek School stuff that everybody's talking about with the Yankees is absurd. The Yankees have. The Yankees don't need starting pitching, but the Mets do. And they need an ace badly.

[Don Hahn]

But the thing with Stearns, we've talked about this a lot. I understand the philosophy of not overpaying for pitchers, getting into long term contracts with pitchers. Like I understand that they make 20, you know, they make 30 starts, they get hurt all the time. So I understand that philosophy. But explain to me the philosophy now that it's completely fallen on their face of taking core players and replacing them with nomads that aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

And they always, they get hurt. Oh, run prevention. How about scoring some runs? You know, and that's the frustrating thing. Simeon looks like he's done. So does. So does Polanco. He can't play.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah. When did he play?

[Don Hahn]

Well, he had a setback. So now we're gonna have to wait another two weeks for him to be able to come back and also, by the way, play a position that he normally doesn't play for. Run prevention. But I gave Stearns the Benefit of the doubt. But right now, we're almost halfway through a season, looks like it's completely lost after another lost season last year. And, you know, Nimmo had a chance to be a forever met. McNeil had a chance to be a forever met. But the biggest one was Pete Alonso. And don't tell me what those guys are doing on other teams. I don't care whether it's good or bad. But when you make those seismic moves, I said it at the time, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. It better work. And so far it has not worked.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Polanco and Lou Bob, as Peter calls

[Alan]

him, we love Lou Bob.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Two guys that was country history and you banked on them and it has blown up in your face. This has been a disaster. And so I know changing the GM in the middle of season does nothing, but I kind of would argue that. Are you sure? Because there still is a trade deadline coming up, and if. I'm not saying you're going to make moves now to help the team win this year, I don't even know if you can. But I do think you've got to do something to get yourself on track so that by going into next season you feel like you have something, whether it's acquiring assets with some of the pieces you have or whether it's just making moves that might at least show you, well, the team is better now at the end of the season. Because he. What he said at the end of last year was that next year's team, meaning this year, will be a better roster and a better team, and it is actually worse now.

[Don Hahn]

I am. This is going to sound silly. I don't think it's incompetence because he had a perennial playoff team in Milwaukee. They didn't win. I get it. But they were making the playoffs. They embarrassed themselves the way the Mets are embarrassing themselves now. What he is guilty of, in my opinion, is the same thing that Brian Cashman is guilty of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's his what?

[Don Hahn]

Being stubborn with their philosophy. He believes the philosophy of run prevention and not paying for pitchers. He believes that works. It has not worked for half a season. And he won't pivot. He won't make the change. Same thing with Cashman. He's got his way of doing things. It frustrates you. It hasn't resulted in A championship since 2009. These guys are not incompetent. What they are sometimes is a slave to their own beliefs instead of sometimes pivoting the true greatness of any coach or General manager is reading the room and saying, you know what? Maybe my philosophy doesn't work here. I've got to pivot. And I always use the analogy of Bill Parcells. Bill Parcells was ground and pound with the Giants. All of a sudden he goes to New England. He's got Drew Bledsoe. What is he doing? He's throwing 60 times a game. Why? Because that's what the talent of the team dictated he should be doing. Instead of saying, I'm going to run the ball down their throat. Even though he had a world class quarterback and wide receivers. No, he said, I've got a team that can throw. I'm going to throw. And I believe there was a game where like, Bledsoe threw 75 times and people were like, oh, my God, that's not Bill Parcells. No, Bill Parcell's a great coach. I'm gonna play to the talent I have with the Giants. I can run the ball. I'm gonna run it down your throat. But all of a sudden, I got a good quarterback, I got some weapons. Guess what? I'm gonna throw the ball. That's what you do. Now he'll save his job probably because, hey, it's only one season, but please believe in me, Steve. And Steve will. Because Steve waited forever. That was the girl he wanted at the dance, and he waited till the dance was over to finally ask her out. And she said yes. And he's not going to give up on that right away. And you could fire Mendoza if you want, but it's just cosmetic at this point. But that's the frustrating thing is I don't think there's going to be the seismic change that Met fans think is going to happen. I feel like we're going to go into next year and give it another kick at the can. Maybe some subtle changes here and there, but I don't think he's going to blow up his philosophy. These guys don't do that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But what are they doing right now because of where they are? When you consider they'll. They'll, like you said it before, you'll win a couple of games and you get that, that kind of hope going of, hey, if they could just string a few together.

