The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - Local Hour: Horseshoes and Hand Grenades (and Collusion)

Episode Date: June 25, 2025

It's a Wild Billy Wednesday, and Tony's preparing for a half-birthday for his daughter with Jenni, which Luis's wife, Dania, is planning. Today's cast: Dan, Amin, Chris, Billy, Jeremy, Tony, and Zaslow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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slash FIFA. That's D-A- a z n dot com slash FIFA Billy why did you just geez Louise toning he's a lot this guy I literally haven't said anything that's yeah I said three words the rooms full of people and they all kind of see what's going on his non answers are really telling answers like I come up to him and I was just like cuz you know, I'm in full parenting mode. Whoa. It's early for that. I'm in full parenting mode.

Yeah, no, we've reached like the stage of parenting where like now there's gymnastics classes and things like that and there's extracurriculars that I'm taking the kids to, dropping them off, all that stuff, but not dropping them off cause my wife got mad at me and I probably, I shouldn't have said this. No, I'm not gonna say what I said.

It's more of an off air conversation, I'm not gonna say. Well we're not, you know, practically we're not on video air. Well we walked into a gymnastics place and she's like, isn't this great? This looks like so much fun, blah blah blah. She's like, you look so serious.

So they're like looking around everywhere and I said and I shouldn't have, but it was like, obviously a concern. It was like long history of abuse and gymnastics. So I'm like looking around, like to make sure this is like, that's my child. I need to make sure that- It's his job, to be honest.

Thank you. It is my job to make sure. So I'm looking around, making sure. So I was having conversations outside and I said, how's parenting going? And this Weisenheimer over here goes, talking to Zazz? I'm like no, he's got it under control. I got it on lock.

Yeah. He said he was looking that way so I wasn't looking at Billy, I thought he was looking at Zazz. Long time parent, I'm talking to you, I worry about you tying your shoes. So I'm like how's parenting going? I know that early on it's,

and you're not, so I'm asking, how's parenting going? not so I'm asking in going What did I tell you? He said something about crying fidgeting squirmy wormy something like that. I said I said that she's been really good She's got two teeth now sprouted out. That's what he said. She's been an angel perfect child I'm gonna teach you then sprout it out now two teeth none of that a little early by the way I've been told she's not six months yet and got to tea that is

A little worried about that people love to brag when their kids do stuff early like oh my growing over Smartness nobody said it was like it has two teeth already. Yes smartness isn't a sign of I'm just saying like I know I know a baby. That's like eight months. It still has one. I see don't shame that don't shame the eight month That's no that's one of the fun parts of being a parent as you look at other babies like, that baby, hmm, hmm, what's going on? Why is that baby drool so much? What's going on over there? So all I was saying when Billy asked me that was that she was a squirmy wormy last night

and it was a lot, she didn't want to go to sleep that much, so it was like keeping the parents up. Of course the day I have to come in. No, and then I asked like how old are you gonna be and he's like, oh, about to be six months ago. You're a half birthday guy. Yeah, you are. Like I can tell, you're a half birthday guy. Yeah you are. Like I can tell you're a half birthday guy.

And then there was like a long pause. And he's like, um, and then there was long pause. And then we all, I think as a group was like, yeah, he is. Half birthday, he's like, I don't know if we're doing that. I'm like, when's the birthday? He's like July 1st. I'm like, buddy, you're a half birthday guy. I'm not a half birthday guy.

The reason I gave pause and concern was because you might be. Lewis's wife, Donia, had told Jenny, hey, we wanna throw the baby a half birthday party. So now I'm like, none of it, hold on. But we didn't accept it. We left out evidence early

because this is the first we're hearing of this. You pretended like none of this was going on. So we nailed it. You are having a half birthday. Because he goes, he's like, July 1st, I don't even know what day that is. I'm like, it's July 1st. What do you mean you don't know what day July 1st is I don't even know what day that is. I'm like, it's July 1st What do you mean? You don't know what day July 1st it has it in the title

Put it on the pole, please juju at lebatard show. Do you celebrate six months? Olds birthday and also put on the pole at lebatard show Are you bragging if you say your child has two teeth within six months? No, that is a flex He's I mean and and congratulations you guys incredible jeans two teeth within six months. No, that is a flex. He's, I mean, and congratulations to you guys. Incredible genes, two teeth, six months. I mean, that's something to behold. Unfortunately, that means- 30 more to go.

Teething's going on, so like that, that's, you're gonna get the fevers. It's ruined our lives, yeah. Yeah, teething sucks. Like, I'd rather have a child without teeth than have to go through- Start the show already, please. Ha ha ha ha! Whoa, you stumbled onto another wild Billy Wednesday.

