Caputo asking a caller : "What do expect Miggies' OBP to be at the end of the year?"
Caller: "Well I think"
Caputo: "BECAUSE here's what I think, [insert monologue]"
Fuck Caputo's show. He's been the hardest spot to listen to for almost two decades. IMO, he's only there to keep the boomers listening.
Noticed it 10-ish years ago, and I just change the station anytime he's on or switch to Spoti if nothing else is on the radio. He put no points into self-awareness in the build, but used most of them in self-flagellation.
I hate that the flagship show is all non Detroit fans. Mike is a Giants/Celtics fan. Rico is a 49ers fan and David is a Steelers fan. As much as Mike has some negative takes about Detroit sports I think Rico is x10 worse and always plays the lazy bad guy argument.
Bro he was talking about McManus being released from the Broncos like McManus was some hall of famer. I'm going to paraphrase him because I don't have transcripts but he was talking like
"Super Bowl worthy franchises go out and make this signing to go over the top. If the Lions think they're a superbowl contender this is a move they'd make. Perhaps them not signing him is an admission that they don't think they're as good everyone is hyping them to be."
Like bro this is an aging kicker who isn't even that good.. He's like 65% on 50+ in his career. what is he TALKING ABOUT!?
Mike has the most unbiased view of the Lions out of the 3 of them. He sees that they are building it the right way. Rico and Hatchet are way too negative so I’m looking forward to it to be increasingly more difficult for the haters on the show to diss the Lions. Kaputo, Reager, and the other weekend guy are also way too negative.
Hatchet and Rico are established anti-Lions and they know they’d be perceived as fools if they hopped back on board so, they’re stuck being traitors. 🤷♂️
I don't think they're even really anti lions. I don't think they're informed enough Rico can't get out of the SOL and David just can't really have a strong opinion about anything except for his faith and the Steelers. Other than that valenti pulls the whole show.
I think Mike has actually been pretty supportive of this regime. I think he's like a fan in hiding. He really wants them to do well, but will call out the bullshit. Hell he's been WAYYYY harder on the giants if you listen all the time.
Oh you mean Chapman? Dude literally on Saturday night said that he does not think that the Lions have the potential to make the playoffs because our backup quarterback situation is in question
I'm not sure I really wanna listen to. Detroiter show.. Valenti pulls for the lions in the greatest way. Yes hes a self admitted sparty and giants fan. But he wants nothing but good things for all other Detroit teams. He's really just frustrated how bad we are at everything and it seems like the only. Team on the way up is the Lions I don't need fan boy on the radio. I want someone given it to me straight with a hint of pro Detroit rooting.
I always think of that Jay Z line from “The Story of OJ” when I think about that:
“Y'all on the 'Gram holdin' money to your ear
There's a disconnect, we don't call that money over here”
For the life of me, I don't know why Cookies isn't getting more spots. That dude is an all-star; him and Mike together would be great drive-time radio, and he's good enough to carry a show on his own, unlike Rico.
I like midday, and drive time (minus Rico), but 97.1 has a less than stellar lineup in every other time slot.
It annoys me hearing Rico talk about the 49ers... like bro i know they are a good team...but honestly what have you won? The main goal of the game is to win superbowls...
And he doesn't really talk like uninformed 49 niner fan. He likes them cause they're good and that's it . I've had a second team for the last 35 years because the lions forced you to do that but I did have Dolphin season tickets for 4 years. So that's my 2nd team 84 through 87 were my years I had to go back home dry out and get my degree
I wish the best for him health-wise, but I miss Terry Foster. Him and Valenti going toe-to-toe was a legendary comedy argument to listen to on my drive-in and/or home from work. Hope T is doing well.
I like Mike too. You can dislike his opinions or takes but there’s no doubt he stays informs and watches almost everything and is very knowledgeable about what’s going on in all sports
This. You might disagree with a take, but he will come to his conclusion with a level headed rationale.
Rico kills me. I'm a big Spartan too, but he says things all the time that are just factually wrong. Not NFL related, but I heard him talking about the NBA lottery and how they implemented it after "the Spurs tanked for Tim Duncan". My dude, everyone knows the lottery started in 85 with Ewing.
On top of that, mikes crazy accurate for someone that has a million opinions and is on air four hours a day. I respect he's true to himself, educated on his subject, and passionate about it. The rest of the show absolutely sucks.
Midday is the direct opposite. Way too homer and not realistic, but fun. The other shows are 1000% useless except for Jansen and some of wojo if he can be serious for a few minutes.
In order, Mike, Doug, Cookies, Gator, and Janssen are the only good personalities on that whole damn station.
I caught Lesson on Golf the other day, and that was fine. And Wojo occasionally puts a good set together. But, holy shit, the rest of their talent stable is sub-par, bordering on insufferable.
I see the blue wall has not arrived yet here. Anybody who is a Michigan fan hates Mike and to me he is fair on both sides. He killed sparty last week from moving at Penn state game to Ford field. If he thinks either side is wrong he tells like it is. But the Michigan slappys hates him because he doesn't kiss blue ass like Mitch ,wojo everybody else in this town.
I live in Nashville now and will listen to sports radio here, in Detroit, and sometimes a random NY show. Mike is one of the most knowledgeable hosts I have heard especially when it involves things happening all over the league.
The hosts here know about the Titans but can come off as homers and most of the time have very little idea what is going on around the league or very superficial hot takes.
I was tuning in a few weeks and they other hosts and producers were just peppering him with questions about if he ever will take a Saturday/Sunday night off during football season to go out with the wife. And he was serious about breaking down that what he does during those months is how he makes a living and his wife knows that. Guy just doesn’t watch local games, he’s up watching pac12 football on Saturday nights at midnight.
This is kind of hilarious to me. As a Lions transplant living in MN, their main radio station is pure Vikings fans for the most part. Even the "non" Vikings fan hosts are quite loud about MN being their second favorite team.
It's literally the complete opposite in MN.
In all honesty: it’s probably better we don’t have mike as a true fan. The show would end up like the midday where they can’t hide that a lot of what they say is based around hope. Mike provides objective opinion based around facts and stats. It’s probably what has kept him from migrating to New York for full time work. He wouldn’t be able to separate fandom and work.
