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...
Best of the Tigers on 97.1 The Ticket: Verlander Announces Retirement, Tigers Are Getting Hot And Is It Time To Buy?
Justin Verlander announced this would be his final season, what will be his legacy? The Tigers are starting to get hot, are you starting to believe in a playoff run? All this and more!
Best Of The Pistons On 97.1 The Ticket: KD To The Pistons? + Are The Pistons Done Making Moves This Offseason?
On this week's Best of Pistons, both Costa & Stoney and Valenti & Rico address two topics: whether there's any chance KD comes to the Pistons and if Trajan Langdon is done this offseason.
FULL SHOW: Friday, July 10th
Valenti, joined by Brendan Schabath (in for Rico), kicked off the show asking a question regarding 2 GMs in Detroit: which of Scott Harris (Skubal situation) and Steve Yzerman (Larkin trade request) is in the more difficult situation? They took a break from this topic in the second hour to discuss the latest on Jalen Duren and whether Trajan Langdon may have made a mistake with his handling of this ongoing saga. The Godfather Michael Stone sat in for the second half of the show as they took a detour for a couple of segments but continued to mainly focus on...
HOUR 1: Yzerman Vs. Harris Debate + Fair Or Foul? Part 1
The guys opened the show with a debate regarding which of Steve Yzerman and Scott Harris has the more difficult job dealing with their star player. They heard from a few of the people before they did "Fair Or Foul" to end the first hour.
HOUR 3: "Fair Or Foul" Part 2 + More Yzerman Vs. Harris + "Who Said It?" Ft. Stoney
Michael Stone joined the guys in the third hour for the 2nd "Fair Or Foul" of the day. Then, he chimed in on the Yzerman vs. Harris debate before they all played "Who Said It?".
HOUR 2: Trajan Langdon's Mistake + Where The Pistons Go From Here With Jalen Duren
Valenti and Brendan dove into some Pistons talk, with Mike sharing his frustration over one mistake he thinks Trajan Langdon made this offseason.
HOUR 4: Stoney Sticks Around To Continue The Yzerman Vs. Harris Debate
The guys put a bow on today's show with their final thoughts on which of Yzerman and Harris has the more difficult job right now.
Hearing From A Few More People Regarding Yzerman vs. Harris
The people chime in, trying to make sense of what Yzerman and Harris will end up doing about the question marks surrounding their respective star players.
Is Steve Yzerman Interested In Doing What's Best For The Red Wings?
Mike, Brendan, and Stoney discuss whether Steve Yzerman is willing to do what it takes to rebuild the Red Wings and, if so, what that entails.
Stoney Offers His Two Cents On The Yzerman vs. Harris Debate
Stoney shares his thoughts on who out of Steve Yzerman and Scott Harris has the more difficult job right now.
Fair Or Foul? Part 2 | 7-10-26
The guys are joined by Stoney for the 2nd edition of today's "Fair Or Foul" segments.
The People Chime In On The Pistons/Duren Talk
Mike and Brendan hear from a few of the people via some texts and calls on the Duren conversation.
Where Do The Pistons Go From Here With Jalen Duren?
The guys wonder what comes next in the Duren/Pistons situation.
Valenti Thinks Trajan Langdon Made One Specific Big Mistake This Offseason
Where do the Pistons go from here with Jalen Duren?
Fair Or Foul? Part 1| 7-10-26
Mike, Brendan, David, and Corbin go through some life situations, debating whether each is fair or foul.
The Worst Frozen Pizzas + Your Calls On The Yzerman Vs. Harris Debate
Mike can't let Brendan's obsession with frozen pizzas go as he reads a list of the worst brands to see if Brendan has eaten any of them. Then, they return to the Yzerman-Harris conversation with some more of your calls.
Breaking Down The Potential Consequences Scott Harris Will Face If He Messes Up Skubal Situation
The guys expand their Harris vs. Yzerman conversation to examine what would happen if the Tigers make the wrong decision in terms of Tarik Skubal.
Is Yzerman Or Scott Harris In A More Difficult Spot Right Now?
Valenti and Brendan Schabath (in for Rico) discuss whether Scott Harris or Steve Yzerman is in a worse spot regarding their superstar players (Skubal and Larkin).
FULL SHOW: Thursday, July 9th
Valenti and Rico, in response to the newest report about the situation, spent the vast majority of today's show addressing one question: what will the outcome be of the Yzerman/Larkin standoff?
HOUR 1: Reactions To Latest In Larkin's Trade Request + 21st Century CFB Players Blind Ranking
Mike and Rico got right into the news that Dylan Larkin has increased his list of teams he'd like to be traded to -- by 1. They spent some time trying to figure out what comes next before ending the first hour with the guys blind ranking the 10 best college football players from the 21st century.
