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Mike Ryan
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Dan LeBatard
Welcome to the Big Suey presented by DraftKings. Why are you listening to this show.
David Sampson
The podcast that seems very similar to the other Dan LeBatard podcast. I'm sorry, I'm not going to apologize for that.
Dan LeBatard
In fact, the only difference seems to be this imaging. I have been tempted in restaurants just walking past tables to grab somebody's fries that if they're just there. That hasn't happened to you guys. I've done it.
David Sampson
And now here's the marching man to Nowhere Fat Face and the Habitual Liar.
Dan LeBatard
Well, let's see if we can navigate it in this particular thicket that I head into with David Sampson of Nothing Personal. David Sampson, as I've told you on his podcast, tackles a lot of stuff a lot of other people won't. And so I imagine there's a bit of a difference right now between how Shannon Sharpe is being covered in the mainstream media and how it is that the Internet discusses him. Now, as David, as we talk about journalism, this is what you had happen yesterday that I was watching. I was like, whoa, all right, that's different. So McAfee got his own thing that he rents to ESPN and that's a wrestling show. And now a wrestling character is talking about the Shannon Sharpe lawsuit on ESPN airwaves. But Pat McAfee has his thing. Stephen A. Smith has his thing and spends his entire show away from ESPN saying, this is a podcast I own and operate. And he's talking about all the things related to Shannon Sharpe that he can discuss while in the unusual thicket. David, where I'm reading Disney getting headlines and no comments around 19 year old woman allegedly mad because of an Instagram live that was Shannon Sharpe having sex loudly with another woman. All of this in Disney's thicket. And you've got McAfee's got his own show, Stephen A. Smith has his own show, and Shannon Sharpe is on Instagram, not talking about it on espn. Now outing and doxing an accuser. And there's a big public fight in which a lawyer for Shannon Sharpe is saying that the woman turned down a $10 million settlement. This story is a mess. We should be waiting for facts. There's more time for it to unspool. But what do you make of what you've seen so far?
David Sampson
Well, first we have to talk about what a settlement means. Just because it's been so unclear where people assume when you make a settlement offer, that means that you're automatically guilty or that you've done the underlying action. Actually, it's a math equation, believe it or not. When you have a lawsuit that is pending, you speak to Your lawyers and they talk to you about the probability. So if he's being sued for $50 million. Stay with me here, Dan. And the lawyer says, Shannon, there's a 10% chance of this happening, of the victory against you, of you losing. 10% of 50 million is 5 million bucks. That means the value of the lawsuit is 5 million bucks. But the legal fees are going to be $8 million. No matter what, if you have no liability or if you're found liable for 50 million, you're going to pay me 8 million. That's a total of $13 million. That's when you go to the other side and you say, I'll give you 10. That doesn't mean I did it. Doesn't mean I didn't do it. It's called a nuisance settlement amount. And it's, and it's discovered through a simple math equation based on probability. And that's all it does. So when the 10 million was offered, now people go crazy. My God, how can you be so stupid as to say you didn't do it and then offer 10? That's how.
Dan LeBatard
Take us through the most interesting parts of this. Understanding that it's a civil suit and understanding that there were strategic leaks over the weekend in order to try. And people were prepared for whatever this weekend brought.
David Sampson
So when you have a lawsuit and, or you're negotiating a contract, you absolutely, whether it's with a player, whether you're buying another business. In the business world, there's all sorts of publications that we don't focus on in sports media. There's business publications, there's industry publications where leaks happen all the time and they're done to further your position in a negotiation. It is no shock that Shannon Sharpe has out there that there is $100 million offer for his show, that there are multiple $100 million offers for his show. That doesn't mean they exist. We've seen that in the sports world where agents say, oh, we've got five teams interested in my player at 25 million. And you know, there aren't even two teams. But you feel like you're in the dark so you may make a bigger offer. What Sharpe is doing with his show is smart, trying to maximize value by leaking out there that there could be nine figure offers, multiple. Then all of a sudden, sorry, go ahead, David.
Greg Cody
If I'm in a courtroom and I take the fifth Amendment, I'm not incriminating myself yet. The public perception would be, what is he hiding? Why doesn't he want to answer in this case, would you agree that Shannon Sharpe, if it's true, offering a $10 million settlement from a public relations standpoint sort of makes you think.
Dan LeBatard
Did you not hear what he just said though?
Stan Van Gundy
Like, did you.
Greg Cody
I understand, but we're talking about public per. Now.
Dan LeBatard
Well, but no, David, I guess I don't know that he wasn't necessarily listening.
Greg Cody
I was listening.
Dan LeBatard
Okay, okay. But he's just talking about he's coming into this position. What Greg is saying to you is I've arrived at the position that $10 million means you're guilty. You explained everything you did. And he's like, yeah, and $10 million still makes me feel like you're guilty.
Greg Cody
I understand that. When a lawyer is telling me that and when a former club president is telling me that, what I'm asking you is from a public perception standpoint, does that serve Shannon Sharpe to have it out there?
Dan LeBatard
I understand his question in this regard, David. They've decided to make a mud fight out of this. And if all of this gets this kind of dirty, it's the kind of thing you're exactly trying to avoid when everybody is fighting over money.