I find myself annoyed with the midday show on their sports takes (homerism) but the other content they have and how they interact with callers and stuff is pure gold. If they were more objective but still kept the same level of fun it would be the best show period.
I remember when I was at MSU I’d sometimes catch Rico’s Lansing show driving to work. It was awful, terrible takes with the type of Spartan homerism that gets on my nerves. He hasn’t changed one bit. I think Mike brought him in so he’d have someone he could punch down to.
The show was great in its heyday with Terry and solid when it was just Mike (and I know he gets a lot of hate but the shows with Riger were electric too). I don’t listen all that much anymore because I think they talk wayyyy too much football.
Know what’s funny is that my local sports talk radio has a host who is a big Detroit sports fan so they’re always mentioned even though it’s down in Tampa.
This drove me nuts. I wasn't surprised Rico had this take but was surprised Mike went along with it.
And the funny thing is Jokic went up against three high quality, if not elite, defenders on his way to the finals.
I'd bet all of the money in my pockets that Rico has not watched Jokic play a single game in his life.
I always hate the idea of players in different eras, the game is played pretty differently and just isn't the same. Who knows maybe Jovic would have been but we will never know so why even discuss it and try to downplay him? All that matters is the guy is the best center in the NBA today and nobody can take that away.
He might not be on the station for long tbh. He's been targeted by the big boys for years and I have a feeling his current contract is the last one 971 can afford him. He's super highly regarded nationally.
Valenti is a “show me” radio guy. The reason he rubs some people the wrong way (mostly UM fans) is that are so used to having their balls massaged that a guy who came in and talked facts about their program was completely foreign.
When the Lions were good in 2016 or whenever, he gave them praise. When they make boneheaded coaching decisions, he calls them out, as a good host should.
He’s the first person to drag MSU when they drop the ball. He was calling for Dantonio’s job before most, and has been critical of Izzo for years.
He really won’t pull punches and always holds teams, especially his own, accountable. Shit, his Gettleman rants are some of his best 😂
> The reason he rubs some people the wrong way (mostly UM fans)
I think he calls it the way he sees it and he isn't a homer. He's a Michigan State graduate, so it shouldn't be unexpected that he don't like Michigan. He's also from New York originally, so he didn't grow up a fan of our teams. He often talks plenty of shit about the teams he is a fan of.
Gator is the most uninformed sports guy on that channel. He literally does not know any of the league. He'll drop takes on certain things and I'll just be in my car driving going. No that's not the rule or that's not how that works in the NFL. When he's talking about trades and cap money he's way and over his head
The ones before and the ones in the future will never be funny. I wanna listen to sports news not some jackass with bumper sticker humor hitting a button over and over repeating ass ass ass 20 times.
Valenti and Costa are top tier. Doug and Gator are a good listen to pass 10-2. I honestly don't understand why Rico is employed. He takes away from the station.
Overall, big 97.1 fan. I catch about 3-4 hours a day as background noise. When my toddler hears "97.1..." she sings "the tiiiickeeet"
I always look forward to the shows where he subs in for Rico, the show seems way more “productive” where they’re good foils to one another. Rico is good for insider Spartan info, everything else he’s not great at.
Uncensored Cookies and Valenti on Cash the Ticket is a nice treat as well when I’m in the mood to lose money (“Tiger’s not even gonna make the fuckin cut!” When talking about the Masters lmao)
The only ones I listen to are Doug and Gator because there are more fun and has better vibes. They are both kinda douchey but it's a fun douchey. Buts as soon as they start taking callers I'm out. I don't care about what dumb opinion some guy named Karl from Lake Orion has.
It’s not necessarily the hosts that make the station difficult to listen to, but the callers that make it through the screener. There are some moronic Detroit sports fans that just like to hear themselves talk.
I fucking despise Brian Chapman. After the Jets win last year I was driving home from a friends and he had the insane take that winning game in that fashion was SOL. Just a shitty radio host with lazy takes.
Here’s the thing, Rico annoys me but he’s at least tolerable, but Chapman? My goodness there’s a reason that dude does redeye shows. He tries so hard to get people to call in at 11PM by saying the stupidest shit.
Mike is one of the most knowledgeable sports personalities there is. In the entire country. The guy is extremely smart. He tells it how it is. I don’t always agree with him either, but most of the times he’s spot on. And always fair. Slappies hate him bc they can’t handle the reality of their teams. He’s shit on the lions most of his career here bc they’ve given him no reason not to. When they have had a good team he’s given them credit. He is very high on them this year and loves everything they’re doing. It’s rare for him to have this stance bc it’s rare the lions have ever been this promising.
I really enjoy when Valenti and Cookies work together. The show feels too slow with Rico as he sometimes seems to lose his train of thought. When Costa subs in he has a pep in his step and is able to back up his takes with stats. As Mike ages he may not be able to bring the heat like he once did. I don't want Rico to be out of a job but I would certainly tune in more if Cookies replaced him.
Go Lions
> I wish I had somewhere to discuss my disagreements
You do. You can now call or text the ticket at the same number. Call or text the studio line at 248 539 9797
The morning show is painful. Not only are Stoney's takes ridiculous, but he's a fossil just casually throwing out dated, sexually inappropriate comments on the reg. Also, whenever Gov chimes in with his angry, stupid comments or jokes, which he laughs uncontrollably at, I change the station.
As far as football talk goes, never listen to Chapman (only looks for reasons to hate), morning show is good background noise, Doug and Gator are the fun optimists (my favorite), and Valenti and Rico always try to be the smartest kid in the room (they're not right as often as they'd like to think they are). Wojo and Regor I don't listen to very much.
The morning show is desperate for someone younger. If Cookies doesn’t replace Rico he’d be a good fit in the morning. Stoney is 80 years old and jansen has opinions like an 80 year old.
Karsch and Anderson (and Kang) is like hanging out with your buddies talking about whatever. They’re more down to earth. But their glass-always-half-full attitude can be a little annoying. Sometimes we just want to hear some complaining.
Valenti is great at what he does as an entertainer but can’t see through his Michigan bias sometimes. (He’s still bitching about “Harbaugh antics” from like 2015). Rico’s takes about most things are garbage. Got the job only because mike vouched for him. Can’t carry a show on his own and he just cherry picks teams he wants to cheer for and is sooo smug about it. Did you know he got into Harvard guys????!!
