Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 3: Super Bowl & Knicks (Jan 26, 2026)
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg (Don La Greca out) Theme: This hour centers on reactions to the upcoming Super Bowl matchup, NFL/NBA news, and a spirited dive into what it means to be a New York sports fan during big games. The hosts banter about fan rituals, coaching moves, NBA trade rumors—especially around the Knicks—and break down how culture impacts both teams and fans.
Main Themes & Episode Overview
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Super Bowl Reactions & Rituals
- Unpacking the Patriots making the Super Bowl (and Sam Darnold’s unlikely appearance)
- Why the Super Bowl feels more like a spectacle than a sporting event to many fans
- How New York fans, especially Jets and Giants supporters, process another city’s success
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Fan Psychology & Watching Big Games
- In-depth, comedic discussion about how devoted fans prefer to watch championship games: alone vs. at parties, with true fans vs. casual “periphery” viewers
- Reflections on what big games mean generationally and personally
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NBA Corner: Knicks, Giannis Rumors, and Trade Deadline Looming
- Knicks' recent form and trade possibilities
- Rumblings about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future and how big stars force franchise moves
- The mounting pressure around Carl Anthony-Towns and the repercussions for New York’s strategy
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NFL Coaching News & Fancalls
- Reactions to Mike McCarthy’s hiring by the Steelers and speculation about Aaron Rodgers’ future
- Unique Patriots/Seahawks Super Bowl storyline: could Mike Vrabel make history as a player & coach with the same franchise?
- Fan calls with stories of family sports traditions and emotional stakes
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Super Bowl Script & Matchup Oddities
[00:35-05:10]
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Alan opens with talk about a preseason NFL promo graphic that oddly put Sam Darnold and Drake May closest to the Lombardi Trophy. Peter finds it an odd creative choice—possibly an intentional script/"message" from the NFL, or just poor marketing opinion.
- Peter: “Maybe they just thought they were the two least sexy choices…” (02:36)
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Alan brings a New York perspective: seeing the Patriots back in the big game is “putrid” for Jets fans, but Darnold’s presence isn’t as painful, more a reflection of “Jets dysfunction.”
- Alan: “But Sam Darnold being in the super bowl... It shows more the Jet dysfunction than anything else.” (03:47)
2. Championship Games vs. Super Bowl: The Real Football Finale?
[05:10-07:10]
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Peter lays out his philosophy: championship Sunday is the true last day of “real football,” the Super Bowl is about the spectacle unless your team is in it.
- Peter: “The last day of real football was yesterday. The next thing is a spectacle.” (05:33)
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Alan recalls memorable Super Bowls (Giants, Bills vs. Patriots) and notes that while some are classics, the event has become “something to sell food” and ultimately, a week of hype leading to the real reward: the kickoff.
3. The Super Bowl Party: Alone vs. Together
[10:24-15:58]
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Peter and Alan debate whether they’d want to watch if their team ever made it. Peter might host; Alan insists he’d have to watch alone, unable to handle the emotional noise.
- Peter: “If the Commanders make the Super Bowl, I would probably host people at my house... making it would be such a big [deal].” (11:00)
- Anthony (producer): Shares memories of watching with dad, then with friends—says you can enjoy if everyone respects the gravity of the moment.
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Discussion about halftime shows: diehard fans use halftime as decompression, not entertainment.
4. Family & Fan Traditions
[16:36-18:05]
- Caller Danny shares the bittersweet tradition of kids growing up—leaving their parents to watch playoff games alone after years of family tradition.
- Danny: “Your dad who raised you to be a Giants fan… your son’s not there to give you a hug. It’s… I understand.” (16:58)
5. NFL News: Steelers Hire McCarthy, Rodgers Watch
[18:05-22:22]
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Alan asks Danny, a Steelers fan, about Mike McCarthy hire and implications for Rodgers. Danny isn’t opposed to McCarthy but would hate bringing back Rodgers, calling it “sad to see a once great gladiator looking like he can’t move.”
- Danny: “If he brings back Rodgers, that’s a disgrace…” (18:40)
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Quick strategic talk about coaching, analytics (Rams’ 2-pt conversion decisions), and the difficulty of QB situations in Pittsburgh.