Mike Ryan
Not anymore though, I don't think exactly. I'm curious to hear David's thoughts on this. It seems as though media personalities, especially in sports, have taken their hint from politics and how they just power through. Steve Smith, his name is in the news cycle for, you know, two days and he moves on, he persists. Shannon Sharpe has learned that especially when it comes to Busby, this is the exact same. Busby sued Jay Z and he is going about it the exact same way that Jay Z in his camp did. And that was very effective for Jay Z. So David, I'm curious your thoughts on this bit of sea change. We're dealing with a societal shift when it comes to moralities applied to these things. The punishment that people get just for allegations has also shifted. Cuz Shannon Sharpe back in the day, he'd be pulled from television for five days even if he didn't do anything, at the very least. And that's kind of changed. They're affording him the opportunity to defend himself. It's a bit different these days.
David Sampson
Well, what's interesting to me is whether or not ESPN was involved in the decision to allow Shannon Sharpe to make the statement he made. Because you tell your client it's the number one rule, be quiet. Anything you say is not going to help you. But now with social media, the shift is it doesn't impact the jury, it doesn't impact what an award would be, but it impacts your ability to monetize your platform. What Shannon Sharp decided with his lawyer is that the mud fight and the publicity on your show, Dan, on Steven's show, on McAfee show, everybody's talking about him. And the equation was we are not getting lower offers for my club, Shay Shay and all the stuff that I do as a free agent just because I'm involved in this mud fight. As a matter of fact, what I'm learning is I'm getting more offers and more money. The more outrageous things are. That's what bothers me about this, is that the moral center that used to exist for what Mike just described as the five day rule, which is if anything that you are accused of a network would pull you. It would be called administrative leave, paid leave you can call it. But you would not be on the air and therefore you'd be silenced because there was no social media. There'd be no way to get your point across. Now companies have been neutered because employees have the ability to reach more people almost on their own. So Shannon Sharpe has this strategy. Will it work? The only way we'll know is with his free agent signing as a podcast. It's not about the settlement with this woman or Tony Busby or any of it. It's what happens to his show. And if his show becomes less valuable, then you know that they made the wrong decision in terms of pr.
Dan LeBatard
But David, you're watching this play out, right? We're all seeing the same thing. If the numbers are reported at 100 million for Shannon Sharpe, you're looking at McAfee, Shannon Sharpe and Stephen A. Smith are all worth the same thing. They are all getting the same contract and they all have their side, side gigs. And so Stephen A. Yesterday is in the weird position of. It felt like to me, David, I don't know if you heard what he was doing on his own show. He's in the unusual as he's considering a presidential run while building his own thing. And he, it felt to me like he wouldn't want Shannon Sharpe to be back on the air. But we're playing a totally different game now where McAfee, Stephen A and Shannon Sharpe all have the same amount of money and power.
David Sampson
Well, you also have to just think about who's president now and what platform that Trump used to become president. And you think if Stephen A. Smith is going to run for president, he was very measured in his 20 minutes on his show. He actually said, I don't know anything. I brought Shannon to espn. I attempted. He was. He's my partner, he's my friend, and I want to believe him because I want it to not be true, but I just don't know. But by the way, he did a read for Prize Picks before the show. He then did an entire conversation about how he has ESPN bosses, how while it's his own show, the podcast, he's got other employers. So he was very measured. Because you don't want to be on the wrong side of this, no matter whether it's your friend or not, having nothing to do with being president. As a matter of fact, you have a better chance to become president than monetizing your podcast if you're on the wrong side of an issue like this one.
Dan LeBatard
And in the middle of it, right. Just powering through. Oh, my God, I don't know what's true there. Where a woman just got strategically outed yesterday by. By name. Right? And so that's like, that's where this gets super dirty, wherever it is that Shannon Sharpe can frame here as a victim.
David Sampson
Yeah. I'm not a journalist, but I thought that there was a very rule, there was a rule that everyone followed that you did not disclose the name of a victim of a sexual assault. I just assumed that that rule was still in place. And you do file under Jane Doe in order to. That's very common. It's common both criminally and civilly, in order to protect the name of the person involved, the victim. But in this case, what. What Shannon Sharp did. You have every right to name a person. You have every right to defend yourself in any court of law, any legal action. That's an interesting choice, though, because more so than the $10 million settlement offer I found the choice to name the name, the more suspect choice. Well, David, I don't think it was necessary, David.
Dan LeBatard
Well, wait a minute. So now it gets dirtier and dirtier and more and more shameless. And, you know, Mary Kate Cornette is suing Pat McAfee, allegedly. Because you can't just be on these airwaves ruining lives, David. There has to be a standard, right? And.
David Sampson
Well, there is, Dan. There are laws about that. There's libel, there's slander, there's defamation. There's absolute protection. And when you are a public figure, you give up many of those protections, and that is well established by the Supreme Court. You, Dan, people can say anything they want about every one of us on this show, actually. And there is nothing that we can do about that.
Dan LeBatard
Any other takes that you can find helpful here? While trying to navigate the. You know, we don't know what the facts on some of these things are, but we know that things are loud, explosive, and going to get messy before we even get to the facts.
David Sampson
Yeah. The biggest thing that I'm thinking about is Disney. And you know, you heard Bob Iger at the World Congress of Sport talking about the, the dtc, the direct to consumer that they're going to have with espn. Jimmy Pitaro was talking about it. They have a lot of eggs in that basket. We don't know what the name of it yet is, but what we do know is that it is so critical for Disney, for the Disney company and for its share price is to make this ESPN new platform successful. It is so critical whether there is any shine that gets tarnished by any of the people in that orbit and that becomes a big deal in the boardroom, because in the Disney boardroom, they don't much care. And I know you don't understand or believe this. Actually not understand it. Of course you do. They don't really focus on, oh, wow, you know, McAfee's famous, LeBatard's famous. And, and so is Stephen A. And Shannon Sharp, their great voices in the boardroom. They're focused on far different and bigger issues and they're not going to let anything get in the way of a company being profitable and growing. And so Shannon just has to be careful here. Although I could argue that everyone should always be careful in every regard, but often they're not.
