FOX Sports Radio host Jon “Stugotz” Weiner went public Friday with his side of a story that has lingered for nearly a year. Weiner responded to recent comments from his former radio partner, Dan Le Batard, about his continued absence from The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz since last year.
What We Know: Stugotz’s separation from the Le Batard Show and Meadowlark Media began last year. This followed the company extended its partnership with DraftKings. The new agreement did not include Stugotz’s two podcasts. Subsequently, Weiner launched Stugotz and Company and God Bless Football as his independent programs sponsored by FanDuel. He also landed a nationwide syndication agreement with FOX Sports Radio as the afternoon replacement for Doug Gottlieb.
Meanwhile, Weiner’s name remains on Meadowlark’s flagship show, despite him not appearing since last summer. Le Batard has been criticized for not revealing any details of why ‘Stugotz’ continues to not be a part of the program. Le Batard addressed the situation Thursday, saying the silence has been “crushing” for him. Weiner responded to his comments hoping for a resolution soon.
What They Said: (All quotes from Jon “Stugotz” Weiner via Stugotz & Company LIVE via Fox Sports Radio)
Jon “Stugotz” Weiner on why he hasn’t appeared on the Dan Le Batard Show this year after promising nine appearances: “I thought I was going to do nine shows. I should have updated the audience. My apologies for not doing so. But it came with one condition. I sent that condition over to Meadowlark [Media] and their answer was no. So, if you’re wondering why I never did those nine shows, it came attached with one condition for me that Dan said no to. That’s it.”
Jon “Stugotz” Weiner confirms he does not have a contract with Meadowlark Media: “I will tell you that they offered me a deal. An extension to my current deal. I countered and one of the counters was asking Dan [Le Batard] to come on this show and they said no. In fact, what they said to me was this. We need Stu [Stugotz] to show up to a couple of shows to show that he’s going to play ball before we agree or discuss any of this. And I said to them, 20 plus years, I’m not agreeing to show up and do a couple of test shows because you guys want to see that I’m nice. Get the hell out of here.”
Jon “Stugotz” Weiner does want to find a way to appear together with Dan Le Batard: “I want to try to work this stuff out so me and Dan can get back on the air together because I heard what Dan said yesterday. There’s a part of me that wants that as well. I want it for me, and for him. I want it for the show. And mostly I want it for the audience.”
Jon “Stugotz” Weiner pushed back on Le Batard’s claim of offering support for his independent projects: “One of the other things he [Dan Le Batard] said is that he helped me with this. He did not. Dan did not help me with this. Okay? Helping me with this would be doing it within the confines of the company that I helped build. Again, that was not afforded to me. And no one over there helped me with any of this. This was done on my own.”
Jon “Stugotz” Weiner on his relationship with Dan Le Batard: “I don’t know. I know Dan [Le Batard] said he loves me. I love Dan despite all of this, and have respect for what it is that he and I built together. We’re probably on the Mount Rushmore of radio of sports radio shows throughout the course of history.”
Jon “Stugotz” Weiner says he will attempt one more time to meet to Le Batard to figure things out: “My hope is Dan [Le Batard] and I will meet up or we’ll speak on the phone and we’ll try to hash this out. But if we continue to have the same god damn conversation that he and I have been having now for almost a year. I’m telling you, I’m getting pretty close to giving up. So, I’m going to give it one more try here. I’m going to try to connect with Dan this weekend. Either in person or on the phone, and hopefully we will get to some sort of resolution. I think I need it, he needs it, and I know the audience needs it. I think everyone’s tired of this bullsh**t.”
What Remains Unclear: The specific condition Weiner attached to his promised nine appearances was not been revealed. He described it only as something fair and shareable. But said he will not detail it further until he speaks with Le Batard directly. Additionally, whether this weekend’s proposed conversation actually takes place remains unknown. As does whether Le Batard will acknowledge what Weiner calls “the truth” about how their split unfolded.
What It Means: As a witness to the back and forth between the two personalities, there is a mix of business and personal friction which neither will fully admit. ‘Stugotz’ has referenced in the past the separation has hurt him, and Le Batard’s words also frame that emotion. Ultimately, both men feel full transparency runs risk for each other at the current moment. I’d expect both to remain silent until that risk is fully gone. Unless the two sides reach an agreement soon, the breakup of a two-decade partnership may become permanent — and far more public.
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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.
