The Big Suey: Zaslow Is a Sexist (feat. Roger Bennett)

Summary

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

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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.

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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]

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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]

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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 |

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[Dan Le Batard]

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?

[Greg Cody]

I'm sorry.

[Zaslo]

I'm not going to apologize for that.

[Dan Le Batard]

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.

[Stu Gach]

I've done it.

[Dan Le Batard]

And now here's the marching man to Nowhere Fat Face and the Habitual Liar.

[Greg Cody]

This episode of the Dan Levatart show is presented by DraftKings. DraftKings. The Crown is yours.

[Dan Le Batard]

Are you doing coffee again on an empty stomach? I feel like I can hear your stomach again.

[Greg Cody]

It's not mine.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm pretty sure that it sounds like what I've heard in the past coming from your stomach. Did you have breakfast?

[Greg Cody]

I did not. I looked before the show started.

[Stu Gach]

No bacon.

[Greg Cody]

There's no bacon over there. Which is always a big let go.

[Dan Le Batard]

Okay. But it's always loud when you have a ton of coffee. Cause you're drinking, drinking coffee straight from a thermos. You've had how much. How many cups of coffee have you already had today?

[Greg Cody]

This is probably my second thermos.

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, my God.

[Roger Bennett]

Yeah.

[Dan Le Batard]

On an empty.

[Zaslo]

And he'll keep going till like 4pm

[Greg Cody]

I'm not a breakfast guy.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, but I hear it in your stomach. You.

[Greg Cody]

Thank you.

[Dan Le Batard]

Your. Your stomach is asking you to be a breakfast.

[Greg Cody]

I need way more. Way more coffee.

[Dan Le Batard]

You screwed up your own line. Look at him laughing and screwing up his own line.

[Zaslo]

We didn't even notice your pickup there.

[Greg Cody]

I need way more coffee.

[Dan Le Batard]

Roger Bennett is the founder, the CEO and the gorgeous, gorgeous face of the Men in Blazers Media Network. He's got another New York Times best selling book. It's opening today, by the way, and I know it's going to be a bestseller, even though he's got previous bestsellers. We are the World. A personal history of the world's greatest sporting event. We're 100 days out from the World Cup. Always good seeing you, Roger. Thank you for making the time for us. Greg was saying that he thinks there's the possibility that the US is going to play Iran in the World Cup. I don't think Iran is going to play in the World Cup. I don't know for sure. Where are you on this? And welcome. Roger. Roger. Let's. Let's greet him with a little bit of war to start the proceedings.

[Roger Bennett]

Big Danny. Big Danny. That's A lot. We covered a lot of ground. My book, We Are the World cup, is the official title, baby. And it is a joy to be back with you, you gracious human being. Where am I on war is that? You're asking me, is that the threshold?

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, Greg Cody thinks that the university. That there's a chance the United States will play against Iran. And I don't think that's probably going to happen.

[Roger Bennett]

You know, the joy of the World cup, it's why I wrote the bloody book, ma', am, is that when it kicks off, it's like a global eclipse that strikes the entire planet for its duration. And the memories it makes, which this is a book of memories, are so powerful because the World cup is a mirror to the society that surrounds it. I'll be honest, Dan, I've always thought that was an amazing thing. When two teams take the field in World cup play, you know, when the Red Sox play the Athletics, that's an amazing game of baseball. It's like chess with chewing tobacco, but it is what it is. But 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. That's what makes the tournament just so much heft, so much emotional weight and all of that. And that gives us true global connectivity. I'm not going to lie. We're 100 days away. The run up to the tournament has been chaotic. If it is a mirror to the world, what we're seeing in the reflection is ugly. But that's kind of where we are. The joy of the thing has always been that reflects our reality. And right now our reality is pretty chaotic.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's not global connectivity. Right? I mean, where are we headed with this? What do you imagine is going to happen? Where the messiness from outside of the stadiums ends up inside of the stadiums?

[Roger Bennett]

God, the messiness. The Lionel messiness is what we need. But, you know, I'd say number one, you know, I've come to realize that football, soccer, there's a German coach, Jurgen Klopp, who says it's the world's most important, least important thing. And I will say it, to me, it's become ever more important. The feelings we experience from it are all the more powerful because of the heft, because of the weight, because of what it provides to the rest of the world. And I will say, typically when the whistle goes, when the ball's kicked like the world, it's like the rationale falls away, the emotional kicks over. It's cognitive Dissonance one, geopolitics nil. And every World Cup, Dan, in the run up in the Modern Period, 2010 in South Africa, all of the newspapers around the world were saying the level of crime there, carjacking, everyone that goes is going to get assaulted at best, murdered at worst. It was the most joyous World Cup I've ever been to. Nelson Mandela's shadow over the whole thing. The continent of Africa rising up the 2014, you know, I was in riots in Brazil in the run up to that World Cup. The nation was full of unrest, social, political unrest. They wanted social services and education, not the money to be pumped into world football. The second that kicked off, it was a bullying. 2022 is another example in a different way. Qatar, I mean, a chaos and darkness in the run up and again, for good and for bad, that cognitive dissonance kicks in. So I do think by the time that ball drops, the US Take the field. England take the field. Kazakhstan take the field, that we're going to be. America loves a circus. The world loves a circus. And everybody will kick in and there will be that global connectivity because we bloody need it.

