Latest news with #TheDanLeBatardShow
NBC Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Playoff MVP Sam Bennett agrees to 8-year, $64 million contract to stay with Florida Panthers
Greg Cote joins The Dan Le Batard Show to discuss how Connor McDavid remains the only player in NHL history to compile nine straight 90-point seasons without winning a Stanley Cup. SUNRISE, Fla. — Sam Bennett walked to the front of the stage at the Florida Panthers' latest Stanley Cup championship parade, and before he could even speak the crowd began serenading him with their request. 'Eight more years! Eight more years!' they chanted, over and over. They got their wish. Bennett - who led the NHL with 15 goals in this year's playoffs and became the first Panthers player ever to score that many in a single postseason - is staying with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. He and Florida agreed Friday to a new eight-year contract worth $64 million, or $8 million per season. 'Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,' Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. 'He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise's first Conn Smythe trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.' Bennett was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the playoffs, the first Florida player to ever win that award. The last time a Conn Smythe winner didn't open the following season with the same team he had that playoff run with was 1997, when goaltender Mike Vernon helped Detroit win that year's Cup - and then the Red Wings traded him to San Jose that summer. It is the first of three big decisions that the Panthers have been waiting on heading into free agency, the others being what forward Brad Marchand - a trade deadline pickup who became an enormous part of the run to this Cup - and defenseman Aaron Ekblad will do going forward. The Bennett signing is another huge move by Zito, who now has eight players - all of them key parts of the team - under contract with the Panthers through at least the 2029-30 season. Bennett joins Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones and Gustav Forsling on that list. The raise is a massive one for Bennett, who just finished the final year of a four-year contract that paid him just under $18 million. He had a postseason like almost none other; the only other player to have at least 15 goals and 48 penalty minutes in the same playoff run was Pittsburgh's Kevin Stevens in 1991. He had given indications throughout this offseason process - including at a nightclub during the Panthers' days-long initial Cup celebration - that he intended to remain in Florida, but nothing got officially done until Friday. Bennett is coming off perhaps his finest season, with 25 goals and 26 assists in the regular season for a career-best 51 points.
NBC Sports
4 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Playoff MVP Sam Bennett agrees on 8-year, $64 million contract to stay with Florida Panthers
Greg Cote joins The Dan Le Batard Show to discuss how Connor McDavid remains the only player in NHL history to compile nine straight 90-point seasons without winning a Stanley Cup. SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Sam Bennett walked to the front of the stage at the Florida Panthers' latest Stanley Cup championship parade, and before he could even speak the crowd began serenading him with their request. 'Eight more years! Eight more years!' they chanted, over and over. They got their wish. Bennett - who led the NHL with 15 goals in this year's playoffs and became the first Panthers player ever to score that many in a single postseason - is staying with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. He and Florida agreed Friday to a new eight-year contract worth $64 million, or $8 million per season. 'Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,' Panthers general manager and hockey operations president Bill Zito said. 'He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise's first Conn Smythe trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.' Bennett was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as MVP of the playoffs, the first Florida player to ever win that award. The last time a Conn Smythe winner didn't open the following season with the same team he had that playoff run with was 1997, when goaltender Mike Vernon helped Detroit win that year's Cup - and then the Red Wings traded him to San Jose that summer. It is the first of three big decisions that the Panthers have been waiting on heading into free agency, the others being what forward Brad Marchand - a trade deadline pickup who became an enormous part of the run to this Cup - and defenseman Aaron Ekblad will do going forward. The Bennett signing is another huge move by Zito, who now has eight players - all of them key parts of the team - under contract with the Panthers through at least the 2029-30 season. Bennett joins Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones and Gustav Forsling on that list. The raise is a massive one for Bennett, who just finished the final year of a four-year contract that paid him just under $18 million. He had a postseason like almost none other; the only other player to have at least 15 goals and 48 penalty minutes in the same playoff run was Pittsburgh's Kevin Stevens in 1991. He had given indications throughout this offseason process - including at a nightclub during the Panthers' days-long initial Cup celebration - that he intended to remain in Florida, but nothing got officially done until Friday. Bennett is coming off perhaps his finest season, with 25 goals and 26 assists in the regular season for a career-best 51 points.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Pablo Torre says the NFL is monitoring his media appearances after collusion leak