[Alan]

Good thing Don doesn't get that no matter what.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I guess not.

[Alan]

Well, with good reason is that it shows in the long run.

[Peter Rosenberg]

But think about it, though. If they, like, aren't they that classic team? Like, what you want them to be is really bad. So it makes it easy. Because right now, because when you look at the standings as I'm trying to right now, just to get the latest update.

[Don Hahn]

Don't. Don't do it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, but I'm saying, like, the reason that, like why Stearns and why Cohen can stay defiant is they could just argue, well, there's still time because baseball

[Don Hahn]

just stinks right now. I hate to put it that way, but for the Mets to be.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, there's six battles.

[Guest Alan]

What is it?

[Don Hahn]

Nine games under.500. Nine games under 500.

[Alan]

But they're like the seventh worst team in baseball.

[Don Hahn]

There's six games out of a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Six games out of a playoff spot. So that's what is. That's a good goal.

[Alan]

That's because it's kind of insignificant. It doesn't say anything about whether or not they're actually a capable team. They're obviously a huge disappointment.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right, but that's my point.

[Alan]

Whether they're six out or not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So what I'm trying to ask is that when you get to a point like this is where you need your owner now to understand the sport and say, how much longer do we play this game of boy, if we can just get on a run? Even if you were good enough to be the last wild card, then what?

[Don Hahn]

Well, then what are you. Isn't that what I've been moaning and groaning about all season?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Like, is that what you're trying to do? Hey, at least we salvaged the season to make the wild card. I know we lost in the wild card, but hey, we had a good second half. We're going to build off that. No, you know, you look at this roster and you recognize this was a mistake.

[Don Hahn]

It's all just.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So why not correct it now rather

[Alan]

than wait, so earlier today, by the way, I'm sure you guys may have seen by now, Messi becomes the all time World cup goal leader. Passes Germany's close. You may remember from up until 2014, Messi gets to 18 overall in 28 matches. And of course, Mbappe is sitting back there at five. Mbappe just what? It's gorgeousness. They are getting so much from the big stars in this tournament.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Love it.

[Alan]

So Messi gets two today. Both were sick.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan]

And now Mbappe gets the first goal for France and he is now up to 15 total. He could end up.

[Don Hahn]

You never know.

[Alan]

He can catch Messi in this tournament. That's crazy. Like Messi's three goals ahead of.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What's the how? Age. What's their difference in age?

[Alan]

Well, Mbappe is 27.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, that's right near the end. Is that 10 years.

[Don Hahn]

Is Messi 34?

[Peter Rosenberg]

I thought 37.

[Alan]

Mid 30s. It could be 37.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Messi's not 37.

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38.

[Alan]

I think, I think Alan's right. So he's at some point, Mbappe's passing him.

[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Alan]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

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[Don Hahn]

Dave in Smithtown. You're on ESPN New York. What's up, Dave?

[Caller]

Hey, guys, how are you? You know, the Knick run was great. It was a lot of fun. Something obviously I'd never seen because I'm only 47. But I, you know, I was thinking about teams that haven't won in a while. Like, you know, the Detroit Red Wings, 25 straight years ago in the playoffs now, they had the longest drought in hockey, 10 years. You know, the Chicago Bulls, they've done nothing without Michael Jordan. I mean, the Maple Leafs have been, you know, 57 years in April. Leafs, 1967 was their last.

[Don Hahn]

Long enough. I've always been fascinated.

[Caller]

Yeah, I've always been fascinated by droughts. But anyway, Don, I got a question for you. Now you have a Devil's announcer and you do a great job. I mean, I'm a Ranger fan and I do watch the Devils because I like hearing you call the games. But, you know, I just was curious about something. You know, if you're the Devil's Islanders or Nets and the owners of those teams.

[Alan]

Oh, no.

[Caller]

But having even in LA with, like, the Clippers and the Ducks, I mean, I was wondering, like, if I were to buy the Islanders, if I was the owner, I mean, why would I want to be in this stuff town where we never get talked about, we're always the second fiddle? I mean, wouldn't you rather be someplace like Houston or Quebec where you're the main attraction? I just wanted your opinion on that.

[Don Hahn]

Well, what's interesting, it's a great question, is this is why I thought it was important that the Nets stay in New Jersey. I get beat up on this on social media all the time. The Devils at least have an identity. Of what? We're in New Jersey.

