The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 1: The Foundation of Americana
Date: November 17, 2025
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

Overview

In this brisk and irreverent episode, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Greg Cody, Mike Ryan, Chris Cody, and crew dive into the intersection of sports, nostalgia, and social trends—anchored by debates over petty change, respect (and disrespect) on and off the field, and the blurred lines between fan passion and unacceptable behavior. The group’s familiar blend of South Florida flavor, wit, and lively debate is on full display, dissecting NFL chaos, the "death of the penny" as a cultural touchstone, spitting incidents in sports, fan-athlete confrontations, and the existential comedy of modern American sports fandom.

Key Topics & Discussions

1. Nostalgia and the "Death of the Penny"

[03:39–05:51]

• Greg Cody discusses the demise of the U.S. penny on his own podcast, prompting a surprisingly emotional response (“the death of the U.S. petty...the U.S. penny,” [03:39]).
• Mike Ryan reflects fondly:

  “The penny is one of the foundations of Americana. I used to collect pennies...that was a big part of growing up to me, was the scent.” ([04:01])

• The group banters about how the penny now costs more to mint than its face value ([03:57]) and laments its fading relevance in modern society.
• Mike complains that nobody carries coins anymore:

  “Everybody used to have a load in their pants...now nobody carries a coin anymore.” ([04:45])

• Sentimental nostalgia is gently mocked with in-show teasing, including a “death of the penny” song teaser ([05:12–05:46]).

2. NFL Week & Betting Banter

[01:43–02:21, 05:51–07:59]

• The panel breaks down the upcoming NFL schedule (“Rams-Bucks...Chiefs in the hunt trying to save their season against the Colts,” [01:43]).
• Stugotz launches customary “Poll Question Roulette”:

  “Are you stunned that after next week the Dolphins will have the same number of wins as the Chiefs?” ([02:21])

• Trivial pursuits and betting insights intermix with comic observations, e.g., Mark Andrews’ enduring “tush push,” and Giants/Packers/“trick or treat” Jameis Winston.

3. Spitting Incidents and Respect in Sports

[08:27–13:54, 17:15–23:14]

• The crew unpacks a heated NFL moment: Jalen Ramsey versus Jamar Chase and the escalation after a spitting incident.
• Greg Cody, Tony, and Stugotz analyze recent precedent (the Jaylen Carter situation) and debate suspension policies.
• Stugotz argues the punishment should fit the severity:

  “If there's a loogie hanging from your face mask, the punishment needs to be worse.” ([17:30])

• The idea of escalation is central:

  “One of the things with punishment...is to avoid escalation. The malice at the palace comes to mind—throw a beer, escalation ensues.” (Stugotz, [11:03])

• Mike Ryan raises the philosophical line:

  “What if instead of spitting, I say something really disrespectful?” ([13:32])

• Consensus: spitting is the apex of disrespect, harder to police than words, and deserving of severe deterrence.

4. Fan-Athlete Confrontation & Social Media Era Disrespect

[24:16–41:58]

A. Draymond Green & The "Angel Reese" Heckle

• Draymond Green confronts a fan during a game, later explaining:

  “He just kept calling me a woman...then a woman's name. It was Angel Reese, because I kept missing shots and getting rebounds.” ([25:08–26:23])

• The crew pokes holes in Green’s explanation and reflects on “sticks and stones” adages’ limits.

B. Jimmy Butler vs. Gambler – When Fan Engagement Crosses the Line

[31:14–40:51]

• A now-viral street encounter surfaces: A gambler heckles Jimmy Butler about blowing his wager (“Green apple looking at stupid big ass Tims...I put 3,000 to win 30. Why you have 30 perks, Jimmy Butler? You work for Vegas.” [31:14]).
• The group debates the boundaries:
  • Is it playful or threatening? Does the gambling era embolden toxic entitlement?
  • Mike Ryan:

    “Athletes are living with the gambling and fantasy element more, but it’s dehumanizing in a way that’s super strange.” ([35:34])

  • Stugotz, indignant:

    “Don’t talk to Jimmy Butler that way. If you don’t know Jimmy Butler and you’re being ‘playful,’ that’s not for you to decide.” ([40:51])

  • Ryen Russillo:

    "This is pretty cut and dry. Like, this should not be happening." ([37:35])

• The general consensus: the onus is unfairly on athletes to show restraint—any retaliation risks “escalation” and career fallout.

5. The Role of Practice & Preparedness: Shadur Sanders Debate

[19:46–23:14]

• A deep dive into rookie backup QBs—Shadur Sanders’s lack of first-team reps and NFL teams’ approaches to developing young players.
• Tony presses:

  “Can you hype up the crowd when you’re running onto the field and then go 4 for 16 with an interception? That’s tough.” ([20:48])

• Dan Le Batard:

  “The only reason we ever talk about a third-string fifth-rounder is if he’s Shadur Sanders.” ([19:46])

• The panel scrutinizes the logic and fairness of coaching strategies with backups who are “one snap away.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mike Ryan, penny nostalgia:

  "The penny is one of the foundations of Americana. I used to collect pennies...that was a big part of growing up to me, was the scent." ([04:01])

• Stugotz, on punishments:

  "The punishment should be worse if the expectoration is worse. If there’s a loogie hanging from your face mask...the punishment needs to be worse than that." ([17:27])

• Jalen Ramsey, on being spit on:

  “He spit on me. So it’s up. Football after that. Respectfully.” ([09:39])

• Jamar Chase, denying:

  "I spit on nobody." ([10:20])

• Chris Cody (on line-crossing by fans):

  "Like, if 10 is, I'm legitimately fearful that I'm about to be attacked, this is like a six or seven." ([36:45])

• Stugotz, boundaries:

  "It's not a fine line. Don't talk to people that way. That's not a fine line." ([37:30])

Segment Timestamps

• [03:39–05:51] – The Foundation of Americana: Penny talk and emotional farewells
• [08:27–13:54; 17:15–23:14] – Spitting, sports disrespect, suspensions, and escalation
• [24:16–27:33] – Draymond Green's encounter and "Angel Reese" heckle
• [31:14–40:51] – Jimmy Butler vs. gambler: Fan behavior, the athlete's burden, and the new normal
• [19:46–23:14] – Shadur Sanders: Rookies, reps, and the NFL’s backup plan
• [07:03–08:27 & scattered] – NFL musings: Giants, Packers, fantasy football, injury breakdowns

Tone and Style

Breezy, quick-witted, and irreverently insightful, the show repeatedly returns to themes of respect, nostalgia, and the absurdities of modern sports culture. Segments oscillate between playful teasing, heated arguments, and genuinely thoughtful reflections, cemented by classic “Le Batard Show” humor.

For New Listeners

This episode offers a quintessential sampler of the Le Batard universe—where sports analysis is inseparable from social commentary and high-level nonsense. If you want pointed commentary on evolving fan/player relationships, sportsmanship, and Americana (from pennies to pro athletes), this is your episode.