GBF- Super Week: Bonus Episode

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – GBF- Super Week: Bonus Episode

Release Date: February 9, 2025

In this bonus episode of "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz," host Dan Le Batard and co-host Stugotz dive deep into the whirlwind of Super Bowl week, sharing their unique perspectives on sports, personal experiences, and the evolving landscape of sports media. The episode is rich with engaging conversations, insightful reflections, and plenty of humor, making it a must-listen for both avid fans and casual listeners alike.

---

1. Super Bowl Sunday Preparations and Excitement

The episode kicks off with the hosts expressing their enthusiasm for Super Bowl Sunday. Stugotz humorously remarks on the timing of the event:

Stugotz [02:27]: "It's Super Bowl Sunday. Oh, it's here. It should be on a Saturday."

The group discusses the culmination of the football season, the anticipation of the draft, and the upcoming free agency period, highlighting their unwavering passion for the sport.

---

2. Reflecting on a Trip to New Orleans

Mikey shares his recent trip to New Orleans, emphasizing the blend of work and personal enjoyment:

Stugotz [03:09]: "Did you enjoy the week, Billy, out in New Orleans?"

Mikey [03:17]: "It was a fun week."

Despite the professional nature of the trip, Mikey opens up about the challenges of balancing business with his love for football, leading to playful banter about promoting the sport.

---

3. Age and Respect in the Sports Media Industry

A significant portion of the episode delves into reflections on aging within the sports media sphere. Bomani Jones and Stugotz discuss the changing dynamics of respect and recognition as they grow older:

Bomani Jones [13:28]: "I don't like leaning in on the fact of being a little bit older. What I want though, that doesn't happen anymore for older people is I want my goddamn respect."

Stugotz [37:56]: "I love that you're looking for that respect as you get older. Bomani."

The conversation highlights the challenges and desires for respect that come with age, adding depth to the humorous exchanges.

---

4. Career Reflections and Transition from Game Theory

Bomani Jones reflects on his tenure hosting "Game Theory" on HBO, sharing insights into pursuing passion projects and the emotions tied to completing one's "dream job":

Bomani Jones [16:29]: "Feels like something kind of charges, you know, I need that was the first time I recall that I did something that I wasn't sure, oh, I got this."

He discusses the uncertainty and satisfaction that came with producing the show, setting the stage for his next career moves.

---

5. Memories from ESPN: Office Dynamics and Broadcasting Challenges

The hosts reminisce about their days at ESPN, offering behind-the-scenes glimpses into office life and the technical challenges of broadcasting:

Stugotz [30:06]: "There were many times I was sitting right next to the HQ desk."

Bomani Jones [31:22]: "So when I did it from Raleigh...it was like having a little closet with a desk."

Their stories paint a vivid picture of the broadcasting environment, complete with humorous anecdotes about cramped spaces and on-air mishaps.

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6. The Evolution of Sports Media: Radio to Digital

A critical discussion ensues about the transformation of sports media from traditional radio to digital platforms. The hosts express nostalgia for the radio days while acknowledging the inevitable shift towards digital media:

Bomani Jones [34:10]: "He hasn't even played a game. Right, Right."

Stugotz [34:25]: "What do you make of the entire sports media shift?"

They debate the merits and drawbacks of this evolution, considering how it affects listener engagement and content delivery.

---

7. Engaging with Guests and Interview Anecdotes

The episode features lighthearted exchanges about interacting with guests, including memorable encounters with sports figures:

Bomani Jones [40:53]: "You want to see rock. You want them to tell everyone you're trying to get me."

Billy Gill [44:10]: "So I got this kind of nickname with my friends. I call it ppt. It's parcels, power text."

These stories underscore the unpredictable nature of live interviews and the camaraderie among hosts and guests.

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8. Light-hearted Banter and Personal Interactions

Throughout the episode, the hosts engage in playful teasing and humorous conversations about everyday topics, such as personal grooming and navigating social events:

Stugotz [38:01]: "I have no idea."

Bomani Jones [45:35]: "I need to start doing that. It worked for Mike Gundy."

Their friendly interactions add a relatable and entertaining layer to the show, making listeners feel like part of the conversation.

---

Notable Quotes

• Stugotz [02:16]: "God bless football."
• Bomani Jones [13:28]: "I want my goddamn respect."
• Bomani Jones [16:29]: "Feels like something kind of charges."
• Bomani Jones [31:22]: "It was like having a little closet with a desk."
• Bomani Jones [34:10]: "He hasn't even played a game. Right, Right."
• Bomani Jones [40:53]: "You want to see rock. You want them to tell everyone you're trying to get me."
• Billy Gill [44:10]: "So I got this kind of nickname with my friends. I call it ppt."

---

Conclusions and Insights

This bonus episode encapsulates the essence of Super Week, blending professional insights with personal stories. The hosts navigate discussions on sports, media evolution, and personal growth with humor and candor, offering listeners both entertainment and thoughtful reflections. Their camaraderie and authentic conversations provide a window into the lives of sports media personalities, making the episode both engaging and insightful.

For those who haven't tuned in, this episode serves as a comprehensive snapshot of the show's dynamic, illustrating why "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz" remains a staple in sports and pop-culture discussions.

Transcript

[Billy Gill]

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[Stugotz]

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[Stugotz]

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[Billy Gill]

Um, I think I just won my taxes. Yeah, I just switched to H and R Block in about one minute. All I had to do was drag and drop last year's return into H and R Block and bam. My information is automatically there so I.

[Bomani Jones]

Don'T have to go digging around for all my old papers to switch.

[Billy Gill]

Nope.

[Bomani Jones]

Sounds like we just leveled up our tax game. Switching to H and R Block is easy. Just drag and drop your last return. It's better with block.

[Stugotz]

God bless football. Billy Gill.

[Bomani Jones]

God bless football.

[Mikey]

Mikey.

[Stugotz]

Eh, God bless football. Stugouts, guys. Yeah, It's Super Bowl Sunday. Oh, it's here. It should be on a Saturday. I mean, it's ridiculous. Why are you shaking your head?

[Mikey]

Sad. I'm happy it's here, but.

[Stugotz]

Oh, here we go.

[Mikey]

I'm sad because it's officially over.

[Stugotz]

Because you love football. No one loves it more.

[Mikey]

Today's the day that it all comes to an end.

[Stugotz]

Does it? Yeah, for a few days and the draft. Then we get free agency. Yeah, the Saints and then the draft. The Saints still need to go do that.

[Mikey]

The combine.

[Stugotz]

They'll have one tomorrow. Will they? Yeah, That's a Monday. That's a Monday announcement, you're saying. Well, may. Maybe if there's a parade in there, maybe somebody will delay it a day, but they'll have one. Yeah.

[Mikey]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

Did you. Did you enjoy the week, Billy, out in New Orleans? Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Mikey]

It was a fun week.

[Stugotz]

Doesn't seem like it was for you. I mean, it's work. That's what it is. It's work.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah.

[Mikey]

I mean, it's a business trip for me. That's why I came. Suit and tie, Right?

[Stugotz]

Plus, you love football. Yes.

[Mikey]

Yeah, I love football.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, It's. It's funny. You were walking around Radio Row and people, you know, they're. They're asking you all week, you know, I heard you say you love football. You love football more than anyone. And they were challenging you, saying, no, I love football more than you. People were saying that. You didn't hear it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I laughed at them. No one loves football more than you.