[Dan Le Batard]

Roger, are you sure, though? Because those other examples you're talking about, those are countries and continents that care about soccer. The United States, I don't know that it can be accused of carrying that way.

[Roger Bennett]

What are you talking about, Dan? What. What decade are we in? Is it 1960? Are you like Jack Kemp taking to the floor of congress in the 80s when we were awarded the 94 World Cup? And you're like, soccer? He said. He said, I wrote about in my book, Jack Kemp, the great quarterback, kind of great, doing a lot of heavy lifting there. He said, we need to teach America's youth that football is where you rush and run and throw and use your hands and not where you kick it. He said, one is American capitalism, the other is European socialism. Dan, Soccer was just. The economist just revealed soccer is the third biggest sport in America. I was just on what a Rod's show. And a Rod kept saying, when he said he asked me 10 questions, the same one. It was like, when's this soccer thing going to take off? I was like, hey, Rod, it's just be out baseball. It's like baseball's the fourth most popular sport. Soccer third. He was like, go on. I was like. I felt like I was saying that. And I feel like to you and your listeners, I feel like I'm like, guys, I know you think the earth is flat. Stay with me here. It's round man, football is already massive here, Dan. You know it is. It's. It is number three.

[Dan Le Batard]

You need the United States to be good at soccer.

[Mike Ryan]

We're never good at soccer with our women.

[Roger Bennett]

Kick ass, take names, baby. We are so good. Gold medal wonder winners. We perpetual not last World cup, but everyone before that. We are gorgeous. Yeah. On men, we invented the krona. We put a man on the moon. We've won one knockout game in our entire nation's history. Going all the way back to George Washington. Bit embarrassing, but God, football and sport is about eternal hope. Dan, get behind the lads.

[Mike Ryan]

All right. That's one positive spin for it. I don't think this is DDA Drogba exactly stopping a civil war with the game of football, but I really appreciate your hopefulness here.

[Greg Cody]

Well,

[Roger Bennett]

get some Kenny Powers energy behind this team, you know what I mean? You see Morocco go deep into the semi final last time. Iceland. 220,000 people went deep in the Euros before that. I do look at it and I wonder, why never us? Why never us? I mean, you don't have to be good at football to go deep in this tournament. You just need a little bit of magic. So. Bloody hell, please make it. I just. I'd like to see the US win the World cup once on the men's side in my lifetime.

[Greg Cody]

Well, the home nation generally gets a little bit of bump, as you know. Will that affect the U.S. hopes? Like, what do you think the ceiling is for how well the US team might do?

[Roger Bennett]

It is the greatest individual set of footballers we've ever had. Pound for pound in terms of the teams they play on, you know, the caliber of European team they play on. Collectively, it's an unknown. Because we're hosting, they didn't have to qualify. They've not really been tested in the crucible of. It's like they played essentially NFL pre season games for the past year and a half, two years. If you want me to be really honest for a second, I love this US team. I wrote about in the book how, you know, 94, when the men's World cup was last here, you know, just moved to America. I'd never seen an American kick a soccer ball before. They took the field in stonewashed denim, they had mullets, they were chewing gum, they had swagger and they kicked ass. And I fell in love with them immediately. I know I sound like I'm from England, but I cheer for this US team of all of my heart. And the one thing that I do fear is we were darlings at football in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil, like the world really loved the team and they love the fans. I don't know if you remember Clint Dempsey who has a show with us now, but that that guy's spirit. Just a gunslinger who always fancied his chances. The can do spirit and the fans were, I mean just everywhere in Brazil and the world loved us. The thing I do worry about is that mirror to the world and who we are. And last year 2025 we played back to back games against Panama. Their locker room talked about, you know, the canal and they beat us. They wanted to absolutely beat the crap out of us. And then we played Canada a couple of days later, the 51st state brew haha. And Canada wanted to wipe the floor with us. And so, you know, we were the darlings. We're definitely going to be a team that many, many, many, many, many. Thank God Greenland don't qualify for the World cup is I guess what I'm saying.

[Mike Ryan]

Roger, you hosted American fiasco about the 98 World cup experience. It was one of the best long form podcast series I had ever heard. And I do think there were some comparisons with the promise of a couple of years ago and a golden generation and then this team never really found its form. Now I know it's settled in a little bit more, but are you afraid of a couple years from now having to do a sequel to American Fiasco?

