PMTPMT DB

Takes

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Take Slip·Jul 7, 2025
#PMT-2025-0707-11740
Big CatBig Cat

If Christian Yelich wins the Home Run Derby, Pardon My Take is officially over

If Christian competes in the home run derby and wins the home run derby... you know that your job would be, you wouldn't have a job. Why? Because the show would end. The last scene of this show would be us eating each other's ass. We can't come back from that. It'd be over.

This is a satirical bet tied to a highly unlikely outcome.
Void
#PMT-2024-0909-7183
HankHank

People who cannot figure out the ESPN/DirecTV dispute should be tried in the Supreme Court

The people that can't figure out the ESPN DirecTV shit should be tried in the Supreme Court. What do you mean? And possibly executed. They should all be tried tomorrow.

Hyperbolic expression of frustration.
Void
Take Slip·Aug 28, 2024
#PMT-2024-0828-18902
Jerry O'ConnellJerry O'Connell

I will not draft Travis Kelce for moral reasons related to his podcast

This is the number one sports podcast. Yes. That's it. There is no other sports podcasts. There will be no talk of that person [Travis Kelce] on this... No Travis Kelce on our team. I love that. Good, good. Take a stand.

The host/guest bit about 'morals' is subjective and for comedy, though Kelce did have a slow start to the 2024 fantasy season.
Void
#PMT-2024-0513-15245
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Secretariat's records are fraudulent and he likely used steroids

Secretariat had 663 children... Guess how many of his kids won a Triple Crown race? The answer is zero... every mile time has gradually gotten better over the years except horse racing... He also lost a bunch of races... they had an excuse ready after every single loss... he had horse herpes and they blamed his loss on that... The more you look into Secretariat, the more it stinks to high heaven.

This is a satirical historical re-evaluation that cannot be definitively proven or disproven regarding the steroids, though his breeding stats are a matter of record.
Win
Take Slip·Nov 15, 2023
#PMT-2023-1115-6587
Charissa ThompsonCharissa Thompson

I used to make up sideline reports if a coach wouldn't give me anything at halftime

I would make up the report sometimes because A, the coach wouldn't come out at halftime or it was too late and I was like, I didn't wanna screw up the report. So I was like, I'm just gonna make this up because first of all, no coach is gonna get mad if I say, Hey we need to kill, stop hurting ourselves. We need to be better on third down.

Thompson confirmed she did this, sparking a major media ethics debate.
Loss
#PMT-2023-0922-9459
Big CatBig Cat

Rupert Murdoch is 'going to die soon' after retiring

He's [Rupert Murdoch] going to die soon. He's like Choppa, you take him out of his job, he going to die... Rupert Murdoch, he's gonna fall down some stairs and die. I'm gonna call my shot right now. He's dead.

PredictionMediaScorchingSarcastic
As of mid-2024, Rupert Murdoch is still alive.
Loss
#PMT-2022-0617-9865
Billy FootballBilly Football

The new lacrosse movie will be as impactful for the sport as Drive to Survive was for F1

The sport was honestly amazing. It was like, I think that it's going to be as huge for lacrosse as DRS [Drive to Survive] is revive was for F1. It was an amazing feature.

While the PLL has grown, no lacrosse documentary or movie has come close to the cultural impact of Drive to Survive.
Void
#PMT-2022-0617-9867
Billy FootballBilly Football

Blogging was easier in the early 2010s because there were fewer bloggers and more unique topics

I think you blogged a different era. I will say... I mean, there was less bloggers and there was more topics to blog she could get... I mean, there was less bloggers and there was more topics.

Highly controversial; while there were fewer bloggers, the tools and platform visibility were significantly worse, and the competition among top sites was fierce.
Loss
Take Slip·Jun 14, 2021
#PMT-2021-0614-7110
Big CatBig Cat

I will move the Waterdogs if they go on a two-game losing streak

If we go on a two-game losing streak at any point, we're going to move the team. We're moving it... we'll fucking do anything. We'll stop paying the players if we have to make them play better.

The Waterdogs were not moved; the PLL uses a touring model, so they don't have a home city anyway.
Loss
Take Slip·Jul 1, 2020
#PMT-2020-0701-297
Big CatBig Cat

Gambling on which celebrities or athletes will test positive for coronavirus should be a new sport.