Dan LeBatard
What would you have been advising Shannon Sharpe around the idea that first take and Disney isn't going to want any of this around them like they're. There's going to want to be some sort of separation, even if we're doing innocent till proven guilty. So how do you.
David Sampson
Well, it's not criminal. That's. You're the second person in the media who said fair.
Dan LeBatard
Fair point. Yes.
David Sampson
It's a civil mind.
Dan LeBatard
Yeah, My bad.
David Sampson
So. So that threshold is different. It's. It's not even beyond a reasonable doubt. That's. That's all criminal. And this is not a criminal case. So. And this is not me defending Shannon or, or not. It's not about that. I'm just trying to give you the facts and I just. What concerns me most about what Shannon did. And forget the action that he's accused of, which we don't know. We don't know the facts. What. The reason why we should all be quiet about this issue is that we don't know and we're in the world of speculation, that's what we do in sports media and in business. But it would be far more interesting to speculate on things happening with sports teams and the business of sports than when it involves a person and a a violent sexual act. I don't want to be in the business of speculating about that on either side because it's not appropriate. I'd much rather speculate why everyone's going to watch the draft instead of a Marlins game.
Dan LeBatard
All right, then let's move on to other sports subject. The Paul Skeens bobblehead situation. Can you explain to me how that could have gone worse?
David Sampson
Oh, this is a great story. Paul Sk I I I didn't get one of these bobbleheads for you guys. Paul Skeens is a the best pitcher in baseball, in theory, the face of baseball. And the Pirates, who have had a bunch of missteps this season in the organization, they did a bobblehead night, but they didn't do a bobblehead for everybody. So unlike Ohtani with the Dodgers, where everyone got a bobblehead and still they waited on line for four hours in Pittsburgh, they really did wait online for multiple hours because they didn't know whether they get one. And then the Pirates announced, by the way, just kidding. Everyone can get one. And I was laughing about this because when we do a bobblehead order, we don't have an extra five or eight thousand bobbleheads sitting around. We get an extra pallet to give to the player and to the play and to the employees and the staff. But did they just buy all those extra and they were going to sit on them? Why wouldn't they have announced from the beginning that they were doing 20,000 or 25,000? It's just such a great example. The Pirates are just stepping in it. And I feel for Cody, this all happened because of Cody, because it's his favorite hat and he wears that Pirate hat all the time. And I just feel like you can't wear it anymore.
Chris Cody
Chris Fair I'll retire it.
Dan LeBatard
You need to Thoughts on Aaron Rodgers.
David Sampson
Jets exit Is he joking? You're telling me. I've done a lot of bad stuff as a president. I never had a player fly in. I always fly to them. I flew to Pittsburgh to fire a guy. I went to a guy's house. I went to a guy's parking lot, to the airport once. You're telling me that Aaron Rodgers got on a private plane, flew to New York and Aaron Glenn said in the first five seconds, we're not bringing you back as quarterback. Give me a break. I'm not buying it for one second. What Aaron is. What Aaron Rodgers is selling about Aaron Glenn. He just sounds like a bitter, washed up quarterback.
Dan LeBatard
So why is he doing that?
David Sampson
I think he's trying to elicit sympathy because people said, wow, I can't believe you had to spend money to go get fired. It's. It's actually silly to me. Aaron Rodgers knew before that meeting and he was there, my guess is begging for an option because he wanted the option. It's actually a money difference for him, and it's just he's pretending that he hasn't made a decision. All of it is just straight poppycock to me.
Mike Ryan
Aaron complained a lot about the leaks inside that organization. I guess credit to the jets for letting Aaron shape this narrative and just, like, close the book on him. We're done. We're not gonna be in the business of leaking stuff out about Aaron. Even though David just articulated something that I hadn't considered, which is, yeah, Aaron could also be lying. There's that the story couldn't be, like, fully on the up and up. And I guess we should probably all scrutinize what Aaron Rodgers says a little bit more.
David Sampson
I thought we scrutinized everything he says. Can you imagine how the phone call, hey, Aaron, do me a favor and fly to meet me in my office in Florida. Well, what's it about? No, I want to talk about next year's plan. All right, I'll be there. And then two seconds in. By the way, you're fired. There's no way the jets did that. And if it turns out to be true, I would fire Aaron Glenn right now.
Mike Ryan
That's what I wanted to ask. Because if Aaron is telling the truth here, my whole thing was, look, they didn't draw this out. They told you to your face. He brought in the general manager. We're not gonna bring you back. That's a direct conversation that might seem foreign considering how long Aaron Rodgers likes to stretch things out, but I thought that that was actually respectful of his time. You're saying that if Aaron Rodgers and his story about Aaron Glenn is true, that is actually worthy of the criticism that Aaron Rodgers is directing their way.
David Sampson
If it's true, yes. If they were going to get rid of him, and if I'm Aaron Glenn, I'm flying to him in California. That would be the way to show Aaron Rodgers respect. And to have this beyond reproach is just to fly to California, go to his house, because then you can Fire him in two seconds, tell him he's not coming back, and you're good. You can even have him at a lunch. And you do it at the beginning and say, hey, if you want to stay for the Greek salad, be my guest. Or you can just go home. But you don't make them fly across country.
