The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Local Hour: The Bevacqua-Off (December 10, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the crew gather in the “shipping container” for a lively, often hilarious discussion centered on the current wave of national ridicule directed at Notre Dame—especially around their exclusion from the college football playoff. The episode examines Notre Dame’s unique place in the sports landscape as both a symbol of privilege and, now, an object of public schadenfreude, punctuated by a running gag about their athletic director, Pete Bevacqua. The hour blends sports analysis, pop-culture references, signature show irreverence, and some NBA Heat handwringing into a highly animated, highly Miami-centric roundtable.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Notre Dame—From Powerhouse to Punchline

Disproportionate Joy at Their Suffering: Dan notices how the nation delights in Notre Dame’s rare chance to claim victimhood, only to receive ridicule instead of sympathy.

“I underestimated how much joy America would get from watching Notre Dame suffer.” — Dan (04:32)
Sports as Stage for Hypocrisy: The hosts note Notre Dame occupies a unique duality: both the Goliath with “golden Jesus” resources and the David “trampled by elites.”

“One of the great things you get to do in sports…is be both Goliath and David.” — Pablo (04:45)
Social Media Reactions & ‘The Sound’: The infamous viral video of Notre Dame students on Selection Day is replayed and dissected, symbolizing the collective agony and mockery directed at the fanbase.

“That sound speaks for the entire Notre Dame constituency.” — Dan (07:26) Cue sound montage of “No!” (07:45)
Media Dogpile Montage: The team plays a supercut of national pundits (Wilbon, Stephen A., Cowherd, Finebaum) reveling in Notre Dame’s exclusion, further demonstrating the depths of public animosity.

“The crying from Notre Dame is, quite frankly, embarrassing.” — Wilbon, montage (10:18-11:32) “You didn’t have a strength of schedule, you had a stink of schedule.” — Colin Cowherd, montage (11:07)

2. Is There a ‘Right’ Way for Notre Dame to Complain?

Bevacqua’s Dilemma: Debate over whether AD Pete Bevacqua’s public commentary is helping or hurting the program—most agree his approach is backfiring and only increasing vitriol, with jokes about firing him.

"There's a part of me that thinks he'd be fired." — Zaslo (21:00) “Everyone agrees you got screwed, yet they're dunking on you. How unlikable do you have to be?” — Zaslo (20:52)
Crisis Comms Catch-22: Even if Bevacqua articulates fans’ grievances precisely, the act of publicly airing them seems to trigger more backlash; the fan base is viewed as entitled or overly sanctimonious.

"He’s saying the correct things on behalf of the fanbase and everyone’s turning on him anyway." — Dan (22:31) “No one says anything. At best, everyone's like, ‘Oh, that's a shame.’ At worst…you made all the public opinion turn against you. Loser behavior.” — Amin (24:12)
The ‘Holier Than Thou’ Conundrum: Pablo points out Notre Dame’s unique brand, where their self-importance (“actually think they're holier than thou”) makes complaints insufferable even when justified (25:31).

3. The ‘Bevacqua-Off’ and Tone-Setting Levity

Impromptu Name-off: The hosts break into a tongue-in-cheek competition for who can say “Bevacqua” most musically/dramatically, lampooning the AD's notoriety.

“Let’s have a Bevacqua-off, shall we?” — Dan (25:49)
Meta-Content and Miami Bias: Recurrent jokes about how the crew (or Miami) would be just as much of a target if the Canes were snubbed; the idea of hate-watching a Miami/Notre Dame grievance parade for pure content.

“We almost got all of America feeling this way about just Mike Ryan because Miami would have gotten this same thing… for complaining.” — Dan (37:08)

4. Who Else Inspires This Much Schadenfreude?

Comparisons to Yankees, Duke: The crew debates other “self-righteous” brands that inspire mass public hostility—settling on Duke basketball as the closest comparison, but acknowledging Notre Dame’s special position as dynastic without having recently won.

"Duke basketball. They think they're better than us. Guess what? That's the winner." — Tony & Zaslo (31:55)
System vs. Program: Discussion of how Notre Dame’s independence and special playoff contract induce extra ire and how this is a fundamental business vs. tradition clash.