Hold on to your hats, partners. It's about to go wild. So then I was asking him, cause he was a half birthday guy, obviously. Now we've found out confirmed half birthday. Donnie was wanting to throw the half birthday. We haven't accepted the gift yet. Lewis, Donnie, his husband has said in my ear,

I just want for the record, we are not half birthday people. That seems impossible. Now everybody's backing away because I said, you're probably a half birthday guy. And I was like, are you guys like birthday month people? Like when your months come around, like, oh, here's a whole month of activities.

Or did you like downgrade to, oh, it's just our birthday weekend. Here's five festivals. He's like, no, none of that. Just one thing. I go, buddy, you're going to Las Vegas for a UFC fight and you're throwing yourself two parties. You're having one on a Friday, one on a Saturday. So don't come and tell me you're not a birthday month guy

when you can't just simply go to Las Vegas and get a couple interviews, no. We're gonna have two parties where you have to come see Tony next week or this weekend or whatever it even is first off the first Party is a quiver will party. They're doing their own thing They invited me to go over and kind of play host and do certain things. So I'm gonna go over there Aren't you fighting somebody on Friday? Uh, yeah, Dan I'm gonna be sparring the wins record holder for the middleweight division tied with Michael this thing

His name is Brad Tavares in the middleweight division. That's a bad idea by you. I'm terrible idea Yeah, but again what we're doing here with the MMA Hangout is pushing the limits of content so you guys can follow along. Like, I jump out of a plane. You guys don't. I fight people on camera. You guys don't. I need you guys to elevate as I'm trying to elevate.

Sparring, though, conveys he's going to take it easy on you. Yeah. Oh, sorry. So I'm not going to set him up on T-Mobile on Saturday night. You got to sneak in a hit. I'm not going to come in at 220 like, all right, guys, I I'm not gonna set him up on T-Mobile on Saturday night. You gotta sneak in. I'm not gonna come in at 2, 2.20 like, alright guys, I'm gonna fight now. Put the old Pat Riley right to the forehead, leave a diamond in his head. I might do a...

By the way, for clarification, I've been told in my ear multiple times, I was invited to by Lewis. So you can come meet Lewis as well, who might be fighting as well. Lewis, I've heard from you too much in the first five minutes of the show. Go shit in the penalty box. Whoa. Stop talking to people so much. And, and, and the rest of you stop listening to him so much. Might I add, Dan, Saturday night, the MMA Hangout will be live at Circa,

a top stadium swim. And you can go on the stadium swim. Party number one? Party number two. OK. You can go at top stadium swim. And I'll read it right here. MMA Hangout, live Saturday night from the Circle Hotel in Las Vegas overlooking Stadium swim presented by boost

How fun is that gonna be? That's the first time so you've grown that into a big fun thing I'm seeing if Merrill can join you on Saturday if you'll have him. It's a very popular. Of course. I'll have a primo But you have grown it now so that you are flying to Vegas with a six-month-old that has two teeth And I don't think your wife's gonna like very much that you're gonna be in Vegas. I think she said yesterday like I'm glad you're going to Vegas. Are you getting paid for it? Of course. That's uncomfortable.

No, what wives like. Well he doesn't, I don't know if he... Oh there he is. No wives love money. Everyone likes money says. I'm glad that Amin is here and not just because the NBA draft is today. It has been a fascinating thing to watch happen in the NBA, how teams and fan bases want to win the summer.

The Celtics have made two trades in the last two days. You want to know when the last time was the Heat made a summer off-season trade? Kyle Lowry. Ooh, that was a time. But this is the thing, right? Winning the off-season is something that now matters was the heat made a summer off season trade? Kyle Lowry. Ooh, that was a time. But this is the thing, right? Winning the off season is something that now matters

for front offices, and we can say this, right? At least the last two championships, maybe you feel like you could say this about all championships, but at least the last two championships are monuments to architecture. Like what the Celtics did two years ago that they just undid, like that

that is masterwork right there to get under the cap while Porzingis and Holliday become your fourth and fifth best player because Derek White ascends to your third and all of a sudden you can get rid of them and I mean I want to get your thoughts on what they got back because I did not think that they had the kinds of assets in those two people trying to get under the cap that would bring them back, you know, a scorer and some value. I thought they would just have to dump to get out from under the cap. You don't think what they did was dump to get out of the cap?

