Michael McCarthy of The Sporting News reported this morning that ESPN was nearing a new deal with Dan Le Batard, who was set to become free agent this summer. ESPN has just confirmed the news with an official press release.
Dan Le Batard and Jon “Stugotz” Weiner, hosts of the popular daytime ESPN Radio program The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz have signed multiyear agreements to remain with ESPN. The duo will continue to host their Miami-based program, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. ET, on ESPN Radio (and simulcast on ESPNEWS). Le Batard will also continue to co-host Highly Questionable alongside his father Gonzalo “Papi” Le Batard and another of a rotating crop of guest hosts. Le Batard will also conduct six longform interviews each year that will live across multiple ESPN platforms including TV and digital. Weiner will make appearances on SportsCenter and continue hosting and guesting on other ESPN Radio shows.
Ryan Glasspiel of The Big Lead had reported earlier this year that Le Batard was considering taking his radio show to Sirius/XM, where he might have the opportunity to build out his own channel with talent he felt best complimented his show. It appears that possibility and those rumors can be put to bed.
A new deal was never a given after the exit of John Skipper writes McCarthy.
Le Batard is close friends with former ESPN president John Skipper, leading some to speculate he’d bolt after Skipper’s sudden departure in December.
A red-eyed Le Batard choked back tears on the air when he learned about Skipper’s abrupt resignation due to a substance addiction. “This person has created everything that exists here at ESPN for us,” Le Batard said. “He did it because of how he cares about minorities and their causes.”
Le Batard expressed his gratitude and excitement over the new contract in the official ESPN press release.
“ESPN has given us ridiculous freedom to have fun, and made us more popular than we deserve,” said Le Batard. “A whole lot of people have supported our nonsense in a way that isn’t always easy to support but easy to grow. As an added bonus – and we’re especially thankful for this – they also pay us.”
Weiner, very much in character as Stugotz, is only quoted as saying that he is disappointed that the new deal isn’t a lifetime contract.