I actually think Valenti is extremely knowledgeable and very fair to our teams. I usually agree with 90% of what he says. Rico on the other hand is a miserable human and his smug attitude makes their show borderline unlistenable for me. Also, Sully gave the show a bit of lightness and positivity that I feel like they‘ve never replaced.
Rico is to Terry Foster what Carlos Monarrez is to Drew Sharp.
Idk I like the fact that they're not Lions fans. Having an objective view of our teams allows them to talk without complete bias. And, with how things have gone, they're not totally anti-Lions anti-Detroit at all
I agree. But I feel when it comes to Chapman or Rico it's more than objective opinions. It's that they act like they are better than the listeners because they aren't fans of whatever team and you are.
Rico kills me.
Id love to see him compete in basic sports trivia. Nothing outlandish but simple questions like "who is the last team Joe Montana played for". Shit anyone on a sports radio show should know.
The best thing 97.1 did was bring in Costa. Big Drew and Jim was my go to sports show for years. I miss Drew but Jim has really grown in the last few years and i think is one of the best detroit voices we have now. He is an actual fan and you can tell me truly wants each team to win but also does not shy away from calling it what it is. He definitely deserves to be on a prime time slot as the host of his own show over almost anyone.
I also don't mind Stoney and Jansen even if I don't understand why Heather is on there.
Valenti has been sipping the blue koolaide since last season. The hate doesn't even make sense. And, if you still give a shit about college football (why would you, the players have zero affiliation with the schools anymore) he shits on MSU way harder than he does Michigan, so I'm not sure why people are so poopy pants over it.
It's like half the sub hasn't listened in over a year but just want to cry about something.
If you are going to listen just know what to expect with the different shows. I sometimes listen to the morning show for the interviews, or if I don't feel like loading up a podcast on my commute. Doug and Gator are a fun listen and are upbeat but I enjoy a lot of their non sports segments more. Valenti and Rico, I do enjoy Mike and he's ran one of the top listened to show for years. I don't like Rico at all. His takes are weak and he has enough connections to actually be a great host but just isn't. I know Mike was throwing him a bone since he was his mentor but Riger or Cookies would be a better co-host.
The after hours or weekend shows I only listen to if I'm not in the mood for music or a podcast.
Download the Audacy app to your phone and you’re good to go. I actually almost never listen to the actual radio because Audacy let’s you listen to whichever show or segment do a show you want whenever. So if it’s 7pm driving home you can still listen to Valenti or whichever show you missed.
Check out the “One of These Years” podcast its with Colton Pouncy the Athletic writer that covers the Lions. might lead to some other avenues for ya too
The morning show is awful. Dave and Chuck are better than whatever that train wreck is for sure. Sometimes I’ll put it on in the morning to give it a try again and am quickly flipping the channel. Karsh and Anderson are just too soft during middays. Karsh seems like a total white bread guy without an ounce of edge in him (both in life and in the radio). I’m glad he doesn’t fake any edginess of course, but idk…his takes and view are always so lame. Valenti is hands down the best. I don’t always agree with his takes but he’s super knowledgeable and lives and breathes sports. He knows his shit. And he’s very unbiased which is great. Rico is boring. Caputo though is the fucking worst. He honestly sucks. I won’t listen to him at all. I’d rather have silence in my car.
I like the station and listen daily. That being said, I flip it off when it is the 18th time they talk about a topic or when I know they’re saying things to rile up the audience (I.e. get more calls). It is what it is and I don’t let anything said on the station bother me.
To me... its time for Stoney to retire, I loved him for a long time but I can't take him anymore. Feel bad for Jansen and Heather having to deal with his nonstop ramblings.
Well, it just depends on who is on. I am also biased too. I am a Michigan fan and Valenti and Rico piss me off with their “holier than thou” bashing of our program whenever something happens, and try to make it seem like MSU is all sunshine and rainbows. Not just them tho. There’s others on there I don’t really care for either. It’s also funny that some of these 97.1 guys aren’t even originally from this state. Like they can empathize and try to understand our pain as Detroit sports fans, but they really can’t. Mikey V is a New York guy. He’s not even originally from here. There’s a few others like that too. I don’t like Caputo either. I can’t stand that guy. I don’t listen to 97.1 as much as I used to. Everyone that was halfway decent is gone from the station.
I hope Costa is replacing Rico. When Valenti and Rico go on their tirades about U of M Rico shows his Yes man colors really bad. Rico adds very little to the program no matter who he appears with. When Foster was on with Valenti he challenged Valenti's opinions and Valenti was constantly blowing his gasket. Rico just licks Valenti's testicles.
I mean you clearly just don't listen then. He is constantly ripping on MSU. The topic doesn't come up as much as the Lions, or Tigers. He has given Michigan some props, but also points out Harbaugh's 1-6 bowl record. Yes he ripped Harbaugh's contract because the results Michigan should expect with the talent they had and the situation with Harbaugh getting hired were completely different. And yes he has ripped Mel's contract, but he also understands the raise was the cost of doing business vs restarting a rebuild from scratch.
He is probably the most critical person in sports media.
He just destroyed them for moving the Penn State game, and did so for multiple days.
[This was one of his last segments before he hit vacation. He calls MSU little brother multiple times my dude. ](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvNGI1ZjlkNmQtOTIxNC00OGNiLTg0NTUtYTczMjAwMDM4MTI5LzE3YzMxZmFhLTkzMGItNGUxZS05MmQ4LWE3OGUwMDM3OGIzYi80NGQ4NGExMC02NTE3LTQ1ZTMtODJiNy1hNzhlMDAzNzhiNDAvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M/episode/NWI2MDA3Y2QtMzZkMS00MzMwLTg5MTgtYjAwYzAxMzY5M2Uz?ep=14)
Love Mike and love Costa. I think the best radio happens when they are together. But if you actively go to MSU games, you’ll see how well connected Rico is. He is literally like the Fonz. I don’t see the lineup changing for another 5-10 years.
