The Big Suey: Greg Cote Explains Journalism

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Big Suey: Greg Cote Explains Journalism

Introduction

In the January 2, 2025 episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, titled "The Big Suey: Greg Cote Explains Journalism," listeners are treated to an in-depth discussion centered around the nature of journalism within the sports industry. Hosted by Dan Le Batard and Stugotz from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, the episode features Greg Cote, a Miami Herald columnist, who delves into his perspectives on journalism, objectivity, and the interplay between being a journalist and a sports fan.

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Defining Journalism vs. Fandom

The episode opens with Greg Cote addressing a contentious topic: the distinction between being a journalist and a sports fan. He emphasizes his commitment to writing what he perceives as meaningful stories rather than catering to fan biases.

Greg Cote [02:43]: "I am having renewed appreciation for my perspective, for how I see sports overall. I don't want to be Zaslow and Mike Ryan about any team."

Cote contrasts his approach with that of typical sports fans, highlighting his preference for crafting feel-good narratives that resonate with a broader audience rather than indulging in team favoritism.

Greg Cote [03:16]: "I want to write about what a feel-good story. Slaying the dragon to lift the first Stanley Cup in the 30-season history of this franchise."

He articulates a clear boundary: while he supports positive outcomes for teams, his allegiance lies more with his readers and the storytelling aspect of journalism than with any particular team.

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The Debate Over Objectivity

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the concept of objectivity in journalism. Greg Cote asserts that true objectivity is challenging when a journalist is financially or emotionally invested in a team's success.

Greg Cote [05:24]: "If you're paid to cover those teams, you're paid to be pro. Those teams, right?"

He critiques fellow journalists, including Roy and Mike Ryan, suggesting that their roles as paid team supporters compromise their ability to maintain impartiality. This perspective sparks tension among the hosts and guests, leading to a heated exchange about the integrity of sports journalism.

Mike Ryan [08:17]: "Greg is not the bad guy. He's not. He's not."

Mike Ryan defends his position, accusing Greg Cote of inconsiderately undermining the role of journalists who are also fans.

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Challenges of Balancing Professionalism and Passion

Stugotz and Chris Cody engage in a robust debate with Greg Cote, questioning the feasibility of maintaining journalistic integrity without allowing personal biases to seep into their reporting.

Stugotz [06:33]: "I can be a journalist, but I want all the teams to win down here."

Cote emphasizes the importance of prioritizing accurate and independent reporting over team allegiance, even if it means challenging popular opinions or facing backlash from fan bases.

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Audience and Regional Identity

Cody addresses the listeners, expressing concerns about the show's regional identity and its impact on the audience's perception. He notes a disconnect between long-time local listeners and the evolving dynamics introduced by Greg Cote's viewpoints.

Chris Cody [08:17]: "This show had a regional identity and was projecting Miami to the nation at large."

He highlights that Greg Cote's stances might be alienating a portion of the audience that values the show's historical commitment to South Florida sports narratives.

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Greg Cote’s Stance on High-Profile Athletes

The conversation shifts to Greg Cote's opinions on high-profile athletes like Connor McDavid, questioning the criteria used to evaluate their performance beyond team success.

Greg Cote [33:04]: "I'm not a national hockey writer. I'm a Miami Herald columnist... I still believe that [McDavid is overrated]."

This assertion sparks debate among the hosts about the validity of assessing a player's greatness solely based on championships, with counterpoints emphasizing individual performance irrespective of team outcomes.

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Notable Quotes

Throughout the episode, several poignant statements stand out, reflecting the core tensions and themes:

• Greg Cote [03:24]: "I'm a fan of people who read my columns. The column they want to read is what a feel good story... lifting the first Stanley Cup."

• Zaslow [05:07]: "Roy is not somebody wearing a Panther's jersey in the press box. I have respect for Roy as an independent journalist."

• Billy Corben [14:21]: "I got played by Dan. I've been doing this for 20 years. And I told him the entire time I did not want to go along with this."

• Chris Cody [32:43]: "If he scores six goals tonight and loses 7-6, he will be no less of a player because he did not win the championship."

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Conclusion

The episode culminates with reflections on the broader implications of journalistic integrity in sports media. Greg Cote maintains his stance on prioritizing storytelling over objectivity, while the hosts grapple with balancing professional roles and personal passions. The lively debate underscores the ongoing challenges within sports journalism, particularly in maintaining authenticity and credibility in an era where fan loyalty often blurs the lines between reporting and fandom.

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Final Thoughts

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz episode "The Big Suey: Greg Cote Explains Journalism" offers a compelling exploration of the complexities inherent in sports journalism. By presenting diverse viewpoints and encouraging critical discourse, the show provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of what it means to report on sports authentically amidst personal biases and commercial pressures.

Transcript

[Dan LeBatard]

You're listening to Giraffkings Network.

[Mike Ryan]

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[Greg Cody]

This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Some people just know they could save hundreds on car insurance by checking Allstate first. Like, you know, to check the date of the big game first before you accidentally buy tickets on your 20th wedding anniversary and have to spend the next 20 years of your marriage making up for it. Yeah, checking first is smart. So check all state first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate Savings. Vary terms apply. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois.

[Chris Cody]

Welcome to the Big Sui presented by DraftKings. Why are you listening to this show, the podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan LeBatard podcast?

