The daily ESPN2 sports discussion program Highly Questionable and ESPN Radio’s The Dan Le Batard Show will have new studio homes in Miami Beach’s Clevelander Hotel starting Monday, Sept. 8.
As part of an agreement between ESPN and Clevelander Hotel, new television and radio studios have been built inside the South Beach hotel for the two programs.
Highly Questionable will feature a colorful new set and different look while still retaining a Miami flavor including a window behind the panelists that will offer a South Beach view of palm trees, sand and surf. From its debut in 2011 until 2014, the show has originated from a set modeled after a 1950s Miami home kitchen.
Airing daily at 4 p.m. ET, the half-hour Highly Questionable is hosted by longtime Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard, his father, Gonzalo “Papi” Le Batard, and sports commentator Bomani Jones. The crew brings an innovative and comedic approach to sports commentary and offers a critical – and sometimes controversial – perspective on the world of professional sports. HQ is part of ESPN2’s lineup of personality-driven programs.
“We are going to conga line from our colorful 1950s kitchen to something South Beach cooler. It’ll feel fun and colorful and like a party — like an ESPN Miami, next to a pool serving drinks,” said Dan Le Batard.
On radio, Dan Le Batard and his co-host Stugotz (Jon Weiner), bring their unique blend of self-deprecating humor, insightful guests and thoughtful conversation to ESPN Radio’s national audience Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m. Rotating guest co-hosts, including Jones and Herald writer Greg Cote, often join to provide listeners with a slightly different experience every day. A local version of the program airs on Miami ESPN Radio affiliate “The Ticket” from 3-4 p.m.
Clevelander Hotel will display an ESPN Studios logo outside the building and there will be ESPN-themed signage in the hotel’s Game On sports bar. ESPN premium items will be available for purchase in the hotel and the two shows also will include references to the hotel in each airing. In addition, ESPN will have the option of utilizing multiple outdoor settings at Clevelander Hotel for live television and radio programs in the future.
ESPN also will make use of the studio and its facilities when Jones appears as a panelist on Around the Horn, Outside the Lines and other programs, and when Dan Le Batard is an occasional guest host on Pardon the Interruption. The studio will not have access for public viewing.
Clevelander Hotel, located in the center of South Beach, has been part of the Miami sports and entertainment scene for more than 75 years.