Local Hour: Dan Fires Erik Spoelstra Again

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Local Hour: Dan Fires Erik Spoelstra Again

Date: March 4, 2026
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Hosts/Panel: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Greg Cody, Zaslow, Tony, Trista, Juju

---

Episode Overview

This episode captures the gang’s signature mix of sports talk and Miami culture with emphasis on navigating the tricky waters of media responsibility, language policing, and how critical sports discussions are spun by outside aggregators. The major theme is Dan's frustration with being misrepresented as calling for Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's job—a claim spun up by headlines based on in-show conversations, particularly those led by Mike Ryan (not present in this episode). Additional discussions include coaching styles in sports, the Heat’s relative success, NBA play-in formats, the Dolphins’ quarterback situation, media credit for breaking news, and the culture of correction/critique among colleagues.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Language Policing and Corrections in Conversation

Dan opens with the question of whether it’s okay to correct people’s misused words, especially in friendly settings.

• [00:00] Dan: "Where are you on this? Can you lend a verdict on this?"
• [00:46] Greg: Relates to wanting to correct words like "irregardless," but often holds back to avoid being labeled an "asshole."
• [01:05] Trista: Embraces being the “corrector” and describes family culture of precise language. “Don't be a rube. It's Iran. You sound like a hayseed. It’s not Iran.” (02:16)
• [02:58] Trista: She’s hesitant to keep correcting to avoid being “that person”: "It's not really a bug. It's a feature of my personality." (03:03)

Memorable Quotes

• Trista: “I'm really a bitch. Like one of the meanest people you’ve ever met. And I've been mean since birthday.” (02:10)
• Dan: “I think it’s a good feature. I think we need more of it.” (03:20)

---

2. Media Responsibility and Misattribution of Criticism

Dan is alarmed by media headlines portraying him as calling for Spoelstra’s firing, which he claims is a misrepresentation of the show’s dynamics.

• [04:44] Dan: "What am I supposed to do with the fact that words are being attached to me because they were said on this show...?"
• [05:16] Greg reads a local headline: “After another underwhelming season, Dan Le Batard is looking to turn the heat up on Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.”
• [05:32] Dan: Insists he’s never argued for Spoelstra or Riley’s jobs but feels trapped by show aggregation.
• [05:50] Trista/Tony push back, suggesting Dan kind of opened the conversation for criticism.
• [06:53] Zaslow: Spoelstra is “strictly about business.” The media’s shenanigans and fun, Dan says, isn’t welcome by such serious figures.
• [08:08] Greg: Jokes, “You should sue somebody.”

Memorable Quotes

• Dan: “I do stand on shenanigans. You’d understand why Mario Cristobal and Erik Spoelstra don’t have time for that.” (07:08)
• Trista: “It’s kind of just like what you didn’t say...” (08:10)
• Tony: "If it’s happening in front of you and you don’t do anything to stop it, you’re complicit, right?" (08:27)

---

3. NBA Playoffs, Play-in Format, and Quality of Regular Season

Discussion pivots to the NBA play-in system, deeming it a hollow accomplishment for mid-tier teams like the Heat and a dilution of regular season stakes.

• [11:31] Dan: Compares perennial mid/losing NBA franchises, equating some to being like the Washington Generals for the Globetrotters, existing just for others to beat.
• [13:43] Zaslow: Points out that many teams are obviously tanking, making the regular season irrelevant.
• [14:06] Tony & Greg: Debate whether the play-in was to prevent tanking or just to include more fanbases.
• [15:19] Trista: Pushes back: “You’re kind of comparing the Heat to trash ass franchises...not a great comparison.”
• [16:10] Dan: Asserts the point that Miami’s continuous success is exceptional, making rash critique of Spoelstra or Riley misplaced.

Notable Moment

• Dan: “If I make a chimpanzee the general manager...I'm going to stumble into a deep run somewhere.” (15:27)

---

4. Coaching Styles: “Hard Ass” vs. “Player’s Coach”

Extended analysis of what makes a great head coach in modern sports, using the Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel as a case study.

• [23:43] Dan: Reads Raheem Mostert’s criticism of Mike McDaniel's player-friendly approach, suggesting it lacks toughness.
  • Mostert (via Cowherd): “[McDaniel]...so player-friendly, it doesn’t really mix all that well. Look at...all of these different sports franchises. They have coaches that implement toughness, resilience. And that’s something that he kind of missed...”
• [24:33] Trista: Corrects Dan on McDaniel’s name, not “McDaniels” (language policing callback).
• [26:17] Dan/Zaslow: Discuss the pendulum swing in organizations between “hard ass” and “player’s coach” (Brian Flores → Mike McDaniel).
• [28:07] Dan: Argues against the idea that grown, violent, professional athletes need coaches to supply "toughness."
• [29:18] Greg Cody: “Athletes in general still want to be fired up and inspired...that’s why Ray Lewis pregame speeches are legendary.”

Memorable Quotes

• Dan: "Saying a whole locker room needs that... insults the locker room." (28:33)
• Greg: “The Dolphins are in the exact polar position from the Heat. The Dolphins have been futile for 20 years...” (30:47)

---

5. Media Credit & Journalistic Gripes

A digression into the lack of proper credit for breaking sports news and the state of professional journalism.

• [36:47] Tony: Explains the meaning of “HT” (hat tip) on Twitter, bemoans not being credited for reporting Tua’s impending release.
• [38:11] Dan: “Cody, why are you smiling in Zaslow’s face? He hasn't gotten one of these wrong.”
• [39:59] Stugotz: “I heard this weeks ago.”
• [42:06] Trista: Lightly mocks Greg for mic technique, referencing earlier language-policing.

Anthony Edwards audio rights anecdote:

• [42:25+] Dan: Shares the story about Timberwolves podcaster Dane Moore denying ESPN usage rights for exclusive Anthony Edwards postgame sound, standing up for independent journalism.
  • Juju: “When ESPN hits you...and you got the gumption to tell them, I like that.” (43:47)
  • Zaslow: Relates his own experience with ESPN using his viral content with no credit.

---

6. Miami Culture, Show Inside Jokes & Miscellany

Quick bits and recurring banter highlight the show's tone and camaraderie.

• [09:51] Dan: Gripes about Roy missing show events for a Key West barbecue competition, segueing into jokes about staff responsibilities and perks.
• [20:28] Tony: Shares about Panthers struggles, injuries, and Paul Maurice’s blend of kindness and frustration as a coach.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Dan: "I'm hating on the fact that we have to pay for all that after Roy tried to trick us into him and Rose going to Finland." (10:38)
• [21:58] Dan/Tony: Light mockery of Paul Maurice’s in-game interview: “Bob, get up the ice. He’s the only guy with hands tonight.”