Dan LeBatard
All right, we've got to. We've got to go, David, because Stan Van Gundy has arrived. Just give me the coldest firing. Where'd you have to go? Did you say a park parking lot? The coldest firing where you had to go somewhere and just, like, ransack someone on the way to their car.
David Sampson
Well, that is a bad one. But no, I flew to Pittsburgh, but I didn't have time to go to the guy's house, so I made him come to the airport, and I went out of security, fired him, and then went back through security to fly back to Florida.
Dan LeBatard
All right. Excellent work by you, Sampson. You're the most. You're ruthless. Look at Stan Van Gundy, just mortified by you. No, Stan wants to be rid of you. Get out of here. You are just a cold corporate demon. You love. He loved. He takes pride in telling that story. I ran through security, fired the guy, and ran out.
Chris Cody
Smile the whole time, Mouth.
David Sampson
Well, I flew to see him, though. I didn't make him fly to me.
Dan LeBatard
Get out of here. Get out of here. He just loves that. Why does he love telling stories? Look at Tony. Welcome, Tony. Thank you, Dan. You're disgusted by David Sanders.
Tony
No, I'm never. The thing is, like, I continually hear these stories of how David has done terrible things to people, right? But then he one ups it every single time where I'm like, I didn't know. He just went like. He literally, you know, the. The meme. I don't know if what. I think it's. It's a family guy where he comes in, puts his hat on. The little rat comes in, puts his hat on the rack, comes back out, and just goes back like, that's David Sampson in the security line of the airport.
Chris Cody
Hey, by the way, buddy, you're fired.
David Sampson
See ya.
Tony
And just keeps going. It's like, diabolical. Folks, listen up.
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Mike Ryan
Hey, you in the audience, it's Mike. You've been a fan of this show, hopefully for a long time. And you know how much Miller Lite means to me. This partnership, it's real. It's documented. For almost 20 years, Miller Lite has been a partner of the Dan Lebatard show with Stu Gods. And now Miller Lite is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I've had so many great moments with Miller Lite, so many great activations, so many great events presented by Miller Lite, a great partner Cheers to them. Cheers to 50 incredible years. And for you at home, you know that Miller Time always means a good time. From game night to parties with friends or a special anniversary, celebrating important occasions means more moments with the coolest people in your life. Cheers to 50 years of Miller Light, the great tasting light beer. For people who Love beer since 1975, now's a perfect time to celebrate legendary stories with friends, family, and a great tasting light beer. It's Miller Time. Miller Lite. Great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you. Or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
Dan LeBatard
Don LeBatard.
David Sampson
Oh, I like firing people. So I take the opportunity to fire whenever I possibly can because I can use it as a learning experience for them and try to help them out and try to point out what they did wrong. But in this case, the employee was enough levels below where I was that I did not do the firing, but I had it done within moments of discovery.
Dan LeBatard
I'm just, like, firing people. It's just absurd. It's absurd, Stugach.
David Sampson
I'm talking about people who I fire, who deserve it, who have done something that actively requires me to fire them. It is my unadulterated pleasure to do so.
Dan LeBatard
This is the D ler show with the St. GS. Stan, it's nice to see you. We've got Magic at Celtics tonight. Mike Ryan was just talking about Aaron Rodgers. Mike Ryan has read the audiobook. Stan, I need a ruling from you. If you've listened to the audiobook, have you read the book, I believe that is.
Stan Van Gundy
I'm sorry, Dan. I lost you there for a second. What book are we talking about?
Dan LeBatard
Question is, if you have listened to an audio book, have you read the.
Stan Van Gundy
Book, I have lost you again.
Mike Ryan
All right, we'll take that as a yes.
Greg Cody
All right, we will take that as a no.
Mike Ryan
Cap. Did he plead the fifth there?
Dan LeBatard
Okay, look, David Sampson is back. Heroically, David, back.
Mike Ryan
I thought we got rid of you.
Dan LeBatard
Why are you taking so much pride? Why are you taking pride in firing people?
David Sampson
No, I'm taking pride in being a team player because I saw Stan Van Gundy like this.
Dan LeBatard
Yeah.
David Sampson
And so I thought there was a chance that you were going to need a bailout. And so I stayed on the zoom, thinking that you may have to come back to me. Wow. Look, you're welcome.
Dan LeBatard
Yes. No, heroically, there's David Sampson to save us while he's ruthlessly cutting and gutting our company. Yes, because you. Because what? Second place to Iran through security to fire somebody? What finishes second to that?
David Sampson
Chasing a guy through a parking lot. Go. Go ask a former pitching coach named Brat named Brad Arnsberg how he got fired. It's a great story. It was a. It was a. It was a. Like, running. It was insane. I don't know if you remember that name. It's a name from a long time.
Dan LeBatard
No, I do remember. It was like I remember you. There was a tow truck, wasn't there? Like, you were climbing around a staircase in an apartment complex. There was video of you guys, like, chasing him under this to a second floo apartment, wasn't there?
David Sampson
I don't think that video exists. But I will. I will cede my time to svg, who has far more important things to talk about than me climbing parking lots like Tom Cruise.
Dan LeBatard
All right, just stay to the side there. We'll see if we can get Stan Van Gundy's technology right. He's got magic. At Celtics is at 7 o'clock tonight on TNT. It's followed by game two of warriors at Rockets. And the question I was asking Stan is if Mike Ryan has heard an audiobook about Aaron Rodgers. Has he read a book about Aaron Rodgers?
Stan Van Gundy
I would say yes. That counts.
Dan LeBatard
Congratulations. It was worth it.