[Caller]

All right?

[Don Hahn]

We don't get covered by the New York team, but we're in New Jersey. We represent New Jersey. And I think that's important. It's really. I'm not just saying it because I work there now with msg, but there's a vibe in that building that you didn't have at the Netherlands.

[Peter Rosenberg]

The Rock has definitely an atmosphere, and when I watch those games that that place gets filled. Like, you've got a lot of people going to games. That tells you a lot about the support they get.

[Caller]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

And they're just feeding into what they are. They're New Jersey's team, they're not New York's team. And the Islanders have Long Island.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yes.

[Don Hahn]

So because of their history, they were able to win over a bunch of fans with the five straight, you know, Stanley cup appearances and the 19 straight series wins. But Long island, it's New York. It's the Tri State, but there's an identity to be from Long Island.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Agree.

[Don Hahn]

And the Nets thought they'd have that in Brooklyn. And listen, they don't draw poorly. And they're making it work, not with wins and losses, but they've created a bit of a fan base there. But they're right in the hub of it. I really felt for Net fans because I was never a huge fan, but I always supported the Nets when they were in New Jersey because I'm a New Jersey guy. But they were having watch parties in Brooklyn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In Brooklyn.

[Don Hahn]

In Brooklyn.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Imagine if they were, like, asking Barclays, hey, can we do a watch party?

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, I'm sure if it wasn't awkward, I'm sure that would have made sense. Right?

[Alan]

It honestly would have.

[Don Hahn]

And then it probably would have put 18,000 people in.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Guaranteed.

[Don Hahn]

Guaranteed. So at least in New Jersey. I know it's seven miles from Madison Square Garden. To Newark. I make the drive. When I go to, you know, Devil's Practice, it's right down the street. But there's that line of demarcation. It's called the Hudson River. So you do have that identity. I understand what he's saying. You can Devils or the Islanders can move to Houston. There were rumors that the Islanders are gonna move to Kansas City. It almost looked like it was a done deal. Yeah, but I just think there's. You're looking at it as well. You're not getting talked about, but out on the island, you look at Newsday. Newsday will put the Islanders on the front page of their newspaper. And if they're doing well or something major happens.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Don Hahn]

Same thing in New Jersey with the Devils. There's something to that. Is it New York? No, but it's theirs.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Doesn't matter. It's still in the area, and there's still enough people to draw from. And I think that it is an interesting question. And I wonder, I wonder again. And that's ownership, heart of hearts. And I don't think Joe Tsai is ready to do anything this dramatic. But don't you think there's a party that's going, all right, like, we need to call this and see, I don't know. Exploring a move back to New Jersey would work for us in the way of, like you just said, just embrace the Jersey thing and put that era behind. I, I, there's no way they do it, but if there was ever a time.

[Don Hahn]

Well, here's what I'll say. I don't have the analytics, but they probably do. What percentage of your season ticket holders are from the Brooklyn area, and how many of them are making the haul from New Jersey?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Great question.

[Don Hahn]

If, if it's more than 50% still coming from New Jersey, it's gotta be something to consider. But it's not.

[Alan]

I don't think it is.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I don't know how many Jersey people feel abandoned by them. Cause I have a friend of mine who says it all the time. Big Nets fan. And his. He's like. It frustrates him. Cause he's like. It's just. It's too much of an effort to go to Brooklyn. I can't go to games. He used to go to games all the time.

[Don Hahn]

Depends on where in New Jersey you're from. But if you're, like, from North Jersey, where there's not a great North Jersey, if there's not a great public transit, that's why the Devil's moved out. Because there wasn't public transportation. It's an embarrassment. What? The MetLife Stadium has that one stop. If you're from Central Jersey, where you can hop on a bunch of different trains and it's probably Brooklyn's a little bit better for you, but in North Jersey and you're driving, good luck, man. Right, I can see. Maybe you stay in the Netflix. Maybe you're still watching and listening to the games, but are you going like that? I don't know. Whenever I bring this up, I get Brooklyn fans like Brooklyn that are from Brooklyn. They kill me. You don't know what you're talking about. They didn't draw in New Jersey. We draw here. The last time I looked it up, I thought the attendance was pretty similar and I thought. I thought the identity was better. Now I'm a Jersey guy, so I'm biased. I'm being honest. I believe that move was made. Brooklyn's hipper than New Jersey.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, that was all Jay Z.