[Mikey]

That's exactly right. That's exactly right.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mikey]

They thought they were gonn ruffle my feathers, but I was unruffled because it was a ridiculous claim that they love football more than me. Everybody knows it's not true.

[Stugotz]

Yep. Stugats. Can we do something next year or buy next year? And by we, I mean you. Can we get Billy promoting something on Radio Row next year? Because I would love to see Billy going up and down, making the rounds. Yes. Pitching something. Yeah, I think that would be awesome. What are you thinking now? Like, football? Just football.

[Bomani Jones]

You should.

[Stugotz]

Because he loves it so much. You should promote football next year.

[Bomani Jones]

I would.

[Mikey]

I would. I would love to promote football. But, like, I would also really love to just get a product and any question, I would. I'd be viewed as probably the worst guest ever. Costa Neckler's over there, I'd be viewed as the worst guest ever, but I would just be promoting the product, and I would not ever veer off of the message that we were trying to get across of the product.

[Stugotz]

I like the idea of you promoting football, Billy. I really do.

[Mikey]

Yeah, you do.

[Stugotz]

Like, walk around with a duke in your hand, like, hey, what are you on for? I'm up for football.

[Bomani Jones]

That idea is great.

[Stugotz]

Football.

[Mikey]

That idea is great. But also, like, free football. What if. Also, like, I had to just talk about, like, baby wipes the entire time. You know what I mean, like, well, that's your dream. That's what I'm saying. If you give me a product that I can just talk about, I would love that.

[Stugotz]

Would that be the number one product? Would it be baby wipes? What would be the number one product for Billy Gill to promote on radio route? We're trying to make this happen.

[Mikey]

Not. Not baby wipes.

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Mikey]

Because, like, I feel like at least my current situation, I'm on the way out.

[Bomani Jones]

Right.

[Mikey]

On the baby wipes, the diapers game. You know what I mean? So, like, I feel like I missed my diaper window.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Mikey]

A diaper endorsement would do nothing for me right now.

[Stugotz]

Two years ago would have been fantastic.

[Mikey]

Oh, my God. Pampers.

[Stugotz]

So now fast forward to the next stage of. Of your children's now, now, Pampers.

[Mikey]

If you're coming in with an endorsement and we're going to get free diapers.

[Stugotz]

Then potty training can wait.

[Mikey]

No, I was gonna say if I have to have another kid just to get a diapers endorsement, then maybe it makes sense.

[Bomani Jones]

I have to look at the books.

[Mikey]

But if. If a diaper coming, then I'll be like 10,000 bucks. I'll create a child.

[Stugotz]

Will you? Should I need to just to get a diaper endorsement?

[Mikey]

No, If I get the diaper endorsement first, I'll have a kid.

[Stugotz]

I put the cart before the horse. I think.

[Mikey]

Yeah. Most people are like, you know what? Should I have another kid? It's like, well, I have a diaper endorsement.

[Bomani Jones]

I need a kid.

[Mikey]

What am I going to do? Sure.

[Stugotz]

I can't. Oh, you're killing me. All right, I'm gonna make it happen.

[Mikey]

You're gonna make what happen?

[Stugotz]

You promoting diapers?

[Mikey]

Yeah, the same way that you made Shirley Schefter get a.

[Bomani Jones]

A phone.

[Mikey]

Whatever it is that you said. Phone endorsement and Adam.

[Stugotz]

A phone or on the show. Yeah, well, I did get her on the show.

[Mikey]

I mean, but the one. The one time.

[Stugotz]

I mean, you guys could feel free to reach out to whole. Shirley.

[Bomani Jones]

I mean, come on, she's a friend.

[Mikey]

I don't want to bother her.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. At that moment.

[Mikey]

I know crew season for her. I don't want to hold her up.

[Stugotz]

You know, promoting diapers. I'm trying to think of, like, some sort of thing, like, how would sports radio host ask you about the diapers and beyond here at Radio Road? No one's ever promoted diapers ever.

[Mikey]

It wouldn't be because there was someone walking or I. I know of at least one person that was walking around promoting toilet paper, so.

[Stugotz]

Okay.

[Mikey]

Like, it's not the, there's, there's no weird things to promote at Radio Row.

[Stugotz]

The obvious graduation from the diaper promotion. Toilet paper. Yeah. Yeah. It's the next stage. You're right. Good point, Mike.

[Mikey]

I wanted to have the person on just to. Just to see how we're going to be talking about toilet paper the entire time, you know what I mean? Because there's a prominent person.

[Stugotz]

Is there some sort of promotion that comes along with the, the diaper promotion, like super bowl promotion, who's gonna. Themselves. He's giving me that look, but I could feel it. I'm not even looking at you, but he's sitting right next to me and I deserve it. Bomonti Jones, Diana Rossini, Sarah Spade.

[Bomani Jones]

What?

[Stugotz]

They're gonna get you ready along with me and Billy individually, and then maybe a little bit together. All together.

[Mikey]

All together, all together.

[Bomani Jones]

Wow.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mikey]

What a Super Bowl Sunday, huh?

[Stugotz]

They are gonna help get you ready. The biggest game in the history of games.

[Mikey]

I don't think we talked about the.

[Stugotz]

Game once we did it, but it.

[Mikey]

Was a good hang.

[Stugotz]

It's next, folks.

[Diana Rossini]

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[Stugotz]

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[Bomani Jones]

Call 1-800-GAMBLER in New York, call 877-8-HOPENY or text hopeny467-369 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas. 21 and over. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void in Ontario bo 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG CO Audio.

[Stugotz]

Don't miss the first Marvel movie event of the year. The country needs Captain America. You asked for me? Here I am on February 14th. Get the suits ready. Experience a brave new world.

[Bomani Jones]

Let's go.

[Stugotz]

That's made for imax. Standby for proof of death.

[Bomani Jones]

You want me? Come and get me.

[Stugotz]

Captain America. Brave new world. See it in IMAX February 14th. Get tickets now. Rated PG13. This film may be inappropriate for children under 13. An old friend and a friend of the show. He's not old. I'm old. But Marty Jones is here, brother.

[Bomani Jones]

I'm pretty old, too. I had a moment yesterday.

[Stugotz]

Oh, boy.

[Bomani Jones]

Where I met a young woman. She's an up and coming reporter, and she went to my alma mater and she asked me when I graduated And I said 2001. And I did a quick hit of math that indicated I don't think she was born. And then she's like, you know, so people know. This is kind of a fun joke. Stu Gas went to Clark University.

[Stugotz]

Yes, I did.

[Bomani Jones]

I went to Clark Atlanta University, which is like the difference between Somalia and Samoa. They sound very similar, but they're actually vastly different. It used to be Clark College and then it was Clark College and Atlanta University and they merged and she asked me if I went to school before they merged. They merged in 1988. So now. Yeah. And I'm just Trying to figure out how old do you think I am.

[Mikey]

Yesterday I went to the casino and you know, it says like the date. It's like you had to be born by xx Date 2004.

[Bomani Jones]

I saw that. I had the same moment yesterday. I had that same moment yesterday. Or how about this? I did an event in North Carolina last weekend and it was did with Tyler Hansbrough and Marcus Gignyard, who played for the 2009 national championship team. They came into school in 2005, which would be 20 years ago.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

And all of that like this. I have to stop doing math on years.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

I just gotta. I gotta take people as they are. I hope they do the same. That's all. That's. That's what I need.

