Transcript

A (0:00)

This is the Dan Levator show with the Stugats podcast.

B (0:08)

Hi everyone. In the words of Rafiki from one of my favorite movies, the Lion King, it is time. After 46 years of an extraordinary journey, it's with deep gratitude and heartfelt reflection that I announced my retirement from Zoo Miami effective May 10th of this year. What began for me at the old Cranon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne evolved into Miami Metro Zoo and ultimately into the world class institution we know today as Zoo Miami. To have witnessed and even played a small part in that evolution has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Zoos cannot spend millions of dollars on new exhibits without committing a substantial portion of those budgets to in situ conservation of the very animals they choose to showcase. If zoos become the last place where those species can safely survive, then zoos have failed. And what should be their top priority? To protect wild animals in the wild, where they truly belong. It is that belief that led me to create what I am most proud of in my career. The establishment of the Ron McGill Conservation Endowment at the Zoo Miami Foundation. When people ask me what I want my legacy to be, I want it to be this endowment. It's been established in such a way that long after all of us are gone, it'll continue to fund conservation initiatives and scholarships that will help ensure the survival of some of our world's wonderful wildlife for generations to come. I want to thank the Zoo Miami foundation for giving me the opportunity to remain connected to Zoo Miami and continue sharing the stories that matter. I am deeply honored to serve as the Foundation's Goodwill Ambassador and Conservation Liaison, a role that will allow me to focus on conservation while remaining closely involved with both our local and global communities. In this position, I will continue to be available to speak to individuals and groups throughout the community in educational, civic and social organizations in the hope of inspiring a love of wildlife and a commitment to protecting it for generations to come. Through the Zoo Miami Foundation, I will also manage the newly established into the Wild Travel program, drawing on my many years of visiting all seven continents to create and lead inspiring adventures in nature travel for zoo supporters and donors. Most importantly, I will be able to continue building the Ron McGill Conservation Endowment, ensuring ongoing support for in situ conservation programs around the world, and providing scholarships for those dedicated to careers in wildlife conservation. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the incredible support I've received for so many years. I'm looking forward to see what lies ahead. We'll see you around.

A (2:38)

Ron McGill will be on with us. Here shortly. He's not going anywhere as it relates to this show we love. And he will be around here for as long as we're around here and he's around here. So no worries on that front. But Ron will talk to us about retiring in a little bit here. I wanted to do something here that I was remiss in not doing yesterday because we make a lot of fun of Pablo Torre in general. I think that the audience who appreciates what this show is and what that show is and just the universe around this show has some sort of understanding of how difficult it is to be as excellent as Pablo Torre finds out has been. But the number of awards that this podcast continues to get, because its excellence is that distinct is truly staggering. Like, it has been a monumental sports achievement to watch Pablo Torre win. And I'm just going to list some of the awards. Okay. It's not a few of them. A lot of them. I don't know what the ambies are. Chris informed me that they are. They're the Oscars of podcasting. But he wasn't just named the best sports podcast because he was also named the Podcaster of the Year. Those are two different awards. So it was. What do you make him?

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz Hour 1: Dan Lets Go Of Coach Spo

Date: March 4, 2026
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, plus show regulars

Episode Overview

This hour of the show blends the signature chaos, humor, and sports talk of the Le Batard crew, all while touching on moments of genuine reflection, sports culture, and some inside-baseball on the world of podcasting. The central threads are: Ron McGill’s heartfelt retirement announcement, a humorous yet substantive discussion of sports podcast awards (and Greg Cote’s infamous stomach growl), and deep-dive debates on the sports world, including steroid suspensions and NFL quarterback markets – with particular focus on Kyler Murray’s future.