They did, but they got stuff back. I mean, they got decent pieces. Nice pieces. They got a scorer. They got someone who can score when Portland doesn't have like Portland has redundancy of skillset there are these decent or nice pieces I need to know you guys like I got to The man and giving you the analysis when drew a holiday went to Boston called him a waterlogged corpse That's not what I said, but it's all right I mean like if you're asking for my analysis and then undercutting it with a

I said, but it's all right. I mean, like, if you're asking for my analysis and then undercutting it with a mockery of what my analysis was, that doesn't work. Waterloo Corpse is strong. Yeah. That's strongly to say, I mean. Yeah, it's not what I said, but. I thought you said Corpse,

so I thought you attached Corpse to Drew Holiday. I heard that's what you said. That's not what I said, and I'm not gonna relitigate a show from two years ago where I- Can you guys find the sound? It was the Corpse of Drew Holiday. I sent the sound to you guys after you kept saying, I said corpse, about it as far as like,

oh Boston got a corpse. That's not what I said. That's not what I said, but I'm sure if you could dig up the sound that I sent two years ago after I wanted you guys to cease and desist that, you'll know. But to the point I'm saying, Anthony Simons, nice young player, one year left on his deal good score He's got flaws. He's got warts

but again in terms of what they got out of which is drew holiday who has long-term money on his on the books and Deteriorating not only in health but in play. That's a nice little swap Port Zinke's for George Yang. That That is a massive, a massive check down. Okay, yes, agreed, although George Niang is one of my favorite players because he's shaped like me. I've loved him since I was state, but just so that you know,

the Celtics saved $180 million in tax penalties, and whether you agree with it or not, in doing so, they got three second round picks, they got a veteran who's had a couple of playoff runs and they got a potential 20 point scorer so I think we can agree my previous point we'll get to the sound that Amin wants us to eradicate forever in a second but I do think we can agree if not all championships being always architecture based because sometimes you just have a star and doesn't matter how much you build around them. We can say the last

two are celebrations of front office, can we not? Well last year, this year's championship it's more of a long-term celebration of front office. To me that's front office work is building over time and adding and curating and chiseling right. The big blockbuster deal rarely, not never, but rarely turns into an That's for an office work, is building over time and adding and curating and chiseling, right? The big blockbuster deal rarely, not never, but rarely turns into an immediate championship. The Celtics won big two summers ago by sending Marcus Smart, who was a big part of their culture.

Not an easy trade to make. That one is like, yes, that's swinging for the fences. It went out and got Port Zingas and it worked magically for them. The Thunder, yes, acquiring Alex Caruso, huge, not only for his contributions on the floor, but also because he taught them how to pop bottles of champagne. Don't know if you guys know that one. I have to show you guys some of the video here on guys on the Thunder who have never

had a drink and guys on the Thunder who had too many drinks. We can check in actually with them now as soon as you finish your point because chet homkren was slurring through the parade sga looked drunk on gma and uh... and jaylen williams says uh... he's about to go drinking even though he's never had a drink the the thunder are an example of the kind of patient for office work that nobody wants to, nobody really wants. This thing started six years ago, right? And they tore it down and they used their cap space

to accumulate and accumulate and accumulate and pick right and develop and make tweaks here and there. And it culminates with, we have the cap space to sign Isaiah Hartenstein because we think he fits what we need We can go out and get Alex Caruso because we can't have too many of these young guys We've never done anything before so Josh Goodie goes Alex Russo comes in and now you get to a place where you win a championship and even then we see how

Small the margins are that it could have gone wrong several times. They were ready to lose that championship Oddball will have some draft coverage for you here if you want some of that good stuff we will have uh... uh... drunken players in a second but uh... before i do that the elects team represents in the history of boston the greatest architect that there has been in sports by reputation i can't believe I'm saying this, but Brad Stevens would appear to be a better executive than he was a coach,

and that's no knock on him as a coach. But the Marcus Smart trade is a very difficult trade to make, to realize that Tatum and Brown needed to have a team that Marcus Smart didn't wanna give to them. And then to get two players like that in Holliday and Porzingis, they were perfect complements, perfect complements because there are very few guys willing to do the things Drew Holliday does

as a third or fourth option, and Porzingis stretched the floor ridiculously, but also allowed for the growth of Derek White in there. But the idea that that champion is no more that quickly, still surprising to me. Like still, no no more that quickly still surprising to me. Like still, no, but it's still surprising to me. Why would it not be surprising to me? The Celtics seem like they were only on the ascent. It seems like if Tatum doesn't get hurt, they're going to go into the repeated attacks. They're going to go into the luxury tax. Like