[Roger Bennett]

Look, in football you need to know what you don't know. And for that I mean also the American owners. You've got to remember, Dan, when you talk about whether America cares about football, the Premier League, the best league in the world is now the majority of teams are owned for better or for worse by Americans and the ones that thrive watching Liverpool reborn under the Red Sox ownership, Tom Werner and John Henry. When you speak to those guys, they know what they don't know about the anarchical world of football. And in that 98 World cup, this is the World cup is bloody hard to win. Only eight teams have ever won it in its existence. To go all the way through the tournament with supreme focus, a culture of belief and that element of luck. But in 19, the US had not qualified since 1950, they qualified in 1990 with a team essentially of college kids. Hilarious. They were like tourists with good tickets. They got a really close up view of the football as they got their ass kicked. And then 94 they did fine. We mystify them and say they were unbelievable. They came third in that group, got into the next round July 4, played against Brazil and lost valiantly. So left with their heads held high and in 98. This is amazing American POV and I love it, I admire it. It's what drew me to this nation. Interviewing the players about that time, one of them said the following to me. Remember World cup, bloody hard to win. Everybody knows how hard it is apart from the Americans. One of them said to me, 90, we showed the world we could qualify. 94 we showed the world we belonged. 98 we were, we were gonna go there and win it. And of course they got, came rock bottom. They were humiliated. They actually got beaten by Iran. One of the. I write about it in my book. I mean a loss that set the game back probably by about years in this nation. And that's the sad thing for me as someone that loves the rise of this game in this nation. I mean it's been the story of my life, the biography of my life. America, when I came here in 94 was like space to Captain Kirk, the final frontier for the game. We are now a true football loving nation. But the men's national team, we love a dream team in the United States and it remains a dream on team and please God, it will change in my lifetime.

[Dan Le Batard]

The book he has is out now. We are the World Cup. A personal history of the world's greatest sport. What are you expecting in terms of nations withdrawing boycotts, all of the fun that politics will bring?

[Roger Bennett]

You know, we've got to get Jake Tapper on the show. Get me Tapper, get Blitzer on, get Caitlin Collins on and we'll go on the geopolitical tip right now. The Iran question. The answer is nobody knows Iran have qualified for this World Cup. It was incredible. 36 hours after the the weekend's news, the the head of the Iranian Football association was already putting out a statement amidst everything that was going on saying we don't know if we'll be able to play in this World Cup. It's an unprecedented situation. Teams have pulled out of World cups before. India 1950 because they didn't have the money to travel to the tournament. Austria for even darker reasons in the 30s because they'd been annexed by Germany and so the Austrians played on the German team. I crap you not again. A mirror to the world that surrounds it. So the Iran situation is unprecedented. FIFA are trying to catch up. The FIFA, the organizing committee for the World cup are trying to play catch up with these fast moving realities. There's rumors that if they are not able to play, Iraq would play instead or the United Abrahamirate so we'll have to see. But in terms of the rest, there's been, you know, there's been no conversation, no talk and, you know, a couple of footballers have ruminated publicly. But again, once you get closer to this World cup, it is crazy. We saw it with Qatar, you know, there was a lot of ruminating in the run up to that World cup. And then once that ball takes the field, once Lionel Messi walks onto the field, the world is mesmerized. The world is connected and the footballers, they dream of playing this tournament, you know, for their whole life. And so once that goes, the tournament kicks off and it's just, I mean, it is that global eclipse. In that moment, who do you expect

[Dan Le Batard]

among the host countries to go the furthest from Mexico, Canada, the U.S. you're expecting the most from whom?

[Roger Bennett]

I'd love the U.S. come on. I mean, God, we need to not. Not hope.

[Dan Le Batard]

Not, not. What are you hoping, Roger? Can you. You can surely you can separate your emotion from your analysis.

[Roger Bennett]

Without emotion, I have nothing done. I'm just a broken husk of a human being. I am, remember, I'm dead inside. The only reason I watch football because I feel emotions that you feel every day down, like happiness, pain, sadness, triumph. Without football, I am genuinely dead inside. I tell you what is a fascinating storyline and I can't wait to watch it, is Canada, led by Jesse Marsh, this child of Wisconsin, you know, a US stalwart as a player, an amazing human being. I'm super fond of him, you know, quite outspoken, quite. You know, he wanted to be the U.S. coach. He believed he was going to be the next US Coach. He was not the next US coach. And then he just, boom, became the Canadian coach. And he's built this incredible collective. They're young, they are multicultural, they're a reflection of a very beautiful, dynamic Canada. You know, they are a. When. When that. When he lights the tape up, they are a firework of a team. Sometimes they're a damp squib, but watching them in this World cup on home turf, they've got their own narrative of, you know, Canada becoming a deep, football loving nation just like ours. You know, their prime minister is a massive football fan, Mark Carney, an enormous Premier League fan, huge Everton fan, which is the team I support. They're essentially like the Mets are just pain and agony. They're a pleasure that hurts. And so watching Canada, I think, try and win over their nation, parallel to us will be. Will be dynamically beautiful.