[Jeremy Tache]

I'm sorry.

[Chris Cody]

I'm not going to apologize for that.

[Dan LeBatard]

In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging.

[Chris Cody]

I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys. I've done it. And now here's the marching man to nowhere. Fat face and the habitual liar. Pull a little palette cleanser here to separate us from the tension here. Like, it's sort of audio sage. I want Chris Mad Dog Russo mispronouncing something. Do you have anywhere back there? Mad Dog Russo trying to pronounce Condoleezza Rice?

[Zaslow]

The four or five things that I picked up that were interesting that I relate to you. Number Condela, Sir Rice, you know, formerly.

[Chris Cody]

Of the Bush administration. Thank you. I need a little sorbet here. I need something just to soften the mood. Zaslow has left in true disgust. He just stormed out of here. He hit the microphone as he left. Like, he punched the microphone as he left. And he took the chair with him, I'm assuming to just throw it into the bay. He's had enough of Greg Cody. Greg Cody's been giggling to himself here while coughing and giggling. You've Been giggling throughout the break. Are you okay? Like, what's happening?

[Zaslow]

Everything is great. I. I'm reveling in.

[Stugotz]

You have bronchitis?

[Zaslow]

Yeah, no, I don't feel great, but everything else is great. It's another day in paradise down here. And I'm reveling in the idea that. That I am having renewed appreciation for my perspective, for how I see sports in the overall. And I don't want to be Zaslow and Mike Ryan about any team. I just don't want to be. Now, that doesn't mean that I'm not rooting for the best story that I want to write. And in this case, that is a Panthers Stanley Cup. I would.

[Stugotz]

But that's you rooting. Because the best story. I could admit this as a Panthers fan, the best story for hockey would be McDavid coming back from down three.

[Zaslow]

Oh, right. But I'm not a national hockey writer. I'm a Miami Herald columnist, and I. I'm not a fan of a team. I'm a fan of people who read my columns. Okay. And the column they want to read is not biggest collapse since 1942. The column they want to read is what a feel good story. Slaying the dragon to lift the first Stanley cup in the 30 season history of this franchise. That's what I want to write because I like to write good stories. And so am I a Panthers fan? No. And I think I proved it by not being afraid of superstition and jinx and avoiding writing what I thought about McDavid, which is that he needs to win a Stanley cup to live up to all this hype. And until he does, he's overrated. I still believe that. And I don't care if I'm alone on that island, but I do prefer to write a Panthers Stanley Cup.

[Chris Cody]

What's happening with you? Because during the break, you seem to stand in judgment of people who are not journalists. You were dismissive of Roy and Mike and Chris as fans. They're fans. They're not journalists. That's what you were doing.

[Zaslow]

Okay. And I think I owe an apology to Roy. I think Roy would consider himself a journalist. Roy is not somebody wearing a Panther's jersey in the press box. I have respect for Roy as an independent journalist. Christopher's not. Zaslow, who was wearing a Sam Bennett shirt in here, is not and doesn't pretend to be. Mike obviously is not and doesn't pretend to be. That's fine. But, you know, I like the perspective of being able to see Jeremy pretends to be Jeremy.

[Chris Cody]

Jeremy pretends.

[Dan LeBatard]

I do pretend to be a journalist.

[Stugotz]

Is Jeremy a journalist?

[Dan LeBatard]

Dad, it's complicated, right?

[Stugotz]

No, no, no.

[Zaslow]

Jeremy, it's. Look, he's paid to cover the Heat, right?

[Dan LeBatard]

I am. And technically the Panthers and the Marlins.

[Zaslow]

Okay, if you are paid to cover those teams, you don't want to call.

[Stugotz]

Them a journalist, though.

[Zaslow]

Well, what I'm saying is if.

[Chris Cody]

If.

[Zaslow]

If you're paid to cover those teams, you're paid to be pro. Those teams, right?

[Billy Corben]

It.

[Zaslow]

It doesn't mean you can.

[Dan LeBatard]

Covering them for the regional broadcast. You're saying, like covering them for Bally Sports, where it is the home broadcast and that crew.

[Zaslow]

Right?

[Chris Cody]

Yeah.

[Billy Corben]

We.

[Dan LeBatard]

We are paid to have a bit of a slant toward the team that we're covering. Just as, by the way, you are in your columns to.

[Chris Cody]

You're rooting for the Panthers to win tonight because it supports a positive column, right? You're saying Jeremy's not a journalist.

[Zaslow]

I'm saying I wrote a column saying the Panthers need to make big change or the Heat need to make big changes because you're never going to win a championship if Jimmy Butler is your best player.

[Chris Cody]

Jeremy can't.

[Snoop Dogg]

He would.

[Zaslow]

He would not be.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, I wouldn't do that because it's wrong. But that's a separate conversation.

[Zaslow]

Fine. And I'm not saying all of my opinions are right, but I wrote that you couldn't say that.

[Chris Cody]

You're saying he can't be critical of the team, therefore he can't be a journalist. He's not as objective as you are. Who's been a homer about the dolphins since 1972.

[Stugotz]

You get to be a journalist and a fan. You're like, I can be a journalist, but I want all the teams to win down here.

[Zaslow]

I have not been a homer about the Dolphins.

