The Dan Patrick Show is considered one of the best weekday sports radio products in the industry today. The program is annually recognized at or near the top of the Barrett Media national sports radio rankings and has earned multiple Sports Emmy nominations over time. What many may not realize is the program began in the attic of Patrick’s home, with the assistance of producers Paul Pabst and Patrick “Seton” O’Connor.
Nearly twenty years later, the Dan Patrick Show has grown from Patrick’s attic into an expansive studio in Milford, Connecticut. Pabst and O’Connor still find themselves guiding the program alongside their patriarch, Patrick. However, in 2023, when Patrick announced he had signed his final contract with FOX Sports Radio, change was in the air. It was a change that O’Connor knew would alter his career forever.
“Once you put an end date on things, it’s sort of always looming,” said O’Connor about the conclusion of the Dan Patrick Show coming in February of 2028. “For those of us who aren’t Dan, who aren’t retiring. It’s like what am I going to do now.”
Seton O’Connor’s journey with the Dan Patrick Show began while he was still working at ESPN in Bristol, CT. As Patrick began conceptualizing his independent radio program, a simple outreach led to an email that changed O’Connor’s outlook on his career.
“I was producing his show on ESPN when he left ESPN. After about two weeks, I sent him an email to check in on him. He wrote back to me, ‘Are you happy,’” explained O’Connor. “I knew right then I had a new job. From reading those words just asking are you happy, I was all in. I put in my notice and started working in his attic.”
Preparing For Change
What started in an attic became a talent-to-producer relationship that lasted nearly two decades. However, once Patrick revealed he would be retiring, it was time to begin thinking about the next phase of O’Connor’s media career. Last month, O’Connor announced he was departing his role as a producer on the Dan Patrick Show to focus on growing a digital content wing for the program.
He described the decision not as walking out the door, but as building a new room onto the house. Ironically, O’Connor has been spending much of his time away from the Dan Patrick facility building his own home studio for podcasting and original content.
The decision for O’Connor to step away didn’t come suddenly or lightly.
“The biggest adjustment is not being on the radio every day,” explained O’Connor. “It was really difficult because it’s a medium that I love. I love the art of painting the picture for the audience, leave them wanting more and layering sound to help the product. There’s a real freedom of expression in radio… Based on my family structure and Dan’s upcoming retirement, this is as good a time to move forward and start building something post Dan Patrick Show.”
O’Connor admits Patrick’s decision to retire did speed up the process of determining his next steps. In fact, he doesn’t clearly remember whether Patrick informed his production staff in 2023 that it would be his final contract.
Growing Digitally
The concept for O’Connor to focus more on digital content outside the program began a couple of years ago during sponsored trips to sporting events across America. The experience sparked new interest from the audience, which wanted more real-life content surrounding the personalities on the program.
“I’ve always talked to Dan about the other 21 hours of the day and how we create content out of those 21 hours. I’ve always been a builder, and I like building new projects to see what works,” said O’Connor. “By combining listening to our audience looking for more real-life content, it’s a project that I’m really excited to be building to enhance connection with the show.”
After seeing success with the road trips, the program had a proof of concept. It’s also a project that O’Connor says he thoroughly enjoyed and wanted to expand. However, balancing those trips with the daily demands of producing the program proved too difficult.
“I wanted to do both, but having a foot in both buckets wasn’t fair to either process,” noted O’Connor. “Dan noticed I really enjoyed making the content, and he felt I was good at it. He saw a real future there and insisted I dive headfirst into it and make a full go at it. Create content for the show, build a new side of the business, and check in on the radio show whenever it fits.”
Looking ahead, O’Connor is focused on growing the program’s digital platforms. With less than two years remaining before the final Dan Patrick Show, there are still plenty of questions about the direction of the other members of the famed ‘Danettes.’
O’Connor notes that he hasn’t spoken with his fellow producers about their futures following the show’s conclusion. However, he continues to have conversations with Patrick about potential opportunities beyond the program.
“I’ve spoken to Dan many times about continuing to work with him after he retires,” said O’Connor. “If you look at the things he’s doing around the show, and not just in the show. It’s clear he doesn’t plan on doing the daily radio show every day. But I think that’s all he’s retiring from. I know Dan, and he likes to stay busy. He doesn’t like not having something to do. I’ve spoken to him about possibilities in podcasting after the show ends and actively having those conversations all the time.”
Saying Goodbye to Dan Patrick
The countdown continues, as the final program will take place in Atlanta the week prior to Super Bowl LXII. Patrick told Barrett Media in March that he plans for the week to be business as usual. Covering the Super Bowl from every angle imaginable with signature interviews to bring the audience closer to the game itself.
O’Connor doesn’t share that approach. In fact, he hopes the week becomes a career retrospective that celebrates Patrick’s impact on sports media.
“I want him to get sixty points like Kobe [Bryant]. Go big,” explained O’Connor. “I want it to be a week of appreciation for Dan. All of his friends to check in, and maybe some of the white whales of guests that we’ve never had on the show that week. I want it to be a huge celebration of Dan and the show. I hope Andrew Perloff can make it, along with fitting as many people in for the week. That’s what I’d like to see.”
As the days until the curtain drops for a final time, Seton O’Connor is looking ahead in search of his next project. In many ways, O’Connor’s next chapter mirrors the origin story of the very show that helped define his career. A leap into the unknown. Fueled by instinct, creativity, and a willingness to build something from the ground up.
The attic may be long gone, replaced by a state-of-the-art studio and a nationally revered brand, but the spirit that powered those early days still lingers in the DNA of the Dan Patrick Show.
As the calendar inches closer to February 2028, the end of one era is undeniable. However, for Seton O’Connor, it’s less about an ending and more about evolution. A chance to apply everything learned over two decades to a new frontier.
If the past is any indication, the next “room” he’s building won’t just expand the house—it may very well redefine it.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