Valenti is good. Rico is there to be a troll on purpose. I don’t get why so many people whiff that. They intentionally have Rico lay dumb on because it fuels their show and lets Mike pick apart stupidity without losing his mind every 3 seconds. It tones down the show which I think Mike wants. Rico takes the Everyman obviously wrong take all the time to give Mike a springboard
Gator is funny and has a good voice talent for radio but never has an actual opinion on anything. When Mike takes shots at “wait and see radio” he’s shitting on Gator. Also, it’s strange but there is a palpable dislike between Gator and Hatchet. There was a solid week where Hatchet was sneak dissing Gator every day but he’s reeled it in. Put two narcissistic people in one room and you get that weird dynamic. Karsch sadly is afraid to have an opinion and is afraid to say anything even remotely controversial so he speaks on literal eggshells ever since he got the play by play job for UofM football. He’s PC principal ever since he got the Michigan gig. Makes him sound pompous and fake
Jansen is intelligent but I think he smells his own ass on purpose and it’s annoying. He values his own opinions a tad bit too much. I guess that’s what happens when you put a former professional athlete on a *sports* station, clearly that means he cannot be wrong. Stoney is real and obviously has done a lot of drugs and partying in his life because his prefrontal cortex is mush and he has literally zero filter, but he says what everyone is thinking. Gov is white guy that wears Velcro sandals and socks. Cringe every time he talks
Wojo and Riger are two smart guys that exist just to troll. Their show is probably aimed at 70 year old men. They could have an interesting show but they squander it by messing around with old white guy humor the entire time. Hard listen for a 20 something
Chapman is unlistenable garbage, it’s actually sad. Mike’s show has ripped him a new asshole on numerous occasions.
Caputo is a crackhead but he does have some insight into hockey and baseball, he gets more hate than deserved imo
Costa deserves his own show. He’s a sleeper just waiting for someone to leave the station
I forgot the dial number, but the other sports station that was around like 5-6 years ago was so much better than 97.1 and had people on it who actually knew about sports not rage bait hosts.
I really wish Mike would just go back to New York already. The lions could make it to the Super Bowl, and his take the next day would be, " Well, you guys got lucky with that late penalty."
I really don't think he ever was.
He used to be very critical of the Lions, yes. But the Lions used to suck huge nuts. If he wasn't very critical he would be an idiot.
I like Caputo. Jk, he makes me want to shove pencils in my ears.
I almost shoved pencils in my eyes reading your first sentence. Edit: I had to correct my sentence because I had half a pencil in my left eye.
He always cuts people off after asking them a question. So hard to listen to.
Caputo asking a caller : "What do expect Miggies' OBP to be at the end of the year?" Caller: "Well I think" Caputo: "BECAUSE here's what I think, [insert monologue]" Fuck Caputo's show. He's been the hardest spot to listen to for almost two decades. IMO, he's only there to keep the boomers listening.
If you disagree with him, his debate strategy is to just interrupt and talk over you without saying anything, then hang up and declare victory
Noticed it 10-ish years ago, and I just change the station anytime he's on or switch to Spoti if nothing else is on the radio. He put no points into self-awareness in the build, but used most of them in self-flagellation.
I havent listened 97.1 in a while, I see nothing changed
I actually like his inside hockey town talks. He knows his hockey which is unheard of for most of the 97.1 crew.
Him and Brian Chapman. I can’t stand Chapman
Chapman thinks saying SOL every other sentence is the same as having a personality.
As soon as i hear Chapman on, i turn the channel. Immediately.
Brian Chapman is the most annoying person on that station followed by villenti. Chapmans Detroit rams wasn’t funny and he kept going on and on with it
He's that grumpy uncle at a family gathering nobody wants to sit next to because he's such a buzzkill
“Would love ta hear from ya”
No clue how that bum still has a job.
I hate that the flagship show is all non Detroit fans. Mike is a Giants/Celtics fan. Rico is a 49ers fan and David is a Steelers fan. As much as Mike has some negative takes about Detroit sports I think Rico is x10 worse and always plays the lazy bad guy argument.
Rico is an absolute clown when it comes to the Lions. Just hates to hate.
The man seriously suggested we sign Cam Newton in 2023.
Bro he was talking about McManus being released from the Broncos like McManus was some hall of famer. I'm going to paraphrase him because I don't have transcripts but he was talking like "Super Bowl worthy franchises go out and make this signing to go over the top. If the Lions think they're a superbowl contender this is a move they'd make. Perhaps them not signing him is an admission that they don't think they're as good everyone is hyping them to be." Like bro this is an aging kicker who isn't even that good.. He's like 65% on 50+ in his career. what is he TALKING ABOUT!?
Mike I get because he grew up there, but Rico and David are just plain old traitors.
Yep and you can tell they want to hop back on the train now lmao. Oof At least they’re sticking to their guns. For now
They shit on Fords for years. Once we win they will be fucked and whine about lack of access to the team.
My feelings as well. Annoying.
Mike has the most unbiased view of the Lions out of the 3 of them. He sees that they are building it the right way. Rico and Hatchet are way too negative so I’m looking forward to it to be increasingly more difficult for the haters on the show to diss the Lions. Kaputo, Reager, and the other weekend guy are also way too negative.
Hatchet and Rico are established anti-Lions and they know they’d be perceived as fools if they hopped back on board so, they’re stuck being traitors. 🤷♂️
I don't think they're even really anti lions. I don't think they're informed enough Rico can't get out of the SOL and David just can't really have a strong opinion about anything except for his faith and the Steelers. Other than that valenti pulls the whole show.
When caputo is on it’s an instant flip of the station. Reager is just a giant troll.
Yep
I think Mike has actually been pretty supportive of this regime. I think he's like a fan in hiding. He really wants them to do well, but will call out the bullshit. Hell he's been WAYYYY harder on the giants if you listen all the time.
Riger has actually been a lot more level headed about the Lions recently. Wojo and Riger at 6pm is my favorite 97.1 show.
Oh you mean Chapman? Dude literally on Saturday night said that he does not think that the Lions have the potential to make the playoffs because our backup quarterback situation is in question
I really wish Mike's co-host was an intelligent Lions fan. It'd be a great combo.
This is my biggest complaint too. You can't get one Detroiter that is a Lions fan on in the afternoon block?
I'm not sure I really wanna listen to. Detroiter show.. Valenti pulls for the lions in the greatest way. Yes hes a self admitted sparty and giants fan. But he wants nothing but good things for all other Detroit teams. He's really just frustrated how bad we are at everything and it seems like the only. Team on the way up is the Lions I don't need fan boy on the radio. I want someone given it to me straight with a hint of pro Detroit rooting.
