Podcast Summary: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Local Hour: Zas Is In A Bed

Date: October 2, 2025
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Hosts: Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, with Chris Cote, Mike Ryan, Roy Bellamy, Billy Gil, and others

Episode Overview

This “Local Hour” features Dan Le Batard and the crew broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in Miami. The episode is rooted in the show’s signature blend of irreverent South Florida sports discussion, inside jokes, and personal banter, this time centered around a visual bit: Zaslow (Zaz) serving a punishment by doing the show from his bed, pajama-clad. The crew discusses player injuries, suspicious betting lines, NFL and NBA contract decisions, local sports news, recurring bits, and a hearty round of banter about sleepwear and air conditioning. Zaslow’s ongoing attempts to rise in the industry—including his success in landing exclusive interviews like coach Erik Spoelstra—also come under the microscope.

Notable Episode Themes & Running Bits

• Punishments & Costumes: Multiple members are serving on-air punishments, including Roy dressed as an old-timey baseball player and Zaslow podcasting from bed.
• South Florida Sports Focus: In-depth discussion about the Miami Dolphins, Heat, and Panthers.
• Banter About Sleep Habits: The crew dives into vivid and comic detail about what they wear (or don’t wear) to bed, and their differing home AC settings.
• Media “Flexes”: Zaz’s attempts to “top” the rest of the crew with his podcasting connections and his quest for legitimacy in the sports media hierarchy.
• Sports Betting & Line Movement: The group analyzes drastic betting line swings in college football, speculating about what they mean.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Show Punishments and the Zaslow Bed Bit

• Zaslow’s (Zaz) punishment: conducting the show from bed in full “old man” pajamas, including a nightcap.
• Roy, in a separate bet, is decked out as an “old timey baseball player” (complete with baggy uniform and fake mustache).
• Ample visual and physical comedy ensues: camera angle jokes, concerns over “thigh” visibility, and Zaslow’s chins (“It’s just dangerous chin angle.” – Chris, 03:56; “We gotta be careful with this camera angle with Zaslow. It’s these balls…” – Dan, 30:05).

2. College Football Talk: Heisman, Gambling Lines, and Defensive Standouts

• Heather Dinich (on ESPN) picked Miami’s Reuben Bain as a Heisman candidate, which delights the crew (00:26).
• Observation about the rarity of defensive players winning the Heisman, and Billy’s quick (humorous) correction (“That’s the one time you decide to be like super quick when it immediately embarrasses Billy.” – Dan, 00:58).
• Betting line on UF-Texas total drops by over 10 points in days, triggering speculation of “shady” happenings and Vegas “sharp” action (01:57–03:33). “The smart people are making bets on Monday... the rest of us get there Saturday.” (Dan, 02:25)
• Panel reminiscence about recent defensive Heisman contenders and the “second acts” of draft picks post-college (Aiden Hutchinson, Travis Hunter).

3. Zaslow in Bed: The Pajama/Sleep Habit Debate

• Zaslow offers: “This is how I dress when I sleep. What are you questioning me like that for?” (C, 07:40)
• Banter around crew’s sleep attire and home temperature settings: Dan prefers “under 70s”; Zaslow admits to “sleeping in a terrarium” at 74°F. (“Are you an animal?” – Billy, 09:12)

4. Media Industry Dynamics & Zaslow’s Career

• Dan laments being unable to book Erik Spoelstra for South Beach Sessions, while Zaslow boasts having him on his show (14:10–14:45).
• Zaslow “flexes” on his South Florida clout, joking he and Spoelstra “came up together.”
• Audio clips from Zaslow’s interview with Spo and Mark Schlereth (on the topic of eradicating punching from football—Mark’s old-school reply: “If you accidentally catch someone in the jaw, them’s the breaks...” – Mark Schlereth via Zaslow, 12:38).

5. NBA Contract Talk: Jovic’s $62 Million Deal

• Miami Heat extend Nikola Jovic (4 years, $62M) (22:45–26:47).
• Skepticism over giving a substantial contract to an unproven player, set against the context of historical “value” deals and the myth of “cap flexibility.”
• “The way that you beat the salary cap is by getting the really good player at the really good value.” – Zaslow, 23:25
• Discussion of trade assets versus free agency in modern NBA roster building.