[Dan Le Batard]

He's an empty husk who's dead inside. And he's written another book. We Are the World Cup. A Personal history of the World's Greatest sporting event. It's always nice talking to you. Always nice to have your insight, Roger.

[Roger Bennett]

Thank you, Dan lebatar. To better days ahead, baby. That's what I will say. Thanks for having me on and courage.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's always good talking to you. There's something about that accent. It's not just the words that lighten up everything around here.

[Sponsor Voice]

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[Mike Ryan]

it's Mike Ryan and I want to talk to you about the random midweek hang that you have with your friends. Maybe it's an NBA game. You get a text, hey, come over. You want to watch the game? And maybe you're like, ah, I don't know, I kind of just wanted to stay home. And then you think about it after your buddy hits you up and you know, just the thing that'll make that regular hang, that regular midweek hang around the basketball game into a special time, into a Miller time. That's right. This happened to me just last week. I grabbed a six pack of Miller Lite, said I was on my way, and next thing you know we're arguing about rotations like we're on the coaching staff yelling about a Missed call and the game's coming down on the final possession. It was one of those nights that you look around, you take a sip and you think, yeah, this was the right call and my friendship's stronger for it. Cheers to legendary moments with 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.

[Stu Gach]

People always talk about New Year's resolutions. You know, eat better, work out more, etc. Etc. We might still be early in 2026, but I'm sure most of you have already broken your resolutions. Me, I'm still going. My resolutions are simple. Be comfortable, especially at the rink. If you know me, you know that hockey isn't just something I watch, it's something I live. Late nights, cold arenas, long playoff runs. You're on your feet a lot. And if your socks aren't right, you feel it badly. That's why I've been rocking Bomba's sports socks. They're cushioned exactly where you need it. Sweat, wicking. Supportive. Basically built for movement. Whether I'm at the game, skating a little myself, or pacing around during overtime, like I somehow affect the outcome, they keep me locked in and comfortable. And when I finally get home to break down everything that happened on the ice, Bombas has the everyday stuff, too. Slippers, tees, underwear, all ridiculously soft. It's the kind of comfort you don't think about because you don't have to. Head to bombas.com dan and use code DAN for 20% off your first purchase. That's B O M B-A-S.com dan. Code DAN D A N DAN LEBATARD.

[Dan Le Batard]

This is the quickest it goes. Hey, this is the quickest it goes. Stu, everybody. This is the quickest it goes. Yeah.

[Roger Bennett]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the st.

[Dan Le Batard]

Do you guys have any opinions on Inter Miami? Not no parade, right? There's a championship. There was a championship. And we don't get to celebrate it with Messi and Inter Miami, but the White House, that there's going to be a White House visit but not a parade. So they're. They're doing this wrong.

[Greg Cody]

It seems weird, right? You got to have a parade first. And the parade should have been a month after the. The season ended. They blew it, and now they're going to the White House. I just hope that they've learned inter. Miami has learned its lesson from USA Men's hockey to not get too chummy and do anything that's going to blow up in their face.

[Mike Ryan]

I wouldn't be too hopeful there. The parade point is a good one because you know, the sports fan answer to a team making a big deal of deciding whether or not to go to the White House is, well, it's tradition. So is having a championship parade and they went to an Indian tour instead. Like Messi toured India. There wasn't like. So we, we are beholden to this championship celebration tradition, but not the more traditional one. I this story actually made me look up like how often did this happen? Because I remembered the Golden State warriors and it was a big deal because they were the first team to kind of break that tradition. But then it became fairly commonplace. Now I know there was a pandemic in the middle of that, but The Eagles in 2018 decided not to go. I had forgotten entirely that the Georgia Bulldogs said no thanks Joe Biden, we won't be attending. And in this world where there is a headline that'll blow you out of the newspapers every 12 hours, I don't see this being such a huge blowback. And look, this is an international team, so it is a little bit different. This is not Even though it's an American champion and they have proud Cuban American owners, which I do think matters in terms of this decision, they're not totally beholden to this. I'm curious to see how this falls on David Beckham, cuz I actually think he stands to lose the most here given how unpopular look, Trump is super unpopular in this country. He's even more unpopular in his country. And David Beckham bringing his class and credibility into that White House, being seen in a photo op in this time in history, I think it's going to be most difficult for him to navigate. Messi's had all sorts of endorsement deals with different countries. He, he's like Ronaldo. No one, no one projects morality onto Messi. He's almost bigger than anything like he can be. He's been shaking everybody's hand that's been a world leader over the last 20 years. But I am curious to see how this plays out for Beckham. I am a little disappointed. Everyone knows my feelings on the matter. I understand why they're doing it. I would say it's a little bit different. But I'm really interested in seeing what happens with Beckham.