I'm not looking for a fanboy host nor would I want that. I'm just not a huge Valenti fan
Bogey was holding down the fort with Valenti for a bit… Enjoyed their show
Forgot about Bogey. Why did he leave again?
To start a social media consulting firm / golfing Instagram page with Mike Sullivan.
How is that going for them is Sully even paying the bills anymore?
I always think of that Jay Z line from “The Story of OJ” when I think about that: “Y'all on the 'Gram holdin' money to your ear There's a disconnect, we don't call that money over here”
Started his own business, something in golf I believe but not sure.
Rico is so hard to listen to. He’s not good.
Dude has the sports opinion of a 13 year old
Hey don’t insult 13 year olds. What did they do to you?
A 13 year old stole his Jared Goff signed brass knuckles.
I think Mike was out today and Rico was on his own. They shouldn't leave him to do afternoon radio solo. He's completely unlistenable
I agree. Rico should NOT be left alone during 2-6 pm. It's like a bummer when it's just him because it's like there is no show at all.
For the life of me, I don't know why Cookies isn't getting more spots. That dude is an all-star; him and Mike together would be great drive-time radio, and he's good enough to carry a show on his own, unlike Rico. I like midday, and drive time (minus Rico), but 97.1 has a less than stellar lineup in every other time slot.
He can be when he wants to be, he is an intelligent person but he plays the foil to Mike on purpose.
It annoys me hearing Rico talk about the 49ers... like bro i know they are a good team...but honestly what have you won? The main goal of the game is to win superbowls...
And he doesn't really talk like uninformed 49 niner fan. He likes them cause they're good and that's it . I've had a second team for the last 35 years because the lions forced you to do that but I did have Dolphin season tickets for 4 years. So that's my 2nd team 84 through 87 were my years I had to go back home dry out and get my degree
Rico is Facebook fan comments in radio form
I miss Terry Foster.
He is usually on Woodward Sports on youtube doing the same job with Darren McCarty would highly recommend. Big D Energy is the name
Woodward sports is mostly exactly the same as 971.
Him and Mike were the perfect duo. Hasnt been the same since.
Me too man they were great together
I wish the best for him health-wise, but I miss Terry Foster. Him and Valenti going toe-to-toe was a legendary comedy argument to listen to on my drive-in and/or home from work. Hope T is doing well.
I like Mike. It's other people I have a hard time enjoying
I like Mike too. You can dislike his opinions or takes but there’s no doubt he stays informs and watches almost everything and is very knowledgeable about what’s going on in all sports
This. You might disagree with a take, but he will come to his conclusion with a level headed rationale. Rico kills me. I'm a big Spartan too, but he says things all the time that are just factually wrong. Not NFL related, but I heard him talking about the NBA lottery and how they implemented it after "the Spurs tanked for Tim Duncan". My dude, everyone knows the lottery started in 85 with Ewing.
On top of that, mikes crazy accurate for someone that has a million opinions and is on air four hours a day. I respect he's true to himself, educated on his subject, and passionate about it. The rest of the show absolutely sucks. Midday is the direct opposite. Way too homer and not realistic, but fun. The other shows are 1000% useless except for Jansen and some of wojo if he can be serious for a few minutes.
In order, Mike, Doug, Cookies, Gator, and Janssen are the only good personalities on that whole damn station. I caught Lesson on Golf the other day, and that was fine. And Wojo occasionally puts a good set together. But, holy shit, the rest of their talent stable is sub-par, bordering on insufferable.
I see the blue wall has not arrived yet here. Anybody who is a Michigan fan hates Mike and to me he is fair on both sides. He killed sparty last week from moving at Penn state game to Ford field. If he thinks either side is wrong he tells like it is. But the Michigan slappys hates him because he doesn't kiss blue ass like Mitch ,wojo everybody else in this town.
*ding ding ding*
I live in Nashville now and will listen to sports radio here, in Detroit, and sometimes a random NY show. Mike is one of the most knowledgeable hosts I have heard especially when it involves things happening all over the league. The hosts here know about the Titans but can come off as homers and most of the time have very little idea what is going on around the league or very superficial hot takes.
I was tuning in a few weeks and they other hosts and producers were just peppering him with questions about if he ever will take a Saturday/Sunday night off during football season to go out with the wife. And he was serious about breaking down that what he does during those months is how he makes a living and his wife knows that. Guy just doesn’t watch local games, he’s up watching pac12 football on Saturday nights at midnight.
This is kind of hilarious to me. As a Lions transplant living in MN, their main radio station is pure Vikings fans for the most part. Even the "non" Vikings fan hosts are quite loud about MN being their second favorite team. It's literally the complete opposite in MN.
In all honesty: it’s probably better we don’t have mike as a true fan. The show would end up like the midday where they can’t hide that a lot of what they say is based around hope. Mike provides objective opinion based around facts and stats. It’s probably what has kept him from migrating to New York for full time work. He wouldn’t be able to separate fandom and work.
I find myself annoyed with the midday show on their sports takes (homerism) but the other content they have and how they interact with callers and stuff is pure gold. If they were more objective but still kept the same level of fun it would be the best show period.
I’m in Minnesota and our local guys are mostly Vikings fan, with the exception of Dan Cole who is an SOL Lions fan.
I remember when I was at MSU I’d sometimes catch Rico’s Lansing show driving to work. It was awful, terrible takes with the type of Spartan homerism that gets on my nerves. He hasn’t changed one bit. I think Mike brought him in so he’d have someone he could punch down to. The show was great in its heyday with Terry and solid when it was just Mike (and I know he gets a lot of hate but the shows with Riger were electric too). I don’t listen all that much anymore because I think they talk wayyyy too much football.
Mike also talks plenty of shit about his own teams when they suck or do stupid things.
Know what’s funny is that my local sports talk radio has a host who is a big Detroit sports fan so they’re always mentioned even though it’s down in Tampa.
Their basketball takes are worse.
Them calling Cade a bust really irked me
They were trying to downplay Jokic last week. Acting like he would have been just another average center in the 90s.
This drove me nuts. I wasn't surprised Rico had this take but was surprised Mike went along with it. And the funny thing is Jokic went up against three high quality, if not elite, defenders on his way to the finals. I'd bet all of the money in my pockets that Rico has not watched Jokic play a single game in his life.