Ron McGill’s Retirement Announcement

[00:08–02:38]

The show opens with Ron McGill’s moving message announcing his retirement from Zoo Miami after 46 years.
- He reflects on his journey from the old Crandon Park Zoo to the world-class Zoo Miami.
- Quote: “To have witnessed and even played a small part in that evolution has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
- McGill emphasizes zoos’ responsibility to fund conservation efforts, not just maintain animals for exhibits.
- He stresses the legacy of the Ron McGill Conservation Endowment (“...it'll continue to fund conservation initiatives and scholarships that will help ensure the survival of some of our world’s wonderful wildlife for generations to come.”)
- He will remain as the Zoo Miami Foundation’s Goodwill Ambassador and ‘Conservation Liaison’, also running the Into the Wild Travel program for donors.
Dan reassures listeners that while Ron retires from Zoo Miami, his relationship with the show continues.
- Quote: “He's not going anywhere as it relates to this show we love. ...he will be around here for as long as we're around here.” [02:38]

Pablo Torre: Podcasting Dominance & Award Banter

[02:38–07:21]

The show pivots to celebrating Pablo Torre’s awards:
- “Pablo Torre Finds Out” has swept several major podcasting awards, including:
  - Best Sports Podcast
  - Podcaster of the Year (Ambies – “the Oscars of podcasting”)
  - Gold Signal Award (Best Sports Show)
  - Silver Signal Award (Best Video Podcast)
  - Gold Medal, Best Documentary Podcast (Sports Podcast Awards)
  - Edward R. Murrow Award, Peabody nomination
Playful skepticism and jealousy:
- Tony jokes that Pablo “named himself Podcast of the Year” [04:06].
- Dan pushes back, pointing out the Ambies are industry-voted.
- Prize envy: Others note even industry icons like Greg Cote have not won a Murrow. Greg dubs Murrow “the Ed,” insisting:
  - “That’s what we call it in the industry.” [07:25]
  - Dan asks if new producers even know who Murrow is; some guess, “horse,” others “journeyman newsman.”

Comedy Gold: Greg Cote’s Stomach Growl

[04:35–09:02 | 17:12–19:52]

Dan and crew roast Greg Cote for the mysterious “growling” sound picked up on mic at the end of a previous episode.
- Multiple playbacks and denials from Greg, who blames it on coffee, lack of breakfast ("no bacon"), and even AI manipulation.
- Dan proposes tricking animal expert Ron McGill by playing the sound and asking him to identify the “animal.”
Memorable quotes:
- "That noise did not." – Greg Cote, adamantly denying his own stomach sound [04:52]
- “Bacon gate.” – Greg, on being denied his usual breakfast [08:49]
- “You did make that sound. We’re not making this up.” – Dan, insistent [19:19]
The segment showcases the show’s improv energy and affectionate ribbing.

Diminished Outrage: PED Scandals & Athlete Suspensions

[09:08–12:22]

Topic shifts to the state of cheating in sports, focusing on Jurickson Profar’s full season PED suspension:
- Dan argues that only “star” suspensions register outrage, while marginal players like Profar elicit shrugs:
  - “What do I have to do in baseball? ...I have to make it a star. Right. I have to make it Aaron Judge or Ohtani for anybody to actually care about this.” [10:03]
- Greg Cote agrees – only big names like Clemens/Bonds/A-Rod matter:
  - “...so when you get somebody who's not a household name, it barely resonates with me.” [11:31]
- Show members recall the surprise of early “no-name” suspensions under new MLB drug rules.

Extended NFL Quarterback Market Debate: Is Kyler Worth It?