“They are bigger than everyone they think, but they haven't been for 30 years as a championship entity.” — Dan (34:12)

5. Pivot: Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro Problem

Narrative Shift to NBA: The last section shifts to the Miami Heat’s struggles upon Tyler Herro’s return—five losses in six games, offensive drop-off, and fan blame converging on Herro.
‘Ewing Theory’ in Miami: Amin draws on the famous “Ewing Theory”—that a team improves when its star leaves—to illustrate the awkward optics for Herro.

“All of the fun…disappeared as soon as [Herro] reappeared, and all you have…is a fanbase…blaming Tyler Herro for mucking it all up.” — Dan (38:50) “You lose defense when you add [Tyler]—that’s empirically so.” — Dan (45:43)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

On the National Delight in Notre Dame’s Misfortune:
“I underestimated how much joy America would get from watching Notre Dame suffer.” — Dan (04:32)
On Privilege and Victimhood:
“One of the great things you get to do in sports…is be both Goliath and David.” — Pablo (04:45)
“Stink of Schedule”:
“You didn’t have a strength of schedule, you had a stink of schedule.” — Colin Cowherd, montage (11:07)
“That made me laugh out loud more than stench.” — Chris (13:09)
On Bevacqua’s Public Advocacy:
“There’s a part of me that thinks he'd be fired.” — Zaslo (21:00)
“He’s saying the correct things on behalf of the fanbase and everyone’s turning on him anyway.” — Dan (22:31)
On the Notre Dame Brand:
“They actually think they're holier than thou. That’s the added context to all of this complaining.” — Pablo (25:31)
The Bevacqua-Off:
“Let’s have a Bevacqua-off, shall we?” — Dan (25:49)
[Multiple iterations of the ‘Bevacqua’ name, in increasingly dramatic tones.] (26:39-27:14)
On Lack of Recent Success:
“Notre Dame's success is fossilized and cobwebbed.” — Dan (32:00)
On the System and Business:
“They are bigger than everyone they think, but they haven't been for 30 years as a championship entity.” — Dan (34:12)
“Notre Dame is good at being a program because it's business. Now they're reckoning with business and success not being the same.” — Pablo (34:47)
Pivot to Heat/Herro:
“All of the fun…disappeared as soon as [Herro] reappeared, and all you have…is a fanbase…blaming Tyler Herro for mucking it all up.” — Dan (38:50)
“All these threes they’re missing—open threes they’ve been making all season.” — Dan (41:37)
“The Heat are a mediocre offense that plays fast, but their efficiencies have been 13, 14, 15 all season. What they've been is a top three defense in the league. And you lose defense when you add Hero—that's empirically so.” — Dan (45:43)

Important Segment Timestamps

[03:30] — Dan’s intro and Notre Dame’s unique suffering
[05:12] — The country’s desire to see Notre Dame as both Goliath and victim
[06:16–07:45] — Notre Dame fan reaction soundbite & analysis
[10:12–11:32] — Montage of national pundit outrage and ridicule
[20:52] — The “fire Bevacqua?” (Zaslo’s theory)
[21:58] — Is there a right way for Notre Dame to voice grievance?
[24:53] — Pablo’s thesis: “It’s about being right, not getting justice.”
[25:31] — “Holier than thou” as a Notre Dame identity
[25:49–27:14] — The Bevacqua-Off contest
[31:51] — Who else inspires this much hate? Duke basketball & Yankees debate
[34:12–35:01] — System, business, and Notre Dame’s supposed specialness
[38:50] — Miami Heat, Tyler Herro, & optics after his return
[41:37] — Heat’s three-point shooting & bench struggles
[45:43] — Ewing Theory & Hero’s defensive drop-off

Tone & Language

The conversation continually pivots between wry, absurdist humor, sharp sports critique, and quirky Miami-centric asides. Banter is fast, informal, and often self-referential, maintaining the show’s hallmark blend of knowledge and self-aware irreverence.

Takeaways for New Listeners

This episode is a masterclass in collective sports schadenfreude, especially as directed at Notre Dame.
The crew delights in unpacking the irrational forces—history, reputation, media narratives, and envy—that make certain teams (and their fans) irresistible targets for ridicule.
“The Bevacqua-Off” encapsulates the show’s offbeat humor, while the late pivot to the NBA keeps the content rooted in Miami’s own sports anxieties.
Rich with quotable lines, soundbites, and self-deprecating Miami bias, this hour is both a love letter to sports pettiness and a showcase for the show’s unique group dynamic.