---

Notable Quotes (With Timestamps)

• Trista (on correcting people): “Don’t be a rube. It’s Iran. You sound like a hayseed. It’s not Iran.” (02:16)
• Dan (on headlines misattributing show criticism): “The subhead just says that Dan Le Batard...is looking to turn the heat up on Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.” (06:15)
• Tony: “If it’s happening in front of you and you don’t do anything to stop it, you’re complicit, right?” (08:27)
• Dan: “If I make a chimpanzee the general manager of one of those teams, I'm going to stumble into a deep run somewhere.” (15:27)
• Dan (coaching): “The idea that the guy on the sideline is going to make them tougher...it bothers me.” (28:09)
• Greg: “Athletes in general still want to be fired up and inspired. That’s why Ray Lewis pregame speeches are legendary.” (29:18)
• Dan: “Saying a whole locker room needs that—insults the locker room.” (28:33)
• Tony (“hat tip” journalism): “I haven’t seen one person give Zaslow a hat tip for having the Tua news first...Hat tip: that’s what the HT is on Twitter.” (36:47)

---

Key Timestamps for Segments

• [00:00-03:20] — Language corrections and show environment
• [03:52-06:59] — Aggregated headlines and Dan’s “attack” on Spoelstra
• [11:31-16:12] — NBA play-in, tanking, Heat vs. “trash” franchises
• [23:43-30:47] — Hard vs. soft coaching, Dolphins/McDaniel debate
• [36:20-39:59] — Media credit, breaking news, “hat tip” discussion
• [42:25-44:59] — Dane Moore vs. ESPN on credit for reporting, viral content

---

Tone & Takeaways

• Conversational, playful, self-deprecatingly smart — An episode heavy on inside jokes, Miami-centric perspectives, and spirited, sometimes circular debates about sports, journalism, and language.
• Underlying frustration — Dan feels increasingly boxed in by his role and how media aggregation distorts nuanced show banter, leading to mental health weariness and a running gag about being blamed for others’ takes.
• Authenticity in analysis — Passionate defense of Miami sports figures (Spoelstra, Riley), but also honest about team flaws and changes in league structures.
• Meta-commentary — Includes consistent reflection on both the media’s role in shaping narratives and the evolving culture of sports journalism, shout-outs to maintaining credit and supporting “the little guy.”

---

This episode spotlights the modern conundrum for sports media personalities: sustaining authentic, nuanced discussion in an era of social media aggregation, meme headlines, and a hypersensitive, often misinformed audience—while still having fun.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

Greg, you're a words person. You choose the right words. You are precious about words. Where are you on the following? Because I have not been able to correct something when somebody who I love says the wrong word, I will correct them in order for them not to do it in the future. But the response has been on a couple of different occasions, don't be an asshole. You know what I meant. And if you know what I meant, you're being an asshole if you correct me. But I'm not correcting them to make them feel smaller in that moment. I'm assuming that they don't want to keep doing that around people who don't love them, so they don't make that mistake.

[Greg Cody]

Yes.

[Dan Le Batard]

And so where are you on this? Can you lend a verdict on this?

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, that's a tough one, because I've been in that situation. Like, if somebody says a non word like irregardless, I want so much to correct them and just say regardless.

[Zaslow]

Hold on.

[Greg Cody]

Irregardless.

[Zaslow]

No, that's a word. That's 100.

[Tony]

It is a word.

[Zaslow]

Look at where you're at. Look at where you're standing. Look at where you drove to. Irregardless. Absolutely.

[Greg Cody]

Okay, Okay.

[Trista]

I don't think it is.

[Greg Cody]

So I don't say. I don't correct them. I don't say it's not irregardless. It's regardless. But if it's the misuse of a word that I just can't abide, then. Now I'll give you an example from yesterday's show. You referred to Jaws as a horror movie. I would argue Jaws is not a horror movie.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's the number one horror movie of all time, according to people who classify horror movies.

[Greg Cody]

But I disagree with them.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay, you can disagree, but it is like it's.

[Greg Cody]

Well, what's an example you would use where you correct someone over misuse of a word?

[Dan Le Batard]

I mean, I. I do it all the time whenever people misuse words. You're right about it. Regardless. I think Kevin James called his terrible special irregardless, purposely, because it's not a word. And while I appreciate Trista's general comfort level around here, she came in today with flip flops and socks, which I love, and a dog.

[Trista]

There's slides.

[Dan Le Batard]

She's still a little more careful than I'd like to be because she. She does. She's been polite lately about not correcting me when I get words wrong.

[Trista]

It's true. Like, I am really a bitch.

[Zaslow]

Truly. Truly.

[Trista]

Like one of the meanest people you've ever met. And I've been mean since birthday. And my mom is very similar to Dan. We had the encyclopedia out and we were correct. We still correct each other. It's Iran. I mean, don't be a rube. Don't be a rube. It's Iran. You sound like a hayseed. It's not Iran.

[Zaslow]

It is Iran.

[Dan Le Batard]

I do and have always called it Iran since I discovered it many, many years ago for the first time. But I don't pronounce it Iran.

[Stugats]

Also, don't run.

[Dan Le Batard]

You didn't

[Tony]

woof.

[Stugats]

I can't hide. We're in shadowshell.

[Dan Le Batard]

You did hide. You hide under the desk when nobody can see you. Why didn't you correct me on Iran when I said Iran?

[Trista]

I feel I've been doing it too much. And I did it to start my first day here back in the Christmas time when I said it's Oregon and it's Louisville and you liked it. Then I'm like, how many times can I use this? Because it's not really a bug. It's a feature of my personality. And if I'm allowed to do it, I'm going to do it. We're going to rock out.

[Juju]

Welcome to my life, guys.

[Dan Le Batard]

I think it's a good feature. I think we need more of it. I think you, you correcting me and me getting it wrong is an absolute winning position for everyone but me. Which reminds me, but you're in power. Yeah, well, but, you know, this is a good time for men in power to be disabused of that power. This is, this is a good time for you.

[Ad Read Announcer 1]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugats podcast.

[Dan Le Batard]

I would like a verdict here from Zaz and Greg Cody about how I'm supposed to feel. And I'm specifically asking you two because you're longtime veterans of the market and you know what the navigations are around relationships when you cover people that you respect, but you also have to be critical of them. Over the years, this show has gotten me in trouble with the Miami Heat because it sounds the way that it was aggregated. Like, I was the first to suggest in this market ever that Eric Spoelstra and Pat Riley should be in some trouble. That is not something I've ever suggested, but given Mike's general rise in the media business, Don Lemon shouted him out the other day after going after Boomer.

[Zaslow]

Excuse me.