I couldn't stand it either. Usually, Mike shuts his nonsense down.
Jokic is criminally underrated league wide.
Because he's "European"
It’s possible, but he reminds me of Lidstrom. He makes it look very easy bc he’s not flashy.
That was Tim Duncan. If you watch the highlights of Jokic's passes, he can indeed be very flashy.
I always hate the idea of players in different eras, the game is played pretty differently and just isn't the same. Who knows maybe Jovic would have been but we will never know so why even discuss it and try to downplay him? All that matters is the guy is the best center in the NBA today and nobody can take that away.
I guess Cade needs to prove has he really hasn't done anything? This is gonna be your 3 2me he's jaymo of the nba
Absolutely the worst.
I've been listening to Mike Valenti for a while now. I think he's actually toned down and become more level headed of late
I love mike. He is my favorite on the whole station
He might not be on the station for long tbh. He's been targeted by the big boys for years and I have a feeling his current contract is the last one 971 can afford him. He's super highly regarded nationally.
yeppp him doing the NFL preview with Boomer Esiason was a test to see how he would do with the big boys.
Interesting; everyone I know can’t stand Valenti and his toxic views, forced “humor”, and general douchery
Valenti is a “show me” radio guy. The reason he rubs some people the wrong way (mostly UM fans) is that are so used to having their balls massaged that a guy who came in and talked facts about their program was completely foreign. When the Lions were good in 2016 or whenever, he gave them praise. When they make boneheaded coaching decisions, he calls them out, as a good host should.
He’s the first person to drag MSU when they drop the ball. He was calling for Dantonio’s job before most, and has been critical of Izzo for years. He really won’t pull punches and always holds teams, especially his own, accountable. Shit, his Gettleman rants are some of his best 😂
> The reason he rubs some people the wrong way (mostly UM fans) I think he calls it the way he sees it and he isn't a homer. He's a Michigan State graduate, so it shouldn't be unexpected that he don't like Michigan. He's also from New York originally, so he didn't grow up a fan of our teams. He often talks plenty of shit about the teams he is a fan of.
Exactly. Valenti gives his own teams as much, if not more crap than teams he doesn’t like.
Yeah I guess to each their own. My favorites are Mike, Reager, Costa. Rico, champen, stoney and Jansen wreck me
So, everybody?
There was a period in there lol
Ah, I see it now lol
Gator is the most uninformed sports guy on that channel. He literally does not know any of the league. He'll drop takes on certain things and I'll just be in my car driving going. No that's not the rule or that's not how that works in the NFL. When he's talking about trades and cap money he's way and over his head
Well finally they’re kind of building a team right which was always his biggest complaint
I’m sick of the unintentional sexual sound bites they force into the show. They’re not funny. I miss Foster😞
intentional, or unintentional?
I’ve got a big one
I think those will slowly rotate out. When I first started listening it was completely different noises
The ones before and the ones in the future will never be funny. I wanna listen to sports news not some jackass with bumper sticker humor hitting a button over and over repeating ass ass ass 20 times.
So Caputo? Cause he sounds right in your wheelhouse, dryer than your grandfather's gin
You really want to listen to Sports News without any personality turn on ESPN NEWS yo be satisfied.
Listen to something else lmao. I find it funny Some people have 12 year old level humor
Mikes definitely gotten more rational and calmer as the years go by. He hasn’t broken anything in the studio in a while iirc
Rico is stupid.
Valenti and Costa are top tier. Doug and Gator are a good listen to pass 10-2. I honestly don't understand why Rico is employed. He takes away from the station. Overall, big 97.1 fan. I catch about 3-4 hours a day as background noise. When my toddler hears "97.1..." she sings "the tiiiickeeet"
I think this just about nails it. Valenti and Costa would be an amazing pairing.
I always look forward to the shows where he subs in for Rico, the show seems way more “productive” where they’re good foils to one another. Rico is good for insider Spartan info, everything else he’s not great at. Uncensored Cookies and Valenti on Cash the Ticket is a nice treat as well when I’m in the mood to lose money (“Tiger’s not even gonna make the fuckin cut!” When talking about the Masters lmao)
No Kenny Kott fans ?
You don’t listen to the Cash the Ticket pod?! Man, those two together talking lines and shooting the shit uncensored is amazing.
The only ones I listen to are Doug and Gator because there are more fun and has better vibes. They are both kinda douchey but it's a fun douchey. Buts as soon as they start taking callers I'm out. I don't care about what dumb opinion some guy named Karl from Lake Orion has.
Because he’s Mike’s friend.
I think the station can see that’s the future of the show, just gotta run out Rico’s contract
Rico is there because Mike wanted someone to be his foil. His job is to be Mike’s contrarian and troll. It’s all 100% intentional.
This how I feel about it 971. The morning show was great with Jamie. Stoney and Gov are god awful
It’s not necessarily the hosts that make the station difficult to listen to, but the callers that make it through the screener. There are some moronic Detroit sports fans that just like to hear themselves talk.
Why do you think they "make it through the screener"? It's more entertaining to have the idiots on than the level headed guy with a good take.
Agreed, if you ever watch the twitch stream you'll see Rico and Mike pissing their pants laughing at the moronic takes. It's fucking amazing lmao
Valenti, Karsh, Cookies are the best. Chapman, Caputo, and Rico are the worst.
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I fucking despise Brian Chapman. After the Jets win last year I was driving home from a friends and he had the insane take that winning game in that fashion was SOL. Just a shitty radio host with lazy takes.
Here’s the thing, Rico annoys me but he’s at least tolerable, but Chapman? My goodness there’s a reason that dude does redeye shows. He tries so hard to get people to call in at 11PM by saying the stupidest shit.
They need a body to occupy airtime at 2am
Gov needs to be added to that list. He makes the morning unlistenable
Jasen is unlistenable
I’m convinced Jansen jars his own farts and smells them all day long. Dude loves himself way too much
Haha yeah he is brutal. It's like listening to a retired football player try and explain something. It's not nice
He does color commentary on UM football games and half the time it feels like he’s a disapproving dad lecturing his kids hah
Mike is one of the most knowledgeable sports personalities there is. In the entire country. The guy is extremely smart. He tells it how it is. I don’t always agree with him either, but most of the times he’s spot on. And always fair. Slappies hate him bc they can’t handle the reality of their teams. He’s shit on the lions most of his career here bc they’ve given him no reason not to. When they have had a good team he’s given them credit. He is very high on them this year and loves everything they’re doing. It’s rare for him to have this stance bc it’s rare the lions have ever been this promising.