[Stugotz]

Psycho T, huh?

[Bomani Jones]

Psycho T. Man, Psycho team was pretty cool.

[Stugotz]

What an odd event for you to be. Well, it's not.

[Bomani Jones]

No, no. Anyone who knows you. Right? Yeah, I mean, I mean, it's back where I used to work, you know, the event and everything. Yes, it made perfect sense. But yeah, at the same time it's like, oh, these are not. Are these guys grown ups? They damn near 40 years old.

[Stugotz]

Well, Monty, you look good though, man.

[Bomani Jones]

I appreciate that.

[Stugotz]

I mean, you don't look a day over 28.

[Bomani Jones]

I'll take that. I'll take that. That's what. I totally still take it.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, he doesn't. You'll take him wherever you can get them from. Even if I'm lying.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, yeah. Look, I don' like leaning in on the fact of being a little bit older. What I want though, that doesn't happen anymore for older people is I want my goddamn respect.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, right.

[Bomani Jones]

I thought about they just out here calling us and everything else. Not once have they gotten up and given me a seat on the subway. Right. Whatever happened to sir? When's the last time somebody said sir?

[Mikey]

If someone stood up and said, take my seat on the subway, you'd be incredibly insulting.

[Bomani Jones]

I'm far too bottom line oriented.

[Stugotz]

Here, sir, take my seat, sir.

[Mikey]

Let me help you, sir.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, feel free. Because if they give it seat, there ain't no seats.

[Mikey]

Right?

[Bomani Jones]

And I would like a seat.

[Mikey]

Okay, you're ab.

[Bomani Jones]

I. I'm taking the seat.

[Stugotz]

Have you gotten emails yet for Social Security?

[Bomani Jones]

Hasn't happened. Hasn't happened.

[Stugotz]

Oh, it's the worst.

[Bomani Jones]

Hasn't happened.

[Stugotz]

I delete them as quickly as possible.

[Bomani Jones]

Oh, yeah, but that.

[Stugotz]

How about aarp?

[Bomani Jones]

But the difference is you're old.

[Stugotz]

I. Well, yes, I am actually.

[Bomani Jones]

Like, you're there. You're. Yeah, You're. You're more on the.

[Stugotz]

I look a day under 60.

[Mikey]

You shave today?

[Stugotz]

I did shave, yes. Why?

[Mikey]

This is the last day.

[Stugotz]

You look good.

[Mikey]

The whole.

[Stugotz]

I'm going to see my family after this.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, but, like. Like, I'm looking at you, though, and I'm like, did you save at, like, 4 in the morning?

[Stugotz]

I did.

[Bomani Jones]

I came right back.

[Stugotz]

I shaved at, like, midnight.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, you're like. You're on the Homer Simpson where, like, you do the shave and the next thing you know, it's just right back.

[Stugotz]

Billy, do I look younger?

[Mikey]

No.

[Stugotz]

Really?

[Mikey]

No. You just. I like. You look more like. You tried today.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mikey]

Which is interesting because today's the last day you're headed out. Exactly.

[Bomani Jones]

Right.

[Stugotz]

That's what I like to do, Billy. It's the last impression that matters.

[Mikey]

That's.

[Bomani Jones]

I was about to say, that's some super con man right there. Just close with a flourish. Right?

[Mikey]

That's my moving Ubers every time.

[Stugotz]

Right?

[Mikey]

So, you know, like, the last three minutes of the trip, I'm like, now's the time to start a conversation.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey, you know what? You just made me realize that maybe I've become a bit more of a bourgeois character than I wish to admit, because I definitely hit that don't talk to me button in the Uber. I have become New York. Oh. I was in North Carolina. People were talking to me in the hotel on the street, and I was like, why are these people? That's right.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

In most places, civilized people speak to each other. They're nice about it.

[Stugotz]

Yes, yes. The Right Time with Bomani Jones. Check it out. Wherever you get your podcast, you're enjoying that, man. You started. How long ago did you start that podcast?

[Bomani Jones]

I started the podcast seven years ago as a radio show. It started 10 years ago.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

We started that right when you guys went to the midday shift. So it's just wild to think that that was 10 years ago, you know, like, again, I got to stop, like, using numbers. Not helping myself esteem. But no, the podcast. But it's cool. It's still rolling. You know, I gotta find me something else to do. But in the meantime, what do you want to do something else? Well, no, the thing I tell people is that I got to do Game Theory on HBO for two seasons, and it was literally the dream job. It was like, what happens when your culmination of life's work comes in? You're 42. Like, I gotta find something else.

[Stugotz]

Right?

[Bomani Jones]

Like, feels like something kind of charges, you know, I need that was the first time I recall that I did something that I wasn't sure, oh, I got this. Right? Now, granted, some of the things I was like, I got this, I didn't have, but it was like, you know what? I need to try something. I'm going to do something that has the potential to go catastrophically bad.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

Like, nobody else had made the format work. I appreciated the challenge of getting to do that, and now I got to find something else that's kind of challenging.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mikey]

So what do you do after you've reached your dreams?

[Bomani Jones]

It's a great question.

[Stugotz]

It's like an NFL player, right? You know, like, what do you do after you reach your dreams at the age of 30?

[Mikey]

Well, like, you'll hate this comparison, but I don't. I don't know how much you saw, if any of that Aaron Rodgers thing.

[Bomani Jones]

But I have not seen it.

[Mikey]

That was like, it's really hard. Well, I didn't finish it. Like, no one.

[Stugotz]

Well, I.

[Mikey]

Everyone I've spoken to is like, I got through two and then, like, three. I was like, I got it. I got the point. But, like, the first, like, episode and a half was basically that. It was basically like, he worked hard. He thought he wanted to do this the whole time. Then he wins the super bowl, and he's like, now what? I don't feel anything. Yeah. I mean, like, I thought this would be the greatest feeling in the world. Now I don't feel anything. Now what do I do?

[Bomani Jones]

No, that happens to a lot of people, and it has happened to somebody I know very well. And what happens when the thing you thought would feel like that doesn't feel like that.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

Like, the thing I do have to say for me on the Game Theory situation is it did feel like that. Like, I had a. When we were in North Carolina.

[Stugotz]

Can you describe that feeling, though? It just felt what? It felt like. It just felt big. It felt.

[Bomani Jones]

It felt like an accomplishment of sorts.

[Stugotz]

Okay.

[Bomani Jones]

Like, I remember the first episode we shot, we shot without a studio audience.

[Stugotz]

Okay.

[Bomani Jones]

So the only people there are, like, my people who work on the show. My brother came, my agent came, like, a couple of those people. And, you know, they do it. They do it big. Like, one thing about working at ESPN that I realize is ESPN really treats being on television like a job. Like you clock in, you clock out. There isn't. There isn't that much of a feeling of, like, grandeur around what you do Typically?

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Bomani Jones]

And so your first show, kind of lonely.