[Stugotz]

Can we stop this?

[Zaslow]

I don't.

[Chris Cody]

I don't.

[Zaslow]

Okay. No, no. That.

[Billy Corben]

That.

[Stugotz]

What are we doing right now?

[Zaslow]

That's a little too close to the bone. I get as much email criticizing me for being too rough on the Dolphins, so I'm not gonna. I'm not gonna just let that slide.

[Chris Cody]

This is what I will say to the audience because there has been a disconnect from the Panthers fans in this room and in this town about what this show's responsibility is to this audience, because we've been a local show for 20 years, proudly a local show for 20 years. I'm a journalist, or was a journalist, allegedly at the mid of all of that. But this show had a regional identity and was projecting Miami to the nation at large. And now, as we do it, with one of the biggest podcasts in the history of sports podcasts, as we do it, I'm getting a whole lot of audience that's siding with Greg Cody in this last hour of tension that doesn't like the way the whole room has ganged up on Greg Cody. People are taking Greg Cody's side because they believe this show is acting inconsistently and hypocritically as it usually behaves around sports, which is if a team was in danger of losing a 30 lead anywhere in sports, the rest of us would be laughing with echoing laughter if this was happening to any fan base except this one. But in this particular case, we've got Mike calling Greg Cody an idiot twice and a pal three times because. Because he's in the tank for the Panthers. And Greg Cody, the audience is siding with Greg Cody, saying, well, he's at least trying to be some semblance, not a rational fan.

[Dan LeBatard]

The funny part is, is that last year you guys laughed in my face as the heat were blowing a 30 lead because I was painted as the sole homer despite the fact that everybody in this room are actively fans of the Miami Heat. It was funny because, hey, let's. Let's laugh at Jeremy as this is blown. Now, this room is sort of taking the other side because there's a passionate fandom that's here. This is a group of people who are rooting for something to happen that's never happened to them before. And so as there are things that we all do as fans that, you know, playing to jinxes or things like that, we're not exactly excited on the local side of it to be having the show that represents South Florida sort of turn against some of those things and laugh because, hey, nationally, that would be.

[Chris Cody]

But look at Mike. Mike is in the back there, and I don't know if he's in a state of pouting. I don't know what he's doing. I don't know how close he is to quitting. I don't know how close he is to getting fired. All of this gets fixed if the Panthers win. His mood not. But it makes sense that he would be scared and it would make sense that he's lashing out everywhere. He can lash out because it's scary time. Like, if you care this much and that guy is on the other side and you're going to Edmonton, it's scary time.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah.

[Stugotz]

So realize that it's a hard time for us right now. We're all acting emotional right now.

[Billy Corben]

What happened is I've obviously been too much today. I'm not exactly proud of how the show has gone, and I'm literally just putting myself in a proverbial penalty box because I don't like it. And I feel like I got played. Like, Dan. Dan pulled all the right strings.

[Zaslow]

He got.

[Billy Corben]

He got the entertainment. No, it's not. Greg is not the bad guy. He's not. He's not. And you've successfully pulled the wool over his eyes. So he feels like you're an ally in this just because the proximity of the rooms. No, like, this is all you're doing.

[Chris Cody]

I am an ally, but. But I'm not going to accept what you keep doing to me. Okay, so the last time you were at a Panther game, game five, and you got your heart crushed and you're down four, two. You keep texting me from the game, hey, I got a lot of fans here just passing along the message. Just want to be a messenger. A lot of fans here saying, hey, Levitard you. That's Mike Ryan telling me that all the fans are coming up to him and saying that. Last night, I'm at dinner, guy comes up to me, pulls me by the arm and says, no, Dan, you're right. I love your show. You tell Mike Ryan, you cool?

[Billy Corben]

Yeah. Congrats on having the star, Dan.

[Stugotz]

Those cancel out, though.

[Dan LeBatard]

You had multiple.

[Billy Corben]

He got six of them and a half dozen. He got some dude that happened to be in the same restaurant as Dan is like, hey, I'm a big fan. I like you.

[Chris Cody]

No, he went out of his way to be like, send this to Mike Ryan. He asked that I personally deliver the message. So I really am just get the messenger here.

[Billy Corben]

You know what I'm most frustrated about, because if they lose this game, I'm.

[Stugotz]

Gonna have a Monday.

[Billy Corben]

Not just a horrible weekend, but I'm going to have to spend a lot of money because tickets are sold out on the primary market and I only have one place to turn to, Dan. The Game Time app. The Game Time app, which, honestly, there should be a loyalty rewards program for how much I've been on there throughout the Stanley cup playoffs. And I'm gonna see the Red Hot Chili Peppers on Sunday. Thanks so much. GameTime app. That could be a very depressing one. And I could really read into the lyrics of under the Bridge, or we can just talk about California the entire time. Celebrating a title. Your move, Florida Panthers today. But if you're in the Edmonton area or if you're hoping For a Game seven, just so you can witness someone lift the cup, go to the Game Time app, download it, create an account, use the code DAN that is D A N for $20 off your first purchase terms apply, last minute tickets, lowest price guaranteed. You get to see what your seat looks like from there. And amazing customer service. If you, for whatever reason, find a better deal out there on the market, gametime will match it up to 110% and it's easy to get them matching it. Thank you so much, gametime, for your support.

