Some possible tension inside the FOX Sports Radio family spilled into public this week when Jon “Stugotz” Weiner accused Colin Cowherd and his producer of undercutting fellow hosts during Super Bowl LX coverage.
Speaking on Stugotz & Friends, Weiner criticized Cowherd’s program for landing Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. This followed Mendoza being booked to appear on Covino & Rich, which broadcast live from Radio Row. The dispute centers on whether Cowherd’s show overstepped by redirecting a guest who had committed to another program under the same network umbrella.
Weiner framed the issue as more than a simple scheduling mix-up, arguing that context matters during Super Bowl week because shows that travel to Radio Row invest significant time and resources for access. “For every 10 big guests Colin gets, those guys [Covino & Rich] get one,” Weiner said. “Let them have their big guests. It’s Radio Row. They’re physically there, and grinding it out. They’re doing the shows.”
While the controversy likely is more for show than serious, he contrasted the Radio Row experience with studio-based programs that rely on remote bookings. Suggesting the effort required on-site should carry weight and importance when guest opportunities arise.
“If you go to Super Bowl week and you’re physically there. It’s different than being set up at your normal studio and just having guys filter guests into you,” Weiner says. “Those guys were there grinding. That guest was theirs. It was booked on their show.”
Weiner reserved his sharpest criticism for Cowherd’s producer, whom he accused of deflecting responsibility once the controversy surfaced. While both Covino and Rich say the responsibility lies on a freelance talent booker that worked the week with the company, Stugotz’ ire didn’t miss towards Cowherd’s on site producer.
“I need to clear this up, and I don’t want to hear from Colin’s producer,” Weiner said. “Seriously, take some responsibility for your actions, man. I’m tired of the sports radio game where there’s no accountability. Everyone’s stabbing each other in the back.”
According to Weiner, the decision to pursue Mendoza did not happen accidentally. He alleged that Cowherd’s producer initiated the move and later shifted blame.
“No, it was him,” Weiner said. “He called Colin. He told Colin, ‘Hey, order the Code Red.’”
To their credit, both Covino and Rich played off the moment and used it as a growing lesson. However, Weiner leaned on his own industry resume to explain why he believes the explanation offered publicly does not add up.
“Listen, I’ve done all the jobs, man. I know all the excuses. I know what to say,” he said. “There’s nothing that anyone has done in this industry, is currently doing, that I haven’t done. I know how to weasel my way out of situations like that.”
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let’s see Colin Cowherd consistently # 1 or # 2 on FSR for at least 10 years Nationwide. Stugotz who is he ? Didn’t he come from Miami somewhere just recently added to FSR…. Colin 86 this guy he’s in the way no value added to the network 💲