The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Local Hour: Respect The Throne

Date: February 24, 2026
Setting: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Hosts & Regulars: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, Greg Cote, Mike Ryan, Amin Elhassan, Jeremy, Zaslow (Zaz), Dave Damasek, Tony

Episode Overview

This episode, titled "Respect The Throne," brings the entire Le Batard crew together to riff on South Florida sports, Olympic hockey celebrations, sports and politics, Miami sports culture, and a playful "roast battle" between college football coaches. With the backdrop of a much-anticipated State of the Union address (and Team USA Hockey attending), the crew's signature blend of humor, regional pride, and social commentary is on full display.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. "Respect The Throne": Greg Cote’s Seat & the Rituals of the Show

• The show opens with banter centering around who sits in the "throne" (the main chair) and the clothing choices ("no hat in the throne" as a sign of respect).
  • Greg Cote explains his wardrobe: “When I sit in the throne...this is my look. Y’all get used to it.” (01:10)
  • Teasing about lateness and "traffic" as a perpetual excuse, poking fun at South Florida commutes.

2. Hockey Players, Olympic Gold, and Miami Nightlife

• The crew discusses the aftermath of Team USA's hockey win, focusing on the championship celebrations in Miami and upcoming responsibilities.

  • Worries about players being hungover or tired for the restart of the NHL season.
  • Amin, who attended the celebrations, describes seeing athletes "among the people," making it more inclusive than NBA celebrations:
    • “I thought it was cool that they were among the people, that it wasn’t exclusive.” (10:35, Amin Elhassan)
  • Hilarious speculation on Matthew Tkachuk’s role as the impromptu MC of the bus parade: “He had the mic, he had the cigar lit, he had the flag around him.” (09:11, Dave Damasek)

• Notable Celebration Moment: "I got a little teary eyed when the pole dancer went up with Old Glory. That was a moment in time. I really felt joy. From sea to shining sea." (07:57, Amin Elhassan)

3. Sports and Politics: The State of the Union & Team USA Controversy

• The Team USA hockey team's attendance at the State of the Union raises questions about sports, politics, and partisanship.
  • Jeremy articulates the tension:
    • "You're making sort of a show with [Cash Patel] right at the front as the biggest celebration." (25:25)
    • “When politics enters the arena, you are now inherently political.” (26:11)
  • The team debates whether the players invited politics in by celebrating with political figures, or if they’re unwitting “pawns.”
  • The crowd weighs whether attending the State of the Union is an honor or a dull obligation, with consensus leaning toward the former being more fun:
    • "State of the Union? These old white people are gonna applaud me…At 11 yesterday, they had the time of their lives." (22:44, Dave Damasek)
  • Amin outlines the lose-lose for progressives: "We're walking right into the bad." (29:07)

4. South Florida Sports: Playoff Anxiety and Miami’s Greatest Athletic Legacy

• Discussion pivots to Florida Panthers’ playoff odds post-Olympics, whether rested or exhausted Olympians will impact the NHL stretch run, and broader reflections on Miami sports.
  • “They have to go 19 and 6 in the final 25 to make the playoffs.” (16:55, Zaslow)
  • Questioning whether Panthers fans would be upset if Matthew Tkachuk rests post-Olympics, with some comparing it to international soccer culture.

Miami’s “Greatest Position” in Sports

• The crew debates what the most glorified position in Miami’s sports history is.
  • QB for the Dolphins vs. Hurricanes running backs, UM QBs, Hurricanes RBs with extensive NFL success.
  • Frank Gore, Clinton Portis, Edgerrin James, and others cited as part of the Hurricanes' RB legacy.
    • “Probably Hurricane running backs.” (35:31, Greg Cote)
  • Conversely, Greg and Cody argue quarterback “is always king,” with Marino and Dolphins lore looming.

5. College Football Sidestory: Spurrier Banquet "Roast Battle"

• Clips played from a banquet where Georgia's Kirby Smart and Miami's Mario Cristobal trade friendly jabs about NIL, recruiting, and championship credentials.
  • Kirby’s jab: "He’ll take your players, if you know what I mean." (37:21)
  • Mario’s comeback: "I got time today. When you have all that time to sit at home watching us play on TV throughout the playoffs." (39:44)
  • The crew rates Mario’s retort as the 10–8 round winner, admiring both coaches’ comedic delivery and stage command.
    • “I want that Mario Cristobal at all times every day.” (41:16, Greg Cody)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On being sick but “not contagious”
  • Greg Cote: “I could tell. I could look at somebody. I could tell.” (01:42)
• On celebratory rituals
  • Dave Damasek: “If you didn’t know, like me…and you didn’t watch Olympic hockey, you’d have thought Matthew Tkachuk was the best player. He had the mic, he had the cigar lit, he had the flag around him. He was giving speeches…” (09:11)
• On politics at sports celebrations
  • Jeremy: “You're making sort of a show with him [Cash Patel] right at the front as the biggest celebration.” (25:25)
• On Miami’s most iconic sports role
  • Mike Ryan: “What’s Miami’s greatest position?” (34:54)
• Kirby Smart’s Banquet Zinger
  • “He’ll take your players, if you know what I mean.” (37:21)
• Mario Cristobal’s Response
  • “When you have all that time to sit at home watching us play on TV throughout the playoffs…” (39:44)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Throne Respect & Greg’s Rituals — 00:08–02:15
• Olympic Hockey Post-Party — 07:07–14:00
• State of the Union/Politics & Team USA — 14:00–31:00
• Miami Sports: Playoff Anxiety & Greatness Debate — 32:42–36:38
• Kirby Smart vs. Mario Cristobal Banquet — 37:03–42:00
• Show Wrap-up (Marlins & banter) — 42:44–end

Tone & Style

The show maintains its blend of sarcasm, Miami-centric ribbing, and self-aware social commentary. Even serious topics (politics, polarization, sports culture) are handled with wry detachment and humor, with the hosts quick to mock both themselves and the absurdity of the ongoing sports–politics crossover.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This episode embodies what makes the Dan Le Batard Show unique: irreverent banter, insider sports insight with a strong South Florida flavor, and a willingness to tackle the tricky intersection of sports and cultural identity—all delivered in a way that makes even the most polarizing topics approachable, funny, and real. If you want a tour through the weird mix of hockey, party culture, Miami sports tradition, and hot-button politics, "Respect The Throne" captures it all.