[Stugotz]

You're right.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah. Yeah. Like, your first show on, like, a TV show for. For lack of a better term. And, like, the last episode of the season, they do the same thing. So you come out and it's a cake and it's champagne, and everybody's toasting it up. And I remember I stood there with my agent, and so this is 2022. So we've been working together now, using years again, Bo. Yeah, but this is. But this is important here. We've been doing this for 11 or 12 years, and we just stood there, right? And we were just next to each other. I just remember I just had my hand on his shoulder, and we were just looking at it like it happened, you know, like, remembering what it was like to sit in the HBO offices 10 years before that. And the guy's like, hey, man, I'm looking for a sports Bill Maher. And I'm like, baby, I'm right here. I know you're not gonna believe it, because I'm the one that's telling you. And it actually happened, you know, and then it was fun, and then it was, okay, well, now we're gonna find a different thing to do. And now we find within it. Like, they had me working with a coach to help with my presentation and all of this stuff. You know, we just had all these things go. And so I felt like I got it done, and when it ended, I didn't feel bad at all. It was like, what are you talking about? Then why would I look at this through the standpoint of an ending as opposed to what it really was, was I got two years of this. I don't own this. Nobody took anything from me.

[Stugotz]

Two years of your dream, every year was an opportunity.

[Bomani Jones]

And so for me, it was great. But then it becomes like, all right, man, I gotta get something that comes close to that again, right? Like, I got cool with Ta Nehisi Coates over the years. And what I admire about him is he's done comic books, he's done novels. He has done things, by his own admission, that could have gone wrong. But he needs that, right? He needs that feeling that this might not go, because otherwise you're not pushing yourself to the place that you want to be.

[Stugotz]

If you were given more time, do you think you would have made that show work in the way that you really wanted it to work, or did you arrive there already?

[Bomani Jones]

I think we could have gotten better. I think that we were largely in the places that we wanted to be, but I would have gotten better. Like, I am not a comedian. Like, when I first had the meetings with the people about it. And I looked at their deck. The way I sold them on the show was I was like, look, man, this deck is for a comedian. I am not a comedian, but I am the person for this show. And so it was a matter of learning how to bridge the gap. And so I'm working with all these standups who write for the show. And I got a coach that comes in and helps me. And I was improving at what we were doing because like we did did 16 episodes of game Theory. That means I had the opportunity to do that literally 17 times, a test shoot. And then you had. You can't do an episode without turning the clock on. So the only episodes are the ones you see. So that means there's no practice.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

So it was. We were getting better. We just did tv the year that they literally stopped making television, right? Writer strike, merger of the company, everything else. Yeah, they just stopped making television. But no, man, it was great. Like, I don't mean to. To stay on memory lane on that. No, no, it was a great time.

[Stugotz]

I'm enjoying it. I'm just, I'm trying to think because I know you pretty well and it doesn't need to be sports. Like, what is that thing that's going to replace that feeling that you had while doing that show? It doesn't have to be inside of sports.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, well, like, I need to write a book.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

Like, I got an idea. Do you realize I'm not going to lie to you. That was a moment that I said to myself, dude, come on, man, you know what I'm saying. No disrespect, but the guy. The gods beat you to the book. Right. I don't know how Dan comes to work every day with that knowledge. Right.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

I'm one of the best sports writers of my generation. Right. And here's the. The author.

[Stugotz]

Thank you.

[Bomani Jones]

There. You know, that's when you start specifying this author.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

John Weiner.

[Stugotz]

Thank you. Best selling author.

[Bomani Jones]

That's right. That's right.

[Mikey]

Publisher.

[Stugotz]

Yes, publisher.

[Mikey]

Ed McCaffrey quickly corrected him. He's like, did you actually write? He's like, well, no. He's like, so you published the book.

[Bomani Jones]

I admire you for telling him the truth.

[Stugotz]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[Bomani Jones]

Because you definitely did not just tell it to me.

[Stugotz]

Me? No, I did not.

[Bomani Jones]

I'm not mad. I'm not mad. It's like that Emmy I got. I didn't win it. I got it.

[Mikey]

You probably wrote more for Sugass book.

[Stugotz]

Than he did you.

[Bomani Jones]

They Sent me.

[Stugotz]

One of the things I love. I remember. Just if we're going to take a stroll down memory lane. Okay. One of the things I loved is when we were at ESPN and somehow you would. Because you would do a weekly show with us, and on the day that you were coming in, Dan announced that he wasn't coming in. Yes. And I remember how nervous everyone was that me and you were going to do a show together.

[Bomani Jones]

Yes.

[Stugotz]

Yes. And it turned out, I think, at least for. I think for both of us, it turned out to be as fun as anything we did at espn.

[Bomani Jones]

Well, first of all, I have to say that both of us should be deathly offended by the idea that they were afraid. And I'm trying to remember who exactly was afraid. Right.

[Stugotz]

Started with Dan, I think.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah. But even then, I'm looking at that like, buddy, I don't know how to break this to you, but I do this, right? Number one, I do this this. Number two, you've been doing this for quite a long time now. Number three, I think the part that they were probably most afraid of, which did come to fruition to a certain degree, was like, are these guys going to be talking about weed? And the answer was, if it comes up. Yeah.

[Stugotz]

And it came up.

[Bomani Jones]

It did. It did indeed.

[Stugotz]

Often it did.

[Bomani Jones]

Hey, man, you know, no, that was a. That was a. I do remember doing that show. That was a good one. See, the thing that people don't realize is that early on, I don't know if you guys. I mean, you probably talked about this. This at a roundabout, but not specifically, but early on, when it came to espn, Skipper had the bright idea that he was going to switch me in for you to do that radio show. And all three of us were like, no, that is not a good idea at all. We're not. But at the same time, I was kind of like, huh? I better would have got a raise.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, you would have.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, I. I would have got a raise, but somebody would have died.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

I don't know which person would have died.

[Stugotz]

Wait, so you're taking me out of the equation? It's just you and Dan, Me and.

[Bomani Jones]

Dan going from doing a TV show to doing a radio show.

[Stugotz]

Totally different.

[Bomani Jones]

But it's just been all day.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

It'd have been all day of me being cold, you know?

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

Like, I still keep the office deathly cold.

[Mikey]

It's not as bad, but it. The Clevelander was freezing.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah. Just. Just check it. I remember the first day.

[Stugotz]

It's a bit warmer at the end.

[Mikey]

Well, the air is always broken.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, but I had.

[Stugotz]

The alarm goes off.

[Bomani Jones]

I had a day. I came into the Clevelander, like, when we first got there, and I was like, cool, I'll wear shorts to work. And I was in pain. By the end of the radio show that I was doing, my legs hurt. Like, I felt like the hair on my legs was going to fracture and break.

[Stugotz]

What I loved about you as a guest co host, we talked about this on the oral history is you didn't give a bleep what we wanted to talk about. We were talking about what you wanted to talk about. And quite frankly, after one episode, I realized we better be talking about what Bomani wants to talk about, because it's more interesting.

[Bomani Jones]

The problem I had is I had this misunderstanding about the dynamic of this show where I thought it was a show where everybody made jokes about everybody, only to realize it was actually a show where Dan made jokes about everybody and everybody made jokes about you. And then I come in here trying to play along, and people over there getting their feelings hurt, and I was just like, hey, you guys want to talk about some other stuff? But no, you are correct. I come to shoot.

[Stugotz]

Are you saying we're a sensitive group? Because I'm not. For sure.

[Bomani Jones]

You are not. I am.

[Stugotz]

I am saying I just stuff it away somewhere inside. I mean.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, you honestly can. It's a little worrisome, to be honest.

[Mikey]

It's healthy.