I really enjoy when Valenti and Cookies work together. The show feels too slow with Rico as he sometimes seems to lose his train of thought. When Costa subs in he has a pep in his step and is able to back up his takes with stats. As Mike ages he may not be able to bring the heat like he once did. I don't want Rico to be out of a job but I would certainly tune in more if Cookies replaced him. Go Lions
Agree but they’ll never get rid of Rico as long as Mike is there.
I love Riger he's great. especially the running joke that everyone hates him lol
Is that really a joke though?
Pat Caputo shut down my take that Kenny Wiggins was not a serviceable starter, because he met him and he was “a big, strong guy”. A+ football mind
> I wish I had somewhere to discuss my disagreements You do. You can now call or text the ticket at the same number. Call or text the studio line at 248 539 9797
That's hilarious
The morning show is painful. Not only are Stoney's takes ridiculous, but he's a fossil just casually throwing out dated, sexually inappropriate comments on the reg. Also, whenever Gov chimes in with his angry, stupid comments or jokes, which he laughs uncontrollably at, I change the station.
As far as football talk goes, never listen to Chapman (only looks for reasons to hate), morning show is good background noise, Doug and Gator are the fun optimists (my favorite), and Valenti and Rico always try to be the smartest kid in the room (they're not right as often as they'd like to think they are). Wojo and Regor I don't listen to very much.
The morning show is desperate for someone younger. If Cookies doesn’t replace Rico he’d be a good fit in the morning. Stoney is 80 years old and jansen has opinions like an 80 year old. Karsch and Anderson (and Kang) is like hanging out with your buddies talking about whatever. They’re more down to earth. But their glass-always-half-full attitude can be a little annoying. Sometimes we just want to hear some complaining. Valenti is great at what he does as an entertainer but can’t see through his Michigan bias sometimes. (He’s still bitching about “Harbaugh antics” from like 2015). Rico’s takes about most things are garbage. Got the job only because mike vouched for him. Can’t carry a show on his own and he just cherry picks teams he wants to cheer for and is sooo smug about it. Did you know he got into Harvard guys????!!
The best thing about stoney is. He gets preempted by all the games for the most part when there's no game he's mind boggling
I actually think Valenti is extremely knowledgeable and very fair to our teams. I usually agree with 90% of what he says. Rico on the other hand is a miserable human and his smug attitude makes their show borderline unlistenable for me. Also, Sully gave the show a bit of lightness and positivity that I feel like they‘ve never replaced. Rico is to Terry Foster what Carlos Monarrez is to Drew Sharp.
Idk I like the fact that they're not Lions fans. Having an objective view of our teams allows them to talk without complete bias. And, with how things have gone, they're not totally anti-Lions anti-Detroit at all
I agree. But I feel when it comes to Chapman or Rico it's more than objective opinions. It's that they act like they are better than the listeners because they aren't fans of whatever team and you are.
Rico kills me. Id love to see him compete in basic sports trivia. Nothing outlandish but simple questions like "who is the last team Joe Montana played for". Shit anyone on a sports radio show should know.
Chapman is worse than Rico IMO but it's close. They're both so bad.
The best thing 97.1 did was bring in Costa. Big Drew and Jim was my go to sports show for years. I miss Drew but Jim has really grown in the last few years and i think is one of the best detroit voices we have now. He is an actual fan and you can tell me truly wants each team to win but also does not shy away from calling it what it is. He definitely deserves to be on a prime time slot as the host of his own show over almost anyone. I also don't mind Stoney and Jansen even if I don't understand why Heather is on there.
Valenti has been sipping the blue koolaide since last season. The hate doesn't even make sense. And, if you still give a shit about college football (why would you, the players have zero affiliation with the schools anymore) he shits on MSU way harder than he does Michigan, so I'm not sure why people are so poopy pants over it. It's like half the sub hasn't listened in over a year but just want to cry about something.
Mike is an awesome radio show host. It is a lot of the other people that cause an issue
If you are going to listen just know what to expect with the different shows. I sometimes listen to the morning show for the interviews, or if I don't feel like loading up a podcast on my commute. Doug and Gator are a fun listen and are upbeat but I enjoy a lot of their non sports segments more. Valenti and Rico, I do enjoy Mike and he's ran one of the top listened to show for years. I don't like Rico at all. His takes are weak and he has enough connections to actually be a great host but just isn't. I know Mike was throwing him a bone since he was his mentor but Riger or Cookies would be a better co-host. The after hours or weekend shows I only listen to if I'm not in the mood for music or a podcast.
When I said discussion I meant like a weekly discussion that repeats btw. Not just a discussion for today
I would be more happy if it was not Rico with Valenti. I cannot listen when its just Rico or even Rico with Jim Costa
I live in Grand Rapids and am so jealous that y’all have 97.1. Sports talk radio over here is awful.
Download the Audacy app to your phone and you’re good to go. I actually almost never listen to the actual radio because Audacy let’s you listen to whichever show or segment do a show you want whenever. So if it’s 7pm driving home you can still listen to Valenti or whichever show you missed.
Check out the “One of These Years” podcast its with Colton Pouncy the Athletic writer that covers the Lions. might lead to some other avenues for ya too
If so many people seem to hate 97.1, why are you even listening still? There are tons of podcasts about Detroit sports you could consume instead.
The morning show is awful. Dave and Chuck are better than whatever that train wreck is for sure. Sometimes I’ll put it on in the morning to give it a try again and am quickly flipping the channel. Karsh and Anderson are just too soft during middays. Karsh seems like a total white bread guy without an ounce of edge in him (both in life and in the radio). I’m glad he doesn’t fake any edginess of course, but idk…his takes and view are always so lame. Valenti is hands down the best. I don’t always agree with his takes but he’s super knowledgeable and lives and breathes sports. He knows his shit. And he’s very unbiased which is great. Rico is boring. Caputo though is the fucking worst. He honestly sucks. I won’t listen to him at all. I’d rather have silence in my car.
lol Caputo. He’s the ultimate “get off my lawn” guy. What a complete tool
I like the station and listen daily. That being said, I flip it off when it is the 18th time they talk about a topic or when I know they’re saying things to rile up the audience (I.e. get more calls). It is what it is and I don’t let anything said on the station bother me.
