A Nod To The Sage, Ira Kaufman

October 7th, 2025

So every week Ira Kaufman, the Sage of Tampa Bay Sports, makes his Bucs-game picks inside the Ira Kaufman Podcast.

Joe is tossing Ira flowers today for upping his 2025 season record to 5-0 after predicting a three-point Bucs win in Seattle.

Ira was adamant that Seattle is no 12-win team and the Bucs have enough juice, even without Bucky Irving, to knock them off on the road.

Well done, Ira — 5-0 is impressive and worthy of a post.

(Each “Joe” is at 4-1 after split calls on the Seattle game.)

Ira kicked off his 50th year as a sports journalist a couple of weeks ago. That’s right. Kaufman secured his first job in the business back in September of 1976. Stunning!

The Sage marches on strong in his 10th year at JoeBucsFan.com. He’s also logged 20 years as Tampa Bay’s only Pro Football Hall of Fame selector.

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28 Responses to “A Nod To The Sage, Ira Kaufman”

  1. ReeeBarrr Says:

    We are lucky to have Ira!

  2. 813bucboi Says:

    HUGE NOD TO TODD!!!!!

    4-1!!!!

    GO BUCS!!!!

  3. Joe Sea Says:

    Dying to hear Ira’s take on the win!

  4. William Walls Says:

    Something tells me that Ira has that same expression on his face whenever he reads one of my compliments! LOL

  5. UGotRobbed Says:

    Way to go Ira! Who ya got this Sunday!?🤔

  6. Crickett Baker Says:

    Hail Ira!

  7. Permanently Moderated Says:

    Has it really been 10 years? Seems like yesterday when you announced he was joining the team.

  8. garro Says:

    We are so lucky to have the Sage. There are some legends in sports journalism and a few, sadly, are no longer in the press box. Thanks Ira, you are indeed a legend!

    Go Bucs!

  9. Watch Daddy Sling It Says:

    Fortunate to have ira and the Joes

    Shortly after the Seattle game, jbf was several posts in, while the first game coverage from our once-glorious, crane-damaged, occasionally-printed and paywall-protected Local Outlet was an AP wire re-cap.

  10. firethecannons Says:

    Love the podcast with the Joes and Ira, keep Ira healthy. Enforce the diet!

  11. Sumosam Says:

    Ira is a great personality in our market. I remember when you brought him in thinking he will add nothing but fun and knowledge to your site. Thank you for doing that for the fans. It was a great move.

  12. KABucs Says:

    Ira in sports = Bucs as a franchise
    Good show!

  13. KABucs Says:

    … and calling a 3 pt win exactly?
    Maybe he is a sage?

  14. BA’s Red Pen Says:

    Love me some Sage! You should have a bust at One Buc Palace over there Ira!

  15. Pops Malone Says:

    Just keep on rolling Ira!!! And can we get the next podcast posted please??
    I love them and they keep me company in all of this Chicago traffic!!!
    Go Bucs!!! Beat Niners!!

  16. Ultra ClodHopper Says:

    Love the Sage. Smart. Entertaining. Funny. Love everything about him except for the way he pronounces “saw”

  17. James west Says:

    Love ya Ira, beet salad on me buddy

  18. heyjude Says:

    Ira is excellence at it’s best!

  19. Dean Bucs fan for life!!! Says:

    Ira, you are an institution all by yourself!!! Being a kid from the Bronx, and you from Brooklyn, I am proud of what you have accomplished throughout your career, your passion and commitment to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and your foundation and roots in New York City!!!

    Cheers to you, Sage!!!

    Dean

  20. PSL Bob Says:

    Ira’s a hell of a good writer! I read every one of his columns. And, I must say unlike the posts here, you rarely see anything that needs to be corrected (typo, missing word, misspelling, etc.). I love the content here, but editing is not one of the Joe’s strong points.
    Joe is very sloppy. Ira is not. –Joe

  21. Kenton Smith Says:

    Baker, as he’s getting older, is learning to slide sometimes instead of running headfirst into the melee. Listening to press conferences with Ira questioning our team’s performance sometimes I feel like Ira might just slide-but no, he runs headfirst into the melee. Some things just can’t be coached. Much respect for Ira and the Joe’s!!

  22. Thunder Says:

    Its a shame the pod, which is very good is so unreliable.
    It’s Tuesday and still no pod.
    ?? Joe and Ira have been producing 2 podcasts a week for 9+ years without many hiccups. Last week, there were 3 episodes.
    Joe chooses to publish a podcast that has strong shelf-life and quality rather than adhering to a schedule. Joe also edits the podcasts to respect listeners’ time. Joe and Ira are recording tonight and the podcast will publish in the morning.–Joe

  23. orlbucfan Says:

    50 years, has it been that long, Ira? Major congratulations and kudos to you!! You’re correct, Joe. I don’t have to mentally proof/copy edit Ira’s columns alike many a post, both from you guys and assorted fans. Believe me, nothing wrong with knowing and writing correct/literate English.

  24. orlbucfan Says:

    *unlike……grrrrr, hate old age!

  25. Aqualung Says:

    Ira for the Ring of Honor and the Hall of Fame.

  26. RustyRhinos Says:

    How much things have changed Ira, I remember reading you in news print, articles you typed out on a typewriter, now you’re using a PC, and sending your Buccaneer posts out across the interwebs and vocaly! Thanks Joe’s for bring in a great journalist to your own journalists talents I have admired for years. Keep up the HOF push for Simeon Rice. You can do it.

  27. Buc1987 Says:

    Go Ira!

  28. Ira's Coconut Donut Says:

    I always look forward to Ira’s Podcast. LFG!

 

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