The Valenti Show
The Valenti Show with Rico is Detroit’s must-listen daily sports show — where strong opinions meet smart analysis. Hosted by Mike Valenti and Rico Beard, The Valenti Show brings unfiltered takes on the biggest national stories and dives deep into all-things-Detroit sports: the Lions, Tigers, Pistons, Red Wings, Michigan and Michigan State. Whether it's NFL drama, playoff stakes or college football storylines, Valenti and Rico tell it like it is — no fluff, no fan service, just real talk. Catch The Valenti Show with Rico live Monday through Friday 2pm - 6pm EST on 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT). Full episodes, individual hours and sh...
Week 3 NFL Power Rankings
Rico brings back his NFL power rankings for this year.
Taking Your Calls In Response To Valenti's Criticism Of Michigan Football
Do the people agree that Michigan football isn't a good team this year?
What Else Has Michigan's Start To Their Season Told Us About Them?
The guys continue to dissect Michigan Football.
Telling Some Hard Truths About Michigan Football
Mike and Rico state what they think is the obvious when it comes to this Michigan Football team not being good.
Biggest CFB Questions | College Football Blitz
David joins the guys to ask them the most pressing college football questions at this point in the season.
Tigers Fans Respond To Scott Harris' Comments
Mike and Rico get the people involved in their conversation about Scott Harris and his frustrating comments.
The Issue With Scott Harris' Response About Lack Of Free Agency Moves
The guys are not pleased with Scott Harris' explanation for his lack of free-agent acquisitions.
Valenti Offers Some Harsh Criticism For Scott Harris
Mike has had enough of Scott Harris after the Tigers' President of Baseball Operations' comments during his end-of-year press conference.
Best Of Lions on 97.1 The Ticket: Gibbs & Goff Lead Way As Detroit Gets Another Uneasy Win
Costa & Jansen, Karsch & Anderson, and The Valenti Show react to the Detroit Lions’ 31-24 victory over the New York Jets at Ford Field. We dive into Jahmyr Gibbs’ electrifying touchdown run, Jared Goff’s steady 321-yard performance, and the game-winning double-A gap blitz dialed up by Kelvin Sheppard that resulted in a Chuck Clark strip-sack and Jack Campbell recovery.
FULL SHOW: Monday, September 28th
Valenti and Rico spent the majority of today's show with their reactions to the Lions' close win against the Jets yesterday. They shared why they are VERY down on the defense going forward and heard from the people in response. The guys briefly paused for the Monday staple "Can We Say That?" segments and an update on Jalen Duren's no-show to Pistons media day today.
HOUR 1: Frustrations About Lions' Defensive Performance Despite The W + Can We Say That? Part 1
The guys crushed the Lions defense to begin today's show, arguing that even with the win, there were too many negative takeaways to be content with the performance. They expanded on this until doing part 1 of "Can We Say That?" to end the first hour.
HOUR 2: More Reactions + Calls About Lions
In the second hour, Mike and Rico welcomed any and all Lions fans into their conversation about the close win against the Jets yesterday and the abysmal defensive performance.
HOUR 3: Can We Say That? Part 2 + Duren No-Shows Media Day + More Of Your Calls
The guys did part 2 of "Can We Say That?" to open up the third hour. Then, they deviated from football for the first time today to discuss Jalen Duren skipping out on Pistons media day and what Trajan Langdon had to say in response.
HOUR 4: Expanding Further On Lions Defensive Woes + Taking More Of Your Calls
Valenti and Rico devoted the entire final hour to criticizing the Lions' defense after another brutal performance against the Jets yesterday. They were joined by Wojo and Riger in cross-talk to wrap up the show.
How Was Dan Campbell Content With The Defensive Performance Yesterday?
The guys return to their Lions discussion in the final hour, questioning Dan Campbell's enthusiasm about the defense after yesterday's win.
Taking Your Calls On Duren/Pistons Fiasco + Lions Close Win Vs. Jets
The guys get some more engagement from the listeners regarding the Lions and Jalen Duren's no-show at media day today.
Reacting To Duren Not Showing Up For Media Day + Trajan Langdon's Comments About It
Pistons media day was today and, unsurprisingly, Jalen Duren was a no-show. Trajan Langdon spoke about it, and the guys react to his comments.
Can We Say That? Part 2 | 9-28-26
The guys do part 2 of "Can We Say That?"
Are Lions Fans Missing The Big Picture?
The guys return to a talking point they've broached in the past about the expectations of Lions fans not being high enough.
