The Dan Patrick Show (Hour 2) – September 3, 2025

Episode Overview

Host Dan Patrick and the Danettes delve into the intersection of sports, business, and pop culture. The hour is highlighted by discussions about NBA salary cap circumvention via the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard, Johnny Manziel’s lingering grudge against the Browns, fan optimism amid long odds, and an engaging interview with Kyle Brandt on his new NFL retrospective show and NFL storylines. The episode weaves in humor, fan interaction, and expert insights, making for a lively sports-centric conversation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. False Hope for NFL Fans and Harsh Realities

(03:47–07:00)

• Dan kicks off by reflecting on how fans of teams with low expectations (like the Browns and Saints) are craving hope, even if it's not grounded in reality:
  • "If you're fans of these teams and it's September 3rd, you want false hope... You don't want me saying...the worst odds to win the Super Bowl are the Saints or the first coach who odds on to be fired is Kevin Stefanski." (03:47)
  • Dan emphasizes his role as a messenger, relating Vegas odds and not wanting to disparage teams, but insists on speaking the truth.
• Paulie agrees, humorously noting fans would prefer a bit of “fake hope” during their commutes.

2. Clippers Allegations: Circumventing the NBA Salary Cap

(06:13–11:48)

• Discussion of Pablo Torre’s investigation into an alleged fraudulent tree-planting company, reportedly funded by Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, possibly being used to pay Kawhi Leonard off the books and skirt the salary cap:
  • "Pablo Torre is investigating the Clippers...using money in that company to pay Kawhi Leonard." (06:44)
  • "There was a fraudulent tree planting company...funded with $50 million...Kawhi Leonard had an endorsement deal with this company...a no show endorsement deal...$28 million, which would circumvent the salary cap." — Paulie (07:00)
  • Dan jokes: "I thought that Kawhi Leonard had a no-show job—that was called being a Clipper." (07:40)
• Dan draws a parallel to past NBA scandals (like the Timberwolves/Joe Smith contract cap-circumvention), speculates on potential penalties, and keeps the conversation open-ended pending more information from Torre’s reporting.

Notable Quote

• "When it comes to financial acumen, [Kawhi Leonard and his camp] are first team Hall of Famers." — Dan Patrick (10:06)

3. Johnny Manziel Still Holding a Grudge Against Cleveland

(11:48–16:33)

• Dan plays a soundbite from Johnny Manziel’s appearance on the Nightcap Podcast:
  • "Am I going to let Cleveland off the hook and just let it go, or am I going to sit here with hate and animosity? ...I think I'm going to be pissed and hate them forever, so it is what it is, man." — Johnny Manziel (12:08)
• Dan’s response is blunt; he believes Manziel must take ownership for his NFL failures and that his blaming the Browns is misplaced:
  • "You can blame the Browns for being the Browns, but you should have been able to take care of yourself, and you didn't." (13:12)
• The panel debates whether Manziel’s fate was sealed by being drafted in the first round versus later. Ultimately, they agree that Manziel’s lack of accountability (on and off the field) is a recurring theme.

Memorable Exchange

• "You gotta take—you’re not taking—accountability. You didn’t take accountability then, you’re not taking it now. Both sides made mistakes." — Dan Patrick (13:40)
• "Do you think if he had gone someplace else that somehow this would have had a better ending?..." — Dan Patrick (17:09)
• The group explores whether the Browns’ dysfunction is to blame or if Manziel simply never truly committed.

4. Fan Call-ins, Raiders Optimism, and Division Bets

(19:35–20:20)

• A caller from Ohio jokes that if Raiders owner Mark Davis changed his haircut, the team might win the Super Bowl.
• Dan and Kyle Brandt discuss the current state of the Raiders, speculating Tom Brady’s involvement as a winner, but acknowledge the team is likely to finish at the bottom of a tough division.
  • "I'd feel a little better if Tom Brady was the quarterback." — Kyle Brandt (19:43)
  • Dan and Kyle bet on whether Raiders or Broncos will have a better record.
• Brief chat about division strength and Broncos v. Raiders "pie to the face" bet.