They should let us start betting on these things. They should let us start betting on who tested positive and that will be its own sport... It's basically like watching reality television like Big Brother with celebrities and then the gamble is who will stay coronavirus free.

Prop bets on COVID tests were largely banned by reputable sportsbooks, though some offshore markets flirted with similar concepts.
Loss
Take Slip·Mar 30, 2020
#PMT-2020-0330-14751
Big CatBig Cat

A-Rod probably saved sports and the world by talking to President Trump

A-Rod probably saved sports and the world but I'm not bragging about it... Sports will probably be back before you even know because President Trump called up A-Rod on Friday night.

While Trump did call A-Rod, A-Rod did not actually 'save the world' or sports; the pandemic continued for years.
Loss
Take Slip·Mar 23, 2020·PR 101
#PMT-2020-0323-2606
Big CatBig Cat

Jamal Murray should claim he has coronavirus to make people forget his accidental sex tape

PR 101 for him. I don't know what you do. You just actually say you have coronavirus. There you go think that really is the only way out. If you say you have coronavirus people will just feel bad for you and then kind of forget that that happened.

Hot TakeMediaScorchingSarcastic
Murray did not take this advice; he stuck with the 'I was hacked' excuse.
Void
Take Slip·Jan 3, 2020
#PMT-2020-0103-11837
Big CatBig Cat

Gus Johnson is not a good football announcer

I just firing off some takes that I've been sitting on and I got ratioed because I don't think Gus Johnson is a good football announcer. Okay. And people got mad.

This is entirely subjective.
Void
Take Slip·Oct 25, 2019
#PMT-2019-1025-2529
CM PunkCM Punk

WWE intentionally fired me on my wedding day out of malice

It's impossible to think that it [firing] was anything but done maliciously and on purpose... they didn't ruin my day... I talk to Triple H two days before that and he was like, hey, let's talk. I was like, can I talk after my honeymoon? My wife worked there. She asked for the day off to get married. So the idea that they didn't know that that was the date and I was getting married is impossible.

WWE executives (Vince McMahon) later apologized, claiming it was a coincidence of legal paperwork processing, but the timing is universally seen as suspect.
Loss
#PMT-2019-0805-11291
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Adam Schefter is an undercover warlock casting spells through the media

I can't think of a story I'm rooting for more than Adam Schefter to be an undercover witch... Could you imagine if he's just casting spells on people? I wouldn't be surprised. Two cell phones. One of them is a magic wand... That's exactly what somebody that didn't have to pee would say. It's called an old red herring. He doesn't piss ever. He's the witch, dude.

Adam Schefter is not a witch.
Loss
Take Slip·Jan 21, 2019
#PMT-2019-0121-1855
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Tony Romo is receiving the coordinators' play-call audio in his earpiece during broadcasts

I know someone who works for the CBS football production team, and CBS is pulling play-call audio and hot routes from the same radio channel that the coordinators send to play into the QB's helmet. They direct the audio into Romo's earpiece, and he appears to know all the calls beforehand.

This is factually incorrect; Romo's 'precognition' was based on his high-level study of tape and defensive alignments, which he has explained in numerous interviews.
Void
#PMT-2018-1107-6189
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

NASA is inventing stories about aliens to secure funding against Space Force

This goes back to my theory that NASA is just inventing cool shit to talk about so they can continue their funding because right now they're going up against Space Force. But I would assume that, like, this would be something that Space Force would really get a lot of money thrown into their coffers for. If you think that there's aliens that are actually checking us out.

This is a satirical conspiracy theory that cannot be factually verified or debunked.
Loss
#PMT-2018-0725-9928
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I am the person who introduced the French Levi's shirt fashion trend to the United States

I noticed, not to brag, I was over in France... everybody wears this Levi's shirt. It's like a really big fashion thing. And so it's going to come over to the U.S., and I'm calling my shot. I'm going to be the first one in the U.S. to start wearing it. So then when you see all these famous people wear it, be like, yo, PFT actually introduced that to the United States.