HOUR 2: How Will The Larkin Situation Sort Itself Out?
Valenti and Rico continued their ongoing discussion about the latest news regarding Dylan Larkin and Steve Yzerman in the second hour.
HOUR 3: 2026 NFL Breakout Candidates + More Thoughts/Calls/Texts On How The Larkin Situation Will Play Out
Mike and Rico took a quick break from their Red Wings conversation to discuss some breakout candidates for the 2026 NFL season before returning to the aforementioned topic they focused on in today's show.
HOUR 4: Final Thoughts + Calls On Yzerman/Larkin
The guys put a bow on today's show by giving some final thoughts on what the outcome of the Yzerman/Larkin saga will be. They mixed in some thoughts on the NBA Summer League and the Big 12's naming rights deal before taking a couple more of your Red Wings calls.
Taking Your Final Calls On Larkin/Yzerman
The guys go to the people for one final time on this show.
Where To Watch Summer League + Reacting To Big 12 Monster Energy Naming Rights Deal + More Yzerman/Larkin Calls
The guys quickly discuss having to watch the Pistons on streaming tonight and the new Big 12/Monster Energy naming rights deal before returning to their show-long Red Wings conversation.
2026 NFL Bounce Back Candidates | In Football Today
The guys discuss which NFL players are set to improve over their 2025 play.
Are You Tired Of Talking About Yzerman/Larkin? + Jahmai Jones DFA'd
Mike and Rico keep the Red Wings conversation rolling before reacting to the "breaking news" that the Tigers have DFA'd Jahmai Jones.
How Is This Yzerman/Larkin Dilemma Going To End?
Mike and Rico try to predict the potential outcome of the Yzerman/Larkin standoff.
Blind Ranking The Top CFB Players Of The 21st Century
Valenti and Rico blind rank the top 10 CFB players of the 21st century.
The People Chime In On The Ongoing Saga Between Steve Yzerman & Dylan Larkin
Valenti and Rico gauge the temperature of some listeners regarding the Yzerman/Larkin conversation.
Dylan Larkin Expands Trade List By 1 Team: What Should We Make Of This?
Mike and Rico continue their reactions to the latest with the Yzerman/Larkin standoff.
Reacting To Latest Concerning Larkin/Yzerman Report
The Yzerman/Larkin conflict doesn't look like it's going away anytime soon...
FULL SHOW: Wednesday, July 8th
Valenti and Rico got today's show started with their reactions to Tarik Skubal's comments last night in which he urged the Tigers front office to be buyers this trade deadline. The guys discussed the absurdity of this before Mike shared some potentially concerning news that the Pistons' offseason could essentially be done. Then, they heard from the people on all of today's topics and wrapped up the show with a reset of the Skubal discussion.
HOUR 1: Skubal's Tone Deaf Comments + Valenti/Rico's Blind Ranking
Tarik Skubal had an interesting plea to the Tigers front office last night, and the guys reacted to it to open today's show. They tried to make sense of why he said what he said, considering the likelihood of him not being in Detroit in 2027. Then, Mike and Rico blind ranked the topics they most dislike talking about.
HOUR 2: Are The Pistons Done Making Moves This Offseason?
Mike started the second hour sharing some news from a friend of his who covers the NBA nationally, who told him that Trajan Langdon's offseason is over. They discussed whether they believe this and, if true, whether the Pistons actually improved this offseason.
HOUR 3: In Football Today + Your Calls On Valenti's Pistons Information
The guys tried to guess the top NFL QBs going into 2026 according to PFF to begin the hour. Then, they went back to the people to hear their thoughts on whether Trajan Langdon is actually done making moves this offseason.
HOUR 4: Skubal's Comments Revisited + Your Final Calls
Mike and Rico had some further discussions regarding Tarik Skubal's plea with the Tigers' front office to be buyers at the trade deadline. They rounded out the show with your calls on both Skubal and today's other main topics.
What Was Skubal Thinking When He Made Those Comments Last Night?
Mike and Rico return to the Skubal conversation, trying to get inside the mind of the Tigers' ace and understand what compelled him to ask the team to buy at the deadline, considering the likelihood of him being gone past this year.
Taking Your Calls On Whether The Pistons' Offseason Is Over
Valenti and Rico hear from a few of the people on the information Mike received about Trajan Langdon being done this offseason.
NFLs Best QBs Going Into 2026 | In Football Today
Rico has Mike, David, and Paul guess the top projected QBs in 2026 from PFF.