[Dan Le Batard]

Don Lemon shouted out Mike Ryan. Because he's like, did you see what Mike ryan of the LeBatard show did to Boomer Esiason. And now I've got aggregated headlines in this market making it seem like I'm turning up the heat on Pat Riley and Eric Spoelstra when that's not what happened yesterday. That was Mike Ryan turning up. The Heat headline says that that's what happened. How am I supposed to feel about Dan Levitar show.

[Stugats]

But read the sub. Read the sub headline. Read it out loud.

[Dan Le Batard]

You can't see it.

[Greg Cody]

After another. Another Underwhelming season, Dan LeBatard is looking to turn the heat up on Miami Heat head coach Eric Spolzen.

[Tony]

Pretty straightforward.

[Zaslow]

Unfair.

[Juju]

I like that mid is now being used in that form. Like, huh, look how far we've come.

[Greg Cody]

There you go.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's not coming far. I don't want. Like what. What am I supposed to do with that? Answer my question. What am I supposed to do with the fact that words are being attached to me because they were said on this show, even though I was pretty strong in saying no one in this market has ever said SPO and Riley and no one in this market ever will say that about Spolster and Riley.

[Trista]

But you kind of made it sound like we should.

[Tony]

I think you stick to your guns. Say what you feel.

[Dan Le Batard]

But I did say what I felt yesterday, and it got turned into that.

[Stugats]

You're ready to turn the heat up. Face it.

[Greg Cody]

Just shift the heat. To Mike Ryan, who's not here to defend himself.

[Zaslow]

I was going to say, I saw the. The visual. It was 99. Mike. I didn't see you in it once. I saw Greg in it a couple times, too.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, yeah.

[Tony]

But the headline is what's most important.

[Dan Le Batard]

I mean, the subhead is not helping me. The subhead just says that Dan Levitter, it says flatly, he is looking to turn the heat up on Miami Heat head coach Eric Spoelstra. Now, spo SPO is somebody who does not. He's very polite, very professional with the media, but doesn't have very much use for me and just doesn't want to sit down and do a South beach session, even though I think he would be interesting. He just, over the years, he doesn't dislike me, but he's not interested in helping me do my job. And he's not interested in opening shenanigans.

[Stugats]

Guy.

[Zaslow]

He's not. And you run strictly in shenanigans. So, like, when he see. When you see a serious man who's about his business, who stands on business,

[Dan Le Batard]

he looks at you.

[Zaslow]

Not standing on business, standing on shenanigans. And what Are you supposed to say, look at this guy. Standard big fat Dan Levitar over here. What are we going to do? What do I talk to him about?

[Tony]

Bastard.

[Dan Le Batard]

I've told you guys, I've told you guys this story before. This is something I've never learned the lessons on. Okay, you guys, some of you guys don't know this story. Original Marlins manager Renee Lachman, they're 30 and 31 in their inaugural season through 61 games. Good. And he comes and I've written something off of the game they lost that questioned all of his fifth inning decisions. And so when you say I stand on shenanigans, he's upset about something. He's like, are you going to cover us this way all year? And I'm like, come on, latch it, sports. It's fun. And he's like, no, this is my business and my life. And I'm like, you're in your underwear. Like you're standing. You're right now in your underwear when you're yelling at me. All of this is silly. I do stand on shenanigans. And you'd understand why Mario Cristobal and Eric Spoelstra don't have any time for that. But that shenanigans right there, those headlines are not fair to me. It says flatly that I'm looking to turn up the heat on Eric Spoelstra, and I'm not looking to turn up the heat on Eric Spoelstra.

[Greg Cody]

You should sue somebody.

[Trista]

It's kind of just like what you didn't say. I feel you're kind of like, well, no one's really willing to have the cause conversation in this market. If it was any other coach and any other team with this type of record.

[Dan Le Batard]

Trista. That was Mike who said that.

[Juju]

That was literally Mike.

[Tony]

But is it one of those deals where, you know, if it's happening in front of you and you don't do anything to stop it, you're complicit, right?

[Zaslow]

Good Samaritan.

[Stugats]

I love how Trista was here and thinks you said it.

[Tony]

You know about that Good Samaritan law.

[Dan Le Batard]

I tried to stop it. What I said when Mike Ryan said, I've been trying to stop it on Mike Ryan for three years. What I said and what I will continue to say is the only other time I've seen a circumstance like that in this market where somebody in management felt like they had that kind of bulletproof stability was Don Shuler. And he lost it when someone better, younger was available. Jimmie Johnson and wanted the job. Unless Greg Popovich or Brad Stevens wants the job of running this franchise. I don't think you can have this conversation.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, but if you read between the lines yesterday, I think what you essentially said is that Spolster is not. Does not have Teflon, and if he does, the Teflon's cracking.

[Dan Le Batard]

I said the opposite of that.

[Zaslow]

No, no.

[Trista]

You said there's no better options.

[Greg Cody]

I'm talking about because he's the best.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's not because there aren't.

[Zaslow]

There are no better options. It's in the quote.

[Greg Cody]

There's no better option. Yes.

[Stugats]

I love that two people here keep telling you that. You said it.

[Dan Le Batard]

I am very frustrated in general by what this show does to me as just a mental health hazard. And where's Roy?

[Zaslow]

Don't get me started on Roy when

[Dan Le Batard]

I talk about mental health hazards. Roy and Rose have tricked the person who broke that bottle over Jeremy's head in the open into a Key west barbecue trip where they're not here. They're not participating in 305 day tomorrow. We have, like, all sorts of plans tomorrow. And Roy's not participating because he's fishing and barbecuing in the Keys.

[Zaslow]

Like, what's the point? Like, where. Where the content. What are we doing? Is just like a weekend for Roy to get away and just hang out, like.

[Stugats]

And down here. They won it last year. In their defense.

[Zaslow]

They won what?

[Stugats]

The competition.

[Greg Cody]

It's a competition. No, it's big. Roy's good at barbecue.

[Stugats]

Well, if we're being real, Dave Williamson's good at barbecue.

[Juju]

See, what y' all doing right now is y' all hating on the player instead of the damn game. And shame on all three of you.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, I'm hating on the fact that we have to pay for all that after Roy tried to trick us into him and Rose going to Finland. Finland? Yeah. He wanted to spend time with Barkhoff in the off season. Just going around to whatever parades Barkov was partaking in.

[Zaslow]

I retract.

[Juju]

I retract. I'm hating now on the play.

[Zaslow]

Luckily, you cooler heads prevail. It didn't happen.

[Dan Le Batard]

How did this happen?

[Stugats]

He'll be out the rest of the week. No big deal.

[Tony]

He needs a whole week to barbecue.