[Stugotz]

It's not. It's not healthy.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah. I'm just saying I showed up and I realized some things landed with different people in ways that I. I did not feel I was getting the benefit of the doubt for. For having a little levity with the situation. Maybe my hands are heavy. You know what I mean? But that was. That was. That was a tie.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. Did you enjoy it that time?

[Bomani Jones]

I did. It was the fit, like I always said, I took up a little bit too much space. Like, I'm not a per. Hey. For people who enjoy the notion of chaos, my time there made sense, but I was fully aware of the fact that the fit wasn't exactly the most perfect. And God bless Dad, because he was trying to work in my stuff with y'all, stuff like having my guy Mike come in and stuff like that. And it was just like we.

[Stugotz]

And, you know, I tried to back off a lot when you came here.

[Bomani Jones]

No, you did.

[Mikey]

Yes.

[Stugotz]

Because I wanted to give you that space.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah. We were just dancing it to a different beat. The irony of it all is my chemistry with you, in a radio sense, is Much better than my chemistry with Dan in a radio space. But that ain't how that dynamic y'all got works.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

Y'all got a with show, so we couldn't, you know. Yeah. We couldn't just slide it in there. That was, I think, the part that people realized when we did that show together. It's like, oh, no. We actually have a little bit more of similar wavelength.

[Stugotz]

Yes. Well, I think it's, you know, like, two alphas, you know, you and Dan, right?

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, yeah. No, I just. I come to shoot. I readily acknowledge I'm taking your shots, but if you tell me it's my team, I will distribute. If you tell me, like, it's kind of like Kyrie Irving type basketball. Like, if you tell Kyrie he's in charge, he'll give people the ball. If somebody else is in charge, like, hey, man, let me know when you're ready for me to shoot.

[Stugotz]

Right. Like a higher gun.

[Bomani Jones]

I put this thing up like, what. Why you bring. Why'd you bring me here? To set pics.

[Stugotz]

I always looked at it like, hey, Boman's here. I don't have to do as much today. This is great.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah. To be honest, that's. That's what Dan realized about the television show. When I got there, he was like, oh, wait a minute. There's somebody that doesn't mind doing this, doing responsible things. Sure. I'll go first on this topic if you think it's best. All right.

[Stugotz]

I love you, Bo.

[Bomani Jones]

I love you too, man.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. There we go.

[Bomani Jones]

This is it.

[Stugotz]

You love New Orleans.

[Bomani Jones]

I love New Orleans.

[Stugotz]

Is this your favorite super bowl city?

[Bomani Jones]

I don't have that.

[Stugotz]

I've seen you out and about. You're walking down. You're in French Quarter. Billy ran into you last night.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Mikey]

I felt so bad about that. They came, like, across town. I'm like, I need to go in five minutes.

[Bomani Jones]

No, no, no. We. We were just walking anyway. Now, my thing I always say about New Orleans is there's two ways to look at New Orleans. It would be awful if it wasn't so awesome, or it would be awesome if it wasn't so awful. And I lean in on the awesome part. Yeah, I lean in. And, of course, just. I want every black woman that lives here to talk to me as long as she wants. Drag out those vowels and those syllables. I don't. Yeah, no, no, no. Read the terms and conditions to me. I. I can't get enough of it. Good gracious.

[Stugotz]

What have you been getting into my Body man.

[Bomani Jones]

You know, do a little, little super bowl partying here and there. Show up at a, you know, show up at a couple of spots. Yeah.

[Stugotz]

Unannounced, of course. Right. No invitation?

[Bomani Jones]

No, I had an invitation to a couple. My agent got me on a couple of lists. But now doing that, it's, it's for me. And I think you guys probably feel a measure of this too. Like when you do radio or something like that that like grounds you in a studio. You don't get that much time to actually be amongst your peers. And you don't have the greatest grasp, not even like who rocks with you, but like who even knows who you are.

[Stugotz]

Correct.

[Bomani Jones]

And so it's kind of affirming for me to have these moments where I'm walking past and see somebody who I feel is important or that I feel good about in that way. And they see and I haven't even met them and they walk up to me with a familiarity that speaks to like a measure of respect. And you kind of, you need. I. I'm at a place in my life where I could be more honest about the need and appreciate not so much need, but at least the appreciation for that kind of affirmation.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, but it means we're getting old because I get, I get a lot of that when I'm here as well. And it feels good, especially from the younger, you know. It's no longer radio row, by the way, it's digital row. Yes.

[Bomani Jones]

You know, that is a great point.

[Stugotz]

Yes. Yeah. It's sad. Yes.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah. You know, like, because I still, I don't do radio anymore because it's hard. But we're radio ish.

[Mikey]

Well, not even just radio, but like you were talking about your TV like Journey.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah.

[Mikey]

I don't think people realize that watch on TV that like around the horn you're sitting in a closet.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Mikey]

You're not in like a nice TV studio by yourself.

[Stugotz]

There were many times I was sitting right next to the, to the HQ desk.

[Mikey]

Like, like at the Clevelander. It was like a pull down screen. Like you're at school and they used to pull down the map. Like that's what the background was for around the horn.

[Bomani Jones]

So when I did it from Raleigh, because one of the things that was interesting was they booked it for me. Like I was going to be doing it for one day when I was there. And then I stuck around for like two and a half years. And so it started that I was in this room and it was a real big deal for the folks in Raleigh. Cause there was a picture behind me of the city. And so their city was getting put on. Like, you look at the cities that were around the horn. They were all very large. They were getting put on, but it was a picture that had the jail in it. And so then people kind of requested that maybe they could put a different picture back there. And then as the, you know, things got better and they got, like, a dedicated fiber octo blind or whatever, then they moved me into a bit of a closet, but it was my closet, so I would just keep, like, three sport coats and three shirts and just rotate them around and do that. And then when I got to Miami. Yeah, it was closet game. And the Clevelander. Well, no, the Clevelander. It was the other side of the room.

[Stugotz]

Right, right.

[Bomani Jones]

It wasn't even so much the closet. It was the other side of the room. But you are right. Like, there is nothing charming about doing it.

[Mikey]

Well, even in D.C. where, like, reality was doing the show, like, if you're doing the show from dc, it was actually in the tape closet.

[Bomani Jones]

Oh.

[Mikey]

Like, you had to go around the camera to go get, like, tape reels and stuff like that. If you wanted to use archived footage.

[Bomani Jones]

No, no, no.

[Mikey]

So you're in the way.

[Bomani Jones]

So try this. So before they.

[Stugotz]

So right.

[Bomani Jones]

But before they moved into the Seaport, it was at the Time Square studio, and that was literally it. That felt more like closet than anything. And reali was in a closet. So where reality used to do the paper toss, he would throw a paper airplane from here to the edge of that table. Because the room they had him in was that small, Right? Yeah.

[Stugotz]

Then I got to the Seaport, and everything kind of opened up a little bit.

[Bomani Jones]

It did open up a bit. The thing that was so interesting about the Seaport, and I don't remember if anybody's really talked about this, but it was like an office controversy because they didn't build a lot of offices. Clearly, whoever they consulted to build the place, they missed out on some details. So everybody's just in, like, this open, you know, the, like, walls. Yeah. Like. But, you know, like the open seating. Right.

[Mikey]

Yeah, that's like that they were built to. When it's like, oh, open concepts work, it's great.