PFT Commenter did not actually introduce the Levi's brand or its logo shirts to the United States.
Void
#PMT-2018-0530-14963
RoneRone

There should be a reality show called 'The Amazing Racist' for people fired for racism

Everyone that gets fired for being racist should go on a reality show together. They should make a reality show called Racism Island... The Amazing Racist... The winner is the first person to get fired for being too racist from the show that you go to for being fired because you're racist.

This is an absurd pitch for a reality show that has not been made.
Loss
#PMT-2018-0521-16455
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Stephen A. Smith is using the N-word on air to get ESPN to fire him so he can reunite with Skip Bayless

I also have a theory that Stephen A. Smith is just trying to get broken up with at ESPN because he misses Skip Bayless so much... God bless the broken road that will eventually lead Stephen A. Smith back to skip. And if he has to drop the in-bomb a couple times on the air, so be it.

Hot TakeMediaScorchingSarcastic
They eventually did reunite on First Take (Skip as guest) and social media, but not because Stephen A. was fired for this reason.
Loss
#PMT-2018-0307-5689
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

ESPN should hire Curt Schilling and Keith Olbermann for a PTI-style debate show

Politics are big now. Trump is huge. Pick a side. ... hire a PTI-style debate show with Curt Schilling and Keith Olbermann. And just like the MJ-LeBron debate comes up every day, just do a Colin Kaepernick debate every single day. People want to hear that.

ESPN explicitly moved away from politics under Pitaro, doing the opposite of this satirical advice.
Loss
#PMT-2018-0110-11134
HankHank

Bill Belichick will become the commissioner of Lacrosse to take down the NFL

Bill Belichick hates the NFL, hates Roger Goodell... He's going to become the commissioner of lacrosse. He knows. He sees the writing on the wall. The NFL is going to be dead soon. Concussions. Everyone's going to stop playing... then he's going to start recruiting the best football minds to lacrosse... he goes on top as the best coach of all time [by taking down the NFL].

Bill Belichick did not become the commissioner of Lacrosse and the NFL is still the dominant sport in America.
Loss
Take Slip·Oct 20, 2017
#PMT-2017-1020-6282
Michael RapaportMichael Rapaport

Barstool Van Talk is already the best show on ESPN

I said to my man, I said, this is the best show on ESPN already. SVP is room for improvement. There's a lot of room for improvement. Keep it fucking real, Big Cat... No one wants to see any fucking highlights from a motherfucker in a suit at 11:30 at night.

Barstool Van Talk was canceled after one episode. While Rapaport might personally prefer it, 'best show on ESPN' is a bold claim for a show that lasted 20 minutes of airtime.
Void
#PMT-2017-0508-2626
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

If you claim you were hacked on Twitter, you should tweet vile things to make it look real

If you want to say you got hacked... before you do that just start tweeting out the craziest most vile swastikas dick pics own it just get go insane the weird links... It's so easy to actually fake like you got hacked instead of just saying, whoops, I got hacked.

This is a satirical piece of advice.
Void
Take Slip·Apr 12, 2017·PR 101
#PMT-2017-0412-5061
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

United Airlines should fix its PR by making people horny with porn links

If you make us horny, guess what? We're not angry anymore... Just tweet out porn. Be like, hey, it's now being reported that this guy was a porn freak or something. Be like, hey, you know who else was a porn freak? United. And then just start giving us free links.

This is a satirical suggestion for a PR strategy.
Void
#PMT-2017-0403-7683
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The NFL should let fans call in penalties from their couches like the LPGA

I love this rule. This is my favorite part about golf by far. Anybody at home has deputized themselves as a rules official... the NFL could deal they could adopt this rule I want to sit at home I want to call face masks from my couch and i want dean blandino to have to review the tape.

This is a satirical suggestion for an officiating change.
Void
#PMT-2016-1207-19630
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

News broadcasts should stop reporting on crimes to discourage copycats, similar to how the NFL stops showing streakers

The news should stop showing all the bad stuff that happens so it's work for me they should follow the NFL's lead once again Roger Goodell is a thought leader trying to improve society so hey news big news producers out there maybe stop leading with mass murders cut away from them and have Gruden just talk that's right and then and then there won't be any more murders

This is a satirical commentary on media psychology and social contagion.
Void
Take Slip·Oct 5, 2016·PR 101
#PMT-2016-1005-4874
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

ESPN First Take's ratings are down because Stephen A. Smith failed to kidnap Kevin Durant

So they need some help because First Take, when they lost Skip Bayless, both sides lost. Ratings are down because people realize that Stephen A. Smith wasn't going to back up that talk. They're like, oh, this guy's not going to kidnap anyone.