Mike Ryan
I was a little scared when you prefaced it by Mike Ryan first, because that's all sorts of coding. People have already made up their minds.
Dan LeBatard
I'm glad we got our tremendous payoff.
Greg Cody
How can you say you read a book when what you did was hear a book?
Mike Ryan
Because how do I say I heard a book and not get looked at? Weird. So now I say I read a book with my ears.
Dan LeBatard
So what?
Mike Ryan
I heard a book, I read. Look, I paid some money. I contributed to the hard work that this person did, and I consumed their art.
Greg Cody
Okay.
Mike Ryan
With my ears.
Greg Cody
You get half credit for reading a book.
Priceline Representative
I think if you retain the information.
David Sampson
In the book, it counts.
Greg Cody
Right, Sorry.
Mike Ryan
I mean, people make art for the word read.
Greg Cody
Stumbling on. I mean, read a book if you haven't read a book.
Mike Ryan
Break down these societal norms, my friend. I don't know what to tell you. Media's changed. So have books.
Greg Cody
Okay.
Dan LeBatard
All right.
Chris Cody
We lost Stan again.
Dan LeBatard
Why are you.
Chris Cody
David's back.
Stan Van Gundy
Why are you.
Greg Cody
David came back to fire standing from retirement.
Mike Ryan
Do the whole promo against. We got Magic at Celtics. Why Ask him the audiobook question again.
Dan LeBatard
I will in a second, but I want to focus my attention here. Greg Cody is saying correctly. He is saying, how have you read a book if you haven't read a book? That's. It's quite a riddle. He's throwing in your face. The verb is to read.
Greg Cody
Yes. Thank you.
Chris Cody
Game two, Celtics.
Mike Ryan
What do you got, Dan?
Dan LeBatard
Tonight's magic at Celtics game beginning at 7pm Eastern on TNT, followed by game two of the warriors at the Rockets. Stan Van Gundy, one of the famed Van Gundy brothers.
Chris Cody
And he's gone.
Dan LeBatard
Is gone again. All right, you know what we're going to do? We're going to go ahead and stop for a second and start over is what we're going to do as a team. And we start over.
Mike Ryan
I've got a movie question.
Dan LeBatard
We're going to see if you got to do Eddie Vedder again. We're going to see if Stan Van Gundy. Do you guys think you're going to try this like six or seven times before we get it right or just going to keep doing it to me?
Mike Ryan
I mean, this is going pretty well, I think.
Dan LeBatard
Okay, David, stay with us. The climbing the scaffolding. Chasing. Chasing a pitching coach. Who was it? It was you and who else? It was. It was you and one of your minions. Was it a PR guy?
David Sampson
Oh, no, it was Larry Beinfest. Oh, sorry.
Dan LeBatard
Oh. So you and your general manager. The president. The president and the general manager chasing through a parking lot, a pitching coach to fire him. Correct.
David Sampson
Yes.
Dan LeBatard
There was video. It was on the news. I remember this. It was. It was scandalous because. And you. Was it on the second floor or the third floor? It was outside his apartment. Was he shirtless? He wasn't shirtless. He was shirtless.
Chris Cody
Stan, you got us.
David Sampson
Hello?
Greg Cody
Every video of that, unlike William, what.
David Sampson
Stan is doing, I love tonight.
Dan LeBatard
Tonight's Magic at Celtics game beginning at 7pm Eastern on TNT, followed by game two of the warriors at the Rockets. Stan, are you with us? If you can hear me, I'm sorry.
David Sampson
When you listen to an audiobook, Stan, is it true that you can say you've read it?
Dan LeBatard
I think he's frozen again.
Chris Cody
I see him blinking, though.
Greg Cody
Technology.
Dan LeBatard
Am I right?
Tony
He just looks confused.
Mike Ryan
Maybe he's messing with us.
Dan LeBatard
He just doesn't like us. Stan, blink a few times if you're being held hostage.
Stan Van Gundy
I gotcha.
Dan LeBatard
All right.
Mike Ryan
Yeah.
David Sampson
We did it.
Dan LeBatard
Can you hold up today's newspaper with.
Mike Ryan
The date on it? Who has newspapers anymore? I listen to the newspaper.
Dan LeBatard
Oh, he's a professional. Broadcaster. The Van Gundy family, their broadcasters, they know how to do audio things. Stan, it's good to see you. Tonight's magic at Celtics game beginning 7pm Eastern on TNT, followed by game two of the warriors at the Rockets. Stan, can you hear me?
Stan Van Gundy
I got you.
Dan LeBatard
Yes.
Mike Ryan
Can you read him?
Dan LeBatard
The question from Greg Cody is, have you read a book? How have you read a book if you have not read a book?
Stan Van Gundy
No, I think audiobooks count. A lot of people do it that way. Now, you know, that's not reading.
Greg Cody
Shouldn't you say I heard a book or I listened to a book? It's the word.
Mike Ryan
Red guys are having stumble on really difficult time. You know, coming to grasp with the fact that I'm the most well read person in this studio.
Dan LeBatard
Hang on a second, buddy. Well heard.
Mike Ryan
I'm sorry. I'm reading three books a week now. My ears are tired from all this reading.
David Sampson
I'm reading Robert Caro's the Power Broker right now.
Mike Ryan
I'm on abundance.
David Sampson
Oh, yeah.
Priceline Representative
Is that 1300 pages about highways and parkways in Long Island?
Stan Van Gundy
I don't think so.
Mike Ryan
It's actually about highways and parkways in California.
David Sampson
Well, New York's better.
