The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 1: Bad Talkers & Bad Benny (feat. Jonathan Zach Lowe)
Date: February 3, 2026

Episode Overview

Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Greg Cody, Jonathan Zach Lowe, and the crew dive into a freewheeling hour where sports, pop culture, and media coverage intersect. This episode riffs on the awkwardness of NFL news priorities, memorable yet bizarre moments at the Grammys, the cultural stature of Bad Bunny (or "Bad Benny," according to Goodell), and the persistent struggles of bland sports personalities. The conversation also takes a thoughtful turn examining the Rooney Rule and ongoing issues surrounding diversity in NFL coaching hires.

Key Discussion Points

1. Prioritization of NFL News: Belichick vs. the Epstein Files

Timestamp: 00:57 – 03:01

• Stugotz comments on ESPN’s odd headline order, with Bill Belichick’s Hall of Fame status ranked over the NFL investigating Giants' owner Steve Tisch’s Epstein ties.
  • "It is above NFL to look into Tish's Epstein files connections... It’s because of the difficulty of talking in sports about anything Epstein related." (Stugotz, 01:09)
• Dan Le Batard notes Tisch’s prominent Hollywood productions and how discussions of sports ownership entanglements are skirted in mainstream media.
  • "As soon as there's a factor like... you gotta ask Goodell about that... this has to be a scandal that engulfs the owner of the New York Giants." (Stugotz, 02:51)
• Dan boils down Tisch’s Epstein defense using an “It’s Always Sunny” reference, mocking the nonchalance of the legal explanation.

2. Grammy Awards: Pop Culture Oddities and Bad Bunny’s Rise

Timestamp: 03:20 – 08:07

• The crew share reactions to Grammy performances, focusing on wardrobe choices (Justin Bieber’s underwear, Lady Gaga’s “wicker basket helmet").
  • "When I saw Justin Bieber's performance, I didn't even hear the song because I'm just mesmerized by what this guy is or isn't wearing..." (Jonathan Zach Lowe, 03:38)
• Dan praises Bieber’s comeback performance and affectionate cutaways.
• Discussion shifts to Bad Bunny’s historic Album of the Year win (first Spanish-language album) and rumors that he wears a bulletproof vest due to threats.
  • "I saw an IG reel that has me convinced he does indeed wear a bulletproof vest..." (Dan Le Batard, 05:56)
• There's a bit about Trevor Noah trying to coax Bad Bunny into performing at the Grammys despite Super Bowl contract restrictions.
  • “He was trying to get Bad Bunny to perform even a snippet, which would have been against his NFL contract…” (Jonathan Zach Lowe, 06:32)
• The segment closes with speculation on whether Bad Bunny will wear a vest on stage at the Super Bowl, which the crew sardonically polls their listeners about.

3. Roger Goodell’s “Bad Benny” Blunder

Timestamp: 07:36 – 08:45

• The group plays Roger Goodell’s remarks about choosing Bad Bunny for Super Bowl halftime, during which he refers to him as “Bad Benny.”
  • “How did he pronounce his name at the beginning? Bad Benny.” (Stugotz, 08:15)
• The panel gives Goodell a partial pass, noting Bad Bunny's real name is Benito, but still rib him for the mispronunciation.
  • “They're gonna not gonna introduce you as your stage name. It's embarrassing for sure.” (Dan Le Batard, 08:26)
  • “‘Bad Benny’... His real name's not Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny.” (Jonathan Zach Lowe, 08:32)
• Stugotz jokes about his own inability to get names right.

4. The “Boring Off”: Sam Darnold, Mike MacDonald, and Dull NFL Talkers

Timestamp: 09:42 – 12:58

• Jonathan Zach Lowe shares trivia about Sam Darnold’s grandfather, Dick Hammer, a former Marlboro Man actor, sparking a round of childish jokes and references to the “ghost of Dick Hammer.”
• The show turns to a lighthearted competition for the dullest NFL figure: Sam Darnold, coach Mike MacDonald, and even Bill Belichick at his press conference peak.
  • “We found the most boring dude.” (Dan Le Batard, 11:41)
  • "Who's more boring? We got to be able to find somebody more boring." (Greg Cody, 11:46)
• Discussion of media day failures and how some NFL personalities struggle to generate intrigue.

5. The Rooney Rule: Diversity and its Limitations

Timestamp: 21:39 – 27:51

• Stugotz raises the challenge of fixing the Rooney Rule amid ongoing lack of minority NFL head coaches.
  • “When Roger Goodell is being asked, he’s saying we've got a lot of work to do... What just ends up happening every single time is a white owner ends up getting into interviews with people he either knows or commonalities…” (Stugotz, 21:44)
• Dan critiques sham interviews and the cyclical nature of NFL diversity efforts—calling many interviews “just bullshit.”
  • “It's just bullshit interviews that honestly are insulting 20 years in…” (Dan Le Batard, 22:59)
• Jonathan Zach Lowe observes that repeated interviewing can incrementally help the careers of minority candidates (“In the long term, it does help…”).
• Chris and Dan note the issue that nearly all Black coaching candidates are on the defensive side ("There aren't black offensive coordinators.").
• Dan points out systemic forces, like head coaches only hiring people within their (overwhelmingly white) circles, and how even strong draft-pick incentives haven’t shifted the owner’s behavior.
  • “They're incentivizing... the most valuable thing. We'll give you draft picks. Just do this. Please, help us here. And they still can't fix it.” (Dan Le Batard, 26:09)
• Panel concludes that change will likely require a new generation of owners more accustomed to diversity.