6. Update on Florida Panthers and Sasha Barkov’s Injury

• Extended discussion about Panthers captain Barkov’s injury and his irreplaceable leadership (“No next man up for Sasha Barkov.” – Paul Maurice, reported by crew, 28:37).
• Zaslow breaks news (via Spoelstra interview) that Barkov may only miss 5–6 months, conflicting with the usual 7–9 month projection for ACL/MCL tears (27:22–28:09).
• Who steps up next: Lundell (the “baby Barkov”) and Reinhardt identified as key replacements.
• Lively back-and-forth on temporary captaincy (“Who gets the A?” – Zaslow, 31:04).

7. Dolphins and Local NFL Drama

• Mike McDaniel’s icy response when asked about Cam Smith: “It’s been… time…” (34:48). The crew interprets as a shot at GM Chris Greer, revisiting the coach-GM dynamic and Greer’s tenure.
• “Chris Greer has had more time than any GM in the league who never wins anything.” – Dan, 37:13
• Debates about credit for acquiring Tyreek Hill and the disappointing trajectory of Jalen Waddle.
• Dan predicts the Dolphins will struggle against Carolina, citing defensive woes and the loss of Tyreek Hill (38:31, 40:32).

8. Rivalry Week: Miami vs. FSU

• Mike’s FSU-Miami preview: “Miami is going to trail for the first time all season in Tallahassee, and I’m curious to see how they respond… If you’re looking for pathways for FSU to win, it’s probably gotta be a shootout.” (42:43)
• In-depth breakdowns of offensive/defensive matchups, with emphasis on Carson Beck, explosive plays, and disciplined defense (43:39–46:57).
• “I do not believe their [Miami’s] defense will lose them this football game. Even though I believe FSU and Castellanos are very good at offense…” – Dan, 43:39

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |---|---|---| | 00:58 | Dan | “That’s the one time you decide to be like super quick when it immediately embarrasses Billy.” | | 02:25 | Dan | “The smart people are making the bets on Monday… the rest of us get there Saturday.” | | 07:40 | Zaslow | “This is how I dress when I sleep. What are you questioning me like that for?” | | 09:12 | Billy | “Are you an animal?” (on keeping the AC at 74°F) | | 12:38 | Mark Schlereth | “If you accidentally catch someone in the jaw, them’s the breaks.” | | 23:25 | Zaslow | “The way that you beat the salary cap is by getting the really good player at the really good value.” | | 26:11 | Dan | “Pat Riley said, ‘We’re going to hang this from the rafters one day.’ That’s a little bit higher than high.” | | 28:37 | Paul Maurice (reported) | “There’s no next man up for Sasha Barkov. You cannot replace what he brings.” | | 34:48 | Mike McDaniel | (On Cam Smith’s time in Miami) “It’s been… time.” | | 37:13 | Dan | “Chris Greer has had more time than any GM in the league who never wins anything.” | | 42:43 | Mike | “I do have a prediction for this game and I think Miami is going to trail for the first time all season in Tallahassee…” | | 43:39 | Dan | “I do not believe their defense will lose them this football game. Even though I believe FSU and Castellanos are very good at offense…” |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Punishments and Visual Comedy with Zaslow in Bed (00:00–10:18, recurring)
• College Football – Heisman chat and Vegas line movement (00:26–03:33)
• Sleepwear and AC Banter (07:19–10:18)
• NBA: Jovic Extension Analysis (22:45–26:47)
• Panthers Update & Barkov Injury (26:47–31:36)
• Dolphins GM & Coach Dynamics; Tyreek Hill’s Impact (34:48–40:32)
• FSU-Miami Preview (42:43–46:57)
• Mike McDaniel on Cam Smith (34:48)
• Mark Schlereth on Punching in Football (12:12)

Episode Tone & Character

As ever, the show is loose, comedic, and semi-chaotic with the crew’s signature blend of playful bullying, rapid-fire trivia, banter about sports minutiae, and biting cynicism about local sports teams. Plenty of inside humor is on display—from “minor penalty, two minutes accidental racism” (06:37) to the ever-present meta-commentary on their own media coverage.

For New (or Returning) Listeners

While this episode is propelled by its inside jokes and visual gags (Zaslow in bed), it still delivers substantive takes on Miami’s sports storylines and the business of building teams—along with a frank look at how personal style, sleeping habits, and South Florida weather form the show’s unique cultural glue.

If you missed the episode, this summary covers all the colorful banter, major sports updates, and zany moments, so you're up-to-date—minus the commercials, intros, and outros.