it felt like it was kind of churning that way. No, it's more that I don't know that they would have ever gone into any of that because of the new ownership and wanting to get under that luxury tax, but they would have been right back in that conversation at least this year and still been around the championship. It feels like everything fell apart, and now not only are they making moves just based off the future, because they know next season doesn't really matter,

but they were willing to get that much worse because they want to build it back up around Tatum once he is healthy. They were going to make hard decisions either way. The only thing the injury did was to give them the out of, oh no, no, no, we need to make hard decisions. But they were, like somebody, not Brown, not Tatum, right? And probably not Derek White,

but there were gonna be people gone. So you think they're done? Wait, but no, Shams is saying that Jalen and Derek White, they're getting calls all over the place. They are. That the Celtics are getting the calls, and I don't think they're done. You think they're done? Done in what sense?

Either way. Big moves. Do you think that they're done with moves, or done being able to do something for this year? Because I think they go right back to playing for the championship this year, even though Tatum's gonna miss most of the year. There one more move away from getting under the tax,

they're in a repeater tax. And in order to get out of the repeater tax, you've gotta be out of it three out of five times, right? So, excuse me, two times in five years. They've been in the repeater tax three times now. So they have a mandate to get under that thing one more time. So one more deal. Is it Sam Houser? Is it Derek White? I don't think it's going to be Jalen Brown. I don't think it's going to be Derek White.

But of course, they're getting calls and you got to listen because you're in a position. Are they done forever? No. I think a year from now, they'll be back to reload in the summer. Why would you trade Derrick White? Because he makes $28 million next year, 30.3 the year after that, 32.5 the year after that, and he's got a player option of 35 the year after that. That's why you trade, it's not because, oh, I don't like him anymore, he's no good.

It's, this is a lot of money. Now, if we're at the peak of competing for a championship, I'll pay it, right? That's why they paid all those guys. But once you get to a place where we're like, we're not quite at the peak of competing for a championship, it's really hard for me to convince ownership, hey, let's just keep throwing money at this thing

that's not gonna pay for itself. I think they're gonna trade Derek White. I think they're gonna trade Derek White because you see what Orlando just got for Desmond Bain. Boston knows they're not a contender this year. If they can get a haul for Derrick White, which I think they probably could, then in a year from now, you're gonna do it again.

Like you're building your championship team around Tatum and Brown, and now you have all of these assets next offseason to play with. I think they're gonna trade Derrick White. The question is, who has the assets to go get at Derrick White? Who has what Desmond Bain went for who has that left out

there Oklahoma City has everything Brooklyn's got a ton of picks no but Brooklyn's got like five in the first round I'm in the first round and they don't know what to do with them build their centerpiece around Derrick White but that book and that's look you build your centerpiece around Desmond Bain if you're the Orlando do you believe Derrick White I don't believe Derrick White's a number one he look he's a lot better player than any of us thought he was, but he was at least that good because he played with those two other guys.

Yes, let's not get caught up. Yes, he's not a centerpiece of a team. I'm just trying to be funny because Desmond Bain went for eight billion picks. But to answer your question, a Sam Houser deal gets him under. So he doesn't have to get to Derrick White. You say eight million picks,

a Go Bear costs you five now, a Bridges costs you five now, a Bridges cost you five now, a Bain cost you five now. Yes? But let me stop you there because Gobert cost you five. What had Gobert done in his career? He was like a three-time defensive player of the year

when that happened, right? The Bridges deal is the only example of like, hey, this guy who's never had any sort of accolade We're gonna give up a zin picks from why well because he's best friends with my best player like that That was that was their their thinking like the power of friendship of course, but that's the rate now They're not the rate that's the rate if you're dealing with that Bane Just what Bane just is a he just says a catch-and-shoot three shooter, and he just went for five picks That's the rate. That's the rate if you're dealing with a team that is desperate Kevin Durant went for one big

What are we talking about? Bane has never been an all-star like you just said bridges doesn't have accolades neither does Bane That's the way that's my way. I see it. I mean is that I don't think it's what that guy is worth I think it's about what that guy is worth to the team that's trading for him like Minnesota felt okay Go Bears on with five picks, but to us he is because we think he's the missing that guy's worth to the team that's trading for him. Like Minnesota felt, okay, Gobert's not worth five picks, but to us he is, because we think he's the missing piece for a championship. McHale Bridges, he's not worth five picks,

but to us, we think it makes us a championship team. Okay, so this was what Mike was doing yesterday when he was talking about the heat missing on Anunobi and Siakam. And Siakam, they weren't missing pieces either, right? Because they didn't end up being champions. Like Siakam got very close and was important. Ananobi has been very important,

but they don't get to be missing pieces. Because the heat have been as far as the Pacers just got. But that's like saying the Siakam trade was a failure for Indy. I'm not saying it's a failure. Mike Ryan's criticizing them for every guy they have not gotten. And what I'm saying is that if they'd gotten Siakam,

they still wouldn't be a champion and he'd still be criticizing them. if they got in Siakam, they still wouldn't be a champion and he'd still be criticizing them. If they got in Anobis, they still wouldn't be a champion and he'd still be criticizing them. It's easy. But so Chris's name is criticizing them, all right, you're obviously gonna play that back. I mean, what will...

