The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Hour 1: So Long, Tua (feat. Undisputed Champion Alycia Baumgardner)
Date: December 17, 2025

Episode Overview

Broadcasting from Miami’s Elser Hotel, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the crew dive into the seismic quarterback shakeup in Miami, debate the fate of Tua Tagovailoa, and explore what the move to Quinn Ewers really means for the Dolphins. Later, they’re joined by undisputed super featherweight boxing champion Alycia "The Bomb" Baumgardner, who shares her journey, the mentality of a fighter, and her historic co-headlining bout on Netflix. Along the way, the group detours into the NBA’s in-season tournament, the growing pains of broadcasting careers, and the peculiar culture of sports media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miami Dolphins Quarterback Bombshell

Begins at [03:12]

• Breaking News: The Dolphins have benched Tua Tagovailoa and will start rookie Quinn Ewers, per Adam Schefter ([03:12]).

• Immediate Reactions:

  • Dan, Stugotz, and crew treat this as the potential end of Tua’s era in Miami.
  • Debate over whether this is about protecting Tua from injury, an audition for Ewers, or Mike McDaniel preserving his coaching job.
  • Concern over Tua’s concussion history and large contract ([07:05]).

• Notable Quotes:

  • “You bench Tua. It’s been the league six years. The number five overall pick. He’s making $55 million a year. You bet it’s over.” – [E], [04:00]
  • “Mike McDaniel comes out a winner either way… he’s telling you, I can’t coach a winning team with this guy as my quarterback anymore.” – [E], [06:10]
  • “If Quinn Ewers shows any competence, it’s over. Any competence.” – [E], [04:00]

• Long-Term Outlook:

  • Tua is under contract, but panel is skeptical about his future.
  • Debated whether teams ever reverse such public demotions absent injury.
  • Stugotz and Dan point out that Miami lacks better QB options if Tua departs ([08:32]).

2. NBA In-Season Tournament & Broadcasting Chemistry

Begins at [31:35]

• NBA Cup/Juxtaposing ‘Realness’:

  • Amin Elhassan and crew defend the NBA’s fledgling cup from cynicism.
  • Comparison to how Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) was initially received, drawing a line from ridicule to tradition ([32:45]).
  • “If you institute something and just have some amount of consistency, people will eventually care.” – [C], [33:06]

• Player Engagement:

  • Raised concerns about compressed schedules and soft-tissue injuries.
  • Panel dissects how journalism and post-game press questioning could have pushed Adam Silver on bigger issues ([36:29]).

• NBA Media Coverage:

  • Discussion of the importance of a good broadcast partner, referencing Dwyane Wade’s improvement alongside Stan Van Gundy ([39:22]).
  • “With all these guys, if you have the right facilitator, someone who knows how to bring that stuff out, then they turn into a different person.” – [C], [39:43]
  • The challenges champions face transitioning from playing to media.

3. Alycia “The Bomb” Baumgardner Interview

Begins at [12:59]

Background and Family

• Baumgardner shares her upbringing in Ohio in a household of 15, where fighting was part of daily life ([14:41]).

• She started with wrestling before moving to boxing at age 8, encouraged by her father.

• Quote:

  • “We had that hustle mentality just to go get it because it wasn’t going to be given to us.” – Baumgardner, [15:15]

Mentality of a Fighter

• On choosing boxing:

  • “You have to be a little crazy, yes.” ([15:08])
  • She emphasizes loving the “grind” and challenge—“the fight is the fun part” ([15:48]).

• Nicknames in Boxing:

  • “The Bomb” was self-selected and reflects her attitude and power ([13:44]).

Preparation, Confidence, Fear

• Describes elaborate visualizations before fights to steel her mind ([16:30]).

• Quote:

  • “Once it’s gone, it’s gone. So I live in the moment. I take a hold, and I thrive through it.” – Baumgardner, [18:01]

• Discusses overcoming doubts daily and choosing to give 100% ([20:10]).

• On faith and resilience:

  • “May fall 10 times, but I’m gonna get up 12.” ([19:24])
  • Credits faith as central for perseverance.

Equality, Women’s Boxing, and Legacy

• Vacated her WBC belt for a championship bout under men’s rules to forward equality in the sport ([18:14]).
• Views fighting on the co-main at a major Netflix event as a surreal step—but only the beginning ([21:24]).
• “There’s no ceiling for me… there’s no box that I could be put in.” ([20:53])

Balancing Personal Life and Sport

• Loves the outdoors, fishing, and beach time; maintains a clear distinction between “Alycia the woman” and “AB the fighter” ([21:53], [22:51]).
• Importance of reaffirming identity outside the ring.

On Feeling Remorse After Fights

• She admits she rarely feels bad about dominating opponents during a bout:
  • “Eat that. To the face.” ([23:45])
  • But she does feel a glimmer of empathy afterward ([23:52]).

On Jake Paul and Boxing’s Evolution

• She gives Jake Paul credit for his commitment and seriousness about boxing ([26:25]).
• Notes “any fighter has a puncher’s chance” and upsets do happen ([26:08]).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• [03:12] – “Is that the official announcement of the end before it’s the end?” – Dan, as Dolphins bench Tua
• [04:00] – “You bench Tua… you bet it’s over.”
• [13:44] – “To have a name like The Bomb, you have to punch really hard, right?” – E
  “You do. You have to punch hard and make a statement.” – Baumgardner
• [15:08] – “You have to be a little crazy, yes.” – Baumgardner on boxing as a life path
• [19:24] – “May fall 10 times, but I’m gonna get up 12.” – Baumgardner, on faith and resilience
• [20:53] – “There’s no ceiling for me… there’s no box that I could be put in.” – Baumgardner, on legacy and ambition
• [23:45] – “Eat that. To the face.” – Baumgardner, on delivering blows
• [26:25] – “Jake is… very serious about it because you have to be. This is a combat sport. It could be your night, and you can get very hurt.” – Baumgardner

Important Timestamps

• [03:12]: Breaking NFL / Dolphins bench Tua
• [12:59]: Interview with Alycia Baumgardner begins
• [14:41]: Baumgardner’s family and origins in boxing
• [18:14]: On vacating her title for equality, men’s championship rules
• [19:24]: Importance of faith and personal resilience
• [23:45]: Baumgardner’s attitude about finishing fights
• [26:08]: Jake Paul’s chances and approach to boxing
• [31:35]: NBA In-Season Tournament, DPOY analogy, broadcast dynamics

Tone & Style

The panel toggles between irreverent, deeply analytical, and playful—never staying somber for long but always insightful, especially when unraveling the emotional side of sport, the business-of-sports mentality, and the stories behind performance. Baumgardner carries herself with bravado, faith, and gratitude, her blend of toughness and warmth matching the freewheeling yet respectful Le Batard style.

Conclusion

This episode blends breaking NFL news with a thought-provoking conversation on athlete mentality, women's sports progression, and the evolving spectacle of sport and media. Alycia Baumgardner's presence stands out not just for her fighting prowess but for her charismatic, reflective commentary on what it means to be a champion—in and out of the ring. The Tua/Ewers debate frames the ongoing uncertainty and drama of NFL team-building, while the NBA and broadcast discussions underscore the evolving nature of sports culture and narrative.