[Chris Cody]

In keeping with the guarantee that I am giving you that the Panthers will win this cup, they deserve. In a sport that this year was magnificent because of how good all the teams were slaying each other, the Panthers will win the title one of the next two games in overtime. I'm sorry to do that to you, I'm sorry to do that to you, but these games are going to be. Look, Messier said before game five, he's like, you're going to see the single best performance at the same time from both of these teams for the first time. And we did. The Panthers started slow, but you saw at the end and they were battering Edmonton. You got the best of both and that one McDavid won. I believe that the Panthers will win one of those three because you're looking at the next two games and it's maximum effort, maximum motivation. It's not about any bulletin board material. All these broken bodies know what they had to overcome in that sport. The 10 teams, the dozen teams that had 100 points to get to this point earned it. They're broken physically. God knows how many needles these people have to take at this point in the year just to get on the ice because they're lunatics. This sport is run by crazy people. They're going to win the cup. You're just going to have to endure overtime. I'm sorry about that. I'm sorry that you're going to have to be shit running down your leg in overtime because of how fast that sport moves and one thing can wreck.

[Billy Corben]

You and then you're gonna say, isn't this fun?

[Chris Cody]

It is fun. It's the best.

[Billy Corben]

The last week has been terrible. I genuinely. You got a text from me at 4:15am Just like game 4. I could not sleep.

[Chris Cody]

I didn't see it. Actually.

[Billy Corben]

I texted you. Look, timestamp 4:15. I crushed a 5am German peloton this morning because I needed to do something.

[Dan LeBatard]

Are you okay?

[Billy Corben]

My mind's racing. No, I'm not Okay, like, look, I got played by Dan. I've been doing this for 20 years. And I told him the entire time I did not want to go along with this. And here I am taking my Rolex off like I'm Rick Flair.

[Chris Cody]

So I Texted Mike at 11, just left a restaurant where someone asked me to make sure to tell you, no, you. And then at 4:21am lost in all this is the fact that I've saved your ass. Can't imagine the shit you'd be getting if you actually put them up when you wanted to and the results went the way they have. I'm still tempted to do it, honestly. I'm not rooting for them to lose tonight, but to have the weekend to think about it, like, I want to double down before Game 7.

[Billy Corben]

He's the bad guy, Greg, what he's doing to you right now.

[Chris Cody]

I believe in the team. I believe in the team. I believe in the team.

[Billy Corben]

No, he believes in the anarchy. He believes in.

[Chris Cody]

I believe in the team more than.

[Billy Corben]

I believe in your chinks and making you the clown in his circus. Why can't you see this? Dude, we all see it.

[Zaslow]

I. You don't have to tell me the role I play in this studio and his hand in it. Okay? My Greg Cody show merch store is not selling McOville rated T shirts and capitalizing on it.

[Chris Cody]

They won the next three games after we did that. That can't be blamed as a jinx they want. They went up 3. Oh, my book.

[Billy Corben]

He's trying to stop you because you're getting there on your own, Greg. You're getting there on your own. Your shop didn't try to sell it. Your shop didn't try to capitalize on your take, which you know, the hockey media's poked holes in. Which is fine, whatever. You've defended yourself, but you're not trying to monetize it. He is. He's the one trying to put your face on billboards. Not you. You. What? What is your opinion? What is your honest opinion of these billboards? What is your honest opinion?

[Zaslow]

My honest opinion is that they should not be put up until the Panthers win the same cup.

[Billy Corben]

Same, same. That's where my passion comes.

[Zaslow]

I said that last Tuesday.

[Billy Corben]

And he's not.

[Chris Cody]

He's not listening to, you know, because the national audience wants me to put him up. The national audience wants me to put him up.

[Billy Corben]

But South Florida. And why people are telling me to relay fu's to you is you've never done this. You've never made us A joke. It's not just like, the jinxing stuff is. You're actively trying to embarrass people that like this franchise.

[Chris Cody]

No, I'm not.

[Billy Corben]

Yes, you are.

[Chris Cody]

No, I am not.

[Billy Corben]

Because you cannot. Okay.

[Chris Cody]

I'm okay with taking the US being the subject of the joke. Egg on the face.

[Billy Corben]

Tell me. Tell me this is coming together for you like the end of a Saw movie. Greg. Like, he's. He's. No, I'm not. We're laying out a pretty. My case.

[Chris Cody]

We risk the maximum thing. Me enduring, echoing national laughter that stays with me locally for years.

[Billy Corben]

And what we risk.

[Chris Cody]

But I believe in the team. I'm willing to make the bet on behalf of the team.

[Billy Corben]

No, what we risk is you putting up billboards before game three. And in oil country, I believe in.

[Chris Cody]

Them more than you do.

[Billy Corben]

We're in oil country where the airport welcomes you with a baggage claim. It's just a myriad of, like, mannequin Oilers. Like, what you risk is pissing off the entire fan base, the entire Edmonton oiler organization, pissing off hockey for saying, how dare you do this? This is so classless. You make that barn an insane asylum tonight. Like, I don't need to explain this.

[Chris Cody]

I can't do it today. It would have to wait till the weekend. I can't do it today. It has to wait.

[Billy Corben]

This is the best my tone has been. I think I laid out a good case. I think we're all effectively being played by Dan LeBatard, and he's a true villain.