Let's play back before we do that. Let's play back Amin's clip here where this was the analysis. He was mad at us. He had just gotten home on a flight. He was upset. Can you explain to us what context this needs as you deny that your analysis was that he was a corpse that wasn't the from the day that I talked to you guys on the phone I was on in the I have a clip it's audio

okay how this corpse you always pork oh okay you're all this wow oh it's amazing how it's just like three words and there's nothing around that. So you did not say Drew Holliday's corpse? Wow. You think that was edited? What was the context? It could have been like, what are you wearing as Halloween costume this year? And he said, Drew Holliday's corpse.

What was the context? That could have been. It probably wasn't waterlogged. It probably was the context. It probably was. That's right. It wasn't waterlogged. He also didn't call Drew Holliday a corpse. Are there levels to a corpse?

It was the corpse of Drew Holliday, which is a very different thing. Okay, so would you like the context since you guys aren't really good at finding context? The Marine Corps are celebrated. The Peace Corps. Peace Corps 2. Wide receiver corps. There you go.

So this isn't all bad, Dan, the way you're painting a mean in this corner. You know what's weird, Ameen? I was talking to people and I was like, cause it's Wild Billy Wednesday as I've been told, and I said, you know what? I'm not a man that asks for a lot, but I said, I demand Amin comes in here.

Last week, for whatever reason, we kept you away during the NBA Finals. I demand on draft day, Amin is back so that we can cover the NBA draft. I'm happy you said that. I stood up for you. I said, Tony reality was supposed to be here today. I said, get that guy the hell out of here

with his microphone and his bounce houses. I need Amin in studio on NBA Draft Day. Yeah, you do. Hey, it's Draft Day. I'm glad you brought that up. Today is Draft Day, NBA Draft Day. Who knew? Cooper flag, everyone's excited.

I'm sure we're doing like a live watch along of the draft tonight, right? Like we're all basketballed out tonight. Me, you, Jeremy? Like the whole, everything, right? Because there's no chance that there's another sport that's, oh, in the beginning of the doldrums of its regular season that we're gonna pick this day of all days to do live watch along content because heaven forbid we

have that on a Thursday or on a Friday or on a Tuesday or any other day of the week or the month that wasn't NBA draft day no way that we could have that kind of planning around here. Metal Hark is not great at scheduling. What? Very bad at scheduling. Huh? But the reason this.

Tony has two parties coming up, one for each of his kid's teeth. Thank you. I'm happy with the schedule. Neither on Draft Day though. Exactly. We have tonight a watch party with Tim Kirch and that I don't actually know. Everyone here is invited.

If you want to come and give us basketball analysis during it, you can because I will have to do it here from the studio. I wanted to do it from home, but my gangster wifi is not gangster enough and now I've got all sorts of work in the walls and in the roof and all sorts of insanity going on at my home trying to get more gangster wifi. But I will be here in the studio.

If you wanna come by, you're here at the Elcer. If you wanna come by, you're here at the Elstor. If you wanna come by, you're welcome to come here, give us some basketball coverage. The reason I'm doing this though with Tim Kirkshin is because no one around here except for Jeremy will talk baseball with me. No one, I can't get anyone to talk about my beloved Rays. And so-

Oh, they're so good, Dan. We're gonna get Tim Kirkshin and we're at six o'clock tonight we're just gonna watch baseball games tonight and if you want to come by I mean everyone's invited if you want to come by and do basketball analysis we'd be happy to have you during the draft would you like to do that when you say more gangster Wi-Fi is the Wi-Fi gonna become more gangster in nature or will they be more of this Wi-Fi that is also gangster it'll just be better huh that's all I was saying. Sounds like the former then.