Satirical explanation for media ratings.
Void
#PMT-2016-1003-542
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Vince Scully's 'retirement' is the coward's way out for an announcer.

I'm glad that Vin Scully's done. I'm just sick of hearing about the farewell tour. It's like, dude, you're just an announcer. I want my announcers like Harry Caray and Jack Buck, they need to stick around to the bitter end. Get a little senile. Vince Scully, you took the coward's way out. What real announcer retires?

This is a purely satirical and subjective take on broadcasting legacy.
Loss
#PMT-2016-0829-10158
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Colin Kaepernick anthem protest is a viral marketing stunt for Beats by Dre

This is obviously a viral marketing stunt for Beats by Dre. We're going to find out there was a camera that was on Kaepernick on the sidelines. The National Anthem starts playing, puts the beats on, and 'I'm the man, I'm the man'. It's the sleekest beats design of all time. Nobody will even know that you're wearing them.

The protest was a genuine social justice statement and was not a marketing stunt for a headphone company.
Loss
#PMT-2016-0826-16285
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Twitter is primarily composed of memes and ISIS recruitment

It's just memes and ISIS recruitment. That's what Twitter is. It's a real problem out there. Real problem out there.

Factually, Twitter had much more content than just these two categories, though ISIS recruitment was a major policy headline for Twitter in 2016.
Loss
Take Slip·Jul 22, 2016
#PMT-2016-0722-16018
Big CatBig Cat

Blogging is more harmful to the brain than playing professional football or hockey

I think blogging is more harmful to your brain than playing football or hockey or any more women's soccer... your brain becomes soft [as a blogger] because you have no contact with anything.

Scientifically incorrect, as contact sports lead to physical brain trauma, but presented as a satirical 'theory'.
Void
Take Slip·Jul 6, 2016
#PMT-2016-0706-5141
Marlins ManMarlins Man

I am ground zero for sports stars and the first sports celebrity who wasn't an athlete

I was actually told by a reporter from Sports Illustrated when he interviewed me, he said, you're the first sports star. I mean, what the hell is a sports star? Star for sports. You're the first one. You're the first guy to become a sports celebrity that wasn't an athlete. ... You are ground zero for sports stars.

While he was a major viral sensation, 'superfans' like the Rainbow Wig guy (Rolen Stewart) or various team mascots/icons preceded him, though his individual brand was unique for the social media era.
Loss
#PMT-2016-0523-15113
Big CatBig Cat

Roger Goodell is guaranteed to be on the show because of Eric Winston

Eric Winston guaranteed that Roger Goodell is going to be on the show this week.

Roger Goodell has never appeared on Pardon My Take.
Void
Take Slip·May 13, 2016·PR 101
#PMT-2016-0513-9895
Big CatBig Cat

Retired players should fake-tweet they are returning to the league just to get back into the news cycle

I think more players should start doing this where they just fake tweet that they're coming out of retirement. Just get people talking about him because I didn't even know Jason Campbell was retired... Jeff George should just tweet something racist tomorrow just to get the rush of being like a celebrity again.

Subjective PR strategy advice.
Loss
#PMT-2016-0413-12462
Big CatBig Cat

John Madden has been dead for years and the NFL uses fake quotes for PR

The theory of this show is that John Madden has been dead for years and that the NFL just uses fake John Madden quotes for PR.

John Madden was alive until December 2021.
Loss
Take Slip·Mar 10, 2016
#PMT-2016-0310-2100
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

ESPN should be thanking us for elevating the brands of 'Pardon the Interruption' and 'First Take'

I would say that they should be on their hands and knees thanking us that we're doing more to elevate the Pardon the Interruption and First Take brand, because now they're affiliated with our brand.

ESPN's shows were massive established brands, while PMT was a weeks-old podcast; the exposure definitely flowed the other way.