[Zaslow]

That barn is gonna be an insane asylum with or without billboards.

[Stugotz]

Everyone's calling it a barn now. I love it.

[Zaslow]

I mean, come on now. You know Connor McDavid is gonna be great with or without being called McOverrated.

[Billy Corben]

Does it help?

[Chris Cody]

It doesn't help. I'm going to. I'm going to move off of this subject for a moment, but ask you, what does the phrase egg on the face? Why do people get egg on the face? Because I don't know the origins of that. Obviously, someone would be throwing eggs for some reason. I don't know if it's at a Renaissance fair or where, but the bet that I'd be making, Mike, is maximum stakes. It's. It is an inside joke for our audience that believes in the team, you say? It's not that I'm. I'm believing in the team over jinx. I'm believing in how good they are. And it does risk that team losing. It does risk my belief being betrayed in a way that Embarrasses me and lasts for a while and stings. But at the moment, I've got two games to win one, and I've got the better team.

[Billy Corben]

Okay. I mean, I think most people know what's happening here, and he can rationalize it all he wants. He's good with words. He's manipulated.

[Dan LeBatard]

Greg, as your resident theater guy, just off the top of my head, I believe this dates back to the late 1800s, early 1900s in theater, when people were throwing rotten vegetables or eggs at performers. And so you ended up with egg on your face.

[Stugotz]

I'd rather have.

[Dan LeBatard]

Just off the top of my head.

[Stugotz]

I'd rather have rotten vegetables than egg throw at me personally.

[Dan LeBatard]

Not me, at least the egg shatters.

[Zaslow]

A zucchini would hurt.

[Chris Cody]

Right?

[Zaslow]

But it's like.

[Dan LeBatard]

Yeah, it's right. It's still solid.

[Stugotz]

No, like, I feel like if it's rotten, it's softened a little.

[Billy Corben]

Softened.

[Dan LeBatard]

Softened. But the egg is a solid object.

[Stugotz]

It's yucky. It's going to hurt.

[Chris Cody]

If it's a rotten avocado, it's going to be pretty soft. There's a pit.

[Zaslow]

Yeah, but it's got a pit in it.

[Stugotz]

Yeah, but you're not going to feel the pit.

[Zaslow]

Oh, I think you would. If it's soft, what would be the vegetable?

[Chris Cody]

The rotten vegetable, that is. What would. Well, the egg's not a vegetable, so it's rotten eggs. It's rotten eggs and rotten vegetables. The eggs are thrown in as a protein because you guys are falling for.

[Dan LeBatard]

I mean, you need a balance.

[Billy Corben]

Etymology is the number one diversionary tactic from Dan Lebatard, playing you like a harp from hell, and you're just going along with it, man.

[Zaslow]

It's a.

[Billy Corben]

It's a etymology.

[Zaslow]

Oh, yeah.

[Billy Corben]

What is the origin of that? That's a great point.

[Chris Cody]

You know what? You know what? I have another one of those tools in my bag that is less easy to spot. But can you play that music real quick in terms of a diversionary technique that I use at all times to get out of all situations? Because I just think we've talked about this enough. It's not because I actually want to avoid it, because, honest to God, I would do this pregame show for the next several hours. Like, I'd be happy to just sit here talking to you guys about this for many hours, but I do have another diversionary technique play for me, please. The sound of the sports media gas bags that nobody wants to. Nobody wants to hear me talk about the sports media because there's a Sports media story that is just breaking now that I do believe is super interesting.

[Billy Corben]

Do you get annoyed every time Dan.

[Jeremy Tache]

Levitard pontificates about the sports media industry?

[Chris Cody]

Well, too bad, mother. He knows he don't give a damn about what he's gonna say this time for Sports Media Talk today. So I have told you and Juju has reprimanded me on this because he has said, man, Dan, nobody wants to hear about how much money media people are making. A lot of people are struggling out there. They don't want to hear about Stephen A. Smith's contract demands. But I happen to find interesting that in our time, the person who is at the top of our profession is now being offered, reportedly at espn, the highest salary in the history of the company for a talent. It used to be for Jon Gruden at $6.5 million. But the explosion of everything that's happened has made everyone realize, oh, all these talent are super undervalued. Even though everyone listening to this would say it's ridiculous for anybody to be making the kind of money doing this nonsense that people can make. ESPN has offered Stephen A. Smith the highest contract in the history of the company, putting him ahead of Joe Buck, who is now the highest paid employee who doesn't have to do as much as Stephen A. Smith. Stephen A. Smith is reportedly countering with that's not enough. $18 million is not enough. I want $25 million. That's what's being reported. $25 million a year. And power, by the way. It's not going to just be money. He's going to want power and a bunch of other things because he is the modern day Howard Cosell, whether you like it or not. And beyond sports, he's got conquering ambitions because he is casting a wide net going on fox, making sure the audience is as large as it can be as he heads into the leverage of negotiations. Because he can do this for more than $18 million a year on his own. He doesn't need ESPN. You know how I know that Chris Cody's worth $25 million a year, like what we've been paid the last four, the last three years, a lot more.

[Billy Corben]

Work that goes into it.

[Chris Cody]

And the fourth one, like our thing, is worth what Stephen A. Smith is asking for. So what?