[Stugotz]

Right, Billy? I was doing our show from there, and, like, I was speaking out and, like, they were bothered by me.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

Because I'm scream.

[Bomani Jones]

Because they can hear you through there. But the thing about the open table setup is that works for a lot of offices. It's a little weird for a bunch of people on television, and then it's only a couple of officers. So now one person gets an office, and now another person is jealous of the office, and now an executive is giving up his office because you need to keep the ego straight. Nobody gave a good God damn if I had an office. Just to be clear, I was sitting there with my troops. I don't know how much they liked it. They might have wished I had an office, but there was, like, no office set up. So it was like a lot of what went on there. That radio studio you talk about, like, I. But I. To do mine from the podcast room, they called it the huddle room, and it was just a little closet with a desk. And if I had a guest, somebody would be sitting right there. And then when Stephen A. Would be doing his radio show in there, especially when somebody did something that made him mad and he get charged up, Everybody was hearing that radio show, whether you tuned in or not. Yes. It was not the radio.

[Stugotz]

I remember Office Row. I think it was Greeny.

[Bomani Jones]

Stephen A. I will never forget this. I guess it's fair to tell this story at this point. It's been long enough. All right, First, Tank moved in the office after we had moved in, because they didn't start doing that show until, like, September of 18 from the office, and we started in June. And I call myself, like, you know, trying to put Stephen A. On game. And I'm like, hey, man, you need to, you know, make sure you get you a good desk, you know, because this stuff is going fast. He's like, me, oh, no, I got an office. And to me, that was a moment that simply said, we are not the same. I have no. I had no problem with my place in that hierarchy, but I understood we are not just trying to be a good friend.

[Mikey]

Hey, you know what? If you want to come eat lunch with us?

[Bomani Jones]

Like, you guys are ridiculous. I sounded right, Like. Like, that is. That's the. That's the A, man. You know, I got this 10 off coupon.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, right, right.

[Bomani Jones]

You know, go down to Subway, they give you 10 off. Stephen A. Is like, yeah, Subway. Yeah, Subway. The subway. All things that Stephen A. Has no concept of in the year of our Lord 2018, let alone now.

[Stugotz]

Oh, man. Bomati, what do you make of the, like, the entire sports media shift? Because you love radio the way I love rad. Grew up doing. Listening to radio, doing talk radio, and now you see what this has become, and it ain't radio anymore. And so what do you make all.

[Bomani Jones]

That look Man, I was here yesterday and overtime has a setup right over there.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

Over the brown. The. The bounty paper towel.

[Stugotz]

I have people just sticking phones in my face and they're asking me to say stuff, and I don't know where it's going and who I'm talking to.

[Bomani Jones]

I had somebody do a fit check with me, and it's my boy. So I did it. But I'm like, do you see my clothes? Do I look like I'm like being passed? But no, but overtime got it set up over there and I walk over there. Travis Hutter is over there hosting his show.

[Stugotz]

Yes. So cool.

[Bomani Jones]

Cam Newton as a guest and somebody else on one hand, so cool. On the other hand, it's a little bananas. He hasn't even played a game. Right, Right. And God bless him, I'm not mad at him at all. But that's kind of a wild idea and concept. And I want to ask all of them. Like I asked Camron on Game Theory. He was the last guest that we had. And I was like, it's wild, man. When I was in college, we was all trying to get like you. When do you decide? Side you wanted to get like me. And that's what we need to actually start telling all these ball players. Get like me.

[Stugotz]

Right?

[Bomani Jones]

Get you get. They also trying. They trying to get like me. They all trying to get like that mean, it's just tell them all. You the one trying to get like me. Now what you think? And you think you better. This hard, ain't it?

[Mikey]

You should just walked over taking Travis Hunter's seat.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

I mean. Yes. Hey, let me show you what a pro is. Excuse me, young man.

[Mikey]

Exactly.

[Bomani Jones]

Come up off that seat.

[Stugotz]

Yep.

[Bomani Jones]

Yes. Yes, I am. Call me sir.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. You're doing a great job of sounding younger.

[Mikey]

Exactly right.

[Bomani Jones]

I ain't trying to sound younger. See, that's the. That's the thing that I got a problem with with people of our age and ilk.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

Is I put in the work to get here.

[Stugotz]

Correct.

[Bomani Jones]

Right. Like black thought. I've got a lot of growing ass, man. I done paid my dues. Learn the rules, little homie. You can be one too.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

I got here. I'm ready. When does this start paying off? Because I can't do young as well as they do young. I'm not going to get nothing out of that. Right.

[Mikey]

He doesn't have a problem with being old, Stu. Guys. He just wants all the benefits of being old.

[Bomani Jones]

That's what I'm saying.

[Stugotz]

Of course.

[Bomani Jones]

What happened? Like, I'M supposed to get a measure of respect and of truly fun function in society.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

That's just your excuse to act like that. You're not. I'm trying to think of the best way to describe this, but you're not putting anything in. When you call me young, you were just calling me old. With no respect behind it. I ain't with that.

[Stugotz]

I want to be clear, though, because Travis Hunter has no broadcast experience. Are you saying he should be ashamed of himself?

[Bomani Jones]

Absolutely not.

[Stugotz]

Took an easy path or they have it easier now.

[Bomani Jones]

Where you fit in? I have no problem with him. That's the thing. I have no reason to hate on these dudes. And most of the athletes that I come across who go into this space care about being good, want to be good. And especially football players. Football players are very coachable. Right. And they ask for help and all of this stuff. And I have all the respect in the world for anybody that is truly, like, working. I get a Gerald McCoy show right over there for Yahoo the other day, and I was so impressed that he's doing a three camera shoot and he's like, am I going to.

[Stugotz]

Well, you can tell, right?

[Bomani Jones]

I'm going to two. I'm going to one. I'm going here. And so, yeah, go ahead and put in that grind. What I'm saying is they getting in this and they. It's going like everybody that's ever hosted a radio show where you threw your whole first segment, two minutes later your outline is gone. Everybody's ever taught a class. Everybody's ever hosted this. They. I think a lot of them are getting to learn that the job that we do do is way harder than they thought it was. And I do think what it will result in is a certain increased level of respect.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Bomani Jones]

For the work that we have done and dedicated our lives to.

[Stugotz]

I love that you're looking for that respect as you get older. Bomani.

[Bomani Jones]

What else do I get?

[Stugotz]

It's important to me as well. It really is.

[Bomani Jones]

Like, my back hurts. You know what I'm saying? My knees ain't so great.

[Stugotz]

Oh, my knees are terrible.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah. And all this stuff. The least I could do is get somebody to treat me nice.

[Stugotz]

I know getting up has never been harder. It has never been more difficult. There's Diana Rossini. Poop City.

[Bomani Jones]

Wow. Diane. Diana. Diana dressed like she on Bobby Jones Gospel. That's a. That's a. That's a Sunday morning bet. Fit right there. Look at them shoes. They sparkling.

[Stugotz]

Oh, God. I've been thinking for like 20 minutes should I ask him about the game? There's no point in asking about the game.

[Bomani Jones]

Hey, man, here's. I'll tell you about the games. The second time in three years. It's the same people, but the black man can't lose. We gotta decide who to root for. We can't just all pick the same person.

[Stugotz]

Right? Okay, here comes Diana. Receiver, Genie.

[Bomani Jones]

Hey there.

