Podcast Summary: The Big Suey — David Samson Steals a Bike
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz | Nov 13, 2025 | Featuring David Samson
Overview
Broadcasting from the Elser Hotel in downtown Miami, this episode of “The Big Suey” welcomes frequent contributor David Samson for an expansive and emotional conversation. The show weaves together candid reflections on Samson’s personal struggles, behind-the-scenes sports business insight, and trademark show banter. The conversation is particularly poignant as Samson opens up about his family’s ongoing challenges, revealing the realities of working and parenting through immense adversity. The episode also covers the recent baseball gambling scandal, delves into pop culture, and, true to the title, recounts the saga of Samson “stealing” a rental bike in New York.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. David Samson’s Personal Journey and Family Crisis
- Samson’s Head-Shaving & Beard
Samson explains he shaved his head for his daughter, who is currently undergoing treatment, and keeps his beard because it brings her comfort.“I will never shave it...the hair was — because part of treatments is that she is without hair for the most part. And so I wanted it to be...take power over that.”
— David Samson [05:23] - Vulnerability & Working Through Pain
Samson shares how working on the show and interacting with the audience gives him solace during this difficult period.“The reason I do shows is that I want to feel less lonely...I enjoy interacting with the audience.”
— David Samson [07:01] - Acting Cheerful for His Daughter
Samson discusses the daily need to put on a brave face for his daughter, despite constantly battling his own emotions.“It is a lot of acting. It’s a lot of pretending...when you’re crying, you can’t stay in the room with her because you don’t want her to see you crying.”
— David Samson [10:28] - Grappling with Regret and Love
He touches on the complexities of love, regret, and family dynamics under stress:“None of us are taking care of ourselves the way we should because we’re focused on taking care of her because that’s all that matters. And...the impact on everyone else is as significant as the impact on her.”
— David Samson [07:54] - Breaking Down
“I’ve cried every day since September 12th...There isn’t a day that goes by...there’s no escape from it.”
— David Samson [12:37]
2. Comic Relief: The 'Stolen' Bicycle Incident
- Rental Bike Fiasco
Samson shares a chaotic moment — getting trapped with an alarm-blaring rental bike in a Manhattan studio while balancing intense family responsibilities.“During the filming of the show, the bike went dead and the alarm went off as though I had stolen it...I was schwitzing trying to move the bike...I was in full panic mode.”
— David Samson [18:11] - Bimmel’s 'Content First' Attitude
“He can’t help me because he’s too busy videoing.” — David Samson [18:11]
- Show’s Playful Teasing
“David Samson is a noted bicycle thief.” — Chris Cote [34:15]
“Stop, thief.” — Dan Le Batard [34:31]
3. Wilt Chamberlain Debate
- The panel debates Wilt Chamberlain's skills, spotlighting multigenerational arguments about his legacy.
“Wilt Chamberlain had an entire...great mid-range game...the things he was doing we’ve never seen since.”
— David Samson [04:12] “His game was limited...he was bigger, stronger and more athletic than everyone else.”
— Chris Cote [03:37]
4. Baseball Gambling Scandal
- Coverage vs. Consequences
The group discusses why NBA gambling controversies overshadow the arguably more impactful MLB betting scandal, which now threatens a top closer’s career.“The basketball gambling scandal seems to be getting a lot more attention, coverage and interest when the baseball scandal means one of the best closers in baseball is probably never going to throw a major league pitch again.”
— Chris Cote [21:04] - Sportsbook and MLB Collaboration
“It took three days for MLB and the sports books to get together and change the rules...that’s the thing to do when you’re in the news and it’s bad. Do something good and do it fast.”
— David Samson [21:04] - Players’ Financial Pressures
Samson explains economic realities for players, especially from the Dominican, whose extended families often depend on their earnings:“The pressure on the players in the Dominican should not be undersold.”
— David Samson [27:55] “Their expenses are so much higher than you realize.”
— David Samson [26:25]
5. Pop Culture Sidebar: “House of Dynamite”
- David reviews the film “House of Dynamite” (Katherine Bigelow, Netflix), focusing on nuclear threats and political response. He laments how controversy often overshadows substantive art:
“People are very concerned with the end of this movie and they’re losing what the movie was about...an examination of what perilous ground we stand on as it relates to nuclear proliferation.”
— David Samson [33:13]
6. Lighter Bits, Whistles & Suit Talk
- Show Banter & Hijinks
Ongoing technical and comedic bits ensue, notably involving video room distractions, studio “coach” press conferences, and a running joke about Charles Barkley’s appearance post-weight loss.“This is actively distracting to me as I’m trying to do a live show.”
— Chris Cote [34:39] “You’re telling me that him skinny looks to you more mortal than him heavy?”
— Chris Cote [41:33] “If he got, like, a fitted suit... it would be night and day.”
— David Samson [41:43] - Amin Finds Out: iOS Typing Glitch
Roy Bellamy shares that iPhone users’ recent typing woes are due to an iOS bug, not a neurological issue:“It’s entering the wrong letters...I literally thought I was having some neurological disorder.”
— Roy Bellamy [37:01]
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
-
On Persevering Through Family Tragedy:
“I enjoy doing this with you every week. I enjoy interacting with the audience. Unfortunately, my day today... I have to do something with Pablo that I really don’t want to do, but I feel totally obligated to.” — David Samson [07:01] -
On Emotional Honesty in Crisis:
“I’ve cried every day since September 12th. At some point. There isn’t a day that goes by where something where it’s not in my head. There’s no escaping from it.” — David Samson [12:37] -
On Player Temptations & Scandal:
“Rich people want to be richer and players in that category... it doesn’t matter. Classe was not thinking to himself, ‘Hey, I got a chance to make $20 million. I’m going to turn down five grand.’” — David Samson [23:00] -
On Dominican Player Realities:
“You have no idea how big the payroll is for some of these players, how many people they’re actually supporting...their families, their friends, their friends’ family.”
— David Samson [26:25] -
On Ignored Context in Film Criticism:
“We are forgetting the forest and we are so focused on an individual tree and its sapling that it’s making me insane actually.”
— David Samson [34:05]
Timestamps of Important Segments
- [01:44] — Chris introduces David Samson and his recent challenges
- [02:57] — David discusses head shaving, beard, and audience support
- [07:05] — On coping with love, time, regret, and family stress
- [10:19] — The difficulty of shielding his daughter from his own pain
- [12:37] — Samson reckons with daily emotional struggle
- [18:11] — The infamous “stolen bicycle” story
- [21:04] — Sports gambling scandals: MLB vs. NBA
- [26:25] — Discussion of Dominican players’ family and financial pressures
- [33:13] — Review and meta-conversation around “House of Dynamite”
- [37:01] — Roy reveals iPhone typing glitch
- [41:33] — Lighthearted suit talk and deeper commentary on aging and mortality
Conclusion
In this episode, the Le Batard crew sets aside some of its usual irreverence to offer a remarkably empathetic look at hardship and resilience, courtesy of David Samson’s vulnerability. The conversation blends heartfelt moments with lighter comedic relief—true to the show’s DNA. Listeners are treated to honest insights into the business of sports, cultural debates, and the strange, chaotic, very human lives of the people behind the microphones.