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There are many characteristics that define greatness. It is often described as the ability to do many things at a high level. Greatness is never given; it is inherently earned. Oftentimes, the greatest among us do not see accomplishment as a destination. It is more about a continuous journey that never truly ends. For many in sports media, Dan Patrick is considered one of the greatest to ever take the microphone in sports radio.
For a third straight year, and the fourth time overall, The Dan Patrick Show ranked as the top national sports radio show in the Barrett Media rankings. Once again, greatness recognized by the peers in his industry.
“Every day is the Super Bowl. I mean it, because every day should be the most important show,” says Patrick. “You have a commitment to your audience every single morning. If they’re going to give up part of their day to listen to you, we must reciprocate.”
Since 2007, Patrick and his “Danettes” have entertained sports radio audiences around the country. When Patrick left ESPN, he departed with a lifetime of experience that sharpened his skills in journalism, television, and hosting a daily program on ESPN Radio.
Patrick noted that when he left “The Mothership,” he wanted to craft a program that better reflected his personality. For years, his programs on ESPN Radio followed a pattern of talking with ESPN talent from other ESPN shows. By leaving, he said there was a desire to break away from “playing it safe” at ESPN Radio while still taking parts of the “ESPN” in himself to the next level.
“I can’t out local a local radio show, but I can out national a local radio show,” explained Patrick. “We give the audience sports, but it’s so much more than that… There’s no greater compliment that I can get than someone who tells me they listen to us on their commute. It’s great to be recognized by my peers, but it’s better to be recognized by the audience that I’m serving.”
Patrick became aware of the Barrett Media top ranking during his annual week of shows from the Super Bowl. For him, the recognition reflects more about the staff of his program than himself. For nearly two decades, Patrick says he and his staff have continued to make the difficult look fun. It is a complete group effort, with each team member doing their part for the greater collective.
“My job is it’s a democracy till I get on the air. Then it becomes a dictatorship, because I have to sort through it all and spit it out,” says Patrick. “The fun part of the show is that it’s live and not scripted. To have that freedom is a luxury, but it can also be a challenge. Every show is still three hours, and we do the best we can. We’re very fortunate.”
The Near Future
In 2023, Patrick signed another multi-year extension to remain with FOX Sports Radio. When announcing the extension, he also said it would be his final one with the radio program. While he did not want the news framed as a retirement announcement, Patrick also does not regret how he handled it.
Instead, Patrick wanted to signal to his Danettes that there is a five-year window ahead and to “act accordingly.” He says his goal was not to prepare or expect a farewell tour during his final extension, but he knows that as each day passes, the difficulty of saying goodbye will grow.
“I needed to put a finite amount of time out there, because I could have continued to do this for a couple of more years. The toughest part will be saying goodbye, because I love the grind of every day,” explained Patrick. “I’d rather go out at a high level than stay two more years and go out at a mediocre level.”
For 15 years at ESPN, Patrick noted the amount of time he devoted to his multiple roles with the network. Being present for his four children proved difficult during that stretch. Now his focus is on being present as a husband, father, and grandfather, which contributed to his decision to step away when his current agreement concludes.
“I’m excited about it. I have two years to convince myself that this is the best thing to do. So far, I’m doing okay with it,” said Patrick.
Patrick expects to wrap up his radio program on Friday, February 11, 2028, ahead of Super Bowl LXII in Atlanta. His goal for the program’s annual trip to the Super Bowl will remain the same as every previous opportunity.
“It’s Super Bowl week, and I’m going to treat it like it’s Super Bowl week,” notes Patrick. “I still have a job to do. What I don’t want is to open up the scrapbook. We’ll have some fun with guests and some memories, but I’m still covering the Super Bowl. That’s how I want to go out, by covering the Super Bowl. Then that Saturday, I’m going on a vacation with my family and say goodbye.”
When asked if there was any possibility of changing his mind, Patrick was quick to emphatically respond with a “no.” He admits he will battle an emotional tug-of-war as time continues to count down to his final program.
The Decision
Patrick says that over the next six months, the program plans to begin discussions with FOX Sports Radio and iHeartMedia about a successor for the show and daypart. The advantage of making the announcement early, he says, is that it allows all parties to conduct their due diligence when discussing what comes next.
When asked whether he will have a say in who succeeds him, Patrick explained that he will not — but he could.
“I really have to talk to the Danettes, because it’s not my opinion, it’s their opinion. That’s the most important part of this. It’s do they want to continue this. Do they want to continue this in the form that it’s in, and the person(s) who would want to come in. Do they want to follow in my footsteps, or do they want to create their own blueprint,” explained Patrick.
Patrick said that if the Danettes want to continue, he would like to be involved in the process as a sounding board. Additionally, for whoever fills the role, he says he would welcome the chance to appear occasionally, even if it were a guest appearance once a month.
Interest has already reached Patrick from a number of people interested in the role. While he would not reveal any names, Patrick is curious to see where the next two years take the program.
“This will be a collaboration with all parties involved,” Patrick says. “I just don’t want them [Fox Sports Radio] to promise this timeslot when I can maybe come up with what may be the best candidates for it. That is something in the next six months that will be discussed with iHeartMedia and FOX Sports Radio. But it all goes back to do the Danettes want to do it, and who they want to do the show with. That’s really essential.”
Once Patrick departs in February 2028, he will leave an industry that grew because of his influence. He does not consider his exit from sports radio to be “the death of sports radio,” as some have suggested. Although he admits the industry is “starting to dwindle,” he believes the core approach will remain unchanged.
The goal remains to discuss the topics that resonate with the most people, earning their trust through that connection.
Growing The Next Generation
Following retirement, Patrick looks forward to continuing his role with The Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting in Orlando. For the past seven years, the collaboration with Full Sail University has provided a hands-on approach to guiding the next generation with real-world experience.
With more than 250 graduates working in the industry, Patrick considers that achievement among the best of his career.
“Of all the things I’ve accomplished, that’s the proudest because we’re changing lives because we’re getting you a job in the business,” explains Patrick. “I’ve called up news directors on behalf of graduates. We do seminars and even have graduates that still submit tapes for me to critique. It’s been wonderful. You can see they’re hungry and want to learn.”
With just under two years remaining of The Dan Patrick Show, there are no plans to let off the gas. Patrick says he still considers his best moment to be ahead, because that is what he has worked more than 40 years to achieve. The next segment, guest interview, or breaking story still drives him. Even with the sunset in the distance, Patrick remains as motivated as ever to close out one of the greatest chapters in sports radio.
“My wife would caution me on this. She tells me to enjoy the little victories. I’m trying to win a battle or a war. Not just a little skirmish,” explained Patrick. “It’s a bigger picture and constant. Keep moving and make it great. Make everyone else great. I’ll be doing the same thing up till that final day in Atlanta at the Super Bowl.”
And that mindset may be the real reason The Dan Patrick Show continues to resonate nearly two decades after its debut.
In an era when media careers are often defined by contracts, platforms, or viral moments, Patrick still considers success the same way he did when the show began. By the quality of the conversation and the connection with the audience on the other side of the microphone. The rankings, awards, and recognition are appreciated, but they have never been the point.
For Patrick, greatness is not a title handed down by an industry list. It is the daily commitment to show up prepared, curious, and ready to entertain.
There are still shows to do, guests to interview, stories to tell, and laughs to share with the Danettes.
After all, as Patrick sees it, the mission has not changed.
Every day is still the Super Bowl.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.