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Local Hour: The Bevacqua-Off (December 10, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Notre Dame—From Powerhouse to Punchline

Disproportionate Joy at Their Suffering: Dan notices how the nation delights in Notre Dame’s rare chance to claim victimhood, only to receive ridicule instead of sympathy.

“I underestimated how much joy America would get from watching Notre Dame suffer.” — Dan (04:32)
Sports as Stage for Hypocrisy: The hosts note Notre Dame occupies a unique duality: both the Goliath with “golden Jesus” resources and the David “trampled by elites.”

“One of the great things you get to do in sports…is be both Goliath and David.” — Pablo (04:45)
Social Media Reactions & ‘The Sound’: The infamous viral video of Notre Dame students on Selection Day is replayed and dissected, symbolizing the collective agony and mockery directed at the fanbase.

“That sound speaks for the entire Notre Dame constituency.” — Dan (07:26) Cue sound montage of “No!” (07:45)
Media Dogpile Montage: The team plays a supercut of national pundits (Wilbon, Stephen A., Cowherd, Finebaum) reveling in Notre Dame’s exclusion, further demonstrating the depths of public animosity.

“The crying from Notre Dame is, quite frankly, embarrassing.” — Wilbon, montage (10:18-11:32) “You didn’t have a strength of schedule, you had a stink of schedule.” — Colin Cowherd, montage (11:07)

2. Is There a ‘Right’ Way for Notre Dame to Complain?

Bevacqua’s Dilemma: Debate over whether AD Pete Bevacqua’s public commentary is helping or hurting the program—most agree his approach is backfiring and only increasing vitriol, with jokes about firing him.

"There's a part of me that thinks he'd be fired." — Zaslo (21:00) “Everyone agrees you got screwed, yet they're dunking on you. How unlikable do you have to be?” — Zaslo (20:52)
Crisis Comms Catch-22: Even if Bevacqua articulates fans’ grievances precisely, the act of publicly airing them seems to trigger more backlash; the fan base is viewed as entitled or overly sanctimonious.

"He’s saying the correct things on behalf of the fanbase and everyone’s turning on him anyway." — Dan (22:31) “No one says anything. At best, everyone's like, ‘Oh, that's a shame.’ At worst…you made all the public opinion turn against you. Loser behavior.” — Amin (24:12)
The ‘Holier Than Thou’ Conundrum: Pablo points out Notre Dame’s unique brand, where their self-importance (“actually think they're holier than thou”) makes complaints insufferable even when justified (25:31).

3. The ‘Bevacqua-Off’ and Tone-Setting Levity

Impromptu Name-off: The hosts break into a tongue-in-cheek competition for who can say “Bevacqua” most musically/dramatically, lampooning the AD's notoriety.

“Let’s have a Bevacqua-off, shall we?” — Dan (25:49)
Meta-Content and Miami Bias: Recurrent jokes about how the crew (or Miami) would be just as much of a target if the Canes were snubbed; the idea of hate-watching a Miami/Notre Dame grievance parade for pure content.

“We almost got all of America feeling this way about just Mike Ryan because Miami would have gotten this same thing… for complaining.” — Dan (37:08)

4. Who Else Inspires This Much Schadenfreude?

Comparisons to Yankees, Duke: The crew debates other “self-righteous” brands that inspire mass public hostility—settling on Duke basketball as the closest comparison, but acknowledging Notre Dame’s special position as dynastic without having recently won.

"Duke basketball. They think they're better than us. Guess what? That's the winner." — Tony & Zaslo (31:55)
System vs. Program: Discussion of how Notre Dame’s independence and special playoff contract induce extra ire and how this is a fundamental business vs. tradition clash.

“They are bigger than everyone they think, but they haven't been for 30 years as a championship entity.” — Dan (34:12)

5. Pivot: Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro Problem

Narrative Shift to NBA: The last section shifts to the Miami Heat’s struggles upon Tyler Herro’s return—five losses in six games, offensive drop-off, and fan blame converging on Herro.
‘Ewing Theory’ in Miami: Amin draws on the famous “Ewing Theory”—that a team improves when its star leaves—to illustrate the awkward optics for Herro.