[Zaslo]

Isn't the reason why I Feel like the reason why they never did a parade was they didn't think it'd be well attended. And I think they'd probably have been right.

[Mike Ryan]

I think was the Indian tour. If you say Messi is going to be celebrating a championship, Messi is such a star that I do think it would be well attended because everybody would want a glimpse of Messi, even though he plays him for Lauderdale. Depending on where they have that. You imagine a championship celebration in Doral, I think that people would have turned up for it. I think he had contractual obligations, hopped on a bird and did this Indian tour and that's. That was that.

[Zaslo]

I don't know, like, you say that, but, you know, everyone would show up to see Messi. It wasn't like, you know, tickets were super hot this past season to show up and see Messi play soccer. I, I feel like, I feel like

[Dan Le Batard]

it was all over the United States. It wasn't in Fort Lauderdale where they were gouging you.

[Zaslo]

I don't know about the gouging. Tickets weren't that expensive this past season. It was pretty affordable to go to these games. And I feel like the, the, the excitement, it, it kind of wore off. I think part of it is because Intermomi does a horrendous job when it comes to promotion.

[Mike Ryan]

I am interested to see what happens with this new stadium. The get in price for the new stadium. Kickoff game.

[Zaslo]

First game's a lot.

[Mike Ryan]

It's a lot. But the second game.

[Zaslo]

Yeah. After that, it's not very much. Yeah.

[Juju]

Also with a parade that gives opportunity from people from California, Nevada to come to the parade and gather versus going to the game in Fort Lauderdale so that people like.

[Dan Le Batard]

Free stuff, man. Free seller. Free celebrations are things that are attended. Winners get, they get crowds.

[Greg Cody]

I don't think, I don't think the parade would have drawn hundreds of thousands of people. I think it might have drawn 10,000, but that's enough. You have to have a parade. You know, bestow a parade upon your, your most loyal fans. They expect it. They deserve it.

[Zaslo]

I think you're right that it would have drawn something like 10,000. And that's an extremely poor. I mean, we didn't really care about.

[Roger Bennett]

I mean, maybe Mike did, but like we didn't mention the parade until this. Now that they're going to the white.

[Zaslo]

I mean, I feel like we're kind of.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, I was waiting for the parade and then it just didn't come. And I was confused by the absence of a parade.

[Mike Ryan]

I was waiting for it too. And I went to India.

[Dan Le Batard]

You can't tell me you guys think. Look, I know South Florida has this reputation. You guys think a champion Messi is going to be going through free streets, our streets here that are this Hispanic. And people wouldn't be going to a parade.

[Juju]

That thing going to look like freakin. He got there, bro. I promise you.

[Mike Ryan]

It may not have been like your traditional parade, but they could have had, like, hey, come celebrate with this team. And like, I don't know, downtown Doral. Like, they could have had a championship celebration. Hell, the Big three team had a championship celebration.

[Dan Le Batard]

I'm really underestimating how Latin people like to get out there with their pots and pans to celebrate anything that's for free.

[Trista]

Are you guys a bad sports city? I feel. Me and juju went to Unrivaled the other night, which is, you know, women's three on three that just sold out Barclays Center. Over 18,000 people. They only had less than 10 days in order to buy those tickets and sell out. We didn't know that the semifinals were even going to be there until just last week. And we go to the soundstage, and me and juju were the only ones in there cheering. And I thought to myself, is this a Miami thing?

[Zaslo]

Trista, go tell unrivaled. How about you lower the price a little bit? I checked the prices for that. For those games down. Free stuff is way too expensive. Lower the price. Lower. Unrivaled.

[Roger Bennett]

Lower the price.

[Dan Le Batard]

So unrivaled. Too expensive. Inter Miami. Not gouging. I just want to get. I want to make sure I have this straight from Zaslo, where he thinks there's an affordable, messy ticket in town.

[Trista]

I think he is less willing to pay for women's sports than he is.

[Roger Bennett]

Wow, wow, wow.

[Dan Le Batard]

What an accusation.

[Zaslo]

That is an accusation.

[Dan Le Batard]

Unrivaled as thriving. Unrivaled. Did you see these numbers on Unrivaled and their business? Now, David Sampson has told us he believes the WNBA is going to have a work stoppage.

[Trista]

Not to throw you more under the bus, but I did offer you to talk to Kristen and get your free credential, and you said, we'll see.

[Zaslo]

Okay, hold on. I was working. You went on Saturday night.