Chris Cody
I'm reading one of those books we have to like go cross eyed to like look at the picture in the thing. You know, like the old school. Like you have to like, you pull it away slowly. Look, there's a car in there.
Greg Cody
I'm reading the Pride of a lion for the 45th time.
Dan LeBatard
Love of God, Stan, are you reading anything these days?
David Sampson
He's gone.
Dan LeBatard
This time.
Chris Cody
He just left.
David Sampson
Are you kidding?
Greg Cody
Stand Van frozen.
Dan LeBatard
So what, David, what is the third, the bronze medalist on coldest firings you've ever fired? Oh, that's right.
David Sampson
I really.
Dan LeBatard
Hold on, hold on, hold on. Yes, that's right, Chris. Stan Van Frozen is what that is.
Mike Ryan
That's a great call, Gandhi. But he went.
Dan LeBatard
Stan Van Frozen, the bronze medalist of coldest firings in the history of David Sampson's firings. Blank.
David Sampson
Called Felipe Alou into my office and he dropped his season tickets and his parking pass and his ID badge before I could say a word. And I fired his tushy because he dropped the stuff and then walked out of my office because he knew that's what he was doing, Stan. And so I basically, that's the only person who I've ever fired his backside.
Dan LeBatard
Excellent. Stan, how do you feel about David Sampson?
David Sampson
Love you, Stan. He's muted.
Dan LeBatard
He's muted now. You guys got it.
David Sampson
All right.
Chris Cody
I think I'm going to make the call.
Stan Van Gundy
I like David. I like David, But I've been on the other side of more firings than I have fired people. So I look at it from the. From the side of the people being fired, and it's not a pleasant experience. I remember I was on. I went to Daryl Morey's thing, that Sloan conference in Boston one year, and I was on this panel in a hockey GM was on there talking about, you know, what a rough day it was for him when he had to fire his coach. And the whole thing, like this was some big sympathetic thing for him. This guy had been his friend and he had to fire him. And then it came to my turn. I said, well, I guarantee you it was a whole of a hell of a lot harder for the guy you fired than you like. I just don't have a lot of sympathy for you talking about how hard it was to fire the guy in the whole thing. Maybe it was, but the other guy's the one who lost his job. I also like David. Here's what I really love, though. Two things that I really, really love when front office people fire somebody. Number one, to justify their decision, and they go in a press conference and absolutely kill the guy on the way out, like with a bunch of bs, you know, And I hate that stuff. And the other one is they get on there and they say, you know, they fired a guy, and then they say, hey, you know, team hasn't played well. We're all accountable. Why? What the hell do you mean, we're all accountable? Who else lost their job? Everybody else picking up a paycheck tomorrow. No, you're not all accountable. You threw it on one guy. You threw it on one guy. So cut the crap with the we're all accountable. We all have to take accountability. You didn't do it that way.
Dan LeBatard
Yeah.
David Sampson
Dan, two things for you. One, it's worse when they say, he's got I wish his family the best way. I love his family. I don't like that. I've never done that in a press conference or a press release. But two, you say no paycheck, but there's a bunch of head coaches out there who make a lot of money not to coach. And so I agree with you, if they're being fired, like, as their contract is expiring, but often you have an opportunity to make money, not to have the service of working with some of those owners and GMs.
Stan Van Gundy
Well, look, I understand what people don't understand. Dan and I have talked about this before. I think what too many people don't understand, I can only talk about the NBA, the way things work. But what they don't understand, like fans always want coaches fired. I get that. And there's no sympathy. And I never thought. But I deserved any as a head coach because what you're saying is true. I always had money coming in, and we make a lot of money anyway. But what people miss is there's a lot of people under you who are not making great money, who do not have long term contracts. There's guys I had in my organization in Detroit, I had guys making 65, $75,000 with families and things like that. And in a regime change, they're out the door. So when people can take joy in a head coach being fired, what they don't understand is, yeah, but a lot of people just lost their jobs that need those jobs, just like you do need your job as a fan. And I just wish people.
David Sampson
It's true. But Stan, Stan, there's another side to that, which is in a regime change, there's a whole bunch of people getting jobs who didn't have them.
Stan Van Gundy
Them.
David Sampson
And so it's an opportunity for those people. I totally understand that there is a lot of shrapnel that happens when a coach or GM gets fired or when an owner changes. There's no doubt. But there's a whole group of people who have an opportunity who otherwise wouldn't have.
Stan Van Gundy
Yeah, there's no question. I mean, that's the business. I mean, and you know, I try to tell young people when they get into it, you know, like, look, you have to understand what the business is, and you have to understand the insecurity of it. I mean, that's the way it's going to be at every. At every level. You might have a little more security the further down the food chain you are, but not a whole lot. And so, look, I don't expect sympathy from anybody. Coach is getting fired. Anything else. I do react negatively to the glee that a lot of fans take when somebody gets fired, because I don't care how much money you got coming in, Mike Budenholzer gets fired in one year, he's got $40 million coming in. And you know what? It hurts. I don't care. I've been through it enough. I can tell you. Mike Budenholzer and his staff, it hurts. But how much money you make.
Dan LeBatard
But it does hurt slightly less. Tony, everyone listening to this is saying slightly less.
Tony
When you can go and hang out and keys for a couple of Years and fish, do your own thing.
