Episode Overview

Episode Title: Local Hour: Chasing The First Jai (feat. George Cloney)
Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Date: December 12, 2025
Main Theme:
The crew gathers live from the Elser Hotel in Miami to gear up for the Magic City Fronton Battle Court championship — the last at this historic venue. What should be a day of high-stakes anticipation for co-owners of the Cyclones team devolves into a half-roast, half-heartfelt plea for attendance, as nearly the whole staff invents absurd excuses to miss the game. Amid the comedic disappointment, they tackle Heat trade rumors, NBA front office frustrations, South Florida nostalgia, and the chaos of college football playoff selection.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Magic City Fronton Battle Court Championship

• Why It Matters:
  The Cyclones, co-owned by the Le Batard Show crew, are playing in the Fronton championship — possibly the biggest event for the show besides national TV gigs.
• Chris Cody’s Excitement:
  "It's not every day that you get to wake up knowing that the team that we co own can win a championship ... Today, 7pm, Live on YouTube, live on the ESPN app." (03:39)
• Mike Ryan’s Disappointment:
  Mike is “a little bit angry” over teammates' lack of excitement and excuses for not attending, despite having open courtside seats. (06:45)
• The Core Issue:
  Everyone but Chris and Mike finds excuses (often comically flimsy) to skip the game — moving, training for a “media skate,” family obligations, etc.

Notable Quotes

• Chris Cody: “When have you ever been offered a courtside seat to a championship before?” (07:20)
• Mike Ryan: “Moving on your own — suck of behavior.” (09:25)

2. Absurd Excuses for Missing the Championship

• Each Cast Member’s Excuse:
  • Dan: Genuinely working, hosting on ESPN Radio that night (07:14)
  • Tony: Moving into a new house, has a pod delivery window; called out as a “sucker” for not hiring movers (09:01)
  • Jeremy: “Moving” due to water damage repairs finally ending — forced to vacate an Airbnb (09:39)
  • Roy: Missing to “get his skating legs under him” for a media hockey skate a week away; widely roasted as the worst excuse (11:13)
• Comic Accusations & Challenges:
  • Jeremy's sincerity is questioned: “That sounds like bullshit.” (10:30)
  • Chris offers to support Roy’s skate if Roy comes to the championship: “I’ll go watch your little bullshit skate around ... if you come out and support the team you co-own tonight.” (18:22)
• Team Ownership Philosophy:
  Chris: “Our show owns the Cyclones. That’s always been my ... it’s not a Chris Cody team. It’s not a Mike Ryan team. It's a Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz team.” (07:34)

Memorable Moment

• Roy fakes out saying, “I’ll be there,” before clarifying, “in spirit.” Whole room groans. (35:24)

3. South Florida Nostalgia & Mall Talk

• Toy Store Memories:
  Spirals from mascot naming (“George Cloney”) to reminiscing about KB Toys and Lionel Play World in Aventura Mall, highlighting the show’s blend of sports and local nostalgia. (23:08–24:01)

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors & NBA Frustrations

• The Rumor:
  Giannis reportedly "likes Miami as his landing spot if not New York," per NBA reporter Howard Beck.
  • Dan reads: “Miami was suggested to me as a place Giannis would really love to land. If it’s not New York.” (24:45)
• Feasibility Debated:
  • Crew discusses why the Knicks’ potential package (centered on Karl-Anthony Towns and picks) isn’t viable for Milwaukee. (25:06)
  • Jeremy expands: “You need picks when you’re trading away a superstar ... I don’t see Atlanta moving Jalen Johnson, and Miami might actually have among the best feasible offers.” (26:02–27:17)
• The Heat’s Draft Pick Problem:
  • Limited trade assets due to previous trades and league restrictions.
  • Tony: “It wasn’t even a screwing. It was a royal screwing.” (36:35)
  • Jeremy outlines the only (complicated) options for the Heat to unlock more picks with Charlotte’s cooperation (45:14–46:13).

Notable Quote

• Chris Cody: “The Heat can realistically put together a package for Giannis, a package that starts with Kello, you’ll throw in Tyler Herro, and ... Niko Jovic.” (35:56)

5. College Football Playoff Selection Chaos

• Ivan Maisel Interview Reaction:
  Chris Cody, after mainlining college football podcasts at “1.75 speed,” is left “gaslit” by Ivan Maisel’s explanations of the committee’s logic — or lack thereof. (37:58–41:44)
• Transitive Property Madness:
  Miami beat Notre Dame head to head, but the committee never discussed that result. Chris is outraged at the lack of common sense: “This is common sense. How can BYU be better than Miami but Notre Dame be better than BYU if Miami beat the team you’re saying is better than BYU?” (40:49)
• Call for Reform:
  Both Dan and Chris propose media insiders — not athletic directors — should make playoff selections to avoid conflicts of interest and ignorance. (42:18–43:48)

Notable Quote

• Chris: “What keen insight would an athletic director have over, say, Desmond Howard? This is stupid.” (43:48)

6. Mascot Reveal: "George Cloney"

• Introduction:
  Inspired by the Cyclones’ team name and the actor George Clooney, the crew officially christens the team mascot “George Cloney.”
  • Mike Ryan quips about the cost: “That costume. You're looking at a $20,000 costume, worth every penny.” (22:49)
• Comic Bit:
  The room jokes about Cloney’s "dent" and fusses over getting him media credentials. (22:38–23:08)

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• Chris Cody: “It’s the Biggest day of my life ... It’s not a Chris Cody team. It’s a Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz team.” (03:39–07:34)
• Mike Ryan: “Moving on your own — suck of behavior.” (09:25)
• Roy (on skating): “Yeah, I had to get my skating legs under me.” (11:45)
• Chris Cody (outraged): “That’s embarrassing. ... I’ll be there — in spirit. Dirty fake out.” (35:21, 35:32)
• Dan Le Batard: “What if I told you guys that Giannis Antetokounmpo might be interested in the Miami Heat?” (24:03)
• Chris Cody: “The Heat only have two tradable draft picks right now. Why is that? That’s because the Hornets and the NBA screwed the Heat, all right?” (35:56)
• Chris (on Playoff committee): “His argument was ... we think BYU is better than Miami, and we think Notre Dame is better than BYU. ... This is common sense!” (40:08–40:49)
• Chris Cody (on ADs): “What keen insight would an athletic director have over, say, Desmond Howard? This is stupid.” (43:48)

Highlighted Segments (Timestamps)

• Courtside Championship & Cast Excuses: 03:39–14:00, 18:03–23:08
• Nostalgic Toy Store & Miami Chatter: 23:08–24:01
• Giannis Trade Speculation: 24:03–32:00, 35:56–46:13
• College Football Playoff Outrage: 37:27–44:33
• George Cloney the Mascot Reveal: 22:08–23:08

Tone & Style

• Warm, fast-paced, irreverently funny, and sprinkled with local Miami nostalgia.
• Bickering and joking, with a touch of mock outrage and affection.

Conclusion

This Local Hour embodies the Dan Le Batard Show’s unique blend of sports enthusiasm, inter-office ribbing, and obsessions both hyper-local (Miami malls, Battle Court) and national (NBA trades, CFB insanity). What should have been a party for “their” Battle Court team becomes an episode-length trial of everyone’s priorities, with comic levels of peer pressure and self-roasting — and some genuine insight into the NBA transaction market and college football’s ongoing selection mess.
And yes, if you show up in a $20,000 mascot costume, you’re officially part of the chaos.