5. Interview: Kyle Brandt on NFL Classics and Storytelling

(26:19–34:21)

• About the Show: Kyle Brandt joins to promote "NFL Classics: Upon Further Review" (Vice TV) — a show where NFL legends rewatch and reflect on classic games.
  • "They came to me and said, here’s an idea for a show, you want to do it?... Ten minutes later I'm sitting there with Irvin watching the ’95 title game." — Kyle Brandt (27:07)
• Behind-the-Scenes: Kyle shares anecdotes about the emotional reactions of former players reliving high-stakes games:
  • "When you actually watch the game...even though you know [the outcome], you can watch them start to sweat all over again." (28:07)
• Newfound Insights: Discussion of the Titans-Rams Super Bowl and whether Jeff Fisher would have gone for two if the Titans had scored in the final seconds.
• Cowboys & Coaching: Brandt recalls Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin’s avoidance of Barry Switzer’s name, emphasizing how much the players still identified Jimmy Johnson as their real coach years after his departure.
  • "We talked for over an hour, and I don’t think they said the name Barry Switzer one time...They avoided the word even when I asked about it. I think Jimmy was still the head coach." — Kyle Brandt (30:57)

Memorable Quotes

• "When you’re talking to the athletes and it’s not over Zoom, it’s when they’re watching themselves work—so many different emotions come out." — Kyle Brandt (30:54)

6. NFL Fan Bases and Hope/Odds

(31:48–35:18)

• Kyle laughs about social media blowback from fan bases, specifically Lions fans, who were upset at receiving only a wild card pick from him.
  • "I'm getting screamed at by Lions fans because they only won the wild card...They would have cut off a finger for a wild card five years ago." — Kyle Brandt (32:24)

7. Super Bowl Matchups and Halftime Fantasies

(33:09–34:21)

• Dan challenges Kyle to program the ideal Super Bowl:
  • "Give me Buffalo vs. Detroit and someone can be happy."
• Kyle jokes about the ultimate TV ratings scenario: Chiefs vs. Cowboys, with Taylor Swift as the halftime act, but adds, "I think the Super Bowl halftime show is beneath Taylor Swift. She’s way bigger than it...It’s still more likely she does it than the Cowboys get there." (34:21)

Timestamps of Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------| | 03:47 | Teams with low expectations and the need for hope| | 06:13 | Steve Ballmer, Clippers, and alleged cap circumvention | | 11:48 | Johnny Manziel’s ongoing grudge against Browns | | 19:35 | Raiders, division predictions and bets | | 26:19 | Kyle Brandt interview: NFL Classics, storytelling | | 31:48 | Fan reactions and social media complaints | | 33:09 | Fantasy Super Bowl matchups and halftime acts | | 35:07 | Team optimism versus reality |

Notable Quotes

• "You want false hope, right? If you're fans of these teams and it's September 3rd, you want false hope...I'm just the messenger. And apparently some people want to shoot the messenger from the first week." — Dan Patrick (03:47)
• "There was a fraudulent tree planting company...Kawhi Leonard had an endorsement deal...a no show endorsement deal...which would circumvent the salary cap." — Paulie (07:00)
• "You can blame the Browns for being the Browns, but you should have been able to take care of yourself, and you didn't." — Dan Patrick (13:12)
• "Fans would have cut off a finger for a wild card five years ago. And they hate me on social media because I dare to give them not the division championship." — Kyle Brandt (32:24)
• "I think the Super Bowl halftime show is beneath Taylor Swift. I think that she is way bigger than it." — Kyle Brandt (34:21)

Episode Flow & Takeaways

• The hour’s tone is lively and humorous, balancing critical analysis with inside jokes and self-awareness about the reality (and irrationality) of sports fandom.
• Dan and the Danettes focus on transparency and honesty—even if fans would rather not hear the harsh realities about their teams.
• The alleged Clippers scheme dominates, with a nuanced look at how salary cap circumvention could affect the NBA’s landscape and legacy.
• Johnny Manziel’s inability to let go of his grudge is dissected, with a clarion call for athletes to accept accountability for their careers.
• Kyle Brandt’s segment adds levity and behind-the-scenes insight into NFL nostalgia programming, offering a window into players’ emotions and memories.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This hour masterfully blends topical sports controversies (salary cap scandals, grudge-holding athletes), genuine fan engagement (call-ins, social media complaints), and insightful interviews with respected media personalities. Dan’s team isn’t afraid to be critical but does so with fairness and good humor—making it a textbook episode of sports radio that both informs and entertains.