6. Star Power—or Lack Thereof—in the Super Bowl

Timestamp: 29:47 – 40:41

• The hosts lament the lack of compelling personalities and storylines in this year’s Super Bowl matchup (Patriots vs. Seahawks).
  • "You need storylines... Sam Darnold's got an interesting story. I don't know that as a quarterback, he's someone necessarily that you're super interested in hearing talk.” (Dan Le Batard, 31:16)
• Discussion of NFL’s historic reliance on a few superstar faces (Brady, Manning, Mahomes), and the league’s current era of transition.
• The group debates what makes sports compelling—patriotism, underdog stories, and athletic history topping the list of factors that make fans emotionally invest in sporting events.
  • “If you want me to get swept up in something where I'm emotional... patriotism first and... underdog story.” (Dan Le Batard, 34:05)
• With both Super Bowl teams being unexpected preseason picks, Dan finds it odd that fans don’t seem engaged by this underdog matchup.
• Stugotz points out that despite high preseason odds ("60-1 and 80-1"), neither team is a true underdog in the classic sense due to their organizational histories.

7. Bad Bunny’s Pop Culture Supremacy

Timestamp: 39:36 – 40:24

• The hosts facetiously declare Bad Bunny ("Bad Benny") to be the biggest star at the Super Bowl—bigger than any player, even LeBron James or Lionel Messi.
  • "Bad Benny... Who is the biggest star at the Super Bowl?" (Dan Le Batard, 40:00)
  • "Put it on the poll... Who’s a bigger star, Bad Benny or LeBron?" (Stugotz, 40:09)
• They anticipate a ratings peak at the halftime show due to Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.

8. The Evolution of Exciting Super Bowls

Timestamp: 40:41 – 42:08

• Dan and Jonathan Zach Lowe reminisce about how recent Super Bowls have been unusually close and dramatic compared to earlier blowouts.
  • "It seems like I covered a lot of 38–10s... there were some really lopsided Super Bowls, but you’re right, the league itself is now so parity soaked that every game’s close..." (Jonathan Zach Lowe, 41:35)
• Dan credits recent matchups (Chiefs-Eagles, Chiefs-49ers, Rams-Bengals) with keeping audiences engaged.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Stugotz on media avoidance:
  "It is above NFL to look into Tish's Epstein files connections... It's because of the difficulty of talking in sports about anything Epstein related." (01:09)
• Jonathan Zach Lowe on the Grammys:
  "When I saw Justin Bieber's performance, I didn't even hear the song because I'm just mesmerized by what this guy is or isn't wearing..." (03:38)
• Dan Le Batard on NFL incentives:
  “They're incentivizing... the most valuable thing. We'll give you draft picks. Just do this. Please, help us here. And they still can't fix it.” (26:09)
• Jonathan Zach Lowe, tongue-in-cheek:
  “Dick Hammer was the late great grandfather of Super Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold... Dick Hammer died of lung cancer. Not linking that to cigarettes. Just sort of presuming.” (10:25)
• Greg Cody on dull personalities:
  “See, even the stories about him [MacDonald] are boring.” (16:53)
• Dan Le Batard on sports rooting interests:
  "If you want me to get swept up in something where I'm emotional... patriotism first and... underdog story.” (34:05)
• On Bad Bunny’s star power:
  "Who is the biggest star at the Super Bowl?... Bad Benny." (40:00)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Epstein Files vs. NFL Headlines: 00:57 – 03:01
• Grammys Recap & Bad Bunny Discussion: 03:20 – 08:07
• Roger Goodell’s “Bad Benny” Gaffe: 07:36 – 08:45
• Dick Hammer Trivia & NFL’s Boring Figures: 09:42 – 12:58
• Rooney Rule and NFL Diversity: 21:39 – 27:51
• Super Bowl Star Power Dialogue: 29:47 – 40:41
• Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Dominance: 39:36 – 40:24
• Recent Super Bowl Closeness: 40:41 – 42:08

Tonal Highlights

• The episode is fast-paced, irreverent, and filled with sharp wit and inside jokes.
• The crew alternates between playful trash talk, pop culture commentary, and candid criticism of the NFL’s systemic issues.
• There’s a consistent undercurrent of self-awareness—mocking not just the sports world but themselves for recycling stories and referencing their own show antics.

Summary

Even for those who missed the episode, this hour capably blends sports with pop culture, delivering both thoughtful critique (on the NFL’s diversity failures and media priorities) and classic Le Batard zaniness (from “Dick Hammer” to “Bad Benny”). Listeners get a sense of the Super Bowl’s stakes—not just on the field, but for the wider cultural and media conversation.