The Valenti Show
The Valenti Show with Rico is Detroit's must-listen daily sports show, hosted by Mike Valenti and Rico Beard. It offers unfiltered takes on national sports stories and deep dives into Detroit sports teams like the Lions, Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings, and Michigan college teams. The show airs live on 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT) and provides full episodes and highlights as podcasts.
Episodes
Best of the Pistons on 97.1 The Ticket: Are the Pistons building a winner or just spinning their wheels?
The guys react to the breaking news of the Pistons landing John Collins and debate whether Jalen Duren's hefty contract demands mean it's time for Detroit to pack his bags.
Full Show: The best holiday debate, Detroit sports outlook, and Lions worries
Rico Beard goes all-in on why the 4th of July is fundamentally superior to every other major holiday before delivering an unfiltered reality check on the state of Detroit sports. Tune in as the crew ranks which local team is set for the most success and breaks down the biggest red flags facing the Lions' secondary.
HR 1: Why 4th of July is hands-down the best holiday
Rico Beard goes to bat for why the 4th of July is undisputed as America's greatest, most stress-free holiday, shutting down traditionalists who swear by Thanksgiving or Christmas. Plus, the crew fields listener call-ins and counts down the country's most epic Independence Day celebration spots.
HR 2: The realistic truth about every Detroit sports team's future
Rico and the crew break down the current landscape of Detroit sports, debating which of the four major teams will go the furthest despite their massive offseason question marks. Plus, the guys rank the NFL's basement-dwelling teams from "worst to first" and question whether the Lions' shaky secondary will derail their championship hopes.
HR 3: How much does it really cost to see the Lions in Germany?
The crew debates a tough local sports dilemma before diving into the viral phenomenon of Detroit Lions fan "takeovers" at away games. Callers share their wild travel plans for the upcoming matchup in Munich, Germany, including one fan who funded his trip by selling $16,000 worth of Pokémon cards.
HR 4: Who is the best Detroit sports figure to have at your BBQ?
The guys debate the ultimate Detroit sports figures to run a holiday cookout, leading to a shocking backyard revelation from Jeremy. Plus, they share hilarious stories about over-the-top fireworks, local legend sightings, and the real reason Jeff Riger once called the cops on the 4th of July.
America's top 10 best 4th of July celebrations ranked
The crew breaks down Travel Yahoo's rankings of the most epic 4th of July celebrations across America. From big-city spectacles to a shocking small-town number one, find out which destinations belong on your holiday bucket list.
Is Tigers Opening Day a holiday?
The crew debates the best holidays, diving into a legendary 1995 Detroit Halloween story and the awkwardness of traditional Memorial Day greetings. Plus, they break down why Tigers Opening Day is treated like a massive local event—despite the $100 parking fee
Why the 4th of July is the ultimate stress-free holiday
Rico and the crew break down why the 4th of July is the absolute king of stress-free holidays, completely free of the anxiety and forced obligations of winter celebrations. Callers chime in to defend their favorites, bringing hilarious hot takes on everything from depressing Labor Days to a genius Thanksgiving survival hack involving Chinese food.
Why the 4th of July is the absolute best holiday
Rico Beard takes over the studio to break down why the 4th of July is hands-down the absolute best holiday of the year. From zero family obligations to superior grill food, hear why it easily beats out Thanksgiving, Halloween, and Valentine's Day.
Which Detroit sports figure is running the grill at your cookout?
The guys debate which Detroit sports icons deserve an invite to the ultimate summer cookout before a local caller reveals the insane $10,000 price tag behind a legendary lakeside fireworks show.
Why D.C. is the ultimate fireworks bucket list destination
The crew debates why the 4th of July is the ultimate holiday, sparking hilarious stories about childhood illegal firework sales and a co-worker who went "full Karen" and called the cops on his neighbors. Plus, they dive into the absolute crapshoot of soccer penalty kicks and why you'll never catch them in Times Square on New Year's Eve.
Lions fans are completely taking over NFL stadiums
Rico breaks down the wild lengths Detroit Lions fans are going to for this year's road games, including one fan who sold $16,000 in Pokémon cards just to fund a trip to Germany. From budget-hacking European travel to plotting an easy stadium takeover in Arizona, the crew explores why Lions nation travels better than anyone else.
Which away games will Detroit Lions fans take over this year?
Rico dives into which away stadiums Detroit Lions fans are planning to completely take over this season, comparing the high-energy "Honolulu Blue" invasions to a World Cup atmosphere. From budget-friendly road trips to Carolina to a pricey, bucket-list matchup in Munich, Germany, callers break down exactly what it costs to follow the Lions on the road.