[Billy Corben]

I think he deserves it.

[Chris Cody]

It's a ridiculous thing to say.

[Billy Corben]

It is because he's the entirety of that network. Their entire daytime programming strategy is around him. This is. Yeah, you're right. This is another one of your diversionary tactics. But game up.

[Chris Cody]

I got you.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah, you got me.

[Chris Cody]

I got you.

[Billy Corben]

But he is the straw that serves their drink. He sets a table for all the rights that they have unless it's the Stanley Cup. So what I would do if I'm ESPN is I would pay him $10 million for every sport he can actually cover. Because the daytime programming on a game that they have their coverage. Was Mike Greenberg asking you, Donnis Haslam, what he thought about tonight? This country is headed in to a World cup in 2026. What the do you think is going to be happening on that show? Let me what do you think is going to be happening on that show? Because it's more likely to be Dak Prescott than it is to be about the World Cup. That show is limited. It is very limited. And it does what it's limited at exceptionally well. The greatest daytime sports show ever because he is the greatest sports talent ever. But it is very frustrating and it works against ESPN's overall best interest. I understand college football makes a lot of money. I understand pro football makes a lot of money. I understand the NBA makes a lot of money. And they haven't exactly figured out how to make a lot of money elsewhere except just putting the game on. But they should take a note from what's worked well with Stephen A. Smith. If you have engaging, great, talented personalities that can speak with a wealth of knowledge, they can get you interested in games, they can get you interested to watch that ESPN is wonderful at producing these packages that'll make you care about stuff. They do it every college game day. I just wish that they weren't just a two note entity.

[Chris Cody]

ESPN is an excellent sports partner for the reasons that Mike Ryan is stating that all day long there are infomercials with credible personalities just getting you to the next games and increasing your addiction to all of the things. But Mike is also right in his criticism that those morning shows have been abysmal covering hockey because the people on those shows don't know what they are talking about when it comes to. Well, but what, what has happened with hockey and the ratings with ESPN now engaged has been an explosion of people realizing how wonderful these playoffs actually are because elsewhere on the network they are better partners to hockey than they are to baseball by a lot. The baseball people are dying at ESPN because they clearly do not care about the sport, but they care about hockey more and believe in the future of hockey more and spend as if they believe in the future of hockey more. But the morning shows aren't equipped to talk about this.

[Billy Corben]

Well, Pat McAfee is equipped and you're seeing, I genuinely think that the rise in interest in hockey, which is up 61% over the entire continent here over last year. It's a different series and whatnot and it was cable television, but it is up. And I think that is really because of visibility, because guys are going on main ESPN because barstool sports is aggregate, because shows like ours, because of our platform and because of what's happening locally is you're seeing an increase in the base and they can do that. Pat showed you what he can do with the NHL. Stephen Hayes shows you what he can do with the NFL and Dak Prescott and all that.

[Chris Cody]

The NBA.

[Billy Corben]

The NBA certainly. Even though that's kind of leveling off. But they're going to get a ton of money. I just wish they did it for the other sports because sports are great. Look what sports has done to us. This, if we win, will be remembered as a great time in our lives or the worst.

[Mike Ryan]

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[Billy Corben]

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[Chris Cody]

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[Billy Corben]

Oh, such a clutch off season pickup. Dave.

[Jeremy Tache]

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[Billy Corben]

I meant those Blackout motorized shades.

[Jeremy Tache]

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[Billy Corben]

Hard to install?

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[Billy Corben]

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[Billy Corben]

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[Chris Cody]

Don LeBatard. Mike Bryan's in there and he's the one with a baby. He's the one who's gotta like worry about what the future is. And Mike Ryan bet on DraftKings because Mike Ryan bet on us. This is the bet you're afraid of doubling down on putting up a billboard in Edmonton.

[Billy Corben]

Stugats. I care more about Matthew Tkachuk than I do my daughter. This is the Don Lebatar show with the Stugats.

[Chris Cody]

If you're just joining us, you have missed Mike Bryan calling Greg Cody an idiot twice. Greg Cody pal three times. And also you've missed Greg Cody come pretty close to saying Dan Marino is overrated and that Jeremy Teshe isn't a journalist. It's been an eventful morning. It's been aggressive. The Greg Cody show featuring Greg Cody.

[Dan LeBatard]

We're all in a bad place.

[Chris Cody]

Wait till there's a game set.

[Stugotz]

No, Dan, stop.

[Chris Cody]

Well, they might win an over. They might win in overtime tonight. So you don't have to worry about it. You guys will have a good weekend and you can stop worrying about everything. Even though I think the worry is what makes it so goddamn like. It really does. It makes it more special. But some people don't agree with that. Zaslow did leave in genuine disgust. He's going to be on ESPN Radio at noon. If you got. I don't know if he's got any more for Greg Cody. He might have some more for Greg Cody. He'll be on ESPN Radio at noon. Greg, how do you think all of that went with Zaslow? His disgust and his disdain are legitimate. He has been for many years texting me. When you've written some column that says the. The Marlins should. Should get Ohtani, he always sends me those columns that have a headline of yours that's a little bit obvious. How was your time with Zaslo? What is your general appraisal of how things have gone here today?