[Trista]

And I also offered Wednesday.

[Zaslo]

I know, and I'm busy.

[Greg Cody]

See? Sexist.

[Dan Le Batard]

Your sex. Your story.

[Trista]

I hate to be. I hate to be that girl.

[Dan Le Batard]

It seemed like you enjoyed being that girl. It seemed like you really trapped him. You cornered him with an assortment of options. And now it's just I'm busy That

[Juju]

Wednesday, without us going on with the WNBA and the cba, here's how Unrivals revenue breakdown this season was in merchandise. They made $4 million, which is a 100% increase from last year. The ticketing made $5 million. The total revenue was $45 million, a 66% increase. I mean, I think they're thriving.

[Dan Le Batard]

They found an avenue. They do have a bit of a campus near the airport, which is not something that you ever see down here in South Florida. They built a city for these women to have a concentrated area where they have. It's a city. It's just a. It's a campus where they can play and. And really challenged the wnba. You got to think, even though they're different seasons in timing, you've got to think that Unrivaled would be possibly rooting for a work stoppage in the WNBA to get stronger as a league.

[Zaslo]

Well, remember, that was a theory. When Nafisa Collier got up there with her whole speech about Kathy Engelbert. She's the worst leader in the history of the world. And part of the theory there was. Yeah, well, you know, she and her husband. There's like an ownership stake they have in this other league. If the WNBA has a work. Stop it. That was a theory.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. How can Unrivaled continue to be a success when they play in front of. What is it, 800?

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, it's a tell. It's for television.

[Greg Cody]

I know.

[Dan Le Batard]

It's made for television. They don't. You don't. Sports in general, Greg, don't need fans to attend the games anymore. It just needs to be a teller. Actually. It's a soundstage is what it is.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah. But it's sad, though, right?

[Trista]

I would say you're both right. Yes. It is sad to attend something where I feel that there are maybe fans that aren't real sports fans that are in high levels of attendance, that are not passionate about all sports. But number two, they went to Philly, they sold out that arena. They went to New York, they sold out that arena.

[Zaslo]

Problem.

[Trista]

It is kind of a nice problem. It's a soundstage problem. It's a pricing problem. But you could take this thing on the road, baby. Go to all different NBA arenas all season long. Say we get a work stoppage unrivaled. That said, hey, we can. We could blow this thing out to five on five. We could blow this thing out to more teams. We could just keep going. We're set up for that. I think the thing that Juju pointed out Though that is really important that I don't know if David Sampson has any information to share with us on is. Listen, we got some revenue numbers in the second year. I don't see any transparency with the numbers for the wnba, which actually is a violation of the National Labor Relations Act.

[Juju]

Exactly. WNBA gonna end up tricking themselves out the streets because as they're growing, the unrivaled league, which it is, 18, 000 fans last night showed up in Brooklyn. The blueprint has been put out by the big three to show you this thing can work. Ice cube salute here. West coast, west side, bruh. This thing can work. And I think that the. The unrivaled league is putting so much more pressure on them CBA meetings than it would have actually been without them. So I think that unrivaled might be. I didn't talk to anybody. I don't know anything. But if you got stock to buy, if you got some free money, I would invest in the unrivaled league.

[Zaslo]

You know about that. Tricking yourself off the street, then you know about that.

[Dan Le Batard]

National Labor Relations Act.

[Juju]

You know about that. West side, Greg.

[Roger Bennett]

West side.

[Greg Cody]

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, I've been there. You've been there? Just got back from Vegas.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's not really what he was talking about.

[Roger Bennett]

I know.

[Mike Ryan]

It's a season two playoff race with TGL. Presented by SoFi. Sunday at 9pm Eastern. Jupiter Links versus Boston Common Golf. Monday at 7pm Eastern. Los Angeles Golf Club versus New York Golf Club. Tuesday at 9pm Eastern. The Bay Golf Club versus Jupiter Links. Keep up. It's Golf Watch on ESPN, ESPN2 and the ESPN app.

[Roger Bennett]

Don LeBatard.

[Dan Le Batard]

Billy, somebody has written in here. I need way more.

[Sponsor Voice]

I'm sorry.

[Roger Bennett]

I just said in his headset. Haven't you been to all of them, too?

[Greg Cody]

It sounded like you were speaking aloud. My bad. Totally on me. That's 100 on me.

[Roger Bennett]

All right, St.

[Greg Cody]

But that goes without saying, right, that it couldn't have.

[Stu Gach]

Well, now.

[Mike Ryan]

He said it, didn't.

[Stu Gach]

He didn't say it. Again,

[Greg Cody]

my apologies since.

[Mike Ryan]

Why?

[Dan Le Batard]

Greg. Yeah, Greg.

[Zaslo]

He apologized.

[Dan Le Batard]

Craig, sincerely.