“All of the fun…disappeared as soon as [Herro] reappeared, and all you have…is a fanbase…blaming Tyler Herro for mucking it all up.” — Dan (38:50) “You lose defense when you add [Tyler]—that’s empirically so.” — Dan (45:43)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

On the National Delight in Notre Dame’s Misfortune:
“I underestimated how much joy America would get from watching Notre Dame suffer.” — Dan (04:32)
On Privilege and Victimhood:
“One of the great things you get to do in sports…is be both Goliath and David.” — Pablo (04:45)
“Stink of Schedule”:
“You didn’t have a strength of schedule, you had a stink of schedule.” — Colin Cowherd, montage (11:07)
“That made me laugh out loud more than stench.” — Chris (13:09)
On Bevacqua’s Public Advocacy:
“There’s a part of me that thinks he'd be fired.” — Zaslo (21:00)
“He’s saying the correct things on behalf of the fanbase and everyone’s turning on him anyway.” — Dan (22:31)
On the Notre Dame Brand:
“They actually think they're holier than thou. That’s the added context to all of this complaining.” — Pablo (25:31)
The Bevacqua-Off:
“Let’s have a Bevacqua-off, shall we?” — Dan (25:49)
[Multiple iterations of the ‘Bevacqua’ name, in increasingly dramatic tones.] (26:39-27:14)
On Lack of Recent Success:
“Notre Dame's success is fossilized and cobwebbed.” — Dan (32:00)
On the System and Business:
“They are bigger than everyone they think, but they haven't been for 30 years as a championship entity.” — Dan (34:12)
“Notre Dame is good at being a program because it's business. Now they're reckoning with business and success not being the same.” — Pablo (34:47)
Pivot to Heat/Herro:
“All of the fun…disappeared as soon as [Herro] reappeared, and all you have…is a fanbase…blaming Tyler Herro for mucking it all up.” — Dan (38:50)
“All these threes they’re missing—open threes they’ve been making all season.” — Dan (41:37)
“The Heat are a mediocre offense that plays fast, but their efficiencies have been 13, 14, 15 all season. What they've been is a top three defense in the league. And you lose defense when you add Hero—that's empirically so.” — Dan (45:43)

Important Segment Timestamps

[03:30] — Dan’s intro and Notre Dame’s unique suffering
[05:12] — The country’s desire to see Notre Dame as both Goliath and victim
[06:16–07:45] — Notre Dame fan reaction soundbite & analysis
[10:12–11:32] — Montage of national pundit outrage and ridicule
[20:52] — The “fire Bevacqua?” (Zaslo’s theory)
[21:58] — Is there a right way for Notre Dame to voice grievance?
[24:53] — Pablo’s thesis: “It’s about being right, not getting justice.”
[25:31] — “Holier than thou” as a Notre Dame identity
[25:49–27:14] — The Bevacqua-Off contest
[31:51] — Who else inspires this much hate? Duke basketball & Yankees debate
[34:12–35:01] — System, business, and Notre Dame’s supposed specialness
[38:50] — Miami Heat, Tyler Herro, & optics after his return
[41:37] — Heat’s three-point shooting & bench struggles
[45:43] — Ewing Theory & Hero’s defensive drop-off

Tone & Language

Takeaways for New Listeners

This episode is a masterclass in collective sports schadenfreude, especially as directed at Notre Dame.
The crew delights in unpacking the irrational forces—history, reputation, media narratives, and envy—that make certain teams (and their fans) irresistible targets for ridicule.
“The Bevacqua-Off” encapsulates the show’s offbeat humor, while the late pivot to the NBA keeps the content rooted in Miami’s own sports anxieties.
Rich with quotable lines, soundbites, and self-deprecating Miami bias, this hour is both a love letter to sports pettiness and a showcase for the show’s unique group dynamic.

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Local Hour: The Bevacqua-Off

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Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Local Hour: The Bevacqua-Off (December 10, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Notre Dame—From Powerhouse to Punchline

2. Is There a ‘Right’ Way for Notre Dame to Complain?

3. The ‘Bevacqua-Off’ and Tone-Setting Levity

4. Who Else Inspires This Much Schadenfreude?

5. Pivot: Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro Problem

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

Important Segment Timestamps

Tone & Language

Takeaways for New Listeners

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Local Hour: The Bevacqua-Off (December 10, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Notre Dame—From Powerhouse to Punchline

2. Is There a ‘Right’ Way for Notre Dame to Complain?

3. The ‘Bevacqua-Off’ and Tone-Setting Levity

4. Who Else Inspires This Much Schadenfreude?

5. Pivot: Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro Problem

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

Important Segment Timestamps

Tone & Language

Takeaways for New Listeners