Stan Van Gundy
You know what? No it doesn't. No it doesn't. I'm sorry. I've been there four times. It doesn't. I understand you're better off. I get that. I get that you're better off. But when somebody tells you we don't want you anymore, you're not good enough. We're better off with somebody else. You can't tell me. I don't care who it is. There's, there's nobody that, that does not sting. I mean, yes, it's easier to move on, I give you that, but it still stings. With that said, I have said about the Phoenix job, you know, and David's right, they're paying a lot of, they're paying Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer probably a combined about 20 million next year to not coach. I said that's the most attractive coaching job on the market. I mean, you know, you're going to sign five years, 50 million and you're probably only going to coach one year. Matt Ishb is going to get rid of you. So, you know, if you're somebody especially who wants a short term job for a whole hell of a lot of money, Phoenix is your destination in the NBA.
Mike Ryan
Stan, I have a question for you because it might couch this segment a little bit better. Have you, maybe even before you got into coaching were you ever fired from a job where you weren't given millions of dollars in compensation?
Stan Van Gundy
Well, when I got fired at the University of Wisconsin, I didn't get anywhere near millions of dollars in compensation.
Mike Ryan
I got adjusted for inflation though. You got something.
Stan Van Gundy
Well, I mean, okay, so now you're saying, Stan, you were old at the, you know, you're old. Oh, I'm saying that happened a long time ago. I got you Mike. Okay, a little subtle.
Dan LeBatard
He's about to trap you here on which hurt more and which hurt less.
Mike Ryan
I'm just saying, like I don't know if you have the data points to be fired without a huge compensation package.
Stan Van Gundy
I'm saying it is definitely easier to move on because you don't then have the concerns about, you know, being able to support your family and everything else. There's definitely. That part's out, but that part is.
Mike Ryan
Like the whole point.
Dan LeBatard
How do I eat? It's a big part.
Stan Van Gundy
You think it's the whole part. Up to you until it happens. And let's not forget for these guys getting fired, it's not happening like most people getting fired where nobody knows about it. These are very Public things, you know, it's. It's out in the newspaper and there's going to be all kinds of commentary. Why did Michael Malone get fired? Why did Taylor Jenkins get fired? People ripping apart, you know, their coaching, their character, everything else. Yeah, I'm not. I've been there, so I can just speak from experience on that. I'm with you. That it doesn't hurt as much in terms of. You can support your family, but that shit hurts, man.
Dan LeBatard
All right, so, Stan, you know what?
Mike Ryan
That hurt my ego losing a house.
Dan LeBatard
Yeah. Well, so I want to tether Stan to something here, because I know how much this man cares. So when he's rummaging around in the shame of having failed, a bunch of people relying on him for their jobs, he's saying the money doesn't heal whatever guilt he feels when something like that happens. And I get that articulation, but I also understand how it is that anybody would arrive at. And Stan, the shame. You talk about being fired publicly. That's what the money's for. Like, that's why they pay.
Mike Ryan
They pay two Dom Draper lines.
Dan LeBatard
That is what they pay you for. To.
Stan Van Gundy
No question.
Dan LeBatard
But it is human.
Stan Van Gundy
It is.
Dan LeBatard
From inside it. It's sort of humanizing for you to say. And, yeah, it hurts because I'm hugely competitive. And do you know how much it sucks that I couldn't save the Pelicans or the Pistons? Yeah.
Stan Van Gundy
No, there's no question. But, you know, look, you're right, and that's what I'm saying. You know, the back. I grew up around the business with a dad who coached. It's been my whole life, you know, the business. And that is part of it. And that is one of the big reasons that coaches get compensated the way they do.
Dan LeBatard
I don't trust his Internet Chris Cody. He keeps getting frozen, cooking with gas.
Mike Ryan
It's been a good second.
Dan LeBatard
I know. I agree. I'm just. He seems frozen right now. And you would understand my mistrust. Surely all of you would. I want to talk about the basketball from last night, because the Lakers and the timberwolves both shot 20% from three. And now the Lakers story gets to continue because it would have been bad for playoff basketball if the Timberwolves had won that one as well. That wouldn't have been a lot of fun.
Chris Cody
And he's gone.
Dan LeBatard
Okay, that is excellent. It's just so good.
Mike Ryan
Needing to get to the back end of the doubleheader.
Dan LeBatard
It's so good.
Tony
Isn't it funny how Oklahoma City's there like we won 68 games and we have to play the Clippers or the Nuggets next.
Mike Ryan
Like what the hell first time watching them. Do they always win by 50?
Tony
Folks, listen up.
Chris Cody
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Mike Ryan
Hey you in the audience, it's Mike. You've been a fan of this show, hopefully for a long time. And you how much Miller Lite means to me. This partnership. It's real. It's documented. For almost 20 years, Miller Lite has been a partner of the Dan Levittard show with Stugatz. And now Miller Lite is celebrating its 50th anniversary. I've had so many great moments with Miller Lite, so many great activations, so many great events presented by Miller Lite. A great partner. Cheers to them. Cheers to 50 incredible years. And for you at home, you know that Miller Time always means a good time. From game night to parties with friends or a special anniversary, celebrating important occasions means more moments for the coolest people in your life. Cheers to 50 years of Miller Light. The great tasting light beer for people who Love beer since 1975. Now's a perfect time to celebrate legendary stories with friends, family and a great tasting light beer. It's Miller Time. Miller Lite great taste. 96 calories. Go to millerlight.com dan to find delivery options near you or you can pick up some Miller Lite pretty much anywhere they sell beer. It's Miller Time. Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Co. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 96 calories and 3.2 carbs per 12 ounces.
