Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: Super Bowl Viewing Numbers
Release Date: February 14, 2025
Hosted By: Steve Covino and Rich Davis (Filling in for Colin Cowherd)
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Introduction
In this hour-long episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosts Steve Covino and Rich Davis delve into the most talked-about aspects of the recent Super Bowl, focusing on viewing numbers, halftime show reception, and the financial landscape of top athletes. The episode is packed with engaging discussions, insightful opinions, and interactive segments, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike.
Highest-Paid Athletes of 2024
Rich Davis kicks off the segment with a trivia question for listeners: "The highest paid athletes of 2024 were released out of the top five. How many can you name?" The discussion reveals the prominence of international superstars and athletes with lucrative endorsement deals.
- Steve Covino correctly identifies Cristiano Ronaldo as the number one highest-paid athlete, earning $260 million ([05:36]).
- Messi secures the fourth spot with $135 million ([07:56]).
- Other notable mentions include Steph Curry at number two with $153.8 million and Tyson Fury at number three with $147 million.
- LeBron James rounds out the top five with $133 million ([07:37]).
Rich Davis emphasizes the significant earnings from endorsements and investments, highlighting that Ronaldo not only tops the list but also dominates social media with the most followers. The conversation underscores the lucrative opportunities in sports beyond on-field performance.
Notable Quote:
Steve Covino ([07:56]): "These are the players valued based on investments other than on the court or the field."
Super Bowl Viewing Numbers
The hosts move on to discuss the Super Bowl’s impressive viewership:
- 126 million people tuned in to watch the game ([09:30]).
- 133 million viewers watched the halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar ([10:54]).
Steve Covino comments on the overall ratings, noting that unless you're an Eagles fan, the game itself was a “snooze fest” due to the decisive victory, making it less thrilling for the general audience ([09:51]).
Rich Davis analyzes the split in viewership demographics:
- Older audiences (over 40) largely tuned in for the game, often finding the halftime show less appealing.
- Younger viewers (under 40) were more engaged with the halftime performance, appreciating the aesthetics and choreography ([11:19]).
Notable Quote:
Rich Davis ([11:19]): "Anyone over the age of 40 was like, yeah, I don't get it. I don't like it. Anyone under 40 was like, they not like us. They not like us."
Halftime Show Reception and Future Suggestions
The halftime show elicited mixed reactions, prompting the hosts to brainstorm potential performers for future events.
Current Halftime Show Critique:
- Kendrick Lamar's performance was praised by younger audiences but criticized by older viewers for lacking familiarity with his hits ([12:14]).
Future Halftime Show Ideas:
- Post Malone and Miley Cyrus: Combining versatility across genres to appeal to a broad audience ([15:04]).
- Limp Bizkit and Wu Tang Clan: A collaboration bridging rock and hip-hop, catering to middle-aged fans ([19:18]).
- Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam: Integrating legendary rock bands to resonate with traditional Super Bowl audiences ([28:12]).
Notable Quotes:
Steve Covino ([14:50]): "Too much hip hop, people cried about it. Too much rock or country, other people would cry about it. You break out Post Malone. He has collaborated in the hip hop world, in the rock world, in the country world."
Rich Davis ([15:34]): "Modern day, current day Bruno Mars, because the dude's a super talent. He was on the drums, he's singing love songs, he's got Michael Jackson dance moves."
Viewer Interaction and Trivia
Interacting with listeners, Rich Davis revisits the highest-paid athletes trivia, allowing Steve Covino and himself to reminisce and debate answers. The segment highlights the depth of knowledge and playful competition between the hosts.
Notable Quote:
Rich Davis ([05:07]): "These answers are very Ronaldo. Yes. Number one."
Super Bowl Ratings and Game Analysis
The hosts provide their opinions on the Super Bowl game itself, acknowledging the high viewership numbers but critiquing the perceived lack of excitement due to a blowout result.
Steve Covino ([09:51]): "As a fan of the winning team, those are sort of fun moments like anyone else is, like, boring. But when your team is dominating, how about, like, I don't have anxiety right now."
Weekend Hobnobbin Preview
Toward the end of the episode, Steve Covino and Rich Davis introduce the upcoming segment, Weekend Hobnobbin, where they will discuss must-watch events in sports and entertainment over the President’s Day weekend. Topics include UFC Fight Night, Cobra Kai season finale, and new seasons of popular shows like White Lotus.
Notable Quote:
Rich Davis ([46:31]): "The greatest fight of all this weekend I'm super pumped about is in the Sekai Tukais, the so Cobra Kai..."
Conclusion
The episode concludes with a lively exchange about Valentine's Day anecdotes and a final recap of the topics discussed. The hosts encourage listener interaction and promote their upcoming content, ensuring that the conversation remains engaging and inclusive.
Notable Quote:
Steve Covino ([42:56]): "Is it a dirtbag move or brilliant? So you got to determine. Dirt bag or brilliant?"
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Steve Covino ([05:36]): "Shohei Ohtani. All right, so then it is not on the field then I guess it's just there."
- Rich Davis ([07:56]): "Meth McGregor deferred his money... that's why Tyson Fury fights twice and loses and still makes $147 million."
- Steve Covino ([14:50]): "Post Malone. Miley Cyrus. Bam. There's your Super Bowl halftime."
- Rich Davis ([19:18]): "Limp Bizkit with Wu Tang does appeal to that middle-aged person."
- Rich Davis ([31:02]): "Congratulations, Bo. You can't say Metallica."
Key Takeaways
- Super Bowl Viewing Trends: The game and its halftime show draw substantial viewership, albeit with varying engagement across age demographics.
- Athlete Earnings: International stars and versatile athletes dominate the highest-paid lists, emphasizing the role of endorsements and brand partnerships.
- Halftime Show Dynamics: Balancing act between catering to traditional sports fans and younger audiences remains challenging for organizers.
- Future Content: The hosts promise more interactive and diverse discussions in upcoming segments, maintaining listener engagement.
This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from The Herd with Colin Cowherd Hour 3 episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't tuned in.