[Stugats]

Yeah, he'll be back Monday.

[Zaslow]

Well, he's got a barbecue, then he's got a fish, Then he's got a drink over in Key West. Like, there's a lot of stuff.

[Stugats]

Then Rose needs to lose a camera. There's a lot that needs to happen.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, we love Key West. I wish I was there with him. Yeah, we do. I could be a sous chef. I'd be handing him like the spatula. Pay for me to do that next year. No, the reason all that happened on yesterday's show is that Mike Ryan, he doesn't mince words. Mike Ryan, I thought warranted that headline. I don't think you did, but Mike Ryan.

[Dan Le Batard]

Let's talk about something here regarding the Heat. Because they beat up the Nets last night. And it really is funny the concoction that the NBA has created with these play in games where making the playoffs or the play in game doesn't really mean anything. When you consider the following and help me with the teams that exist in that sport right now, only to lose because the Nets are one of them. So you've got the Kings, you've got the Wizards, you've got the Jazz, the Pelicans, Phoenix. The Pacers are hurt, but no, Phoenix is not. Phoenix does not count. They don't exist. No, the Heat, they're losing.

[Zaslow]

Not on purpose. Greg.

[Dan Le Batard]

My point is that there are teams in the sport that are basically the Washington Generals. They exist because the Harlem Globetrotters need to make money and have to play somebody. And so everyone who's any good is going to make the play in game. Because you've got. Do we name all of them? Because there are teams in that. The Bulls.

[Tony]

The Bulls now are tanking.

[Greg Cody]

Yes.

[Dan Le Batard]

But it's not just tanking, is that they're running around in uniforms for no discernible purpose. Like it's. So how many teams are there? If. Is it. Is it 10? Because if 20 are going to get to the playing game, then all of a sudden you're allowing every team that's trying into the playoffs. And if the Heat make it there, it's no accomplishment. Even if they make it there and then beat Giannis and get all the way to the finals because they make it there by being not good enough. They're, they're, they're a benefit, they're a benefactor from a playoff system that is remarkably generous. The Panthers would be in the playoffs if hockey did it this way, the Panthers would not be disappointing season. Not Paul Maurice clearly on the bench, you know, being a very nice man, but upset. We're going to play that sound for you in just a second. But if the Panthers and plenty of teams make the playoffs in hockey too. But if basketball did it the way or if hockey did it the way that basketball does it, you'd have the Panthers right now as two time champions with a chance to do something in the playoffs.

[Zaslow]

In the NBA there's nine teams that are absolutely tanking. The Bucs are the ones of the teams that are not in the plane right now that are probably still playing because Giannis is still around. But there's nine teams that just have no chance whatsoever.

[Dan Le Batard]

But do you realize how irrelevant you've made the regular season when that's what it is when everyone's load managing to get to the playoffs and all 20 teams that are trying are going to have playoff equivalent games with a play in.

[Greg Cody]

But wasn't the play in tournament created in part to prevent tanking because it gave eight teams who otherwise might be tanking a reason to win?

[Tony]

I mean, maybe it's semantics. I wouldn't say that it was created to prevent tanking. I think it was created just to so that more teams late in the season, more fan base are involved, have a chance. So maybe you want to call that to preventing. I think it's just more about having more fan bases involved.

[Dan Le Batard]

I've been talking while trying to set Mike Ryan straight for several years about how hard it is to be relevant for 30 years the way that the Heat have been as the winningest franchise in the sport of the last three decades. Okay, it's only the spurs and the Lakers that have won more games than the Miami Heat have over the last three decades. So the Nets last night, go ahead, use your entire history of knowing the Nets to find all the times that they've done real winning. Because the one time they got to the Finals they got swept. And you guys were telling me that Jimmy Butler against Denver's a failure, that against the Lakers in the bubble it's a failure. The Nets got swept in the Finals. It's the best they've ever done, like as a franchise throughout their entire history. The Sacramento Kings have gotten close, got cheated by some refs and Shaq and Kobe. But the Sacramento Kings haven't gotten to the Finals. The Wizards haven't gotten to the Finals, The Timberwolves haven't gotten to the Finals.

[Trista]

Yeah, you're kind of comparing the Heat to trash ass franchises and I don't feel like that's a great comparison.

[Dan Le Batard]

The reason that I'm doing that is over 30 years of being rewarded for losing at some point. I believe if I make a chimpanzee the general manager of one of those teams, I'm going to start stumble into a deep run somewhere like you have to be. You're right, I am doing it to trash franchises. But look how many I can do it to where I'm saying they've never had the Heat have made the Finals twice in the last six years. I could look at franchises that haven't done that for 30 years. The same 30 years. And so that's why I'm doing it, to explain. Look, it's hard. Even if I turn over all the players, all the rosters, all the leadership, I'm still not having that success. It's why I'm saying we've been spoiled. It's why I won't go after Spoelstra and these people. You're not gonna get better than them.

[Trista]

You did go. You did go after him.

[Juju]

Kick saving a mute.

[Tony]

Dano.

[Zaslow]

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. March is one of those months where we talk about celebrating women. And it's very, very deserved. Because when you actually look around, a lot of women in our lives are carrying a ton. Work, family, relationships, expectations nobody notices or sees. I start thinking about the women around me. My wife, my mom, my sister, my friends, my co workers, people who somehow take care of everybody else while still trying to hold it together themselves. And it's a ton to carry. Therapy can be a place to put some of that weight down. It can help you figure out what's yours, what isn't, and how to set better boundaries so you're not running on empty all the time. BetterHelp works with fully licensed therapists in the US and they handle the matching process for you. You fill out a short questionnaire and if your therapist isn't the right fit, you can switch at any time. With more than 30,000 therapists and over 6 million people served, it's the world's largest online therapy platform, with an average of 4.9 out of 5 session ratings. Your emotional well being matters. Find support and feel lighter in therapy. Sign up and get 10% [e-mail] DLB that's BetterHelp. H E-L-P.com DLB hey, it's Mike Ryan,

[Ad Read Announcer 2]

and I want to talk to you about the random midweek hang that you have with your friends. Maybe it's an NBA game. You get a text, hey, come over. You want to watch the game? And maybe you're like, I don't know, I kind of just wanted to stay home. And then you think about it after your buddy hits you up, and you know, just the thing that'll make that regular hang, that regular midweek hang around the basketball game into a special time, into a Miller time. That's right. This Happened to me just last week. I grabbed a six pack of Miller Lite, said I was on my way, and next thing you know, we're arguing about rotations, like we're on the coaching staff yelling about a missed call, and the game's coming down in the final possession. It was one of those nights that you look around, you take a sip and you think, yeah, this was the right call, and my friendship's stronger for it. Cheers to legendary moments with Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you, or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.