[Alan]

That's probably why.

[Don Hahn]

But is it sustainable? Do the people of Brooklyn care about the Nets? Remember the whole plant your flag. I remember doing shows with you in the summer. Plant your flag. I just think it's a Knicks town. So embedded, at least in New Jersey, there's a little bit more of an identity.

[Alan]

Don't you think this would even this year then would maybe if this were ever to be a conversation, wouldn't this kind of help be what pushes it?

[Don Hahn]

I don't know. Again, I don't. I could be dead wrong on this because again, I don't know the analytics. For all I know, 90% of their ticket season ticket holders are Bushwick and they just go, I don't, I don't know.

[Alan]

I bet it's a high number. I bet 70% are from Brooklyn at this point. But still, it's just guys. The Knicks fans took back people they'd lost to Brooklyn this year. That's how it works. That's what championships.

[Don Hahn]

And the one thing you had, Peter, was, hey, well, at least we've been to the NBA Finals more recently than you. Right? But now that they've won the title, you know how many more fans the Knicks are going to win over? If you were like, I'm a Net fan and a Knick fan, but I support the Nets because I'm from Brooklyn. They're gone. The Michael Rapoports are gone. Right? They're now all in on the Knicks. Right? You might have had Spike Lee go to attend a few games. Goodbye.

[Alan]

It was a dead year. What are you gonna do? Why not go.

[Don Hahn]

They're all gone now. They're so anybody sitting on the fence, they're all gone.

[Alan]

How about this? How about this? The kids who you would see at the mall wearing Curry jerseys, they're all wearing Brunson jerseys.

[Don Hahn]

That's it. That's how it works. That's what you're gonna love.

[Alan]

All the kids you were losing? Oh, we were Kobe fans, were Curry fans, were Durant fans. They're now all Brunson and Anunobi fans.

[Don Hahn]

Yeah, it's totally different. It is pretty interesting.

[Guest Alan]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don 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.

[Don Hahn]

Got a little emotional today. I hop on social media and I see that Linda Cohen's announced her retirement. It's effective on June 30th. She is going to do her last sports centers coming up on Friday and the last one will be, I believe at 11 o'. Clock. Her first one will be at 6 on Friday. And I've always talked about the disconnect between Bristol and New York. It's been something that's going on 25 years that I've been working here. But the two people that were always up at Bristol that cared about the success of ESPN New York were Mike Greenberg and our next guest and that's called of course, Linda Cohen. And she joins us here on Don. Hannah Rosenberg. Linda, how are you?

[Linda Cohen]

Great to be with you, dawn, and thank you for those kind words. Yeah, it's been a crazy day retiring from espn, exciting opportunities ahead for me. But I'm just, it's, it's been, I'm like teary eyed. I, I, I didn't know, you know, you never know how you're going to react. But you know the reaction, especially from young people, especially young women who were little girls, they're all telling me their stories that when they saw me on SportsCenter in kindergarten in first grade before they went to school or the re airs and it made them think anything was possible. And Don that's when I get the most emotional about it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

LINDA Again, we share the Long island connection. I'm very big on all that stuff. Of all of us who have found our way through the crazy eighties of Long island and found a way out of it. But I just, because you just talk about it and the inspiration you are to a lot of young women who have watched you, I love origin stories. So you know, Newfield High School kid, I mean W A L K like tell like how did it begin for you? How, how did your career start and what did you have to do to get to the place you got right now?

[Linda Cohen]