[21:30–37:37]

Topic: Where will Kyler Murray land next, now that the Cardinals are moving on?
Dan’s stance: Kyler still has value; he could be reinvented with the right team (e.g., Vikings) and play-caller.
- “If I put Kyler Murray in Minnesota, I reinvent him.” [24:22]
Tony’s skepticism: Prefers bigger QBs like Sam Darnold for better field vision, doubts Kyler’s adaptability.
- “He can’t throw to the boundary. He has a really tough time throwing up the middle because he can't see. ...Sam Darnold, 6-4 and a half... Kyler Murray’s like, what, 5-10-ish?” [24:41]
Market value discussion: Kyler preferred over Tua; likely to get starting job offers given QB demand, e.g., Minnesota, Atlanta, Jets.
Bomani Jones' take invoked: “Bomani says that he would take Kyler Murray over Jalen Hurts, Bo Nix, and Bryce Young.” [29:21]
- Consensus from the room: Disagreement; some wouldn’t take Kyler over those QBs.
Dan contextualizes the shifting archetype of NFL QBs:
- “Because quarterbacks have to be the size of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, Right?” [29:32]
- Biggest QB-busting issue: Height/vision, not athleticism.

Sidebars & Notable Moments

Podcast Award Skepticism:
- Greg insists “the Ed” (Murrow Award) is above reproach, until Tony reveals you also have to pay to enter.
  - “I want to get to some football things with you guys...” [21:30]
Career management: Discussion around Miami-related rumors for Malik Willis and Arizona’s next QB move [37:01].
Ron McGill update: Will join the show tomorrow due to “doing zoo things” (presenting painted dog pups). [32:18]
Absurd animal/shark headlines: Dan and Stugotz riff on a news story about a woman being swallowed whole by a shark unnoticed by friends.
- “Every friend group has a Shelly though, that if they go missing because a shark ate them whole, you wouldn't notice.” [15:59]

Tony’s "Low-Key NFL Free Agents" Top 5

[38:08–41:08]

(Presented in intentionally low-key tones)

Chigoziem Okonkwo (TE, Titans)
- “Can run like a horse... they didn’t use him as much as they should have.” [38:47]
Mike Evans (slightly less low-key, potentially for New England)
- Only has thousand-yard seasons (except when injured). [39:37]
Isaiah Likely (TE, Ravens)
- “If he gets to a team... all of a sudden, Isaiah Likely with Patrick Mahomes...” [40:09]
Kenneth Walker III (RB, Seattle)
- “Highest key name,” Super Bowl MVP, now a free agent. [40:15]
- “Can a Super Bowl MVP be low-key?” [40:28]
Alec Pierce (WR, Colts)
- Dan: “Just boredom... and what position does that guy play?” [40:50]

Memorable Quotes

Dan, on Podcast Awards:
“There are a lot of people making podcasts. Everyone’s got a mic, everyone’s got a show. Pablo’s the one winning all the awards.” [19:40]
Dan, on Kyler Murray’s future:
“If I put Kyler Murray in Minnesota, I reinvent him.” [24:22]
Greg, on PED Scandals:
“When you get somebody who's not a household name, it barely resonates with me.” [11:31]
Dan, on shifting QB types:
“Never before... would there have been a quarterback of that size that's allowed to play the position.” [27:25]
Show recurring joke:
“Bacon gate.” [08:49]

Timestamps – Key Segments

[00:08–02:38] – Ron McGill’s retirement message
[02:38–07:21] – Pablo Torre awards, podcasting jokes
[04:35–09:02 | 17:12–19:52] – Greg Cote’s stomach growl saga
[09:08–12:22] – Cheating in sports, Profar’s suspension
[21:30–37:37] – Deep-dive NFL QB market discussion (Kyler Murray, Tua, etc.)
[38:08–41:08] – Tony’s “Low-Key NFL Free Agents” list

Tone & Style

Playful, irreverent, and self-deprecating.
Frequent inside jokes, quick pivots between deep analysis and random absurdity.
Emphasis on group riffing, sideline banter, and “award show” sarcasm.

For New Listeners

This hour is a quintessential slice of the Le Batard Show: part heartfelt community (McGill’s retirement), part chaos (Greg’s growl), and sharp, contemporary sports debate (Kyler Murray and the ever-evolving NFL). The takeaway? Don’t take sports (or yourself) too seriously—unless you’re Pablo Torre, in which case, accumulate those trophies and let the haters hate!