[Ad Read Announcer 1]

People always talk about New Year's resolutions. You know, eat better, work out more, etc. Etc. We might still be early in 2026, but I'm sure most of you have already broken your resolutions. Me, I'm still going. My resolutions are simple. Be comfortable, especially at the rink. If you know me, you know that hockey isn't just something I watch, it's something I live. Late nights, cold arenas, long playoff runs. You're on your feet a lot. And if your socks aren't right, you feel it badly. That's why I've been rocking Bomba's sports socks. They're cushioned exactly where you need it. Sweat, Wicking supportive. Basically built for movement. Whether I'm at the game, skating a little myself, or pacing around during overtime, like I somehow affect the outcome, they keep me locked in and comfortable. And when I finally get home to break down everything that happened on the ice, Bombas has the everyday stuff, too. Slippers, tees, underwear, all ridiculously soft. It's the kind of comfort you don't think about because you don't have to. Head to bombas.com dan and use code dan for 20% off your first purchase as B O-M-B-A-S.com D A N. Code D A N. Don LeBatard.

[Stugats]

All right, we gotta go back out there. That was big.

[Greg Cody]

Wake him up.

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, he doesn't want. He doesn't want to be bothered anymore. Now it's getting tense because he didn't need that. As a result, he needs something that happened. Can we bother?

[Stugats]

Are we bothering you right now?

[Dan Le Batard]

Turn on your microphone, Greg.

[Greg Cody]

My microphone's on.

[Dan Le Batard]

Stugats.

[Stugats]

Paint the scene.

[Greg Cody]

The paint the scene is. I got to go to work. Good night.

[Tony]

This is The Dan Levatar show with the sts.

[Dan Le Batard]

Let's play that Paul Maurice sound real quick because Zaslo and everyone here is hurting because the Panthers are basically, you understand, over the last two years, they have not. They've been the best in the sport, but they're still good enough. They are every bit as good as the Miami Heat are. Whatever it is you think the Heat are, the Panthers are that. And it's being considered a wildly disappointing season, even though it's. It shouldn't be. It's only because of where they placed the standard the last two years.

[Tony]

Yeah, I mean, I guess the place where it shouldn't be considered wildly disappointing is because it's not like they're a.500 team coming off of three consecutive Stanley cup appearances. They're a.500 team that has just been crushed by injuries all season long, including their best player not seeing a single second of ice time this year. And last night, I think two, three nights ago was the worst loss of the season. The game of the Islanders. And last night was. And the season ended that night. But last night, I think is a sign of what's to come.

[Stugats]

It ended last night for me.

[Tony]

Well, I think. I think last night's a sign of what's to come the rest of the season. Like, I think it's going to get ugly now.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay, but you guys. You guys have been saying for several weeks now that the Panthers season is over. What did you make. Paul Maurice is a very nice man. And I want to get into what it is that Raheem Mostert said to Colin cowherd about Mike McDaniels. But I don't Palm Reese seems to walk a really good rope between being somebody who's really kind and really nice, but also not too much of a player's coach.

[Tony]

Yeah. So last night, this is like late in the first period. And this is from TNT Sports. And you got Panger. Darren Pang is doing the. The in. In game interview with Paul Maurice. And. And it's funny because the Panthers lost 51 last night. Bobrovsky was actually really good. Two of them were empty net goals. Bob was really good. And so here is Paul Maurice on his team's effort. And apparently he. He lets everybody know that Bobrovsky is the only one who has showed up.

[Dan Le Batard]

I like that turnover banger at all. You can't play that game. Nobody plays that game and wins. So I don't like it.

[Greg Cody]

Your goaltender's bailing you out.

[Tony]

That's the good news.

[Dan Le Batard]

Bobo's been fantastic. So we just got to get the rest of them. Maybe I'll get him up the ice in the middle, see if he can tow Greg. He's the only guy with hands tonight.

[Tony]

He's got pretty good hands.

[Dan Le Batard]

Bob, get up the ice.

[Zaslow]

Thanks.

[Greg Cody]

Thanks, Coach. I love that guy.

[Stugats]

He's staring at the camera on the way out, too. He stares across the ice at the camera.

[Tony]

He's. He's like, he's such a nice man, Paul Maurice. But he's so angry.

[Stugats]

Was he mad there? Was he doing big?

[Tony]

No, he's angry. He's angry and he's trying not to be a dude.

[Stugats]

Went from angry to, let me do a little stand up set here for you.

[Greg Cody]

He plays both sides. I think Paul Murray's gonna be a hard ass. I agree with what you say. I don't think he's considered to be a player's coach.

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, but he's a nice man. He's a very nice man, so. But when I think of nice man. Okay, let's do this real quick. Okay. Because here are the comments from Raheem Mostert. And for Dolphin fans who want to partake in confirmation bias, he's saying all of the things that you would want said about Mike McDaniels now that it has failed and he is gone. And I legitimately fear what he's going to do next as a coordinator because he's clearly an inventive offensive mind. Like, I, I have rarely seen a coach in this market dismissed as a failure when he has shown me something that is a valuable skill set, that is empirical, that man can coach offense, that is not up for dispute. So Mostert says to Colin Cowherd, quote, he's a great coach. If guys are talking, he'll listen and give some advice. But head coach wise, when you have a coach that is so player friendly, it doesn't really mix all that well. Look at the coaches in history, not just in the NFL, of all of these different sports franchises. They have coaches that implement toughness, resilience. And that's something that he kind of missed the mark on in being a head coach. He called him nonchalant, laid back, a player's coach. And he said that players respond better to a head coach whose attitude is, we're getting the job done and it's my way or the highway. I hate hearing a player say this because I'm constantly objecting to how it is that adult human beings are infantilized, that the guys with muscles need a brain to teach them toughness. Like it bothers Me. And I understand why it is that it happens. I don't think of Pete Carroll as one example as somebody who is so tough that he's not a player's coach. I think all of us here would want to work for a player's coach. And this moat is making it sound like he can't be great unless someone else makes him tough.

[Trista]

I'm sorry, I have to correct you. It's Mike McDaniel. Not Mike McDaniels, it's Josh McDaniels.

[Greg Cody]

Right.

[Zaslow]

That's a Cuban thing, though, Trista. Like you, we put S's at the end of things that don't need to be there. Like the heats. Like sometimes we say things like that. We're just like, yeah, it comes out of nowhere. Yeah, it's because he's a play on for me, Dan.

[Dan Le Batard]

Thank you, Tony. I appreciate that. But I have been adding S's. This is an age thing. This is not a Spanish thing. Maybe. I appreciate.

[Zaslow]

It is a Spanish thing, though.