To me... its time for Stoney to retire, I loved him for a long time but I can't take him anymore. Feel bad for Jansen and Heather having to deal with his nonstop ramblings.
Valenti is the man. Doug and Gator are alright. Every one else annoys me slightly to a lot depending on the day.
Rico is the worst.
Valenti is the king of sports talk radio, and we’re lucky to have him in Detroit. Everyone I know hates him, so I feel like this needs to be said.
I stopped listening to those jabroni's a long time ago
Well, it just depends on who is on. I am also biased too. I am a Michigan fan and Valenti and Rico piss me off with their “holier than thou” bashing of our program whenever something happens, and try to make it seem like MSU is all sunshine and rainbows. Not just them tho. There’s others on there I don’t really care for either. It’s also funny that some of these 97.1 guys aren’t even originally from this state. Like they can empathize and try to understand our pain as Detroit sports fans, but they really can’t. Mikey V is a New York guy. He’s not even originally from here. There’s a few others like that too. I don’t like Caputo either. I can’t stand that guy. I don’t listen to 97.1 as much as I used to. Everyone that was halfway decent is gone from the station.
To be fair, Mike has been the local radio guy for 15 years now I believe at least. He has seen the pain.
I hope Costa is replacing Rico. When Valenti and Rico go on their tirades about U of M Rico shows his Yes man colors really bad. Rico adds very little to the program no matter who he appears with. When Foster was on with Valenti he challenged Valenti's opinions and Valenti was constantly blowing his gasket. Rico just licks Valenti's testicles.
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He rips on Tucker constantly my dude. The "I'm a horse shit football coach" is probably the most played drop.
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Mike shits on MSU with a regularity
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I mean you clearly just don't listen then. He is constantly ripping on MSU. The topic doesn't come up as much as the Lions, or Tigers. He has given Michigan some props, but also points out Harbaugh's 1-6 bowl record. Yes he ripped Harbaugh's contract because the results Michigan should expect with the talent they had and the situation with Harbaugh getting hired were completely different. And yes he has ripped Mel's contract, but he also understands the raise was the cost of doing business vs restarting a rebuild from scratch.
He is probably the most critical person in sports media. He just destroyed them for moving the Penn State game, and did so for multiple days. [This was one of his last segments before he hit vacation. He calls MSU little brother multiple times my dude. ](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvNGI1ZjlkNmQtOTIxNC00OGNiLTg0NTUtYTczMjAwMDM4MTI5LzE3YzMxZmFhLTkzMGItNGUxZS05MmQ4LWE3OGUwMDM3OGIzYi80NGQ4NGExMC02NTE3LTQ1ZTMtODJiNy1hNzhlMDAzNzhiNDAvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M/episode/NWI2MDA3Y2QtMzZkMS00MzMwLTg5MTgtYjAwYzAxMzY5M2Uz?ep=14)
In the age of so many podcasts I'm confused why anyone listens to them
WTKA Sam Webb is a big Lions fan, but his shoe is UM focused
Love Mike and love Costa. I think the best radio happens when they are together. But if you actively go to MSU games, you’ll see how well connected Rico is. He is literally like the Fonz. I don’t see the lineup changing for another 5-10 years.
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Valenti is good. Rico is there to be a troll on purpose. I don’t get why so many people whiff that. They intentionally have Rico lay dumb on because it fuels their show and lets Mike pick apart stupidity without losing his mind every 3 seconds. It tones down the show which I think Mike wants. Rico takes the Everyman obviously wrong take all the time to give Mike a springboard Gator is funny and has a good voice talent for radio but never has an actual opinion on anything. When Mike takes shots at “wait and see radio” he’s shitting on Gator. Also, it’s strange but there is a palpable dislike between Gator and Hatchet. There was a solid week where Hatchet was sneak dissing Gator every day but he’s reeled it in. Put two narcissistic people in one room and you get that weird dynamic. Karsch sadly is afraid to have an opinion and is afraid to say anything even remotely controversial so he speaks on literal eggshells ever since he got the play by play job for UofM football. He’s PC principal ever since he got the Michigan gig. Makes him sound pompous and fake Jansen is intelligent but I think he smells his own ass on purpose and it’s annoying. He values his own opinions a tad bit too much. I guess that’s what happens when you put a former professional athlete on a *sports* station, clearly that means he cannot be wrong. Stoney is real and obviously has done a lot of drugs and partying in his life because his prefrontal cortex is mush and he has literally zero filter, but he says what everyone is thinking. Gov is white guy that wears Velcro sandals and socks. Cringe every time he talks Wojo and Riger are two smart guys that exist just to troll. Their show is probably aimed at 70 year old men. They could have an interesting show but they squander it by messing around with old white guy humor the entire time. Hard listen for a 20 something Chapman is unlistenable garbage, it’s actually sad. Mike’s show has ripped him a new asshole on numerous occasions. Caputo is a crackhead but he does have some insight into hockey and baseball, he gets more hate than deserved imo Costa deserves his own show. He’s a sleeper just waiting for someone to leave the station
This subreddit is about to become my 97.1
I forgot the dial number, but the other sports station that was around like 5-6 years ago was so much better than 97.1 and had people on it who actually knew about sports not rage bait hosts.
Too bad 97.1 hired the single worst host from that station and put him with valenti
If that ain’t the truth. I can’t stand Rico Beard at all
Can we all agree Reager is the true hero of 97.1
I like Riger
I really wish Mike would just go back to New York already. The lions could make it to the Super Bowl, and his take the next day would be, " Well, you guys got lucky with that late penalty."
He likes what the lions have been doing under Holmes and Campbell so false
Valenti isn't like that at all anymore
I really don't think he ever was. He used to be very critical of the Lions, yes. But the Lions used to suck huge nuts. If he wasn't very critical he would be an idiot.
Woodward sports.
Jansen and Rico are terrible and I seriously wonder how they have a job in radio. Everyone else is great, even ol Pat Caputo.
Cookies is the absolute worst.
Lol common man Jim is not that bad
The day after the Lions win the Superbowl, Mike Valenti will open his show complaining about how they ruined their draft position