Yeah, no, thanks for asking that. I mean I won't like it can go on and on. I actually wrote a funny look at my journey back in 09, a book called Conehead. A no holds barred account of breaking into the boys club where I talked about this. But yeah, Long Island, I'll always remember my roots, love my roots. I'm wearing my Knicks by the way, I'm wearing my Nick sweatshirt. I can't take it off. I just go still on a frickin high. But as we all are. But even though I live in L. A now, but trust me, it was still just as exciting. But yeah, you know, I, I always had a backup plan if they weren't going to allow or a woman to talk sports. And it's just so natural for me because thanks to my dad, I grew up so such a New York sports fan. I just love the New York teams and it became in my DNA, you know, when I went to the Smith Haven hall as a 12 year old to see Walt Frazier and Dave Debusscher and Willis Reed make appearances in Lake Grove, Long island, and Walt Frazier looking at me and going, wow. And I'm like just this little girl. And that's when I fell in love with sports and the athlete and what they do and. And so yeah, I mean I volunteered at Walk radio. I was doing news, but I said, you know what, I'll cover the Islanders for free if you just pay for my gas. And that was during their run. And that led to me meeting the late, great Ed Ingalls, sports director for WCBS for so many decades. He was one of my mentors. He helped me. I mean he just kept. I always tell young people, you gotta make your own breaks. I know both of you always. You guys say that as well probably. And I always had some kind of backup plan, but I never gave up on the hopes of talking sports. Like, and I think part of my longevity, guys, is just the fact that I connected with the fan because I, I am a fan and I'll always be a fan. And I thought like a fan. And they saw my passion and they saw my emotion. Just like you guys. I mean, you know, I don't have like Don, Don is a perfect example of that. You know, Don is so great, you know, makes me laugh all the time with his emotion and passion. You guys are the same. So I think that's a big reason for my longevity. I always had a connection with the fan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I love that you shouted out the Smith Haven Mall. I grew up in Ronco. Right. So I wasn't far from where you were in, In. In Seldon. So it's just like the Smith Haven Mall was the epicenter of everything back then. So I love that you shouted that out.

[Linda Cohen]

Yes. So I don't even know if it's still there. Is it still there?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No, it is. It is gone through some transformations, but it still is there.

[Alan]

So, Linda, when did you get comfortable with the idea that this, this passion and being a fan could turn into your forever career? When did you start to accept that?

[Linda Cohen]

Well, they didn't fire me, although they came close to firing me from ESPN two years in. My big break was going to Seattle. I was hired there. I knew I couldn't be one of those people, whether it was being a woman or whatever the reason. I'm not going to look back and say whatever. I'm not bitter about anything. But I knew I had to get out of New York. I was doing radio seven days a week, you know, doing up sports updates on WCBS and on the Fan and things like that, you know. And then I realized, you know what? I want to try this TV gig. And a year after, you know, showing all my VHS tapes. Vhs, right. Back in the day, you know, KIRO in Seattle gave me my biggest break. And I was able to be a sports reporter. Covered the Mariners, the Sonics, you know, the Seahawks, all that, I was able to hone my skills as a TV personality. TV reporter. And that's when ESPN spotted me. So two years into the ESPN run, though, I was so preoccupied of not upsetting the apple cart, so to speak, you know, and I'm like, I started this YouTube channel, which I'm planning to grow in leaps and bounds, but I was going to talk about. And when I did that Rich Eisen, that this was SportsCenter. Yeah. Which got really. It was fun to do. They had a library of my looks through the years. Right. And if you notice, early on it was really conservative. Like I didn't want to upset any apple cart. Being a woman in a man's world and my voice and everything was like not robotic, but I don't know how to describe it, but I didn't feel like I was allowed to show off my fandom personality early on at espn. And the funny part, and the irony is two years into my gig at espn, I was called into the boss's office and they literally were going to fire me, they said, because they said I didn't do anything.

[Ad Voice 1]

Wrong.

[Linda Cohen]

But they said, you know, the Linda we see around the newsroom, the Linda that has passion about sports, is not coming out on TV as much as we'd like to. And I'm like, well, I feel like, why didn't you tell me? It was like a gut punch, really. And then instead of like moaning and groaning and being sad about it, I said, all right, you got it. I'm gonna let out my fan personality. And little by little, obviously I wasn't fired. And that was just two years into my gig at espn. But it all worked out. It's just funny how things, the journey is right for all of us.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was the wake up call you needed, right? Like you needed to realize that I don't have to wake up, worry about how I'm acting. I can go ahead and be myself and my personality. Your passion clearly is hockey. What brought you to that? What made you fall in love with the Rangers?