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I don't know where it is. This is the Don Lebatard Show with the Stugats! I would die! I don't know where it is! This is the Don LeVatar Show with the Stugats! Something that Amin was saying earlier, and I want to present this to the group here as something that the media and sports talks about very poorly, okay? Because Amin just threw out their repeater tax, and I don't believe that 1% of the audience has an actual knowledge of very much salary cap beyond you're either over it or under it. But there is an information age going on right now throughout sports where Jordan Schultz is fighting Ian Rapoport in a Starbucks because they don't like each other and Schultz is now being accused by other information guys of buying his way into the game by sending executives coffee from his father,

Starbucks owner who used to own the Supersonics. An interesting career choice, by the way, when your father is the owner of Starbucks and the Supersonics to choose the information game. You gotta do something, right? Why not pick something fun? Yeah, but you think that's fun? I mean, for him, he's chosen that over doing nothing.

He's coffee. He's being accused. I would do nothing. That's what I'm saying. He's chosen that over a life of writing jet's being nothing. That's what I'm saying He's chosen that over a life of like riding jet skis and swimming so much nothing and coffee Are you trying to make that sound like a bad thing? What a life of jet skis and no I'm saying that is an awesome life And he's chosen this over that but it doesn't seem fun the information game does

Oh, it's competitive you get to go and threaten Ian Rappaport inside of Starbucks. What was more fun than that? Starbucks your father owns. That's why. That's why you can get away with it. Are you going to press charges? No, that's my boss. That's what I thought. The repeater, the information guys are really valuable.

OK, I want to talk about Jordan Schultz in a second, because what's happening with him is funny. He's being accused by other information guys as being doing to the information game What live the Saudis have done to live golf? Where they buy their way into the game and now he's got player relationships the way Jay Glazer used to have player Relationships and most of the insiders don't have the player relationships. They have the executive relationships And so he's playing a different game

But when Amin mentions the repeater tax the thing that I wanted to ask you guys is, Pablo Torre has a report that is the sixth headline on a slow news day on ESPN News. He's got big breaking news, but it's about labor, the NFL Players Union, and what would pass for something very close to the dirty insides of collusion. Doesn't quite get there, but it shows you how it is the owners tried to keep the money down,

these greedy owners in that sport, by basically colluding even though an arbiter ruled that they did not collude. And the media has covered it very poorly, and Mike Florio is yelling and screaming about this, and I'm curious whether you guys are interested in this part of it at all. Mike Florio is saying it's not being covered because everyone's a league partner and so it it's not gonna be

covered and and so it finally got on to the ESPN homepage as I said the sixth the sixth story but all day yesterday this was not talked about by the league partners and I'm just curious I'm asking you this because I remember these conversations when we left the ESPN and how insistent I was to the people who were doing our negotiating hey be careful about partnering us with anybody who's NFL adjacent because they're gonna be trying to control stuff we're saying around here and how we say it and when we say it and the NFL has become so powerful right now okay because Ian Rappaport is an NFL employee, okay?

He's an information guy paid for by the NFL. The NFL has become so powerful that it's coming very close to being able to control the news. Like, not totally, but more than most people can. And I'm just curious, do any of you care? Because the insides of that story, and you can check it out if Pablo Torre finds out,

the insides of that story will show you how dirty this business is, how greedy the people are, and how that power is at the very top of that sport in a way that's very well concealed. Florio and Pablo Torre were trying to get these documents and Torre got them first. But what do you make of Florio's criticism that league partners in business with the NFL

have to do things like this? I will tell you that John Skipper, former CEO of our company, has the story of when their partnership with the NFL was with PBS and reporting about the NFL's concussion problem You got ESPN doing business and journalism those things have to be different They have to be separated But ESPN managed it for many many years all of the conflicts in the business But as the story climbed on concussions that story got to skipper and skippers like okay

We're out on concussions. We got to get out on concussions. We got this is climbed too high I'm the conflict of interest I at the top of the company have to decide are we doing business or are we doing? Journalism and then all of a sudden concussion coverage the way it was being covered at the time that it was groundbreaking I mean like it was it was PBS covered at the time that it was groundbreaking to me like it was it was pbs or was it npr was one of what it was a report that was showing the insides of brain trauma and the journalism department had to get out on that when the conflict reached where the business was and so i ask you as i present you this story of collusion

and the way that people love these contract management information stories, why isn't this a bigger story? The Florio story or the Celtics repeater? The Celtics repeater I don't wanna talk about anymore. All right, just make it short. Why would you think I was asking you about the Celtics repeater story? Because that was the launch. That is where that started.

That's what I'd rather talk about. Went a few different directions. This is scaring me, this conversation. Worked your way back here. Well, first of all, does Florida not still work for NBC? I think he's got a contractor gig. That kind of thing. He gets money from NBC, I think.