[Zaslow]

I don't have a problem with Zaslo because he's not pretending what he is or isn't. He was wearing a Sam Bennett shirt. He's obviously a Homer Panthers fan, and that's fine. He's respectful of me. He's never called me an idiot to my face. I have no problem with Zaslo.

[Stugotz]

I don't know what you're doing with this dismissive, like, fan thing right now. Like, I. I get what you're doing. You're trying to. I'm a journalist. You all are fans. I like.

[Chris Cody]

There isn't. I'm better than you in the journalism. But you've seen. You've seen how Stephen A. Walks into the arena. Right? Like, given that we were. Yes, yes.

[Dan LeBatard]

Well, he's not a journalist.

[Chris Cody]

The journalist often thinks he is better than the he or she is better than the fan. Correct. And.

[Stugotz]

And holding up one of the dumbest hockey takes in a long time is just.

[Zaslow]

It's just.

[Stugotz]

It's just a rich juxtaposition of, like, looking down at fans while giving that take.

[Zaslow]

My own son doesn't know it, and so I'm going to remind him. Me saying Connor McDavid is overrated was predicated 100% on the fact that he's never won a Stanley Cup. Cup. If the unthinkable happens and he's the one raising the Stanley cup, he will have caught up in his ninth year to expectations and hype. Okay.

[Chris Cody]

One of the reasons, though I would argue that. One of the many reasons I would argue that that is not the greatest of takes is that Connor McDavid will be no better of a player if he loses tonight than if he wins the next two games. Like he.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's a Stu Gotz take to say, hey, he's overrated. Show me your rings in a box. But you as a journalist Greg should be able to dive deeper into what Connor McDable. Connor McDavid is able to do on the ice and have that impact, regardless.

[Chris Cody]

If he scores six goals tonight and loses 7 6, he will be no less of a player because he did not win the championship.

[Zaslow]

And Dan Marino is no less of a player because he never won a Super Bowl. That's not the way history judges sports.

[Chris Cody]

But journalists. Journalists should help us untangle the nuance in history. That's their job. It's fans who don't.

[Zaslow]

I think.

[Billy Corben]

I believe he's explaining to you how to be a journalist.

[Zaslow]

Yeah, I understand.

[Billy Corben]

Come on, man.

[Zaslow]

I understand that.

[Billy Corben]

He's right there. Right in front of your eyes.

[Zaslow]

Look, that's a very Good point. Dan LeBatard used to be a journalist. He's not anymore.

[Chris Cody]

He's a professional yodeler now.

[Zaslow]

That's right. Now you distracted me. Oh, no, no. I believe in the macro of that historical weight given to championships. I believe in it.

[Chris Cody]

But you don't disagree with my assessment that I just said? You do understand how silly it is to say that McDavid is overrated if he scores six goals tonight, loses seven six, and therefore does not have a championship.

[Zaslow]

Okay. No, no. I still stand by my op.

[Billy Corben]

The challenge tonight we should issue as a South Florida show. We've Talked plenty of McDavid. The challenge is for who PK Subhan said is the best defensive forward in the league. A guy that should have the Selkie Award to himself for the next eight years or so. Sasha Barkov, the captain that has been throughout this. He's been here throughout this entire identity crisis of this franchise. That is the challenge. It is clear to novice hockey Fans how good 97 is to how special he is. The attributes in skating that you've never seen before in your entire life. The challenge is on the best defensive forward going right now to stop that. The challenge is on Gustav Forsling, who's the greatest waiver claim in the history of the sport. Let me say that again. Gustav Forsling, greatest waiver claim in the history of the sport. I don't think it's particularly close. Went from stop to stop, people quit on him. He finds his way here, develops himself into the plus minus points leader in the league with one of the best plus minuses in the history of the NHL. League's been around for a long time. They have an opportunity to do something that no opposing team has ever done in Edmonton, and that's lift Lord Stanley. The Oilers have only been in the NHL since 1980. Since then, they are tied for the most Stanley cup championships. This is the Boston Celtics of our lifetimes in that Sport. They had 99. They had the greatest player. They traded them. They won another. They've been on hard times just like we have. It's to go in that insane asylum today made even more crazy by coverage and calling out players and. And the fact that they were down, written off, left for dead three zero. They're going to be insane. But I've also watched that team plenty. And if you score first, that building gets the entire air taken out of it. And that is a monumental challenge. And that is what journalists will be writing their articles about. But for as great as 97 is, Sasha Barkov needs to meet it.

[Chris Cody]

You say that and I would stop you on this. And I would say I'm good with Barkhoff and McDavid playing to a push on wherever it is that greatness resides. And I would like Reinhard to score a goal in front of the net or Ver Hagee to do something or the waves of Panthers that I have watched over the course of this season win the game in the third period because Barkoff has played McDavid to a tie or Barkoff has played McDavid to. I'm a little less good than you because you're an immortal. And it's okay that I'm a little less good than you. Look at. Let me show you my nine other friends. I'm the captain of this team. We traded for some of these because we were playing a different kind of hockey before. And I could use something from some of these other Panthers that have been a little quiet this series.

[Billy Corben]

Matthew Tkachuk, welcome to the series. Amazing play, way to lead. That is the exact effort that we need tonight. Paul Maurice, there is so much on the line for him. He could be one of the sport's greatest losers. He could be one of the sport's greatest losers. If he fails to win this cup.

