Le Batard & Friends Network

The ladder for a wannabe GM requires great balance — and not just when you're power-washing bathrooms in Coney Island as a minor-league intern. But Pablo's former classmate possesses an almost comically even-keeled nature that has led him to the top of Major League Baseball, making unemotional (and historically expensive) decisions as President of Baseball Operations for the New York Mets. His journey from racing in a hot-dog costume to working under the Big Apple spotlight for the richest owner in sports has meant turning off sports-talk radio, texting with Darryl Strawberry and, somehow, having no idea who Grimace was.

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Amin kicks off the show by recapping the NBA season so far for NFL fans tuning back into basketball after the Super Bowl. He and Izzy dive into Mavericks team governor Patrick Dumont's revealing interview with the Dallas Morning News, where he discusses the controversial decision to trade Luka Doncic and shares his thoughts on winning culture. They break down Dumont's eyebrow-raising comments, the implications for Dallas, and reactions from LeBron James. Plus, Anthony Davis' indefinite injury status raises questions about the Lakers' competitiveness, and Jimmy Butler's stunning Warriors debut alongside Stephen Curry takes center stage. Stick around for Hot Streak picks brought to you by DraftKings.

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It wasn't the Super Bowl we all wanted to see after the Philadelphia Eagles blew out the Kansas City Chiefs, but there was still plenty to talk about. Billy, Mikey A and Fuentes discuss the game, the commercials, the halftime show and Super Bowl parties.

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Today’s word of the day is ‘mortal’ as in Patrick Mahomes as in Travis Kelce as in the Chiefs as in the Super Bowl. That’s right. The Eagles did it. A complete beatdown from Jalen Hurts and the Eagles. This was all about the Birds’ defense. Wow. (13:30) NPPOD. (16:00) Super Bowl commercials. Let’s walk through the best of the best. (22:10) Aaron Rodgers time with the Jets could be over. The team is saying nothing. But reports are it’s a money move, not a football move. (33:24) Review: Soundtrack to a Coup d’etat. We’re a week post-Luka/AD trade. Where do both teams stand? Well, Anthony Davis is hurt. Luka has yet to debut. The Lakers rescinded a trade with the hornets. And the Mavs owner finally spoke. (47:20) So You Wanna Talk to Samson!? Someone asked me why the Marlins never retired numbers or had a Hall of Fame. The team just did it.

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Stugotz and Billy close out Super Week with a conversation with Bomani Jones. Bomani talks about getting older, how he found out his place compared to Stephen A. Smith at ESPN and why he loves New Orleans. Dianna Russini joins them to talk about schmoozing and Sarah Spain also stop by.

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As Radio row begins to die down, Stugotz and Billy welcome in Malcom Jenkins, Victor Cruz, Andrew Whitworth, Justin Pugh, Adam Devine, Deuce McAllister. Adam Devine, Trey McBride and Gerald McCoy.

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The Shamrock Shake is BACK and Jess is fired up. Also back? Uncle O'Grimacey, Grimace's Irish Uncle. We dive into the history of the McDonald's gang and ask the all important question of who is more famous: Grimace or The Hamburgler? Plus, whatever happened to Super Bowl logos? Why did they lose all their character? Did we just come up with an incredible idea for the next episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out? Also, Taylor doesn't understand Roman numerals but he loves musicals, Jeremy and Pablo unsurprisingly ran for class President, the greatest joke Luis has ever told, and we run through some unpopular opinions.

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Today’s word of the day is ‘impatiently’ as in Super Bowl weekend as in 2 weeks as in it’s finally here. The Chiefs are going for a 3-peat. The Eagles are looking to avenge a loss from Super Bowl LIX to the Chiefs. And the MVP was handed out. Josh Allen wins it over Lamar Jackson. Wow. (13:20) Is a lockout coming for MLB? The way teams and owners and players and fans are talking about spending and salary caps… woof! (31:30) Review: A Complete Unknown. (35:00) Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter was just sentenced to 57 months in prison for stealing money from Ohtani. Around $17 million. Wow. (38:50) The NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone. Jimmy goes to Golden State. Luka goes to the Lakers. And 20 other trades happened! (48:50) NPPOD.

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Another busy day on radio row in New Orleans as Stugotz and Billy sit down with Ed Reed, Kristian Fulton, Vernon Davis, Logan Ryan, Joey Porter, Puka Nacua, Reggie Bush, Cameron Dickerer, Kyle Rudolph, Joe Montana, and Trey Hendrickson.

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It's obvious that the NFL is the most powerful institution in American culture. But far less clear is what the league's power looks like from the inside. Which is why our guest before the Super Bowl is three-time Pulitzer-winner Don Van Natta Jr., whose investigative work for ESPN has offered a rare glimpse at a group that refers to itself as The Membership. Not to mention commissioner Roger Goodell, a human shield who's protected owners from a series of once-catastrophic scandals — and a boardroom that resembles an episode of Succession. Plus: the defenestration of Dan Snyder, the desperation of Bob Kraft and the superpower (and flip phone) of shadow commissioner Jerry Jones.

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