Why fans are choosing Team USA over a Tigers playoff run
Rico reacts to a shocking local poll favoring a Team USA soccer run over a Tigers playoff berth before breaking down the Lions' defensive outlook with a caller. Plus, the guys debate which upcoming road games—including a trip to Germany—are prime targets for the next massive Lions fan "takeover."
Ranking the NFL teams who could go worst to first
The crew breaks down all eight last-place NFL teams and ranks their chances of jumping from the basement to the penthouse for the 2026 season. From crushing the Cardinals' hopes to finding serious sleeper value in the Giants and Titans, discover who has the best shot at a worst-to-first division turnaround.
Why the Pistons are Detroit's only guaranteed playoff team
Rico and the crew debate which Detroit sports franchise is primed for the most success, heavily questioning an optimistic 13-win forecast for the Lions' upcoming season. They also break down why the Pistons might be the city's only postseason guarantee and react to Bryce Underwood's highly criticized spring game performance.
Is the Detroit Lions hype train about to derail?
The host challenges the widespread hype surrounding the Detroit Lions, questioning if their heavily flawed defense can survive an improved NFC North division. The segment breaks down the outlook for all four major Detroit sports teams, debating which franchise will actually go the furthest this year.
Which Detroit sports team will go the furthest?
Rico and Jeremy break down the entire Detroit sports landscape, ranking which of the four major teams is primed to go the furthest over the next 12 months. From questioning the "Yzerman plan" to a surprisingly optimistic playoff prediction for the Pistons, they debate who actually has a clear path to postseason success.
FULL SHOW: Thursday, July 2nd
Marc Ryan (in for Valenti) and Rico kicked off the show with a heated debate about their interest in the World Cup. They took this until the second hour, when they shifted their sights towards the Pistons with the blockbuster trade of Jaylen Brown to the 76ers in mind. The guys asked how this impacts the rest of the Eastern Conference and, specifically, where Detroit fits in, before reacting to a
HOUR 1: How Invested Are You In The World Cup? + America 250 Blitz
The United States won their Round of 32 match last night and Marc Ryan came in today thrilled about it. Rico pushed back on his excitement, arguing that soccer isn't that big of a deal, which prompted a debate between the 2. Then, David joined with an American 250th anniversary blitz.
HOUR 2: What Celtics/76ers Trade Means For The Pistons + General Offseason Thoughts
Marc and Rico opened the second hour reacting to yesterday's massive 76ers-Celtics trade that sent Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia in return for Paul George, wondering whether Trajan Langdon missed out. Then, they discussed how the Pistons' offseason has shaken out.
HOUR 3: Highest Paid Athletes + Where Pistons Rank Amongst The Eastern Conference's Best Teams
The guys guessed the top-paid athletes in sports and then returned to their Pistons talk, discussing where they rank in the Eastern Conference after all of the moves made this offseason.
HOUR 4: Are Other Teams Actually Interested In Terrion Arnold? + How His Absence Will Affect Lions
The guys reacted to a statement from Terrion Arnold's lawyer that said that 3 NFL teams are interested in signing the former Lions CB and broke down how his absence from the team in 2026 will affect their eventual record/finish.
Hearing From The People On How Terrion Arnold's Absence Will Impact Lions
Marc and Rico hear from the listeners about other NFL teams potentially being interested in Terrion Arnold and how his departure from the team will impact the Lions' secondary.
Do We Buy Other Teams' Interest In Signing Terrion Arnold?
Terrion Arnold's lawyer says 3 NFL teams are interested in signing the former Lions CB. Is that BS?
Where Do The Pistons Rank Amongst The Eastern Conference Teams?
The guys go through the Eastern Conference and discuss where the Pistons fit into it.
The Highest Paid Athletes In The World (Non Soccer/Boxing/Golf)
The guys try to guess the highest-paid athletes in the world.
Taking Your Calls On The Pistons Offseason
Marc and Rico hear from some disappointed Pistons fans.
Are The Pistons One Of The Biggest Losers In Free Agency?
NBA analysts do not think the Pistons have had a good offseason.
What Does The 76ers Trading For Jaylen Brown Mean For The Pistons?
The guys discuss the Jaylen Brown trade and how it impacts the make up Eastern Conference.
America 250 Blitz | 7-2-26
Which US state has produced the best athletes?
The People Get In On The World Cup Conversation
The guys bring the listeners in on their discussion about interest in the World Cup in the United States.
Rico and Marc Ryan Are Not Seeing Eye-To-Eye On The Interest In The World Cup
Marc Ryan has not been able to move Rico in their debate about the World Cup.
Are You Invested In This Year's World Cup?
Marc Ryan (in for Valenti) and Rico have a debate regarding this year's World Cup and the US win last night.
