The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
The Big Suey: Bare Hands and Bad Intentions (feat. Kevin Harlan)
Date: October 10, 2025
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami
Episode Overview
This lively episode centers on a visit from legendary broadcaster Kevin Harlan. The crew dives into Harlan’s career, the challenges and responsibilities of live sports broadcasting, memorable calls, and Harlan's drive to constantly improve. Sprinkled throughout are classic Le Batard Show digressions into pop culture, audience engagement, and stories of home invasions and TikTok cartel recruitment. The result is a vibrant window into the minds of top sports talk personalities, exposing their humor, anxieties, and awe for broadcasting greatness.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Who is America’s Most Beloved Broadcaster?
- [02:06] The crew debates who currently holds the title of America’s most beloved sports broadcaster.
- Dan immediately nominates Kevin Harlan as his favorite.
- Harlan, showing humility, suggests Mike Breen or Sean McDonough—both friends and versatile voices across sports.
- Quote:
"So I'd say it's a tie between Mike Breen and Sean McDonough."
—Kevin Harlan [03:29]
2. The Pressure and Process of a Pro Broadcaster
- [05:03] On calling the recent Trevor Lawrence game, Harlan describes the adrenaline and importance of being ready for big moments.
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He details his routine after a broadcast: critical self-review, never being fully satisfied, and a continuous desire to improve.
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Quote:
"I don't know that I've ever walked away and said, yeah, I don't. I usually come back incredibly frustrated the week after the game..."
—Kevin Harlan [06:30] -
Harlan shares that he writes points of emphasis before each game, always looking to correct prior mistakes.
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The group expresses amazement at the lack of joy, but Harlan insists the drive to improve is part of loving the craft.
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Quote:
"If you love something, I think you're constantly trying to improve and evolve and get better."
—Kevin Harlan [07:54]
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3. Learning from the Best; No Fear of Youthful Competition
- [09:13] Harlan notes that he rarely listens to younger broadcasters, instead checking in on people he admires (Buck, Breen, McDonough, Stockton, Emerick) when seeking creative inspiration or a change in cadence.
- He sees his challenge now as staying “relevant and current,” which keeps him motivated despite decades in the business.
- Quote:
“I probably work as hard now as I ever have, and hopefully that will be the scenario for as long as I'm employed.”
—Kevin Harlan [10:56]
4. Calls He Wishes He’d Made
- [11:07] Harlan points to the iconic Marshawn Lynch “Beast Quake” run as a dream play to call:
- Quote:
“The Marshawn Lynch run in the playoff game... it was slow enough that you could keep pace with the run and the one broken tackle after another broken tackle... Like you could go on and you could build up the call and have that moment.”
—Kevin Harlan [11:34]
- Quote:
5. Exciting Athletes & The Joy of the Game
- [14:41] Dan asks if there are athletes Harlan is excited to cover because they let him “get in his bag.” Harlan highlights Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James as NBA icons who elevate his broadcasting.
- In football, he enjoys covering compelling quarterback stories—recently Joe Flacco, and memorable Packers and Chiefs moments.
6. Gratitude and Full-Circle Moments
- [17:33] Harlan reflects nostalgically on his journey from Packers ballboy to calling games at Lambeau, his father’s role as Packers President, and the pride he feels in those moments.
- Super Bowl calls particularly move him, connecting him to broadcasting legends who sat in that chair before.
- Quote:
“...to sit in that seat and wear that headset and call that game is about as special a moment as you can have. I never take that lightly.”
—Kevin Harlan [18:09]
7. The Famous Calls and Striving for the Next One
- [23:44 & 24:02] The team relives Harlan’s most viral calls—his “cat on the field” and “Leonard’s steal”—debating which is best.
- Harlan humbly claims his “best call is ahead of me,” always aiming for improvement rather than nostalgia.
- Quote:
“I'd like to say that I'm working toward a call and a game in a moment that... I'll remember. They've been lucky... but I always like to think my best call is ahead of me.”
—Kevin Harlan [25:14]
8. High Standards, Not Fear
- [27:10] Harlan admits he remains highly critical of himself even after 50 years, not from fear but respect for the profession and the massive audiences consuming NFL broadcasts.
- Quote:
“It's the responsibility that probably drives me a little bit and making sure that I'm really buttoned down. Because when you say something that's not even... may be just a little bit off. Man, fans know.”
—Kevin Harlan [27:24]
- Quote:
9. Quick Hits & Side Stories
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The group briefly discusses fandom, potential broadcaster bias (Harlan is a Packers and Jayhawk fan), and the tension of staying objective.
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[35:06–38:00] Tony delivers a wild story about believing he’s being “targeted by the cartels” on TikTok—discussing the ways criminal organizations recruit unsuspecting followers via social media.
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[40:33–43:10] Tony narrates his recent late-night panic about a suspected home invasion, which turns out to be a faulty alarm sensor, but features his heroic sprint with “bare hands and bad intentions.”
- Quote:
“I ran the stairs, Dan. No weapon, no bat, no nothing. Bare hands and bad intentions.”
—Tony [42:03]
- Quote:
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- On self-critique:
“I'm the least impressed with my work of anybody.” —Kevin Harlan [06:30]
- On preparing for games:
“Three hours of not letting your focus dip at all. Incredibly hard to do... When you lose your focus, that's when the mistakes happen for sure.” —Kevin Harlan [29:57]
- On legacy:
“I always like to think my best call is ahead of me.” —Kevin Harlan [25:14]
- On gratitude:
“...to sit in that seat and wear that headset and call that game is about as special a moment as you can have.” —Kevin Harlan [18:09]
- On the job’s pressure:
“The fan has never been smarter and the viewership has never been higher. And the league... continues to grow and is the most popular sport.” —Kevin Harlan [27:24]
- On cartel TikTok offers:
“I may have to go work for the cartels for a little bit... they’re actually sending people videos on TikTok... and you can WhatsApp them...” —Tony [36:03]
- On home intrusion panic:
“I ra[n] the stairs, Dan. No weapon, no bat, no nothing. Bare hands and bad intentions.” —Tony [42:03]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [02:06–04:13]: Who is the most beloved broadcaster today?
- [05:03–07:46]: Kevin Harlan on calling signature games and his self-critical preparation
- [11:07–12:45]: The dream calls Harlan wishes he had made
- [14:41–16:43]: Harlan’s favorite athletes to call and excitement about new NFL/NBA assignments
- [17:33–18:09]: Personal and family legacy at Lambeau Field
- [23:44–25:14]: The “cat on the field” call and reflections on career-defining moments
- [27:10–29:57]: High standards, fear vs. responsibility in live broadcasting
- [35:06–38:00]: Tony's story about cartel recruitment via TikTok
- [40:33–43:10]: Home invasion panic - “Bare hands and bad intentions” story
Conclusion
This episode pulls back the curtain on what makes a legendary broadcaster tick—unwavering preparation, relentless self-critique, and a passion for the moment. Through their trademark banter, the Le Batard crew highlights how greatness isn’t just about talent but about maintaining impossible standards over decades. The interviews and side stories enrich the sports talk core, leaving listeners with laughter, awe, and an inside look at the psyche of true professionals.