Le Batard show ending run on ESPN radio in January
What has long been rumored and speculated became official Thursday with the news Dan Le Batard and ESPN are mutually parting ways in one month.
The final day on air will be Monday, Jan. 4, for both ESPN Radio’s “Dan Le Batard Show With Stugotz” and the televised “Highly Questionable” show that Dan hosted.
Le Batard immediately assured his legion of fans and listeners that he is not retiring and he will be heard from again soon.
“Thank you, Disney and ESPN, for a quarter century of absurd blessings,” Le Batard said. “To our loyal army of concerned fans, and to everyone who walked along and played an instrument in our Marching Band to Nowhere, know that it is a very exciting time for us, not a sad one. And that you’ll be hearing our laughter again soon enough.”
“Greeny” with Mike Greenberg will fill ESPN’s 10 a.m. to noon radio slot beginning Jan. 5. “Highly Questionable” will remain on the network’s TV lineup air with a contributing team of hosts and guests.
Le Batard and the network had grown apart in recent months with several moves that disappointed Le Batard or caught him by surprise. One was the national show being reduced from three hours to two. Another, more recently, was when Chris Cote, one of the show’s producers, was included among ESPN’s massive layoffs without Le Batard ever being informed or consulted.
Le Batard called it, “the greatest disrespect of my professional career.”
So the buildup to Thursday’s news, to the coming change, had been in the air for a while.
Expect news soon on where Le Batard will be heard after Jan. 4. Many of his long-time crew is expected to be going with him, although he halfkidded on Thursday, “Can’t believe Stugotz has finally achieved his dream of becoming a high-priced free agent.”
— GREG COTE
PEGASUS CUP AT GULFSTREAM JAN. 23
The Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series is returning to Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach on Saturday, Jan. 23.
Launched in 2017, the $4 million Pegasus has captured the attention of the racing industry, celebrities and fans as a premier event on the racing calendar.
Evolving into a Championship Invitational Series featuring two Grade 1 (G1) stakes races, the 2021 installment will feature a combined $4 million purse. The Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), run on the dirt at 11⁄ miles, offers
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a $3 million total purse.
The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), run on the turf at 13⁄ miles,
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offers a $1 million purse. The winner of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational will receive an automatic entry into the 2021 $20 million Saudi Cup.
Both Pegasus races will adhere to a medicationfree format, consistent with the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities standards set in 2019 to eliminate Lasix in all graded stakes races in 2021.
Tickets are available online at www.pegasusworldcup.com/tickets or by calling the Pegasus World Cup Box Office at Gulfstream Park at 1-833-464-7924 daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m..
HIGH SCHOOLS
Bowling – TERRA
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girls and boys d. Ferguson: High Games for Ferguson boys: Gabriel Perez, 278. TERRA boys: Alex San Jose 247, Ryan Toffoli 254. Terra girls: Ella Perez 179, Alexa Puett 163, Gillian Pons 185.
Boys’ soccer – Miami
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Beach (1-0) 9, South Miami 1: David Sierra 2 goals 1 assist; Giovanni Sanna-Lenzi 2 goals; Samir Doullouz 2 goals; Ryan Mcquagge 1 goal; Camilo Roldan 1 goal; Lucas Turano 1 goal.
Boys’ basketball –
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Coral Gables 73, Miami High 37: Coral Gables: Kuran Bryant 25 pts, 16 rebs; Desmond Romer 16 pts, 7 steals; Romulo Delgado 15 pts; Ronald Fernandez 14 pts, 12 rebs. Miami High: Carlos Hecherana 11 pts; Andre Bynum 10 pts; Tedarrius Davis 9
pts.
ETC.
Soccer: AC Milan
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came from two goals down to beat Celtic 4-2 and qualify for the Europa League’s knockout stage, while Tottenham advanced despite giving up a late equalizer. Gareth Bale scored his first Europa League goal since returning to Tottenham from Real Madrid in the London club’s 3-3 draw at Austria’s LASK.
●MLB: The New York Mets agreed to a $5.2 million, one-year deal to retain left-hander Steven Matz. … Among a record 59 players who became free agents as part of the fallout from the coranavirus pandemic before the Wednesday deadline to tender contracts: Cincinnati reliever Archie Bradley,
Atlanta outfielder Adam Duvall, Colorado outfielder David Dahl and Minnesota outfielder Eddie Rosario.