[Linda Cohen]

Yeah, I love hockey because as a 14 year old, I started playing ice hockey. I was a goalie, I played with the boys. Started out playing with 8 year old boys because they didn't let 14 year old girls play with 14 year old boys. I ended up making my high school team as a student senior in Newfield High School boys team. And then I played hockey at Oswego State all four years. They had a women's hockey team ahead of their time. It was a club. So that's where my love for hockey and being a goalie, I mean, it really prepared me for what I faced in this business. Being a woman in a man's world, you know, again, more irony being a goalie, you have that mask. When I was playing with young boys play hockey and I was on their team and moms would be like, what is she doing there? Like, I had to block out the noise, right? And that's what I learned, to block out the noise. And I thank my, you know, young hockey career to, for doing that. And it really prepared me for what I had to face in even the early days of espn. You know, people, people in all certain parts of the country did not, let's put it this way, they frowned upon a woman giving them their sports. They didn't understand it that a woman could do that and know that stuff. So I do love hockey. That's where it comes from. It'll always be in my blood and yeah, and I'm really proud of that because the players, you know, the times that I did get to interview decades ago, players, players now they grew up with me and they knew I helped keep hockey alive when ESPN did not have the contract they have now. And that's very satisfying. But also, I do love the NFL. I love my football Giants. Yeah, so those are my two. You know, I won't bring up the Mets right now, but they'll always have a place in my heart. And of course, the Knicks, you know, forever and ever.

[Don Hahn]

That's amazing that you're that passionate about all four major sports we're talking to. Linda Cohen announced her retirement effective at the end of the month. She'll do her last Sports Centers coming up on Friday. And I was telling the story earlier, Linda, that your love for the Rangers had no bounds when they were making their run in 14 and the conference final 15. You were doing pre and post on the radio. I was telling them, I'm doing a game and you're filling in for me. I'm like, believe me, you didn't do it for the money. You did it just because you wanted to be close to the team. And that was amazing.

[Linda Cohen]

Oh, God, Don, I'm so glad you brought that up. But, yeah, I'm sorry, I didn't ask about the Ranger. Love my classic story from that. Yeah, first of all, didn't do it for the money. Schlepped two hours to go to msg, by the way, from where I lived and get out of. Get back and forth. That's a love for a team and you had to keep it all together. But my classic story was 2014. Don remembers this. The Rangers, shockingly, thanks to Henrik Lundquist, got all the way to a Stanley Cup Final. And my brother and I, we, we. We. We went to LA for game five. And I wasn't even scheduled to work pre and post game or any part of our broadcast, but I was there as a fan and I was able to. And I, I was there, but I sat in the press area. Usually I frown upon that, but I wanted to be in that building, you know, it was that much love. And then, of course, I was asked to do a post game of watching the LA Kings carry around the Stanley Cop and basically being a psychiatrist and a therapist for all the fans that called in watching the Rangers lose in five. But it was therapy for me, too. Don knows that. I mean, I needed that. It was just really tough to take and funny asterisk to that story. When the post game was over, I was down. I went downstairs to meet my brother. You know, we ran into former Ranger Derek Broussard, who seemed to be handling it okay and was happy. We Were there. And then we went back to our hotel, and there was Chris Kreider in the lobby right in front of the hotel, the JW Marriott, right near what then was Staples Center. And he both gave us hugs because it was, like, very sad.

[Don Hahn]

But this is how big a fan she is. I happen to be doing a game in Vancouver, and, you know, she talked about being in Seattle, and John Shorthouse is the television announcer. Always asks me when I see him, how's Linda doing? Because you just out of row, just decided, I'm gonna go to Vancouver, catch a game. And she didn't want to sit with the press, so she sat with me and Dave in the gondola. And I got to do a whole game with Linda, like, to my left.

[Alan]

But that's.

[Don Hahn]

That's the passion that I think people are gonna miss Linda, and we really hope to keep in touch with all the other things that you're gonna be doing, because I think that's why people gravitated to you, because they knew, first and foremost, you were a fan. That made you knowledgeable. You lived and died with all of the teams that you cared about. And you were such an important part of my journey through ESPN that we were able to be 25 years. It's gonna be that I've been here. This state radio station started September 3rd.

[Linda Cohen]

Amazing.

[Don Hahn]

Of 2001, and you've been a part of it for the entire time. And we're going to miss you on tv, but hopefully we'll be able to stay in touch. She actually played in a Mark Sasso softball event for us. She actually came to Jersey and played.

[Alan]

How was she, though, as a player?

[Don Hahn]

You played as many games as Alan Hans played at the Mark Sasso softball.

[Linda Cohen]

There you go. See that? I show up.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's right. That's right.

[Don Hahn]

Well, the invitation's August 22nd. If you're around. I doubt it, but, you know, keep it filed away just in case you happen to be in there.

[Linda Cohen]

Yeah.

[Don Hahn]

No, you never know.

[Alan]

That's not a no.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's not a no, Don.

