The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1

Episode Date: September 4, 2025
Main Theme: The NFL’s global expansion and season structure, and serious salary cap circumvention allegations facing the LA Clippers and Kawhi Leonard.

Episode Overview

Dan Patrick celebrates the return of NFL football and dives into pressing topics: the NFL’s increasing international footprint, the push toward an 18-game regular season, and controversial league decisions around divisional games abroad. The episode also examines breaking NBA news—serious allegations of salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers, and owner Steve Ballmer, with input from investigative journalist Pablo Torre and a reaction from Mark Cuban. The crew and callers provide reaction, concerns, and analysis on fairness for fans and players throughout.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. NFL Opening Night & Divisional Matchups Abroad

• Hype for Opening Night: Dan opens by comparing the start of football season to children returning to school—with much more excitement for adults.
• Cowboys vs. Eagles Matchup: Early odds, key player insights, and what to expect from both teams, including thoughts on Micah Parsons’ value and recent trade news (07:00).
• Chiefs vs. Chargers in Brazil:
  • Dan strongly criticizes the NFL for exporting a key Week 1 divisional game to Brazil, arguing it cheats local fans and undermines the integrity of rivalries:

    “The fact that the Chargers and Chiefs, a divisional rivalry game, is going to be played in Brazil is malpractice.” (10:10)

  • The crew debates the impact on season ticket holders, fan experience, and whether these global games should be non-divisional and take place later in the season to allow clubs to recover from travel.

2. NFL’s Push for 18-Game Season

• Roger Goodell Clip: Dan reacts to Commissioner Goodell’s comments suggesting the league will move to an 18-game schedule, with expanded international play and a possible Super Bowl on Presidents’ Day weekend (18:30):

  “We always say, what do the fans want? What do the fans really think is important? … I think it’s clear they want more regular season games versus preseason games.” – Roger Goodell (clip, 18:45)

• Dan’s Skepticism:

  • Dan challenges the rationale that “it’s for the fans,” pointing out:

    “You can’t add another game and tell me you care about safety. It’s about money.” (22:34)

  • Calls for expanded rosters and more player benefits if the season is lengthened.

• Fan and Crew Reaction: They debate if fans truly want more games, express concerns for player welfare, and spotlight the contrast between short careers and long-term health risks.

3. Season Ticket Holders and International Games

• Caller Input: Longtime ticket holders share frustrations—paying for tickets to Brazil games with no reimbursement or access (44:20).
• Dan on NFL’s Attitude Toward Fans:

  “What do you really think the NFL cares at all about season ticket holders? … They absolutely care about you guys.” (Sarcastic tone, 46:00)

  • Critiques ticketing practices, mandatory personal seat licenses, and lack of accommodations for fans affected by international games.

4. NBA Scandal: Clippers, Kawhi Leonard, and Salary Cap Circumvention

• Pablo Torre’s Investigation:

  • Dan recaps Pablo Torre’s exposé alleging the Clippers used a now-defunct company (Aspiration) as a vehicle to secretly pay Kawhi Leonard $28 million for a “no-show” job—effectively dodging NBA salary cap rules.
  • The company’s CEO has pleaded guilty to wire fraud; other celebrities were also involved.

  “Pablo had sources, seven sources, one on record … the Clippers were trying to circumvent the salary cap, paying Kawhi Leonard $28 million for a no-show job … the CEO is going to jail.” (50:34)

• Clippers, Ballmer, and Cuban Respond:

  • Clippers release statement denying any oversight of Kawhi’s endorsement deal.
  • Mark Cuban defends Steve Ballmer, suggesting he wouldn’t risk exposure by letting the company go bankrupt if he was really trying to hide something, but admits, “Scammers do scammy things … why not give stolen money to help keep their best player?” (Cuban’s statement summarized at 55:50)

• Dan’s Core Questions:

  • Did Kawhi get paid, and what was delivered in exchange?
  • Did Ballmer and the organization know, or were they duped?
  • Emphasizes presumption of innocence, but pushes for accountability and transparency.

• Speculation on NBA’s Strategy and News Cycle:

  • Crew jokes about the league “leaking” other news (altered All-Star Game format, Ben Simmons rumors) to distract from the Clippers scandal (01:02:15).

5. Player Welfare vs. League Profits

• Dan’s Reflections:
  • Longtime observations on players’ post-career health struggles, advocating for increased health benefits as league profits soar.

  “I just want to make sure that we’re fair to these players who are entertaining us.” (27:59)

6. Fun, Hot Takes, and Lighter Segments

• Hot Take Draft Tease: Coming later in the show, staff will deliver bold sports predictions—prior bets are reviewed for “hotness” rather than accuracy (39:00).
• Listener Calls: Range from salary cap details (Micah Parsons’ contract) to practical concerns about international games and extra season games’ impact on salaries.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Highlight | |-----------|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10:10 | Dan | “The fact that the Chargers and Chiefs—a divisional rivalry—is going to be played in Brazil is malpractice.” | | 18:45 | Roger Goodell (clip) | “We always say, what do the fans want? ... It’s clear they want more regular season games versus preseason games.” | | 22:34 | Dan | “You can’t add another game and tell me you care about safety. It’s about money.” | | 27:59 | Dan | “I just want to make sure that we’re fair to these players who are entertaining us.” | | 44:20 | Eric (Caller) | “We actually paid for the ticket for Brazil and we didn’t get reimbursed as season ticket holders.” | | 50:34 | Dan (on Pablo Torre story) | “The Clippers were trying to circumvent the salary cap, paying Kawhi Leonard $28 million for a no-show job…” | | 55:50 | Dan (summarizing Mark Cuban) | “Why not give stolen money to help keep their best player? Mark makes it seem like billionaires don’t make bad decisions or skirt the rules.” | | 01:02:15 | Marvin | “The NBA—I’m nominating for worst week in sports. And then, coincidentally, ‘Hey, we’ve got a new All-Star format!’ Three hours after Pablo Torre’s story.” |

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening Night Football & NFL Matchups: 07:00 – 20:00
• Global NFL Expansion & 18-Game Season Debate: 20:00 – 30:00
• Player Safety & Benefits Concerns: 22:00 – 27:59
• International Games—Fan & Season Ticket Impact: 40:00 – 48:00
• Clippers/Kawhi Salary Cap Scandal: 50:00 – 1:07:00
• NBA’s Response/Distraction?: 01:02:15 – 01:04:00
• Listener Calls—Fan Frustration: Scattered throughout, with major points at 44:20 (Eric), 47:00, 49:30
• Hot Take Draft Preview: 39:00

Tone & Language

Dan Patrick brings energetic, sardonic wit and seasoned skepticism, offering both comedic quips and pointed critiques. The crew (Paulie, Todd, Seaton, Marvin) chime in with playful banter but don’t shy away from serious analysis. Listener calls supplement the discussion with real-world perspectives and further levity.

Summary Takeaways

• The NFL’s global ambitions are clashing with longstanding fan traditions and fairness—especially around opening-night divisional games.
• The 18-game season is a question of money vs. safety, with owners and the league office prioritizing profit; Dan advocates for player benefits and expanded rosters.
• The NBA is under fire as explosive allegations surface of salary cap circumvention by the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard, sparking a debate on accountability, billionaire owners, and the league’s priorities.
• Throughout, the show balances humor, listener interaction, and sharp industry criticism.

This episode is a must-listen for fans invested in the NFL’s evolving business model, the NBA’s latest scandal, or just craving a spirited, informed sports conversation.