6. Breaking Yankees News
[26:27-28:44]
- Yankees quietly re-sign Cody Bellinger. Alan and Peter joke at the lack of fanfare and contrast it with the expected Yankees pizzazz.
7. Knicks, Giannis Trade Rumors, and NBA Anxiety
[28:44-35:56]
- Knicks snap a losing streak, but the focus is on Carl Anthony-Towns’ continued struggles and trade rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- Mark Spears claims on ESPN that Giannis may have played his last game as a Buck; hosts discuss the cultural fallout, player empowerment, and risk for the Knicks.
- Peter: “It’s just disappointing for a guy whose story is so lovable… it’s been a gradual heel turn for Giannis.” (32:27)
- Worries abound about Giannis’ repeated calf strains leading to an Achilles injury—a major trade risk.
8. NBA Coaching, Accountability, and Trade Outlook
[35:56-38:17]
- Alan details how coaches (like Mike Brown and Thibodeau) are increasingly focused on results over hurt feelings, benching stars like Mikal Bridges if necessary.
- The looming trade deadline feels more unpredictable than ever: “I have no idea what’s going to happen.”
9. More Knicks and Giannis Fallout
[38:17-40:32]
- Speculation: What if the Knicks miss Giannis and he goes elsewhere? Would the city turn on Towns? How do health risks factor into huge deals?
- Alan: “I need to know more about that calf strain before I feel I gotta do anything.” (40:22)
10. Patriots/Vrabel History & Giants Hope
[45:28-49:22]
- Tess, a Giants fan, is excited: new coaching hires bring hope. Alan and Peter agree that stable, experienced leadership can create a fast turnaround (Patriots this year as the model).
- Discussion: If Mike Vrabel wins as the Patriots’ coach, would be the first to win as both player and coach for the same team.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Super Bowl Spectacle:
“The last day of real football was yesterday. The next thing is a spectacle.”
—Peter Rosenberg [05:33] -
On New York Super Bowl Energy:
“If my team is in it, there’s no way in hell anybody’s coming around me. I gotta stay right here, man.”
—Alan Hahn [10:25] -
On Fan Parties:
“I’d be drinking with my friend like, Dude, I’m 46. They haven’t been there since I was 12. I don’t want to sit by myself alone for that.”
—Peter Rosenberg [11:00] -
On Giannis and NBA Player Movement:
“It’s just disappointing for a guy whose story is so lovable… been a gradual heel turn for Giannis that it's not been what I expected.”
—Peter Rosenberg [32:27] -
On Knicks' Trade Deadline Dilemmas:
“I have no idea what’s going to happen. But…suddenly, I wouldn’t rule out anything anymore because Giannis looks like he is fed up.”
—Alan Hahn [38:14]
Important Timestamps (MM:SS)
- 00:35 — Super Bowl talk & NFL scripting jokes
- 05:33 — Championship weekend as “the last day of real football”
- 11:00 — How (and with whom) to watch your team in a Super Bowl
- 16:58 — Caller Danny on the evolution of family sports traditions
- 18:40 — Steelers hire McCarthy; the Rodgers dilemma
- 26:27 — Yankees re-sign Cody Bellinger (breaking news discussion)
- 28:44 — Knicks win, but focus shifts to trade/roster anxieties
- 32:27 — Giannis’ NBA situation as a “gradual heel turn”
- 38:14 — Knicks trade deadline: “I wouldn’t rule out anything anymore…”
- 46:07 — Vrabel could be first to win as player and coach with one franchise
Tone & Style
- Conversational, New Yorker attitude
- Jokes, jabs, and affectionate lamenting about personal fandom
- Direct (sometimes self-deprecating) about teams’ failures and fan anxieties
- In-depth, but approachable for listeners who may have missed recent sports headlines
For Listeners Who Missed the Episode
This episode is quintessential sports radio—mixing analysis, storytelling, and the unique pain and hope of rooting for New York teams. Expect spirited debate on how fans actually watch (and survive) their teams’ biggest moments, plenty of inside-baseball on player trades and coaching moves, and the collective psychic toll of waiting for a homegrown team to break through. The looming NBA trade deadline and constant NFL churn mean the hosts can only predict chaos—a fitting summary for New York sports in any era.