The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: The Big Suey: Zaslow Is a Sexist (feat. Roger Bennett)
Date: March 3, 2026
Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

Episode Overview

In this episode of "The Big Suey," Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and the rest of the crew are joined by Roger Bennett (of Men in Blazers) for a lively conversation about the cultural meaning and global tensions of the World Cup, the state of U.S. soccer, Inter Miami’s muted post-championship celebrations, and the rise of women’s professional leagues like Unrivaled. The show seamlessly blends sports, nostalgia, and biting banter, covering everything from geopolitics and soccer to local sports fandom, sexist accusations, and retro NBA broadcasts.

Key Discussion Points

1. Roger Bennett on the World Cup & U.S. Soccer Hopes

(00:26–17:36)

• Global Significance of the World Cup
  • Roger Bennett describes the World Cup as a “global eclipse” that acts as a mirror for the world’s societies, politics, and cultures (02:29).
  • “When two World Cup teams take the field, their nation's histories, the nation's politics, the nation's cultures take the field alongside them.” – Roger Bennett [02:29]
  • Despite global chaos, the World Cup uniquely connects people, often overcoming the ugliness of world events.
• Will the U.S. Play Iran? & Geopolitical Chaos
  • Uncertainty whether Iran will participate due to political turmoil; FIFA is unprepared for the rapid changes (13:24).
  • “The Iran situation is unprecedented. FIFA are trying to play catch up with these fast moving realities.” – Roger Bennett [13:36]
• Is America a Soccer Country?
  • Bennett passionately defends American soccer’s growth, citing recent data showing soccer is now the third-biggest sport in the U.S.:
  • “Soccer is the third biggest sport in America… it just beat out baseball.” – Roger Bennett [05:52]
• US Men’s Team: Cautious Optimism
  • Despite having “the greatest individual set of footballers we’ve ever had,” Bennett worries the U.S. will not be the darling underdog anymore, facing resentment from rivals (08:31).
  • He invokes past U.S. teams and fears repeating past failures as chronicled in his "American Fiasco" podcast (10:26).
  • “We love a dream team in the United States, and it remains a dream on team.” – Roger Bennett [12:57]
• Canada’s World Cup Narrative
  • Bennett is excited to watch Canada’s multicultural team under Jesse Marsch as a feel-good storyline (15:46).
  • “They are a firework of a team. Sometimes they’re a damp squib, but watching them on home turf will be dynamically beautiful.” – Roger Bennett [16:21]

2. Inter Miami: Parade Controversy & Championship Celebration

(21:26–26:48)

• Lack of Parade for Messi & Inter Miami
  • The team visited the White House but skipped a Miami victory parade, puzzling local sports fans and the hosts.
  • “Winners get, they get crowds.” – Dan Le Batard [25:35]
• Debate on Parade Attendance and South Florida Sports Fandom
  • Zaslow doubts a parade would have drawn big crowds; others argue Messi’s star power would have sufficed.
  • “You can’t tell me… people wouldn’t be going to a parade.” – Dan Le Batard [26:16]
• Sports Traditions vs. Celebrity Obligations
  • Discussion on the evolving nature of championship celebrations and international teams’ traditions versus American expectations.

3. Sexism Accusations & Women's Sports: Unrivaled Thrives

(26:56–32:16)

• Ticket Pricing, Attendance, and Support for Women’s Sports
  • Trista Sutter playfully accuses Zaslow of being less willing to pay for women’s sports, sparking a hilarious and revealing panel exchange.
  • “I think he is less willing to pay for women’s sports…” – Trista [27:46]
  • “Sexist.” – Greg Cody [28:24]
• Unrivaled’s Rapid Growth & WNBA Tension
  • Unrivaled, a women’s 3-on-3 league, is lauded for its business model and sell-out crowds in new markets (Brooklyn, Philly) despite small Miami audiences.
  • Juju and Trista highlight significant revenue growth, citing $45 million total revenue, mostly from ticketing and merchandise (29:05).
  • “I would invest in the Unrivaled league.” – Juju [31:59]
• Potential Impact of WNBA Labor Issues
  • Discussion of rumored WNBA work stoppage and the strategic position of Unrivaled as a rival league.