[Roger Bennett]

This is the Dan Levatar show with the Stugach.

[Dan Le Batard]

I want to cover with you guys here what NBC and Peacock are doing tonight. We are on Peacock. We're on NBC Sports now every day, 12 to 3pm Eastern. And they're doing a throwback. And I wonder when they do John Tesh and they do some of the nostalgia that they're doing with basketball. That's tailored to my demo and Greg Cody's demo when they have Hannah Storm and Mike Fratello and Bob Costas. And just a different time in basketball coverage when NASCAR's champion, Michael Jordan was ruling all of sports. I want to play a clip for you of Pat Riley. I wonder how many people know or remember that when Pat Riley was out of coaching for a while, he went and did television with Bob Costas, and he did it really poorly. Pat Riley talks about how Bob Costas had to coach him up, how starched he was. He was not good at television, but he was very presidential. He was very. He was very slick, obviously. Let's play a clip. As Peacock and NBC celebrate the old times tonight, here's Bob Costas and Pat Riley.

[Greg Cody]

Okay, the Chicago Bulls trying to get even before we head back to Los Angeles with the lead of 48, 43 at halftime. Well, ladies and gentlemen, this, I guess, is what some of you have been waiting for. And I must say that I am tremendously disappointed. This is what I labored over all season four. Apparently, this gunk has been so trained in your head that even when you blow dry, all we get is this.

[Roger Bennett]

I mean, looks pretty good, you know, I mean, I'm going. But we ought to really.

[Greg Cody]

I have something to say right at

[Roger Bennett]

the end of this analysis. And then if we get into the analysis, then we'll see what it really looks.

[Greg Cody]

Blow dry. You got a brush in your pocket or what?

[Roger Bennett]

I got one right here, Robert.

[Greg Cody]

Well, America demands to see it right now.

[Roger Bennett]

Well, right at the end of the analysis, we're going to get a good comb job.

[Greg Cody]

Okay, we go to this commercial break. You want to give it one more try?

[Roger Bennett]

Moves. It really doesn't move. It really doesn't. I'm doing the very best I can. Oh, wait.

[Greg Cody]

Oh, no.

[Roger Bennett]

Here we go.

[Dan Le Batard]

Oh, no.

[Roger Bennett]

There we go. That's what we want to see.

[Dan Le Batard]

That's what we want to see. Right there. Right there.

[Roger Bennett]

Now we do it. That's about it. That's it.

[Greg Cody]

Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is certainly one of the proudest moments of my career. We've got to call a timeout after this, an update for the French Open, and then we'll complete the starting five from North Carolina's 1982 NCAA championship team.

[Mike Ryan]

I'm sure for the audio audience, the chemistry was just off the charts. Too awkward.

[Dan Le Batard]

Really awkward. How about that score? 48, 43 at the half.

[Mike Ryan]

Jeez, I don't make them like that anymore.

[Dan Le Batard]

Zaslo, how do you feel about going into the nostalgia bucket for this stuff?

[Zaslo]

Love it. Look, they're smart. Who doesn't love nostalgia? You're watching that broad.

[Dan Le Batard]

I love young people.

[Zaslo]

Well, okay. But there's also a major demographic that has money that loves nostalgia. And I loved everything about that clip. Bob Costas was so young there. I loved seeing Riley. The music, the gra. They're going full on with those graphics tonight. NBA on NBC. I'm into that broadcast tonight.

[Greg Cody]

I am, too. And I'm surprised with everybody so hungry for content now. I'm surprised they don't do the nostalgia thing more often. For example, I would listen to an. At least part of an NFL game with. With Howard Cosell and Don Meredith. You know what I'm saying?

[Dan Le Batard]

That would be amazing given that they're both dead.

[Greg Cody]

Right.

[Stu Gach]

A miracle.

[Greg Cody]

Right?

[Roger Bennett]

But.

[Greg Cody]

But I mean a replay of. Of them back.

[Dan Le Batard]

And I don't think you're going to watch this. I don't think you can find this. I don't think that you know how to find Peacock on your television.

[Greg Cody]

Isn't it NBC?

[Dan Le Batard]

It's Peacock.

[Mike Ryan]

NBC is NBC 6.

[Greg Cody]

I don't know. I asked my wife.

[Dan Le Batard]

Channel 6. And so that. That's where it'll end. And then you'll be in the garage having beer, not watching.

[Greg Cody]

I'll bring my beer into the house.

[Mike Ryan]

Got lucky this time, buddy.

[Greg Cody]

Two minutes of it. I'll watch two minutes of it. You'll walk by. I will wax nostalgic.

[Mike Ryan]

There is a news item. Because when I saw the. The list of people there, I was like, oh, I'm into this. But there was one name I was scanning for and I didn't see. And then I was just waiting for him to react to being omitted.

