The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Hour 1 – Shohei Ohtani Gets Roughed Up, Super Bowl in London
Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick and the “Danettes” (Fritzi, Seaton, Marv, Paulie)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dan Patrick and his crew dig into major developments across the sports world, starting with Shohei Ohtani's tough outing at Coors Field, the power-hitting Yankees, and escalating MVP races. The conversation pivots to the growing international aspirations of the NFL, specifically the possibility of a Super Bowl in London and the ongoing expansion of sports leagues globally. A key segment discusses the rising cost—and fragmentation—of watching pro sports due to various streaming agreements. The team debates league greed versus consumer limits and, in a fun twist, compares the dream careers of NFL backup Chase Daniel and running back Isaiah Pacheco. The show wraps the hour fielding calls on fan loyalty and revisiting Urban Meyer's comments about NFL discipline for Jim Harbaugh.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shohei Ohtani Gets Roughed Up at Coors Field

• Dan recaps Ohtani’s start: First career game as a starter at Coors Field, gave up 5 runs on 9 hits in 4 innings, and took a comebacker off the leg but extended his on-base streak.
• “He looked pedestrian last night against Colorado, the new and improved Rockies.”
  (Dan Patrick, 06:20)
• Discussion around Ohtani’s MVP status—his hitting stats are down but his aura and versatility still make him the runaway favorite.
• MVP race odds update:
  • After the rough outing, Ohtani's MVP betting odds dip from -8000 to -6000.
  • Kyle Schwarber closes the gap somewhat; AL MVP still hot (Judge -200, Cal Raleigh needs a big HR surge to contend).

2. Yankees’ Offensive Surge & Pitching Concerns

• Yankees hit 14 homers in 2 games, dominate offensively.
• Dan cautions: “This is about postseason success... If you’re going to win a World Series, it’s going to be about pitching come September and certainly October.” (02:20)
• New York’s pitching is middle-of-the-pack (16th ERA), raising concerns for October.

3. Ohtani’s Postseason Value & Dodgers’ Thinking

• Mark Pryor (Dodgers pitching coach) told Dan there’s a possibility Ohtani could pitch in relief in the postseason but raises practical concerns about him warming up as both a DH and pitcher.

4. NFL Super Bowl in London?

• News: UK ambassador Peter Mandelson is lobbying for the Super Bowl to be hosted in Britain.
• Dan speculates this is “inevitable” given the NFL’s pursuit of growth and international revenue.
• “I don’t think anybody’s gonna tune out the Super Bowl if it’s played in London. But I do think we’re going there.” (17:15)
• Larger discussion on league expansion (NFL, MLB, NBA, and even golf), chasing global money, and how sports entities push boundaries for new revenue streams.

5. The Cost and Fragmentation of Watching Sports

• Paulie and Dan detail how watching every NFL game now requires $800-$900 in annual subscriptions (CBS, Fox, NBC, ABC, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube, Netflix, Peacock, Amazon, ESPN+).
• “Four years ago... one check, 200 bucks, that’s it, you’re set... Now you need like seven different packages.” (27:05, Paulie)
• Dan: “It does add up. If you want to watch everything. But I don’t know what that means. If, if you’re an average fan, do you go, I’m not going to sign up... I just want them to make it easier.” (33:52)

6. League Greed vs. Fan Limitations

• Dan and the Danettes discuss whether there’s a breaking point for fans (“pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered”—Mark Cuban’s quote).
• Would too many playoff teams, league games, or subscriptions finally turn people off?
• Consensus: Most fans complain but won’t turn off their favorite sport.