[Stugotz]

I think we got one right here. Did you hear what Bomani said?

[Bomani Jones]

No.

[Mikey]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

It's like BET Sunday morning gospel. Your shoes and you like all that? I can't tell which feline pattern that is.

[Billy Gill]

Is it peacock or leopard? I couldn't.

[Bomani Jones]

I feel like it's got more G in it than peacock.

[Stugotz]

Like, you look great.

[Billy Gill]

Is this too much? I mean.

[Bomani Jones]

No.

[Stugotz]

No shower?

[Bomani Jones]

No. No. You good?

[Stugotz]

Did I shower? I showered and I shaved. How about that?

[Bomani Jones]

Wow. What. What a. I'm a little afraid that I didn't notice. What would tip me off that he didn't shower? Like, is he wreaking?

[Stugotz]

No, no.

[Billy Gill]

He actually smells great.

[Stugotz]

I had three heaters walking in. I mean, what were you gonna say? Go ahead. I know I did.

[Billy Gill]

No, I was just trying to. It's.

[Bomani Jones]

It's.

[Billy Gill]

It's the last day of radio row, so I'm a little sad. This was one of my favorite weeks down here. This. This was. This was great.

[Stugotz]

It was buzzing yesterday. It really was. I mean, it dies down every Friday at Super bowl, you know, during super bowl week. But yesterday was a fantastic day down here.

[Bomani Jones]

It was cracking.

[Stugotz]

Yes.

[Billy Gill]

There were people everywhere.

[Stugotz]

Who'd you get on?

[Billy Gill]

Everyone.

[Stugotz]

Really?

[Mikey]

Yeah.

[Billy Gill]

I had a good day yesterday.

[Stugotz]

Well, who's everyone? Joe Barrow, did you get.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, of course I got Joe Joe. Bur come to Scoop City. I wish he did. He walked right by that thing. I was like, joe, Joe.

[Bomani Jones]

He just got walked to complain about his bosses with you.

[Billy Gill]

He did not. And he blew me off on the red carpet last night, so I'm over two miles.

[Bomani Jones]

Really? What you do to Miles?

[Billy Gill]

Go.

[Mikey]

I don't know, put out a hit piece. Just make some stuff up about him.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah, right.

[Bomani Jones]

He's from Dallas. They're like that now.

[Billy Gill]

He's cool. I. I just think. I think he was worn out by all the.

[Bomani Jones]

Oh, he. He thought that he could make a trade request and then just have a.

[Mikey]

Leisurely day like the day before. He was coming to do media.

[Stugotz]

Yes. Yes.

[Billy Gill]

I would not have cared, really, to talk to him as much as I was trying to talk to him. If that didn't happen, it would give me a Reason to go run after him. I know his handlers, like, well, you know, give me a heads up on the topics. I go, yeah, really?

[Bomani Jones]

What do you think?

[Billy Gill]

I'm going to ask about his shoes. Like, what?

[Bomani Jones]

I think what that whole thing teaches us is nobody wishes he was 6, 8 more than miles Garrett so he could actually be a basketball player. Like, he's really good at basketball. His brother played in the NBA, and that was such an NBA move that he made. And I'm like, hey, we all have dreams, buddy. Right? Like, you want to. You want to be traded? We all have dreams.

[Billy Gill]

Well, Max Crosby was down on the floor yesterday too, and I was. I was wondering if he's thinking about the Miles Garrett move. Maybe that's something he would do.

[Stugotz]

I don't think he is, but I'm certain that he. Well, why would you want to stay there where he is?

[Bomani Jones]

No, no. State income tax.

[Stugotz]

Yeah. I mean, that's one reason. But money, that team is so far away from winning anything. Why. Why would he want to waste his career there?

[Billy Gill]

He's such a beast. I was talking to him about, like, you know, what he was doing later in the night, which parties he were going. He was going to. He's like, well, I've got honors. I'm not going to do any post parties because I got to get up at 5am and I'm like, oh, early flight. He's like, no, no, I got to work out. I'm like, you work out during super bowl week? He's like, I work out every day. I bring my meals, too. He brings his meals here cuz he wants to stay, you know, in shape and just the way you do, you.

[Mikey]

Pack your little lunch exactly right.

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

Avoid.

[Billy Gill]

Avoid all the.

[Stugotz]

No one knows me better than you.

[Billy Gill]

Right on top of that rock.

[Stugotz]

But Marty's feeling a little bit old today.

[Mikey]

Okay.

[Stugotz]

I don't know why.

[Billy Gill]

Put your shoulders back. Feel this. Come on, embrace it.

[Bomani Jones]

I'm old as hell. Yeah, but I'm older than you.

[Stugotz]

I'm old as hell. I'm old as hell.

[Billy Gill]

My birthday's on Tuesday.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, but I'm still. Who cares? Like, Stu guy's the oldest person here by far. I'm number two in this case. I don't feel old. Well, my back feels old.

[Stugotz]

And your knees. And your knees. Yes.

[Billy Gill]

Try wearing heels around this city.

[Bomani Jones]

Couldn't do it.

[Billy Gill]

I've been stuck in potholes.

[Stugotz]

Oh, yeah.

[Billy Gill]

About to say I look like a deer on ice walking around.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah, this city ain't maintained well enough for you. To be stunt model.

[Stugotz]

I gotta tell you, she's everywhere. Because randomly I just got a picture of me smoking a heater on her street corner, and she texted it to me. I'm like, where are you?

[Billy Gill]

I look up and there he is. I'm like, oh, my goodness. Of all people just out there.

[Bomani Jones]

No, me and Diana was hanging out at the. At the Kelsey party the other night. Yeah, Flavor Flav.

[Stugotz]

Oh, really?

[Bomani Jones]

No, we was hanging out at the Kelsey brothers party. It was a good time again.

[Billy Gill]

It was great to see you. Sometimes these parties can be stuffy with executive, and it just. It has this, like, vibe of media people trying to be great and get another job. And it had that feel there.

[Stugotz]

Right.

[Billy Gill]

So when I saw Boman, he was like, oh, right. Just talk to someone.

[Stugotz]

You needed him. Yes.

[Billy Gill]

Let's just hang out.

[Stugotz]

Is there a normal person here?

[Bomani Jones]

You always need to be with me in a schmooze fest because I have this thing where I don't know what job anybody does. I stay saying wild in front of very powerful people. Like at espn, I never knew who did what job. I know names. You might be important. They say you work over here. I look down at titles. I'm like, you're a vice president of what? Like, I don't know what job anybody does. So, yeah, you get me in those parties. Especially now. I ain't got to lose. I know I'm saying anything.

[Billy Gill]

I will say I was reflecting on some of the conversations I've been having, and, man, I've lost my touch at schmoozing.

[Stugotz]

Really?

[Billy Gill]

After about two questions.

[Stugotz]

I don't think you've lost your touch. I think you're just tired of it.

[Billy Gill]

I am tired of it, but I black out. Like, I don't know where I go. I don't know how to take it to that next level where it's a good conversation. I've done a good job of avoiding the when did you get in conversation? And, you know, hoodie got on Sunday. But then I don't really know where to go.

[Bomani Jones]

Billy, are you any good at schmoozing? Because I know students are fairly excellent.

[Mikey]

I'm not.

[Stugotz]

I'm the greatest of all time.