[Dan Le Batard]

I appreciate. Yeah, but it's an old, it's an old person's Spanish thing. If I call them, look, man, retire me on the spot. If I start calling them the Miami

[Zaslow]

heats, I'll let it play on for that.

[Juju]

Also to kind of tie it back. Greg, you said that Paul Maurice is a hard ass coach. Can you give me some examples of some soft ass coaches?

[Greg Cody]

Well, the argument right now is that Mike McDaniel was a soft ass coach. Right? I mean, that's what they're saying. But that they're retrofit. Raheem Moard is retrofitting that to McDaniel fizzling in the last couple of seasons. Raheem Moser wasn't saying anything bad about Mike McDonald 20 touchdowns when he was scoring 20 touchdowns and when they were putting up 70 points on Denver and when Tua was the made the Pro bowl and everything looked good for a minute. But now that they've changed coaches, you look back and you say, all right, here's what happened. He was too soft.

[Dan Le Batard]

Where are you guys on this? Right, because the problem with this to me is Mostert is now giving voice to something that most fans already thought about McDaniel. And furthermore, it's what most fans want their coach to be. They want their coach to be, especially in football, drill sergeant guy, military guy. And I don't, I don't think that works with today's 20 year old.

[Trista]

Isn't that what got Brian Flores fired?

[Dan Le Batard]

They went the opposite when someone was tough. I think that Brian Flores, though, Was tough on everybody. He was also tough. Tough up, like tough down is one thing. If you're being tough up when the owner doesn't want you to be that. That I assure you, the owner doesn't want a hard ass with him.

[Trista]

That's why I'm scared to correct you.

[Zaslow]

The thing is, when you look at sports and you look at politics, when you look at whatever it is, like there's one side that gets in power. And then it's like, man, this, this doesn't work this way. Let's go the complete opposite way, right? Brian Flores was such a hard ass, we had to go to the complete opposite end of the spectrum and get a cool, laid back guy from California. Now that doesn't work now. You got to get somebody kind of in the middle.

[Tony]

So it's like halfway.

[Zaslow]

Look at the same thing.

[Stugats]

Literally half.

[Ad Read Announcer 1]

Literally.

[Zaslow]

Literally. But like Denver had Mike Malone, hard ass coach, got into a championship, won a championship. Then after that fizzled out, they did get.

[Dan Le Batard]

Literally because he's also small. So they literally got the halfway point between McDaniel and Flores. They got someone who is half of both of them. I don't know. I know McDonald is boring. Okay. And what is Sirianni like? Help me. Okay. Andy Reid doesn't strike me as somebody who's. Who's real. I mean, he gets into his fights with Travis Kelce, but I think that Andy Reid strikes me as friendly. I may just be doing that.

[Stugats]

You don't think hard body type.

[Greg Cody]

No. You think hard as Dan Campbell. You think hard ass Dan.

[Stugats]

But even him, he's a player.

[Greg Cody]

He cried.

[Stugats]

Yeah.

[Greg Cody]

He's a kneecap biter.

[Stugats]

Yeah, that's true.

[Greg Cody]

That's what you want publicly. That's why Jeff Halfley in the wake of Mike McDaniel, that's why Jeff Halfley comes in and uses words like we want to be physical. We want other teams to be afraid of us and not want to play us. That's what you have to say. That's coach speak. Particularly when you're a coach replacing a coach who was.

[Dan Le Batard]

But do you believe, like, the part that I'm most objecting to is that the people who have gotten to the top of that sport, okay, Fighting other men for money with violence. The idea that the guy on the sideline is going to make them tougher. Like, it bothers me that the idea that the guy. That the guy who looks like Pete Carroll or Andy Reid is going to. He's going to make Patrick Mahomes tougher.

[Zaslow]

But then why do we have coaches. Why do we have people to push us? Like, why?

[Dan Le Batard]

Because somebody has to control the minutes. Somebody has to manage the egos and the personalities. You can have discipline while being an ally. Look, you've heard me say this before, okay? I believe that these coaches are in charge, but should act for the very best players as administrative assistants. How can I help you be better? You're the one who's got the football. What can I do to make you be better and I'm not? I'll acknowledge that some guys need tough love, discipline, and maturity. But to say a whole locker room does like to say that, it insults the locker room to say that all of those grown men who are tough and violent for a living aren't tough enough because the coach isn't making them tougher.

[Greg Cody]

I think athletes in general still want to be fired up and inspired. That's why. Whether it's from a player or a coach, that's why Ray Lewis pregame speeches are legendary, because athletes want that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, but Foxworth said he got tired of those after the first couple, that they all started to sound the same. Like, not everyone needs that.

[Tony]

I mean, we used to hear the stories from Tim Hardaway, right. About Pat Riley. It's like, yeah, he's a great motivator.

[Ad Read Announcer 1]

That's a shame.

[Juju]

For me, I think the perfect storm of the coach that was needed, that wasn't necessarily needed, but needed a lot was Mike Vrabel last year. Him being a player from that organization, a player's coach and a little bit hard assed. It worked wonders for the Patriots.

[Tony]

The McDaniels, stuff from Raheem Mostert, though, I. I think is. I think it's a little bit tired because, you know, first couple years of McDaniel winning 11 games, winning 10 games, postseason appearances, I don't know, seemed like the players were responding pretty well. And guess when the players didn't respond pretty well. But we realized that Mike McDaniel may not be as great a coach as the other guys. And, you know, the offense was kind of figured out and he wasn't able to, you know, make the right adjustments. Plus, with Tyreek Hill.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, okay, no, no, no.

[Stugats]

Wait a minute.

[Dan Le Batard]

Wait, no, no. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Yeah. When their quarterback's brain was scrambled and their wide receiver no longer was fast. Oh, toughness is a problem now.

[Tony]

Yep.

[Dan Le Batard]

Like, I mean, what. What are we doing?

[Tony]

No, you're right.

[Dan Le Batard]

That.

[Tony]

That's why I think it's. I think it's kind of lame. What Raheem Mostert is saying here, a little bit revisionist history, but the overarching

[Greg Cody]

issue here with with coaches is that the Dolphins are in the exact polar position from the Heat. The Dolphins have been futile for 20 years. They've done no winning in 20 years, and therefore they cycle through these coaches every four or five years to try the next guy. With the Heat, it's just the opposite. Which is why Spoelstra and Riley have built up such goodwill with everybody, with fans, with the media, because they have a track record. And when you look at the Heat and say, oh, they haven't won anything in the last four years because they've only reached the final and they've only reached play in tournaments, that's a pretty high standard.

[Tony]

This is why it's also so shocking that Dan is calling for a serious conversation about spo.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, it really is.