[Chris Cody]

It'Ll be remembered as such. Like, yeah, of course.

[Billy Corben]

Yeah, yeah. If you lose. I told you yesterday, 1942, that's not a real year. Like, no one's ever actually come back from 3, 0 down. And I gotta live it back to back years.

[Chris Cody]

Ted Williams left baseball. Ted Williams left baseball that that year to become a fighter pilot. Do you know how in a war, there was a world war going on?

[Billy Corben]

I want to celebrate tonight with my friends that have been there throughout this entire journey. I want to throw alcohol all over the bar. I want to go to the Grove After, I want to have a pool party on Saturday. I want to sing Red Hot Chili Peppers at a concert on Sunday. I don't want to be here dressed like Sting, rationalizing throughout the entire weekend. Well, same pressure on us. We got one game on our home ice. And if I told you that before the series, you'd take it. No, I wouldn't. No, I wouldn't.

[Chris Cody]

Anything could happen in a game.

[Billy Corben]

Now they're both gonna be playing tight. No, I don't want to be doing that. I've had my suffering. I've embarrassed myself on this show, and I'm done. Please, guys, I'm begging you. Rhino. I'm gonna be wearing a Rhino like ski cap today because I'm a goof about this stuff. I need it in the worst way. Please, oh, please, oh, please, please. I'm desperate for this. Just make the effort, meet the moment, and I'm pretty sure this team will win.

[Stugotz]

I hope anything can happen in any game. Why do we only say that for Game seven?

[Dan LeBatard]

Such a good point.

[Stugotz]

Such a dumb saying.

[Billy Corben]

And they always say it's the two best words in sports. That'll be the worst two words.

[Stugotz]

Oh, God.

[Zaslow]

Unless you win. Then it's the best two words, world.

[Billy Corben]

Well, there's no Game seven. There's no Game seven if we win. Lord Stanley is the best two words in sports.

[Stugotz]

You guys know a Stanley Cup Final's never gone to overtime in a game 7.

[Chris Cody]

Put it on the pole. Oh, God. Why would you say that out loud at Lebatard?

[Zaslow]

Take it back.

[Chris Cody]

Show another.

[Billy Corben]

Believe in the jinx. That's. That's okay. I. This isn't about jinx. We've amplified that. This is about credibility and the Panthers. The plight of the Panther fan, which is similar to the plight of the actual Florida Panther. We are few. They have written us off for dead endangered. We. We need this. We need this to actually ring eternal. We need this for credibility. I don't want to be a joke. I don't want to be remembered for this show. I hate it.

[Chris Cody]

Best two words in sports. Put it on the poll at Lebatard. Show, Game seven or Lord Stanley, because I think you're gonna lose there. I think people are gonna choose Game seven. I do want, though, to the people who were gathered tonight in sunrise, around the arena, in the arena, because it'll be full watching this. There is this wonderful region of South Florida that has cared about this franchise, this hockey team, for a long time. And this is the best, obviously, that it has ever felt. What they're headed into tonight, though I cannot. I cannot overstate this part of it when Mike talks about the history of the Edmonton Oilers. Okay? Canada cares deeply about hockey and the Edmonton Oilers as a franchise played it better, more dynastically than anyone in the last 50 years. Now, I may have my time wrong on some of this stuff. I think I got some of the world war timing wrong on Ted Williams. But when Edmonton was great at hockey, Edmonton as a town became known throughout North America. Even as we headed into this series, there were plenty of South Floridians asking, where's Edmonton? Where the Oilers play? Is it in Texas? Where's Edmonton Oilers? Where are the Oilers? Edmonton is known. I don't even know what I'd say is second place on what do you associate Edmonton with? It's 80s hockey. Like what else. What is second place on what?

[Billy Corben]

When the region hockey Islanders and Oilers is that. That was the 80s when the regional.

[Chris Cody]

Identity stuff makes a play in sports. Edmonton as a region is going to be hellfire for its team tonight because this stuff's been passed down from Graham Pappy like this. Hey, this is what our town is.

[Billy Corben]

We did three shows trying to find a singular Panther fan. You step out of your front door, it hits you in the face.

[Chris Cody]

Every home in Edmonton has some sort of identity. It links to this hockey team because it's how that city gets shown to the world. For 50 years and they haven't won in hockey and now they've got the best player and they're on the cusp. On the cusp of coming down. Coming back from down three.

[Dan LeBatard]

Oh, I just looked up what is Edmonton known for? The west Edmonton Mall. So it turns out where both of these teams are from are known for malls, Sawgrass Mills and West Edmonton Mall. Amazing.

[Chris Cody]

Except here what surrounds us is alligators and swamp. There it's. Every child is a hockey fan from birth.

[Dan LeBatard]

That's right.

[Chris Cody]

Every single child from birth. Everybody who is in that building has put. Has had that put in the crib since a child. You're an Edmonton oiler. That's who they got to take it from. That's why it's so cool. You got to go up there and you got to take it from the best player in the country that invented the sport. And in a city that identifies with the sport, it's the hardest bleeping thing and it's going to go to overtime.

[Stugotz]

Come on, boys.

[Chris Cody]

And there's never been a Game 7 overtime in the history of the Stanley Cup. Stop it says Mike. Stop it. As the shit runs down his leg.

[Billy Corben]

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