[Zaslo]

Oh, I know who you're talking about.

[Mike Ryan]

Come on.

[Zaslo]

I know you're talking about Zaz.

[Mike Ryan]

You know about that.

[Dan Le Batard]

Everybody, everybody hates him, though. Everybody hates him.

[Zaslo]

Dan, you know about that. Peter Vesey.

[Dan Le Batard]

Yeah, everyone dislikes Peter Vesey.

[Roger Bennett]

Right.

[Mike Ryan]

And I know that. So just let's put that lightning rod in the middle of it because he is so cranky. Was in his heyday when he was a huge part of that show. I would love to throw him in there. Didn't Michael Jordan say terrible things about him in his speech?

[Stu Gach]

Yes, exactly. Do you realize how hated you have to be for somebody in the hall of Fame speech to point you out

[Mike Ryan]

and talk shit about you? Yeah, but when that person is Michael Jordan, you kind of understand. He seems pretty petty with it.

[Dan Le Batard]

Michael Jordan was among the angriest hall of Fame speeches I've ever heard. He wasn't even Celebrating it. It was just sort of taking out all of his doubters and Peter Vesey when it comes to what's happening in basketball at present. Last night, trade Young gets ejected from a game before he's actually played for the Wizards. What are you shaking your head about?

[Greg Cody]

Just hilarious. It's. It's so Trey Young. It's like, way. Way to introduce yourself.

[Dan Le Batard]

How is it so Trey Young to be ejected before you've played your first wizard game?

[Mike Ryan]

One of the bad boys.

[Greg Cody]

That's one of the reasons he's no longer in Atlanta is that they got tired of his act.

[Roger Bennett]

What?

[Mike Ryan]

His act was not playing defense and a bad hairline.

[Greg Cody]

Other than that, I know what I know.

[Mike Ryan]

What exactly? Like, run our test.

[Dan Le Batard]

What do you know?

[Roger Bennett]

Do you even know the details of

[Mike Ryan]

what he did to get ejected?

[Greg Cody]

He was arguing a call, right?

[Zaslo]

One of his, like, two of his guys got, like, cheap shot it.

[Roger Bennett]

And he was, like, arguing, like, defending

[Zaslo]

his players, like, to the refs, like,

[Roger Bennett]

why are you not calling that?

[Greg Cody]

Okay. And then. And then he got thrown, right?

[Mike Ryan]

Classic Trae Young.

[Dan Le Batard]

He was defending his teammates, though.

[Greg Cody]

Okay.

[Roger Bennett]

He's not even in the game.

[Greg Cody]

You don't do that from the bench.

[Dan Le Batard]

Well, I'd say. Actually. 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.

[Stu Gach]

Well, he didn't do it from the bench. He ran out into the court. That's why he got the.

[Dan Le Batard]

He got ejected for going onto the court.

[Zaslo]

He's actually expected to make his Wizards debut finally this week.

[Greg Cody]

Right.

[Juju]

I think his true crime was letting the spittle stick in his beard while he was arguing. Get out of here. I'm ejecting you. I don't care. I'm a vomit.

[Dan Le Batard]

Do you guys think it's actually bad if you're Trae Young to be sent away from there early and you don't have to spend any more time watching the game? You could just. I don't think you have to stay around after that if you get it. If you get ejected from the bench.

[Trista]

Capital One. Worst arena in all of the NBA by far. It is a best Buy at best. Very blaring Best Buy. Halogen lamps, terrible crowd. I would want to be out of there if I was Trae Young as well.

[Dan Le Batard]

It does make me laugh when I hear Heat fans complain about the present state of the Heat. And I look at an organization like that playing in a warehouse where you can hear all of the speaker and the dj, because there's no bodies for it to bounce off that care about anything. Imagine the history of the Wizards is so profoundly bad that I really don't think it's a penalty to send him away early from that game.

[Zaslo]

I think if my dad saw the

[Roger Bennett]

clip of what because, like, one of

[Zaslo]

his teammates got, like run over and they just weren't calling anything.

[Roger Bennett]

I feel like if you saw the

[Zaslo]

plays leading up to it, you would be like, I see why he's arguing there.

[Dan Le Batard]

Those he knows what he knows. He doesn't need more information, not just about this in life. He's done. Greg Cody is done accumulating information. He knows what he knows, and that information either supports his belief or is to be rejected.

[Greg Cody]

Bulletin. In the NBA, if you're on the bench and you run onto the court, yet tend to be punished for it. I don't know if Trae Young didn't know that, but if I. If I'm a Wizards fan all excited about getting Trey Young and this is how he introduces.

[Dan Le Batard]

Are we still doing bulletins? Like bulletins? I do you just announced bulletin, but put it on the Pollard show. Do you know what a bulletin is? Nostalgia night on Peacock. He won't be watching. He can't find it.