7. Urban Meyer Calls for NFL Discipline for Jim Harbaugh

• Urban Meyer (on another podcast) raises NFL precedent where Jim Tressel’s NCAA suspension was honored by the Colts and NFL.
• Dan analyzes: Should Jim Harbaugh face a similar fate if/when he jumps from Michigan to the NFL?
  • “Urban Meyer’s correct... There is precedent. Now what do you do?” (44:45)
  • Paulie: “Fairness is a big deal and due process should be a big deal for everybody. If I’m Jim Tressel, I’m like, how about equal discipline... years later.” (1:06:30)
• The show floats the poll: Should Jim Harbaugh be suspended by the NFL for NCAA violations?

8. Fun Segment: Would You Rather be Chase Daniel or Isaiah Pacheco?

• Poll Question: Have Chase Daniel’s 13-year backup QB career ($40M, no major injuries, no on-field glory) OR Isaiah Pacheco’s (~$3M so far, two super bowls, major contributor, short shelf life)?
• Dan: “I want to play in a Super Bowl, win a Super Bowl.”
• Rest of the crew chooses Chase Daniel—longevity and $40M the clinchers.
• “Not even for a second. I’m taking $40 million.” (Seaton, 53:10)

9. Listener Calls & the Reality of Fragmented Streaming

• Calls include complaints about having to miss WNBA games due to fragmented broadcasting.
• Dan reiterates: Greater popularity = more fragmentation, more platforms, more fan frustration.

10. Fan Loyalty: Switching Teams

• Caller asks if it’s ever acceptable to switch team allegiance.
• Dan: Loyalty deepens with age; younger fans more player-driven; older fans generally stick no matter how much their teams struggle.
• “That’s the beauty of being a fan. It’s... when you get back up, when you get to be a champion.” (1:15:05)
• Danettes: You should “live off” the one championship forever (85 Bears, Saints, etc.).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On sports leagues and expansion:
  “All these commissioners know: Where is the next piece of revenue? ...It’s about the growth. How do we grow it? How do we make more money? And that’s happening right now.” (Dan, 20:30)
• On the expensive, fragmented NFL viewing experience:
  “If you want to watch all the NFL games this season, it’s probably going to cost you $800 plus dollars in subscriptions. And four years ago, I would say it was about $199.” (Paulie, 29:35)
• On fan breaking points:
  “We haven’t found that you can be—you’ll push yourself away from the sports buffet.” (Dan, paraphrasing Mark Cuban, 26:55)
• On the Harbaugh precedent:
  “But you did establish precedence. Yeah, Paulie. -- Urban Meyer does have his facts right on this.” (46:25)
• Would you switch teams?:
  “If you bail on your team and they go on to win a title, you can’t enjoy that title, and you shouldn’t be allowed to enjoy that title, nor watch that title.” (Paulie, 1:13:00)
• On what fans cling to:
  “Nobody has dined out more than 85 Bears fans. Nobody.” (Dan, 1:17:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Yankees’ Home Run Surge & Playoff Doubts: 02:20–06:10
• Shohei Ohtani’s Rocky Start & MVP Race: 06:10–13:30
• Ohtani as Dodgers’ Reliever in Postseason: 14:40–17:00
• Super Bowl in London? NFL Global Expansion: 17:15–23:45
• Streaming Fragmentation & The High Cost of Watching NFL: 27:00–34:00
• Are Fans Reaching a Breaking Point with Leagues?: 24:30–28:10
• Urban Meyer on NFL Suspending Harbaugh (precedent talk): 44:40–48:50, 1:05:00–1:08:30
• Poll: Chase Daniel vs Isaiah Pacheco—Career Choices: 52:10–54:30
• Listener Calls (Streaming Frustration/Team Loyalty): 57:14–1:13:55
• Dan and Crew on Lasting Fandom, Championships: 1:14:00–1:18:00

Overall Tone

The episode is lively, witty, and conversational, blending insightful sports talk with classic Dan Patrick banter and humor. There’s respect for history, skepticism about change, but also an honest acknowledgment of sports as a business and how fans are along for the ride—begrudgingly or not.

(End of Hour 1 summary. Sports news, fan frustration, and laughs, all in classic Dan Patrick fashion!)