FULL SHOW: Wednesday, July 1st
Mike and Rico began this short show following an extra-innings Tigers win with their reactions to the Pistons signing Jalen Duren and the other corresponding moves they made. They spent the rest of the show on this before being joined by Wojo in cross-talk.
Taking Your Calls On The Collins Signing + More Pistons Moves
Mike and Rico take a couple of your calls on the Pistons' free agency moves.
Valenti Sets The Record Straight With John Collins
Mike is not moved whatsoever with the Pistons' signing of John Collins.
Best Of Lions on 97.1 The Ticket: Moving On From Terrion Arnold
The Detroit Lions have officially cut ties with former first-round pick Terrion Arnold. The Valenti Show, Karsch & Anderson, and Costa & Jansen analyze the sudden roster move, the team's response to his legal issues, and how Detroit plans to patch up the secondary before training camp kicks off.
Best Of Red Wings on 97.1 The Ticket: The Yzerman-Larkin Standoff
97.1 The Ticket presents a collection of discussions surrounding the widening rift between Steve Yzerman and Dylan Larkin. Hear the breakdown from Costa & Jansen, Karsch & Anderson, and The Valenti Show as the guys debate whether Yzerman is playing "full spite" or just out of touch with the modern NHL. Plus, the crew debates if a blockbuster trade is the only option left. That and more on Best Of
FULL SHOW: Tuesday, June 30th
Valenti and Rico began and spent the majority of today's show with their thoughts on the latest in the Duren/Pistons contract dilemma. They touched on potential backup plans, how other teams' moves impact Detroit, and more. Plus, they took your calls and read your texts on the subject throughout the show.
HOUR 1: Reactions To Latest On Duren/Pistons + Detroit Sports Temperature Check
Jalen Duren has been granted the ability to seek out other suitors for him in a potential sign-and-trade, and the guys opened the show by breaking this down in depth. They wrapped the hour after taking your calls on the subject by doing a Detroit sports temperature check.
HOUR 2: Potential Pistons Backup Plans If They Lose Duren + Reactions To Kawhi Traded To Raptors
Mike and Rico wondered what the Pistons will do if they lose Jalen Duren to another team in free agency. Also, they reacted in real time to the Raptors trading for Kawhi Leonard and discussed what it means for Detroit.
HOUR 3: Can We Say That? + Duren/Pistons Continued
The guys started the second half of the show with this week's "Can We Say That?" segment. They shifted gears in the second segment back to the ongoing dialogue about Jalen Duren/the Pistons.
HOUR 4: NBA Free Agency Updates + Sorsby/NFL's Resolution + Final Thoughts & Calls On Pistons/Duren
Mike and Rico had some thoughts on the most recent developments in the NBA ahead of the start of free agency. Then, they reacted to the latest on Brendan Sorsby before spending the remainder of today's show with some final thoughts and calls on Jalen Duren's unresolved contract situation with the Pistons.
NBA Free Agency Updates + Sorsby Stands Down To NFL + More Pistons Thoughts
Valenti and Rico cover a lot of ground to open the final hour.
More Of Your Pistons/Duren Calls
Mike and Rico hear from some more of the people on the Pistons/Duren conversation.
Can We Say That? | 6-30-26
The guys do this week's "Can We Say That?"
What Does The Raptors Trading For Kawhi Leonard Mean For The Pistons?
Mike and Rico react to the breaking news that the Clippers are trading Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors.
Hearing From More Of The People On Pistons/Jalen Duren Dilemma
Mike and Rico read more of your texts and take more of your calls on their ongoing Pistons/Jalen Duren discussion.
What Is The Backup Plan If The Pistons Lose Duren?
The guys don't know how the Pistons will replace Jalen Duren this offseason if they lose him to another team.
Detroit Sports Temperature Check | 6-30-26
Who surrounding Detroit sports is under the most heat right now?
Taking Your Calls On Duren's Potential Deal With The Kings/If The Pistons Should Match
The people chime in on the Duren contract situation.
Do You Want Jalen Duren Back On The Pistons Next Year?
The guys discuss whether Jalen Duren will be worth bringing back for the Pistons.
Reacting To Jalen Duren Being Allowed To Seek Trade To Kings
Mike and Rico talk about why not interested in the Pistons matching a potentially large contract for Jalen Duren from the Kings.
FULL SHOW: Monday, June 29th
Valenti and Rico come on the air, joined by David, to break the devastating news of Kenny Kott's passing. They honored the 97.1 Ticket legend throughout today's show and also attempted to retain a sense of normalcy through a few discussions surrounding the Red Wings/Yzerman, Terrion Arnold, and the Tigers.
HOUR 1: Remembering Kenny Kott
The guys spent the first hour trying to process the stunning news of Kenny Kott's passing this past weekend.