I wanna earn. So, but that's kind of, that's playing with fire for him a little bit, right? If he's saying this story isn't getting touched because it's too hot for a league partner, and he gets a little business with a league partner, I can't imagine that the league that he's claiming to be that controlling would be happy that someone on league partner airwaves is talking like this.

But is it because the story's too hot or is it because people don't like these kinds of stories that they're interested in certain things? Like if I made this about Kaepernick all of a sudden it would be a much different story, right? But this is really close to collusion, what is happening here. Maybe it's a different story as well, if collusion had been ruled, which is not what happened when it went to an arbiter.

I think the reason you're talking about, which is a valid one, is that people just care about what happens on Sunday, right? They don't really care, especially if it's not like, oh, this is making things harder for my team. That's what fans care about. Hey, are you hurting the Dolphins from getting, oh no, this is just something that screws players over,

but like, doesn't do anything for my team? Yeah, I'm fine with that. Are you accurate though, when he says that about, I feel like the fan today is more informed than he or she has ever been, and wants to be more informed than he or she has ever been. But they don't care about information that does not impact them.

So for instance, my boring repeater attacks conversation, Celtics fans are like, wait a second, this is why we're gonna give away Derrick White maybe? Because it impacts their fandom. But if it was just like, hey, you get to keep your team as it is, Derrick White kinda gets screwed over. They're like, well, you get to keep your team as it is, Derek White kind of gets screwed over. They're like, well, that's what a fan does.

For like, Chris, if you found out that this collusion story is what stopped the Dolphins from having like a great backup quarterback as opposed to Skyler Diggins or whatever the kid's name was. Skyler Thompson. Same thing, right? Like, you would care immensely about this. No, you're care immensely about this.

But because it has nothing to do with the impact on your team, it's just like, oh, that's cool, I'm informed, but like... But Zazz, what do you think is right here when it comes to... I know we can't speak for all of fandom on this, but don't you believe that today's fan craves more information than any fan before? Not necessarily, and especially not with this story. Me as a fan, I don't care about this story, because if anything, this story, if there is collusion, which it seems that there was, it sounds like it helps my team get more players.

It sounds like it helps my team build a better roster. I hope the owners collude. As a fan, that's where I'm coming from, so I don't care. When it comes to the labor,ude. As a fan, that's where I'm coming from. So I don't care. When it comes to the labor, it doesn't really matter because people care less and less about individual rich people as well. So if you're talking about the repeater tax,

I am sure there are Celtics fans that are frustrated that the reason that they're breaking up their core doesn't really have anything to do with basketball reasons. It has more to do with getting under a repeater tap. But it does now in a way that it would have not in the same way going into this off season had Tatum not gotten hurt. But when you look at collusion

and all of these other parts of it, you really have a bunch of people with a lack of empathy. Even if they have the information, why would they be empathetic over the fact that this person who's making $500,000 more than them is maybe making $10,000 less? Let the record show I like collusion. Yeah, pro-collusion if it benefits us.

Do we still get Black Friday games? Do we still get Christmas Day games? Are the Chiefs still in Buffalo on week nine I don't care about taxes talk to me about taxes April 15th. They should change the saying to close only counts in hand grenades What is it? Yeah? Stumbling Horseshoes hand grenades and collusion Don't leave Jeremy that the other reason beyond like repeater taxes. Oh, it's a lot of money for rich people

Tatum was healthy. It'd be fine. It's not that it's because they start taking first round picks away from yeah There are bad have to get under. Even if Tatum was healthy, there's a high likelihood that they were gonna make hard decisions. You're right, it's more the idea that there would be a frustration over the rule, not even necessarily at the owners, there'd be a frustration amongst the fan base over why does this rule exist.

All right, but let me ask you, because this would be disappointing to me, but I guess not surprising. Do any of you care if Florio's accusation is accurate? That league partners are either downplaying the story or ignoring it? Do any of you care about that in the abstract or if it doesn't affect your team you just don't care it's not a story right I guess I would flip it back on you why do I care mmm oh I thought people cared when rich people got caught doing dirty shit with power yeah but it's it's up it's about my entertainment like it's not like it's

not like rich people who are in the oil business it's rich people who control my team which gives me entertainment and joy. What country do you live in? Yeah, man. You thought what? Since the dawn of time, people have been abusing power with money? This is football, who cares?

It's not that serious. I just thought that generally speaking, a story about something that is a rich person's shame with corruption around power is a story that's gonna get clicks. You're not gonna make me sound like the asshole like I've got this wrong. Do you not think that like Browns fans are hoping

that their ownership group can find any way possible to screw Deshaun Watson out of that guaranteed money? Like they are all hoping that there's collusion or something that can be done to get out of that so they can make their team better. Do you realize that the reason that this happened is because it was two days after Deshaun Watson, these rich people can't control themselves,

and so what do they do? They try to cheat in order to control prices because they can't control themselves. It came two days after Deshaun Watson, you got the cadet getting with the owners and being like, hey, we can't be doing this. Are you guys crazy? I'm not right.