[Stugats]

What are you reaching for? If you're a smoker or dipper, you could be reaching for so much more. Zyn Nicotine Pouches when you reach for Zyn, you're reaching for 10 satisfying varieties in two strengths for a smoke free and spit free experience that lets you lean in for chances to break free from your routine and a unique nationwide community. Whatever you're reaching for, reach for it with America's number one nicotine pouch brand. Find yours in wherever nicotine products are sold near you. Warning. This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

[Tony]

DraftKings sportsbook puts you in the middle of basketball's biggest star driven moments. Bet player props. Bet live. And when a game turns fast, DraftKings has your back with early exit. If your player gets injured anytime in the first half, your bet stays alive and once it settles, you still get paid in cash. Download the DraftKings sportsbook app and use Code Dan. New customers bet just $5, and if your bet wins, you'll get $200 in bonus bets instantly. That's what Code Dance in partnership with DraftKings, the crown is yours.

[Stugats]

Gambling problem call 1-800- gambler, New York, call 877-8-HOPE and why or text Hope and why Connecticut. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org on behalf of Boothill Casino in Kansas. Wager tax pass through may apply in Illinois, 21 and over in most states. Void in Ontario. Restrictions apply. Bet must win to receive bonus bets which expire in seven days. Minimum odds required. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG Co Audio limited Time Offering

[Juju]

Don lebatard you Got to know I'm a big Colombo guy. Salute to that boy.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay, I don't think that's true. I don't think that's true. I think that's a lie. I don't think that's absolute. I don't think that is evidence. Salute to that boy. It suggests camouflage. It suggests that juju has no idea what we're talking about and now is just Googling it. Stugats.

[Juju]

I'm not Googling it. My grandmama stayed in the country. I watched the Braves. I watched Colombo. I watched Matloc watch Andy Griffin. You, sir, but you go to the penal box. D. Take your ass to the penal box. Call me a liar.

[Tony]

You talk juju.

[Juju]

Back to you. St.

[Tony]

This is the D ler show with the St. Gus.

[Stugats]

We got a crack staff back here working on a hard to soft coach meter. So we're going to. We're going to put all the NFL coaches in a meter. Hard, soft, you know, or half. I don't know what we're calling.

[Dan Le Batard]

We're going to call in the middle. Halfley. We're going to. One of the things that.

[Zaslow]

Is there an E at the end of that? Halfley.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm going to put an S at the end of it. Halfley's. Let's find all the Halfleys that there are in the NFL that straddle the line right in the middle. Because I don't want to actually be absolutist about this, but I do want to have the conversation with you guys, okay? About Ron McGill is going to be on with us later. And their dogs, domestic dogs, do appreciate discipline. Horses appreciate some forms of discipline. These are human beings, though. And that's why I'm objecting to the idea that you coach a locker room and everyone in it with my way or the highway. Because I don't think that that's what Vrabel is. I think Vrabel as a. I don't think that's what Dan Campbell is. I think the optics of that is how they present because fans and media love when the team spokesman face and voice gives off. I'm in charge. But I do believe that if you ask Dan Campbell, he would tell you that all the time he's working to help his players and that they love and respect him because they know that he's in charge, but also they know that he cares about them. Like to me, that's what. When. When I talk about players coach, I want more of them because if the coach cares about the employee, I would think that would get the maximum effort from the majority of employees. You're going to have a few talented stragglers who are immature and need to follow the rules. And so you put in the blanket rules of you're going to be on time, and you're going to be punished when you're not on time. And that was a problem with McDaniel. I understand that. I don't think that the Dolphins weren't successful in Kansas City during a playoff game because their players were late to meetings. I don't think that that's what was happening. And I think you guys skipped past some stuff on what happened to Tua, where all of a sudden, their quarterback goes from statistically being Patrick Mahomes to somebody who's doing nothing but throwing the ball behind the line of scrimmage. So it seems like, once again, journalist Zaslow is not getting the credit he deserves nationally because he reported weeks ago, two is gone, and now everyone's caught up. Zaslow is not wrong. He's just early, but he's not getting the credit. Zaslow is mad about this.

[Tony]

Well, I'm mad about it because this happens all the time as Greg sits there and sits back and laughs and smiles. Okay? You could smile all you want. The fact of the matter is, at least a couple of weeks ago, I don't keep track of the actual date, okay? Because it's not really about, you know, when. It's about just getting things right. But sometimes when you get things right, as a journalist, like myself, as a reporter, I'd like to get. Give me a little hat tip. You know, that's what the HT is on Twitter. You do the H and then you do the slash and a T. That's hat tip.

[Ad Read Announcer 2]

Oh, that's what that means.

[Tony]

That's when you give somebody credit. Little hat tip. All right. Hey, thanks for the tip right there. I haven't seen one person give Zaslow. I'm at Zaslow on Twitter. I'm a great follow. I haven't seen anyone do a hat tip to Zaslo for having the two in ooze first. Now, did I designate a Pre or post? June 1 cut. I don't get involved in all that cockamamie nonsense. All right? But I told you a couple weeks ago, the Dolphins are going to release Tuatanga by loa. They're gonna eat the cap hit. And now everyone and their mother has been saying the same thing for the last couple days. How about a hat tip?

[Greg Cody]

All right, so let's get me straight. Let's get this straight.

[Dan Le Batard]

What?

[Greg Cody]

When. When the Dolphins Ayo benched Tua with three games left in the regular season. You read the tea leaves. You said this is the end of his Dolphins career, correct? Or was it. Was it after that or before that?

[Tony]

No, when they bench like it's over.

[Greg Cody]

Okay, so basically you reported what everyone was thinking.

[Tony]

No, that was an opinion. When I did that, that was. I don't know, immediately, once they bench him that week, that they're going to wind up cutting him. Maybe that was my opinion at the time. But a couple of weeks ago, I straight up said, right here. I said, put it on the crawl. I'm reporting it. The Dolphins are going. I'm tired of waiting. The Dolphins are going to cut to a Tonga bailoa. They're going to eat the money. That's a report.

[Dan Le Batard]

Cody, why are you smiling in Zaslow's face? He hasn't gotten one of these wrong. He's broken all of these stories and he's getting no credit for the breakdown.

[Greg Cody]

Sure.

[Tony]

What to think about. You give me bunny ears. You know, when. When I'm talking about giving quote marks.

[Dan Le Batard]

It wasn't bunny ears. He gave you.

[Zaslow]

Big difference.

[Dan Le Batard]

You recorded. He gave you air quotes.

[Greg Cody]

Okay. And your report was taken as disrespect. Report was based on what source? Or was it just a feeling of yours?

[Tony]

I've already told you this before. I can't believe we're rehashing this.