[Caller Dov]

It's not.

[Linda Cohen]

It's not. It's not. And very quickly. No, you guys. Don, you know how I feel about you. I adore you. I think you're amazing at what you do. Speaking of passion. And I love this show. I love what you guys have done. And, yeah, great things are happening. Stay tuned to my socials. You'll find out soon enough. Indicoan and cone Sports on YouTube. Yeah. There'll be announcements in the next few weeks after the holiday but thanks so much for having me.

[Alan]

Of course. Thank you for everything. Just being a part of all of our collective sports fan lives over these years.

[Linda Cohen]

Linda, great stuff. Thank you for saying that. That's so sweet. It does mean a lot. And I just want to thank all your viewers and listeners for their support over the years. And yeah, we always, it's always about New York first and foremost.

[Don Hahn]

Oh, thank you so much, Linda. Good luck. Stay in touch.

[Linda Cohen]

Okay. Definitely.

[Don Hahn]

That is the great Linda Cohen. People sense that. I think that's unfortunately the stereotype sometimes. Wal, she's a woman. How deep can she be into sports? How much can she really love teams? And she destroyed that stereotype, not just on the air. Her work speaks for itself. I remember being at an Eli Manning event after he won his first Super Bowl. We had one of those legends dinners and she came, she came to the dinner and Eli was making fun of her. I guess they were exchanging numbers or something and she was making fun of. She had the Ranger logo on her phone, not the giant logo. But if there's a way to put all four. It's so rare. Andrew Gunling's like this Peter that is passionate about all four major sports, like have a team usually equally. And for her to love the Knicks, Rangers, Giants and Rangers in that way, Mets too. I have a feeling though, she might be a little bit more into the Rangers. It just felt like that because she had played hockey she was so passionate about and that came across on the air. So I just thought she's a legend.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So I'm gonna make sure that Callie sees this interview and listens because that's the fact of what can growing up, when she grew up on Long island, having to play with boys, that's, trust me from watching even just my daughter doing it right now, that is not easy to do. And back then, even when you knew you were probably getting side eyes and everything from parents, give her a lot of credit for how tough, mentally tough she had to be.

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[Don Hahn]

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[Peter Rosenberg]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[Alan]

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.

[Don Hahn]

Soccer fans, Join Bart Scott and Chris Carlin on Thursday, June 25 for a watch party presented by Radeburger Pilsner. Watch the match between Germany and Ecuador at the Hoboken Beer garden in Hoboken, New Jersey starting at 4pm Enjoy Pilsner perfection since 1872 with the first German Pilsner. Come out, grab a cold Radeburger and join the energy with ESPN New York. That's Bart Scott and Chris Carlin live at the Hoboken Beer garden this Thursday, June 25th. Brought to you by Radeburger Pilsner 1-800-919-3776. Let's get back to the busy phones and let's talk to DOVE in Boston. You're on ESPN New York. What's up Dov?

[Caller Dov]

Well hello gentlemen. How you doing today?

[Don Hahn]

Good, how are you?

[Caller Dov]

Oh, I'm doing fantastic. It was wonderful to see you guys last week. I came down from Boston and had a chance to spend some time with you at Stout Shout out to them for putting on a great event, really. And also, as a side note, thank you guys for doing that, because, you know, myself included, there are a ton of people who got there really early and still didn't get into the parade. You know, and having your event to go to, to celebrate and be a part of it, it was literally like my wife was comforting me from, like, losing a baseball game.

[Caller]

She was like, do you want to go see dhr?

[Caller Dov]

And I was like, yeah.

[Caller]

So.

[Caller Dov]

So thank you, guys. It was wonderful. As far as the Knicks, man, I know right now we're getting into the Mitchell Robinsons and we're getting into free agency and where is Giannis going? And all of this stuff. But, like, I hope that we can still keep the magic and keep the memory of how pure and special this is. Like, you know, I'm back in Boston. I'm in Starbucks yesterday. I see a guy in a Nick's hat. We lock eyes across the Starbucks immediately, don't know each other, run up to each other, hug each other. Wow. You know, Nixon, Nixon, no, full hug, Nixon 5. Our wives are talking, you know, and we're just reliving the memories and reliving the moments. And, like, you know, we left and my wife smiled and she looked at me and she said, when does this end? And I looked at her and I said, it never.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Never will.