[Billy Gill]

Someone last night just came up to me was like, hey, it's good to see you. How's your marriage? Oh, I'm like, at this moment, not great. Yesterday, it was spectacular.

[Stugotz]

How well does this person know you?

[Billy Gill]

Not that well.

[Bomani Jones]

I would. I would. I would make the point.

[Stugotz]

But, like.

[Billy Gill]

But I kept thinking, like, what was the right answer? What did he want us?

[Mikey]

Well, yeah. Like, what's the goal there? Like, what is he hoping to hear? What's the next question after that?

[Bomani Jones]

This is what he was hoping to hear. How's your. How's your marriage going? Depends on who's asking now. It's right. What do you mean? That's what that means.

[Stugotz]

I called Diana by mistake at like 12:31. She thought I was making a booty call. I swear to God, I'll see you.

[Billy Gill]

In the next day.

[Bomani Jones]

I go, stu, can't do that.

[Billy Gill]

We're not doing that.

[Bomani Jones]

Can't do that.

[Billy Gill]

You can't be calling me, cuz.

[Stugotz]

That's me.

[Billy Gill]

But here's the thing. You would think I'd go, stu's calling me late. Maybe something's wrong. No, I looked at him, I was like.

[Stugotz]

I was thinking about this. Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

Yo, yo, you can't. I used to work.

[Stugotz]

Everything okay.

[Billy Gill]

I remember being like, did I tell him where my hotel was? I hope I didn't.

[Bomani Jones]

No, I used to. I used to work with somebody who had that habit of calling at any hour. And I'm like, look, man, it ain't get me in trouble, but I know some other people that be like, hey, you.

[Stugotz]

You got to chill.

[Billy Gill]

So I got this kind of nickname with my friends. I call it ppt. It's parcels, power text. So if you give the great Bill Parcells a call and he takes time out of his day to talk to you, it's an honor and he's been so helpful in my career. But if Bill calls you, you better answer because he is going to blow your phone up. So he's. He's that booty call that is just. That is relentless. Once was on TV and I had like six missed calls. And I'm like, oh, my God, Bill.

[Stugotz]

Barcel, he must be sick.

[Billy Gill]

So I'm like, coach, are you all right? He's like, yeah, why do you need to pick up? I'm like, put your TV on.

[Bomani Jones]

I'm not care, man. That's an old people thing. Like, that is an old people. Like, hey, we can't do these back. Yeah, but this back to back call thing, right? You're too old to do that because I worst case scenario was on the board, right? It is in. My parents are in their 80s. Oh, wow. We did a switch out.

[Stugotz]

That's Sarah Spain's here.

[Sarah Spain]

No, still Billy Gil.

[Bomani Jones]

Yeah. Worst case scenario is on the table with your parents.

[Stugotz]

Billy Gil.

[Sarah Spain]

That's very nice. I don't know about that.

[Stugotz]

Billy.

[Sarah Spain]

Billy's striking what's going on?

[Stugotz]

Is he really.

[Sarah Spain]

Well, you got party Voice of Friday of super Week and just hanging out by a thread. How about you guys?

[Bomani Jones]

You know, same.

[Sarah Spain]

It's no Gronk boat. I'm doing better than that day.

[Bomani Jones]

Oh, you did do the Gronk boat.

[Billy Gill]

That was awesome.

[Sarah Spain]

That was one of my strongest interviews I've ever done. You could hear about one of every eight words I tried to say.

[Billy Gill]

I've got Gronk today. It's the first time I've ever really interviewed him since he hasn't been playing.

[Sarah Spain]

Now that he's a hardcore analyst.

[Billy Gill]

Yes.

[Bomani Jones]

Is he still going to be wearing. I saw him and Drew Brees is over there wearing them Bounty paper towel jackets.

[Billy Gill]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

And I'm just like, wow, you got to feel a little bit ridiculous, right? Aren't you rich enough?

[Sarah Spain]

I was going to say if I got paid enough, I would feel great.

[Bomani Jones]

I would want to see rock.

[Stugotz]

We all would.

[Sarah Spain]

I'll wear whatever.

[Bomani Jones]

But if Gronk's doing Bounty, don't go with the green theme. Get him into Al the Tool man shirt. Like the Bounty paper towel man.

[Stugotz]

Not the jacket.

[Bomani Jones]

Take it all the way.

[Stugotz]

I have Sean Stellato, the agent for Tommy DeVito. He's texting me, like I can. I have influence over the people at Bounty. He wants one of the jackets.

[Bomani Jones]

He keeps asking me, yo, I saw Spy versus Spy. Like so wild.

[Billy Gill]

That tells you the type of agent he is.

[Bomani Jones]

No, that's like Spy. The Spy versus Spy dude, right?

[Stugotz]

Yeah.

[Bomani Jones]

Like I saw him over there. I'm like, we're still doing this? Yeah.

[Sarah Spain]

I was listening to Amina podcast from Radio Row and she's like, who's that in the middle? Her question? She's like, oh, Tommy DeVito's agent. It was like she couldn't focus on continuing to talk whatever he wore.

[Stugotz]

Couldn't believe.

[Bomani Jones]

I mean, he wore the same thing he wear all the time. Yeah. I did not know.

[Sarah Spain]

Guess what? You know who he is?

[Bomani Jones]

I don't know.

[Sarah Spain]

He's now he's trying to pull a stew on stew.

[Bomani Jones]

So like whatever.

[Sarah Spain]

He's doing Bounty Jack, otherwise why would I know Tommy DeVito's agent or expect him to demand anything from.

[Bomani Jones]

Has he gotten him a client? Cuz I'm not getting a dude wearing that Dick Tracy hat ripping me, bro.

[Stugotz]

You know me so well. How do you think I responded to Stadto's request for a jacket?

[Sarah Spain]

Yeah, I got you. I got you, got you. Yeah, my guy.

[Bomani Jones]

It was something in that.

[Stugotz]

It was something I'LL get back to you. I'll keep you posted.

[Bomani Jones]

I'll say this, though, Anytime. You said you would get me.

[Billy Gill]

You got the masters.

[Stugotz]

I have no idea.

[Sarah Spain]

Because all the people he's seen wearing it have been DJ Moore, Roma Dun, and Drew Bre. Let me be part of the. It's like people, maybe they want that Duncan sweatsuit. It's just me, Affleck.

[Stugotz]

And.

[Bomani Jones]

Or. Or he gives it to Tommy Dev DeVito, and he tells everybody else in a rather godsian move that I got Tommy DeVito a bounty deal.

[Billy Gill]

So it's funny you say that. A friend of mine suggested that we do that. So let's say I take a picture of this water bottle, right? Post it and then say, thanks, Aquafina. So everyone thinks that Awkwafina is my sponsor, right? It's like a way you're. You're being proactive about it. So then they say, oh, she must like our product. So maybe that's what he's trying to do.

[Bomani Jones]

I need to start doing that. It worked for Mike Gundy. Got on TV and talked about that one crazy people news channel, and then they started sending them shirts.

[Sarah Spain]

I do a lot more stian where it's not setting up the sponsors. I just post about things I like until they send me stuff.

[Billy Gill]

Yes.

[Stugotz]

Travis, Matthew. All right. I love all three of you. I have to get out of here.

[Bomani Jones]

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[Stugotz]

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[Bomani Jones]

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[Stugotz]

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[Bomani Jones]

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[Stugotz]

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[Bomani Jones]

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