The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz – Hour 2: Make Saturday Nights Great Again Release Date: February 19, 2025
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Chris Cote, Mike Ryan, Billy, and Jessica
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
1. Introduction and Weekend Observations
The episode kicks off with the hosts discussing the cancellation of a planned segment involving David Sampson and Darren Ravel. Chris Cote explains, “[…] we’ve got to cancel it because Stu Gotz is fired up about his weekend observations” (01:21). This sets the stage for Stugotz to deliver his eagerly anticipated Weekend Observations segment.
Stugotz’s Weekend Observations Highlights:
- Hockey Triumphs: Mike Ryan reminisces about the excitement in Lake Placid when a scrappy American team defeated the Soviets, drawing parallels to recent victories against Canada. He states, “[…] Make no mistake about it, USA Hockey is back” (05:18).
- St. John’s Victory: The team celebrates St. John’s top 10 win over Creighton, highlighting the team's tenacity and senior leadership. “[…] March is coming” (07:51).
- All-Star Game Critique: The hosts express disappointment over the NBA All-Star Game’s shift away from the traditional East vs. West format. Chris Cote remarks, “What was wrong with east versus west, huh?” (08:44), criticizing the inclusion of players like Kevin Hart in the festivities.
2. The Decline of Saturday Night Television
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the nostalgia for classic Saturday night TV shows versus the current state of late-night programming.
- Nostalgia for the 80s: Mike Ryan nostalgically recalls shows like Fantasy Island, Love Boat, and Saturday Night Live, saying, “[…] Saturdays meant something back in the 80s” (02:07).
- Decline of SNL’s Popularity: Dan Le Batard laments the current state of Saturday Night Live, stating, “[…] Sick, we haven't been funny in 25 years” (18:21), emphasizing a perceived decline in the show's humor and relevance.
- Impact of Streaming: Chris Cote and the team discuss how the advent of streaming services has altered television consumption, making live viewing less appealing as content becomes available on-demand. “[…] You can get it whenever you want to” (04:33).
3. Sports Management and Agent Necessity
The conversation shifts to the role of agents in an athlete's career, particularly focusing on Shay Gilgeous Alexander (SGA).
- SGA Without an Agent: Chris Cote questions, “Can you answer that question for me?” regarding why SGA would part ways with his agent, considering the lucrative opportunities in Oklahoma City (30:37).
- Financial Implications: Mike Ryan highlights the financial aspect, noting that with the high salaries in sports, giving up a percentage to an agent might be unnecessary: “Agents normally take home 4 to 10% of a player's annual salary” (35:14).
- Business Management Needs: The hosts debate whether an athlete like SGA still needs an agent or if a business manager would suffice, considering his potential to secure supermax contracts without extensive representation (31:36).
4. The Ubiquity of Kevin Hart in Media
A humorous segment delves into Kevin Hart’s pervasive presence across various media platforms.
- Mocking by WNBA Players: Dan Le Batard introduces a video featuring Kevin Hart being mocked by WNBA players for his height. He comments, “[…] It's just toxic masculinity and it’s just terrible” (26:22).
- Hart’s Marketability: The hosts discuss Hart’s mastery in comedy and business, with Chris Cote stating, “He’s mastered popularity” (28:48), while Jessica criticizes the overexposure, saying, “[…] there are certain places where the joke does not correlate” (29:25).
- Personal Reflections: Jessica shares her annoyance with Hart’s constant presence, contrasting it with her appreciation for his early indie work: “[…] I remember Kevin Hart when he was doing indie films and he was hilarious” (29:25).
5. The Bowling Ball Gift Mystery
In a lighthearted and mysterious segment, Stugotz reveals a surprise gift sent to Greg Cody—a personalized bowling ball adorned with Dolphins and Miller Lite logos.
- Gift Details: The bowling ball lacks drilled holes, prompting playful confusion among the hosts. Chris Cote questions, “Is it a bowling ball if it doesn't have holes?” (41:07).
- Speculations and Anticipation: The team speculates on Greg’s reaction and the purpose behind the gift, with Stugotz mentioning, “[…] use this bowling ball moving forward should he want to” (40:31). The segment ends with humorous banter about the functionality of the gift.
6. The Debate Over the Face of Basketball
A heated discussion ensues about who deserves to be recognized as the face of basketball, comparing figures like LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, and emerging stars.
- Current Standings: Mike Ryan asserts, “The face of basketball has always been basketball’s pretty much best player… LeBron” (35:42), positioning LeBron at the pinnacle.
- Emerging Stars: Jessica advocates for Anthony Edwards, arguing his potential to become the face due to his performance and leadership: “Why can't Anthony Edwards be the face of basketball? I know he said he doesn't want to” (36:53).
- Critique of Current Management: The hosts critique Stephen A. Smith’s comments on SGA’s potential, with Jessica emphasizing SGA’s dedication over popularity: “[…] Someone that cares about it” (37:22).
- Future Projections: Billy supports Victor Wembanyama as the next face of basketball, suggesting, “Victor’s going to be that” (35:55), while Mike Ryan remains loyal to LeBron.
Notable Quote:
“The face of basketball has always been basketball’s pretty much best player… LeBron.”
— Mike Ryan (35:42)
7. Closing Remarks and Teasers
As the episode nears its end, the hosts tease upcoming surprises and reflect humorously on the week’s discussions.
- Teasing Future Content: Stugotz hints at a big surprise involving Greg Cody’s gift, maintaining suspense: “[…] That’s what I was looking at” (40:27).
- Final Banter: The team continues their playful interactions about the bowling ball and the day’s topics, ensuring listeners are left entertained and eager for the next episode.
Conclusion
In "Make Saturday Nights Great Again," The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz delves deep into the evolution of Saturday night television, the intricacies of sports management, the omnipresence of Kevin Hart in media, and the ongoing debate over the true face of basketball. Through a blend of nostalgia, critical analysis, and humorous banter, the hosts provide insightful commentary on the current state of sports and entertainment, keeping listeners engaged and informed.
Timestamps Notable Quotes:
- Chris Cote on Stugotz's Prime: “But he just said under his breath in a way that Andrew Hawkins agreed with that made me feel like that is Stugots in his prime.” (01:41)
- Mike Ryan on USA Hockey: “[…] Make no mistake about it, USA Hockey is back.” (05:18)
- Dan Le Batard on SNL: “[…] We haven't been funny in 25 years.” (18:21)
- Jessica on Anthony Edwards: “Why can't Anthony Edwards be the face of basketball? I know he said he doesn't want to.” (36:53)
Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been excluded from this summary to focus solely on the core discussions and insights shared during the episode.