HOUR 2: Remembering Kenny Kott + Thoughts On Steve Yzerman's Draft Day Moves/Recent Comments
Valenti and Rico opened the second hour with some more sentiments regarding the passing of Kenny Kott. Then, they tried their best to retain a sense of normalcy on the show with a conversation about Steve Yzerman's recent comments to the media and the moves he made (or did not make) at the NHL Entry Draft.
HOUR 3: Reactions To Lions Releasing Terrion Arnold
Terrion Arnold was released by the Lions at the top of the third hour, and the guys + the people gave their thoughts on the news.
HOUR 4: Valenti's Reaction To Tigers' Lineup Tonight + Start, Bench, Cut
Mike shared his thoughts on tonight's lineup for the Tigers against the Yankees. Then, the guys took more of your phone calls on a wide array of topics, including Kenny Kott's passing, before wrapping up the show with a new segment from Paul Serra called "Start, Bench, or Cut".
Start, Bench, Cut | 6-29-26
Paul Serra and the guys debut a new segment.
Valenti Is Seething Over Tonight's Tigers Lineup
Mike is not pleased about the lineup the Tigers are trotting out against the Yankees tonight.
Taking Your Calls On Lions Releasing Terrion Arnold
Mike and Rico hear from the people on Kenny Kott's passing and the Lions releasing Terrion Arnold.
BREAKING: Lions Release Terrion Arnold
The guys react in real time to the Lions releasing Terrion Arnold.
Taking More Of Your Red Wings Calls
A few more of the people get involved in the Yzerman/Red Wings conversation.
Valenti On Yzerman: "He's Running [The Red Wings] Into The Ground"
The guys pivot briefly away from their honoring of Kenny Kott to discuss the moves Steve Yzerman made (or didn't make) during the NHL Draft and his ensuing comments to the media.
Remembering Kenny Kott
The guys offer some more thoughts amidst their ongoing remembrance of Kenny Kott.
Remembering Kenny Kott
Mike and Rico hear from caller DJ and TJ Lang about Kenny Kott's passing.
Remembering Kenny Kott
The guys continue to do their best to honor Kenny Kott.
Remembering Kenny Kott
Mike, Rico, and David share some devastating news.
Best Of The Valenti Show w/ Rico On 97.1 The Ticket: Dusty May To The Mavs, The All-Time Italian NBA Team, & More!
This week's Best Of Valenti begins with the guys reacting to Dusty May leaving Michigan to coach the Mavericks. Then, they draft the all-time Italian NBA players, discuss the top sports draft busts ever, and much more!
FULL SHOW: Friday, June 26th
Valenti and Rico spent the final show of the week discussing the latest on Dylan Larkin and Steve Yzerman's willingness (or unwillingness) to deal his captain. They took multiple different angles on this conversation and reacted to 2 separate reports. Plus, they mixed in some other general football topics before returning to the Red Wings talk to round things out.
HOUR 1: Pierre LeBrun's Concerning Report About Dylan Larkin & Yzerman's Stubbornness + In Football Today
The guys began the show with their immediate thoughts on a report from NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun throwing cold water on any smoke regarding Dylan Larkin getting traded any time soon. They discussed the potential ramifications if this news turns out to be true and what the perception will be in Detroit about both Steve Yzerman and Larkin. Then, they finished the hour with an "In Football Today".
HOUR 2: Sorsby Denied Entry To The CFL + Could Larkin Be Traded To Minnesota?
Valenti and Rico quickly reacted to the news that Brendan Sorsby has been denied entry to the CFP for this upcoming season. Then, they addressed another Dylan Larkin report, this time one that links him to the Minnesota Wild.
HOUR 3: Top-100 NFL Players + More Red Wings Calls + Brief Duren Contract Update
Mike and Rico had some fun guessing the top-100 NFL players from CBS Sports. Then, they heard from some more Red Wings fans before wrapping the hour with an acknowledgement of the latest on Jalen Duren's potential contract extension with the Pistons.
HOUR 4: Final Thoughts + Calls On The Larkin/Yzerman Discussion
The guys rounded out the show with some parting thoughts to wrap up their Red Wings/Dylan Larkin conversation today.
Are We Buying The 2 Main Red Wings Reports Discussed Today?
Mike and Rico open the final hour trying to decipher what is true and untrue about the Dylan Larkin reports from today.
Briefly Touching On Duren Contract News
The guys spend a few minutes reacting to the latest news about a potential Jalen Duren/Pistons extension.
More Of The People Chime In On The Latest Larkin/Red Wings News
Valenti and Rico keep the phone lines open for the listeners regarding the 2 Larkin/Red Wings reports they've discussed today.
The NFL Top 100 + Where Lions Rank Within It | In Football Today
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports ranked the top 100 NFL players and the guys react to the list.
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