[Caller Dov]

You're never going to be able to take this away. And we'll always be able to say, 26 next. And I just. As we get into the minutia and new season and the new expectations, I just hope that we can kind of keep that spark and keep that magic in our hearts forever. Man, it's so special.

[Alan]

It is.

[Don Hahn]

Unfortunately, it does fade over time like anything else. Right. It'll go from a spark to wanting and longing for it to happen again. And I. We can argue, is it going to be of the All Star break next year? Is it going to be 10 years from now? But at some point, you know, it's gonna be, I want another one. I want that feeling again.

[Caller Dov]

It.

[Don Hahn]

You'll never forget it. It'll always be a part of forever for you. But there will be a point, guys, where it just gets back to normal. Like, hey, yeah, let's get going.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I think Nixon 5 will be a rally cry all the time now. People just yell it out, oh, that'll be that for fun. But, yeah, like, I think the first sign of frustration, the first sign of something like, where it just. This doesn't look right. You know how it is. And then you just start to grumble, and the next thing you know, then you'll be full on pissed off. I mean, that's just how fans are. But I don't think it ever takes away from this feeling. Like, this feeling will always be there,

[Don Hahn]

but it will fade, you know, after a bad loss next year, you'll think about the run and it'll make you feel better. You'll get over it. But, you know, at some point, you know, hopefully they don't have to go another 53 years without a championship, but at some point it'll be. It'll be real. Like, the odds are, believe it or not, that Brown will get fired. You know, we all love, we all would love the story of the guy that Lee, like Don Shula, gets to leave on his own terms. But a lot of times it just, that's what happens. You go a couple of years, bad season, hey, we're going to make a change. The reality just comes back. But this will be a part of forever. So both, I think things can be true. Jose in Connecticut. You're on espn New York.

[Caller]

Hey, what's up, guys, man? Listen, like, it's crazy talk about all the sick and apron talk. It just feels weird. I was telling the screener, like, it's weird how we were always the hunters. Like now people are now gonna need to try to find the roster to beat us. You know what I'm saying? And like, like, even with Boston, like, you know, this, like when her. Steven said the move with Gianna Giannis is like, we might not be as good as the Knicks. We got to do something. And with that, I got two things. A question for Alan, too. But the first thing is they better, you know, they're going to have to win that first year, because after that first year, Giannis and and Tatum are going to be like 140 million in the cap. So it's not going to be that easy for them either. So not everybody could be as crafty as Leon. And my question for Allen is, my assumption is one of the ways to beat the Knicks, people are going to try to get, take Richard Robinson off agency. So what do you think if you had to put a percentage on it, is that he's going to come back because I know it's not going to be easy to bring him back because everybody's going to want him. Not just to get him, but also take him away from the Knicks, make us worse.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah, I think you have till June 30. The team can negotiate an extension with him and figure out if they can do something strategically that would allow him to be able to be resigned without creating an issue with that second apron. And he would have to want it and agree to it. And if you're representing him, I mean, the smart thing to do is say, let's see, the Lakers really want to have a center, right? What can they do? How much can they offer? What is their situation? And then some other teams, I mean, New Orleans is where he's from, and if there's. If there's a team that needs. Desperately needs a center like him, it's them. So I do think there's some things to think about for him is, is this his opportunity right now to get the bag? Because we know that with the foot, his. His injury history, how delicate they have to be with him. They managed him all year. You remember, he doesn't play more than 20 minutes a night, so some team might give him a ton of money knowing that he can't play a lot. But the Knicks value, they already know what he is. And I think he already knows what his role is here and how things will go. So it really is up to him and whether he just wants to say, hey, this is my chance at the lottery. I got to take it, or if he's like, you know what? I'm happy here and I just want to be part of this. And he stays and works on an extension before he gets the free agency. We'll see. Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[Don Hahn]

I don't want to know how the

[Peter Rosenberg]

sausage is made, man. I just want to know it's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers. You can't reason with the sun. Trust us, we've tried.

[Don Hahn]

This summer, it's time to put that

[Peter Rosenberg]

angry ball of fire on mute. Columbia's Omnishade technology is engineered to protect

[Don Hahn]

you from the sun's harsh rays that

[Peter Rosenberg]

can burn and damage your skin. The sun is relentless, but so is our gear level up here. Your [e-mail] to spend more time outside and less time slathering on aloe lotion. You're welcome, Columbia. Engineered for whatever.