Journalist Pablo Torre said the NFL is monitoring his media appearances after he reported on his podcast on Tuesday that the league allegedly colluded with its 32 franchises to avoid needing to give veteran star quarterbacks guaranteed money 'not long after' the Cleveland Browns signed Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022. During an appearance on 'The Dan Le Batard Show' on Wednesday, the Meadowlark Media personality alleged that the league 'fought really hard' to keep it quiet after Torre obtained a 61-page legal filing as result of an arbitration hearing. This includes witness testimony from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, eight NFL owners, NFLPA, leaders, agents, executives and shows that the NFL attempted to collude with owners. Advertisement 'I would say that as the NFL's monitoring my media appearances, which they are, I just like that they had to listen to that as well,' Torre said without elaborating further. Pablo Torre during an appearance on 'The Dan Le Batard Show' on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. YouTube/The Dan Le Batard Show 'Look, Dan, I just need to stress that this is a document that neither the league nor the owners nor the union wanted out. They fought extremely hard. [Pro Football Talk's Mike] Florio — the sell on this is that Mike Florio is as plugged into this as anybody — he's as fluent and obsessive about this stuff as anybody, NFL palace intrigue and the law, and he couldn't get it.' Advertisement According to Torre, System Arbitrator Christopher Droney wrote in his January 2025 ruling that, ''There is little question that the NFL management council, with the blessing of the NFL commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans' contracts at the March 2022 owners meeting.'' The arbitrator ultimately ruled in the NFL's favor. Goodell has yet to address the situation publicly. Advertisement 'Everybody is trying to figure out how I got this document because that's how much it means to them,' Torre added. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the media during an NFL football owners meeting, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Eagan, Minn. AP Torre discussed the alleged document in a statement. 'Unearthing this document unlocked one of the most fascinating stories I've ever investigated, in large part because it's about what extremely powerful people — league officials, billionaire owners, and union leaders — have fought so hard to hide,' Torre told Awful Announcing. 'And why? Because I'm a journalist, my personal philosophy is that more sunlight is needed, not less.' Advertisement In May, Torre made headlines for his investigation into UNC head football coach Bill Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson's relationship — alleging Belichick's family and UNC brass were concerned about the former Bridgewater State University cheerleader's influence on his career.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shannon Sharpe's ESPN return never happening, says Le Batard as Disney wants no part of rape controversy
Shannon Sharpe's ESPN career faces uncertainty following sexual assault allegations (Getty Images) I n the wake of sexual assault allegations, Shannon Sharpe's once-promising ESPN career may be nearing an unofficial end, according to former network personality Dan Le Batard. The media veteran recently weighed in on the controversial case during an episode of The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, casting serious doubt on the Hall of Fame tight end's return to the 'worldwide leader in sports.' Shannon Sharpe 's future at ESPN appears grim after civil lawsuit bombshell Shannon Sharpe's future at ESPN is hanging by a thread as Dan Le Batard suggests Disney wants no association with the NFL legend amid explosive rape allegations and public backlash. 'I guess we probably all know at this point that Shannon Sharpe is not likely to ever work at ESPN again, right?' Le Batard remarked. The speculation comes months after Sharpe was accused of sexual assault in a $50 million civil lawsuit filed in Nevada. The complaint includes claims of assault, sexual battery, and coercion, stemming from alleged incidents in late 2024 and early 2025. Max Kellerman is BACK! Will Shannon work at ESPN again? Would Max/Stephen A politics have worked? Sharpe, who joined ESPN's 'First Take' in 2023 following his high-profile exit from FS1's 'Undisputed,' has denied all allegations through his legal team. In a statement issued earlier this year, attorney Lanny J. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Nhà container vận chuyển thực sự có giá bao nhiêu? - Xem giá Shipping Container Homes Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Davis said: 'Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct — especially the gross lie of 'rape' — and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail.' Despite his public denial, Sharpe stepped away from ESPN in April, stating: 'At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me.' Stephen A. Smith 'hopeful' for Shannon Sharpe's return, but public pressure looms large Stephen A Smith on Lebron James - Shannon Sharpe - Shedeur Sanders - ESPN - Michael Jordan - Podcast While Sharpe had initially signaled intentions to return in time for the NFL preseason, that timeline now seems increasingly unlikely. Even ESPN has distanced itself, telling the New York Post, 'This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon's decision to step away.' Stephen A. Smith, ESPN's marquee figure, offered a measured show of support, saying in May, 'He is emphatic that he is innocent… But the court of public opinion is what the Disneys of the world and others concern themselves with.' Also Read: Aaron Rodgers betrayed the Jets by sabotaging Garrett Wilson, hijacking play calls, and pushing a Davante Adams agenda Sharpe continues to host his personal shows, 'Club Shay Shay' and 'Nightcap' with Chad Ochocinco. But as legal battles mount and reputational damage continues, Dan Le Batard's prediction may be less speculation—and more inevitability. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
NBC Sports
18-06-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
McDavid takes another Stanley Cup loss
Greg Cote joins The Dan Le Batard Show to discuss how Connor McDavid remains the only player in NHL history to have 9 straight 90 point seasons and yet to take home the Stanley cup