Well, and then what's the result of that right there happening? The result is my team spends less and they get more good players. That's like, Zazz is right on the nose. All of that stuff doesn't matter if it, that's as American as Apple Pie, wait, does it benefit me?

Yeah, I don't give a shit. That's all people care about. That's all it is. Horseshoes and hangers and collusion. As bad as it sounds, like you're acting like we've thought of football players as people and not just as my team that's gonna get better. Like, and I'm thinking about long-term futures

and oh well what is this player gonna do with less guaranteed money 15 years from now when they're no longer playing football? 15 years from now I'm gonna be worried about who they're drafting in the draft this year. People complain all the time about NBA players, I can't believe this guy makes more than that NFL player. You think these people care about the well-being

and the financial health of these guys? They don't care, man. You guys ask these questions of me as if my entire mantra for 20 years hasn't been treat these people as human beings. You guys are asking me these questions. Pro management. Yeah, but you're on the back end of the bell curve now, Dan. Like, in the first 10 years of your career, hasn't been treat these people as human beings. You guys are asking me these questions. We just met.

Yeah, but you're on the back end of the bell curve now, Dan, like in the first 10 years of your career, things were ascending in this country toward that direction of people caring about others, and in the last 10 years, What happened in the last 10 years? It's completely dropped off the other side of it, and so now, the more we see power and corruption

and all of that constantly, every single day in the news, at the very top levels of the country. Why would we care about that in the NFL? It was the Marriott Starwood merger. I care about, I care about people, but I also care about winning playoff games. Put it on the poll, at LeBotard Show please, what do you care more about, people

or winning? A playoff game. At this point, one? Landslide. What I would do for one? What a silly poll. You are talking about empathy and treating them as people. I don't know if you guys saw what happened

with the Arizona Diamondbacks last night where their second baseman Marte was heckled from the stands about his late mother who died in a car accident in 2017 and just immediately started sobbing. Doesn't he play for the Dbacks? Was that a home game? Well some games are pro games.

No, I think it was a road game. Oh, okay, that's a lot. Okay, that's the question that you're asking though? Like that's the first question. Would have been're asking though. Like that's the first question. Would have been weird at home. But that's the first question that you have is, was it a home game or a road game? When I tell you, a player was heckled in a way

that made him start sobbing on the field, the fan was ejected, and everything that happened after that was very paternal around him. It was a nice moment of humanity from the Diamondbacks who had to feel kind of alone surrounded by people who don't think they're human beings. They're just uniforms running around.

Yeah, Tory Lovello went out there and he was consoling. I wonder, did the umpire at one point go, hey, we gotta speed this thing up? Yeah, I mean, that's an automatic ball. Yeah, I mean, pitch clock, that's an automatic ball. Yeah, two people, you look, the guy starts, and then all of a sudden there's runners on first and second, and like, wait, hold on, blue, the bases were empty, he's like, well, pitch clock, you know.

Two walks have happened now because it's taken so long. Happened in Chicago, so that person may be the pope soon. So if you're wondering at home why we don't talk about baseball. We're talking about baseball right now now you get more of this tonight Yeah, but and the NBA as I'm asking for empathy and you end up talking about the Pope He's a White Sox fan noted White Sox fan. Have you not seen the video? He goes around Vatican City or whatever. It's called if you were chanting white socks at him

He chants white socks back puts on a white socks. I said white socks had he's worn a white hat before. Yeah No, yeah, there's big big moment with the rope. Yeah with the rope he went on he put it on what do you mean? Respect no respect the game why what you would prefer you were like one of the papal hat like a big Pope hat They should they should actually have the white socks I'm not in charge of marketing they should have a Pope Day where they give out the big papal hat have the white socks. I'm not in charge of marketing. They should have a Pope day where they give out the big papal hat with a white socks logo on it. They should do that, right?

That'd be awesome. Dan, that'd be awesome. Dan, now it's made worse if that person is then heckling players about their deceased parents while wearing the papal hat. You don't want that. That's a bad look. That's where you disassociate yourself.

Also, I'm gonna go on the record and say too far shouldn't heckle people about their parents too far no the hats in fair play that's too far I give you guys a story about a guy sobbing on the field and the first question is home game a road game and we end on the Pope and a white socks cat