Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – Episode: Covino & Rich - Sports Misery Meter
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Description: In this engaging episode of The Dan Patrick Show, hosts Covino and Rich delve into the concept of the "Sports Misery Meter," exploring how fans' favorite teams impact their personal happiness and mood. The episode blends sports analysis, personal anecdotes, listener interactions, and the latest NFL news, all delivered with Covino and Rich’s trademark humor and insight.

1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode kicks off with promotional segments for various podcasts and shows, introducing listeners to upcoming content. Covino and Rich briefly discuss ongoing shows and upcoming releases, setting the stage for the main topics of the day.

2. Sports Misery Meter Segment

a. Introduction of Mike Lozito [14:04]

Covino and Rich introduce Mike Lozito, a longtime friend and a numbers enthusiast who originally conceptualized the "Sports Misery Meter." Mike analyzes fans' misery levels based on the performance of their favorite teams.

b. Explanation of the Misery Meter [14:38]

Danny G explains ESPN's official "Misery Meter" algorithm, which quantifies how miserable a fan can feel based on the current performance of their teams. Each team contributes to a fan's overall misery score out of 100, where 100 signifies maximum misery.

c. Rankings of Covino, Rich, Danny G, and Mike [15:14]

• Rich: Scores an impressive 89, rooted in support for consistently underperforming teams like the Mets, Islanders, Jets, and Knicks.
• Danny G: Scores a 48, supporting relatively successful teams such as the Raiders, Lakers, and Dodgers.
• Covino: Achieves a 51, balancing between successful teams like the Lakers and Dodgers and less consistent performances from teams like the Raiders.

Mike Lozito also participates, discussing his own misery rating based on the teams he supports, illustrating the varying degrees of fan frustration.

d. Discussion on the Impact of Team Performance [16:36]

The hosts discuss how supporting losing teams can negatively affect a fan's mood and self-perception. They emphasize the importance of not letting team performance define personal happiness, citing their experiences and observations.

Notable Quote:
Covino at [21:08]: "They have a whole equation. So if you want to plug in your teams just for fun, know that there is an app."

3. Personal Stories and Memories

a. School Memories and Playground Games [05:14 - 11:16]

Covino and Danny G reminisce about their childhood school days, recalling games like Nerf football, kickball, and "asses up." They share humorous and nostalgic stories about gym class antics, the smells of old gym equipment, and the limited access to water fountains.

Notable Quote:
Danny G at [10:21]: "He never thought he was going to get caught and I just looked at my computer screen. I was just like, ah, gotcha."

b. Gym Class Challenges [08:19 - 11:16]

The conversation shifts to the challenging aspects of gym class, including the notorious smells, the strict gym teachers, and the limited water access. Covino shares memories of playing Nerf football until an injury ended the game for good.

4. Listener Engagement: Worst Neighbors and Roommates

a. Gary B. from Van Nuys [49:57 - 53:03]

Covino introduces a listener story about "Gary B.," a notorious neighbor in Van Nuys, California, known for incessant late-night noise from lawn mowing and car repairs. The hosts discuss the duality of such situations, highlighting both the frustration and the untold stories behind Gary's behavior.

Notable Quote:
Danny G at [52:07]: "They went to the news, reacted because it made the news. And the police showed up and the LAPD are telling like Fox 11 and all the local news outlets that they can't really make a citation against Gary because the officers need to, to hear the noise and observe the noise for themselves."

b. Inviting Listener Stories [52:43 - 53:03]

Covino and Danny G invite listeners to share their worst neighbor and roommate stories, encouraging audience participation and engagement with relatable content.

5. NFL News and Updates

a. Legal Updates on Players [41:01 - 43:28]

The hosts discuss recent legal developments involving NFL players:

• Quinshon Judkins: The Florida State Attorney’s office declined to file charges for a misdemeanor battery accusation.
• Isaiah Bond: A former Texas receiver accused of sexual assault had charges dismissed and is now signing with the Cleveland Browns.

b. Justin Herbert Starts as QB for Chargers [41:01 - 43:28]

Jim Harbaugh announces that Justin Herbert will start as quarterback for the Chargers in an upcoming preseason game against the Rams. This marks Herbert’s first career preseason appearance.

c. Michael Penix Jr. Typographical Error [42:26 - 43:06]

A humorous segment about Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The controversy arises not from his statements but from a typographical error on the broadcast screen, replacing his "X" with an "S," inadvertently changing his name on-air.

Notable Quote:
Danny G at [42:55]: "My favorite quarterback, Michael Penis Jr. That's him."

6. Thematic Discussion: Coping with Sports Fan Frustrations

a. Balancing Emotions with Team Performance [25:28 - 31:17]

Covino shares an anecdote about a past radio show incident where he refused to deliver a sports report after a Raiders loss, leading to a stern conversation with his station's general manager. The hosts emphasize the importance of not letting team performance dictate personal happiness.

Notable Quote:
Covino at [30:14]: "Does Al Davis pay your bills? And I said, no. And he's like, so don't let it affect your personality."

b. Athletes Embracing New Cities [35:05 - 41:01]

The conversation shifts to how athletes like Jalen Ramsey adapt to new cities and fan bases, comparing the strategies of other players like Bryce Harper and Russell Wilson. They discuss the balance between staying true to oneself while embracing a new environment to win over fans.

Notable Quote:
Danny G at [35:44]: "Aaron Rodgers, who we love to make fun of... he did all the right things leading up to it."

7. Promotion and Outro

Covino and Rich promote their new YouTube channel (Covino and Rich Show at YouTube.com/inoenrichfsr) and encourage listeners to subscribe and engage with their content. They also highlight their upcoming segments, including discussions on NFL topics like Jalen Ramsey and old-school throwback segments.

Notable Quote:
Covino at [48:18]: "Thank you guys for watching us on YouTube, the new channel YouTube.com/inoenrichFSR and of course, checking out our podcast."

8. Additional Highlights

• Music Segment [28:08 - 29:58]: Covino and Danny G critique the song “Frustrated, Incorporated” by Soul Asylum, tying it back to the episode’s theme of sports-related misery.

• Comedy and Humor: Throughout the episode, Covino and Rich infuse humor into their discussions, making the topics relatable and entertaining.

• Engagement with John Lithgow [25:02 - 26:17]: Repeated promotional segments for John Lithgow’s fiction podcast about Buzz Aldrin, adding a creative twist to the episode.

Conclusion

In this episode, Covino and Rich effectively blend sports analysis with personal anecdotes and humor to explore how team performance impacts fans' emotions. Through the "Sports Misery Meter" segment, they provide a quantified perspective on fan frustration while offering broader insights into maintaining personal happiness regardless of sports outcomes. Listener interactions and NFL news keep the content dynamic and engaging, making it a valuable listen for both avid sports fans and casual listeners alike.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Covino [21:08]: "They have a whole equation. So if you want to plug in your teams just for fun, know that there is an app."

• Covino [30:14]: "Does Al Davis pay your bills? And I said, no. And he's like, so don't let it affect your personality."

• Danny G [42:55]: "My favorite quarterback, Michael Penis Jr. That's him."

• Covino [48:18]: "Thank you guys for watching us on YouTube, the new channel YouTube.com/inoenrichFSR and of course, checking out our podcast."

Listening Information:
To catch this episode and more, tune into The Dan Patrick Show on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.