Miami-based radio host, TV personality and columnist Dan LeBatard has never been shy about criticizing the company for which he works, ESPN.
His morning show cohost, Stugotz, has never been shy about criticizing anyone, for any reason, at any time. He's a special creature with few morals, even less shame, and an opinion on everything, most of which are either stolen takes or lies he's fabricated to make himself look better.
And that's not being mean. I think he'd be the first to admit it. (OK, maybe not the first, since he'd spend at least five minutes denying it with half-truths and misinformation, but he knows.)
On Tuesday morning, The 'Gotz – that's his on-air persona; in real life he goes by Jon Weiner – took a flamethrower to two former ESPN colleagues, Colin Cowherd and Jason Whitlock, both of whom now work for FS1 after spending time at the Worldwide Leader.
And, with LeBatard leaning back from the microphone and giggling as his co-host goes scorched earth on two people he's referred to as "friends" over the years, Stugotz did so in a way only he can.
First, the backstory for his beef with each:
• Cowherd: He recently said during an interview with a Cleveland radio station that the massive layoffs at ESPN late last month won't be the end of their housecleaning. Furthermore, he said that he saw it coming.
• Whitlock: He wrote a Sunday column for the Wall Street Journal that suggested ESPN's shift to a more liberal ideology is the direct result of negative coverage from Deadspin.
And that's what caused Stugotz, a man referred to by LeBatard as "an out of control sprinkler spewing nothing but hot takes" to lose it.
Take a look:
The Big Lead was kind enough to transcribe Stugotz's comments:
“I really don’t care what Jason Whitlock and Colin Cowherd have to say about ESPN, after leaving ESPN,” Stugotz said. “I don’t care. The audacity of Colin Cowherd to tell everyone that he knew that this day — the bad week that ESPN had recently — he knew it was coming, and knew it was coming years ago. Colin Cowherd — get over yourself man. I don’t even know where you are. I don’t know where to find you. I have no idea.
“And Jason Whitlock — shame on you, writing articles. You had a big opportunity here. You know who blew it? You did, Whitlock. And now you’re somewhere where I can’t find you. I can find both of you on Twitter. But here’s the thing with both these guys. I’m really not interested in what anyone who was with ESPN has to say about ESPN right now. I don’t care. Colin Cowherd predicted this? He told his staff when ESPN signed its recent NBA deal that ESPN is done? Guess who’s not done, Colin Colin Cowherd. ESPN. Guess who’s not done? This radio show. Guess who’s just getting started? Us. Guess who is done? You are. You are finished.
“And Jason Whitlock: You should be ashamed of yourself. Because now you’re buddy-buddy with Colin Cowherd? All the things that I know you’ve said about Colin Cowherd, behind his back. You wanna know how I know you said ’em? Because you said them to me!” [thebiglead.com]
Whitlock has since responded to Stugotz on Twitter:
Wait, you're saying he distorted the truth to benefit his argument?
Please don't ever change, Stu.
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