More Lions Win Reactions: Why Are Fans Not Being Real About Yesterday?
Mike and Rico continue to interact with Lions fans, some of whom do not see eye to eye with them regarding the shortcomings of the defense and more.
Can We Say That? Part 1 | 9-28-26
The guys cover some NFL and college football topics in part 1 of "Can We Say That?"
Are Lions Fans Concerned After Yesterday's Close Call To The Jets?
Some of the people chime in via texts and calls about the Lions' win over the Jets.
Is There Anything Positive To Take Away For Lions?
Mike and Rico continue their conversation about the Lions' close Week 3 win over the Jets.
Valenti RIPS Lions Defense After Another Brutal Showing
The guys react to the too-close-for-comfort Lions win over the Jets.
Best Of The Valenti Show W/ Rico On 97.1 The Ticket: Can We Say That? + NFL Injury Problem? + More!
Mike and Rico focus on the Chiefs and other Week 2 winners on "Can We Say That?" Plus, the guys discuss whether the NFL has an injury problem, share their frustration regarding the latest update on the Pistons/Duren saga, and much more!
Best Of The Lions On 97.1 The Ticket: Are The Vultures Circling? + Can Lions Even Win The Division? + More!
On this week's Best Of Lions, Costa & Jansen discuss whether the vultures are circling for the team based on a comment from Jared Goff. Then, Karsch & Anderson ask some questions about the likelihood of Detroit winning the NFC North, much less the Super Bowl; Valenti & Rico react to Kelvin Sheppard's interesting comments in his press conference; and much more!
FULL SHOW: Friday, September 25th
Valenti and Rico kicked off this Football Friday with their confidence levels in the Lions going into their Week 3 matchup against the Jets this Sunday. They were joined by TJ Lang in the second hour, who chimed in on their conversation from the first hour, answered his critical question, and did this week's "The Picks". The guys covered a lot of ground in the third hour before incorporating all of today's topics in the final hour of the show.
HOUR 1: Why Mike Is So Confident In The Lions + Rico's Prop Bet Casino
Valenti made it very clear from the beginning of the show how confident he is in the Lions going into their matchup with the Jets on Sunday in Ford Field. Rico pushed back on this as the guys debated the topic until doing this week's Prop Bet Casino.
HOUR 2: TJ Lang Joins To Answer His Critical Question, Preview Jets-Lions/Iowa-Michigan & Do "The Picks"
TJ Lang joined the guys in his usual spot in the second hour. He answered Mike's critical question for him, previewed Jets-Lions/Iowa-Michigan, and, of course, did "The Picks".
HOUR 3: Your Texts + Who Said It? + How Important Is A Win For MSU Against Nebraska?
Mike and Rico finally heard from some of the people via text to begin the third hour. Then, they did this week's version of "Who Said It?" before wrapping up the hour with a discussion about MSU's big showdown with Nebraska tomorrow.
HOUR 4: Final Previews Of Jets-Lions, Iowa-Michigan, & Nebraska-MSU
The guys spent the final hour putting a bow on each of the 3 games they've previewed during today's show.
Taking Your Final Calls On Jets-Lions, Iowa-Michigan, Nebraska-MSU
Mike and Rico hear from the people for the final time on the 3 big games in the area this weekend.
Resetting Today's Main Topics
Mike and Rico discuss their confidence in the Lions and their expectations for Iowa-Michigan and Nebraska-MSU to open up the final hour.
Is Tomorrow A "Program" Game For MSU Football Vs. Nebraska?
Valenti wonders just how important tomorrow's game against Nebraska is for MSU Football and head coach Pat Fitzgerald.
Reacting To Some Of Your Texts On Michigan Football, Lions & More
The guys read some of your texts for the first time this show.
The Picks | 9-25-26
The guys do this week's "The Picks".
Will Michigan Comfortably Handle Iowa Tomorrow?
The guys and TJ talk about their expectations for Michigan against Iowa tomorrow.
TJ Previews Lions-Jets
Will the Lions get back on track Sunday against the Jets?
Kickoff with Boomer Esiason and Mike Valenti for Week 3 in the NFL | 'Kickoff with Boomer & Valenti'
Kickoff with Boomer Valenti: The Chiefs Dynasty is back, the Packers and Chargers might stink, and Jaxson Dart's season is over. The guys give their Week 3 picks and wrap up with a game of "QB or HC"
TJ Lang Answers Mike's Critical Question For Him
Valenti asks TJ a question about the Packers, who got blown out by the Falcons last night on Thursday Night Football.