[Dan Le Batard]

I reveal a source.

[Tony]

I would go to prison before releasing my source.

[Greg Cody]

I doubt that. But. Okay, your point is.

[Dan Le Batard]

But wait a minute. He.

[Greg Cody]

You'd go to prison just because you

[Tony]

wouldn't protect a source? Don't push that on me. I would go to hell and back to defend. To protect any of my sources. So all my sources out there, I will always protect.

[Greg Cody]

All I'm saying. And I'm saying I happen to be saying this about you, but I could be saying it to a number of journalists. When you're reporting, and I'm using air quotes. When you're reporting that a Tua Tungavaloa with a concussion history coming off his worst season bench toward the end of the season, when you're reporting that they're going to divest themselves of. Not a big news break on that.

[Zaslow]

Wow.

[Greg Cody]

It's sort of like reporting that the Florida Panthers are not going to make the playoffs when they're eight points back.

[Tony]

No, that. That's a prediction. All right. Like, that's.

[Dan Le Batard]

I can't believe Zaz has to explain this to you.

[Tony]

The journalist and if I'm not exactly going out on a limb, you know, with that, they're going to release to. Why did it take all this time until just a couple days ago for Pelissero and Schefter and Rapaport to finally come out with the news that everybody seemingly knows, and that's that too is going to be released.

[Stugats]

I heard this morning, weeks ago.

[Greg Cody]

Okay. I think it's been pretty obvious for

[Dan Le Batard]

weeks you say that, but he had it. He did have it.

[Tony]

I put my name, he put his

[Dan Le Batard]

name on and he, he, he said, put it on the scroll. I'm reporting it. All the insiders. And now people are reading tea leaves. Let's, let's show people what social media is mad about these days because Tua's birthday was a couple of days ago and we didn't celebrate it properly around here. And let me see if I can find the happy birthday. Happy birthday to him. I don't care. Good luck.

[Stugats]

We've already done more than the dolphins.

[Dan Le Batard]

A lot of people noticed that the dolphins did not wish to a happy birthday, but they did wish Willie Gay Jr. Happy birthday a couple weeks ago. And what do you make of that, Greg? Because a lot of people are using that, as you know, to confirm the Zasler report from weeks ago. They, they are using the circumstantial evidence to say, well, that's clearly a sign. Once you're not wishing him happy birthday, clearly he's gone.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. How many more signs do we need before we all agree that, that they're going to part ways?

[Tony]

How many more signs do you all need? But I didn't need any more.

[Stugats]

If you're them, though, don't you just wish him a happy birthday to Av all this dialogue.

[Greg Cody]

It very well could. I don't know who runs their social media. It could very well have just been an oversight. I doubt it. I also think it's ridiculous that. What are we in grade school where the elementary school teacher wishes happy birthday on the, on the chalkboard to whoever.

[Dan Le Batard]

What are we, what are we in grade school where the player needs to be taught how to be tough, how to be an adult? Yeah. Yeah, we're in grade school. Yes.

[Greg Cody]

Okay, so we're, we're congratulating happy birthday to all our players except for the

[Dan Le Batard]

quarterback who they're cutting.

[Greg Cody]

Well, only because they can't trade him.

[Zaslow]

So he's that bad that they can't even give him a happy birthday?

[Greg Cody]

Well, I mean, I mean, look at what the Arizona's doing with Kyler. Murray, it's tough to trade somebody when the rest of the league knows that he'll be a free agent in. In a couple of weeks.

[Trista]

Hey, hey, Greg, could you just keep your mouth closer to the mic?

[Stugats]

Thank you.

[Trista]

Like, you're kind of just bleeding out.

[Stugats]

When he starts to get excited about a point, he brings you talking about what.

[Dan Le Batard]

So Zaslo mentioned the HT and taught all the youngsters out there that that is a. Well, they know that all the old people out there that that's a hat tip.

[Stugats]

Thought it was hashtag.

[Dan Le Batard]

A hat tip, though, is from another time. What are we thinking, 1920s, 30s, 1940s? The tip of the hat as a. As a salute. But did you guys see what happened with Timberwolves podcaster Dane Moore? Where. When it talked. When we talk about giving credit to people, Right. ESPN, on occasion, doesn't do a great giving credit to others. And Dane Moore went into the Timberwolves locker room and got some sound from Anthony Edwards about not liking to play basketball with all of the double teams. And ESPN asked him, hey, can we use that sound? And he's like, I'm going to tell you what I tell you every time you get in my DMs. No, you shouldn't have fired all those reporters. If you wanted the sound from the locker room, you cannot have the sound. And so he just didn't allow them to have the sound. And he made the principled stand on behalf of other journalists saying, don't fire your reporters if you want the exclusive sound. Oh, look at this. They're getting the McAfee. The McAfee applause back there. And Tony is going hulk hog.

[Zaslow]

Easy stance for that guy.

[Tony]

Up in the ear.

[Zaslow]

Yeah, easy stance for that guy.

[Dan Le Batard]

But no one else is doing it.

[Greg Cody]

Agreed.

[Dan Le Batard]

But easy stance, but no one else is doing that.

[Juju]

And it's not easy. When ESPN hits, you be like, hey, bro, we like that one.

[Greg Cody]

Can we use it?

[Juju]

And you got the gumption to tell them for Abrah, you tell us off. You fired my homegirl two days ago. I like that.

[Stugats]

It's not a person asking you. It's the four letters.

[Juju]

Sometimes it's easy to be the right guy, but, hey, he did it.

[Greg Cody]

Well, was ESPN gonna give him credit?

[Dan Le Batard]

They sometimes do and sometimes don't. Many people have an issue with that, but in this particular case, somebody is taking a stand.

[Juju]

I have expertise on this matter. They've hit me a couple of times to use some of the stuff that we've.

[Greg Cody]

And did you do it?

[Juju]

Yeah, I've sent it to him and sometimes they give us credit and sometimes they just use the content. So hey, I feel my bro Juju

[Dan Le Batard]

not making the stand that Dane Moore has taken. Juju just said you can, you can. More the merrier. Not on behalf of fired hymns and hers. Juju has not made any.

[Juju]

This was 2022, brother.

[Zaslow]

I I had something that ESPN hit me up about too that they asked me if they could post and I said, yeah, that's fine, you could post. It went viral, whatever. It was actually the Houston Texans heading over to Baltimore in the playoff game C.J. stroud versus Lamar Jackson. I had a picture of somebody with a Houston jersey with the 44 number 44 with still tipping on the back.

[Greg Cody]

They loved that.

[Zaslow]

That went crazy. And they were like, can we use this? And I was like yes. And they didn't tag me no ht.

[Trista]

You know anything about that? Still tipping on fo fosh.