The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - Episode Summary: "The Big Suey: Stan Van Frozen"
Release Date: April 23, 2025
In this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, hosts Dan Le Batard and David Sampson delve into a mix of serious discussions and lighthearted banter surrounding recent events in the sports and media worlds. The episode primarily focuses on the controversial lawsuit involving Shannon Sharpe, the peculiar bobblehead situation with Paul Skeens, Aaron Rodgers' exit from the New York Jets, and humorous segments about firing practices within sports organizations. The conversation is interspersed with playful interactions with guest Stan Van Gundy, adding a comedic flair to the episode.
The episode opens with a deep dive into the ongoing lawsuit involving former NFL star Shannon Sharpe. Dan and David dissect the complexities of the case, discussing the nuances of settlement offers and media portrayal.
Settlement Dynamics: David Sampson explains the financial reasoning behind settlement offers, emphasizing that a settlement does not equate to guilt. He states, “Just because it's been so unclear… it’s called a nuisance settlement amount” ([04:52]).
Media Strategy: The hosts explore how Shannon Sharpe is navigating his public image through various media platforms, contrasting traditional ESPN coverage with newer, independent shows. Dan remarks, “Shannon Sharpe has this strategy. Will it work? The only way we'll know is with his free agent signing as a podcast” ([10:30]).
Public Perception: Greg Cody joins the conversation, questioning the implications of Sharpe naming his accuser publicly. “From a public perception standpoint, does that serve Shannon Sharpe?” ([07:48]).
Corporate Implications: David Sampson highlights the impact of Sharpe's actions on Disney's new ESPN platform, noting, “What we do know is that it is so critical for Disney… They are focused on far different and bigger issues” ([15:24]).
Notable Quote:
“When you have a lawsuit and… you're in the plain of speculation, that's what we do in sports media and in business.” – David Sampson ([08:14])
Transitioning from legal dramas, the hosts shift focus to a lighter topic involving Paul Skeens and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Bobblehead Mismanagement: Dan recounts the Pirates' mishandling of a bobblehead promotion, leading to widespread confusion among fans. “They just did wait online for multiple hours because they didn't know whether they get one” ([17:57]).
Impact on Fan Relations: The discussion touches on how such missteps can affect fan loyalty and player-fan dynamics, particularly highlighting Cody’s sentiment about no longer being able to wear his favorite Pirate hat.
Notable Quote:
“The Pirates are just stepping in it. And I feel for Cody, this all happened because of Cody, because it's his favorite hat” – Dan LeBatard ([17:57])
The conversation takes a turn towards NFL drama as the hosts dissect Aaron Rodgers' departure from the New York Jets.
Questioning Authenticity: David expresses skepticism about Rodgers' account of being abruptly fired, suggesting ulterior motives behind his narrative. “I’m not buying it for one second” ([19:13]).
Strategic Narrative Building: Mike Ryan discusses how Rodgers might be manipulating the situation to gain sympathy or financial advantage. “Aaron Rodgers knew before that meeting and he was there, my guess is begging for an option” ([19:50]).
Organizational Critique: The hosts critique the Jets' management style, questioning the professionalism and respect shown to Rodgers during his exit.
Notable Quote:
“If it turns out to be true, I would fire Aaron Glenn right now.” – David Sampson ([20:47])
A humorous segment ensues as David Sampson shares his infamous firing stories, with guest Stan Van Gundy adding playful skepticism.
Firing Anecdotes: David recounts dramatic instances of firing employees, often portrayed with exaggerated gusto for comedic effect. “I have done it within moments of discovery” ([27:14]).
Stan's Reactions: Stan engages in light-hearted banter, humorously portraying a character named "Stan Van Frozen," adding to the episode's comedic elements.
Notable Quote:
“It is my unadulterated pleasure to do so.” – David Sampson ([27:33])
Towards the end of the episode, the hosts briefly touch upon recent NBA performances.
Shooting Woes: Dan highlights the struggling three-point shooting from both the Lakers and Timberwolves, remarking on the implications for playoff basketball. “Both shot 20% from three” ([46:09]).
Playoff Implications: The discussion speculates on how continued poor performances could impact the dynamics and excitement of upcoming playoff games.
Notable Quote:
“Now's a perfect time to celebrate legendary stories with friends, family and a great tasting light beer. It's Miller Time.” – Mike Ryan ([26:53])
Throughout the episode, the interplay between hosts and Stan Van Gundy provides comic relief.
Technical Mishaps: Repeated attempts to engage Stan in conversation lead to playful technical glitches, portrayed as Stan being "frozen" or "muted."
Running Gags: The ongoing joke about Stan's inability to respond seamlessly adds a layer of entertainment, keeping listeners engaged with humor interspersed between serious discussions.
"The Big Suey: Stan Van Frozen" offers a balanced mix of serious analysis and comedic banter, characteristic of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz. From dissecting high-profile lawsuits and NFL drama to sharing amusing firing stories and engaging in playful interactions with guests, the episode provides listeners with a comprehensive and entertaining exploration of current sports and media topics.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
David Sampson: “When you have a lawsuit and… you're in the plain of speculation, that's what we do in sports media and in business.” ([08:14])
Dan LeBatard: “The Pirates are just stepping in it. And I feel for Cody, this all happened because of Cody, because it's his favorite hat.” ([17:57])
David Sampson: “If it turns out to be true, I would fire Aaron Glenn right now.” ([20:47])
David Sampson: “It is my unadulterated pleasure to do so.” ([27:33])
Mike Ryan: “Now's a perfect time to celebrate legendary stories with friends, family and a great tasting light beer. It's Miller Time.” ([26:53])
This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode's key discussions and highlights, making it accessible to both regular listeners and newcomers alike.