Podcast Summary: "The Son Also Disguises: How a Kid Reporter Conned the Sports World"

Pablo Torre Finds Out | June 14, 2024

Overview

In this episode, Pablo Torre investigates the extraordinary and little-known true story of how comedian Gary Veder—then a child—became a “kid reporter” who conned his way, with the help of his father, into exclusive access with sports legends and celebrities throughout the early ‘90s. The episode unfolds as both a nostalgic romp through sports lore and a poignant exploration of father-son relationships, the ethics of deception, and the complicated legacy left by a life rooted in cons.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rise of Kid Reporters

• Premise: Amidst a trend where traditional sports reporters are shunned by athletes, “kid reporters,” like Jeremiah Fennell, have unprecedented access and charm.
• Pablo’s curiosity: “All of this made me wonder how long the occupation of kid reporter has even been a thing.” (03:04)

2. Introducing Gary Veder and His Con-Artist Father

• Gary’s Background: Now an adult comic, Gary reflects on his unconventional upbringing with a father, Manny Veder, an accomplished con artist.
• Early schemes: Sneaking into movie theaters at age 5, conning Little League coaches, and benefiting from his dad's over-the-top networking and scams in youth sports.
  “I saw Rambo 1, 2, and 3 between the ages of five to eight… It was all movies he wanted to see.” (04:34)

3. The Sports Illustrated for Kids Sting

• The Big Scam: Manny and Gary impersonated a youth reporter/photographer duo, faking credentials to gain access to Madison Square Garden and other major venues.
• Method: Manny played the adult “photographer” (often under aliases) and Gary, then a harmless-looking child with a bowl cut and turtleneck, played the “reporter.” (10:07)
• Motivation: “The whole point was to get autographs... As a kid, you could get away with it.” (14:45)

4. Inside the Golden Age of Sports Through a Kid’s Eyes

• Notable Encounters: Gary recounts interviews and photo-ops with Shaq (“He signed two things, but…enough is enough, right?” 15:39), Mario Lemieux, Nancy Kerrigan, John Elway, Richard Gere, Cindy Crawford, Bill Murray, Tom Brokaw, and more.
• Con strategy: Manny charmed security, built relationships, and always kept himself separate from Gary to avoid suspicion. (13:55)
• Parental dynamics: Despite these incredible moments, Gary felt unable to share them or enjoy an authentic father-son bond: “We’re not talking about how great the game was… we’re talking about how great the con was.” (38:18)

5. The Crown Jewel: Beating Actual SI for Kids Reporters

• Michael Jordan’s “Double Nickel” Game: Gary and his dad outmaneuvered actual SI for Kids staff to access Michael Jordan during his iconic “double nickel” comeback, conducting what became the last SI interview Jordan ever gave after their infamous “Bag it, Michael” cover. (28:47, 33:39)
• Gary’s question: "What's your favorite food?"—“Steak.” (31:52)
• The irony: “I was technically the last person to ever interview Michael Jordan for Sports Illustrated. But it wasn’t even really for Sports Illustrated.” (34:10)

6. The Emotional and Ethical Impact

• Lasting effects: Gary discusses the complexity of feeling both joy and shame—the experiences were real but built on lies.
  “As I got older, I’m like… you’re putting so much effort into these lies. You could have done that in an honest way, too.” (36:09)
• Stopping the scam: He ended it around age 15, realizing the emotional toll and desire to be accepted for himself, not a persona. (37:21)
• Estrangement: Gary’s relationship with his father broke down; he hasn’t spoken to him in 24 years. (38:57)

7. Turning the Page—From Fake to Real Journalist

• Reflection: Gary now investigates his father’s legacy and their shared past in his new podcast, Number One Dad. Pablo notes, “He has turned you… into a real [journalist].” (42:08)
• New fatherhood: Gary aspires to keep the magic of sports alive for his own son—without the deception, instead focusing on actually listening to his child’s needs and wishes.
  “Maybe he doesn’t want to play sports, and that’s fine too, but either way, I would really listen to him… because I didn’t feel like my dad was always listening to my needs.” (44:03)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the con as kid reporter:
  “My dad became the coach, and that’s how I would get on [the team].” (05:08)
• On the purpose of the con:
  “Acting like a Sports Illustrated for Kids reporter was to get us in the door. The whole point was to get autographs.” (14:27)
• On meeting Michael Jordan:
  “I walk into this room… it’s my dad and Michael Jordan just sitting down… I ask him my question—‘what’s your favorite food?’—and he goes, ‘steak.’” (31:46–31:53)
• After the Rangers' Stanley Cup win:
  “My dad made me go in [the Canucks locker room] first to see the losers. That is cruel.” (24:13)
• On the burden of secrecy:
  “These are memories I couldn’t share when I was a kid... It sounds like the hardest part is to not tell anybody.” (19:05)
• On legacy and reflection:
  “You could get places by doing the things that my dad and I did.” (26:33)

Key Timestamps

• 00:14–02:36: Introduction to the kid reporter phenomenon and its viral resurgence.
• 03:49–05:08: Gary’s introduction and early cons with his dad.
• 07:46–13:55: Methodology of the SI for Kids scam; first games, splitting up, and creating aliases.
• 14:25–18:49: Getting autographs, meeting sports legends, how the scheme worked at events.
• 22:34–26:19: The 1994 Rangers Stanley Cup run and locker room/afterparty access.
• 27:17–34:10: The Michael Jordan comeback game, encounter with real SI for Kids staff, and being the last to interview Jordan for SI.
• 36:09–38:18: Reflecting on the emotional costs of a childhood built on deception.
• 38:57–42:14: Estrangement from his father, investigating the truth, and Gary’s podcast journey.
• 43:14–44:03: Gary on parenting differently, valuing honesty and listening.

Tone & Language

The tone is candid, nostalgic, and introspective, often humorous in recounting the absurdity of their schemes, but inflected with saddening honesty about the emotional costs and ethical complexity. Torre’s curiosity and empathy shape the narrative, inviting Gary’s vulnerability and reflecting on the blurred lines between legitimacy and deceit in pursuit of recognition and connection.

Conclusion

This episode intertwines sports history, the adventure of childhood mischief, and the deep, tangled roots of family relationships. It leaves listeners questioning the line between innocent ambition and deception, as well as the legacy parents leave—intentionally or not—through both their best and worst choices.

Listen to Gary Veder’s new podcast, Number One Dad, for more about his ongoing search for truth about his father—and himself.