4. Nostalgic Sports Coverage & Awkward Broadcasts

(33:25–38:11)

• NBC/Peacock Retro NBA Night
  • The group reminisces about legendary broadcasters, awkward on-air moments (Pat Riley and Bob Costas), and the draw of nostalgia-driven programming.
  • “Who doesn’t love nostalgia?” – Zaslo [36:25]
  • “I would listen to… an NFL game with Howard Cosell and Don Meredith.” – Greg Cody [36:53]
• Peacock’s Appeal and Older Audiences’ Tech Struggles
  • Greg Cody admits he might not even know how to access Peacock, reinforcing the generational gap in sports consumption (37:25).

5. NBA News: Trae Young’s Comedic Debut with the Wizards

(38:39–41:56)

• Trae Young Ejected Before First Game for Wizards
  • Trae Young got ejected from the Wizards’ bench before ever playing, prompting comic disbelief from the panel.
  • “How is it so Trae Young to be ejected before you’ve played your first Wizards game?” – Dan Le Batard [39:09]
  • “His act was not playing defense and a bad hairline.” – Mike Ryan [39:21]
• Wizards Franchise Ennui
  • Trista and Dan joke about the Wizards’ atmosphere, calling Capital One Arena "the worst in the NBA... a Best Buy at best" [40:35].
  • Dan notes some NBA teams’ dysfunction makes Miami’s struggles seem trivial.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On World Cup Meaning
  “The World Cup is a mirror to the society that surrounds it… what we’re seeing in the reflection is ugly. But that's kind of where we are.” – Roger Bennett [02:29]

• Hope for U.S. Men’s Team
  “We put a man on the moon. We've won one knockout game in our entire nation's history… Sport is about eternal hope. Dan, get behind the lads.” – Roger Bennett [07:08]

• Nostalgia vs. Access
  “I'm surprised with everybody so hungry for content now… I would listen to… an NFL game with Howard Cosell and Don Meredith. You know what I'm saying?” – Greg Cody [36:53]

• Sexism Joke Snowballs
  “I think he is less willing to pay for women's sports…” – Trista [27:46]
  “See? Sexist.” – Greg Cody [28:24]

• Unrivaled’s Success
  “The total revenue was $45 million, a 66% increase. I mean, I think they're thriving.” – Juju [29:05]

• Trae Young’s Ejection
  “I would say that if you're going to punish Trae Young in that situation, you make him stay there and watch the Wizards play.” – Dan Le Batard [39:53]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 00:26–17:36 | Roger Bennett on the World Cup: geopolitics, U.S. soccer, and Canada | | 21:26–26:48 | Inter Miami championship, White House visit, and parade debate | | 26:56–32:16 | Women’s sports, Unrivaled league success, and Zaslow’s “sexism” | | 33:25–38:11 | NBC/Peacock’s nostalgia night, retro sports broadcasts discussion | | 38:39–41:56 | NBA: Trae Young’s ejection and the Wizards’ woes |

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain their trademark irreverent, conversational tone, mixing sharp humor, personal banter, and a fondness for both sports nostalgia and culture wars. Roger Bennett’s wit and global perspective elevate the soccer discussion, while panelists’ ribbing keeps the energy unpredictable and funny. The episode is fast-paced, reactive, and often self-referential.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is a whirlwind tour of sports at the intersection of politics, culture, and commercialism, all filtered through the offbeat lens of Le Batard and friends. Roger Bennett's World Cup insight blends earnest social commentary with sharp one-liners. Topic pivots—from the missed Messi parade, to accusations of sexism in women’s sports, to the dry comedic recounting of Trae Young’s ejection—ensure you’re never far from the show’s unique humor or underlying love of sport as a reflection of society. If you like your sports talk critical yet joyous, honest yet unserious, this is a quintessential listen.